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A new type of backing adhesive for ceramic tile was prepared by adding the optical fiber preform waste powder to the mixed emulsion of acrylic acid and styrene-acrylic acid, supplemented by silane coupling agent and other necessary components. The optimum formula was as follows:acrylic emulsion styrene-acrylic emulsion optical fiber preform waste powder A-151: starch ether dispersant calcium formate=200:50:30: 15 ;5 to 7. According to the method specified in JC/T547--2017, the performance of the best formula backing adhesive for ceramic tile was tested. It was found that the adhesive bonding system still had high bonding strength after heat treatment or water erosion. This indicates that the backing adhesive for ceramic tile has good heat aging resistance and water erosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To re-evaluate the clinical efficacy of Longjintonglin Capsules (LJTL) in the treatment of chronic prostatitis with damp-heat stasis syndrome., Methods: This multicenter real-world study included 1 352 cases of chronic prostatitis with damp-heat and stagnation syndrome treated with LJTL (3 capsules once, tid, 30 minutes after meals, for 2 four-week courses) in addition to routine treatment. Before and after treatment, we analyzed the NIH-CPSI scores, the scores of Chinese medicine symptom quantitative classification and changes in individual symptom scores, and observed adverse reactions to medication., Results: The total effectiveness rate of LJTL was 93.64%. Compared with the baseline, the NIH-CPSI scores were significantly decreased after treatment (［24.27 ± 6.04］ vs ［8.17 ± 4.21］, P < 0.05), and so were the scores on the pain symptoms (［9.63 ± 3.65］ vs ［3.02 ± 2.23］, P < 0.05), voiding symptoms (［5.65 ± 2.15］ vs ［1.62 ± 1.36) and quality of life (［8.96 ± 2.32］ vs ［3.16 ± 1.89］, P < 0.05). The effectiveness rate of LJTL was 95.9% on the Chinese medicine symptom frequent urination, 90.4% on painful urination, and 91.4% scanty dark urine, with a total effectiveness rate of 82.4% － 95.9%, all with statistically significant difference in comparison with the baseline (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Longjintonglin Capsules combined with routine treatment can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of chronic prostatitis with damp-heat stasis syndrome, especially effective on the symptoms of frequent urination, painful urination and scanty dark urine. Besides, it recommendable for its antidepressant and antianxiety effects, and the effect of improving the quality of life of the chronic prostatitis patients with damp-heat stasis.

Based on the modern anatomy and physiology, the referred pain of myofascial trigger points of each muscle is integrated; compared with the twelve meridians as well as conception vessel and governor vessel, the similarity of their position and running course is observed. With the current research progress of myofascial trigger points and fasciology, based on the running course of referred pain of trigger points, combined with fascia mechanics, nerve and vascular, the location of acupoints and meridians, as well as the relationship between acupoints and meridians, are discussed.

A rapid analytical method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with post-column derivatization was established for the simultaneous determination of nine mycotoxins in cereal and cereal products. The nine mycotoxins were extracted from the samples by using acetone-water (80:20, v/v). The extract was purified by a self-made composite immunoaffinity clean-up column and was analyzed by HPLC. Mycotoxins were detected by fluorescence detection after on-line photochemical derivatization and were quantified by an external standard method. The nine compounds showed good linearities in their concentration ranges with the correlation coefficients ( R 2 ) exceeding 0.999. The spiked recoveries in real samples for the nine mycotoxins were above 80%, while the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 1.0%-5.6%. The limits of detection (LODs) and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.02-5.00 and 0.07-16.70 μg/kg, respectively. The developed method is simple, sensitive, and has good repeatability, and thus can be used for the routine analysis of the nine mycotoxins in cereal and cereal products.

Objective: To attempt to establish an objective quantitative indicator to characterize the trigger point activity, so as to evaluate the effect of dry needling on myofascial trigger point activity., Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank control group, dry needling (needling) group, stretching exercise (stretching) group and needling plus stretching group ( n ＝6 per group). The chronic myofascial pain (trigger point) model was established by freedom vertical fall of a wooden striking device onto the mid-point of gastrocnemius belly of the left hind-limb to induce contusion, followed by forcing the rat to make a continuous downgrade running exercise at a speed of 16 m/min for 90 min on the next day which was conducted once a week for 8 weeks. Electromyography (EMG) of the regional myofascial injured point was monitored and recorded using an EMG recorder via electrodes. It was considered success of the model if spontaneous electrical activities appeared in the injured site. After a 4 weeks' recovery, rats of the needling group were treated by filiform needle stimulation (lifting-thrusting-rotating) of the central part of the injured gastrocnemius belly (about 10 mm deep) for 6 min, and those of the stretching group treated by holding the rat's limb to make the hip and knee joints to an angle of about 180°, and the ankle-joint about 90° for 1 min every time, 3 times altogether (with an interval of 1 min between every 2 times). The activity of the trigger point was estimated by the sample entropy of the EMG signal sequence in reference to Richman's and Moorman's methods to estimate the curative effect of both needling and exercise., Results: After the modeling cycle, the mean sample entropies of EMG signals was significantly decreased in the model groups (needling group [0.034±0.010], stretching group [0.045±0.023], needling plus stretching group [0.047±0.034]) relevant to the blank control group (0.985±0.196, P <0.01). After the treatment, the mean sample entropy of EMG signals was evidently increased in both needling (0.819±0.088), stretching (0.532±0.25) and needling plus stretching (0.810±0.117) groups ( P <0.01). The mean sample entropy of the needling and needling plus stretching groups were significantly higher than that of the stretching group ( P <0.01), without remarkable difference between the two needling groups in the mean sample entropy ( P >0.05), suggesting a better efficacy of dry needling in easing trigger point activity., Conclusion: Dry needling is able to relieve myofascial trigger point activity in rats, which is better than that of simple passive stretching therapy.

Objective: To study clinical treatment effects of inactivating myofascial trigger points with needling and muscle stretching for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis(OA)., Methods: Retrospective analyses were made to investigate the clinical data of pain clinic outpatient in our hospital from 2010 to 2014, and 108 patients with knee OA, including 35 males and 73 females, were treated with acupuncturing of myofascial trigger points and stretching of muscles and structure around knee. The puncturing of trigger points, and the back and forth movement of needle were required to elicit local twitch response of muscle. After acupuncture treatment, muscle stretch around the knee joint was performed by a therapist. All patients must do homework of self stretching exercise. The extent of stretching should be to gradually increased under a tolerable pain. The ROM and walking pain VAS scores were measured before and after whole therapy and were statistically analyzed during 1 year of follow up., Results: All the patients were followed up, and 95 patients had no pain after 1 year. The VAS scores were improved from preoperative severe 7.6±0.5, moderate 4.9±0.7, to mild 1.9±0.6 and painless 0.3±0.2., Conclusions: The walking pain of knee OA might be alleviated by the acupuncture and stretch to inactivate the myofascial trigger point., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Objective: To investigate the effect of licorice flavonoid (LF) on kainic acid (KA)-induced seizure in mice and its mechanism., Methods: Male adult ICR mice were injected with 25 mg/kg KA to induce temporal lobe seizure. LF was administrated 7 d before seizure induction (pre-treatment) or 24 h after seizure induction (post-treatment) for 7 d. Acute seizure latency, seizure stage and duration were observed and compared between LF- and vehicle-treated mice. From d2 on, mice with status epilepticus were video-monitored for spontaneous seizures, 10 h/d for 6 w. Immunohistochemical analysis of BrdU and Timm staining was conducted to detect the neurogenesis and mossy fiber sprouting, respectively., Results: No significant difference was observed in acute seizure latency, seizure stage and duration between LF-and vehicle-treated mice. KA-induced acute seizure resulted in spontaneous seizure in mice, and the seizure frequency was increased with time. Pre- and post-treatment with LF decreased seizure frequency from w3 after modeling [(0.58±0.15)/d, (0.38±0.38)/d vs (1.23±0.23)/d, P <0.05]. Furthermore, KA-induced seizure resulted in robust neurogenesis and mossy fiber sprouting, while treatment with LF both pre- and post- KA injection significantly inhibited neurogenesis (15.6±2.6, 17.1±3.1 vs 28.9±3.5, P <0.05) and mossy fiber sprouting (1.33±0.31, 1.56±0.42 vs 3.0±0.37, P <0.05)., Conclusion: LF has no significant anti-seizure effect. However, it can decrease epileptogenesis through inhibition of neurogenesis and mossy fiber sprouting.

