Lansoprazole, a Proton Pump Inhibitor, Suppresses Production of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Interleukin-1β Induced by Lipopolysaccharide and Helicobacter Pylori Bacterial Components in Human Monocytic Cells via Inhibition of Activation of Nuclear Factor-κB and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase

Pathogenic bacterial components play critical roles in initiation of gastrointestinal inflammation via activation of intracellular signaling pathways which induce proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β. Lansoprazole (LANSO), a proton pump inhibitor, has been widely used for the treatment of peptic ulcers and reflux esophagitis due to its potent acid-suppressive effect. It has also been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. In this study we investigated the effects of LANSO on the production of TNF-α and IL-1β induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Helicobacter pylori water-soluble extract (HpWE) in the human monocytic cell line (THP-1). LANSO (100 µM) significantly reduced mRNA expression and production of TNF-α and IL-1β by THP-1 cells stimulated by LPS and HpWE. LANSO inhibited phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory factor κB-α (IκB-α) and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) induced by LPS and HpWE in THP-1 cells. These findings suggest that LANSO exerts anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing induction of TNF-α and IL-1β via inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and ERK activation.