A possible role to nitric oxide in the anti-inflammatory effects of amitriptyline

Autor(es)

Vismari, Luciana ; Alves, Glaucie J. ; Muscara, Marcelo N. ^[1] ; Palermo-Neto, Joao ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pharmacol, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Lab Farmacol Aplicada & Toxicol, Res Grp, Dept Pathol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology; v. 34, n. 4, p. 578-585, AUG 2012.
• Citações Web of Science: 14

Resumo

Antidepressants are reported to display anti-inflammatory effects. Nitric oxide (NO), in turn, has a key role in inflammation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of amitriptyline co-administered with L-NAME (a NO synthase inhibitor) on certain parameters of acute inflammatory response in rats, as a form to investigate a possible participation of NO in the anti-inflammatory effects of amitriptyline. For this, two animal models were used: carrageenan-induced paw edema and acute peritonitis. In the last one, peritoneal exudate, adhesion molecules expression by peripheral blood leukocytes and serum cytokines levels were evaluated. In a noninflammatory condition, serum levels of nitrates were determined. L-NAME induced a potentiation of the anti-inflammatory effects of amitriptyline (p < 0.05) in the paw edema model; however, these effects were not abrogated when L-NAME was substituted by L-arginine administration. A decrease in both leukocyte concentration and total number of cells in the peritoneal exudate and a reduction in the total serum levels of nitrates were observed with co-administration of L-NAME and amitriptyline (p < 0.05). No significant differences among groups were found concerning the expression of adhesion molecules by peripheral blood leukocytes (p > 0.05). There was a significant decrease on IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha serum levels in the experimental groups when compared to the control animals. Together the present results and the literature suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of amitriptyline may be due to a decrease in NO production. A decrease in IL-1 beta/TNF-alpha serum levels may also be implicated in the results observed. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 04/14128-0 - Neuroimunomodulação: efeitos do estresse e de citocinas nas relações bidirecionais entre os sistemas nervosos central e imune
• Beneficiário: João Palermo Neto
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático