Anti-inflammatory role of Leptin in glial cells through p38 MAPK pathway inhibition.

Background: In the present work, we studied the modulatory effect of Leptin (Lep) against pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin 1-beta (IL1β) and interferon-gamma (IFNγ), in primary glial cell cultures.

Methods: Glial cultures were treated with pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, 20ng/ml; IL1β, 20ng/ml; IFNγ 20ng/ml). Cells were pre-treated with Lep 500nM, 1h prior to cytokine treatment.