Objective: To investigate the effect of diacerein, an anti-inflammatory drug, on body temperature and protocols of fever induction in male Wistar rats.
Methods: The effect of diacerein (5.0 mg/kg, s.c.) on rectal temperature (T (R)) changes induced by Baker's yeast (0.135 g/kg, i.p.) and PGE(2) (10 ng/animal, i.t.) was evaluated. T (R) changes were recorded over time. The leukocyte count and TNF-alpha and IL-1beta content were evaluated in the peritoneal fluid by means of optical microscopy and enzyme immunoassay (ELISA kits), respectively.
Results: The administration of diacerein to febrile animals attenuated Baker's yeast-induced fever but did not alter prostaglandin E(2)-induced fever. Diacerein prevented the development of Baker's yeast-induced fever and significantly attenuated the increase in peritoneal leukocytes and decreased IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in peritoneal fluid.
Conclusions: These data suggest that diacerein partially protects against Baker's yeast-induced fever and peritoneal leukocyte migration, and indicate that this effect appears to be due to inhibition of release of cytokines (such as TNF-alpha and IL-1beta).