The effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist on a murine model of experimental allergic rhinitis.

Abstract

To investigate the effect of rosiglitazone, a synthetic selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonist, for cytokine production and PPAR-gamma expression in nasal mucosa. Mice in allergic rhinitis group received ovalbumin sensitization followed by ovalbumin intranasal challenge. Mice in the rosiglitazone group received rosiglitazone treatment additionally. Various allergic responses were then assessed. The frequency of nasal rubs and ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E decreased significantly in the rosiglitazone group compared with the allergic rhinitis group. The rosiglitazone group also showed that inflammation was markedly reduced by rosiglitazone administration. Immunohistochemistry showed that PPAR-gamma protein expression in nasal mucosa was enhanced in the allergic rhinitis group and the rosiglitazone group compared with control mice. PPAR-gamma activation with rosiglitazone effectively inhibited allergic symptom development, nasal mucosal inflammation, and production of ovoalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E and Th2-type cytokine. Our results provide evidence of the therapeutic potential of PPAR-gamma agonist for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.