title: Inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB activation by IRFI 042, protects against endotoxin-induced shock.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of IRFI 042, a novel dual vitamin E-like antioxidant, on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation, TNF-alpha gene priming and on the release of the mature protein during endotoxin shock.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endotoxin shock was produced in male rats by a single intravenous (i.v.) injection of 20 mg kg(-1) of Salmonella enteritidis lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Survival rate, mean arterial blood pressure, serum TNF-alpha and plasma malondialdehyde (MAL) levels were investigated. We then evaluated in the liver TNF-alpha mRNA levels, NF-kappaB binding activity and the inhibitory protein IkappaBalpha. Moreover we studied in LPS stimulated (50 microg ml(-1)) peritoneal macrophages (Mphi), NF-kappaB activation, cytoplasmic IkappaB-alpha degradation, the message for TNF-alpha, and TNF-alpha and MAL levels.
  
  
  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
  These data suggest that IRFI 042 blocks the activation of NF-kappaB, reduces TNF-alpha mRNA levels, and finally reverses endotoxic shock.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, Section of Pharmacology School of Medicine, University of Messina, Torre Biologica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria G Martino, Via C. Valeria, Gazzi, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Altavilla
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Squadrito
authors.forename: Letteria
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Minutoli
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deodato
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bova
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sardella
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Seminara
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Passaniti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Urna
authors.forename: Saverio F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Venuti
authors.forename: Achille P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Caputi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Squadrito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D023421:Models, Animal; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001572:Benzofurans; D020672:I-kappa B Proteins; C413683:IRFI 042; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D008315:Malondialdehyde