Effect of Hochuekkito on Alveolar Macrophage Inflammatory Responses in Hyperglycemic Mice

• DOI: 10.1007/s10753-012-9441-x
• Publication Date: 2012-02-25T01:50:47Z
• Authors: Masayuki Nakayama; Yukihiko Sugiyama; Hideaki Yamasawa; Manabu Soda; Naoko Mato; Tatsuya Hosono; Masashi Bando
• Keywords: Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; 0301 basic medicine; Mice, Inbred BALB C; 0303 health sciences; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Immunology; Peptidoglycan; Bronchoalveolar Lavage; Article; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; 3. Good health; Toll-Like Receptor 4; Mice; Toll-Like Receptor 5; 03 medical and health sciences; Hyperglycemia; Macrophages, Alveolar; Immunology and Allergy; Animals; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Flagellin

Diabetes mellitus reduces immunological activity and increases susceptibility to various infections. Hochuekkito (TJ-41) has been reported to improve the weakened physical condition of various chronic diseases. BALB/c mice were divided into three groups; groups A and B were fed a standard diet, and group C, a TJ-41 diet. Two weeks after starting these diets, hyperglycemia was induced in groups B and C by injection with streptozotocin. Two weeks later, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands (TLR2: peptidoglycan, PGN; TLR4: lipopolysaccharide, LPS; TLR5: flagellin, FLG) were used to stimulate alveolar macrophages (AMs), and TNF-α production was measured. Under hyperglycemic conditions and PGN or FLG stimulation, TNF-α production from AMs was significantly reduced in group B compared with group A. However, treatment with TJ-41 (group C) significantly improved the impaired production of TNF-α. These results suggest that, under hyperglycemic conditions, TJ-41 can improve the inflammatory responses of AMs with stimulation of TLR ligands.