ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Whether nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB) shows response to bronchodilator (RB) remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the RB and its relationship with clinical and pathophysiological features in NAEB. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with NAEB were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive oral bambuterol hydrochloride (n = 34, 10 mg, once daily, for 3 days) or matched placebo (n = 17) randomly, of whom 48 patients (32 with bronchodilator and 16 with placebo) completed the study. Sputum induction, spirometry and cough reflex sensitivity were measured. RB was considered when cough Visual analogue scale (VAS) score decreased 30% or more after treatment. Cough reflex sensitivity was defined as the lowest concentration of capsaicin inducing five coughings or more (C5), and presented as Log C5. RESULTS: The responsive rate of patients with bronchodilator was significantly higher than that with placebo (34.4% vs 6.3%, P < 0.05). The VAS score decreased significantly in patients with bronchodilator (median: 6.0-3.0, P < 0.01). There was a significantly higher median Log C5 (2.7 vs 1.3, P < 0.05), and a higher trend of decline in FEV1 % predicted and MMEF% predicted after bronchial provocation in patients with RB as compared with patients without RB. No significant differences in baseline percentages of sputum eosinophil were found between patients with RB and that without RB. CONCLUSIONS: One third of patients with NAEB respond well to bronchodilator treatment, which are related with lower cough reflex sensitivity and increased airway responsiveness. The relationship between NAEB and asthma needs to be investigated further.
Subject(s)
Bronchial Hyperreactivity/physiopathology , Bronchitis/physiopathology , Bronchodilator Agents/therapeutic use , Terbutaline/analogs & derivatives , Administration, Oral , Adult , Airway Remodeling/drug effects , Asthma/physiopathology , Bronchial Hyperreactivity/drug therapy , Bronchial Hyperreactivity/immunology , Bronchitis/diagnosis , Bronchitis/immunology , Capsaicin/therapeutic use , Case-Control Studies , Cough/physiopathology , Eosinophilia/immunology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Placebos/administration & dosage , Sensitivity and Specificity , Sensory System Agents/therapeutic use , Sputum/drug effects , Sputum/immunology , Terbutaline/therapeutic use , Visual Analog ScaleABSTRACT
Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute tracheobronchitis. Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz (TMHM) is a dietic herb for heat-clearing and detoxifying functions as well as swell-reducing and mass-resolving effect in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Studies have shown that its major ingredient organic acid component (OAC) possesses favorable anti-inflammatory activity. However, the protective effect of OAC from TMHM (TMHM-OAC) on inflammatory injury of acute tracheobronchitis and its possible mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, HPLC-DAD was used to analyze the components of TMHM-OAC. Lipopolysaccharide of 1mg/ml was used to induce respiratory inflammation in ICR mice at the dose of 5mg/kg by intratracheally aerosol administration. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect the levels of inflammation factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide in serum and supernatant of trachea tissue. Western blotting (WB) and Immunohistochemistry analysis (IHC) were conducted in parallel to determine TNF-α, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Toll-like receptors 4(TLR4) protein expressions and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) phosphorylation. Hematoxylin-Eosin staining (HE) was applied to evaluate pathological lesions of trachea tissue. Experimental results showed that TMHM-OAC significantly reduced the levels of the TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in serum and supernatant of tracheal of LPS-induced ICR mice. The protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS in tracheal tissue were also down-regulated significantly by the treatment of TMHM-OAC. Moreover, TMHM-OAC downregulated phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and protein expression of TLR4. Our results indicated that TMHM-OAC could improve LPS-induced histopathological damage of tracheal tissues through the regulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and could be beneficial for the treatment of acute tracheobronchitis.
Subject(s)
Bronchitis/drug therapy , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism , Acute Disease , Animals , Bronchitis/immunology , Cells, Cultured , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Humans , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Lipopolysaccharides/immunology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred ICR , NF-kappa B/genetics , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Taraxacum/immunology , Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolismABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of resolvin D1 (RvD1), as well as the combined treatment of docosahexaenoic acid monoglyceride (MAG-DHA) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), on the resolution of inflammation markers and Ca(2+) sensitivity in IL-13-pretreated human bronchi (HB). Tension measurements performed with 300 nM RvD1 largely abolished (50%) the over-reactivity triggered by 10 ng/ml IL-13 pretreatment and reversed hyper Ca(2+) sensitivity. Addition of 300 nM 17(S)-HpDoHE, the metabolic intermediate between DHA and RvD1, displayed similar effects. In the presence of 100 µM ASA (a COX inhibitor), the inhibitory effect of 1 µM MAG-DHA on muscarinic tone was further amplified, but not in the presence of Ibuprofen. Western blot analysis revealed that the combined treatment of MAG-DHA and ASA upregulated GPR-32 expression and downregulated cytosolic TNFα detection, hence preventing IκBα degradation and p65-NFκB phosphorylation. The Ca(2+) sensitivity of HB was also quantified on ß-escin permeabilized preparations. The presence of ASA potentiated the inhibitory effects of MAG-DHA in reducing the Ca(2+) hypersensitivity triggered by IL-13 by decreasing the phosphorylation levels of the PKC-potentiated inhibitor protein-17 regulatory protein (CPI-17). In summary, MAG-DHA combined with ASA, as well as exogenously added RvD1, may represent valuable assets against critical AHR disorder.
Subject(s)
Bronchi/drug effects , Bronchitis/drug therapy , Bronchodilator Agents/pharmacology , Calcium Signaling/drug effects , Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Docosahexaenoic Acids/metabolism , Monoglycerides/pharmacology , Airway Resistance/drug effects , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Aspirin/pharmacology , Bronchi/immunology , Bronchi/metabolism , Bronchitis/immunology , Bronchitis/metabolism , Bronchodilator Agents/agonists , Drug Synergism , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/antagonists & inhibitors , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/metabolism , Humans , I-kappa B Kinase/chemistry , I-kappa B Kinase/metabolism , In Vitro Techniques , Interleukin-13/antagonists & inhibitors , Interleukin-13/metabolism , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Monoglycerides/agonists , Muscle Proteins , Phosphoprotein Phosphatases/antagonists & inhibitors , Phosphoprotein Phosphatases/metabolism , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Protein Processing, Post-Translational/drug effects , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/agonists , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , Transcription Factor RelA/antagonists & inhibitors , Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/antagonists & inhibitors , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nasal inflammation in allergic rhinitis enhances bronchial Th2 driven inflammation and development of asthma. We assessed bronchial inflammation induced by natural allergen exposure during pollen season in patients with pollinosis with or without asthma to show the intensity of inflammation in asthma and rhinitis and possible persistence of inflammation in periods without allergen exposure. METHODS: Sputum was induced in 52 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis without asthma, 38 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and seasonal asthma and 23 healthy volunteers. Sampling was performed 6-8 weeks before the expected beginning of symptoms, during symptomatic period and 6-8 weeks after the end of symptoms. Sputum ECP was measured by means of chemi-luminiscent immunometric assay and sputum cell counts were assessed by classical staining and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Sputum eosinophils were on the whole higher in both asthma and rhinitis compared to controls (p<0.001, p=0.003). The rise of eosinophils during pollen season compared with values out of pollen season was significant in asthma (classical staining) (p=0.014) and slightly apparent in rhinitis (immunocytochemistry) (p=0.073). The seasonal rise of sputum ECP was observed only in rhinitis (p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation of the lower airway in patients with allergic rhinitis with and without asthma has been confirmed by means of both sputum eosinophil count and sputum ECP level. Persistent inflammation of lower airway in periods without allergen exposure was proven in seasonal asthma. This may have implications for the therapy of seasonal allergic rhinitis with and without asthma in terms of promoting long-term anti-inflammatory treatment.
Subject(s)
Asthma/immunology , Bronchitis/immunology , Eosinophils/immunology , Inflammation/immunology , Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/immunology , Adult , Allergens/immunology , Asthma/complications , Bronchitis/etiology , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Leukocyte Count , Male , Middle Aged , Pollen/immunology , Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/complications , Seasons , Sputum/immunology , Young AdultABSTRACT
There is now good evidence that the use of electromagnetic millimeter waves the following curative effects: analgesic, normalization of relations or increased formation of neurohumoral substances. The introduction of a therapeutic practice complex biological drugs that trigger, not overwhelming the body auxiliary immunological reaction, based on the activation of the regulation clones of T-lymphocytes and helper functions, is an important step in achieving a qualitatively level of health patients with chronic disease.
Subject(s)
Bronchitis/blood , Bronchitis/rehabilitation , Immunity, Cellular , Immunity, Humoral , Minerals/therapeutic use , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Radiofrequency Therapy , Adolescent , Antigens, CD/blood , Blood Cell Count , Blood Proteins/metabolism , Bronchitis/immunology , Bronchitis/prevention & control , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Humans , Immunity, Cellular/drug effects , Immunity, Cellular/radiation effects , Immunity, Humoral/drug effects , Immunity, Humoral/radiation effects , Immunoglobulins/blood , Male , Minerals/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Secondary PreventionABSTRACT
1. This research was conducted to determine the effect of diet supplementation with Echinacea extract (cichoric acid) on the growth performance, antibody titres and intestinal tissue histology of layer chicks. 2. White, 1-d-old, Hy-Line hybrid chicks (n = 540) were divided into three treatments, each consisting of 6 groups of 30 chicks (n = 180): (1) control; (2) 2·5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed; and (3) 5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed. The trial lasted 60 d. 3. While the growth performance of the chicks was depressed between d 1 and 45, it was found to improve between d 45 and 60. 4. Feed consumption was lower in both of the cichoric-acid-fed groups than in the control group between d 1-15 and 15-30, but was higher between d 30 and 45. Overall, mean feed consumption did not differ between the control and cichoric-acid-fed groups during the 60 d study period. 5. During the 60 d evaluation period, live weight gain, feed utilisation rate and final live weight were higher in the control group than in both of the cichoric-acid-fed groups. 6. Antibody titres against infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease did not differ between the three groups, but those for Newcastle disease were higher in the 2·5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed group than in the control group after 45 d. 7. Height and width of the jejunal villus and the thickness of the muscle layer were lower in the 5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed group than in both the control and the 2·5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed groups. The height of the ileal villus was also lower in the 5 mg/kg cichoric-acid-fed group than in the other two groups. 8. Echinacea extract supplementation for layer chicks appears not to benefit growth performance and intestinal histology during the growing period.
Subject(s)
Chickens/physiology , Echinacea , Intestines/anatomy & histology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Body Weight/drug effects , Bronchitis/immunology , Bronchitis/prevention & control , Bronchitis/veterinary , Chickens/immunology , Chickens/microbiology , Eating/drug effects , Feeding Behavior/drug effects , Female , Immune Sera/blood , Intestines/drug effects , Intestines/microbiology , Poultry Diseases/immunology , Poultry Diseases/microbiology , Poultry Diseases/prevention & controlABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: RATIO: Asthma is a major public health problem, with bronchial inflammation as the therapeutic target. The role of dietary fish oil derived polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in allergic inflammation is controversial. Most asthmatics suffer from mild disease and non-pharmacologic interventions are attractive. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory potential of nutritional PUFAs in an experimentally induced bronchial inflammation. METHODS: We examined 38 grass pollen allergic asthmatics and 19 controls. History of dietary PUFA intake was compared with levels of PUFAs in erythrocyte membranes, and stratified according to low (25th quartile; Q25) and high (75th quartile; Q75) ratios of omega-3 (n-3) to omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs as a surrogate for anti-inflammatory (Q75) or proinflammatory (Q25) effects. Bronchial inflammation was simulated with one-step inhalation of grass pollen. Bronchial response (exhaled nitric monoxide, eNO as surrogate for inflammation, decrease of FEV(1)) was correlated with levels of PUFAs in erythrocyte membranes. RESULTS: Ratios of n-3/n-6 PUFA were significantly lower in asthmatics than in healthy controls. Levels of eNO were significantly higher in Q25 asthmatics than in Q75 asthmatics (p = 0.040). There was a trend of higher bronchial hyperreactivity in Q25 asthmatics (median PD(20) 0.27 vs. 0.14; n.s.), induced by specific bronchial challenge with grass pollen (FEV(1) decrease 16.7 vs. 23.1%; n.s.). CONCLUSION: When stratifying for erythrocyte membrane PUFA content as a surrogate for alimentary intake, we found mild effects on bronchial allergic inflammation. Future intervention studies with pharmacological PUFA doses appear suitable to clarify dietary PUFA role as an adjunctive intervention to the established treatment of asthma. ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT00519740.
