Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Magnetic Isolation of Microglial Cells from Neonate Mouse for Primary Cell Cultures
Published on: July 25, 2022
3,3'-Diindolylmethane inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial hyperactivation and attenuates brain
Hyo Won Kim1, Jiyoung Kim, Jaekyoon Kim
1* WCU Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea;
Abstract:
Recent studies have revealed that microglial hyperactivation and neuroinflammation are implicated in development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we examined the beneficial effects of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) and indole-3-carbinol (I3C), dietary components found in cruciferous vegetables, on brain inflammation. DIM, a major metabolite of I3C, suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in BV-2 microglia, but I3C did not. DIM, but not I3C, attenuated DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and phosphorylation of inhibitor of κB, suggesting that DIM might inhibit microglial hyperactivation by attenuating inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB. In addition, DIM, but not I3C, protected primary cortical neurons from inflammatory toxicity induced by the conditioned media from LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia, indicating that DIM might attenuate microglial hyperactivation-mediated neuronal death. In an in vivo model of neuroinflammation, DIM suppressed LPS-induced brain inflammation in mouse hippocampus, as determined by the number of Iba-1-positive cells and the mRNA expression of F4/80. Taken together, these results suggest that DIM may have beneficial potential against brain inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases through the negative regulation of the NF-κB signal pathway in microglia.
Insights
3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), a cruciferous vegetable compound, reduces brain inflammation and protects neurons by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. DIM shows potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Microglial hyperactivation and neuroinflammation are key factors in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Dietary compounds like indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and its metabolite 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) are found in cruciferous vegetables.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of DIM and I3C.
- To determine the mechanism by which DIM and I3C modulate microglial activation and neuroinflammation.
Main Methods:
- Assessed the effects of DIM and I3C on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory markers (inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2) in BV-2 microglia.
- Examined the impact of DIM and I3C on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway activation.
- Evaluated the protective effects of DIM and I3C on primary cortical neurons against inflammatory toxicity.
- Investigated the in vivo effects of DIM on LPS-induced neuroinflammation in the mouse hippocampus.
Main Results:
- DIM, but not I3C, suppressed LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in microglia.
- DIM attenuated NF-κB DNA-binding activity and inhibitor of κB phosphorylation, indicating inhibition of microglial hyperactivation.
- DIM protected primary cortical neurons from inflammatory toxicity induced by activated microglia.
- In vivo, DIM suppressed LPS-induced brain inflammation in the mouse hippocampus.
Conclusions:
- DIM demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.
- DIM may exert its beneficial effects by negatively regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway in microglia.
- DIM holds therapeutic potential for managing brain inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.
More Related Videos
07:31Brain Ventricular Microinjections of Lipopolysaccharide into Larval Zebrafish to Assess Neuroinflammation and Neurotoxicity
Published on: August 23, 2022
09:12Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
Published on: January 30, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
01:22Gut-Brain Axis