Effects of composite xinyi aerosol on asthma related cytokines in senm and sputum of patients with bronchial asthma

Objective

To observe the therapeutic effect of composite Xinyi aerosol, XYA) in treating asthma and its influence on asthma related cytokines in serum and sputum of patients with mild or moderate bronchial asthma.

Methods

Sixty patients were divided randomly into the treated group and the control group, 30 in each group. They were treated with XYA and Salbutamol aerosol (SA) respectively by spray inhalation once a day for seven days as one therapeutic course to observe the antiasthmatic effect of the treatment. Changes of lung function and the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukine-2 receptor (IL-2R) and interleukine-8 (IL-8) in serum and sputum were observed before and after treatment using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of TNF-α, IL-2R andIL-8 in the sputum of part of the patients in the treatment group were also observed.

Results

In the treated group, 6 patients had the asthma clinically controlled after treatment, 12 were markedly alleviated, 9 alleviated and 3 remained unchanged, while in the control group, the respective numbers were 4, 6, 15 and 5. The controlled-markedly effective rate of XYA was 60. 0%, which was significantly better than that of SA (33. 3%,P<0.05). The one second forced expiratory volume percent (FEV1%) and peek expiratory flow rate (PEFR) improved significantly and the levels of TNF-α, IL-2R and IL-8 in serum decreased noticeably in both groups after treatment (P<0.05 orP<0. 01), but the improvement in the treated group was more significant as compared with those in the control group (P<0.05) . The levels of TNF-α, IL-2R and IL-8 in sputum considerably lowered also after XYA treatment (P<0.01).

Conclusion

XYA could regulate the related cytokines in patients with mild or moderate bronchial asthma, and reduce the releasing of inflammatory factors, which is consistent with the improvement of lung functions, so as to ease the airway inflammation chiefly exhibited as cell infiltration in bronchi.     

TNF-α and IL-8 of the Patients with Allergic Asthma

The levels of serum TNF-α and IL-8 in the patients with allergic asthma during acute attack period and remission period, and the effects of glucocorticoid (GC) on them were investigated. By using ELISA, the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were detected in the healthy volunteers (group C, n=40), the patients with allergic asthma (n=40) during acute attack period (group A) and remission period (group B) and those taking GC for a week (n=28). The results were compared among them. It was found that the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 in group A were higher than in group B and group C. In the patients subject to GC therapy, the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were decreased as compared with those in group A. In group B, the level of TNF-α was higher than in group C, but there was no significant difference in the level of IL-8 between group B and group C. It was concluded that the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and 11.-8, played important roles in the bronchus allergic inflammation. GC could reduce the levels of serum TNF-α and IL-8 to exert the anti-inflammatory effects.     

Intervention Effect of Jianxin Decoction（健心汤） on Serum Cytokine Level of Congestive Heart Failure Patients

Objective: To investigate the intervention effect of Jianxin Decoction (健心汤, JXD) on the cytokine level in serum of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods: Sixty-six patients with CHF were randomly divided into the control group (n=33) and the trial group (n=33). The control group received conventional treatment, and the trial group was treated with conventional therapy plus JXD for 4weeks. Before and after treatment, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitrogen monoxide (NO) in serum and cardiac function were determined. Results: After treatment, the levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and NO were significantly lower than those before treatment (P＜0.05, or P＜0. 01) in the two groups,and the lowering degree of the indices in the trial group was more significantly reduced than that in the control group (P＜0. 05). And cardiac functions in both groups were improved significantly (P ＜ 0.05, or P ＜0.01). Conclusion: JXD could prevent and reverse ventricular remodeling so as to ameliorate cardiac function through regulating the levels of cytokines.     