Subject(s)
Fatty Acids, Omega-3/therapeutic use , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Poaceae/immunology , Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Bronchial Provocation Tests , Bronchitis/immunology , Bronchitis/therapy , Dietary Supplements , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/immunology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/immunology , Spirometry , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
Evidence suggests inhibition of leukocyte trafficking mitigates, in part, ozone-induced inflammation. In the present study, the authors postulated that inhibition of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), an 82-kDa protein with multiple biological roles, could inhibit ozone-induced leukocyte trafficking and cytokine secretions. BALB/c mice (n = 5/cohort) were exposed to ozone (100 ppb) or forced air (FA) for 4 hours. MARCKS-inhibiting peptides, MANS, BIO-11000, BIO-11006, or scrambled control peptide RNS, were intratracheally administered prior to ozone exposure. Ozone selectively enhanced bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) levels of killer cells (KCs; 6 +/- 0.9-fold), interleukin-6 (IL-6; 12.7 +/- 1.9-fold), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF; 2.1 +/- 0.5-fold) as compared to cohorts exposed to FA. Additionally, ozone increased BAL neutrophils by 21% +/- 2% with no significant (P > .05) changes in other cell types. MANS, BIO-11000, and BIO-11006 significantly reduced ozone-induced KC secretion by 66% +/- 14%, 47% +/- 15%, and 71.1% +/- 14%, and IL-6 secretion by 69% +/- 12%, 40% +/- 7%, and 86.1% +/- 11%, respectively. Ozone-mediated increases in BAL neutrophils were reduced by MANS (86% +/- 7%) and BIO-11006 (84% +/- 2.5%), but not BIO-11000. These studies identify for the first time the novel potential of MARCKS protein inhibitors in abrogating ozone-induced increases in neutrophils, cytokines, and chemokines in BAL fluid. BIO-11006 is being developed as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and is currently being evaluated in a phase 2 clinical study.
Subject(s)
Bronchitis/drug therapy , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Membrane Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Neutrophil Infiltration/drug effects , Peptides/therapeutic use , Animals , Bronchitis/chemically induced , Bronchitis/immunology , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/cytology , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate , Peptides/pharmacologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dongchong xiacao capsule on the airway inflammation of asthmatic patients and to explore the relevant mechanism of therapeutic effect of Dongchongxiacao capsule. METHOD: Sixty patients with moderate persistent asthma were randomized into the treatment group (n=30) and the control group (n=30). Inhaled corticosteroid and as-needed beta-agonist were used in the treatment group while this therapy plus dongchong xiacao capsule were used in the control group for two months. Serum IL-4, IFN-gamma, sICAM-1, MMP-9, IgG, IgE level were assessed at randomization and 2 months after randomization. RESULT: The serum level of IgE, sICAM-1, IL-4 and MMP-9 of the treatment group was lowered to a greater degree than that of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 ). CONCLUSION: Dongchong xiacao capsule can reduce the serum markers of airway inflammation, which suggests this therapy bares the anti-inflammation effects probably through regulating the balance of TH1/TH2, inhibiting the activity of adherence molecule and reducing IgE production. It may also have the effect of reversing airway remodeling, which needs further research to determine.
Subject(s)
Asthma/drug therapy , Bronchitis/drug therapy , Cordyceps , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Adult , Aged , Asthma/immunology , Bronchitis/immunology , Capsules , Cordyceps/chemistry , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/blood , Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/blood , Interferon-gamma/blood , Interleukin-4/blood , Male , Materia Medica/isolation & purification , Middle Aged , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th2 Cells/immunologyABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Bach's Magnificat on emotions, immune, and endocrine parameters in patients of specific infectious lung conditions. Participants (N = 40; 9 men & 31 women) ranging in age from 40 to 75 participated in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to an experimental and control group. During a 3-day period the experimental group received physiotherapy with the selected music, while the control group only received physiotherapy. ANOVA statistics indicate significant changes in the following parameters: POMS-scale, CD4+:CD8+ ratio, cortisol, and cortisol:DHEA ratio. The intervention of music demonstrates communication between the mind and body.
