Citrulline inhibits LPS‐induced pyroptosis of RAW264.7 macrophages through NF‐κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of citrulline on the pyroptosis of mouse macrophage RAW264.7 and the mechanism. We investigated the effect of citrulline on pyroptosis of RAW264.7 cell induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the modulation of nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) signaling. METHODS: Pyroptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry and caspase‐1/sytox double staining. Cell counting kit‐8 assay was performed to evaluate cell viability. RESULTS: Citrulline promoted cell viability and inhibited the pyroptosis of RAW264.7 cell stimulated by LPS. Furthermore, citrulline inactivated NF‐κb/p65 signaling pathway by suppressing p65 nuclear translocation induced by LPS. An NF‐κb signaling pathway activator, betulinic acid, reversed the inhibition of pyroptosis induced by citrulline. CONCLUSION: Citrulline inhibited LPS‐induced pyrophosis, which may be closely related to the inactivation of NF‐κB/p65 signaling pathway.