title: Inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of standardbred racehorses with inflammatory airway disease: response to interferon-alpha.
abstract: Protein and eicosanoid concentrations and procoagulant activity were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 32 Standardbred racehorses with inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and 6 control horses. Total protein, albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations were high (P < 0.05) in the BALF from horses with IAD, a finding consistent with exudation of plasma protein into the airway. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations also were increased (P < 0.05) which may signify local immunoglobulin production. Difference was not detected in prostaglandin E2 and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha concentrations in BALF of IAD-affected and control horses. Procoagulant activity was identified in the majority (66%) of BALF samples from IAD-affected horses and was not detected in control horses. Natural human interferon-alpha (nHulFN alpha) (placebo, 50, 150, or 450 units) was administered orally for 5 days to IAD-affected horses in a double-blind, randomised block design. Total protein, IgG, and IgA concentrations in BALF were reduced (P < 0.05) 8 days after administration of 50 u and 150 u nHuIFN alpha, and 15 days after administration of 50 u nHuIFN alpha. Procoagulant activity and albumin concentrations in BALF were lower 8 days after administration of 50 u nHuIFN alpha. Oral administration of low-dose nHuIFN alpha appeared to ameliorate these parameters of lower respiratory tract inflammation in Standardbred racehorses with IAD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506-5606, USA.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krakowka
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mcvey
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D013177:Sports; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015777:Eicosanoids; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011506:Proteins; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D015232:Dinoprostone