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Serum lipoprotein in active rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory arthritides. I. Relativity to inflammatory activity.

Lipoprotein metabolism was investigated in 69 patients with untreated active rheumatoid arthritis (n = 48) and in seronegative spondylarthropathies (n = 21). The patients had high inflammatory activity as measured by erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (CRP). Serum cholesterol and cholesterol levels in the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein fractions were reduced by 20% to 30% compared with healthy controls; and triglyceride levels in VLDL and high-density lipoprotein were reduced by 10% to 30%. There were significant correlations between the inflammatory activity and certain lipoprotein lipids, ie, between CRP and VLDL triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, and serum triglycerides. The fractional elimination rate (K2) measured by an intravenous fat tolerance test was 30% higher in the patients than in the controls despite reduced tissue lipoprotein lipase activities. There was correlation between CRP and the K2 value. These findings suggest that it is the degree of inflammatory activity that governs the altered lipoprotein metabolism in untreated active chronic inflammatory arthritides. The relationships between CRP and VLDL and between CRP and K2 suggest that the VLDL particles may be altered by inflammatory process, and that the increased elimination may take place through the "scavenger pathway."

Adipose Tissue↗

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for heavy menstrual bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Heavy menstrual bleeding is an important cause of ill health in premenopausal women. Although surgery is often used as a treatment, a range of medical therapies are also available. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors reduce prostaglandin levels which are elevated in women with excessive menstrual bleeding and also may have a beneficial effect on dysmenorrhoea. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this review was to investigate the effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in achieving a reduction in menstrual blood loss in women of reproductive years with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic searches for relevant randomised controlled trials of the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Register of Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychLIT, Current Contents, Biological Abstracts, Social Sciences Index and CINAHL were performed. Attempts were also made to identify trials from citation lists of review articles and drug companies were approached for unpublished data. In most cases, the first author of each included trial was contacted for additional information. SELECTION CRITERIA: The inclusion criteria were randomised comparisons of individual NSAIDs with either each other, placebo or other medical treatments in women of reproductive years with regular heavy periods measured either objectively or subjectively and with no pathological or iatrogenic (treatment induced) causes for their heavy menstrual blood loss. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Sixteen RCTs were identified that fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this review. The reviewers extracted the data independently and odds ratios for dichotomous outcomes and weighted mean differences for continuous outcomes were estimated from the data of nine trials. The remaining seven trials were of crossover design with data unsuitable for pooling and their individual results were described in text form. MAIN RESULTS: As a group, NSAIDs were more effective than placebo at reducing heavy menstrual bleeding but less effective than either tranexamic acid or danazol. Treatment with danazol caused a shorter duration of menstruation and more adverse events than NSAIDs but this did not appear to affect the acceptability of treatment. There was a non significant trend towards greater efficacy of NSAIDs compared to oral progestogen (luteal phase) and ethamsylate but no differences were demonstrated between NSAIDs and the progesterone releasing intra-uterine system (IUS) and the oral contraceptive pill, although these results were based on very small studies. There was no evidence of a difference between the individual NSAIDs (naproxen and mefenamic acid) in reducing HMB. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: NSAIDs reduce heavy menstrual bleeding when compared with placebo but are less effective than either tranexamic acid or danazol. However, adverse events are more severe with danazol therapy. In the limited number of small scale studies suitable for evaluation, no significant difference in efficacy was demonstrated between NSAIDs and other medical treatments such as oral progestogen given in the luteal phase, ethamsylate, oral contraceptive pill and the progesterone releasing IUS.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Allium sativum (garlic) suppresses leukocyte inflammatory cytokine production in vitro: potential therapeutic use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) direct a predominantly cell-mediated T- helper-1 (Th1) immune response. The nonspecific anti-inflammatory treatment being used in the management of patients with IBD has not changed much since the 1970s and new therapeutic agents are keenly sought. Several compounds isolated from Allium sativum (garlic) modulate leukocyte cell proliferation and cytokine production. METHODS: To investigate the possible therapeutic effects of garlic in the treatment of patients with IBD, whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated in the presence of various concentrations of garlic extract and the effect on leukocyte cytokine production was determined in vitro using multiparameter flow cytometry. RESULTS: Monocyte interleukin (IL)-12 production was inhibited significantly in the presence of low concentrations of garlic extract (>or=0.1 microg/ml total protein). Monocyte IL-10 production increased significantly and monocyte tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1alpha, IL-6, IL-8, T-cell interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-2, and TNF-alpha decreased significantly in the presence of >or=10 microg/ml garlic extract. Twenty to fifty percent of the immunomodulatory activity of garlic extract on cytokine production was acid labile. The inhibitory activity of methylprednisolone, a commonly used anti-inflammatory in IBD, with garlic on leukocyte cytokine production was additive. CONCLUSIONS: By inhibiting Th1 and inflammatory cytokines while upregulating IL-10 production, treatment with garlic extract may help to resolve inflammation associated with IBD. An in vivo animal model study needs to be undertaken to determine the significance of these in vitro findings.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and inflammatory bowel disease: current perspectives.

