Table II.
Group | BALF (pg/ml)
|
Serum (μg/ml) OVA-specific IgE | |
---|---|---|---|
IL-4 | IL-13 | ||
Control | 21.25±2.78 | 71.50±3.79 | - |
OVA | 66.00±2.27a | 132.50±4.64a | 11.15±0.43a |
NGF | 82.50±4.05b | 149.75±3.12b | 14.98±0.73c |
Anti-NGF | 51.00±3.02b | 90.75±2.32c | 5.63±0.46c |
Treatment with NGF increased the levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 in the BALF and the total serum levels of IgE in the rat model of chronic asthma. However, administration of anti-NGF reduced the levels of IL-4 and -13 in the BALF and total serum IgE. Values are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean of 8 rats in each treatment group.
P<0.01 compared with the control group,
P<0.05 and
P<0.01 compared with the OVA group. NGF, nerve growth factor; IL, interleukin; BALF, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; IgE, immunoglobulin E; OVA, ovalbumin.