2.2 Preparation of rat model of allergic asthma
The rats were assigned into three groups: control group, ovalbumin
(OVA)-sensitization group (sensitization group) and OVA-sensitization
plus rosuvastatin inhalation group (treatment group). On the
0th and 7th day, each of the rats in
sensitization group and treatment group received intraperitoneal
injection of 10 mg OVA (Sigma-Aldrich, grade V) and 2 mg
Al(OH)3 suspended in 1 mL saline; and each of the rats
in control group received intraperitoneal injections of 2 mg
Al(OH)3 suspended in 1 mL saline. From
the14th to 28th or
29th day, rats in control group, sensitization group
and treatment group were challenged daily for 30 min in a closed acrylic
container (60 cm × 40 cm × 40 cm) with aerosolized saline, aerosolized 5
% OVA (Sigma-Aldrich, grade II, suspended in saline), and aerosolized 5
% OVA and 0.4% rosuvastatin in mixture, respectively.