OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of nasal instillation of vitamin D3 on patients with allergic rhinitis symptoms including nasal itching, sneezing, clear nasal discharge, and nasal congestion. METHOD: Thirty subjects with allergic rhinitis proved by skin prick test (SPT) and 30 subjects with deviated septum alone were recrui ted and administrated with 300 000 IU of vitamin D3 by nasal instillation weekly. Seven days after the intervention, the four major symptoms including nasal itching, sneezing, clear nasal discharge, and nasal congestion were evaluated by score. RESULT: After intranasal instillation of vitamin D3, the symptoms in allergic rhinitis group in cluding nasal itching, sneezing, nasal discharge and nasal congestion, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level has statistical differences (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Vitamin D3 could be well absorbed through nasal mucosa. It demonstrated to have significantly effect on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to improve the symptoms for patients with allergic rhinitis. Vitamin D3 may be a kind of adjuvant therapy for prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Administration, Intranasal ; Adult ; Cholecalciferol ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Cholecalciferol/*administration & dosage ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; *Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Vascular Stiffness/*drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic efficacy of embedding thread according to staging and wholism syndrome differentiation and its effect on correlated indices of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

METHODS135 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis were randomly assigned to the control group A (treated with Calcichew D3 Tablet), the control group B (treated with Calcichew D3 Tablet and Xianling Gubao Capsule), and the treatment group (treated with Calcichew D5 Tablet and embedding thread according to staging and wholism syndrome differentiation). The visual analogue scale (VAS), Chinese medicine syndrome integral, and the quality of life scale before treatment, 3 months after treatment, and 6 months after treatment were assessed. Changes of the lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and the serum level of estradiol (E2) were also assessed before and after six-month treatment. And the therapeutic efficacy of each group was also assessed after 6 months of treatment.

RESULTSBefore treatment, there was no significant difference in scores of VAS, Chinese medicine syndrome integral and the quality of life scale, the.serum level of E2, and the lumbar BMD of the patients in three groups (all P>0.05). After three months of treatment, there was significant difference in scores of VAS, Chinese medicine syndrome integral and the quality of life scale of the patients in the three groups (all P<0.01). Of them, the improvement of the three indices in the control group A was the worst in three groups (P< 0.05, P<0.01). The VAS in the treatment group was superior to those in control group B (P<0.01). But the difference of Chinese medicine syndrome integral and the quality of life scale was insignificant in the three groups. After six months of treatment, significant difference was shown in the scores of VAS, Chinese medicine syndrome integral, or the quality of life scale of the patients in the three groups when compared with the corresponding index before treatment and after three months of treatment (all P<0.01). Of them the improvement of the three indices of patients in the treatment group and the control group B was better than that in the control group A (all P<0.01), and the improvement in the treatment group were superior to that in the control group B (P<0.05, P<0. 01). Significant difference was shown in the serum level of E2 and the lumbar BMD of the patients in the treatment group and the control group B when compared with before treatment of the same group (both P<0.01). But there was no difference in the control group A between before and after treatment, with better effects obtained in the treatment group and the control group B. And the serum level of E, of the patients in the treatment group after treatment was higher than that in the control group B (P<0.01), but there was no difference in the lumbar BMD. The therapeutic efficacy in the treatment group and the control group B were superior to that in the control group A (P<0.01, P<0.05), but no difference existed between the treatment group and the control group B.

CONCLUSIONSThe therapy of embedding thread according to staging and wholism syndrome differentiation could reduce the scores of VAS and Chinese medicine syndrome integral, enhance the serum lever of E2, the quality of life scale and the lumbar BMD of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. So it was an effective method.

