Related Experiment Videos
Influence of ibuprofen on the infection with Listeria monocytogenes
S Hockertz1, R Heckenberger, A Emmendörffer
1Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology, Department of Immunology, Hannover, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
Abstract:
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial infection, which is facultatively localized in monocytes and macrophages. The influence of ibuprofen (CAS 15687-27-1), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on this bacterial infection in balb/c mice was investigated. One day prior to sublethal infection, balb/c mice were treated intravenously with various therapeutic concentrations of ibuprofen alone or ibuprofen in combination with a suboptimal dosage of murine recombinant interferon gamma, a lymphokine produced by T-helper cells. Three days post-infection, parasite burdens of the mainly infected organs, spleen and liver, were determined by the colony-forming unit assay. It was shown that the prophylactic treatment with ibuprofen in a concentration of 4 mg/kg body weight resulted in a more than 10-fold reduction of viable Listeria monocytogenes in the spleen, whereas in liver 12 mg/kg Ibuprofen was necessary for a comparable kill of viable bacteria. A higher concentration of ibuprofen did not resulted in a higher antibacterial efficacy. In order to clarify the mechanism of ibuprofen action, molecular-biological experiments were performed to measure the messenger RNA (mRNA) induced by ibuprofen. It is presented here that therapeutic concentrations of ibuprofen induced significant higher amounts of mRNA for interleukin-1 in human monocytes compared to untreated cells. These findings support the hypothesis that ibuprofen influences the complex immune system to overcome a bacterial infection.
Insights
Ibuprofen (CAS 15687-27-1), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), demonstrated significant antibacterial efficacy against Listeria monocytogenes in mice. Prophylactic treatment reduced bacterial loads in the spleen and liver, suggesting an influence on the immune system.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular bacterium infecting monocytes and macrophages.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen may modulate host immune responses to bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of ibuprofen on Listeria monocytogenes infection in balb/c mice.
- To explore the mechanism of ibuprofen's antibacterial action.
Main Methods:
- Balb/c mice were treated with ibuprofen alone or in combination with interferon-gamma prior to infection.
- Bacterial burdens in spleen and liver were quantified using colony-forming unit assays.
- Molecular-biological experiments measured mRNA induction by ibuprofen.
Main Results:
- Prophylactic ibuprofen (4 mg/kg) reduced Listeria monocytogenes in the spleen by over 10-fold.
- 12 mg/kg ibuprofen was required for comparable reduction in the liver.
- Higher ibuprofen concentrations did not increase antibacterial efficacy.
- Ibuprofen induced higher interleukin-1 mRNA levels in human monocytes.
Conclusions:
- Ibuprofen exhibits prophylactic antibacterial effects against Listeria monocytogenes in mice.
- The mechanism may involve modulation of the host immune response, evidenced by increased interleukin-1 mRNA.
- These findings support ibuprofen's role in bolstering the immune system against bacterial infections.