OBJECTIVETo investigate the antiviral activity of 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride-modified ovalbumin (HP-OVA) against herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) in vitro.

METHODSBy chemical modification, ovalbumin (OVA) was treated with 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride (HP) to prepare HP-OVA. The anti-HSV-2 activity against HSV-2 333 virus in vitro and the cytotoxicity of HP-OVA in African green monkey kidney cells (Vero cells) were detected by MTT colorimetric assay. The inhibitory effects of HP-OVA on 17 strains of vaginal lactobacilli were observed by microscopy.

RESULTSAnhydride-modified ovalbumin significantly inhibited the infection by HSV-2 with an IC(50) of 23.56±8.33 µg/ml. HP-OVA showed only low cytotoxicity to the host cells with a CC(50) over 1 mg/ml. HP-OVA did not produce significant inhibitory effect on the 17 strains of vaginal lactobacilli (MIC>1 mg/ml).

CONCLUSIONAnhydride-modified protein HP-OVA exhibits potent anti-HSV-2 activity in vitro and can be a good microbicide candidate for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; drug effects ; Ovalbumin ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Phthalic Anhydrides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Vero Cells

Local anesthetics at a concentration of 10 mM(procaine and lidocaine) were found to inhibit competitively Ca++ binding to lipidextracted RBC membrane, and also to egg albumin film fixed on cover glasses or impregnated into Whatman filter paper (No. 1). A competitive inhibition by local anesthetics was also found in Ca++ binding to Whatman filter paper which had been pretreated with organic solvents to extract possible contaminated lipids. Therefore, it is suggested that the local anesthetics inhibit Ca++ binding not only to phospholipids but to some macromolecules such as membrane proteins, egg albumin film and filter paper.
Anesthetics, Local/pharmacology* ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Cell Membrane Permeability/drug effects ; Erythrocytes/cytology* ; Filtration ; Human ; Lidocaine/pharmacology ; Ovalbumin/metabolism* ; Procaine/pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) in lung slices from antigen -sensitized rats and the modulation by drugs.

METHODSIn isolated lung slices from ovalbumin(OVA)-sensitized rats, the relative expression of VCAM-1 was determined after drug treatment and OVA challenge.

RESULTThe expression of VCAM-1 was enhanced in the sensitized rat lungs,and OVA challenge did not further increase the expression. Glycocorticosteroid dexamethasone and leukotriene cysLT receptor antagonist ONO-1078 inhibited the expression,but tachykinin NK-1 receptor antagonist SR-140333 had no such effect.

CONCLUSIONVCAM-1 expression is enhanced in the sensitized rat lungs, and antigen challenge does not further up regulate the expression. Anti-inflammatory drugs have different effects on VCAM-1 expression. Dexamethasone and ONO-1078, but not SR-140333, can inhibit the expression.

Animals ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Female ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lung ; chemistry ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; Piperidines ; pharmacology ; Quinuclidines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis

To investigate the role of histamine in airway remodeling, 50 healthy guinea pigs were divided into 5 groups: control group: nebulized inhalation of distilled water for 8 weeks; asthma model group: nebulized inhalation of ovalbumin (OVA) for 8 weeks after sensitization; continued asthma model group: nebulized inhalation of OVA for 14 weeks after sensitization; histamine group: nebulized inhalation of OVA for 14 weeks after sensitization and histamine was added in the last 6 weeks; antagonist group: nebulized inhalation of OVA for 14 weeks after sensitization and histamine receptor antagonists were added in the last 6 weeks. For each group, the concentration of histamine, sodium ion (Na(+)), chlorine ion (Cl(-)), arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), pH, actual bicarbonate (AB), standard bicarbonate (SB) in serum, and thickness of airway mucosa, base membrane and smooth muscle were measured and compared with each other. The results showed that: (1) the concentration of histamine in serum and the thickness of airway increased, the following order was, the control group, the asthma model group, the continued asthma model group and histamine group (P<0.01); and the concentration of histamine in serum and the thickness of airway of antagonist group was lower than that of the continued asthma model group (P<0.05, 0.01). (2) PaO2 of the asthma model group was lower than that of the normal control group (P<0.01); PaO2, pH, AB, SB decreased, the following order was, the asthma model group, the continued asthma model group and the histamine group (P<0.01); and PaO2, pH, AB, SB of the antagonist group was higher than that of the continued asthma model group (P<0.01); but for PaCO2, the order was converse (P<0.01); For the concentration of Na(+) and Cl(-) in serum, there was no difference among these groups. It is concluded that: (1) Histamine is one of the mediators in the airway remodeling of asthma. (2) Histamine receptor antagonists may play a role in preventing and treating airway remodeling. (3) There is a negative correlation between the PaO2, pH and the wall thickness of the airway (P<0.01), while a positive correlation between the PaCO2, anion gap (AG) and the wall thickness of the airway (P<0.01).
Airway Remodeling ; physiology ; Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Guinea Pigs ; Histamine ; physiology ; Histamine Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and mechanism of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on apoptosis of pulmonary eosinophiles (PE) in asthmatic guinea-pigs.

