Airway Microbiome and Serum Metabolomics Analysis Identify Differential Candidate Biomarkers in Allergic Rhinitis

Distinct metabolomic signatures in allergic rhinitis with concurrent chronic spontaneous urticaria: an untargeted metabolomics analysis reveals novel biomarkers and pathway alterations

Background

Although allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) share overlapping immunological pathways, their distinct clinical manifestations imply the involvement of unique underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the metabolomic differences between patients with AR alone and those with concurrent AR and CSU (AR_CSU, defined as patients simultaneously presenting with both conditions).

Methods

An untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed on serum samples from 53 AR patients and 14 AR_CSU patients using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Multivariate statistical analyses, including partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), were employed to identify differential metabolites and metabolic pathways.

Results

A total of 209 significantly different metabolites were identified between the AR and AR_CSU groups (p < 0.05). Distinct metabolic patterns were observed through PLS-DA and OPLS-DA analyses, with no overlap between the two groups. Twenty metabolites exhibited high diagnostic potential (AUC > 0.75), among which Fasciculic acid C and Biotin-XX-Hydrazide showed particularly strong discriminatory power (AUC ≈ 0.8). Pathway analysis highlighted significant alterations in linoleic acid, fatty acid, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Notably, fatty acid elongation pathways were upregulated in AR_CSU patients, whereas primary bile acid biosynthesis and Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis were downregulated.

Conclusions

This study represents the first comprehensive metabolomic comparison between AR and AR_CSU, identifying distinct metabolic signatures and potential biomarkers. These findings advance our understanding of the pathophysiological differences between these conditions and could inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.

Multi-omics technology reveals the changes in gut microbiota to stimulate aromatic amino acid metabolism in children with allergic rhinitis and constipation

Background

Comorbid allergic rhinitis and constipation (ARFC) in children are associated with gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis and metabolic perturbations; however, the underlying mechanistic interplay remains unclear.

Objective

This multi-omics study aimed to characterize GM and fecal metabolomic signatures in preschool ARFC children and elucidate microbial-metabolite interactions driving dual symptomatology.

Methods

Fecal samples from 16 ARFC and 15 healthy control (HC) children underwent high-throughput absolute quantification 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. Differential taxa and metabolites were identified via LEfSe and OPLS-DA (VIP > 1, false discovery rate (FDR) q < 0.05). Microbial-metabolite networks were reconstructed using genome-scale metabolic modeling and KEGG pathway analysis.

Results

The ARFC group exhibited distinct β-diversity (P = 0.031), marked by elevated Hungatella, Tyzzerella, and Bifidobacterium longum (P < 0.05). Metabolomics revealed upregulated aromatic amino acids (AAAs), neurotransmitters, and bile acids (FDR q < 0.05), with enrichment in tryptophan/tyrosine pathways (P < 0.01). Bioinformatic modeling linked Hungatella to tryptophan hydroxylase (EC:1.14.16.4), driving serotonin synthesis, and Tyzzerella to indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (EC:1.13.11.52), promoting kynurenine production. Bifidobacterium longum correlated with phenylalanine hydroxylase (EC:1.14.16.1), enhancing phenylalanine derivatives. A combined GM-metabolite diagnostic model demonstrated robust accuracy (AUC = 0.8).

Conclusion

GM dysbiosis in ARFC children activates AAA metabolism, generating neuroactive and pro-inflammatory metabolites that may exacerbate allergic and gastrointestinal symptoms. These findings highlight microbial-metabolite axes as therapeutic targets. Study limitations include cohort size and lack of disease-specific controls, necessitating validation in expanded cohorts.

