This study aimed to investigate the correlation between changes in intestinal toxicity and compositional alterations of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix(commonly known as Langdu) before and after milk processing, and to explore the detoxification mechanism of milk processing. Mice were intragastrically administered the 95% ethanol extract of raw Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix, milk-decocted(milk-processed), and water-decocted(water-processed) Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. Fecal morphology, fecal water content, and the release levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in different intestinal segments were used as indicators to evaluate the effects of different processing methods on the cathartic effect and intestinal inflammatory toxicity of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. LC-MS/MS was employed to analyze the small-molecule components in the raw product, the 95% ethanol extract of the milk-processed product, and the milky waste(precipitate) formed during milk processing, to assess the impact of milk processing on the chemical composition of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. The results showed that compared with the blank group, both the raw and water-processed Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix significantly increased the fecal morphology score, fecal water content, and the release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in various intestinal segments(P<0.05). Compared with the raw group, all indicators in the milk-processed group significantly decreased(P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in the water-processed group, indicating that milk, as an adjuvant in processing, plays a key role in reducing the intestinal toxicity of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. Mass spectrometry results revealed that 29 components were identified in the raw product, including 28 terpenoids and 1 acetophenone. The content of these components decreased to varying extents after milk processing. A total of 28 components derived from Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix were identified in the milky precipitate, of which 27 were terpenoids, suggesting that milk processing promotes the transfer of toxic components from Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix into milk. To further investigate the effect of milk adjuvant processing on the toxic terpenoid components of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix, transmission electron microscopy(TEM) was used to observe the morphology of self-assembled casein micelles(the main protein in milk) in the milky precipitate. The micelles formed in casein-terpenoid solutions were characterized using particle size analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy. TEM observations confirmed the presence of casein micelles in the milky precipitate. Characterization results showed that with increasing concentrations of toxic terpenoids, the average particle size of casein micelles increased, fluorescence intensity of the solution decreased, the maximum absorption wavelength in the UV spectrum shifted, and significant changes occurred in the infrared spectrum, indicating that interactions occurred between casein micelles and toxic terpenoid components. These findings indicate that the cathartic effect of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix becomes milder and its intestinal inflammatory toxicity is reduced after milk processing. The detoxification mechanism is that terpenoid components in Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix reassemble with casein in milk to form micelles, promoting the transfer of some terpenoids into the milky precipitate.
Animals ; Mice ; Milk/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Male ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/immunology* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Female

BACKGROUNDInflammation is supposed to play a key role in the pathophysiological processes of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IIRI), and Candida albicans in human gut commonly elevates inflammatory cytokines in intestinal mucosa. This study aimed to explore the effect of C. albicans on IIRI.

METHODSFifty female Wistar rats were divided into five groups according to the status of C. albicans infection and IIRI operation: group blank and sham; group blank and IIRI; group cefoperazone plus IIRI; group C. albicans plus cefoperazone and IIRI (CCI); and group C. albicans plus cefoperazone and sham. The levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-μ, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and diamine oxidase (DAO) measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to evaluate the inflammation reactivity as well as the integrity of small intestine. Histological scores were used to assess the mucosal damage, and the C. albicans blood translocation was detected to judge the permeability of intestinal mucosal barrier.

RESULTSThe levels of inflammatory factors TNF-μ, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum and intestine were higher in rats undergone both C. albicans infection and IIRI operation compared with rats in other groups. The levels of DAO (serum: 44.13 ± 4.30 pg/ml, intestine: 346.21 ± 37.03 pg/g) and Chiu scores (3.41 ± 1.09) which reflected intestinal mucosal disruption were highest in group CCI after the operation. The number of C. albicans translocated into blood was most in group CCI ([33.80 ± 6.60] ×102 colony forming unit (CFU)/ml).

CONCLUSIONIntestinal C. albicans infection worsened the IIRI-induced disruption of intestinal mucosal barrier and facilitated the subsequent C. albicans translocation and dissemination.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; pathogenicity ; Cefoperazone ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Intestines ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; immunology ; metabolism ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effect of matrine on nitric oxide (NO) and asymmetric methylarginine (ADMA) metabolism pathways in serum and tissues of mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced intestine tissue inflammation.

