Background Fall and serious fall injuries have become a major health concern for elders. Many factors including blood pressure and anti-hypertensive medication application were reported as hazards of fall. The purpose...Background Fall and serious fall injuries have become a major health concern for elders. Many factors including blood pressure and anti-hypertensive medication application were reported as hazards of fall. The purpose of this study was to determine if age related systemic functional decline related with increased fall risks in elderly patients with hypertension. Methods A total of 342 elderly hypertension patients （age 79.5 ＋ 6.7 years, male 63.8%） were recruited to the study. Comprehensive geriatric assessment （CGA）, including measurements about activity of daily living （ADL）, nutrition, cognition, depression, numbers of prescription medication and number of clinical diagnosis, was conducted to evaluate the physical and mental status of each participants. Fall risk was evaluated by Morse fall scale, Tinetti perform- ance oriented mobility assessment （POMA） and history of fall in the recent years. Participants were grouped into tertiles according to CGA score. Correlation between CGA and fall risk was analyzed through SPSS 18.0. Results Participants with higher CGA score were likely to be older, had a lower body mass index （BMI）, and a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）, cerebrovascular disease and osteoarthropathia. Participants in higher tertile of CGA score got increased prevalence of fall risk than those in lower tertile （P 〈 0.01 T3 vs. T1, P 〈 0.01 T3 vs. T2）. Correlation analysis and regression analysis showed significant association between CGA and Morse fall scale （P 〈 0.001）, as well as CGA and POMA （P 〈 0.001）. Meanwhile, CGA components also showed co-relationships with increase fall risks. After adjusting age, BMI, benzodiazepine use, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, COPD and osteoarthropathia, both history of fall in the recent year and rising Morse fall scale were significantly associated with ADL im- pairment （OR： 2.748, 95%CI： 1.598-4.725）, （OR： 3.310, 95%CI： 1.893-5.788）. Decreased Tinetti POMA score was associated with Mini-Mental State Examination （MMSE） （OR： 4.035, 95%CI： 2.100-7.751）, ADL （OR： 2.380, 95%CI： 1.357-4.175） and shortened MNA form （MNA-SF） impairment （OR： 2.692, 95%CI： 1.147-6.319）. Conclusions In elderly adults with hypertension, impaired physical and mental function is associated with increased fall risk. Further study is required to investigate possible mediators for the association and effec- tive interventions.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the incidence of various types of postoperative pulmonary complications （POPCs） and to evaluate the significance of perioperative arterial blood gases in patients with esophageal cancer accompan...AIM： To investigate the incidence of various types of postoperative pulmonary complications （POPCs） and to evaluate the significance of perioperative arterial blood gases in patients with esophageal cancer accompanied with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） after esophagectomy. MEHTODS： Three hundred and fifty-eight patients were divided into POPC group and COPD group. We performed a retrospective review of the 358 consecutive patients after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer with or without COPD to assess the possible influence of COPD on postoperative pulmonary complications. We classified COPD into four grades according to percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s （FEV1） and analyzed the incidence rate of complications among the four grades. Perioperative arterial blood gases were tested in patients with or without pulmonary complications in COPD group and compared with POP（： group. RESULTS： Patients with COPD （29/86, 33.7%）had more pulmonary complications than those without COPD （36/272, 13.2%） （P〈0.001）. Pneumonia （15/29, 51.7%）, atelectasis （13/29, 44.8%）, prolonged 02 supplement （10/29, 34.5%）, and prolonged mechanical ventilation （8/29, 27.6%） were the major complications in COPD group. Moreover, patients with severe COPD （grade Ⅱ B, FEV1 〈 50% of predicted） had more POPCs than those with moderate（gradeⅡA,50%-80% of predicted） and mild （grade Ⅰ≥80% of predicted） COPD （P〈0.05）. PaO2 was decreased and PaCO2 was increased in patients with pulmonary complications in COPD group in the first postoperative week.CONCLUSION： The criteria of COPD are the critical predictor for pulmonary complications in esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy. Severity of COPD affects the incidence rate of the pulmonary complication,and percent-predicted FEV1 is a good predictive variable for pulmonary complication in patients-with COPD.Arterial blood gases are helpful in directing perioperative management.展开更多
Objectives:This study aimed to assess the effects of modified pulmonary rehabilitation(PR)on patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:A total of 125 patients(63 in the PR gr...Objectives:This study aimed to assess the effects of modified pulmonary rehabilitation(PR)on patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:A total of 125 patients(63 in the PR group and 62 in the control group)were recruited in this study.The patients in the PR group received 12 weeks of conventional treatment,nursing,and modified pulmonary rehabilitation,while the patients in the control group underwent 12 weeks of conventional treatment,nursing,pursed-lip breathing training,and abdominal breathing training.Baseline characteristics,St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ),the six-minute walk test(6MWT),modified medical research council(MMRC)dyspnea scale,and lung function were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 112 patients(58 patients in the PR group and 54 patients in the control group)completed the 12-week monitoring and follow-up.The SGRQ scores,symptoms(54.933±11.900),activity(52.644±14.334),impact(55.400±9.905),and total score(54.655±10.681)of the PR group did not significantly differ in pre-and post-treatments(P<0.05).No significant change was also observed in the control group(P>0.05).6MWT[(372.089±67.149)m]was significantly improved in the PR group(P<0.05)but was not significantly different in the control group(P>0.05).MMRC(actual rank sum 1719,rank sum 2047.5)was significantly reduced in the PR group(P<0.05)but not in the control group(P>0.05).The lung function(FVC,FEV1,FEV1/FVC,FEV1%and PEF)of the patients in both groups did not significantly change(P>0.05).Conclusion:Modified PR reduces the symptoms of dyspnea,increases exercise capacity,and improves the quality of life of patients with moderate to severe COPD.展开更多
Objective Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） increases the risk of cardiovascular problem.The symptom of dyspnea on exertion may be associated with pulmonary dysfunction or heart failure, or both. The stud...Objective Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） increases the risk of cardiovascular problem.The symptom of dyspnea on exertion may be associated with pulmonary dysfunction or heart failure, or both. The study objective was to determine whether cardiac dysfunction adds to the mechanism of dyspnea caused mainly by impaired lung function in patients with mild-tomoderate COPD. Methods Patients with COPD and healthy controls performed incremental and constant work rate exercise testing. Venous blood samples were collected in 19 COPD patients and 10 controls before and during constant work exercise for analysis of Nterminal-pro-BNP （NT-pro-BNP）. Results Peak oxygen uptake and constant work exercise time （CWET） were significantly lower in COPD group than in control group （15.81±3.65 vs 19.19±6.16 ml/min kg, P=0.035 and 7.78±6.53 min vs 14.77±7.33 rain, P=0.015, respectively）. Anaerobic threshold, oxygen pulse and heart rate reserve were not statistically significant between COPD group and control group. The NT-pro-BNP levels both at rest and during constant work exercise were higher in COPD group compared to control group, but without statistical significance. The correlations between CWET and NT-proBNP at rest or during exercise in patients with COPD were not statistically significant. Conclusions Heart failure does not contribute to exercise intolerance in mild-to-moderate COPD.（J Geriatr Cardioi 2009; 6：147-150）.展开更多
A 79-year-old man presented with progressive dyspnea, gradually worsening over a period of several weeks. His past medical history included hypertension, chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis, ischemic stroke occurred...A 79-year-old man presented with progressive dyspnea, gradually worsening over a period of several weeks. His past medical history included hypertension, chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis, ischemic stroke occurred at the age of 68 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） caused by long-term cigarette smoking. The patient was alert and oriented and not in acute distress. The physical examination of the chest revealed decreased breath sounds at the bases of the lungs, without crackles or wheezes. Heart sounds were regular without murmurs. The respiration rate was normal.展开更多
According to the latest World Health Organization report 64 million people suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease （COPD）, 3 million people died from COPD and it is predicted that COPD will become the thir...According to the latest World Health Organization report 64 million people suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease （COPD）, 3 million people died from COPD and it is predicted that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. The alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a rarely diagnosed hereditary disease caused by a genetic mutation and it is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders primarily affecting the lungs, especially in the form of COPD or emphysema, but in some cases also the liver or skin. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease recommends all patients with COPD at a young age or significant family history to be examined for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This article presents the case of a 42 year old, female patient, Portuguese, with history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 40 pack units/year smoker, with unknown family history, coming to her family doctor with breath shortness, especially during physical activities, with unsatisfying response to pharmacological prescribed therapy. Physical examination was normal. Alpha- 1 antitrypsin deficiency was confirmed by blood testing. All patient＇s first degree relatives were investigated showing low alpha-1 antitrypsin blood concentrations thus genetic tests were later performed. This case reinforces the need for primary care physicians to be aware of alphal-antitrypsin deficit as an underdiagnosed clinical entity.展开更多
Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of warming needle moxibustion on pulmonary function of elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Method Eighty elderly patients with stable chroni...Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of warming needle moxibustion on pulmonary function of elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Method Eighty elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were divided randomly into an acupuncture group and a drug group, with forty cases in each group. The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with warming needle moxibustion on specific acupoints. Main acupoints include Zusanli （足三里 ST 36）, Feishu （肺俞 BL 13） and Dingchuan （定喘 EX-B 1）. Matching acupoints include Gaohuang （膏肓 BL 43）, Xinshu （心俞 BL 15）, Dazhui （大椎 GV 14） and Fangmen （风门 BE 12）. The acupoints were punctured with even reinforcing and reducing method. Meanwhile, two moxa stick of warming needle moxibustion were applied separately at the acupoints at back and ST 36. The needles were retained for approximately 0.5 h each time. The treatment was given every other day, 3 times a week and the course of treatment was 8 weeks. Patients in the drug group were treated by seretide inhalation （50 μg salmeterol and 250 μg fluticasone propionate）, twice a day for 8 weeks. The improvement in pulmonary function and the symptom of chills and fever were compared between the two groups. Results After treatment, pulmonary function indices [forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV1）, forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity （FEVl/FVC）, forced expiratory volume in one second to predicted value ratio （FEV1%） and peak expiratory flow （PEF）] of the patients in both groups were improved significantly compared with that before treatment （P〈0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups （all P〉0.05）. Improvement in comprehensive scores of the symptom of chill and fever in the acupuncture group was significantly superior to that in the drug group after 4 and 8 weeks of the treatment, respectively （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Warming needle moxibustion was obviously effective on the improvement in pulmonary function of elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.展开更多
Objective： To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） on the expressions of acetylcholine （ACh） and mucin 5AC （MUC5AC） in the lungs of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）, and explore...Objective： To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） on the expressions of acetylcholine （ACh） and mucin 5AC （MUC5AC） in the lungs of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）, and explore the mechanism of EA in treating COPD. Methods： Thirty Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a control group, a COPD group, and an EA group, with 10 rats in each group. The control group was a group of normal rats. The COPD rat model was induced by cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. The COPD rats were treated with EA at bilateral Feishu （BL 13） and Zusanli （ST 36） in the EA group, 30 rain each time, once a day, successively for 14 d. The lung function was tested. The contents of ACh and MUC5AC in lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between pulmonary function and the content of MUC5AC in lungs. The mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC in lung tissues were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blot （WB）, respectively. The immune response of MUC5AC was observed by immunohistochemistry. Results： Eight rats were left in each group, and the other two died. Compared with the control group, the total airway resistance （Raw） increased significantly and dynamic compliance （Cdyn） decreased significantly in the COPD group （P〈0.01）; compared with the COPD group, the Raw level declined significantly and Cdyn increased significantly in the EA group （P〈0.01）. The contents of ACh and MUC5AC in the lungs and BALF were remarkably higher in the COPD group compared with those in the control group （P〈0.01, P〈0.001）; compared with the COPD group, the contents of ACh and MUC5AC were significantly lower in the EA group （P〈0.05, P〈0.001）. There was a negative correlation between MUC5AC content and lung function （P〈0.001）. The mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC in the lungs were significantly higher in the COPD group than in the control group （P〈0.001）; compared with the COPD group, the expressions were significantly lower in the EA group （P〈0.01）. Compared with the control group, the immune response of MUC5AC in the airway epithelium significantly increased in the COPD group （P〈0.001）; the immune response of MUC5AC was significantly lower in the EA group compared with that in the COPD group （P〈0.001）. Conclusion： EA treatment can improve the lung function of COPD rats, which may be related to its effect in the down-regulation of ACh and MUC5AC contents in the lungs as well as the inhibition of mucus hypersecretion.展开更多