Mechanisms underlying the gastric toxicity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been extensively investigated, whereas those leading to intestinal damage are not completely understood. Several hypotheses have been put forward on the pathophysiology of intestinal damage by NSAIDs: enhanced intestinal permeability, inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), enterohepatic recirculation, and formation of adducts. The effects of COX-2 selective inhibitors, which appear to have better gastric tolerability when compared to nonselective NSAIDs, on normal and inflamed intestinal mucosa (as in Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) are still largely unexplored. If COX-2 inhibition plays a key role in suppressing the inflammatory process, recent evidence suggests that COX-2 products are involved in maintaining the integrity of intestinal mucosa, in the healing of gastrointestinal ulcers and in the modulation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Animal models of intestinal inflammation have so far yielded conflicting results on the effects of COX-2 selective inhibitors on the intestinal mucosa. It is now clear that NSAIDs do not act through cyclooxygenase inhibition, but also have different targets such as nuclear factor-kappaB and/or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma. The peculiar pharmacological profile of each compound may help to explain the different impact of each NSAID on the inflammatory process and on IBD. Notably, the salicylic acid derivative 5-ASA is widely used in the treatment of IBD and is believed to act through nuclear factor-kappaB inhibition. Although the use of COX-2 selective inhibitors remains contraindicated in patients with IBD, studying their effects on intestinal mucosa may offer new insights into their subcellulars mechanisms of action and open new avenues for the development of novel therapies for IBD.

Animals↗

Prevalence and mechanism of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced clinical relapse in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It has been variably suggested that nonselective NSAIDs and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitors aggravate or ameliorate clinical disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We assessed the effect of these drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (n = 209) and the possible mechanisms. METHODS: First, patients with quiescent Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis received the non-NSAID analgesic acetaminophen (n = 26) and the conventional NSAIDs naproxen (n = 32), diclofenac (n = 29), and indomethacin (n = 22) for 4 weeks. The Harvey-Bradshaw index was used to define relapse. Second, to assess the mechanism of relapse, intestinal inflammation was quantitated (fecal calprotectin) before and during treatment (20 patients/group) with acetaminophen, naproxen (topical effect, COX-1 and -2 inhibitor), nabumetone (COX-1 and -2 inhibitor), nimesulide (selective COX-2 inhibitor), and low-dose aspirin (selective COX-1 inhibition). RESULTS: Nonselective NSAIDs were associated with a 17%-28% relapse rate within 9 days of ingestion. No patient had an early relapse on acetaminophen, nimesulide, or aspirin, whereas those on naproxen and nabumetone (20%) experienced relapse. These clinical relapses were associated with escalating intestinal inflammatory activity. CONCLUSIONS: NSAID ingestion is associated with frequent and early clinical relapse of quiescent inflammatory bowel disease, and the mechanism appears to be due to dual inhibition of the COX enzymes. Selective COX-2 inhibition with nimesulide and COX-1 inhibition with low-dose aspirin appear to be well-tolerated in the short-term.

Acetaminophen↗

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are associated with emergency admission to hospital for colitis due to inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the relation between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colitis due to inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted using a prospectively constructed, record linkage database containing hospital event and dispensed drug data (1989-93). The study population consisted of 319,465 people resident in Tayside in January 1989, and still resident (or dead) in October 1994. RESULTS: Of the 785 patients admitted to hospital as emergencies with colitis between July 1989 and June 1993, 200 fulfilled the case criterion of colitis due to inflammatory bowel disease. A further 1198 persons were used as community controls. Odds ratios were calculated for three exposure periods (current, recent, and past exposure). The overall odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) for current and recent exposure to NSAIDs were 1.77 (1.01 to 3.10) and 1.93 (1.20 to 3.09) respectively. Current and recent exposure to NSAIDs was also associated for incident cases, with odds ratios of 2.96 (1.32 to 6.64) and 2.51 (1.13 to 5.55). There was a trend for recent exposure among non-incident cases. CONCLUSION: The use of NSAIDs may be associated with an increased risk of emergency admission to hospital for colitis due to inflammatory bowel disease, particularly among patients with no previous history.

