Xin Yuan1, Arijit Ghosh2, Qiong Jie1, Guangwei He3, Yulin Wu1. 1. Department of Physiology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. 2. Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. 3. Hefei Industrial Pharmaceutical Institute Co., Ltd, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a very common worldwide problem; patients display a number of symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal itching, and rhinorrhea, and their lifestyle is affected. Desloratadine is a novel, long-acting inhibitor of histamine. However, very little is known about the effect of desloratadine citrate disodium injection (DLC injection) on AR, and the underlying mechanisms are yet unexplored. Herein, we sought to explore the effects and mechanisms of actions of DLC injection in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced immune responses in a rat model of AR. METHODS: Sixty rats were subjected to immunization with OVA (intraperitoneal [i.p.]), followed by a nasal challenge with OVA. Drugs or saline were given daily for treatment. Nasal symptoms and histology of the nasal mucosa were examined. Cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, adhesion molecules such as soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was also measured by NO assay kit. RESULTS: DLC treatment (intravenous [i.v.]) significantly decreased the frequency of sneezing and nasal scratching and alleviated nasal inflammation by increasing the serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-12, while lowering the expression of IL-4. Thus, DLC (i.v.) treatment led to a marked elevation in T-helper 1/T-helper 2 (Th1/Th2) ratio when administered in the AR rats. The expression of sVCAM-1, iNOS, and NO were also reversed. CONCLUSION: DLC (i.v.), given after an allergen challenge, improved Th1 cytokines level and restrained Th2 responses alleviating the symptoms of AR. Our results indicate that DLC injection may exhibit such effects through the modulation of T-cell responses.
BACKGROUND:Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a very common worldwide problem; patients display a number of symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal itching, and rhinorrhea, and their lifestyle is affected. Desloratadine is a novel, long-acting inhibitor of histamine. However, very little is known about the effect of desloratadine citrate disodium injection (DLC injection) on AR, and the underlying mechanisms are yet unexplored. Herein, we sought to explore the effects and mechanisms of actions of DLC injection in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced immune responses in a rat model of AR. METHODS: Sixty rats were subjected to immunization with OVA (intraperitoneal [i.p.]), followed by a nasal challenge with OVA. Drugs or saline were given daily for treatment. Nasal symptoms and histology of the nasal mucosa were examined. Cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, adhesion molecules such as soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was also measured by NO assay kit. RESULTS: DLC treatment (intravenous [i.v.]) significantly decreased the frequency of sneezing and nasal scratching and alleviated nasal inflammation by increasing the serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-12, while lowering the expression of IL-4. Thus, DLC (i.v.) treatment led to a marked elevation in T-helper 1/T-helper 2 (Th1/Th2) ratio when administered in the AR rats. The expression of sVCAM-1, iNOS, and NO were also reversed. CONCLUSION: DLC (i.v.), given after an allergen challenge, improved Th1 cytokines level and restrained Th2 responses alleviating the symptoms of AR. Our results indicate that DLC injection may exhibit such effects through the modulation of T-cell responses.