| Abstract: | AIM:To explore the therapeutic effect of fasudil hydrochloride by the oral route on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice and its possible mechanism. METHODS:The EAE model in female C57BL/6 mice was established by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 peptide(MOG35-55) immunization and the immunized mice were randomly divided into saline control group and fasudil intervention group, in which saline and fasudil were administered by the oral route once every day from post-immunization (PI) day 3 to day 27. Clinical score and body weight were recorded every other day. On PI day 28, the spinal cords were obtained for HE and myelin staining. The splenocytes were isolated and the expression of CD16/32, CD206 and interleukin (IL)-10 was analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. RESULTS:Oral administration of fasudil delayed the onset of EAE, and attenuated the myelinoclasis of the model animals and the severity of EAE, accompanied by the phenotypic switch from M1 to M2 macrophages, the inhibition of the proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1β and TNF-α) production and the increase in IL-10 release. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of fasudil exhibits therapeutic effect on the development of EAE possibly through switching M1 macrophages to M2 phenotype and inhibiting inflammatory responses in mice. |
