PYY对LPS诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞TNF-α、IL-6分泌的影响

为明确PYY对巨噬细胞炎性细胞因子分泌的调节作用,本试验分离培养健康小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞,不同浓度PYY预处理后,以LPS刺激。ELISA方法检测细胞培养上清中TNF-α、IL-6含量,半定量PCR方法检测细胞中TNF-α、IL-6mRNA表达变化。结果显示：高浓度的PYY1-36（10-9-10-7 mol/L）和PYY3-36（10-8-10-7 mol/L）对LPS诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞TNF-α分泌具有显著抑制作用（P〈0.05）;PYY1-36对LPS诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞IL-6分泌无明显作用（P〉0.05）;不同浓度PYY3-36（10-11-10-7 mol/L）对LPS诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞IL-6分泌均具有显著抑制作用（P〈0.05）。表明PYY对LPS诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞炎性细胞因子TNF-α及IL-6的分泌具有一定的抑制作用,提示PYY可能通过抑制炎性细胞因子的分泌而抑制炎症性疾病的发生发展。     

紫花地丁总黄酮体外抗炎活性研究

试验研究了紫花地丁总黄酮（TFV）对脂多糖（LPS）诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞活力、细胞中炎症介质含量以及相关基因表达的影响,以期探讨其体外抗炎活性的作用。试验采用MTT法筛选出TFV对小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞活力具有促进作用的最佳添加浓度;用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测了TFV对LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞释放到细胞培养液中NO、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白介素1β（IL-1β）、白介素6（IL-6）含量的影响;运用实时荧光定量PCR法检测了TFV对LPS诱导的炎性小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞TNF-α、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）和环氧合酶2（COX-2）相对表达水平的影响;研究并分析了TFV的体外抗炎活性。试验结果表明,TFV在5~50 μg/mL浓度范围内能提高小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞的活力（P<0.05）;与LPS模型组比较,TFV能显著降低LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞产生NO、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β的含量,并能显著降低LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞内TNF-α、COX-2等炎症因子的mRNA表达量（P<0.05）。综上,TFV能显著下调LPS诱导的小鼠RAW264.7巨噬细胞IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α等细胞因子的释放量和下调TNF-α、COX-2 mRNA的表达量,说明抑制促炎性细胞因子基因的表达可能是实现其抗炎作用的原因之一。     

Effects of mannan oligosaccharide on cytokine secretions by porcine alveolar macrophages and serum cytokine concentrations in nursery pigs

This study explored the hypothesis that mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) acts to reduce systemic inflammation in pigs by evaluating cytokine production of alveolar macrophages (AM) and serum cytokine concentrations. A total of 160 pigs were fed diets containing 0.2 or 0.4% MOS for 2 or 4 wk postweaning compared with control diets without MOS. Dietary MOS did not affect the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and tended (P = 0.081) to increase that of IL-10. These cytokine concentrations also changed over time (P < 0.001). After 2-wk feeding of the control or MOS diets, AM were collected and stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (PLIC) as infection models. The LPS-stimulated AM from MOS-fed pigs (n = 12) secreted less TNF-α (P < 0.001) and more IL-10 (P = 0.026) than those from control-fed pigs (n = 6). However, dietary MOS had less effect on ex vivo TNF-α and IL-10 production by PLIC-stimulated AM (P = 0.091 and P > 0.10, respectively. Further, effects of MOS were examined in 4 in vitro experiments. In Exp. 1 (n = 4 pigs), MOS and mannan-rich fraction (MRF), when added to AM cultures, were able to increase TNF-α production. This direct effect of MOS was not due to endotoxin contamination as verified in Exp. 2 (n = 6 pigs) using polymyxin B, an inhibitor of LPS activation of toll-like receptor 4. Polymyxin B inhibited production of TNF-α by AM after treatment with LPS (P < 0.001), but not after treatment with MOS in the absence of LPS (P > 0.70). In Exp. 3 (n = 6 pigs), when MOS was directly applied in vitro, the pattern of cytokine production by LPS-activated AM was similar to that observed ex vivo, as MOS suppressed LPS-induced TNF-α (P < 0.001) and enhanced LPS-induced IL-10 (P = 0.028). In Exp. 4 (n = 6 pigs), when MRF replaced MOS, AM-produced TNF-α induced by LPS or PLIC was suppressed by MRF (P = 0.015 or P < 0.001, respectively). These data establish that MOS and MRF suppress LPS-induced TNF-α secretions by AM. Generally, the study suggests that MOS may be a potent immunomodulator because it directly activates AM to secrete TNF-α and alters the cytokine responses of bacterial endotoxin-induced AM in both ex vivo and in vitro systems. In particular, feeding MOS to pigs for 2 wk reduces TNF-α and increases IL-10 concentrations after ex vivo treatment of AM with LPS. These immunomodulatory properties of MOS may have important implications for both host defense and avoidance of harmful overstimulation of the immune system.     

The effect of adenosine on pro-inflammatory cytokine production by porcine T cells

Adenosine is a well described anti-inflammatory modulator of immune responses. The aim of the present study was to describe the role of common adenosine agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) in cytokine production by main porcine T cell subpopulations. TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-10 were detected by multicolor flow cytometry together with cell surface markers CD3, CD4 and CD8. It was found that NECA inhibits (in a dose-dependent manner) production of pro-inflammatory TNF-α and Th1-associated cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2 in all concanavalin A-stimulated T cell subpopulations. Moreover, production of IL-10 was potentiated in all T cell subpopulations tested. These corresponded well with the fact that all T cell subsets expressed mRNA for adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes to comparable extents. Contrary to concanavalin A-stimulated cells, NECA had a moderate effect on PMA-stimulated T cells, suggesting that AR in pigs acts via signaling pathways not associated with protein-kinase C. Non-selective antagonist CGS15943 as well as allosteric modulator SCH202676 failed to reverse the effect of NECA in pigs. In conclusion, NECA has an anti-inflammatory effect on porcine T cell subpopulations.     

金荞麦对脂多糖诱导小鼠小肠炎症的保护作用

为探究金荞麦对脂多糖（LPS）诱导的小鼠小肠炎症的保护作用,试验使用雌性ICR小鼠,前期14 d饮水添加不同浓度金荞麦和阳性对照品——芦丁（Rutin）,随后腹腔注射LPS（10 mg/kg）构建小肠急性炎症模型,通过观察小鼠行为变化、血常规检测、组织切片和炎症相关基因定量检测等评估效果。结果发现,腹腔注射10 mg/kg的LPS可成功诱导小鼠急性肠炎;添加金荞麦能够剂量依赖性地降低LPS诱导的肠炎小鼠体重损失。血常规检测显示,腹腔注射LPS后导致小鼠血液白细胞数（WBC）、红细胞数（RBC）、血红蛋白（HGB）、血小板数目（PLT）显著下降,添加金荞麦或芦丁能一定程度缓解由于LPS引起的血常规异常。小肠切片HE染色结果显示,腹腔注射LPS后小肠固有层中间出现大量灶性的炎性细胞浸润,腺上皮可见少量的炎性细胞浸润,肠道细胞排列紊乱,可见核分裂及核碎裂,同时黏膜充血、出血严重;添加金荞麦或芦丁能一定程度抑制炎性细胞浸润和黏膜出血。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,腹腔注射LPS能显著促进小肠促炎性因子IL-6、TNF-α和IL-1β的表达,添加金荞麦能剂量依赖性下调TNF-α和IL-1β的表达水平。以上结果表明饮水添加金荞麦和芦丁可以有效缓解LPS诱导的小鼠小肠炎症,金荞麦浓度为12%的添加剂量在部分指标上可达到或接近灌胃100 mg/kg芦丁的效果。     

丁酸钠通过AMPK通路调控LPS造成牛乳腺上皮细胞脂代谢紊乱的作用机制

通过向脂多糖（LPS）诱导牛乳腺上皮细胞系（MAC-T）脂代谢紊乱模型中添加不同浓度（2、8、16 μmol·L^-1）的丁酸钠,探讨其对细胞脂代谢的调控机理及炎症损伤的修复作用。分别用1 000 ng·mL^-1 LPS刺激MAC-T细胞9 h后,检测细胞脂滴面积及三酰甘油（TG）含量;用不同浓度的丁酸钠刺激MAC-T细胞12 h后,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率;试验共分为5组：对照组、LPS处理组、2 μmol·L^-1丁酸钠+LPS处理组、8 μmol·L^-1丁酸钠+LPS处理组和16 μmol·L^-1丁酸钠+LPS处理组,分别对细胞TG含量、AMPK信号通路蛋白、脂代谢关键基因以及相关炎症因子进行检测。结果显示：LPS会造成MAC-T细胞总脂滴面积显著下降（P<0.05）,TG含量极显著下降（P<0.01）;不同浓度的丁酸钠对MAC-T细胞凋亡率没有影响;与对照组相比,LPS处理组TG含量极显著下降（P<0.01）、P-AMPK表达水平显著上升（P<0.05）、脂合成代谢相关基因ACC、SCD-1以及FAS mRNA表达水平均显著（P<0.05）或极显著（P<0.01）下降、脂分解代谢相关基因CPT-1、CPT-2以及ACO mRNA表达水平均显著上升（P<0.05）、炎症因子TNF-α和IL-6含量显著上升（P<0.05）;与LPS处理组相比,（2、8、16 μmol·L^-1）丁酸钠+LPS处理组TG含量有一定程度上升,P-AMPK表达水平下降,脂合成代谢相关基因表达水平上升,脂分解代谢相关基因表达水平有一定程度下降,炎症因子TNF-α和IL-6含量下降。本研究表明丁酸钠会通过AMPK通路激活脂合成代谢,调控TG的合成,并且对MAC-T细胞的炎症损伤具有一定的缓解作用。     

Trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid and the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone attenuate lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α production by bovine immune cells

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modulates innate immunity through alteration of cytokine production by immune cells. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of exogenous conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and PPAR-γ agonist, rosiglitazone, on LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production by cultured whole blood from prepubertal Holstein heifers (mean age, 5.5 mo). Compared with unstimulated cells, addition of LPS (10 μg/mL) to the culture medium increased (P < 0.03) peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation ≤2.5-fold. Coincubation with interferon γ (5 ng/mL) further stimulated (P < 0.01) the lymphoproliferative response to LPS. Lipopolysaccharide increased (P < 0.01) TNF-α concentration in cultured whole blood in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The greatest TNF-α stimulation occurred after 12 h of exposure to 1 μg/mL LPS. Coincubation with trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer (100 μM) or rosiglitazone (10 μM), a PPAR-γ agonist, decreased (P < 0.01) LPS-induced TNF-α production by 13% and 29%, respectively. Linoleic acid and cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer had no detectable effects on LPS-induced TNF-α production in cultured bovine blood. The PPAR-γ agonist-induced TNF-α attenuation was reversed when blood was treated with both rosiglitazone and GW9662, a selective PPAR-γ antagonist. Addition of rosiglitazone to the culture medium tended to reduce nuclear factor-κ Bp65 concentration in nuclear and cytosolic extracts isolated from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results show that LPS is a potent inducer of TNF-α production in bovine blood cells and that trans-10, cis-12 CLA and PPAR-γ agonists may attenuate the pro-inflammatory response induced by LPS in growing dairy heifers. Additional studies are needed to fully characterize the involvement of nuclear factor-κ B in LPS signaling in bovine blood cells.     

