Association of Coffee and Tea Consumption with the Risk of Asthma: A Prospective Cohort Study from the UK Biobank.

Background: Previous observational studies investigated the relationship between coffee and tea intake and the risk of asthma, however, the conclusions were inconsistent. Further, the combined effect of coffee and tea consumption on asthma has rarely been studied. Methods: We examined associations between the self-reported intake of tea and coffee and the risk of incident asthma in a total of 424,725 participants aged from 39 to 73 years old from the UK Biobank. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the associations between coffee/tea consumption and incident adult-onset asthma, adjusting for age, sex, race, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), education, and Townsend deprivation index. Results: Cox models with penalized splines showed J-shaped associations of coffee, tea, caffeinated coffee, and caffeine intake from coffee and tea with the risk of adult-onset asthma (p for nonlinear <0.01). Coffee intake of 2 to 3 cups/d (hazard ratio [HR] 0.877, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.826−0.931) or tea intake of 0.5 to 1 cups/d (HR 0.889, 95% CI 0.816−0.968) or caffeinated coffee intake of 2 to 3 cups/d (HR 0.858, 95% CI 0.806−0.915) or combination caffeine intake from tea and coffee of 160.0 to 235.0 mg per day (HR 0.899, 95% CI 0.842−0.961) were linked with the lowest hazard ratio of incident asthma after adjustment for age, sex, race, smoking status, BMI, qualification, and Townsend deprivation index. Conclusions: Collectively, the study showed light-to-moderate coffee and tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of adult-onset asthma and controlling total caffeine intake from coffee and tea for a moderate caffeine dose of 160.0 to 305.0 mg/day may be protective against adult-onset asthma. Further investigation on the possible preventive role of caffeine in asthma is warranted.

Synthesis and investigations of ciprofloxacin loaded engineered selenium lipid nanocarriers for effective drug delivery system for preventing lung infections of interstitial lung disease.

Treatment of chronic lung infection becomes a great challenge due to the drug resistant bacteria. In this scenario, evolving a new drug based on lipid metal conjugation loaded with potential antibiotic provides better drug delivery. In this study, ciprofloxacin loaded selenium-lipid nanoparticle (CxLSENPs) is produced in a novel route and its antimicrobial properties were tested against clinically important Gram-negative P. aeruginosa. The synthesized CxLSENPs was characterized by biophysical techniques (UV, Fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, FESEM, HRTEM and Zeta potential). Raman spectra coupled with FTIR spectra confirmed the possible interaction of lipid components in the NPs. HRTEM analysis confirmed the spherical shape of NPs. CxLSENPs recorded greater antibacterial effects on P. aeruginosa. A drastic reduction in the count of P. aeruginosa was observed after treatment with CxLSENPs. In order to further confirm the antibacterial efficiency, the live/dead cell assay was carried out. Live/dead analysis helps us to investigate the viability of bacterial cells. The number of dead bacterial cells was significantly higher in CxLSENPs treated groups when compare to the control. Furthermore, CxLSENPs increased the antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPx, CAT and LPO) in mouse and protected the liver damage from bacterial infection. This study concludes that the developed CxLSENPs might be employed as strong antimicrobial and antioxidant agents for treating lung infection or interstitial lung diseases.

[Effect of Brucea javanica oil emulsion on proliferation, migration and autophagy of non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells and the underlying mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Brucea javanica oil emulsion on proliferation, migration and autophagy of non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells.
 Methods: First, A549 cells were divided into a control group and a low, medium or high dose of Brucea javanica oil emulsion groups (0, 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 mg/mL); then, the cells were divided into a 3-MA+Brucea javanica oil emulsion group and a Brucea javanica oil emulsion group in the presence or absence of 3-methyl adenine (3-MA). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and clone formation assay were used to detect cell proliferation, while the wound scratch and Transwell assay were used to measure cell migration. Cell immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to analyze autophagy.
 Results: Compared with the control group, the numbers of cell proliferation and colony-formation, the relative cell migration rate and numbers of trans-membrane cells were reduced in a dose-dependent manner in the Brucea javanica oil emulsion groups (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, compared with the control group, the aggregation of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain3 (LC3) green fluorescence and the LC3-II/LC3-I ratios were increased, while p62 level was decreased (all P<0.05) in the high dose group. Compared with the Brucea javanica oil emulsion group (5.0 mg/mL), the cell proliferation, numbers of cell clone formation, cell migration rate and numbers of Transwell transmembrane cells were increased in the 3-MA+Brucea javanica oil emulsion group (all P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Brucea javanica oil emulsion can promote the autophagy of non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells and inhibit the cell proliferation and migration.

[Effect of xinglong pingchuan recipe on interleukin-5 and the inflammagen related to oxygen free radical in asthmatic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Xinglong Pingchuan recipe (XLPCR) on interleukin-5 (IL-5), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in mouse asthma models, and to explore its mechanism in treating asthma. METHODS: The mouse asthma models were established by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). The asthma model was treated with XLPCR. At last, the number of white blood cells and eosinophil was counted, and the concentrations of inflammation factors such as IL-5, SOD, GPx, and MDA in the serum or the lung tissue of each mouse were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the asthmatic group, the number of eosinophil in the XLPCR group decreased significantly (P < 0.01); the concentration of IL-5 in the XLPCR group significantly decreased in the serum or the lung tissue (all P < 0.01); and the concentrations of SOD and GPx in the XLPCR group increased (P < 0.01 and P > 0.05, respectively). On the other hand, the concentration of MDA in the XLPCR group was significantly lower than that of the asthmatic group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: XLPCR might inhibit the airway inflammation by decreasing the IL-5 level and adjusting the balance of oxidants/antioxidants.