Introduction: The co-occurrence of obesity aggravates asthmatic symptoms. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor pravastatin can potentially be used to treat asthma in obese patients by inhibiting IL-17 expression. We investigated the combined effects of pravastatin and anti-IL-17 antibody treatment on allergic inflammation in murine model of obesity-related asthma.
Methods: High-fat diet(HFD)-induced obesity was induced in C57BL/6 mice with or without ovalbumin(OVA) sensitization and challenge. Mice were administered anti-IL-17 antibody, pravastatin, or both.
Results: HFD exacerbated allergic airway inflammation in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of HFD-OVA mice as compared to OVA mice. Blockading of the IL-17 in the HFD-OVA mice decreased AHR and airway inflammation compared to the HFD-OVA mice. Although blockading of the IL-17 in the OVA mice decreased AHR, however it is increased airway inflammation compared to the OVA mice. Moreover, administration of anti-IL-17 antibody decreased the leptin/adiponectin ratio in the HFD-OVA but not the OVA mice. Co-administration of pravastatin and anti-IL-17 inhibited airway inflammation and AHR, decreased goblet cell numbers, and increased adipokine levels in obese asthmatic mice.
Conclusions: These results suggest that the IL-17-leptin/adiponectin axis plays a key role in airway inflammation in obesity- related asthma. Our findings are suggesting a potential new treatment for the IL-17 as a target which may benefit the obesity-related asthma patients who responded poorly to the typical asthma medications.