Protective Effects of Albuterol, Epinephrine and Cromolyn Against Ovalbumine-Induced Immunotoxicity in the Rat Lungs

Asthma is a condition in which the respiratory tract is tight and swollen and is associated with increased levels of mucus and inflammatory cells in the airways. Protective effects of Albuterol, Epinephrine and Cromolyn against Ovalbumine-induced immunotoxicity in the rat lungs are observed in the animal model of asthma.

40 rats were randomly divided in to 8 groups and classified into: negative-control (normal), positive-control (sensitive), normal-albuterol, normal-epinephrine, normal-cromolyn, sensitive-albuterol, sensitive- epinephrine, and sensitive-cromolyne. With intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 ml of saline solution containing ovalbumin (100 µg), aluminum hydroxide (8mgr) sensitization occurred in 4 sensitive groups. Negative-control group received only saline. Challenge carried out with inhaled administration of ovalbumin (with nebulizer) in two phases (first time 100mgr in ml and second time 500mgr in ml) without intervals, (each times 30 minutes) in sensitive groups. Animals were euthanatized by means of, co2 gas, then with a cervical approach and putting away thymus, trachea was exposed right beneath mandible. The amount of total protein, number of inflammatory cells, platelets(PC), plateletocrite(PCT) and red blood cells in BALF were determined with routine laboratory procedures and measurements were recorded.

The number of inflammatory cells and platelets were more than doubled in untreated-sensitized group (positive-control) in comparison with untreated-normal group (negative-control), while the amount of total protein did not show any significant changes at all. All three drugs (albuterol, chromoline and epinephrine) significantly reduced basal protein leakage in healthy animals(p<0.05). Among mentioned drugs in this study, sodium cromolyn in both sensitized and unsensitized groups completely inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and significantly decreased the protein leakage.

Overall, this study shows the impressive performance of the sodium cromolyn in comparison with beta agonists, in preventing signs of inflammatory disorders in animals with respiratory hypersensitiveness. Β2 agonists are effective bronchodilator agents on airways but it seems that other useful effects related to them are exaggerated in comparison with most cell stabilizers like cromolyn. So, the use of these agents alongside with bronchodilators in disease such as allergic rhinitis, COPD and asthma, in both human and animals is recommended.