Serum Magnesium and Vitamin D Levels as Indicators of Asthma Severity

The Impact of Chronic Magnesium Deficiency on Excitable Tissues-Translational Aspects

Neuromuscular excitability is a vital body function, and Mg2+ is an essential regulatory cation for the function of excitable membranes. Loss of Mg2+ homeostasis disturbs fluxes of other cations across cell membranes, leading to pathophysiological electrogenesis, which can eventually cause vital threat to the patient. Chronic subclinical Mg2+ deficiency is an increasingly prevalent condition in the general population. It is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological conditions and an increased mortality. Magnesium favours bronchodilation (by antagonizing Ca2+ channels on airway smooth muscle and inhibiting the release of endogenous bronchoconstrictors). Magnesium exerts antihypertensive effects by reducing peripheral vascular resistance (increasing endothelial NO and PgI2 release and inhibiting Ca2+ influx into vascular smooth muscle). Magnesium deficiency disturbs heart impulse generation and propagation by prolonging cell depolarization (due to Na+/K+ pump and Kir channel dysfunction) and dysregulating cardiac gap junctions, causing arrhythmias, while prolonged diastolic Ca2+ release (through leaky RyRs) disturbs cardiac excitation-contraction coupling, compromising diastolic relaxation and systolic contraction. In the brain, Mg2+ regulates the function of ion channels and neurotransmitters (blocks voltage-gated Ca2+ channel-mediated transmitter release, antagonizes NMDARs, activates GABAARs, suppresses nAChR ion current and modulates gap junction channels) and blocks ACh release at neuromuscular junctions. Magnesium exerts multiple therapeutic neuroactive effects (antiepileptic, antimigraine, analgesic, neuroprotective, antidepressant, anxiolytic, etc.). This review focuses on the effects of Mg2+ on excitable tissues in health and disease. As a natural membrane stabilizer, Mg2+ opposes the development of many conditions of hyperexcitability. Its beneficial recompensation and supplementation help treat hyperexcitability and should therefore be considered wherever needed.

Effect of magnesium sulfate on oxygenation and lung mechanics in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: a prospective double-blind randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Respiratory mechanics are often significantly altered in morbidly obese patients and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is a promising agent for managing several respiratory disorders. This study aimed to examine the effects of MgSO4 infusions on arterial oxygenation and lung mechanics in patients with morbid obesity undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Forty patients with morbid obesity aged 21-60 years scheduled for laparoscopic bariatric surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to either the control (normal saline infusion) or MgSO4 group (30 mg/kg lean body weight [LBW] of 10% MgSO4 in 100 ml normal saline intravenously over 30 min as a loading dose, followed by 10 mg/kg LBW/h for 90 min). The primary outcome was intraoperative arterial oxygenation (ΔPaO2/FiO2). Secondary outcomes included intraoperative static and dynamic compliance, dead space, and hemodynamic parameters.

RESULTS

At 90 min intraoperatively, the Δ PaO2/FiO2 ratio and the Δ dynamic lung compliance were statistically significantly higher in the MgSO4 group (mean ± SE: 16.1 ± 1.0, 95% CI [14.1, 18.1] and 8.4 ± 0.5 ml/cmH2O, 95% CI [7.4, 9.4]), respectively), and the Δ dead space (%) was statistically significantly lower in the MgSO4 group (mean ± SE: -8.0 ± 0.3%, 95% CI [-8.6, -7.4]) (P < 0.001). No significant differences in static compliance were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Although MgSO4 significantly preserved arterial oxygenation and maintained dynamic lung compliance and dead space in patients with morbid obesity, the clinical relevance is minimal. This study failed to adequately reflect the clinical importance of these results.

