Objective To observe the eotaxin expression of rat airway smooth muscle cells ( ASMCs) induced by serum from asthmatic rats, and explore the possible mechanism. Methods ASMCs isolated fromrat tracheas were cultured in vivo. Then they were treated with serum from asthmatic rats, or treated with serum and dexamethasone simultaneously. The level of eotaxin protein in supernatant and eotaxin mRNA in ASMCs were measured by ELISA and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of cAMP in ASMCs was examined by radioimmunoassay. Results After the treatment with sensitized serum, the eotaxin level in supernatant and mRNA expression in ASMCs were significantly higher [ ( 107. 09 ±7. 12) ng/L vs. ( 0. 63 ±0. 56) ng/L, P lt; 0. 05; 1. 39 ±0. 04 vs. 0. 05 ±0. 01, P lt;0. 05] , and the level of cAMP in ASMCs was significantly lower compared with the control group [ ( 17. 58 ±3. 62) ng/L vs. ( 32. 39 ±3. 36) ng/L, P lt; 0. 05] . After intervened by the sensitized serum and dexamethasone simultaneously, the protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin were lower compared with those intervened by sensitized serumalone [ ( 64. 18 ±4. 04) ng/L and 0. 77 ±0. 19] . The level of eotaxin in supernatant was negatively correlated with cAMP level in ASMCs ( r = - 0. 788, P lt; 0. 01) . Conclusions There is anautocrine function in ASMCs as inflammatory cells after stimulation with sensitized serum. Eotaxin may play an important roll in the pathogenesis of asthma via a cAMP-dependent pathway.
Objective To identify the short ( lt;30 days) and intermediate ( 30 days to 6 months) benefits and risks of tracheobronchial stents in patients with malignant airway stenosis. Methods 55 cases with malignant airway disease who underwent tracheobronchial stents placement from January 2006 to May 2008 were followed up for 6 months. The efficacy rate, complication rate, reintervention rate, and survival were analyzed. Results There were 61 self-expanding metal stents placed in 55 patients with malignant disease, with no intraoperative mortality. The immediate efficacy rate was 100% , the short-term( lt;30 days) efficacy rate was 94. 5% , and the survival rate in 6 months was 32. 7% . The complications included tumor ingrowth, excessive granulation tissue, stent migration, and restenosis. A total of 14 cases of complicationswere observed, in which two occurred during the short-term period ( lt; 30 days ) and the remaining complications occurred after 30 days. Conclusions Tracheobronchial stents can improve symptoms immediately for the patients with unresectable malignant central airway obstruction with fairly safety. The benefit of airway stents is particularly seen in the short-termperiod and the complications occur mainly after 30 days.
Objective To investigate the expression of stromal cell derived factor-1 ( SDF-1) and the effects of budesonide suspension for inhalation ( Pulmicort Respules) in mice with asthma. Methods Thirty Kunming female mice were randomly divided into three groups, ie. a control group, an asthma group, and a pulmicort treatment group. The asthma group and the pulmicort treatment group were sensitized with ovalbumin ( OVA) by a combination of intraperitoneal injection and repeated OVA intranasal challenges to establish mouse asthma model. The pulmicort treatment group received 100μL pulmicort by intranasal administration before OVA challenge. The immunohistochemistry was used to estimate the expression of SDF-1 in lung tissues. HE staining and Wright-Giemsa staining method were used to assess inflammatory infiltration in the airway and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) respectively. Results The expression of SDF-1 in the asthma group increased significantly compared with the control group ( 0.48 ±0.03 vs. 0.21 ± 0.02, Plt;0.05) , and significantly decreased after the intervention with pulmicort ( 0.29 ±0.01 vs. 0.48 ± 0.03, Plt; 0.05 ) . Compared with control group, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in airway was significantly enhanced in the asthma group, and attenuated in the pulmicort treatment group. The total number of inflammatory cells and eosinophil, lymphocyte, neutrophil counts in BALF increased significantly in the asthma group compared with the control group, and decreased significantly after pulmicort intervention. Conclusion SDF-1 may play an important role in the recruitment of inflammatory cells in asthmatic airway and pulmicort may relieve airway inflammation by decreasing the expression of SDF-1.