Subject(s)
Affect , Bronchitis/metabolism , Bronchitis/therapy , Music Therapy/methods , Pneumonia, Bacterial/metabolism , Pneumonia, Bacterial/therapy , Adult , Aged , Breathing Exercises , Bronchitis/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Combined Modality Therapy , Dehydroepiandrosterone/blood , Female , Humans , Hydrocortisone/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Nebulizers and Vaporizers , Pneumonia, Bacterial/immunology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicate that murine models are useful tools for studying the allergic diseases, including certain aspects of bronchial asthma such as cellular tissue inflammation and pulmonary function. OBJECTIVE: To develop an experimental model of allergic lung inflammation based on a relevant human allergen, olive pollen, and to establish the immunological, cellular and functional airway features of the allergic response in this model. METHODS: Induction of systemic allergic response was achieved by the subcutaneous administration of Olea europaea extract in BALB/c mice. Olea-specific Igs (IgG1, IgG2a and IgE) and cytokines from splenocyte cultures IL-4, IL-5 IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-gamma were measured. Allergic airway response was generated by transnasal instillation of the allergens. Airway responsiveness was monitored by non-invasive methacholine inhalation challenge. Lungs were paraffin embedded and histologically analysed. Apoptosis was studied by the TUNEL technique in the lung tissue and through cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry in splenocytes. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that Olea-sensitized mice develop a specific allergic antibody (IgG1 and IgE) and cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13) response. After transnasal Olea instillation, they show inflammatory infiltration of lung tissue, mucus secretion and non-specific hyper-responsiveness in the airway. Concomitantly, differences in the rate of apoptosis are observed in the lung cells as well as a significant reduction of spontaneous apoptosis in the splenocytes of allergic mice. CONCLUSION: We present a novel animal model of olive pollen-allergic disease. This model presents traits associated with human allergic asthma and could be an interesting tool in the study of underlying molecular mechanisms and in exploring the therapeutic approaches to this disease.
Subject(s)
Allergens/adverse effects , Apoptosis/immunology , Asthma/chemically induced , Plant Proteins/adverse effects , Pollen/adverse effects , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/chemically induced , Animals , Bronchitis/chemically induced , Bronchitis/immunology , Disease Models, Animal , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Olea , Plant Proteins/immunology , Pollen/immunologyABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: To observe the clinical effect of drug cupping therapy (DCT, cupping therapy with pingchuan ointment made by the authors themselves in the cups) on chronic asthmatic bronchitis (CAB) during the protracted period, and explore its effect on immune function. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients were randomly divided into two groups:the treated group (n=40) treated by orally taken Liuwei Dihuang Pill (LDP) and DCT and the control group (n=37) with LDP and common cupping therapy without drug in cups. The changes of T-lymphocyte subset, levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL), immunoglobulin (Ig), complement 3 and 4 (C3 and C4) were detected before and after treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate was higher in the treated group than that in the control group (90.0% vs. 59.5%, P < 0.01). The levels of CD4+, CD4+ /CD8+, IL-2, IFN-gamma, C3, C4, IgA, IgG and IgM increased, while the levels of IgE, IL-4, IL-10 and CD8+ decreased after treatment in both groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the improvements were better in the treated group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DCT shows better curative effects than that of common cupping therapy without drug, it could improve the cellular and humoral immunity in CAB patients.
Subject(s)
Asthma/therapy , Bronchitis/therapy , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Asthma/immunology , Bronchitis/immunology , CD4 Antigens/analysis , CD4-CD8 Ratio , Combined Modality Therapy , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage , Female , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Interferon-gamma/analysis , Interleukin-10/analysis , Interleukin-2/analysis , Male , Middle Aged , Phytotherapy/methods , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/drug effects , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunologySubject(s)
Adjuvants, Immunologic/therapeutic use , Hyaluronic Acid/therapeutic use , Lung Injury , Respiratory Tract Diseases/drug therapy , Wound Healing/drug effects , Adjuvants, Immunologic/chemistry , Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology , Adjuvants, Immunologic/physiology , Animals , Arteriosclerosis/drug therapy , Arteriosclerosis/immunology , Bronchitis/drug therapy , Bronchitis/immunology , Disease Models, Animal , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Emphysema/drug therapy , Emphysema/immunology , Humans , Hyaluronic Acid/chemistry , Hyaluronic Acid/pharmacology , Hyaluronic Acid/physiology , Lung/embryology , Lung/immunology , Molecular Weight , Pharyngitis/drug therapy , Pharyngitis/immunology , Respiratory Tract Diseases/immunology , Streptococcal Infections/drug therapy , Streptococcal Infections/immunologyABSTRACT
One hundred children 6 to 24 month old, normal or undernourished according to weight for height index, received during three months--autumn to winter--a dietary supplement of live Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus Casei, 10(7)-10(8)/ml in fermented milk (LB) or an equivalent amount of fluid milk (L) as control. Children's follow-up was performed as outpatients in the Hospital Posadas (Great Buenos Aires). Episodes of respiratory tract infections were recorded and classified according to severity as: Pneumonia (N); Bronchitis (B), Recurrent Obstructive Bronchitis (BOR) and upper respiratory tract infections (CVAS). 58% of children fitted the study protocol, 22 in the LB and 36 in the L group; 21 were undernourished and 37 presented normal weight/height. No deaths were recorded. Total episodes were 103: 34 in LB and 69 in L, that means a frequency of 1.55 and 1.92 episodes/children respectively. In LB a maximum of 3 episodes/children was recorded, meanwhile the number reached 7 in L (p = 0.0373). Severity was higher in L than LB: 0.06 vs. 0 for N; 0.69 vs. 0.45 for B + BOR and 1.17 vs. 1.09 for CVAS. In the control group frequency of severe pathologies was about twice in undernourished than in normal: 0.08 vs. 0.04 for N; 1.08 vs. 0.50 for B + BOR; no difference was found for CVAS. Live lactobacillus supplement suppressed pneumonia and decreased bronchitis in undernourished as well as in normal. In this study undernutrition not only increased the chance of suffering severe acute respiratory tract infections but also impaired the effectiveness of the supplement to decrease severity. The effect is explained on the basis of the immunocompetence depression linked to an inadequate nutritional status.
Subject(s)
Dietary Supplements , Lactobacillus , Nutritional Status , Probiotics , Respiratory Tract Infections/immunology , Animals , Argentina/epidemiology , Bronchitis/epidemiology , Bronchitis/immunology , Bronchitis/prevention & control , Child, Preschool , Double-Blind Method , Humans , Infant , Infant Nutrition Disorders/complications , Milk , Pneumonia/epidemiology , Pneumonia/immunology , Pneumonia/prevention & control , Prevalence , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/prevention & control , Risk Factors , Seasons , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Effectiveness of rehabilitation with therapeutic complex based on autotransfusion of UV-radiated blood (ATUVRB) was studied in 81 patients with chronic bronchitis (CB). The course consisted of 5 procedures with interval 2-3 days. The first procedure was exploratory with irradiated blood 0.5-0.8 ml/kg body weight. Control group comprised 48 CB patients getting conventional complex of rehabilitation measures. As shown by clinical criteria, clinico-biochemical indices, immunograms, external respiration function, ATUVRB-based rehabilitation corrects main pathogenetic mechanisms of CB.
Subject(s)
Blood Transfusion, Autologous/methods , Bronchitis/therapy , Ultraviolet Therapy/methods , Bronchitis/immunology , Chronic Disease , Humans , Immunoglobulins/immunologyABSTRACT
Immunological and cardiorespiratory characteristics were studied in 88 alloy industry workers with occupational toxic-dust bronchitis who received the following therapy: sinusoidal modulated currents (SMC), ultrasound (US) on the chest, halotherapy (HT) (52 patients, group 1); SMC + HT (10 patients, group 2); US + HT (15 patients, group 3); HT (11 patients, group 4). The patients did also therapeutic exercise and were massaged (chest). It was found that device physiotherapy (SMC, US) in combination with HT raise the treatment efficacy to 86.5%. This combined treatment is recommended both for treatment and prevention of obstructive syndrome in toxic-dust bronchitis.