Asthma and Vitamin D Deficiency: Occurrence, Immune Mechanisms, and New Perspectives

Asthma, as a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways, has a considerable prevalence among children. Vitamin D might play a role in asthma pathogenesis by affecting the development of the lung, regulating the immune responses, and remodeling of airway smooth muscle (ASM). Study results on the association between the serum level of vitamin D and asthma severity have suggested a converse relationship between lower vitamin D levels and more severe clinical courses. However, they are not consistent in these findings and have shown insignificant correlations, as well. The possible effects of vitamin D on asthma have led researchers to consider this vitamin a potential prophylactic and therapeutic tool for managing children with variant degrees of asthma. Adding vitamin D to the routine corticosteroid therapy of asthmatic children is another field of interest that has shown promising results. In this narrative review study, we aim to elaborate on the existing knowledge on the role of vitamin D in asthma pathogenesis and prognosis, explain the controversies that exist on the effectiveness of treating patients with vitamin D supplements, and make a general conclusion about how vitamin D actually is linked to asthma in children.

COVID-19 pandemic: the delta variant, T-cell responses, and the efficacy of developing vaccines

Background

The mayhem COVID-19 that was ushered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) was declared pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Since its initial outbreak in late 2019, the virus has affected hundreds of million adults in the world and killing millions in the process. After the approval of newly developed vaccines, severe challenges remain to manufacture and administer them to the adult population globally in quick time. However, we have witnessed several mutations of the virus leading to ‘waves’ of viral spread and mortality. WHO has categorized these mutations as variants of concern (VOCs) and variants of interest (VOIs). The mortality due to COVID-19 has also been associated with various comorbidities and improper immune response. This has created further complications in understanding the nature of the SARS-CoV2–host interaction that has fuelled doubts in the efficacy of the approved vaccines. Whether there is requirement of booster dose and whether the impending wave could affect the children are some of the hotly debated topics.

Materials and Methods

A systematic literature review of PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar was utilized to understand the nature of Delta variant and how it alters our T-cell responses and cytokine production and neutralizes vaccine-generated antibodies.

Conclusion

In this review, we discuss the variants of SARS-CoV2 with specific focus on the Delta variant. We also specifically review the T-cell response against the virus and bring a narrative of various factors that may hold the key to fight against this marauding virus.

'Magnesium'-the master cation-as a drug-possibilities and evidences

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is the 2nd most abundant intracellular cation, which participates in various enzymatic reactions; there by regulating vital biological functions. Magnesium (Mg²⁺) can regulate several cations, including sodium, potassium, and calcium; it consequently maintains physiological functions like impulse conduction, blood pressure, heart rhythm, and muscle contraction. But, it doesn't get much attention in account with its functions, making it a "Forgotten cation". Like other cations, maintenance of the normal physiological level of Mg²⁺ is important. Its deficiency is associated with various diseases, which point out to the importance of Mg²⁺ as a drug. The roles of Mg²⁺ such as natural calcium antagonist, glutamate NMDA receptor blocker, vasodilator, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent are responsible for its therapeutic benefits. Various salts of Mg²⁺ are currently in clinical use, but their application is limited. This review collates all the possible mechanisms behind the behavior of magnesium as a drug at different disease conditions with clinical shreds of evidence.

The roles of vitamin D and cathelicidin in type 1 diabetes susceptibility

Type 1 diabetes has an increasingly greater incidence and prevalence with no cure available. Vitamin D supplementation is well documented to reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Being involved in the modulation of cathelicidin expression, the question whether cathelicidin may be one of the underlying cause arises. Cathelicidin has been implicated in both the development and the protection against type 1 diabetes by mediating the interplay between the gut microbiome, the immune system and β cell function. While its potential on type 1 diabetes treatment seems high, the understanding of its effects is still limited. This review aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the potential of vitamin D and cathelicidin as adjuvants in type 1 diabetes therapy.

Sex Difference Between Trace Elements and Pulmonary Functions in Children

It has been defined that deficiency of trace elements plays an important role in the progression of asthma. However, the relationship between blood zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and magnesium (Mg) and pulmonary functions in children remains to be clarified. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wuxi, China, and a total of 202 healthy children were recruited. The forced vital capacity volume (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the 1 s (FEV1) were measured. Blood samples were collected, and the levels of blood zinc, selenium, and magnesium were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Meanwhile, the concentrations of serum total IgE was also determined. The associations between trace elements and pulmonary functions were analyzed by multiple linear regression models. After stratified by sex, there was a positive association between blood Zn and pulmonary functions in boys. In addition, blood Zn was also negatively associated with serum total IgE concentrations in boys, but not in girls after adjusting for potential confounders. Our findings indicated that zinc deficiency was significantly related to children's pulmonary functions and that screening of trace elements may be a potential solution to decrease the risks of asthma in children.