Adolescent↗

Colonic epithelial cells are a major site of macrophage inflammatory protein 3alpha (MIP-3alpha) production in normal colon and inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Macrophage inflammatory protein 3alpha (MIP-3alpha) is a recently described lymphocyte directed C-C chemokine expressed predominately at extralymphoid sites, including the intestine. The aim of this study was to determine whether colonic epithelial cells produce MIP-3alpha and whether its expression is upregulated in inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We found that interleukin 1beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha dose dependently stimulated MIP-3alpha production in Caco-2 and HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells. In cytokine treated Caco-2 and HT-29 cells, a significant increase in MIP-3alpha protein production was observed after three hours and continued for at least 24 hours. Analysis of colonic tissues by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and ELISA revealed significantly elevated MIP-3alpha mRNA levels (7.9-fold; p<0.05) and protein levels (8.9-fold; p<0.05) in Crohn's disease compared with controls or ulcerative colitis. MIP-3alpha immunoreactivity in normal colon and inflammatory bowel disease was principally associated with crypt and surface epithelial cells. Moreover, MIP-3alpha protein levels were elevated in primary epithelial cells isolated from patients with inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that increased enterocyte MIP-3alpha production may play an important role in lymphocyte activation and recruitment to the colonic epithelium in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Biomarkers↗

Effect of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on inflammatory markers in calves with experimentally-induced bronchopneumonia.

The influence of treatment with steroidal (SAIDs) and non-steroidal (NSAIDs) anti-inflammatory drugs on inflammatory markers in thirty, 6-8 week old calves with induced bronchopneumonia was investigated. Animals received a single intravenous treatment with meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg body weight), flumethasone (0.05 mg/kg body weight) or sterile 0.9% NaCl (10 ml per animal). Body temperature, respiratory and heart rate, concentration of prostaglandins PGE2, PGF2alpha, thromboxane (TXB2), leukotriene (LTB4) and malonyldialdehyd (MDA) and proinflammatory cytokines i.e. tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) and interferon (INFalpha) were recorded in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood platelets (BP). A significant reduction of main inflammatory mediators PGE2, PGF2alpha,TXB2 and MDA after meloxicam treatment in calves with induced bronchopneumonia indicates a beneficial effect on the inflammatory processes. Contrary to effects observed by flumethasone, meloxicam induced an increase of LTB4 and INFalpha indicating that it is not immunosuppressive.

Animals↗

Profiles of circulating inflammatory- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome due to E. coli O157 infection.

The systemic inflammatory response to Escherichia coli O157 infection was studied from the profiles of circulating inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Twelve patients transferred sequentially to our hospital for the intensive care with acute illness due to Escherichia coli O157 infection and the possible form of haemolytic uraemic syndrome were included in this study. Increased circulating concentrations of tumour necrosis factor, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin 10 were found in patients with various stages of this infection and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Especially, the degree of the increase of circulating interleukin 10 in those who had a typical signs of haemolytic uraemic syndrome was higher than those of other inflammatory cytokines. Two groups of E. coli infection could be classified into one with a typical haemolytic uraemic syndrome and the other with atypically bacteremic state over haemolytic uraemic syndrome according to these cytokine levels.

Adult↗

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and related properties of meloxicam, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent with favourable gastrointestinal tolerance.

The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties of the new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, meloxicam, were investigated in a variety of animal models and compared with the properties of piroxicam, diclofenac, indomethacin and several other NSAIDs. With respect to the total effect of a single oral dose, the anti-exudative effect of meloxicam on carrageenan-induced oedema in the rat exceeded that of all the NSAIDs included in the comparison. Additionally, meloxicam showed the greatest potency of all the compounds examined with respect to adjuvant-induced arthritis in the rat, the granuloma pouch model and the cotton pellet test in the rat. Unlike indomethacin, in the carrageenan pleurisy model in the rat, meloxicam caused both a dose-dependent reduction in exudate volume and also inhibition of leucocyte migration. Meloxicam showed a strong and lasting effect on inflammatory pain in the rat. Like other NSAIDs, but unlike dipyrone, meloxicam had no effect in the hot plate and tail clamp tests, which are used to identify weak central analgesic effects. Unlike dipyrone and like indomethacin, meloxicam had no effect in a model of visceral distention pain. In common with other NSAIDs, meloxicam had no influence on the body temperature of normothermic rats in the anti-inflammatory dose range, but did reduce yeast-induced fever in the rat in a dose-dependent manner. Like piroxicam, meloxicam had a uricosuric effect on rats treated with oxonic acid. Low-dose meloxicam inhibited both bradykinin-induced and PAF-induced bronchospasm in the guinea-pig, but had no effect on acetylcholine-induced bronchospasm. Piroxicam had greater ulcerogenic effects in the rat stomach than meloxicam. The therapeutic range of meloxicam in the rat, with regard to inhibition of adjuvant arthritis, was several times greater than that of piroxicam, indomethacin, diclofenac and naproxen.

