High density lipoprotein inhibited group II innate lymphoid cells proliferation and function in allergic rhinitis

Theory of Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Rhinitis and Asthma (Lipid Droplets)

Lipid droplets are important for the storage of neutral lipids in cells; moreover, they participate in a variety of activities in cells and are multifunctional organelles. In the past few decades, lipid droplets have been extensively studied and found to play important roles in cellular energy balance, signal regulation and metabolic regulation. In particular, the formation and function of lipid droplets in adipocytes and mast cells have received much attention. This article reviews the formation, structure and function of lipid droplets in mast cells and elaborates on the relationship between lipid droplets and both adipocyte metabolism and mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation, to provide ideas for the treatment of allergic inflammation by targeting lipid droplets. This study provides important evidence for the role of lipid metabolism disorders in rhinitis and asthma.

Gender-specific association between a lipid composite index and asthma among US adults: insights from a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities in lipid metabolism are common among adult asthmatics. However, the precise directionality linking asthma to blood lipid levels remains controversial. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between the Non-HDL to HDL Ratio (NHHR), a lipid composite index, and asthma prevalence among the adult population in the United States.

METHODS

Utilizing adult participants' data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2009 to 2018, the study employed a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for covariables, to establish the relationship between NHHR levels and the prevalence of asthma. Furthermore, smoothing curve fitting and subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the robustness of this association.

RESULTS

This study included 26,023 adult individuals (mean age = 49.63 ± 17.66). In the fully adjusted model, a significant inverse association was observed between log-transformed NHHR values and asthma prevalence (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79-0.93). Subgroup analysis revealed that gender served as a modulator, altering the association between NHHR levels and asthma prevalence. A more pronounced negative association between lnNHHR and asthma prevalence was noted among male participants [(Male: OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69-0.88) vs. (Female: OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.83-1.03), P for interaction = 0.0313].

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed an inverse association between NHHR levels and the prevalence of asthma in the US adult population, which is influenced by gender. NHHR measurement may be a potential tool for early identification and prediction of adult asthmatics in specific populations.

Association between lipid-lowering drugs and allergic diseases: A Mendelian randomization study

Background

Several observational studies suggest a possible link between lipid-lowering drugs and allergic diseases. However, inferring causality from these studies can be challenging due to issues such as bias, reverse causation, and residual confounding. To investigate the potential causal effect of lipid-lowering drugs, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, on allergic diseases (allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and allergic urticaria), we performed a Mendelian randomization (MR)-based study.

Methods

We employed MR and summary-data-based MR (SMR), analyzing genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from people of European descent. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were employed as instrumental variables. We selected 2 types of genetic measures to represent the impact of lipid-lowering drugs, including genetic variants near or within drug target genes correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and expression quantitative trait loci of drug target genes. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW)-MR approach was the primary utilized MR method, while sensitivity analyses were used to test the robustness of the results. We used SMR analysis as a supplementary analytical method, applying the heterogeneity in dependent instruments (HEIDI) test to assess if the observed correlation between gene expression and outcome was due to a linkage situation.

Results

The IVW-MR analysis revealed significant evidence for an association between PCSK9-mediated LDL-C reduction and a decrease in the risk of allergic asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-1.56; P < 0.01). Likewise, SMR analysis discovered an augmented expression of PCSK9 being linked with a heightened susceptibility to allergic asthma (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03-1.43; P = 0.02). No consistent evidence was found for other associations in either analysis.

Conclusion

Our findings support a potential causal relationship between PCSK9 activity and an increased risk of allergic asthma. Thus, PCSK9 inhibitors, which reduce PCSK9 activity, might be considered a priority in future clinical trials investigating drugs for allergic asthma prevention or treatment.

The relationship between lipid parameters and the course of allergic rhinitis in children

Introduction

A possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) is hypercholesterolemia, which may shift the balance between Th1- and Th2-dependent immune responses towards the latter.

Aim

To assess the prevalence of lipid metabolism abnormalities in children with AR and their influence on the clinical course of AR.

Material and methods

The study sample comprised 80 children (7-17 y.o.) with AR, including 28 with associated asthma, and 40 healthy children. Total blood cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels were evaluated (ARCHITECTcSystem). Skin prick tests (Allergopharma) for airborne allergens and a methacholine challenge test (Lungtest 1000, Ispa) were performed. Allergen-specific IgE for airborne allergens (Biocheck GmbH), FeNO and nNO concentrations (HypAir FeNO Medisoft) were measured.

Results

Children with AR were significantly more likely to have normal HDL levels than the control group (n = 70; 87.5% vs. n = 27; 67.50%; p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed between these two groups regarding total cholesterol, LDL or triglyceride levels (p > 0.05). Abnormally high total cholesterol levels were associated with a higher risk of sensitisation to D. pteronyssinus (n = 18; 72%, p = 0.023). Children with normal levels of total cholesterol and normal triglyceride values were less likely to be sensitized to dog dander (n = 43; 78.18%, p = 0.049) (n = 42; 72.41%, p = 0.042). No significant correlations were observed between lipid parameters and the clinical course of AR, FeNO concentrations, nNO concentrations and bronchial hyperreactivity in children with AR (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Children with AR are as likely to demonstrate dyslipidaemia as the general population. However, the presence of lipid abnormalities in this group may increase the likelihood of sensitization to perennial allergens.