哮喘宁颗粒联合布地奈德福莫特罗治疗支气管哮喘急性发作期的临床研究

目的 探讨三子养亲汤（SZ）对大鼠实验性支气管哮喘的保护作用及潜在机制。方法 以卵清蛋白（OVA）致敏和激发诱发支气管哮喘,将大鼠随机分为5组：对照组、模型组、地塞米松（阳性药,1 mg/kg）组、SZ治疗（200 mg/kg）组和SZ单给药（不造模,200 mg/kg）组。试剂盒法检测血清免疫球蛋白E（IgE）水平。ELISA试剂盒法检测支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中的炎性生物标志物白细胞介素（IL）-4、IL-5、IL-13、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、γ-干扰素（IFN-γ）;Dunger''s稀释液染色法进行BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞计数;试剂盒法检测BALF中氧化氮应激生物标记物丙二醛（MDA）和谷胱甘肽（GSH）水平、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性;实时荧光定量PCR法检测BALF中诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOs）RNA水平。以Western blotting法检测肺匀浆中肺表面活性蛋白-D（SP-D）表达水平;免疫组化测定肺中尿皮质素（UCN）的表达。HE染色法观察大鼠肺组织病理学变化。结果 与模型组比较,SZ治疗可显著降低血清IgE水平（P<0.05）;显著降低BALF中MDA含量,同时显著提高SOD活性和GSH含量（P<0.05）;显著降低BALF中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、IFN-γ和TNF-α水平（P<0.05）;显著降低肺组织中SP-D和UCN的蛋白表达（P<0.05）;HE染色结果表明,SZ显著改善模型大鼠肺组织炎症病变。结论 SZ可通过下调SP-D和UCN表达改善OVA诱导的支气管哮喘。     

小儿治哮灵片对幼年大鼠哮喘的干预作用

目的 研究小儿治哮灵片对幼年大鼠哮喘模型的干预作用及机制。方法 36只雄性Wistar幼年大鼠随机分为6组：对照组、模型组、醋酸地塞米松（阳性药,1 mg/kg）组和小儿治哮灵片低、中、高剂量（0.32、0.64、1.28 g/kg）组。除对照组外,其余各组以卵清蛋白（OVA）致敏、激发制备幼年大鼠哮喘模型。造模第8天开始ig给药,每天给药1次,给药至造模3周,对照组和模型组ig给予蒸馏水。记录各组大鼠引喘潜伏期并进行行为学评分;检测肺脏器指数;酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测各组幼年大鼠血清中白细胞介素（IL）-4、IL-5、IL-6、免疫球蛋白E（IgE）、γ-干扰素（IFN-γ）、核转录因子（NF-κB）的水平以及肺泡灌洗液中IFN-γ水平。结果 与模型组比较,小儿治哮灵片高、中、低剂量组引喘潜伏期及哮喘行为评分均显著下降（P<0.05、0.01）;肺脏器指数显著下降（P<0.05）;血清IL-4、IL-5、IL-6、IgE、NF-κB水平均显著下降（P<0.01）;血清与肺泡灌洗液中IFN-γ水平显著升高（P<0.01）。结论 小儿治哮灵片抗哮喘作用可能与降低炎性细胞因子分泌有关。     

