RESUMEN
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To investigate the relationship between cytokine level and cancer cachexia on murine model, and to observe the effects of regular dose of indomethacin on cancer cachexia and survival of mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>C57 mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma were used to establish murine cancer cachexia model. The serum cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ) and body weight of the mice were measured at different time points before and after treatment with daily intraperioneal injection of either indomethacin (1 mg/kg) or saline.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mice in cancer cachexia group had significantly higher serum levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α ( P < 0.05) and lower body weight ( P < 0.05) than those in healthy control group. Compared to saline treatment, indomethacin intervention apparently down regulated the levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α ( P < 0.05 ), and remarkably prolonged the survival of mice ( P < 0.05). No significant difference in IFN-γ level was observed between cancer cachexia and healthy control groups ( P > 0.05), as well as between indomethacin and saline groups ( P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results suggest that serum IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α are possibly associated with cancer cachexia, however, IFN-γ seems to be irrelevant. Indomethacin may potentially ameliorate cancer cachexia through down-regulating levels of cytokines.</p>