[Inhibitory effect of inhaled FK-506 on increased bronchial responsiveness and eosinophil infiltration in the airway mucosa].
We examined the effects of inhaled FK-506, a potent immunosuppressive agent, on increased bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine and on eosinophil infiltration in a guinea pig models of asthma. The guinea pigs were sensitized by repeated inhalation of ovalbumin (OA). Twenty four hours after antigen challenge, bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine significantly increased and a marked accumulation of eosinophils in the airways was observed. However, when the guinea pigs were treated with aerosolized FK (10 mg/ml) for 5 min per day for 6 successive days before antigen challenge, the increase in bronchial responsiveness was significantly suppressed and the eosinophil accumulation was strikingly reduced. Since inhaled FK significantly suppressed these responses, there is a possibility that inhaled FK may be a useful therapy for patients with chronic bronchial asthma in the future.
Akutsu
I
I
Department of Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine.
Fukuda
T
T
Majima
K
K
Makino
S
S
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000473:pathology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010047:Ovalbumin; D000109:Acetylcholine; D016559:Tacrolimus