Impacts of acupuncture on inflammatory cells in BALF for the asthma model rats

Objective To explore the impacts of acupuncture on leukocyte （LEU） and eosinophilic granulocyte （EOS） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） in asthma model rats. Methods Thirty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each one. In the acupuncture group and the model group, the intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin （OVA） was adopted to establish asthma model. In the model group, only the animal model was established but no intervention of acupuncture was given, in the acupuncture group, at the same time of the model establishment, acupuncture was provided at Dazhui （大椎 GV 14）, Feishu （肺俞 BL 13） and Fengmen （风门 BL 22）. The intervention was given once every two days, totally 7 treatments were required （2 weeks）. In the blank group, no any management was applied. The lung lavage method was adopted to collect BALF after 2 weeks for the rats in each group. Under optical microscope, the total LEU count was calculated. With Wright＇s staining, the total EOS count was calculated. Results In the model group, LEU and EOS counts in BALF in the rats were increased apparently compared with the blank group （both P〈0.05）. LEU and EOS counts in BALF in the rats in the acupuncture group were reduced apparently compared with the model group （both P〈0.05）. In BALF, the proportion of EOS in LEU in the rats in the model group was higher than that in the blank group （P〈0.05）. In BALF, the proportion of EOS in LEU in the rats in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the model group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture intervention reduces apparently LEU and EOS counts in BALF in asthma model rats so that asthma is relieved.

Phlegmonous appendicitis in children is characterized by eosinophilia in white blood cell counts

Background Phlegmonous and complicated appendicitis represent independent entities depending on hereditary immuno-logical mechanisms. However, clinically there are no means to distinguish uncomplicated phlegmonous from complicated appendicitis. The ability to distinguish these two forms of appendicitis is relevant as current attempts are to treat both forms of the disease differently. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in white blood cell counts (WBCs) in these conditions to identify areas of interest for future molecular studies. Methods White blood cell counts of patients aged between 7 and 14 years who underwent appendectomy from January 2008 to June 2016 were investigated with special reference to particular cellular subpopulations. Results A total of 647 children were included in the study. Within distinct inflammatory patterns, significant eosinophilia and basophilia were found in phlegmonous inflammation compared with complicated inflammation (0.11±0.19×109/L vs. 0.046±0.104×109/L, P<0.0001, and 0.033±0.031×109/L vs. 0.028±0.024×109/L, P<0.001). Conclusions Compared with complicated disease, phlegmonous appendicitis seems to depend primarily on eosinophil inflam-mation. This observation is stable over time and indicates a direction for investigation of underlying genetic prerequisites.