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

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are the "mirror cells" of Th2 cells. Although the total cell number of ILC2s is far less than that of CD4⁺ Th2 cells in the body, the activated ILC2s have a more powerful biological activity than CD4⁺ Th2 cells and can rapidly enhanced Th2-cell inflammatory reaction. It plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases. The transmitters that activate ILC2s include inflammatory cytokines (IL-33, IL-25, TSLP, IL-4, IL-9), lipid transmitters (prostaglandins, leukotrienes), and other activating transmitters (ICOS, Complement C3a, neuropeptide receptor, vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide, etc). Activated ILC2s produce large amounts of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, and amphiregulin and other inflammatory mediators, and induce airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus secretion and airway remodeling and other respiratory allergic reactions. Therefore, respiratory allergic diseases, especially steroid-dependent asthma, could be treated potentially by inhibiting the activation of ILC2s. Hereby, we summarized the immunobiology of ILC2s, the initiation of ILC2s in allergic inflammation, the relationship between ILC2s and respiratory allergic diseases, and the recent advances in biological agents targeted by ILC2s.
Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-9 ; Lymphocytes ; Hypersensitivity ; Cytokines ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; Inflammation

BACKGROUND: It is still unclear if and to what extent antenatal or infant or childhood vitamin D supplementation would affect the development of allergy diseases later in life. This study aimed to review the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women, infants, or children for the prevention of allergies. METHODS: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE (OVID), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to March 1, 2020. We included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis for vitamin D supplementation in primary allergy prevention. These trials were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration domains and the consensus was reached via discussion with the full study group. We descriptively summarized and quantitatively synthesized original data to evaluate vitamin D supplementation in primary allergy prevention by using Review Manager software for meta-analysis. RESULTS: The search yielded 1251 studies. Seven RCTs were included in this analysis. A meta-analysis revealed that vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women or infants may not decrease the risk of developing allergic diseases, such as asthma or wheezing (supplementation for pregnant women, risk ratio [RR]: 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-1.26, P = 0.90, I2 = 47%; supplementation for infants, RR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.70-1.43, P = 0.99, I2 = 0%; supplementation for pregnant women and infants, RR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.10-1.25, P = 0.11), eczema (supplementation for pregnant women, RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.80-1.13, P = 0.77, I2 = 0%; supplementation for infants, RR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.64-1.11, P = 0.19, I2 = 42%), allergic rhinitis (supplementation for pregnant women, RR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.78-1.11, P = 0.15, I2 = 47%), lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (supplementation for pregnant women, RR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.85-1.11, P = 0.59, I2 = 0%), or food allergy. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of vitamin D in pregnant women or infants does not have an effect on the primary prevention of allergic diseases. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO (CRD42020167747).
Child ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Vitamin D/therapeutic use*

0. 05); The long-term effective rate was 84. 21% in the treatment group and 54. 55% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P