Aged ; Cholecalciferol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Complementary Therapies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: The loosening of pedicle screws (PS) is one of the frequent problems of spinal surgery in the patients with osteoporosis. Previous studies had revealed that intermittent injection of teriparatide could reduce PS loosening by improving bone mass and quality when their patients took parathyroid hormone for a considerable duration before surgery. However, although the teriparatide is usually used after spine surgery in most clinical situations, there was no report on the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started after spine surgery. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the efficacy of teriparatide treatment started immediately after lumbar spinal surgery to prevent pedicle screw loosening in patients with osteoporosis.METHODS: We included 84 patients with osteoporosis and degenerative lumbar disease who underwent transforaminal interbody fusion and PS fixation and received parathyroid hormone or bisphosphonate (BP) postoperatively. They were divided into teriparatide group (daily injection of 20 μg of teriparatide for 6 months, 33 patients, 172 screws) and BP group (weekly oral administration of 35 mg of risedronate, 51 patients, 262 screws). Both groups received calcium (500 mg/day) and cholecalciferol (1000 IU/day) together. The screw loosening was evaluated with simple radiographic exams at 6 and 12 months after the surgery. We counted the number of patients with PS loosening and the number of loosened PS, and compared them between the two groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) preoperatively, and at 12 months after surgery.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the age, sex, diabetes, smoking, bone mineral density, body mass index, and the number of fusion levels between the two groups. The number of PS loosening within 6 months after surgery did not show a significant difference between the teriparatide group (6.9%, 12/172) and the BP group (6.8%, 18/272). However, during 6–12 months after surgery, it was significantly lower in the teriparatide group (2.3%, 4/172) than the BP group (9.2%, 24/272) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of patients showing PS loosening between the teriparatide and BP groups. The teriparatide group showed a significantly higher degree of improvement of the bone mineral density (T-score) than that of BP group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the pre- and post-operative VAS and ODI between the groups.CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the teriparatide treatment starting immediately after lumbar spinal fusion surgery could reduce PS loosening compared to BP.
Administration, Oral ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; Cholecalciferol ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Risedronate Sodium ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine ; Teriparatide ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on artherosclerosis (AS) and its mechanism in rats.

METHODS125 healthy male SD rats of the weight (210 +/- 10) g were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, AS model group, AS + low-dose NaHS (2.8 micromol/(kg x d)) group, AS+ middle-dose (14 micromol/(kg x d)) NaHS group, AS+ high-dose NaHS (28 micromol/(kg x d)) group. The atherosclerotic model was established by feeding high grease food and injecting large doses of VitD3. The rats were using NaHS by peritoneal injection for 12 weeks. 5 rats were executed in each group before the experiment and in the weeks of 3, 6, 9, 12 after the experiment, respeotively. The blood fat was analyzed by automatic biochemistry analysator. H2S content in serum was detected by the method of deproteinization. The pathological damage of vessels was observed and scored by HE stain. The expression of VEGF in the vessel tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTSCompared with the control group at contemporaneity, both serumal triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (TC) increased significantly in the AS model group after rat feeded 3, 6, 9, 12 weeks, and scores of the artery pathological damage also increased obviously from the 6th week to the 12th week (P < 0.01), as well as artherosclerosis plaque appeared, displaying as lipid plaque in the positive part. The serumal H2S concentration decreased obviously, from (44.98 +/- 2.06) micromol/L of before feeding to (38.56 +/- 2.26), (32.96 +/- 2.38), (28.63 +/- 0.92), (23.55 +/- 0.92) nnol/L of after feeding 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks, respectively, and lower than that of control at contemporaneity (44.72 +/- 0.85), (43.71 +/- 0.59), (41.96 +/- 0.97), (39.87 +/- 1.25) micromol/L, respectively ( P < 0.01), and VEGF expression of the vascular tissue also increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the AS model group, all of above indexes in rat of the low-dose of NaHS group did not appear any obvious change. The serumal H2S concentration in rat of the middle-dose NaHS began increase at the 6 week after rat feeded (36.13 +/- 0.3 vs. 32.96 +/- 2.38 micronol/L, P < 0.05), and continuously increased at the 9th and the 12th week (33.07 +/- 1.14 vs. 28.63 +/- 0.92 micromol/L, 30.16 +/- 0.2 vs. 23.55 +/- 0.92 micromol/L; P < 0.01, respectively). The serumal H2S concentration in high-dose NaHS groups, increased from the 3th to the 12th week (41.25 +/- 0.80, 38.71 +/- 0.46, 35.31 +/- 0.62, 33.38 +/- 0.78 micromol/L, respectively, P < 0.01). The rat serumal TC in both middle and high-dose NaHS groups, decreased from the 3th to the 12th week (P < 0.01), and TG began decrease from the 3th and the 6th week to the 12th week after rat feeded, respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Both of the pathological damage scores and the expression of VEGF decrease from the 6th week to the 12th week (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed that H2S in serum had a negative correlation with both pathological damage scores (r = -0.917, P < 0.01) and the expression of VEGF (r = -0. 885, P < 0.01). But it had no obvious correlation with serumal TG and TC.