【Abstract】 Objective To study the role of house dust mite ( HDM) induced airway epithelium TLR4 expression and T lymphocyte activation in asthmatic inflammation. Methods Thirty BALB/ c mice were randomly divided into an ovalbumin ( OVA) group, a HDMgroup, and a control group. The mice in the OVA group were sensitized with OVA and Al( OH) 3 , and repeatedly exposed to aerosolized OVA. The mice in the HDMgroup and the control group were sensitized and challenged with HDMand saline, respectively.Histopathology changes of pulmonary tissue and airway were observed under light microscope. Levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, and IFN-γin BALF were measured by ELISA. Total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were also measured. The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4 weredetected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Th1, Th2, and cells in the peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Results Light microscope revealed eosinophil specific inflammatory cells infiltration around the peribronchovascular region,mucus gland hyperplasia, and airway mucous plug inthe OVA group. The HDM group showed more severe alveolar and intersititial congestion and neutrophils infiltration. The control group showed intact alveolus with few mucous plug and inflammatory cells.Compared with the OVA group, significant increases in the number of total cells and neutrophils, as well as significantly higher expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17 were detected in the HDMgroup ( P lt;0. 05) ,while IFN-γexpression had no significant change ( P gt;0. 05) . The expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein significantly increased in the HDMgroup( P lt; 0. 05) , and did not change significantly in the other two groups ( P gt;0. 05) . The percentages of Th2 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood in the HDMgroup were significantly higher than the OVA group ( P lt;0. 05) . Conclusion HDM may induce inflammatory cells infiltration andactivation of Th2 and Th17 lymphocyte cells via up-regulation of TLR4 expression in airway epithelium,which might play an important role in asthmatic inflammation.
Respiratory oscillometry is a lung function test that measures the mechanical properties of respiratory system by the forced oscillation technique. Oscillometry can be used in those who cannot perform traditional lung function tests, including young children. It is also an important tool to assess small airways function in clinical and research fields. In 2020, the European Respiratory Society published a new technical standard for respiratory oscillometry, which offered updated technical recommendations on the hardware, software, testing protocols and quality control of oscillometry measurements. This paper interpreted the new technical standard, for providing technical suggestions regarding oscillometry measurements in clinical and research settings, and as a reference for developing technical statements and recommendations for oscillometry in China.
Objective To investigate the role of endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide ( H2S) in airway inflammation and responsiveness in a rat model of chronic passive-smoking. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group ( breathing fresh air) and a passive smoking group [ cigarette smoking( CS) passively] , with 18 rats in each group. Six rats in each group were randomly intraperitoneally injected with normal saline, sodium hydrosulfide ( NaHS) or propargylglycine ( PPG, an irreversible inhibitor of cystathionine- γ-lyase) . The animals were divided into six subgroups, ie. Con group, NaHS group, and PPG group, CS group, CS+ NaHS group, and CS + PPG group. After 4 months, lung histological change and airway tension were measured. The H2S levels of plasma and lung tissue were analyzed by the sensitive sulphur electrode assay. The expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase ( CSE) was measured by western blot. Results Compared with the Con group, CSE protein expression in lung tissues was increased in CS group( P lt;0. 05) ; the H2 S levels of plasma were significantly higher in CS group, NaHS group and CS + NaHS group, and much lower in PPG group ( P lt; 0. 05, respectively) . Compared with CS group, the H2S levels of plasma were significantly higher in CS + NaHS group, and much lower in CS + PPG group( P lt; 0. 05, respectively) . The H2S level of lung tissue in each group had no significant difference ( P gt; 0. 05) . Compared with Con group,score of lung pathology was significant elevated, and the responsiveness of airway smooth muscles to ACh and KCl was significant augmented in CS group. Compared with CS group, the score of lung pathology was decreased, and the responsiveness of airway smooth muscles was decreased in CS +NaHS group( P lt;0. 05) , and vise versa in CS + PPG group( P lt; 0. 01) . Conclusion H2S can alleviate airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness induced by CS, and administration of H2S might be of clinical benefit in airwayinflammation and airway responsiveness.
ObjectiveTo monitor the airway inflammatory factors in exhaled breath condensate(EBC) of severe stable COPD patients during salmeterol/fluticasone (50/500μg, bid) treatment, and explore their clinical significance. MethodsTwenty-four sever stable COPD patients and 18 healthy controls were included in the study. EBC was collected from COPD patients before treatment (day 0) and 14 days, 28 days, 90 days after treatment. Meanwhile lung function test and SGRQ score were measured.Concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by liquid chip and 8-isoprostane by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsLevels of 8-isoprostane, IL-6 and IL-10 in EBC were significantly higher in the sever stable COPD patients before treatment compared with the healthy controls. 8-isoprostane was decreased significantly at day 14 compared with day 0[(11.59±4.12) pg/mL vs. (14.17±4.66) pg/mL, P < 0.05], and kept in low level till day 90 (P > 0.05). IL-6 was significantly decreased at day 28 compared with day 0[(1.46±0.19) pg/mL vs. (1.59±0.19) pg/mL, P < 0.05], but did not change significantly till day 90. IL-10 was in low level but showed increase at day 90 compared with day 28[(1.72±0.19) pg/mL vs. (1.62±0.12) pg/mL, P < 0.05]. FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were improved and SGRQ score was decreased after 90 days treatment (P < 0.05). FEV1 was not correlated with 8-isoprostane, IL-6 or IL-10 level. ConclusionsDynamic observation of EBC 8-isoprostane level in severe COPD patients can help in evaluating drug efficacy. IL-10 may play a role in airway anti-inflammation.