Nontargeted metabolomics analysis in allergic conjunctivitis

PurposeAllergic conjunctivitis is a disease with a high prevalence in the world. In this study, untargeted metabolomics analyzes were performed to investigate the metabolic profile of the disease in serum samples of allergic conjunctivitis patients.MethodsSerum samples were obtained from 20 allergic conjunctivitis patients and 20 healthy subjects. Untargeted metabolomics analyzes were performed by LC/Q-TOF/MS (liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry) method. Data collection, classification and identification were performed with the METLIN database and XCMS.ResultsA total of 152 different metabolites were identified and labeled. All annotated metabolites exhibited a 1.5-fold change (increase or decrease) and had a p-value of less than or equal to 0.05 when comparing groups. All statistical data indicated that the model was statistically significant and the p-value is less than or equal to 0.05. All annotated metabolites were evaluated and pathway analysis were performed with significantly altered metabolites.ConclusionIn this study, significant differences in histamine, fatty acid, sphingolipid, purine, vitamin and melatonin metabolism were observed in allergic conjunctivitis patients. It has been determined that disruption of the cell barrier due to changes in fat metabolism, activation of inflammation pathways and irregularity in sphingolipid metabolism play an important role in the underlying mechanisms of allergic conjunctivitis.

Multi-omics in Allergic Rhinitis: Mechanism Dissection and Precision Medicine

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease caused by inhaled allergens, and its prevalence has increased in recent decades. AR not only causes nasal leakage, itchy nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and allergic conjunctivitis but also induces asthma, as well as sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, memory loss, and other phenomena that seriously affect the patient's ability to study and work, lower their quality of life, and burden society. The current methods used to diagnose and treat AR are still far from ideal. Multi-omics technology can be used to comprehensively and systematically analyze the differentially expressed DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites and their biological functions in patients with AR. These capabilities allow for an in-depth understanding of the intrinsic pathogenic mechanism of AR, the ability to explore key cells and molecules that drive its progression, and to design personalized treatment for AR. This article summarizes the progress made in studying AR by use of genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics in order to illustrate the important role of multi-omics technologies in facilitating the precise diagnosis and treatment of AR.

Developmental trajectories of atopic dermatitis with multiomics approaches in the infant gut: COCOA birth cohort

BACKGROUND

An understanding of the phenotypes and endotypes of atopic dermatitis (AD) is essential for developing precision therapies. Recent studies have demonstrated evidence for the gut-skin axis in AD.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the natural course and clinical characteristics of AD phenotypes and investigate their mechanisms on the basis of multiomics analyses.

METHODS

Latent class trajectory analysis was used to classify AD phenotypes in 2247 children who were followed until age 9 years from the COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and allergic diseases birth cohort study. Multiomics analyses (microbiome, metabolites, and gut epithelial cell transcriptome) using stool samples collected at age 6 months were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of AD phenotypes.

RESULTS

Five AD phenotypes were classified as follows: never/infrequent, early-onset transient, intermediate transient, late-onset, and early-onset persistent. Early-onset persistent and late-onset phenotypes showed increased risks of food allergy and wheezing treatment ever, with bronchial hyperresponsiveness evident only in the early-onset persistent phenotype. Multiomics analyses revealed a significantly lower relative abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus and a decreased gut acetate level in the early-onset persistent phenotype, with potential associations to ACSS2, Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling, and systemic TH2 inflammation. The early-onset transient phenotype was associated with adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and/or chemokine signaling regulation, whereas the late-onset phenotype was linked with IL-17 and barrier dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiomics profiling in early life may offer insights into different mechanisms underlying AD phenotypes in children.

Baicalein attenuates ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis through the activation of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group a member 1

Baicalein, one of the major active flavonoids found in Scutellaria baicalensis, has been revealed to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties in allergic airway inflammation. This study aimed to explore the role of baicalein and its relevant mechanism in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). The bioinformatics tools were used to predict the targets of baicalein and AR-related genes. AR mice were induced by ovalbumin (OVA) and treated with lentivirus-encapsulated knockdown of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) or protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) plasmids and baicalein. IL-4/IL-13-induced human nasal mucosal epithelial cells (HNEpC) were transfected with knockdown of NR4A1 or PRMT1 plasmids and baicalein treatment. Baicalein alleviated AR-like symptoms and reduced the levels of immunoglobulin E, histamine, and LTC4 in serum and IL-4, IL-25, and IL-33 concentrations in nasal lavage fluids of mice induced with OVA by increasing NR4A1 expression. NR4A1 blocked the NFκB/p65 pathway by mediating transcriptional repression of PRMT1. Knockdown of PRMT1 overturned the effects of NR4A1 knockdown on IL-4/IL-13-induced HNEpC and OVA-induced mice. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that baicalein activation of NR4A1 mediates transcriptional repression of PRMT1 and relieves AR in mice by blocking the NFκB/p65 pathway.

