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Published on: December 20, 2024
Topical Application of TAT-Superoxide Dismutase in Acupoints LI 20 on Allergic Rhinitis
Jing-Ke Guo1, Ming-Ming Xu1, Mei-Feng Zheng2
1SIBS, CAS-Zhejiang Gongshang University Joint Centre for Food and Nutrition Research, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
Abstract:
Reactive oxygen species are products of cellular metabolism and assigned important roles in biomedical science as deleterious factors in pathologies. In fact, some studies have shown that the therapeutic benefits of taking antioxidants were limited and the potential for therapeutic intervention remains unclear. New evidences showed that ROS have some ability of intercellular transportation. For treating allergic rhinitis, as a novel intracellular superoxide quencher, TAT-SOD applied to acupoints LI 20 instead of directly to nasal cavity can be used to test that. TTA group apply TAT-SOD cream prepared by adding purified TAT-SOD to the vehicle cream to acupoints LI 20, while placebo group used the vehicle cream instead. TTN group applied the same TAT-SOD cream directly to nasal cavity three times daily. Symptom scores were recorded at baseline and days 8 and 15. For the overall efficacy rate, TTA group was 81.0%, while placebo group was 5.9% and TTN was 0%. Malondialdehyde levels decreased observably in TTA group, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels remained basically unaffected. Enzymatic scavenging of the intracellular superoxide at acupoints LI 20 proved to be effective in treating allergic rhinitis, while no improvement was observed with the placebo group and TTN group.
Insights
Applying TAT-SOD to acupoints LI 20 effectively treats allergic rhinitis by quenching intracellular superoxide. This novel topical application significantly improved symptoms compared to placebo or direct nasal application.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play dual roles in cellular metabolism and pathology.
- Therapeutic benefits of traditional antioxidant interventions remain limited and unclear.
- Emerging evidence suggests ROS possess intercellular transport capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of transdermal antioxidant therapy (TAT-SOD) applied to acupoints LI 20 for treating allergic rhinitis.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of targeting intracellular superoxide at specific acupoints.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial comparing TAT-SOD cream applied to acupoints LI 20 (TTA group) versus placebo cream (placebo group) and TAT-SOD cream applied directly to the nasal cavity (TTN group).
- Symptom scores were assessed at baseline, day 8, and day 15.
- Biomarkers including malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzyme levels were measured.
Main Results:
- The TTA group demonstrated an 81.0% overall efficacy rate, significantly outperforming the placebo (5.9%) and TTN (0%) groups.
- Malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly in the TTA group.
- Levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase remained largely unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Enzymatic scavenging of intracellular superoxide at acupoints LI 20 is a viable and effective strategy for allergic rhinitis treatment.
- Topical application of TAT-SOD to acupoints LI 20 offers a novel therapeutic approach for allergic rhinitis.
- Direct nasal application of TAT-SOD did not yield significant therapeutic benefits.
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