Factors Associated with Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis among Residents of Two Municipal Areas in South Korea

The relationship between exposure to environmental noise and risk of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Noise is defined as unwanted sound. It may induce negative emotions and mental health problems and may even lead to increased suicide risk. However, the impact of noise exposure on environmental diseases and disease severity is not well understood. This study aimed to elucidate the association between night-time noise exposure and the prevalence of environmental diseases in South Korea.

METHODS

We conducted an analysis of the Environmental Disease Database provide by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) from 2013 to 2017. After spatially interpolating the noise data provided by the National Noise Information System (NNIS), night-time noise values in the district level were obtained by calculating the mean noise values at the administrative district level. The linear regression analyses were performed to test the association between the age-standardized prevalence ratio (SPR) and the night-time noise exposure in the district level.

RESULTS

In areas with high night-time noise exposure (≥55 dB), the SPR for atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis were 1.0515 (95 % confidence interval [CI]:1.0508-1.0521) and 1.0202 (95 % CI:1.0201-1.0204), respectively, which were higher than those in the general population. The SPR for environmental diseases, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, was 1.0104 (95 % CI:1.0103-1.0105). Additionally, a significant linear association was observed between the level of nocturnal noise exposure and the total hospitalization period for atopic dermatitis (β = 399.3, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

We provide evidence of a significant association between night-time environmental noise and environmental diseases, particularly atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, we observed a significant linear association between night-time noise exposure and the severity of atopic dermatitis.

Effects of Resveratrol on Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Expression in Mast Cells

Background and objectives: Cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atopic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Resveratrol (RSV) exerts various pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticancer. Although, it has been verified the beneficial effects of RSV on various subjects, the effect of RSV on thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) regulation has not been elucidated. Materials and Methods: Here, we examined how RSV regulates TSLP in HMC-1 cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and calcium assay were performed to evaluate the effect of RSV. Results: TSLP production and mRNA expression were reduced by RSV. RSV down-regulated nuclear factor-κB activation, IκBα phosphorylation as well as activation of receptor-interacting protein2 and caspase-1 in HMC-1 cells. In addition, RSV treatment decreased the up-regulation of intracellular calcium in HMC-1 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that RSV might be useful for the treatment of atopic diseases through blocking of TSLP.

Intralymphatic Administration of Metagonimus yokogawai-Extracted Protein Attenuates Experimental Murine Allergic Rhinitis Model

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate potential therapeutic effect of Metagonimus yokogawai on the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis model.

METHODS

OVA-sensitized mice were used to assess potential therapeutic effect of the extract protein of M. yokogawai (My-TP). My-TP was administrated via the intralymphatic route to cervical lymph nodes. The frequencies of sneezing or nasal rubbing were recorded. Histopathologic evaluation was performed for eosinophil infiltrations in the tissues of the nasal mucosa and skin. The mRNA relative expressions of the cytokine profiles including Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg subsets in the nasal mucosa, cervical lymph nodes, and spleen were analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The potential underlying mechanism was investigated by examining cytokine profiles including IL-4 and Treg subsets from lymphocytes of the spleen by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Intralymphatic injection of My-TP reduced allergic symptoms and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa. My-TP-treated group showed markedly decreased levels of OVA-specific IgE and WBC counts in nasal lavage. My-TP-treated group showed the decreased expression levels of IL-4, while those of IL-10 were increased in both the nasal mucosa. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 were also decreased in the nasal mucosa and cervical lymph nodes. The immunological mechanism may involve the downregulation of Th2 response and upregulation of Tregs in the nasal mucosa and cervical lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide the first evidence of potential therapeutic effect of M. yokogawai in OVA-sensitized allergic rhinitis mice, suggesting that a Treg/Th2 reorganization may play a role in clinical course of allergic rhinitis.

Identification of modifiable pre- and postnatal dietary and environmental exposures associated with owner-reported canine atopic dermatitis in Finland using a web-based questionnaire

A cross-sectional hypothesis generating study was performed to investigate modifiable exposures such as whether feeding pattern (a non-processed meat based diet, NPMD, or an ultra-processed carbohydrate based diet, UPCD), certain environmental factors and their timing of exposure might be associated with the development of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). Also, genetic and demographic factors were tested for associations with CAD. The data was collected from the validated internet-based DogRisk food frequency questionnaire in Finland. A total of 2236 dogs were eligible for the study (the owners reported 406 cases and 1830 controls). Our main interest was to analyze modifiable early risk factors of CAD, focusing on nutritional and environmental factors. We tested four early life periods; prenatal, neonatal, early postnatal and late postnatal periods. Twenty-two variables were tested for associations with CAD using logistic regression analysis. From the final models we identified novel dietary associations with CAD: the NPMD during the prenatal and early postnatal periods had a significant negative association with the incidence of CAD in adult dogs (age above 1 year). Oppositely, UPCD was associated with a significantly higher risk for CAD incidence. Other variables that were associated with a significantly lower risk for CAD were maternal deworming during pregnancy, sunlight exposure during early postnatal period, normal body condition score during the early postnatal period, the puppy being born within the same family that it would stay in, and spending time on a dirt or grass surface from 2 to 6 months. Also, the genetic factors regarding maternal history of CAD, allergy-prone breeds and more than 50% white-colored coat all showed a significant positive association with CAD incidence in agreement with previous findings. Although no causality can be established, feeding NPMD early in life seemed to be protective against CAD, while UPCD could be considered a risk factor. Prospective intervention studies are needed to establish the causal effects of the protective role of NPMD on prevalence of CAD during the fetal and early postnatal life.