鼻炎清颗粒治疗变应性鼻炎的免疫机制研究

目的:观察鼻炎清颗粒治疗大鼠变应性鼻炎(AR)后,细胞因子、血清特异性IgE和嗜酸粒细胞阳离子蛋白(ECP)的水平,了解该药治疗AR的部分免疫学机制.方法:用卵清蛋白(OVA)、氢氧化铝、百白破疫苗联合致敏大鼠建立变应性鼻炎动物模型,鼻炎清颗粒灌胃给药2周后,观察鼻黏膜组织学变化,ELISA法检测血清细胞因子IL-4、 IFN-γ、 IgE 和ECP的水平.结果:光镜观察发现,模型组鼻黏膜上皮细胞脱落、水肿、血管扩张、腺体增生,固有层内可见大量嗜酸性粒细胞、肥大细胞浸润,治疗组大剂量和中剂量组及阴性对照组则无上述改变.治疗组大、中剂量组血清IL-4水平分别为(10.30±4.41) ng/L 和(12.42±6.55) ng/L,明显低于模型组(17.62±6.10) ng/L,有统计学差异(P＜0.01或P＜0.05);而IFN-γ水平分别为(34.19±6.16) ng/L和(27.92±6.47) ng/L,明显高于模型组(19.33±5.63) ng/L(P＜0.01);3种剂量组的血清IgE水平分别为(26.46±6.12) μg/L、 (49.11±4.48) μg/L和(70.68±7.59) μg/L,与阳性模型组(81.03±7.54) μg/L,相比较有统计学差异(P＜0.01或P＜0.05);血清ECP水平分别为(1.48±0.25) μg/L,(2.30±0.56) μg/L和(3.05±1.27) μg/L,与阳性模型组(4.23±1.20) μg/L比较,大、中剂量组有统计学意义(P＜0.01或P＜0.05),小剂量组无统计学意义.结论:鼻炎清颗粒通过调节Th1和Th2细胞因子的表达,纠正失衡的Th1/Th2的细胞因子网络,降低血清特异性IgE和ECP水平和抑制炎症细胞在鼻黏膜的聚集,防止其脱颗粒,对变应性鼻炎产生治疗作用.     

黄芪在树突状细胞水平对哮喘TH 1/TH 2平衡的调节作用

目的 探讨黄芪在树突状细胞(DC)水平对过敏性哮喘TH/TH2平衡的调节作用.方法 用rhGM-CSF和rhIL-4诱导培养外周血来源的DC并予鉴定,ELISA法检测其分泌的细胞因子IL-12、IL-10以及与自身T细胞反应后,RT-PCR检测T-bet和GATA-3 mRNA含量,流式细胞术检测T细胞分泌的胞内细胞因子IL-4和IFN-γ水平.结果 哮喘患儿外周血DC分泌IL-10高于对照组(P＜0.05);黄芪干预后DC分泌IL-10降低,与哮喘组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).哮喘患儿外周血DC分泌IL-12低于对照组(P＜0.05);黄芪干预后DC分泌IL-12增加,但与哮喘组比较差异无统计学意义.混合培养第7天哮喘组T细胞内IL-4水平显著高于正常对照组(P＜0.01);而IFN-γ水平则显著低于正常对照组(P＜0.05);哮喘组IL-4/IFN-γ比值高于正常对照组(P＜0.01).黄芪干预后T细胞内IL-4水平与哮喘组比较差异无统计学意义,而IFN-γ水平增加,与哮喘组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),IL-4/IFN-γ比值降低,与哮喘组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).哮喘组T-bet mRNA的表达强度明显低于正常对照组(P＜0.01);而哮喘组GATA-3 mRNA的表达强度则明显高于正常对照组(P＜0.05);哮喘组GATA-3/T-bet比值高于正常对照组(P＜0.05).黄芪干预后T细胞GATA-3 mRNA的表达强度与哮喘组比较差异无统计学意义,而T-bet mRNA水平增加,与哮喘组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),GATA-3/T-bet比值降低,与哮喘组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 哮喘患儿DC功能缺陷,产生IL-12减少、IL-10增加导致TH2优势分化,从而使TH1/TH2平衡向TH2倾斜,合成IFN-γ减少,进而造成气道慢性炎症、气道高反应性而致哮喘发作.黄芪对DC的调节主要通过降低IL-10的分泌水平,从而降低其抑制TH0细胞向TH 1分化的功能,即间接抑制了TH0细胞向TH2的分化.     

卡介菌多糖核酸和地塞米松对哮喘大鼠IFN-γ/IL-4 mRNA表达的对比研究

从分子水平探讨卡介菌多糖核酸(BCG-PSN)对哮喘大鼠Th1、Th2型细胞因子IFN-γmRNA和IL-4mRNA表达的影响以探讨BCG-PSN治疗哮喘的可能机制,并与地塞米松的作用相对比。SD雄性大鼠32只,随机分成盐水对照组、BCG-PSN组、地塞米松和哮喘组四组,每组8只。BCG-PSN组、地塞米松和哮喘组第1、7、14天均用10%鸡卵清蛋白(OVA)1ml联合10%氢氧化铝[AL(OH)3]1ml腹腔注射,第15天起分别以BCG-PSN、地塞米松、生理盐水腹腔注射治疗哮喘,每次治疗后30min以10%OVA雾化吸入激发哮喘,持续30min,持续7d,盐水对照组则以生理盐水腹腔注射和雾化,四组最后一次雾化吸入后24h,以1%戊巴比妥钠麻醉大鼠,收集右上肺组织100mg,采用逆转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)半定量测定卡介菌多糖核酸和地塞米松对哮喘大鼠肺组织中IFN-γmRNA、IL-4mRNA表达的影响。结果:BCG-PSN组哮喘大鼠肺组织中IFN-γmRNA表达明显增加,高于正常组、地塞米松组和哮喘组(P<0.05、0.05、0.01,IL-4mRNA表达低于哮喘组和正常组。地塞米松组IL-4mRNA表达低于正常组和哮喘组,IFN-γmRNA表达低于BCG-PSN组而高于哮喘组。哮喘组IL-4mRNA明显高于正常组、BCG-PSN组、地塞米松组。IFN-γmRNA明显低于其余三组(P<0.05)。卡介菌多糖核酸能明显增强哮喘大鼠肺组织中Th1类细胞因子IFN-γmRNA的表达,同时抑制Th2类细胞因子IL-4mRNA的表达,通过双向调节作用提高IFN-γ/IL-4的比值从而逆转Th1/Th2失衡。地塞米松能明显抑制Th2类细胞因子IL-4mRNA的表达,而对Th1类细胞因子IFN-γmRNA的表达无明显改变。     

PI3K信号途径在哮喘患者外周血单个核细胞中的表达及意义

目的初步了解磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)在急性发作期哮喘患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中的活化情况,并观察其特异性抑制剂(Wortmannin)对Th1、Th2型细胞因子IFN-γ和IL-4表达的影响,探讨PI3K信号途径在哮喘T细胞免疫紊乱中可能的作用机制.方法以20例急性发作期哮喘患者作为实验组,15例健康人为对照组.PBMC提取采用Ficoll密度梯度离心法,半定量RT-PCR法测定PBMC中PI3KmRNA的表达,ELISA法测定不同浓度组Wortmannin处理的PBMC培养上清液中IFN-γ、IL-4水平.结果与对照组相比,急性发作期哮喘患者PI3KmRNA表达增高(P＜0.05).哮喘患者PBMC培养上清液IFN-γ水平低下、IL-4水平升高,与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05和P＜0.01);同时加入不同浓度Wortmannin共培养后,实验发现均浓度依赖性地抑制了哮喘组及对照组IL-4的产生(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),而同组不同浓度梯度组间比较IFN-γ产生升高,但差异无统计学意义.结论哮喘患者急性发作时可能存在PI3K信号途径的过度活化,其过度活化对Th1型细胞因子IFN-γ影响不明显,有可能主要通过介导Th2型细胞因子IL-4的产生而参与Th1/Th2的失衡.     

哮喘急性发作期患儿外周血Th17水平及其功能初步研究

目的:观察哮喘急性发作期患儿外周血Th17水平和功能状态,初步探讨Th17在儿童哮喘发病中的作用.方法:以正常儿童(对照组,n=20)为对照,流式细胞术(FCM)检测哮喘急性发作期患儿(哮喘组,n=26)外周血Th17以及Th1,Th2细胞百分率,ELISA方法检测外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)体外培养上清IL-17,IFN-γ以及血浆IL-17,IL-23,IgE水平.结果:(1) 哮喘组和对照组外周血CD4+T中CD4+IL-17+T比例[(1.25±0.66)% vs (1.27±0.66)%(P>0.05)];CD4+IL-4+T比例[(2.40±2.55)% vs(2.52±1.26)%(P>0.05)];两组比较无统计学意义.哮喘组CD4+IFN-γ+T比例低于对照组[15.79±7.48 vs 24.10±12.70(P<0.05)].(2) PHA活化的PBMC体外培养72 h上清中,哮喘组IL-17水平为17.53(0～245.57)ng/L,低于对照组101.74(25.12～500.60)ng/L(P<0.01);IFN-γ水平与对照组比较无统计学意义[3507±2788 ng/L vs 3027±2737 ng/L];两组血浆中IL-17均<2 ng/L,IL-23均<15 ng/L.(3) 哮喘组血浆总IgE 499.26(2.3～945.1)IU/mL,高于对照组54.57(1.7～318.26)IU/mL(P<0.001);IgE阳性(>150 IU/mL)和阴性(<150 IU/mL)哮喘患儿体外PBMC培养上清中IL-17,IFN-γ水平比较无统计学意义.结论:哮喘急性发作期患儿外周血Th1细胞以及PHA活化的IL-17表达水平降低,Th1水平和Th17功能异常的机制及其在儿童哮喘发病中的作用值得进一步研究.     

奥马珠单抗联合布地奈德对变应性鼻炎患者临床疗效及外周血Eos、IgE的影响

目的 探讨奥马珠单抗联合布地奈德治疗变应性鼻炎(allergic rhinitis,AR)患者临床疗效、外周血嗜酸性粒细胞(eosnphils,Eos)及免疫球蛋白E(immunoglobulin E,IgE)的影响.方法 选择2017年1月至2019年10月于我院诊断为AR的患者150例,按照随机表法分为两组,各75例,对照组给予布地奈德治疗,研究组给予奥马珠单抗联合布地奈德治疗,比较两组患者临床疗效、外周血Eos及血清IgE变化.结果 研究组治疗有效率较对照组高(P＜0.05),且两组打喷嚏、流涕、鼻痒、鼻塞症状均较治疗前好转(P＜0.05),治疗后研究组鼻部症状缓解明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).治疗后两组患者的RQLQ评分均较前下降(P＜0.05),研究组的RQLQ评分(21.34±5.62)较对照组(31.52±8.95)下降更明显(P＜0.05).治疗后两组患者NR、MTT均较治疗前下降,MCV较治疗前上升,且研究组NR、MTT较对照组下降更明显,研究组MCV较对照组上升更明显.治疗后两组患者的Eos均较前下降(P＜0.05),研究组(0.32±0.02)较对照组Eos(0.46±0.07)下降更明显(P＜0.05).治疗后两组患者血清IL-4、IL-10较治疗前下降,且研究组下降更明显(P＜0.05),血清IL-2、IFN-γ较治疗前均上升,研究组上升更明显(P＜0.05).治疗后两组患者血清IgE均较前下降,研究组血清IgE(0.31±0.08)较对照组(0.42±0.09)下降更明显(P＜0.05).两组患者有出现鼻出血、腹痛、头痛症状,差异无统计学意义(x2=2.788,P＞0.05).结论 奥马珠单抗联合布地奈德治疗变应性鼻炎较单用布地奈德能够提高临床疗效,改善生活质量、改善鼻功能,调整Th1/Th2失衡状态,降低外周血Eos及血清IgE水平.     

哮喘灵雾化吸入对哮喘大鼠IFN-γ、IL-4及IgE水平的影响

目的: 探讨哮喘灵雾化吸入对哮喘鼠血清中IFN-γ、 IL-4 和IgE水平的影响及其可能机制.方法: 建立Wistar大鼠哮喘模型, 哮喘灵(27.84 g/kg、 13.92 g/kg)雾化吸入治疗7 d, 用放射免疫法测定血清中IFN-γ、 IL-4及IgE的含量.结果: 与模型组比较, 哮喘灵治疗组大鼠血清IFN-γ水平升高(P＜0.05)、 IL-4和IgE水平下降(P＜0.01), 且药物治疗组大鼠的哮喘症状得到缓解, 引喘潜伏期明显延长.结论: 哮喘灵可通过调节哮喘鼠IFN-γ、 IL-4和IgE的水平而起到治疗哮喘的作用.     

不同证型变应性鼻炎外周血清中维生素D、IL-4及 IFN-γ水平比较

目的 探讨血清1,25羟维生素D3、血清IL-4、IFN-γ水平与不同中医证型变应性鼻炎（AR）的相关性。方法 应用高效液相色谱串联质谱仪测定4组不同中医证型变应性鼻炎患者各30例及30例正常体检患者血清1,25羟维生素D3,ELISA酶联免疫法测定各组血清IL-4、IFN-γ水平。结果 4种不同中医证型的变应性鼻炎组血清1,25羟维生素D3、血清IFN-γ水平低于健康对照组,而血清IL-4水平则高于健康对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;不同证型的变应性鼻炎患者之间三种因子水平比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 血清1,25羟维生素D3缺乏或不足与变应性鼻炎具有密切的关系,其可能作用机制为血清1,25羟维生素D3缺乏可导致机体Th1/Th2细胞因子分泌失衡,刺激IgE水平升高引起变态反应。不同证型的变应性鼻炎患者血清1,25羟维生素D3、血清IL-4、IFN-γ水平大致相当。     

特发性血小板减少性紫癜患者Th1/Th2的细胞因子水平及临床意义

目的:检测特发性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)患者外周血Th1(IL-2、IFN-γ)及Th2(IL-4、IL-10)细胞因子的变化,探讨ITP患者发病与Thl/Th2优势活化状态之间的关系.方法:通过酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测30例ITP患者治疗前、治疗后及26例健康志愿者外周血清中IL-2、IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10水平.结果:ITP患者治疗前IFN-γ及IL-2因子水平高于治疗后和对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),而IL-4及IL-10因子治疗前水平低于治疗后和对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:Thl型细胞因子介导的免疫应答在ITP的发病机制中占主导地位,糖皮质激素治疗可调整Th1/Th2细胞因子的偏移状态.     

血清IL-33、IFN-γ与IgE在支气管哮喘患者中的表达及临床意义

目的观察血清白细胞介素-33(IL-33)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)及IgE在支气管哮喘患者中的表达及意义。方法选取94例急性发作期支气管哮喘患者,同时选取同期60例健康体检的人群为对照组,采用酶联免疫法测定血清中IgE、IL-33及IFN-γ水平。比较两组IgE、IL-33和IFN-γ的水平。分析IL-33、IFN-γ和IgE的相关性。结果支气管哮喘患者外周血中IFN-γ水平低于正常人群(t=4.533,P<0.001);IL-33、IgE水平高于正常人群(t=5.831、66.129,P<0.001,<0.001),差异有统计学意义。IgE水平与IL-33水平呈正相关(r=0.667,P=0.032),IFN-γ与IgE、IL-33呈负相关(r=-0.714,P=0.024;r=-0.623,P=0.038)。结论血IgE、IL-33和IFN-γ水平的变化在支气管哮喘患者发病过程中起到一定的作用。     

Comparison of deltaFVC between patients with allergic rhinitis with airway hypersensitivity and patients with mild asthma.

BACKGROUND: In asthmatic individuals, airway sensitivity and maximal airway response are increased. Airway sensitivity is usually evaluated by measuring the provocation concentration of inhaled methacholine or histamine that causes a decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 20% (PC20). The percentage decrease in forced vital capacity at the PC20 (deltaFVC) has been proposed as a surrogate marker for maximal airway response. Individuals with allergic rhinitis and no clinical evidence of asthma frequently exhibit airway hypersensitivity. OBJECTIVE: To compare the deltaFVC between patients with allergic rhinitis and mild asthmatic patients with a similar degree of airway hypersensitivity. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of methacholine challenge test data from 72 children with allergic rhinitis and airway hypersensitivity (methacholine PC20 < 16 mg/mL) (rhinitis group) and from 72 children with mild atopic asthma matched to the rhinitis group regarding the methacholine PC20 (asthma group). The deltaFVC was calculated on the concentration-response curve to methacholine. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD deltaFVC was significantly lower in the rhinitis group (15.0% +/- 3.6%) vs the asthma group (17.4% +/- 5.3%) (P = .002). There was no significant correlation between the deltaFVC and PC20 in the rhinitis (r = -0.101; P = .41) and asthma (r = -0.023; P = .85) groups when 2 patients with PC20 less than 1 mg/mL were excluded from each group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with allergic rhinitis and airway hypersensitivity had a significantly lower deltaFVC than methacholine PC20-matched mild asthmatic patients, suggesting that the level of maximal airway response in patients with allergic rhinitis is lower than that in mild asthmatic patients with a similar degree of airway hypersensitivity.     

