Alternatives Database

Inflammation Pharmacology

** This item is archived as it is no longer available. It is detailed here for reference purposes only **

This program simulates a range of experiments designed to demonstrate the action of inflammatory mediators and pharmacological agents on the in vivo inflammatory response in the anaesthetised rabbit. The program uses data obtained from actual experiments and is aimed at undergraduate students on courses in which pharmacology is a major component. It may be particularly useful for teaching students either to support laboratory practicals or, in those departments where lack of equipment and/or technical expertise precludes this, as a student- centered alternative.

Introductionand Methods sections combine text and high- quality colour graphics to describe the animal preparation, the methods employed to measure oedema formation (extravascular accumulation of 125I - albumin) and neutrophil accumulation, and to provide the student with the essential background information required to understand the how the inflammatory response is triggered, and the mechanisms involved.

TheExperiments section allows the student to select, from a menu, to study the effects of the following agents on oedema formation (and where appropriate on neutrophil numbers) in normal rabbits:

• (1) a range of direct mediators of increased microvascular permeability [histamine, bradykinin, platelet activating factor (PAF), Substance P, leukotriene D4], either alone (dose-response relationships), in the presence of a vasodilator (PGE2) or with receptor antagonists;
• (2) a range of agents which cause inflammation principally via neutrophil accumulation [complement Factor C5a, cytokines interleukins IL-1 and IL-8, the bacterial peptide f-methyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), leukotriene B4, Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNFalpha)], either alone (dose-response relationships) and in the presence of a vasodilator (PGE2). The effects of neutrophil depletion and the importance of adhesion molecules are also covered;
• (3) non-steroidal (local and systemic effects) and steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

A section describing the results of selected experiments using sensitized rabbits is also included and covers the IgG (Reverse Passive Arthus response) and IgE response.

The results are presented in graphical form either as bar-charts or line graphs. The program contains numerous self-assessment exercises which demand interpretation of experimental data presented to them, and an understanding of the underlying inflammatory mechanisms. These student-centred activities make the program useful for self-directed learning or, in the ideal situation, it would be incorporated into a structured teaching programme and used with a teacher-designed workbook.

Hardware requirements: Targetaudience: Undergraduate pharmacology, pharmacy, biomedical science and medical students Price: £199 (multiuser/departmental licence) 

Language Versions: English

Recommended System Requirements:

Windows:

• Microsoft Windows XP (32 bit), Windows Server 2003 (32-bit), Windows Server 2008 (32 bit), Windows Vista (32 bit), Windows 7 (32 bit and 64 bit), Windows 8
• 2.33GHz or faster x86-compatible processor, or Intel Atom 1.6GHz or faster processor for netbooks
• 128MB of RAM (1GB of RAM recommended for netbooks); 128MB of graphics memory
• Internet Explorer 7.0 or later, Mozilla Firefox 4.0 or later, Google Chrome, Safari 5.0 or later, or Opera 11

Mac OS:

• Mac OS X v10.6, v10.7, or v10.8
• Intel Core Duo 1.83GHz or faster processor
• 256MB of RAM; 128MB of graphics memory
• Safari 5.0 or later, Mozilla Firefox 4.0 or later, Google Chrome, or Opera 11
• Target Audience: Undergraduate pharmacology, pharmacy, biomedical science and medical students.

Price: £250 (multiuser, educational license)