Use of acute phase protein changes to assess the effects of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (niflumic acid) on the inflammation process induced by limited plastic surgery.

Serum levels of acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein, alpha 1 acid glycoprotein, and haptoglobin) have been measured to assess the effects of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (niflumic acid). Thirty patients undergoing plastic surgery have been studied. The results obtained from this surgical model prove that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs can modify acute phase response and especially acute phase proteins levels. The participation of prostaglandins in the acute phase protein variations is discussed. The authors conclude that haptoglobin could provide a convenient tool for studying some aspects of prostaglandin action in vivo.