title: Effects of metronidazole and tinidazole ointments on models for inflammatory dermatitis in mice.
abstract: We investigated the effects of 1-4% ointments of metronidazole and tinidazole (derivatives of nitroimidazole) on models of inflammatory dermatitis evoked by antigen, hapten and monoclonal anti-dinitrophenol (DNP) IgE antibody in mice. Metronidazole and tinidazole ointments (1) suppressed the late-phase reaction (LPR) of biphasic ear edema in mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OA), (2) suppressed trinitrochlorobenzene-induced inflammatory dermatitis, (3) suppressed the immediate phase reactions and LPR in mice passively sensitized with anti-DNP IgE mAb, and (4) enhanced vascular permeability and the number of scratching reactions, presumably due to itching, in passively sensitized mice. These results strongly indicate that metronidazole and tinidazole 1-4% ointments possess antiinflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti-itching effects, and have the potential for clinical use in the treatment of human inflammatory skin diseases including atopic dermatitis in addition to rosacea and acne vulgaris.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 812-8582 Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishimuta
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D009824:Ointments; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D010853:Picryl Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014011:Tinidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000941:Antigens; D000982:Antipruritics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009824:Ointments; D014011:Tinidazole; D008795:Metronidazole; D010047:Ovalbumin; D016559:Tacrolimus; D010853:Picryl Chloride