RESULTS: LPS administration reduced survival rate (0%, 72 h after LPS administration), decreased mean arterial blood pressure, augmented serum
TNF-alpha (60+/-11 ng ml(-1)) and enhanced plasma
malondialdehyde (MAL) levels (55+/-7.1 nmol l(-1)). LPS shocked rats also had increased
TNF-alpha mRNA levels, augmented liver
NF-kappaB binding activity in the nucleus and decreased levels of the inhibitory
protein IkappaBalpha. In addition, in vitro LPS stimulation (50 microg ml(-1)) significantly induced
NF-kappaB activation and cytoplasmic
IkappaBalpha degradation in Mphi, enhanced
TNF-alpha mRNA levels and increased Mphi
TNF-alpha and MAL. Treatment with
IRFI 042 (20 mg kg(-1), i.v., 5 min after
endotoxin challenge) protected against LPS-induced lethality (90% survival rate 24 h and 80% survival rate 72 h after LPS injection, respectively), reduced
hypotension, blunted plasma MAL (9.0+/-0.9 nmol l(-1)) and decreased serum
TNF-alpha (15+/-3 ng ml(-1)). The
antioxidant also inhibited the loss of
IkappaBalpha protein from the hepatic cytoplasm, blunted the increased
NF-kappaB binding activity in the liver and decreased hepatic liver
mRNA for
TNF-alpha. Furthermore 'in vitro'
IRFI 042 (50 microM) significantly inhibited activation of
NF-kappaB through inhibition of
IkappaBalpha degradation, reduced the amount of
TNF-alpha mRNA, decreased LPS-induced
TNF-alpha release and blunted lipid peroxidation (MAL) in LPS stimulated Mphi.
CONCLUSIONS: