Acute Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Neostigmine in the Rat Air Pouch Model of Inflammation

Abstract

Background: Inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. Because the common anti-inflammatory drugs have many complications. Scientists try to find new methods and drugs to reduce inflammation, which have the least side effects. Aims: The nervous system and immune system have a bidirectional communication. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of neostigmine on the inflammatory parameters in the rat air pouch model of acute inflammation in male rats. Method: Male Wistar rates were anesthetized, 20 ml and 10 ml of sterile air were injected subcutaneously on the back of animals on day 1 and 3 respectively. On day 6, inflammation was induced by injection of 2 ml of carrageenan 1% into pouch. One milliliter of neostigmine (35, 70, 140, 200 and 310) µg/kg in the test groups and saline in the control group were administered intra peritoneal at the same time with the carrageenan injection. After six hours animals were sacrificed. The pouches were flushed with Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS). Then, they were opened, pouches fluid was collected in order to determine exudates volume and cell accumulation. The granuloma tissue was extracted and weighed, and its histopathologic characteristics were examined. Results. Exudates volume and tissue weight were only decreased by neostigmine 70 µg/kg significantly (p ≤ 0.001). Leukocytes accumulation also was decreased by neostigmine 70 µg/kg significantly (P < 0.05). The granulation tissue weight was increased significantly by neostigmine 200 µg/kg (p < 0.01). Conclusion: From this study it may be concluded that neostigmine affects on the inflammatory parameters possibly through the modulatory effects on immune system.