ABSTRACT
Objective::To observe the effect of Bimin decoction(BMD) on nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathway and aquaporin 5(AQP5) expression in allergic rhinitis (AR) rats with lung and spleen Qi deficiency syndrome(LSQDS), in order to study the mechanism in treating AR. Method::Fifty-six SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control group, AR group, LSQDS AR group, BMD low dose two weeks group and four weeks group, BMD high dose two weeks group and four weeks group. The control group did not intervened, the AR group established the AR disease model with ovalbumin (OVA) as the allergen, the other five groups established the LSDQS model with smoke and senna gavage, and also established the AR disease model with OVA sensitization at the same time as the AR group. After the model was established successfully, four BMD intervention groups were separately given low dose BMD (11.3 g·kg-1) for 2 weeks and 4 weeks, and high dose BMD (22.6 g·kg-1) for 2 weeks and 4 weeks. To observe the general situation of the rats, hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the nasal mucosa, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of NF-κB and AQP5, real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique (Real-time PCR)was used to detect mRNA levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6). Result::The typical AR symptoms were found in AR rats, the AR symptoms and lung and spleen Qi deficiency symptoms were found in AR rats with LSQDS at the same time, and the AR symptoms and lung and spleen Qi deficiency symptoms were significantly improved after the intervention of BMD. Compared with the control group, the typical histopathological changes of nasal mucosa were found in AR group and LSQDS AR group, with a higher behavioral score (P<0.05), and the expression of NF-κB and AQP5 protein increased (P<0.05), the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and AQP5 mRNA increased (P<0.05). Compared with AR group, the pathological changes of nasal mucosa in LSQDS AR group were more serious, and the expression of NF-κB protein in nucleus increased (P<0.05), the expression of TNF-α and AQP5 mRNA increased (P<0.05). Compared with LSQDS AR group, the pathological changes of nasal mucosa in the groups which interfered by BMD were improved, and the expression of NF-κB and AQP5 protein decreased (P<0.05), the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and AQP5 mRNA decreased (P<0.05). Compared with BMD low-dose two-week group, the expression of NF-κB protein in nucleus decreased (P<0.05) in BMD high dose four week group. Conclusion::Compared with AR group, the AR condition of the rats with LSQDS is more serious under the same allergen stimulation, BMD can treat AR and reduce the over secretion of glands, which may be related to inhibit the expression of AQP5 by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of Chinese medicine for nourishing yin and clearing heat therapy (CM therapy) in treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with yin deficiency-induced inner heat syndrome, and suffered from acute radiation oral mucositis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients with NPC fitting to the inclusion criteria and undergoing initial dose radiotherapy were assigned to two groups. The 31 patients in the treatment group received CM therapy, and the 29 in the control group were treated with standard Western medical therapy. The condition of oral mucosa and epidermal growth factor (EGF) content in saliva of patients during the therapeutic period were observed, meanwhile the quality of life (QOL) of patients was estimated with the quality of life questionnaire-core 30 (QLQ-C30) issued by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Acute radiation oral mucositis occurred in all patients, but the severity in the treatment group was milder than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Salivary EGF content decreased along with the increasing radiation dosage, it decreased significantly when 40 Gy radiated and down to the minimum when 70 Gy radiated, but the decrement in the treatment group was less than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Comparison of QOL by QLQ-C30 scale showed that after radiotherapy the global health status in the treatment group was superior to the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese medicine for nourishing yin and clearing heat therapy could actually postpone the occurrence of acute radiation oral mucositis, lessen the adverse reaction of radiotherapy and improve patient's QOL, show a favorable effect in prevention and treatment, and has definite application value for clinical spreading.</p>