桔梗总皂苷调控Th17/Treg免疫失衡改善哮喘模型小鼠气道炎症

目的 探究桔梗总皂苷是否通过介导Notch通路对哮喘Th17/Treg平衡进行调控。方法 48只BALB/c小鼠随机分为正常对照组,模型组,桔梗总皂苷低、中、高剂量组(15,30,60 mg·kg^-1)和地塞米松组,每组8只。雾化吸入卵清蛋白建立小鼠哮喘模型,药物干预8周后,测定小鼠气道高反应性。取材支气管肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)细胞计数、ELISA检测、HE、PAS及Masson染色,流式细胞术检测小鼠肺组织Th17、Treg细胞百分比及Th17/Treg比值变化情况,qPCR检测小鼠肺组织Notch1、Jagged1、RORγt、Foxp3表达水平,Western blotting检测小鼠肺组织中Notch1、Jagged1、Hes1及RORγt、Foxp3、IL-10、IL-17蛋白表达情况。结果 与模型组相比,桔梗总皂苷中、高剂量组小鼠气道阻力减小,BALF中炎性细胞数量及炎性因子IL-4、IL-5、IL-13含量降低,血清IL-17、IL-6、IgE含量降低,BALF中INF-γ及血清中IL-10含量水平显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。HE、PAS及Masson结果显示,桔梗总皂苷高剂量组及地塞米松组能够显著缓解炎性细胞浸润及支气管膜破坏情况,减少杯状细胞增生,同时减轻组织胶原纤维散出程度。流式细胞术结果显示,桔梗总皂苷中、高剂量组Th17细胞数量及Th17/Treg占比均显著减少,Treg细胞数量显著增加(P<0.05或P<0.01)。qPCR及Western blotting结果显示,桔梗总皂苷给药处理后小鼠肺组织Notch1、Jagged1、RORγt mRNA及Notch1、Jagged1、Hes1、RORγt、IL-10、IL-17蛋白的表达水平均显著降低,Foxp3 mRNA及Foxp3蛋白的表达水平显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论 桔梗总皂苷能够介导Notch通路对哮喘Th17/Treg平衡进行调控,从而起到减轻气道炎症,抑制哮喘发作的作用。     

童乐口服液对哮喘大鼠的干预研究

目的 探讨童乐口服液对哮喘大鼠的干预作用及机制。方法 通过卵蛋白激发诱导建立大鼠哮喘模型,以孟鲁司特钠为阳性对照,用不同剂量的童乐口服液进行干预,用化学发光法检测血清中免疫球蛋白IgE和白介素（IL-4、IL-10）。结果 经童乐口服液灌胃给药后,哮喘大鼠免疫球蛋白IgE和白介素（IL-4、IL-10）与模型组有显著差异（P<0.05）,与正常对照组无显著差异（P>0.05）。结论 童乐口服液可显著性降低哮喘大鼠的IgE和IL-4水平,升高IL-10的水平,抗炎机理可能与抑制Th2 类细胞因子的活性有。     

维药神香草聚酰胺树脂柱40%乙醇洗脱物的成分分析及其对哮喘小鼠炎症的改善作用

目的:对神香草40%乙醇洗脱物进行成分分析,并考察其对哮喘小鼠炎症的改善作用。方法:收集聚酰胺树脂柱40%乙醇洗脱物,采用高效液相色谱-高分辨率质谱技术对神香草40%乙醇洗脱物成分进行分析。将72只小鼠随机分为空白组(生理盐水)、模型组(生理盐水)、地塞米松组(阳性对照,1.6 mg/kg)和神香草40%乙醇洗脱物高、中、低剂量组(200、100、50 mg/kg),每组12只。除正常组外,其余各组小鼠均于实验第0、14天ip 0.2 m L卵白蛋白(OVA)致敏;于实验第25~31天ig给药,每天1次;给药结束后,用2 mg/mL OVA连续滴鼻激发7 d。末次滴鼻激发24 h后,检测各组小鼠肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素4(IL-4)和干扰素(IFN-γ)水平;观察肺组织病理变化。结果:共鉴定出11种化合物,相对百分含量为40.89%,主要成分有迷迭香酸、木犀草素7-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷、金丝桃苷等。与空白组比较,模型组小鼠BALF中TNF-α、IL-4水平升高,IFN-γ水平降低,IL-4/IFN-γ比值增大(P<0.01);肺组织破坏严重,血管周围有炎症细胞浸润。与模型组比较,地塞米松组和神香草40%乙醇洗脱物高、中剂量组小鼠BALF中TNF-α、IL-4水平降低,IFN-γ水平升高,IL-4/IFN-γ比值减小(P<0.01);肺组织病理变化改善。结论:本研究建立的分析方法能够有效地分析神香草40%乙醇洗脱物中的化学成分;神香草40%乙醇洗脱物可调节哮喘小鼠肺组织炎症因子的释放,减轻哮喘小鼠肺组织的炎症病变。     

