Inhibitory effect of madecassoside on LPS-stimulated microglia

AIM: To observe the inhibitory effect of madecassoside on the LPS-stimulated microglia and to investigate its possible mechanism. METHODS: Microglia cells of neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were cultured, isolated and purified. Microglia cells were activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The inhibitory effect of madecassoside on microglia was measured by MTT assay. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were detected by ELISA. Cell cycle and apoptotic rate were evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression of TLR4 was detected by Western blotting. The expression of NF-κB was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: LPS induced the proliferation of microglia and release inflammatory cytokines significantly. Compared with LPS group, madecassoside inhibited the proliferation of microglia induced by LPS in a dose dependent manner. The IC₅₀ value of madecassoside was 10.97 nmol/L to microglia after incubation for 48 h. Madecassoside also decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, increased the ratios of microglia at the G₂ phase and the apoptotic rate, decreased the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Madecassoside has inhibitory effects on the proliferation of LPS-stimulated microglia, by which the mechanism may be related to inhibition of the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB, change of cell cycle distribution and induction of microglia apoptosis.     

Effect of TAK-242 on learning and memory dysfunction in mice with lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis-associated encephalopathy

AIM:To explore the effect of TAK-242 on the learning and memory ability of C57BL/6 mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to observe the pathological and morphological changes of the mouse brain, and to explore the mechanism of protein pathway associated with the effect of TAK-242. METHODS:Healthy female C57BL/6 mice (n=80), aged 10~12 months, weighing 20~30 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=20):blank control (CON) group, TAK-242 control (TAK) group, sepsis encephalopathy model (LPS) group and TAK-242 pretreatment (T+L) group. Peripheral inflammation in the mice was detected by testing the arterial blood and lung tissues. The behavioral changes of the mice were observed by the open-field test, elevated plus-maze test (EPMT) and Morris water maze test. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the changes of microglia-specific marker, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1), in the hippocampus. Finally, the protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, TLR4, Aβ1-42 and p-tau (S396) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with CON group, the mice in other groups didn't showed significant difference in the arterial blood gas analysis and lung tissue HE staining. In the anxiety and fear behavior tests, central active duration and times of crossing central field of the mice in LPS group were significantly decreased compared with CON group (P<0.01). The times of open arm entry and the times of head area entry in the EPMT were significantly less than those in CON group (P<0.05). The escape latency of spatial probe experiments was significantly extended (P<0.05). Microglial activation in the hippocampus was significantly increased (P<0.05) and the protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, TLR4, Aβ1-42 and p-tau (S396) were significantly increased (P<0.01). Conversely, compared with LPS group, the central active duration and times of crossing central field in T+L group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The times of open arm entry and the times of head area entry in the EPMT were significantly increased (P<0.05). The escape latency of spatial probe experiments was significantly shortened (P<0.05). Microglial activation in the hippocampus was significantly decreased and the protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, TLR4, Aβ1-42 and p-tau (S396) were down-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:TAK-242 obviously improves the ability of learning and memory, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the central microglia activation and down-regulation of protein expression levels of NF-κB p65, TLR4, Aβ1-42 and p-tau (S396).     

Effect of propolis on the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65 of lung tissue in acute lung injury rats

AIM: To study the effect of propolis on the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65 in lung tissue of acute lung injury (ALI) rats. METHODS: 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control, model control, dectancyl group, water soluble derivative of propolis (WSP) group and ethanol extracted propolis (EEP) group. ALI animal model was performed by oleic acid and LPS twice attack. The pathologic slice was observed with light microscope and the NF-κB p65 activity and CD54 expression were tested by immunohistochemistry (SABC and SP). RESULTS: Both EEP and WSP antagonized the lung edema, decreased the inflammation and inhibited the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65. CONCLUSION: The increase in the expression of CD54 and the activation of NF-κB p65 in the lung tissues of ALI were involved in the formation of ALI. Propolis ameliorated the lung damage, which maybe related to the inhibition of CD54 expression and NF-κB p65 activation.     

Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on expression of nuclear factor κB and release of cytokines in human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide

AIM: To investigate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) on the expression of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) and release of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), IL-1α and IL-6 in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS).METHODS: HUVECs were obtained from cell strain and cultured in vitro. HUVECs were divided into 4 groups: control group, LPS group, 0.030 g/L EPA treatment group and 0.050 g/L EPA treatment group. The cells were cultured with LPS alone in LPS group and incubated with EPA for 1 h in the EPA pretreatment groups at the concentrations of 0.030 g/L and 0.050 g/L before LPS stimulation. Twenty-four hours after stimulated by LPS, the protein expression of NF-κB p65 in HUVECs were assessed by Western blotting analysis at different time points. The production of VEGF, IL-1α and IL-6 in cultured HUVECs was evaluated by ELISA. The effects of EPA on the protein expression of NF-κB p65 and the production of VEGF, IL-1α and IL-6 in HUVECs challenged by LPS were also determined.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the protein expression of NF-κB p65 was significantly increased in HUVECs induced by LPS and was inhibited by EPA. Compared with control group, the protein expression of VEGF, IL-1α and IL-6 was dramatically increased in HUVECs induced by LPS and most of the increase was inhibited by EPA.CONCLUSION: LPS enhances the protein expression of NF-κB and the release of VEGF, IL-1α and IL-6. EPA inhibits the protein expression of NF-κB, and the production of VEGF and the inflammatory cytokines in cultured HUVECs stimulated by LPS, indicating that EPA may be useful for preventing and treating neovascular and inflammatory diseases.     

Resveratrol attenuates inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant via NF-κB signaling pathway in a mouse model

AIM: To investigate the anti-inflammatory action of resveratrol (Res) and its correlation with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in a mouse model of inflammatory pain.METHODS: BALB/c mice (n=60) were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal control group, inflammatory pain model group, positive control (dexamethasone, 0.5 mg/kg) group and resveratrol (100, 50 and 25 mg/kg) groups (10 mice in each group). In order to observe the anti-inflammatory pain effects of reseratrol on mice, the paw withdrawal mechanical threshold, paw withdrawal thermal latency and cold withdrawal times were detected. In order to analyze the mechanism of analgesic effect of resveratrol, the expression levels of NF-κB, inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) α, inhibitor of NF-κB kinase (IKK) β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β in the spinal cord tissues (L4~L6) of the mice were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.RESULTS: The resveratrol at 100 and 50 mg/kg increased the paw withdrawal mechanical threshold, prolonged the paw withdrawal thermal latency, and decreased the cold withdrawal times in the inflammatory pain mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The resveratrol at 100 mg/kg down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB, IκBα, IKKβ, TNF-α and IL-1β in the spinal cord tissues (L4~L6) of inflammatory pain mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Resveratrol ameliorates the inflammatory pain of the mice induced by complete Freund's adjuvant. The mechanism is related to the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Protective effect of capsaicin on lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of vascular endothelial cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of capsaicin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of cultured endothelial cells of mouse aorta in vitro. METHODS:The endothelial cells were isolated from mouse aorta and cultured in vitro, and the specific cell markers of the cells were identified by immunofluorescence staining. The cells were stimulated with LPS (100 μg/L) combined with or without capsaicin, and the cells and supernatant were collected at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. The levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) in the supernatant were measured by ELISA. The levels of nuclear NF-κB p65 and cytopasmic p-IκBα and IκBα were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the levels of sP-selectin, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in LPS group were significantly increased (P<0.05), and LPS promoted the expression of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in a time-dependent manner. Compared with LPS group at the same time point, capsaicin inhibited the expression of sP-selectin, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with control group, the protein levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα in LPS group at 24 h were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the protein level of IκBα in LPS group at 24 h were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with LPS group, capsaicin decreased the protein levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα and increased the protein level of IκBα in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Capsaicin has a protective effect on LPS-induced vascular endothelial cell activation, which potentially contributes to the suppression of IκBα degradation and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation.     

Inhalation of inactivated Mycobacterium phlei down-regulates expression of nuclear factor-kappa B and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in asthmatic mice

AIM:To investigate the effect of inhalation of inactivated Mycobacte-rium phlei on the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice. METHODS:Male BALB/c mice (n=24) were randomly divided into normal control group (A), asthmatic model group (B), and inactivated Mycobacterium phlei inhalation group (C). Asthmatic model was made by inhalation of chicken ovalbumin. The mice in group C were treated with inactivated Mycobacterium phlei for 5 d. The lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested. HE and AB-PAS staining were used to measure the lung inflammation and mucus production. The inflammatory cells in the BALF were counted. The mRNA expression of NF-κB, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS:Mycobacterium phlei treatment alleviated lung inflammation, attenuated mucus production, and reduced the percentage of eosinophils in the BALF. The mRNA levels of NF-κB and ICAM-1 were significantly decreased after treated with Mycobacterium phlei. However, no significant difference of VCAM-1 mRNA expression was found before and after treatment. The correlation between NF-κB mRNA and ICAM-1 mRNA, and between NF-κB mRNA and VCAM-1 mRNA was not found. CONCLUSION:Inhalation of inactivated Mycobacterium phlei attenuates asthmatic airway inflammation. NF-κB participates in the pathogenesis of asthma. NF-κB signal pathway may be associated with the therapeutic mechanism. Another important mechanism is the reduction of adhesion molecule expression.     

Regulation of ectopic trypsin and proinflammatory cytokine expression by NF-κB and AP-1 in influenza A virus induced myocarditis

AIM: To investigate the regulatory effects of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) on the expression of ectopic trypsin and proinflammatory cytokines in influenza A virus (IAV)-induced myocarditis. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice of 8 weeks old (n=40) were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group (NC), infection control group (IC), NF-κB inhibitor group (NI) and AP-1 inhibitor group (AI). The mice in NC group and IC group were instilled intranasally with 15 μL saline and 40 plaque forming units (PFU) IAV, respectively. The mice in NI group and AI group were infected intranasally with 40 PFU IAV and injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or 2.5 mg/kg AP-1 inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) once daily. The mice were euthanized at day 9 after instillation, and the hearts were removed for pathological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: IAV infection induced significant up-regulation of ectopic trypsin, and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the myocardium, and triggered acute myocarditis. PDTC significantly inhibited NF-κB activation and up-regulation of ectopic trypsin and proinflammatory cytokines, and effectively suppressed IAV replication and myocardial inflammatory response (P<0.01). NDGA effectively inhibited AP-1 activity (P<0.01) and mildly suppressed up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines (P<0.05), but had no effects on the expression of ectopic trypsin, IAV replication and the extent of myocarditis (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: IAV infection induces up-regulation of ectopic trypsin and proinflammatory cytokines in myocardium predominantly by the activation of NF-κB. AP-1 signaling pathway might be only partially involved in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokines.     

LPS-induced hyperpermeability in brain vascular endothelial cell is related to NF-κB signaling

AIM: To investigate the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling in the changes of permeability in brain-derived microvascular endothelial (bEnd.3) cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).METHODS: The bEnd.3 cells were randomly divided into 3 groups: bEnd.3 group, bEnd.3/vector group and bEnd.3/muIκBα group. The cells in the latter 2 groups were transfected with pcDNA3.1hygro and DNMu-IκBα (a dominant-negative mutant of IκB) plasmids, respectively. All the cells were exposed to LPS. The activity of NF-κB, monolayer barrier integrity and F-actin distribution were detected by luciferase reporter assay, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay and rhodamine-phalloidin staining, respectively. The expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and claudin-5) and phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) were determined using Western blotting.RESULTS: In bEnd.3 group and bEnd.3/vector group, the NF-κB activity began to increase obviously as early as 0.5 h after pretreatment with LPS. LPS decreased TEER, and induced F-actin rearrangement and ZO-1 down-regulation in 3 h. Incubation of the cells with LPS for 12 h induced the most significant disruptive effects on the permeability and tight junctions. Moreover, high expression of phosphorylated MLC accompanied with the early damages of tight junctions was observed. However, these destabilizing alterations were suppressed in bEnd.3/muIκBα group by the inhibition of NF-κB activity.CONCLUSION: LPS induces hyperpermeability in brain microvascular endothelial cells. The functions of NF-κB signaling are related to influencing disruptions of tight junctions by regulating the phosphorylation of MLC.     

Artemisinin attenuates intestinal epithelial barrier damage induced by LPS

AIM: To investigate the effect of artemisinin on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced intestinal epithelial barrier damage in IEC-6 cells and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: Cultured IEC-6 cells were divided to 5 groups: control group, LPS(100 mg/L) group and LPS+Artemisinin(30, 50 and 100 μmol/L) groups. The cytotoxicity was detected by MTT assay. The releases of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the IEC-6 cells were measured by ELISA. The transepithelial electrical resistance(TER) was detected by electrical resistance tester, and the horseradish peroxidase(HRP) flux permeability were analyzed by a microplate reader. The expression of tight junction proteins, ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin, and the expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB at mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Artemisinin alone(up to 100 μmol/L) or in combination with LPS(100 mg/L) was not toxic to IEC-6 cells. Compared with control group, the releases of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the culture supernatant of IEC-6 cells significantly increased after treatment with LPS. The expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB was activated by LPS. LPS down-regulated the protein expression of ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin. However, artemisinin treatment decreased the releases of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the culture supernatant of IEC-6 cells. The expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB at mRNA and protein levels was gradually reduced after treatment with artemisinin. In addition, artemisinin upregulated the protein expression of ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin significantly(P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Artemisinin attenuates LPS-induced intestinal epithelial barrier damage by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB activation in the IEC-6 cells.     

Role of TLR4-TRPC6 in LPS-induced NF-κB P65 expression and nuclear translocation in airway epithelial 16HBE cells

AIM: To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6) signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) P65 expression and nuclear translocation in airway epithelial cells (16HBE) for supplementing the mechanism for airway inflammation. METHODS: After stimulating the 16HBE cells with LPS at 1 mg/L for 0, 0.5, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h, the expression of NF-κB P65 at mRNA and protein levels in the 16HBE cells were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively, and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB P65 was detected by immunocytochemical staining method. The effects of TLR4 inhibitor CLI-095 at 5 μmol/L and TRPC6 agonist Hyp9 at 10 μmol/L on LPS (1 mg/L)-induced NF-κB P65 expression and nuclear translocation in the 16HBE cells were determined by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemical staining. RESULTS: LPS increased the mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB P65 and nuclear translocation in the 16HBE cells(P<0.05). TLR4 inhibitor CLI-095 reduced the mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB P65 and nuclear translocation induced by LPS, while Hyp9 enhanced the mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB P65 and nuclear translocation induced by LPS in the 16HBE cells(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: LPS induces the expression and nuclear translocation of NF-κB P65 in the 16HBE cells via TLR4-TRPC6 signaling pathway.     

Signaling mechanism of dendritic cell maturation stimulated by uric acid

AIM: To investigate the effect of uric acid on the signal molecule expression involved in MAPKs and NF-κB pathways during the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs). METHODS: DCs were obtained from murine bone-marrow and cultured in vitro. After the immature DCs were stimulated with uric acid (200 mg/L) and NF-κB inhibitor PDTC, or MAPKs inhibitors SB203580, PD98059 or SP600125 for 15 min, 30 min or 45 min, the cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts of the cells were collected and were subject to immunoblot analysis with the antibodies specific for NF-κB p65 or phosphorylated forms of p38, ERK1/2 and JNK. The cell lysates from DCs treated with LPS or DMSO served as controls. After treated with uric acid and PDTC, SB203580, PD98059 or SP600125 for 48 h, DCs were collected. The cell surface markers were analyzed by flow cytometry. The production of IL-12 p70 in the culture supernatants was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Within 15 min of uric acid conditioning in the immature DCs, increased expression of NF-κB p65 and the phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2 and JNK in the nuclear or cytoplasmic extracts of DCs were observed. The expression of these proteins reached their peak at 30 min after stimulation. Pretreatment of DCs with PDTC, SB203580, SP600125 or PD98059 blocked the expression of NF-κB p65 and phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2 and JNK in response to uric acid stimulation. Treatment of DCs with SB203580, SP600125 or PDTC reduced the uric acid-induced up-regulation of CD83, CD86 and IA/IE, and inhibited the effect of uric acid on the secretion of IL-12 p70 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). SB203580 and PDTC possessed a significant inhibitory effect on uric acid. Nevertheless, PD98059 increased the up-regulation of CD83, CD86, IA/IE and IL-12 p70 induced by uric acid (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Uric acid controls the balance of signal molecule phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and JNK, and NF-κB pathways. A possible mechanism of the DCs maturation stimulated by uric acid may be the modulation of the threshold and duration of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling.     

