The Decrease of Lung Eosinophil Following Zinc Supplementation in Mouse Models of Respiratory Allergic Inflammation

Abstract

Background: United airway disease, a comorbid of allergic rhinitis and asthma, leads to the accumulation of toxic eosinophil in the lung parenchyma as a result of allergic reaction. Ovalbumin (OVA) sets off a condition of eosinophilia in the respiratory tract. Zinc supplementations are proposed to decrease the amount of eosinophil in the lung parenchyma due to its cytoprotective, anti-inflammation and antioxidant activity. Objectives: Proving the effects of the zinc supplementation on the number of eosinophil in the lung histopathology preparations of the BALB/c mice that were sensitized with OVA. Method: A post-test only control group design was used, which consisted of eighteen female BALB/c mice divided into three groups: the negative control group (K1), positive control group with OVA sensitization (K2), and group of mice with OVA sensitization and 5 mg/kg body weight zinc supplementation (P). The treatments were given for 30 days and then eosinophils in the lung histopathology preparations of the BALB/c mice were counted. Results: The mean eosinophil count in the negative control group (K1) was 0.48, the positive control group (K2) was 2.12, and the group of mice with OVA sensitization and 5 mg/kg body weight zinc supplementation (P) was 0.76. The number of eosinophil in the lungs in the K2 group was significantly higher than the K1 group (p = 0.000) and the P group was significantly lower than K2 group in ANOVA Test followed by Post Hoc Test (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The zinc supplementation reduces the number of eosinophil in the lungs tissue of the BALB/c mice that were sensitized with OVA.