Objective To observe the eotaxin expression of rat airway smooth muscle cells ( ASMCs) induced by serum from asthmatic rats, and explore the possible mechanism. Methods ASMCs isolated fromrat tracheas were cultured in vivo. Then they were treated with serum from asthmatic rats, or treated with serum and dexamethasone simultaneously. The level of eotaxin protein in supernatant and eotaxin mRNA in ASMCs were measured by ELISA and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of cAMP in ASMCs was examined by radioimmunoassay. Results After the treatment with sensitized serum, the eotaxin level in supernatant and mRNA expression in ASMCs were significantly higher [ ( 107. 09 ±7. 12) ng/L vs. ( 0. 63 ±0. 56) ng/L, P lt; 0. 05; 1. 39 ±0. 04 vs. 0. 05 ±0. 01, P lt;0. 05] , and the level of cAMP in ASMCs was significantly lower compared with the control group [ ( 17. 58 ±3. 62) ng/L vs. ( 32. 39 ±3. 36) ng/L, P lt; 0. 05] . After intervened by the sensitized serum and dexamethasone simultaneously, the protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin were lower compared with those intervened by sensitized serumalone [ ( 64. 18 ±4. 04) ng/L and 0. 77 ±0. 19] . The level of eotaxin in supernatant was negatively correlated with cAMP level in ASMCs ( r = - 0. 788, P lt; 0. 01) . Conclusions There is anautocrine function in ASMCs as inflammatory cells after stimulation with sensitized serum. Eotaxin may play an important roll in the pathogenesis of asthma via a cAMP-dependent pathway.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in patients with asthma, and explore the association of OSAHS with asthma. MethodsPatients who were diagnosed as asthma between March 2014 and February 2015 were recruited in the study. They were categorized into an OSAHS group and a non-OSAHS group according to the Berlin questionnaire. The data of clinical characteristics and pulmonary function test were collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors associated with the incidence of OSAHS in asthma. ResultsA total of 64 patients with asthma were enrolled and 36 patients were complicated with OSAHS. The body mass index (BMI), allergic rhinitis history, inspiratory capacity, maximal mid-expiratory flow and provoking dose which make FEV1 reduce 20% were significantly different between two groups (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the increased BMI was an independent risk factor of OSAHS in patients with asthma. ConclusionThe occurrence of OSAHS with asthma is very high, and BMI may be an important associated risk factor.
ObjectiveTo explore the expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in both asthmatic mice and respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)-infected mice,explore if there is a same neurogenic mechanism between ashtma and RSV infection,in order to find a new treatment target for asthma. MethodsOne hundred healthy Balb/c inbred mice were randomly divided into a control group,a RSV group,an asthma group,an asthma with RSV group,and a dexamethasone group. The lung tissue pathology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE). The quantitative analysis of NGF mRNA and LIF mRNA of lung tissue was detected by RT-PCR. The expression of NGF protein and LIF protein was detected by immunohistochemical method. ResultsUnder light mocroscope,there were alveolar septum widening,alveolar epithelium swelling,and interstitial edema in the RSV group. There were widen alveolar septum,narrowed bronchial lumen,thicken bronchial wall and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration around the small blood vessels,alveolar and bronchioles both in the asthma group and the asthma with RSV group,with the latter being more serious. Compared with the RSV group,the inflammation was relieved significantly in the dexamethason group. There were mRNA and protein expressions of NGF and LIF in all groups, which were highest in the asthma with RSV group,then the RSV group and the asthma group,and lowest in the dexamethasone group. ConclusionsThe expressions of LIF and NGF in the lung of mice after RSV infection and futher increase when combined with asthma. Dexamethason can inhibit the expression of NGF and LIF to some extent.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the prevalence of asthma in adults (>14 years old) in China.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, CENTRAL, CINAHL, WanFang Data, CBM, CNKI, and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of asthma in Chinese adults from January 2000 to December 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies, then, meta-analysis was performed by using Stata 15.0 software.ResultsA total of 67 cross-sectional studies, involving 1 381 673 subjects and 19 871 adult asthma patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the prevalence rate of asthma in adults in China was 1.81% (95%CI 1.59% to 2.01%). The subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence rates of asthma in males and females were 1.87% and 1.76%, respectively. The prevalence rates were 2.16% in the northeast region, 1.34% in the central region, 1.63% in the eastern region and 2.23% in the western region. The prevalence rates were 0.73%, 1.53%, and 2.81% in 15-40 years old, 41-60 years old, and >60 years old, respectively. The prevalence rates were 3.07% in illiteracy population, 1.69% in primary school population, 1.46% in junior middle school population, 1.01% in senior high school population and 0.98% in college and above population. The prevalence rates were 2.23%, 2.10%, 1.17%, 1.45%, 1.09%, and 1.41% in agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry personnel, workers, public officials, business and service personnel, military personnel, and other occupations, respectively. The prevalence rates were 1.41% and 1.59% in Han and other ethnic populations, respectively. The prevalence rates were 2.03% in cities and 1.99% in rural areas. And the prevalence rates were 1.22% in 2000 to 2005, 2.07% in 2006 to 2010, 2.25% in 2011 to 2015, and 2.62% in 2016 to 2019.ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of asthma in Chinese adults is higher, which is different due to the influence of age, sex, region, education, and occupation.
ObjectivesTo detect expressions of trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) and TFF3 in the mice with acute allergic airway disease (AAD) after different interventions, and explore primitively the effect of recombinant TFF3 on airway inflammation and mucous secretion.MethodsForty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, each group with 8 mice, ie. a normal saline control group (group A), an AAD group (group B), a budesonide intervention group (group C), a recombinant TFF3 intervention group (group D), and a budesonide+recombinant TFF3 intervention group (group D). The BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin to induce AAD. Lung tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining for assessment of airway inflammation, and immunohistochemistry was used for detecting TFF1/TFF3 expression in the airway. Alcian blue stain was applied to determine mucous secretion.ResultsAirway inflammation score and airway mucous secretion: Group B was significantly more than group A (P<0.01); Group C was less than group B (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between group D and group B (P>0.05); There was no significant difference between group C and group E (P>0.05). Expression of TFFs: TFF1 and TFF3 were expressed in epithelial cells, goblet cells and submucosal gland cells of bronchi and bronchioles in all groups; The expressions of TFF1 and TFF3 in group B were significantly higher than those in group A (P<0.01), while the expressions of TFF1 and TFF3 in group C were lower than those in group B (P<0.05). TFF1 expression in airway epithelium was positively correlated with inflammatory score (r=0.876, P=0.000) and mucin expression (r=0.807, P=0.000). TFF3 level was positively correlated with inflammatory score (r=0.654, P=0.006) and mucin expression (r=0.666, P=0.005).ConclusionsOvalbumin-induced acute allergic airway inflammation significantly increases TFF1/TFF3 expression. Intranasal TFF3 treatment may not influence airway inflammation and mucus secretion. Inhaled corticosteroids to some extent inhibit expressions of TFF1 and TFF3, simultaneously suppress airway inflammation and mucus secretion in the mouse model of acute AAD .
Objectives To investigate the frequency of LTC4S A-444C polymorphism in Chinese Han population in Beijing and to evaluate its association with susceptibility to asthma，asthma severity and clinical response to leukotriene receptor antagonist.Methods The LTC4S A-444C polymorphism was analyzed in 101 patients with asthma and 105 healthy controls.Then 18 asthmatics were recruited，and a 2-week prospective，open trial of montelukast was performed in addition to the previous medications.Results In the asthma group，the frequencies of A and C allele at -444 locus of LTC4S gene were 81.0% and 19.0%，respectively，and genotype frequencies of AA，AC and CC were 65.4%，30.5% and 3.8%，respectively.There was no significant difference in LTC4S A-444C polymorphism between the asthmatics and healthy controls（Pgt;0.05）.The asthmatics with the C-444 allele had significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second（FEV1） than wild-type A homozygotes [（58.6±21.6）% predicted vs （70.3±22.4）% predicted，Plt;0.05）].A correlation was observed between the variant C-444 allele and asthma severity（Plt;0.05）.After administered montelukast 1 week，the A-444 allele homozygotes（n=9） responded better than the C（-444） allele carriers（n=7）[（10.8±10.2）% vs （–9.8±16.2）% improvement of FEV1，Plt;0.05].After 2 weeks，the A-444 allele hemozygotes also responded better，although there was no statistical difference（Pgt;0.05）.Conclusion In Chinese Han population LTC4S A-444C polymorphism is associated with asthma severity and probably contributes to the clinical response to leukotriene receptor antagonists.
Objective To compare the value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide ( FENO) measurement and leukotriene D4 bronchial provocation test ( LTD4-BPT) in diagnosis and evaluation of asthma. Methods 20 uncontrolled,22 partially controlled, 20 controlled asthmatics, and 21 normal subjects were enrolled in the study. Measurement of FENO was performed followed by LTD4-BPT. The distribution characteristics and relationship of both results were analyzed, and the diagnostic value was compared using receiver operation characteristic ( ROC) curve.Results FENO was above 25. 0ppb in 80. 7% of the asthmatics. The proportion of asthmatics with FENO between 26.0ppb and 49.0ppb was larger in the uncontrolled and partially controlled subjects than that in the controlled subjects. Both the median and interquartile range of cumulative dosage ( PD20FEV1-LTD4) were much higher in the controlled asthmatics as compared with the uncontrolled and partially controlled asthmatics. The area under the ROC curve ( AUC) for PD20FEV1-LTD4 [ AUC: 0.914, 95% CI: ( 0.855, 0.974) ] was larger than that of FENO [ AUC: 0.820, 95% CI: ( 0.718, 0.921) ] . Higher sensitivity ( 0.8570 vs. 0.8065) and specificity ( 0.9048 vs. 0.7619) were in favor of PD20 FEV1 -LTD4 ≤ 4.800 nmol as compared with FENO ≥ 26.0ppb being the positive threshold. Conclusion Compared with FENO measurement, LTD4-BPT has higher sensitivity and specificity and is of higher diagnostic value for asthma.
ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in adult asthma.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, CNKI and VIP databases were searched for relevant literatures from the time of database establishment to February 2021. Data analysis were made by Revman and Stata.ResultsA total of 44 articles with 47 records and 9654 subjects were included. The diagnosis sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of FeNO were 0.71 (95%CI 0.65 - 0.76), 0.80 (95%CI 0.75 - 0.84), 3.47 (95%CI 2.86 - 4.21), and 0.37 (95%CI 0.31 - 0.43), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio was 9.49 (95%CI 7.13 - 12.61), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.82 (95%CI 0.79 - 0.85).ConclusionsFeNO has certain diagnostic value in diagnosis of asthma. Types of asthma, region and cut-off value all have impact on the diagnostic efficiency of FeNO.
Objective To explore the profile and diagnosis value of airway resistances before and after bronchial dilation test ( BDT) in patients with COPD and asthma. Methods Airway resistances before and after BDT were measured in COPD patients and asthma patients with different severity by impulse oscillometry ( IOS) , and the characteristic changes of the two different diseases were analyzed compared with healthy subjects. Results Airway resistance indexes except X5 were higher in the COPD and the asthma patients than those in the healthy subjects before BDT ( P lt; 0. 05) . There were significant differences in airway resistance indexes except X5 and Rc between the mild asthma patients and the moderate to severe asthma patients. Significant difference in Z5, Fres, and Rp were observed in the mild COPD patientscompared with the moderate to severe COPD patients. There were statistical differences in airway resistance indexes except X5 between the two groups before and after BDT both in the COPD and the asthma patients ( P lt;0. 05) . The rates of change in Z5, Fres, R5, and Rp were higher than those of FEV1% pred, especially higher in the asthma patients than in the COPD patients ( P lt; 0. 05) . Significant negative correlations between FEV1% pred and Z5, Fres, R5, Rp were revealed in the COPD and the asthma patients ( P lt;0. 01) .The correlation between Fres and FEV1% pred was most significant in the COPD and the asthma patients ( r = - 0. 561, - 0. 761) . Conclusion Airway resistances measured by IOS is sensitive indicators in detecting the airflow obstruction in COPD and asthma, and is useful in early and differential diagnosis of COPD and asthma.
Objective To explore changes of 3’-glutamylcysteine synthetase( γ-GCS)and reduced glutathione(GSH)in patients with bronchial asthma．Methods Ten patients with acute asthma were enrolled and treated for six weeks according to guideline recommendations．Levels of -GCS，GSH and malondialdehyde(MDA)in total cells in induced sputum and GSH，MDA，reactive oxygen(ROS)in selum were measured and compared before and after therapy．Ten healthy volunteers were as normal contro1．Meanwhile，the pulmonary function(FEVl％pred)was measured and asthmatic symptoms were quantified using Hogg’s way．Results A．In serum and sputum of the asthma patients，GSH were lower and MDA were higher before treatment than those of the control(Plt;0．01)．And -GCS in induced sputumwere higher before treatment than those of contro1．B．After treated for six weeks．levels of GSH in serum and sputum of the asthma patients increased copmpared to baseline(all Plt;0．01)，but were still lower than that of control(Plt;0．05)．Activities of MDA in serum and sputum and -GCS in sputum were elevated compared to baseline(Plt;0．01)，but still higher than that of control(all Plt;0．05)．C．Levels of GSH in serum of all patients were correlated negatively witll asthmatic symptom scores and levels of MDA and ROS(r=－0.701，－0.901，－0.878；Plt;0.05，lt;0.01，lt;0.01)．There was a positive relationship between levels ofGSH in serum and FEV1％pred(r=0．854，Plt;0．01)．In induced sputum，activities of 3’-GCS in all patients was correlated positively with their asthmatic symptom scores and level of MDA f r=0．804，0.926；Plt;0.05，lt;0.叭)．Conclusion γ-GCS and GSH may participate the reaction of