CONCLUSIONThe formation and development of artherosclerosis has a close correlation with the depressing of endogenous H2S. Administration of exogenous H2S could raise the H2S concentration of serum in artherosclerosis, which might improve the damage of vessels and inhibit the expression of VEGF.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Cholecalciferol ; administration & dosage ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

We investigated the vitamin D status and the effect of vitamin D supplementation in Korean breast-fed infants. The healthy term newborns were divided into 3 groups; A, formula-fed; B, breast-fed only; S, breast-fed with vitamin D supplementation. We measured serum concentrations of vitamin D (25OHD3), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (AP), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and bone mineral density (BMD) at 6 and 12 months of age. Using questionnaires, average duration of sun-light exposure and dietary intake of vitamin D, Ca and P were obtained. At 6 and 12 months of age, 25OHD3 was significantly higher in group S than in group B (P<0.001). iPTH was significantly lower in group S than in group B at 6 months (P=0.001), but did not differ at 12 months. Regardless of vitamin D supplementation, BMD was lower in group B and S than in group A (P<0.05). Total intake of vitamin D differed among 3 groups (P<0.001, A>S>B), but total intake of Ca and P were higher in group A than in group B and S (P<0.001). In conclusion, breast-fed infants show lower vitamin D status and bone mineralization than formula-fed infants. Vitamin D supplementation (200 IU/day) in breast-fed infants increases serum 25-OH vitamin D3, but not bone mineral density.
Alkaline Phosphatase/blood ; Bone Density ; *Breast Feeding ; Calcifediol/*blood ; Calcium/blood ; Cholecalciferol/blood ; *Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Parathyroid Hormone/blood ; Phosphorus/blood ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Vitamin D/*administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 supplementation during gestation and lactation on TGF-β1 and Smad3 expression in lungs of rat offspring with asthma.

METHODSThirty-two female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: low-, medium- and high-dose 1,25-(OH)2D3 supplementation and control groups (n=8 each). From the 7th day of gestation, the three 1,25-(OH)2D3 supplementation groups were administered with 2,10 and 20 μg/mL of 1,25-(OH)2D3 respectively every other day until weaning (rat offspring: 21 days old). The control group received normal saline instead. Then, bronchial asthma was induced in rat offspring from the 4 groups. The protein and mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 in the lung tissue was measured by immunochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTSEosinophil cell infiltration and airway inflammation decreased in rat offspring from the low- and medium-dose 1,25-(OH)2D3 groups, but increased in rat offspring of the high-dose 1,25-(OH)2D3 group compared with the control group. Immunohistochemistry of lung tissues showed that the expression of TGF-β1 protein and pSmad3 decreased in rat offspring from the low- and medium-dose 1,25-(OH)2D3 groups (P<0.05), but increased significantly in rat offspring from the high-dose 1,25-(OH)2D3 group compared with the control group (P<0.05). PCR showed that the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 mRNA in the lung tissue decreased in rat offspring from the low- and medium-dose 1,25-(OH)2D3 groups (P<0.05), but increased significantly in rat offspring from the high-dose 1,25-(OH)2D3 group compared with the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS1,25-(OH)2D3 supplementation plays a role in regulating the immune system in asthmatic rats. Its mechanism may be associated with regulation of the expression of TGF-β/Smad signal pathway-related proteins through the vitamin D receptor signal pathway.

Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; Cholecalciferol ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Lactation ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; physiology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent epidemiological studies revealed a striking inverse relationship between vitamin D levels, glucose intolerance/insulin resistance (IR), and cardiovascular disease. However, few interventional studies have evaluated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular risk, such as IR and arterial stiffness, in diabetes. We investigated the role of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients, including metabolic parameters, IR, and arterial stiffness. METHODS: We enrolled patients who were taking antidiabetic medications or managed their diabetes using lifestyle changes. We excluded patients who were taking vitamin D or calcium supplements. We randomized participants into the vitamin D group (cholecalciferol 2,000 IU/day + calcium 200 mg/day, n = 40) or the placebo group (calcium 200 mg/day, n = 41). We compared their IR (homeostasis model of assessment [HOMA]-IR) and arterial stiffness (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and radial augmentation index) before and after 24 weeks of intervention. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. A total of 62 participants (placebo, 30; vitamin D, 32) completed the study protocol. At the end of the study period, the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were significantly higher in the vitamin D group than in the placebo group (35.4 +/- 8.5 ng/mL vs. 18.4 +/- 7.3 ng/mL, p < 0.001). There was no difference in HOMA-IR or changes in arterial stiffness (placebo, 21, vitamin D, 24) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that high-dose vitamin D supplementation might be effective in terms of elevating 25(OH)D levels. However, we identified no beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes, including IR and arterial stiffness.
Calcium, Dietary/administration & dosage ; Cholecalciferol/*administration & dosage ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; *Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Vascular Stiffness/*drug effects ; Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives/blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency/blood/complications/drug therapy

Inflammation plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Our study was aimed to investigate whether salvianolate, a novel water-soluble phenolic compound of Danshen, alleviates atherosclerosis via regulating the inflammation in rats. High fat diet feeding plus vitamin D3 injection was used to induce atherosclerosis in rats. Salvianolate (60, 120 or 240 mg/kg) or placebo was given to atherosclerotic rats. The plasma lipids, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C reactive protein (CRP) were measured by ELISA. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells were determined by flow cytometry. Histological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results showed that the levels of plasma IL-6 and CRP were elevated in the rats fed on high fat diet, and the histological analysis demonstrated the successful establishment of atherosclerosis models. Treatment with salvianolate alleviated the atherosclerotic process and decreased the levels of plasma IL-6 and CRP. Also the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells was increased in salvianolate-treated rats. It was concluded that salvianolate could treat atherosclerosis via modulating the inflammation at cytokine and cell levels.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; etiology ; prevention & control ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Cholecalciferol ; administration & dosage ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flow Cytometry ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; blood ; prevention & control ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Vitamins ; administration & dosage

Vitamin D deficiency is common and may contribute to osteopenia, osteoporosis and falls risk in the elderly. Screening for vitamin D deficiency is important in high-risk patients, especially for patients who suffered minimal trauma fractures. Vitamin D deficiency should be treated according to the severity of the deficiency. In high-risk adults, follow-up serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration should be measured 3-4 months after initiating maintenance therapy to confirm that the target level has been achieved. All patients should maintain a calcium intake of at least 1,000 mg for women aged ≤ 50 years and men ≤ 70 years, and 1,300 mg for women > 50 years and men > 70 years.
Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; prevention & control ; Calcium, Dietary ; therapeutic use ; Cholecalciferol ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hip Fractures ; complications ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; prevention & control ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care ; methods ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; diagnosis ; epidemiology