METHODKunming mice were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control group, the LPS group and matrine (80, 40, 20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) groups. The mice were intragastrically administered with drugs for 3 d (distilled water of the same volume for the normal control group and the LPS group). One hour after the last intragastrical administration, normal saline or LPS (1 mg x kg(-1)) were intraperitoneally injected. Twelve hours later, serum and tissues were collected to determine NO and ADMA levels and observe the pathological changes of intestinal tissues. The Western blot method was adopted to detect the protein expressions of arginine methyltransferases 1 (PRMT1) and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH2) in intestinal tissues.

RESULTCompared with the model group, matrine (80, 40, 20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) groups showed lower NO content in serum and tissues, higher ADMA level in serum and increased PRMT1 expression in intestinal tissues, but without effect on DDAH2 expression.

CONCLUSIONMatrine could inhibit LPS-induced intestine tissue inflammation in mice. Its action mechanism is related to the decreased NO content in serum and tissues and increased ADMA level in serum and PRMT1 expression in intestinal tissues.

Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Arginine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intestinal Diseases ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Intestines ; drug effects ; enzymology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; metabolism ; Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Quinolizines ; administration & dosage

BACKGROUNDDiarrhea is a common clinical feature of ulcerative colitis resulting from unbalanced intestinal fluid and salt absorption and secretion. The Cl(-)/HCO3(-) exchanger SLC26A3 is strongly expressed in the mid-distal colon and plays an essential role in colonic Cl(-) absorption and HCO3(-) secretion. Slc26a3 expression is up-regulated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in vitro. Our study was designed to investigate the effects of LPA on SLC26A3 expression and the diarrheal phenotype in a mouse colitis model.

METHODSColitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by adding 4% of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to the drinking water. The mice were assigned to LPA treatment DSS group, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) treatment DSS group, DSS only group and untreated mice with a completely randomized design. Diarrhea severity was evaluated by measuring mice weight, disease activity index (DAI), stool water content and macroscopic evaluation of colonic damage. The effect of LPA treatment on Slc26a3 mRNA level and protein expression in the different groups of mice was investigated by quantitative PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSAll mice treated with DSS lost weight, but the onset and severity of weight loss was attenuated in the LPA treatment DSS group. The increases in stool water content and the macroscopic inflammation score in LPA treatment DSS group were significantly lower compared to DSS control group or PBS treatment DSS group ((18.89±8.67)% vs. (28.97±6.95)% or (29.48±6.71)%, P = 0.049, P = 0.041, respectively and 2.67±0.81 vs. 4.5±0.83 or 4.5±0.54, P = 0.020, P = 0.006, respectively), as well as the increase in DAI (P = 0.004, P = 0.008, respectively). LPA enema resulted in higher Slc26a3 mRNA and protein expression levels compared to PBS-treated and untreated DSS colitis mice.

CONCLUSIONLPA increases Slc26a3 expression in the inflamed intestine and reduces diarrhea severity in DSS-induced colitis, suggesting LPA might be a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of colitis associated diarrhea.

Animals ; Antiporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Colitis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Colon ; immunology ; metabolism ; Dextran Sulfate ; pharmacology ; Dextrans ; pharmacology ; Diarrhea ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Female ; Immunoblotting ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lysophospholipids ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

AIM: Euphorbia kansui (E. KS) is a traditional medicine used in China for thousands of years with the effect of propulsion in the gastrointestines. However, there is no reported study of E. KS on gastrointestinal motility until now. The aim of this work is to study the effect of E. KS on the propulsion of gastrointestines, and to elucidate the possible mechanism of action. METHODS: E.KS was prepared as a 30% ethanol extract and used for the experiment of small and large intestines of mice by oral administration with three different dosages (1.2, 0.6 and 0.3 g·kg(-1)). The feces were observed in vivo. The morphology was carried out to detect if there are any changes in the intestines after the extract of E. KS administration. The assays of mRNA and protein expression were employed to observe IL-1β, TNFα and caspase 3. RESULTS: It was shown that the extract of E.KS promoted diarrhea in mouse feces after administration, inhibited the contraction of smooth muscle of mouse small intestine and caused the inflammatory exudation on the mucosa of the intestines, enhanced the expression of both mRNA and the protein levels of IL-1β and TNFα in the small or large intestines. CONCLUSION The results showed that the extract of E. KS acted on the intestinal smooth muscle with propulsion of feces involving the irritation of the intestines with acute inflammatory reactions.
Animals ; Diarrhea ; etiology ; genetics ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Euphorbia ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Intestines ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Plant Roots ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; immunology

