【Abstract】 Objective To observe the plasma levels of adiponectin and interleukin-17 ( IL-17) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) at acute exacerbation or stable stage, and analyze their relationship. Methods Sixty male COPD patients with normal weight ( with BMI range of 18. 5-24. 9 kg/m2 ) were enrolled, including 30 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD ( AECOPD) and 30 patients with stable COPD. Twenty healthy nonsmoking male volunteers were included as controls. The plasma levels of adiponectin and IL-17 as well as lung function ( FEV1% pred and RV% pred) were measured in all subjects. Results The concentrations of adiponectin and IL-17 were significantly higher in the AECOPD patients than those of the patients with stable COPD and the contro1s ( P lt; 0. 001) . Theconcentrations of adiponectin and IL-17 were significantly higher in the patients with stable COPD than those of the controls ( P lt;0. 01) . Adiponectin was positively correlated with IL-17 in the AECOPD patients ( r =0. 822, P lt;0. 001) and in the patients with stable COPD ( r =0. 732, P lt;0. 001) . Adiponectin was positivelycorrelated with RV% pred in the AECOPD patients ( rs = 0. 764, P lt;0. 001) and in the patients with stable COPD ( rs =0. 967, P lt;0. 001) . There was no significant relationship between adiponectin and FEV1% pred ( P gt;0. 05) . Conclusions The plasma level of adiponectin in COPD patients is elevated which is relatedwith excessive inflation of lung. Adiponectin may be involved in the process of inflammation in COPD as a new pro-inflammatory cytokine.
Objective To investigate the changes of pulmonary diffusing capacity and pulmonary capillary blood volume in stable COPD patients with mixed ventilation dysfunction, and explore the possible pathophysiological factors. Methods 159 stable COPD patients with mixed ventilation dysfunction were recruited in the study and 36 normal subjects were recruited as control. The Belgium medisoft box5500 was used to determine the pulmonary ventilation function, lung capacity, and pulmonary diffusing capacity. The measured parameters included forced vital capacity ( FVC) , forced expiratory volume in one second ( FEV1 ) ,maximal voluntary ventilation ( MVV) , vital capacity ( VC) , total lung capacity( TLC) , residual volume ( RV) , minute volume of alveolar ventilation ( VA ) , lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide ( DLCO) , pulmonary membrane diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide ( DMCO) , and pulmonary capillary blood volume ( Vc) . The above parameters were compared between the COPD patients and the normal subjects. The relationship was analyzed between DLCO% pred, DMCO% pred, Vc% pred and all the ventilation parameters. Results In stable COPD patients with mixed ventilation dysfunction, all parameters of pulmonary ventilation function, lung capacity, and pulmonary diffusing capacity were significantly different from the normal subjects ( Plt;0. 05 or Plt;0.01) . FVC, VC, VA, and DMCO of the COPD patients were about 66% of the calculated value or more. The average TLC%pred was a little higher than the normal. FEV1 , MVV, DLCO and Vc were abnormally lower which were between 36% ～44% . The average RV%pred was 188% of the predicted value. Obvious correlation could be detected between DLCO% pred, DMCO% pred, Vc%pred and FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC, TLC% pred, RV%pred, RV/TLC and VA% pred etc.Conclusions In COPD patients with mixed ventilation dysfunction, the pulmonary blood capillary is damaged seriously which lead to a significant decrease of the capacity of pulmonary blood capillary, as well as seriously air distribution disturbance and ventilation/bloodstream mismatch. The Vc decline may develope before the impairment of pulmonary diffusing capacity which may contribute to the damaged of DLCO and DMCO.