Expression of serum miR-135a in patients with allergic rhinitis and its relationship with Treg/Th17 balance

The dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression contributes to the development of allergic rhinitis (AR). This study investigates serum miR-135a levels and their association with regulatory T cell (Treg) and T helper cell 17 (Th17) balance in AR patients. A total of 93 AR patients and 76 healthy controls were retrospectively recruited. Levels of serum miR-135a, peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cells, and Treg/Th17-related cytokines were measured. We assessed the diagnostic value of serum miR-135a for AR and its relationship with Treg/Th17 balance. AR patients showed significantly elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE), peripheral blood Th17 cells, and IL-17 and IL-6 levels, alongside reduced serum miR-135a, Treg cells, IL-10, TGF-β1, and Treg/Th17 ratios. A serum miR-135a of ≤0.536 demonstrated diagnostic potential for AR. Patients with higher serum miR-135a levels displayed increased Treg cell level and Treg/Th17 ratios, reduced Th17 cell, and lower total nasal symptom score (TNSS). Serum miR-135a levels in AR patients negatively correlated with TNSS, IL-17, IL-6, and Th17 cell percentages, and positively correlated with IL-10, TGF-β1, Treg cell percentages, and Treg/Th17 ratios. Collectively, decreased serum miR-135a levels in AR patients are associated with Treg/Th17 balance, supporting miR-135a as a potential biomarker for AR diagnosis.

Green carbon dots derived from Zingiberis Rhizoma Carbonisatum alleviate ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects up to 40% of the population, leading to significant healthcare expenditures. Current mainstream treatments, while effective, can lead to side effects and do not address the underlying immunological imbalances. Zingiberis Rhizoma Carbonisatum (ZRC), the partially charred product of Zingiberis Rhizoma (ZR), has been widely used clinically in China since ancient times to treat respiratory disorders.

Methods

Inspired by the similarity between high-temperature pyrolysis and carbonization processing of herbal medicine, ZRC derived CDs (ZRC-CDs) were extracted and purified through several procedures. Then, the physicochemical characteristics of CDs were delineated through a suite of characterization methods. Moreover, our investigation zeroed in on elucidating the ameliorative impacts of CDs on ovalbumin-induced rat models alongside their underlying mechanisms.

Results

ZRC-CDs with particle sizes ranging from 1.0 to 3.5 nm and rich surface functional groups. Additionally, we observed that ZRC-CDs significantly attenuated nasal symptoms and pathological damage in ovalbumin-induced AR rats, and modulated lipid metabolism and type 2 inflammatory responses. They also inhibit PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT pathways, which are associated with metabolism and inflammation. Importantly, ZRC-CDs demonstrated high biocompatibility, underscoring their potential as a novel therapeutic agent.

Conclusion

ZRC-CDs offer a promising alternative for AR treatment and could help facilitate broader clinical use of the ZRC. In addition, the exploration of the inherent bioactivity of CDs can help to broaden their biological applications.

Correlations of Nasal Microbiome with Allergic Rhinitis and Its Symptoms Severity in Children Progression

Objective

Human microbiome is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, but the impact of nasal microbiota on allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms severity has not been evaluated. This study aimed to characterize nasal microbiome in AR children and its correlations with AR symptoms.

Methods

According to diagnostic guidelines for AR, 45 AR children and 40 healthy subjects were recruited from July to August in 2023. Based on the total score of nasal symptoms (TNSS), the 45 AR patients were divided into a mild AR group (MAR) (n = 16) and a moderate or severe AR group (MSAR) (n = 29). Nasal swabs were collected for microbiome analysis using 16S-rDNA sequencing.

Results

The Simpson and Shannon indices were significantly higher in the AR group compared to the health control group, indicating an increase of nasal microbiota at the species evenness level in AR children. Moreover, the species evenness was significantly increased in the MSAR group compared to the MAR group. Staphylococcus (member of the Firmicutes phylum) was significantly dominant in the AR group, but Moraxella (member of the Proteobacteria phylum) was significantly dominant in the CG group. The LEfSe analysis showed that the mean relative abundances of Ralstonia in the MSAR group was higher than that in the MAR group. Meanwhile, the abundance divided by Ralstonia of Spearman correlation coefficients was positively correlated with the TNSS of AR symptoms (r = 0.4, P = 0.009).

Conclusion

The elevation of species evenness in nasal microbiome was likely related to the aggravation of AR symptoms. The Ralstonia may play a pro-inflammatory role in AR.

Investigating the mechanisms of resveratrol in the treatment of gouty arthritis through the integration of network pharmacology and metabolics

Objective

This study integrates network pharmacology and metabolomics techniques to explore the potential regulatory mechanisms of Res on gouty arthritis (GA).

Methods

Network pharmacology was used to predict the mechanism of Res in regulating GA, and methods such as HE staining, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, Real-time PCR, Western blot, and molecular docking were used to verify the role of NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT inflammatory signaling pathways in the MSU-induced GA rat model. In addition, non-targeted metabolomics techniques were combined to further investigate the mechanism of Res in treating GA.

Results

The results of network pharmacology showed that Res may exert its therapeutic effects through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that in the MSU-induced GA rat model, pathological damage, serum biochemical indicators, and levels of inflammatory factors were significantly increased, and the NF-κB signaling pathway was activated. The intervention of Res significantly reduced pathological damage, serum biochemical indicators, levels of inflammatory factors, and the activation of NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in the model rats. Metabolomics results showed that Res could improve the metabolic trajectory deviations in serum and joint fluid of GA model rats. Through related metabolic pathway analysis, the most affected metabolic pathways were found to be Sphingolipid metabolism, Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, Pantothenate and CoA, Citrate cycle (TCA cycle), and Arachidonic acid metabolism.

Conclusion

Resveratrol can regulate the biosynthetic pathways of arachidonic acid, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, pantothenic acid and CoA biosynthesis pathways, TCA cycle, and other metabolic pathways, thereby regulating the NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, and inhibiting the acute inflammatory response during GA attacks, showing characteristics of multi-pathway and multi-target action.

Association Between Gut and Nasal Microbiota and Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic non-infectious inflammation of the nasal mucosa mediated by specific IgE. Recently, the human microbiome has drawn broad interest as a potential new target for treating this condition. This paper succinctly summarizes the main findings of 17 eligible studies published by February 2024, involving 1044 allergic rhinitis patients and 954 healthy controls from 5 countries. These studies examine differences in the human microbiome across important mucosal interfaces, including the nasal and intestinal areas, between patients and controls. Overall, findings suggest variations in the gut microbiota between allergic rhinitis patients and healthy individuals, although the specific bacterial taxa that significantly changed were not always consistent across studies. Due to the limited scope of existing research and patient coverage, the relationship between the nasal microbiome and allergic rhinitis remains inconclusive. The article discusses the potential immune-regulating role of the gut microbiome in allergic rhinitis. Further well-designed clinical trials with large-scale recruitment of allergic rhinitis patients are encouraged.

Meta-analysis of the adoption of omalizumab in the treatment of pediatric allergic diseases

Introduction

Allergic diseases are common chronic conditions in children, omalizumab has a wide range of adoptions in various diseases. A meta-analysis was implemented to demonstrate the efficacy of omalizumab in the therapy of pediatric allergic diseases.

Materials and methods

English databases were searched. The search terms included "Omalizumab", "Children", "Allergic asthma", and "Atopic dermatitis". The literature was screened regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted and analyzed using RevMan5.3.

Results

a total of six suitable studies, comprising 2761 patients, were selected for inclusion. The meta-analysis results implied that at 24 weeks, OR for worsening of symptoms in children was 0.10 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.41), Z = 3.24, P = 0.001 (P < 0.05); at 52 weeks, OR was 0.27 (95 % CI 0.09-0.83), Z = 2.28, P = 0.02 (P < 0.05); and during treatment, OR for adverse events in children was 0.87 (95 % CI 0.60-1.29), Z = 0.68, P = 0.49 (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

the study comprised six investigations that examined the effectiveness of omalizumab in treating pediatric allergic diseases. The findings demonstrated that, in comparison to standard treatment, omalizumab can greatly alleviate allergy-related clinical symptoms in children, slow down disease progression, and has a higher safety profile with fewer adverse reactions. These results have practical implications and highlight the potential value of omalizumab in pediatric allergy treatment.

Bibliometric analysis of intestinal microbiota and lung diseases

Background

Increasing evidence suggests a close association between the intestinal microbiome and the respiratory system, drawing attention to studying the gut-lung axis. This research employs bibliometric methods to conduct a visual analysis of literature in the field of intestinal microbiota and lung diseases over the past two decades. It offers scientific foundations for research directions and critical issues in this field.

Methods

We retrieved all articles on intestinal microbiota and lung diseases from the SCI-Expanded of WoSCC on October 25, 2023. The analysis included original articles and reviews published in English from 2011 to 2023. We utilized Python, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace to analyze the retrieved data visually.

Results

A total of 794 publications were analyzed. China ranked first in the number of publications, while the United States had the highest citations and H-index. Jian Wang was the most prolific author. Zhejiang University was the institution with the highest number of publications. Frontiers in Microbiology was the journal with the most publications. Author keywords appearing more than 100 times included "intestinal microbiota/microbiome", "microbiota/microbiome", and "gut-lung axis".

Conclusion

The correlation and underlying mechanisms between intestinal microbiota and lung diseases, including asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and respiratory infections, remain hot topics in research. However, understanding the mechanisms involving the gut-lung axis is still in its infancy and requires further elucidation.

[Analysis of nasal flora composition in children with perennial allergic rhinitis]

Objective:This paper focuses on the diversity of nasal microbiota in children with perennial allergic rhinitis and the differences in species composition, which may be used in the future as a biomarker for disease progression and treatment. Methods:A total of 65 subjects were enrolled, including 35 perennial AR patients（AR group） and a Control group（CG group） of 30 children without AR. Collect basic information and examination reports of nasal swabs. 16S-rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect the microbial sequence in nasal swabs, and the composition and difference of microbial diversity in each group were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. Results:The Simpson and Shannon index of the alpha diversity in the AR group had a significantly increase compared to the CG group. Beta diversity was not different between the groups. Staphylococcus（Firmicutes） of the AR group were significantly higher than that of the CG group, but Moraxella is lower than that of the CG group. Conclusion:Nasal microbial diversity and species composition of children with allergic rhinitis differ from those of healthy children, and how the differential microorganisms interact with the host and participate in immune regulation and inflammatory response requires further study.

Characterization of the upper respiratory tract microbiota in Chilean asthmatic children reveals compositional, functional, and structural differences

