Abstract
Purpose:
HBA is a normal component of human metabolic physiology. Recent findings have shown that HBA provides neuroprotection during hypoxia in vitro, in models of global and focal cerebral ischemia in rats, cardiac ischemia, and in lung hemorrhage. In this study, we investigated the effect of HBA on allergic reaction.
Methods:
Wistar rats were sensitized by egg albumin (EA) as described by Minami et al. (Int. Immunopharmacol., 4(1):101, 2004). EA has been instilled every day from day 14 to 28 into bilateral eyes. Selection was performed by choosing rats showing obvious eye scratching behavior at day 28. Rats were randomly assigned to 1% HBA or saline eye drop. Eye drops were applied 5 minutes before EA challenge for 2 continuous weeks. Number of eye scratching behavior was counted for 20 minutes after EA challenge and the total number during application period were compared. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after last EA challenge and eosinohil infiltration into conjunctiva was assessed by histopathological examination.
Results:
Topical applied HBA significantly reduced eye scratching number and suppressed eosinophil infiltration compared to saline eye drop treatment.
Conclusions:
These results indicate that the suppressive effect of HBA on allergic reaction
Keywords: 475 conjunctivitis •
474 conjunctiva •
557 inflammation