The effect of a metalloproteinase inhibitor (GI5402) on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and TNF-α receptors during human endotoxemia

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is released from the cell surface by cleavage of pro-TNF-alpha by metalloproteinases (MPs). In cell cultures, inhibition of MPs has been found not only to reduce the release of TNF-alpha, but also to enhance the surface expression of TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha receptors, which might lead to a proinflammatory effect. To determine the effect of MP inhibition during inflammation in humans, 7 healthy subjects were studied after intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 4 ng/kg) preceded (-20 minutes) by an oral dose of the MP inhibitor GI5402 (100 mg) or matching placebo. GI5402 strongly reduced LPS-induced TNF-alpha release (P