Brusatol inhibits the response of cultured beta-cells to pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro

• Brusatol is a natural terpenoid that is capable of inducing a variety of biological effects. We presently report that this substance dramatically improves beta-cell survival when exposed to pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta and IFN gamma) in vitro. This was observed in insulin producing rat (RIN-5AH), mouse (beta TC6) and human (EndoC-beta H1) beta-cell lines. Brusatol prevented beta-cell oxidative stress in response to cytokines and counteracted induction of iNOS on the protein level. Brusatol, however, block neither the cytokine-induced increase of iNOS mRNA, nor NF-kappa B activation, suggesting that inhibition of iNOS protein expression relies on posttranscriptional mechanism. This indicates that brusatol acts via a novel protective pathway, which may represent a more promising way of improving beta-cell function and survival.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Cell- och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Cell and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Brusatol

Cytokines

Beta-cells

Oxidative stress

iNOS

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)