ISSN:
1365-2222
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background Cough receptor hypersensitivity is a fundamental feature of some conditions presenting with chronic non-productive cough. Suplatast tosilate, an anti-allergic agent, is a T helper (Th)2 cytokine inhibitor that inhibits the synthesis of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, immunoglobulin (Ig)E production, and local eosinophil accumulation.Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of suplatast on antigen-induced airway cough hypersensitivity and eosinophil infiltration into the airway.Methods Number of coughs elicited by inhalation of increasing concentrations of capsaicin (10−8, 10−6 and 10−4 M) was counted 24 h after an antigen challenge in conscious guinea-pigs and then bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. We investigated the effect of single (before antigen challenge or capsaicin provocation) or repetitive treatment with intraperitoneal suplatast at a dose of 10 or 30 mg/kg on antigen-induced cough hypersensitivity.Results Twenty-four hours after antigen challenge, guinea-pigs developed an increase in cough receptor sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin and eosinophil infiltration in the airways. After a 2-week treatment with suplatast, but not after only a single treatment before antigen challenge or capsaicin provocation, the antigen-induced early phase bronchoconstriction, cough hypersensitivity, and airway eosinophilia were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion These results indicate that suplatast inhibits airway cough hypersensitivity underlying allergic eosinophilic inflammation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2222.2001.01241.x
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