Double-blind Cross-over Trial Comparing Intranasal Beclomethasone Dipropionate and Placebo in Perennial Rhinitis

Twenty-five patients with perennial rhinitis completed a double-blind cross-over trial of intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate 200 μg daily and placebo. Of these patients 19 preferred the active drug and two preferred placebo. There were significant reductions in symptom scores for nasal obstruction and rhinorrhoea and in the use of decongestant nasal drops when using the active drug. No changes in morning plasma cortisol levels occurred during the three-week treatment period.     

Flunisolide nasal spray in the treatment of perennial rhinitis.

In an 8-week double-blind study of the clinical effectiveness of flunisolide, a new synthetic corticosteroid intended for topical use, 73 persons with perennial rhinitis received 300 microgram/d of either flunisolide or placebo. The flunisolide group showed a significantly greater reduction than the placebo group in the daily duration of sneezing, stuffy nose, nose blowing and postnasal drip, but not of runny nose, and a significantly greater reuction in the severity of all these manifestations. Substantial or total control of manifestations was reported by 73% of the flunisolide group and 25% of the placebo group, a significant difference. Careful monitoring of the plasma cortisol concentration revealed no evidence of adrenal suppression, and in no patient did the value fall below normal. The lack of adrenal suppression may be due to the very small amount of corticosteroid administered and the rapid metabolism of flunisolide into a relatively inactive metabolite.     

孟鲁司特与糠酸莫米松鼻喷剂联合治疗儿童变应性鼻炎的近期疗效观察

目的：评价口服孟鲁司特和糠酸莫米松鼻喷剂联合治疗儿童变应性鼻炎的近期疗效,以优化儿童变应性鼻炎的治疗方案。方法：选择2011年4月-2012年4月在潍坊市人民医院耳鼻喉科就诊并确诊为变应性鼻炎的患儿48例,随机分为联合用药组（MM组,24例）和糠酸莫米松组（MS组,24例）。MM组患者给予糠酸莫米松喷鼻（早晨喷鼻1次,每次2喷）,孟鲁司特片口服（5mg／次,1次／天,睡前30分口服）;MS组患者给予糠酸莫米松喷鼻（早晨啧鼻2次,每次2啧）。两组的治疗疗程均为3个月,治疗后观察和比较两组患者鼻塞、鼻痒、流清涕、喷嚏等,临床症状及鼻内镜的检查结果。结果：治疗1个月后,两组治疗总有效率的差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;治疗3个月后,两组症状评分的改善高于1月朱（P〈0．05）;治疗3个月后,MM组的治疗总有效率显著高于MS组（P〈0．05）。结论：糠酸莫米松与孟鲁司特联合治疗儿童常年性变异性鼻炎的临床疗效优于单用糠酸莫米松治疗,且不良反应少。对于常年性变应性鼻炎患儿的治疗应以序贯性和个体化治疗为原则,最大程度发挥糠酸莫米松与孟鲁司特间的相互协同作用。     

儿童过敏性结膜炎与变应性鼻炎的相关性及鼻眼联合防治效果分析

目的：探讨儿童过敏性结膜炎与变应性鼻炎的相关性研究及鼻眼联合防治的临床效果。方法：回顾性分析300 例儿童过敏性 结膜炎与310 例儿童变应性鼻炎患者的临床资料,对儿童过敏性结膜炎与变应性鼻炎的相关性进行分析后将所有患儿随机均分 为对照组与观察组,对照组采用常规点眼的方法进行治疗,观察组则采用鼻朗喷鼻联合人工泪液点眼进行治疗。比较两组临床疗 效及不良反应情况。结果：（1）300 例过敏性结膜炎患儿中,50 例（16.67%）并发变应性鼻炎;310 例变应性鼻炎患儿中,59 例 （19.03%）并发过敏性结膜炎（P＞0.05）;（2）109 例同时并发两种疾病患儿中,均进行眼结膜与鼻粘膜的刮片检查嗜酸性粒细胞, 其中60 例（55.05%）结膜刮片与67 例（61.47%）鼻粘膜刮片检测到嗜酸性粒细胞（P＞0.05）;（3）两组治疗前后BUT 及角膜荧光素 染色评分、症状评分、临床总有效率比较差异明显（P＜0.05）。结论：儿童过敏性结膜炎与变应性鼻炎具有一定的相关性;鼻朗喷鼻 联合人工泪液点眼治疗儿童合并变应性鼻炎的临床疗效显著。     

Beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol in allergic rhinitis.

Treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol (BDA), 50 mug four times daily in each nostril, was compared with placebo therapy in a double-blind non-crossover trial of 30 matched patients with allergic rhinitis induced by ragweed pollen. The trial was started at the beginning of the ragweed season and continued for 42 days. Response to treatment was assessed from information on daily diary cards, weekly objective measurements of nasal patency and measurement of total eosinophil count (TEC) before treatment and at week 4. Patients in the BDA group had significantly less (P less than 0.05) sneezing, rhinorrhea and nasal stuffiness at 36 days, cough at 10 days and antihistamine consumption at 17 days. There was no significant difference between the groups in eye symptoms, nasal airway inspiratory resistance, maximum inspiratory nasal flow or TEC. Overall comparison with previous pollen seasons by the patients indicated moderate to great improvement in 86% of the BDA group and in 13% of the placebo group (P less than 0.01). Minor side effects were noted by two patients in each group.     

Escaping the trap of allergic rhinitis

Rhinitis is often the first symptom of allergy but is frequently ignored and classified as a nuisance condition. Ironically it has the greatest socioeconomic burden worldwide caused by its impact on work and on daily life.However, patients appear reticent to seek professional advice, visiting their doctor only when symptoms become ‘intolerable’ and often when their usual therapy proves ineffective.Clearly, it’s time for new and more effective allergic rhinitis treatments.MP29-02 (Dymista®; Meda, Solna, Sweden) is a new class of medication for moderate to severe seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis if monotherapy with either intranasal antihistamine or intranasal corticosteroids is not considered sufficient.MP29-02 is a novel formulation of azelastine hydrochloride (AZE) and fluticasone propionate (FP). It benefits not only from the incorporation of two active agents, but also from a novel formulation; its lower viscosity, smaller droplet size, larger volume (137 μl) and wider spray angle ensure optimal coverage of, and retention on the nasal mucosa and contribute to its clinical efficacy.In clinical trials, patients treated with MP29-02 experienced twice the symptom relief as those treated with FP and AZE, who in turn exhibited significantly greater symptom relief than placebo-patients. Indeed, the advantage of MP29-02 over FP was approximately the same as that shown for FP over placebo. The advantage of MP29-02 was particularly evident in those patients for whom nasal congestion is predominant, with MP29-02 providing three times the nasal congestion relief of FP (p = 0.0018) and five times the relief of AZE (p = 0.0001). Moreover, patients treated with MP29-02 achieved each and every response up to a week faster than those treated with FP or AZE alone and in real life 1 in 2 patients reported the perception of well-controlled disease after only 3 days. MP29-02’s superiority over FP was also apparent long-term in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis or non-allergic rhinitis, with statistical significance noted from the first day of treatment, with treatment difference maintained for a full year.Taken together, these data suggest that MP29-02 may improve the lives of many of our patients, enabling them to finally escape the allergic rhinitis trap.     

Albendazole chemotherapy for treatment of diarrhoea in patients with AIDS in Zambia: a randomised double blind controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the value of short course, high dose albendazole chemotherapy in the treatment of persistent diarrhoea related to HIV in unselected patients in urban Zambia. DESIGN--A randomised double blind placebo controlled trial of albendazole 800 mg twice daily for two weeks. Patients were monitored intensively for one month and followed for up to six months. SETTING--Home care. AIDS services in Lusaka and Ndola. PATIENTS--174 HIV seropositive patients with persistent diarrhoea (defined as loose but not bloody stools three or more times a day for three weeks or longer). No investigations were undertaken except HIV testing after counselling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Proportion of time periods during which diarrhoea was experienced after completion of treatment; proportion of patients with full remission after completion of treatment; mortality. RESULTS--The patients taking albendazole had diarrhoea on 29% fewer days than those taking placebo (P < 0.0001) in the two weeks after treatment. The benefit of albendazole was maintained over six months. In patients with a Karnofsky score of 50 to 70 (needing help with activities of daily living and unable to work, but not needing admission to hospital) diarrhoea was reduced by 50%. Remission was obtained in 26% of all patients who received albendazole (P = 0.004 against 9% receiving placebo), and this difference was maintained over six months (log rank test, P = 0.003). Albendazole had no effect on mortality. Minimal adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS--For HIV infected Zambians with diarrhoea of more than three weeks'' duration albendazole offers substantial relief from symptoms and may be used empirically, without prior investigation.     