文摘Background Fall and serious fall injuries have become a major health concern for elders. Many factors including blood pressure and anti-hypertensive medication application were reported as hazards of fall. The purpose of this study was to determine if age related systemic functional decline related with increased fall risks in elderly patients with hypertension. Methods A total of 342 elderly hypertension patients （age 79.5 ＋ 6.7 years, male 63.8%） were recruited to the study. Comprehensive geriatric assessment （CGA）, including measurements about activity of daily living （ADL）, nutrition, cognition, depression, numbers of prescription medication and number of clinical diagnosis, was conducted to evaluate the physical and mental status of each participants. Fall risk was evaluated by Morse fall scale, Tinetti perform- ance oriented mobility assessment （POMA） and history of fall in the recent years. Participants were grouped into tertiles according to CGA score. Correlation between CGA and fall risk was analyzed through SPSS 18.0. Results Participants with higher CGA score were likely to be older, had a lower body mass index （BMI）, and a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）, cerebrovascular disease and osteoarthropathia. Participants in higher tertile of CGA score got increased prevalence of fall risk than those in lower tertile （P 〈 0.01 T3 vs. T1, P 〈 0.01 T3 vs. T2）. Correlation analysis and regression analysis showed significant association between CGA and Morse fall scale （P 〈 0.001）, as well as CGA and POMA （P 〈 0.001）. Meanwhile, CGA components also showed co-relationships with increase fall risks. After adjusting age, BMI, benzodiazepine use, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, COPD and osteoarthropathia, both history of fall in the recent year and rising Morse fall scale were significantly associated with ADL im- pairment （OR： 2.748, 95%CI： 1.598-4.725）, （OR： 3.310, 95%CI： 1.893-5.788）. Decreased Tinetti POMA score was associated with Mini-Mental State Examination （MMSE） （OR： 4.035, 95%CI： 2.100-7.751）, ADL （OR： 2.380, 95%CI： 1.357-4.175） and shortened MNA form （MNA-SF） impairment （OR： 2.692, 95%CI： 1.147-6.319）. Conclusions In elderly adults with hypertension, impaired physical and mental function is associated with increased fall risk. Further study is required to investigate possible mediators for the association and effec- tive interventions.
文摘AIM： To investigate the incidence of various types of postoperative pulmonary complications （POPCs） and to evaluate the significance of perioperative arterial blood gases in patients with esophageal cancer accompanied with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） after esophagectomy. MEHTODS： Three hundred and fifty-eight patients were divided into POPC group and COPD group. We performed a retrospective review of the 358 consecutive patients after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer with or without COPD to assess the possible influence of COPD on postoperative pulmonary complications. We classified COPD into four grades according to percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s （FEV1） and analyzed the incidence rate of complications among the four grades. Perioperative arterial blood gases were tested in patients with or without pulmonary complications in COPD group and compared with POP（： group. RESULTS： Patients with COPD （29/86, 33.7%）had more pulmonary complications than those without COPD （36/272, 13.2%） （P〈0.001）. Pneumonia （15/29, 51.7%）, atelectasis （13/29, 44.8%）, prolonged 02 supplement （10/29, 34.5%）, and prolonged mechanical ventilation （8/29, 27.6%） were the major complications in COPD group. Moreover, patients with severe COPD （grade Ⅱ B, FEV1 〈 50% of predicted） had more POPCs than those with moderate（gradeⅡA,50%-80% of predicted） and mild （grade Ⅰ≥80% of predicted） COPD （P〈0.05）. PaO2 was decreased and PaCO2 was increased in patients with pulmonary complications in COPD group in the first postoperative week.CONCLUSION： The criteria of COPD are the critical predictor for pulmonary complications in esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy. Severity of COPD affects the incidence rate of the pulmonary complication,and percent-predicted FEV1 is a good predictive variable for pulmonary complication in patients-with COPD.Arterial blood gases are helpful in directing perioperative management.
