The Hydroxychloroquine Drug Reduction the Cytokine and Cortisol Levels in Mice

ABSTRACT

It is well established that HCQ has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive, but it has stopped as treatment for Covid-19 because it affect increase heart rhythm. So this research aimed to demonstrate the effect of HCQ treatment on concentrations of plasma TNF-α and IL-6 in mice and its relationship with glucocorticoids level which could explain the arrhythmias. In this research, 30 adult male Balb/C mice were used. The mice aged 2-3months were divided into 3groups;one treated with high-dosage of HCQ (8.1mg/kg body-weight, twice for 10days);second with low-dosage (6.4mg/kg body-weight, twice on one day and once on other 4days);and third was left without treatment to be serve as a control group. At different points time, the mice were sacrificed by cervical distraction. A blood sample is taken from the eye and the serum is separated to determine cortisol level by cobas e411 analyzers. Brain, spleen, and kidney were taken and homogenized. Aliquot and serum were be used to determine TNF-α and IL-6 level by sandwich ELISA using murine IL-6 and TNF-α kits (Melsin/China). The results showed a significantly lower cortisol, IL-6, and TNF-α level in serum and tissues of both treated groups compared to control. The reduction of cytokines are believed to inhibit the HPA axis resulting in decrease glucocorticoids level which could be good prove of the interplay between immune and endocrine systems. So it is very important to check cortisol level during HCQ treatment and it is preferred to use a combined treatment between HCQ and glucocorticoid. © 2022 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.