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Objective To investigate the effect of Jiawei-Xiaoyao powder on the levels of somatotropin and vasoaetive intestinal peptide (VIP) in patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD).Methods Seventy patients with liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency NERD who met the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups according to the random number table,35 in each group.The treatment group was orally administered with Jiawei-Xiaoyao powder,and the control group was given oral omeprazole enteric-coated tablets and domperidone.Both groups were treated for 8 weeks.Plasma somatotropin and VIP levels were measured by ELISA.Results After treatment,plasma somatotropin levels (210.96 ± 16.85 pg/ml vs.195.75 ± 12.62 pg/ml,t=4.274) in the treatment group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P＜0.01),and plasma VIP level (16.12 ± 1.41 pg/ml vs.18.57 ± 2.68 pg/ml,t=4.786) in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P＜0.01).Conclusions The Jiawei-Xiaoyao powder could reduce plasma VIP level in NERD patients,increase plasma somatotropin levels of NERD.
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BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is characterized of chronic inflammation in airway, pulmonary parenchyma and pulmonary vessels. The mechanism of the increment and activity changes of these inflammatory cells is unclear at present.OBJECTIVE: To study the apoptotic character of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs) and its relationship with COPD to provide a reference for early intervention and function surveillance for COPD patients.DESIGN: An observatory comparative study based on COPD patients and healthy population as controls.SETTING: Department of pulmonary medicine in a military medical university of Chinese PLA affiliated hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 98 COPD patients were admitted by the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA between February 2003 and December 2003 due to COPD acute attack. Eighteen patients including 12 males and 6 females aged between 48 and 70 years old [mean of(56 ± 7) years old]were randomly selected into COPD group according to random number table.Totally 14 healthy adults including 10 males and 4 females aged between 50 and 70 years old [mean of (59 ± 8) years old] who were individuals came for physical check up in our hospital were selected in control group.METHODS: PMNs were separated from peripheral blood by density gradient centrifugation. The dynamic changes of PMNs apoptosis in peripheral blood was observed by flow cytometer and TUNEL method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of PMNs apoptotic rate in peripheral blood among groupsRESULTS: As indicated by flow cytometric analysis, PMNs apoptotic rate at early apoptotic phase in COPD patients at paracmasis was(8.5 ± 1.3)%,which was significantly lower than(12.5 ± 1.8)% of normal control group( t=6.25, P ＜ 0. 01); PMNs apoptotic rate was(5.1 ±0.6)% at acute aggravation stage, which was significantly lower than that of paracmasis group ( t =5.66, P ＜001). As indicated by TUNEL analysis, PMNs apoptotic rate at paracmasis was(12.42 ±2.7)% , which was significantly lower than (21.5±4.8)% of normal control group(t=5.76, P ＜ 0.01); PMNs apoptotic rate was(4. 9 ±0.4)% at acute aggravation stage, which was significantly lower than that of paracmasis group( t = 6. 12, P ＜ 0. 01 ) . PMNs changes at the late phase of apoptosis/necrosis had a contrary tendency, i. e.,PMNs rate at late apoptotic phase/necrosis was(2. 8 ± 0.5)% in COPD patients at paracmasis, which was significantly higher than(1. 3 ±0.4)% of normal control group ( t= 6. 37, P ＜ 0. 01 ); PMNs rate was (3.7 ± 0. 3) % at acute aggravation stage, which was significantly higher than that of paracmasis group(t=5.81, P ＜0.01).CONCLUSION: PMNs abnormal apoptosis might be an important reason that induces PMNs aggregation in airway and lung tissues in COPD. This process might have an important significance in the generation and development of chronic airway inflammation, which provides an etiologic basis for the primary rehabilitative intervention of COPD.
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Objective To study the expression of Gq protein in bronchopulmonary tissues of rats of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model and the roles of inflammation in airway of COPD rats. Methods A total of 44 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: nonsmoking control group, 1 month smoking group, 2 month smoking group, and intervention group (dexamethasone + smoking for 2 months). The pathological changes of lung tissues and the total and differential count of white blood cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in all groups were observed. The expression of Gq in bronchopulmonary tissues was detected by immunohistochemical method and Western blot analysis. Results More significant increases in total number of leukocytes and neutrophils in BALF were found in the model group than those in the control group. Gq was mainly expressed in airway epithelial cells, inflammatory cells, and pulmonary capillary endothelia. Weak expression of Gq was found in bronchopulmonary tissues in the control group, but overexpression of Gq in the model group. The ratios of Gq positive cells in bronchopulmonary tissues were significantly correlated with the number of white blood cells and neutrophils in BALF. The levels of expression of Gq were significantly higher in the model groups and intervention group than those in the control group. More significant decrease in Gq expression was found in the intervention group as compared with that in 3 month smoking group. Conclusion Gq may be involved in the process of airway inflammation in COPD. Inhibition of the Gq overexpression might be a new approach to the treatment of COPD. Corticosteroid might have some effects on the inhibition of the airway inflammation.
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Objective To investigate the apoptosis of alveolar macrophage and its significance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 11 patients with COPD and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Alveolar macrophages (AM) were harvested from the BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid). The positive rate of myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining of alveolar macrophages by MPO staining was observed so as to indirectly reflect neutrophil apoptosis and the phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by alveolar macrophages. Apoptosis were detected by the transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. Results The positive rate of alveolar macrophages by MPO staining was lower in COPD group than the control group (P