Increased neutrophil chemotaxis in obstructive jaundice: An in vitro experiment in rats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Changes in neutrophil functions in obstructive jaundice have been poorly understood. An in vitro experimental study was performed to evaluate the effect of obstructive jaundice on the functions of macrophages (secretion of neutrophil chemoattractants) and neutrophils (chemotaxis and superoxide anion generation). METHODS: Obstructive jaundice was produced in rats by 7 day bile duct ligation. Peripheral neutrophils and peritoneal macrophages were harvested from either normal, sham-ligated or bile duct-ligated rats and supernatants of the monolayers of the respective macrophages were prepared after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated with a modified Boyden method. RESULTS: The supernatant of the bile duct-ligated rat macrophages showed a chemotactic effect on normal rat neutrophils with insignificant difference from the supernatant of the sham-ligated rat macrophages. Chemotaxis of the bile duct-ligated rat neutrophils towards the supernatant of the normal rat macrophages was significantly increased, compared with that of sham-ligated rat neutrophils. Similarly, neutrophils from bile duct-ligated rats showed significantly greater chemotaxis to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine than the sham-ligated rat neutrophils. Superoxide anion generation in response to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or phorbol myristate acetate was significantly increased in the bile duct-ligated rats compared with the sham-ligated rats. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the neutrophil is primed in terms of chemotaxis and superoxide anion generation in obstructive jaundice. How these activated neutrophils play a role in the inflammatory response to obstructive jaundice should be evaluated.     

Effects of obstructive jaundice on neutrophil production and acquisition of chemotactic activity in the bone marrow

Background and Aims:  Increased numbers and enhanced functions of peripheral neutrophils have been observed in obstructive jaundice. However, the effects of obstructive jaundice on the bone marrow, that is neutrophil production and acquisition of neutrophil chemotactic activity, have been poorly understood. In the present study, differentials of bone marrow cells and chemotactic activity of bone marrow neutrophils were evaluated in bile duct-obstructed rats.
Methods:  Male Wistar rats underwent either bile duct obstruction for 10 days or bile duct obstruction for 4 days followed by 6 days' internal biliary drainage. Differentials of peripheral blood and bone marrow cells were sequentially determined. Chemotactic activity of peripheral and bone marrow neutrophils was evaluated with a modified Boyden method using interleukin-8 (recombinant rat Gro-β) as a chemoattractant.
Results:  Numbers of peripheral neutrophils significantly increased after bile duct obstruction. Significant increases in the myeloid/erythroid (M/E) ratio of bone marrow cells were observed after bile duct obstruction. The neutrophil proliferative pool (promyelocytes and myelocytes) increased initially, followed by an increased neutrophil storage pool (metamyelocytes, bands, and segmented neutrophils). The M/E ratio as well as the neutrophil proliferative and storage pools normalized after internal biliary drainage. Chemotactic activity was enhanced in both peripheral and bone marrow neutrophils after bile duct obstruction, and enhanced chemotaxis was alleviated with internal biliary drainage.
Conclusion:  The present results strongly suggest the principal role of the bone marrow in increasing the number of neutrophils and their chemotactic activity during obstructive jaundice.     

Effects of obstructive jaundice on neutrophil production and acquisition of chemotactic activity in the bone marrow

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Increased numbers and enhanced functions of peripheral neutrophils have been observed in obstructive jaundice. However, the effects of obstructive jaundice on the bone marrow, that is neutrophil production and acquisition of neutrophil chemotactic activity, have been poorly understood. In the present study, differentials of bone marrow cells and chemotactic activity of bone marrow neutrophils were evaluated in bile duct-obstructed rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats underwent either bile duct obstruction for 10 days or bile duct obstruction for 4 days followed by 6 days' internal biliary drainage. Differentials of peripheral blood and bone marrow cells were sequentially determined. Chemotactic activity of peripheral and bone marrow neutrophils was evaluated with a modified Boyden method using interleukin-8 (recombinant rat Gro-beta) as a chemoattractant. RESULTS: Numbers of peripheral neutrophils significantly increased after bile duct obstruction. Significant increases in the myeloid/erythroid (M/E) ratio of bone marrow cells were observed after bile duct obstruction. The neutrophil proliferative pool (promyelocytes and myelocytes) increased initially, followed by an increased neutrophil storage pool (metamyelocytes, bands, and segmented neutrophils). The M/E ratio as well as the neutrophil proliferative and storage pools normalized after internal biliary drainage. Chemotactic activity was enhanced in both peripheral and bone marrow neutrophils after bile duct obstruction, and enhanced chemotaxis was alleviated with internal biliary drainage. CONCLUSION: The present results strongly suggest the principal role of the bone marrow in increasing the number of neutrophils and their chemotactic activity during obstructive jaundice.     

