Oxidative stress in schoolchildren with allergic rhinitis: propensity score matching case-control study

Astragalus polysaccharide alleviates IL-13-induced oxidative stress injury in nasal epithelial cells by inhibiting WTAP-mediated FBXW7 m6A modification

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) a common and complicated upper airway disease mediated by specific IgE antibodies. Our study aims to explore the pharmacological effects of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on AR and elucidate the mechanisms involved.

Methods

RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to analyze mRNA and protein expression. Interleukin (IL)-13-treated human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) was employed as the AR cell model. Cell apoptosis and viability were evaluated by TUNEL staining and MTT assay, respectively. ROS level was examined by the DCFH-DA probe. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by the corresponding kits. FBXW7 m6A modification level was assessed by MeRIP assay.

Methods

Our results showed that APS treatment reduced cell apoptosis, ROS, and MDA levels while increasing SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px levels in IL-13-treated hNECs by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Moreover, APS alleviated IL-13-induced oxidative stress injury in hNECs by downregulating WTAP. In addition, WTAP knockdown increased FBXW7 mRNA stability by regulating FBXW7 mRNA m6A modification. It also turned out that APS alleviated IL-13-induced oxidative stress injury in hNECs through the WTAP/FBXW7 axis.

Conclusions

Taken together, APS inhibited WTAP-mediated FBXW7 m6A modification to alleviate IL-13-induced oxidative stress injury in hNECs.

Anti-Allergic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Bakuchiol on Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis in Mice

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent inflammatory disease primarily affecting the nasal mucosa and is caused by allergies. The common symptoms of AR include rhinorrhea, sneezing, itchy nose, congestion, teary eyes, and nasal rubbings. The present study assessed the beneficial properties of bakuchiol on OVA-induced AR in mice via the regulation of inflammatory responses. AR was induced by injecting (i.p.) OVA (50 µg) and aluminum hydroxide (1 mg) into mice at various time intervals. The bakuchiol treatment was done at dosages of 10 and 20 mg/kg with dexamethasone (2.5 mg/kg) as a positive control. The body weight and nasal symptoms were measured on the day of the last OVA challenge. For in vitro tests, mouse splenocytes were isolated, sensitized with 20 µL OVA, and then treated with 10 µM bakuchiol. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulins, histamine, leukotriene C4 (LTC-4), and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) were assayed using the corresponding assay kits. The assay kits were also used to analyze the status of oxidative stress markers. The Th1/Th2 cell proportion was assessed using flow cytometry. The bakuchiol (10 and 20 mg/kg) treatment reduced the nasal symptoms in AR mice. Bakuchiol decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, Igs (IgE and IgG1), histamine, IL-10, IL-33, and TNF-α in AR mice. Bakuchiol also reduced PGDA and LTC-4 levels in the NLF of AR mice. The ROS and MDA levels were decreased, whereas boosted SOD activity was observed in the bakuchiol-treated AR mice. The eosinophil count was decreased in the nasal tissues of bakuchiol-treated AR mice. Bakuchiol also influenced the Th1 and Th2 cell proportions in AR mice. The present findings suggest that bakuchiol is effective against OVA-mediated allergic and inflammatory responses in AR mice through its strong anti-inflammatory properties.

New Insights into Mechanisms Traditional Chinese Medicine for Allergic Rhinitis by Regulating Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Pathways