Effect of Ligustrazine Injection on Levels of Interleukin-4 and Interferon-γ in Patients with Bronchial Asthma

Objective:To explore the effect of ligustrazine injection (LI) on serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in patients with bronchial asthma and determine the mechanism of action of LI in preventing and treating asthma.Methods:Sixty-eight patients with mild or moderate bronchial asthma were assigned to two groups equally according to their sequence number,odd or even.The conventional treatment was administered to both groups,and LI was given to the treatment group by ultrasonic spray inhalation twice a day but not to the control group.The therapeutic course for all was 2 weeks.Further,30 healthy subjects who had no history of smoking were enrolled as the normal control group.The clinical condition scores,frequency of attacks and dosage of Terbutaline inhaled were scored and recorded on the first day of hospitalization (before treatment) and after treatment.At the same time,the indexes of lung function,including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1),forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1%) and the peak expiratory flow (PEF) were determined before treatment.The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in peripheral blood were detected by ELISA before and after treatment,and compared with that of the healthy control group.]Results:After treatment,the clinical condition scores were found to be lower,indexes of lung function were elevated,but serum level of IL-4 and ratio of IL-4/IFN-γ were reduced in both groups,showing significant differences as compared to those before treatment (P＜0.05).However,the changes in all the indexes were more significant in the treatment group than in the control group,also showing statistical significance (P＜0.05).No significant difference was revealed when IFN-γ levels were compared before and after treatment in both groups,though a lowering trend could be seen,significant difference could not be found in the comparison of IFN- γ levels between groups after treatment (P＞0.05).Conclusion:LI shows good clinical effect in treating bronchial asthma,and its mechanism might be related to the suppression of the synthesis of IL-4,thus leading to the inhibition of TH2 cell subset preponderant response and immune equilibrium regulation.     

Effect of Xuezhikang Capsule(血脂康胶囊)on Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-αand Interleukin-6 in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Hyperlipidemia

<正>Objective:To evaluate the effect of Xuezhikang Capsule(血脂康胶囊) on the serum levels of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and hyperlipidemia,and to explore whether it has anti-inflammatory effect.Methods:A total of 84 patients were randomly assigned to two groups with stratified block randomization, the treatment group(42 cases) and the control group(42 cases).They were treated with Xuezhikang Capsule and polyene phosphatidylcholine capsule for twenty-four weeks,respectively.The changes in serum TNF-αand IL-6 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay before treatment and at the 12th and 24th week. Results:Compared with those before treatment,the serum levels of TNF-αand IL-6 significantly decreased in both groups after treatment(P0.01).There was no significant change between the two groups for the treatments at different time points(P0.05) and between the two groups for treatments at the same time points (P0.05).Conclusion:Xuezhikang Capsule can inhibit the serum inflammatory factor in patients with NAFLD and hyperlipidemia.     

Clinical study on effect of Astragalus Injection (黄芪注射液) and its immuno-regulation action in treating chronic aplastic anemia

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Astragalus Injection(黄芪注射液,AI) and its immuno-regulatory action in treating chronic aplastic anemia(CAA).Methods:Sixty patients with CAA were randomly assigned to two groups equally,both were treated with Stanozolol three times a day,2 mg each time through oral intake,but AI was given additionally to the patients in the treated group once a day via intravenous dripping.All were treated for 15 days as one therapeutic course and the whole medication lasted for more than 4 months totally,with follow-up adopted.The clinical effi cacy was estimated and the changes of T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood as well as the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-2(IL-2) were observed.Results:The total effective rate in the treated group was 83.3%(25/30),which was higher than that in the control group 66.7%(20/30),showing significant difference between them(P<0.05).Levels of hemoglobin,WBC,reticular cell and platelet were elevated in both groups after treatment,but the improvement was signif icantly better in the treated group than that in the control group with respect to the former three indexes(P<0.05).The level of CD4 increased and that of CD8 decreased signifi cantly after treatment in the treated group(P<0.05),which showed significant difference as compared with those in the control group(P<0.05).Levels of serum TNF-α and IL-2 lowered after treatment in both groups,but signifi cance only showed in the treated group(P<0.05).The degree of proliferation in bone marrow got raised signifi cantly and the percentage of non-hemopoietic cells reduced signifi cantly in the treated group after treatment,also showing significant difference to those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:AI could promote the recovery of hemopoietic function,which might be through improving T-lymphocyte subsets and reducing the release of negative regulatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-2 to alleviate the inhibition on hemopoietic function.     

Metabolomic Analysis of Serum Glycerophospholipid Levels in Eosinophilic and Neutrophilic Asthma

Objective To compare the serum glycerophospholipid levels in the inflammatory subtypes of asthma by using targeted metabolomic analysis. Methods Demographic and clinical data were collected from 51 patients with asthma between January 2015 and December 2015. Routine blood and sputum induction tests were performed. Eosinophilic asthma was defined as induced sputum containing ≥ 3% eosinophils, and neutrophilic asthma, as induced sputum containing ≥ 71% neutrophils. Serum metabolic glycerophospholipid profile was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Differences in glycerophospholipid levels between eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma and between neutrophilic and non-neutrophilic asthma were analyzed using partial least squares discriminant analysis. Results The serum lysophosphatidylglycerol level was significantly higher in the group with ≥ 3% eosinophils in sputum than in the group with 3% eosinophils in sputum. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was ≥ 70%. There was no significant difference in the serum metabolic glycerophospholipid profile between the group with sputum neutrophils ≥ 71% and the group with sputum neutrophils 71%. Conclusion Serum lysophosphatidylglycerol is produced abundantly in eosinophilic asthma and may be a biomarker of eosinophilic asthma. This information is helpful for identifying and tailoring treatment for the common asthma subtypes.     

The Therapeutic Effects of Rehmannia Oral Liquid for the Syndrome of Heat Accumulation with Yin Consumption in Esophagus Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy——A Report of 60 Cases

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of Rehmannia Oral Liquid on the syndrome of heat accumulation with Yin consumption in intermediate or late esophagus cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Methods: The IFN-α, TNF-α, IL-1β and TGF-β1 levels in sera were determined by the method of ABC-WLISA before and after the treatment with Rehmannia Oral Liquid. At the same time, the observation was carried out on the patient's general condition, symptoms and signs, barium meal or CT examinations, and biopsy. Another 30 cases of esophagus cancer were treated singly with radiotherapy as the control group. Results: Rehmannia Oral Liquid could obviously improve the patient's general condition, and the symptoms and signs after radiotherapy. Based on the X-ray examination and biopsy, the short-term local control rate of the treatment group and the control group was 70.0% and 40.0% respectively, showing a significant difference (P<0.05). Before the treatment, the level of serum IFN-α of both cancer groups was lower and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and TGF-β1 were higher than that of normal group. After treatment, the level of IFN-α in both treatment group and control group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the treatment group improved more obviously than the control group (P<0.05). The level of TNF-α of both groups decreased significantly (P<0.01) after treatment, and the level of IL-1β decreased in treatment group and increased in control group without the significant difference as compared with that before treatment. The level of TGF-β1 was significantly increased in control group (P<0.05) and decreased in treatment group (P>0.05) after treatment. The difference between groups was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Rehmannia Oral Liquid can obviously reduce the radiotherapy reaction, improve the quality of life, and raise the therapeutic effects. The action mechanism of the Liquid may lie in balancing the cytokine network and regulating the disordered signal transmission.     

Relationship of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Nitrogen Oxide with Treatment of Frequent Relapse Nephrotic Syndrome by Shenkangling(肾康灵)Granule in Children

Objective:To observe the relationship of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and nitrogenoxide(NO)with the treatment of frequent relapse nephrotic syndrome(FRNS)and to explore the patho-genesis of FRNS and the therapeutic mechanism of Shenkangling(肾康灵,SKL)Granule in children.Methods:Sixty children suffering from FRFRNS were randomly divided into the treated group and controlgroup,30 in each,and the other 30 healthy children were taken as healthy group.The patients were trea-ted with prednisone for a long-term course,and those with no effect or partial effect shown were treatedwith additional Tripterygium or Cytoxan in the control group,while in the treated group patients weretreated with prednisone and additional SKL.The two groups were compared as to their changes of TNF-α,NO before and after treatment,and the relapses after treatment.Results:The levels of TNF-α and NO inthe sick children before treatment were markedly higher than those afer treatment and normal group(P<0.01).The positive correlation     

