interleukin-8 and alpha-cyclodextrin

The bioactive properties of Manuka honey are now well recognised, but the nature of honey (a sticky, viscous fluid) can make it hard to use as a health remedy. A new technology using encapsulation of Manuka honey with alpha-cyclodextrin molecules has been developed, creating a free-flowing powder that can easily be added to foods and beverages, or tableted / made into capsules for use in health. In this study, we investigated for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Antioxidant capacity of raw Manuka honeys and matched complexes was measured using the CUPRAC method. Results showed that the antioxidant activity of honey decreased when complexed, this being directly related to dilution of the final product with alpha-cyclodextrin. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by measuring inhibition of neutrophil TNF-alpha secretion. Contradictory results were produced, with both stimulation and inhibition of TNF-alpha being observed. Data from this study indicate that the formation of cyclodextrin-based complexes of Manuka honey may potentiate the anti-inflammatory activity of honey, but this may differ depending on methylglyoxal content and the presence of other factors.

Topics: alpha-Cyclodextrins; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Cells, Cultured; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Honey; Interleukin-8; Neutrophils; Powders; Rats; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

While inhalation exposures represent the predominant route for jet fuel toxicity, increased concern has been placed on topical exposures due to reports of severe contact dermatitis among military personnel. All three of the predominant aviation fuels currently used by the commercial and military sectors have been demonstrated experimentally to induce the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a proinflammatory cytokine, in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). The objective of this study was to examine the effects of individual hydrocarbon components found in these fuels on IL-8 production by NHEK. In order to circumvent the extreme hydrophobicity of these compounds, inclusion complexes were formed between alpha-cyclodextrin/aliphatic hydrocarbons by adding 2 mM hydrocarbons to 4 mM alpha-cyclodextrin. NHEK were exposed to four aliphatic hydrocarbons (undecane, dodecane, tridecane, hexadecane) for 24 h at concentrations of 7.8-500 microM. These hydrocarbons caused a peak in IL-8 release at a concentration of 31.2 microM, with the exception of dodecane which peaked at 62.5 microM. Subtoxic concentrations of the aliphatic hydrocarbons were those < 62.5 microM. These studies demonstrate that the etiology of proinflammatory cytokine expression due to jet fuel exposure may be due in large part to the aliphatic hydrocarbon components. Furthermore, these studies provide additional evidence that hydrocarbons can be successfully delivered to cells in culture by encapsulating them in cyclodextrin inclusion complexes.

Topics: alpha-Cyclodextrins; Cells, Cultured; Cyclodextrins; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Carriers; Humans; Hydrocarbons; Interleukin-8; Keratinocytes; Kerosene; Solubility