Antiviral and myocyte protective effects of IL-28A in coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether interleukin-28A (IL-28A) plays a role in murine myocarditis induced by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), and to explore its possible mechanism involved. Methods: Male BALB/c mice both infected and not infected by CVB3 were randomly divided into four groups (n = 40), untreated or treated with different doses of IL-28A for 4 days, and then sacrificed on days 4 and 7 post-infection. The heart samples were collected for histopathologic examination. Cardiac viral load was determined by a plaque assay. Additionally, immunoblot analysis, TUNEL assay, and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine the expression of signal transducer, activator of transcription 1 and 2 (STAT1 and STAT2), CVB3-induced apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2, BAX and Caspase-3. Results: Compared to uninfected mice, the CVB3 infected mice exhibited higher mortality rate (p < 0.001), apparent inflammation and myocardial lesion (p < 0.01), and higher cardiac viral load (p < 0.01). After CVB3 infection, IL-28A treated mice presented no death (p < 0.001), reduced inflammation and myocardial lesion (p < 0.01), and lower viral load (p < 0.01) compared to untreated mice. Besides, treatment with IL-28A markedly increased the expressions of STAT1 and STAT2, and inhibited CVB3-induced apoptosis in myocardial cells with increased ratio of Bcl-2/BAX. Conclusion: The antiviral and myocyte protective effects of IL-28A in CVB3-inducedmyocarditis are regulated by STAT1 and STAT2. .

Topical piroxicam and conjunctivitis.

The study of comparison of the clinical responses of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis to antibiotic eye drops alone and combined with topical piroxicam was analyzed. Seventy-five patients (146 eyes) with viral conjunctivitis were randomly assigned to receive topical antibiotic (35 cases) or antibiotic combined with piroxicam eye drops (40 cases). The patients were examined under slit lamp biomicroscope every other day for the first week, then twice a week until recovery. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in mean age, sex, bilaterality, history of contact, systemic involvement, mean incubation period, mean onset and mean follow-up time. Mean recovery time in the piroxicam group (4.9 days) was less than for the control group (P = 0.003). Foreign body sensation, pain and tearing in the piroxicam group recovered significantly faster than in the control group. Complete recovery of all symptoms and signs in piroxicam treated eyes (61%) was significantly more common than with antibiotic only (29%) in spite of more drug induced burning. Piroxicam eye drops may have beneficial effects for acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis to relieve discomfort, pain, and accelerate recovery.