Effect of Liangxue Huoxue Xiaoyin Tang on Serum Levels of TNF-α,IFN-γ and IL-6 in Psoriasis of Blood-Heat Type

To explore the effect of Liangxue Huoxue Xiaoyin Tang (LHXT 凉血活血消银汤 Decoction of Removing Heat from the Blood and Promoting Blood Flow to Eliminate Psoriasis) on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in psoriasis of blood-heat type. Blood samples from both the treatment group (N=33) and control group (N=30) were taken before and after treatment, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 were determined by radio-immunoassay and ELISA. The total effective rate achieved in the treatment group was 90.91%. The remarkably high serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 in patients before treatment (P＜0.01) were obviously decreased after one course of treatment (P＜0.05) and were close to those of healthy subjects after two course of treatment (P＞0.05). The data demonstrate that LHXT has the actions of reducing serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 in psoriasis of blood-heat type, and may exert a pharmacological effect targeting at the cytokines.     

Clinical study of trilogy detoxicating therapy combined with routine Western medicine on patients with chronic renal failure

Objective： To investigate the mechanism of Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy in treating patients with chronic renal failure （CRF）. Methods： A total of 142 patients were assigned to the Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy group （the treatment group, 82 patients） and the Western medicine treatment group （the control group, 60 patients）. All of the patients were treated with NovoNorm 1 mg and metformin hydrochloride tablets 0.15 g thrice per day for lowering the blood glucose, as well as Perindopril 4 mg twice daily for lowering blood pressure, recombinant human erythropoietin 2 000 U and a hypodermic injection thrice a week for rectifying anemia, 30 days as one course of treatment, and all patients were treated for two courses. Patients in the treatment group were treated with the Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy [dispersing the five-zang （脏） organs, expelling toxins through colonic dialysis and skin dialysis fumigation] in addition to the aforementioned drugs. Parameters observed and recorded in the study included renal function [serum creatinine （SCr）, blood urea nitrogen （BUN）], blood lipids [triglyceride （TG）, total cholesterol （TC）, low-density lipoprotein C （LDL-C）, high-density lipoprotein C （HDL-C）], plasma total protein （TP）, hemoglobin （Hb）, serum interleukin-6 （IL-6）, and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） before and after the treatment. Results： After two courses of treatment, the levels of SCr, BUN, TG, TC, LDL-C, serum IL-6 and TNF-α decreased significantly, meanwhile HDL-C increased in the treatment group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. In contrast, no obvious changes of the above mentioned items occurred in the control group. In both groups, the levels of TP and Hb were significantly elevated （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）, but the changes were more obvious in the treatment group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy played a therapeutic role on patients with CRF possibly through lowering the levels of blood lipids, serum IL-6 and TNF- α     

Follow-up Efficacy of Integrative Chinese and Western Drugs on Localized Scleroderma with Vitamine B6 and Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (血府逐阏汤)

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of vitamine B6 (Vit B6) and Xuefu Zhuyu Deoderma(LSD). Methods: Thirty-three patients were treated with XFZY and Vit B6, with 15 cases taking orally prednisone acetate and 20 healthy volunteers as the control. Their level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the patients with LSD before and after treatment were observed. Results: The level of sIL-2R and TNF-α in the serum from the patients with LSD were higher than those of healthy volunteers (P＜0. 01). After treatment with Vit B6 and XFZY, the level of sIL-2R and TNF-αfrom the patients with LSD decreased significantly (P＜0.01), but there were no difference between the group taking Vit B6 plus XFZY and the group given prednisone. Conclusion: The activating blood circulation to remove stasis approach in treating LSD with integrative Chinese and Western drugs got better results, and metabolic disorder of tryptophan might be correlated with the etiology of LSD.     

