Influence of cetirizine and loratadine on granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-8 release in A549 human airway epithelial cells stimulated with interleukin-1beta.
OBJECTIVE
In addition to being antagonists of histamine receptors, some antihistamines modulate the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation by reducing mediator release, adhesion molecule expression and, consequently, recruitment of inflammatory cells. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of 2 second-generation antihistamines, cetirizine and loratadine, on granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretions in human airway epithelial cells.


METHODS
A549 cells were pre-incubated with cetirizine (1, 5, 10 microM) or loratadine (1 microM) individually for 16 h followed by stimulation with IL-1beta for 8 h. The levels of GM-CSF and IL-8 were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay.


RESULTS
Cetirizine (10 microM) and loratadine significantly reduced the release of GM-CSF, by 37% and 40%, respectively (p<0.05). Cetirizine (5, 10 microM) inhibited the production of IL-8 by 19% (p<0.05). However, cetirizine (1 microM) and loratadine (1 microM) did not appreciably inhibit IL-8 release.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations indicate that these 2 second-generation antihistamines inhibit the release of GM-CSF and IL-8 beyond their antagonistic histamine H1 receptor activity and may thus exert clinically relevant anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory airway disorders.
Cheng
Kuo Chu
KC
Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Hsu
Jeng Yuan
JY
Fu
Lin Shien
LS
Chang
Wen Chi
WC
Chu
Jao Jia
JJ
Chi
Chin Shiang
CS
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017332:Cetirizine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D017336:Loratadine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D007375:Interleukin-1; D016209:Interleukin-8; D017336:Loratadine; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D017332:Cetirizine