Measurement of interleukin-1 liberation in zymosan air-pouch exudate in mice

The aim of the present study was to examine whether interleukin-1 (IL-1) production is involved in the pathology of inflammation induced by zymosan in the air-pouch of mice. For this reason the IL-1α level was determined in the air-pouch exudate by specific ELISA kit 4, 24, 48 h and 4–8 days after zymosan injection into preformed subcutaneous air-pouches in mice. Concurrently, some conventional paremeters such as volume of exudate, its protein content and the total leukocyte count were also measured. The IL-1α level reached its maximum 24 h after zymosan administration and remained elevated throughout the 8-day observation period. Exudation, accumulation of leukocytes and protein also were maximal on day 8. The effects of some anti-inflammatory agents have also been examined. Orally administered dexamethasone induced a dose-dependent reduction in IL-1α, whereas indomethacin and IX 207–887, an IL-1-release inhibitor, failed to reduce the IL-1α content in this model.