METHODSThirty guinea-pigs were divided into 3 groups at random, the control group, the asthmatic group and the As2O3 group. The dosage of As2O3 used was 2 mg/kg. The apoptotic PE were labelled by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling technique, and the PE infiltration and apoptosis were detected quantitatively using computerized image analysis technique.

RESULTSIn the control group, the amount of infiltrating PE was 4.4 +/- 2.5 cells/HP and the PE apoptotic index (AI) was 0.42 +/- 0.08%. In the asthmatic group, the amount increased (P < 0.01) and AI decreased significantly (P < 0.01). After the asthmatic animals had been treated with As2O3, the two parameters changed reversedly significantly (P < 0.01), and there was a significantly negative correlation between them (r = -0.949, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe PE apoptosis abnormality is one of the important mechanisms that cause bronchial asthma, As2O3 could alleviate the airway inflammation through promoting PE apoptosis and lower PE infiltration. Low dose of As2O3 is proved to be effective with relative safety, it also has potential value in treating asthma.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Eosinophils ; pathology ; Guinea Pigs ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether or not lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ovalbumin (OA) prime rat peripheral leukocytes, the effect of sensitization on priming and the role of phospholipase D in priming.

METHODSThe peripheral leukocytes were separated and purified from sensitized or unsensitized rats. LPS or OA was used as a priming agent and formylmethionylphenylalanine (fMLP) as an activating agent. Degradation of leukocyte was determined by measurement of elastase release and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Phospholipase D (PLD) activity was assayed by the generation of choline,which was measured by choline-oxidase-catalyzed formation of H(2)O(2) and Trinder reaction.

RESULTCompared with cells treated by fMLP alone,leukocytes from unsensitized rat challenged with fMLP after incubated with LPS released more elastase and MPO (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between leukocytes challenged with fMLP after incubated with OA and fMLP treated alone. In sensitized rat,there was no difference between leukocytes challenged with fMLP after incubated with LPS and fMLP treated alone. But leukocytes challenged with fMLP after incubated with OA released significantly more elastase and MPO than fMLP treated alone (P<0.05). A significant correlation was obtained between the release of elastase and PLD activity (r(s)=0.51,P<0.01), and also between the release of MPO and PLD activity (r(s)=0.73,P<0.01) in unsensitized rat. In sensitized rat, it was 0.48 (P<0.01) and 0.37 (P<0.05) respectively.

CONCLUSION(1) LPS primes peripheral leukocytes from unsensitized rats; (2) OA primes peripheral leukocytes from actively sensitized rats; (3) PLD plays a role in priming of rat peripheral leukocytes.

Animals ; Leukocyte Elastase ; secretion ; Leukocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine ; pharmacology ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; Peroxidase ; blood ; Phospholipase D ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE: To investigate 18β-sodium glycyrrhetinic acid impact on nasal mucosa epithelial cilia in rat models of allergic rhinitis (AR). METHOD: AR models were established by ovalbumin-induction. Wister rats were randomly divided into groups as normal group, model group, budesonide (0.2 mg/kg) group and sodium glycyrrhetinic acid (20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) group after the success of AR models. At 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment, the behavioral changes of rats were observed and recorded, and nasal septum mucosae were collected after 2 week and 4 week intervention, and the morphological changes of nasal mucosae were observed by electron microscope. RESULT: Model group developed typical AR symptoms, the total score in all animals was > 5. With budesonide and sodium glycyrrhetinic acid treatment, the AR symptoms were relieved, and the total scores were reduced significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group: after 2 weeks' intervention, thick mucous secretions on the top of columnar epithelium cilia in rat nasal mucosa was significantly reduced, and cilia adhesion, lodging, shedding were relieved in budesonide group and sodium glycyrrhetinic acid group, the relieve in budesonide group was slightly better than that in sodium glycyrrhetinic acid group; after 4 week intervention, Cilia adhesion, lodging, shedding were completely vanished, and the cilia were ranged in regular direction in budesonide group and sodium glycyrrhetinic acid group. Cilia in sodium glycyrrhetinic acid (20 mg/kg) group was more orderly, smooth than that in budesonide group and sodium glycyrrhetinic acid group (40 mg/kg), and the condition of cilia in sodium glycyrrhetinic acid group (20 mg/kg) was similar to the normal group. CONCLUSION 18β-sodium glycyrrhetinic acid is effective to restrain the pathological changes of nasal mucosa cilia in rat models of AR.
Animals ; Budesonide ; pharmacology ; Cilia ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Nasal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Ovalbumin ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVEThrough the establishment of mouse' ovalbumin- sensitized asthmatic model and the observation of the 8-Isoprostane of plasm, to evaluate the therapeutic effects of arsenolite on asthmatic mice.

