A mathematical model for an expanding foam.

A theoretical and numerical model is presented for the shape evolution of the thin liquid films separating the gas bubbles in a foam. The motion is due to capillary action, surface tension gradients, and the overall expansion of the foam. The expansion is the result of the increase in gas content with time. Process modeling is accomplished via the solution of three coupled partial differential equations. Two time scales are included in the model: a process time and a drying or curing time. It is demonstrated that the amount of surfactant is the dominant control mechanism for the final film thickness. If sufficient surfactant is present, the films will be shown to dilate uniformly in space. A number of known features of expanding foams are reproduced by the model.

Preclinical efficacy and safety of mepolizumab (SB-240563), a humanized monoclonal antibody to IL-5, in cynomolgus monkeys.

BACKGROUND: Allergic respiratory diseases are characterized by large numbers of eosinophils and their reactive products in airways and blood; these are believed to be involved in progressive airway damage and remodeling. IL-5 is the principal cytokine for eosinophil maturation, differentiation, and survival. Mepolizumab (SB-240563), a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for human IL-5, is currently in clinical trials for treatment of asthma. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacologic activity and long-term safety profile of an anti--human IL-5 mAb to support clinical trials in asthmatic patients. METHODS: Naive and Ascaris suum -sensitive cynomolgus monkeys received various dose levels of mepolizumab and were monitored for acute and chronic pharmacologic and toxic responses. RESULTS: To support preclinical safety assessment, cynomolgus monkey IL-5 was cloned, expressed, and characterized. Although monkey IL-5 differs from human IL-5 by 2 amino acids (Ala27Gly and Asn40His), mepolizumab has comparable inhibitory activity against both monkey IL-5 and human IL-5. In A suum--sensitive monkeys, single doses of mepolizumab significantly reduced blood eosinophilia, eosinophil migration into lung airways, and levels of RANTES and IL-6 in lungs for 6 weeks. However, mepolizumab did not affect acute bronchoconstrictive responses to inhaled A suum. In an IL-2--induced eosinophilia model (up to 50% blood eosinophilia), 0.5 mg/kg mepolizumab blocked eosinophilia by >80%. Single-dose and chronic (6 monthly doses) intravenous and subcutaneous toxicity studies in naive monkeys found no target organ toxicity or immunotoxicity up to 300 mg/kg. Monkeys did not generate anti-human IgG antibodies. Monthly mepolizumab doses greater than 5 mg/kg caused an 80% to 100% decrease in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophils lasting 2 months after dosing, and there was no effect on eosinophil precursors in bone marrow after 6 months of treatment. Eosinophil decreases correlated with mepolizumab plasma concentrations (half-life = 13 days). CONCLUSION: These studies demonstrate that chronic antagonism of IL-5 by mepolizumab in monkeys is safe and has the potential, through long-term reductions in circulating and tissue-resident eosinophils, to be beneficial therapy for chronic inflammatory respiratory diseases.

Evaluation of plasma von Willebrand factor as a biomarker for acute arterial damage in rats.

Plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) was evaluated as a potential biomarker of acute arterial damage in rats after a vasotoxic dose of the dopaminergic vasodilator, fenoldopam (FP). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given FP or isotonic saline by subcutaneous injection, and plasma vWF was measured at 2, 6, and 24 hours after challenge. Mean plasma vWF values increased in FP-treated rats compared to controls at 2 hours (167 vs 122%; p < 0.05) and 6 hours postdose (172 vs 130%; p < 0.01) but were comparable to control values after 24 hours. Mesenteric arterial lesions were observed microscopically in all FP-treated rats 24 hours postdose but were not present in rats at 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours after FP challenge. Further, plasma vWF concentrations increased in saline-treated rats after only the minimal perturbation of repeated venipuncture. These results indicate an early, minimal, and transient release of vWF that precedes the onset of morphologically evident vascular damage. The minimal increases in plasma vWF concentrations were of limited predictive value, may be more reflective of an acute-phase reactant response, and were not considered a reliable biomarker of acute FP-induced arterial damage in the rat.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis of liver proteins: characterization of a drug-induced hepatomegaly in rats.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) of liver proteins was applied to further characterize an unusual drug-induced increase in hepatocellular rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) in Sprague-Dawley rats given a substituted pyrimidine derivative. Absolute liver weights of drug-treated rats (9.9 +/- 0.4 g) increased above vehicle-treated controls (7.2 +/- 0.2 g) by 37%. Light microscopy revealed diffuse granular basophilia of the hepatocellular cytoplasm, uncharacteristic of hepatocytes and suggested cells rich in ribosomes, which was confirmed by electron microscopy. Immunostaining for cell proliferation, viz., 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), indicated marked hepatocellular proliferative activity. 2-DE of solubilized liver using an ISO-DALT gel system indicated significant (p<0.001) quantitative changes in at least 17 liver proteins (12 increased, 5 decreased) compared to controls. The protein with the largest increase was homologous to acute-phase reactant, contrapsin-like protein inhibitor-6. Other markedly upregulated proteins were methionine adenosyltransferase, a catalyst in methionine/ATP metabolism and mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase, involved in cholesterol synthesis. The complementary strategies of 2-DE coupled either with database spot mapping or protein isolation and amino acid sequencing successfully identified a subset of proteins from xenobiotic-damaged rodent livers, the expression of which differed from controls. However, the current bioinformatics platform for rodent hepatic proteins and limited knowledge of specific protein functionality restricted application of this proteomics profile to further define a mechanistic basis for this unusual hepatotoxicity.

Endothelin receptor subtype distribution predisposes coronary arteries to damage.

Several vasoactive drugs that lower blood pressure and increase heart rate induce regional cardiotoxicity in the dog, most frequently of right coronary arteries and right atrium. The basis for this selective damage is thought to result from local changes in vascular tone and blood flow. Administration of an endothelin receptor antagonist (ETRA, SB 209670) to dogs induced damage most frequent and severe in the right coronary artery and right atrium. Because site predisposition may correlate with distribution of vasoactive receptors, the objectives of this study were to map endothelin (ET) receptor distribution and density within regions of dog heart using both gene (mRNA) and protein expression endpoints for dog ET(A) and ET(B) receptors, and, additionally, correlate ET receptor subtype density with regional cardiac blood flow. A 10- to 15-mmHg reduction in mean arterial pressure with a concomitant increase in heart rate (10-20%), a six- and twofold increase in regional blood flow to the right and left atrium, respectively, and acute hemorrhage, medial necrosis, and inflammation were observed in the right coronary arteries and arteries of the right atrium after ETRA infusion for 5 days. Radioligand protein binding to quantify both ET receptors in normal dog heart indicated a twofold greater density of ET receptors in atrial regions versus ventricular regions. Importantly, ET receptor density in coronary arteries was markedly (about five- to sixfold) increased above that in atrial or ventricular tissues. ET receptor subtype characterization indicated ET(B) receptors were three times more prevalent in right coronary arteries compared to left coronary arteries and in situ hybridization confirmed localization of ET(B) in vascular smooth muscle. ET(A) receptor density was comparable in right and left coronary arteries. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for ET(A) and ET(B) receptor mRNA transcripts supported the site prevalence for message distribution. Consequently, the composite of protein and message expression profiles for ET(A) and ET(B) receptors indicated a disproportionate distribution of ET(B) receptors within right coronary artery of dog and this, along with functional measures of blood flow after ETRA infusion indicated a predisposition for exaggerated pharmacological responses and subsequent damage to right coronary arteries by ET and/or ETRAs.

Automated double labeling of proliferation and apoptosis in glutathione S-transferase-positive hepatocytes in rats.