Objective To investigate the expression and significance of Fork head /winged helix protein 3 (Foxp3) , retinoic acid-related orphan receptorγt (RORγt) , and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in Guinea pigs with emphysema. Methods Smoking and active immunization with elastin were separately used in guinea pigs to establish emphysema model. Then the destruction of lung tissue was assayed by measurement of the average radius of alveolar. The expressions of Foxp3 , RORγt, and IL-17 in lung tissue of the guinea pigs were detected by immunohistochemical technique. The results were compared with the normal control group by the analysis of variance or kruskal-Wallis test. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the ratio of Foxp3/RORγt and IL-17, also the correlation between Foxp3/RORγt and the average radius of alveolar. Results In the smoking group and the active immunization group, the average radius of alveolar were significantly longer than the control group (Plt;0.05) . And the expression of Foxp3/RORγt was significantly unbalanced, with the number of Foxp3-positive cells decreased and RORγt-positive cells increased (Plt;0.05) . Meanwhile the level of IL-17 was significantly increased compared with the control group ( Plt;0.05) . The difference between the smoking group and the active immunization group was not significant (Pgt;0.05) . The ratio of Foxp3/RORγt was negatively correlated with the level of IL-17 and the average radius of alveolar. Conclusions Active immunization with elastin can induce emphysema in guinea pigs. The Foxp3/RORγt expression was unbalanced in lung tissue of guinea pigs with emphysema.This imbalance may be an important mechanism attributed to the disordered expression of CD4+ Treg cells and Th17 cells, which may be involved in autoimmune regulation and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of tiotropium in the treatment of stable COPD ( chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patients of group D. Methods Sixty-two subjects with stable COPD in group D classified by combined COPD assessment in GOLD 2011, were randomly divided into a treatment group ( n = 32) and a control group ( n = 30) . The treatment group was treated with tiotropium ( 18 μg, inhalation, once daily) plus salmeterol /fluticasone ( 50/500 μg, inhalation, twice a day)and the control group was treated only with salmeterol / fluticasone ( 50/500 μg, inhalation, twice a day) . The exercise tolerance, dyspnea score and lung function were measured before and 1, 8,24, and 48 weeks after the treatment respectively. Results 8, 24, 48 weeks after the treatment respectively, there were improvements of 6 minute walk test and the dyspnea score of medical research council scale( MRC) in both groups than before treatment, and which was better in the treatment group. Compared with baseline and the control group, significantly greater improvements in the FVC, FEV1 and FEV1% pred were seen in the treatment group at all time points. In the control group, FVC, FEV1 and FEV1% pred 1 and 8 weeks after treatment were higher than those before treatment, but there was no significant difference after treatment of 24 and 48 weeks.Conclusion Combination treatment with tiotropium and salmeterol / fluticasone inhalation results in greater therapeutic benefits than salmeterol / fluticasone inhalation alone in stable COPD patients of group D.
Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations, lung function and therapy of patients with primary bronchogenic carcinoma complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) . Methods 365 patients with primary bronchogenic carcinoma were recruited retrospectively. The patients were analyzed by COPD-complicated and COPD-free groups. The clinical manifestations, lung function ( especially FEV1 ) , pathological types and progression-free survival ( PFS) were analyzed. The use of inhaled corticosteroids for treatment of COPD was also recorded. Results There was 62.2% patients( 227 cases) complicated with COPD with an average age of ( 66.1 ±9.3) yrs, 77. 5% of male, 82. 4% of smokers, and 46. 3% of past histories of respiratory disorders. Those in COPD-free were aged ( 54.8 ±5.6) yrs, with 55.8% of male, 62.3% of smokers, and 30.4% of past histories of respiratory diseases. The COPD-complicated patients had lower lung function than that of COPD-free [ ( 68.6 ±9.7) % vs. ( 75.3 ±7.5) % in FEV1%pred and ( 65.9 ±8.5 ) % vs. ( 75.6 ±9.1 ) % in FEV1 /FVC, P lt; 0.05 ] . The COPDcomplicated patients were more likely to have squamous carcinoma ( 43.2% vs. 31.2% , P lt; 0.05) and small cell lung cancer ( 20.7% vs. 15.2% , P lt; 0.05) . Moreover, performance status ( PS) scores ( 3.3 ± 0.5 vs. 2.8 ±0.4) and PFS ( 5.9 ±1.6 vs. 7.5 ±2.1) were worse in the COPD-complicated patients than that of the COPD-free patients. Only 71 cases of the COPD-complicated patients received regularly inhaled corticosteroids for COPD treatment. These patients had better PS scores and PFS than others without corticosteroids treatment. Conclusions Primary bronchogenic carcinoma patients with COPD comorbidity are commonly encountered. Clinicians should be aware of the clinical manifestation and corticosteroids prescription should be recorded to improve the quality of life and prognosis.
Objective To investigate the prethrombotic state and effect of anticoagulation therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)．Methods Forty-six COPD patients were divided into VAP group(25 cases)and non-VAP group (21 cases)．The VAP group were randomly subdivided into two groups：group A(conventional therapy group，n=13)，group B(conventional therapy+anticoagulation therapy group，n=12)．The D-dimer (DD)，fibfinogen(FIB)，pulmonary artery pressure(PAP)and the time of weaning were compared between these groups．Results In the COPD patients，the levels of DD，FIB and PAP were significantly increased in VAP group compared with non-VAP group[(0．50±0．26)mg／L，(3．67 ±0．88) L，(31．71 ± 5．66)mm Hg vs(0．23±0．12)mg／L，(1．56±0．45) L，(15．28 ±2．84)mm Hg，respectively，all Plt; 0．05]．In the COPD patients with VAP，the levels of DD，the content of FIB，PAP and mortality were significantly lower in group B with shorter time of weaning compared with group A[(0．22±0．16)mg／L， (1．56±1．17)g／L，(16．00±2．48)him Hg，8．33％ and(4．00±1．41)d vs(O／41±0．09)mg／L，(3．66± 1．03) L，(28．00±0．85)mm Hg，15．4％ and(10．76±3．35)d，respectively，all Plt;0．05]． Conclusions Prethrombotic state exists in COPD patients with VAP．Aggressive anticoagulation on base of routine therapy，by ameliorating microcireulation，call shorten the time of weaning and reduce the mortalit in these patient
Objective To study the relationship between smoking as well as smoke cessation and lung inflammation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD) , and its possible mechanism. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a low-dose smoking group, a high-dose smoking group, and a smoke cessation group. The expressions of NF-κB and E-selectin in rats lung were detected by immunohistochemistry and hybridization in situ. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB in bronchial endothelial cells of the high-dose smoking group( 0. 43 ±0. 01, 0. 41 ±0. 04) , the lowdose smoking group( 0. 41 ±0. 01, 0. 40 ±0. 01) , and the smoke cessation group( 0. 39 ±0. 01, 0. 37 ±0. 03) , were significantly higher than the control group( 0. 29 ±0. 06, 0. 28 ±0. 06) ( all P lt; 0. 05) , with the high-dose smoking group and the smoke cessation group significantly higher than the low-dose smoking group ( both P lt;0. 05) . The mRNA and protein expressions of E-selectin had the similar pattern with NF-κB. The expressions of E-selectin mRNA and protein were positively correlated with the expression of NF-κB mRNA and protein respectively ( r = 0. 80, r = 0. 89, P lt; 0. 01) . Conclusions Smoking can result in high expressions of NF-κB and E-selectin in a dose dependent manner. Smoke cessation can relieve airway inflammation and is an effective measure for preventing COPD.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treatingchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a stable stage. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1950 to July 2008), PubMed (1996 to July 2008), VIP (1989 to July 2008), WanFang (1998 to July 2008), CNKI (1979 to July 2008), and CBM (1978 to July 2008)for randomized control trials about TCM to treat stable COPD. Trial screening, quality assessment of included trials, and data extract were conducted. Statistical analysis was conducted by using RevMan 4.2.7 software. Results A total of 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the Chinese language were identified. No pooled analysis was performed because of the significant heterogeneity among the included trials. (1) For TCM alone versus blank therapy or placebo: 3 RCTs reported the clinical effective rate and only 1 indicated TCM was more effective; 5 RCTs reported forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)% after treatment and 2 indicated TCM alone as more effective in improving lung function; 4 RCTs reported quality of life after therapy and 2 indicated TCM alone was more effective in improving quality of life after therapy. (2) For integrated tradtional and western medicine versus western medicine alone: 11 RCTs included the clinical effective rate, 3 RCTs showed that integrated traditional and western medicine was more effective. Of 8 RCTs reporting FEV1%, 2 RCTs suggested that integrated traditional and western medicine was more effective. There were 3 RCTs studying 6 minute walking distance and 4 RCTs about quality of life, which also showed that integrated traditional and western medicine was more effective. No obvious adverse reaction to TCM was reported.Conclusions The current evidence shows TCM tends to relieve the symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with stable COPD without obvious adverse reaction. Due to the low methodological quality of trials included, more RCTsof high quality and large scale are required.
