Hormetic Effect of Chronic Hypergravity in a Mouse Model of Allergic Asthma and Rhinitis

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the effect of chronic hypergravity in a mouse model of allergic asthma and rhinitis. Forty BALB/c mice were divided as: group A (n = 10, control) sensitized and challenged with saline, group B (n = 10, asthma) challenged by intraperitoneal and intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) to induce allergic asthma and rhinitis, and groups C (n = 10, asthma/rotatory control) and D (n = 10, asthma/hypergravity) exposed to 4 weeks of rotation with normogravity (1G) or hypergravity (5G) during induction of asthma/rhinitis. Group D showed significantly decreased eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in their BAL fluid compared with groups B and C (p < 0.05). In real-time polymerase chain reaction using lung homogenate, the expression of IL-1β was significantly upregulated (p < 0.001) and IL-4 and IL-10 significantly downregulated (p < 0.05) in group D. Infiltration of inflammatory cells into lung parenchyma and turbinate, and the thickness of respiratory epithelium was significantly reduced in group D (p < 0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 and heme oxygenase-1 were significantly downregulated, Bax and extracellular dismutase significantly upregulated in Group D. Therefore, chronic hypergravity could have a hormetic effect for allergic asthma and rhinitis via regulation of genes involved in antioxidative and proapoptotic pathways. It is possible that we could use hypergravity machinery for treating allergic respiratory disorders.

Hypergravity enhances the therapeutic effect of dexamethasone in allergic asthma and rhinitis animal model

“…These findings are in line with our previously conducted studies. [ 10 ] Guéguinou et al reported that when animals were exposed to 2 G hypergravity for 3 weeks, serum IgG levels increased more than 2-fold, and IgA levels increased by 30%. [ 8 ] However, to the best of our literature review, it is the first time that we have observed changes in IgE levels of mice after their exposure to hypergravity.…”

“…In our previous studies, we have shown that an appropriate degree of hypergravity could produce a hormetic effect on animals with allergic diseases. [ 10 ] However, whether this hormesis due to hypergravity is efficacious enough to be comparable to actual drug therapy has not been studied yet. Furthermore, no studies have been conducted to determine whether the anti-allergic effect of the combination of hypergravity and drug therapy on experimental animals with allergic diseases is greater than that of medication alone.…”

Mechanical load increase–induced changes in cytoskeletal structure and cellular barrier function in human cerebral endothelial cells

“…Increased gravitational force is commonly regarded to be harmful and noxious. However, several previous studies have shown that hypergravity has various beneficial effects on living organisms, such as enhancing the immune functions in mouse with allergic diseases, differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into cardiac muscle and neuronal cells, and increasing the osteopontin expression in osteoblasts (Genchi et al, ; Jang, Jung, & Kim, ; Ling et al, ; Zhou, Zu, Sun, Zhuang, & Yang, ).…”

Guizhi-jia-houpu-xingzi decoction attenuates ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma via regulation of Toll-like receptor signal pathway

“…On day 21, pulmonary functions were determined, and after that, the rats were sacrificed under anesthesia using pentobarbital sodium (45 mg/kg, ip) after collection of blood samples and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF). The lung tissues were excised for the following biochemical assays [14,15].…”