feG-COOH blunts eosinophilic airway inflammation in a feline model of allergic asthma

This study investigated if feG-COOH would decrease allergen-induced airway inflammation. Seven adult cats sensitised to Bermuda grass allergen (BGA) to induce an asthmatic phenotype. Cats were randomized to receive either feG-COOH (1 mg/kg, PO) or placebo (saline 1 ml, PO) immediately prior to BGA aerosol challenge in a cross-over design. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and airway inflammatory response assessed via inflammatory cell number and type; IL-4, IFN-gamma and nitric oxide metabolite concentrations. A paired t test was used to compare parameters with a P < 0.05 considered significant. The BALF eosinophil percentage was significantly lower in asthmatic cats treated with feG compared with placebo (placebo, 35.3 +/- A 12.2%; feG, 22.4 +/- A 8.6%; P = 0.002). Treatment with feG did not result in a significant change in any other parameter measured. These data indicate that a single dose of feG-COOH partially attenuates eosinophilic airway inflammation in experimental feline asthma.