title: Anti-inflammatory effects of ivermectin in mouse model of allergic asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs that is characterised by increased inflammatory cell infiltration into the airways and poor respiratory function. Ivermectin is a semi-synthetic derivative of a family of macrocyclic lactones that shows broad-spectrum anti-parasitic activity. This drug has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity, but whether it can be used in asthma treatment has not yet been investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of ivermectin on allergic asthma symptoms in mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We used a mouse asthma model, in which allergic airway inflammation and airway remodelling were induced by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitisation and challenge. Ivermectin or PBS treatment was administered 1 h before OVA challenge. Ivermectin at 2 mg/kg significantly diminished recruitment of immune cells, production of cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and secretion of OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 in the serum. Histological studies indicated that ivermectin suppressed mucus hypersecretion by goblet cells in the airway.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to demonstrate that ivermectin is an effective suppressor of inflammation and may be efficacious in the treatment of non-infectious airway inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shuhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Xinxin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ci
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiangchao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Jianhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xuming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007559:Ivermectin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D010047:Ovalbumin