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Research article2019Peer reviewedOpen access

Anti-inflammatory effects induced by ultralow concentrations of bupivacaine in combination with ultralow concentrations of sildenafil (Viagra) and vitamin D3 on inflammatory reactive brain astrocytes

Hansson, Elisabeth; Skioldebrand, Eva

Abstract

Network coupled cells, such as astrocytes, regulate their cellular homeostasis via Ca2+ signals spread between the cells through gap junctions. Intracellular Ca2+ release is controlled by different signaling pathways that can be stimulated by ATP, glutamate and serotonin (5-HT). Based on our findings, all these pathways are influenced by inflammatory agents and must be restored to fully recover the Ca2+ signaling network. An ultralow concentration of the local anesthetic agent bupivacaine reduced 5-HT-evoked intracellular Ca2+ release, and an ultralow concentration of the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil in combination with vitamin D3 reduced ATP-evoked intracellular Ca2+ release. Combinations of these three substances downregulated 5-HT-, glutamate- and ATP-evoked intracellular Ca2+ release to a more normal Ca2+ signaling state. Furthermore, inflammatory Toll-like receptor 4 expression decreased with a combination of these three substances. Substance P receptor neurokinin (NK)-1 expression was reduced by ultralow concentrations of bupivacaine. Here, bupivacaine and sildenafil (at extremely low concentrations) combined with vitamin D3 have potential anti-inflammatory properties. According to the present study, drug combinations at the right concentrations, especially extremely low concentrations of bupivacaine and sildenafil, affect different cellular biochemical mechanisms and represent a potential solution for downregulating inflammatory parameters, thereby restoring cells or networks to normal physiological homeostasis.

Published in

PLoS ONE
2019, Volume: 14, number: 10, article number: e0223648Publisher: PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Cell and Molecular Biology

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223648

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/105783