Effect of holographic Guasha on sleep quality of older adults with hypertension in the community: A prospective study.

To explore the effect of holographic Guasha therapy on the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) in older adults with hypertension living in the community. This prospective study was conducted from July 2019 to December 2020. Older adults with hypertension (systolic pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg, diastolic pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg) were divided into the control and Guasha groups. The PSQI and HAMA were assessed before and after 4 weeks of intervention. 62 patients were enrolled, with 31/group (Guasha: 72.4 ±â€…6.9 years, 23.0 ±â€…3.1 kg/m2; control: 71.4 ±â€…6.3 years; 22.9 ±â€…2.9 kg/m2). The total PSQI score did not decrease in the control group after 4 weeks (from 14.8 ±â€…1.2 to 14.8 ±â€…1.8, P = .498) but decreased in the Guasha group (from 14.9 ±â€…1.1 to 6.8 ±â€…3.5, P < .001). All PSQI subscores decreased in the Guasha group after 4 weeks of Guasha intervention (all P < .05), except for the use of sleep medication, since the use of such drugs was an exclusion criterion. The HAMA index scores did not change in the control or Guasha group (both P > .05). Holographic Guasha appears to achieve better sleep outcomes than conventional treatment in improving the sleep quality of older adults with hypertension living in the community. The participants were not randomly assigned to the treatments, and the results should be confirmed in a formal trial.

Study on microbial diversity of washing machines.

Health and environmental protection are the development trend of household appliances, coupled with the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic in the past few years. Consumers have unprecedented concerns and expectations about the sterilization and disinfection functions of household appliances. As a washing and nursing equipment for household clothes, the anti-bacterial technology of washing machine has developed rapidly. The new models of washing machines in the market have basically added the function of sterilization. In order to thoroughly solve the problem of sterilization and bacteriostasis of washing machines from the source, the distribution of microbial contamination in washing machines should be fully investigated. At present, there is almost no systematic study on the microbial community structure in washing machines in China. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the bacterial community structure in Chinese household washing machines. To explore the key factors affecting the bacterial community structure of washing machines. Bacterial communities were comprehensively analyzed by high throughput sequencing. Using chao and shannon indexes as indicators, one-way ANOVA was used to explore the key factors affecting the bacterial community structure of washing machines. A total of 2,882,778 tags and 21,265 OTUs from 522 genera were sequenced from 56 washing machine samples. Genus Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas, Brevundimonas, Sphingomonas, Sphingobium, Enhydrobacter, Methylobacterium, Pseudoxanthomonas, Stenotrophomonas and Sphingopyxis were the top ten bacteria genera in abundance. The effects of sources, types, frequency of utilization, sampling locations and service life of washing machines on bacterial diversity in washing machine were systematically analyzed. The statistical analysis showed that service life was an important factor affecting bacterial diversity in washing machine. Our study lays a foundation for directional screening of characteristic microorganisms with targeted characters including malodor-producing, fouling, pathogenic and stress-resistance, the antibacterial evaluation, metabolic mechanism of key characteristic microorganisms as well as antibacterial materials development. At present, the sterilization technology of washing machines has not been fully in combination with the distribution survey of microorganisms in washing machines. According to the specific microorganism distribution condition of the washing machine, the key distribution positions and the types of specific microorganisms contained in different positions, conduct more targeted sterilization treatment. This will help to completely solve the problem of microbial growth in washing machines from the source.

Needs and influence factors of medical-nursing-pension of disabled elderly.

As the population ages, the incidence of disabled elderly persons increases, and the need for medical-nursing-pension services among disabled senior persons increases. The purpose of this study is to determine the needs and affecting factors of disabled elderly living in community homes in Nanning, Guangxi, China. The study utilized the descriptive comparative cross-sectional study. Stratified random sampling was utilized, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 168 disabled elderly were randomly selected and investigated using a self-designed questionnaire which included basic nursing services domain, professional nursing services domain, rehabilitative nursing services domain, living nursing services domain, and spiritual nursing services domain. The t test, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the influencing factors of medical-nursing-pension demands for community-dwelling disabled elderly. Majority of impaired seniors have a moderate to high-level of demand for medical-nursing-pension services. Age (t = 2.369, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.673-7.414), educational level (t = -16.946, 95% CI: -31.247 to -24.726), monthly income (t = -16.273, 95% CI: -22.104 to -17.320), economic source (t = 8.891, 95% CI: 16.850-26.470), time spent disabled (t = -11.151, 95% CI: -31.845 to -22.264), living with children (t = 10.852, 95% CI: 24.491-35.521), and medical insurance participation (t = 4.556, 95% CI: 9.032-22.848) all influence the demand for medical-nursing-pension services for disabled seniors in the community ( P = .05). Majority of community-dwelling impaired seniors have a moderate to high demand for medical-nursing-pension services. Relevant departments and community nurses should pay increased attention to the elderly who are older, have a low educational level, a low monthly income, have an economic source of pension from their own, have been disabled for long period of time, are single, and do not have children, to improve the health care system for disabled elderly by implementing more personalized home visits in medical-nursing-pension on health education about oxygen inhalation and wound dressing.

Spirometra mansoni sparganosis identified by metagenomic next-generation sequencing: a case report.

A 30-year-old male patient had a cyst on the left hip and progressive enlargement for more than 2 months. Combined blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging, and pathology findings, cysticercosis infection was suspected. However, the treatment for cysticercosis was ineffective. We conducted a metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) analysis on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimen of the patient's surgically excised tissue, and the results suggested Spirometra mansoni, mNGS was further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Based on these results, we found that mNGS provided a better method of diagnosing parasitic infections.

Chemical Gas Telemetry System Based on Multispectral Infrared Imaging.

Environmental monitoring, public safety, safe production, and other areas all benefit greatly from the use of gas detection technologies. The infrared image of a gas could be used to determine its type from a long distance in gas detection. The infrared image can show the spatial distribution of the gas cloud and the background, allowing for long-distance and non-contact detection during safety production and hazardous chemical accident rescue. In this study, a gas detection system based on multispectral infrared imaging is devised, which can detect a variety of gases and determine the types of gas by separating the infrared radiation. It is made up of an imaging optical system, an uncooled focal plane detector, a filter controller, and a data gathering and processing system. The resolution of the infrared image is 640 × 512 and the working band of the system is 6.5~15 µm. The system can detect traces of pollutants in ambient air or gas clouds at higher concentrations. Ammonia, sulfur hexafluoride, methane, sulfur dioxide, and dimethyl methyl phosphonate were all successfully detected in real time. Ammonia clouds could be detected at a distance of 1124.5 m.

Prevalence and risk factors of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease in East Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication for individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The purpose of this study was to complete a systematic review and meta-analysis on prevalence and risk factors of SSc-ILD in East Asia. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched up to January 22, 2021. The Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement was applied to access the methodological quality of the eligible studies. Study characteristics and magnitude of effect sizes were extracted. Then, we calculated the pooled prevalence, weighted mean differences (WMDs), pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and performed subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias with Egger's test. RESULTS: Twenty-seven of 1584 articles were eligible and a total of 5250 patients with SSc were selected in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of SSc-ILD in East Asia was 56% (95% CI 49%-63%). The SSc-ILD prevalence was higher in China (72%) than in Japan (46%) and Korea (51%). Longer disease duration (WMD = 1.97, 95% CI 0.55-3.38), diffuse SSc (OR = 2.84, 95% CI 1.91-4.21), positive anti-topoisomerase I antibody (ATA) (OR = 4.92, 95% CI 2.74-8.84), positive anti-centromere body antibody (ACA) (OR = 0.14, 95% CI 0.08-0.25), positive anti-U3 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibody (OR = 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.66), and higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (WMD = 6.62, 95% CI 1.19-12.05) were associated with SSc-ILD in East Asia. CONCLUSION: Through this systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that ILD occurs in up to approximately 56% of patients with SSc in East Asia. Longer disease duration, diffuse SSc, positive ATA, negative ACA, negative anti-U3 RNP antibody, and higher ESR were risk factors for SSc-ILD.

Fine particulate matter induces airway inflammation by disturbing the balance between Th1/Th2 and regulation of GATA3 and Runx3 expression in BALB/c mice.

The present study aimed to examine the effects of 2.5 µm particulate matter (PM2.5) on airway inflammation and to investigate the possible underlying mechanism. Specifically, the focus was on the imbalance of T helper (Th)1/Th2 cells and the dysregulated expression of transcription factors, including trans­acting T cell­specific transcription factor 3 (GATA3), runt­related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) and T­box transcription factor TBX21 (T­bet). In this study, ambient PM2.5 was collected and analyzed, male BALB/c mice were sensitized and treated with PBS, ovalbumin (OVA), PM2.5 or OVA + PM2.5. The effects of PM2.5 alone or PM2.5 + OVA on immunopathological changes, the expression of transcription factors GATA3, Runx3 and T­bet, and the imbalance of Th1/Th2 were investigated. It was found that PM2.5 + OVA co­exposure significantly enhanced inflammatory cell infiltration, increased higher tracheal secretions in lung tissue and upregulated respiratory resistance response to acetylcholine compared with PM2.5 or OVA single exposure and control groups. In addition, higher protein and mRNA expression levels of Th2 inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)­4, IL­5 and IL­13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were observed in PM2.5 + OVA treated mice, whereas the expression levels of GATA3 and STAT6 were exhibited in mice exposed to OVA + PM2.5 compared with the OVA and PM2.5 groups. By contrast, PM2.5 exposure decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Th1 cytokine interferon­Î³ and transcription factors Runx3 and T­bet, especially among asthmatic mice, different from OVA group, PM2.5 exposure only failed to influence the expression of T­bet. To conclude, PM2.5 exposure evoked the allergic airway inflammation response, especially in the asthmatic mouse model and led to Th1/Th2 imbalance. These effects worked mainly by upregulating GATA3 and downregulating Runx3. These data suggested that Runx3 may play an important role in PM2.5­aggravated asthma in BALB/c mice.

