Effect of lignins and their precursors on nitric oxide, citrulline and asparagine production by mouse macrophage-like Raw 264.7 cells.
Lignins, tannins and flavonoids are commonly found polyphenols. Among these polyphenols, lignins, polymers of phenylpropenoids complexed with polysaccharides, were the least cytotoxic and most potently stimulated the production of nitric oxide (NO), citrulline and asparagine by mouse macrophage-like Raw 264.7 cells. The maximum production of these substances reached the level attained by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, epigallocatechin gallate, phenylpropenoid monomers (ferulic acid, caffeic acid) and gallic acid (component unit of tannin) were inactive. These data suggest that the macrophage-stimulation activity of polyphenols depends, at least in part, on their molecular weight or structural configuration. There was a positive relationship between the extent of asparagine production and that of NO or citrulline. Western blot analysis demonstrated that both lignins and LPS elevated the cellular level of asparagine synthetase. The present study suggests the possible link between the stimulated asparagine production and macrophage activation.
Suzuki
Fumika
F
Department of Dental Pharmacology, Meikai University School of Dentistry, Sakado, Saitama 350-0283, Japan.
Okayasu
Haruo
H
Tashiro
Miyuki
M
Hashimoto
Ken
K
Yokote
Yoshiko
Y
Akahane
Kiso
K
Hongo
Shigeki
S
Sakagami
Hiroshi
H
D000818:Animals; D001216:Asparagine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001217:Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D002956:Citrulline / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D008031:Lignin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D002109:Caffeic Acids; D003373:Coumaric Acids; D002956:Citrulline; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005707:Gallic Acid; D001216:Asparagine; D002392:Catechin; D008031:Lignin; C004999:ferulic acid; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D001217:Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase; C040048:caffeic acid