Inflammation, cardinal signs

As observed by Celus, a Roman physician during the first century A.D., the four cardinal signs characterize inflammation swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Swelling/edema occurs in response to the accumulation of fluids from damaged capillaries following injury. Increased fluid accumulation leads to increase capillary permeability. Histamine, produced and released by resident mast cells, also... 

A local increase in concentration of TNF will cause the cardinal signs of inflammation heat, swelling, redness and pain. Whereas high concentrations of TNF induce shock-like symptoms, prolonged exposure to low concentrations of TNF can result in cachexia, a wasting syndrome. 

The inflammatory response is a complex process that occurs following cellular injury. The injury results in the formation and release of a myriad of cell mediators that are responsible for producing early inflammatory events. These include increased microvascular permeability, followed by the leakage of blood components and migration of leukocytes into the interstitial space. These physiological events are responsible for the five cardinal signs of inflammation erythema, edema, pain, heat and loss of use. 

The most readily available animal models generally reflect acute or subacute reactions because they are simple, reproducible and provide clues to the biochemical and cellular mechanisms involved in the transition from acute to chronic inflammation. The cardinal signs of inflammation are the end points for the measurement of anti-inflammatory drug action (erythema, hyperemia, edema or exudation). 

The injured tissue becomes red, swollen, warm and loses its normal function. These, along with pain, are the five cardinal signs of inflammation. It is important not to confuse inflammation and infection because they are not the same. 

Acute inflammation - a short-term process appearing in a few minntes or honis -is usually characterized by five cardinal signs mbor, calor, tumor, dolor, and fiinctio laesa. However, the acute inflammation of an internal oi nmay not be manifested by the full set of signs. 

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