Objective: To investigate the immunoregulatory effects of pertussis protein on airway inflammatory, IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids(BALF) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the sensitized mice., Methods: The sensitized mice were reexposed to ovalbumin and the airway response to methacholine injection was monitored. Inflammatory cells and cytokines IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in BALF were measured. Lung tissue specimens were collected for histological examination., Result: Intramuscular injection or intranasal instillation of pertussis protein inhibited changes in lung resistance and lung dynamic compliance, upregulated IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio and decreased eosinophil accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Pathological examination showed that goblet cell hyperplasia and inflammatory cells infiltration in lung tissue were suppressed by pertussis protein., Conclusion: Pertussis protein inhibits the inflammation and regulates the function of lungs in asthma mice, suggesting its potential application in treatment of asthma.

Objective: To determine the inhibitory effects of BIO-1211, a very late antigen-4 (vla-4) antagonist, on bronchoconstriction and neutrophil adhesion in rats., Methods: For evaluating ovalbumin-induced bronchoconstriction in the sensitized rats, the changes in lung resistance (RL) and lung dynamic compliance (C(dyn)) were determined after antigen challenge. Neutrophils from the rats were used to determine fibronectin and serum-induced cell adhesion. The effect of BIO-1211 on wheezing was determined after inhalation of histamine and acetylcholine in guinea pigs., Result: BIO-1211 aerosol at 1, 3 and 10 mg/ml significantly inhibited the changes in lung resistance and lung dynamic compliance after antigen challenge in the sensitized rats in a dose-dependent manner. BIO-1211 at 25, 50, 100 and 200 microgram/ml inhibited the fibronectin-induced neutrophil adhesion by 23.5%, 24.6%, 61.4% and 58.1%, respectively, and serum-induced adhesion by 29.9%, 35.9%, 35.3% and 15.4%, respectively. Inhalation of 10 mg/ml BIO-1211 did not show any protection against histamine and acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction., Conclusion: BIO-1211 inhibits bronchoconstriction and neutrophil adhesion, which may be associated with its effect against bronchoconstriction in rats.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Shengdi injection on rat model of lung inflammation., Method: The rat model was established by intratrachea instillation of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The total and different white blood cell counts in bronchoalvoelar lavage fluid (BALF) were performed and the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), superoxide anion radical (O2-) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) was measured, as well as pathologic change of pulmonary tissue was tested., Result: Shengdi injection could depress the increasing of the amount of total white blood cells and neutrophils and inhibit the increasing of TNF-alpha, O2-, MPO caused by LPS, as well as relieve the pathologic change including Neutrophils infiltrating and mucous edema in tracheae after intravenous administration. While it did not show the effect on monocyte, and histological lesion of the lung tissue., Conclusion: Shengdi injection shows some anti-inflammatory effect in rat lung induced by LPS and it can be concluded tentatively that anti-inflammatory, inhibiting the release of cytokine and inflammatory medium, and antioxidation are some of the mechanism of its effect on COPD.

Aim: To establish an antigen-specific asthmatic model of guinea pig induced by protein antigen extracted from Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f), and study the desensitization of dust mite drops (DMD, extracted from Der f) in a dose progressive manner and long-term sublingual administration., Methods: To sensitize the guinea pigs, the protein antigen emulsified in aluminium hydroxide gel was subcutaneously and intraperitoneally injected. To observe early-phase reaction of asthma, lung resistance (R(L)) and lung dynamic compliance (Cdyn) in the sensitized guinea pigs were determined by intravenously injecting antigen. To observe late-phase reaction of asthma, the sensitized guinea pigs were challenged with aerosolized antigen for 7 days. Subsequently, methacholine (Mch) in a cumulative dose-manner induced-airway hyperreactivity (AHR), inflammatory cells numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and pathological changes of lung tissue were measured in the model. From the first day of sensitization, the guinea pigs in treatment group sublingually received DMD in a dose progressive manner. The model group sublingually received equivalent saline. The normal control group did not receive any treatment., Results: The guinea pigs in model group showed a significant increase in R(L) and decrease in Cdyn, and developed a marked AHR to Mch. The number of total leukocytes and eosinophils increased significantly in BALF. Serious infiltration of eosinophils was observed in pathological section of lung tissue. Compared with model group, DMD treatment group exhibited a significant amelioration for early-phase and late-phase reaction of asthma., Conclusion: DMD in a dose progressive manner and long-term sublingual administration displays a significant desensitization on Der f antigen-specific asthmatic reaction. The results provided experimental evidence for clinical therapy.

