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Cetirizine a histamine H1 receptor antagonist improves viral myocarditis

Akira Matsumori1, Kanjo Yamamoto, Miho Shimada

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. amatsu@tokyo-med.ac.jp.

Journal of Inflammation (London, England)
|August 5, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cetirizine, an H1 receptor antagonist, improved survival and reduced heart damage in mice with viral myocarditis. This allergy medication suppressed key inflammatory genes, offering a potential therapeutic benefit for this heart condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Mast cells are implicated in heart failure progression.
  • Viral myocarditis is a significant cause of heart disease.
  • Encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus is a model for viral myocarditis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic effect of cetirizine on EMC virus-induced myocarditis in mice.
  • To determine if cetirizine, a selective H1 receptor antagonist, impacts survival and cardiac pathology in viral myocarditis.

Main Methods:

  • DBA/2 mice were inoculated with EMC virus.
  • Cetirizine was administered orally at 1 or 10 mg/kg daily.
  • Survival, heart-to-body weight ratio, myocardial necrosis, and gene expression were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Cetirizine administration dose-dependently improved mouse survival.
  • Treated mice showed reduced heart weight to body weight ratio and smaller areas of myocardial necrosis.
  • Gene expression of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6, and metalloproteinase 2 was significantly suppressed.

Conclusions:

  • Cetirizine demonstrates beneficial effects in experimental viral myocarditis.
  • The drug's efficacy is linked to the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
  • Cetirizine may mitigate cardiac remodeling associated with viral myocarditis.

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