Animals↗

Comparison in rats of the anti-inflammatory and gastric irritant effects of etodolac with several clinically effective anti-inflammatory drugs.

The anti-inflammatory and gastric effects of etodolac were compared in the rat with those of seven clinically established nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-inflammatory potency of etodolac was found to lie between that of sulindac and piroxicam. Etodolac was 2.8 times more active than sulindac and 2.2 times less active than piroxicam. Compared to phenylbutazone it was 12.5 times more potent. The irritation produced on the gastric mucosa was less than that of sulindac, although this difference did not reach statistical significance. However, etodolac was significantly (p less than 0.05) less irritant than piroxicam. Of the drugs studied, etodolac showed the highest ratio between the irritant ED50 and the dose which inhibited inflammation by 50%. From these results etodolac is predicted to be a potent anti-inflammatory drug with a high gastric tolerance. Clinical trials appear to confirm these predictions.

Acetates↗

Long-term effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the production of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators by blood cells of patients with osteoarthritis.

Most of the previous studies dealing with the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the synthesis of inflammatory mediators involved in joint damage have been done in cells cultured in vitro or in blood cells from patients treated for short periods of time. In this work we have evaluated the long-term effect of aceclofenac, a new NSAID, and diclofenac on the production of a series of inflammatory mediators by blood cells from 30 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis. Both aceclofenac and diclofenac significantly inhibited prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis by blood mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells after 180 days of treatment. However, no clear effect was noted on leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and platelet activating factor (PAF) production. The generation of O-2 by polymorphonuclear cells, stimulated with FMLP, was decreased after 15 days of treatment with both drugs, but reached normal values after 180 days. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) production decreased significantly at 180 days with both drugs in the group of high producer patients. In a few (n = 3) patients with high basal mononuclear cell tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) production, this also decreased on treatment for 180 days with the NSAIDs. In the remaining low TNF alpha-producing patients, TNF alpha production tended to increase. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) synthesis was not affected by aceclofenac while it was diminished by diclofenac. The decrease in IL-6 in all treated patients was significantly correlated with a worsening of the clinical condition. On the whole, these data could afford a pathogenetic basis for the long-term employment of these drugs in patients with inflammatory conditions.

Adult↗

Assessment of the effect of candidate anti-inflammatory treatments on the interaction between meningococci and inflammatory cells in vitro in a whole blood model.

A wide range of immunomodulating agents are now available which may be of benefit in reducing inflammatory cell activation in meningococcal sepsis. In order to facilitate selection of candidate anti-inflammatory agents for clinical trials, we have used an in vitro whole blood model to evaluate the effects on meningococcal induced neutrophil and monocyte activation, of dexamethasone, prostacyclin, pentoxifylline and a human IgM anti-lipid A monoclonal antibody (HA-1A). Known concentrations of heat and penicillin killed meningococci were added to whole blood and the time course of cellular activation was determined. Using elastase alpha 1-antitrypsin (elastase-alpha 1-AT) and TNF alpha production as markers of neutrophil and monocyte activation respectively, plasma levels of elastase-alpha 1-AT and TNF alpha were found to increase in a dose-dependent manner. Elastase-alpha 1-AT was detected early, with most release occurring between 15-30 min whereas TNF alpha was detected later, between 120-180 min. Dexamethasone, prostacyclin and pentoxifylline caused a dose-dependent inhibition of TNF alpha release but had no effect on elastase release. HA-1A had no effect on either TNF alpha or elastase release. This model may be useful in determining the sequence of inflammatory cell activation and in selecting candidate anti-inflammatory agents for evaluation in clinical trials.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Cytokines in sural nerve biopsies from inflammatory and non-inflammatory neuropathies.

Proinflammatory cytokines are supposed to play a major role in the pathophysiology of vasculitis and in the development of neuropathic pain. Here we studied the cytokine expression in sural nerve biopsy specimens from patients with vasculitic and other inflammatory and non-inflammatory neuropathies, and investigated whether an increased cytokine expression was correlated with the presence of neuropathic pain. We used immunohistochemistry including double labeling and morphometry to localize and quantify the expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) in sural nerve biopsy samples of 41 patients with vasculitic neuropathy (VANP), chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (CIDP), non-inflammatory chronic axonal neuropathy (CANP), and 3 controls. Overall cytokine immunoreactivity was highest in VANP, less strong in CIDP and lowest in CANP. Cytokine immunoreactivity was directly correlated with the degree of axonal degeneration, endoneurial macrophages and epineurial T cells. In VANP and CANP, a higher cytokine content was associated with neuropathic pain.