黄芪多糖在LPS诱导的DF-1细胞炎症反应中的抗炎作用及其调节机制

为探讨黄芪多糖(Astragalus polysaccharide,APS)在LPS(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的鸡胚成纤维细胞系DF-1(chicken embryonic fibroblast cell line,DF-1)炎症模型中对IL-1β和TNF-α表达的影响,以及细胞因子信号转导抑制因子3(suppressers of cytokine signaling 3,SOCS3)对炎症信号通路NF-κBp65和p38MAPK的调节机制。将DF-1细胞分为对照组(C)、LPS组(L)、APS组(A)以及APS+LPS组(A+L),分别在LPS刺激后6,12,24,48,72 h检测各组细胞IL-1β、TNF-α、NF-κBp65、p38MAPK和SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白水平的变化。研究发现,当LPS终质量浓度为2 mg/L时可诱导DF-1细胞出现明显的炎症反应,而APS终质量浓度为100 mg/L时为本试验最佳抗炎浓度。与对照组相比,APS组炎性因子IL-1β和TNF-αmRNA表达及蛋白含量在6~72 h均显著升高(P<0.05);与LPS组相比,APS+LPS组SOCS3 mRNA表达在6~72 h均显著升高(P<0.05),NF-κBp65、IL-1β和TNF-αmRNA表达在6~72 h均显著降低(P<0.05),而p38MAPK变化不显著(P>0.05)。在DF-1细胞中,APS单独处理可以促进IL-1β和TNF-α等细胞因子释放而增强免疫;APS和LPS共处理时,APS通过抑制炎性因子IL-1β和TNF-α的释放发挥抗炎作用,这种抑制作用与高表达的SOCS3对NF-κBp65过度激活密切相关。     

柴桂口服液体外抗炎作用的研究

探讨柴桂口服液在脂多糖(LPS)诱导RAW 264.7细胞中的抗炎能力,为研发具有抗炎功效的柴桂制剂提供依据和参考。利用LPS刺激RAW 264.7细胞建立体外炎症模型,CCK8法检测药物对细胞的安全浓度,观察不同浓度的柴桂口服液作用细胞后的体外抗炎效果。结果表明,柴桂口服液对RAW 264.7细胞安全浓度为不超过100μg/mL;在安全浓度范围内,柴桂口服液能抑制由LPS引起的细胞促炎因子IL-6、IL-8、IL-1β、TNF-α及NO生成,降低IL-6、IL-8、IL-1β、TNF-α及iNOS表达,从而调节炎性因子平衡,抑制炎症反应。研究结果表明,柴桂口服液能有效减缓由脂多糖诱导引起的细胞炎症反应。     

Study of interleukin-10 and interleukin-12 productions in response to lipopolysaccharides extracted from two different Brucella strains

The aim of the present study is to investigate the cytokines induction by smooth lipopolysaccharides (S-LPS) extracted from Brucella melitensis (Rev1 vaccine strain) and Brucella abortus (a field isolate). These lipopolysaccharides were used to induce inflammatory cytokines production in peripheral blood cell culture of healthy individuals. Secretion of IL-10 and IL-12 (p70) were measured by means of specific Elisa. In addition, intracellular expression of IL-12 was assessed in CD14+ cells by flow cytometry. It was shown that Brucella LPS is a potent inducer of IL-10. However interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) priming was able to significantly decrease the production of IL-10. Flow cytometry studies showed that LPS alone was not able to induce intracellular IL-12 expression in CD14+ cells. Nevertheless, IFN-gamma priming significantly increased the percentage of CD14+ IL-12+ cells. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the Brucella LPS could be a potent inducer of IL-10 and induction of IL-12 production needs the most favorable conditions.     

甘草查尔酮A对LPS诱导的奶牛蹄真皮细胞炎性反应的抑制作用

采用10,50,100 mg/L甘草查尔酮A处理蹄真皮炎性细胞24 h后,测定细胞上清液中TNF-a、IL-1β、IL-6水平及SOD、MDA含量,Western blot法检测ERK、JNK、p38、IκBα及p65蛋白表达水平.结果 显示,甘草查尔酮A可显著降低TNF-a、IL-1β、IL-6水平,提高SOD活性并...     

β-羟丁酸抑制脂多糖诱导奶牛中性粒细胞核因子-κB信号通路的激活

高酮血症造成奶牛中性粒细胞先天免疫机能受到抑制,本研究探讨β-羟丁酸(BHBA)是否抑制脂多糖(LPS)诱导的奶牛中性粒细胞核因子-κB(NF-κB)信号通路的激活。分离健康奶牛中性粒细胞,采用LPS(100 ng/mL)和不同浓度(0.5、1.0、2.0和4.0 mmol/L)BHBA作用于中性粒细胞,收集细胞,应用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测中性粒细胞中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和NF-κBp65 mRNA表达水平,Western blot检测NF-κBp65蛋白表达水平,比色法检测核因子-κB抑制物激酶β(IKKβ)激酶活性,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测促炎细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β的分泌量。结果表明:与对照组(不进行BHBA和LPS处理)相比较,LPS组(单独LPS处理)中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和NF-κBp65 mRNA表达水平和NF-κBp65蛋白表达水平极显著增加(P <0.01),IKKβ激酶活性极显著增强(P<0.01),IL-1β和TNF-α的分泌量极显著增加(P<0.01),IL-6的分泌量显著增加(P <0.05)。与LPS组相比,0.5、1.0、2.0和4.0 mmol/L BHBA均使IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和NF-κBp65 mRNA表达水平和NF-κBp65蛋白表达水平显著或极显著增加(P<0.05或P<0.01),IKKβ激酶活性显著或极显著增强(P<0.05或P<0.01),IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α的分泌量显著或极显著增加(P<0.05或P<0.01)。以上结果表明,高浓度BHBA可以抑制LPS诱导的奶牛中性粒细胞NF-κB信号通路的激活,具有一定的抗炎功能。     

Kinetics of IL-6 and TNF-α changes in a canine model of sepsis induced by endotoxin

Sepsis is a major cause of death in veterinary medicine, although a better prognosis can result from an early diagnosis. To speed the diagnosis, the biomarkers TNF-α and IL-6 can provide valuable information regarding systemic inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in cytokine levels in an experimental model of sepsis using ELISA and real-time PCR. Ten adult Beagles were studied; seven received an IV bolus of high dose lipopolysaccharide solution (1mg/kg) to induce sepsis. The remaining three beagles were the control group. Blood samples were collected before and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after administering LPS. Serum IL-6 level peaked at 3h (1.89 ± 0.10 ng/ml) and serum TNF-α peaked at 1h (1.11 ± 0.01 ng/ml). The expression of IL-6 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) increased 62-fold compared to the control group at 1h; TNF-α mRNA increased by 4.5-fold at 1h. The expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA in PBMCs changed more rapidly than serum IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations. In addition, TNF-α mRNA levels in PBMCs remained elevated longer than serum TNF-α. Our study establishes the basis for future work aimed at a better understanding of the systemic inflammatory response to infection and sepsis in canine patients.     

孕酮对LPS诱导小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞表达TNF-α、IL-1β、TLR4、CD14和MD2的影响

先分离培养小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞,经差速贴壁法纯化后,随机分为6组：空白对照组、0.5mg/L脂多糖（LPS）组、10-6 mol/L孕酮（P4）组、LPS＋10-5 mol/L P4组、LPS＋10-6 mol/L P4组、LPS＋10-7 mol/L P4组。各组在处理12、24h分别提取上清液,ELISA法测TNF-α和IL-1β的含量;各组在处理24h分别提取细胞总RNA,用RT-PCR法测TLR4、CD14、MD2mRNA的表达。结果显示,处理12、24h,0.5mg/L LPS组TNF-α和IL-1β的含量均极显著高于对照组（P〈0.01）;10-6 mol/L P4组与对照组差异不显著（P〉0.05）;LPS＋10-5 mol/L P4组极显著低于对照组（P〈0.01）;LPS＋10-6 mol/L P4组显著低于对照组（P〈0.05）;而LPS＋10-7 mol/L P4组TNF-α的表达差异不显著（P〉0.05）,IL-1β的表达差异显著（P〈0.05）。说明P4可降低LPS刺激小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞TNF-α和IL-1β的分泌,且呈剂量依赖关系。LPS单独处理,TLR4和CD14mRNA的表达极显著高于对照组（P〈0.01）;10-6 mol/L P4单独处理与对照组无显著差异（P〉0.05）;分别添加1-5、10-6、10-7 mol/L P4组均极显著降低LPS诱导TLR4和CD14mRNA的表达（P〈0.01）,而MD2mRNA的表达差异不显著（P〉0.05）。说明P4可极显著降低LPS刺激小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞TLR4和CD14mRNA表达,但对MD2mRNA表达影响不显著。结果显示,P4能抑制LPS刺激的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞TNF-α和IL-1β的分泌,此过程与细胞TLR4和CD14表达下降相关,而与MD2的表达无关。     