Th17 Immunity in Children with Allergic Asthma and Rhinitis: A Pharmacological Approach

Th17 cells and IL-17A play a role in the development and progression of allergic diseases. We analyzed the IL-17A levels in sputum supernatants (Ss), nasal wash (NW) and plasma (P) from Healthy Controls (HC) and children with Asthma/Rhinitis. We tested the expression of IL-17A, RORγ(t) and FOXP3 in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes from intermittent and mild-moderate asthma. The effect of Budesonide and Formoterol was tested “in vitro” on IL-17A, RORγ(t) and FOXP3 expression in cultured T-lymphocytes from mild-moderate asthma/persistent rhinitis patients, and on nasal and bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with NW and Ss from mild-moderate asthma/persistent rhinitis. Further, the effect of 12 weeks of treatment with Budesonide and Formoterol was tested “in vivo” in T-lymphocytes from mild-moderate asthma/persistent rhinitis patients. IL-17A was increased in Ss, NW and P from children with mild-moderate asthma compared with intermittent and HC. In cultured T-lymphocytes IL-17A and RORγ(t) expression were higher in mild-moderate asthma/persistent rhinitis than in mild-moderate asthma/intermittent rhinitis, while FOXP3 was reduced. Budesonide with Formoterol reduced IL-17A and RORγ(t), while increased FOXP3 in cultured T-lymphocytes from mild-moderate asthma/persistent rhinitis, and reduced the IL-8 release mediated by IL-17A present in NW and Ss from mild-moderate asthma/persistent rhinitis in nasal and bronchial epithelial cells. Finally, Budesonide with Formoterol reduced IL-17A levels in P and Ss, CD4⁺IL-17A⁺T-cells, in naïve children with mild-moderate asthma/persistent rhinitis after 12 weeks of treatment. Th17 mediated immunity may be involved in the airway disease of children with allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis. Budesonide with Formoterol might be a useful tool for its therapeutic control.     

Randomised controlled trial of homoeopathy versus placebo in perennial allergic rhinitis with overview of four trial series

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that homoeopathy is a placebo by examining its effect in patients with allergic rhinitis and so contest the evidence from three previous trials in this series.DesignRandomised, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group, multicentre study.SettingFour general practices and a hospital ear, nose, and throat outpatient department.Participants51 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.InterventionRandom assignment to an oral 30c homoeopathic preparation of principal inhalant allergen or to placebo.ResultsFifty patients completed the study. The homoeopathy group had a significant objective improvement in nasal airflow compared with the placebo group (mean difference 19.8 l/min, 95% confidence interval 10.4 to 29.1, P=0.0001). Both groups reported improvement in symptoms, with patients taking homoeopathy reporting more improvement in all but one of the centres, which had more patients with aggravations. On average no significant difference between the groups was seen on visual analogue scale scores. Initial aggravations of rhinitis symptoms were more common with homoeopathy than placebo (7 (30%) v 2 (7%), P=0.04). Addition of these results to those of three previous trials (n=253) showed a mean symptom reduction on visual analogue scores of 28% (10.9 mm) for homoeopathy compared with 3% (1.1 mm) for placebo (95% confidence interval 4.2 to 15.4, P=0.0007).ConclusionThe objective results reinforce earlier evidence that homoeopathic dilutions differ from placebo.     

Effect of inhaled corticosteroids on episodes of wheezing associated with viral infection in school age children: randomised double blind placebo controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of regular prophylactic inhaled corticosteroids on wheezing episodes associated with viral infection in school age children. DESIGN: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. SETTING: Community based study in Southampton. SUBJECTS: 104 children aged 7 to 9 years who had had wheezing in association with symptoms of upper and lower respiratory tract infection in the preceding 12 months. INTERVENTIONS: After a run in period of 2-6 weeks children were randomly allocated twice daily inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate 200 micrograms or placebo through a Diskhaler for 6 months with a wash out period of 2 months. Children were assessed monthly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1); bronchial responsiveness to methacholine (PD20); percentage of days with symptoms of upper and lower respiratory tract infection with frequency, severity, and duration of episodes of upper and lower respiratory symptoms and of reduced peak expiratory flow rate. RESULTS: During the treatment period there was a significant increase in mean FEV1 (1.63 v 1.53 1; adjusted difference 0.09 1 (95% confidence interval 0.04 to 0.14); P = 0.001) and methacholine PD20 12.8 v 7.2 mumol/l; adjusted ratio of means 1.7 (1.2 to 2.4); P = 0.007) in children receiving beclomethasone dipropionate compared with placebo. There were, however, no significant differences in the percentage of days with symptoms or in the frequency, severity, or duration of episodes of upper or lower respiratory symptoms or of reduced peak expiratory flow rate during the treatment period between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although lung function is improved with regular beclomethasone dipropionate 400 micrograms/day, this treatment offers no clinically significant benefit in school age children with wheezing episodes associated with viral infection.     

孟鲁司特钠联合左卡巴斯汀鼻喷剂治疗小儿过敏性鼻炎的疗效评价及对血清ECP、EOS及CRP水平的影响

目的:探讨孟鲁司特钠联合左卡巴斯汀鼻喷剂治疗小儿过敏性鼻炎的疗效及对血清嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白(ECP)、嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)及C反应蛋白(CRP)水平的影响。方法:选择我院2016年7月～2018年7月收治的151例过敏性鼻炎患儿,按随机数字表法分为69例对照组和82例观察组,对照组采用左卡巴斯汀鼻喷剂治疗,观察组在对照组基础上联合孟鲁司特钠治疗,比较两组临床疗效,治疗前后症状及体征评分,生活质量评分,血清ECP、EOS及CRP、总免疫球蛋白E(TIg E)和特异性免疫球蛋白E(Sig E)水平,和不良反应发生情况。结果:观察组总有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗前,两组症状及体征评分,生活质量评分,血清ECP、EOS及CRP、总免疫球蛋白E(TIg E)和特异性免疫球蛋白E(Sig E)水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,两组以上指标均下降,观察组低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。两组均有胃肠道反应、口干、头痛发生,组间总不良反应发生率比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:孟鲁司特钠联合左卡巴斯汀鼻喷剂治疗小儿过敏性鼻炎安全有效,能够降低血清ECP、EOS及CRP水平,促进患儿恢复。     

Exhaled nitric oxide and nasal tryptase are associated with wheeze,rhinitis and nasal allergy in primary school children

Abstract

Rhinitis and asthma are the most common respiratory diseases in children. We assessed whether airway inflammation markers were associated with nasal allergies and self-reported symptoms of wheeze and rhinitis in 130 children 6–12 year old in an epidemiological context. Independent of sex and age, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and nasal mast cell (MC) activation (tryptase ≥?5?ng/mL) were positively associated with wheeze, rhinitis and with nasal allergy. Nasal eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) markers (pH, 8-isoprostane, interleukin-1β) were not associated with symptoms or with nasal allergy. In conclusion, FeNO and nasal tryptase reflect allergic inflammation in the respiratory system.     

Plasma extravasation through neuronal stimulation in human nasal mucosa in the setting of allergic rhinitis

Sanico, Alvin M., Satsuki Atsuta, David Proud, and AlkisTogias. Plasma extravasation through neuronal stimulation in humannasal mucosa in the setting of allergic rhinitis. J. Appl. Physiol. 84(2): 537-543, 1998.We havepreviously shown that capsaicin nasal challenge in subjects withallergic rhinitis produces a dose-dependent increase in the albumincontent of nasal lavage fluids. In the present set of studies, wedetermined whether this observation represents plasma extravasationthat is neuronally mediated. To evaluate whether glandular secretionscontribute to the albumin increase in nasal lavage fluids, volunteerswith allergic rhinitis were pretreated with atropine or placebo before capsaicin challenge. Atropine significantly reduced the volume ofreturned lavage fluids and their lysozyme content but increased theiralbumin and fibrinogen content. To assess the contribution of sensorynerve stimulation, subjects with allergic rhinitis were pretreated in asecond study with lidocaine or placebo before capsaicin challenge.Lidocaine significantly attenuated the capsaicin-induced increases inthe volume of nasal lavage fluids, as well as their lysozyme andalbumin content. To rule out the possibility of a direct effect oflidocaine on blood vessels rather than on nerves, healthy subjects werepretreated in a third study with lidocaine or placebo before bradykininnasal challenge. Lidocaine did not affect the bradykinin-inducedincrease in the albumin content of nasal fluids. We conclude that, inallergic rhinitis, high-dose capsaicin induces plasma extravasation inthe human nose and that this effect is neuronally mediated. Thisprovides more definitive evidence that neurogenic inflammation canoccur in vivo in the human upper airway.

