Azilsartan Suppressed LPS-Induced Inflammation in U937 Macrophages through Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Inhibiting the TLR2/MyD88 Signal Pathway

[Image: see text] Background and purpose: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an important factor that induce severe inflammation, resulting in multiple types of diseases. It is reported that LPS-induced inflammation is related to the activation of the NF-κB signal pathway and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress. Azilsartan, an angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker, has been licensed as a new generation of Sartan antihypertensive drugs. However, the effects of azilsartan in LPS-induced inflammation have not been reported before. The present study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of azilsartan on LPS-stimulated macrophages and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods: The release of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), secretion of HMGB-1, and concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and PGE(2) were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The gene expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and COX-2 were determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression level of COX-2, Nrf2, TLR2, MyD-88, and NF-κB. The level of ROS was determined using the dihydroethidium (DHE) staining assay. The activity of NF-κB was evaluated using the luciferase activity assay. Results: The release of LDH, HMGB-1, IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and PGE(2) was significantly promoted by LPS stimulation, whereas it was greatly suppressed by azilsartan. The upregulated COX-2, TLR2, MyD-88, and NF-κB in the LPS-treated macrophages were significantly downregulated by azilsartan. Interestingly, the expression level of Nrf2 was elevated by azilsartan. On the contrary, ROS levels were greatly increased by LPS but suppressed by azilsartan. Mechanistically, it was found that azilsartan suppressed LPS-induced activation of the TLR2/Myd-88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusion: Azilsartan might suppress LPS-induced inflammation in U937 macrophages through suppressing oxidative stress and inhibiting the TLR/MyD88 signal pathway.