Many immune down-regulatory molecules have been isolated from parasites, including cystatin (cystain protease inhibitor). In a previous study, we isolated and characterized Type I cystatin (CsStefin-1) of the liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis. To investigate whether the CsStefin-1 might be a new host immune modulator, we induced intestinal inflammation in mice by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and treated them with recombinant CsStefin-1 (rCsStefin-1). The disease activity index (DAI) increased in DSS only-treated mice. In contrast, the DAI value was significantly reduced in rCsStefin-1-treated mice than DSS only-treated mice. In addition, the colon length of DSS only-treated mice was shorter than that of rCsStefin-1 treated mice. The secretion levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were significantly increased by DSS treatment, but the level of TNF-alpha in MLNs was significantly decreased by rCsStefin-1 treatment. IL-10 production in both spleen and MLNs was significantly increased, and IL-10+F4/80+ macrophage cells were significantly increased in the spleen and MLNs of rCsStefin-1 treated mice after DSS treatment. In conclusion, rCsStefin-1 could reduce the intestinal inflammation occurring after DSS treatment, these effects might be related with recruitment of IL-10 secreting macrophages.
Animals ; Antigens, Differentiation/analysis ; Clonorchis sinensis/*enzymology ; Colon/pathology ; Cystatins/*metabolism ; Cytokines/secretion ; Dextran Sulfate/toxicity ; Female ; Helminth Proteins/*metabolism ; Immunologic Factors/*metabolism ; Inflammation/chemically induced/*pathology ; Interleukin-10/analysis ; Intestines/*drug effects/pathology ; Lymph Nodes/immunology ; Macrophages/chemistry/*immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Severity of Illness Index ; Spleen/immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) combined with mucin on the ability of proliferation and migration of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) after being treated by burn rat serum.

METHODSThe rat IEC-6 cell lines were subcultured and divided into control group (C, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% calf serum), burn serum group (BS, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% burn rat serum), burn serum + ITF group (B + I, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% burn rat serum and 25 microg/mL ITF), burn serum + mucin group (B + M, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% burn rat serum and 250 microg/mL mucin), and burn serum + ITF + mucin group (B + I + M, cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% burn rat serum, 25 microg/mL ITF, and 250 microg/mL mucin) according to the random number table. Cells were counted on post culture day (PCD) 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, reflecting cell proliferation ability. Cell migration distance was measured at post scratch hour (PSH) 12, 24, 36, 48, 72. Then, cells of each group were placed in upper compartment of Transwell chamber while the corresponding medium was respectively added into lower compartment of Transwell chamber. Cells in lower compartment of Transwell chamber were counted at post culture hour (PCH) 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, reflecting cytomorphosis ability. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTS(1) Cell proliferation ability. The cell numbers in BS group on PCD 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 were significantly less than those in C group (with t values from -16.569 to -2.613, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The cell number showed no statistical difference between B + I and BS groups, and between B + M and BS groups at each time point (with t values respectively from 0.037 to 0.740 and 0.116 to 0.429, P values all above 0.05). The cell number in B + I + M group on PCD 2 was respectively larger than that in BS group (t = 6.484, P < 0.01) and B + I group ( t = 3.838, P < 0.01). (2) Cell migration distance in BS group at PSH 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 was significantly shorter than that in C group (with t values from -37.594 to -6.727, P values all below 0.01). There was no obvious difference in cell migration distance between BS and B + M groups at each time point (with t values from 0.055 to 0.589, P values all above 0.05). Cell migration distance in B + I group at PSH 12, 24, 36 was respectively (47 +/- 6), (126 +/- 13), (170 +/- 11) microm, all longer than those in BS group [(42 +/- 7), (98 +/- 14), (154 +/- 22) microm, with t values from 2.230 to 4.817, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]. Cell migration distance in BS group at PSH 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and B + I group at PSH 12, 24, 36, 48 was respectively shorter than that in B + I + M group (with t values respectively from 2.982 to 7.390 and 2.707 to 2.918, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (3) Cytomorphosis ability. Compared with those of C group, cell counts in lower compartment of BS group at PCH 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 were significantly decreased (with t values from -23.965 to -6.436, P values all below 0.01). Cell count in lower compartment of BS group at PCH 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 was respectively less than that of B + I group (with t values from 3.650 to 10.028, P values all below 0.01) and similar to that of B + M group (with t values from 0.199 to 0.797, P values all above 0.05). Cell counts in lower compartment of B + I + M group at PCH 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 were significantly larger than those of BS group (with t values from 4.313 to 15.100, P values all below 0.01). Cell count in lower compartment of B + I + M group at PCH 10 (328 +/- 47) and PCH 12 (465 +/- 37) was respectively larger than that in B + I group (277 +/- 25, 353 +/- 34, with t value respectively 3.051, 6.945, P values all below 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSITF can improve cytomorphosis ability for promoting cell migration with limited effect on cell proliferation, which can be enhanced with addition of mucin. The main mechanism of ITF in maintaining intestinal mucosal barrier may be attributed to acceleration of cell migration.