METHODForty-two healthy Kunming male mice were randomly divided into control group and experience groups, the latter were treated with dexamethasone, arsenolite. Lung function were tested, 8-isoprostane of plasm and WBC of BALF were measured.

RESULTLung function improved after treating with dexamethasone or arsenolite. The WBC of asthmatic mice were significantly higher than those in control group, and decreased after treating with dexamethasone or arsenolite; 8-Isoprostane of plasm in asthmatic mice was higher than that of control group, and decreased after treating with dexamethasone or arsenolite.

CONCLUSIONThere is oxidant stress status in asthmatic mice. Arsenolite could lighten airway obstruction, reduce airway high response and redress oxidant stress status in asthmatic mice.

Animals ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; pharmacology ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; blood ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Dinoprost ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Ovalbumin ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Respiratory Function Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine in allergic airway inflammation of SD rats.

METHODSSD rats were immunized and challenged by chicken ovalbumin (OVA). Airway responsiveness, acetylcholine (Ach) provocation concentration needed to increase baseline airway resistance by 200% (PC(200)) were measured.

RESULTSThe value of baseline airway resistance in asthma group was significantly higher than that in control group (2.282 +/- 0.128 vs 3.193 +/- 0.239; P < 0.01). After multiple ovalbumin exposures, airway responsiveness to intravenous injection of acetylcholine decreased significantly (-LogPC(200): 4.006 +/- 0.554 vs 2.059 +/- 0.262; P < 0.01). Bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue specimen analysis indicated that airway allergic inflammation was present.

CONCLUSIONSThe study demonstrates a dissociation between the bronchoconstrictor response and bronchial hyper-responsiveness and indicates that multiple ovalbumin exposures induces persistent bronchoconstriction with airway hypo-responsiveness despite airway allergic inflammation.

Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Airway Resistance ; Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Bronchi ; drug effects ; physiology ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; etiology ; Bronchoconstriction ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDAirway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is one of the most important characteristics of asthma. This study investigated the parameters, by which assess the airway responsiveness under tidal ventilation.

METHODSFemale BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) (group A), and part of them were treated with budesonide aerosol (group B). All the mice were anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated. The values of tidal volume (Vt), airway pressure (PA), airway flow (F), expiratory lung resistance (RL) and dynamic compliance of the thorax and lung (CT-L) were recorded by the AniRes2003 animal lung function system. In addition, the expiratory volume in the first 0.1 second after the start of expiration (EV0.1) was obtained according to the flow-volume (F-V) curve. The maximal or minimal values of EV0.1, RL and CT-L were documented after each dose of methacholine (MCH) and compared with values from negative control group (group C).

RESULTS(1) When the dose of MCH reached 100 ng/g or 200 ng/g, the decrease of Vt in group A was much more significant than group C (P = 0.001, < 0.001 respectively), but not so between groups B and group C (P = 0.974, 0.362 respectively). (2) With the dose of 25, 50, 100 or 200 ng/g MCH, the decrease in percentage of EV0.1 in group A was much higher than group C (P = 0.012, 0.025, 0.001, 0.003 respectively), while that in group B showed no significant difference as compared with group C (P = 0.507, 0.896, 0.972, 0.785). (3) RL and CT-L: with the dose of 200 ng/g MCH, there was a statistically significant increase of RL in group A compared to group B or group C (P < 0.001, < 0.001 respectively), but no significant difference between groups B and C (P = 0.266). With doses of 100 ng/g and 200 ng/g MCH, there was a statistically significant decrease of CT-L in group A compared to group B (P = 0.001, = 0.001) and group C (P < 0.001, < 0.001 respectively), but no significant difference between groups B and C (P = 0.775, 0.310). (4) Histopathology: there were eosinophilic predominant peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory influx in murine lungs after OVA sensitizing and challenging, which could be counteracted by inhalation of budesonide in group B.

CONCLUSIONSThe decline in EV0.1 in response to MCH challenge correlated with simultaneous changes in Vt, RL and CT-L, but more sensitively than all the other parameters. The decline in EV0.1 and inflammation in murine lung could be significantly alleviated by inhalation of nebulized budesonide solution, which indicated that EV0.1 to MCH is a valid measure of AHR in mice.

Airway Resistance ; drug effects ; Animals ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; drug therapy ; Budesonide ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Lung Compliance ; drug effects ; Methacholine Chloride ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ovalbumin ; immunology