[Histologic expressions of IL-4/STAT6 in nasal mucosa of guinea pig allergic rhinitis models and effect of glucocorticoid on them].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relation between IL-4/STAT6 and allergic rhinitis by comparing expressions of IL-4 and STAT6 in normal nasal mucosa and allergic rhinitis models, to explore the influence of glucocorticoid on IL-4, and STAT6 expression, and then to elucidate further the pathogenesis of AR and the mechanism of glucocorticoid.

METHOD: Forty-five guinea pigs were divided into three groups: normal control (NC) group, allergic rhinitis group (AR) and glucocorticoid (Glu) group (15 each). Animals in AR and Glu groups were sensitized with egg albumin, and in NC group were treated with normal saline as control. After sensitization and reproduction of AR model, rats in AR group received no treatment, while those in Glu group were treated with glucocorticoid (50 microl/one side/time, once a day) for 5 days. The changes in behavior was examined, and pathology of nasal mucosa were observed with HE staining, and the protein expressions of IL-4 and STAT6 in the nasal mucosa were detected by immunohistochemical technique.

RESULT: Compared with NC group, the frequency of sneezing and nose-scratching, and the expressions of IL-4 and STAT6 were increased obviously, but the opposite findings were observed in Glu group.

CONCLUSION

IL-4 and STAT6 are related to the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and may be the main factors for eosinophil infiltration in allergic rhinitis. Glucocorticoid may produce a therapeutic effect by intervening the expression of IL-4 and STAT6.