title: Changes in IL-4 and IL-13 expression in allergic-rhinitis treated with hydrogen-rich saline in guinea-pig model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medical gas hydrogen (H2) has a special role in airway inflammation; however, the effect of H2on allergic rhinitis (AR) remains unclear. This study explored the possible roles of H2 on the pathogenesis of AR and observed the influences of H2on cytokines IL-4 and IL-13.
  
  
  METHODS
  An AR guinea pig model was established by nasal ovalbumin sensitisation. Eighteen guinea pigs were divided into three groups, namely, saline control, AR-sensitised, and hydrogen-rich saline (HRS)-treated groups, with each group having six guinea pigs. The frequencies of sneezing and scratching were recorded. The IgE level and cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) levels in the serum were measured. The expression levels of IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA and protein in the nasal mucosa were also determined by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. We also observed the infiltration of cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) in nasal mucosa by immunofluorescence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequencies of sneezing and scratching, as well as the levels of IgE, IL-4, and IL-13, in the serum were higher in the AR group than in the control group (p<0.01), whereas all these parameters were decreased significantly after HRS treatment (p<0.05). The expression levels of IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA and protein in the nasal mucosa were also lower in guinea pigs treated with HRS than those in the AR group (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HRS could affect anti-inflammation in AR and decreased the expression of IL-4 and IL-13.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China. Electronic address: yu_shaoqing@163.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ge
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018793:Interleukin-13; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006859:Hydrogen; D010047:Ovalbumin
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Hydrogen-rich saline; IgE; Immunofluorescence; Ovalbumin