Effect of infliximab on experimentally induced otitis media in rats.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a prospective randomized and controlled animal study to investigate the effects of infliximab on experimental otitis media in rats.


METHODS
Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to 3 study groups and 1 control group. Infliximab was injected intravenously. Histopathologic changes were determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Fluorescence microscopy was performed to examine the leakage of the exudates. Vascular permeability was measured by the Evans blue dye technique.


RESULTS
In comparison with the control group, we found significant differences in the extent of middle ear mucosa without active inflammation and the presence of reparable lesions in all study groups treated with infliximab. A significant reduction of extravasated Evans blue dye in all study group animals was found as compared with the control group animals.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the monoclonal tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody, infliximab, can reduce inflammatory activity in experimental otitis media in rats.
Lee
Dong-Hee
DH
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
Yeo
Sang-Won
SW
Chang
Ki-Hong
KH
Park
So-Young
SY
Oh
Jeong-Hoon
JH
Seo
Jae-Hyun
JH
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005070:Evans Blue; D000069285:Infliximab; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005070:Evans Blue; D000069285:Infliximab