RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Anti-inflammatory effect of natural adjuvants has been reported. Lung inflammation is the most characterized pathological feature in asthma. OBJECTIVES: The effects of three natural adjuvants (PC, G2, and G2F registered as a patent in the Iranian Patent Office) on sensitized guinea pigs lungs were examined in the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LUNG PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES WERE EXAMINED IN CONTROL AND FIVE GROUPS OF RANDOMLY DIVIDED GUINEA PIGS INCLUDING: sensitized animals (S, receiving normal saline, 0.5 ml i.p.); sensitized animals treated with adjuvant PC; G2F (0.1 ml i.p. for both cases); G2 (0.4 ml i.p.); and PC + G2 (receiving both PC and G) adjuvants (twice a week for 4 weeks for all groups). Sensitization of animals was done by injection and inhalation of ovalbumin (OA). RESULTS: All pathological changes in S group including the eosinophil infiltration (scoring 3.28 ± 0.28), lymphocyte infiltration (2.82 ± 0.26), local epithelial necrosis (2.71 ± 0.47) and mucosal plug (2.75 ± 0.37) were significantly higher than control group (0.64 ± 0.18, 1.36 ± 0.24, 0.36 ± 0.18 and 0.28 ± 0.18 for eosinophil infiltration, lymphocyte infiltration, epithelial necrosis and mucosal plug respectively, P < 0.001 for all cases). Treatment with all adjuvants improved all pathological changes significantly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate preventive effects of all natural adjuvants (especially G2) on pathological changes of the lung in sensitized guinea pigs.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The effects of natural adjuvants were examined on total and differential WBC counts in lung lavage of sensitized guinea pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In three sensitized groups of guinea pigs including: untreated sensitized animals (S), sensitized animals treated with adjuvant G2 (S+G2) and G2F (S+G2F) as well as non-sensitized group (C) (n=6 for each group), total and differential WBC counts of lung lavage were examined. Sensitization of animals was achieved by injection and inhalation of ovalbumin (OA). RESULTS: The results showed increased total WBC, eosinophil, neutrophil, and basophil counts, and decreased lymphocytes in lung lavage of sensitized animals compared with the control group (p<0.01 for all cases). However, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts in lung lavage were decreased in treated groups with either G2 or G2F but total WBC was decreased in lung lavage of treated group with only G2. CONCLUSION: These results indicate important preventive effects of two natural adjuvants, especially G2, on lung inflammation of sensitized guinea pigs.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Two new adjuvants from natural animal lipids (G2) and bacterial polysaccharide extracts (PC) were previously prepared by our group and showed a reduction in tracheal responsiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of recently introduced natural products (G2 and PC) on the development of asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Asthma was induced using a standard method in four groups of BALB/c mice. A non-sensitized control group was also included in order to be compared with treated groups. Three groups were premedicated with novel agents named G2, PC, and a combination of these two for 20 days before starting the induction of asthma. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and analyzed for inflammatory cells. Interferon-γ, and IL-4 and the histopathological of both lungs were also evaluated. RESULTS: In all pretreated groups, the inflammatory cells infiltration especially eosinophils and smooth muscle hyperplasia decreased significantly. BALF cytology also showed significant decrease in eosinophil count in all pretreated groups. There was a significant increase in the BALF and serum INF-γ in all pretreated groups but the combination of G2/PC was more effective. BALF IL-4 decreased significantly in the group pretreated with a combination of G2 and G2/PC (4.11±0.86 and 4.02±0.52 pg/ml in G2 and G2/PC, respectively). Serum IL-4 in the PC group was significantly higher than the sensitized control. CONCLUSION: G2 and PC may effectively prevent asthma development by activation of the type 1 T helper system.
