Conclusion
DOX or MLX monotherapy exerts neuroprotective effects against brain inflammation by decreasing proinflammatory cytokine levels and by increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines levels.
Methods
Seventy-eight rats were divided into the following groups: control (n=6), LPS (0.5 μg/10 μl intracranial) (n=18), LPS (0.5 μg/10 μl intracranial)+DOX (40 mg/kg intraperitoneal) (n=18), LPS (0.5 μg/10 μl intracranial)+MLX (2 mg/kg intraperitoneal) (n=18) and LPS (0.5 μg/10 μl intracranial)+DOX (40 mg/kg intraperitoneal)+MLX (2 mg/kg intraperitoneal) (n=18) groups. Brain tissues were harvested from all rats in the control group and from six rats each in the four experimental groups at 1, 3 and 6 hr under anaesthesia. The levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP-3) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in the brain tissues were measured using ELISA kits with ELISA device.
Results
LPS administration increased proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6, IL-17), and MMP-3 levels and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-4), and BDNF levels. The lowest TNFα levels were detected in the LPS+MLX group (P<0.05). All the drug treatment groups showed decreased IL-17 and COX-2 levels compared to the LPS groups.