Immunomodulatory effects of lovastatin on ovalbumin-induced bronchial asthma in mice

Objectives: Lovastatin (LOV) is a cholesterol-lowering agent with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of LOV in a mouse model of bronchial asthma. Methods: Mice were sensitized by giving 50 μg ovalbumin (OVA) i.p. with 1 mg alum on days 0 and 12. From day 22, mice were exposed to OVA (1% (w/v) in saline for 30 min, three times every 4th day. Negative control received saline similarly. Oral LOV, given 31 days, was starting from day 0 to day 30 and at sensitization day; it was given 30 min before the treatment. The number of inflammatory cells, levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and interferon (IFN)- in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum IgE, OVA-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a levels, in addition to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the lung were investigated. Results: LOV showed significant decrease in the number of leukocytes, macrophages and eosinophils, levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF, serum levels of IgE, OVA-specific IgE and IgG1, but no significant effect on BALF level of IFN- and serum level of OVA-specific IgG2a, in addition to the improvement of the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes. Conclusion: These results suggest that LOV could be beneficial for the treatment of bronchial asthma.