Long non-coding RNA CCAT1 promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression by regulating the miR-216a-5p/RAP2B axis.

The long non-coding RNA colon cancer-associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) has been investigated to involve in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thus, this study aims to explore the detailed molecular mechanisms of CCAT1 in NSCLC. The expression of CCAT1, miR-216a-5p, RAP2B, Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase 3 was detected by qRT-PCR or Western blot. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were analyzed using cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry or Transwell assays, respectively. The interaction between miR-216a-5p and CCAT1 or RAP2B was analyzed by luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and pull-down assays. The expression of CCAT1 was elevated in NSCLC, and CCAT1 deletion could inhibit NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but induce apoptosis in vitro as well as imped tumor growth in vivo. MiR-216a-5p was confirmed to be a target of CCAT1, and silencing miR-216a-5p could reverse CCAT1 depletion-mediated inhibitory effects on cell tumorigenesis in NSCLC. Besides that, miR-216a-5p was decreased in NSCLC, and miR-216a-5p restoration inhibited cell tumorigenesis by regulating RAP2B, which was verified to be a target of miR-216a-5p. Additionally, co-expression analysis suggested that CCAT1 indirectly regulated RAP2B level by targeting miR-216a-5p in NSCLC cells. Taken together, CCAT1 deletion could inhibit cell progression in NSCLC through miR-216a-5p/RAP2B axis, indicating a novel pathway underlying NSCLC cell progression and providing new potential targets for NSCLC treatment.

The value of virtual bronchoscopic navigation and radial endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung cryobiopsies for pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC) is characterized by malignant infiltration into lung lymphatic channels from a primary site and is often observed in advanced malignant tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy in PLC guided by radial endobronchial ultrasound and virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN). METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 40 patients with clinical and radiologic features indicating PLC. The radial endobronchial ultrasound probe was initially advanced to the region of interest of the desired lobe near the pleura with guidance by VBN. Transbronchial lung biopsy and transbronchial lung cryobiopsy were both performed in the same ROI of all patients with the obtained samples being sent to the pathology laboratory for diagnostic analysis. Procedural complications were recorded. RESULTS: The average number of transbronchial lung biopsy and transbronchial lung cryobiopsy specimens were 4 (3 to 6) and 2 (1 to 3), respectively (t=10.43, P<0.01), with the corresponding mean diameters per biopsy being 3.7 and 8.7 mm (t=12.37, P<0.01). The diagnostic yields of transbronchial lung biopsy and transbronchial lung cryobiopsy were 70% (28/40) and 92.5% (37/40), respectively. The final positive predictive values of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy and transbronchial lung biopsy for PLC were 94.4% (34/36) and 77.8% (28/36), respectively (χ2=23.94, P<0.01). Further, 52.2% (12/23) and 81.5% (22/27) of the patients in the transbronchial lung biopsy and transbronchial lung cryobiopsy groups, respectively, were diagnosed with non-small lung cancer after further molecular analysis (χ2=19.56, P<0.01). Only 2 (5%) cases presented postoperative pneumothorax. Moreover, 0 (0%), 3 (7.5%), and 17 (42.5%) patients presented severe, moderate, and mild bleeding, respectively. There were no other adverse events or deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy with the guidance of radial endobronchial ultrasound and VBN without fluoroscopy has a good diagnostic yield for PLC; moreover, it allows one to obtain adequate and intact tissue samples for further molecular analysis.

Ultrasound treatment inhibits browning and improves antioxidant capacity of fresh-cut sweet potato during cold storage.

