Objective: To investigate the effect of chloroquine on airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice and its possible mechanism.
Methods: Balb/c mice were randomly divided into control group, asthma group, chloroquine treatment group, dexamethasone treatment group, and chloroquine + dexamethasone treatment group. Except the control group, the other groups of mice were given OVA sensitization and challenge , established an asthmatic mouse model and administered intraperitoneal injection before each challenge, and the control group was treated with the same amount of PBS at the same time, and the mouse airway hyperresponsiveness was detected within 24 hours after the last challenge by mouse pulmonary function analyzer; The total number and classification of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted; pathological sections of lung tissue were made, and the pathological changes were observed under light microscope after HE staining; the levels of cytokines IL-6 and PGF2α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were detected by ELISA.
Results: Chloroquine significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice (4.5±0.4 vs 6.1±0.9 when inhaled with 25 mg/ml Ach, P<0.05, and 4.6±0.5 vs 8.2±1.0 when inhaled with 50 mg/ml Ach, P<0.05). <0.001); significantly reduced the number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic mice (P<0.01); significantly reduced the pathological score of asthmatic mice (P<0.05); could reduce the level of PGF2α factor in BALF of asthmatic mice to a certain extent; Combined use with dexamethasone can significantly reduce the inflammation around bronchioles (P<0.05), perivascular inflammation (P<0.01), lung histopathological score (P<0.001) in asthmatic mice, and significantly reduce IL- 6 factor levels (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Chloroquine can inhibit the airway hyperresponsiveness of asthmatic mice; the combination of dexamethasone and chloroquine is more effective than the single drug, and it may be effective for asthma involving neutrophils.