Chronic urticaria (CU) is a persistent immune-mediated skin disease with an incompletely understood pathogenesis. As the largest micro-ecosystem in the human body, the gut microbiota participates in complex metabolic processes and produces a wide range of metabolites. The gut microbiota-metabolism axis plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of CU. Patients with CU commonly exhibit gut dysbiosis, characterized by a reduction in beneficial bacteria and an increase in opportunistic pathogens, accompanied by alterations in key metabolites. These changes may disrupt the intestinal barrier and modulate the function of immune cells such as mast cells and T cells, thereby triggering or aggravating distal cutaneous inflammation and contributing to CU pathophysiology. Certain bacterial taxa and metabolites hold promise as potential biomarkers for CU diagnosis, therapeutic response, and prognosis, while interventions targeting gut microbiota have demonstrated potential in ameliorating CU symptoms. Elucidating the characteristics and mechanistic roles of gut microbiota and metabolism in CU could provide a theoretical basis for developing novel individualized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Chronic Urticaria/etiology* ; Dysbiosis/complications* ; Mast Cells

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*

Objective: To investigate the role of mast cells in chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS: Forty-five male SD rats were equally randomized into a control, an experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) model, and an intervention group. The EAP model was made in the latter two groups by subcutaneous injection of mixed suspension of complete Freund's adjuvant and prostate tissue, while the controls were treated subcutaneously with 0.9% sodium chloride. Tactile allodynia was quantified in the pelvic region of the control and EAP animals using Von-Frey filaments at 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 days. After successful establishment of the EAP model, the rats of the intervention group were injected intraperitonieally with cromolyn sodium for 10 days, and meanwhile tactile allodynia was detected in the rats of the intervention and EAP model groups every other day. Then the prostates of the rats were harvested for HE and toluidine blue staining and measurement of the expression of mast cell tryptase by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: Von-Frey assessment showed a more severe pelvic pain in the EAP model than in the control rats, but milder in the intervention group than in the EAP models. HE staining revealed infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils in the prostate and congestion surrounding the gland in the EAP model rats, but none in the controls. However, both the infiltration and congestion were significantly alleviated in the intervention group. Toluidine blue staining shown that. Compared with the control group, the total count of mast cells and the number degranulated mast cells were markedly increased in the EAP models (P <0.01) but decreased in the intervention group (P <0.05). Both immunohistochemistry and Western blot manifested that the expression of tryptase in the mast cells was remarkably upregulated in the EAP (both P <0.01) but down-regulated in the intervention group (P <0.05 and P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both the total count of mast cells and the number of degranulated mast cells are significantly increased in the prostate of EAP rats. Mast cells are one of the most important mediators of type Ⅲ prostatitis-induced chronic pelvic pain, which can be used as a target for the intervention and treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; etiology ; pathology ; Cell Degranulation ; Chronic Disease ; Chronic Pain ; etiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Freund's Adjuvant ; Male ; Mast Cells ; enzymology ; physiology ; Pelvic Pain ; etiology ; Prostatitis ; etiology ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tryptases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of how curcumin improves pulmonary vascular remodeling associated with chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

METHODSThe model of chromic hypoxia hypercapniapulmoary remodeling was made. Twenty-four male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 6): group I (normoxia control group), group II (hypxia and hypercapnia model group), group II (disodium cromoglycate control group), group IV (curcumin treated group). The last 3 group rats were put in a hypoxia cabin where the concentrate of O2 was 8% - 11% and the concentrate of CO2 was 3% - 5%, for 8 h a day and lasting 4 w in total. Group III rats were intraperitoneally injected with disodium cromoglycate (20 mg/kg) and group IV rats were administrated with curcumin by gavage (150 mg/kg). The morphological changes of pulmonary vessel walls and the ultrastructure of mast cells were observed by the optics microscope and the transmission electron microscope. Mast cells and its degranulation state were measured by toluidine blue staining and immunohistochemistry. Data were expressed as means ± SD (standard deviation) and analyzed with SPSS17.0 software.

RESULTS(1) By optics microscopy observation, the value of WA/TA was significantly higher in II group than other groups (P < 0.05). (2) Electron microscope showed that the endothelial cells of pulmonary arterioles in III and IV group were near to I group and the proliferation of pulmonary arterial media smooth cell layer and collagen fibers in adventitia was much lighter than those in II group. The membrane of mast cells was more intact in I, III, IV group than II group. (3) The number of mast cells, the degranulation rate of master cells and the number of positive tryptase stained cells in II group were significantly more than those in other groups. (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCurcumin may inhibit the remodeling of pulmonary vessel induced by chronic hypoxia hypercapnia by mast cell regulation.

