Hydrogen-rich saline and Treg cells in allergic rhinitisScientific Research

Abstract:

Objective: To explore the effect of hydrogen-rich saline on the CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells in a guinea pig model of allergic rhinitis (AR) and investigate the underling anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Methods: Using random number table, eighteen guinea pigs were divided into three groups (control group/AR group/HRS group, n=6 of each group). AR guinea pig model was built with ovalbumin and aluminum. The guinea pigs were injected with hydrogen-rich saline (HRS group) for ten days after sensitation. And control group was injected with equal normal saline at the same time. Number of sneezes, degree of runny nose and nasal rubbing movements were scored. Peripheral blood eosinophil count was recorded. The content of interleukin 10(IL-10) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) in the serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemical method was taken to detect IL-10 and TGF-β in nasal mucosa. The proportion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) T cells in the CD4(+) T cells of spleen and peripheral blood were determined with flow cytometry. SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data.

Results: There was significant difference in symptom scores among them. The scores of AR group preceded control group, and HRS could decrease the scores of AR ((6.29±1.79) vs (1.01±0.71), (4.50±0.84) vs (6.29±1.79), F=24.725, all P<0.05). The highest number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood belonged to control group, and the number of eosinophils were dramatically reduced after HRS administration ((0.41±0.05)×10(9)/L vs (0.25±0.03 )×10(9)/L, (0.32±0.03)×10(9)/L vs (0.41±0.05)×10(9)/L, F=70.05, all P<0.05). The content of IL-10 and TGF-β in control group is peak ((86.88±17.17) pg/ml, (598.28±72.70) pg/ml, respectively), and compared with AR group, HRS also increased the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β of peripheral blood ((72.54±11.75) pg/ml vs (53.49±10.07) pg/ml, (530.23±57.15) pg/ml vs (482.69±65.96) pg/ml, F value was 28.357, 14.128, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells in controls exceeded HRS group and AR group (1.81%±0.10%, 1.29%±0.74%, respectively), and HRS treatment increased the ratio of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells than AR group of peripheral blood ((1.50%±0.11%) vs (1.15%±0.11%), F=168.96, P0.05).

Conclusion: Both the number and the cytokine secretion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells are decreased in AR group, HRS may inhibit inflammatory response and ameliorate AR via improving the number and the cytokine secretion.