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Pharmacologic reduction in tumor necrosis factor activity of pulmonary alveolar macrophages

S K Leeper-Woodford1, B J Fisher, H J Sugerman

  • 1Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.

Insights

Ibuprofen and cimetidine reduce tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) produced by lung macrophages during sepsis. Diphenhydramine also reduced TNF but harmed cell viability, suggesting targeted anti-TNF therapies for sepsis-induced lung injury.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Sepsis can cause lung injury, with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) implicated as a key mediator.
  • Previous studies showed ibuprofen and histamine antagonists reduced lung injury and TNF during porcine sepsis.
  • Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) are potential early producers of TNF in sepsis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether ibuprofen, cimetidine, and diphenhydramine reduce TNF activity produced by PAM.
  • To assess the effects of these agents on PAM viability.

Main Methods:

  • Porcine PAM were isolated and exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without ibuprofen, cimetidine, or diphenhydramine.
  • PAM-derived TNF bioactivity was measured by L929 cytotoxicity assay.
  • PAM viability was assessed after drug exposure.

Main Results:

  • LPS stimulation significantly increased PAM-derived TNF activity.
  • Ibuprofen, when added with LPS, reduced TNF activity for 24 hours; delayed addition was less effective.
  • Cimetidine reduced TNF activity during the initial 4 hours of LPS exposure.
  • Diphenhydramine reduced TNF activity but also decreased PAM viability.

Conclusions:

  • Ibuprofen and cimetidine demonstrate potential in mitigating sepsis-induced PAM-derived TNF.
  • Diphenhydramine's toxicity to PAM limits its therapeutic potential.
  • Targeting PAM-derived TNF may be a viable strategy for treating sepsis-related lung injury.

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