Animals ; Cell Degranulation ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Hypercapnia ; physiopathology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Mast Cells ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Remodeling ; drug effects

OBJECTIVECheongseoikki-tang (CIT, Korean), also called Qingshu Yiqi decoction () and Seisho-ekki-to (Japanese), is well known as an effective traditional combination of herbs for treating cardiovascular diseases. This study was to research its effects on bone marrow-derived mast cell (BMMC)-mediated allergy and inflammation mechanisms.

METHODSIn this study, the biological effect of Cheongseoikki-tang ethanol extract (CITE) was evaluated, focusing on its effects on the production of allergic mediators by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187)-stimulated BMMCs. These allergic mediators included interleukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), leukotriene C4 (LTC4), and β-hexosaminidase (β-hex).

RESULTSOur data revealed that CITE inhibited the production of IL-6, PGD2, LTC4, and β-hex induced by PMA plus A23187 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that CITE has the potential for use in the treatment of allergy.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Bone Marrow Cells ; pathology ; Calcimycin ; pharmacology ; Cell Degranulation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypersensitivity ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Interleukin-6 ; secretion ; Leukotriene C4 ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mast Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Prostaglandin D2 ; biosynthesis ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology ; beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the potential role of mast cells and the related molecular mechanism in chronic hepatitis (CH) using a rat model system.

METHODSThirty Wistar rats (15 males, 15 females; weight range: 230-290 g) were randomly divided into the normal contrast (NC) group and experimental CH group. The CH group received subcutaneous injection of CCl4 and a diet high in cholesterol and alcohol content and low in protein and choline content. Throughout the 4-week modeling period, aseptic blood samples were taken to test plasma tryptase (TS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) levels. The rats were euthanized to assess the changes in liver mast cells by histology and morphology analyses and the changes in liver expression of c-kit and stem cell factor (SCF) proteins by immunohistochemistry and mRNAs by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared to the NC group, the CH group had higher plasma and liver concentration of HA (78.09 +/- 38.55 vs. 145.14 +/- 52.54 ng/ml, 51.58 +/- 20.45 vs. 106.59 +/- 43.15 ng/100 mg; t = 2.457 and 2.825 respectively, both P less than 0.05) and TS (0.416 +/- 0.143 vs 0.753 +/- 0.210 mg/ml; t = 4.165, P less than 0.05). The CH group also showed fatty degeneration and fibrosis with many degranulating and degranulated mast cells filled with purple granula located around the liver blood vessels and in fiber-intervals. The CH livers also showed a significantly higher number of mast cells (2.167 +/- 0.924 vs. NC: 10.92 +/- 1.575; t = 7.633, P less than 0.05) and stronger intensity of c-kit staining (2.783 +/- 0.577 vs. 12.86 +/- 3.126; t = 9.511, P less than 0.05) and SCF staining (3.383 +/- 1.583 vs. 15.58 +/- 6.431; t = 9.625, P less than 0.05). The expressions of c-kit and SCF were positively correlated with HA level (r = 0.478 and 0.556 respectively, both P less than 0.05). The c-kit and SCF mRNA expression levels were also significantly higher in the CH liver tissues.

CONCLUSIONMast cell degranulation and histamine release is significantly increased under conditions of chronic hepatitis, and the related mechanism may involve up-regulation of the membrane receptor c-kit and its ligand SCF.

Animals ; Cell Degranulation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mast Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cell Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo clarify the role of mast cells and neuropeptides substance P (SP), somatostatin (SS), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.

METHODSExperimental colitis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats (180-200 g, n=20) by oral ingestion of 4% (w/v) DSS in drinking water for 7 days. Control rats (n=5) drank water and were sacrificed on day 0. Mast cell number, histamine levels in whole blood and tissue, tissue levels of SP, SS and, VIP in the distal colon of the rats were measured on day 8, day 13, and day 18 of experimentation.

RESULTSOral administration of 4% DSS solution for 7 days resulted in surface epithelial loss and crypt loss in the distal colon. Mast cell count increased on day 8 (1.75±1.09/mm vs. 0.38±0.24/mm, P<0.05) and day 13 (1.55±1.01/mm vs. 0.38±0.24/mm, P<0.05) after DSS treatment. Whole blood histamine levels were increased on day 8 (266.93±35.62 ng/mL vs. 76.87±32.28 ng/mL, P<0.01) and gradually decreased by day 13 and day 18 after DSS treatment. Histamine levels in the distal colon were decreased on day 8 (1.77±0.65 ng/mg vs. 3.06±0.87 ng/mg, P<0.05) and recovered to control levels by day 13 after DSS treatment. SP level in the distal colon gradually increased and were raised significantly by day 13 (8777.14±3056.14 pg/mL vs. 4739.66±3299.81 pg/mL, P<0.05) after DSS treatment. SS and VIP levels in the distal colon were not changed.

CONCLUSIONSMast cell degranulation followed by histamine release may play an important role in the pathogenesis of colitis induced by DSS. SP may be a significant substance in the progression of inflammation and the recovery process of DSS-induced colitis.