Effect of Astragalus Injection on Levels of Blood Selenium and Immunity Function in Children with Viral Myocarditis

Objective: To observe the effect of Astragalus Injection (AI) on levels of blood selenium (Se)and cytokines, and T cellular immune function with viral myocarditis (VM) in children. Methods: Eighty children with VM were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group consisted of 38 patients, to whom conventional therapy, including energy mixture, vitamin C and coenzyme Q10, etc. were given. The treated group (n=42), to whom combination therapy of conventional therapy and AI were given. The levels of blood Se and cytokine, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and also evaluation of T lymphocyte subsets and cardiac function were observed. Results: The results showed that after treatment, the levels of blood Se were significantly higher (P＜0.01), while IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-αwere significantly lower (P＜0.01) than those before treatment in the control group. The left ventricular end diameter (LVED) were significantly decreased (P＜0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were significantly increased than those before treatment in the treated group(P＜0.01, P＜0.05). T lymphocyte subsets got normalized (P＜0.01), and compared with the control group, the difference was significant (P＜0.01). Conclusion: Astragalus membranaceus possesses anti-viral effect, adjusts the balance of cytokine and T cellular immunity, and improves the clinical manifestation and cardiac function. It is an effective approach in treating viral myocarditis.     

The Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract on the Expression of PKCα in the Inflammatory Cells and the Level of IL-5 in Induced Sputum of Asthmatic Patients

To investigate the effect of the Ginkgo Biloba Extract （GBE） on the asthma and examine its possible mechanisms, 75 asthma patients were divided into 4 groups and the patients were respectively treated with fluticasone propionate for 2 weeks or 4 weeks, or treated with fluticasone propionate plus GBE for 2 weeks or 4 weeks. Fifteen healthy volunteers served as healthy controls. Sputum inhalation with inhaling hypertonic saline （4%-5%） was performed. Lung ventilatory function and forced expiratory volume in one second （FEVI） were measured. The numbers of different cells in induced sputum were calculated. The expression of PKCα in the cells was immunocytochemically detected and the percentages of positive cells in different cells were counted. Interleukin-5 （IL-5） in sputum supernatants was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The percentage of eosinophils, lymphocytes, PKCα positive inflammatory cells and the concentration of IL-5 in asthmatic patients were higher than those in the controls （P〈0.05）, and the eosinophils, lymphocytes, positive expression of PKCα and the level of IL-5 were significantly decreased in asthmatic patients after they were treated with fluticasone propionate or fluticasone propionate plus GBE. However, they were still significantly higher than those of the controls. Compared to the group treated with glucocorticosteroid for 2 weeks, no significant decrease was found in the percentage of eosinophils, lymphocytes, PKCα positive inflammatory cells and the IL-5 in the supernatant of induced sputum. Compared with the group treated with glucocorticosteroid for 2 or 4 weeks, significant decrease in the same parameters was observed in the group treated with fluticasone propionate and GBE for 4 weeks. The IL-5 level in the supernatant of induced sputum was positively correlated with the percentage of PKCα-positive inflammatory cells and the percentage of eosinophils in the induced sputum in asthma patient groups respectively （n=150, r=0.83, P〈0.01; n=150,     

Significance of fractional exhaled nitric oxide combined with serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in evaluation of elderly asthma

Bronchial asthma is a common chronic airway inflammatory disease. Asthma is associated with high mortality, especially in the elderly patients. Repeated exacerbations cause disease progression. Therefore, identifying the onset of acute elderly asthma as soon as possible and giving the effective treatment is crucial to improve the prognosis. This study was to investigate the significance of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) combined with serum procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the evaluation of elderly asthma. A total of 120 elderly patients with an acute attack of asthma from July, 2010 to May, 2012 were studied. On presentation, FeNO, serum PCT and CRP concentrations were measured and sputum culture was also performed. The elderly patients were re-evaluated when they had returned to their stable clinical state. The elderly patients were classified into two groups: positive bacterial culture group (A) and negative bacterial culture group (B). The results showed that: (1) In patients with an acute exacerbation of asthma, 48 (40%) patients had positive sputum bacterial culture and 72 (60%) had negative sputum bacterial culture. (2) The levels of FeNO in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma were significantly higher than in those with no acute exacerbation state (63.8±24.6 vs. 19±6.5 ppb, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in FeNO between group A and group B (P>0.05). (3) The levels of PCT and CRP in group A patients with an acute exacerbation of asthma were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in group B (for PCT: 27.46±9.32 vs. 7.85±3.52 ng/mL; for CRP: 51.25±11.46 vs. 17.11±5.87 mg/L, respectively). When they had returned to stable clinical state, the levels of PCT and CRP in group A were decreased significantly (P<0.05), and those in group B had no significant change (P>0.05) when compared with the exacerbation group. There were no significant differences in the levels of PCT and CRP between the two groups in non-acute exacerbation state (P>0.05). These results suggest that the increase in FeNO indicates the acute exacerbation of asthma, and the elevation of serum PCT and CRP levels may be associated with bacterial infection.     

Effect of Liangxue Huoxue Xiaoyin Tang on Serum Levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 in Psoriasis of Blood-Heat Type

To explore the effect of Liangxue Huoxue Xiaoyin Tang （LHXT 凉血活血消银汤 Decoction of Removing Heat from the Blood and Promoting Blood Flow to Eliminate Psoriasis） on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-or （TNF-α）, interferon （IFN-γ） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in psoriasis of blood-heat type. Blood samples from both the treatment group （N=33） and control group （N=30） were taken before and after treatment, and the serum levels of TNF-ct, IFN-T and IL-6 were determined by radio-immunoassay and ELISA. The total effective rate achieved in the treatment group was 90.91%. The remarkably high serum levels of TNF-α IFN-γ and IL-6 in patients before treatment （P〈0.01） were obviously decreased after one course of treatment （P〈0.05） and were close to those of healthy subjects after two course of treatment （P〉0.05）. The data demonstrate that LHXT has the actions of reducing serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 in psoriasis of blood-heat type, and may exert a pharmacological effect targeting at the cytokines.     

参麦注射液对病毒性心肌炎患儿血清TNF-α、IL-6的影响及临床意义

目的 检测参麦注射液对病毒性心肌炎患儿血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)及白细胞介素-6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)的影响,探讨参麦注射液治疗病毒性心肌炎的作用机制.方法 采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测治疗组37例和对照组35病毒性心肌炎患儿急性期和恢复期血清TNF-α,IL-6的浓度,并进行统计学比较分析.结果 治疗前治疗组和对照组病毒性心肌炎患儿急性期TNF-α、IL-6浓度比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),而两组治疗前后比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),治疗组恢复期浓度明显低于对照组恢复期浓度,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 参麦注射液能明显降低病毒性心肌炎患儿的血清TNF-α和IL-6浓度,提示参麦注射液可能通过抑制TNF-α和IL-6合成与释放而起治疗作用. Abstract： Objective To investigate the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in serum of children with viral myocarditis(VM)before and after treatment of shenmai injection,to explore the mechanism of shenmai injection in treating viral myocarditis and its clinical significance. Methods The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by ELISA for 37 children with VM in treatment group and 35 children in control group before and after treatment,respectively. Results The difference of serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in two group at the acute stage were not significant(P＞0.05), and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in two group at recovery stage were lower than those at acute stage(P＜0.01), and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were furtherly lower in treatment group than control group (P＜0.01). Conclusions Shenmai injection can significantly decrease the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in children with VM, suggesting shenmai injection may play significant role in the VM pathogenesis by suppressing synthesis and releasing of TNF-α and IL-6.     