Around 155 million people worldwide suffer from asthma. In Chile, the prevalence of this disease in children is around 15% and has a high impact in the health system. Studies suggest that asthma is caused by multiple factors, including host genetics, antibiotic use, and the development of the airway microbiota. Here, we used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to characterize the nasal and oral mucosae of 63 asthmatic and 89 healthy children (152 samples) from Santiago, Chile. We found that the nasal mucosa was dominated by a high abundance of Moraxella, Dolosigranulum, Haemophilus, Corynebacterium, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus. In turn, the oral mucosa was characterized by a high abundance of Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Gemella, Veillonella, Neisseria, and Porphyromonas. Our results showed significantly (P < 0.001) lower alpha diversity and an over-abundance of Streptococcus (P < 0.01) in nasal samples from asthmatics compared to samples from healthy subjects. Community structure, as revealed by co-occurrence networks, showed different microbial interactions in asthmatic and healthy subjects, particularly in the nasal microbiota. The networks revealed keystone genera in each body site, including Prevotella, Leptotrichia, and Porphyromonas in the nasal microbiota, and Streptococcus, Granulicatella, and Veillonella in the oral microbiota. We also detected 51 functional pathways differentially abundant on the nasal mucosa of asthmatic subjects, although only 13 pathways were overrepresented in the asthmatic subjects (P < 0.05). We did not find any significant differences in microbial taxonomic (composition and structure) and functional diversity between the oral mucosa of asthmatic and healthy subjects. This study explores for the first time the relationships between the upper respiratory airways bacteriome and asthma in Chile. It demonstrates that the nasal cavity of children from Santiago harbors unique bacterial communities and identifies potential taxonomic and functional biomarkers of pediatric asthma.

Microbial signature of intestine in children with allergic rhinitis

INTRODUCTION

Previous studies have found that unique patterns of gut microbial colonization in infancy associated with the development of allergic diseases. However, there is no research on the gut microbiota characteristics of AR children in Chinese Mainland.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of gut microbial of AR children in Chinese Mainland and evaluate the correlation between gut microbial and clinical indexes.

METHODS

In this clinical study, fecal samples from 24 AR children and 25 healthy control children (HCs) were comparative via next generation sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Analyzed the relationship between clinical features and gut microbial using Spearman correlation.

RESULTS

Compared to HCs, AR children showed significant decreases in Shannon index and significant increases in Simpson index at both the family and genera levels (all p < 0.05). In terms of bacterial composition, at the phylum level, AR children had higher abundance of Bacteroidetes than that in the HCs group (p < 0.05) and were significantly positively correlated with TNSS (p < 0.05). At the family level, AR children had higher abundance of Prevotellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae higher than that in the HCs group (all p < 0.05) and had a significantly positive correlation with TNSS, eosinophils (EOS) and total immunoglobulin E (tIgE) (all p < 0.05). At the genus level, reduced abundance of Agathobacter, Parasutterella, Roseburia and Subdoligranulum were also observed in the AR cohorts compared to HCs (all p < 0.05) and significantly negatively associated with TNSS, EOS, tIgE, QOL, and FeNO (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

AR children in Chinese Mainland were characterized by reduced microbial diversity and distinguished microbial characteristics in comparison with HCs. The observations of this study offer proof that distinctive gut microbiota profiles were present in AR children and necessitate further investigation in the form of mechanistic studies.

The mechanism of action of Ophiocordyceps sinensis mycelia for prevention of acute lung injury based on non-targeted serum metabolomics

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a fungus with medicinal value in treating lung diseases, but no study has reported how to prevent acute lung injury using this fungus. The mice were divided into normal, model, positive control, and O. sinensis groups to observe lung histopathological sections and transmission electron microscopy, along with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to closely identify structural differences resulting from destruction between the groups. The results of the H&E staining showed that, compared with the normal group, the model group showed alveolar collapse. Compared with the model group, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the alveolar cavity of the O. sinensis group was significantly reduced. Mitochondrial plate-like cristae were observed in type II alveolar cells of the normal group, with normal coloration of the mitochondrial matrix. Type II alveolar cells in the model group showed obvious edema. The statuses of type II alveolar cells in the O. sinensis and positive groups were similar to that in the normal group. Twenty-nine biomarkers and 10 related metabolic pathways were identified by serum metabolomics screening. The results showed that O. sinensis mycelia had a significant effect on the prevention of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation.

Microbial characterization of the nasal cavity in patients with allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis

Introduction

Although recent studies have shown that the human microbiome is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, the impact of microbiota on allergic rhinitis (AR) and non-allergic rhinitis (nAR) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the composition of the nasal flora in patients with AR and nAR and their role in the pathogenesis.

Method

From February to September 2022, 35 AR patients and 35 nAR patients admitted to Harbin Medical University's Second Affiliated Hospital, as well as 20 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination during the same period, were subjected to 16SrDNA and metagenomic sequencing of nasal flora.

Results

The microbiota composition of the three groups of study subjects differs significantly. The relative abundance of Vibrio vulnificus and Acinetobacter baumanni in the nasal cavity of AR patients was significantly higher when compared to nAR patients, while the relative abundance of Lactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus iners, Proteobacteria, Pseudomonadales, and Escherichia coli was lower. In addition, Lactobacillus murinus and Lacttobacillus kunkeei were also negatively correlated with IgE, while Lacttobacillus kunkeei was positively correlated with age. The relative distribution of Faecalibacterium was higher in moderate than in severe AR patients. According to KEGG functional enrichment annotation, ICMT(protein-S-isoprenylcysteine O-methyltransferase,ICMT) is an AR microbiota-specific enzyme that plays a role, while glycan biosynthesis and metabolism are more active in AR microbiota. For AR, the model containing Parabacteroides goldstemii, Sutterella-SP-6FBBBBH3, Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea, Lachnospiraceae bacterium-615, and Bacteroides coprocola had the highest the area under the curve (AUC), which was 0.9733(95%CI:0.926-1.000) in the constructed random forest prediction model. The largest AUC for nAR is 0.984(95%CI:0.949-1.000) for the model containing Pseudomonas-SP-LTJR-52, Lachnospiraceae bacterium-615, Prevotella corporis, Anaerococcus vaginalis, and Roseburia inulinivorans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, patients with AR and nAR had significantly different microbiota profiles compared to healthy controls. The results suggest that the nasal microbiota may play a key role in the pathogenesis and symptoms of AR and nAR, providing us with new ideas for the treatment of AR and nAR.

Small molecule metabolites: discovery of biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Metabolic abnormalities lead to the dysfunction of metabolic pathways and metabolite accumulation or deficiency which is well-recognized hallmarks of diseases. Metabolite signatures that have close proximity to subject's phenotypic informative dimension, are useful for predicting diagnosis and prognosis of diseases as well as monitoring treatments. The lack of early biomarkers could lead to poor diagnosis and serious outcomes. Therefore, noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring methods with high specificity and selectivity are desperately needed. Small molecule metabolites-based metabolomics has become a specialized tool for metabolic biomarker and pathway analysis, for revealing possible mechanisms of human various diseases and deciphering therapeutic potentials. It could help identify functional biomarkers related to phenotypic variation and delineate biochemical pathways changes as early indicators of pathological dysfunction and damage prior to disease development. Recently, scientists have established a large number of metabolic profiles to reveal the underlying mechanisms and metabolic networks for therapeutic target exploration in biomedicine. This review summarized the metabolic analysis on the potential value of small-molecule candidate metabolites as biomarkers with clinical events, which may lead to better diagnosis, prognosis, drug screening and treatment. We also discuss challenges that need to be addressed to fuel the next wave of breakthroughs.

Local allergic rhinitis: considerations

The term "local allergic rhinitis" has gained popularity as a clinical entity in recent years. Despite the apparent contradiction in the definitions of "nasal" and "local," we offer insights based on our extensive experience in the field. Local allergic rhinitis has been recognized and treated for many years, so it is not a new discovery. The nasal provocation test, which was introduced in the 1980s, was critical in identifying allergic rhinitis cases with suggestive symptoms but negative allergy tests. Our reflections aim to contribute to a precise terminological decision that is consistent with various points of view.