Evidence for an inflammatory pathophysiology in idiopathic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of idiopathic rhinitis is unknown but the disease is classified as being non-allergic on the basis of negative serum IgE radioallergosorbent assay (RAST) and skin prick tests. In contrast, allergic rhinitis has a Th2 type inflammatory pathology mediated by IgE and mast cells. OBJECTIVE: To test the null hypothesis that there would be no difference in the cellular infiltrate for key Th2-associated inflammatory cells between allergic and idiopathic rhinitis. METHODS: We applied strict selection criteria in the recruitment of allergic and idiopathic rhinitis cases. In contrast to previous studies which used cytology or small biopsies, we studied all layers of the mucosa by using whole, full-thickness nasal turbinate specimens with an average length of 2.5 cm. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques were used to compare the distribution and cell populations of mast cells, IgE positive (IgE+) cells, eosinophils and plasma cells in perennial allergic (n = 11) and idiopathic (n = 17) rhinitis, and control nasal mucosal tissue (n = 9). RESULTS: Mast cells and IgE+ cells were significantly increased within the epithelium of allergic and idiopathic mucosa compared to normal mucosa (P < 0.05). More IgE+ cells were present in the allergic group compared to the idiopathic group with the majority of IgE+ cells being mast cells. Both rhinitic groups showed increased eosinophilia localized to the superficial submucosa compared to normal mucosa (P < 0.05). More plasma cells were present in the allergic rhinitic tissue. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic and allergic rhinitic mucosa show similarities in their inflammatory infiltrate suggesting that both groups share a highly localized Th2, IgE-mediated cellular immunopathology.     

Clinical efficacy and immunological mechanisms of sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy in asthmatic/rhinitis children sensitized to house dust mite: an open randomized controlled trial

Background In children, the clinical efficacy and immunological mechanisms of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) compared with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is still to be elucidated. Objectives To compare SLIT, SCIT and pharmacotherapy in relation to clinical efficacy and immunological mechanisms that govern its effect in asthmatic/rhinitis children who were sensitized to house dust mite (HDM). Methods In this single centre, prospective, randomized, controlled, open labelled, three parallel group trial, 48 patients mono‐sensitized to HDM were randomized to receive either SLIT (n=16), SCIT (n=16) or pharmacotherapy alone (n=16). Symptom, medication and visual analogue score (VAS) were collected and bronchial‐nasal hyper‐reactivity, skin prick tests, total‐specific IgE were performed at baseline and 12 months after treatment. In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with recombinant Der p 1 and Bet v 1 extracts and allergen‐specific IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, IFN‐γ, IL‐10, and TGF‐β secretions were measured. Results SLIT and SCIT demonstrated a significant reduction of total rhinitis and asthma symptom score, total medication score, VAS and skin reactivity to HDM (P<0.05) when compared with pharmacotherapy. A significant reduction of serum‐specific HDM‐IgE in SCIT and SLIT were observed. Moreover, titrated nasal provocative dose significantly increased in both immunotherapy groups when compared with the pharmacotherapy group. No adverse effects were reported in SLIT, while two patients demonstrated serious adverse events in SCIT. After 1 year of treatment, Der p 1‐driven IL‐10 significantly increased in SLIT compared with pharmacotherapy, whereas Bet v 1‐driven TGF‐β (negative control) increased significantly in SLIT only. No changes were observed for Th1–Th2 cytokines. Conclusion Both SLIT and SCIT demonstrated clinical improvement compared with pharmacotherapy in asthma/rhinitis children sensitized to HDM.     

Increased allergen-specific Th2 responses in vitro in atopic subjects receiving subclinical allergen challenge

The study aimed to determine whether inhalation of subclinical allergen doses leads to a shift in the balance between T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cells in asthmatic patients. Elevated IgE requires allergen-specific T cells producing cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4 or 1L-13. Interferon-gamma (IFN-y) produced by Till cells counteracts the effects of IL-4. In nature, allergic persons are often exposed to low levels of allergen, leading to hyperreactivity, but not to acute allergic reactions. In this study, nine allergic persons inhaled low doses of allergen or placebo in a double-blind manner over seven consecutive weekdays. During the study, the bronchial responsiveness to histamine challenge increased, but no subject exhibited asthmatic symptoms. Blood was drawn on days 0,1, 4, and 9, and the number of IL-4– and IFN-γ-producing cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay after in vitro stimulation with a low-dose phytohemagglutinin (PHA) mixed with the relevant allergen or with PHA alone. In three of the four subjects receiving allergen, the IL-4/IFN-y ratio increased during the time of the study. No increase was seen in the placebo group. No increase was seen in serum IgE levels in any of the groups. We conclude that a shift in the balance between Thl and Th2 cells can be detected in subjects exposed to subclinical allergen doses.     

