title: Modulatory effect of mycophenolate mofetil on carrageenan-induced inflammation in the mouse air pouch model.
abstract: The treatment of some inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, remains an important target for studies because some patients are refractory to conventional treatment. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), an immunosuppressive drug, has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the therapy of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we aimed to analyse the anti-inflammatory effect of MMF administered by oral route in the mouse carrageenan-induced air pouch model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMF significantly inhibited the influx of leukocytes, exudate concentrations (P<0.01), activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine deaminase (ADA), levels of nitrite/nitrate (NO(x)) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression, as well as the levels of mRNA expression and proteins of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-beta (IL-1β) and vascular endothelial growth factor-alpha (VEGF-α) (P<0.05). These results provide evidence that MMF has an important anti-inflammatory effect in reducing the influx of leukocytes and exudate concentrations. These inhibitory effects are correlated with the inhibition of specific pro-inflammatory enzymes (MPO, ADA and iNOS), and the levels of mRNA expression and proteins of TNF-α, IL-1β and VEGF-α.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analyses, Centre of Health Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário, Trindade, 88040-970, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Monguilhott
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Dalmarco
authors.forename: Giliard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Astolfi
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Liz
authors.forename: Caio Maurício Mendes
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: de Córdova
authors.forename: Tânia Silvia
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Fröde
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002351:Carrageenan; D009195:Peroxidase; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid