title: Comparable Function of γ-Tocopherols in Asthma Remission by Affecting Eotaxin and IL-4.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bronchial asthma is one of the world's most common chronic disorders dangerous to human health. It has been hypothesized that the increased number of asthma sufferers may be due to changing antioxidant intake or vitamin deficiency. However, the influence of vitamins on asthma has rarely been considered.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the effects of γ-tocopherols, a specific form of vitamin E, on asthma remission together with the possible mechanism behind the process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eosinophil counting was applied to detect the total number of cells, eosinophils and lymphocytes. Meanwhile, HE staining was used for morphological detection. In addition, the eotaxin and IL-4 levels in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured using ELISA technology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cell counting results showed that γ-tocopherols possesses the capability to reduce the number of eosinophils. Moreover, the exudation of inflammatory cells together with the hyperplasia of goblet cells was also found to experience significant inhibition when treated with γ-tocopherols. Furthermore, the high levels of eotaxin and IL-4 in the asthma group were evidently reduced under the treatment of γ-tocopherols which was comparable with hexadecadrol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  γ-tocopherols can remit asthma by regulating the level of eotaxin and IL-4. Moreover, γ-tocopherols may be regarded as a potential candidate for asthma treatment after much deeper explorations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Blood Oncology, Xi'An XD Group Hospital, ShaanXi, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Blood Oncology, Xi'An XD Group Hospital, ShaanXi, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Wen
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Blood Oncology, Xi'An XD Group Hospital, ShaanXi, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Li-Li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Blood Oncology, Xi'An XD Group Hospital, ShaanXi, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Ning-Mei
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Blood Oncology, Xi'An XD Group Hospital, ShaanXi, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Blood Oncology, Xi'An XD Group Hospital, ShaanXi, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Blood Oncology, Xi'An XD Group Hospital, ShaanXi, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Zhuo-Hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Blood Oncology, Xi'An XD Group Hospital, ShaanXi, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Guo
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D019742:Chemokines, CC; C508598:IL4 protein, human; D015847:Interleukin-4; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol
keywords: IL-4; asthma; dexamethasone; eotaxin; γ-tocopherols