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.