Effect of ozone on neutrophil function in vitro

The application of ozone is widely practised as a form of alternative medicine, particularly in Germany and Eastern Europe. Ozone major autohemotherapy (the return of a small amount of a patient’s blood to the circulation after ex vivo exposure to ozone) has been reported to have a therapeutic effect in various pathological conditions, including ischemic, infectious, autoimmune and neoplastic disorders. Ozone has an effect on the expression of cytokines, adhesion molecules and acute phase reactants, which are responsible in part for the respiratory inflammatory response observed after exposure to this gas. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ozone administration ex vivo, at a concentration commonly used in major autohemotherapy, on peripheral blood neutrophil function in vitro. Blood drawn from healthy volunteers was studied for neutrophil adhesion, chemotaxis and O^?₂ production before and after exposure to 30 μg/ml ozone. There was no significant difference in adhesion and chemotaxis of neutrophils exposed to ozone versus unexposed cells. O^?₂ production was minimally decreased (20.3 ± 5.0 vs. 22.1 ± 5.5 nmol/10⁶ cells/10 min, respectively; P=0.01), a reduction of no clinical significance. This study confirms that major autohemotherapy with ozone is safe as far as neutrophil function is concerned. Combined with previous data, it seems that well‐designed clinical trials to assess the efficacy of major autohemotherapy would pose no danger to blood cell populations, and should be encouraged.     

Effect of L-arginine on calcium in hepatic mitochondrion in rats with obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND: There is much debate over the regulation of mitochondrial calcium overload and reducing the impairment of energy metabolism in hepatic cells. It has not been reported whether L-arginine (L-Arg) can affect hepatic mitochondrial calcium overload. This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of L-Arg on Ca2+ handling of hepatic mitochondrion in rats with obstructive jaundice and to clarify its possible mechanism. METHODS: Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation+normal saline group (SO group), common bile duct ligation+normal saline group (BDL group), and common bile duct ligation+ L-Arg group (L-Arg group). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Ca2+ in rat hepatic mitochondrion were examined at the 7th, 14th and 21st day after operation. RESULTS: The Ca2+ and MDA levels of hepatic mitochondrion increased significantly but their SOD content decreased markedly at each time point in the BDL group. Except at the 21st day, the Ca2+ and MDA, contents of hepatic mitochondrion were significantly lower, and SOD concentrations were higher in the L-Arg group than those in the BDL group at the 7th and 14th day (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: L-Arg has a protective effect on mitochondrion in the early and mid stages of obstructive jaundice.     

Macrophage-dependent regulation of neutrophil mobilization and chemotaxis during development of sterile peritonitis in the rat

Pro-inflammatory cytokines attract leukocytes to inflamed tissues and activate them. Few attempts have been made to identify the sources of cytokines in vivo. We examined the importance of peritoneal macrophages in the mobilization and homing of neutrophils to a sterile peritonitis in the rat, with emphasis on their cytokine production. Macrophages, present in virtually all tissues, are known to be easily activated and to serve as an important source of cytokines. Flow cytometric analysis of cells stained intracellularly with tagged antibodies against various cytokines revealed that the peritoneal macrophages were stimulated to produce the following cytokines: interleukin (IL)-1beta, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and keratinocyte-derived cytokine (KC). High numbers of neutrophils, activated on arrival into the peritoneal cavity, also produced IL-1beta, whereas lower numbers contained interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, MIP-2, KC, and MIP-1alpha. This marked activation of peritoneal neutrophils was also reflected by increased surface expression of CD11b. On the other hand, peritoneal macrophages expressed high basal levels of CD11b, which were reduced 24 h after the onset of inflammation. In rats selectively depleted of macrophages by i.p. injection of liposome-containing clodronate, the massive influx of neutrophils to the peritoneal cavity was markedly reduced, as was the rapid mobilization of mature bone marrow neutrophils. Local macrophages are important both for the accumulation of neutrophils in the inflamed peritoneal cavity and for the early mobilization of neutrophils from the bone marrow. Macrophage-derived IL-1beta, MIP-2, and KC are possible mediators of neutrophil homing to inflamed tissues.     

Alterations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 6 production and activity of the reticuloendothelial system in experimental obstructive jaundice in rats

BackgroundImmunological changes are well recognised in obstructive jaundice. The aim of this study was to monitor plasma tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in rats with obstructive jaundice.MethodsThe ability of splenocytes and peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) to produce these cytokines both spontaneously and on induction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was compared in rats with and without obstructive jaundice (OJ). The activity of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) was also measured.ResultsSerum cytokine levels in OJ rats were higher than in control rats. PEC cultures produced significantly more IL-6, compared with control rats, declining thereafter. TNF-α activity in the splenocyte cultures of OJ rats was also higher than in the control group. Pronounced differences were found in the ability to produce TNF-α by PEC, i.e., TNF-α production was much stronger on day 7 in OJ rats than in controls. On day 14 TNF-α production was much lower and the spontaneous response was equal to the LPS-induced one. On day 21 the cells of OJ rats partially regained the ability to produce TNF-α RES activity of OJ rats was significantly suppressed in the liver and spleen, whereas the phagocytic activity in the lungs was elevated.ConclusionWe have demonstrated that the immune reactivity of OJ rats, intially elevated, underwent subsequent depression. The study also revealed a major effect of the operation alone on the studied parameters.     

非诺贝特对梗阻性黄疸大鼠肝细胞凋亡、肝糖原含量的影响

目的探讨非诺贝特对胆管结扎大鼠血清肝脏生化指标、肝细胞凋亡、肝糖原含量的影响。方法采用胆总管结扎手术制备胆汁淤积大鼠模型。48只雄性W istar大鼠随机分为4组（每组均为12只）：A组为对照组,B组为胆管结扎组,C组为胆管结扎＋非诺贝特组（30 mg.kg-1.d-1）,D组为胆管结扎＋非诺贝特（60 mg.kg-1.d-1）。术后7 d留取血标本及肝组织后处死,分别用全自动生化分析仪测定血清ALT、AST、ALP、GGT、TBA,TUNEL法检测肝细胞凋亡数目以及过碘酸希夫（PAS）染色法检测肝糖原含量。结果 B、C、D组大鼠血清ALT、AST、ALP、GGT、TBA显著高于A组（P〈0.001）,B组与C组大鼠血清ALT、AST、ALP、GGT、TBA差异无统计学意义,D组血清AST、ALP、GGT、TBA显著低于B、C组（P〈0.01）,而ALT在D与C组之间差异无统计学意义（P=0.021〉0.01）。所有胆管结扎组大鼠肝细胞凋亡显著高于对照组（P〈0.001）,C组肝细胞凋亡显著低于B组（P=0.007〈0.01）,D组肝细胞凋亡显著低于B组（P=0.000〈0.001）,D组肝细胞凋亡显著低于C组（P=0.000〈0.001）。PAS反应显示,非诺贝特可增加梗阻性黄疸大鼠肝糖原合成。结论非诺贝特可显著改善梗阻性黄疸大鼠血清肝脏生化指标、肝细胞凋亡以及增加肝细胞糖原合成。     

肝组织解偶联蛋白2在梗阻性黄疸及胆道再通实验大鼠模型中的表达及意义

目的研究梗阻性黄疸及胆道再通大鼠肝组织解偶联蛋白(UCP)2的表达及意义,探讨梗阻性黄疸对能量代谢障碍与氧化损伤的影响。方法 36只健康雄性大鼠随机分为6组,每组6只:假手术组(A组)、梗阻性黄疸1周组(B组)、梗阻性黄疸2周组(C组)、梗阻性黄疸1周再通1周组(D组)、梗阻性黄疸10 d再通1周组(E组)、梗阻性黄疸2周再通1周组(F组)。检测各组动物血清ALT、DBil、TBil水平;光镜下观察肝脏形态学改变;采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测大鼠肝脏UCP-2mRNA的表达。结果胆道梗阻后,B、C 2组血清TBil、DBil、ALT水平较A组均升高(P值均0.05),C组升高较B组明显(P值均0.05)。光镜下可见B、C组肝细胞肿胀,炎性细胞浸润,汇管区伴胆管增生,C组出现典型的肝细胞片状坏死。B、C 2组肝组织UCP-2 mRNA表达较A组升高(P值均0.05),C组升高较B组明显(P0.05)。胆道再通组后,D、E、F 3组血清TBil、DBil、ALT水平呈不同程度下降。光镜下观察肝脏形态改变也明显趋于正常。D组肝细胞UCP-2 mRNA的表达高于B组(P0.05),F组的表达低于C组(P0.05),D组的表达低于E、F 2组(P值均0.05),E、F 2组差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论梗阻性黄疸时肝脏UCP-2 mRNA表达升高,随梗阻时间延长其升高趋势明显。解除梗阻时间早,则肝细胞再生活跃,UCP-2 mRNA表达暂时升高;解除梗阻时间迟,则肝组织损伤严重,再生缓慢,UCP-2 mRNA表达进行性下降,但仍高于正常。提示肝组织UCP-2 mRNA表达升高可能是梗阻性黄疸能量代谢紊乱的主要原因之一。     

肠内营养对梗阻性黄疸幼鼠肠屏障功能损害的保护作用

目的探讨肠内营养对梗阻性黄疸(OJ)幼鼠肠屏障损害的保护作用。方法48只Wistar幼鼠随机分为正常对照组,假手术组,OJ组和OJ+能全素组。OJ+能全素组给予肠内营养10d,总热量为610kJ/(kg.d),氮量1.0g/(kg.d)。实验结束时检测其血清内毒素(LPS)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)水平,取腹腔液做细菌培养。结果OJ组血清LPS、TNF-α、IL-6水平显著高于正常对照组和假手术组,LPS、TNF-α水平显著高于OJ+能全素组,OJ+能全素组上述指标与正常对照组和假手术组间差异无显著性。对照组细菌培养阳性1例(1/12)、假手术组2例(2/10)、OJ组7例(7/8)、OJ+能全素组4例(4/8),OJ组与对照组、假手术组相比,P<0.05,差异有显著性。结论肠内营养有助于减轻OJ幼鼠肠屏障功能的损害。     

Effect of honey on bacterial translocation and intestinal morphology in obstructive jaundice

AIM：To evaluate the effects of honey on bacterial translocation and intestinal villus histopathology in experimental obstructive jaundice.
METHODS：Thirty Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into three groups each including 10 animals：group Ⅰ,sham-operated;group Ⅱ,ligation and section of the common bile duct（BDL）;group Ⅲ,bile duct ligation followed by oral supplementation of honey（BDL＋honey） 10 g/kg per day.Liver,blood,spleen,mesenteric lymph nodes,and ileal samples were taken for microbiological,light and transmission electrone microscopic examination.
RESULTS：Although the number of villi per centimeter and the height of the mucosa were higher in sham group,there was no statistically significant difference between sham and BDL ＋ honey groups（P〉0.05）.On the other hand,there was a statistically significant difference between BDL group and other groups（P〈0.05）.The electron microscopic changes werealso different between these groups.Sham and honey groups had similar incidence of bacterial translocation（P〉0.05）.BDL group had significantly higher rates of bacterial translocation as compared with sham and honey groups.Bacterial translocation was predominantly detected in mesenteric lymph nodes.
CONCLUSION：Supplementation of honey in presence of obstructive jaundice ameliorates bacterial translocation and improves ileal morphology.     

Effect of preoperative biliary drainage on malignant obstructive jaundice: a meta-analysis

AIM: To evaluate the effect of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) on obstructive jaundice resulting from malignant tumors. METHODS: According to the requirements of Cochrane systematic review, studies in the English language were retrieved from MEDLINE and Embase databases from 1995 to 2009 with the key word preoperative biliary drainage. Two reviewers independently screened the eligible studies, evaluated their academic level and extracted the data from the eligible studies confirmed by cross-checking. Da...     

