Fe-Capsaicin Nanozymes Attenuate Sepsis-Induced Acute Lung Injury via NF-κB Signaling.

Abstract

Background:

In sepsis, the lungs are one of the most severely affected organs, usually resulting in acute lung injury (ALI). Capsaicin (CAP) is a natural compound found in chili peppers that has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we report that nanoparticles containing capsaicin and iron (Fe-CAP NPs) exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in the treatment of ALI.

Methods:

The morphological characteristics of nanozymes were detected. RAW 264.7 cells were divided into four groups: control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), CAP+LPS and Fe-CAP+LPS groups. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was assessed by immunofluorescence, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) expression was determined by Western blot. C57 mice were divided into control, LPS, CAP+LPS and Fe-CAP+LPS groups. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and iNOS expression in the lung was detected by Western Blot. IL-6 and TNF-α expression in serum was detected by ELISA. Extravasated Evans blue, histopathological evaluation and wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio were used to assess pulmonary capillary permeability. The blood and major organs (heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney) of mice were tested for the toxicity of Fe-CAP NPs.

Results:

In the LPS group, TNF-α, iNOS, p-NF-κB and p-IKBα expression increased. However, their expression was significantly decreased in the Fe-CAP+LPS group. TGF-β expression showed the opposite trend. In vivo, IL-6 and iNOS expression was notably increased in the lungs of LPS group of mice but decreased with Fe-CAP pretreatment. Fe-CAP significantly ameliorated lung EB leakage, improved the histopathology of lung tissue and reduced the W/D weight ratio. The nanoparticles showed non-cytotoxicity, when studying these biological activities.

Conclusion:

Fe-CAP NPs could alleviated inflammation by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in macrophages, increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory factors, and alleviating lung tissue damage.

• Authors: Ruijie Wang, Quan Li, Pengxin Wu, Ke Ren, Yan Li, Yang Wang, Huadong Zhu, Chuanzhu Lv
• Journal: International journal of nanomedicine (Int J Nanomedicine) Vol. 19 Pg. 73-90 ( 2024) ISSN: 1178-2013 [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 38187907 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2024 Wang et al.

Chemical References

• NF-kappa B
• Capsaicin
• Interleukin-6
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Transforming Growth Factor beta

Topics

• Animals
• Mice
• NF-kappa B
• Capsaicin
• Interleukin-6
• Lipopolysaccharides (toxicity)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Acute Lung Injury (drug therapy, etiology)
• Sepsis (complications, drug therapy)
• Body Weight
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Transforming Growth Factor beta