ABSTRACT
Since the risk of developing allergic disease increases in individuals exposed to allergens previously, even during the neonatal period, the immunologic status of a fetus may be important in the subsequent development of allergy. We evaluated the fetal factors to predict atopic dermatitis (AD) at 12 months in 412 infants of a COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and Allergic Diseases (COCOA) in the general Korean population. Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) were stimulated with ovalbumin and phytohemagglutinin and cellular proliferative response and concentrations of interleukin-13 and interferon-gamma, were measured. The risk of developing AD was greater in boys than girls (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.26-3.09), infants delivered by cesarean section than vaginally (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.14-3.26) and infants with than without parental history of AD (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.29-4.24). The CBMC proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation was higher in infants with than without AD (P = 0.048), but no difference was observed in ovalbumin-stimulated cells (P = 0.771). Risk factors for the development of AD at 12 months include male gender, delivery by cesarean section and parental history of AD. Increased CBMC proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation may predict the development of AD at 12 months.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Pregnancy , Cell Proliferation , Cesarean Section , Dermatitis, Atopic/diagnosis , Fetal Blood/cytology , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Interleukin-13/metabolism , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects , Odds Ratio , Ovalbumin/toxicity , Phytohemagglutinins/toxicity , Predictive Value of Tests , Risk Factors , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Since the risk of developing allergic disease increases in individuals exposed to allergens previously, even during the neonatal period, the immunologic status of a fetus may be important in the subsequent development of allergy. We evaluated the fetal factors to predict atopic dermatitis (AD) at 12 months in 412 infants of a COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and Allergic Diseases (COCOA) in the general Korean population. Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) were stimulated with ovalbumin and phytohemagglutinin and cellular proliferative response and concentrations of interleukin-13 and interferon-gamma, were measured. The risk of developing AD was greater in boys than girls (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.26-3.09), infants delivered by cesarean section than vaginally (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.14-3.26) and infants with than without parental history of AD (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.29-4.24). The CBMC proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation was higher in infants with than without AD (P = 0.048), but no difference was observed in ovalbumin-stimulated cells (P = 0.771). Risk factors for the development of AD at 12 months include male gender, delivery by cesarean section and parental history of AD. Increased CBMC proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation may predict the development of AD at 12 months.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Pregnancy , Cell Proliferation , Cesarean Section , Dermatitis, Atopic/diagnosis , Fetal Blood/cytology , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Interleukin-13/metabolism , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects , Odds Ratio , Ovalbumin/toxicity , Phytohemagglutinins/toxicity , Predictive Value of Tests , Risk Factors , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Exposure to ozone and asthma are both associated with increased oxidative stress. Exposure to ozone therefore, may potentiate the airway response to allergens. We undertook this study to investigate the effect of ozone exposure on airway response to ovalbumin in sensitized guinea pigs and its modulation by dietary supplementation with antioxidant vitamins C and E. Methods: After in vivo measurements of specific airways conductance (SGaw) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to inhaled histamine, guinea pigs were sensitized to ovalbumin and divided into three groups: (i) sensitized; (ii) sensitized and exposed daily to ozone; and (iii) sensitized, exposed daily to ozone and given dietary supplementation with vitamin C, 2 mg/kg body wt and E, 7 IU/kg body wt. A control group of nonsensitized animals was included. After 4 wk, AHR was measured again and animals were challenged with inhaled ovalbumin. Changes in SGaw were followed for early and late airway bronchoconstrictive responses. The following measurements were obtained: (i) parameters of oxidative stress - plasma malonaldehyde (MDA) as marker of lipid peroxidation and superoxide anion generation by leukocytes and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells; (ii) antioxidant status: red cell superoxide dismutase (SOD); and (iii) glutathione peroxidase (GPx). BAL cytology was studied. Results: Ozone exposure resulted in an increase in AHR and early and late bronchoconstrictive responses after ovalbumin challenge, greater superoxide anion generation in BAL cells, higher plasma MDA levels and decrease in red cell SOD activity. Dietary supplementation with vitamin C and E prevented or ameliorated these responses. Interpretation & conclusions: Exposure to ozone at concentrations of 0.12 ppm for 2 h daily for 4 wk enhances the airway response to allergens in sensitized guinea pigs. Dietary supplementation with antioxidant vitamins E and C, affords variable degree of protection against this enhancement.