Evidence that metyrapone in the presence of inflammation modulates cytokine mRNA expression.
OBJECTIVE
Metyrapone (MT) has been used clinically to decrease glucocorticoid levels in human and animal studies. However, the potential effects of MT in the presence of inflammation are poorly understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of MT on the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the presence of inflammation induced by the well-established model of ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.


METHODS
Sixty animals were randomly assigned into three experimental groups of 20 rats each: G1-control; G2-periodontal disease (PD) induced by cotton ligature; G3-PD associated with 3 daily doses of MT (50mg/kg/3×3h). After 30 days, all animals were killed by decapitation. Blood samples were taken and the concentrations of corticosterone and catecholamines measured. Marginal tissues around ligated and non-ligated teeth were harvested and gene expression was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique (qPCR). Moreover, the area of interradicular bone loss (ABL) was histometrically determined.


RESULTS
Data analysis showed that: (i) ligature placement resulted in a significant ABL, as compared to non-ligated sites of G1 group; (ii) mRNA levels of all the pro-inflammatory factors assessed (INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) were increased in the PD group (G2) (p<0.05) when compared to G1; (iii) there were no significant differences in corticosterone and catecholamine plasmatic levels between the three groups; (iv) MT administration, in the presence of inflammation, induces an increased ABL and significantly increased mRNA levels of all pro-inflammatory cytokines analyzed (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that MT in the presence of inflammation may modulate expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, regardless of its effect on plasma corticosterone levels.
Peruzzo
Daiane C
DC
Division of Periodontics, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. daiaperuzzo@yahoo.com.br
Benatti
Bruno B
BB
Andersen
Monica L
ML
Tufik
Sergio
S
Casati
Márcio Z
MZ
Nociti
Francisco H
FH
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers; D001835:Body Weight; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008797:Metyrapone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008797:Metyrapone