PURPOSE: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is known to be the only therapeutic modality to alter the natural course of allergic diseases. However, at least 3 years of treatment is recommended for achieving long-term disease modifying effect. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with immunotherapy non-adherence in real practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, asthma, or atopic dermatitis, and received AIT to common allergens such as house dust mite and/or pollens from January 2007 to August 2014. In this study, non-adherence was defined as not completing 3 years of AIT. RESULTS: Among 1162 patients enrolled, 228 (19.6%) failed to complete 3 years of AIT. In multivariate analysis, age less than 20 years [odds ratio (OR) 3.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.70–5.69] and 20 to 40 years (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.17–3.43), cluster build-up (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.05–3.02) and ultra-rush build-up schedules (OR 5.46, 95% CI 2.40–12.43), and absence of visit to other departments in the same hospital (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.05–3.32) were independently associated with immunotherapy non-adherence. Disease duration of 5–10 years was negatively associated with non-adherence compared to shorter disease duration of less than 5 years (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40–0.94). Although male sex and commercial product of AIT, Tyrosine S®, compared to Novo-Helisen® were non-adherent factors in univariate analysis, no statistical significances were identified in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Various factors are associated with immunotherapy adherence affecting the utility of immunotherapy. Clinicians should be aware of factors associated with adherence to maximize the utility of allergen-specific subcutaneous immunotherapy.
Allergens ; Appointments and Schedules ; Asthma ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pollen ; Pyroglyphidae ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Tyrosine

PURPOSE: Japanese hop (Humulus spp.) and mugwort (Artemisia spp.) are notable causes of autumn pollinosis in East Asia. However, Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts, which are widely used for the diagnosis, have not been standardized. This study was performed to standardize Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Allergen extracts were prepared in a standardized way using locally collected Humulus japonicus and purchased Artemisia vulgaris pollens. The immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivities of prepared extracts were compared with commercial extracts via IgE immunoblotting and inhibition analyses. Intradermal skin tests were performed to determine the bioequivalent allergy unit (BAU). RESULTS: The IgE reactive components of the extracts via IgE immunoblotting were similar to those of commercial extracts. A 11-kDa allergen showed the strongest IgE reactivity in Japanese hop, as did a 28-kDa allergen in mugwort pollen extracts. Allergenic potencies of the investigatory Japanese hop and mugwort extracts were essentially indistinguishable from the commercial ones. Sums of erythema of 50 mm by the intradermal skin test (SigmaED50) were calculated to be 14.4th and 13.6th three-fold dilutions for Japanese hop and mugwort extracts, respectively. Therefore, the allergenic activity of the prepared extracts was 90827.4 BAU/mg for Japanese hop and 34412 BAU/mg for mugwort. CONCLUSION: We produced Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts using a standardized method. Standardized Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts will facilitate the production of improved diagnostic and immunotherapeutic reagents.
Allergens/*analysis/*immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; *Artemisia ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/blood/immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E/blood/*immunology ; Pollen/*chemistry/*immunology ; Reference Standards ; Republic of Korea ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution of allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis during from 2008 to 2015 in Changzhou area. METHOD: Allergy Screen method was used to detect the specifical-allergen IgE levels of 1172 patients with allergic rhinitis. Among the patients, the distribution of all allergens was analyzed. The positive rate was compared with age, gender, season and so on. RESULT: The most common allergens in allergic rhinitis patients in Changzhou were dust mite, fungus, house dust, milk, dander of dog, weed mixture, farina and dander of cat. The more higher positive rates of dust mite, fungus, house dust, milk, dander of dog, dander of cat, eggs were found in teenager group than adult group (P < 0.05). There were more higer positive rates of weed mixture, farina, cashew, cockroaches and crab in teenager group than adult group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of positive rate between female group and male group. There was significant difference of variation with seasons. CONCLUSION Dust mite, fungus and house dust were the most common allergens among patiens with allergic rhinitis in Changzhou area. The positive rates of allergens varied with ages and seasons.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Cats ; China ; Dogs ; Dust ; Eggs ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Pollen ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; diagnosis ; Seasons