Protective effects of pLNCX-SOD gene transfection on hepatocyte injury induced by obstructive jaundice in rats

BACKGROUND: H ydrophobic bile acids lead to the generation of oxygen free radicals in mitochondria. Accordingly, this study is to investigate if gene delivery of superoxide dismutase (SOD) will reduce hepatocyte injury caused by experimental cholestasis. METHODS: The recombinant of pLNCX-SOD gene packaged with lipofection of AMINE was transfected into hepatocytes in vitro, which stably expressed the SOD gene. RESULTS: After transfection, hepatocytes enhanced the protective effect against injury to bile and the toxicity of serum in obstructive jaundice. The inhibition of bile at the concentration of 2% (v∶v, bile: DMEM 1∶50) decreased obviously from (78.80±12.35)% to (43.35±9.69)% in 12 hours, from (82.55±11.27)% to (-26.64±7.66)% in 24 hours, and from (83.83±18.69)% to (-19.27±14.38)% in 48 hours, compared with that of the untransfected cells (P<0.01). The inhibition of serum at the obstructive jaudice concentration of 2.5% was obviously decreased from (89.72± 1.52)% to (14.68±14.33)% in 12 hours, from (92.2±11.27)% to (41.39±7.66)% in 24 hours, and from (94.25±8.96)% to (22.71±4.38)% in 48 hours (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Hepatocytes transfected with the pLNCX-SOD gene could obviously be resistant to the toxicity of bile and serum from rat with obstructive jaundice.     

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on gut barrier function in experimental obstructive jaundice

AIM: To investigate the mechanisms of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) action on gut barrier in preoperative and postoperative experimental obstructive jaundice in rats.METHODS: Forty rats were randomly divided into groups of sham-operation, bile duct ligation (BDL), BDL + L. plantarum, BDL + internal biliary drainage (IBD), and BDL + IBD + L. plantarum. Ten days after L. plantarum administration, blood and ileal samples were collected from the rats for morphological examination, and intestinal barrier function, liver function, intestinal oxidative stress and protein kinase C (PKC) activity measurement. The distribution and expression of the PKC and tight junction (TJ) proteins, such as occludin, zonula occludens-1, claudin-1, claudin-4, junction adhesion molecule-A and F-actin, were examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay.RESULTS: L. plantarum administration substantially restored gut barrier, decreased enterocyte apoptosis, improved intestinal oxidative stress, promoted the activity and expression of protein kinase (BDL vs BDL + L. plantarum, 0.295 ± 0.007 vs 0.349 ± 0.003, P < 0.05; BDL + IBD vs BDL + IBD + L. plantarum, 0.407 ± 0.046 vs 0.465 ± 0.135, P < 0.05), and particularly enhanced the expression and phosphorylation of TJ proteins in the experimental obstructive jaundice (BDL vs BDL + L. plantarum, 0.266 ± 0.118 vs 0.326 ± 0.009, P < 0.05). The protective effect of L. plantarum was more prominent after internal biliary drainage ( BDL + IBD vs BDL + IBD + L. plantarum, 0.415 ± 0.105 vs 0.494 ± 0.145, P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: L. plantarum can decrease intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, reduce oxidative stress, and prevent TJ disruption in biliary obstruction by activating the PKC pathway.     

Effect of obstructive jaundice on hemodynamics in the liver and its clinical significance

BACKGROUND:Many diseases can cause obstructive jaundice and then lead to a series of pathologic disorders. Thus preoperative assessment of liver function is of utmost importance.Traditional assessment is to monitor related indicators of liver function,but it is invasive and needs to be performed repeatedly.Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI)was used to monitor blood flow of the hepatic artery and portal vein,a non-invasive method which can be used repeatedly. METHODS:Twenty cases of obstructive jaundice were ...     

