How reliable an indicator of inflammation is myeloperoxidase activity?
BACKGROUND
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are often used as markers of inflammation. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether MPO activity is as reliable as IL-6 as an indicator of inflammation.


METHODS
Inflammation was induced in mice, using either turpentine or indomethacin. Duodenal tissue was removed from these animals at various time periods ranging from 6 h to 7 days later. Concentrations of IL-6 and MPO activity were estimated in the tissue. Histopathological examination was also carried out at some of the time periods to determine the presence of neutrophil infiltration in turpentine-treated mice.


RESULTS
Concentrations of IL-6 and MPO activity were significantly higher in tissue that had been treated with the agents used, at all the time periods studied, when compared with corresponding control tissue. Fold-increases in MPO activity were higher than fold-increases in IL-6. Concentrations of the 2 parameters showed significant positive correlation. Histopathological examination did not show significantly higher numbers of neutrophils infiltrating the tissue in response to turpentine, at the time periods studied.


CONCLUSIONS
Estimation of MPO activity is a reliable indicator of inflammation, being more sensitive than histopathological examination of tissue and as good as measurement of IL-6 concentrations.
Faith
Minnie
M
Department of Biochemistry, Christian Medical College, and Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore-632002, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sukumaran
Abitha
A
Pulimood
Anna B
AB
Jacob
Molly
M
D000818:Animals; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D014425:Turpentine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015850:Interleukin-6; D009195:Peroxidase; D014425:Turpentine; D007213:Indomethacin