Up-regulation of functional kinin B1 receptors in allergic airway inflammation.
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B1 receptors are known to be induced during allergic airway inflammation in animal models. However, little is known regarding in vivo B1 receptor expression in humans. We examined B1 receptor mRNA expression in nasal tissue samples from allergic rhinitis and normal subjects. Allergic rhinitis subjects displayed significantly higher expression of B1 receptor mRNA than did the normal subjects, and nasal allergen challenge increased B1 receptor mRNA expression at 8 to 24 h time points in allergic rhinitis subjects. No significant difference was found in B2 receptor expression. To confirm B2 and B1 receptor functional activity, subjects were challenged with kinin agonists. Nasal challenge with the B1 receptor ligand, Lys-des-Arg-bradykinin (BK), activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase in allergic rhinitis, but not normal, subjects. Nasal challenge with the B2 receptor ligand, BK, activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase in both allergic rhinitis and normal subjects. The consequences of B1 receptor activation were investigated using the human airway epithelial cell lines A549 and BEAS-2B. We demonstrated that Lys-des-Arg-BK activates the transcription factor AP-1. Taken together, these results show that functional B1 receptors are induced in the airway during allergic inflammation and suggest that they participate in the regulation of gene expression. (+info)
Nasal eosinophilic inflammation contributes to bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with allergic rhinitis.
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There are increasing evidences that allergic rhinitis (AR) may influence the clinical course of asthma. We conducted methacholine challenge test and nasal eosinophils on nasal smear to patients with allergic rhinitis in order to investigate the mechanism of connecting upper and lower airway inflammation in 35 patients with AR during exacerbation. The methacholine concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20) was used as thresholds of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Thresholds of 25 mg/dL or less were assumed to indicate BHR. All patients had normal pulmonary function. Significant differences in BHR were detected in the comparison of patients with cough or postnasal drip and without cough or postnasal drip. There were significant differences of PC20 between patients with cough or postnasal drip and those without cough or postnasal drip (3.41+/-3.59 mg/mL vs 10.2+/-1.2 mg/mL, p=0.001). The levels of total IgE were higher in patients with seasonal AR than in patients with perennial AR with exacerbation (472.5+/-132.5 IU/L vs. 389.0+/-70.9 IU/L, p<0.05). Nasal eosinophils were closely related to log PC20 (r=-0.65, p<0.01). These findings demonstrated that nasal eosinophilic inflammation might contribute to BHR in patients with AR. (+info)
Effects of dietary yoghurt on immunological and clinical parameters of rhinopathic patients.
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OBJECTIVES: To examine the immunological and clinical influence of 4 months' feeding with either yoghurt or partially skimmed milk or nothing, on 20 volunteers. SUBJECTS: Thirteen subjects had a demonstrated allergic rhinopathy and seven were healthy subjects and participated as controls. RESEARCH DESIGN: Either a group of seven or a group of six rhinopathic patients were fed either 450 g yoghurt or 450 g partially skimmed milk, respectively, for 4 months between March and October 1999. All subjects maintained their usual diet throughout the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated before and after the experimental period and cultured for periods of 40 and 64 h. Proliferation index assay and release of IFNgamma and IL-4 without and with PHA stimulation were assessed. Allergic rhinopathy was evaluated before and after the 4 months period by performing the nasal functionality tests (Active Anterior Rhinomanometry, Acoustic Rhinometry), the prick test, the nasal specific provocation test (NPT), the dosage of specific IgE blood levels, the evaluation of the symptomatological score and the nasal mucociliary transport test. RESULTS: No significant change of the proliferation index was noted among the three groups. Cultured PBMC of the group fed with yoghurt released more IFNgamma and less IL-4. Cytokine plasma levels were at and remained at basal levels. Prick test, specific serum IgEs and NPT remained immodified. Muco-ciliary transport time (MCTt) and symptomatological score showed a definitive improvement after yoghurt feeding. CONCLUSION: Yoghurt feeding appears to improve or prevent allergic recurrences in rhinopatic patients. (+info)
IgA deficiency: a report of three cases from Thailand.
