OBJECTIVETo investigate the ultrastructure of ciliated epithelia and inflammatory changes upon repeated exposure to staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) of different concentrations in the maxillary sinus mucosa of rabbits.

METHODSThe rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups (24 rabbits per group): low-dose SEA group and high-dose SEA group. The low-dose SEA group and high-dose SEA group received daily injections of 0.6 ng of SEA (2 ml) and 60 ng of SEA (2 ml) into the left maxillary sinus of rabbits for 28 days, respectively. Concurrent treatment of the right maxillary sinus with normal saline was used as control. Six rabbits chosen randomly in two groups were examined by computed tomography (CT) scans and then sacrificed to obtain the sinus mucosa from the two-side of maxillary sinuses for histological assessment on days 3, 7, 14 and 28. To characterize the inflammatory changes of the sinus mucosa examined using light microscope, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and toluidine blue staining was performed. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe ultrastructure of ciliated epithelia in the maxillary sinus mucosa. SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSOn days 14 and 28, CT images showed opacification of the left maxillary sinus in the high-dose SEA group. The percentage of epithelial disruption was (22.73 ± 5.72) % and (30.79 ± 4.30)% in the high-dose SEA group respectively, and were significantly greater than those in the low-dose SEA group (5.12% ± 1.98% and 5.38% ± 1.64%, q value was 10.079 and 19.132) and control group (4.08% ± 1.29% and 4.81% ± 1.62%, q value was 11.016 and 19.592, respectively, all P < 0.01). The subepithelial thickness in the high-dose SEA group was (113.34 ± 14.81)µm and (120.86 ± 12.35) µm respectively, and were significantly different from those of the low-dose SEA group [(71.08 ± 10.39)µm and (81.63 ± 9.32)µm, q value was 8.090 and 8.782] and control group [(37.45 ± 7.67)µm and (38.79 ± 7.68)µm, q value was 15.759 and 19.541, all P < 0.01]. Viewed under the electron microscope, loss of cilia was observed, a few compound cilia and cytoplasmic protrusion were found, an obvious stretching of the endoplasmic reticulum and an obvious turgescence of the mitochondria was also observed. However, in the low-dose SEA group on days 14 and 28, CT scan of the left maxillary sinus showed transparency; light microscopy observations of the maxillary sinus mucosa showed the number of eosinophils was markedly increased as compared with the high-dose SEA and control groups, the differences were significant (q value was 5.871 and 6.766 on day 14, and q value was 7.572 and 8.970 on day 28, respectively, all P < 0.05). But no significant differences were observed in epithelial disruption between the low-dose SEA and the control groups on days 14 and 28 (q value was 1.512 and 0.859 respectively, all P > 0.05); inordinate array and adhesion of cilia was observed, but cilia loss, compound cilia, cytoplasmic protrusions, mitochondrial swelling and endoplasmic reticulum stretching were not found.

CONCLUSIONSSEA may induce allergic inflammation of the sinus mucosa without damaging the structure of ciliated epithelia at low concentration. Whereas SEA impairs the structure of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in ciliated epithelial cells at high concentration, and results in cilia loss and epithelial disruption, which may be one of the main reasons to induce acute sinusitis.

Animals ; Cilia ; drug effects ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Cost of Illness ; Enterotoxins ; toxicity ; Eosinophils ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Leukocyte Count ; Maxillary Sinus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Mucous Membrane ; drug effects ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Rabbits ; Sinusitis

OBJECTIVETo prepare a mouse model of asthma by sensitizing and challenging with house dust mite allergen Derp and evaluate its reliability by measuring airway allergy inflammation and airway responsiveness.

METHODSTwelve C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups: control and asthma model. Mice of the asthma model group were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of house dust mite allergen Derp on the first and tenth days of the experiment. From the 17th day, the mice were challenged by intranasal Derp, once every other day, seven times. The control group was treated with normal sodium instead of Derp. Twenty-four hours after the last challenge, airway responsiveness was evaluated. Bronchoalveolar lavage and histological examination of the lung were performed.

RESULTSAirway resistance increased and dynamic lung compliance decreased significantly in the asthma model group as compared to the control group (P<0.01). When airway resistance increased by 25% and dynamic lung compliance decreased by 15%, the required metacholine concentration in the asthma model group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the asthma model group, the number of total cells, absolute number of eosinophils (EOS) and the percentage of EOS in the total cell were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). Pulmonary pathological scores in the asthma model group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). The asthma model group showed ultrastructural changes of bronchial and pulmonary arterioles. Goblet cells, mastocyte granules, and increased mucus were observed in the lung tissues of the asthma model group.

CONCLUSIONSA mouse model of asthma was prepared by sensitizing and challenging with house dust mite allergen Derp, with the characteristics of airway allergy inflammation and airway hypersensitivity reaction.

