Heat-shock pretreatment reduces expression and release of TSLP from keratinocytes under Th2 environment.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the skin. Current therapy is not curative, and recalcitrant disease is a big stress and challenge for parents and physicians. This study explored the potential role of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP-70) and its anti-inflammatory effects on keratinocyte under TH2 environment. METHODS: Human keratinocyte cell line (HaCa T) was stimulated with IL-4, IL-13, and TNF-α to synthesize and secrete thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an important cytokine of immunopathogenesis in atopic dermatitis. Heat shock was performed by immersing the cell-contained flash into a water bath of 45°C for 20 min. Cell viability, TSLP expression, and secretion of HaCa T cells were measured and compared. Possible regulatory mechanisms influencing the expression of TSLP, such as the STAT6 and NF-κB signal pathways, were investigated. RESULTS: Heat-shock treatment induced intracellular HSP-70 expression in HaCa T cells without affecting cell viability. The induced expression and secretion of TSLP in HaCa T cells were suppressed by heat shock. The NF-κB signal pathway was inhibited by heat shock, leading to decreased TSLP expression and secretion. CONCLUSION: Heat stress-induced HSPs can significantly reduce the production and secretion of TSLP from HaCaT cells under Th2 environment. Thus, the evidence highlights the potential role of HSP-70 for atopic dermatitis in the future.

Oral ibuprofen versus intravenous indomethacin for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in very low birth weight infants.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects and complications of pharmacologic closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by intravenous indomethacin or oral ibuprofen in neonates weighing <1500 g at birth [very low birth weight (VLBW) infants]. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of infants treated with intravenous indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg initially followed by two doses at 24-hour intervals) or oral ibuprofen (10 mg/kg initially followed an interval of 24 hours by two doses of 5 mg/kg) for symptomatic PDA in a neonatal intensive care unit at a medical center in Taiwan during the period of January 2005 to December 2010. RESULTS: A total of 88 infants received indomethacin and 52 received oral ibuprofen. Among the survivors, the closure rate without surgical ductal ligation was 70.5% (62/88) in the indomethacin group and 61.5% (32/52) in the ibuprofen group (p = 0.342). The incidence rates of oliguria and elevated serum creatinine were significantly lower in the ibuprofen group (p =0.002 and p =0.022, respectively). There was no significant difference in incidence of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage or necrotizing enterocolitis between the ibuprofen and indomethacin groups (17.3% versus 23.9%; 3.8% versus 11.3%). CONCLUSION: In infants with VLBW, oral ibuprofen is as effective as intravenous indomethacin for closure of PDA and is associated with significantly fewer cases of necrotizing enterocolitis among infants with birth body weights <1250 g and significantly lower rates of elevated creatinine levels among neonates with birth body weights ranging from 1000 to 1500 g.