Anti-allergic activity of crystallinity controlled N-acetyl glucosamine.

BACKGROUND

Chitin is the polysaccharide and is found in insects, parasites and fungi. Chitin has shown various immunological effects in in vivo and in vitro models. In this study, crystallinity controlled N-acetyl glucosamine (CCG) which has a high solubility was prepared from the low molecular weight chitosan. However, the effect of CCG in an allergic response is not clear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect and regulatory mechanism of CCG on allergic responses.

METHODS

To demonstrate the effect of CCG, we induced systemic anaphylactic shock, ear swelling response, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), and inflammatory reaction.

RESULTS

CCG inhibited the compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock and ear swelling responses. IgE-mediated PCA was inhibited by the oral administration or topical application of CCG. Histamine and β-hexosaminidase release from mast cells was decreased with the treatment of CCG. CCG also inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187-induced interleukin-1β production and mRNA expression by suppressing NF-κB activation and IκBα phosphorylation. Furthermore, CCG suppressed the activation of caspase-1.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that CCG may have beneficial applicability as a candidate for an anti-allergic agent.