Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 25, 2025

Brain Ventricular Microinjections of Lipopolysaccharide into Larval Zebrafish to Assess Neuroinflammation and Neurotoxicity
Published on: August 23, 2022
Naloxone Protects against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation and Microglial Activation via Inhibiting
Zhijia Tang1, Xiaobao Shao2, Jun Wu3
1Department of Medicine, Tongling Technology College, Anhui 244061, China.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanism of naloxone on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced neuronal inflammation and microglial activation.
Methods:
LPS-treated microglial BV-2 cells and mice were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of naloxone.
Results:
The results showed that naloxone dose-dependently promoted cell proliferation in LPS-induced BV-2 cells, downregulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and proinflammatory enzymes iNOS and COX-2 as well as the expression of free radical molecule NO, and reduced the expression of Iba-1-positive microglia in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells and mouse brain. Moreover, naloxone improved LPS-induced behavior degeneration in mice. Mechanically, naloxone inhibited LPS-induced activation in the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel. However, the presence of glibenclamide (Glib), an antagonist of KATP channel, ameliorated the suppressive effects of naloxone on inflammation and microglial activation.
Conclusion:
Naloxone prevented LPS-induced neuroinflammation and microglial activation partially through the KATP channel. These findings might highlight the potential of naloxone in neuroinflammation therapy.
Related Concept Videos
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action
Local anesthetics are amphiphilic molecules consisting of a hydrophobic aromatic part linked to a hydrophilic group by an ester or amide linkage. They are weak bases and are usually available as salts, which increases their solubility and stability. Once administered, LAs exist in the body either...
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters
Long-term Potentiation
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when...
Long-term Potentiation

