title: Melatonin reduces airway inflammation in ovalbumin-induced asthma.
abstract: Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease that is recognized as a major public health problem. In this study, we evaluated the effects of melatonin on allergic asthma using a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma and BEAS-2B cells. To induce allergic asthma, the mice were sensitized and airway-challenged with OVA. Melatonin was administered by intraperitoneal injection once per day at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg from days 21 to 23 after the initial OVA sensitization. We investigated the effects of melatonin on proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity and expression in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated BEAS-2B cells. The administration of melatonin significantly decreased the number of inflammatory cells, airway hyperresponsiveness, and immunoglobulin (Ig) E with reductions in interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Melatonin attenuated the airway inflammation and the mucus production in lung tissue and significantly suppressed elevated MMP-9 expression and activity induced by an OVA challenge. In TNF-α-stimulated BEAS-2B cells, treatment with melatonin significantly reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and lowered the expression and activity of MMP-9. These results indicate that melatonin effectively suppressed allergic asthma induced by an OVA challenge. The results suggest a potential role for melatonin in treating asthma.
authors.affiliation: Natural Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-883, Republic of Korea; College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In-Sik
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Natural Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-883, Republic of Korea; College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, 5-1 Anam-dong, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Natural Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-883, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Na-Rae
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Natural Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-883, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chan-Mi
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Natural Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-883, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ok-Kyoung
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, 40 Jwagong-gil, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-953, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joong-Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Choon
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Natural Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-883, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sei-Ryang
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Natural Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk 363-883, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ksahn@kribb.re.kr.
authors.forename: Kyung-Seop
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000009:adverse effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D008550:Melatonin