银杏内酯A对LPS诱导的小鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用

为了研究银杏内酯A对非特异性肺损伤小鼠的保护作用,采用脂多糖（LPS）滴鼻法建立了小鼠急性肺损伤（ALI）模型。于造模前1h给予银杏内酯A（50,100mg/kg）,在LPS滴入后18h检测支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中的细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β水平,观察肺部组织学的病理变化。结果表明：银杏内酯A可以显著抑制肺组织中炎性细胞的浸润,抑制肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素6（IL-6）和白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）炎性细胞因子的产生。由此得出结论,银杏内酯A对LPS诱导的小鼠ALI具有一定的保护作用。     

Prior and concomitant dehydroepiandrosterone treatment affects immunologic response of cultured macrophages infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro?

DHEA, a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol by cells of the adrenal cortex, plays an essential role in enhancing the host's resistance to different experimental infections. Receptors for this hormone can be found in distinct immune cells (especially macrophages) that are known to be the first line defense against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. These cells operate through an indirect pathway releasing nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such TNF-α and IL-12 which in turn trigger an enhancement of natural killer cells and lymphocytes which finally secrete pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The effects of pre- and post-infection DHEA treatment on production of IL-12, TNFα and NO were evaluated. T. cruzi infected macrophages post treated with DHEA displayed enhanced concentrations of TNF-α, IL-12 and NO. Probably, the mechanisms that induced the production of cytokines by infected cells are more efficient when the immune system has been stimulated first by parasite invasion, suggesting that the protective role of DHEA is greater when administered post infection.     

Effects of adenosine on bacterial lipopolysaccharide- and interleukin 1-induced nitric oxide release from equine articular chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether adenosine influences the in vitro release of nitric oxide (NO) from differentiated primary equine articular chondrocytes. SAMPLE POPULATION: Articular cartilage harvested from the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of 11 horses (3 to 11 years old) without history or clinical signs of joint disease. PROCEDURE: Chondrocytes were isolated, plated at a high density (10(5) cells/well), and treated with adenosine, the adenosine receptor agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), bradykinin, or other agents that modify secondary messenger pathways alone or in combination with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or recombinant human interleukin-1alpha (rhIL-1alpha). Nitric oxide release was measured indirectly by use of the Griess reaction and was expressed as micromol of nitrite in the supernatant/microg of protein in the cell layer. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity was determined by measuring the conversion of radiolabeled arginine to radiolabeled citrulline. RESULTS: Treatment of chondrocytes with adenosine alone had no significant effect on NO release. However, adenosine and NECA inhibited LPS- and rhIL-1alpha-induced NO release. This response was mimicked by forskolin, which acts to increase adenylate cyclase activity, but not by the calcium ionophore A23187 Treatment of chondrocytes with phorbol myristate acetate, which acts to increase protein kinase C activity, potentiated LPS-induced NO release. Adenosine treatment also significantly inhibited the LPS-induced increase in iNOS activity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Adenosine and the nonspecific adenosine receptor agonist NECA inhibited inflammatory mediator-induced release of NO from equine articular chondrocytes. Modulation of adenosine receptor-mediated pathways may offer novel methods for treatment of inflammation in horses with joint disease.