Abstract: Objective To compare the sensitivity and accuracy of autofluorescence bronchoscope (AFB) and white light bronchoscope (WLB) in airway examination for patients with central type lung cancer. Methods From September 2009 to May 2010, 46 patients including 36 males and 10 females with an average age of 62.1 years underwent both AFB and WLB procedures in People’s Hospital of Peking University. Among them, 35 were preliminary diagnostic cases and 11 were postoperative surveillance cases. Local anaesthesia of glottis and airway, and general anaesthesia with continuous intravenous drugs were given before electric bronchoscope was adopted. All patients underwent WLB examination followed by AFB procedure. All suspicious abnormal visual findings were recorded for biopsy and pathological examination. Results All procedures were carried out safely without death or severe complications. We performed bronchoscopy 48 times for all 46 patients and 159 tissues of various sites were taken out for biopsy and pathologic examination which showed 64 malignancies and 95 none malignancies. In 64 malignancies, AFB found all but WLB missed 15 with a missed diagnosis rate of 23.4%. Thirtysix times of examination were performed for the 35 preliminary diagnostic cases and 56 sites of malignancy were found. AFB found all, while WLB missed 12, and 6 sites of malignancy found by AFB were larger in size than those found by WLB. AFB detected 3 cases of multisite malignancy, but WLB missed these diagnoses. The results of AFB and WLB were the same for 26 patients. Twelve times of bronchoscopy were performed for the 11 postoperative surveillance cases and 8 sites of malignancy were found. AFB found them all while WLB missed 3 which were two recurrent cases during the early period after lung cancer surgery. The sensitivity of AFB and WLB was 100.0 % and 76.6%(Plt;0.05) respectively, and the negative predictive value of AFB and WLB was 100.0% and 84.5%(P=0.002) respectively. Conclusion AFB has a better sensitivity and negative predictive value than WLB in detecting mucous canceration lesions in central type lung cancer, and is more accurate in assessment of tumor margins, more sensitive in finding multiple lesions in airway and detecting early cancer recurrence in postoperative surveillance patients.
Objective To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)，IL-1β and TNF-α in human airway primary epitheliums.Methods The bronchial primary epitheliums from human were stimulated with LPS，IL-1β and TNF-α respectively and then were harvested for hBD-2 expression detection.The mRNA expression of hBD-2 was detected by RT-PCR，and the protein expression by immunocytochemistry and western blot.Results There was a small expression of hBD-2 mRNA in human airway primary epitheliums before stimulation.The hBD-2 mRNA expression was significantly increased after 3 hours of LPS，IL-1β and TNF-α stimulation respectively and the expression increasement was in a dose dependent manner.The hBD-2 protein could be detected in cytoplasm after 4 hours of LPS (0.1 μg/mL)，IL-1β (1 ng/mL) and TNF-α (10 ng/mL) stimulation.Conclusions LPS and proinflammatory cytokines can induce the mRNA and protein expression of hBD-2 in a short time.The expression of hBD-2 may play an initial defense role against bacterial invasion.
Objective To investigate the application and long-termresults of epiglottic in reconstruction of the traumatic laryngotracheal stenosis.Methods From January 1988 to February 2002, 42 patients with traumatic laryngotracheal stenosis were treated, including 33 laryngeal stenosis and9 laryngotracheal stenosis. The following surgical treatment were performed: ① lowered epiglottic andbi-pedicled sternohyoid myofascial flap and ② lowered epiglottic and bipedicledsternohyoid myofascial flap and sternocleidomastoideus clavicle membrane flap. Results Thirty-seven patients(88.1%) were successfully decannulated 10 to 75 daysafter operation. Feeding tube lasted from 9 to 24 days, all the patients rehabilitated deglutition after surgery. The time of using stent was 9 to 19 days in 25cases.All patients were followed up 1 year to 3 years and 4 months. The function of larynx recovered completely in 37 decannulated patients and partially in 5cannulated patients. Conclusion Epiglottic- has the advantages of easy gain, high antiinfection and survival rate, and stable structure. A combination of epiglottic and the bipedicled sternohyoid myofascial flap plus sternocleidomastoideus clavicle membrane flap can repair large laryngeal and tracheal defects.