Effects of resveratrol and genistein on nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic airway inflammation and airway remodeling are the major pathophysiological characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Resveratrol and genistein have been previously demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. The present study aimed to measure the inhibitory effects of resveratrol and genistein on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 concentration in patients with COPD. Lymphocytes were isolated from the blood of 34 patients with COPD and 30 healthy subjects, then randomly divided into the following four treatment groups: Control, dexamethasone (0.5 µmol/l), resveratrol (12.5 µmol/l) and genistein (25 µmol/l) groups. After 1 h of treatment, 100 µl lymphocytes were collected for nuclear factor (NF)-κB immunocytochemical staining. After 48 h treatment, the supernatant of the lymphocytes was collected for analysis of TNF-α and MMP-9 concentration levels. The percentage of lymphocytes with positive nuclear NF-κB expression was analyzed by immunocytochemical staining. The concentration levels of TNF-α and MMP-9 were measured using radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The present study demonstrated that the percentage of NF-κB-positive cells, and the levels of TNF-α and MMP-9 in lymphocytes from patients with COPD patients were significantly higher compared with healthy subjects. Additionally, there were positive correlations between the percentage of NF-κB-positive cells, and the concentration levels of TNF-α and MMP-9 in patients with COPD. All three factors were significantly reduced in lymphocytes treated with resveratrol and genistein, and the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on NF-κB, TNF-α and MMP-9 were more potent than the effects of genistein. In conclusion, resveratrol and genistein may inhibit the NF-κB, TNF-α and MMP-9-associated pathways in patients with COPD. It is suggested that resveratrol and genistein may be potential drugs candidates for use in the treatment of COPD.