This study identified, for the first time, protective levels of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in healthy subjects and supported their significant involvement in the pathogenesis of lumbar DS. The control samples and analytical methods used avoided any false changes in the cytokine levels due to secondary factors (e.g., death of donor and limited cytokine stability).

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In summary, morin represents very rational target for additional studies as potential substance for control as well as prevention of asthma inflammation and symptoms.

The aim of this study was to determinate bronchodilator, antitussive, and ciliomodulatory activity of inhaled combination therapy with budesonide and salmeterol, and to correlate the results with the anti-inflammatory effect. The experiments were performed using two models of allergic inflammation (21 and 28 days long sensitization with ovalbumine) in guinea pigs. The animals were treated daily by aerosols of budesonide (1 mM), salmeterol (0.17 mM), and a half-dose combination of the two drugs. Antitussive and bronchodilator activities were evaluated in vivo. The ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was assessed in vitro in tracheal brushed samples, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, and TNF-α) were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We found that the combination therapy significantly decreased the number of cough efforts, airway reactivity, and the level of inflammatory cytokines in both models of allergic asthma. Three weeks long sensitization led to an increase in CBF and all three therapeutic approaches have shown a ciliostimulatory effect in order: salmeterol < budesonid < combination therapy. Four weeks long ovalbumine sensitization, on the other hand, decreased the CBF, increased IL-5, and decreased IL-13. In this case, only the combination therapy was able to stimulate the CBF. We conclude that a half-dose combination therapy of budesonide and salmeterol shows comparable antitussive, bronchodilator, and the anti-inflammatory effect to a full dose therapy with budesonide alone, but had a more pronounced stimulatory effect on the CBF.

Aim:N-acetylcysteine is the prototype of mucolytic agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute and chronic effect of inhaled and oral N-acetylcysteine on airway reactivity, cough reflex and ciliary beat frequency and parameters of mentioned defense mechanisms were assessed in physiological conditions.Methods:An experiment was performed using healthy guinea pigs treated with inhaled (0.6 M; 5min) and oral N-acetylcysteine (20 mg/kg), administrated either acutely as a single dose or chronically during 7 days. The cough reflex and specific airway resistance were assessed byin vivomethod, using a double chamber plethysmograph box. The ciliary beat frequency was evaluated inin vitroconditions on tracheal brushed samples using light microscope coupled to high speed video camera.Results:Inhaled and oral N-acetylcysteine, either administrated as a single dose or during 7 days, have shown a tendency to decrease sensitivity of the cough reflex and increase the airway reactivity. Acute administration of inhaled and oral N-acetylcysteine had no statistically relevant effect on the ciliary beat frequency, whereas chronic administration of both inhaled and oral N-acetylcysteine led to a marked reduction in the ciliary beat frequency.Conclusion: Chronic administration of oral and inhaled N-acetylcysteine had a negative impact on the ciliary beat frequency, which represents one of the key factors determining the rate of mucociliary clearance. Thus, administration of N-acetylcysteine is less likely to increase the expulsion of mucus by ciliary movement. In addition, the observed tendency of inhaled and oral N-acetylcysteine to increase the airway reactivity may limit its use in conditions with severe airflow obstruction.