ISSN:
1398-9995
Quelle:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Thema:
Medizin
Notizen:
Background: Goblet cell metaplasia is a pathologic characteristic of asthma, associated with excess mucus secretion. Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 plays an important role in mucus hypersecretion. Suplatast tosilate (suplatast), an antiallergic agent, is a Th2 cytokine inhibitor that suppresses the synthesis of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eosinophilic airway inflammation.Objective: We examined the effects of suplatast on mucus production in bronchial biopsy specimens taken from asthmatic subjects.Methods: Oral suplatast 300 mg daily, or placebo was administered for 3 months in a double-blind, parallel-group study in 25 patients with asthma. Biopsy specimens were evaluated at before and after treatment for alcian blue/period acid-Schiff (AB/PAS), MUC5AC staining in bronchial epithelium and IL-4+, IL-13+ cells as well as inflammatory cells in lamina propria.Results: There were significant decreases in the percentage of AB/PAS (P 〈 0.01) and MUC5AC (P 〈 0.01) stained area in the suplatast group. These changes were accompanied by significant decreases in IL-4+ and IL-13+ cells in suplatast-treated subjects. Additionally, we have observed that the number of infiltrating eosinophils and CD4+ T cells significantly decreased.Conclusions: These findings suggest that suplatast prevents goblet cell metaplasia through modulation of Th2 cytokine production and the recruitment of eosinophils and CD4+ T cells in the asthmatic airways.
Materialart:
Digitale Medien
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00897.x
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