Efficacy of parthenolide on lung histopathology in a murine model of asthma

Giriş: Partenolit, asırlardır migren, artrit ve inflamasyonda kullanılan 'Tanacetum parthenium' (Feverfew; Gümüşdüğme) bitkisinin aktif bileşenini oluşturur. Partenolitin antiinflamatuvar etkinliği çeşitli insan ve hayvan çalışmalarında gösterilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, kronik astım modeli oluşturulmuş farelerde partenolitin akciğerdeki histolojik değişiklikler üzerine etkilerinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Otuzbeş adet adet BALB/c fare yedişerli gruplara ayrıldı. Grup I (kontrol), Grup II (plasebo), Grup III, Grup IV, Grup V. Çalışma gruplarındaki fareler, ovalbumin uygulanarak duyarlılaştırıldı. Kontrol grubundaki farelere aynı yol ve dozlarda steril salin solusyonu uygulandı. Duyarlaştırmanın son haftasında beş gün boyunca Grup II'ye partenolitin çözücüsü olan dimetil sülfoksit (DMSO), Grup III'e deksametazon, Grup IV'e partenolit, Grup V'e deksametazon ve partenolit tedavileri verildi. Çalışma ilaçlarının son dozunun uygulanmasından 24 saat sonra fareler sakrifiye edildi. Elde edilen akciğer örneklerinin histolojik özellikleri, ışık ve elektron mikroskopisi kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Akciğer dokusundaki interlökin (IL)-4 ve IL-5 düzeyleri ölçüldü. Bulgular: Akciğerin histolojik değerlendirmelerinde partenolit alan grupta (Grup IV) goblet hücre ve mast hücre sayısı dışındaki tüm histolojik parametrelerin, plasebo uygulanan gruba (Grup II) göre anlamlı olarak azaldığı gözlenmiştir. Partenolit grubu, deksametazon grubu (Grup III) ile karşılaştırıldığında ise bazal membran kalınlığı ve mast hücre sayısı dışındaki parametrelerde, deksametazon ile düzelme anlamlı olarak daha iyi bulunmuştur. Grup III ve Grup V karşılaştırıldığında çoğu parametrelerin benzer şekilde iyileştiği görülmüştür. Partenolit alan grup, plasebo grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında IL-4 düzeylerinde anlamlı bir düşüş görülürken, IL-5 düzeyleri her iki grupta benzer bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Bu çalışmada astım modeli oluşturulan farelerde partenolitin akciğer histolojisi üzerine olumlu etkileri gösterilmiştir. Ancak partenolitin deksametazon kadar etkin olmadığı ve deksametazon tedavisine partenolit eklenmesinin ek yarar sağlamadığı sonucuna varılmıştır. Introduction: Parthenolide is the active constituent of the plant 'Tanacetum parthenium' (Feverfew) which has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for migraine, arthritis and inflammatory conditions. Its antiinflammatory effects have been shown in several human and animal studies. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of parthenolide on histological changes in a murine model of chronic asthma. Materials and Methods: Thirty- five BALB/c mice were divided into five groups; I (control), II (placebo), III, IV and V. All groups except the control were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Sterile saline was administered instead of ovalbumine in control group. Mice in Group II (placebo group) received solvent of parthenolide dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Group III received dexamethasone, Group IV received parthenolide and Group V received both dexamethasone and parthenolide via intraperitoneal route once daily in the last five days of the challenge period. Animals were sacrificed by an overdose of ketamin after 24 hours from the last dose of the drug administration. Lung histology was evaluated by using light and electron microscopy. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were determined by ELISA. Results: Histologic parameters except the number of mast and goblet cells improved in parthenolide group (Group I) when compared with placebo. All parameters except basal membrane thickness and number of mast cells were improved significantly better in group receiving dexamethasone (Group III) when compared with parthenolide group (Group IV). Improvement of most of the histologic parameters were similar in Group III and V. Interleukin-4 levels were significantly reduced in parthenolide group when compared to placebo group, but IL-5 levels were similar in both groups. Conclusion: In this study we demonstrated that parthenolide administration alleviated some of the pathologic changes in asthma. But parthenolide alone is not efficient as dexamethasone therapy and parthenolide and dexamethasone combination also did not add any beneficial effect to dexamethasone treatment

Effects of Imipenem, Tobramycin and Curcumin on Biofilm Formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains

Aminoglycoside antibiotics and imipenem are reported to stimulate exopolysaccharide alginate production and cause an increased biofilm volume in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Recently, some remarkable studies have been conducted on the effects of curcumin (Turmeric), which is the fenolic form of Curcuma longa plant, on virulence factors of P.aeruginosa. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of MIC and sub-MIC concentrations of imipenem, tobramycin, and curcumin on biofilm formation of P.aeruginosa strains. P.aeruginosa strains (n= 2) used in this study were isolated from deep oropharyngeal swab samples of two cystic fibrosis patients. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of the two strains to imipenem, tobramycin, and curcumin were investigated by broth microdilution method, and biofilm production was assessed by using crystal violet staining method. In our study, MIC values of imipenem, tobramycin and curcumin for strain-1 were 8 mu g/ml, 8 mu g/ml and 16 mu g/ml, respectively, while those values were 4 mu g/ml, 8 mu g/ml and 16 mu g/ml for strain-2. Biofilm optical density values of the strain-1 and strain-2 before being treated with the test substances were 0.937 and 0.313 (control: 0.090), respectively, Biofilm optical densities of the both strains showed an increase following treatment with MIC concentrations of imipenem and tobramycin. The treatment of the strains with MIC and sub-MIC concentrations of curcumin led to no significant increase in biofilm optical density. The data obtained in this study supported the promising inhibitory effect of curcumin on P.aeruginosa biofilms. However, further more comprehensive studies are required to provide satisfactory data about the use of curcumin to treat P.aeruginosa infections characterized by biofilm formation

Effects of Imipenem, Tobramycin and Curcumin on Biofilm Formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains

Aminoglycoside antibiotics and imipenem are reported to stimulate exopolysaccharide alginate production and cause an increased biofilm volume in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Recently, some remarkable studies have been conducted on the effects of curcumin (Turmeric), which is the fenolic form of Curcuma longa plant, on virulence factors of P.aeruginosa. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of MIC and sub-MIC concentrations of imipenem, tobramycin, and curcumin on biofilm formation of P.aeruginosa strains. P.aeruginosa strains (n= 2) used in this study were isolated from deep oropharyngeal swab samples of two cystic fibrosis patients. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of the two strains to imipenem, tobramycin, and curcumin were investigated by broth microdilution method, and biofilm production was assessed by using crystal violet staining method. In our study, MIC values of imipenem, tobramycin and curcumin for strain-1 were 8 mu g/ml, 8 mu g/ml and 16 mu g/ml, respectively, while those values were 4 mu g/ml, 8 mu g/ml and 16 mu g/ml for strain-2. Biofilm optical density values of the strain-1 and strain-2 before being treated with the test substances were 0.937 and 0.313 (control: 0.090), respectively, Biofilm optical densities of the both strains showed an increase following treatment with MIC concentrations of imipenem and tobramycin. The treatment of the strains with MIC and sub-MIC concentrations of curcumin led to no significant increase in biofilm optical density. The data obtained in this study supported the promising inhibitory effect of curcumin on P.aeruginosa biofilms. However, further more comprehensive studies are required to provide satisfactory data about the use of curcumin to treat P.aeruginosa infections characterized by biofilm formation

Cold, cholinergic and aquagenic urticaria in children: presentation of three cases and review of the literature

Urticaria can be induced with a wide variety of environmental stimuli, such as cold, pressure, vibration, sunlight, exercise, temperature changes, heat, and water. Urticaria caused by physical factors has been reported as the cause of 6-17% of the chronic urticaria in children. We present three cases here cholinergic, cold and aquagenic urticaria - in which the diagnosis was proven with exercise, ice-cube and water provocation tests, respectively

Idiopathic Cold Urticaria and Anaphylaxis

Cold urticaria (CU) is a subtype of physical urticaria characterized by the development of urticaria and angioedema after cold exposure. Symptoms typically occur minutes after skin exposure to cold air, liquids, and objects. Most common method to confirm the diagnosis of CU is through ice cube challenge test, but 20% of patients with CU have negative ice cube challenge test results. The greatest risk with this kind of urticaria is the development of systemic reaction resulting in a hemodynamic collapse during generalized cold exposure. We report a case of a patient who developed CU and anaphylaxis during swimming and diving in the sea

Pediatricians' approach to children with acute urticaria

BACKGROUND: Acute urticaria is a common condition in childhood that concerns both patients and pediatricians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the general approach of pediatricians to children with acute urticaria

Efficacy of asthma education program on asthma control in children with uncontrolled asthma

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a group education program on asthma control for children with uncontrolled asthma. Patients were randomized to receive 1-hour group education program with their parents or usual care. Our primary outcome was the change in asthma control test (ACT) between baseline and month 3 and secondary outcomes were health care utilizations and self report of exacerbations of asthma symptoms and missed school days. Change of ACT between baseline and 1st month and 3rd month was not significant in education and usual care groups. Health care utilizations and self reported exacerbations in the study groups were similar while missed school days were significantly higher in usual care group. The results of the study suggest that group education may play a useful role in the management of children with uncontrolled asthma but it is not significantly effective when compared with usual care