Allergy rhinitis (AR) is becoming more common and has serious medical and societal consequences. Sneezing, paroxysmal nasal blockage, nasal itching, mucosal edema, coughing, and rhinorrhea are symptoms of this type I allergic immunological illness. Immunoglobulin E-mediated inflammation is the cause of it. Because AR is prone to recurrent attacks, extended medication therapy may impair its effectiveness. In addition to negatively affecting the patients' physical health, this can also negatively impact their mental health. During AR development, there are inflammatory and oxidative stress responses that are linked to problems in a number of signal transduction pathways. By using the terms "allergic rhinitis", "traditional Chinese medicine", "inflammation", and "oxidative stress", we screened for pertinent research published over the previous five years in databases like PubMed. We saw that NF-KB, TLR, IL-33/ST2, PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Nrf2 are some of the most important inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways in AR. Studies have revealed that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapy reduced the risk of AR and was therapeutic; however, the impact of the therapy varies widely. The Chinese medical system places a high value on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been there for virtually all of China's 5000-year history. By influencing signaling pathways related to inflammation and oxidative stress, Chinese herbal medicine and its constituent compounds have been shown to prevent allergic rhinitis. This review will focus on this evidence and provide references for clinical treatment and scientific research applications.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A attenuates allergic response of ovalbumin induced allergic rhinitis via Nrf2/HO-1 and inflammatory signaling pathways

Allergic reaction is the most common nasal conditions worldwide and it will remain throughout life. The symptoms of an allergic reaction include sneezing, itching, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and a runny nose. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HYA) is a flavonoid compound which is the active phyto-constituent of flower of Carthamus tinctorius L., and exhibited the various medicinal activities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective effects. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and mode of action of HYA against the allergic rhinitis induced by ovalbumin in mice. HYA was given orally to the Swiss BALB/s mice once daily, 1 h before, they were challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) via intranasal administration, after that the mice were sensitized via intraperitoneal injection of OVA. Allergic nasal symptoms, body weight, spleen weight, OVA-specific immunoglobulins, inflammatory cytokines, Th17 cytokines and Th17 transcription factors also estimated. HYA had a significant (p < .001) effect on body weight and reduced spleen weight. It effectively decreased the nasal symptoms of allergy such as sneezing, rubbing, and redness. HYA significantly reduced the level of malonaldehyde (MDA) and improved levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH). It also remarkably decreased the levels of Th2 cytokines and Th17 transcription factors like RAR-related orphan receptor gamma (ROR-γ), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and phosphor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), while increasing levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). The treatment with HYA improved the lung histology in mice with allergic rhinitis. The results suggest that HYA may have therapeutic potential against ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in mice, by altering the Th17/Treg balance and improving the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Daphnetin Mitigates Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis in Mice by Regulating Nrf2/HO-1 and TLR4/NF-kB Signaling

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disorder of nasal mucosa resulting from allergen exposure. Daphnetin (DAP) is a coumarin derivative that has various bioactivities. Nevertheless, its specific function in AR is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This study is aimed to explore the specific function of DAP in AR.

METHODS

An AR murine model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) induction. Murine sneezing and rubbing behaviors were observed. Hematoxylin-eosin was used for histopathological observation of nasal mucosa. ELISA was utilized for detection of cytokine production in murine serum. Oxidative stress-associated markers were assessed by commercial assay kits. Western blotting was utilized for evaluating protein levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in nasal mucosa.

RESULTS

DAP alleviated OVA-induced nasal symptoms, inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the AR murine model. DAP activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling and inactivated TLR4/NF-κB signaling in murine nasal mucosa.

CONCLUSION

DAP mitigates OVA-induced AR in mice by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and inactivating TLR4/NF-κB signaling.

Total glucosides of paeony ameliorates oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammatory response by regulating the Smad7‑TGF‑β pathway in allergic rhinitis

