International immunopharmacology
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Aug 2007
Bee venom and melittin reduce proinflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglia.
Bee venom (BV), well known as a traditional Oriental medicine, has been shown to exhibit anti-arthritic and anti-carcinogenic effects. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of BV have not been elucidated in microglia. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of BV and its major component, melittin (MEL), on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia. ⋯ Our data also indicate that BV and MEL exert anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the transcription of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 genes and proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. BV and MEL also attenuated the production of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). These results demonstrate that BV and MEL possess a potent suppressive effect on proinflammatory responses of BV2 microglia and suggest that these compounds may offer substantial therapeutic potential for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases that are accompanied by microglial activation.
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Int. Immunopharmacol. · Aug 2007
Effects of ketamine on levels of cytokines, NF-kappaB and TLRs in rat intestine during CLP-induced sepsis.
This study was designed to investigate the effects of ketamine on levels of inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in rat intestine during polymicrobial sepsis, induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). After the induction of sepsis or sham-operation, the rats were treated with ketamine (2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg) or saline (10 ml/kg). At 2, 4 or 6 h post-operation, the intestinal concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-6, were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ⋯ Ketamine 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg after CLP decreased intestinal TNF-alpha level and NF-kappaB activity, and inhibited TLR2 and TLR4 expressions as well. These results suggest that ketamine may have anti-inflammatory effects, such as suppressing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and attenuating NF-kappaB activity, during polymicrobial sepsis. And these anti-inflammatory effects possibly correlate with the inhibitory influence of ketamine on TLR2 and TLR4 expressions.