GLUCOCORTICOIDS INDUCE THE FORMATION AND RELEASE OF ANTI‐INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI‐PHOSPHOLIPASE PROTEINS INTO THE PERITONEAL CAVITY OF THE RAT

Abstract

Dexamethasone and hydrocortisone induce the release of anti‐phospholipase proteins into the peritoneal cavities of rats. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) also releases these proteins in normal but not in adrenalectomized rats. Peritoneal lavage proteins were separated by ion‐exchange and size exclusion chromatography. The anti‐phospholipase activity occurred in four separate fractions with the major component having an apparent mol. wt. of 40 k. Column fractions containing these anti‐phospholipase proteins had anti‐inflammatory effects in the rat carrageenin pleurisy model whereas other fractions were inactive. The proteins appear to be identical to macrocortin and lipomodulin, the ‘second messengers’ of glucocorticoid hormone action on the arachidonate system. 1982 British Pharmacological Society