Sanzi Yangqin Decoction Alleviates Allergic Asthma by Modulating Th1/Th2 Balance: Coupling Network Pharmacology with Biochemical Pharmacology.

This study aimed to verify that Sanzi Yangqin Decoction (SYD) can relieve asthma in mice and explore the effect on TH1/Th2 balance. The targets of SYD and asthma were explored from the public database using various methods. The potential targets and signaling pathways were identified by KEGG enrichment analysis from DAVID database. Mice asthma models were established using OVA and aluminum hydroxide. Lung tissues of mice were stained with HE and Masson. The contents of IFN-γ, IL-4, and TNF-α in BALF and IgE in mouse serum were detected using ELISA. In addition, the changes in Th1 and Th2 cells of the spleen were detected by flow cytometry. Fourteen core targets including IL4, IFNG, and MMP9 were identified for the treatment of asthma by SYD. The content of IL-4 in the lung tissue and BALF was gradually decreased with the increase in SYD concentration, while the IFN-γ was gradually increased. The drug significantly reduced IgE levels in serum and TNF-α in BALF. The number of Th1 cells in the spleen increased, while Th2 cells decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. SYD can alleviate pulmonary inflammation, restore Th1/Th2 balance, and relieve asthma.

Glutathione S-transferase P1, gene-gene interaction, and lung cancer susceptibility in the Chinese population: An updated meta-analysis and review.

AIM OF STUDY: To assess the impact of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) Ile105Val polymorphism on the risk of lung cancer in the Chinese population, an updated meta-analysis and review was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant studies were identified from PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biology Medicine published through January 22, 2015. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the strength of the associations. RESULTS: A total of 13 case-control studies, including 2026 lung cancer cases and 2451 controls, were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, significantly increased lung cancer risk was associated with the variant genotypes of GSTP1 polymorphism in the Chinese population (GG vs. AA: OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.01-1.84). In subgroup analyses stratified by geographic area and source of controls, the significant results were found in population-based studies (GG vs. AA: OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.13-2.31; GG vs. AG: OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.03-2.16; GG vs. AA+AG: OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.12-2.26). A gene-gene interaction analysis showed that there was an interaction for individuals with combination of GSTM1 (or GSTT1) null genotype and GSTP1 (AG+GG) mutant genotype for lung cancer risk in Chinese. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism may increase the risk of lung cancer in the Chinese population.

[Impact of acupoint heat-sensitive moxibustion on lung function and life quality of patients with chronic persistent bronchial asthma: a randomized controlled study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impact of heat-sensitive moxibustion on lung function in chronic persistent bronchial asthma and analyze its effect on the improvement of life quality as well as compare its efficacy with Seretide inhaler. METHODS: Fifty-seven cases were divided into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (28 cases) and a Seretide group (29 cases) according to the random number table. In heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the therapy of heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied to the regions at the level of Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), or to the heat-sensitized points in the region 6 cun lateral from the 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces in the chest. The treatment was given continuously for 8 days, once per day, 12 treatments should be ensured in the later 22 days of the 1st month. In the later two months since then, 15 treatments should be ensured each month (< or = 1 treatment each day). In Seretide group, Seritide manufactured in GlaxoSmithKLine was used, one inhalation each time, twice per day. The cases in both groups were received treatment for 3 months. The changes in lung function such as forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1), TCM symptoms score, Asthma Control Test (ACT) and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were assessed and compared between two groups and within group separately. RESULTS: Lung function as FEV1 was improved in either group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The terminal improvement effects on symptoms of Chinese medicine, life quality and others were same between two groups (all P > 0.05). But the improvements in general situation, chills, fever and sweating in heat-sensitive moxibustion group were superior to those in Seretide group (both P < 0.05). Concerning to the improvement in respiratory symptoms, the effect of Seretide was better than that of heat-sensitive moxibustion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Heat-sensitive moxibustion improves lung function, relieves clinical symptoms and benefits life quality for patients with chronic persistent bronchial asthma. It's efficacy on the disease is equal to the internationally-recognized effect of Seretide.