The effect of silicon-based agent on allergic bronchitis caused by ragweed pollen

H. Takeuchi, S. Takashima, M. Taya, N. Hino, C. Kakinuma, Y. Kobayashi, H. Kobayashi, S. Nakagawa

Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Osaka, Osaka, Japan. nakagawa@phs.osaka-u.ac.jp

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• Allergology

OBJECTIVE: Silicon (Si)-based agent is emerging as promising formulation for hydrogen therapy, as they can easily and continuously generate large amounts of hydrogen in the digestive tract. This agent can remove hydroxyl radicals, which have a strong oxidizing effect. Previous studies have shown its effectiveness against various oxidative stress-related diseases. Type I allergy is also classified as an oxidative-stress-related conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of a Si-based agent on allergic bronchitis, a type I allergic response, induced by ragweed pollen in a mouse model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Allergic bronchitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intranasally administration of ragweed pollen. Bronchitis was assessed by cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung histopathological analysis. mRNA expression levels of cytokines and chemokine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in lung tissue were measured.

RESULTS: Feeding with the Si-based agent significantly suppressed eosinophil counts in BALF and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung. However, no significant difference was observed between control and Si-treated groups in the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-α, or CCL-11 in lung tissue. In contrast, MDA levels were suppressed by Si-based agent.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the Si-based agent alleviates allergic bronchitis by suppressing eosinophilic infiltration into the lungs and reducing oxidative stress, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for Type I allergic diseases.

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