Lower levels of vitamin D are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality in the Indian population: An observational study

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Differential distributions of vitamin D were observed in the Indian population.

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Vitamin D levels was inversely correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infection rate.

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COVID-19 mortality rate was negatively associated with mean vitamin D levels.

Background

The role of vitamin D in the susceptibility and severity of various viral diseases has been well documented. Recently, some reports highlighted the possible importance of vitamin D in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although India receives adequate sunlight throughout the year, the majority of Indians are deficient in vitamin D levels. In the present study, we hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency would be associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and mortality in the Indian population.

Materials and methods

SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality data were obtained from the Government of India's official website (accessed on 16th August 2020). Various literature databases like PubMed and Google Scholar were searched to find the mean of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in different states and union territories of India, Pearson correlation was carried out to investigate the possible link between mean 25(OH)D levels and SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality per million of the population.

Results

An inverse correlation was observed between the mean level of 25(OH)D and SARS-CoV-2 infection rate (r = −0.43, p = 0.02) and mortality rate (r = −0.42, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The present observational study revealed an association of vitamin D with SARS-CoV-2 infection and related mortality. Further studies are required to validate our observations.

Vitamin D receptor restricts T helper 2-biased inflammation in the heart

Background and aims

The aberrant immune responses play a critical role in the pathogenesis of myocarditis. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has immune regulatory functions. This study aims to investigate the role of VDR in restricting the immune inflammation in the heart.

Methods and results

The human heart samples were obtained from the heart transplantation. T helper (Th)2 and Th1 responses in the heart tissue were characterized by histology and immune assay. VDR-/- mice and recombination activating gene 2-/- mice were used in the experiments to test the role of VDR in maintaining the homeostasis in the heart. The results showed that, besides tissue damage, lower expression of VDR, high frequency of Th2 cells and increase in Th2 cytokines in the hearts of patients with myocarditis at the end stage of heart failure. The spontaneous Th2-biased inflammation was observed in the hearts of VDR-/- mice. CD4+ T cells from the VDR-/- mouse hearts were at highly activating status. The naïve VDR-/- CD4+ T cells and naïve CD4+ T cells from human hearts with myocarditis were prone to differentiate into Th2 cells. VDR formed complexes with GATA3, the interleukin (IL)-4 transcription factor, to prevent the Il4 gene transcription. Transplantation with VDR-/-CD4+ T cells induced the Th2-biased inflammation in the hearts of Rag2-/- mice. Reconstitution of VDR in CD4+ T cells inhibited the Th2-biased inflammation in the heart.

Conclusions

VDR-deficiency contributes to the pathogenesis of myocarditis. To enhance the VDR expression in CD4+, T cells haves the therapeutic potential for the treatment of myocarditis.

Combination of ascorbic acid and calcitriol attenuates chronic asthma disease by reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation

Airway inflammation and oxidative stress are the two major characteristics of asthma pathogenesis. Therefore, this study evaluated the protective effects of ascorbic acid in combination with calcitriol on the oxidative damages and inflammation in asthma model. All animals, except in the control group, were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. One day after the last challenge, samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected for the assessment of total white blood cell counts and differential count of white blood cell and plasma was used for the measurement of pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance level. Lung tissue samples were also stored for examining peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B expression and measurement of malondialdehyde level. Induction of asthma caused significant increases in total white blood cell counts, percentage of neutrophils and eosinophils and a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes. Moreover, asthma resulted in significant increases of peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B expression and malondialdehyde level. However, no significant changes were observed in pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance level with the induction of asthma. Co-administration of low doses of ascorbic acid and calcitriol returned all to the levels measured before sensitization and challenge. Combination of low doses of ascorbic acid with calcitriol improves mouse asthma model by a possible additive effects through the decrease of oxidative stress and inflammation.

The role of magnesium in different inflammatory diseases

Magnesium deficiency (MgD) can cause inflammation in human body. The known mechanisms of inflammation caused by MgD include activation of phagocytic cells, opening of calcium channels, activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. In addition, MgD causes systemic stress response through neuroendocrinological pathways. The inflammation caused by MgD can result in pro-atherogenic changes in the metabolism of lipoproteins, endothelial dysfunction, and high blood pressure. Studies suggest that magnesium may play an important role in the pathophysiology of some inflammatory diseases. Several clinical trials and laboratory studies have been done on the functional role of magnesium. In this study, we review some inflammatory diseases, in which the magnesium has a role in their pathophysiology. Among these diseases, diabetes, asthma, preeclampsia, atherosclerosis, heart damage, and rheumatoid arthritis have been highlighted.

The Role of Mineral and Trace Element Supplementation in Exercise and Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review

Minerals and trace elements (MTEs) are micronutrients involved in hundreds of biological processes. Deficiency in MTEs can negatively affect athletic performance. Approximately 50% of athletes have reported consuming some form of micronutrient supplement; however, there is limited data confirming their efficacy for improving performance. The aim of this study was to systematically review the role of MTEs in exercise and athletic performance. Six electronic databases and grey literature sources (MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL and SportDISCUS; Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov) were searched, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results: 17,433 articles were identified and 130 experiments from 128 studies were included. Retrieved articles included Iron (n = 29), Calcium (n = 11), Magnesium, (n = 22), Phosphate (n = 17), Zinc (n = 9), Sodium (n = 15), Boron (n = 4), Selenium (n = 5), Chromium (n = 12) and multi-mineral articles (n = 5). No relevant articles were identified for Copper, Manganese, Iodine, Nickel, Fluoride or Cobalt. Only Iron and Magnesium included articles of sufficient quality to be assigned as 'strong'. Currently, there is little evidence to support the use of MTE supplementation to improve physiological markers of athletic performance, with the possible exception of Iron (in particular, biological situations) and Magnesium as these currently have the strongest quality evidence. Regardless, some MTEs may possess the potential to improve athletic performance, but more high quality research is required before support for these MTEs can be given. PROSPERO preregistered (CRD42018090502).

Association between trace elements levels and asthma susceptibility

BACKGROUND

It is well-documented that the dysregulation of trace elements may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the precise changes of trace elements levels in asthma cases remain elusive. We established whether trace elements levels were associated with asthma susceptibility by pooling case-control studies.

METHODS

34 studies were included. We extracted the standard mean differences (SMDs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A pooled-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

No marked difference (95% CI: -1.437-0.218, p = 0.149) of Se level between asthma and controls. Significant difference (95% CI: 0.112-1.032, p = 0.015; 95% CI: 0.376-1.331, p < 10^-4) of Cu level between asthma and controls was noted among overall populations and Asians. No marked difference of Zn level between asthma and controls was observed among overall populations, Asians, Caucasians and Africans. Significant difference (95% CI: -0.567 to -0.238, p < 10^-4) of Mg level between asthma and controls was noted among Asians. Marked difference (95% CI: 0.258-2.864, p = 0.019; 95% CI: 0.270-3.282, p = 0.021) of Fe level between asthma and controls was noted among overall populations and Asians. Age had no impact on the pooled SMDs of Se, Cu, Zn, Mg and Fe between asthma and controls. Sensitivity analyses did not change the overall results. No publication bias was noted for overall populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Alterations of Cu, Mg and Fe levels may be a biomarker of asthma risk among specific populations. Further studies should be performed to clarify the strength of these elements in asthma.

Severe vitamin D deficiency in the first trimester is associated with placental inflammation in high-risk singleton pregnancy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is a worldwide epidemic. This study aimed to identify whether vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy is associated with placental inflammation in high-risk pregnancy.

METHODS

This study comprised 23,396 women who provided serum samples in the first trimester for vitamin D analysis from January 2015 to December 2016. Among them, 2648 women with high-risk pregnancy underwent placental pathologic examination. Women were divided into placental inflammation positive (PIP) and placental inflammation negative (PIN) groups based on placental pathology. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D levels and placental inflammation.

