Protease and antiprotease levels in blood of arthritic rats.

Protease, antiprotease, and acid phosphatase blood levels of adjuvant arthritic rats were determined. The protease levels appear to vary inversely with the antiprotease levels. Changes in the protease levels correspond closely to changes in the acid phosphatase levels. Thus it is likely that the lysosomes contribute to the proteases present in the blood. Administered cortisol appears to raise blood antiprotease levels in both normal and arthritic rats and this may reflect an anti-inflammatory action by this drug.