Isotrifoliol inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators by suppression of TLR/NF-κB and TLR/MAPK signaling in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells

Anti-inflammatory effect of the extract from fermented Asterina pectinifera with Cordyceps militaris mycelia in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages

In our previous work, Asterina pectinifera was fermented with Cordyceps militaris mycelia to improve its bioactivities and was reported to have strong antioxidant activities. The aim of the current study was to investigate its anti-inflammatory effect and mechanisms of action. In this study, we observed the inhibitory effect of the extract from fermented A. pectinifera with C. militaris mycelia (FACM) on nitric oxide (NO) production and its molecular mechanism in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. FACM could decrease LPS-induced NO production. Western blot analysis showed that FACM could down-regulate LPS-induced expression of inducible NO synthase without affecting cyclooxygenase-2. Moreover, FACM exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells through proinflammatory mediators including TNF-α and IL-6 via nuclear factor kappa B pathway. FACM inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase expression. Our results suggest that FACM may be a potential candidate for inflammation therapy by attenuating the generation of cytokines, production of NO, and generation of ROS in RAW264.7 cells.

Glutamine ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac dysfunction by regulating the toll-like receptor 4/mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway

The inflammatory response of sepsis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may result in irreversible cardiac dysfunction. Glutamine (GLN) has a multitude of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory abilities. Previous studies have reported that GLN attenuated LPS-induced acute lung injury and intestinal mucosal injury. The present study investigated whether GLN exerts potential protective effects on LPS-induced cardiac dysfunction. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (15 rats per group), including the control (saline-treated), LPS and LPS+GLN groups. Pretreatment with 1 g/kg GLN was provided via gavage for 5 days in the LPS+GLN group, while the control and LPS groups received the same volume of normal saline. On day 6, a cardiac dysfunction model was induced by administration of LPS (10 mg/kg). After 24 h, the cardiac functions of the rats that survived were detected by echocardiography and catheter-based measurements. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while the mRNA levels of toll-like receptor (TLR)4, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of TLR4, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were also determined by western blot analysis. The results of echocardiography and catheter-based measurements revealed that GLN treatment attenuated cardiac dysfunction. GLN treatment also attenuated the serum and mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the protein levels of TLR4, phosphorylated (p-)extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p-P38 were reduced upon GLN pretreatment. Furthermore, GLN pretreatment resulted in decreased activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, GLN has a potential therapeutic effect in the protection against cardiac dysfunction mediated by sepsis through regulating the TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Thalidomide and its analogues: A review of the potential for immunomodulation of fibrosis diseases and opthalmopathy

The US Food and Drug Administration approved thalidomide and its analogues for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum, in spite of the notoriety of reports of severe birth defects in the middle of the last century. As immunomodulatory drugs, thalidomide and its analogues have been used to effectively treat various diseases. In the present review, preclinical data about the effects of thalidomide and its analogues on the immune system are integrated, including the effects of cytokines on transdifferentiation, the anti-inflammatory effect, immune cell function regulation and angiogenesis. The present review also investigates the latest developments of thalidomide as a therapeutic option for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, skin fibrosis, and ophthalmopathies.

A novel pleiotropic effect of aspirin: Beneficial regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in microglial cells

Aspirin, one of the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, has extensively studied effects on the cardiovascular system. To reveal further pleiotropic, beneficial effects of aspirin on a number of pro- and anti-inflammatory microglial mechanisms, we performed morphometric and functional studies relating to phagocytosis, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production (IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-10, respectively) and analyzed the expression of a number of inflammation-related genes, including those related to the above functions, in pure microglial cells. We examined the effects of aspirin (0.1mM and 1mM) in unchallenged (control) and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged secondary microglial cultures. Aspirin affected microglial morphology and functions in a dose-dependent manner as it inhibited LPS-elicited microglial activation by promoting ramification and the inhibition of phagocytosis in both concentrations. Remarkably, aspirin strongly reduced the pro-inflammatory IL-1β and TNF-α production, while it increased the anti-inflammatory IL-10 level in LPS-challenged cells. Moreover, aspirin differentially regulated the expression of a number of inflammation-related genes as it downregulated such pro-inflammatory genes as Nos2, Kng1, IL1β, Ptgs2 or Ccr1, while it upregulated some anti-inflammatory genes such as IL10, Csf2, Cxcl1, Ccl5 or Tgfb1. Thus, the use of aspirin could be beneficial for the prophylaxis of certain neurodegenerative disorders as it effectively ameliorates inflammation in the brain.