Effects of copper, iron and zinc on oedema formation induced by phospholipase A2.

1. Intradermal or subplantar injection of soluble snake venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2) evoked a brisk inflammatory response, with cutaneous vascular permeability increase and paw oedema. 2. These inflammatory processes are mainly the result of arachidonic acid cascade activation and mast cell degranulation. 3. Copper, iron and zinc have an inhibitory effect on vascular permeability increase and paw oedema induced by PLA2. 4. Copper and iron could have not only a direct effect on PLA2 but on enzymes of arachidonic acid cascade. 5. However, zinc have a moderate antiinflammatory activity. This effect could be the result to inhibit PLA2 induced mast cell degranulation.