OBSERVATION OF REMOTE AND RECENT THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ACUPOINT-THREAD EMBEDDING, WESTERN MEDICINE OR ALLIED THERAPY ON PERENNIAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Objective: The comparison of the remote and recent therapeutic effects on perennial allergic rhinitis was carried on among single application of acupoint-thread embedding, western medicine (certirizine+flixonase) and allied therapy. Method: Ninety cases were randomized into thread-embedding group, western medicine group and embedding+western medicine group (allied-therapy group), 30 cases in each one. In thread embedding group, Yingxiang (迎香 LI 20) and Feishu (肺俞 BL 13) were selected for thread embedding, once a week, totally 4 treatments were required. In western medicine group, certirizine tablet 10 mg in combination with flixonase sprayer was applied once per day, continuously for 30 days in treatment. In allied-therapy group, both of the above methods were adopted continuously for 30 days in treatment. The therapeutic effects were in statistics at the end of treatment and 1 year later. Results: At the end of treatment, in thread-embedding group, 21 cases were remarkably effective, 3 cases effective and 6 cases no effect. In western medicine group, 20 cases were remarkably effective, 3 cases effective and 7 cases no effect. In allied-therapy group, 23 cases were remarkably effective, 2 cases effective and 5 cases no effect. It was shown in statistics that there was no significant difference in therapeutic effects among three groups ( P>0.05 ). But one year after the end of treatment, it was indicated that in thread-embedding group, 3 cases were remarkably effective, 10 cases effective and 17 cases no effect; in western medicine group, 2 cases were remarkably effective, 9 cases effective and 19 cases no effect; in allied-therapy group, 7 cases were remarkably effective, 11 cases effective and 12 cases no effect. The significant difference in the therapeutic effects had not been presented in the comparison between thread-embedding group and western medicine group (P>0.05), but that had been presented between allied-therapy group with either of the groups with single therapy applied (P<0.05). Conclusion: Quite good recent therapeutic effect of either acupoint-thread embedding or western medicine (certirizine+flixonase) was achieved on perennial allergic rhinitis. The remote therapeutic effect of allied therapy was more advantageous than that of single application of either thread embedding or western medicine.

Observation of Ultrastructure in Nasal Mucosa on Allergic Perennial Rhinitis Cases before and after the Operations

Objective: The partial inferior turbinectomy and septoplasty was applied to treat the allergic perennial rhinitis (APR), and to observe the ultrastructure changes of the nasal mucosa before and after the operations. Methods: For 36 cases of research objects diagnosed with APR, the partial inferior turbinectomy and septoplasty was administered. For 6 APR cases among them, the pre- and postoperative observation of anterior nasal mucosa of the inferior turbinate on the same side under the electron microscope was conducted for one year respectively. In addition, their pathological alterations of tissues were also conducted. Results: In the pre-operative observation under the electron microscope, it was found that the nasal mucosae epithelium cells were nude without cilia. The lamina propria had edema, and mesenchyme presented the infiltration of substantial eosinophilic granulocytes, basophilic granulocytes, plasmacytes and mast cells. Additionally, abundant degranulation and vacuolation of cytoplasts were observed. The plentiful glands, duct ectasia, edema and structural changes were also found. Some gland cells had degenerated. After the operation, it was found that the epithelium nudity still existed and the deficiency of cilia was not improved. Only a very small amount of microvilli existed. The edema of lamina propria was improved and eosinophilic granulocytes were rarely observed in mesenchyme. However, the infiltration of basophilic granulocytes, plasmocytes and mast cells was still observed. The particle structure was generally stable and the central crystal was clear without degranulation. Meanwhile, the amount of glands was reduced and the tissue structure tended to be recovered. Overall, the nasal mucosa showed changes as chronic inflammation. Conclusions: For the treatment of APR with the methods presented by our research institution, in one year before and after the operation, ultrastructural changes of inferior turbinate mucosa tissues were observed from the preoperatively pathological changes of typical APR to the chronic inflammation with the primary infiltration of neutrophilic granulocyte and mast cells.

Recent developments in immunotherapy approaches for allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis(AR)poses a significant global health burden,with the potential to progress to asthma,thereby impacting patients’quality of life.Immunotherapy has demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating clinical symptoms by altering the underlying disease mechanisms of AR.This article provides a thorough review of the current state of immunotherapy for AR,encompassing various facets of immunotherapeutic strategies,elucidating their mechanisms and clinical implications.By presenting a nuanced understanding of the present landscape of immunotherapy for AR,this review aims to serve as a valuable reference for informing clinical treatment strategies.The subsequent analysis of diverse immunotherapeutic pathways offers a comprehensive understanding of their mechanisms and clinical implications.A meticulous examination is conducted on subcutaneous immunotherapy,sublingual immunotherapy,oral immunotherapy,intralymphatic immunotherapy,and innovative intravenous gold-induced autologous serum injection therapy.Each pathway is systematically elucidated,with its distinctive features and potential contributions to managing AR emphasized.In conclusion,synthesizing epidemiological insights,immunotherapeutic nuances,and pathway-specific analyses encapsulates a profound understanding of immunotherapy for AR.

Overview of Research on the Clinical Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Three kinds of treatment for allergic rhinitis(Western medicine,traditional Chinese medicine and their combination)were described respectively,and the different treatment methods of AR and their characteristics were analyzed.This study will help to further improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease and promote the early recovery of patients.

Establishment and Evaluation of a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis

[Objectives]To explore a new method for induction of allergic rhinitis in mice,and compare and evaluate it with common modeling methods.[Methods]36 mice were randomly divided into the control group,blank group and experimental group,and there were 12 mice in each group.The mice in the control group were conventionally induced.That is,the mice were first injected intraperitoneally with the mixture composed of OVA 50μg,[Al(OH)3]5 mg and 1ml of normal saline once every other day,and then since the 15 th d,20μL of 5%OVA solution was dropped into each nasal cavity once a day,which lasted for 7 d.The blank group was treated with the same amount of normal saline according to the control group,and received intraperitoneal injection and bilateral nasal drip respectively.In the experimental group,mice were first given intraperitoneal injection of the mixture composed of ovalbumin(OVA)75μg,aluminum hydroxide gel[Al(OH)3]8 mg and normal saline 1.5 mL for basic sensitization.On the 26 th d,20μL of 3%OVA solution was dropped into each nasal cavity once a day,which lasted for 10 d.The number of sneezes,the number of nose scratching,the amount of nasal discharge,and the activity of mice in each group were observed,and the behavior of allergic reaction was scored.Meanwhile,the number of eosinophils in the nasal discharge of mice and the IgE content in serum were measured.[Results]The score of nasal stimulation symptoms,the number of eosinophils and serum IgE level of mice in the control group and the experimental group were higher than those in the blank group(P<0.05),and there was no statistical significance between the two groups in the three indicators(P>0.05).[Conclusions]The modeling method was more suitable for the development of allergic rhinitis patients condition,and reduced the probability of death of mice due to modeling,and simplified the experimental operation.

Epidemiological Features of Allergic Rhinitis in Four Major Cities in Western China

Allergic rhinitis（AR）,with an increasing uptrend of the prevalence in many developed and developing countries,is a global health problem that affects people of all ages and ethnic groups.However,data on the prevalence of self-reported AR in western China are rare.This study investigated the epidemiological features of self-reported AR in western China.In the cross-sectional,population-based study,a validated questionnaire survey on self-reported AR was carried out in 4 major cities in western China by multistage,stratified and cluster sampling,from January to December 2008.The total prevalence rate was 34.3%,with 32.3%（Chongqing）,34.3%（Chengdu）,37.9%（Urumqi）,30.3%（Nanning）,respectively.The prevalence presented to increase with age before 30 years old while decrease with age after 30 years old,and the highest prevalence was in 19-30 years group in Chongqing,Chengdu and Nanning which significantly showed ＂persistent and moderate-severe＂ type（P0.0001）;In Urumqi,there wasn＇t a significant increasing or decreasing trend of prevalence rate with age but with an ＂intermittent and mild＂predominance（P0.0001）.There were no distinct sexual differences in prevalence rates in the 4 cities.The morbidity was positively related to monthly average temperature and sunshine（r=0.76645,P=0.0036;r=0.67303,P=0.0165）,but negatively associated with relative humidity（r=-0.64391,P=0.0238） in Urumqi.Interestingly,the monthly morbidity was negatively associate with average temperature,sunshine and precipitation in Nanning（r=-0.81997,P=0.0011;r=-0.60787,P=0.0360;r=-0.59443,P=0.0415）.Self-reported AR is becoming common in western China with a rapid development in recent years,affecting about three persons out of ten.The climatic factors may have an indirect impact on the prevalence rate through the effects on the local allergens.

