Objective: The aim of this study was to test the proinflammatory action of human secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) in an animal model of synovitis-like inflammation and to compare it with a Group 1 (porcine pancreatic) and a Group 2 (Naja mocambique mocambique) PLA2.
Methods: The subcutaneous injection of air in the rat pouch induced the formation of a connective tissue cavity lined with cells closely resembling a synovium. sPLA2 (0.01-10 micrograms/pouch) porcine pancreatic (10 micrograms/pouch), PLA2 or Naja mocambique mocambique PLA2 (10 micrograms/pouch) were injected in a 6-day rat air pouch.
Results: Our data show that recombinant human enzyme PLA2 (0.01-10 micrograms/pouch), but not Naja mocambique mocambique (Group 2 PLA2) and porcine pancreatic PLA2 (Group 1 PLA2), was able to exacerbate the inflammatory response without increasing eicosanoid release.
Conclusion: Only sPLA2 was able to exacerbate rat air pouch and its effect was unrelated to eicosanoid release.