Figure 7
From: Zinc supplementation alters airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness to a common allergen
Zinc supplementation decreased experimentally-induced allergic asthma in mice. BALB/c mice were sensitized on days 0, 7, and 14 with an intratracheal inhalation of PBS or GC frass (40 μg/40 μl). On day 14, 15, and 16 selected mice were administered i.p. injections of zinc gluconate (10 mg/kg) or PBS. On day 17, mice were anesthetized and acetylcholine was injected after establishment of a stable airway pressure. Blood was collected and BAL fluid was harvested. Lungs were isolated, and cultured for 3 days in the presence of ConA for cytokine analysis by ELISA. In all cases, means ± SEM (n = 6 mice per group) were reported and statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA. A. AHR was measured as airway pressure time index (APTI) in cm-H2O × sec -1 (compared to PBS *p > 0.001; compared to GC frass **p = 0.034). B. Serum IgE levels (compared to PBS *p > 0.001; compared to GC frass **p > 0.001). C. IL-13 levels (compared to PBS; *p > 0.001). D. IL-5 levels (compared to PBS; *p > 0.001).