Mechanisms Involved in the Anti-Inflammatory Action of a Polysulfated Fraction from Gracilaria cornea in Rats |
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Authors: | Chistiane Oliveira Coura Ricardo Basto Souza José Ariévilo Gurgel Rodrigues Edfranck de Sousa Oliveira Vanderlei Ianna Wivianne Fernandes de Araújo Natássia Albuquerque Ribeiro Annyta Fernandes Frota Kátia Alves Ribeiro Hellíada Vasconcelos Chaves Karuza Maria Alves Pereira Rodrigo Maranguape Silva da Cunha Mirna Marques Bezerra Norma Maria Barros Benevides |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.; 2. Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.; 3. Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Ceará, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.; 4. Biotechnology Nucleus of Sobral, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.; INSERM, FRANCE, |
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Abstract: | The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the sulfated polysaccharidic fraction obtained from red marine alga Gracilaria cornea (Gc-FI) were investigated using a paw edema model induced in rats by different inflammatory agents (carrageenan, dextran, serotonin, bradykinin, compound 48/80 or L-arginine). Gc-FI at the doses of 3, 9 or 27 mg/kg, subcutaneously - s.c., significantly inhibited rat paw edema induced by carrageenan and dextran, as confirmed by myeloperoxidase and Evans’ blue assessments, respectively. Gc-FI (9 mg/kg, s.c.) inhibited rat paw edema induced by histamine, compound 48/80 and L-arginine. Additionally, Gc-FI (9 mg/kg, s.c.) inhibited Cg-induced edema in animals with intact mast cells but did not inhibit that with degranulated mast cells by compound 48/80, revealing a protective role on mast cell membranes. Gc-FI down-regulated the IL-1β, TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA and protein levels compared with those of the carrageenan group, based on qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses. After inhibition with ZnPP IX, a specific heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitor, the anti-inflammatory effect of Gc-FI was not observed in Cg-induced paw edema, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory effect of Gc-FI is, in part, dependent on the integrity of the HO-1 pathway. Gc-FI can target a combination of multiple points involved in inflammatory phenomena. |
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