Sodium cromoglycate inhibits antigen-induced cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from atopic asthmatics in vitro.

BACKGROUND

Several anti-allergic anti-inflammatory drugs are used for the treatment of asthma including glucocorticosteroids (GCS), sodium cromoglycate (SCG), leukotriene (LT) inhibitors, and LT receptor antagonists. The major mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of GCS is inhibition of cytokine production by T-lymphocytes: however, the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects of SCG are still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We elucidated the anti-inflammatory effects of SCG by investigating its effects on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from atopic asthmatics.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from seven atopic asthmatics and sensitized with Dermatophagoides farinae (DJ) or concanavalin A (ConA). We compared the effects of SCG on interleukin (IL)-5 and interferon (IFN)-gamma production by sensitized PBMCs with that of dexamethasone (Dex). Based on their clinical concentrations, we compared the effects of 10(-6) to 10(-4) M of SCG to those of 10(-6) M Dex.

RESULTS

Stimulation with ConA increased the production of IL-5 and IFN-gamma. Dex significantly inhibited the production of both cytokines but SCG showed no inhibitory effects. On the other hand, Df stimulation increased IL-5 production only. Dermatophagoides farinae-induced overproduction of IL-5 was inhibited by SCG and Dex.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that SCG has antigen-specific anti-allergic inflammatory effects.