Scopoletin inhibits PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells by regulating NF-κκB signaling pathway

Background: Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airway, and airway remodeling and the proliferation mechanism of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is of great significance to combat this disease.Objective: To assess possible effects of scopoletin on asthma and the potential signaling pathway.Materials and methods: ASMCs were treated PDGF-BB and scopoletin and subjected to cell viability detection by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration of ASMCs was determined by a wound closure assay and transwell assay. The protein level of MMP2, MMP9, calponin and α-SMA were measured using western blot. The levels of NF-κB signaling pathway were detected by Western blotting.Results: Scopoletin inhibited proliferation of PDGF-BB - induced ASMCs. Also it suppressed the migration and invasion of PDGF-BB - induced ASMCs. We further showed that Scopoletin regulated phenotypic transition of ASMCs. Mechanically, Scopoletin inhibited proliferation and invasion of ASMCs by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway.Conclusions: We therefore thought Scopoletin could serve as a promising drug for the treatment of asthma.

Pulmonary manifestations in a cohort of patients with inborn errors of immunity: an 8-year follow-up study

Background: Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are a group of congenital diseases caused by genetic defects in the development and function of the immune system. The involvement of the respiratory tract is one of the most common presentations in IEIs.Methods: Overall, 117 patients with diagnosed IEIs were followed-up within 8 years at the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected in a questionnaire. Pulmonary function test (PFT), chest X-ray (CXR), and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans were obtained where applicable.Results: Our study population consisted of 48 (41%) patients with predominantly antibody deficiencies (PADs), 39 (32%) patients with congenital defects of phagocytes, 14 (11.9%) patients with combined immunodeficiency (CID), and 16 (14%) patients with Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD). . Recurrent pneumonia was the most common manifestation, while productive cough appeared to be the most common symptom in almost all diseases. PFT showed an obstructive pattern in patients with PAD, a restrictive pattern in patients with CID, and a mixed pattern in patients with CGD. HRCT findings were consistent with bronchiectasis in most PAD patients, whereas consolidation and mediastinal lesions were more common in the other groups.Conclusions: Pulmonary manifestations vary among different groups of IEIs. The screening for lung complications should be performed regularly to reveal respiratory pathologies in early stages and follow-up on already existing abnormalities.

Research progress of icariin, an extract of traditional Chinese medicine, in the treatment of asthma

Bronchial asthma is a common chronic airway disease, and long-term management of asthma is the focus and difficulty of clinical treatment. Glucocorticoids are often used as the first choice for the treatment of asthma. However, the occurrence of hormone dependence, hormone resistance, local and systemic adverse reactions caused by hormone application also brings problems for the treatment of asthma. Finding safe and effective new therapeutic drugs is an important research direction at present. Icariin is the effective ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium. It has various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and immune regulation. It has high safety and has a wide range of clinical applications. Icariin has the characteristics of multi-target intervention in the treatment of asthma. This article reviews recent studies in order to provide new research directions for further therapeutic drug development.

Relationship between montelukast and behavioral problems in preschool children with asthma

Background: There is insufficient clarity regarding whether or not drugs used in asthma cause behavioral problems in children.Methods: A total of 155 individuals, categorized into an asthma group (n = 95) and a control group (n = 60), were enrolled in the current prospective controlled study. The asthma group consisted of patients receiving treatment (inhaled corticosteroids [ICS] or montelukast) for at least 1 month. Check Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for ages 1.5–5 scores for the asthma and controls were compared. The asthma group was divided into two subgroups based on prophylactic therapy received, ICS and montelukast, and these groups’ CBCL scores were also compared. Results: The asthma group consisted of 95 children (ICS subgroup 45, montelukast subgroup 50) and the healthy control group of 60 cases. The mean total CBCL score was higher in the asthma group than in the control group (42 vs 32, respectively, P = 0.001). Internalization and externalization scores were also higher in the asthma group compared to the control group (P = 0.004 and P = 0.005, respectively). No significant difference was determined in terms of CBCL scores between the ICS and montelukast groups (P = 0.3). Montelukast was discontinued in one asthmatic child due to hallucination.Conclusion: This study determined a higher rate of behavioral problems in preschool children with asthma compared to healthy children. In contrast to other studies in the literature, we determined no difference in terms of total CBCL, and internalization and externalization scores of children with asthma who received ICS and montelukast. Nevertheless, it should be kept in mind that montelukast may cause serious neuropsychiatric events such as hallucination.

