Action of low doses of Aspirin in Inflammation and Oxidative Stress induced by aβ on Astrocytes in primary culture.

Aspirin has been used as anti-inflammatory and anti-aggregate for decades but the precise mechanism(s) of action after the presence of the toxic peptide Aβ in cultured astrocytes remains poorly resolved. Here we use low-doses of aspirin (10 M) in astrocytes in primary culture in presence or absence of Aβ toxic peptide. We noted an increase of cell viability and proliferation with or without Aβ peptide presence in aspirin treated cells. In addition, a decrease in apoptosis, determined by Caspase 3 activity and the expression of Cyt c and Smac/Diablo, were detected. Also, aspirin diminished necrosis process (LDH levels), pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-β and TNF-α) and NF-ᴋB protein expression, increasing anti-inflammatory PPAR-γ protein expression, preventing Aβ toxic effects. Aspirin inhibited COX-2 and iNOS without changes in COX-1 expression, increasing anti-oxidant protein (Cu/Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD) expression in presence or absence of Aβ. Taken together, our results show that aspirin, at low doses increases cell viability by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, preventing the deleterious effects of the Aβ peptide on astrocytes in primary culture. The use of low doses of aspirin may be more suitable for Alzheimer's disease.