ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the value of urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) combined with mortality in emergency department sepsis (MEDS) score in evaluating the severity and prognosis of sepsis patients with acute kidney injury (AKD. Methods A total of 64 septic patients were selected from the intensive care unit of emergency department of Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital, and they were treated from January 2013 to December 2015. According to the AKI diagnostic criteria of Kidney Disease; Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), the patients were divided into group AKI1 (21 cases), group AKI2 (24 cases) and group AKI (19 cases). The patients were also divided into death group (33 cases) and survival group (31 cases) according to their survival slate within 28 days. The urinary NGAL levels and MEDS score were compared between groups of different AKI stages and different survival slates. ROC curves were plotted to assess the predictive abilities of urine NGAL, MEDS score and the combination of both for the 28 day mortality of sepsis patients with AKI, with Youden index used to identify the optimal cut-off value. Results The urinary NGAL level and MEDS score in the three groups of different stages gradually increased with the severity of the disease, showing significant difference (P<0. 01). We also found that NGAL level and MEDS score in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group (P<0. 01). ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve (AUC) of urinary NGAL and MEDS score were 0. 885 and 0. 841, respectively, with the optimal cut-off values being 157. 5 ng/mL and 10. 5 points, respectively. The AUC of urinary NGAL combined with MEDS score for predicting 28 day fatality rate was 0. 936, with the sensitivity being 91. 4% and specificity being 89. 2%, which were better than using urinary NGAL or MEDS score alone. Conclusion Both urine NGAL and MEDS score can be used as for predicting severity of sepsis patients with AKI. and the combination use of the two has even a greater value for the prognosis.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore targets of Chinese herbal medicine at cellular and molecular leve1s through an experimental study on Yinxingye Capsule (YC) intervening vascular endothelial cell apoptoeis of hyperhornocysteinemia (HHcy) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HHcy model was prepared in male Wistar rats. Totally 42 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the control group (n =10), the model group (n = 11), the YC group (n =11), the folic acid group (n =10). Carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solution (1%) was administered to rats in the control group by gastrogavage.3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg was administered to rats in the model group by gastrogavage. 3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg and folic acid suspension at 0. 06 g/kg was administered to rats in the folic acid group by gastrogavage. 3% methionine suspension at 1. 5 g/kg and YC at 0. 02 g/kg was administered to rats in the YC group by gastrogavage. Morphological changes of aortic tissue were observed by hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining. The plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level was detected in each group. The endothelium-dependent diastolic functions of the thoracic aorta on different concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and acetylcholine (Ach) were detected. Gene expressions of Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), c-Fos, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (c-IAP2) were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Pathological results showed that thickening aortic endothelium, swollen and desquamated endothelial cells. Few foam cells could be seen in the model group. Myoma-like proliferation of smooth muscle cells in tunica media could also be seen. These pathological changes were milder in the YC group and the folic acid group. Compared with the control group, plasma Hcy levels increased in the model group (P <0. 05). The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates at 10(-6) and 10(-4)mol/L Ach and 10(-7) -10(-3)mol/L SNP all decreased in the model group (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). Gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS increased, but c-IAP2 gene expressions decreased in the model group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the model group, plasma Hcy levels decreased in the YC group and the folic acid group (P <0. 05). The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates increased in the YC group and the folic acid group at various SNP concentrations except 10(-6) mol/L SNP in the folic acid group. The endothelium-dependent diastolic rates increased in the YC group and the folic acid group at 10(-6) and 10(-4)mol/L Ach (all P <0. 05). Gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS decreased in the YC group and the folic acid group, but c-IAP2 gene expression increased in the folic acid group (all P <0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YC could reduce plasma Hcy levels, down-regulate gene expressions of Bax, c-Fos, and iNOS, thereby reducing apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells, improving vascular endothelial function, and delaying atherosclerotic process.</p>