Effects of lysedEnterococcus faecalis FK-23 on experimental allergic rhinitis in a murine model

In the current study, we sought to investigate whether lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 （LFK）, a heat-killed probiotic preparation, attenuated eosinophil influx into the upper airway and had immunomodulatory activity in a murine allergic rhinitis model. Eighteen BALB/c mice were divided into three groups; the ovalbumin （OVA）-sen- sitized/challenged group, which received saline orally for 6 weeks （OVA group）, the OVA-sensitized/challenged group, which received LFK orally for 6 weeks （LFK-fed group）, and the non-sensitized group, which received saline for 6 weeks （saline control group）. Nasal rubbing and sneezing were monitored during the study. After the final challenge, interleukin （IL）-4, interferon （IFN）-y, and OVA-specific IgE levels in the sera and splenocyte culture supernatants were determined, eosinophilic infiltrate into the upper airway was quantified, and splenic CD4~CD25＋ regulatory T cells （Tregs） were examined by flow cytometry. We found that nasal rubbing was sig- nificantly reduced in LFK-fed mice compared to the OVA group on d 27 and 35, and sneezing was significantly inhibited by LFK administration for 35 d. LFK-fed mice had significantly less eosinophil influx into the nasal mucosa than the OVA group. There were no significant differences between the LFK-fed group and OVA group in the serum and splenocyte culture supernatant levels of IL-4, IFN-y, and OVA-specific IgE. Interestingly, the LFK-fed mice had a significantly greater percentage of splenic CD4＋CD25＋ Tregs than OVA group. Our results indicate that oral administration of LFK may alleviate nasal symptoms, reduce nasal eosinophilia, and increase the percentage of CD4＋CD25＋ Tregs in experimental allergic rhinitis.

Effect of RNA interference therapy on the mice eosinophils CCR3 gene and granule protein in the murine model of allergic rhinitis

Objective:To observe the clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis mice and the expression changes of the eosinophils CCR3 and the granule protein rnRNA in the bone marrow,peripheral blood and nasal lavage fluid.Mctliods:Twenty-four BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group.PBS therapy group.siKNA therapy group and the CCR3 siRNA therapy group(n=6).Allergic rhinitis model were sensitized and stimulated by ovalbunfin,and CCR3 siKNA therapy group were administered with CCH3 transnasally before stimulated.The levels of the eosinophils CCR3.MBP.ECP and EPO in bone marrow,peripheral blood and nasal lavage fluid were detected by RT-PCR.Results:Compared to the control group and CCR3 siR.NA therapy group,the nasal mucosa of the PBS therapy group and siRNA therapy group developed epithalaxy.goblet cells hyperplasia,squamous epithelium metaplasia,epithelium necrosis,lamina propria and submucosa gland hyperplasia,vasodilatation,tissue edema,and the characterized eosinophil infiltration.RT-PCR indicated that the CCR3 rnRNA,MBP.ECP and EPC)expression in bone marrow,peripheral blood and nasal lavage fluid of the CCR3 siKNA therapy group was lower than the PBS therapy group and siR.NA therapy group(P<0.05).Conclusions:The RNA interference therapy to CCR3 by local administration pernasal can suppress the process of the development,migration and invasion of the allergic rhinitis eosinophil,thus can reduce the effect of eosinophils and then reduce the inflammation effect of the allergic rhinitis.It may be a new treatment for respiratory tract allergic inflammation.