     

鼻用皮质类固醇对儿童变应性鼻炎患者鼻腔粘液菌群 影响的研究

目的:探讨皮质类固醇激素糠酸莫米松对儿童变应性鼻炎(allergic rhinitis,AR)患者鼻腔粘液菌群(包括需氧菌和真菌)的影响,同时观察其临床疗效。方法:选择30例儿童AR患者作为观察组,给予糠酸莫米松进行治疗,检测其治疗前后鼻腔粘液的菌群分布情况,同时与对照组的正常儿童进行比较。结果:经糠酸莫米松治疗后,患者的症状和体征显著减轻。细菌检出率和真菌检出率方面,对照组为90.0%和3.3%,观察组治疗前为86.7%和16.7%,治疗后为93.3%和20.0%,对照组与观察组治疗前及观察组治疗前后差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:糠酸莫米松治疗儿童变应性鼻炎,可以改善患者的临床症状,对于鼻腔粘液菌群没有显著影响。     

Amoxycillin and co-trimoxazole in presumed viral respiratory infections of childhood: placebo-controlled trial.

A double-blind randomized controlled trial of amoxycillin, co-trimoxazole, and placebo was conducted on 197 children presenting with presumed viral respiratory infections. Routine throat swabs were taken to exclude streptococcal diseases. The three disease categories studied--nasopharyngitis, pharyngotonsillitis, and bronchitis (including laryngotracheobronchitis)--showed a generally similar pattern of resolution irrespective of treatment. Nevertheless, seven out of 66 children receiving placebo were withdrawn from the trial with unremitting symptoms or complications thought to require antimicrobial treatment. Only two of 56 children receiving amoxycillin and none of 75 receiving co-trimoxazole were withdrawn. Three other children receiving amoxycillin and three receiving placebo were seen during the trial but further treatment was not thought to be necessary. Thus the return consultation rate in children receiving placebo therapy was 15% compared with 4% for those receiving antimicrobial treatment. Antimicrobial treatment was associated with less nasal discharge on the eighth day of treatment. Placebo treatment allowed an earlier return to normal activity. There was a high incidence of possible side effects on all regimens including placebo. It is concluded that the benefits of antimicrobial treatment in presumed viral respiratory infections are marginal, and they should not be routinely prescribed for these conditions.     

顺尔宁对变应性鼻炎患者血清肺表面活性蛋白A、D动态水平影响及近 期疗效观察

目的:探讨顺尔宁对变应性鼻炎患者体内肺表面活性蛋白A、D水平的影响及近期疗效观察。方法:纳入的变应性鼻炎患者分成单纯变应性鼻炎患者组不伴哮喘组106例,变应性鼻炎伴哮喘患者组75例,健康成人组20例作为实验对照组。连续应用顺尔宁8周后,统计患者鼻部总体症状评分,以及血清SP-A、SP-D水平的动态变化情况。结果:单纯变应性鼻炎组、变应性鼻炎伴哮喘组患者治疗4周后、8周后与治疗前比较,鼻部总体症状评分均明显降低,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。治疗4周后,单纯变应性鼻炎组、变应性鼻炎伴哮喘组患者血清SP-A、D水平较治疗前,差异无统计学意义(均P0.05);治疗8周后,单纯变应性鼻炎组、变应性鼻炎伴哮喘组患者血清SP-A、D水平较治疗前明显下降(均P0.05)。结论:顺尔宁可影响变应性鼻炎患者体内SP-A、SP-D水平,改善鼻部不适的症状。     

鼻内镜手术合并大环内酯类抗生素治疗鼻窦炎43例

目的：评价鼻内镜手术治疗合并术后利用大环内酯类抗生素治疗鼻窦炎的疗效,探讨鼻窦炎患者治疗前后血清中IL-17及其受体的表达及血清中总IgE的变化。方法：鼻窦内窥镜行病侧上颌寞自然口扩大及下鼻道开窗双进路,彻底清除鼻腔、鼻窦病变组织,术后采用大环内酯类抗生素治疗;采用酶联免疫法检测30例患者治疗前后血清中IL-17,IL-17R及IgE的含量。结果：治疗30例,其中术后病理证实鼻寞真菌球20例,治愈20例;曲霉菌感染23例,治愈10例,6个月随访无复发;与只治疗前相比,手术治疗后鼻窦炎患者血清IL-17,IL-17R及IgE的含量均明显降低。结论：鼻内镜手术是治疗真菌性鼻一鼻窦炎的主要方法,IL-17和IL-17R均参与鼻窦炎的发病过程,可作为诊断鼻窦炎的新指标,鼻内镜术后使用大环内酯类抗生素进一步巩固治疗,可降低复发率。     

Faster onset of action with topical levocabastine than with oral cetirizine

This international multicentre, open-label, parallel-group trial was undertaken to compare the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of topical levocabastine and oral cetirizine in patients with perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, with particular reference to the comparative onset of action of the two drugs. A total of 207 patients were randomized to receive either levocabastine nasal spray (0.5 mg/ml, two sprays in each nostril twice daily) plus levocabastine eye drops as required (0.5 mg/ml, one drop in each eye twice daily p.r.n.) or cetirizine orally (10 mg once daily) with a treatment duration of 2 weeks. Onset of action was found to be significantly more rapid with levocabastine than with cetirizine for both nasal and ocular symptoms (p < 0.001). Within 15 min of study drug administration, 36% of levocabastine-treated patients reported relief from nasal symptoms and 32% relief from ocular symptoms compared with 10% and 17% of patients on cetirizine, respectively. At 1 h, the percentages of patients reporting relief were 76% and 38% for nasal symptoms, and 81% and 48% for ocular symptoms in the levocabastine and cetirizine treatment groups, respectively. At 8 h there were no differences between the two treatments. Overall therapeutic efficacy was found to be comparable in the two treatment groups over the 2-week study period with no significant intergroup differences in symptom severity or global therapeutic efficacy. Both drugs were well tolerated with no significant differences in the incidence or type of adverse reactions between the two groups. In conclusion, levocabastine eye drops and nasal spray are as effective and well tolerated as oral cetirizine for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with the advantage of a significantly faster onset of action for both nasal and ocular symptoms.     

Construction and delivery of gene therapy vector containing soluble TNFalpha receptor-IgGFc fusion gene for the treatment of allergic rhinitis

Tumor necrosis factor alpha plays primary role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. TNFalpha is essential for antigen-specific IgE production and for the induction of Th2-type cytokines. The lack of TNFalpha inhibited the development of allergic rhinitis. In this study, the chimeric gene of soluble TNF receptor and IgGFc fragment (sTNFR-IgGFc) was cloned into the EBV-based plasmid pGEG. When the plasmid pGEG.sTNFR-IgGFc was transferred to endothelium cell, a considerable expression of the sTNFR-IgGFc fusion protein was detected. Moreover, the expression product in the supernatant could antagonize the cytolytic activity of TNFalpha on L929 cells. Then the plasmid was delivered into nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis mice to determine its effect on this animal model. Results showed that symptoms in treated group were improved. Pathological examination showed the numbers of eosinophil, mast cell and IL-5(+) cells in treated groups were reduced compared with placebo group. These data showed that pGEG.sTNFR-IgGFc expression plasmid is potential for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, and suggest that the antagonist of TNFalpha may provide a new approach for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.     

Nasal wall compliance in vasomotor rhinitis.

Nasal compliance is a measure related to the blood volume in the nasal mucosa. The objective of this study was to better understand the vascular response in vasomotor rhinitis by measuring nasal cross-sectional area and nasal compliance before and after mucosal decongestion in 10 patients with vasomotor rhinitis compared with 10 healthy subjects. Nasal compliance was inferred by measuring nasal area by acoustic rhinometry at pressures ranging from atmospheric pressure to a negative pressure of -10 cmH2O. Mucosal decongestion was obtained with one puff per nostril of 0.05% oxymetazoline. At atmospheric pressure, nasal cross-sectional areas were similar in the vasomotor rhinitis group and the healthy subject group. Mucosal decongestion did not induce any decrease of nasal compliance in patients with vasomotor rhinitis in contrast with healthy subjects. Our results support the hypothesis, already proposed, of an autonomic dysfunction based on a paradoxical response of the nasal mucosa in vasomotor rhinitis. Moreover, the clearly different behavior between healthy subjects and vasomotor rhinitis subjects suggests that nasal compliance measurement may therefore represent a potential line of research to develop a diagnostic tool for vasomotor rhinitis, which remains a diagnosis of exclusion.