Tilmicosin and tylosin have anti-inflammatory properties via modulation of COX-2 and iNOS gene expression and production of cytokines in LPS-induced macrophages and monocytes

Macrolides have been reported to modify the host immune and inflammatory responses both in vivo and in vitro. We examined the in vitro effect of the macrolides tilmicosin and tylosin, which are only used in the veterinary clinic, on the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cytokines by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Compared with 5 μg/mL, tilmicosin and tylosin concentrations of 10 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL significantly decreased the production of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α), PGE2, NO, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, and increased IL-10 production. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression were also significantly reduced. These results support the opinion that macrolides may exert an anti-inflammatory effect through modulating the synthesis of several mediators and cytokines involved in the inflammatory process.