Animals ; Colitis ; chemically induced ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Dextran Sulfate ; Histamine ; analysis ; Male ; Mast Cells ; physiology ; Neuropeptides ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Somatostatin ; analysis ; Substance P ; analysis ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role and significance of cardiac mast cells and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the development and progression of viral myocarditis (VMC).

METHODSForty-eight Balb/c mice were randomly divided into a control group (n=24) and a model group (n=24). Coxsackievirus B3 was intraperitoneally injected into the model group mice to establish a VMC model. In each group, cardiac tissues were collected from 8 mice at 7, 14 and 28 days after the model was established. The cardiac tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin as well as Masson trichrome to observe pathological changes in cardiac tissues. The number and degranulation of cardiac mast cells at each time point were measured and evaluated by toluidine blue staining and transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 in cardiac tissues was measured by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. In the model group, the correlation between number of cardiac mast cells and mRNA expression of TLR4 at all time points was analyzed.

RESULTSThe model group had significantly higher pathological scores of cardiac tissues than the control group at all time points (P<0.05). The myocardial collagen volume fraction in the model group at 28 days was significantly higher than in the control group at all time points and higher than in the model group at 7 and 14 days (P<0.05). At each time point, the model group had a significantly increased number of mast cells (P<0.05), and significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of TLR4 (P<0.05) compared with the control group. In the model group, the number of cardiac mast cells was positively correlated with the mRNA expression of TLR4 at all time points (R²=0.877, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMice with VMC have significantly increased numbers of cardiac mast cells and expression of TLR4 compared with control mice at all time points, suggesting that mast cells and TLR4 may play important roles in the inflammatory response and fibrosis of VMC.

Animals ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; immunology ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Female ; Mast Cells ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; immunology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology

This study is to investigate the anti-allergic effect of anthocyanidin and to explore its possible mechanism. The experiments of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction (PCA) and colorimetry were used to determine the effect of anthocyanidin on degranulation of mast cells in vivo. For in vitro study, various concentrations of anthocyanidin (100, 50 and 25 micromol x L(-1)) were added to the culture medium of mast cells cultured with 100 microg x L(-1) of dinitrophenyl (DNP) specific IgE overnight. The azelastine (100 micromol x L(-1)) was selected as the positive control. The antigen (DNP-human serum albumin, DNP-HAS)-induced release of degranulation was measured by enzymatic assay, histamine was determined by EIA, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured by Western blotting, separately. In addition, the effects of anthocyanidin on phosphorylation of NF-kappaB, p38MAPK and Akt were observed by Western blotting. The results showed that treatments with anthocyanidin (100 and 50 mg x kg(-1)) were followed by a decrease in PCA of rats. Anthocyanidin (100 and 50 micromol x L(-1)) obviously suppressed the degranulation from mast cells, whereas results from anthocyanidin (100 and 50 micromol x L(-1)) group indicated significant inhibitory effect on histamine, the calcium uptake, TNF-alpha, IL-6, phosphorylation of NF-kappaB, p38MAPK and Akt of mast cells induced by antigen. Anthocyanidin may suppress the anaphylactic reaction by inhibiting the action of mast cells. NF-kappaB, p38MAPK and Akt at least in part contribute to this event.
Animals ; Anthocyanins ; pharmacology ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Degranulation ; drug effects ; Histamine Release ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mast Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important human pathogen which can cause a chronic condition with a high relapse rate despite the aggressive antimicrobial treatment. Recent studies showed that intracellular pattern recognition receptors (including NOD) in response to bacteria or bacterial products play a proinflammatory role by activating nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB). But how NOD2 mediates the proinflammatory response to S. aureus in mast cells (MCs) is unclear. So, in this study, we attempted to examine the role of NOD2 in inflammatory responses of MCs to S. aureus. P815 cells (a mouse mast cell line) were cultured. Real-time PCR was used to detect the NOD2 mRNA expression in P815 cells during S. aureus infection. The siRNA against NOD2 gene was synthesized and transfected into S. aureus-infected P815 cells. By using the methods of ELISA and flow cytometry, the effects of NOD2 gene silencing on cell phagocytosis, cytokine secretion, NF-κB activation and cell apoptosis of the S. aureus-infected P815 cells were examined. It was found that S. aureus infection could increase the expression of NOD2 mRNA in P815 cells. NOD2 gene interference in P815 cells reduced the number of S. aureus engulfed by P815 cells, the level of cytokines and the activation of NF-κB. In addition, S. aureus could induce the apoptosis of P815 cells, but NOD2 gene silencing did not affect the cell apoptosis rate. Our data suggested that NOD2 plays a key role in pathogen recognition, signal transduction, and NF-κB activation in the inflammatory responses of MCs infected by S. aureus.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cytokines ; immunology ; Inflammation Mediators ; immunology ; Mast Cells ; immunology ; microbiology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; immunology ; Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein ; immunology ; Staphylococcus aureus ; physiology