鱼腥草素钠对急性哮喘模型小鼠炎症的影响及机制研究

目的 观察鱼腥草素钠对急性哮喘模型小鼠的抗炎作用,并探讨作用机制。方法 建立卵白蛋白（OVA）诱导小鼠急性哮喘模型,将造模小鼠随机分为模型组,鱼腥草素钠低、高剂量（10、25 mg/kg）组,每组8只,另取正常小鼠8只作为对照组,ig给药2周,对照组与模型组给予等体积生理盐水。采用小鼠肺功能仪器检测小鼠气道高反应性;ELISA法检测血清中特异性OVA-IgE、白细胞介素-4（IL-4）、单核细胞趋化因子-1（MCP-1）浓度;实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）法检测肺组织中Toll样受体-4（TLR-4）、髓样分化因子88（MyD88）、转铁蛋白6（TRF6）mRNA的表达水平;HE染色后,光镜观察肺组织病理变化。结果 与模型组比较,10、25 mg/kg鱼腥草素钠组小鼠在乙酰甲胆碱激发浓度气道高反应值、血清OVE-IgE水平、血清IL-4和MCP浓度均显著降低,具有统计学差异（P<0.05、0.01）;与模型组比较,10 mg/kg鱼腥草素钠组肺组织MyD88、TRF6 mRNA表达和25 mg/kg鱼腥草素钠组肺组织TLR-4、MyD88、TRF6 mRNA表达显著降低,具有统计学差异（P<0.05、0.01）。HE染色显示,鱼腥草素钠显著改善模型小鼠的肺组织结构紊乱、肺泡塌陷、支气管周围大量炎症细胞浸润、管腔内有大量分泌物等症状。结论 鱼腥草素钠能显著抑制急性哮喘模型小鼠的炎症,机制可能与调节TLR4-NF-κB信号通路有关。     

热毒宁对呼吸道合胞病毒感染哮喘模型小鼠的影响

目的：探讨热毒宁（RDN）对呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）感染哮喘加重小鼠气道炎症的影响。方法：雌性BALB/c小鼠32只,随机分成4组,分别为对照组、鸡卵白蛋白（OVA）组、OVA/RSV组、OVA/RSV/RDN组。无创肺功能检测各组小鼠气道反应性;HE染色观察肺部炎症变化;小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中炎性细胞计数并分类;ELISA法检测BALF中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、IFN-γ含量。结果：RSV感染能够加重哮喘小鼠气道炎症与气道高反应性, RDN抑制RSV感染哮喘加重小鼠气道高反应性（P〈0.05）;RDN显著减少RSV感染哮喘小鼠BALF 中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、IFN-γ含量。结论：RDN可以减轻RSV感染的小鼠气道炎症反应,抑制气道高反应性。     

