Nitazoxanide suppresses IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages and TG-injected mice

作者：Hong Seong Keun; Kim Hee Joo; Song Chang Seon; Choi In Soo; Lee Joong Bok; Park Seung Yong^*

来源：International Immunopharmacology, 2012, 13(1): 23-27.

DOI：10.1016/j.intimp.2012.03.002

• Nitazoxanide
• Interleukin-6
• Thioglycollate
• RAW 264.7 cells
• Lipopolysaccharide

Suppression of interleukin (IL)-6 production has beneficial effects against various inflammatory diseases. Through a rapid screening system, we found that nitazoxanide, or 2-acetyloxy-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl) benzamide, which is a well-known antiparasitic agent, suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of IL-6 from RAW 264.7 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50S) of 1.54 mM and 0.17 mM, respectively. Nitazoxanide also inhibited the LPS-induced expression of IL-6 mRNA in RAW 264.7 cells. To investigate the effects of nitazoxanide in vivo, we orally administered nitazoxanide at a dose of 100 mg/kg to mice 2 h before a 1-mL intraperitoneal injection of 4% thioglycollate (TG). Six hours after TG injection, plasma IL-6 levels were markedly lower (by 90%) than the levels in vehicle-treated mice. These data suggest that nitazoxanide could be a promising lead compound for agents against various diseases associated with overproduction of IL-6.

• 出版日期2012-5