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Selective IgA deficiency has been reported to be the most common primary immunodeficiency disease in Western countries. A markedly lower frequency of this condition has been reported in the Japanese population. While most of the IgA deficient cases are healthy, some patients develop significant recurrent sinopulmonary infections, allergic disorders and autoimmune diseases. Herein, we report three cases of IgA deficiency among Thai patients, all of whom suffered from chronic sinopulmonary infections. Two of the three patients had absolute IgA deficiency while the third had a partial IgA deficiency. The associated conditions found in these three patients were deficiencies of an IgG subclass, allergic rhinitis and lupus nephritis. The youngest child (5 years old boy with lupus nephritis) expired from Pneumocystis carrinii pneumonia complicated with adult respiratory distress syndrome. (+info)
Therapeutic effects of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist on allergic rhinitis of guinea pig.
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AIM: To determine the effect of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) on allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Allergic rhinitis was induced by toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI). At the end of the treatment, the pathological changes in the nasal mucosa were observed. The concentrations of histamine in the nasal mucosa and IgE in the blood were determined as well. RESULT: Symptoms of allergic rhinitis were remarkably relieved after IL-1ra treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated that less edema was found in the nasal mucosa and small vessel was normal after IL-1ra application, but edema,vasodilation, and inflammatory cell infiltration were discovered in the model group. The concentrations of histamine in the nasal mucosa and IgE in the blood were less than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: IL-1ra im administration selectively and non-traumatically alleviated nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing. (+info)
Systemic bioactivity of intranasal triamcinolone and mometasone in perennial allergic rhinitis.
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AIMS: To evaluate the systemic bioactivity of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) 220 micro g or mometasone furoate (MF) 200 micro g over 3 weeks in perennial allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients received TA 220 micro g or MF 200 micro g once daily for 3 weeks with a 2 week placebo washout period prior to each randomized treatment. Measurements were made at baseline after each washout and after each randomized treatment, comprising overnight 10-h urinary cortisol corrected for creatinine (OUCC), 08.00 h plasma cortisol and 08.00 h serum osteocalcin. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between baseline values prior to TA or MF, and for any outcome measures comparing randomized treatments to respective baseline values or comparing TA with MF. For OUCC compared with baseline, the geometric mean fold suppression (95% CI) was 1.02 (0.78, 1.33) for TA (2% decrease), 1.07 (0.80, 1.42) for MF (7% decrease), and 1.05 (0.79, 1.39) for TA vs MF (5% decrease). CONCLUSIONS: Standard doses of TA or MF over 3 weeks showed no differences in systemic bioactivity markers compared with respective baseline values after placebo washout, and there were no differences between TA vs MF. (+info)
An evaluation of short-term corticosteroid response in perennial allergic rhinitis using histamine and adenosine monophosphate nasal challenge.
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AIMS: To evaluate the role of AMP nasal challenge as a measure of short-term treatment response in patients receiving intranasal corticosteroids. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) challenge has been shown to be a good inflammatory surrogate in the lower airways, but it has not been properly evaluated as a nasal challenge test. METHODS: Fourteen patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) were randomized to receive 2 weeks treatment with placebo (PL) or 200 microg intranasal mometasone furoate (MF) once daily in a randomized single-blind crossover study. AMP (25-800 mg ml-1) and histamine (0.25-8 mg ml-1) nasal challenge testing were performed after each treatment period with 30% decrease in minimal cross-sectional area (MCA). Domiciliary symptom data were collected. RESULTS: There was a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in PC30 MCA and nasal volume with AMP but not with histamine comparing MF vs PL. This amounted to a 2.8 (95% CI 1.5, 4.0) and 0.7 (95% CI -0.5, 1.9) doubling-dose change for AMP and histamine challenges, respectively. There were significant (P < 0.05) improvements in nasal symptoms and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: AMP nasal challenge using acoustic rhinometry may be a useful test to assess short-term treatment response in patient with PAR. (+info)
Occupational respiratory diseases in the Czech Republic.
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This paper presents the profile of occupational respiratory diseases in the Czech Republic. In a retrospective study the author analyzes structure, causes, occurrence, and trends of occupational diseases. Between 1996 and 2000, a total of 2,127 new cases were recorded, of which 62.0% were pneumoconioses caused by dust containing free silica, 21.0% were occupational asthma or allergic rhinitis and the rest were divided between lung cancer (10.0%), asbestos-related disorders (4.4%) and variety of other respiratory diseases (2.7%). During the period of the investigations, the decreasing trend of occupational respiratory diseases, which began in 1992, has continued. (+info)