基金This work was financially supported by the Instructive Research Program of Changzhou Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning(WZ201417)
文摘Objectives:This study aimed to assess the effects of modified pulmonary rehabilitation(PR)on patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods:A total of 125 patients(63 in the PR group and 62 in the control group)were recruited in this study.The patients in the PR group received 12 weeks of conventional treatment,nursing,and modified pulmonary rehabilitation,while the patients in the control group underwent 12 weeks of conventional treatment,nursing,pursed-lip breathing training,and abdominal breathing training.Baseline characteristics,St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ),the six-minute walk test(6MWT),modified medical research council(MMRC)dyspnea scale,and lung function were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 112 patients(58 patients in the PR group and 54 patients in the control group)completed the 12-week monitoring and follow-up.The SGRQ scores,symptoms(54.933±11.900),activity(52.644±14.334),impact(55.400±9.905),and total score(54.655±10.681)of the PR group did not significantly differ in pre-and post-treatments(P<0.05).No significant change was also observed in the control group(P>0.05).6MWT[(372.089±67.149)m]was significantly improved in the PR group(P<0.05)but was not significantly different in the control group(P>0.05).MMRC(actual rank sum 1719,rank sum 2047.5)was significantly reduced in the PR group(P<0.05)but not in the control group(P>0.05).The lung function(FVC,FEV1,FEV1/FVC,FEV1%and PEF)of the patients in both groups did not significantly change(P>0.05).Conclusion:Modified PR reduces the symptoms of dyspnea,increases exercise capacity,and improves the quality of life of patients with moderate to severe COPD.
文摘Objective Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） increases the risk of cardiovascular problem.The symptom of dyspnea on exertion may be associated with pulmonary dysfunction or heart failure, or both. The study objective was to determine whether cardiac dysfunction adds to the mechanism of dyspnea caused mainly by impaired lung function in patients with mild-tomoderate COPD. Methods Patients with COPD and healthy controls performed incremental and constant work rate exercise testing. Venous blood samples were collected in 19 COPD patients and 10 controls before and during constant work exercise for analysis of Nterminal-pro-BNP （NT-pro-BNP）. Results Peak oxygen uptake and constant work exercise time （CWET） were significantly lower in COPD group than in control group （15.81±3.65 vs 19.19±6.16 ml/min kg, P=0.035 and 7.78±6.53 min vs 14.77±7.33 rain, P=0.015, respectively）. Anaerobic threshold, oxygen pulse and heart rate reserve were not statistically significant between COPD group and control group. The NT-pro-BNP levels both at rest and during constant work exercise were higher in COPD group compared to control group, but without statistical significance. The correlations between CWET and NT-proBNP at rest or during exercise in patients with COPD were not statistically significant. Conclusions Heart failure does not contribute to exercise intolerance in mild-to-moderate COPD.（J Geriatr Cardioi 2009; 6：147-150）.
文摘A 79-year-old man presented with progressive dyspnea, gradually worsening over a period of several weeks. His past medical history included hypertension, chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis, ischemic stroke occurred at the age of 68 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） caused by long-term cigarette smoking. The patient was alert and oriented and not in acute distress. The physical examination of the chest revealed decreased breath sounds at the bases of the lungs, without crackles or wheezes. Heart sounds were regular without murmurs. The respiration rate was normal.
