Simvastatin Reduces Burn Injury-induced Splenic Apoptosis via Downregulation of the TNF-α/NF-κB Pathway

Autor: Ali A. Bonab, Alan J. Fischman, Ronald G. Tompkins, Gaofeng Zhao, Masao Kaneki, Yong-Ming Yu
Rok vydání: 2015
Předmět:
Zdroj: Annals of Surgery. 261:1006-1012
ISSN: 0003-4932
DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000000764
Popis: Objective Recent studies have suggested that epidermal burn injuries are associated with inflammation and immune dysfunction. Simvastatin has been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, we hypothesized that simvastatin protects against burn-induced apoptosis in the spleen via its anti-inflammatory activity. Methods Wild-type, tumor necrosis factor alpha knockout (TNF-α KO) and NF-κB KO mice were subjected to full-thickness burn injury or sham treatment. The mice then were treated with or without simvastatin, and the spleen was harvested to measure the extent of apoptosis. Expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κB were also determined in spleen tissue and serum. Results Burn injury induced significant splenic apoptosis and systemic cytokine production. Simvastatin protected the spleen from apoptosis, reduced cytokine production in the serum, and increased the survival rate. Simvastatin decreased burn-induced TNF-α and NF-κB expression in the spleen and serum. TNF-α and NF-κB KO mice demonstrated lower levels of apoptosis in spleen in response to burn injury. Simvastatin did not further decrease burn-caused apoptosis and mortality in either strain of KO mice. Conclusions Simvastatin reduces burn-induced splenic apoptosis via downregulation of the TNF-α/NF-κB pathway.
Databáze: OpenAIRE