Airway Resistance ; Animals ; Arterioles ; ultrastructure ; Asthma ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eosinophils ; pathology ; Female ; Lung ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Lung Compliance ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology

Crystallization ; Eosinophils ; enzymology ; Fascioliasis ; pathology ; Granuloma ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Lung ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Lung Diseases, Parasitic ; pathology ; Lysophospholipase ; metabolism ; Paragonimiasis ; pathology

The author has made the electron microscopic study of enzymes in eosinophils in order to clearify the influence of hyposensitization in allergic rhinitis to the activity of enzymes in eosinophilic granules and the following results were obtained. 1. In all 3 control, hyposensitization and allergic groups, eosinophilic granules with matrix and crystalloid core in circulating blood and tissue was observed. 2. In all 3 groups, activity of acid phosphatase was not found in neutrophil, basophil, macrophage and glands as a form of coagulated activating colony of acid phosphatase. 3. In control and hyposensitizing groups, number of eosinophils were smaller than that was counted in allergic group. Activity of peroxidase in granule was weak and granular out flowing and rupture of cell membrane were not observed. 4. In allergic group, eosinophil count was high, activity of peroxidase in granule was strong and granular out flowing and rupture of cell membrane were severe. At the same time, many vacuoles, which were suspected to be the result of phagocyte the protein as foreign substance, wag observed. Judging from the fact that eosinophil has a specific relation to allergic diseases and the activity of peroxidase that exist as an enzyme in eosinophilic granule is strong, it is believed that the major function of eosinophil is phagocytosis of antigen, or antigen-antibody complex. On the other hand, the fact that activity of peroxidase was weak in hyposensitizing group lead us to believe that the activity of peroxidase may be used as an indicator for detecting hyposensitizing status in the treatment of allergic disease.
Acid Phosphatase/metabolism* ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Desensitization, Immunologic* ; Eosinophils/enzymology ; Eosinophils/ultrastructure* ; Female ; Hay Fever/therapy* ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Peroxidases/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ultrastructural feature and ECP expression in nasal polyps, and aim to explore its role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. METHOD: 5 CRSwNP, 5 CRS and 5 control patients underwent sinus surgery were gathered to detect its ultrastructure and expression of ECP by in situ hybridization and electron microscopy technique. RESULT: Under electron microscopy, the eosinophilic cells in CRSwNP group increased, its membrane was intact but fold, the feature of pseudopodium, degranulation and cavitation were all found. The expression level of ECP mRNA was up-regulated. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that eosinophilic infiltrate and ECP cytologic inflammation reactions may involve in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; metabolism ; Eosinophils ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Nasal Polyps ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo characterize clinicopathological features of allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS).

METHODSThirty-six cases of AFS were retrieved from the department archival files of Beijing Tongren Hospital from 2002 to 2006. AB-PAS, GMS and MUC5B stain were performed using paraffin-embedded tissues of the cases. Ten cases with available fresh diagnostic tissue were investigated by electron microscopy.

RESULTSPatients included 21 males and 15 females. The age of patients ranged from 11 to 53 years. Atopy was very common in these patients. On plain CT scans, the affected nasal sinuses were filled with soft tissue shadow with patchy hyperdensity. The bony sinus wall showed areas of pressure erosion. Skin antigen tests showed fungal positivity in 31 of 36 cases. Serum levels of the total IgE and/or the specific fungal IgE were elevated in 20 cases. The eosinophil quantity was elevated in 23 cases. Fungal culture was positive in 10 cases. Gross examination showed thick putty secretions within the lesions. Light microscopy showed typical "eosinophilic mucin". Fungal elements were seen with AB-PAS, GMS and MUC5B stains. Electron microscopy demonstrated degranulation by the eosinophils.

CONCLUSIONS"Eosinophilic mucin" is the typical histopathological feature of AFS. AB-PAS, GMS and MUC5B staining methods can used to detect fungal species in mucin. Accurate diagnosis of AFS requires correlations among clinical findings, radiologic examinations, laboratory tests and histopathologic features. However, the ultimate diagnosis requires a histopathologic confirmation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Eosinophils ; microbiology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paranasal Sinuses ; diagnostic imaging ; microbiology ; pathology ; Radiography ; Sinusitis ; blood ; immunology ; microbiology ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Earthworm decoction on the airway inflammation of experimental bronchial asthma in guinea pigs and inquire into the mechanism in the decoction.

METHODForty-eight guinea pigs were randomly divided into six groups: the control group, the model group, the dexamethasone group, the Xiaoqinglong decoction group, the earthworm decoction large dosage group and the Earthworm decoction low dosage group, 8 guinea pigs in each group. Except the control group, the other groups were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) by a combination of intraperitional injection and repeated intranasal challenges to establish the guinea pigs asthma model. However, in the control group, normal saline was used. The morphological changes of bronchial tube, the lung tectology and the inflammation germ cell quantity of eosinophils (Eos), lymphocytes (Ly), neutrophils (Neu) and total blood cells in the blood and bronchoalveolar lavaga fluid (BALF) were examinated in each group respectively.

RESULTThe levels of Eos, Ly, Neu and total cell quantity in the blood and BALF after the earthworm decoction treatment in the large dosage group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P <0.01), and in the low dosage group were lower too (P <0.05). The Earthworm decoction large dosage could obviously improve the bronchial tube epidermis damage, the mucous membrane gland proliferation and hydrops, asthma pathology change and basilar membrane accumulation. Eos apoptosis was obsered in the bronchoalveolar, blood and BALF. The Earthworm decoction small dosage had a similar effect but slightly to the large dosage.

CONCLUSIONThe Earthworm decoction can lighten the airway inflammation in asthmatic guinea pigs, its mechanism is related with the inhibition of Eos infiltration, acceleration of Eos apoptosis and improvement of the bronchial tube and the lung tectology changes. The effect of the decoction is dose-dependent.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Bronchi ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Bronchitis ; pathology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Eosinophils ; pathology ; Guinea Pigs ; Leukocyte Count ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Neutrophils ; pathology ; Oligochaeta ; chemistry ; Ovalbumin ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation