Flavonoids such as luteolin, fisetin and apigenin are inhibitors of interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 production by activated human basophils

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that fisetin, a flavonol, inhibits IL-4 and IL-13 synthesis by allergen- or anti-IgE-antibody-stimulated basophils. This time, we investigated the inhibition of IL-4 and IL-13 production by basophils by other flavonoids and attempted to determine the fundamental structure of flavonoids related to inhibition. We additionally investigated whether flavonoids suppress leukotriene C4 synthesis by basophils and IL-4 synthesis by T cells in response to anti-CD3 antibody. METHODS: Highly purified peripheral basophils were stimulated for 12 h with anti-IgE antibody alone or anti-IgE antibody plus IL-3 in the presence of various concentrations of 18 different kinds of flavones and flavonols. IL-4 and IL-13 concentrations in the supernatants were then measured. Leukotriene C4 synthesis was also measured after basophils were stimulated for 1 h in the presence of flavonoids. Regarding the inhibitory activity of flavonoids on IL-4 synthesis by T cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with flavonoids in anti-CD3-antibody-bound plates for 2 days. RESULTS: Luteolin, fisetin and apigenin were found to be the strongest inhibitors of both IL-4 and IL-13 production by basophils but did not affect leukotriene C4 synthesis. At higher concentrations, these flavonoids suppressed IL-4 production by T cells. Based on a hierarchy of inhibitory activity, the basic structure for IL-4 inhibition by basophils was determined. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the inhibitory activity of flavonoids on IL-4 and IL-13 synthesis, it can be expected that the intake of flavonoids, depending on the quantity and quality, may ameliorate allergic symptoms or prevent the onset of allergic diseases.     

Chronologic changes of activities of naphthol AS-D acetate esterase and other nonspecific esterases in the mononuclear phagocytes of tuberculous lesions.

Nonspecific esterases of mononuclear phagocytes (MNs) were studied histochemically in the developing and healing tuberculous lesions produced in rabbit skin by bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG). Nonspecific esterases were assayed with the following substrates: naphthol AS-D acetate (AS-D), naphthol AS-D chloroacetate (AS-D Chl), naphthol AS acetate (AS) and alpha-naphthyl acetate (alpha-N), beta-Galactosidase, a lysosomal enzyme of MNs, was also assayed as a marker of MN activation. The number of MNs hydrolyzing AS-D Chl, AS, and alpha-N increased for 2 to 4 weeks after infection. These chronologic changes were similar to that of beta-galactosidase. In contrast, MNs hydrolyzing AS-D appeared predominantly in the healing lesions five to six weeks after infection. These MNs had the morphologic features of balloon-like cells. They contained few lysosomes and gathered in clumps far from the caseous center. The activity of the AS-D esterase was almost completely inhibited by various trypsin inhibitors, but not by the serine esterase inhibitor of phenylmethylsulfonyl-fluoride. These results suggest that the AS-D esterase is a trypsin-like esterase which participates in the healing of tuberculous lesions.     

Peripheral low-density area of hepatic tumors: CT-pathologic correlation

To aid in the distinction between colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma, findings on computed tomographic (CT) scans taken more than 5 minutes after contrast material administration ("late-enhanced CT scans") and pathologic findings were compared. Late-enhanced CT scans of metastatic adenocarcinoma showed a peripheral low-density area (PLDA) that corresponded to viable tumor and a central high-density area that represented fibrous connective tissue. This phenomenon was recognized in 15 of 20 (75%) patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma and in one of 50 (2%) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Late-enhanced CT scans may be useful in distinguishing between metastatic nonmucinous colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma.     

A digest of the Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for Nephrotic Syndrome 2020

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology -     

Mental component of health-related quality of life is an independent predictor of incident functional disability among community-dwelling older people: a prospective cohort study

Quality of Life Research - Previous studies have reported a positive association between poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and disability mainly in relation to the physical component of...     

ADAMANTINOMA OF THE TIBIA A Case Report and a Statistical Review of Reported Cases

A case of adamantinoma of the tibia is reported. A 70-year-old man complained of a painful swelling over the lower front of the right tibia. Roentgenograms showed an oval well-circumscribed, multilocular cystic lesion. Curettage and bone grafting were performed, and 17 months later the patient is in good condition. Microscopically the tumor tissue consisted mainly of epithelial Islands with a palisading at the periphery and a loose reticular pattern in the center of the tumor cell nests, showing a close resemblance to the ameloblastoma of the jaw bones. Electron micrographs revealed the epithelial nature of the tumor cells, i.e., a continuous basal lamina, desmosomes and bundles of microfilaments, probably tonofilaments. One hundred fifty six cases of this peculiar primary skeletal bone tumor previously reported in the literature were reviewed and discussed.     

Use of readily available data for identifying local health care needs and resources

Health departments everywhere are struggling to balance shrinking resources against increasing requests for services. According to the Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Public Health, one of the barriers to solving public health problems is "... disjointed decision-making without necessary data and knowledge ..." (p. 107). Leadership of the Middle Tennessee Region of the Tennessee Department of Health have addressed this issue by developing a practical, usable data base from which to consider the needs and resources of the region.