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Chen XG, Hua F, Wang SG, Xu YY, Yue HT, Sun J. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2018;12:2389–2402The authors have advised Figures 1 (on page 2393), Figure 3 (on page 2394), Figure 5 (on page 2395), Figure 7 and Figure 8 (on page 2396) are incorrect due to a fault in their microscope camera. The correct Figures are shown below:Read the original article

Xiao-Gang Chen,1 Fu Hua,2 Shou-Guo Wang,1 Yong-Yi Xu,1 Hai-Tao Yue,1 Jin Sun1 1Department of Orthopedics, Huai’an First People’s Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu 223300, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gynaecology, Huai’an First People’s Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu 223300, People’s Republic of China Background: Biosynthesis of leukotriene (LT) by arachidonic acid involves 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) as an important precursor. Here, we evaluated the role of pseudohypericin (PHP) for its postulated 5-LO inhibitory activity along with a Cys-LT receptor antagonist zafirlukast (ZFL) against inflammatory response and tissue injury in mice. Materials and methods: The spinal injury was induced by two-level laminectomy of T6 and T7 vertebrae. The inflammation was assessed by histology, inflammatory mediators by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, apoptosis by Annexin-V, FAS staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated UTP end labeling (TUNEL) assay and expression of Bax and Bcl-2 by Western blot. Effect on motor recovery of hind limbs was evaluated for 10 days postinjury. Results: The spinal injury resulted in tissue damage, apoptosis, edema, infiltration of neutrophils with increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The spinal tissue showed elevated levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and LTB4 and increased phosphorylation of injured extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2). The PHP, ZFL and combination decreased inflammation, tissue injury and infiltration of neutrophils. Treatment also decreased the levels of PGE2, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (pERK 1/2), LT, TNF-α and COX-2 with a marked reduction in apoptosis and improved the motor function. Conclusion: The present study confirmed 5-LO antagonist activity of PHP and established its neuroprotective role along with ZFL. Keywords: pseudohypericin, zafirlukast, 5-lipoxygenase, Cys-LT, mice

Background: The diagnosis of allergic reactions to drugs is difficult. Most skin tests are not standardized, and in vitro tests are needed to avoid provocation tests. Cross-linking of IgE on basophils is known to cause the release of both cysteinyl leukotriene (Cys-LT) and histamine. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility (sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency) of measurement of sulfidoleukotrienes in drug allergy. Methods: We performed a prospective study in 55 patients with proven immediate adverse reactions to drugs (30 to β-lactams, six to acetaminophen, and 19 to aspirin) and 64 drug-exposed nonallergic controls. Positive diagnosis was established by history, skin tests, and, if needed, oral provocation tests. Cys-LT release was determined after drug-allergen stimulation by the cellular antigen stimulation test (CAST®) technique. Histamine release was also assessed on the same samples by enzyme immunoassay. Spontaneous and anti-FcεRIα-induced mediator release was also studied in all subjects. Sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency were calculated. Results: Net Cys-LT release was over the maximal threshold given by the manufacturer in 19/55 patients and in 9/64 controls. Net histamine release was over 5% of total histamine content in 28/55 patients and 34/64 controls. The efficiency of both tests was low. Conclusions: Thus, in most cases, the in vitro Cys-LT test has little or no diagnostic utility and is not superior to histamine release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Mast cells are responsible for eliciting the early phase and for contributing to the development of the late phase of allergic reactions, through the release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Objective To assess whether the glucocorticoid dexamethasone has a direct effect on mast cell progenitor maturation and on mature cord blood-derived mast cell properties. Methods Mast cells were obtained by culturing human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells with stem cell factor, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 . Mast cell numbers were assessed by Toluidine Blue staining and immunocytochemistry of tryptase positive cells. The expression of FcεRI, CD49d and c-kit was assessed by flow cytometry. Histamine release was determined by a radioenzymatic assay. Cys-LT, GM-CSF and TNF-α production and release were determined by ELISA. Results Dexamethasone (10-6 M-10-9 M) time- and dose-dependently inhibited the maturation of the mast cell progenitors. Dexamethasone did not affect the basal expression of FcεRI, CD49d and c-kit, but it inhibited the IgE-dependent enhanced expression of FcεRI. Dexamethasone (10-6 M-10-9 M) had no significant effect on FcεRI-dependent histamine release or the synthesis and release of Cys-LT from the mature mast cells. However, pre-incubation of the mast cell cultures with dexamethasone for 1 h, prior to cross-linking of FcεRI, dose-dependently inhibited the production and secretion of both GM-CSF and TNF-α. Conclusions From these in vitro data we propose that glucocorticosteroids are effective drugs in the management of allergic inflammation due to their capacity to inhibit mast cell development, IgE-dependent FcεRI expression and mast cell production of GM-CSF and TNF-α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]