骨形态构建蛋白 2型受体下调单核细胞趋化蛋白 1/CC类趋化因子受体 2通路对哮喘小鼠气道炎症和 Th1/Th2平衡的影响

目的探究骨形态构建蛋白 2型受体( BMPR2)对小鼠哮喘模型气道炎症和 Th1/Th2平衡的影响及其机制。方法2021年 9月至 2022年 11月选用 24只 C57BL/6小鼠尾静脉注射 BMPR2腺病毒,随后卵清蛋白( OVA)致敏和激发建立哮喘小鼠于模型;采用随机数字表法分为对照组(生理盐水替代 OVA造模)、 OVA模型组( OVA诱导小鼠哮喘模型)、 OVA+载体( Vector)组(空载慢病毒处理的 OVA哮喘模型小鼠)OVA+BMPR2组( BMPR2过表达慢病毒处理的 OVA哮喘模型小鼠),每组 6只。收集支气管肺泡灌洗液( BALF)和肺组织。免疫、组织化学检测肺组织 BMPR2表达水平;苏木精 -伊红染色观察肺组织病理学改变;瑞氏染色后计数 BALF中各类炎症细胞数目;酶联免疫吸附测定( ELISA)试剂盒检测 BALF中白细胞介素( IL)-4,IL-5和 IL-13炎症因子水平;蛋白质印迹法检测肺组织和气道上皮细胞 16HBE中 BMPR2、单核细胞趋化蛋白 -1(MCP1)及其受体 CC类趋化因子受体 2(CCR2)蛋白表达水平。免疫共沉淀实验检测 BMPR2与 MCP1相互作用。结果与对照组相比, OVA模型组肺组织 BMPR2(0.36±0.05比 1.04±0.04)显著降低(P<0.01);小鼠肺泡破坏程度严重,肺组织有大量的淋巴细胞浸润; BALF中炎症细胞总数［(93.25±9.32)×104个/毫升比( 4.79±0.41)×104个/毫升, P<0.001］、嗜酸性粒细胞、中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞均升高; Th1相关炎症因子 γ干扰素( IFN-γ)水平降低, Th2相关炎症因子 IL-4,IL-5和 IL-13水平升高。过表达 BMPR2可降低肺泡破坏程度和淋巴细胞浸润程度。与 OVA+Vector组相比, OVA+BMPR2组 BALF中炎症细胞总数、嗜酸性粒细胞、中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞均降低; ELISA结果表明, OVA+BMPR2组 BALF中 IFN-γ水平升高, IL-4,IL-5和 IL-13水平降低,提示过表达 BMPR2可上调 Th1百分比,下调 Th2细胞百分比。进一步研究表明, BMPR2过表达显著下调了 MCP1及其受体 CCR2的表达水平,且 BMPR2与MCP1存在相互作用。结论 BMPR2可通过下调 MCP1/CCR2通路降低哮喘小鼠气道炎症,并调节 Th1/Th2平衡。     

当归对阴虚哮喘BALB/c小鼠Th2优势免疫应答的影响

目的 探讨当归对阴虚哮喘BALB/c小鼠Th2细胞优势免疫应答的影响。方法 采用注射卵清白蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)致敏、吸入OVA激发的方法来复制BALB/c小鼠哮喘模型,实验后期给予甲状腺素以复制阴虚哮喘模型,通过观测哮喘行为学、血清及支气管肺泡灌洗液(broncho-alveolar lavage fluid,BALF)中IL-4、IL-13的水平、BALF及肺组织中炎性细胞的含量、肺组织中GATA-3蛋白表达水平,探讨当归的平喘作用及对Th2细胞优势免疫应答的影响。结果 当归可明显减少阴虚哮喘小鼠哮喘发作的次数及其发作时的症状,改善肺组织病理学而减少肺组织及BALF中炎性细胞的数量,降低血清及BALF中IL-4、IL-13的水平,抑制肺组织中GATA-3蛋白的表达(P<0.05或0.01);同时,当归与地塞米松配伍后对嗜酸粒细胞、IL-4及GATA-3的抑制作用具有一定的协同作用(P<0.05或0.01)。结论 当归具有平喘作用,抑制细胞因子IL-4、IL-13及转录因子GATA-3的表达而缓解Th2优势免疫应答可能是其作用机制之一。     

