Objective To explore the mechanism by which She-Ti-Zhi-Qiu decoction alleviates allergic rhinitis (AR) through gut microbiota-mediated regulation of T helper cell 17(Th17)/regulatory T cells(Treg) balance and related cytokines. Methods Twenty-eight female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the Control group, Model group, STZQ group, and Probiotics group. Except for the Control group, all other groups were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) to establish AR models. The Control and Model groups received intragastric administration of normal saline, while the STZQ group was administered She-Ti-Zhi-Qiu Decoction, and Probiotics group received probiotics. After two weeks of continuous intragastric administration, nasal mucosa, serum, peripheral blood, and colon contents were collected. The inflammation of nasal mucosal tissue was assessed via HE staining. 16S rDNA sequencing was used to detect and analyze the structure and content of bacteria in colon contents. Flow cytometry was used to detect the relative proportions of Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood. ELISA was used to measure the levels of Th17- and Treg-related cytokines in serum. Results Compared with the Control group, the Model group showed an inflammatory response in nasal mucosal tissue, along with increased IL-17A and IL-17E levels and decreased IL-10 levels. The percentage of Th17 cells in peripheral blood increased, while the percentage of Treg cells decreased. Beneficial bacteria in the intestine were decreased, while pathogenic bacteria were increased. Compared with the Model group, the STZQ group showed lower serum IL-17A and IL-17E levels and higher IL-10 levels. The percentage of Th17 in peripheral blood decreased, while the percentage of Treg increased. There was an increase in beneficial bacteria in the intestine and a decrease in pathogenic bacteria. The changes in the microbiota were correlated with IL-17A, IL-17E, and IL-10 levels. Conclusion She-Ti-Zhi-Qiu decoction can ameliorate the inflammation of AR by regulating gut microbiota and Th17/Treg immune balance.
Animals ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects* ; Th17 Cells/drug effects* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Female ; Rhinitis, Allergic/microbiology* ; Rats ; Cytokines

Congresses as Topic ; Humans ; Infection ; Nose Diseases ; microbiology ; Nose Neoplasms ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and pathological manifestation, prognosis of unilateral allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), and to analyze the characters and treatment paradigm of unilateral AFS. METHOD: Clinical and pathological information of 10 cases of unilateral AFS were analyzed. Nasal endoscopy, skin prick test, and visual analogue score (VAS) of severity of illness were taken before surgery. Mucosa membrane and inspissated secretion obtained during endoscopic surgery were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and silver hexosamine. Regular clean of sinus and intranasal steroid spray were taken after surgery. RESULT: Endoscopy showed that 5 cases had pale mucous membranes in the ipsilateral nasal cavity. Skin prick test was positive in all patients. Nasal CT scan demonstrated unilateral lesion in all 10 patients. In the involved sinus, all 10 patients had brown or yellow brown viscous secretion, which demonstrated eosinophilic amorphous mass with accumulation of eosinophils, Charcot-Leyden crystallization and fungal hyphae under microscope. The number of eosinophils in lamina propria of sinus mucosa membrane was 72 +/- 11/hpf. After follow-up for 16 to 26 months(mean 22 months), 9 cases were cured and 1 improved. The pre-operative VAS was 8.5 +/- 1.2, and the post-operative VAS was 1.1 +/- 1.0 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The systemic and local allergic reaction may co-exist in unilateral AFS, in which local hypersensitivity may be the dominant reaction. Endoscopic sinus surgery and intranasal steroid spray are effective in the treatment of unilateral AFS.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Sinusitis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presentation and the management of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS). METHOD: One case of AFRS was reported and the relevant literatures were reviewed. CT scan showed high-attenuation like "cloud and mist", Charcot-Leyden crystals and fungal hyphae were found in nasal smear. RESULT: The patient removed after a combined therapy of endoscopic sinus surgery, steroids and local antifungal drugs. CONCLUSION The diagnosis of AFRS depends on history, the characteristics of CT scanning, pathology, mycologic and immunologic test. The management of surgery, systemic immunotherapy, local antifungal drugs and longer follow up is very important.
Fungi ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Male ; Mycoses ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop a mouse model of bacterial rhinosinusitis superposed on allergic rhinitis (AR), and to explore whether ongoing allergic rhinitis enhance the acute sinus infection and inflammation associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP).

METHODSFourty mice of C57BL6/J were randomly divided on average into 4 groups: A [ovalbumin (OVA) + SP], B [OVA + normal saline (NS)], C [phosphate buffered solution (PBS) + SP] and D (PBS + NS). (1) Group A and B were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection with 200 microl (10%) OVA on days 1 through 9, and exposed to OVA (6%) intranasally on days 10 through 17, to induce allergic inflammation. OVA was replaced with PBS in group C and D in the same way. (2) Subsequently, group A and C were inoculated with SP intranasally on day 13, and NS was used in group B and D. On the 6th day after inoculation, mice were killed. Blood was collected from the orbital venous sinus after anesthesia. The heads were embedded with paraffin and serial sections were followed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue (0.5%) for histological analysis and inflammation cells count. The number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and eosinophils (EOS) per square millimeter of sinus mucosa were calculated by using a computer-aided special software under microscope.

RESULTSAR models were successfully established in 9 mice from group A and 8 from group B. Histologic examination of the sinus from group A and B revealed significant mucosal edema and dilated venules. The symptoms were mild in group C, and no symptom was observed in group D. PMN (x +/- s) in group A (139.3 +/- 26.5)/mm2 was significantly higher than that in group B (70.7 +/- 16.7)/mm2, C (63.0 +/- 14.7)/mm2 and D (40.2 +/- 14.1)/mm2 respectively (P < 0.01); EOS and serous IL-5 level in group A (134.6 +/- 25.5)/mm2, (48.2 +/- 13.9) pg/ml and B (116.2 +/- 25.2)/mm2, (40.8 +/- 7.8) pg/ml, were higher than that in group C (16.7 +/- 2.7)/mm2, (23.9 +/- 8.7) pg/ml (P < 0.05) and D (13.4 +/- 4.9)/mm2, (24.6 +/- 6.5) pg/ml (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe data demonstrate that an ongoing local allergic response augments bacterial infection in mice, and allergic sensitization alone without SP does not induce the sinus infection.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Eosinophils ; immunology ; Interleukin-5 ; blood ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neutrophils ; immunology ; Pneumococcal Infections ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; microbiology ; Sinusitis ; microbiology