Sodium sulfite aggravated allergic sensitization and airway inflammation in mite allergen sensitized BALB/c mice.

Abstract

Sulfur dioxide is a typical air pollutant. Sulfite, which is formed at the bronchial mucosa from inhaled sulfur dioxide, might play a role in the exacerbation of asthma. In this study, we investigated the effects of sodium sulfite and its interaction with a house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p) on allergic sensitization and airway inflammation. BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: control (n = 10), mite intranasal (mIN, n = 12), sodium sulfite intranasal (sIN, n = 12) and mIN + sIN (n = 12). In non-control groups, the mice were sensitized on day 8 and day 15 with mite allergen subcutaneously. Mite allergen was then administrated intranasally from day 15 to day 22 in mIN and mIN+sIN groups. Sodium sulfite was administrated in sIN and mIN + sIN groups intranasally from day 1 to day 22. Plasma Der p-specific IgE, IgG2a, lung histopathology and cytokine levels (IL-5 and IFN-γ) were analyzed. In comparison between mIN (or sIN) and mIN + sIN group, Der p-specific IgE levels were significantly higher in mIN + sIN group (p < 0.01). Besides, Der p-specific IgG2a level was significantly lower in mIN + sIN group than mIN (or sIN) group (p < 0.01). The peribronchiolar, alveolar and total inflammatory scores were increased in the mIN + sIN group comparing with the control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Lung supernatant in mIN + sIN group has higher IL-5/IFN-γ ratio than control, mIN or sIN group (all p < 0.05). Our study concluded sodium sulfite may enhance allergic sensitization as well as airway inflammation in mite allergen sensitized BALB/c mice.

• Authors: Heng-Kuei Lin, Jaw-Ji Tsai, Mei-Chin Wen, Ming-Chin Tsai, Ciao-Jin Chen, Lin-Shien Fu
• Journal: Human & experimental toxicology (Hum Exp Toxicol) Vol. 30 Issue 10 Pg. 1682-9 (Oct 2011) ISSN: 1477-0903 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21300691 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants
• Antigens, Dermatophagoides
• Immunoglobulin G
• Interleukin-5
• Sulfites
• Sulfur Dioxide
• Immunoglobulin E
• Interferon-gamma
• sodium sulfite

Topics

• Administration, Intranasal
• Air Pollutants (toxicity)
• Animals
• Antigens, Dermatophagoides (immunology)
• Hypersensitivity (etiology, immunology, pathology)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Immunoglobulin G (blood)
• Interferon-gamma (immunology)
• Interleukin-5 (immunology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Pneumonia (chemically induced, immunology, pathology)
• Sulfites (toxicity)
• Sulfur Dioxide (toxicity)