Abstract:

Objective: To determine the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on mastocyte activation induced by PM_2.5. Methods: The mastocyte degranulation model in vitro was established under inducing with 100 μg/mL PM_2.5. Then the mastocytes were divided into the normal group, model group, NAC groups in different concentrations (100, 50, and 25 μmol/L). After cultured with different concentrations of NAC for 6 h, mastocytes were treated with PM_2.5 for another 6 h. Cell proliferation activity was detected by CKK-8. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and β-hexosaminidase (β-Hex) was detected by microplate spectrophotometer. The level of IL-4 and protease-activated receptors-2 (PAR2) protein were measured by ELISA and western blot respectively. Results: Compared with the normal group, the levels of ROS production, β-Hex, IL-4 and PAR2 protein were significantly increased in the model group (Ps＜0.05). Compared to the model group, the levels of ROS production, β-Hex, IL-4 levels and PAR2 protein expression in the NAC groups were significantly lower (Ps＜0.05), and the decreased level was the most in 50 μmol/L NAC group. Conclusion: NAC can inhibit the oxidative stress, expression of PAR2 protein, and release of inflammatory mediators in vitro.

Key words: N-acetylcysteine, PM_2.5, mastocytes, protease-activated receptors-2