Effects of dexamethasone and ibuprofen on LPS-induced gene expression of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and MIP-1 alpha in rat lung.
AIM
To study the kinetics of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukine-1 (IL-1 beta), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) gene expression in rat lung after i.p. lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the effect of dexamethasone (Dex) and ibuprofen (Ibu) on the cytokines gene expression.


METHODS
The amount of Evans blue in lung was measured by fluorescence method. The mRNA levels of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and MIP-1 alpha in rat lung were assessed by slot blot analysis.


RESULTS
The mRNA levels of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and MIP-1 alpha in rat lung after i.p. LPS increased in a dose-dependent manner, and peaked at 2, 6, and 12 h, respectively. Both Dex 50 mg.kg-1 and Ibu 90 mg.kg-1 injected at 1 h before i.p. LPS markedly decreased the content of Evans blue in lung at 1 h after i.p. LPS. After Dex or Ibu pretreatment, the peak levels of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and MIP-1 alpha mRNA decreased markedly compared with LPS alone.


CONCLUSION
The gene expression of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and MIP-1 alpha in rat lung increased after i.p. LPS. Dex and Ibu prevented LPS-induced lung injury through inhibiting the cytokines gene expression.