Topical Application of TAT-Superoxide Dismutase in Acupoints LI 20 on Allergic Rhinitis

Figure 4

Model of scavenging the intracellular superoxide locally at the acupoints leading to a lower level of nasal epithelial damage through a meridian line. In allergic rhinitis, house dust exposure induces nasal epithelium to produce ROS, which can challenge mast cells to release the proinflammatory mediators, including histamine. Histamine plays a crucial role in the development of nasal blockage, pruritus, sneezing, and rhinorrhea. ROS could control excitability of connective tissues through redox modulation of membrane generating ROS and vice versa. ROS produced in this compartment play a critical role in inflammatory signaling in AR. Meridian lines connecting acupoints and nasal epithelium must be a channel implicated with ROS. Scavenging the intracellular ROS locally at the acupoint leads to lower level of nasal epithelial damage through a meridian line.