超声内镜与磁共振胰胆管造影诊断梗阻性黄疸的效果比较

目的对比超声内镜(EUS)与磁共振胰胆管造影(MRCP)对梗阻性黄疸的诊断价值。方法收集2015年1月-2016年3月于首都医科大学附属北京天坛医院就诊的梗阻性黄疸患者31例,所有患者均行EUS、MRCP检查,比较EUS、MRCP诊断梗阻性黄疸的敏感度、特异度、准确度、Youden指数。结果 31例患者中胆总管结石16例(51.61%),壶腹肿瘤1例(3.23%),十二指肠乳头肿瘤6例(19.35%),胰头肿瘤3例(9.68%),胆管肿瘤2例(6.45%),胆管炎症2例(6.45%),1例(3.23%)经内镜逆行胰胆管造影、EUS、MRCP均未见结石、占位。对壶腹肿瘤、十二指肠乳头肿瘤、胰头肿瘤EUS诊断符合率均为100%;MRCP的胆总管结石诊断符合率、总诊断符合率均低于EUS(81.25%vs 93.75%,76.67%vs 90.00%)。EUS和MRCP诊断梗阻性黄疸的敏感度分别为90.00%和76.70%,特异度均为100%,准确度分别为90.30%和77.40%,Youden指数分别为0.90和0.77。结论对于梗阻性黄疸的诊断,EUS较MRCP拥有更高的诊断价值。     

lactulose和glutamine对梗阻性黄疸大鼠空肠黏膜的影响

目的:研究梗阻性黄疸时空肠黏膜的变化及lactulose和glutamine对梗阻性黄疸大鼠空肠黏膜的影响．方法:Wistar大鼠84只,随机分为4组．通过手术结扎切断大鼠胆总管得到梗阻性黄疸模型．对梗阻性黄疸大鼠分别经胃灌注lactulose和glutamine药物,比较给药前及给药后5,10 d各组大鼠空肠黏膜绒毛高度变化,同时与未行胆管结扎的假手术对照组进行比较．结果:无论胆总管结扎与否,给药前各组空肠黏膜的绒毛高度无明显差异．胆总管结扎后大鼠空肠黏膜高度减低(5 d:q=4．32,P<0．01;10 d:q=11．03,P<0．01);应用生理盐水组大鼠的空肠黏膜绒毛高度明显低于应用lactulose和glutamine组大鼠的空肠黏膜绒毛高度,且应用glutamine组与胆总管未结扎组相近(5 d:q= 3．62,P>0．05;10 d:q=3．83,P>0．05);而应用lactulose和glutamine的2组大鼠空肠黏膜绒毛高度无明显差异(P>0．05)．结论:结扎大鼠胆总管可导致其空肠黏膜萎缩．经胃肠道应用lactulose或glutamine对胆道梗阻所致的大鼠空肠黏膜萎缩均具有保护作用,且二者对肠黏膜的保护作用无明显差异．     

谷氨酰胺对良性梗阻性黄疸患者术后免疫功能的影响

目的探讨谷氨酰胺对梗阻性黄疸免疫功能的影响。方法收集48例良性梗阻性黄疸患者的临床资料,并对患者血清的内毒素(ET)、可溶性白细胞介素2受体(sIL-2R)、T淋巴细胞亚群、免疫球蛋白等进行检验。结果谷氨酰胺干预组和梗阻性黄疸对照组相比,谷氨酰胺干预组血清中的sIL-2R较梗阻性黄疸对照组下降明显;两组T淋巴细胞亚群、免疫球蛋白、ET和sIL-2R水平的变化差异具有统计学意义。结论谷氨酰胺对良性梗阻性黄疸术后的免疫功能变化具有一定的影响。     

Effect of Zaditen on serum neutrophil chemotactic activity in exercise-induced asthma

Zaditen has a partial blocking effect in exercise-induced asthma, but the mechanism of this effect is unknown. In our study we investigated the effect of Zaditen on one of the mediators released by mast cells. We measured the serum neutrophil chemotactic activity - by using a modified Boyden chamber assay - after 2 week's treatment with Zaditen or placebo. The airway parameters (SGaw) were recorded with a wholebody plethysmograph. Our studies on 10 patients show that Zaditen has a protective effect on the release of the neutrophil chemotactic factor during an exercise challenge test. A direct effect of Zaditen on the mast cell degranulation process is postulated.