title: [Cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in bronchial asthma treated with suplatast tosilate].
abstract: Supratast tosilate is a newly developed 'anti-allergic' drug and it has been shown to suppress cytokine production by type-2 helper T cells (Th2) in vitro. However, it is unclear whether a similar inhibitory effect on Th2 cytokines production is produced iv vivo. To elucidate the actions of the in vivo mechanisms of this drug, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 10 atopic asthmatics treated with supratast tosilate and investigated the capacity for cytokine production ex vivo. Interleukin (IL)-5 production by PBMCs stimulated with the combination of phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin were reduced significantly 6 or 12 weeks after the treatment with supratast tosilate. In contrast, no significant reduction was seen in IL-4 or Interferon (IFN)-gamma production. The peripheral blood eosinophil count and weeks, but no significant difference was sees in total IgE levels. Both morning and evening peak expiratory flow were significantly elevated after 6 weeks. These results suggest that supratast tosilate improves the disease status of bronchial asthma through its ability to inhibit the production Th2 cytokines, at least IL-5, in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical School.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamasawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oshikawa
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001190:Arylsulfonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013452:Sulfonium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D001190:Arylsulfonates; D016207:Cytokines; D015848:Interleukin-5; D013452:Sulfonium Compounds; D015847:Interleukin-4; C073028:suplatast tosilate