Animals ; Burns ; blood ; Cell Line ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Intestines ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mucins ; pharmacology ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Serum ; immunology ; Trefoil Factor-2

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) combined with mucin on immune function of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) after being treated with burn rat serum.

METHODSThe rat IEC-6 cell lines were divided into control group (C, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% calf serum), burn control group (BC, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% burn rat serum), burn serum + ITF group (B + I, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% burn rat serum and 25 microg/mL ITF), burn serum + mucin group (B + M, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% burn rat serum and 250 microg/mL mucin), and burn serum + ITF + mucin group (B + I + M, cultured in DEME medium containing 10% burn rat serum, 25 microg/mL ITF, and 250 microg/mL mucin) according to the random number table. Meanwhile, 200 microL suspension of E. coli with density of 1 x 10(8) CFU/mL was added to each culture. At post culture minute (PCM) 15, 30 and post culture hour (PCH) 1, 2, 3, the number of bacteria adherent to IEC-6 was counted after Wright-Giemsa staining, and cell survival rate was calculated after trypan blue staining, with 20 samples in each group at each time point. (2) Other samples of IEC-6 cells without addition of E. coli were divided into BC, B + I, B + M, and B + I + M groups with the same treatment as above. The supernatant contents of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were determined by radioimmunoassay at PCH 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, with 6 samples in each group at each time point. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTS(1) Compared with that in C group, count of adherent bacteria to IEC-6 in BC group at each time point was significantly increased (with t values from 2.947 to 8.149, P values all below 0.01). Compared with those in BC group, the counts in B + I, B + M, B + I + M groups at the major time points were significantly decreased (with t values from -4.733 to -2.180, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) Compared with that in C group, cell survival rate in BC group at each time point was obviously lowered (with t values from -4.126 to -2.363, P values all below 0.05). Cell survival rates in B + I and B + M groups at some time points were significantly elevated as compared with those in BC group (with t values from 2.120 to 3.423, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Cell survival rate in B + I + M group at PCM 15 and PCH 3 was respectively (96.7 +/- 2.4)% and (84.0 +/- 6.7)%, which was respectively higher than that in B + I and B + M groups [(94.5 +/- 3.1)%, t = 2.507, P < 0.05; (77.1 +/- 8.2)%, t = 2.934, P < 0.01]. (3) The contents of TNF-alpha in supernatant of B + I + M group at PCH 6, 12, 24, 48 were significantly lower than those in the other 3 groups (with t values from -6. 914 to -2.889, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The contents of IL-6 in supernatant of B + I + M group at some time points were significantly lower than those in the other 3 groups (with t values from -7. 657 to -2.580, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The contents of IL-8 in supernatant of B + I + M group at PCH 6, 12, 24, 48 were significantly lower than those in BC and B + M groups (with t values from - 8.802 to - 3.640, P values all below 0.01), and those in B + I + M group at PCH 12, 24 were lower than those in B + I group (with t value respectively -2.786, -2.740, P value all below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSITF can maintain immune function and homeostasis of IEC, prevent bacterial adherence, decrease cell death rate, and reduce release of inflammatory mediators. The effect can be strengthened with addition of mucin.

