Study of Atorvastatin in experimental allergic airway inflammation in mice

Abstract

Background Inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with airway diseases. There is growing evidence that Atorvastatin could be used as a therapy for these conditions. Objective On these bases, we evaluated Atorvastatin as a protective and reversal treatment for the allergic airway diseases in mice model. We also looked at the possible interaction with the currently used effective medication. Methods Mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) to develop features of allergic airway diseases mainly of bronchial inflammation. Atorvastatin was injected during or after the sensitization and challenge process to evaluate its protective or reversal effects, respectively. Total and differential cells in the BAL fluids together with IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 cytokine levels were evaluated. Total IgE and cholesterol levels in serum were studied. Results In the protective phase, Atorvastatin inhibited the OVA-induced cellular infiltration of lung bronchi, decreased IL-4 and IL-5 and prevented the increase in IL-10 cytokine levels. Also, it reduced the OVA-induced high serum total IgE level. Injection of Atorvastatin after challenge was not effective in reversing the inflammatory process, with no major contribution towards augmenting the actions of Dexamethasone. The cholesterol lowering effect was marked in the protective phase while less effective for the reversal phase. Conclusion Our results indicate that Atorvastatin reduced the allergic inflammatory features in mice and it could be useful towards developing a better therapeutic regimen for the treatment of allergic diseases.