Objective To investigate the changes of 8-isoprostane ( 8-isoPG) , leukotriene B4 ( LTB4 ) , TNF-α, IL-10 and hypersensitive C-reactive protein( Hs-CRP) in serum of patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome ( OSAHS) . Methods Forty OSAHS patients ( 20 cases underwent therapeutic Auto-CPAP or UPPP treatment for over three months) and 30 normal controls were included in the study. Serum 8-isoPG, LTB4, TNF-α and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Hs-CRP was detected by automatic biochemistry analyzer. Results ①The serum levels of 8-isoPG, LTB4, TNF-α, Hs-CRP were significantly higher and IL-10 was considerably lower after sleep in 40 OSAHS patients [ ( 36. 59 ±14. 89) ng/L, ( 14. 75 ±6. 25) μg/L, ( 1022. 13 ±97. 57 ) ng/L, ( 2. 46 ±1. 58 ) mg/L, ( 4. 68 ±3. 42) ng/L, respectively ] than those in the normal controls [ ( 19. 91 ±7. 76 ) ng/L, ( 1. 43 ±0. 72) μg/L, ( 540. 00 ±78. 70) ng/L, ( 0. 30 ±0. 16) mg/L, ( 7. 41 ±4. 49) ng/L, respectively] ( P lt;0. 01) . ② Serum 8-isoPG, LTB4, TNF-α, and Hs-CRP levels elevated gradually following the severity of OSAHS while serum IL-10 level was decreased( P lt; 0. 05) . ③Serum 8-isoPG, LTB4, TNF-α, and Hs-CRP levels in OSAHS patients after sleep were correlated positively with AHI ( r =0. 863, 0. 746, 0. 868, 0. 842,all P lt; 0. 01) and negatively with LSpO2 ( r = - 0. 623, - 0. 524, - 0. 618, - 0. 562, all P lt; 0. 01) and MSpO2 ( r = - 0. 654, - 0. 573, - 0. 537, - 0. 589, all P lt;0. 01) . SerumIL-10 level in OSAHS patients was correlated negatively with AHI ( r = - 0. 722, P lt; 0. 01) and positively with LSpO2 ( r = 0. 564, P lt; 0. 01) and MSpO2 ( r = 0. 505, P lt; 0.01) . ④ After three months of auto continuous positive air pressure( Auto-CPAP) or uvulopalatopharyngoplasty( UPPP) treatment, serum 8-isoPG, LTB4, TNF-α, and Hs-CRP levels of the OSAHS patients after sleep were obviously decreased [ ( 23. 10 ±9. 54) ng/L, ( 4. 02 ±2. 15) μg/L, ( 810. 25 ±135. 85) ng/L, ( 0. 79 ±0. 60) mg/L, respectively] , and serum IL-10 level was obviously increased[ ( 6. 93 ±3. 91) ng/L] ( P lt; 0. 01) . ⑤ serum 8-isoPG and IL-10 had no statistics difference and serum LTB4, TNF-α, Hs-CRP levels were higher in OSAHS underwent therapy compared with the normal controls. Conclusions The results suggest that inflammation and oxidative stress are activated and antiflammatory cytokines are decreased in the OSAHS patients. The serum levels of 8-isoPG, LTB4 , TNF-α, Hs-CRP and IL-10 may prove to be useful in severity monitoring and intervention efficacy judgement in OSAHS patients.