The present study is to determine the flavonoid glycosides, terpene lactones, biflavones, gingko acid and procyanidins of ginkgo pollen. UPLC-TQ-MS technology was used for the determination of 24 kinds of resource chemical composition in ginkgo pollen qualitatively and quantitatively. The results shows that the contents of rutin, quercetion 3-O-[4-O-(α-L-rhamnosyl )-β-D-glucoside] and kaempferolis were 120.9, 114.0, 222.1 μg x g(-1). In this paper, the contents of 24 kinds of chemical components of ginkgo pollen were determinated by UPLC-TQ-MS for the first time. This method is simple and quick, which will be benefit for recycling utilization of ginkgo pollen.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Pollen ; chemistry ; Proanthocyanidins ; analysis ; Rutin ; analysis ; Terpenes ; analysis

OBJECTIVE: Understand the main types and characteristics of inhaled allergens in allergic rhinitis patients in Urumqi, Xinjiang, and provide theoretical basis for diagnosis, treatment, prevention of local allergic rhinitis and epidemiological investigation. METHOD: Inhaled allergen detecting on suspected patients with allergic rhinitis in clinic by the allergopharma skin prick test. Group the skin prick test positive patients of 340 samples according to their nationality, age and gender, then compare the inhaled allergen differences between them. RESULT: The total positive rate with allergic rhinitis prick test in 340 cases is 94.7%, of which the highest proportion is Artemisia (66.2%), followed by Chenopodium album (51.2%), poplar (42.6%), Ulmus (40.9%), Liu (33.8%), Timothy (27.6%), dust mite (21.2%), house dust mite (17.9%), ragweed (15.9%), dog (11.2%), cat (10.6%), cockroach (8.5%), Alternaria (5.6%) and Candida albicans (3.5%). The sensitivity of poplar, willow, Timothy and Alternaria of the minority group is higher than the Han group (P<0.05). The allergen positive rate difference among different age group has statistical significance (Χ2=59.076, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Artemisia, Chenopodiaceae, poplar and elm are the main allergens in Urumqi area. There is a difference in allergen sensitivity between Minority and Han nationality patients. There is no statistical significance on inhaled allergen positive rate between different genders. Specific allergens can provide basis for the prevention and control of allergic diseases in Urumqi area.
Allergens ; analysis ; Alternaria ; Animals ; Cats ; Cockroaches ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dogs ; Ethnic Groups ; Humans ; Pollen ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; pathology ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to investigate the nutraceutical potential of monofloral Indian mustard bee pollen (MIMBP).

METHODSThe nutritional value of MIMBP was examined in terms of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and energy value. Its chemical composition in terms of total polyphenol and flavonoid content was determined. MIMBP was screened for free flavonoid aglycones by developing and validating a high-performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) method. MIMBP was analyzed for in vitro antioxidant effect in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity.

RESULTSMIMBP was found to be comprised of proteins ((182.2±5.9) g/kg), fats ((137.7±6.8) g/kg) and carbohydrates ((560.6±17.4) g/kg), which result in its high energy value ((17 616.7±78.6) kJ/kg). MIMBP was found to contain polyphenols ((18 286.1±374.0) mg gallic acid equivalent/kg) and flavonoids ((1 223.5±53.1) mg quercetin equivalent/kg). The HPLC-PDA analysis revealed the presence of kaempferol ((65.4±0.5) mg/kg) and quercetin ((51.4±0.4) mg/kg) in MIMBP, which can be used as markers for determining the quality of bee pollen. The MIMBP extract showed DPPH free radical-scavenging activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 54.79 μg/mL.

CONCLUSIONThe MIMBP was found to be a rich source of nutrients providing high caloric value, which makes it a candidate for a potential nutraceutical agent. The study also illustrated the high antioxidant content of MIMBP, especially in the principle polyphenols and flavonoids, which suggests its potential role in the prevention of free radical-implicated diseases. The DPPH-scavenging effect of MIMBP further confirmed its antioxidant potential. Additionally, we developed a simple, specific and accurate HPLC-PDA method for the identification and quantification of free flavonoid aglycones. This can be applied in future screenings of the quality of pollen collected by honeybees.