Familial Mediterranean fever in the pediatric population

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most frequent autoinflammatory disorder characterized by short, repeated, and self-limiting crises of fever and serositis. The disease was described as autosomal recessive hereditary transmission secondary to variants of the MEFV (MEditerranean FeVer) gene, even though a variable proportion of patients only present a heterozygous variant. FMF is very common in certain ethnic groups (Turkish, Armenian, Arab, and Jewish), even though it has been described throughout the Mediterranean and elsewhere in the world. The clinical manifestations are variable, with secondary amyloidosis being the most serious complication of the disorder. Treatment and prophylaxis are mainly based on the administration of colchicine, which prevents the crises and avoids complications in most cases. This study reviews the course of seven pediatric patients diagnosed with FMF during the period 2010–2018 at a district hospital. Most of the patients were of Caucasian origin, with onset at an early age in the form of fever as the main symptom, and some patients moreover presented less frequent manifestations (pericardial effusion, sensorineural hearing loss). Two cases presented plasmatic amyloid A protein elevation that subsided with the treatment. All the patients initially received colchicine, and one of them required prescription of anakinra, which was replaced by canakinumab due to a serious adverse reaction. There were no cases of consanguinity, and all the patients were of Mediterranean origin. The subjects showed a favorable course over the years, which was attributed to the early diagnosis and treatment provided.

Outcome of food intake and nutritional status after discontinuation of a cow’s-milk-free diet post negative oral food challenge in infants and children

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of food intake and nutritional status post discontinuation of a cow’s-milk-free diet after a negative oral food challenge.Methods: This was a prospective, uncontrolled study that evaluated food intake and nutritional status of a cohort of 80 infants and children under 5 years of age. Food intake and nutritional status were evaluated on the day of the oral food challenge test and after 30 days. Weight and height were measured on the day of the test and after 30 days.Results: The mean age of the patients was 18.7 ± 12.4 months, and 58.7% were male. After discontinuation of the elimination diet, the children showed daily intake increases in (P < 0.001), protein (P < 0.001), carbohydrates (P = 0.042), calcium from foods (P < 0.001), calcium from foods and supplements (P < 0.001), phosphorus (P < 0.001), and vitamin D from foods (P = 0.006). The Z-scores (n = 76) on the day of the oral food challenge test and 30 days after restarting the consumption of cow’s milk were as follows: weight-for-age (P < 0.001) and height-for-age (P < 0.001), respectively.Conclusion: Cow’s milk protein in the diet was associated with increased intake of energy, proteins, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, in addition to an increase in the Z-scores for weight-for-age and height-for-age.

Effect of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the control and severity of pediatric asthma

Background: The novel disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused an unprecedented global pandemic. Care providers of asthmatic children are increasingly con-cerned; as viral infections are one of the primary triggers of asthma flare-up. However, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 as well as the generated worldwide lockdown on asthmatic children is unknown.Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of pandemic SARS-CoV-2 in pediat-ric asthma control.Material and Methods: A retrospective, open, transversal study was performed at five tertiary hospitals. Recruited patients were aged <18 years and had physician-diagnosed asthma. Information regarding the 2019 and 2020 seasons were provided.Results: Data were collected from 107 children (age range: 3–18 years, mean age: 12 years). Well-controlled asthma was observed in 58 (54.2%) patients in 2020 versus 30 (28%) in 2019, and 15 (14%) patients had poorly controlled asthma in 2020 versus 28 (26.2%) in 2019. In 2020, a decrease in exacerbations caused by allergies to pollen, dust mites, molds, and through other causes not related to SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed. An increase in exacerbations was observed due to animal dander, stress, physical exercise, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Children had a reduced need for asthma-controlling medication, made fewer visits to healthcare pro-viders and had lesser need of treatment with oral corticosteroids if compared with the same season of 2019.Conclusion: Pediatric asthma control improved, the need for controller medication declined, and fewer visits to healthcare providers were made during the pandemic if compared with the 2019 season.

