Affiliations: Institute of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lisbon Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
Note: [] Corresponding author: A.S. Silva-Herdade, Institute of Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Lisbon Medical School, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is found both on the membranes of neuronal and non-neuronal cells. In this study we performed intravenous administrations of velnacrine (VLN) and acetylcholine (ACh), respectively, AChE inhibitor and substrate, in an animal model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in Wistar rats. Using intravital microscopy the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes in post-capillary venules was monitorized and blood samples were collected for TNF-α plasma concentrations determination. Our results showed that in presence of LPS, ACh has an anti-inflammatory effect, seen by a decrease in TNF-α plasma levels and maintains the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes. The presence of VLN before LPS almost blocked the LPS-induced rolling and TNF-α releasing. Thereby VLN seems to have, like ACh, an anti-inflammatory effect by diminishing TNF-α concentrations.
Keywords: Inflammation, acetylcholine, TNF-α, velnacrine, rolling leukocytes, intravital microscopy
