Effects of Huaiqihuang Granules on airway inflammation in bronchiolitis / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effects of Huaiqihuang Granule on airway inflammation and wheezing reattack in bronchiolitis. Methods:A total of 120 patients with bronchiolitis presenting airway inflammation and wheezing reattack who received treatment in Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital and Yicheng Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2018 and October 2019 were included in this study. These patients randomly underwent either conventional treatment (control group, n = 60) or conventional treatment + Huaiqihuang Granule treatment (experimental group, n = 60). They received pulmonary function examinations and laboratory tests for evaluating serum and urinary inflammatory factors at admission and 2 months after discharge. They were followed up by telephone 3 months and 1 year after onset. Results:The ratio of time to reach the peak tidal expiratory flow over total expiratory time (TPTEF/TE) and the volume to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory volume (VPTEF/VE) were significantly higher in the experimental group compared with those in the control group ( t = 3.13, 3.60, all P < 0.01). The ratio of tidal peak flow to tidal expiratory flow when 25% of tidal volume remains in the lungs (PF/TEF25) and functional residual capacity/kg (FRCp/kg) significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with those in the control group ( t = 3.88, 3.74, all P < 0.01). Interleukin-4 level and the ratio of interleukin-4/γ-interferon levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group ( t = 5.70, 8.93, all P < 0.01). Gamma-interferon level was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group ( t = 3.85, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in urinary leukotriene E4 level post-treatment between the two groups ( t = 1.18, P > 0.05). The number of patients who had a wheezing attack again within 3 months post-treatment and the number of patients who had ≥3 wheezing attacks were significantly lower in the experimental group compared with those in the control group ( χ2 = 5.18, 6.98, P < 0.01 or 0.05). Conclusion:Huaiqihuang granule can effectively regulate the balance of the Th 1/Th 2 ratio, inhibit airway inflammation in bronchiolitis, improve pulmonary function, and reduce the number of wheezing reattacks.