A cytochemical study of the adjuvant inflamed air pouch in the rat.

The oxidative biochemistry of the adjuvant-inflamed rat air pouch has been studied using the techniques of quantitative cytochemistry. Highly significant increases in the maximal activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were observed. These changes are similar to those that have been reported by others in both human rheumatoid synovial tissue and the synovial tissue of rabbits with allergic arthritis. It is suggested that modulation of these changes by putative therapeutic agents may form the basis for a readily quantifiable drug screening programme.