丹皮酚对急性哮喘模型小鼠胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素表达的影响

目的观察丹皮酚对急性哮喘小鼠模型气道炎症以及对胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素(TSLP)表达的影响。方法 BALB/c小鼠48只随机分成正常对照组、哮喘模型组、丹皮酚组、布地奈德组,每组12只。卵蛋白致敏,气道激发,丹皮酚组给予丹皮酚100 mg/kg灌胃,1次/d,末次激发24 h后,检测各组小鼠气道反应性。HE染色观察气道炎症变化;采用ELISA观察支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中IL-4、IL-13和血清总IgE的表达,real-time PCR观察TSLP的表达,Western-blot观察TSLP蛋白表达。结果哮喘组小鼠气道炎症和气道高反应性明显加重,丹皮酚能够显著抑制慢性哮喘小鼠模型的气道炎症和气道高反应性,哮喘BALF中Th2细胞因子IL-4、IL-13和血清总IgE含量显著降低。丹皮酚治疗后哮喘小鼠肺组织高表达的TSLP的mRNA和蛋白水平显著降低。结论丹皮酚能够抑制哮喘小鼠模型的气道炎症和气道高反应性,其机制可能通过抑制TSLP的的表达而实现。     

Protective effects of Scrophularia striata in Ovalbumin-induced mice asthma model

Background

Scrophularia striata Boiss. (Scrophulariaceae) is a plant growing in the northeastern part of Iran and being used as a traditional herb for various inflammatory disorders.This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of the Scrophularia striata extract in Ovalbumin (OVA) induced-asthma mice model.

Methods

OVA-sensitized mice were intrapritonealy treated with two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg) of the extract on days 8 to 14 separately. Broncoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) was collected 48 h after the final OVA challenge and then the number of eosinophils and other inflammatory cells were assessed by direct microscopic counting. In addition, total immunoglubolin (Ig) E and OVA-specific IgE levels in serum, IL-4 and IL-5 cytokines in BALF were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Moreover, phytochemical assay by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and the 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were used to evaluate the main compounds and the antioxidant capacity of the plant extract, respectively.

Results

The results showed that the main components; including flavonoids, phenolic compounds and phenyl propanoids were presented in the S. striata extract. In addition, the treatment with extract significantly reduced the number of inflammatory cells and suppressed T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokines including IL-4 and IL-5 in BALF. Also, total IgE and OVA-specific IgE levels in the serum decreased.

Conclusion

Collectively, it is concluded that the extract has the potential to modulate the Th2 cytokines and could be used as immunomodulatory agent in the treatment of allergic asthma.     

麻芩消咳颗粒平喘消炎作用研究

目的探讨麻芩消咳颗粒的平喘抗炎作用。方法SD大鼠随机分为6组,分别为肺宁颗粒2.5 g·kg^-1组、麻芩消咳颗粒(1、2、4 g·kg^-1)组、模型组和溶剂对照组。第0、7天皮下注射卵蛋白混悬液致敏。第15天开始给药并用1%的OVA溶液激发哮喘,每天给药1次,连续给药4周。给药结束后检测大鼠肺泡盥洗液中白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素17(IL-17)含量及血清中免疫球蛋白E(IgE)、白细胞介素4(IL-4)水平,观察肺组织病理学变化,Western blot检测肺组织中PI3K、p-PI3K、AKT、p-AKT的表达水平。结果麻芩消咳颗粒2 g·kg^-1能够降低大鼠肺泡盥洗液中白细胞介素6、白细胞介素17含量及血清中免疫球蛋白E、白细胞介素4水平,降低PI3K、ATK磷酸化水平。结论麻芩消咳颗粒对卵蛋白诱发的大鼠过敏性哮喘模型有显著的平喘抗炎作用,与PI3K/AKT调节的炎症信号通路有关。     

Zingiber officinale ameliorates allergic asthma via suppression of Th2-mediated immune response

Abstract

Context: Ginger has been used commonly in the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of respiratory disorders.

Objective: The present study investigates the immunosuppressive activity of ginger by using the mouse model of ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma.

Materials and methods: Treatment with ethanol extract (500?mg/kg) and aqueous extract (720?mg/kg) of rhizomes, and methylprednisolone (5?mg/kg) was initiated 1 week after second sensitization of mice with ovalbumin and continued for 7?d. RT-PCR followed by gel electrophoresis and ELISA were used for the evaluation of mRNA expression levels and protein levels of Th2 type markers, respectively. Lung tissue histopathology was conducted by using H&E and PAS staining.

