Experiments on random-bred albino mice showed that activation α7n-acetylcholine receptors with anabasine (0.5 LD50) and the use of antibodies to TNF-α (1 mg/kg) 2 h before sepsis modeling significantly reduces mortality of mice from experimental sepsis (intraperitoneal injection of E. coli) due to a decrease in the blood concentration of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. After combined administration of anti-TNF-α antibodies and anabasine, an additive effect was observed.
Keywords: antibodies to TNF-α; cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway; proinflammatory cytokines; sepsis; α7n-acetylcholine receptors.