Flavonoids Protect Against Cytokine-Induced Pancreatic β-Cell Damage Through Suppression of Nuclear Factor κB Activation

Abstract

Objectives: In the past few decades, the use of natural compounds, such as flavonoids, as anti-inflammatory agents has gained much attention. Our current study focuses on the preventive effects of quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin on cytokine-induced β-cell damage. Methods: Pancreatic β-cells or islets were treated with cytokine mixtures in the presence or absence of flavonoids and the inhibitory effect of flavonoids against cytokine toxicity was determined. Results: Treatment of RINm5F (RIN) rat insulinoma cells with interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) induced cell damage. Quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin completely protected against IL-1β- and IFN-γ-mediated cytotoxicity in RIN cells. Incubation with quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin resulted in a significant reduction in IL-1β- and IFN-γ-induced nitric oxide production, a finding that correlated well with reduced levels of the inducible form of NO synthase messenger RNA and protein. The molecular mechanism by which quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin inhibited inducible NO synthase gene expression appeared to involve the inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation. The IL-1β- and IFN-γ-stimulated RIN cells showed increases in NF-κB binding activity, p50 and p65 subunit levels in nucleus, and IκBα degradation in cytosol compared with unstimulated cells. Quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin also prevented IL-1β- and IFN-γ-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion. Conclusion: Quercetin, apigenin, and luteolin inhibited cytotoxicity in RIN cells and attenuated the decrease of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in islets by IL-1β and IFN-γ.