Objective: To investigate nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rat peritoneal macrophages (PMAs) and the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on NF-kappaB activation.
Methods: PMAS from normal SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups, including a control group, a LPS group and 5 resveratrol groups (I-V). PMAs of the control group were incubated in DMEM, and those in LPS group in DMEM containing LPS (10 microg/ml). PMAS of resveratrol groups I-V were incubated in DMEM containing LPS (10 microg/ml) and different concentrations of resveratrol. After 24 h of incubation, NF-kappaB activation in the PMAs was determined, and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and nitric oxide (NO) in the culture medium were measured.
Results: Exposure to LPS resulted in an excessive enhancement of cytokine and NO expressions in the PMAs. Resveratrol at 1.25-10 microg/ml produced a dose- dependent inhibition of cytokine and NO expressions and on NF-kappaB activation in LPS-stimulated PMAs.
Conclusion: Resveratrol can inhibit LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation in rat PMAs and subsequently suppress the expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-1 and NO.