Fig. 4

Administration of BAP augments acute inflammatory responses to carrageenan. Carrageenan (0.2% in PBS) was injected into the left hind footpad of male Lewis rats in combination with the indicated concentration of spermine and/or BAP. Vehicle PBS was injected into the right hind footpad as control. Footpad thickness was measured 16–24 hr later, and the edema fluid was recovered. The difference (in mm) between the thickness of left and right hind footpad was defined as the inflammation index, and NO level in edema fluid was measured as an inflammatory marker. (a) BAP treatment resulted in excessive inflammation. (b) BAP treatment increased NO production in carrageenan-induced paw edema. (c) The antagonistic interaction between BAP and spermine. Spermine reduces BAP-induced excessive inflammation, whereas the anti-inflammatory activity of exogenous spermine was blocked in the context of inhibition of spermine uptake by BAP treatment.