The acute inflammatory action of thiopental intraperitoneal (IP) in rats was studied. Seventy two animals were divided in treated (40mg/kg of thiopental, 2.5% IP) and control (0.25ml of saline solution IP) rats. In order to evaluate the inflammatory process, peritoneal fluid was taken at 2h, 6h, 12h, 24h e 48h after drug administration. The animals were anesthetized with isoflurane and submitted to euthanasia through cervical vessels section. Five millilitres of heparinized saline solution were injected IP, homogenized by abdomen massage and then withdrawn. Plasma protein (PP), global leukocyte count (GLC) and differential leukocyte count (DLC) were analysed. No difference in PP intergroup at any moment was observed, but at 2h. Intragroup, PP was higher between 6 and 12h in both groups. There was no statistical difference of GLC intergroup. There was a difference (P<0.05) of GLC results between groups at 6h post-injection. There was a similar pattern of DLC intergroups, except eosinophil cells at 6h. Intragroup cell counts of neutrophils were different (P<0.05) in both groups at 6 and 12h. The acute inflammatory reaction observed was probably trigged by the mechanically action of injection. The eosinophilia observed in treated group after 6h suggests some irritant action of thiopental.
rat; inflammation; thiopental