Clinical Effect of Fuzheng Jiedu Granule (扶正解毒颗粒) on Serum NO,NOS and Microelements in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease in Long-term Contact with Nickel

Objective: To study the clinical effect of Fuzheng Jiedu granule (扶正解毒颗粒, FJG) and its influence on serum nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and rnicroelements in patients with coronary heart disease who are in long-term contact with nickel. Methods: Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups, the treated group and the control group, 30 in each group. Conventional Western medicinal treatment was applied to both groups, but to the treated group, FJG was given additionally by oral intake, and the therapeutic course for both groups was 4 weeks. Besides, a health control group was set up with 15 healthy subjects selected from the same area, who had no history of contact with nickel. Clinical symptoms of the patients and changes in their electrocardiogram (ECG) and serum levels of NO, NOS and microelements were observed before and after treatment. Results: The total effective rate on clinical symptoms in the treated group was 93.3% and that in the control group 63.3%, comparison between the two showing significant difference (P＜0. 05); the total effective rate on ECG in the two groups was 90.0% and 56.7% respectively, which also showed significant difference ( P＜0. 05). After treatment, levels of serum NO, NOS, Mg, Zn and Ca increased and those of Ni, Mn and Fe decreased significantly ( P＜0. 05 or P＜0.01) in the treated group, while in the control group, changes in these laboratory indexes were insignificant. Conclusion: FJG could lower the blood nickel level and regulate the unbalance of microelements, help restore serum NO and NOS in persons exposed to nickel and improve the clinical symptoms of patients with coronary heart disease and in long-term contact with nickel.     

Effects of Erigeron Injection on Vascular Endothelium in Patients after Intracoronary Stenting

Objective: To observe the levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in patients after intracoronary stenting (ICS), and the effects of Erigeron Injection (El) on them. Methods:Seventy-two patients, who received ICS and had symptoms of chest stuffiness, palpitation and chest pain, were randomly divided into two groups, with 36 patients in the control group treated with Plavix alone for anti-platelet aggregation, and the other 36 patients in the treated group treated with Plavix and El in combination. CRP, ET-1, NO and SOD were determined and compared before and 1, 2 and 3 weeks after treatment. Results: As compared with those in the control group, improvement of symptoms in the treated group was significantly better, with the levels of CRP and ET-1 lower and levels of SOD and NO higher or approaching to normal ranges and significant difference was shown between the two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: El could alleviate uncomfortable feelings such as chest stuffiness in patients after ICS, and improve the function of vascular endothelium.     

Effect of Kang’ ai Injection (康艾注射液) on serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with esophageal carcinoma during radiotherapy

Objective： To observe the effect of Kang＇ai Injection （康艾注射液, KAI） on serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor （sIL-2R） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in patients with esophageal carcinoma （EC） during radiotherapy （RT）, and to investigate its synergistic effect with RT and its influence on immunological function of the body. Methods： One hundred and seventy patients with EC, who had missed the chance of surgical operational therapy, were assigned to the treated group （90 cases） and the RT group （80 cases）, and at the same time a control group consisting of 80 inpatients without tumors was set up. Patients in the RT group were treated with RT alone but KAI was given additionally to those in the treated group, with 50 ml given once per day via intravenous dripping, 15 days as one course, and 2 courses administered in total. The immediate therapeutic efficacy and changes of serum slL-2R and VEGF levels were observed, and the effect of KAI on patients＇ quality of life （QOF） was evaluated by Karnofsky scoring. Results： In 16 patients of the treated group it was completely remission （OR）, in 54 partially remission （PR）, in 18 it was stabilized disease （SD） and in 2 progressive disease （PD）, with the total effective rate （CR ＋ PR） as 77.8%, while in those of the control group it was 12, 46, 18, 4 and 72.5%, respectively, the immediate therapeutic efficacy in the treated group was somewhat better than that in the RT group, but showed no statistical significance （P〉0.05）. Serum levels of slL-2R and VEGF in all the patients before treatment were higher than those in the control group, which were decreased after treatment in both groups （P〈0.05）, but the improvement in the treated group was better than that in the RT group, showing significant difference （P〈0.05）, and patients＇ QOF improved more significantly in the former as well （62.2 % vs 40.0%, P〈 0.05）. Conclusion： KAI in combination with RT in treating patients with EC could enhance the immunological function of patients, improve their QOF and enhance their sensitivity to RT.