ABSTRACT
Objective:In order to explore the anti inflammatory mechanisms of ? melanocyte stimulating hormone (? MSH), the effects of ? MSH on the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines in astrocytes induced by LPS were investigated Methods:Rat brain astrocytes cultured in vitro were stimulated with LPS or given ? MSH with LPS stimulation NO produced in astrocytes was tested with Griess reagent IL 1, IL 6 and TNF ? secreted from astrocytes were examined by MTT assay The expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mRNA was examined with semiquantitative RT PCR analysis Results:The production of NO, IL 1, IL 6, TNF ? and the expression of MIF mRNA were significantly increased in astrocytes stimulated with LPS If giving ? MSH with LPS stimulation, the production of NO, IL 1, IL 6, TNF ? and the expression of MIF mRNA were markedly decreased Conclusion:[WT5”,6BZ]It is suggested that the inhibitory actions of ? MSH on the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines in astrocytes are related to the inhibitory effects of ? MSH on inflammation in central nervous system
