Maternal periconceptional folate status and infant atopic dermatitis: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal folate status is linked with the risk of allergic disorders including atopic dermatitis (AD) in children, but findings remain inconclusive. We aim to assess the relationship between maternal folate status in early gestation and early-onset infant AD, based on a prospective mother-child cohort study. METHODS: Pregnant women were recruited at 12-14 weeks of gestation. Red blood cell folate (RBC folate) and serum folate concentrations were examined at enrollment. Periconceptional folic acid supplementation was investigated through a self-administered questionnaire. The primary outcome was AD incidence before 6 months of age, diagnosed according to Williams' criteria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of maternal folate status with infant AD by adjusting parental and child covariates. RESULTS: In total, 107 (23.4%) of 458 infants developed AD before 6 months, with more male infants affected (P = .002). Higher maternal RBC folate levels (per 100 ng/mL) were associated with an increased risk of AD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.31). An RBC folate level ≥620 ng/mL was associated with increased infant AD by 91% (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.09-3.36). However, associations were not observed for maternal serum folate at early gestation or periconceptional folic acid supplement intakes. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first evidence that higher maternal RBC folate concentrations during early gestation are associated with increased early-onset infant AD. Our findings support the importance of maintaining appropriate folate levels during the periconceptional period to reduce the risk of AD in infants.

Curative effect of BCG-polysaccharide nuceic acid on atopic dermatitis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of bacilli Galmette-Gurin (BCG)-polysaccharide nuceic acid on atopic dermatitis in mice and its mechanism. METHOD: Forty NC/Nga mice were selected and randomly divided into Group A (model group), Group B (dexamethasone treatment group), Group C (BCG polysaccharide nucleic acid treatment group) and Group D (control group) with 10 mice in each group. Atopic dermatitis model were constructed by applying 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene on the skin of the mice. Mice in Group D were treated with acetone solution (100 µL) on the foot pad and abdomen after hair removal at the age of 7 weeks, then on ear skin at the age of 8-13 weeks. For mice in A, B and C groups, 100 µL of acetone solution containing 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene was applied to the foot pad and the abdomen at the age of 7 weeks, then on ear skins at the age of 8 to 13 weeks. At the age of 7-13 weeks, mice in Group A and Group D were treated with 100 µL saline (i.p.); mice were given dexamethasone (0.1 mL/kg, i.p.) every other day for 7 weeks in Group B; mice were treated with BCG polysaccharide nucleic acid (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) every other day for 7 weeks in Group C. The ear thickness was measured every week and the scratching frequency was recorded 1 times for 10 min a week. The mice were sacrificed after the last administration of drugs. IgE, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ in the plasma were detected using ELISA, and RT-PCR method was employed to detect the concentrations of IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN-γ proteins. After HE staining, the lesion degree of inflammation in ear tissue was observed microscopically. RESULTS: The ear thickness and scratching frequency of Group A were significantly higher than those in group B, C and D (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between Group B and C (P>0.05); the concentrations of IgE, IL-4 and IL-10 in the plasma and the expression of IL-4, IL-10 mRNA in the spleen tissues of Group A, B and C were all significantly higher than those of Group D (P<0.05); the concentrations of plasma IL-12 and IFN-γ, and spleen protein expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ in Group C mice were significantly higher than those of Group A (P<0.05). Histological observation showed obvious ear tissue exudation, erythema, swelling, desquamation of skin, and scabbing in Group A. Histopathology of the skin lesion also showed hyperkeratosis, focal-parakeratosis, stratum spinosum hypertrophy, mild sponge-like edema, a large number of lymphocytes along with plasma cell infiltration in dermis, angiectasis and hyperemia in Group A, while degree of ear skin lesion in Group B and D mice was significantly lighter than that of Group A. CONCLUSIONS: BCG polysaccharide nucleic acid can significantly reduce the serum IgE concentrations, increase the expression of IL-12, IFN-γ protein, correct the imbalance of Thl/Th2 in atopic dermatitis mice, and has obvious inhibitory effect on atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.