Effects of suplatast tosilate, a new type of anti-allergic agent, on airway cough hypersensitivity induced by airway allergy in guinea-pigs.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Cough receptor hypersensitivity is a fundamental feature of some conditions presenting with chronic non-productive cough. Suplatast tosilate, an anti-allergic agent, is a T helper (Th)2 cytokine inhibitor that inhibits the synthesis of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, immunoglobulin (Ig)E production, and local eosinophil accumulation.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of suplatast on antigen-induced airway cough hypersensitivity and eosinophil infiltration into the airway.

METHODS:

Number of coughs elicited by inhalation of increasing concentrations of capsaicin (10-8, 10-6 and 10-4 M) was counted 24 h after an antigen challenge in conscious guinea-pigs and then bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. We investigated the effect of single (before antigen challenge or capsaicin provocation) or repetitive treatment with intraperitoneal suplatast at a dose of 10 or 30 mg/kg on antigen-induced cough hypersensitivity.

RESULTS:

Twenty-four hours after antigen challenge, guinea-pigs developed an increase in cough receptor sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin and eosinophil infiltration in the airways. After a 2-week treatment with suplatast, but not after only a single treatment before antigen challenge or capsaicin provocation, the antigen-induced early phase bronchoconstriction, cough hypersensitivity, and airway eosinophilia were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION:

These results indicate that suplatast inhibits airway cough hypersensitivity underlying allergic eosinophilic inflammation.

• Authors: S Myou, M Fujimura, K Kurashima, T Kita, H Tachibana, Y Ishiura, M Abo, S Nakao
• Journal: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Clin Exp Allergy) Vol. 31 Issue 12 Pg. 1939-44 (Dec 2001) ISSN: 0954-7894 [Print] England
• PMID: 11737047 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Allergic Agents
• Arylsulfonates
• Sulfonium Compounds
• Ovalbumin
• suplatast tosilate

Topics

• Airway Resistance (drug effects)
• Animals
• Anti-Allergic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Arylsulfonates (therapeutic use)
• Bronchial Provocation Tests (adverse effects)
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (cytology)
• Bronchoconstriction (drug effects)
• Cough (drug therapy)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Eosinophils (drug effects)
• Guinea Pigs
• Japan
• Male
• Ovalbumin (adverse effects)
• Respiratory Hypersensitivity (drug therapy)
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Sulfonium Compounds (therapeutic use)
• Time Factors