[Effect of modified Yupingfeng granule on nuclear factor-kappaB expression in mice with allergic contact dermatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of modified Yupingfeng granule on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)expression in mice with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). METHODS: Mouse models of ACD were treated with the granules at low, medium and high doses, with normal saline and hydrocortisone as the negative and positive controls, respectively. The expressions of NF-kappaB and its distribution in the lesions were detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The staining intensity, area and positive expression rates of NF-kappaB p50 were significantly different between the treatment group and the normal saline group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Modified Yupingfeng granule can effectively inhibit the expression of NF-kappaB in ACD, which might be a possible mechanism for its therapeutic effect on ACD.

Changes in peripheral blood Th1/Th2 cell balance in patients with condyloma acuminatum.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of peripheral blood T helper type 1 (Th1) and type 2 (Th2) imbalance with the occurrence of condyloma acuminatum (CA). METHODS: Interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) secreted by CD4(+) T-cells were detected by flow cytometry in 40 patients with CA and 20 healthy volunteers, and significance of Th1/Th2 cell ratio in the etiology of the CA was analyzed. RESULTS: Peripheral blood Th1 cells that secreted IFN-gamma were significantly decreased in number in patients with CA (P <0.05), while Th2 cells producing IL-4 increased (P <0.05). The Th1/Th2 cell ratio was significantly reduced in CA patients as compared with the health control subjects (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Increases of Th2 cells and decrease of Th1 cells in the peripheral blood of CA patients result in relative Th2 predominance and breach the Th1/Th2 balance, which may play an important role in the etiology and recurrence of CA.