Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Angiogenesis Effects of Verapamil on Rat Air Pouch Inflammation Model

In the present study, the effects of verapamil on inflammation and angiogenesis in air pouch model were studied. To create a model of inflammation in the rats, on days 1 and 3 sterile air, and on the sixth day, carrageenan was injected into the pouch subcutaneously. Normal saline as control, diclofenac sodium and dexamethasone as standards and verapamil (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2mg/rat) was injected into the pouch simultaneously with carrageenan and as well as 24 and 48 hours later. After 72 hours, volume of exudate, the leukocytes count, concentration of VEGF and IL-1ß, granulomatous tissue weight, histopathological changes and angiogenesis were considered. Verapamil significantly reduced leukocyte accumulation in all doses, but effect of 0.1mg/rat was more significant (P Verapamil has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenesis effects in the air pouch model probably due to attenuation effects of verapamil on IL-1β and VEGF.