Figure 2.

Eri inhibits NLRP3 activation in vivo. (A, B) C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with the indicated concentrations of Eri for 12 h. Then, mice were intraperitoneally injected with MSU (1 mg/mouse) for 6 h. IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α protein levels in serum (A) or peritoneal fluids (B) were determined by ELISA. (C) Experiments were performed as described in (B), except neutrophil numbers in the peritoneal cavity were analyzed using FACS. (D) C57BL/6 mice were intraarticularly injected with Eri (0.5 mg/kg) for 1 h. Then, mice were intraperitoneally injected with MSU (0.5 mg/mouse). Joint swelling was measured at the indicated time. (E) C57BL/6 mice were intraarticularly injected with Eri (0.5 mg/kg) for 1 h.Then, mice were intraperitoneally injected with MSU (0.5 mg/mouse) for 24 h. IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α protein levels in joint culture were determined by ELISA. (F–H) C57BL/6 mice were fed with HFD for 12 weeks. Then, the mice were treated with the indicated concentrations of Eri every other day for 4 weeks. Food intake (F) and body weights (G) were recorded and blood glucose levels (H) were measured. (I) Experiments were performed as described in (F), except IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α protein levels in plasma were determined by ELISA. (J, K) C57BL/6 mice were fed with HFD for 12 weeks. Then, the mice were treated with the indicated concentrations of Eri every other day for 4 weeks. Liver (J) and white adipose tissue (WAT) (K) were isolated and cultured for 24 h. IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α protein levels in supernatants were determined by ELISA. Bar graphs present means ± SEM, n = 5 for each group (**P < 0.01; *P < 0.05). n.s., not significant.