GET73 modulates lipopolysaccharide- and ethanol-induced increase in cytokine/chemokine levels in primary cultures of microglia of rat cerebral cortex

Background: - Alcohol-induced pro-inflammatory activation might influence cellular and synaptic pathology, thus contributing to the behavioral phenotypes associated with alcohol use disorders. In the present study, the possible anti-inflammatory properties of N-[(4-trifluoromethyl)-benzyl]4-methoxybutyramide (GET73), a promising therapeutic agent for alcohol use disorder treatment, were evaluated in primary cultures of rat cortical microglia. Methods: - Primary cultures of cerebral cortex microglial cells were treated with 100 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 8 h, 37 °C) or 75 mM ethanol (EtOH; 4 days, 37 °C) alone or in the presence of GET73 (1–30 µM). At the end of the incubation period, multiparametric quantification of cytokines/chemokines was performed by using the xMAP technology and Luminex platform. Furthermore, cultured microglial cell viability following the treatment with EtOH and GET73, alone or in combination, has been measured by a colorimetric assay (i.e. MTT assay). Results: - GET73 (10 and 30 µM) partially or fully prevented the LPS-induced increase of IL-6, IL-1β, RANTES/CCL5 protein and MCP-1/CCL2 levels. On the contrary, GET73 failed to attenuate the TNF-α level increase induced by LPS. Furthermore, GET73 treatment (10–30 µM) significantly attenuated or prevented the EtOH-induced increase of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and MCP-1/CCL2 levels. Finally, at all the concentrations tested (1–30 µM), the GET73 treatment did not alter the EtOH-induced reduction of microglial cell viability. Conclusions: - The current results provide the first in vitro evidence of GET73 protective properties against EtOH-induced neuroinflammation. These data add more information on the complex and multifactorial profile of action of the compound, further supporting the significance of developing GET73 as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of individuals with alcohol use disorders.