Influence of erythrocyte function-enhancing drugs on the bronchoprotective actions of chemokine receptor blockers in mice.

Background: CC chemokine receptors are likely to have important roles in the regulation of leukocytes and mast cells. Chemokine receptors are crucial in orchestrating innate and acquired immune responses as well as in allergic inflammation. A disturbance in erythrocyte function can lead to bronchial hyperreactivity and asthma.

Material/methods: This study was conducted on Swiss albino mice weighing between 25 to 35 g. The animals were divided into eight groups (n=8). Groups of mice (n=8) were pretreated with the chemokine receptor blockers A122058 (600 microg/kg i.p.) or cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg i.p.). Other groups received A122058 or cyclophosphamide in combination with either erythropoietin and quercetin. The effects of these drugs on bronchoconstriction and salivation induced by carbachol were evaluated.

Results: The results of this study suggest that blockade of chemokine receptors significantly potentiated erythropoietin- and quercetin-induced inhibition of carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction (P<0.05) compared with the control group. However, pentoxifylline did not produce significant bronchoprotection against carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction (P>0.05).

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that blockade of chemokine receptors and enhancement of the erythrocyte function together potentiate the bronchoprotective effects of these drugs. This combination could be a novel strategy in combating bronchial hyper-responsiveness.