Results: We observed significant reduction in goblet cell hyperplasia (0.83?±?0.17 and 1.0?±?0.26), infiltration of inflammatory cells in airways (0.67?±?0.33 and 1.0?±?0.37), and edema with vascular congestion (1.0?±?0.26 and 1.2?±?0.17) by both ethanol and aqueous extracts, respectively. A highly significant reduction of total and differential count of eosinophils and neutrophils in BALF, and eosinophil count in blood were also observed. Both extracts significantly inhibited Th2-mediated immune response, which is evident by a decrease in mRNA expression levels of IL-4 and IL-5. Protein levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in BALF, along with total serum IgE levels, were also significantly suppressed by both extracts.

Discussion and conclusion: Our study validated the traditional use of ginger in respiratory disorders and suggests that ginger reduces allergic airway inflammation, possibly by the suppression of Th2-mediated immune response.     

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract attenuates airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of asthma by downregulating inducible nitric oxide synthase

Allergic asthma is characterized by hyperresponsiveness and inflammation of the airway with increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and overproduction of nitric oxide (NO). Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) has been proved to have antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmacological effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of GSPE on airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of allergic asthma. BALB/c mice, sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA), were intraperitoneally injected with GSPE. Administration of GSPE remarkably suppressed airway resistance and reduced the total inflammatory cell and eosinophil counts in BALF. Treatment with GSPE significantly enhanced the interferon (IFN)- γ level and decreased interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 levels in BALF and total IgE levels in serum. GSPE also attenuated allergen-induced lung eosinophilic inflammation and mucus-producing goblet cells in the airway. The elevated iNOS expression observed in the OVA mice was significantly inhibited by GSPE. In conclusion, GSPE decreases the progression of airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness by downregulating the iNOS expression, promising to have a potential in the treatment of allergic asthma.     

Oral Nigella sativa oil ameliorates ovalbumin-induced bronchial asthma in mice

Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is used in folk medicine as a therapy for many diseases including bronchial asthma. We investigated the possible modulating effects of NSO on asthma-like phenotypes in a mouse model of bronchial asthma. BALB/c mice were actively sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of 50μg ovalbumin (OVA) with 1mg alum on days 0 and 12. Starting on day 22, they were exposed to OVA (1% (w/v), in sterile physiological saline) for 30min, three times every 4th day. Negative control animals were exposed to saline in a similar manner. NSO was administered orally for 31day from day 0 to day 30. On the day of sensitization and challenge, NSO was given 30min before the treatment. Airway function, number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and interferon (IFN)-γ in BALF, serum levels of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a, and histopathological examination of lung tissues were investigated. Oral treatment with NSO showed significant decrease in airway hyperresponsiveness, the number of total leukocytes, macrophages and eosinophils, levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF, serum levels of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE and IgG1, and significant increase in BALF level of IFN-γ and serum level of OVA-specific IgG2a, indicating restoration of local Th1/Th2 balance. Furthermore, it significantly abrogated the histopathological changes of the lungs, as the images were nearly normal. These results suggest that the treatment with oral NSO could be a promising treatment for bronchial asthma in humans.     

Imiquimod, a toll-like receptor 7 ligand, inhibits airway remodelling in a murine model of chronic asthma

1. Imiquimod, a synthetic Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 ligand, has been shown to attenuate airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in acute murine models of allergic asthma. In the present study, we investigated the effect of imiquimod on allergen-induced airway remodelling in chronic experimental asthma. 2. Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice were chronically challenged with aerosolized OVA for 8 weeks. Some mice were exposed to an aerosol of 0.15% imiquimod daily during the period of OVA challenge. Twenty-four hours after the last OVA challenge, mice were evaluated for the development of airway inflammation, AHR and airway remodelling. The levels of total serum IgE and Th2 cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 protein in lungs were measured by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. 3. The results demonstrated that imiquimod significantly inhibited chronic inflammation, persistent AHR and airway remodelling in chronic experimental asthma. In addition, imiquimod reduced levels of total serum IgE and BALF Th2 cytokines and diminished expression of TGF-beta1 in remodelled airways. 4. In summary, the results of the present study indicate that imiquimod may attenuate the progression of airway inflammation and remodelling, providing potential in the treatment of asthma.     

