虾青素在烟曲霉菌诱导的真菌性角膜炎中的抗炎作用

Anti-Inflammatory Effects ofAstaxanthin against Fungal Keratitis Induced by Aspergillus Fumigatus

摘要: 目的：虾青素(Astaxanthin, ASX)是一种类胡萝卜素，具有抗炎、抗氧化、抗肿瘤、免疫调节等多种生物学特性，在多种急慢性疾病中都已被验证发挥作用，减轻病程中的炎症反应，但其在真菌性角膜炎中的作用还没有研究报道，本研究旨在探究ASX对烟曲霉菌诱导的真菌性角膜炎小鼠模型的影响。方法：体内实验部分，在C57BL/6小鼠角膜上建立真菌性角膜炎模型，分为ASX处理组及DMSO处理组，分别给予相应处理，比较两组的临床表现并进行炎症评分以比较两者差异，并将角膜作为样本采用QT-PCR法及ELISA法检测各组小鼠角膜中IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α的mRNA及蛋白的表达。体外实验中，烟曲霉菌刺激人角膜上皮细胞(HCECs)后，给予ASX处理及对照条件处理，采用PCR法及ELISA法检测各组人角膜上皮细胞中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的mRNA及蛋白的表达，并进行对比。结果：ASX能改善真菌性角膜炎小鼠角膜的炎症程度，抑制真菌性角膜炎中白细胞介素1β (IL-1β)、白细胞介素6 (IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子α (TNF-α)的表达。结论：ASX能减轻真菌性角膜炎的炎症程度，下调其炎症因子的表达。

Abstract: Purpose: Astaxanthin (ASX) is a kind of carotene, which has many biological characteristics, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, immune regulation and so on. It has been proved to play a role in many acute and chronic diseases to reduce the inflammatory response in the course of disease, but its role in fungal keratitis has not been reported. In this study, we aimed to characterize the effect of ASX in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis in mouse model. Method: In vivo, the fungal keratitis model was established on the cornea of C57BL/6 mice, which was divided into ASX treated group and DMSO treated group. The clinical manifestations of the two groups were compared and the difference between the two groups was compared. The cornea was used as a sample to detect IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in human corneal epithelial cells by QT-PCR and ELISA in mRNA and protein level. In vitro, after the Human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) were stimulated by Aspergillus fumigatus, ASX and control conditions were given. After corresponding treatment, the mRNA and protein expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in corneal epithelial cells of each group were detected by QT-PCR. Results: ASX treatment improved Aspergillus fumigatus infected corneas clinical manifestations with lower clinical scores in C57BL/6 mice. Treatment also reduced mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in fungal keratitis. Conclusion: ASX improves disease outcome of fungal keratitis and down regulates proinflammatory molecules in the course of fungal keratitis.