Trichinella spiralis infection in rats induces hypermotility and an abnormal response to cholecystokinin (CCK) similar to motor disturbances observed in irritable bowel syndrome. Mast cell hyperplasia is also characteristic of this experimental model. The aim of our study was to correlate mast cell activity with the development of dysmotility and to demonstrate whether the mast cell stabilizer ...

OBJECTIVES We analyzed whether mast cell stabilization by either ketotifen or tranilast could alter either sympathetic or nitrergic innervation function in rat mesenteric arteries. METHODS Electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contraction was analyzed in mesenteric segments from 6-month-old Wistar rats in three experimental groups: control, 3-hour ketotifen incubated (0.1 αmol/L), and 3-...

BACKGROUND/AIM The effects of mast cells on carcinogenesis is not yet fully understood. This work aimed to disclose the role of mast cells in mammary carcinogenesis in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mammary tumors were induced by the administration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in three groups of rats. Animals from one group were treated with ketotifen immediately after MNU administrati...

Ketotifen is a benzocycloheptathiophene with a range of pharmacological activities. The present study was carried out to evaluate the action of ketotifen on isolated rat bladder contractions induced by KCI and acetylcholine, compared with the effects of other drugs. Ketotifen (5 µM) reduced the response to acetylcholine on rat isolated bladder without altering the maximum response and shift...

     Ketotifen is a potent, safe and long acting antihistamine that is effective in treatment of asthma and its use is believed to causes weight gain and drowsiness. Cyproheptadine, an antihistamine, has anticholinergic and antiserotonergic effects, and causes increases of the appetite and weight gain. In this study the effects of different doses of ketotifen and/or cyproheptadine on the appeti...

The efficacy and adverse effects of ketotifen 1 mg twice daily and 2 mg twice daily were compared with placebo in 50 patients with atopic asthma in a multicentre, double-blind study. Ketotifen in the higher dosage caused a slight reduction in salbutamol usage and a modest improvement in breathing in patients not already receiving inhaled corticosteroids. The drug was ineffective in patients rec...

OBJECTIVES Uremic pruritus is a common problem in hemodialysis patients. Several treatments have been used for decreasing itching in these patients. Gabapentin and ketotifen are two drugs used for treating uremic patients. The aim of this study was to compare gabapentin and ketotifen in treatment of uremic pruritus in hemodialysis patients. METHODS In this double-blind randomized clinical tri...

In view of the possible systemic side-effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), a study was performed to determine whether ketotifen (versus placebo) can replace or allow a reduction in the dose of ICS required for the maintenance treatment of childhood asthma. Sixty six children (aged 6-13 yrs) with asthma (confirmed by methacholine challenge), who were maintained on ICS, at a dose of < or = 1...

We have previously demonstrated that mast cells were significantly increased during Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection, but their precise role in the process is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of mast cells in this process by using ketotifen, a mast cell membrane stabilizer. A total of 60 specific-pathogen-free chickens were randomly divided into 3 groups of 20 birds each ...

BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of ketotifen eye drop treatment in allergic conjunctivitis (AC) management is perfectly known by several studies, but the mechanism of action at the biochemical levels is poorly understood so we decided to perform an open, uncontrolled study in order to investigate the effect of the topical administration of ketotifen fumarate 0.05% on biochemical markers of i...