ABSTRACT Acute gouty arthritis is one of the most common rheumatic diseases and it can be prevented by using colchicine, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The antihistaminic drug loratadine has a potent anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of single and repeated administration of loratadine on inflammatory responses in experimental acute gouty arthritis. Adult male Wistar rats were used and acute gouty arthritis was inducted in the ankle joints of one group by intraarticular injection of monourate crystals (MUC). Ibuprofen, or loratadine (single dose or for 2 weeks) was given before the induction of acute gouty arthritis in 3 treated groups. The last group was injected with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) intraarticularly (negative control group). The ratios of changes in the joint diameters were measured at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h versus zero time. Blood cell counts, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), as well as levels of Interleukins (IL-1β, and IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), serum uric acid and creatinine were measured. The ratios of ankle joint diameters were significantly increased in MUC group compared to PBS. Loratadine and ibuprofen caused significant reduction of those ratios. Inflammatory responses (IL-1β, TNF-α ESR, and increased granulocytes) were observed in the acute gouty arthritis group. Loratadine significantly suppressed these responses and was not inferior to ibuprofen. Loratadine could inhibit the inflammatory process in acute gouty arthritis induced by MUC; however further clinical studies are needed to confirm the potential use of loratadine in the prevention and treatment of acute gouty arthritis.
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