Mediators of Inflammation (Jan 2014)

Diethylcarbamazine Attenuates the Development of Carrageenan-Induced Lung Injury in Mice

  • Edlene Lima Ribeiro,
  • Karla Patricia de Souza Barbosa,
  • Ingrid Tavares Fragoso,
  • Mariana Aragão Matos Donato,
  • Fabiana Oliveira dos Santos Gomes,
  • Bruna Santos da Silva,
  • Amanda Karolina Soares e Silva,
  • Sura Wanessa Santos Rocha,
  • Valdemiro Amaro da Silva Junior,
  • Christina Alves Peixoto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/105120
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2014

Abstract

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Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is an antifilarial drug with potent anti-inflammatory properties as a result of its interference with the metabolism of arachidonic acid. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of DEC in a mouse model of acute inflammation (carrageenan-induced pleurisy). The injection of carrageenan into the pleural cavity induced the accumulation of fluid containing a large number of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) as well as infiltration of PMNs in lung tissues and increased production of nitrite and tumor necrosis factor-α and increased expression of interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Carrageenan also induced the expression of nuclear factor-κB. The oral administration of DEC (50 mg/Kg) three days prior to the carrageenan challenge led to a significant reduction in all inflammation markers. The present findings demonstrate that DEC is a potential drug for the treatment of acute lung inflammation.