Objective To study the clinical application of the GOLD/GINA criteria and the Spanish guideline in the diagnosis of asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). Methods Patients with stable COPD were consecutively enrolled in the study. Clinical data were collected, lung function with bronchodilator test and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were performed, and peripheral blood eosinophils, total IgE, and sputum inflammatory cells were measured. Those overlap with asthma were identified by the 2 different criteria, and the prevalence and features of ACOS were compared. Results Among 104 cases of stable COPD, 24 (23.1%) and 10 (9.6%) were identified as ACOS by the GOLD/GINA criteria and the Spanish guideline, respectively; the latter 10 cases were all included in the former 24. For the GOLD/GINA criteria, the most common features were symptoms triggered by exercise or emotions, variable airflow limitation, family history of asthma, and other allergic conditions. Mean diurnal PEF variation≥10% was evident in 11 cases (45.8%, 11/24), while bronchodilator test was positive in 16 cases (66.7%, 16/24). For the Spanish guideline, the most common features were diagnosis of asthma before 40, other allergic diseases, positive bronchodilator test on 2 occasions. Conclusions The GOLD/GINA criteria may be more sensitive for the diagnosis of ACOS, and do not need sophisticated lab tests, which may be more applicable for clinical use. The Spanish guideline is restrictive, and therefore may lead to under-diagnosis.
Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations of two common obstructive airway inflammatory diseases [ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) and asthma] in elderly patients for proper diagnosis and treatment of COPD complicated with asthma.Methods 102 elderly patients diagnosed with either COPD or asthma, who visited the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease fromOctober 2010 to March 2011, were recruited for the study. Comparisons of clinical manifestation, pulmonary function tests ( PFTs) , chest CT and sputum cytological tests were carried out between the patients with asthma-only,COPD-only, and COPD complicated with asthma. Results Of all 102 patients,18 were diagnosed as asthmaonly ( 17. 6% ) , 36 as COPD complicated with asthma ( 35. 3%) , and 48 as COPD-only ( 47. 1% ) . The patients with COPD-only had longer history of present illness in which most had a history of exposure to cigarette smoking. 91. 7% complained of cough as the first symptom, 80% showed severe impairment in PFTs. Among these patients, sputum neutrophilic granulocytes were ( 78. 3 ±5. 1) % , which was significantly higher than the other two groups ( P lt; 0. 05) . Glucocorticosteroid treatment was less effective in thesepatients. In the patients with COPD complicated with asthma, half were smokers, and cough was the first symptom in 63. 9% subjects and wheezing was the first symptom in rest. About 60% had severely impaired PFTs, and these patients responded to glucocorticosteroid better than the COPD-only patients. In the asthmaonlygroup, most complained of wheezing as the first symptom and had better PFTs. However, sputum eosinophilic granulocyte was as high as ( 13. 5 ±3. 1) % . They responded to glucocorticosteroid effectively.Conclusions COPD and asthma were both obstructive airway inflammatory diseases, but pulmonary function and responses to glucocorticosteroid therapy were different. It is necessary to understand the severity and mechanism of airway function impairment in order to improve the proper diagnosis and treatment of asthmaand COPD in elderly.