RESULTS

We found that severe vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy was associated with placental inflammation. Maternal vitamin D levels were significantly lower in the PIP group than those in the PIN group (P = 0.025). Compared with the highest quartile of vitamin D levels, risk for placental inflammation was significantly higher in women with extremely low vitamin D levels (<5th percentile; P = 0.012). The effect estimate was slightly decreased but still significant (P = 0.027) after adjusting for maternal age, gestational age at birth, birth weight, infant sex, and sample collection season. In addition, compared with the PIN group, the incidences of adverse neonatal outcomes, including sepsis (0.5% vs 2.4%) and fetal intrauterine infection (5.7% vs 15.6%), were significantly higher in the PIP group than that in the PIN group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Severe vitamin D deficiency in the first trimester is a risk factor for placental inflammation in high-risk pregnancy.

Association Between Vitamin D Metabolism Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Tunisian Adults' Asthma

INTRODUCTION

Several studies have shown a strong correlation between the serum vitamin D level and asthma severity and deficits in lung function.

OBJECTIVE

Study the relationship between vitamin D and the severity of asthma by targeting five SNPs of vitamin D metabolism gene pathway in a Tunisian adult asthmatics population.

METHODS

Our case-control study includes 154 adult asthmatic patients and 154 healthy Tunisian subjects. We genotyped many variants in three human genes encoding key components of the vitamin D metabolism, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, GC. The GC gene rs4588 and rs7041 polymorphisms were analysed using the PCR-RFLP method, while rs10741657 and rs12794714 for CYP2R1 gene and rs10877012 of CYP27B1 gene were investigated using TaqMan PCR genotyping techniques.

RESULTS

We found that the presence of at least one copy of the rs12794714 A, allele was associated with lower risk of developing asthma (OR 0.61). Further, the rs12794714 is a protector factor against asthma severity (OR 0.5). However, the presence of rs10877012 TG genotype is a risk factor related to asthma severity (OR 1.89). When we classified the population according to sex, our results showed that rs10877012 TT genotype was a risk factor for women subjects (OR 6.7). Moreover, the expression of TT genotype was associated with a higher risk of asthma in non-smoker patients (OR 7.13). We found a significant lower VD serum levels in asthmatics than controls but no impact of the polymorphisms on VD levels.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that rs12794714 and rs10877012 SNPs were associated with asthma risk.

Multifaceted interventions to reduce acute exacerbations in elderly asthmatics

Background

Although many risk factors are known to be associated with poor asthma outcomes in the elderly, the literature on the effect of risk factor control on asthma outcomes in the elderly is very sparse.

Objective

To evaluate the role of multifaceted interventions in reducing acute exacerbations in elderly asthmatics.

Methods

A total of 100 subjects were randomly selected from our prospective cohort of elderly asthmatics aged 65 years or older and were provided multifaceted intervention for 1 year. Our multifaceted interventions included repeated education on asthma and inhaler technique for patients and their caregivers, provision of an action plan to cope with acute exacerbations, short message service to prevent follow-up losses, and oral replacement of magnesium. The primary outcome was an acute asthma exacerbation rate compared to the previous year.

Results

Ninety-two subjects completed this study, although only 58 subjects continued to take magnesium. Compared to the previous year, the acute asthma exacerbation rate showed a significant reduction from 67% to 50% (p = 0001) and significant improvement was observed in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (p = 0.04, p = 0.036 for each). Interestingly, a subgroup analysis revealed that predicted value of FEV₁ increased significantly in subjects who continued to take magnesium from 79.6% to 87.1% (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

To reduce acute exacerbations in elderly asthmatics, a multifaceted approach in increase medical awareness, proficiency and adherence to inhaler, assistance of caregivers and correction of micronutrients deficiency is likely to be effective. In addition, a continuous oral replacement of magnesium may increase FEV₁ in elderly asthmatics.

Serum magnesium levels and its correlation with level of control in patients with asthma: A hospital-based, cross-sectional, prospective study

Context

Magnesium (Mg) is an intracellular cation which takes part in various functions including smooth muscle contractility. Studies have shown that serum Mg level has no significant effect on asthma severity. There are only sparse data on the effect of serum Mg level on asthma control.

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of serum Mg level on asthma control.

Settings and Design

This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal.

Subjects and Methods

Our participants were adult asthma patients over 18 years of age. Asthma control was assessed using a questionnaire. Serum Mg level was estimated. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from the participants.

Statistical Analysis Used

Welch's ANOVA test was used to analyze the correlation between serum Mg level and level of control of asthma.

Results

We screened 256 patients who met the inclusion criteria. After 96 patients were removed based on exclusion criteria, 160 patients were grouped into three based on the level of symptom control. Forty-eight patients belonged to the "well controlled" group, 59 in "partly controlled" group, and the remaining 53 in "uncontrolled" group. The mean serum Mg level (mg/dl) was 2.08 ± 0.37, 2.07 ± 0.28, and 1.83 ± 0.34 in well, partly, and uncontrolled groups, respectively. As the level of control of asthma decreased from well controlled to uncontrolled, the level of mean serum Mg also decreased.

Conclusions

Serum Mg levels have a positive correlation with the level of symptom control in asthma. In uncontrolled asthma, serum Mg is significantly low. Hence, it might be useful as a biomarker in assessing control or severity of asthma.

Vitamin D Compounds Are Bactericidal against Streptococcus mutans and Target the Bacitracin-Associated Efflux System

Vitamin D analogs were identified as compounds that induced lysis of planktonic cultures of Streptococcus mutans in a high-throughput screen of FDA-approved drugs. Previous studies have demonstrated that certain derivatives of vitamin D possess lytic activity against other bacteria, though the mechanism has not yet been established. Through the use of a combinatorial approach, the vitamin D derivative doxercalciferol was shown to act synergistically with bacitracin, a polypeptide-type drug that is known to interfere with cell wall synthesis, suggesting that doxercalciferol may act in a bacitracin-related pathway. Innate resistance to bacitracin is attributed to efflux by a conserved ABC-type transporter, which in S. mutans is encoded by the mbrABCD operon. S. mutans possesses two characterized mechanisms of resistance to bacitracin, the ABC transporter, S. mutans bacitracin resistance (Mbr) cassette, consisting of MbrABCD, and the rhamnose-glucose polysaccharide (Rgp) system, RgpABCDEFGHI. Loss of function of the transporter in ΔmbrA and ΔmbrD mutants exacerbated the effect of the combination of doxercalciferol and bacitracin. Despite conservation of a transporter homologous to mbrABCD, the combination of doxercalciferol and bacitracin appeared to be synergistic only in streptococcal species. We conclude that vitamin D derivatives possess lytic activity against S. mutans and act through a mechanism dependent on the bacitracin resistance mechanism of MbrABCD.

Regulation of airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic mice by TLR3/TRIF signal pathway

This paper aims to investigate the effect of Toll-like receptors 3 (TLR3)/TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) signal pathway on the airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic mice. C57BL/6 and TLR3^-/- mice were randomly divided into three groups (10 mice per group), including Control group (mice inhaled phosphate buffer saline (PBS)), Asthma group (mice inhaled ovalbumin (OVA)) and polyriboinosinic-ribocytidylic acid (poly (I: C)) group (asthmatic mice were injected intraperitoneally with TLR3 agonist poly (I: C)). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Wright-Giemsa staining, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Immunohistochemistry, Hydroxyproline assay, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to assess for the indices of airway inflammation and remodeling. In terms of WT mice, all asthma groups with or without the addition of poly (I: C) showed exaggerated inflammation and remodeling in the airways as compared to Control group, which were more seriously in poly (I: C) group than Asthma group. Furthermore, we observed the significant inhibition of airway inflammation and remodeling in the TLR3^-/- mice in both Asthma no matter with or without addition of poly (I: C) than the WT mice. TLR3 knockout could obviously relieve the airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma through inhibiting TLR3/TRIF signaling pathway.