European Cytokine Network
MENUA short course of oral aspirin increases IL-18-induced interferon-g production in whole blood cultures. Volume 11, issue 3, September 2000
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- Key words: aspirin, interleukin-18, interferon-g, tumor necrosis factor-a, colon cancer.
- Page(s) : 379-82
- Published in: 2000
The effect of aspirin on whole blood cytokine production was studied in six healthy volunteers. Four days after cessation of a 3-day regimen of 650 mg of oral aspirin, there was a 70% increase in interferon-g (IFN-g) production, stimulated by a combination of interleukin-18 (IL-18) plus lipopolysaccharide (p < 0.05). At this time, there was a 4-fold increase in the production of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) compared to pre-aspirin levels (p < 0.03). TNF-a and IFN-g production returned to pre-aspirin levels one month after the discontinuation of aspirin. Short-term aspirin treatment induces a significant increase in the production of these cytokines, probably through inhibition of prostaglandins. These data suggest a novel pathway through which long aspirin use reduces the risk of colon cancer, and may explain the effects of aspirin in inflammatory bowel disease.