Animals ; Bees ; chemistry ; Dietary Supplements ; analysis ; Free Radical Scavengers ; analysis ; Mustard Plant ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Pollen ; chemistry ; Polyphenols ; analysis

AIM: To establish an LC-MS/MS method for determination of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside and investigate its application on pharmacokinetic study in rats. METHODS: Eight rats were given 5 mg·kg(-1) isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside after intravenous administration. A highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidosidein rat plasma using rutin as internal standard. The analytes and rutin (internal standard) were extracted with methanol followed by a rapid isocratic elution with 10 mmol·L(-1) ammonium acetate buffer/methanol (20 : 80, V/V) on a C18 column (150 mm × 2.1 mm, I.D., 5 μm) and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry in the multi-eaction-monitoring mode. RESULTS: The assays were linear over the concentration range of 0.01-10 μg·mL(-1) for isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidosidein rat plasma. The lower limit of quantifications for isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside was 0.01 μg·mL(-1). CONCLUSION The validated method is successfully applied to determine the plasma concentrations of isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidosidein in rats.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Flavonols ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Pollen ; chemistry ; Rats ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Typhaceae ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the allergens distribution of 576 allergic rhinitis patients in Qingyang, and to provide basic epidemiologic information for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Skin prick test was done to all the 576 patients with allergic rhinitis with 28 kinds of allergens. RESULT: Four hundred and eighty cases (83.3%) showed positive reaction to at least one allergen of 28 allergens. The most common allergens were Magwort (73.3%), Giant Ragweed (55.0%) Tree II (51.7%), Tree I (48.3%) Dermatophagoides farinae (43.3%) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (36.7%). Moreover. the positivity decreased with age. There was no difference between male and female. CONCLUSION The study shows that Magwort. Giant ragweed and tree II are the most important allergens on Qingyang district.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; analysis ; classification ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Pollen ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the immunological characteristics of the recombinant major pollen allergen pTSX2 of Humulus scandens and evaluate its safety in immunotherapy of allergic asthma in mice.

METHODSWestern blotting was used to characterize the immunological properties of pTSX2, and its immunogenicity in normal mice was evaluated by detecting sIgG and sIgE levels. The mouse models of allergic asthma were immunized with pTSX2 and examined for sIgE and sIgG levels, total cells and eosinophils percentage in BALF, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels in BALF and spleen homogenate, and changes in lung pathologies.

RESULTSWestern blotting showed that pTSX2 reacted with the majority (about 70%) of sera from patients allergic to Humulus pollen. In normal mice, pTSX2 mainly induced the production of sIgG. In mouse models of allergic asthma, intervention with pTSX2 caused a significant reduction of sIgE and an increase of sIgG (P<0.05), significantly decreased the total cells and eosinophils in BALF (P<0.05), obviously lowered IL-4 but increased IFN-γ in BALF and spleen homogenate (P<0.05), and diminished inflammatory cell infiltration and percentage of eosinophils in the lung tissues.

CONCLUSIONSpTSX2 shows a definite therapeutic effect and safety in the treatment of allergic asthma in mice possibly by inhibiting sIgE and inducing sIgG production, suppressing airway allergic inflammation and regulating the balance between Thl and Th2.

Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Asthma ; immunology ; therapy ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Humulus ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunotherapy ; Interferon-gamma ; analysis ; Interleukin-4 ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pollen ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; cytology ; immunology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of common allergens responsible for cases with allergic rhinitis in Tianjin district. METHOD: A total of 676 cases who are diagnosed with allergic rhinitis in Tianjin district, underwent a skin prick tests with 23 kinds of inhaling allergens and 20 kinds of ingestive ones. The samples were stratified on four age group. Then, an analysis was made to determine the distributive characteristics of allergens responsible for difference groups. RESULT: Among the surveyed local 676 cases with allergic rhinitis, higher positive rates was all inhaling group of allergens. CONCLUSION It is concluded that the mostly responsible common allergens for attacks of allergic rhinitis among local cases in Tianjin district are mites, flowers pollen in inhaling group of allergens.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Allergens ; analysis ; immunology ; Animals ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mites ; immunology ; Pollen ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult