Roles of 5-Lipoxygenase and Cysteinyl-Leukotriene Type 1 Receptors in the Hematological Response to Allergen Challenge and Its Prevention by Diethylcarbamazine in a Murine Model of Asthma

Figure 5

Large-scale eosinophil accumulation in the spleen of sensitized/challenged BALB/c mice is prevented by DEC. Mice were sensitized by two s.c. injections of 100 μg OVA/1.6 mg alum in 0.4 mL saline, at days 0 and 14. Challenge was done i.n. once daily, from days 19 to 21, with OVA (25 μg in 25 μL saline). DEC was given (12 mg/kg/d intragastrically, in 0.2 mL water, (a) and (b)) over a 12-day period, which overlapped in its 3 final days with the challenge schedule, DEC being given 2 h before challenge. (b) DEC was also given as a 3-day course, fully overlapping with the challenge schedule, 2 h before challenge, or as a 2-day course, beginning 1 day after a single unprotected challenge. White bars in (a) and (b), vehicle (water) controls. Black, hatched, and stippled bars in (a) and (b), animals treated with DEC as indicated. Spleens and bone-marrow (not shown in the figure) were collected 24 h after challenge and EPO+ cell counts performed on single cell suspensions of individual mice. Data are mean + SEM of EPO+ cell numbers in the spleens (, all groups). All significant differences are shown.

(a)

(b)