DA-9201 shows anti-asthmatic effects by suppressing NF-кB expression in an ovalbumin-lnduced mouse model of asthma

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) regulates the expression of multiple cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules that are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. We investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and the mechanism of action of DA-9201, an extract of the black rice, in a mouse model of asthma. Mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) were administered with DA-9201 (30, 100 or 300 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEXA, 3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks and challenged with aerosolized OVA during the last 3 days. Anti-asthmatic effects were assessed by means of enhanced pauses, level of total IgE and Th2 cytokines in plasma or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the percentage of eosinophils in BALF, and histopathological examination. The expression of NF-kappaB in nuclear and cytoplasmic fraction and its DNA-binding activity in lung tissues were analyzed by means of Western blotting and electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. DA-9201 significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), total IgE level in plasma and BALF, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in BALF, and the percentage of eosinophils in BALF. Tissue inflammation was significantly improved by DA-9201 treatment. In addition, DA-9201 dramatically suppressed the expression of NF-kappaB and its DNA-binding activity. These results suggest that DA-9201 may be useful for the treatment of asthma and its efficacy is related to suppression of NF-kappaB pathway.     

Treatment with Flt3 ligand plasmid reverses allergic airway inflammation in ovalbumin-sensitized and -challenged mice

We have previously reported that fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3-L) prevents and reverses established allergic airway inflammation in an ovalbumin (OVA) induced mouse model of asthma. In this study, we investigated the effect of pUMVC3-hFLex, a plasmid, mammalian expression vector for the secretion of Flt3-L on the same mouse model as well as the duration of the effect of the treatment. Allergic airway inflammation to OVA was established in BALB/c mice. OVA-sensitized mice received three intramuscular (i.m.) injections of 200 mug pUMVC3-hFLex over 10 days. The response to pUMVC3-hFLex therapy was assessed based on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine and inflammation, measured as serum cytokine and immunoglobulins (Ig) levels, and the total and differential cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). pUMVC3-hFLex treatment completely reversed established AHR (P<0.01) and this effect lasted for at least 24 days after the last treatment injection (P<0.001). pUMVC3-hFLex treatment significantly increased BALF interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (P<0.01), serum interleukin (IL)-10 (P<0.01) and anti-OVA IgG2a levels (P<0.01). In contrast, serum IL-4 and IgE levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Total BALF cellularity, eosinophiles counts and BALF IL-5 levels were also reduced (P<0.01). pUMVC3-hFLex treatment can reverse established experimental asthma and might provide a novel approach for treating asthma.     

Copaiba oil suppresses inflammation in asthmatic lungs of BALB/c mice induced with ovalbumin

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that represents high hospitalizations and deaths in world. Copaiba oil (CO) is popularly used for relieving asthma symptoms and has already been shown to be effective in many inflammation models. This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory relationship of CO in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. The composition of CO sample analyzed by GC and GC–MS and the toxicity test was performed in mice at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg (by gavage). After, the experimental model of allergic asthma was induced with OVA and mice were orally treated with CO in two pre-established doses. The inflammatory infiltrate was evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), while cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α), IgE antibody and nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated in BALF and lung homogenate (LH) of mice, together with the histology and histomorphometry of the lung tissue. CO significantly attenuated the number of inflammatory cells in BALF, suppressing NO production and reducing the response mediated by TH2 and TH17 (T helper) cells in both BALF and LH. Histopathological and histomorphometric analysis confirmed that CO significantly reduced the numbers of inflammatory infiltrate in the lung tissue, including in the parenchyma area. Our results indicate that CO has an effective in vivo antiasthmatic effect.