Evaluating the Protective Properties of a Xyloglucan-Based Nasal Spray in a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis

A breached nasal epithelial barrier plays an important role in driving allergic rhinitis (AR). Corticosteroids remain the standard of care (SoC) but come with side effects, thus alternative safe and effective treatments able to avoid inflammation and restore barrier integrity are needed. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the barrier-forming capacity of a xyloglucan-based nasal spray (XG) and compare its efficacy to several SoC treatments (corticosteroid spray, oral mast-cell stabilizer and oral antihistamine) in reducing allergic responses in addition to its effect when concomitantly administered with an antihistamine. An ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse AR model was used. XG shows a significant efficacy in reducing histological damage in AR mice; improves nasal rubbing and histamine-induced hyper-responsiveness. Total and OVA-specific IgE as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines are significantly reduced compared to OVA challenged-mice, with im-proved efficacy when used as an add-on treatment. However, XG reduces mucous secreting cells (PAS-positive) and mucin mRNA expression similar to the corticosteroid-treated mice. XG-spray maintains tight junction protein expression (ZO-1) and conversely decreases HDAC1 significantly; the latter being highly expressed in AR patients. Moreover, the concomitant treatment showed in all of the endpoints a similar efficacy to the corticosteroids. This innovative approach may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for nasal respiratory diseases like AR, reducing undesirable side effects and improving the quality of life in patients.     

直接竞争酶联免疫吸附法检测虾过敏蛋白

目的:建立酶标抗原的直接竞争酶联免疫吸附法(dcELISA)检测食品中虾过敏蛋白,为食品过敏诊断试剂的开发和应用提供理论基础。方法:提取虾主要过敏蛋白,免疫小鼠制备抗虾过敏蛋白多克隆抗体,辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)标记抗原,建立酶标抗原的dcELISA检测虾过敏蛋白。结果:所建立的dcELISA法最低检测限为3.94ng/mL,标准曲线在0.12～128.86ng/mL范围内线性良好,批内和批间变异系数分别为6.16%和2.73%,回收率为82%～98%。结论:该方法具有良好的特异性、敏感性和稳定性,为进一步研制检测虾过敏蛋白的ELISA试剂盒提供有效的方法。     

大豆致敏蛋白的识别

我国是大豆的种植大国，但对大豆致敏蛋白的识别却一直没有进行过，本文就是利用大豆过敏患者的血清识别不同品种大豆致敏蛋白的组成，除已被发现的7S(β-伴大豆球蛋白)外，还识别到一种分子量85．3kDa的强致敏蛋白，同时发现，品种间的差异蛋白都有可能成为新的致敏蛋白。     

国外“无麸质”食品的管理

为了规范"无麸质"(gluten free)食品标识,国际食品法典委员会、欧盟、美国、加拿大以及阿根廷等国相继发布了无麸质食品的相关法规或标准,定义了无麸质食品,提出了无麸质食品的质量控制、标注以及检测等方面的要求,并提出了管理及发展我国"无麸质"食品产业的对策。     

The development of a suitable manufacturing process for ‘Benifuuki’ green tea beverage with anti‐allergic effects

Epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐(3‐O‐methyl) gallate (EGCG3″Me) has been reported to inhibit type I allergy better than epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major catechin in tea leaves (Camellia sinensis L). We examined the effects of extraction and sterilization on the catechin content and histamine release from mast cells, as a representative reaction of early phase allergy, in the manufacture of ‘Benifuuki’ green tea beverage. Among various varieties of tea, the cultivar ‘Benifuuki’ contains approximately 2% of EGCG3″Me. Ester‐type catechins and their epimers increased with the increased extraction temperature of the tea. A tea infusion, extracted at 90 °C, strongly inhibited histamine release from mast cells. Furthermore, sterilization affected the catechin content in the manufactured green tea beverage. Sterilization at high temperature promoted the isomerization of catechins and the sterilized green tea beverage had a strong inhibitory effect. When EGCG3″Me, EGCG, epicatechin‐3‐O‐gallate (ECG) and their epimers, GCG3″Me (gallocatechin‐3‐O‐(3‐O‐methyl) gallate), GCG (gallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate) and CG (catechin‐3‐O‐gallate) were compared, the anti‐allergic effect of GCG3″Me was strongest, and the order of activity was GCG3″Me > EGCG3″Me > GCG > EGCG. We consequently suggest that it was necessary to extract components from tea at the highest temperature possible, and to pasteurize under retort conditions (118.1 °C, 20 min), to manufacture functional green tea beverage with an anti‐allergic action. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Aqueous-Deficient Dry Eye Exacerbates Signs and Symptoms of Allergic Conjunctivitis in Mice

Dry eye disease (DED) and allergic conjunctivitis affect a large number of patients, and many patients usually have both symptoms. We investigated the interactions between DED and allergic conjunctivitis in mice. Four experimental groups were compared: control, DED, allergy, and allergy with DED. DED was induced by removing the extraorbital lacrimal glands of the mice. Allergic conjunctivitis was induced by intraperitoneal administration of ovalbumin and antigen eye drops. The early phase reaction of the allergy was evaluated using the clinical score, scratching behavior, and vascular permeability in the conjunctiva. Epithelial barrier function was assessed by an LC-biotin assay. Tear fluid volume and corneal fluorescein staining decreased in the DED and allergy with DED groups. LC-biotin penetrated the entire epithelium of both the cornea and conjunctiva in DED mice. The clinical score of the early phase reaction was higher in allergy-induced mice than in non-allergy mice. Edema of the eyelid and conjunctiva were aggravated in mice with DED. The number of scratching episodes and leakage of Evans blue into the conjunctiva were higher in allergy-induced DED mice than in control mice. The presence of aqueous-deficient dry eye caused ocular surface epithelial damage and exacerbated allergic signs and symptoms.     

Composition of nasal airway surface liquid in cystic fibrosis and other airway diseases determined by X-ray microanalysis

The ionic composition of the airway surface liquid (ASL) in healthy individuals and in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been debated. Ion transport properties of the upper airway epithelium are similar to those of the lower airways and it is easier to collect nasal ASL from the nose. ASL was collected with ion exchange beads, and the elemental composition of nasal fluid was determined by X-ray microanalysis in healthy subjects, CF patients, CF heterozygotes, patients with rhinitis, and with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). In healthy subjects, the ionic concentrations were approximately isotonic. In CF patients, CF heterozygotes, rhinitis, and PCD patients, [Na] and [Cl] were significantly higher compared when compared with those in controls. [K] was significantly higher in CF and PCD patients compared with that in controls. Severely affected CF patients had higher ionic concentrations in their nasal ASL than in patients with mild or moderate symptoms. Female CF patients had higher levels of Na, Cl, and K than male patients. As higher salt concentrations in the ASL are also found in other patients with airway diseases involving chronic inflammation, it appears likely that inflammation-induced epithelial damage is important in determining the ionic composition of the ASL.     

Use of air-cleaning devices to create airborne particle-free spaces intended to alleviate allergic rhinitis and asthma during sleep

Comprehensive quantitative experiments were performed to assess the capabilities of several air-cleaning devices to create a particle-free microenvironment as a therapy for sleeping persons affected by allergic rhinitis and asthma. Six devices were evaluated, of which five were portable and intended to provide general air cleaning for bedroom-sized spaces. The sixth was intended for installation in front of the headboard of a bed and was designed to provide clean air focused in a space occupied by a sleeping person. The air-cleaning methods of the selected devices included high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtering and electrostatic precipitation. Particle concentration measurements for six particle-size ranges and sound intensity measurements were made during 8-h, sleep-simulating periods. The effects of four parameters were studied: (i) device location, (ii) controlled air motion in the laboratory, (iii) airflow rate setting of the air-cleaning device, and (iv) controlled disturbances. To ensure a totally objective study, a special laboratory facility was constructed which enabled complete control of the experimental conditions. The measured concentration histories provided comprehensive evidence of the relative capabilities of the various devices for the specific air-cleaning function. It was found that the device designed to focus the cleaned air in the sleeping space fulfilled its goal and, in that regard, was clearly superior to all of the other air-cleaning devices. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: There is evidence that allergic reactions are triggered by the presence of airborne particles and that these reactions can be mitigated by particle removal. This strategy can be implemented by the use of air-cleaning devices which are capable of creating particle-free zones at locations where human activity occurs. In particular, the creation of a particle-free zone which encompasses the breathing space of a sleeping person holds promise of mitigating sleep-disturbing allergic reactions.     

鼻炎热疗仪嵌入式系统设计

介绍了鼻炎热疗仪嵌入式系统软、硬件设计方案。硬件方案包括:温度测量控制方案,雾化蒸汽产生、加热控制方案,液位监测方案,人/机接口方案。软件方案包括:基本软件控制流程,上电复位和WDT强制复位的识别与处理方法。介绍了负荷变化大、温度对象特性非线性严重的控制算法。临床应用结果证明,设计的嵌入式系统方案合理,稳定性、可靠性、温度测量控制精度、雾化蒸汽流量等各项指标满足临床应用要求。