Precipitating factors in respiratory allergic disease in Indonesian children

Skin test results and IgE antibody levels measured by RAST indicate that hyper-sensitivity to house dust mite (D. pteronyssinus) is a major feature of asthma and allergic rhinitis in Indonesian children. Total serum IgE levels were higher in the allergic than in control children. 60% (twenty-one out of thirty-five) of the asthmatic children and 56% (five out of nine) of the children with allergic rhinitis had IgE antibodies to the helminth Ascaris lumbricoides compared with none out of four control children. A tendency was found for high IgE antibody levels to D. pteronyssinus to occur in association with low IgE antibody levels to A. lumbricoides and vice versa.     

Levels of immunoglobulin G, M, A, and E at various ages in allergic and nonallergic black and white individuals

Studies were conducted to detect major differences in immunoglobulin levels between allergic and nonallergic individuals. Immunoglobulins G, M, A, and E were quantitated in members of 63 families selected for the presence of children with asthma or allergic rhinitis and compared with a larger group of healthy individuals and families. Mean IgE levels were significantly higher in healthy black than in white individuals. No significant difference was found in IgE levels between healthy parents with and without allergic children. Mean IgE levels were significantly higher in asthmatic children than in healthy children and also much higher in asthmatic children than in their healthy siblings. Asthma occurred more frequently in boys than in girls. IgE levels in healthy children increased rapidly early in childhood, reached a peak before 10 yr of age, and decreased during the teens. This decrease in IgE during the teens may provide the immunologic mechanism by which some children can "outgrow" certain childhood allergies. IgA levels were very low in young children and not significantly different between allergic and healthy individuals. The low IgA level in young children may be of importance in the development of childhood allergies.     

Coexistence of IgE-mediated allergy and type 1 diabetes in childhood

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune disorders are considered to be associated with a Th1 immune response while allergic diseases with a Th2 response. We carried out a study to determine whether there is an inverse relationship between allergic diseases in IgE-sensitized children or positive skin-prick test reactions to allergens and type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in children. METHODS: Sixty-three children with DM1 and 108 controls were enrolled. Parents of all children compiled a questionnaire on allergic diseases. All children underwent skin-prick tests for common aero-allergens and food-allergens. RESULTS: A history of allergic symptoms, especially wheezing, asthma and allergic rhinitis was significantly less common in the group with DM1. Allergic symptoms in children with IgE sensitization or parental atopy were no more likely in children with DM1 than in normal control subjects. There was no association between skin-prick test results to inhalants and food allergens and DM1. CONCLUSIONS: Consistently with the Th1/Th2 paradigm, we observed a reduction in the frequency of allergic symptoms in children with DM1. However, our study did not succeed in demonstrating an inverse relation between Th1- and Th2-mediated diseases in children with IgE sensitization or an atopic genetic predisposition.     

The comparison of allergic responses to Dermatophagoides farinae between bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis

The allergic responses of 52 bronchial asthma patients who exhibited a positive bronchoprovocation test with house dust and 50 allergic rhinitis patients who had positive RAST results to Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae) were studied, including the measurement of D. farinae-specific IgE using D. farinae-RAST, total IgE and skin reactivity to D. farinae and house dust. A comparison between the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was more than 4.66 mg/mL and the allergic rhinitis group which presented negative results in the methacholine bronchial challenge test, indicated that there were significant differences in skin test reactivity and the ratio of specific IgE to total IgE (P less than .05). The allergic responses we observed were not different between the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was less than 4.66 mg/mL (asthmatic range of methacholine PC20) and the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was more than 4.66 mg/mL. When comparing the bronchial asthma group which showed positive results in D. farinae-RAST and the allergic rhinitis group in which methacholine PC20 was less than 4.66 mg/mL, significant differences were noted in total IgE level (P less than .05). These findings suggest that the development of bronchial asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis might be predicted by measuring the degree of bronchial hyperreactivity and their allergic responses.