Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome, remains a potentially lethal condition. (S)-1-alpha-Naphthylme-thyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (CKD712) is noted as a drug candidate for sepsis. Many studies have demonstrated its significant anti-inflammatory effects. Here we first examined whether CKD712 inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release in the RAW 264.7 mouse monocyte cell line, and subsequently, its inhibitory mechanisms. CKD712 reversed LPS-asso-ciated morphological changes in the RAW 264.7 cells, and inhibited LPS-induced release of AA in a concentra-tion-dependent manner. The inhibition was apparently due to the diminished expression of a cytosolic form of phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) by CKD712, resulting from reduced NF-kappa B activation. Furthermore, CKD712 inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 and SAP/JNK, but not of p38 MAPK. CKD712 had no effect on the activity or phosphorylation of cPLA2 and on calcium influx. Our results collectively suggest that CKD712 inhibits LPS-induced AA release through the inhibition of a MAPKs/NF-kappa B pathway leading to reduced cPLA2 expression in RAW 264.7 cells.

Keywords: CKD712, cPLA2, MAPKs, NF-kappa B, sepsis