Aim: Recent studies suggest an association between allergic diseases, including asthma, and bone loss.
However, it is not yet clearly known whether chronic allergic asthma (CAA) cause bone deterioration
and/or anti-IgE therapy used in asthma treatment prevent bone quality. Thus, the aim of the study was to
investigate whether: i) CAA cause meaningful changes in bone quality and ii) anti-IgE therapy have
protective effects on asthma-related bone loss and bone deterioration if any.
Methods: We used a chronic inhalational exposure model of asthma in ovalbumin-sensitized BALB/c
male mice (8-10 weeks-old) to generate CAA. Thirty-two mice were assigned randomly into four
groups (eight mice per group): control (intact group), CAA (treated with saline), CAA+100 µg of anti
IgE, and CAA+200 µg of anti-IgE groups. After immunization, saline or anti-IgE administrations were
performed intraperitoneally in five sessions at 15-days interval. Three-point bending test was chosen for
the mechanical analysis. Bone mineral composition (Ca+2, P, Mg, Se, and Ca/P-ratio) was evaluated
using ICP-MS.
Results & Discussion: Our findings showed that CAA can cause bone deterioration and the
deteriorative effects of CAA on bone quality and strength can be prevented by administering 200 µg of
anti-IgE. In addition, we also found that administration of 200 µg of anti-IgE has protective effects on
mineral loss and bone integrity against CAA-related impairment. However, 100 µg of anti-IgE failed to
show these positive effects. It can be suggested that the bone strength and quality is reduced in CAA and
CAA also cause a mineral imbalance in bone. Anti-IgE therapy may dose-dependently inhibit these
impairments via a possible mechanism of preventing both collagen degradation and bone loss.