Influence of protein malnutrition on induction and treatment of inflammation in mice.

Abstract

Considerable evidence suggests that protein malnutrition (PM) impairs immune function especially cytokine and interferes with the toxicopharmacology of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study tries to assess whether PM will affect induction and treatment of inflammation. The study was performed on adult male Swiss mice using the carrageenan-air pouch model. Animals were fed either protein sufficient 20% or protein deficient 8% casein diet starting 3wks before induction of air pouch, 6-days after which the pouch was administered with 1ml carrageenan (2%). Treatment with aspirin (200 mg/kg, p.o.) or diclofenac (20 mg/kg im.) was conducted one hour before the challenge with carrageenan. Six hours after the challenge, the local exudates were collected and subjected for total leukocyte infiltration count and IL-12 assessment. IL-1 beta and nitrate content were estimated in both plasma and air pouch infiltrate. The obtained results showed a reduction in leukocytes and decrease in IL-1 beta level in PM mice. In conclusion, PM slows the inflammatory reaction, and influences the inflammatory process differently especially in the presence of another stimulus.