Ethyl pyruvate downregulates tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 and upregulates IL-10 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on LPS-stimulated canine PBMCs in vitro. We found that EP treatment inhibited the mRNA expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), but induced mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). ELISA measurements revealed that EP also effectively downregulates the LPS-induced increase in proinflammatory cytokine release, while upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokine release. These data indicate that EP could be an effective anti-inflammatory agent in dogs.