A reduction of tumor necrosis factor-α in paw exudate of lipopolysaccharide treated rats by nimesulide

TNF-α is considered to play a pivotal role in many inflammatory and illness states. In our previous study we found that nimesulide, a COX-2 selective inhibitor, prevents the lipopolysaccharide-induced elevation in plasma TNF-α in rats. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of nimesulide on TNF-α levels in the paw exudate of rats pretreated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rats were injected (subplantar) with LPS (100μg/paw) in the right hind, which resulted in a prominent increase in paw exudate TNF-α levels, peaked at one hour post injection. In rats pretreated with nimesulide (30mg/kg, ip), the elevation in TNF-α in the paw exudate was significantly reduced, as compared to the LPS treated group. These results further stress the multiple antiinflammatory effects of nimesulide.