Animals ; Bacterial Adhesion ; Burns ; blood ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Intestines ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Mucins ; pharmacology ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Serum ; immunology ; Trefoil Factor-2 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

It is proposed that gut-liver-lung axis plays an important role in the pathophysiologic development of the critical illness, and it induces excessive inflammatory response in vivo and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The mechanisms of therapeutic effects of rhubarb on critical patients are studied based on the theory of Chinese traditional medicine. Researches demonstrate that rhubarb can be used to protect gut barrier, maintain intestinal micro-ecological environment and prevent bacterial translocation. It also can be used to inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators by liver inflammatory-effector cells, reduce inflammatory reaction in the liver and protect hepatic cell functions. Furthermore, rhubarb can be used to reduce pulmonary vascular permeability and extenuate pulmonary edema, inhibit the release of neutrophil myeloperoxidase, and lower the level of inflammatory response and decrease inflammatory mediators in circulation. The above results indicate that rhubarb may interrupt or partly interrupt the gut-liver-lung axis after trauma and reduce the intensity of systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Therefore, rhubarb may obviously lower the incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and be used to prevent and treat systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome after trauma.
Capillary Permeability ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Liver ; immunology ; Multiple Organ Failure ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Rheum ; Sepsis ; drug therapy ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVEOver the past several decades, there has been a significant increase in allergy and asthma in the world, which correlates with alterations in microflora and widespread use of antibiotics. The authors have developed a mouse model of antibiotics-induced microbiota disruption. In that model, mice were challenged by intranasal exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus allergens to explore the relation of allergic airway response and intestinal microflora disruption.

METHODSSixty female BALB/c mice were divided at random into 6 groups with 10 mice in each. (1) First antibiotic therapy group: the mice were given oral cefoperazone for 7 days, on day 7, mice were inoculated with Candida albicans (10(9)/ml, 50 microl) orally. (2) First control group: the mice were treated as first antibiotic therapy group, but cefoperazone and Candida albicans were replaced by saline. The mice in groups (1) and (2) were sacrificed on day 8, and cecal contents were collected for quantitative analysis of the intestinal bacterial flora. (3) Antibiotic therapy and challenge group: the mice were treated as the first antibiotic therapy group, then challenged (day 9 and 16) by intranasal exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus allergen. (4) Second antibiotic therapy group: the mice were treated as the first antibiotic therapy group, then challenged (day 9 and 16) by intranasal exposure to saline. (5) Challenge group: the mice were treated as the first control group, then challenged (day 9 and 16) by intranasal exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus allergen. (6) Second control group: the mice were treated as the first control group, then challenged (day 9 and 16) by intranasal exposure to saline. The mice in (3) - (6) group were killed for analysis of allergic airway response on day 19.

RESULTSThe quantity of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in first antibiotic therapy group was significantly lower than that in the first control group, the quantity of Candida albicans increased in the first antibiotic therapy group as compared with the first control group. Mice intestinal microflora were disrupted with weight reduction and increased moisture in feces. After challenging with Aspergillus fumigatus allergens via intranasal inhalation, the total cell count, eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils increased in BALF, especially in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the mice in antibiotic therapy and challenge groups. IL-4 level in BALF from antibiotic therapy and challenge group (45.35 +/- 2.36) pg/ml was higher than that in the second control group (35.32 +/- 2.53) pg/ml. The expression of GATA-3 mRNA in the mice lung tissue (0.569 +/- 0.023) was higher than that in the second control group (0.410 +/- 0.020), and the ratios of T-bet/GATA-3 (0.578 +/- 0.021) decreased as compared with that in the second control group (0.804 +/- 0.035). IFN-gamma level in BALF from any group was not significantly different. In the absence of antibiotics, mice exposed to Aspergillus fumigatus allergen did not develop an allergic response in the airways.

CONCLUSIONSThe allergic (Th2) immune response can be induced by airway challenge with Aspergillus fumigatus allergen in the mice in which the intestinal microflora disruption resulted from antibiotic therapy, this result suggests that the intestinal microflora disruption resulted from antibiotic therapy is a risk factor for allergy and asthma.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; Antibiosis ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; microbiology ; Cefoperazone ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eosinophils ; drug effects ; microbiology ; Female ; Hypersensitivity ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; microbiology ; Intestines ; drug effects ; microbiology ; physiopathology ; Lung ; drug effects ; microbiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ovalbumin ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Respiratory System ; microbiology