Background: Oxidants including reactive oxygen species have been indicated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Objective: We investigated oxidative status in patients with acute exacerbations of asthma and evaluated the therapeutic response using the D-ROM test which is simple to use and quick. Methods: We measured reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) levels in the serum of 42 outpatients with acute exacerbations of asthma, 11 outpatients with stable asthma and 40 healthy subjects using the D-ROM test. Seven inpatients admitted due to acute exacerbations of asthma were also enrolled to evaluate the effects of treatment. Serum eosinophil cationic protein and plasma polymorphonuclear elastase were also measured by EIA or ELISA to evaluate the correlation between inflammation and oxidative status. Results: Serum ROM levels were significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma than in patients with stable asthma or healthy subjects. Levels of serum eosinophil cationic protein and plasma polymorphonuclear elastase were increased in acute exacerbation and moderately correlated to ROM levels. Levels of ROM were significantly decreased after treatment with systemic steroids and bronchodilators. Conclusion: These findings suggest that acute exacerbation of asthma is associated with increased oxidative stress. Serum ROM levels would partly reflect the inflammation with eosinophils and neutrophils and may be useful as biomarkers of asthma.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-33, a new member of the IL-1 cytokine family, has been recognized as a key cytokine that enhances T helper 2-balanced immune regulation through its receptor ST2; however, the function and relationship of the IL-33 and ST2 pathways in bronchial asthma are still unclear. We investigated the cellular origin and regulation of IL-33 and ST2 in allergic bronchial asthma in vivo and in vitro. Methods: BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of ovalbumin (OVA) with alum. Mice were exposed to aerosolized 1% OVA for 30 min a day for 7 days. These mice were then challenged with aerosolized 1% OVA 2 days after the last day of exposure. After the OVA challenge, the mice were sacrificed and their lung tissues were obtained. Mouse lung fibroblasts were cultured and treated with IL-33 or IL-13. Results: The levels of IL-33 mRNA and IL-33 protein in lung tissue increased after the OVA challenge. Most IL-33-expressing cells were CD11c+ cells and epithelial cells, and many ST2-expressing cells were stained lung fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. IL-33 induced eotaxin/CCL11 production in lung fibroblasts. IL-33 and IL-13 synergistically induced eotaxin expression. Conclusions: IL-33 may contribute to the induction and maintenance of eosinophilic inflammation in the airways by acting on lung fibroblasts. IL-33 and ST2 may play important roles in allergic bronchial asthma.

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) contributes to the development of T helper 1 (Th1)-mediated immunity and Th1-associated diseases. However, the role of OPN in bronchial asthma is unclear. Corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation, as reflected by the low eosinophil and T-cell counts, and the low level of cytokine expression. We investigated OPN production and the inhibitory effects of corticosteroids on OPN production in a murine model of allergic asthma. Methods: BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of ovalbumin (OVA) with alum. Some mice received daily injections of dexamethasone (DEX) or phosphate-buffered saline for 1 week. All OVA-challenged mice were exposed to aerosolized 1% OVA for 30 min an hour after these injections. After the OVA challenge, the mice were killed, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue were examined. Results: The levels of OPN protein in BAL fluid and OPN mRNA in lung tissue increased after OVA challenge. Most OPN-expressing cells were CD11c+ cells and some were T cells. DEX decreased the levels of OPN protein in the BAL fluid, and those of OPN mRNA and OPN protein in lung tissue. Conclusions: OPN may play an important role in allergic bronchial asthma. Corticosteroids inhibit OPN production in mice with allergic asthma. The beneficial effect of corticosteroids in bronchial asthma is partly due to their inhibitory effects on OPN production.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the parameters associated with significant gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP), and construct a scoring system for the identification of patients at high risk of gross blood in stools.Study designData for HSP patients hospitalized at each of seven institutes were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into four groups according to the consequent severity of GI involvement. Identification of laboratory parameters at the time of admission were then used to differentiate the groups, and a scoring system to predict gross intestinal bleeding was constructed. Prognostic efficiency, correlation with the subsequent duration of abdominal pain, and association with manifestations excluding abdominal pain were also analyzed.ResultsAn analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed significant intergroup differences in white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, serum albumin, potassium, plasma D-dimer and coagulation factor XIII activity. A scoring system consisting of these parameters showed a good prognostic value for gross intestinal bleeding in a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and a cut-off value of 4 points showed a sensitivity of 90.0% and specificity of 80.6%. The score was also correlated with the duration of abdominal pain after admission. A significantly higher score (s) was observed in patients presenting with nephritis, although the predictive value was poor.ConclusionA scoring system consisting of generally available parameters was of use in predicting severe GI involvement in HSP patients. Although further study is needed, initial therapy in accordance with disease activity may be taken into consideration using this scoring system.

increased the expression of CCL5. The combination of TNF-␣ and dsRNA cooperatively activated the CCL5 promoter region and the NF-B-specific reporter. IFN-␥ did not activate these reporters. However, it increased the stability of CCL5 mRNA induced by dsRNA. IFN-␥ phosphorylated STAT-1, but dsRNA did not. The effects of IFN-␥ were not evident in the cells transfected with short interfering RNA for STAT-1. Conclusions: Cross-talk between TLR3 signaling and inflammatory cytokines regulates the expression of CCL5 in airway epithelial cells. In this mechanism, TNF-␣ may activate NF-B, in cooperation with TLR3 signaling. IFN-␥ may stabilize CCL5 mRNA up-regulated by TLR3. This mechanism may depend on STAT-1.

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The influence of sodium fluoride (NaF) on calcium metabolism was examined in nibbler fish (marine teleosts). Two days after the administration of NaF (5 µg/g of body weight)(around 10-4 M in fish), we showed that plasma calcium levels significantly decreased in NaF-treated nibbler fish. In addition, we detected fluoride in the treated scales by scanning electron microscope with an energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, indicating that NaF directly affects their scales. Therefore, the influence of NaF on osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the scales was examined. In the scales of NaF-injected nibbler fish, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) (osteoclastic marker enzyme) decreased, although alkaline phosphatase (osteoblastic marker enzyme) was activated. To confirm the effect of NaF on osteoclasts, furthermore, the mRNA expressions of osteoclastic markers (matrix metalloproteinase-9 and TRAP) were decreased significantly 2 days after incubation. In barred knifejaws, plasma calcium levels decreased as they did in nibbler fish. Therefore, NaF functions in both osteoblasts and osteoclasts and then influences calcium metabolism in marine fish. In the marine environment, high levels of fluoride (1.2 to 1.5 mg F-/l) (around 10-5 to 10-4 M) are present in seawater. It is probable that teleosts living in seawater efficiently use fluoride to regulate their blood calcium levels. Keywords Sodium fluoride ・ Osteoblasts ・ Osteoclasts ・ Scales ・ Calcium metabolism ・ Element analysis・Nibbler fish

1. 26,26,26,27,27,27-F6,-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, Falecalcitriol, the hexafluorinated analogue of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, has been reported to be several times more potent than the parent compound regarding some vitamin D actions. The reason for enhanced biological activity appears related to F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 metabolism to F6-1,23S,25(OH)3 vitamin D3, a bioactive 23S-hydroxylated form which is resistant to further metabolism. 2. In the present in vivo studies, the repeated oral administration of [3H]F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 to rat resulted in a significant reduction of the radioactivity and the F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 concentrations in serum, especially at the 2 h maximum point after each dosing. Additionally, F6-1,23S,25(OH)3 vitamin D3 in the serum and small intestine was increased by the prior administration of F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3. 3. Further in vitro investigation showed [3H]F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 to be metabolized to F6-1,23S,25(OH)3 vitamin D3 by kidney and small intestine homogenates of rat, the reaction being increased by the prior administration of F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3. Moreover, this latter treatment was associated with a marked increase of CYP24 mRNA in the small intestine within 4 h after dosing. 4. The results indicate that in vivo metabolism of F6-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 to F6-1,23S,25(OH)3 vitamin D3 is catalysed by CYP24, the enzyme being induced by prior substrate exposure.