Effects of lipoxin A4 on the inflammatory reaction induced by uric acid in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of lipoxin A4(LXA4)on inflammatory related factors induced by uric acid(UA)in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs). Methods HUVECs were treated with 5, 25, and 50 ng/ml LXA4 prior to exposure to 12 mg/dl UA. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-1β, and IL-6 were analyzed with ELISA and realtime PCR. The phosphorylation levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)and NF-κB/p65 were observed with Western blot. Results Stimulation of HUVECs with 12 mg/dl UA markedly increased TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production(P<0.01). Pretreatment with LXA4 significantly inhibited UA-induced production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in a concentration dependent manner(P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in response to UA were also decreased by LXA4(P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK and NF-κB/p65 were significantly raised by 12 mg/dl UA in HUVECs(P<0.05), but attenuated significantly in the presence of 50 ng/ml LXA4. Conclusion LXA4 may inhibit the expressions of inflammatory related factors induced by UA via reducing p38 MAPK and NF-κB/p65 phosphorylation and play a role in anti-inflammation.(Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2015, 31: 800-805) Key words: Lipoxin A4; Uric acid; Human umbilical vein endothelial cells; p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase; NF-κB/p65