We aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic hypergravity in a mouse model of allergic asthma and rhinitis. Forty BALB/c mice were divided as: group A (n = 10, control) sensitized and challenged with saline, group B (n = 10, asthma) challenged by intraperitoneal and intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) to induce allergic asthma and rhinitis, and groups C (n = 10, asthma/rotatory control) and D (n = 10, asthma/hypergravity) exposed to 4 weeks of rotation with normogravity (1G) or hypergravity (5G) during induction of asthma/rhinitis. Group D showed significantly decreased eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in their BAL fluid compared with groups B and C (p < 0.05). In real-time polymerase chain reaction using lung homogenate, the expression of IL-1β was significantly upregulated (p < 0.001) and IL-4 and IL-10 significantly downregulated (p < 0.05) in group D. Infiltration of inflammatory cells into lung parenchyma and turbinate, and the thickness of respiratory epithelium was significantly reduced in group D (p < 0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 and heme oxygenase-1 were significantly downregulated, Bax and extracellular dismutase significantly upregulated in Group D. Therefore, chronic hypergravity could have a hormetic effect for allergic asthma and rhinitis via regulation of genes involved in antioxidative and proapoptotic pathways. It is possible that we could use hypergravity machinery for treating allergic respiratory disorders.

Aim of the studyWe aimed to evaluate the anti-allergic effect of luteolin treatment in mice with allergic asthma and rhinitis.Material and methodsThirty-two BALB/c mice (n = 8 for each group) were used. Mice in group A (nonallergic group) were exposed to saline, while those in Group B (allergic group) were exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection and intranasal (i.n.) challenge. Null treatment group (Group C) received sterile saline (150 μl) i.p. injection, 30 minutes before each i.n. challenge. Finally, the treatment group (Group D) received luteolin (0.1 mg/kg) by i.p. injection, 30 minutes before each i.n. challenge. We evaluated the number of inflammatory cells including eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, the titers of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in lung homogenate, and we also evaluated histopathologic findings, including infiltration of inflammatory cells into the pulmonary parenchyma and nasal mucosa.ResultsAfter the OVA challenge, the number of eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes in BAL fluid was significantly increased in group B, compared to group A (p < 0.001). Mice in group C had no significant difference (p > 0.05). On the other hand, group D showed a significant decrease in all inflammatory cells compared to group B (p < 0.05). Also, group D showed a significant decrease in IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in their lung homogenate compared to groups B and C (p < 0.05). Group D also showed a significant decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration after luteolin treatment (p < 0.05).ConclusionLuteolin had an anti-allergic effect in a murine model of allergic asthma and rhinitis.

GlcN had a significant antiallergic effect in mice with allergic asthma and rhinitis.

We investigated whether the therapeutic effects of dexamethasone for allergic asthma and rhinitis were enhanced in mice when exposed to hypergravity. Forty mice were divided into 5 groups (n = 8/group): Control group received saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) and intranasally (i.n.); Asthma group received i.p./i.n. ovalbumin (OVA) for inducing allergic asthma/rhinitis; Dexa group received i.n. dexamethasone (0.75 mg/kg) 30 minutes before each OVA challenge; Hypergravity group was subjected to allergic asthma/rhinitis as well as exposed to 5 G hypergravity for 30 days; Finally in Dexa/Hypergravity group, hypergravity and dexamethasone were used simultaneously during induction of allergic asthma/rhinitis.Dexa group and Hypergravity group showed a significant decrease in serum total IgE levels compared to the Asthma group (p<0.05). Dexa/Hypergravity group showed greater IgE decrease compared with Dexa group (p = 0.040). Compared with the monotherapy groups, Dexa/Hypergravity group showed significantly fewer eosinophils in BAL fluid (p<0.05). Dexa/Hypergravity group showed significantly decreased eosinophilic infiltration into the lungs and nasal cavity (p<0.05). EC-SOD (extracellular superoxide dismutase) expression was significantly upregulated in the Hypergravity group and Dexa/Hypergravity group, compared with the Dexa group (p<0.05). In conclusion, hypergravity enhanced the therapeutic effect of dexamethasone in a murine model of allergic asthma and rhinitis. Therefore, combination could be a promising strategy, and one of its mechanisms could be up-regulation of EC-SOD expression.

ObjectiveWe evaluated the effect of acute hypergravity (HG) on the immune response in a murine model of allergic asthma.Material and methodsTwenty-eight BALB/c mice were used. Group A (control group, n = 7) mice were sensitized and challenged with normal saline. Group B (control HG exposure group, n = 7) mice were sensitized, challenged with saline, and exposed to acute HG (+10 Gz) for 4 hours. Group C (asthma group, n = 7) mice were challenged with intraperitoneal and intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) to induce asthma. Group D (asthma HG exposure group, n = 7) mice were exposed to HG for 4 hours after the induction of asthma. We estimated the total and OVA-specific serum IgE, serum titers of various cytokines, and the number of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Histopathology of the lung was also evaluated.ResultsThe serum level of interleukin (IL)-5 was significantly higher in Group D (12.9 ±4.9 pg/ml) compared to that in Group C (4.7 ±6.5 pg/ml, p = 0.017). In BAL fluid, the number of neutrophils was significantly increased in Group D compared to Group C (p = 0.014). Group D demonstrated a higher infiltration of inflammatory cells (9973.8 ±1642.7 cells/mm2) compared to Group C (7666.3 ±586.5 cells/mm2, p = 0.017). This tendency of increase in infiltration was not significant in non-asthmatic animals (Group A: 4488.8 ±176.1 cells/mm2 vs. Group B: 4946.3 ±513.7 cells/mm2, p > 0.05).ConclusionsAcute HG exacerbated the allergic response by increasing serum IL-5 levels and promoting pulmonary infiltration of inflammatory cells.