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Thiamine and riboflavin inhibit production of cytokines and increase the anti-inflammatory activity of a corticosteroid in a chronic model of inflammation induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant

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Abstract

Background

The effects induced by thiamine and riboflavin, isolated or in association with corticosteroids, in models of chronic inflammation are not known. Thus, we evaluated the effect induced by these B vitamins, isolated or in association with dexamethasone, on the mechanical allodynia, paw edema and cytokine production induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) in rats.

Methods

Chronic inflammation was induced by two injections of CFA. Nociceptive threshold, paw volume and body temperature were evaluated for 21 days. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) contents were determined in paw tissue. Riboflavin (125, 250 or 500 mg/kg) or thiamine (150, 300 or 600 mg/kg) were administered per os (po), twice daily. Dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg day, po) was administered every three days.

Results

CFA induced long lasting mechanical allodynia and paw edema. Elevation of body temperature was observed for a short period. Riboflavin reduced neither paw edema nor mechanical allodynia. Thiamine did not change paw edema, but partially inhibited mechanical allodynia. Riboflavin (500 mg/kg) and thiamine (600 mg/kg) exacerbated the anti-inflammatory activity of dexamethasone. Riboflavin, thiamine and dexamethasone reduced TNF-α and IL-6 production. The association of dexamethasone with thiamine induced greater inhibition of IL-6 production when compared with that induced by dexamethasone.

Conclusions

Riboflavin and thiamine exacerbate the anti-inflammatory activity of dexamethasone and reduce production of TNF-α and IL-6.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Raquel R. Menezes, Adriana M. Godin, Felipe Fernandes Rodrigues, Giovanna M. E. Coura, Ivo S. F. Melo, Ana Mercy S. Brito, Caryne M. Bertollo, Renes R. Machado & Márcio M. Coelho

  2. Centro de Formação Especial em Saúde, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil

    Tony P. Paulino

  3. Departamento de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Milene A. Rachid

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  1. Raquel R. Menezes
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Menezes, R.R., Godin, A.M., Rodrigues, F.F. et al. Thiamine and riboflavin inhibit production of cytokines and increase the anti-inflammatory activity of a corticosteroid in a chronic model of inflammation induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant. Pharmacol. Rep 69, 1036–1043 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharep.2017.04.011

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