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP), an active ingredient extracted from the root of Paeonia alba, has been reported to display an anti-inflammatory effect. However, the effect of TGP on allergic rhinitis (AR) is still unknown. The present study aimed to assess the role of TGP in an AR mouse model. An AR mouse model was established using the ovalbumin method. The expression levels of Smad7/TGF-β pathway-related prtoeins in nasal mucosa tissues were determined by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The severity of nasal allergic symptoms was detected by recording the frequency of sneezing and nose rubbing motions in all mice for 20 min. The levels of IgE and inflammatory cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, IL-17 and IFN-γ, in the serum were measured by conducting ELISAs. H&E staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining and Masson staining were used to detected histopathological changes in mice. The concentrations of malondialdehyde and glutathione, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in tissue supernatant and serum were quantified using commercial assay kits. Apoptosis of nasal tissue cells was detected by performing TUNEL assays and western blotting. The expression of Smad7 was upregulated and that of TGF-β was downregulated in the nasal tissue of AR mice. Additionally, TGP regulated the Smad7/TGF-β pathway in the nasal tissue of AR mice. TGP alleviated serum IgE, nasal symptoms and histopathological changes in AR mice. Moreover, TGP ameliorated oxidative stress, cell apoptosis and inflammatory response. Smad7 small interfering RNA intervention aggravated the symptoms of AR mice via activation of the TGF-β pathway and reversed the protective effect of TGP in AR mice. TGP ameliorated oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammatory response via the Smad7/TGF-β pathway in AR.

A Prospective Study on the Association between Oxidative Stress and Duration of Symptoms in Allergic Rhinitis

Oxidative stress has been known to play an important role in inflammatory responses of allergic rhinitis. We investigated the association between degree of oxidative stress and severity of allergic rhinitis. A total 226 allergic rhinitis students were classified by a history of allergic rhinitis into groups according to number and duration of symptoms within the previous year. The total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were compared among groups. Mean TAS level (14.03 ± 9.09 mmol/L) in the group with more than six months of symptoms had a tendency to be higher (p = 0.068) than that of the group with fewer than six months (12.33 ± 8.83 mmol/L). There was no statistically significant difference in mean TAS or TOS level with number of symptoms (nasal congestion, itching, sneezing and watery rhinorrhea). A multivariate logistic regression showed that the adjusted odds ratio of TAS was 1.655 and the adjusted odds ratio of TOS was 0.972 in more than a six-month duration group. The TAS level was significantly associated with a more than six-month symptom duration (p = 0.034). Our results suggest that antioxidant activity increased when allergic rhinitis became chronic and further research will be needed considering the disease severity.

MicroRNA-155-5p regulates the Th1/Th2 cytokines expression and the apoptosis of group 2 innate lymphoid cells via targeting TP53INP1 in allergic rhinitis

As a key component of innate immunity, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play a key role in Allergic rhinitis (AR). We previously demonstrated that both miR-155-5p and ILC2s are overexpressed in the nasal mucosa of AR patients, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. At present study, we revealed that miR-155-5p was highly expressed in ILC2s of AR patients. Moreover, miR-155-5p promoted the secretion of Th2 cytokines of ILC2s, while inhibited the secretion of Th1 cytokines and the apoptosis of ILC2s. Meanwhile, the TP53INP1 expression was poorly expressed in ILC2s of AR patients. A dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that TP53INP1 was a direct target of miR-155-5p, and its expression was inversely associated with miR-155-5p in ILC2s. Furthermore, TP53INP1 inhibited the secretion of Th2 cytokines of ILC2s, while promoted the secretion of Th1 cytokines and the apoptosis of ILC2s. Notably, rescue experiments demonstrated that overexpression of TP53INP1 could partially reverse the effect of miR-155-5p on ILC2s. Taken together, these findings suggested that miR-155-5p aggravated the inflammatory response of AR dominated by ILC2s via targeting TP53INP1, which may aid in the development of novel therapeutic agents for AR.

Potential Differences between Local and Systemic Allergic Rhinitis Induced by Birch Pollen

INTRODUCTION

Different endotypes of rhinitis are known, but its pathomechanism has not been conclusively established. For example, the precise difference between systemic allergic rhinitis (SAR) and local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is still being checked. Comparison of patients with LAR and with allergies to birch of those with intermittent allergic rhinitis, same allergy, or with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) was the purpose of this study.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients with LAR, 18 with SAR and allergy to birch, and 21 with NAR were included. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected to undergo the following procedures at baseline: medical examinations, nasal provocation test (NPT), detection of nasal-specific IgE to birch as well as basophil activation test (BAT). All immunological parameters were detected before and after NPT.