Aim: To investigate the effect of inhalation of cyclosporin (CsA) on antigen-induced airway inflammation in Sprague-Dawley rats., Methods: Rats were sensitized with antigen (ovalbumin, OA). After two weeks, the sensitized rats were pretreated with aerosol CsA (5, 10, 20 g x L(-1)), once per day for 7 days. Then, the sensitized rats were challenged with OA (10 g x L(-1), once per day) for 2 days at day 20 after sensitization. The number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and peripheral blood, histological changes of lung tissue, and TNF-alpha content in BALF were investigated., Results: Inhalation of CsA significantly reduced the number of eosinophils in BALF and peripheral blood, inflammatory infiltration and tissue edema of lung tissue, decreased the content of TNF-alpha in BALF., Conclusion: Inhalation of CsA inhibited airway inflammation in rats, and the mechanism is related to inhibition of TNF-alpha release.

Objective: To compare the bronchodilating effect of RR-formoterol (RR-FMT) with that of racemic formoterol (rac-FMT) on human bronchus., Methods: Human bronchial spiral strips (2 - 4 mm internal diameter,15 mm length) were suspended in tissue baths under resting tension of 1.0 g. The changes of tension induced by RR-FMT and rac-FMT(10 pmol x L(-1) - 3.2 micromol x L(-1)) in a cumulative concentration manner were studied under resting tension conditions or precontraction with carbamylcholine (10 micromol x L(-1)) or histamine(100 micromol x L(-1)) in human bronchus., Result: The bronchodilating effect of RR-FMT was more potent than that of rac-FMT under resting condition(P<0.05). RR-FMT and rac-FMT reversed histamine or carbamylcholine-induced contraction, and the bronchodilating effect of RR-FMT was more potent than that of rac-FMT (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The bronchodilating effect of RR-FMT is more potent than that of rac-FMT in both the resting condition and carbamylcholine or histamine-induced contraction in human bronchus in vitro.

Objective: To study the effects of very late antigen(VLA) antagonist BIO-1211 on eosinophil chemotaxis, recruitment and mediator release., Methods: Eosinophil chemotaxis was induced by platelet activating factor(PAF) in vitro and eosinophil recruitment and release were determined in vivo., Result: VLA antagonist BIO-1211 inhibited eosinophil chemotaxis induced by PAF. The inhibitory rates at 4x10(-11), 4x10(-10), 4x10(-9) mol x L(-1) were 24.9%, 29.9%, and 31.3%, respectively. Pretreatment by BIO-1211 1, 3 and 10 mg x kg(-1) intraperitoneally inhibited the recruitment of eosinophils in PAF in the rat induced by Sephadex in a dose dependent manner. Inhibitory rates were 60.3%, 68.9%, and 72.9%(P<0.05), respectively. BIO-1211 did not inhibit eosinophil peroxidase(EPO) release from eosinophils., Conclusion: BIO-1211 inhibits eosinophil chemotaxis and recruitment, alleviates local inflammation, and may represent a new type of drug for allergic diseases.

Objective: To establish determination methods of eotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the lung tissue of mice., Methods: Eotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expressions were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The functional implications of eotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expression were examined by detecting the numbers of total leucocytes and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)., Result: Eotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in lung tissue total numbers of leucocyte and numbers of eosinophil in BALF increased in sensitized mice compared with those in normal mice. Dexamethasone significantly but did not inhibit eotaxin mRNA and TNF-alpha mRNA expressions, and eosinophil infiltration in the lungs of the sensitized mice. A compound preparation of traditional Chinese medicine inhibited eotaxin mRNA and eosinophil infiltration, influenced TNF-alpha mRNA expression., Conclusion: Increased eotaxin mRNA expression in lung tissue is associated with eosinophil infiltration in BALF, which indicates that the methods of semi-quantitative RT-PCR may be useful to the study of the mechanism of antiasthmatic medicine.

