Influence of protein malnutrition on induction and treatment of inflammation in mice

Egypt J Immunol. 2006;13(2):49-60.

Abstract

Considerable evidence suggests that protein malnutrition (PM) impairs immune function especially cytokine and interferes with the toxicopharmacology of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study tries to assess whether PM will affect induction and treatment of inflammation. The study was performed on adult male Swiss mice using the carrageenan-air pouch model. Animals were fed either protein sufficient 20% or protein deficient 8% casein diet starting 3wks before induction of air pouch, 6-days after which the pouch was administered with 1ml carrageenan (2%). Treatment with aspirin (200 mg/kg, p.o.) or diclofenac (20 mg/kg im.) was conducted one hour before the challenge with carrageenan. Six hours after the challenge, the local exudates were collected and subjected for total leukocyte infiltration count and IL-12 assessment. IL-1 beta and nitrate content were estimated in both plasma and air pouch infiltrate. The obtained results showed a reduction in leukocytes and decrease in IL-1 beta level in PM mice. In conclusion, PM slows the inflammatory reaction, and influences the inflammatory process differently especially in the presence of another stimulus.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Carrageenan
  • Diclofenac / therapeutic use
  • Diet, Protein-Restricted
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / complications*
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Interleukin-12 / blood*
  • Interleukin-1beta / blood*
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / complications
  • Malnutrition / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Diclofenac
  • Interleukin-12
  • Carrageenan
  • Aspirin