Effects of a Peptide Derived from the Primary Sequence of a Kallikrein Inhibitor Isolated from Bauhinia bauhinioides (pep-BbKI) in an Asthma–COPD Overlap (ACO) Model

(1) There are several patients with asthma–COPD overlap (ACO). A peptide derived from the primary sequence of a kallikrein inhibitor isolated Bauhinia bauhinioides (pep-BbKI) has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Purpose: To investigate effects pep-BbKI treatment in an ACO model compare them those corticosteroids. (2) BALB/c mice were divided into groups: SAL (saline), OVA (ovalbumin), ELA (elastase), (ovalbumin + elastase), ACO-pep-BbKI (treated inhibitor), ACO-DX (dexamethasone treatment), ACO-DX-pep-BbKI (both treatments), SAL-pep-BbKI (saline group treated inhibitor). We evaluated: hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MMP-9, MMP-12, TGF-β, collagen fibers, iNOS, eNO, linear mean intercept (Lm), NF-κB airways (AW) alveolar septa (AS). (3) reversed alterations was similar all mechanical parameters, Lm, neutrophils, MMP-12 (AW), iNOS eNO (p > 0.05). total cells differentials, IL-1β(AS), IL-5 (AS), IL-6 IL-10 IL-13 TGF-β fibers for comparisons (4) Pep-BbKI dexamethasone reducing majority this model.