Characterization of dysbiosis of the conjunctival microbiome and nasal microbiome associated with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis

Background

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) and allergic rhinitis (AR) are prevalent allergic diseases. People are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of microbial disorders on host immunity and allergic diseases. Studies have demonstrated an association between allergic diseases and the microbiome, but much remains unknown. We assessed changes in the conjunctival microbiome and nasal microbiome in patients with ARC or AR.

Methods

Conjunctival swabs and nasal swabs were collected from each participant for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Bacterial communities were analyzed.

Results

Forty patients with ARC, 20 patients suffering from AR, and 34 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. This study found the abundance of conjunctival microbiome in patients with ARC or AR was significantly lower than that in HCs. The diversity of conjunctival microbiome in patients with AR was significantly lower than those in the other two groups. There is no significant difference in abundance of nasal microbiome between the three groups. The diversities of nasal microbiome in patients with ARC or AR were significantly lower than that in HCs. We found significant differences in microbiota compositions in patients with ARC or AR compared with those in HCs. However, no significant difference in microbiota compositions was found between patients with ARC and patients with AR. Microbiome functions in the ARC group and AR group were also altered compared with HCs.

Conclusions

We revealed changes in the composition and function of the conjunctival microbiome and nasal microbiome of patients with ARC or AR, which suggests that there is a relationship between allergic conditions and the local microbiome.

Application of Extracellular Vesicles in Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review

The pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis (AR), one of the most common diseases in the world, is still not sufficiently understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are secreted by host and bacteria cells and take part in near and distant intracellular communication, can provide information about AR. Recently, attention has been drawn to the potential use of EVs as biomarkers, vaccines, or transporters for drug delivery. In this review, we present an up-to-date literature overview on EVs in AR to reveal their potential clinical significance in this condition. A comprehensive and systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA statement guidelines for original, completed articles, available in English concerning EVs and AR. For this purpose, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane, were searched up until 10 Novenmber 2022. From 275 records, 18 articles were included for analysis. The risk of bias was assessed for all studies as low or moderate risk of overall bias using the Office and Health Assessment and Translation Risk of Bias Rating Tool for Human and Animal Studies. We presented the role of exosomes in the pathophysiology of AR and highlighted the possibility of using exosomes as biomarkers and treatment in this disease.

Metabolomics in Otorhinolaryngology

Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat-ENT) focuses on inflammatory, immunological, infectious, and neoplastic disorders of the head and neck and on their medical and surgical therapy. The fields of interest of this discipline are the ear, the nose and its paranasal sinuses, the oral cavity, the pharynx, the larynx, and the neck. Besides surgery, there are many other diagnostic aspects of ENT such as audiology and Vestibology, laryngology, phoniatrics, and rhinology. A new advanced technology, named metabolomics, is significantly impacting the field of ENT. All the “omics” sciences, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, converge at the level of metabolomics, which is considered the integration of all “omics.” Its application will change the way several of ENT disorders are diagnosed and treated. This review highlights the power of metabolomics, including its pitfalls and promise, and several of its most relevant applications in ENT to provide a basic understanding of the metabolites associated with these districts. In particular, the attention has been focused on different heterogeneous diseases, from head and neck cancer to allergic rhinitis, hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, noise trauma, sinusitis, and Meniere’s disease. In conclusion, metabolomics study indicates a “fil rouge” that links these pathologies to improve three aspects of patient care: diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics, which in one word is defined as precision medicine.

The Present and Future of Allergen Immunotherapy in Personalized Medicine

Allergic diseases are particularly suitable for personalized medicine, because they meet the needs for therapeutic success, which include a known molecular mechanism of the disease, a diagnostic tool for that disease and a treatment that blocks this mechanism. A range of tools is available for personalized allergy diagnosis, including molecular diagnostics, treatable traits and omics (i.e., proteomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics and breathomics), to predict patient response to therapies, detect biomarkers and mediators and assess disease control status. Such tools enhance allergen immunotherapy. Higher diagnostic accuracy results in a significant increase (based on a greater performance achieved with personalized treatment) in efficacy, further increasing the known and unique characteristics of a treatment designed to work on allergy causes.