Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of acute hypergravity (HG) on the immune response in a murine model of allergic asthma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-eight BALB/c mice were used. Group A (control group, n = 7) mice were sensitized and challenged with normal saline. Group B (control HG exposure group, n = 7) mice were sensitized, challenged with saline, and exposed to acute HG (+10 Gz) for 4 hours. Group C (asthma group, n = 7) mice were challenged with intraperitoneal and intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) to induce asthma. Group D (asthma HG exposure group, n = 7) mice were exposed to HG for 4 hours after the induction of asthma. We estimated the total and OVA-specific serum IgE, serum titers of various cytokines, and the number of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Histopathology of the lung was also evaluated. RESULTS: The serum level of interleukin (IL)-5 was significantly higher in Group D (12.9 ±4.9 pg/ml) compared to that in Group C (4.7 ±6.5 pg/ml, p = 0.017). In BAL fluid, the number of neutrophils was significantly increased in Group D compared to Group C (p = 0.014). Group D demonstrated a higher infiltration of inflammatory cells (9973.8 ±1642.7 cells/mm(2)) compared to Group C (7666.3 ±586.5 cells/mm(2), p = 0.017). This tendency of increase in infiltration was not significant in non-asthmatic animals (Group A: 4488.8 ±176.1 cells/mm(2) vs. Group B: 4946.3 ±513.7 cells/mm(2), p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acute HG exacerbated the allergic response by increasing serum IL-5 levels and promoting pulmonary infiltration of inflammatory cells.