Influence of 3,3'-diindolylmethane on expression of inflammatory cytokines in periodontal ligament cells induced by lipopolysaccharide / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effect of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to study the related mechanism. Methods: hPDLCs were isolated and cultured, and CCK-8 method was used to detect the effect of DIM on the proliferation of hPDLCs. hPDLCs were randomly divided into 4 groups: blank group (without LPS and DIM), LPS group (10 μg/mL LPS), 10 μg/mL LPS+6.25 μg/mL DIM, 10 μg/mL LPS+12.50 μg/mL DIM. The cells of all groups were cultured for 12 h. The protein levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in supernatant were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The change of mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways were detected by Western blotting. Results: The cell viability was not affected when the DIM concentration was less than 50 μmol/L (P>0.05). DIM at 6.25 and 12.50 μg/mL reduced the LPS-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 at protein levels (P<0.05). DIM inhibited the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusion: DIM can reduce the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine expression in hPDLCs via restraining the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.