Immunohistochemical markers for proliferation (bromodeoxyuridine, BrdU) and apoptosis (in situ terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end-labeling, TUNEL) were localized within glutathione S-transferase (GSTP)-positive hepatic foci in rats. Using the TechMate Automated Staining System (BioTek Solutions: Santa Barbara, CA), formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were run through a double-label avidin-blotin-immunoperoxidase protocol in less than 10 hr. Steam heat-induced epitope retrieval and/or proteolytic digestion preceded each labeling procedure. Color development was achieved using diaminobenzidine (DAB) with nickel enhancement for BrdU and TUNEL and VIP for GSTP. Results illustrate clear staining, brown-black BrdU-positive nuclei or TUNEL-positive apoptotic bodies within purple GSTP-positive hepatocytes. This automated procedure provides a method to easily identify and quantitate proliferating or apoptotic cells within foci of altered hepatocytes in rat liver and may have general applications for studies of cell or tissue kinetics during development, differentiation, and various pathological conditions in animals and humans.

Efficacy of argon laser trabeculoplasty in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in patients with aphakia or pseudophakia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 63 eyes of 63 patients with aphakia or pseudophakia who had uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma and were treated with 180 degrees or 360 degrees ALT. RESULTS: The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) before ALT was 25.1 mm Hg (+/- 8.1 mm Hg). Two years after ALT, the mean IOP in the successfully treated group was 15.4 mm Hg. The mean survival time (50% success rate) for all treated eyes was 23 months, and treatment was successful in 34% of eyes at 36 months. Pseudophakic eyes had a better response than aphakic eyes (P = .06), and eyes that had extracapsular surgery did better than eyes with intracapsular surgery (P = .07). CONCLUSION: ALT in aphakic or pseudophakic eyes with uncontrolled glaucoma is a safe, reasonably effective treatment that can delay the need for trabeculectomy.

Timolol hemihydrate vs timolol maleate to treat ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: We compared the therapeutic efficacy and safety of timolol hemihydrate to timolol maleate in patients with ocular hypertension and chronic open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: We conducted this three-month study as a multicentered, masked, parallel group comparison. Both the 0.25% and 0.5% concentrations were evaluated against similar concentrations of timolol maleate. Dosing was twice daily. An open-label, nine-month study followed the masked portion of the protocol, in which all patients received either 0.25% or 0.5% timolol hemihydrate. A total of 371 patients were included in both the 0.25% and 0.5% studies. RESULTS: We found statistically similar intraocular pressures with both the 0.25% (18.3 and 18.6 mm Hg for the hemihydrate and maleate groups, respectively) and 0.5% (19.9 and 19.5 mm Hg for the hemihydrate and maleate groups, respectively) concentrations of timolol hemihydrate and timolol maleate after three months of masked treatment. Likewise, peak intraocular effect at two hours after taking the medication was statistically similar between medicines at both concentrations. Likewise, both ocular and systemic safety were similar between the maleate and hemihydrate preparations at both concentrations. In the nine-month open-label protocol, therapeutic efficacy (19.9 and 19.1 mm Hg for the 0.25% and 0.5% concentrations, respectively) and safety of timolol hemihydrate were similar to effect and safety of the three-month protocol. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that timolol hemihydrate had an ocular hypotensive efficacy and safety profile statistically equivalent to that of timolol maleate for up to three months of therapy. Timolol hemihydrate showed efficacy and safety similar to that observed within the first three months, for up to one year of therapy.

The effect of apraclonidine on the intraocular pressure of glaucoma patients following Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

We retrospectively compared the incidence and level of postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes in 53 consecutive glaucoma patients undergoing Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy (YPC) who received apraclonidine immediately postoperatively, with those occurring in 22 consecutive similar patients who did not receive apraclonidine. Postoperative IOP elevations of 5 mm Hg or more occurred in 13% of the apraclonidine recipients and in 59% of the nonrecipients; elevations of 10 mm Hg or more occurred in 4% of the former and in 27% of the latter. Our results suggest that apraclonidine can be a useful adjunct in preventing IOP elevations following YPC in glaucoma patients.

Effect of aminophenols (5-ASA and 4-ASA) on colonic interleukin-1 generation.

The effect of 5-ASA and 4-ASA, drugs used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, on modulation of experimental colitis and on colonic generation of interleukin-1 was evaluated. Three weeks of treatment with 5-ASA or 4-ASA (50 micrograms/kg) and one week of treatment with 5-ASA significantly decreased colonic interleukin-1 generation and the extent and severity of inflammation in a rat model of colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid. Colonic biopsies were obtained from patients with active ulcerative colitis and organ cultured 24 hours in the absence or presence of the following drugs: sulphasalazine, sulphapyridine, 5-ASA and 4-ASA (25-100 micrograms/ml). Interleukin-1 content in tissue cultured in the presence of 5-ASA (100 micrograms/ml) was two-thirds of its content in tissue cultured in drug free medium and its release into the medium was decreased by 50%. Sulphasalazine 50 micrograms/ml significantly decreased by 33% the tissue content but did not affect interleukin-1 release and a higher dose was not more effective. Sulphapyridine and 4-ASA in doses up to 100 micrograms/ml did not affect either interleukin-1 colonic content or its release into the culture medium. We conclude that pharmacological suppression of colonic interleukin-1 generation may be one, although not the sole mechanism to explain the therapeutic efficacy of 5-ASA in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Therapeutic intervention in a rat model of adult respiratory distress syndrome: II. Lipoxygenase pathway inhibition.

The present study was designed to investigate the role of 5-lipoxygenase (5LO) metabolites in an endotoxin (LPS)-induced model of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the rat. The therapeutic value of two 5LO inhibitors and a specific LTB4 and a LTD4 receptor antagonist were examined. Rats were treated 1 hr prior to administration of aerosolized LPS. Rats were either unexposed (n = 11), or pretreated with vehicle sham (n = 63), 50 mg/kg phenidone t.i.d. (n = 7, n = 10 for assessment of mortality), 30 mg/kg SK&F 103842 b.i.d. (n = 6), 50 mg/kg SK&F 106203 t.i.d. (n = 11), or 5 mg/kg SK&F 107324 b.i.d. (n = 6) 1 hr prior to the administration of aerosolized endotoxin (LPS, 7 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, n = 22). Twenty-four hours later, blood samples were collected for hematologic evaluation and after wet lung weight was determined, broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) was performed to measure cells counts and total protein (TP). 5LO inhibition and LTD4 receptor antagonism reduced LPS-induced mortality to zero compared to 35% in rats pretreated with vehicle sham. Pretreatment with the LTD4 receptor antagonist attenuated the LPS-induced increased in wet/dry lung weight (W/D) whereas 5LO inhibition reduced TP increases. Both 5LO inhibition and LTD4 receptor antagonism attenuated the LPS-induced BAL erythrocyte increase. The LPS-induced thrombocytopenia was attenuated by phenidone, the 5LO receptor antagonist. We conclude that the increased microvascular permeability was associated with the formation of 5LO products since 5LO inhibition lessened the severity of the LPS-induced increase in W/D and TP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Therapeutic intervention in a rat model of adult respiratory distress syndrome: III. Cyclooxygenase pathway inhibition.

Current strategies for the treatment of ARDS have been unsuccessful in reducing mortality. In the present study, we have evaluated the role of cyclooxygenase (CO) products in a rat model of ARDS by testing naproxen, indomethacin, ibuprofen, and a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonist (SK&F 96148). Rats were treated 1 hr prior to endotoxin (LPS) exposure and 24 hr later, survival, body weight changes, wet/dry lung weight (W/D), total protein content (TP) of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and total erythrocyte and differential leukocyte counts of the BAL fluid were measured. In addition, the following hematologic measurements were taken: hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), circulating erythrocyte, differential leukocyte, and platelet counts. Treatment with the TXA2 receptor antagonist reduced mortality to zero after 24 hr after LPS administration. Other compounds had no significant effect on LPS-induced mortality. Pretreatment with CO inhibitors or the TXA2 receptor antagonist attenuated the LPS-induced increase in TP and W/D. Although all compounds tended to reduce the LPS-induced increase in BAL erythrocytes, only the TXA2 receptor antagonist did so significantly. The LPS-induced increase in BAL neutrophil counts was significantly reduced by 30 mg/kg ibuprofen, but not by the other compounds. In fact, the TXA2 receptor antagonist actually exacerbated BAL neutrophil counts, but diminished the peripheral neutrophilia and lymphopenia induced by LPS. None of the CO inhibitors tested significantly affected LPS-induced hematologic responses. We conclude that by virtue of its protection against LPS-induced mortality, the TXA2 receptor antagonist was the most effective compound in this model. However, it did cause certain negative side effects such as increased pulmonary inflammation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparative biochemical and morphometric changes associated with induction of the hepatic mixed function oxidase system in the rat.

This study characterized the induction of the rat hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed function oxidase system by SK&F 86002 [6-(4'-fluorophenyl)-5-(4'-pyridyl)-2,3-dihydroimidazo-(2,1-b)thia zole], an inhibitor of both the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The induction characteristics of SK&F 86002 were compared to those of the classical inducer, phenobarbital, and morphological features of both SK&F 86002 and phenobarbital induced hepatocellular hypertrophy were quantitated. Rats were administered either SK&F 86002 (6, 18, or 60 mg/kg/day, po) or phenobarbital (8, 24, 80 mg/kg/day, ip) for 3 or 14 consecutive days. Liver to body weight ratio, total hepatic microsomal protein and cytochrome P-450 content, ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD) and leukotriene B4(LTB4) omega- and omega-1 hydroxylase were measured. Ultrastructural morphometry of the liver from control, and high dose SK&F 86002 (60 mg/kg/day) and phenobarbital (80 mg/kg/day) treated rats was completed. On day 3, phenobarbital increased liver to body weight ratio but only at the 80 mg/kg/day dosage; microsomal protein content was unchanged. ECOD activity increased in a dose-dependent fashion. LTB4 omega- and omega-1 hydroxylase activities were unaffected. Administration of SK&F 86002 for 3 days increased the liver to body weight ratio at both the 18 and 60 mg/kg/day dosage; microsomal protein content was unchanged. ECOD activity was significantly increased by the 60 mg/kg/day dosages of SK&F 86002. On day 14, phenobarbital increased the liver to body weight ratio and microsomal protein content but again only at the 80 mg/kg/day dosage. Cytochrome P-450 content was increased by all dosages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Therapeutic intervention in a rat model of ARDS: I. Dual inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism.

The protective effects of altered arachidonic acid metabolism, using either methylprednisolone or a dual cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (SK&F 86002), were compared in a rat model of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Rats were either unexposed (n = 9) or pretreated with vehicle (n = 25), 100 mg/kg SK&F 86002 (n = 8) or 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone (MP, n = 7) 1 h prior to the intratracheal administration of 7 mg/kg aerosolized endotoxin (LPS) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Twenty-four hours later, blood samples were collected and the rats were anesthetized and exsanguinated. The lungs were surgically removed, weighed and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed. LPS caused 30-35% mortality and induced significant differences in body weight, BAL erythrocyte and neutrophil counts, lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), total BAL protein (TP), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), and circulating leukocyte and platelet counts as compared with controls. Pretreatment with MP reduced mortality to zero and also attenuated the LPS-induced alterations in body weight, W/D, TP, BAL erythrocyte count, and circulating platelet count. However, MP exacerbated LPS-induced increases in Hb, HCT and circulating neutrophil counts while enhancing lymphopenia. Pretreatment with SK&F 86002 also reduced mortality to zero and attenuated LPS-induced alterations in W/D, TP, HCT and circulating platelet count. Like MP, SK&F 86002 exacerbated the LPS-induced lymphopenia, and increased circulating neutrophils above baseline values. We conclude that both MP and SK&F 86002 provided protection against LPS-induced responses in this model of ARDS. Mechanistically, this indicates the critical role of eicosanoid mediators in this model. Therapeutically, SK&F 86002, or a similar compound, may be beneficial in preventing the acute phase responses so harmful to ARDS patients.

In vitro metabolism of the novel antiinflammatory agent 6-(4'-fluorophenyl)-5-(4'-pyridyl)-2,3-dihydroimidazo-[2,1-b]-thiazole.

