Dermal inflammation in primates,mice, and guinea pigs: Attenuation by second-generation leukotriene B4 receptor antagonist,SC-53228

Granulocyte infiltration is a prominent feature of human psoriasis. Psoriatic lesional skin contains abnormally high amounts of immunoreactive leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), a potent granulocyte chemotaxin in vivo and in vitro. SC-53228 [(+)-(S)-7-(3-{2-(cyclopropylmethyl)-3-methoxy-4-[(methylamino)carbonyl]phenoxy}propoxy)-3, 4-dihydro-8-propyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-propanoic acid], a second-generation LTB₄ receptor antagonist, was tested topically and orally in phorbol ester-induced dermal inflammation in three species. Skin inflammation was induced by topical application of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-(PMA/TPA) and assessed by ear thickness, levels of the neutrophil marker enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) and histological examination. In mice, SC-53228 inhibited inflammation with a topical ED₅₀ value of 200 ± 18 g. When applied to guinea pigs, SC-53228 (100 g) inhibited the MPO increase by 86%, while 1000 g abrogated inflammation in rhesus macaques with no plasma accumulation of the drug. A 1 % gel formulation was also efficacious in guinea pig PMA-induced epidermal inflammation. Furthermore, single oral dose administration to mice was efficacious (ED₅₀ < 2.5 mg/kg) as was multidose administration to rhesus macaques. PMA-induced skin inflammation possesses some of the attributes of human psoriasis and an agent such as SC-53228 may have utility in the medical management of this condition.