Study on Cytokines IL-2,IL-6,IL-10 in Patients of Chronic Allergic Rhinitis Treated with Acupuncture

OBJECTIVES: To observe the plasmatic concentration of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-2 in the patient of chronic allergic rhinitis before and after acupuncture therapy. METHODS: Cytokine levels were determined before and after treatment in 30 healthy volunteers (Group A) and 90 patients of chronic allergic rhinitis (Group B) with an increased plasma IL-10 level. Group B was then divided into 3 subgroups: 30 patients treated with real acupuncture (Group B1); 30 patients treated with sham acupuncture (Group B2); 30 non-treated patients (Group B3). RESULTS: The allergic subjects of group B1, compared with controls, showed a significant reduction of IL-10 after a specific treatment with acupuncture (P

Association between Promoter Polymorphisms of Interleukin-4 Gene and Allergic Rhinitis Risk: a Meta-analysis

Summary： The relationship of interleukin-4 （IL-4） C-33T and C-590T （C-589T） gene polymorphisms with allergic rhinitis was analyzed. Data about the case control studies of IL-4 gene promoter polymorphisms [C-33T and C-590T （C-589T）] and their association with allergic diseases and correlation between serum IL-4 levels and allergic rhinitis were retrieved. The Stata 12.0 statistical soitvcare was applied to analyze the correlation between IL-4 gene polymorphisms and allergic rhinitis. The meta-analysis result of TT/CC genotype of -590 （-589） polymorphism showed a significant association with allergic diseases [OR=1.93, 95% CI （1.61 2.31）, P=0.00]. Meta-analysis of the TT＋TC versus CC genotype of IL-4 C-33/T polymorphism revealed significant associations with allergic diseases [OR=3.23, 95% CI （1.13-9.25）, P=0.03]. Meanwhile, there was a significant correlation between serum IL-4 levels and allergic rhinitis [OR=2.52, 95% CI-（1.80-3.23）, P=0.00]. IL-4 gene -590 TT genotype may increase the risk of allergic rhinitis and the T allele mutation of -33 might be correlated with aller- gic rhinitis.

p38 MAPK Regulates Th2 Cytokines Release in PBMCs in Allergic Rhinitis Rats

Th2 cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. To investigate the effect of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） on the production of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5 in allergic rhinitis, a model of allergic rhinitis was established in SD rats. The expression level of p38 MAPK mRNA in PBMCs was detected by means of real time quantitative RT-PCR. The p38 MAPK activity in PBMCs was detected by Western blotting. PBMCs were cultured with various concentrations of p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 or without the treatment, and then IL-4, IL-5 levels of the supernatant were determined by using sandwich ELISA. The results showed that mRNA expression and activity of p38 MAPK in PBMCs were significantly higher in allergic rhinitis rats than in control rats （P〈0.05）. The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 decreased the production of IL-4 and IL-5 in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that p38 MAPK plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis which is associated with Th2 cytokines release.

Single-allergen Sublingual Immunotherapy versus Multi-allergen Subcutaneous Immunotherapy for Children with Allergic Rhinitis

It has always been controversial whether a single allergen performs better than multiple allergens in polysensitized patients during the allergen-specific immunotherapy. This study aimed to examine the clinical efficacy of single-allergen sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT) versus multi-allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy(SCIT) and to discover the change of the biomarker IL-4 after 1-year immunotherapy in polysensitized children aged 6–13 years with allergic rhinitis(AR) induced by house dust mites(HDMs). The AR polysensitized children(n=78) were randomly divided into two groups: SLIT group and SCIT group. Patients in the SLIT group sublingually received a single HDM extract and those in the SCIT group were subcutaneously given multiple-allergen extracts(HDM in combination with other clinically relevant allergen extracts). Before and 1 year after the allergen-specific immunotherapy(ASIT), the total nasal symptom scores(TNSS), total medication scores(TMS) and IL-4 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) were compared respectively between the two groups. The results showed that the TNSS were greatly improved, and the TMS and IL-4 levels were significantly decreased after 1-year ASIT in both groups(SLIT group: P<0.001; SCIT group: P<0.001). There were no significant differences in any outcome measures between the two groups(for TNSS: P>0.05; for TMS: P>0.05; for IL-4 levels: P>0.05). It was concluded that the clinical efficacy of single-allergen SLIT is comparable with that of multi-allergen SCIT in 6–13-year-old children with HDM-induced AR.

Sublingual immunotherapy for pediatric allergic rhinitis: The clinical evidence

Allergic rhinitis affect 10%-20% of pediatric population and it is caused by the Ig E-sensitization to environmental allergens, most importantly grass pollens and house dust mites. Allergic rhinitis can influence patient's daily activity severely and may precede the development of asthma, especially if it is not diagnosed and treated correctly. In addition to subcutaneous immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT) represents the only treatment being potentially able to cure allergic respiratory diseases, by modulating the immune system activity. This review clearly summarizes and analyzes the available randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials, which aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and the safety of grass pollen and house dust mite SLIT for the specific treatment of pediatric allergic rhinitis. Our analysis demonstrates the good evidence supporting the efficacy of SLIT for allergic rhinitis to grass pollens in children, whereas trials regarding pediatric allergic rhinitis to house dust mites present lower quality, although several studies supported its usefulness.

