Induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by cefodizime in U-937 cells

Cefodizime has modulating effects on the release of diverse cytokines. We determined the modulator activity of this antibiotic on the production of TNF in human monocytic U-937 cells. The measurement of TNF was carried out by ELISA test and by a L-929 cells-based citotoxic bioassay. The results showed that cefodizime alone induced the production of TNF on U-937 cells, however, the addition of LPS led to a decrease in the release of this cytokine (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the combination of cefodizime-PMA had a synergic effect (p < 0.05), while addition of LPS to this combination caused a decrease of TNF production (p < 0.05). With these results we conclude that cefodizime modulates the production of TNF in U-937 cells, which is down regulated by the addition of LPS.