The aim of the present study was the estimation of the anti-inflammatory effects of the somatostatin analogs, octreotide (OCT) and vapreotide (RC-160), in zymosan-induced mice ear inflammation and to compare their effects with those of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DX) and the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen (KP), which are the well-known and potent suppressors of the inflammatory reaction. The inflammation was induced by injecting 20 microl of 1% suspension of zymosan intradermally into one of the earlobes of the mouse. The control animals received a vehicle 0.9% NaCl. The zymosan-treated animals were injected subcutaneously with one of the following substances: 0.9% NaCl, OCT, RC-160, DX, KP or with OCT plus DX and OCT plus KP. The edema of earlobes, the area of inflammatory focus and the area of vascular profiles in the inflamed tissues were estimated. A reduction of the ear edema in the mice treated with OCT, DX, KP, OCT + DX and OCT + KP was observed. The administration of all drugs caused the decrease of the area of the inflammatory focus and of the area of vascular profiles. The antiphlogistic activity was more pronounced in the OCT-treated animals in comparison to those treated with RC-160. The joint treatment with either OCT plus DX or OCT plus KP almost totally inhibited the zymosan-induced inflammatory reaction. In summary, the somatostatin analog OCT possesses antiphlogistic activity roughly comparable with classical anti-inflammatory drugs such as DX and KP. The somatostatin analogs may constitute a new promising group of anti-inflammatory agents.
Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel