Synergistic effect of formoterol and mometasone in a mouse model of allergic lung inflammation

Background and purpose: Controversy still exists as to whether or not inhaled beta (2)-adrenoceptor agonists and corticosteroids act synergistically in vivo. In this study, we have used a murine model of lung inflammation to study the synergistic effect of an inhaled beta (2)-adrenoceptor agonist (formoterol) and an inhaled corticosteroid (mometasone).

Experimental approach: Actively sensitized mice were challenged with aerosolized ovalbumin, once a day, for three consecutive days. Three days after the last of the three challenges, a final allergen challenge was given. Allergen-induced increase in Penh was measured 4 h after the last challenge. A day after the last challenge, increased airway sensitivity to aerosolized methacholine was demonstrated and this was concomitant with an influx of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids.

Key results: Mometasone (0.1 to 3 mg kg(-1)) given intranasally either an hour before or after the last allergen challenge, dose-dependently inhibited all parameters. When given intranasally either one or three hours after the last allergen challenge, but not an hour before, formoterol (1.5 to 150 microg kg(-1)) also dose-dependently inhibited most of the parameters to different degree. A synergistic effect on the allergen-induced increase in Penh was demonstrated for mometasone and formoterol given in combination, an hour after the challenge, at the following doses: mometasone/formoterol (in microg kg(-1)) 1/10, 1/100, 5/10, and 5/100.

Conclusions and implications: Our results support the hypothesis that when given as a fixed combination, inhaled corticosteroid and beta (2)-adrenoceptor agonist act synergistically in vivo.