ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effect between nebulized and intravenous administration of Shenmai Injection () on pulmonary gas exchange function of patients following tourniquet-induced lower limb ischemia-reperfusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-eight patients scheduled for lower extremity surgery were randomized into three groups using the closed envelop method: Shenmai Injection was administered 30 min before tourniquet inflflation by nebulization [0.6 mL/kg in 10 mL normal saline (NS)] in the nebulization group or by intravenous drip (0.6 mL/kg dissolved in 250 mL of 10% glucose) in the intravenous drip group, and equal volume of NS was given intravenously in the NS group; 15 in each group. Arterial blood gases were analyzed, serum levels of malonaldehyde (MDA) and interleukine-6 (IL-6) and interleukine-8 (IL-8) were determined using the method of thiobarbituric acid reaction and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay respectively just before tourniquet inflflation (T0), and at 0.5 h (T1), 2 h (T2), 6 h (T3) after tourniquet deflflation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with baselines at T0, MDA levels signifificantly increased at T2, T3 in the NS group and at T3 in the nebulization group, and IL-6 and IL-8 levels were signifificantly increased at T2, T3 in NS, the intravenous drip and the nebulization groups (P <0.05). Arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO) at T3 was decreased, while alveolararterial oxygen tension showed difference (PA-aDO) at T3 in the NS group; RI at T3 in both intravenous drip and the nebulization groups were enhanced (P <0.05). Compared with the NS group, MDA and IL-8 levels at T2, T3, IL-6 at T3 in the intravenous drip group, and IL-8 at T3 in the nebulization group were all remarkably increased (P <0.05). Additionally, MDA level at T3 in the nebulization group was higher than that in the intravenous drip group (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intravenous administration of Shenmai Injection provided a better protective effect than nebulization in mitigating pulmonary gas exchange dysfunction in patients following tourniquet-induced limb ischemia-reperfusion.</p>