Correlation between Interleukin 31 and clinical manifestations in children with atopic dermatitis: an observational study

Background: Itching is one of the major and mandatory signs of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children. Interleukin 31 (IL-31) is strongly involved in the genesis of pruritus. In our study, 68 patients aged 0–18 years with proven AD were followed clinically. The role of IL-31 in pruritus as clinical manifestation of AD is known but its etiopathogenetic mechanism is not well known. Methods: Serum was collected from 31 patients with moderate and severe forms of AD to determine IL-31 and its correlation with activity and severity of the disease. We also studied 30 healthy patients to compare the results of determinations. The IL-31 value was determined using the sandwich enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay (two antibodies assay). The IL-31 values were expressed as picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) and compared with activity and severity of the disease. Results: The IL-31 value was much higher in patients with AD compared to the control group. The mean value of findings was 1600 pg/mL compared to the control group with an average of 220 pg/mL. The IL-31 values were positively correlated with the severity and activity of the disease. Conclusions: The results of our pediatric study established the involvement of IL-31 in the pathophysiology of AD. IL-31 could be a marker of AD track.

Effect of combined glucocorticoid therapy on bronchial asthma dynamics

This work is aimed to compare the effectiveness of parenteral and inhalation bronchial asthma treatment in combination with glucocorticosteroids and bronchodilators. The study was conducted in 2020 in Botkin City Clinical Hospital (Moscow, the Russian Federation). Case histories of 106 patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma exacerbation of moderate severity were analyzed. Patients were divided into two equal groups based on the therapy method: (1) Group 1 received systemic glucocorticosteroids parenterally in combination with inhalation glucocorticosteroids; (2) Group 2 received systemic glucocorticosteroids parenterally, but inhalation therapy was performed with a nebulizer. Clinical manifestations of bronchial asthma have been recorded. During hospital admission, the breath rate was 22.0 for Group 1 and 21.5 for Group 2, P ≥ 0.05, and heart rates were 93.0 and 92.5, respectively (P ≥ 0.05). All indices (blood saturation, breath rate, peak output rate) in Group 1 remained unchanged 4 h after the start of the therapy, while in Group 2, peak flow rate changed to 53.5% with a median increase of 72.0 ml over 4 h, P ≤ 0.05. On Day 3, patients of Group 1 demonstrated a peak flow rate of 59.5%, P ≤ 0.05, and on Day 10, patients of Group 2 had a peak output rate of 53.0 and 59.5%, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Systemic glucocorticoids were eliminated in 47 patients of Group 1 and in all patients of Group 2. The treatment tactics applied in Group 2 resulted in faster and more significant improvement in patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma exacerbation. Both treatment regimens showed high results.

Association between the type of allergen and T-helper 2 mediated inflammation in allergic reactions: a systematic review and a meta-analysis

Objectives: To determine whether the levels of T-helper (TH) 2 cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5) in allergic reactions are allergen dependent and evaluate the impact of various treatment strategies on the levels of these cytokines.Methods: The PubMed search engine was used from inception until January 2021. The random-effects residual maximum likelihood model was performed, and effect sizes were estimated using the Hedge’s g statistic. All data analysis was performed using STATA 16.0 (StataCorp LP, TX, USA). Results: Fourteen studies reporting on 794 participants were included in this study. House dust mite was associated with eliciting a stronger immune response mediated by both IL-4 and IL-5 when compared to pollen. Whereas a mixture of house dust mite and pollen was associated with IL-4-weighted inflammation. Comparisons of IL-4 and IL-5 levels amongst the allergens showed significant differences. The treatment with anti-corticosteroids or allergen-specific immunotherapy was effective in normalising the TH2 responses and alleviating allergy symptoms.Conclusion: TH2-mediated inflammation in allergic reactions is allergen-dependent. Therefore, the type of allergen should be considered when using cytokine-targeting biologics in allergic reactions.