A cross-sectional study into the correlation of common household risk factors and allergic rhinitis in Taiwan's tropical environment

Objective:To discuss the effect of lesser-known potential risk factors,such as bedroom showers,on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis.Methods:A cross-sectional,population-based study was performed using both survey and fungal culturing in southern Taiwan.There were 998 participants enrolled in the survey,and 513 sets of fungal culture obtained.With score for allergic rhinitis(SFAR) more than 7,the patient was defined to have allergic rhinitis.Risks of allergic rhinitis were calculated as odds ratios for various predicted risk factors by logistic regression.Correlation between predicted risk factors and fungal level were examined with linear regression.Results:The adjusted odds ratio of frequently using bedroom shower to having allergic rhinitis was 1.572(95% confidence interval:1.090-2.265),and 0.962 for people with older age to have AR(95% confidence interval:0.949-0.976).As to the 24-hour fungal level,the standardized coefficient was 0.254 for frequent use of bedroom shower,and 0.106 for window open hours.Conclusions:Use of bedroom shower is a potential risk factor for allergic rhinitis development.

Serum IL-10 Level in Allergic Rhinitis Patients and Its Effect on Serum Total IgE

To investigate the level of serum IL-10 in allergic rhinitis patients and the correlation between IL-10 and serum total IgE （TIgE）. 50 allergic rhinitis patients and 30 normal subjects were involved in the study. The levels of serum IL-10 and TIgE were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）, and the correlation between serum IL-10 and TIgE was analyzed. In the allergic rhinitis group, the levels of serum IL-10 and TIgE were 8.34±2.48 pg/mL and 142.6± 28.2 KUA/L. In the normal control group, they were 12.86±.88 pg/mL and 47.2±12.2 KUA. There were significant differences between the two groups （P〈0. 01）; and the level of serum TIgE in the patients was negatively correlated with that of IL-10 （r= -0.46, P=0. 02）. The level of serum IL-10 was significantly decreased in allergic rhinitis patients, which was beneficial to the synthesization of IgE. IL-10 plays an important role in the episode of allergic rhinitis.

Clinical Research into Ke Min Yin for Treatment of Persistent Allergic Rhinitis in Patients with Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis

Persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) is one of the common diseases at ear-nose-throat department. From August 1998 to May 2001, we randomly selected 60 cases of PAR with qi deficiency and blood stasis for a clinical observation. 30 patients in the treatment group were treated with Ke Min Yin (克敏饮), a herbal medicine, to supplement qi, expel wind, nourish blood and promote blood circulation; and the other 30 cases in the control group were treated with cetrine. Through systematic observation and statistical processing, the clinical research is summarized and reported in the following.

Mediation Effects of Placental Inflammatory Transcriptional Biomarkers on the Sex-Dependent Associations between Maternal Phthalate Exposure and Infant Allergic Rhinitis: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Objective Prenatal phthalate exposure has been associated with placental inflammatory factors and infant allergic rhinitis(AR).However,the results are inconclusive.We designed a population-based cohort study to examine the effects of placental inflammatory biomarkers on the sex-dependent associations between maternal phthalate exposure and infant AR.Methods A total of 2,348 pregnant women from Ma’anshan,Anhui Province,China,who were screened before antenatal visits and met the inclusion criteria,were included in the present study.We assessed AR in their offspring aged 36 months with a questionnaire.Quantitative PCR was performed to measure placental inflammatory factor m RNAs.The independent samples t-test and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine the associations between infant AR and maternal phthalates.Results Childhood AR may be related to education and family monthly income(P = 0.01).The phthalate metabolites,mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(MEHP),mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyl) phthalate(MEHHP),in pregnant women were associated with a significantly increased risk for infant AR in males[P < 0.05;odds ratio(OR):1.285;95% confidence interval(CI):1.037-1.591,and OR:1.232,95% CI:1.008-1.507,respectively],but not females.Additionally,irritably-increased expression levels of HO-1 and IL-4 were associated with AR in male infants(OR:1.175;95% CI:1.038-1.329 and OR:1.181;95% CI:1.056-1.322,respectively).The association between maternal urinary MEHHP and placental HO-1 was marginally significant according to mediation analysis.Conclusion The associations of maternal MEHHP and MEOHP levels with fetal AR in males were significant.Placental HO-1 was a fractional mediator in the associations between MEHHP and AR.Thus,the placenta should be further investigated as a potential mediator of maternal exposure-induced disease risk in children.

Mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of allergic rhinitis using a network biology approach

Objective:To systematically explore the effect and mechanism of traditional Chinese herbs in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.Methods:Magnolia flower,xanthium fruit,astragalus root,paniculate cynanchum,scutellaria root,cicada molting,stephania root,small centipeda herb,and licorice root as traditional Chinese herbs are widely used to treat allergic rhinitis.With multiple database integration and entity grammar systems,a molecular interaction network of traditional Chinese herbs for treating allergic rhinitis was established.Bioinformatics approaches were adopted to integrate relevant data and biological information by multiple databases.Molecular interaction network of Chinese herbs for treating allergic rhinitis was constructed based on entity grammar systems model.The network was then used for elucidating the antiallergic rhinitis mechanism of the Chinese herbs on the molecular level.The subnetworks were also extracted to explicitly display the pathway and targets where effective components acted on.Results:Traditional Chinese herbs could influence various pathological aspects in allergic rhinitis including the production of pro-inflammatory substances,such as histamine and cytokine interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-13(IL-13),lowering immunoglobulin E(IgE)level or blocking antigen binding,altering the biological processes of IgE,modulating the balance of T helper(Th)or other cells by cell proliferation and differentiation,mediating cellecell signaling and second-messenger-mediated signaling,stabilizing the cell membrane,and affecting regulation of cellular defense response.Conclusion:The research theoretically confirms the mechanism of anti-allergic rhinitis by traditional Chinese herbs,provides important fundamental research information for treatment of allergic rhinitis,and may serve as a reference for new drug development and effective ingredients of compatibility.

Myricetin alleviates ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in mice by regulating Th1/Th2 balance

Objective:To evaluate the effect of myricetin on ovalbumin(OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis in mice.Methods:Mice were sensitized and challenged using OVA(5%,500 mL)intraperitoneally and intranasally,respectively,on an alternative day for 14 days,followed by administration of myricetin(50,100,and 200 mg/kg)till day 21.Nasal symptoms,biochemical parameters,protein expressions,and histopathology were observed.Results:OVA-induced increased nasal symptoms including rubbing,sneezing,and discharge were significantly reduced by myricetin(100and 200 mg/kg)(P<0.05).Myricetin also protected against histamine challenge and attenuated elevated serum immunoglobulin E(IgE;total and OVA-specific),total IgG1,andβ-hexosaminidase levels,as well as leukotriene C4 and interleukins levels in nasal lavage fluid(P<0.05).Western blot analysis showed that myricetin significantly upregulated the protein expression of T-box expressed in T cells,while downregulating the protein expression of GATA binding protein 3,NF-κB,and IκB-α(P<0.05).Additionally,OVA-induced histopathological abberations in the nasal mucosa was markedly ameliorated by myricetin treatment(P<0.05).Conclusions:Myricetin exerts anti-allergic effects against OVAinduced allergic rhinitis via regulating Th1/Th2 balance.

Non-allergic rhinitis in children: Epidemiological aspects, pathological features, diagnostic methodology and clinical management

Chronic rhinitis is a very common disease, as the prevalence in the general population resulted to be 40%. Allergic rhinitis has been considered to be the most frequent form of chronic rhinitis, as non-allergic rhinitis has been estimated to account for 25%. However, several evidences suggested that non-allergic rhinitis have been underrated, especially in children. In pediatrics, the diagnostic definition of non-allergic rhinitis has been often limited to the exclusion of an allergic sensitization. Actually, local allergic rhinitis has been often misdiagnosed as well as mixed rhinitis has not been recognized in most cases. Nasal cytology is a diagnostic procedure being suitable for routine clinical practice with children and could be a very useful tool to characterize and diagnose non-allergic rhinitis, providing important clues for epidemiological analysis and clinical management.