Objective To determine if the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP)and fibrinogen ( Fbg) can predict the risk of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) . Methods hs-CRP was measured by latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay and Fbg was assessed by Von Clauss method. The number of exacerbations was recorded during a 6-month follow-up period. Results Fifty patients with stable COPD were enrolled in the study, of whom48 patients completed the trial and two patients dropped out. During the follow-up, 16 patients had once or more acute exacerbations while other 32 patients had no acute exacerbation. The patients were stratified into two groups ( A-exacerbation, B-no exacerbation) . At the baseline, the patients of the group A had lower FEV1 than thegroup B [ ( 1. 1 ±0. 4) L vs. ( 1. 4 ±0. 5) L, P lt;0. 05] . And the group A had higher hs-CRP and Fbg than the group B [ hs-CRP: ( 4. 6 ±3. 3) mg/L vs. 4. 3 mg/L( IQR 5. 5 mg/L) , P lt;0. 05] ; Fbg: ( 3. 8 ±0. 7) g/L vs. ( 3. 1 ±0. 5) g/L, P lt;0. 05] . Nine of 16 patients with a higher level of hs-CRP( hs-CRP gt;3 mg/L) had acute exacerbations. Seven of other 32 patients with normal hs-CRP level had acute exacerbations. The difference in the acute exacerbations rate between the two groups was significant ( 56. 25% vs. 21. 88% , P lt;0. 05) . All four patients with a higher level of Fbg( Fbg gt;4 g/L) had acute exacerbations. Twelve of 44 patients with normal Fbg level ( Fbg≤4 g/L) had acute exacerbations. The patients with Fbg more than 4 g/L had a higher rate of acute exacerbations( 100% vs. 27. 27%, P lt;0. 05) . After adjusting by age, bodymass index ( BMI) , FEV1 , tobacco consumption and other chronic diseases, the risk of acute exacerbation in individuals with baseline hs-CRP gt;3 mg/L was 9. 33 times higher than those with baseline hs-CRP≤3 mg/L ( 95% CI 1. 870-46. 573) . Conclusion Higher level of hs-CRP is associated with the high risk of exacerbation in patients with COPD.
Objective To measure the level of circulating endothelial progenitor cells ( EPCs) in peripheral blood of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( AECOPD) , and to explore the relationship between EPCs and severity markers of the disease and cardiovascular adverse outcome predictors.Methods Forty patients with COPD were recruited, including 27 at acute exacerbation phase and 13 with stable COPD from December 2010 to December 2011. Sixteen healthy nonsmokers were included as controls. Circulating EPCs were isolated by Ficoll density-gradient centrifugation and purified by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting system. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP) was estimated by using a latex immunoturbidimetric assay kit, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9) was measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) . Arterial blood gas analysis and echocardiograph were performed in the AECOPD patients. The correlations between circulating EPCs, lung function, and cardiovascular markers were investigated. Results Circulating EPCs were significantly lower in AECOPD and stable COPD patients compared with the healthy controls [ ( 5.1 ±2.6) ×103 /mL and ( 6.0 ±3.2) ×103 /mL vs. ( 9.0 ±4.3) × 103 /mL, Plt;0. 05] . EPCs had a weak correlation with hsCRP ( P = 0. 033) , but not with MMP-9. In the AECOPD patients, EPC counts were significantly inversely correlated with PASP ( pulmonary artery systolic pressure) and NT-proBNP ( amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) levels, and positively with left ventricular ejection fraction. No correlations were found between EPCs and lung function, blood gas, hospital stays or smoking index. Conclusions Circulating EPCs were significantly lower in AECOPD patients compared with healthy controls, in which systemic inflammation might be involved. Decreased EPCs were correlated with cardiac dysfunction in patients with AECOPD, which may account for the increased cardiovascular risk in this population.
Objective To investigate the values of pneumonia severity index ( PSI) , CURB-65,plasma procalcitonin ( PCT) , C-reactive protein ( CRP) measurements for evaluation the severity of healthcare-associated pneumonia ( HCAP) .Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted on 92 hospitalized patients with HCAP admitted between June 2010 and December 2011. They were divided into different groups according to different severity assessment criteria. The variance and correlation of PCT,CRP,WBC and percent of neutrophil ( Neu% ) levels were compared among different groups. ROC curvewas established to analyze PSI, CURB-65, PCT and CRP levels for predicting the motality of HCAP patients.Results In the severe HCAP group, PSI and CURB-65 scoring and serum PCT, CRP, WBC, Neu% levels were significantly higher than those in the non-severe HCAP group( P lt; 0. 05) . In the high-risk HCAP group, PCT, CRP, WBC and Neu% levels were significantly higher than those in the low-risk HCAP group according to the PSI and CURB-65 scoring criteria( P lt;0. 05) .WBC and Neu% levels were also significantly higher than those in the moderate-risk group. PSI and CURB-65 scoring were positively correlated with PCT and CRP levels. PSI scoring gt;120 points or CURB-65 scoring gt;2 points on admission were predictors of mortality. Conclusions PSI and CURB-65 scoring are correlated with severity of HCAP. Combining serum PCT and CRP levels can improve the predictive accuracy of the severity of HCAP.
Objective To evaluate the safety of conversion from external fixation to internal fixation for open tibia fractures. Methods Between January 2010 and December 2014, 94 patients (98 limbs) with open tibia fractures were initially treated with external fixators at the first stage, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. In 29 cases (31 limbs), the external fixators were changed to internal fixation for discomfort, pin tract response, Schantz pin loosening, delayed union or non-union after complete wound healing and normal or close to normal levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), and the leucocyte count as well as the neutrophil ratio (trial group); in 65 cases (67 limbs), the external fixators were used as the ultimate treatment in the control group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, side of the limbs, interval from injury to the first debridement, initial pathogenic bacteria, the limbs that skin grafting or flap transferring for skin and soft tissue defect between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of Gustilo type III fractures in the control group was significantly higher than that in the trial group (P=0.000). The overall incidence of infection was calculated respectively in the two groups. The incidence of infection according to different fracture types and whether skin grafting or flap transferring was compared between the two groups. The information of the pathogenic bacteria was recorded in the infected patients, and it was compared with the results of the initial culture. The incidence of infection in the patients of the trial group using different internal fixation instruments was recorded. Results The overall incidences of infection for the trial and control groups were 9.7% (3/31) and 9.0% (6/67) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.013, P=0.909). No infection occurred in Gustilo type I and type II patients. The incidence of infection for Gustilo type IIIA patients in the trial group and the control group were 14.3% (1/7) and 6.3% (2/32) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.509, P=0.476); the incidence of infection for type IIIB patients in the two groups were 50.0% (2/4) and 14.3% (2/14) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=2.168, P=0.141); and the incidence of infection for type IIIC patients in the two groups were 0 and 16.7% (2/12) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.361, P=0.548). Of all the infected limbs, only 1 limb in the trial group had the same Staphylococcus Aureus as the result of the initial culture. In the patients who underwent skin grafting or flap transferring, the incidence of infection in the trial and control groups were 33.3% (2/6) and 13.3% (2/15) respectively, showing no significant difference (χ2=1.059, P=0.303). After conversion to internal fixation, no infection occurred in the cases that fixed with nails (11 limbs), and infection occurred in 4 of 20 limbs that fixed with plates, with an incidence of infection of 20%. Conclusion Conversion from external fixation to internal fixation for open tibia fractures is safe in most cases. However, for open tibia fractures with extensive and severe soft tissue injury, especially Gustilo type III patients who achieved wound heal after flap transfer or skin grafting, the choice of secondary conversion to internal fixation should carried out cautiously. Careful pre-operative evaluation of soft tissue status, cautious choice of fixation instrument and meticulous intra-operative soft tissue protection are essential for its safety.
Objective To explore the characteristics and the related factors of the lipid profiles in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods Sixty AS patients and 60 healthy controls were included retrospectively from January 2005 to January 2015. Information including general data, physical examination, and blood sample were collected; triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed. Results TG increased in 46.7% (28/60) patients, and HDL-C decreased in 50.0% (30/60). Compared with the control group, AS patients had lower levels of HDL-C, TC and LDL-C, and higher levels of TG, VLDL-C, VLDL-C/LDL-C ratio, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, and TC/HDL-C ratio; the differences above were all statistically significant (P<0.01). Spearman correlation test demonstrated that HDL-C level was correlated negatively with serum CRP (rs=–0.359, P=0.005). Multiple linear regression model demonstrated that CRP was associated with HDL-C in AS patients (P=0.019). Conclusions Dyslipoproteinemia is a common feature in AS patients. The main characteristic is the increase of TG and decrease of HDL-C, related with inflammation. It suggests a high risk of atherosclerosis.
Objective To determine the role of serum cystatin C in evaluating the severity and predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods The clinical data of 176 patients with CAP treated between January 2015 and October 2016 were collected in a retrospective way. The CURB-65 score was used to assess the severity. The serum levels of cystatin C and C-reactive protein (CRP) on admission were measured. The correlations between cystatin C and CURB-65 score and between cystatin C and CRP were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the ability of cystatin C in predicting in-hospital mortality. Results The serum level of cystatin C increased with the increasing CURB-65 score (P<0.001). The serum level of cystatin C was correlated positively with CRP level (rs=0.190, P<0.011). There were 22 patients died in hospital, the mean serum cystatin C level of non-survivor was significantly higher than that of survivors [(1.51±0.56)vs. (1.02±0.29) mg/L, P<0.001]. At a cut-off 1.18 mg/L, the sensitivity and specificity of cystatin C in predicting in-hospital mortality were 68.18% and 81.17%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.793. The combination of cystatin C and CRP increased the predictive accuracy for in-hospital mortality. Conclusion Cystatin C level increases with the increaseing severity of CAP, and it may be a clinical biomarker to evaluate the severity and prognosis of patients with CAP.
ObjectiveTo explore the serum concentrations of complement C1q tumor necrosis factor related protein 5 (CTRP5) in patients with acute exacerbations and stable stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and analyze the correlation of CTRP5 with high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and FEV1/FVC and FEV1%pred.MethodsThirty hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and 30 outpatients with stable COPD according with diagnostic criteria and inclusive criteria were sampled successively. At the same time 30 healthy volunteers were selected as normal control. All subjects were measured the concentrations of CTRP5 and hs-CRP in serum and lung function test was performed.ResultsThe serum CTRP5 and hs-CRP concentrations of the acute exacerbation group was higher than those in the stable group and the control group. The serum CTRP5 and hs-CRP concentrations of the stable group was also higher than those of the control group. The FEV1/FVC of the acute exacerbation group was lower than those of the stable group and the control group; and the FEV1/FVC of the stable group was lower than that of the control group. The FEV1%pred of three groups by analysis indicated the difference was statistically significant. Further pairwise comparisons demonstrated that the FEV1%pred of two COPD groups were lower than that of the control group but the FEV1%pred of the acute exacerbation group and stable group was not significantly different. The correlation analysis of the acute exacerbation group and the stable group demonstrated that the levels of serum CTRP5 and hs-CRP were postively correlated and the level of serum CTRP5 was negatively correlated with FEV1/FVC and FEV1%pred.ConclusionsThe level of CTRP5 in serum of COPD patients is increased. No matter in acute exacerbation or stable phase, the level of serum CTRP5 is positively correlated with hs-CRP and negatively correlated with FEV1/FVC and FEV1%pred, which suggests that CTRP5 is involved in the pathogenesis of COPD but the exact mechanism needs further study.
ObjectiveTo explore the changes of plasma prealbumin (PA), homocysteine (Hcy) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels before and after treatment in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), and analyze the correlation of PA and Hcy with hs-CRP and body mass index (BMI).MethodsA total of 132 hospitalized AECOPD patients with GOLD lung function as grade III-IV were recruited as an experimental group and 45 healthy subjects as a control group. The levels of plasma PA, Hcy and hs-CRP were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer, and the main indexes of pulmonary function were determined in all subjects.ResultsCompared with the control group, the level of plasma PA before and after treatment in the experimental group decreased significantly [(146.49±36.53) mg/L and (219.60±41.29) mg/L vs. (269.48±42.63) mg/L], the level of plasma Hcy before and after treatment increased significantly [(16.44±5.21) μmol/L and (12.61±4.56) μmol /L vs. (10.13±3.25) μmol/L], and the levels of plasma hs-CRP before and after treatment increased significantly [(45.24±29.94) mg/L and (7.71±3.41) mg/L vs. (5.01±1.52) mg/L] (all P<0.05). The levels of plasma PA, Hcy and hs-CRP after treatment were significantly better than before treatment in the experimental group (allP<0.01). The plasma PA values before and after treatment were negatively correlated with the level of hs-CRP before and after treatment, and positively correlated with BMI (bothP<0.05).ConclusionsThe levels of plasma PA, Hcy and hs-CRP are significantly different before and after the treatment in AECOPD patients and the healthy controls. PA is negatively correlated with hs-CRP and positively correlated with BMI. The detection of plasma PA and Hcy can help to determine the condition and efficacy of patients with COPD, and PA can reflect the level of inflammation and nutritional status to a certain extent.