RESULTS

Concentration of nasal IgE to Bet v1 increased comparably in the LAR and SAR groups after NPT to birch as follows: in 21 (81%) patients with LAR, 14 (78%) with SAR, and in everyone in the NAR group. Serum concentration of allergen-specific IgE to Bet v1 increased significantly from a median of 20.7 (25-75% interval: 11.2-35.6) IU/mL to 29.9 (13.6-44.1) (p = 0.028) after NPT in patients with SAR. Allergen-specific IgE to Bet v1 was absent in all patients with LAR and NAR before and after NPT. BAT with Bet v1 was positive in 22 (85%) patients with LAR, in 14 (78%) with SAR, and 2 (9.5%) with NAR.

CONCLUSION

These obtained data suggest there are no potential mechanisms that could explain LAR compared to SAR.

Anti-allergic rhinitis activity of α-lipoic acid via balancing Th17/Treg expression and enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 pathway signaling

An ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) mouse model was established to investigate whether α-Lipoic acid (LA) has a protective effect against upper respiratory tract inflammation. BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection and challenged by intranasal application of OVA. Mice were orally administered various doses of LA once daily (2, 10, 50 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (Dex; 2.5 mg/kg) 1 h before OVA challenge. Allergic nasal symptoms, levels of OVA-specific immunoglobulins, cytokines, and transcription factors were measured. Nasal and lung histopathology were evaluated. LA administration significantly alleviated the nasal symptoms such as rubbing and sneezing, markedly reduced both serum OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 levels. The LA treatment group showed markedly up-regulated levels of the Treg cytokine IL-10 and Treg transcription factor Foxp3. In contrast, it showed down-regulated levels of the Th17 cytokine IL-17 and the Th17 transcription factor STAT3, and RORγ. LA greatly enhanced the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway signaling and inhibited the activation of NF-κB/IκB, markedly suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and chemokine COX-2. The histologic alterations of nasal and lung tissues of AR mice were effectively ameliorated by LA. Based on these results, we suggest that LA could be a potential therapeutic agent in OVA-induced AR by virtue of its role in controlling the Th17/Treg balance and enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 pathway signaling.

Protective effects of α-lipoic acid on cultured human nasal fibroblasts exposed to urban particulate matter

BACKGROUND

Exposure to urban particulate matter (UPM) has been studied as a cause of various health problems. Although the association between UPM and the respiratory tract has been well studied, further research is required to characterize the effects of UPM on the upper respiratory tract. We investigated the effects of UPM-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production on cultured human nasal fibroblasts, as well as the protective effects of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on ROS production and the underlying signaling pathways involved in ROS inhibition.

METHODS

Human turbinate tissue specimens were collected from 6 patients. The effects of UPM on the viability of cultured nasal fibroblasts were determined. A fluorescent malondialdehyde assay was used to measure ROS levels. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the messenger RNA levels of genes encoding Nrf2, the antioxidant response elements (AREs) (HO-1, NQO1), and the proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and interleukin-8) before and after ALA treatment. Western blotting analyses were used to measure nuclear and cytosolic Nrf2 and AREs.

RESULTS

UPM reduced cell viability and increased ROS expression in nasal fibroblasts. ALA treatment decreased ROS production in UPM-exposed fibroblasts via the Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO-1 pathways. Also, ALA treatment abrogated increases in the interleukin-6 and -8 levels induced by UPM in nasal fibroblasts.

CONCLUSION

UPM exposure resulted in increased ROS production in nasal fibroblasts. ALA treatment inhibited this increase via the Nrf2 pathway, suggesting that ALA may have a protective effect against rhinitis caused by ROS expression induced by exposure to UPM.

Perinatal factors and the development of childhood asthma

BACKGROUND

Perinatal factors are suspected to have a significant impact on the development of asthma; however, sufficiently powered studies have not been performed to investigate this issue.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether perinatal factors and other risk factors have an independent or combined effect on the development of asthma.

METHODS

This study involved 3,770 children (mean age 9.1 years, range 5.68-12.16 years; 51.9% boys) who were enrolled in the Elementary School Student Cohort (2009-2014) in Ulsan University Hospital (Ulsan, Korea). Subjects were divided into an asthma group (n = 514) and a non-asthma group (n = 3,256).

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses showed that early life (within first week) oxygen therapy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.864, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.156-3.004) and breastfeeding (aOR 0.763, 95% CI 0.606-0.960) were 2 significant perinatal factors influencing the development of asthma. Environmental tobacco smoke (aOR 1.634, 95% CI 1.298-2.058) and parental allergic disease (aOR 1.882, 95% CI 1.521-2.328) also were identified as risk factors. Using subgroup analyses, combined effects on asthma development were observed between perinatal factors (early life oxygen therapy and breastfeeding) and other risk factors (vicinity to major roadway [traffic-related air pollution], environmental tobacco smoke, parental allergic disease, and atopy).

CONCLUSION

Early life oxygen therapy and breastfeeding were identified as 2 important perinatal factors influencing the development of asthma. Furthermore, these factors showed combined effects with other risk factors (environmental tobacco smoke, traffic-related air pollution, parental allergic disease, and atopy) on the development of asthma.

Beneficial effects of hydrogen gas inhalation on a murine model of allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic inflammatory condition. It has been previously indicated that oxidative stress may contribute to allergic inflammation, including AR. Although molecular hydrogen (H₂), an antioxidative agent, has been effective in treatment of numerous oxidative stress-associated diseases, the effect of inhalation of a high concentration of H₂ on AR remains unknown. In the current study, female BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) followed by intranasal OVA challenge to establish an animal model of AR. Mice were subjected to exposure to H₂ and the inert gas helium at different frequencies and durations. The frequencies of sneezing/scratching and the body weights of mice were recorded. Histological analysis and multiplex cytokine assays were performed to evaluate the effects of H₂ on AR. Challenge with OVA induced significant nasal mucosa inflammation. H₂ inhalation reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells into mucosa and lowered the levels of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-13 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in serum. H₂ inhalation slightly increased the level of interferon-γ, however the difference was not statistically significant. Treatment with H₂ limited the weight increase in healthy mice and reversed the weight loss in mice with AR. Furthermore, H₂ inhalation induced a therapeutic effect on AR in a dose-dependent manner. The current results demonstrate that H₂ may demonstrate a therapeutic value for allergic diseases.

Hydrogen-rich saline attenuates eosinophil activation in a guinea pig model of allergic rhinitis via reducing oxidative stress

Background

It is well considered that reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a prominent causative role in the development of allergic rhinitis (AR), and eosinophils cells as important allergic inflammatory cells contribute to elevating oxidative stress. Hydrogen, emerging as a novel antioxidant, has been proven effective in selectively reducing ROS in animals models of oxidative damage. We herein aim to verify protective effects of hydrogen on eosinophils cells in guinea pigs models of AR.

Methods

Thirty two guinea pigs were random divided into four groups, and AR model was established through ovalbumin sensitization. The guinea pigs were injected with hydrogen-rich saline (Normal-HRS and AR-HRS group) or normal saline (control and AR group). The frequencies of sneezing and scratching were recorded. The IgE level, blood eosinophil count and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) level in serum were measured. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assays were also measured to evaluate oxidative stress. The expression levels of eotaxin mRNA and protein in the nasal mucosa were also determined by real-time RT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence.

Results

HRS reduced the ROS and MDA levels and increased SOD level in guinea pigs of AR-HRS group accompanied with decreased frequency of sneezing and scratches. Meanwhile, there was a decline of the number of eosinophils cells in blood and of thelevel of ECP in serum in the AR-HRS group. HRS also significantly decreased the expression of eotaxin in nasal mucosa.

Conclusion

HRS may play a protective role in attenuating allergic inflammation, and suppressing the increase and activation of eosinophils in AR possibly through antioxidation effect of hydrogen.