Objective: To analyze the characteristics of the Achilles tendon of rats after induction of localized inflammation in the rat paw. Methods: In our study three groups were used: inflamed group with carrageenan in rat paw (G1); saline group (G2) and control group (G3). After 4 hours the animals were euthanized and the Achilles tendon removed. Results: No significant differences were observed in the analysis of non-collagenous proteins, glycosaminoglycans and hydroxyproline in the groups but a tendency of reduction was verified in G1. As regards the organization of collagen molecules, no differences were observed between groups. With respect to MMPs activity, a stronger presence of the active isoform of MMP-2 in G1 was observed, suggesting that the remodeling was occurring. Conclusion: Thus, we conclude that the inflammatory process in rat paw may affect the remodeling of tendons located near the inflamed site.205266269Maffulli, N., Kader, D., Tendinopathy of tendo Achillis (2002) J Bone Joint Surg Br, 84 (1), pp. 1-8Maffulli, N., Rupture of the Achilles tendon (1999) J Bone Joint Surg Am, 81 (7), pp. 1019-1036Järvinen, T.A., Kannus, P., Maffulli, N., Khan, K.M., Achilles tendon disorders: etiology and epidemiology (2005) Foot Ankle Clin, 10 (2), pp. 255-266Oliveira, F.S., Pinfildi, C.E., Parizoto, N.A., Liebano, R.E., Bossini, P.S., Garcia, E.B., Effect of low level laser therapy (830 nm) with different therapyregimes on the process of tissue repair in partial lesion calcaneous tendon (2009) Lasers Surg Med, 41 (4), pp. 271-276Karousou, E., Ronga, M., Vigetti, D., Passi, A., Maffulli, N., Collagens, proteoglycans, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMPs in human Achilles tendon rupture (2008) Clin Orthop Relat Res, 466 (7), pp. 1577-1582Riley, G., Matrix metalloproteinase activities and their relationship with collagen remodelling in tendon pathology (2002) Matrix Biol, 21 (2), pp. 185-195Dario, B.E., Barquilha, G., Marques, R.M., Lesões esportivas: um estudo com atletas de basquetebol Bauruense (2010) Rev Bras Cienc Esporte, 31 (3), pp. 205-215Vieira, C.P., Aro, A.A., Almeida, M.S., de Mello, G.C., Antunes, E., Pimentel, E.R., Effects of acute inflammation induced in the rat paw on the deep digital flexor tendon (2012) Connect Tissue Res, 53 (2), pp. 160-168Tillander, B., Franzén, L.E., Nilsson, E., Norlin, R., Carrageenan-induced subacromial bursitis caused changes in the rat's rotator cuff (2001) J Orthop Res, 19 (3), pp. 441-447Winter, C.A., Risley, E.A., Nuss, G.W., Carrageenin-induced edema in hind paw of the rat as an assay for antiiflammatory drugs (1962) Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 111, pp. 544-547Bradford, M.M., A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding (1976) Anal Biochem, 72, pp. 248-254Farndale, R.W., Buttle, D.J., Barrett, A.J., Improved quantitation and discrimination of sulphated glycosaminoglycans by use of dimethylmethylene blue (1986) Biochim Biophys Acta, 883 (2), pp. 173-177Marqueti, R.C., Parizotto, N.A., Chriguer, R.S., Perez, S.E., Selistre-de-Araujo, H.S.A., ndrogenic-anabolic steroids associated with mechanical loading inhibit matrix metallopeptidase activity and affect the remodeling of the achilles tendon in rats (2006) Am J Sports Med, 34 (8), pp. 1274-1280Vidal, B.C., Mello, M.L., Supramolecular order following binding of the dichroic birefringent sulfonic dye Ponceau SS to collagen fibers (2005) Biopolymers, 78 (3), pp. 121-128Riley, G., Tendinopathy:from basic science to treatment (2008) Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol, 4 (2), pp. 82-89Szabo, K.A., Ablin, R.J., Singhingh, G., Matrix metalloproteinases and the immune response (2004) Clin Appl Immun Rev, 4, pp. 295-319Chakraborti, S., Mandal, M., Das, S., Mandal, A., Chakraborti, T., Regulation of matrix metalloproteinases: an overview (2003) Mol Cell Biochem, 253 (1-2), pp. 269-285Magra, M., Maffulli, N., Matrix metalloproteases: a role in overuse tendinopathies (2005) Br J Sports Med, 39 (11), pp. 789-791Clutterbuck, A.L., Harris, P., Allaway, D., Mobasheri, A., Matrix metalloproteinases in inflammatory pathologies of the horse (2010) Vet J, 183 (1), pp. 27-38Marsolais, D., Duchesne, E., Côté, C.H., Frenette, J., Inflammatory cells do not decrease the ultimate tensile strength of intact tendons in vivo and in vitro: protective role of mechanical loading (2007) J Appl Physiol, 102 (1), pp. 11-17