文摘According to the latest World Health Organization report 64 million people suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease （COPD）, 3 million people died from COPD and it is predicted that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. The alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a rarely diagnosed hereditary disease caused by a genetic mutation and it is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders primarily affecting the lungs, especially in the form of COPD or emphysema, but in some cases also the liver or skin. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease recommends all patients with COPD at a young age or significant family history to be examined for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This article presents the case of a 42 year old, female patient, Portuguese, with history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 40 pack units/year smoker, with unknown family history, coming to her family doctor with breath shortness, especially during physical activities, with unsatisfying response to pharmacological prescribed therapy. Physical examination was normal. Alpha- 1 antitrypsin deficiency was confirmed by blood testing. All patient＇s first degree relatives were investigated showing low alpha-1 antitrypsin blood concentrations thus genetic tests were later performed. This case reinforces the need for primary care physicians to be aware of alphal-antitrypsin deficit as an underdiagnosed clinical entity.
文摘Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of warming needle moxibustion on pulmonary function of elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Method Eighty elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were divided randomly into an acupuncture group and a drug group, with forty cases in each group. The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with warming needle moxibustion on specific acupoints. Main acupoints include Zusanli （足三里 ST 36）, Feishu （肺俞 BL 13） and Dingchuan （定喘 EX-B 1）. Matching acupoints include Gaohuang （膏肓 BL 43）, Xinshu （心俞 BL 15）, Dazhui （大椎 GV 14） and Fangmen （风门 BE 12）. The acupoints were punctured with even reinforcing and reducing method. Meanwhile, two moxa stick of warming needle moxibustion were applied separately at the acupoints at back and ST 36. The needles were retained for approximately 0.5 h each time. The treatment was given every other day, 3 times a week and the course of treatment was 8 weeks. Patients in the drug group were treated by seretide inhalation （50 μg salmeterol and 250 μg fluticasone propionate）, twice a day for 8 weeks. The improvement in pulmonary function and the symptom of chills and fever were compared between the two groups. Results After treatment, pulmonary function indices [forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV1）, forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity （FEVl/FVC）, forced expiratory volume in one second to predicted value ratio （FEV1%） and peak expiratory flow （PEF）] of the patients in both groups were improved significantly compared with that before treatment （P〈0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups （all P〉0.05）. Improvement in comprehensive scores of the symptom of chill and fever in the acupuncture group was significantly superior to that in the drug group after 4 and 8 weeks of the treatment, respectively （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Warming needle moxibustion was obviously effective on the improvement in pulmonary function of elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
文摘Objective： To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） on the expressions of acetylcholine （ACh） and mucin 5AC （MUC5AC） in the lungs of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）, and explore the mechanism of EA in treating COPD. Methods： Thirty Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a control group, a COPD group, and an EA group, with 10 rats in each group. The control group was a group of normal rats. The COPD rat model was induced by cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. The COPD rats were treated with EA at bilateral Feishu （BL 13） and Zusanli （ST 36） in the EA group, 30 rain each time, once a day, successively for 14 d. The lung function was tested. The contents of ACh and MUC5AC in lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between pulmonary function and the content of MUC5AC in lungs. The mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC in lung tissues were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blot （WB）, respectively. The immune response of MUC5AC was observed by immunohistochemistry. Results： Eight rats were left in each group, and the other two died. Compared with the control group, the total airway resistance （Raw） increased significantly and dynamic compliance （Cdyn） decreased significantly in the COPD group （P〈0.01）; compared with the COPD group, the Raw level declined significantly and Cdyn increased significantly in the EA group （P〈0.01）. The contents of ACh and MUC5AC in the lungs and BALF were remarkably higher in the COPD group compared with those in the control group （P〈0.01, P〈0.001）; compared with the COPD group, the contents of ACh and MUC5AC were significantly lower in the EA group （P〈0.05, P〈0.001）. There was a negative correlation between MUC5AC content and lung function （P〈0.001）. The mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC in the lungs were significantly higher in the COPD group than in the control group （P〈0.001）; compared with the COPD group, the expressions were significantly lower in the EA group （P〈0.01）. Compared with the control group, the immune response of MUC5AC in the airway epithelium significantly increased in the COPD group （P〈0.001）; the immune response of MUC5AC was significantly lower in the EA group compared with that in the COPD group （P〈0.001）. Conclusion： EA treatment can improve the lung function of COPD rats, which may be related to its effect in the down-regulation of ACh and MUC5AC contents in the lungs as well as the inhibition of mucus hypersecretion.
