Effects of Selenium-Enriched Protein from Ganoderma lucidum on the Levels of IL-1 ß and TNF- α , Oxidative Stress, and NF- κ B Activation in Ovalbumin-Induced Asthmatic Mice.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect and toxicity of organic selenium (Pro-Se) with inorganic selenium (IOSe) in preventing asthma in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice. After the mice were treated orally with Pro-Se and IOSe, respectively, the plasma Se levels, Se accumulation in liver and kidney, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α ), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 ß ), oxidative stress, and NF- κ B activation in lung were examined. The results showed that the serumal Se levels in the mice fed the Pro-Se were significant (P < 0.01) elevations. It results in restoration of the level of endogenous antioxidant enzyme, lower levels of TNF- α and IL-1 ß , and activated NF- κ B in the asthmatic mice. Our experiments have demonstrated profound differences between the activities of organic selenium and inorganic selenium in experimental conditions. These data provide an important proof of the concept that organic selenium might be a new potential therapy for the management of childhood asthma in humans.

Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies with vitamin D-loaded nanoemulsions in asthma model.

Vitamin D (VD) was studied for its anti-inflammatory activities with prepared VD-loaded nanoemulsions (VDNM) in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice in this paper. In this study, we prepared VDNM for the delivery of VD from the established composition of solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (sSEDDS) by spray-drying technique and evaluated its bioavailability (BA) and anti-inflammatory activities in experimental allergic asthma. After the mice were treated orally with VD or VDNM, the plasma 25(OH) D levels, polymorphonuclear cells, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), total antioxidant activity, and C3 and C4 complement protein levels were studied, respectively. Treatment with VDNM reduced MPO activity, oxidative stress, C3 protein level, O2(-) level as well as the production of IL-1ß and TNF-α. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that a significant increase in the maximum concentration (Cmax) and AUC0→24 h were observed in VDNM group when compared with VD group (P < 0.01). The result revealed that VDNM led to an improvement in oral BA of VD in a murine ovalbumin-induced asthma model. These data provided an important proof that VDNM might be a new potential therapy for the management of asthma in humans.