Subject(s)
Aerosols , Bronchitis/therapy , Dust , Hazardous Substances , Occupational Diseases/therapy , Ultrasonic Therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Bronchitis/chemically induced , Bronchitis/immunology , Combined Modality Therapy , Humans , Massage , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Physical Therapy ModalitiesSubject(s)
Bacteria , Bronchitis/prevention & control , Cell Extracts , Expectorants/therapeutic use , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/prevention & control , Acetylcysteine/therapeutic use , Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage , Ambroxol/therapeutic use , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Bronchitis/immunology , Chronic Disease , Haemophilus influenzae/immunology , Humans , Interferon Inducers/administration & dosage , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/immunologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: A postinfectious, autoimmune response may be associated with the development of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). According to this model, antistreptococcal antibodies cross-react with basal ganglia neurons following streptococcus infection. This autoimmune reaction disrupts a basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuit and generates obsessive-compulsive symptoms. One implication of this model is that prolonged immunologic stress may be a risk factor for OCD. That is, immunologic stress may compromise the blood-brain barrier and permit the influx of antistriatal antibodies into the central nervous system. This article explores one part of this putative relationship by investigating whether adult OCD patients, compared to members of other psychiatric groups, demonstrate a higher incidence of recurrent infections and other conditions suggestive of compromised immune function. METHOD: To test this hypothesis, we conducted a medical records review of 100 consecutive patients evaluated at a private psychiatric clinic specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Sixty-five patients met diagnostic criteria for an Axis-I syndrome. Primary diagnoses included OCD, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and dysthymic disorder. Each medical record was reviewed for the presence of target syndromes or presenting symptoms suggestive of compromised immune function. RESULTS: Chart review revealed an increased rate of immune-related symptoms and syndromes among OCD patients in comparison to other anxiety and mood disorder groups. Groups did not differ significantly in the incidence of non-immune symptoms and syndromes. CONCLUSION: Adult OCD patients appear to have an increased rate of immune-related diseases above and beyond that seen in other psychiatric disorders.
Subject(s)
Immunoglobulin A/immunology , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/immunology , Adult , Aged , Arthritis/epidemiology , Arthritis/immunology , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/immunology , Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Bacterial Infections/immunology , Basal Ganglia/physiopathology , Bronchitis/epidemiology , Bronchitis/immunology , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Diarrhea/immunology , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin A/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/epidemiology , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/physiopathology , Thalamus/physiopathologyABSTRACT
217 cases of chronic bronchitis and asthma were clinically treated and analyzed for the effects of combining electric stimulation with topical application of drug on acupoints. The results suggested that the combined therapy was superior to unitary therapy (P < 0.05). It is indicated that the combined therapy has a good curative effect in both short- and long-terms.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture Points , Bronchitis/therapy , Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Bronchitis/immunology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , SeasonsABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an inflammatory component in addition to the possible infectious component. The antiinflammatory properties of fenspiride (Pneumorel(R) 80 mg) should be evaluated in this frequent clinical situation. OBJECTIVES: Assess the supplementary therapeutic benefit provided by fenspiride administered in combination with antibiotics in COPD patients presenting an episode of bronchial infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A preliminary randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study was conduced in 7 centers. Patients under 80 years of age of both sexes were included. All patients had COPD and presented a bronchial infection defined as the presence of at least 2 of the 3 criteria defined by Anthonisen. Patients were randomly assigned to group F or group P. Group F received an antibiotic therapy from day 1 to day 11 plus fenspiride (3 x 80mg/d from day 0 to day 30). Group P received the same antibiotic therapy plus placebo. Amoxicillin 500mg plus clavulanic acid 125, 3 tablets/day, was administered in both groups. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included (group F 19 patients, group P 20 patients; 6 women and 33 men; mean age 61.1 +/- 9.8 years). The 3 Anthonisen criteria were present in 79% and 75% of the patients in group F and P respectively (NS). On day 11, expectoration resolved in 39% and 32% (NS) and cough in 44% and 16% (NS) of the patients in groups F and P respectively. Lung auscultation returned to normal in 83% of the patients in group F compared with 47% in group P (p=0.05). A composite clinical score including expectoration cough and auscultation findings showed that 28% of the patients in group F were symptom-free on day 11 compared with 0% in group P (p=0.04). On day 30, the two groups were comparable. CONCLUSION: In this preliminary study of patients with COPD presenting a bronchial superinfection, there was a significant improvement in lung auscultation and in the composite clinical score in patients given fenspiride. Fenspiride was thus found to provide an early clinical benefit.