Effects of ulinastatin on experimental arthritis
Kato, K.; Ohzawa, N.; Nakayama, K.; Nagao, Y.; Miyata, H.; Inaba, H.; Kosuzume, H.; Gohda, K.; Fukutake, K.
Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi. Folia Pharmacologica Japonica 91(1): 29-40
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-5691 PMID: 2453422 Document Number: 325762
Effects of the urinary enzyme inhibitor ulinastatin on experimental arthritis were investigated. Ulinastatin at the dose of 30,000 units/kg/day, i.v., significantly restored the swelling of hind paw, inflammatory score and bone damage in adjuvant arthritic rats. Intraarticular administration of ulinastatin at 3000 units/site .times. 3, significantly suppressed the articular swelling and the elevated inflammatory parameters in the synovial fluid of carrageenin-induced arthritic rabbits. Moreover, ulinastatin at the dose of 50000 units/kg/day, i.v., significantly prevented the elevation of serum rheumatoid factor and articular lesions in MRL/l mice. In addition, ulinastatin significantly inhibited human granulocyte elastase and cathepsin G. These findings indicate that ulinastatin may be a useful therapeutic agent for arthritis.