Polymorphonuclear leukocyte collagenase in carrageenin-induced inflammation: effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Experimental pleurisy induced by carrageenin in rats caused an accumulation of PMN-leukocytes in the pleural cavity and changes in the blood leukocyte population. During the course of the inflammation involved, up to 90-98% activation of latent collagenase was observed in blood PMN-leukocytes and in leukocytes obtained from pleural exudate. The NSAIDs tested for their effect on this process had significant inhibitory effects on both exudate and leukocyte accumulation as well as on the activation of latent collagenase. Timegadine, medosan and sulindac were most effective in preventing collagenase activation, felden and naproxen were less effective, and peroxinorm was without an influence, whereas indomethacin destroyed collagenase activity. These results suggest that the protective effects of NSAIDs against the activation of latent collagenase could be one of their therapeutic actions.