6-(4'-Fluorophenyl)-5-(4'-pyridyl)-2,3-dihydroimidazo-[2,1-b]-thia zole (SK&F 86002) is a dual inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism which has therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Previous studies in rats, in vivo, demonstrated that SK&F 86002 metabolism proceeds by sequential steps of sulfur and nitrogen oxidation. Therefore, these studies were designed to 1) identify the enzymes (flavin vs. cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases) which were responsible for SK&F 86002 metabolism in vitro in hepatic microsomal suspensions from Sprague-Dawley rats, 2) characterize sex-dependent differences, and 3) quantitate the effect of pretreatment with SK&F 86002. All three steps in the sequential metabolism of SK&F 86002 to the N-oxide sulfone metabolite were quantitated individually. The three oxidation steps appeared to be catalyzed primarily by cytochrome P-450; heat inactivation (used to destroy flavin monooxygenase) had little effect on the metabolism of each compound. Further,N-octylamine failed to stimulate the metabolism of any compound and the cytochrome P-450 inhibitors (SK&F 525-A, metyrapone, and alpha-naphthoflavone) resulted in a marked inhibition of the metabolism of all three substrates. Maximal velocities for metabolism of all three substrates (SK&F 86002, sulfoxide, and sulfone) in microsomes isolated from male rats, were 3- to 5-fold greater than observed in female rats. Furthermore, pretreatment of male rats with SK&F 86002 (60 mg/kg/day for 3 days) resulted in a change in the in vitro metabolism of all three substrates generally characterized by an increase in Vmax and/or a fall in km.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neodymium: YAG laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation for glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty.

Nd:YAG laser cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) of the ciliary body is a promising cyclodestructive treatment for the management of refractory glaucoma following penetrating keratoplasty. Twenty-eight eyes (27 patients) were treated between August 1985 and September 1987 and followed 6 to 24 months (median, 18 months). The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was initially 39 mm Hg (range, 30 to 70 mm Hg) on maximally tolerated medications. The Lasag Microrupter 2 was used in the free-running thermal mode with a mean pulse energy of 4.13 J. The laser was retrofocused 3.6 mm from the conjunctival surface and 30 to 50 applications per treatment (mean, 37.5) were given 2 to 3 mm from the limbus for 360 degrees (71%) or 180 degrees (29%). Multiple treatments were necessary in 13 eyes (46%). After CPC, IOP fell to 22 mm Hg or below in 18 eyes (64%) at 3 months, in 20 of 27 eyes (74%) at 6 months, and in 16 to 24 eyes (67%) at 1 year. Inadequate IOP control in four of 28 eyes necessitated cyclocryotherapy in three patients and a Schocket procedure in one other. Of the 14 clear pre-CPC grafts six (43%) became edematous during follow-up. All of the failed grafts had undergone multiple CPCs.

Inflammatory mediators of experimental colitis in rats.

Colonic inflammation was induced in rats by intracolonic administration of 0.25 ml of 50% ethanol containing 30 mg of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNB). Control rats were treated with 0.25 ml of 50% ethanol or with 30 mg of TNB in 0.25 ml of saline. After 24 h, mucosal ulceration and hemorrhage were observed in TNB/ethanol-, 50% ethanol-, and to a lesser extent, in TNB/saline-treated rats. After 1 wk, mucosal damage was completely resolved in the 50% ethanol and TNB/saline-treated rats but the lesions in the TNB/ethanol-treated rats persisted and progressed to a chronic active inflammatory process after 3 wk. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly elevated in mucosal scrapings from all treatment groups at all time intervals when macroscopic and microscopic mucosal injury was evident. Interleukin-1 was found to be the most sensitive indicator of mucosal inflammation, and its mucosal values correlated with myeloperoxidase activity. Leukotriene B4 was increased in control rats at 1 wk and in TNB/ethanol-treated rats at all time intervals. The maximal increase in leukotriene B4 was observed at 1 wk. Thromboxane B2 generation was reduced while platelet activating factor generation was not increased in TNB/ethanol-treated rats. These results indicate that in this TNB/ethanol model of gut inflammation, myeloperoxidase activity and interleukin-1 are reliable and sensitive indicators of colonic inflammation, and that thromboxane B2 is not involved in the acute lesions, whereas leukotriene B4 appears in the chronic active inflammatory response.