Humans ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; blood

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; blood ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; blood ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on serum NF-κB, IL-10, IL-13 and pulmonary NF-κB protein expression in rabbits with severe lung contusion.

METHODSForty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into severe lung contusion group (group A, n=12), lung contusion with NF-κB scrambled decoy ODN group (group B, n=12), lung contusion with sense NF-κB decoy ODN group (group C, n=12), and normal control group (n=4). After establishment of the contusion injury model, the sense and scrambled NF-κB decoy ODN were infused into the rabbits via the jugular vein accordingly. Serum NF-κB, IL-10, and IL-13 and NF-κB protein expressions in the lung tissue were detected before and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after the contusion.

RESULTSTwo hours after sense NF-κB decoy ODN intervention, the expression of NF-κB began to decrease and reached the lowest level at 3 h; pulmonary IL-10 and IL-13 expressions decreased at 1 h after contusion, to the lowest level at 2 and 4 h, respectively. After sense NF-κB decoy ODN intervention, the expression of IL-10 and IL-13 increased and NF-κB protein expression decreased significantly in comparison with those in groups A and B (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSense NF-κB decoy ODN can significantly reduce the serum NF-κB expression, increase serum IL-10 and IL-13 levels and decrease pulmonary NF-κB protein expression in the early stages after severe lung contusion in rabbits.

Animals ; Contusions ; blood ; Female ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lung Injury ; blood ; NF-kappa B ; blood ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Rabbits

The changes in the levels of serum interleukin-13 (IL-13) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their clinical significance were investigated. Sandwich ELISA was used to determine the levels of serum IL-13 and NGF in 35 SLE patients and 15 normal controls. The results showed that the levels of serum IL-13 (92.69+/-9.87 pg/ml) and NGF (339.69+/-25.60 pg/ml) in active SLE patients were significantly higher than those in inactive SLE patients (IL-13, 54.22+/-9.31 pg/ml; NGF, 300.89+/-33.51 pg/ml) (P<0.01). The inactive patients also had significantly increased serum levels of IL-13 and NGF as compared with normal controls (IL-13, 35.20+/-12.70 pg/ml; NGF, 111.40+/-32.54 pg/ml; P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the serum IL-13 levels were correlated with disease activity index of SLE (SLEDAI), ESR and serum levels of C3 (r= 0. 813, 0.504, -0.605, respectively). The serum NGF levels were also correlated with above markers (r=0.442, 0.338, -0.463, respectively). The serum levels of IL-13 and NGF had a positive correlation (r=0.506, P<0.01). It was suggested that IL-13 and NGF might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE and closely correlated with disease activity.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods ; Interleukin-13/*blood ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/*blood ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/etiology ; Nerve Growth Factors/*blood

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of serum IL-10, 12, 13, 16 in patients with allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis. METHOD: The serum levels of IL-10, 12, 13, 16 were measured by ELISA in 30 cases of allergic rhinitis, 25 cases of vasomotor rhinitis and 20 healthy people. RESULT: The level of IL-12 in allergic rhinitis was (170.33 +/- 90.58) ng/L, which was significantly lower than that of normal controls [(376.69 +/- 140.70) ng/L, P < 0.01]. The levels of IL-13 and IL-16 in allergic rhinitis were (408.51 +/- 189.68) ng/L and (151.53 +/- 63.56) ng/L, which were significantly higher than those of normal controls [(151.92 +/- 85.08) ng/L, (60.65 +/- 32.45) ng/L, P < 0.01]. There were no significant difference of levels of IL-10, 13, 16 between vasomotor rhinitis and normal controls, while the level of IL-12 in vasomotor rhinitis was lower than that of normal controls [(196.03 +/- 96.31) ng/L vs. (376.69 +/- 140.70) ng/L, P < 0.01]. It was suggested that IL-10 had positive correlation with IL-12 (r = 0.73, P < 0.01), and IL-13 had positive correlation with IL-16 (r = 0.94, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The imbalance of IL-12, IL-13 and IL-16 play crucial roles of regulation in the onset and developing of allergic rhinitis. Further research is needed on the role of IL-12 in vasomotor rhinitis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; Interleukin-16 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; blood ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; blood ; Rhinitis, Vasomotor ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of modified Shegan Mahuang Decoction (SGMH) on cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-13 in children suffered from cough and variant asthma (C&VA).

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-four children with C&VA were randomly assigned to two groups: 79 in the treatment group were medicated orally with SGMH one dose per day taking in twice; 75 in the control group were medicated with Montelukast once a day in dose of 4 mg for children aged from 2 to 5 years and 5 mg for those from 6 to 14 years, the medication for all was given 4 weeks. Serum contents of cytokines, including TNF-alpha, IL-10 and IL-13, in patients were measured before and after treatment. Besides, serum contents of these cytokines in 45 healthy children were measured for control.

