High-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of allergic rhinitis using nasal endoscopy

Clinical effectiveness of focused ultrasound combined with plasma radiofrequency ablation technique in the treatment of persistent strain rhinitis

Examine the effects of focused ultrasound in combination with plasma radiofrequency ablation technology on the physiological stability and postoperative recovery of persistent strain rhinitis. For a control experiment, 90 patients with persistent strain rhinitis were chosen and split into two groups: the control group (CG) and the experimental group (EG). The CG used conventional radiofrequency ablation technology, while the EG used focused ultrasound technology combined with radiofrequency ablation technology to treat persistent strain rhinitis. Between the EG and the CG, compare and contrast the recovery of nasal symptoms, nasal signs, postoperative discomfort, and postoperative respiratory status. One quarter after surgery, there was a substantial difference in physical sign ratings between the EG and the CG, and a particularly significant difference was seen after six months of treatment. One year following surgery, there was a statistical difference between the EG and the CG in the comparison of effective rates at various intervals, with a P value of .013. At 6 months following surgery, the MTT times in the EG and CG for the comparison of nasal function were 12.63 2.65 and 17.68 2.84, respectively, with statistically significant differences. The difference between the EG and the CG in the MTR comparison is statistically significant. In the comparison of NNO values between the EG and the CG after different treatment times. The nitric oxide value of the EG patients decreased over time, with statistical significance one month after surgery and one year after surgery. It is evident from the comparison of various symptom efficacy rates that the EG has a higher treatment effectiveness rate than the CG, and the total treatment effect difference following surgery has statistical significance. Indicators for PONV, PA, directional ability, respiratory recovery, and olfactory recovery performed better in the EG than in the CG, and the differences were statistically significant. Focused ultrasound and plasma radiofrequency ablation technology have a good therapeutic impact in the treatment of persistent strain rhinitis and can significantly reduce MTT. This technology can effectively improve symptoms such as nasal congestion, nasal flow, and headache in patients, and the therapeutic effect is long-lasting. The hospitalization time after treatment is significantly shortened.

Therapeutic potential of catalpol and geniposide in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: A snapshot of their underlying mechanisms

Rehmannia glutinosa, the fresh or dried root of Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Fisch. & Mey., and Gardenia, the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis from Rubiaceae, both are famous traditional Chinese medicines that have been traditionally used in China. Catalpol and geniposide, as two kinds of iridoid glycosides with high activities, are the main bioactive components in Rehmannia glutinosa and Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, respectively. Over the past few decades, catalpol and geniposide have been widely studied for their therapeutic effects. The preclinical experiments demonstrated that they possessed significant neuroprotective activities against Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and depression, etc. In this paper, the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of catalpol and geniposide on Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease from 2005 to now were systematically summarized and comprehensively analyzed. At the same time, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the analyzed compounds were also described, hoping to provide some enlightenment for the design, research, and development of iridoid glycosides.

Platelet Mitochondria Transplantation Rescues Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Neuronal Cell Death Involving the FUNDC2/PIP3/Akt/FOXO3a Axis

Mitochondrial transplantation emerges as a novel therapeutic solution for ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in various tissues. Platelets have recently been used in mitochondrial transplantation as readily-available donors of small-size platelet mitochondria (plt-mito). Interestingly, FUN14 Domain Containing 2 (FUNDC2), a protein highly-expressed in the outer membrane (OMM) of plt-mito, has been identified to maintain platelet survival under hypoxic condition. The current study determined whether and how FUNDC2 contributed to the therapeutic effect of plt-mito transplantation for hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) injury. The results showed that incorporation of human plt-mito into SH-SY5Y cells rescued HR-induced mitochondrial malfunction and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Mechanistically, plt-mito transplantation led to an increased expression of FUNDC2 in the recipient cells. This protein induced mitochondrial translocation of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) via its N-term, resulting in the stimulation of the protein kinase B (Akt)/forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) pathway, which inhibited HR-induced mitochondrial accumulation of a mitochondrial target of FOXO3a, Bim, also known as a pro-apoptotic protein. Therefore, the FUNDC2/PIP3/Akt/FOXO3a axis may facilitate the incorporated plt-mito to restore mitochondrial function and cell viability of the recipient cells, and platelets may serve as readily-available sources of donor mitochondria that afford therapeutic benefits against IRI.

Nose-to-brain Delivery of Natural Compounds for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders

BACKGROUND

Several natural compounds have demonstrated potential for the treatment of central nervous system disorders such as ischemic cerebrovascular disease, glioblastoma, neuropathic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis and migraine. This is due to their well-known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-tumor, anti-ischemic and analgesic properties. Nevertheless, many of these molecules have poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability and extensive gastrointestinal and/or hepatic first-pass metabolism, leading to a quick elimination as well as low serum and tissue concentrations. Thus, the intranasal route emerged as a viable alternative to oral or parenteral administration, by enabling a direct transport into the brain through the olfactory and trigeminal nerves. With this approach, the blood-brain barrier is circumvented and peripheral exposure is reduced, thereby minimizing possible adverse effects.

OBJECTIVE

Herein, brain-targeting strategies for nose-to-brain delivery of natural compounds, including flavonoids, cannabinoids, essential oils and terpenes, will be reviewed and discussed. Brain and plasma pharmacokinetics of these molecules will be analyzed and related to their physicochemical characteristics and formulation properties.

CONCLUSION

Natural compounds constitute relevant alternatives for the treatment of brain diseases but often require loading into nanocarrier systems to reach the central nervous system in sufficient concentrations. Future challenges lie in a deeper characterization of their therapeutic mechanisms and in the development of effective, safe and brain-targeted delivery systems for their intranasal administration.

Monoterpenes modulating autophagy: A review study

From the beginning of the 21st century, much attention has been made towards the medicinal herbs due to their low side effects and valuable biological activities. Among them, terpenes comprise a large group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that are considered as main components of flavours, antifeedants and pheromones. Monoterpenes have demonstrated a favourable profile as compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective and anti-tumour activities. On the other hand, autophagy is a 'self-digestion' mechanism which plays a remarkable role in a number of pathological conditions such as cancer, ageing, metabolic disorders and infection. Also, autophagy is considered as a stress adaptor that may lead to apoptotic cell death under severe and sustained stress. Autophagy modulation is a promising strategy in cancer treatment, and a variety of drugs have been designed in line with this strategy. In the present MiniReview, we discuss the effects of monoterpenes on autophagy and its relationship with therapeutic impacts of monoterpenes.

Effect of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Versus Plasma Radiofrequency Ablation on Recurrent Allergic Rhinitis

Background

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and plasma radiofrequency ablation (PRA) have been used to treat recurrent allergic rhinitis (AR); however, there is a lack of literature comparing the efficacy of these 2 methods. We assessed and compared the therapeutic effects of HIFU and PRA on recurrent AR.

Material/Methods

We enrolled 66 patients with recurrent AR at West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Visual analogue score (VAS), pain score, rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ), and nasal endoscopy were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect.

Results

Nasal endoscopy showed that HIFU and PAR reduced the volume of the inferior turbinate, whereas HIFU reduced the amount of nasal secretions in patients. VAS scores showed that HIFU and PRA nasal congestion symptoms were significantly reduced (P<0.05). The preoperative VAS scores for nasal fluid and sneezing were significantly lower in patients receiving HIFU (P<0.05) than in those receiving PRA (P>0.05). HIFU-treated patients had significantly lower postoperative pain scores than those in the PRA group (P<0.05). RQLQ showed activity, sleep, and non-nasal or ocular symptoms, and both HIFU and PRA patients had significantly lower scores (P<0.05). Nasal symptom scores, actual problems, and mood in the HIFU group were significantly worse than those in the PRA group (P<0.05). However, neither treatment had a significant effect on ocular symptoms (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Compared with PRA, HIFU can significantly reduce the nasal symptoms of AR patients, improve the quality of life, and can be used as an adjuvant therapy with better therapeutic effect.

Anti-allergic effect of Artemisia extract in rats

Artemisia apiacea (also known as Artemisia annua L) is a herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the early 1970s, artemisinin was isolated and identified as the active antimalarial ingredient, and thereafter, A. apiacea and artemisinin have been studied extensively, such as anti-inflammation and antipyresis, antibacteria, antiparasitic and immunosuppression effects of A. apiacea extract. The present study investigated the extracts anti-allergic effect obtained from the dried flowering tips of A. apiacea in rats. A systemic anaphylactic reaction model was induced in rats using compound 48/80. Artemisia extract was administered 1 h prior to the injection of compound 48/80. Artemisia was extracted from dried flowering tips of A. deserti using 80% ethanol. Subsequently, the systemic anaphylactic shock, histamine release, scratching behavior and vascular permeability induced by compound 48/80 were evaluated. The administration of Artemisia extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses suppressed the systemic anaphylactic shock induced by compound 48/80 in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, the Artemisia extract was able to effectively decrease systemic anaphylactic shock, histamine release, scratching behavior and vascular permeability induced by compound 48/80 in a dose-dependent manner.

High-intensity focused ultrasound leads to histopathologic changes of the inferior turbinate mucosa with allergic inflammation

This study was aimed at understanding the histopathologic changes that occur in the nasal mucosa of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis after high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. Biopsy specimens of the inferior turbinate mucosa were taken from 11 PAR patients before, immediately after and 1 y after HIFU treatment. Morphometric analysis revealed that the density of eosinophils and other inflammatory cells increased immediately after treatment and then were decreased significantly 1 y post-treatment. Submucosal glands were swollen and venous sinusoids were dilated, but there was no statistically significant change in their density, immediately after treatment. However, both glands and venous sinusoids significantly decreased in number 1 y after HIFU treatment. The ciliated epithelium or basement membrane of the nasal mucosa was well preserved at all stages. In conclusion, HIFU is a tolerable and effective treatment to reduce inflammation of the inferior turbinate mucosa in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

Higher dosage of HIFU treatment may lead to higher and longer efficacy for moderate to severe perennial allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVES

This study was to compare the efficacies and side effects of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) with regular and increased dosage.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospectively assembled cohort was retrospectively analyzed through visual analogue scale (VAS).

METHODS

Regular dosage of HIFU treatment was applied to 56 PAR patients in group A. An increased dosage as twice as the regular one was applied to 48 patients in group B. Nasal obstruction, sneezing, rhinorrhea and rhinocnesmus, which were recognized as the four main symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), were evaluated before treatment, 3 months after treatment, and 1 year after treatment. The satisfaction of patients was also evaluated at 1 year postoperatively. Biopsy of the inferior turbinate and morphometric analysis were applied to 11 patients in group A and 10 in group B before HIFU treatment and 3 months after treatment.

RESULTS

Comparing the AR symptoms before treatment, There is no statistical difference observed between group A and B (p>0.05). The four main symptoms at 3 months and 1 year after treatment were all significantly improved (p<0.01) in both group A and B. The VAS scores of AR symptoms in Group B were lower than those in Group A at the same stage after treatment, especially at 1 year after treatment (p<0.05). Comparing the results at 3 months and 1 year after treatment, a tendency of recurrence of these symptoms was observed statistically in group A (p<0.05), but not in group B (p>0.05). More cases of nasal dryness and perirhinal swelling were found in group B than those in group A (p<0.05), while all side effects were mild and temporary. Patients in group B were more satisfied than those in group A (p=0.0866 >0.05), though not statistically significant. More reduction of the eosinophils, other inflammatory cells, and the submucosal glands was observed after HIFU treatment in group B than that in group A (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A proper increment of HIFU dosage may be recommended to meet the needs of more improvement of AR symptoms and less recurrence.