Establishment and evaluation of a rat model of allergic rhinitis with mixed cold-heat pattern.

Abstract

This study aims to construct and validate a disease-syndrome combined rat model (MCHP-AR) that possesses both the pathological features of Allergic Rhinitis (AR) and the connotation of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) "Cold-Heat Complex" syndrome. Through multi-factorial interventions including Ovalbumin + Aluminum Hydroxide sensitization, combined with Propylthiouracil, Anemarrhena-Gypsum decoction, ice-water swimming, and Senna leaf administration, we constructed a composite model exhibiting both typical nasal symptoms of AR and systemic manifestations of Cold-Heat Complex. Experimental results showed that rats in the MCHP-AR group not only presented with IgE-mediated Type I hypersensitivity but also exhibited significantly amplified inflammation in nasal and lung tissues, characterized by elevated serum IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17 levels, and decreased IFN-γ. Concurrently, they displayed decreased T3/T4 levels, increased NO levels, reduced SOD activity, and elevated MDA content. These results suggest that this composite model may not merely be a superposition of simple allergic reactions; it likely involves a comprehensive synergy of amplified inflammation, disrupted redox homeostasis, immune imbalance, and endocrine disorders. It provides a reliable experimental vehicle for revealing the biological mechanisms of AR, holding significant academic value and clinical application prospects.