Japanese Journal of Allergology

We investigated whether an expression of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) within the lung tissue is related to allergic airway inflammation and HO-1 expression could influence airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and eosinophilia in C57BL/6 mice actively sensitized to ovalbumin. The number of HO-1 positive cells was increased in the subepithelium of the bronchi after OVA challenge and HO-1 was localized to alveolar macropharge. Zinc-protoporphyrin (Zn-PP), a competitive inhibitor of hemeoxygenase, by intraperitoneal injection clearly inhibited AHR, pulmonary eosinophilia and IL-5 and IL-13 in the lung tissue. These data indicate that the expression of HO-1 is increased within the lung tissue in allergic airway inflammation and the overexpression of HO-1 could enhanced allergic airway inflammation.

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We have investigated the nasal and eye symptoms of pollinosis in Hakodate. There were elevated levels of dispersion of Cryptomeria japonica pollen in Hakodate in 1995 and 1998. In 1995 and 2001, there were also elevated levels of dispersion of Betula platyphylia var. japonica pollen. From March to June and September from July 1999 to May 2002, there was an increased incidence of pollinosis in Hakodate. In 641 patients with allergic rhinitis, the specific IgE positive rates for house dust and mite, Artemisia (Art), Gramineae (Gra), Betulaplatyphylia var. japonica (BJ), and Cryptomeria Japonica (CJ) were 73.5, 28.5, 25.7, 14.2 and 21.2%, respectively. The subjects with pollinosis in 2001 and 2002 (n = 95) were divided into four groups as follows : Cryptomeria japonica (n = 49), Betula platyphylia var. japonica (n = 11). Gramineae (n = 18) and Artemisia (n = 17) pollinosis. The general severity of rhinitis and conjunctivitis were divided into four grades ( (-), (+), (+ +) and (+ + +) ) respectively. The combined (+ +) and (+ + +) rates observed for the general severity of rhinitis for all these subjects (n = 95) was 86.4% and there was no significant difference in the general severity of rhinitis between any of the four groups. The combined (+ +) and (+++) rates for the general severity of conjunctivitis for all subjects (n = 95) was 56.9% and the general severity of conjunctivitis for BJ and Gra pollinosis were significantly (P<0.01) higher than those observed for CJ pollinosis. In conclusion, the present data shows that the general severity of rhinitis in subjects with pollinosis in Hakodate was more severe than that of conjunctivitis and also that the general severity of conjunctivitis was dependent on the specific pollen (s) responsible for the pollinosis.

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Atopic dermatitis (AD) has been clinically well-known to be frequently exacerbated by psychological and physiological stress. In this study, we examined effects of sedative odorant (modified valerian oil) inhalation on patients with AD. We investigated clinical scores, skin physiological parameters and psychological questionnaire (POMS) every 2 weeks. For first 2 weeks, we arranged non-inhalation period. Results for non-inhalation period were compared with these of 2- or 4-week inhalation. As results, sum of skin clinical scores significantly improved after odorant inhalation. Some patients improved for non-inhalation period, too. However, patients that had not improved for non-inhalation period significantly improved after odorant inhalation. Skin conductance and skin dryness/scaling score also improved after odorant inhalation without improving for non-inhalation period. Psychological parameter (POMS) also tended to improve after odorant inhalation. These results suggest that sedative odorants may be useful as a complementary therapy for AD through psychosomatic stress care.

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Interrupter respiratory resistance (Rint) is a new lung function test for measuring airway resistance. We investigated the utility of the Rint lung function test in pediatric patients with asthma. Thirty seven asthmatic patients with mild or moderate asthma attack (asthma group) and 9 healthy children (control group) were enrolled in the study, and the utility of the Ring test was compared with that of the PEF lung function test. Rint and PEF were measured after the inhalation of saline or β_2 stimulant, and the values for the asthma and control groups were compared. The rint and PEF values did not change after the inhalation of saline, but both values improved after the inhalation of β_2 stimulant in the asthma group. In the control group, the PEF and Rint values measured after saline or β_2 stimulant were not significantly different. Rint measurements may be more useful than PEF tests for evaluating therapeutic responses to mild asthma attacks in children. These findings suggest that Rint is a useful respiratory function test for evaluating children with asthma.

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