Study Effect of Azithromycin and Doxycycline in Mucus Producing and Inflammatory Signaling Pathways of Allergic Asthma

Zhen Wang; Lihong Xin; Wen Zhang

doi:10.18502/ijaai.v21i2.9220

Zhen Wang The second Department of Respiration, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
Lihong Xin The second Department of Respiration, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
Wen Zhang The second Department of Respiration, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v21i2.9220

Keywords: Allergy and immunology; Antibiotic prophylaxis; Inflammation; Signal transduction

Abstract

Asthma is a respiratory disease; involving millions of people worldwide. The main cause of asthma is allergy and immune response dysregulation. The effects of azithromycin and doxycycline as asthma-controlling drugs were evaluated in this study.

Mice asthma model was produced and asthmatic mice were treated with azithromycin (75 mg/kg, orally) and doxycycline (20 mg/kg, orally). Eosinophils and neutrophils count, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-12, IL-13, and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were measured. Histological study and evaluation of the gene’s expression of Muc5ac, Muc5b, IL-33, COX2, MYD88, and TRAF6 were performed.

Azithromycin and doxycycline did not affect eosinophil and neutrophil percentage, IL-4, IL-5, IL-12, total IgE levels, peribronchial and perivascular inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and gene expression of MYD88, TRAF6, and COX2. Treatment with azithromycin significantly decreased IL-13 level, mucus secretion, and gene expression of IL-33, Muc5ac, and Muc5b; compared to the non-treated asthma group.

Azithromycin administration controls mucus secretion and inflammation. Azithromycin therapy and not doxycycline might be an effective adjuvant option in asthma by reducing mucus in the airway.