Effect of FSD-C10 on modulation of inflammatory microenvironment in an Alzheimer disease double transgenic mouse model

AIM: To explore the therapeutic effect of a novel Rho kinase inhibitor FSD-C10 on β-amyloid protein precursor (APP)/presenilin-1 (PS1) double transgenic mice. METHODS: The transgenic mice overexpressing human APP with the Swedish mutation (695) and human PS1 with ΔE9 mutation at the age of 8 months were used in this study. The mice were randomly divided into model group and FSD-C10 intervention group, and wild-type mice at the same age served as normal controls. The mice in FSD-C10 intervention group were treated with FSD-C10 (25 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) for 2 months by intraperitoneal injection. The mice in model group and the wild-type mice were injected with saline in the similar manner. Morris water maze (MWM) test was applied to examine the capacity of learning and memory. The Aβ_1-42 deposition, Tau protein phosphorylation, and the expression of β-site APP-cleaving enzyme (BACE) as well as inflammatory molecules, such as TLR-4 and NF-κB, and M1/M2 microglial markers, such as iNOS and Arg-1, were determined by the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with model group, FSD-C10 significantly improved the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, accompanied by reduced Aβ_1-42 deposition, Tau protein phosphorylation and BACE expression in the hippocampus. The intervention of FSD-C10 decreased the protein levels of TLR-4 and p-NF-κB, reduced the expression of iNOS and increased the expression of Arg-1 in the brain tissues. CONCLUSION: The novel Rho kinase inhibitor FSD-C10 improves the capacity of spatial learning and memory in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, which may be related to the inhibition of TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway, the reduction of the secretion of inflammatory molecules and the polarization of anti-inflammatory M2 microglia, thus improving the inflammatory microenvironment of the brain in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice.     

Effect of TRPV1 activation on lipopolysaccharide-induced lung inflammatory injury in mice

AIM:To investigate the effects of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) activation by capsaicin on the inflammation and its underlying mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury in mice. METHODS:A total of 108 specific pathogen-free male ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group, capsaicin (CAP) control group, capsazepine (CAPZ) control group, endotoxemia group, CAP treatment group and CAPZ treatment group. LPS was intraperitoneally injected 30 min after the subcutaneous injection of CAP or CAPZ. After modeling, the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10, substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the lung were measured by ELISA. The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in the lung tissue was assessed by Western blotting. The pathological changes of the lung tissue were observed under light microscope. RESULTS:The expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and NF-κB in the lung tissues at 3 h, 8 h and 16 h was dramatically higher in endotoxemia group than that in normal control group. Compared with endotoxemia group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and nuclear NF-κB in CAP treatment group at 3 h, 8 h and 16 h were obviously decreased, but the level of IL-10 was increased. The changes of the factors mentioned above in CAPZ treatment group were absolutely adverse to those in CAP treatment group. The levels of SP and CGRP were significantly higher in endotoxemia group and CAP control group than those in normal control group, but those in CAPZ control group were lower. Compared with endotoxemia group, SP and CGRP were markedly increased in CAP treatment group and were obviously decreased in CAPZ treatment group. The level of TLR4 in endotoxemia group was distinctly higher than that in normal control group at 3 h, 8 h and 16 h. However, as compared with endotoxemia group, the expression of TLR4 in CAP treatment group and CAPZ treatment group didn’t change much. At 8 h and 16 h after modeling, the degree of lung damage was also decreased in CAP treatment group as compared with endotoxemia group, while that in CAPZ treatment group was aggravated. CONCLUSION: TRPV1 activation obviously inhibits the increase in TNF-α, IL-6 and NF-κB in the lung tissue of endotoxemia mice, and promotes the increase in the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10, as well as the levels of SP and CGRP, but has no effect on the expression of TLR4.     

The consensus oligonucleotide competitive binding with NF-κB inhibits TNF production

AIM:To investigate whether a consensus oligonucleotide, which contains nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) binding site, decreases TNF production stimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS).METHODS:The thiophosphoric acid modified oligonucleotides were transferred into rat peritoneal macrophages directly, TNF content in LPS-stimulated cell culture supernatant was determined by ELISA.RESULTS:Adding the consensus oligonucleotides with NF-κB binding site into macrophages markedly decreased TNF production following LPS stimulation.CONCLUSION:These results show that use of the consensus oligonucleotides with NF-κB binding site, which can combine with NF-κB, can block or decrease TNF production induced by LPS in macrophages.     

Doxycycline upregulates autophagy to modulate the levels of inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells

AIM:To analyze the effect of autophagy on inflammatory response regulated by doxycycline in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated THP-1 cells and to investigate its molecular mechanism. METHODS:A human monocyte/macrophage cell line THP-1 was stimulated with LPS to establish an cell model of inflammatory response, and the cells were treated with doxycycline. The cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), in cell culture supernatant were measured by ELISA for evaluating the inflammatory levels. For determining the level of autophagy and its effect on inflammatory cell signaling pathways, the protein levels of LC3B, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) were determined by Western blot. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, and rapamycin, an autophagy inducer, were used to study the effect of autophagy on inflammatory response regulated by doxycycline in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. RESULTS:The levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were increased rapidly and peaked at 12 h in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells (P<0.05). Doxycycline significantly inhibited LPS-induced cytokine production in the THP-1 cells. Doxycycline up-regulated LPS-induced autophagy in THP-1 cells and doxycycline itself was an autophagy inducer. The protein levels of p-mTOR was up-regulated by LPS and down-regulated by doxycycline, suggesting that doxycycline induced autophagy via mTOR-dependent pathway while LPS through mTOR-independent pathway. Further studies showed that the combination of LPS, rapamycin and doxycycline inhibited the protein levels of NF-κB, and rapamycin increased the inhibitory effect of doxycycline on cytokine releases. Conversely, 3-MA, the autophagy inhibitor, attenuated the inhibitory effect of doxycycline on NF-κB and cytokine production. CONCLUSION:Autophagy is involved in the process of doxycycline modulating LPS-induced inflammatory response in the THP-1 cells.     

Vinpocetine injection attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats

AIM:To observe the inhibitory effects of vinpocetine injection on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in the rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Male Wistar rats (n=50) were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group,ALI model group,and low,medium and high doses of vinpocetine treatment groups.The rats in control group were injected with 0.9% NaCl at 5 mL/kg through femoral vein.The rats in ALI model group received LPS at 10 mg/kg through femoral vein.After injected with LPS,the rats in vinpocetine treatment groups received vinpocetine at 0.2 mg/kg,0.7 mg/kg or 1.2 mg/kg via intraperitoneal injection.The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed under microscope with HE staining.The cell apoptosis in the lung tissues was detected by TUNEL staining.Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured by the method of spectrophotometry.The protein expression of NF-κB,ICAM-1,VCAM-1,Bax and Bcl-2 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with ALI group,administration of vinpocetine significantly attenuated the structural injury of the lung and the infiltration of inflammatory cells.Moreover,vinpocetine decreased cell apoptosis and MPO activity in the lung tissues of ALI rats.In addition,the protein expression of NF-κB,ICAM-1,VCAM-1 and Bax was inhibited after vinpocetin treatment,whereas Bcl-2 expression was increased.CONCLUSION:Vinpocetine attenuates LPS-lung injury by reducing MPO activity and regulating NF-κB,ICAM-1,VCAM-1,Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression.