ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of ambroxol hydrochloride on c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal pathway in gastric aspiration lung injury. MethodsForty healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, an injury group, a SP600125 (JNK specific inhibitor) group and an ambroxol group. The model of gastric aspiration lung injury was established by aspiration of gastric contents. The rats in the SP600125 group preoperatively received intravenous injection of JNK specific inhibitor SP600125 (3 mg/100 g). The rats in the ambroxol group received intravenous injection of ambroxol hydrochloride (50 mg/kg) 2 hours after the damage occurred. The neutrophil count and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the lung wet weight/dry weight ratio (W/D), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured. The protein expressions of JNK and phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lung tissue were detected by Western blot method. The changes of lung tissue structure were observed under light microscope. ResultsIn the injury group, the neutrophil counts and MDA activity in BALF, W/D, MPO activity, p-JNK and iNOS protein expression increased significantly, lung tissue appeared obvious histopathological injury compared with the control group. In the SP600125 group and the ambroxol group, neutrophil count and MDA activity in BALF, lung W/D, MPO activity, p-JNK and iNOS protein expression were significantly decreased compared with the injury group (P < 0.05), and the damage of the lung tissue pathology was reduced. The expression of JNK protein in lung tissue was not different in all groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionsJNK is involved in inflammatory reaction of gastric aspiration lung injury. The protective effect of ambroxol may be related to the inhibition of JNK signaling pathway and the inhibition of iNOS expression.
ObjectiveTo assesse the effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with Cage alone in treating multi-level cervical degenerative disease. MethodsBetween August 2010 and August 2012, 62 eligible patients with multi-level cervical degenerative disease were treated, and the clinical data were reviewed. Of 62 patients, 32 underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with Cage alone (group A), and 30 underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with plate fixation (group B). Both groups showed no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, lesion types, and affected segments (P>0.05), it had comparability. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score; the fused segment height, subsidence rates of Cages, global cervical lordosis, and fusion rates were also compared. ResultsThe operation time of group B[(109.7±11.2) minutes] was significantly more than group A[(87.8±6.9) minutes] (t=-2.259, P=0.037). Primary healing of incisions was obtained in all patients of 2 groups. All patients were followed up; the follow-up period ranged from 8 to 27 months (mean, 15.8 months) in group A, and from 9 to 28 months (mean, 16.4 months) in group B. There was no complication and internal fixation failure. The JOA score and VAS score were significantly improved at last follow-up when compared with preoperative scores in 2 groups (P<0.05). According to Robinson standard for axial symptom severity, the results were excellent in 20 cases, good in 9, fair in 2, and poor in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 90.63% in group A; the results were excellent in 19 cases, good in 7, fair in 3, and poor in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 86.67% in group B; and no significant difference was found between 2 groups (χ2=0.765, P=0.382). The fused segment height at immediate after operation and at last follow-up and global cervical lordosis at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between groups A and B in the Cage subsidence height[(1.4±0.9) mm vs. (1.2±1.6) mm], Cage subsidence rate[9.52% (8/84) vs. 7.59% (6/79)], and fusion rate[95.24% (80/84) vs. 96.20% (76/79)]. ConclusionAnterior cervical discectomy and fusion with Cage alone can obtain good clinical results and radiologic indexes, avoid plate-related complications and reduce operation time. It is a safe and effective surgical option in the treatment of multi-level cervical degenerative disease.