Objective: To investigate antigen-induced changes of leukotriene B(4)(LTB(4))content and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression in lung tissue and cerebral cortex in sensitized rats., Methods: The contents of LTB(4) in lung tissue and cerebral cortex homogenates and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression after antigen challenge by aerosol were respectively detected by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) and semi-quantitative RT-PCR., Result: The LTB(4) levels in lung tissue and cerebral cortex homogenates in asthmatic rats were significantly higher than those in control (P%0.05), and LTA4-hydrolase mRNA expression was also increased in asthmatic group. Dexamethason(DXM, 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the LTB(4) content and inhibited the LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression significantly in asthmatic rats(P%0.05)., Conclusion: LTB(4) content and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression in cerebral cortex and lung tissue are increased in asthmatic rats, and there may exist neuroimmunological cross-talking between central nervous system and lung tissue in asthma.

Objective: To study inhibitory the effects of Cryptoporus volvatus ferment substance(CVFS) on leukotriene production in vitro from neutrophils in rats., Methods: Neutrophil aggregation was induced by intraperitoneal injection of glycogen in rats. After 16 h, intraperitoneal lavage fluid(PLF) was collected and neutrophils were removed. Neutrophils were stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187 in vitro to produce leukotriene B(4), C(4), D(4). The concentrations of leukotriene B(4), C(4) and D(4) were measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)., Result: CVFS at 0.25, 1, 4 mg x L(-1)decreased leukotriene B(4), C(4), D(4) release from neutrophils in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibitory rate of CVFS 0.25, 1, 4 mg x L(-1 )on A23187-induced leukotriene B(4) production was 27.4%, 54.2% and 78.8%(P<0.05), respectively. Inhibitory rate of leukotriene C(4) production was 65.1%, 74.3 and 79.0%(P<0.05), respectively. Inhibitory rate of leukotriene D(4) production was 55.6%, 60.9% and 72.8%(P<0.05), respectively., Conclusion: The results suggest that suppression of leukotriene release may be a mechanism of the anti-inflammation and anti-asthma effects of CVFS.

Objective: To study the effects of polysaccharides of cultured Cryptoporus volvatus(CVPS) on airway hyperresponsiveness of ovalbumin-sensitized rats and to evaluate their mechanisms., Methods: Polysaccharides A, B (5mg/kg, 20mg/kg) and ketotifen(5mg/kg) or vehicle(same volume of saline) were administrated orally for 10 days in ovalbumin -sensitized rats, methacholine bronchial provocation tests were performed to determine airway hyperresponsiveness. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and peritoneal lavage fluid were prepared after the animals were challenged by nebulized antigen. The differential white cell count in BALF,and the degranulated mast cell count as well as differential white cell count in peritoneal lavage fluid were performed., Result: Polysaccharides markedly inhibited the increased lung resistance and the decreased lung compliance induced by antigen challenge,significantly reduced total cell counts and absolute eosinophil counts in BALF(P<0.05); polysaccharides B was more effective than polysaccharides A. They also inhibited recruitment of inflammatory cells in peritoneal lavage fluid and inhibited the allergen-induced mast cell degranulation., Conclusion: Polysaccharides of CVPS inhibit airway hyperresponsiveness by stabilizing mast cell membranes and reducing infiltration and chemotaxis of eosinophils and may be developed as a potential anti-asthmatic drug.

Objective: To compare the bronchofilating and antiallergic effects with piclamilast with ciclamilast, the second-generation phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) selective inhibitors., Methods: Effects of piclamilast and ciclamilast on airway smooth muscle (ASM) at resting tension, carbachol-induced contraction and the synergistic effect of two agents on isoproterenol-induced bronchorelaxation were evaluated in the isolated tracheal strips of guinea pig in a cumulative manner in vitro. Slow reaction substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) release from lung tissues of the sensitized guinea pigs after antigen challenge was examined by bioassay. Antiallergic effect of piclamilast, ciclamilast and rolipram on the isolated ASM of sensitized guinea pigs were evaluated with Schultz-Dale reaction., Results: Piclamilast and ciclamilast showed bronchorelaxant effect in ASM at resting tension. EC50 values of piclamilast and ciclamilast were 1.00 x 10(-5) mol/L and 0.84 x 10(-5) mol/L. Piclamilast and ciclamilast could both enhance the bronchodilating effect of isoproterenol in the isolated ASM of guinea pig, reduce the amount of SRS-A released from lung tissues of the sensitized guinea pigs and also inhibit ovalbumin (OA)-induced bronchoconstruction (Schultz-Dale reaction)., Conclusion: The results indicate the bronchodilating effect of ciclamilast is as potent as piclamilast, but the antiallergic effect of ciclamilast is significantly more potent than that of piclamilast.

Aim: To study cyclosporin A (CsA) aerosol for anti-airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in sensitized rats., Methods: Sensitized Sprague-Dawley rats were given cyclosporin A (5, 20 g.L-1) and sodium cromoglycate (SCG, 20 g.L-1) by aerosol (5 min per day), dexamethasone (DXM, 0.5 mg.kg-1) i.p. once per day for 7 d before antigen challenge. The respiratory resistance(R(aw)) and lung dynamic compliance(Cdyn) of the rats induced by methacholine (Mch) were measured 24 h after ovalbumin(OA) challenge. The PC50 changes of R(aw) and PC25 changes of Cdyn were also investigated., Results: Pretreatment with CsA, sodium cromoglycate and dexamethasone inhibited the increase of R(aw) and decrease of Cdyn caused by inhaling Mch. The value of R(aw) PC50 in the CsA(5 g.L-1) group 5.6 g.L-1, the CsA(20 g.L-1) group 6.4 g.L-1, the SCG group 8.3 g.L-1 and the DXM group 9.2 g.L-1, was significantly higher than that of the model group 1.9 g.L-1 (P < 0.05). The value of Cdyn PC25 in the CsA(5 g.L-1) group 4.3 g.L-1, the CsA(20 g.L-1) group 5.4 g.L-1, the SCG group 6.4 g.L-1 and the DXM group 6.2 g.L-1, was significantly higher than that of the model group 1.1 g.L-1 (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Anti-AHR of CsA by aerosol in animal model offered an experimental evidence for topical inhalation of CsA in treatment of asthma.

Objective: To study action of Cryptoporus volvatus ferment substance (CVFS) on leukotriene production of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in rats., Methods: The level of slow reaction substance (SRS) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in rats in vitro were determined with bioassay and HPLC., Results: CVFS 0.9, 2.7 g.kg-1 by ig significantly inhibited SRS and LTB4 production in PMNs in rats in vivo., Conclusion: The inhibition effect of CVFS on SRS and LTB4 release may be related to its mechanism of anti-inflammation and anti-asthma.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a mouse IL-12 gene expressive plasmid (mIL-12 plasmid) on the airway inflammation and the cytokine production in asthmatic mice and to study the possible mechanisms., Methods: A mouse model of asthma was established by sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA). Forty-one BALB/c mice were divided into six groups including an asthmatic model group (group A, eight mice, sensitized with OVA plus challenging with OVA by aerosol), a model control group (group B, six mice, sensitized with OVA plus aerosolizing with normal saline), a mIL-12 plasmid prevention group (group C, eight mice, receiving intramuscularly mIL-12 plasmid 100 micro g on day 1, day 3, and day 5), a mIL-12 plasmid treatment group (group D, eight mice, receiving intramuscularly mIL-12 plasmid 100 micro g on day 14, day 16, and day 18), an empty plasmid prevention group (group E, five mice, receiving intramuscularly empty plasmid 100 micro g on day 1, day 3, and day 5), and an empty plasmid treatment group (group F, six mice, receiving intramuscularly empty plasmid 100 micro g on day 14, day 16 and day 18). The number of EOS and the concentration of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma in the mouse bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) were detected., Results: The number of EOS and the concentration of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma from group B were (0.01 +/- 0.03) x 10(8)/L, (24 +/- 4) pg/ml, (33 +/- 6) pg/ml, (725 +/- 59) pg/ml,respectively; those from group C were (0.06 +/- 0.04) x 10(8)/L, (43 +/- 13) pg/ml, (63 +/- 10) pg/ml, (626 +/- 60) pg/ml, respectively, and those from group D were (0.11 +/- 0.12) x 10(8)/L, (38 +/- 14) pg/ml, (66 +/- 14) pg/ml, (661 +/- 40) pg/ml, respectively; the difference was significant as compared with those from group A [(2.97 +/- 1.20) x 10(8)/L, (122 +/- 45) pg/ml, (126 +/- 34) pg/ml, and (435 +/- 49) pg/ml] (P < 0.001). The number of EOS and the concentration of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma from group C and group D also showed significant difference in comparison with those from group E [(1.96 +/- 0.93) x 10(8)/L, (110 +/- 24) pg/ml, (112 +/- 11) pg/ml and (464 +/- 51) pg/ml], and group F [(2.11 +/- 0.90) x 10(8)/L, (88 +/- 17) pg/ml, (107 +/- 6) pg/ml and (481 +/- 64) pg/ml] (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The mIL-12 plasmid can significantly inhibit airway inflammation. Its regulatory effect on the balancing of Th1/Th2 cytokines may be a possible mechanism.

