Treatment with rifampicin ameliorates atopic dermatitis-like skin disease in NC/Nga mice through mast cell inactivation

Abstract

Abstract Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder mediated by inflammatory cells such as macrophages and mast cells. Rifampicin is a major drug for treatment of tuberculosis. Recently it was reported that rifampicin has anti-inflammatory and immune suppressive activity. We herein investigated the effect of rifampicin on atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mouse model. AD was induced by treatment of 1-chloro 2, 4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB). And then mice were treated with rifampicin by oral administration and were observed to relieve the diverse symptoms. The severity score and scratching behavior were alleviated in rifampicin-treated groups. Serum IgE and IL-4 levels were also decreased in rifampicin-treated groups. We next examined if rifampicin has anti-atopic activity via the suppression of mast cell activation. Rifampicin suppressed the release of β-hexosaminidase and histamine from human mast cell (HMC)-1 cells stimulated with compound 48/80. Treatment of rifampicin inhibited secretion of inflammatory mediators, such TNF-α and PGD2, in mast cells activated by compound 48/80. The mRNA expression of COX-2 was reduced in the cell treated with rifampicin at a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that rifampicin can be used to treat atopic dermatitis.