title: Effect of atorvastatin on antibody, interleukin-4 and gamma-interferon production in mice immunized with egg albumin.
abstract: Three-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, are widely used as the drug of choice for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, actions beyond that of simply lowering cholesterol levels have been reported. This study aims at evaluating the effect of atorvastatin on antibody interleukin-4 and gamma-interferon production in mice immunized with egg albumin. Antibody levels were determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and cytokine transcripts by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results indicated that repeated daily doses of 40 mg/Kg body weight of atorvastatin following immunization suppressed the antibody response in mice to egg albumin. Moreover, a decline in interleukin-4 and gamma-interferon transcripts was observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Christelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: El-Haibi
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rahal
authors.forename: Raja B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Khauli
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Abdelnoor
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004529:Egg White / Q000737:chemistry; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000069059:Atorvastatin