Objective: To study the effects of Mycobacterium vaccae (M. vaccae) on the lung function, airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in a guinea pig model of asthma., Methods: Asthma was induced with ovalbumin (OVA) in 71 guinea pigs. The changes of lung resistance (R(L)) and dynamic lung compliance (C(dyn)), the accumulation of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), and the contraction reaction curve of tracheal smooth muscles to carbachol in vitro were determined., Results: Pretreatment with M. vaccae as a single dosage by intramuscular injection (i.m) inhibited the early phase of asthma in the sensitized guinea pigs in a dose-dependent manner. R(L) (1 min to 15 min) increased 46.4% in the 2.5 micro g group, 29.6% in the 7.5 micro g group, and 20.8% in the 22.5 micro g group, which were significantly lower than that in the model control group (95.3%) (P < 0.05 approximately 0.01), respectively. The mean decrease of C(dyn) was 26.8% in the 2.5 micro g group, 23.5% in the 7.5 micro g group, and 21.5% in the 22.5 micro g group, which were significantly lower than that in the model control group (38.7%) (P < 0.05), respectively. Pretreatment with M. vaccae in a dosage of 2.5 micro g, 7.5 micro g and 22.5 micro g (per guinea pig) i.m also inhibited the late phase of asthma. The total white blood cells in BALF was (16.2 +/- 3.2) x 10(8)/L in the 2.5 micro g group, (14.6 +/- 3.4) x 10(8)/L in the 7.5 micro g group, and (15.4 +/- 2.5) x 10(8)/L in the 22.5 micro g group, which were significantly lower than that in the model control group (22.3 +/- 2.2) x 10(8)/L (P < 0.01 approximately 0.001), respectively. BAL eosinophil count was (11.6 +/- 3.0) x 10(8)/L in the 2.5 micro g group, (6.0 +/- 1.5) x 10(8)/L in the 7.5 micro g group, and (2.2 +/- 1.7) x 10(8)/L in the 22.5 micro g group, which were significantly lower than that in the model control group (15.9 +/- 5.2) x 10(8)/L (P < 0.01 approximately 0.001), respectively. M. vaccae significantly inhibited carbachol-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in the tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) from the sensitized guinea pigs. EC(50) (the concentration of carbachol required to increase TSM contraction value by 50% from the baseline) was 0.140 micro mol/L in the 2.5 micro g group, 0.179 micro mol/L in the 7.5 micro g group and 0.236 micro mol/L in the 22.5 micro g group, which were higher than that in the model control group (0.038 micro mol/L)., Conclusions: M. vaccae was found to improve lung function, inhibit airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in this animal model, which supports its application in the treatment of asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacological effects of Liangyuan Pipagao on cough reflex and ciliary action. Liangyuan Pipagao is a compound preparation of traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS: Cough was induced by aerosol citric acid in guinea pigs and aerosol capsacin in mice. Excretion function of the airway in mice was determined by phenol red method. Ciliary movement function of frog esophagus was examined by a migration method of charcoal granules. RESULTS: Liangyuan Pipagao inhibited both the citric acid-induced cough in guinea pigs and capsacin-induced cough in mice. ID(50)value 2.64 g/kg (95%Cl1.12 approximately 6.19) and 11.40 g/kg (95%Cl5.76 approximately 22.58) respectively. Further, Liangyuan Pipagao increased phenol red excretion in mice airways and stimulated ciliary action of frog esophagusin a dose-dependent fashion. ED(50) value 7.70 g/kg (95%Cl 4.62 approximately 12.83) and EC(25) value 1.07 X 10(-4) (95% Cl 0.394 approximately 2.92x10(-4)) respectively. CONCLUSION: Liangyuan Pipagao a traditional Chinese medicine may have anti-tussive as well as expectorant actions.