Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of TanReqing Injection in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to observe its effects on the plasma levels of cytokine IL-17, IL- 8 and Leukotriene B4 in such cases. Methods A randomized, single blind controlled trial (RCT) was designed. Sixty hospitalized COPD patients with an acute exacerbation were randomly allocated to the treatment group (20 ml of TanReqing Injection iv gtt q 24 h) or the control group (20 ml of placebo Injection iv gtt q 24 h) based on the Guideline for Dignosis and Management of COPD issued by Chinese Society for Respiratory Disease and the Criteria of Dignosis and Efficacy Measures of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome and Illness enacted by The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. All patients were received standard therapy. Each group contained 30 patients. The therapeutic course of both groups was 12 days. The criterias of TCM syndrome of retention of phlegm-heat in the lung were: cough with rough breath, accumulation of sticky or yellow thick sputum, cough with difficulty in expectoration, or accompanied by fever, thirst with desire of drink, red tougue with yellow fur, slippery and rapid pulse. Results According to the analysis on the basis of intention -to -treat and per-protocol population, it showed that the markedly effective rates were 70.00% and 72.41% respectively, and effective rates were 96.67% and 96.55% in the treatment group respectively. While in the control group the markedly effectiverates were 46.67% and 48.28% respectively, and effective rates were 86.67% and 89.65% respectively. Significantly lower plasma concentration of IL-17 and IL-8 in the treatment group was noted when compared with control group. There was a statistically significant difference between two groups (Plt;0.05). Conclusions TanReqing Injection shows a definite clinical effectiveness without obvious toxic-adverse effects in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbations of COPD and its mechnical function may related to the level of the excess expression of plasma cytokine IL-17, IL-8 in such cases.
ObjectiveTo detect expressions of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interleukin-27 (IL-27) proteins in liver tissue of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. MethodsThe edge liver tissues (from the lesion edge 0.5 cm) and the normal liver tissues (from the lesion edge 5 cm) of 20 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University were collected and stored at-80℃ freezer. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of IL-17 and IL-27 proteins in these two tissues. ResultThe positive rates of IL-17 and IL-27 protein expressions in the edge liver tissues were significantly higher than those in the normal liver tissues[IL-17:80.0% (16/20) versus 10.0% (2/20), χ2=12.36, P < 0.01; IL-27:85.0% (17/20) versus 20.0% (4/20), χ2=12.36, P < 0.01]. ConclusionHigh expressions of IL-17 and IL-27 protein in edge liver tissue might participate in progress of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
Objective To investigate interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and IL-17 levels in both synovial fluid and serum of patients with primary knee medial osteoarthritis (OA) after high tbial osteotomy (HTO). Methods Twenty-six patients with primary knee medial OA undergoing HTO between January 2011 and June 2014 (experimental group) and 30 healthy individuals (control group) were recruited into the study. There was no significant difference in gender, age, and body mass index between 2 groups (P>0.05). The X-ray film was taken to record healing time at osteotomy site, to measure the tibiofemoral angle, and to assess limb alignment after HTO. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and knee society score (KSS) were used to evaluate pain level and function of the knee. The IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 concentrations in both plasma and synovial fluid were measured before operation and at 6, 12, and 18 months after operation in the experimental group using ELISA method; the levels in plasma were measured in control group. Results Primary healing of incisions was achieved in patients. All patients were followed up 18-24 months (mean, 21 months). The X-ray film showed osseous healing at osteotomy site at 9-14 weeks (mean, 11.5 weeks). The average tibiofemoral angle was 167.5° (range, 165-170°) after bone healing. Satisfactory limb alignment was obtained in all patients. The postoperative VAS pain score was significantly decreased and KSS score was significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between different time points after operation (P>0.05). The preoperative plasma and synovial fluid IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 concentrations were significantly higher in patients than controls (P<0.05). The postoperative IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 concentrations in plasma and synovial fluid were significantly lower than preoperative ones in patients (P<0.05), but the concentrations were significantly higher than those in controls (P<0.05). The postoperative plasma and synovial fluid IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 concentrations were significantly declined in patients, but there was no significant difference between different time points after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion HTO can significantly improve the pain symptom and joint function and reduce IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 levels in both plasma and synovial fluid of patients with medial compartment knee OA, but these cytokines can not return to normal level.
Objective To investigate the interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels changes in both synovial fluid and venous plasma of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) after intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Methods Between January 2015 and January 2016, 30 patients with primary knee OA were treated by intra-articular injection of PRP once a week for 3 weeks (trial group). Thirty healthy individuals were recruited into the study as control. There was no significant difference in gender, age, and body mass index between 2 groups (P>0.05). Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Knee Society Score (KSS) were used to evaluate pain level and function of the knee for patients with OA. The IL-17 levels in both venous plasma and synovial fluid were measured before injection and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after injection in trial group and the IL-17 levels in venous plasma were measured in control group. The levels were determined using ELISA method. Results There was no knee joint swelling, fever, local infection, or other uncomfortable symptoms for all patients in process of PRP injection. All patients were followed up 13.5 months on average (range, 12-15 months). In trial group, the VAS scores at different time points after injection were significantly lower than that before injection (P<0.05). And the KSS scores at different time points after injection were significantly higher than that before injection (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS and KSS scores between different time points after injection (P>0.05). The IL-17 levels in venous plasma before and after injection in trial group were significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The IL-17 levels in venous plasma at each time point after injection were significantly lower than that before injection (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in IL-17 levels in both venous plasma and synovial fluid between different time points after injection (P>0.05). Conclusion Intra-articular injection of PRP can significantly release the pain symptoms, improve joint function, and reduce IL-17 levels in both synovial fluid and venous plasma of the patients with knee OA, but IL-17 levels can not reduce to normal level.