GENERATION OF TNF-ALPHA, IFN-GAMMA, IL-6, IL-4 AND IL-10 IN MOUSE SERUM FROM TRICHINOSIS - EFFECT OF THE ANTIINFLAMMATORY COMPOUND 4-DEOXYPYRIDOXINE (4-DPD)

Infections caused by the nematode Trichinella spiralis is characterize d in the host by an inflammatory response with cytokine production. In these studies we have detected TNF alpha, IL-6, IFN gamma, IL-4 and I L-10 in the serum of 10 mice infected with T. spiralis. Moreover, we d etected, for the first time, these cytokines in the serum of mice trea ted with 4-DPD, a potent antagonist of vitamin B6 coenzyme which has a nti-inflammatory properties. 4-DPD was used at 100, 400, 800 mu g/bolu s for 20 days, starting one day before the infection. After 15 days of T. spiralis infection, TNF alpha reached a maximum level, while IL-6 was maximal after 7 days, IFN gamma at 20 days and IL-4 at 14 days. IL -10 was not affected by the T. spiralis infection. When the animals we re treated with 4-DPD at the reported dosages and infected with T. spi ralis the inhibition of TNF alpha and IL-6, were dose-dependent in the first 7 days while IL-4 was reduced only at 400-800 mu g/bolus. 4-DPD -treated mice did not statistically (P > 0.05) affect the generation o f IFN gamma. In healthy animals the production of cytokines were not m easurable, just as it was in non-infected animals treated with 4-DPD. The increase of cytokines such as, TNF alpha and IL-6 may be related t o the severity of the disease, boosting the host's resistance to the p athogen and inhibiting parasite survival. In addition, the augmentatio n of IL-4 production enhances T and B cells and macrophage responses a nd may stimulate T-cell antibody-mediated response to the pathogen. 4- DPD, an inhibitor of IL-1 and inflammatory reactions, proved to be mos t effective on TNF alpha and IL-6, which are mainly produced by macrop hages.