2-Isopropylmalate Synthase↗

Adverse reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Diclofenac compared with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The most common adverse effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are gastritis, peptic ulceration, and depression of renal function, all of which result primarily from prostaglandin inhibition. The types of side effects observed with diclofenac are similar to those of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and are unavoidable given that the drugs are prostaglandin inhibitors. However, the incidences of such side effects may be lower with diclofenac than with some of the other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Worldwide experience with diclofenac exceeds 7.6 million patient-years, which should provide estimates of the frequency of very rare adverse reactions. The latter include blood dyscrasias, erythema multiforme, hepatitis, and others, such as aseptic meningitis, anaphylaxis, and urticaria. Moreover, some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs appear to have unique side-effect profiles. Examples include a higher incidence of ulceration and erythema multiforme with piroxicam, and acute pancreatitis, in rare instances, with sulindac. From a careful survey of the world's accumulated literature and reports to CIBA-GEIGY, diclofenac does not appear to have any unusual adverse reactions.

Aged↗

Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of the stable prostaglandin D2 analogue, ZK 118.182.

This study examined the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of the stable prostaglandin (PG) D2 analogue, ZK 118.182 and the mechanism by which prostaglandins may exert their anti-inflammatory activity. Co-injected locally, ZK 118.182, like PGE2 and PGD2, dose-dependently increased plasma leakage induced by intradermal injection of bradykinin in rabbit skin. Infused i.v., ZK 118.182 (0.45 microgram/kg/min), a dose which did not affect systemic blood pressure, inhibited oedema formation in rabbit skin induced by the neutrophil-dependent agonists, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). However, it did not modify plasma leakage induced by the neutrophil-independent mediators, bradykinin and platelet-activating factor (PAF). In contrast, neutrophil accumulation in response to LTB4 and FMLP was not affected in animals infused with ZK 118.182. In vitro, ZK 118.182, like PGE2 and PGD2 inhibited FMLP-induced superoxide anion (O2-) production by rabbit neutrophils. The compound, however, had minimal effects on O2- production induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). ZK 118.182 inhibited to a small extent FMLP but not PMA-induced neutrophil adherence. These results show that depending on the route of administration, the PGD2 analogue, ZK 118.182, exhibits either pro- or anti-inflammatory effects. The anti-inflammatory effect may be related to the ability of the compound to inhibit increased microvascular permeability induced by neutrophil activation without interfering with neutrophil accumulation. This latter effect may be due to the analogue's capacity to suppress neutrophil secretion to a greater extent than neutrophil adherence.

Animals↗

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory neurological diseases.

The level of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), a newly discovered cytokine of chemokine family, was determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 18 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and from control patients with other neurological disorders by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentration of MIP-1 alpha in CSF was significantly elevated in MS in relapse (4.4 pg/ml) compared with non-inflammatory neurological disease control samples (0.3 pg/ml) (p < 0.0002). These concentrations in MS patients correlated well with leukocyte cell counts and protein content in CSF (r = 0.845, p < 0.0001; r = 0.853, p < 0.0001, respectively). In other inflammatory neurological disorders such as Behçet's disease and HTLV-1 associated myelopathy, significantly increased CSF levels of MIP-1 alpha were also observed. Chemokines are reported to play an important role in an early event of inflammation such as lymphocyte traffic. This report is the first study which confirmed the involvement of a chemokine in MS and other inflammatory neurological disorders.

Adult↗

Anti-inflammatory effect of roasted licorice extracts on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages.

Licorice, the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata, is used by practitioners of alternative medicine to treat individuals with gastric or duodenal ulcers, bronchitis, cough, arthritis, adrenal insufficiency, and allergies. We investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of 4 licorice extracts: extracts of roasted licorice obtained by ethanol (rLE) or water extraction (rLW) and extracts of raw licorice obtained by ethanol (LE) or water extraction (LW). rLE demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity through its ability to reduce nitric oxide and prostaglandin E(2) production in the LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell, RAW264.7. It also inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CD14 expression on the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Further study indicated that LPS-induced degradation and phosphorylation of Ikappa-Balpha, along with DNA-binding of NF-kappaB, was significantly inhibited by rLE exposure in RAW264.7 cells. In the murine model, we found that in vivo exposure to rLE-induced an increase in the survival rate, reduced plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, and increased IL-10 production in LPS-treated mice. Collectively, these data suggest that the use of rLE may be a useful therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.

Animals↗