Influence of azelastine on IL-1 beta generation in vitro and IL-1 beta-induced effect in vivo.

The effects of the novel antiasthmatic/antiallergic compound azelastine on IL-1 beta were investigated in vitro and in vivo. In leukocytes both, intra- and extracellular IL-1 generation stimulated by LPS was inhibited dose dependently. In contrast azelastine did not prevent IL-1 beta-induced immigration of PMNs into the mouse ear. These findings suggest that azelastine is not an IL-1 antagonist but inhibits IL-1 synthesis and/or release in leukocytes.