objectives: in previous studies the therapeutic effects of nigella sativa have been demonstrated on asthmatic animals. in the present study, the preventive effect of single dose of alpha-hederin, its active constituent, has been evaluated on lung inflammation and some inflammatory mediators in lungs of ovalbumin sensitized rat in order to elicit its mechanism. materials and methods: forty rats ...

The clearance of (51)Cr-labeled guinea pig erythrocytes, sensitized with a known amount of IgM or IgG antibody, was examined in normal and BCG-infected guinea pigs. In normal animals, IgM-coated cells were rapidly sequestered in the liver. Most of these cells were then slowly released into the circulation where they survived normally as Coombs-positive erythrocytes. Neither the site nor extent ...

Asthma exacerbation can be a life-threatening condition, and is most often triggered by common respiratory viruses. Poor asthma control and worsening of respiratory function is associated with increased airway inflammation, including eosinophilia. Prevention of asthma exacerbation relies on treatment with corticosteroids, which preferentially inhibit allergic inflammation like eosinophils. Huma...

Oxazolone (OXA) is a potent contact allergen in man, and it is used as a model Th1-allergen to test (Q)SAR's and screening assays for allergenic potential of chemicals. However, it elevates serum IgE levels and Thelper2 cytokines at relatively low doses in test animals, suggesting that it has also respiratory allergenic potential. The lack of human data on respiratory allergenic potential of OX...

INTRODUCTION Among allergic patients, pet avoidance is commonly recommended. It is difficult for patients to accomplish this because of their emotional attachment to the pets, and its effectiveness is controversial. OBJECTIVE To explore the applicability and effectiveness of pet avoidance measures among sensitized patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated 288 patients with asthma, rhinit...

BACKGROUND There is still controversy over whether exposure to furred animals increases or decreases the risk of developing sensitization and allergic symptoms to such animals, and there is a need for further knowledge on this subject. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to follow allergy development in relation to new extensive exposure to furred animals in adults and children. METHODS A t...

Rabbits sensitized to horse serum developed a bacteremia of 9 to 12 hours' duration when they were inoculated simultaneously with normal horse serum and a strain of Streptococcus hemolyticus, while the bacteria could only be isolated from the blood stream of non-sensitized animals within the first 3 hours after inoculation. On the other hand, when antisera are employed as the antigen for shocki...

The effects of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) and its constituent, rosmarinic acid, on total and differential blood WBC, serum levels of NO2, NO3, MDA, thiol, SOD and CAT in sensitized rats were examined. The study was performed in control animals (group C) and eight groups of sensitized rats to ovalbumin which were given drinking water alone (group S), drinking water containing three concentr...

Although acute exposure to ozone (03*) has been shown to influence the severity and prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness, information has been lacking on effects due to long-term exposure at relatively low exposure concentrations. The goals of this study were to determine whether long-term repeated ozone exposures could induce nonspecific hyperresponsiveness in normal, nonatopic (nonsensiti...

BACKGROUND Macrophages are mononuclear cells with phagocytic and antigen presenting properties. The role of macrophages in IgE-dependent allergic reactions and oral tolerance remains unclear. In previous works we demonstrated that ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized rabbits present histopathological modifications of the mucosa in different regions of the digestive tract. The present study analyzes macro...