RESULTSSerum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-3 in the treatment group were 2510 +/- 1500 ng/L and 60.76 +/- 23.67 ng/L, and in the control group, 2890 +/- 1410 ng/L and 61.56 +/- 20.37 ng/L, respectively, all were significantly higher than those of healthy (709 +/- 280 ng/L and 39.49 +/- 3.09 ng/L, P < 0.01); but level of IL-10 was significant lower in the two patient groups than that in control (1546 +/- 1434 ng/L and 1823 +/- 1314 ng/L vs 7123 +/- q2641 ng/L, P < 0.01). After treatment, the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-13 decreased and IL-10 increased significantly in the treatment group, and showed significant different to those in the control group respectively (960 +/- 420 ng/L, 43.67 +/- 12.37 ng/L and 6834 +/- 2216 ng/L vs 2610 +/- 1220 ng/L, 50.56 +/-19.56 ng/L and 2529 +/- 1223 ng/L, P < 0.01). Clinical efficacy between groups also showed that the total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly better (86.07% vs. 42.67%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGMH can regulate the serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-10 and IL-13, and shows evident clinical effect in treating children's C&VA.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; blood ; drug therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cough ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Ephedra sinica ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; Interleukin-3 ; blood ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) on the production of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and airway inflammation in mice with exacerbated asthma induced by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

METHODSThirty-two female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely the PBS control group, OVA group, OVA/RSV group, and OVA/RSV/polyI:C group. In the latter 3 groups, the mice were sensitized by OVA and stimulated with nebulized OVA. RSV was inoculated into the nasal cavity of the sensitized mice and polyI:C (1 mg/kg) was intramuscularly administered. The airway response to metacholine was examined, and the serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IFN-γ and TSLP in the supernatants of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected using ELISA. The total BALF cells, eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils were counted. The lung specimens were collected to observe the inflammation with HE staining, and immunohistochemistry was employed to determine TSLP production in the airway epithelial cells.

RESULTSThe mice in RSV/OVA/polyI:C group showed a significantly lower airway responsiveness to metacholine than those in OVA/RSV group (P<0.01). Compared with OVA/RSV group, RSV/OVA/polyI:C group showed significantly lower serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TSLP in BALF (P<0.05), with also lower total BALF cells, eosinophils and lymphocytes (P<0.05) and lessened infiltration of the airway inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemistry of TSLP also demonstrated a lower production of TSLP in the airway epithelial cells in RSV/OVA/polyI:C group than in OVA/RSV group.

CONCLUSIONSpolyI:C can inhibit the increase in TSLP production in the airway epithelial cells after RSV infection and relieve airway inflammation in mice with RSV-induced asthma exacerbation.

Animals ; Asthma ; blood ; metabolism ; virology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Cytokines ; secretion ; Female ; Inflammation ; pathology ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Interleukin-5 ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Poly I-C ; pharmacology ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; blood ; metabolism ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between IL-3 gene polymorphism and the levels of serum IL-3 and eosinophil cation protein (ECP) for understanding the role of IL-3 gene polymorphism in the mechanism of childhood asthma.

METHODSThe method of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was adopted in detecting +1923 site polymorphism of IL-13 gene in intron 3 region, ELISA was employed in detecting the level of serum IL-13, and fluorescent enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to detect the level of serum ECP.

RESULTSThe frequency distribution of TT, TC genotypes of IL-13 Intron 3+1923 site in asthmatic children was higher than that of CC genotype in normal control (P<0.05), and the levels of serum IL-13 and ECP of TT, TC genotypes were significantly higher than those of CC genotype respectively (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe close relationship of IL-3 gene polymorphism with the levels of serum IL-13 and ECP suggests that IL-3 gene polymorphism may play an important role in the mechanism of childhood asthma.

Asthma ; blood ; genetics ; Blood Proteins ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Eosinophil Granule Proteins ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Ribonucleases ; blood

OBJECTIVETo determine Th1/Th2 cytokines and chemokines in patients with allergic diseases and its clinic significance.

METHODSSerum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, Eotaxin, RANTES and LTB4 were determined from peripheral blood of 64 allergic patients and 21 healthy controls with ELISA.

RESULTSIL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and Eotaxin, LTB4 were increased significantly in serum of allergic patients compared with those of controls (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in serum levels of IFN-gamma and RANTES between patients and controls (P>0.05). Serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and LTB4 were correlated with each other (P<0.01). Eotaxin, RANTES and IFN-gamma levels were also significantly correlated with each other (P<0.05). LTB4 was correlated with Eotaxin as well (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONA wide range of cytokines and chemokines is involved in allergic diseases,which may play their roles in a complex interactive manner.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chemokines ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; blood ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Leukotriene B4 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo examine serum levels of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia.

METHODSEighty children with MP pneumonia complicated by wheezing or without (n=40 each), 40 children with pneumonia from non-MP infection and 40 healthy children were enrolled. Serum levels of IL-13 and TNF-alpha were measured using ELISA.

RESULTSThe serum levels of IL-13 and TNF-alpha in the MP pneumonia group were significantly higher than those in non-MP pneumonia group and the healthy control group (P<0.01). The children with MP pneumonia complicated by wheezing had increased serum levels of IL-13 (214.6 + or - 67.2 ng/L vs 189.6 + or - 52.1 ng/L; P<0.01) and TNF-alpha(0.55 + or - 0.13 ng/mL vs 0.42 + or - 0.16 ng/mL; P<0.01)compared with those without wheezing.

CONCLUSIONSThe increase in serum levels of IL-13 and TNF-alpha may play important roles in the pathogenesis of MP pneumonia and wheezing attack in children.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-13 ; blood ; Male ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; immunology ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; immunology ; Respiratory Sounds ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood