Clinical symptoms and biomarkers of Bermuda grass-induced allergic rhinitis using the nasal allergen challenge model

Effect of Medicine-Separated Moxibustion on Navel Combined with Mind-Regulating Acupuncture on Curative Effect and Quality of Life in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

Objective

To explore the effect of medicine-separated moxibustion combined with mind-regulating acupuncture on the efficacy and quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).

Methods

Sixty patients with AR cured from February 2019 to April 2021 were enrolled in our hospital. The patients were arbitrarily assigned into control and study groups. The former group was treated with herbal moxibustion on the navel, while the latter group was treated with herbal moxibustion on the navel combined with mind-regulating acupuncture. The curative effect, TNSS score, TNNSS score, RQLQ score, and the incidence of adverse events were compared.

Results

Compared with the two groups, the study group was markedly effective in 24 cases, effective in 5 cases, and ineffective in 1 case, with an effective rate of 100.00%, while the control group was markedly effective in 13 cases, effective in 10 cases, and ineffective in 7 cases, with an effective rate of 100.00%. The curative effect of the study group was better compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There was no remarkable difference in TNSS score before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the TNSS scores of patients decreased. Compared with the control group, the TNSS score of the study group was lower than that of the control group at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and during the follow-up. No remarkable difference appeared in the TNNSS score before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the TNNSS scores of patients were decreased. Comparing the two groups, the TNNSS scores of the study group were lower compared to the control group after 2 weeks of treatment, 4 weeks of treatment and during the follow-up period (P < 0.05). There was no remarkable difference in the RQLQ score before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the RQLQ scores of patients were decreased. Comparing the two groups, the RQLQ scores of the study group were lower compared to the control group at 2 weeks, 4 weeks after treatment and during the follow-up period (P < 0.05). In terms of the incidence of adverse events, the incidence of adverse events such as subcutaneous hematoma, bruising, and induration in the study group was lower compared to the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Medicine-separated moxibustion was combined with mind-regulating acupuncture when treating AR. There were differences in clinical efficacy, single-symptom score, and TNSS, TNNSS, and RQLQ scores, which verified the clinical efficacy of medicine-separated moxibustion combined with mind-regulating acupuncture when treating AR, and expounded the mechanism of medicine-separated moxibustion combined with mind-regulating acupuncture when treating AR. In the meantime, it shows that the umbilical method of medicine-separated moxibustion combined with mind-regulating acupuncture when treating AR has the advantages of definite short-term effect, long-term effect, safe and simple operation, and no adverse reactions, which is worthy of clinical application.

Biologic Responses to House Dust Mite Exposure in the Environmental Exposure Unit

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa that can be modeled using Controlled Allergen Exposure Facilities (CACF). Recently, we clinically validated the house dust mite (HDM) Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU) facility. In the current study, we aimed to assess biological responses in the blood following HDM exposure in the HDM-EEU.

Methods: Fifty-five participants passed a screening visit, where they provided consent and completed a skin prick test (SPT), then attended a modest or higher HDM exposure session. Baseline and post-exposure blood samples were collected. Complete blood counts with differentials were measured, and isolated serum was used to determine Dermatophagoides farinae- and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-specific IgE (sIgE) and cytokine concentrations (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-α).

Results: HDM-allergic participants had significantly greater SPT wheal sizes than healthy controls. sIgE concentrations were significantly greater in allergic participants, with a strong correlation between Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Serum eosinophil counts were significantly decreased post-exposure for allergic participants. White blood cell, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were significantly increased for both allergic and non-allergic participants post-exposure. Serum IL-13 concentrations were significantly reduced post-exposure in allergics while TNF-α was significantly reduced in non-allergics.

Conclusion: The HDM-EEU is a useful model for investigating biologic mechanisms of HDM-induced AR. Allergic participants produced measurable biological changes compared to healthy controls following allergen exposure, specifically with serum expression of eosinophils and related markers, namely IL-5, which promotes the proliferation and differentiation of eosinophils, and IL-13, a cytokine released by eosinophils. The exact mechanisms at play require further investigation.

Preparation and quality evaluation of a volatile oil microemulsion from Flos magnoliae and Centipeda minima

In order to improve the water solubility of the volatile oils extracted from Flos magnoliae (FM) and Centipeda minima (CM), they were prepared as a microemulsion (ME), which were then used in the development of an FM and CM volatile oil ME for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). ME was prepared by phase inversion emulsification, and the prescription factors such as emulsifier, co‑emulsifier, oil phase, Km, which represents the ratio of the mass of emulsifier to that of the co‑emulsifier, and preparation factors such as temperature affecting the formation of the ME were selected according to the formation area of ME in a pseudo‑ternary phase diagram. The quality of the ME was evaluated based on its appearance, particle size, Zeta potential and stability. The content of eucalyptol in ME was determined by gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC‑MS). The cumulative permeability of the ME within 24 h was measured with a transdermal diffusion tester. The results revealed that the best formula for preparation of the ME was as follows: Castor oil polyoxyethylene ether (EL‑40) was the emulsifier; the co‑emulsifier was anhydrous ethanol; the Km was 2:1; the mixed phase of volatile oil and isopropyl myristate with mass ratio of 1:1 was used as oil phase; and the preparation temperature was 25˚C. The content of eucalyptol in the ME was 2.57 mg/g, and the cumulative permeability of the ME in 24 h was significantly increased compared with that of the reference oil solution. The appearance of the ME was uniform, and the solution was transparent. In conclusion, compared with traditional preparations, FM and CM volatile oil ME is a novel, improved and more effective preparation for the treatment of AR.