Controlling browning and mitigating oxidative damage are important factors when attempting to extend the shelf-life and high-quality features of fresh-cut sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam). In order to preserve the color and antioxidant capacity, ultrasound (US) treatment at 40 kHz for 10 min was applied to investigate the effect on enzymatic browning of sweet potato slices. Changes in color, total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity, phenol metabolism-related enzymes including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) were examined. Also investigated here were superoxide radical (O2 -˙) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents, antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) involved in reactive oxygen species metabolism. After storage lasting 10 days at 4 °C, US-treated slices maintained significantly (p < 0.05) higher luminosity (p = 0.000003) and chroma (p = 0.000018) by reducing PPO and POD activities, when compared to the control. Meanwhile, the induction of PAL was observed to positively correlate with higher total phenolic content (r = 0.818, p < 0.01; p = 6.1752 × 10-9), thereby enhancing antioxidant capacity to combat oxidative damage. Moreover, O2 -˙ (p = 3.8046 × 10-10) and H2O2 (p = 0.000013) concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed by activating CAT and SOD activities. Results suggested that US treatment could inhibit browning of fresh-cut sweet potato by reducing the activity of PPO and POD while improving total antioxidant capacity.

Long noncoding RNA SNHG7 contributes to cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in non-small cell lung cancer by regulating miR-449a/TGIF2 axis.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an intractable malignant lung cancer with high rates of metastasis and mortality. Currently, long noncoding RNA nuclear RNA host gene 7 (SNHG7) is recognized as a biomarker of multiple cancers. However, the role of SNHG7 in NSCLC requires further understanding. METHODS: The expression of SNHG7, miR-449a and TGIF2 in NSCLC tumors and cells was examined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Cell migration and invasion was conducted using transwell assay. Protein expression of TGIF2, vimentin, N-cadherin and E-cadherin was detected by western blot. The interaction between miR-449a and SNHG7 or TGIF2 was determined by luciferase reporter system, RIP and RNA pull-down assay, respectively. Xenograft mice models were established by subcutaneously injecting A549 cells transfected with sh-SNHG7 and sh-control. RESULTS: SNHG7 expression was upregulated in NSCLC tumors and cells compared with normal tissues and cells. SNHG7 silencing repressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NSCLC. Consistently, SNHG7 knockdown hindered tumor growth in vivo. The subsequent luciferase reporter system, RIP and RNA pull-down assay validated the interaction between miR-449a and SNHG7 or TGIF2. The rescue experiments displayed that miR-449a inhibitor counteracted SNHG7 silencing induced inhibition on proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT. Similarly, restoration of TGIF2 reversed miR-449a mediated inhibition on cell progression. In addition, the results indicated that SNHG7 could regulate cell progression by targeting miR-449a/TGIF2 axis. CONCLUSION: SNHG7 contributed to cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT in NSCLC by upregulating TGIF2 via sponging miR-449a, representing a novel targeted therapy method for NSCLC.

Prospective molecular mechanism of COL5A1 in breast cancer based on a microarray, RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry.

Breast cancer (BC) has a complex etiology and pathogenesis, and is the most common malignant tumor type in females, in USA in 2018, yet its relevant molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. The collagen type V α­1 chain (COL5A1) gene is differentially expressed in renal and ovarian cancer. Using bioinformatics methods, COL5A1 was determined to also be a significant gene in BC, but its association with BC has not been sufficiently reported. COL5A1 microarray and relevant clinical data were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus, The Cancer Genome Atlas and other databases to summarize COL5A1 expression in BC and its subtypes at the mRNA and protein levels. All associated information was comprehensively analyzed by various software. The clinical significance of the mutation was obtained via the cBioPortal. Furthermore, Gene Ontology functional annotation and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were also performed to investigate the mechanism of COL5A1 in BC. Immunohistochemistry was also conducted to detect and confirm COL5A1 expression. It was determined that COL5A1 was highly expressed in BC tissues, compared with normal tissues at the mRNA level [standard mean difference, 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.60­1.07; P=0.108]. The area under the summary receiver operator characteristic curve for COL5A1 was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84­0.90). COL5A1 expression was altered in 32/817 (4%) sequenced samples. KEGG analysis confirmed the most notable pathways, including focal adhesion, extracellular matrix­receptor interaction and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Immunohistochemical detection was used to verify the expression of COL5A1 in 136 selected cases of invasive BC tissues and 55 cases of adjacent normal tissues, while the rate of high expression of COL5A1 in BC was up to 90.4%. These results indicated that COL5A1 is highly expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in BC, and the prognosis of patients with BC with high COL5A1 expression may be reduced; therefore, COL5A1 may be used independently or combined with other detection factors in BC diagnosis.

Apigenin attenuates PM2.5-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation by down-regulating NF-κB in murine model of asthma.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of the natural flavonoid apigenin to mitigate the airway inflammation in asthmatic mice exposed to particulate matter (PM) 2.5, and examine the possible mechanisms involved. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA), then administered apigenin at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day, followed by PM2.5 exposure at a dose of 100 µg/mouse before prior to each challenge. The results showed that PM2.5 exposure aggravated airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and led to a mixed T helper (Th)2 cell/interleukin (IL)-17 response in asthmatic mice. Apigenin treatment markedly decreased both AHR and the percentage of eosinophils, as well as neutrophil infiltration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue of OVA-sensitized and PM2.5-exposed mice. There were significant reductions in the levels of total serum immunoglobulin IgE and T-helper cell type 2 (Th2)-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-13) and Th17-related cytokine IL-17 in BALF. In addition, treatment with apigenin down-regulated the expression of nuclear factor kappa-light -chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) p65 submit in lung tissue of asthmatic mice. These data suggest that apigenin exhibited both anti-allergic and anti-neutrophil-related inflammatory activity in a murine asthma model exposed to PM2.5, possibly through modulating IL-17 and down-regulating the expression of NF-κB. Thus, apigenin may be a promising candidate for preventing PM2.5 exposure-enhanced pre-existing asthma.

[Inhibitory effects of apigenin on the expression of GATA-3 and Th2 cytokines in asthmatic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanism of apigenin (APG) on dominant response of Th2 cells in asthma model of mice. METHODS: Thirty-two 6-week-old healthy BALB/c mice, SPF grade, were randomly divided into four groups equally, the normal control group (A), the asthma model group (B), and the two APG groups (C and D) consisted of asthma model mice treated respectively with high-dose (20 mg/kg per day) and low-dose (2 mg/kg per day) APG given by dissolving in 1% dimethyl sulphoxide via intraperitoneal injection. The murine asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and provocation. Twenty-four hours after the last airway provocation, acetylcholine (Ach) was administered via caudalis vein for measuring airway resistance by pulmonary function detector; levels of IL- 4 and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and total IgE in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); total and differential cell counts in BALF were measured by light microscopy; the airway inflammatory infiltration was detected by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining; and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (GATA-3) in the lung tissue was determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: As compared with Group A, the airway hyper-reactivity, airway inflammation, cell count and eosinophil percentage in BALF, levels of total serum IgE and BALF IL-4 and IL-13, and GATA-3 protein expression in the lung tissue were significantly increased in Group B (P < 0.05). As compared with Group B, all the above-mentioned indices in Group C and D were lower, showing respective significant difference (P < 0.05), and significant difference was also shown between the two APG treated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: APG could reduce the airway inflammation and hyper-reactivity by down-regulating the expressions of pulmonary GATA-3 and Th, cytokines, which is a potential drug for asthma therapy.

Apigenin inhibits allergen-induced airway inflammation and switches immune response in a murine model of asthma.

Many flavonoids were demonstrated to possess the antiallergic effect. Here we detected whether apigenin, a flavonoid, can attenuate allergen-induced airway inflammation and what is the possible mechanism in a murine model of asthma. Apigenin decreased the degree of the inflammatory cell infiltration, airway hyperresponsiveness, and total immunoglobulin E levels compared with the ovalbumin group. In addition, apigenin triggered the switching of the immune response to allergens toward a T-helper type 1 (Th1) profile. Our data clearly demonstrated that apigenin exhibits an anti-inflammatory activity in a murine asthma model, and can switch the immune response to allergens toward the Th1 profile.

Naringenin inhibits allergen-induced airway inflammation and airway responsiveness and inhibits NF-kappaB activity in a murine model of asthma.

Naringenin, a flavonoid, has antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. We investigated whether naringenin could attenuate allergen-induced airway inflammation and its possible mechanism in a murine model of asthma. Mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Some mice were administered with naringenin before ovalbumin challenge. We evaluated the development of airway inflammation and airway reactivity. Interleukin (IL)4, IL13, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)5, and CCL11 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum total IgE were detected by ELISA. IkappaBalpha degradation and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lungs were measured by Western blot. We also tested NF-kappaB binding activity by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The mRNA levels of iNOS, CCL5, and CCL11 were detected by real-time PCR. Naringenin attenuated ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation and airway reactivity in experimental mice. The naringenin-treated mice had lower levels of IL4 and IL13 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lower serum total IgE. Furthermore, naringenin inhibited pulmonary IkappaBalpha degradation and NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity. The levels of CCL5, CCL11, and iNOS were also significantly reduced. The results indicated that naringenin may play protective roles in the asthma process. The inhibition of NF-kappaB and the decreased expression of its target genes may account for this phenomenon.