[A specific immune therapeutic effect of Der p2 T cell epitope vaccine on asthma mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the specific immune therapeutic effect of the T cell fusion peptide vaccine from group II allergens from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p2). METHODS: Thirty mice were randomly divided into three groups, namely a negative control group (a PBS group), positive control group (an asthma group) and protein Der p2 T cell fusion epitope for specific immunotherapy (SIT) group (a Der p2 T group). The extract of house dust mites (HDM) was used to establish the asthmatic models in BALB/c mice, and the PBS group was always used with PBS buffer. Thirty minutes before spray inhalation from 25 to 27 days, the mice of the Der p2 T group were respectively injected subcutaneously with the therapeutic proteins for SIT, then the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. ELISA was used to assay the levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-13 in BALF, as well as serum levels of specific IgE and IgG2a. The lung tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for pathological examinations. RESULTS: The ELISA detection revealed that the number of eosinophil in BALF of the asthmatic mice was (5.57 ± 0.64)×105/ml, which was significantly higher than that in the PBS group [(0.50 ±0.30)×105/ml, P < 0.01], the number of eosinophil in the Der p2 T immunotherapy group decreased significantly [(3.45 ± 0.36)×105/ml, P < 0.01]. The content of IFN-γ in the PBS group, asthma group and Der p2 T group were (267.00 ± 21.98), (155.80 ± 20.53) pg/ml and (234.40 ± 24.46) pg/ml respectively. Compared with the asthma group, the mice with Der p2 T vaccine specific immune treatment produced a high level of IFN-γ (P < 0.01). The content of IL-4 in the PBS group, asthma group and Der p2 T group were (23.40 ± 5.96), (53.28 ± 8.26) pg/ml and (30.00 ± 5.50) pg/ml respectively. Compared with the asthma group, the content of IL-4 in the mice of the Der p2 T treatment group was significantly lower (P < 0.01). Compared with the asthma group [(308.10 ± 28.32) pg/ml], the content of IL-13 in BALF of the mice in the Der p2 T treatment group was significantly decreased, which was [(174.50 ± 25.99) pg/ml, P < 0.01]. The content of IL-13 in the PBS group was (95.99 ± 31.14) pg/ml. The lung tissue sections showed that the lung inflammation in the p2 T Der group was significantly less than that in the asthma group, and the inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly decreased, and airway epithelial construction remodeled. CONCLUSIONS: The Der p2 T cell fusion epitope, which is as vaccines for specific immunotherapy with asthma models, can alleviate effectively allergic inflammation of airway and lung in the mice, and it may be used as a candidate vaccine for asthma.

[Investigation on species and community ecology of Acaroid mites breeding in stored traditional Chinese animal medicinal materials].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the species of Acaroid mites breeding in the stored traditional Chinese animal medicinal materials and the relationship between its community and habitats. METHODS: A total of 30 samples of traditional Chinese animal medicinal herbs were collected from Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China. The mites were isolated by the directly microscopic and floatation microscopic examinations, and then identified and counted under a light microscope. RESULTS: Acaroid mites was represented in 28 of the 30 samples, and the breeding rate accounted for as high as 93.3% (28/30). Totally, 13 species of Acaroid mites were identified, which belonged to 4 families and 9 genera. The densities of Acaroid mites were top in 6 Chinese herbal medicines, such as corium erinacei, aspongopus, hirudo, pheretima aspergillum, Apostichopus and huechys. The diversity parameters of these six traditional Chinese animal medicinal herbs were calculated. The highest richness indexes were in aspongopus and hirudo, the highest diversity index was in hirudo, and the highest evenness index was in Apostichopus. CONCLUSIONS: There are Acaroid mites breeding in parts of the traditional Chinese animal medicinal herbs stored in Wuhu. In the storage and processing of Chinese herbal medicines, we should pay attention to the prevention and control of mites.

[Tyrophagus palmarum and its hypopus found in feed of Tenebrio molitor].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the Tyrophagus palmarum and its hypopus in feed of Tenebrio molitor. METHODS: Feed samples were collected from T. molitor farms, and T. palmarum and its hypopus were separated from the samples by the vibration sieve method and floating method. The glass specimens were prepared and T. palmarum and its hypopus were observed under an optical microscope. RESULTS: Under the light microscope, the skin of T. palmarum was smooth and bright, the color of legs and chelicerae was relatively dark, the length of dorsal seta d2 was 3-4 times longer than d1 and la; The ω1 in tarsus of leg Ⅰ, Ⅱ was short rod, and its top was not tapered; the sucker plate in tarsus of leg Ⅳ located in the middle of the section. The hypopus was oblate, and there were two pairs of legs in front which extended to body. The rear end of hypopus became pointless and round, wrapping around a transparent and ossification skin. CONCLUSIONS: Light microscopy shows the morphological characteristics of T. palmarum and its dormant body, providing the basis for identifying the hypopus.

Purification and antioxidant activities of baicalin isolated from the root of huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis gcorsi).

Baicalin is a flavonoid from the root of huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis gcorsi, a kind of Traditional Chinese Medicine and food condiment) with two pro phenolic hydroxyls. In this manuscript, high purity of baicalin (95.5 %) was isolated from the root of huangqin and its antioxidant activities were investigated. The antioxidant properties of baicalin were evaluated by scavenging of the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), reducing power, and iron-chelating assays, compared to ascorbic acid and BHT. The results of antioxidant activity showed that the activities of baicalin were significantly better than these of ascorbic acid and BHT, and the linear correlations were good in these three assays.