BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mast cell is a key cell in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. It is expected that apoptosis of mast cell is an important step that can lead to treatment of allergic rhinitis. Meanwhile, the cyclosporin A (CsA) is immunosuppresant agent to inhibit the action of various immune cells. The purpose of this study is to identify whether CsA directly induces apoptosis of mast cells in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHOD: After the culture of p815 cells, mouse mastocytoma cells, the cells were treated with 1 micrometer, 2 micrometer, 5 micrometer, and 10 micrometer CsA, and then LD50 of p815 cells were calculated by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay. For identification of apoptosis of p815 cells, electrophoresis and flow cytometry after CsA treatment were done and morphological changes in light microscope was observed. We also quantified apoptotic cells by TUNEL assay and Hoechst stain. RESULTS: The LD50 of p815 cells is 9.87 micrometer after CsA treatment during 24 hours, 6.11 micrometer during 48 hours and 6.21 micrometer during 72 hours. With the higher concentration of CsA treatment, the greater effect on apoptosis of p815 cells was revealed. We observed laddering pattern for DNA fragmentation in electrophoresis. Nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation of p815 cells was observed under the light microscope. Results of flow cytometry were similar to the MTT assay results. Quantification of apoptotic p185 cells by TUNEL assay and Hoechst stain were calculated. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis of mast cells can be induced by CsA treatment in vitro.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Chromatin ; Cyclosporine* ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Flow Cytometry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Mast Cells* ; Mastocytoma ; Mice ; Rhinitis

Assessing human exposure to food-borne hazards requires standardized assessment tools. The objective of this study was to validate a newly developed dietary assessment questionnaire to assess human exposure to food-borne hazards, which include dietary behavior and food consumption patterns such as eating frequency, types of food containers and cooking methods. A total of 216 adults were recruited for two questionnaire surveys (questionnaire 1 and 2) about 1 week apart with a 3 day diet record. Reproducibility was evaluated by comparing responses from questionnaires 1 and 2, and validity was checked by comparing responses from questionnaire 2 and the 3 day diet record. Comparisons were based on the percent agreement and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The mean exact agreement of food containers at purchase between questionnaires 1 and 2 was 73.5%, for storing containers it was 71.9%, and for cooking methods it was 83.0%. The mean correlation coefficient for food intake frequency between questionnaires 1 and 2 was 0.71 (range, 0.50?0.83). The mean correlation coefficient of the food intake frequency between questionnaire 2 and the 3 day diet record was 0.21 (range, 0.04-0.48). The exact and adjacent agreement of food intake frequency quartile assessed by questionnaire 2 and the 3 day diet record was 65.4% (range, 51.0-82.1%). Although the correlation coefficient for food intake frequency between questionnaire 2 and the 3 day diet record was low, the exact and adjacent food intake frequency agreement was higher than 50% and reproducibility of the dietary behaviors exceeded 70%. Therefore, the questionnaire developed in this study could be applied to assess diets for the human exposure to food-borne hazards as a qualitative assessment in a large population.
Adult ; Cooking ; Diet ; Diet Records ; Eating ; Food Packaging ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The aim of this study was to develop a reliable dietary questionnaire to assess human exposure to food-borne hazards. Eleven food-borne hazards were chosen as a priority control list through a literature review and advisory committees. The 11 food-borne hazards were phthalate, aflatoxin, bisphenol A, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and acrylamide. The characteristics, exposure level, and paths of these hazards were reviewed, and questionnaire items were identified to assess human exposure from the literature. A questionnaire was developed for each selected food based on its characteristics. Based on the items in the individual questionnaires, a comprehensive questionnaire, which contained demographic characteristics, job information, socioeconomic factors, health related lifestyles, and dietary behaviors, was developed. A 99-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess food-borne hazard exposure was also developed. The FFQ included frequency of food intake during the previous year, container type for purchasing and storing food, and cooking method. The questionnaire developed in this study could be applied to assess dietary factors during an exposure assessment of food-borne hazards in a large population. A validation study for the questionnaire is needed before applying it to surveys.
Acrylamide ; Advisory Committees ; Aflatoxins ; Arsenic ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; Cadmium ; Cooking ; Eating ; Humans ; Life Style ; Phenols ; Phthalic Acids ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Socioeconomic Factors