The effect of 5-lipoxygenase inhibition on Ascaris antigen (Ag)-induced responses in atopic monkeys

The effects of two 5-lipoxygenase (5LO) inhibitors, ZD2138 or Zileuton, on acute, inflammatory responses to aerosolized Ascaris suum (Ag) were determined in atopic Macaca fascicularis monkeys. Monkeys (n = 6 each group) were dosed with vehicle, 3 or 10 mg/kg ZD2138, or 30 mg/kg Zileuton (p.o.). Both ZD2138 or Zileuton significantly inhibited ex vivo LTB(4) production in Ca2+ ionophore-stimulated whole blood from these same monkeys (n = 6 each group) by 45.5 % (3 mg/kg ZD2138), 82.5% (10 mg/kg ZD2138) and 84.3% (30 mg/kg Zileuton). ZD2138 (10 mg/kg) reduced bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) LTE(4) levels (65.1 % inhibition), BAL neutrophils (88.9 % inhibition), and IL-6 (54.0 % inhibition) 4h post Ag. Zileuton inhibited these responses and also reduced BAL levels of IL-8 (73.4 % inhibition). A second study was performed to evaluate the effects of ZD2138 on chronic Ag-induced responses. Treatment with ZD2138 did not prevent pulmonary inflammation or the development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Based upon these results, 5LO inhibition significantly reduced ex vivo LTB(4) and in vivo LTE(4) production as well as several acute inflammatory responses to Ag in the lung. However, ZD2138 did not inhibit more chronic responses following multiple Ag exposure.