BACKGROUNDTo investigate the relationship between cytokine level and cancer cachexia on murine model, and to observe the effects of regular dose of indomethacin on cancer cachexia and survival of mice.

METHODSC57 mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma were used to establish murine cancer cachexia model. The serum cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ) and body weight of the mice were measured at different time points before and after treatment with daily intraperioneal injection of either indomethacin (1 mg/kg) or saline.

RESULTSThe mice in cancer cachexia group had significantly higher serum levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α ( P < 0.05) and lower body weight ( P < 0.05) than those in healthy control group. Compared to saline treatment, indomethacin intervention apparently down regulated the levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α ( P < 0.05 ), and remarkably prolonged the survival of mice ( P < 0.05). No significant difference in IFN-γ level was observed between cancer cachexia and healthy control groups ( P > 0.05), as well as between indomethacin and saline groups ( P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that serum IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α are possibly associated with cancer cachexia, however, IFN-γ seems to be irrelevant. Indomethacin may potentially ameliorate cancer cachexia through down-regulating levels of cytokines.