The inhibitory effects of heparin on the upper airway inflammation

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24791770
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Shiga University of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: OGAWA Takao 滋賀医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (90549908)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ヘパリン / 上気道 / 気道炎症 / 好酸球性副鼻腔炎 / ラット / 局所療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Heparin is one of the most important anticoagulant drugs. Heparin also has a variety of anti-inflammatory functions, and is clinically used as an anti-inflammatory drug. However, little is known about the regulatory effects of heparin on the upper airway inflammation.
We have examined the in vivo and in vitro effects of heparin on mucus hypersecretion in airway epithelial cells. Intranasal instillation with heparin significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced and antigen-induced mucus hypersecretion in rat nasal epithelium. Mucosal infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils were also significantly attenuated. The in vitro effects of heparin on secretion of mucin and cytokines were examined using cultured airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292). Heparin significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced secretion of mucin (MUC5AC) and IL-8. These results indicated that local administration with heparin may provide a new therapeutic strategy for upper airway inflammation.

Free Research Field

鼻科学