Effect of Yiqi Huoxue (益气活血) Herbs on Vascular Endothelial Cells and Platelets in Patients with Chronic Cor Pulmonale

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of Yiqi Huoxue (益气活血, YQHX) herbs in treating the patients with chronic cor pulmonale and to explore its mechanism by determining the relationship of oxida-tion/antioxidation system and how such herbs change on the function of endothelial cells and platelets. Methods: Fifty-eight patients were divided into two groups: conventional therapy group (control group, 28 patients) and convention plus YQHX herbs group (treated group, 30 patients). The control group received conventional management. The treated group were treated with YQHX 150 ml, twice a day, plus the conventional treatment, and the clinical efficacy was recorded. The lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ot-granule membrane protein (GMP140), partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide in artery (PaCO2) and circulating endothelial cells (CEC) were measured respectively before and after treatment, and the relationship between various parameters were analyzed. The results were compared with those of 10 healthy subjects got at the same period. Results: (1) The effective rate and PaO2 of the treated group was higher than that of the control group and there were no difference in PaCO2 between the two groups. (2) The levels of LPO, GMP140, CEC in all the patients before therapy were significantly higher than those of the healthy group, and there were marked decrease in the levels of those after treatment (all P<0. 01). On the contrary, the levels of SOD in all the patients before therapy were markedly lower than those in the healthy subjects and increased after treatment, P<0. 01. (3) The increase of SOD in the treated group was significantly more obvious than that of the control group. In the treated group, the decrease of LPO, GMP140, CEC were markedly more obvious than those in the control group (all P<0. 01). (4) The number of CEC, as well as GMP140, was negatively correlated to PaO2(P<0.01) and SOD (P< 0. 01), which was positively correlated to LPO (P<0. 01). There was a positive correlation between CEC and GMP140 (P<0.05). Conclusion: YQHX herbs in treating chronic cor pulmonale proved to be effective by balancing the oxidation and antioxidation, protecting the pulmonary endothelial cells and activated platelets and helpful in treating respiratory failure.

Assessment of the right and left ventricular function in patients with cor pulmonale using high-definition CT

Background Cor pulmonale is often associated with changes of structure and function of the right ventricle （RV） and thus further affects functional changes of the left heart.Our study aimed to assess the left ventricular （LV） and RV function in patients with cor pulmonale using high-definition CT （HDCT）.Methods We prospectively studied 18 cor pulmonale patients determined by the pulmonary function test,clinical examination,chest radiograph,electrocardiogram,and echocardiogram.The subject group was compared to a control group consisting of 18 subjects.The RV and LV functions and RV myocardial mass （MM） were obtained by HDCT in the two groups.The results were compared between the two groups using the independent sample t test.Echocardiographic examination for cardiac function analysis was performed on the same day.Results The RV end-diastolic volume （EDV）,RV end-systolic volume （ESV） and RV myocardial mass were significantly larger in the 18 cor pulmonale patients than in the control group （P〈0.05）.The right ventricular ejection fraction （RVEF） was significantly lower in the 18 cor pulmonale patients than in controls （P〈0.01）.The left ventricular EDV （LVEDV） and LVEF were significantly lower in cor pulmonale patients than in controls （P〈0.01）.There were strong correlations between MDCT and echocardiography,rRVEF=0.839 and rLVEF=0.916,respectively.Conclusions HDCT can accurately quantify RV and LV function.The right ventricular function is impaired in patients with cor pulmonale,while at the same time the left ventricular function is also impaired.

A cross-sectional study of acute cor pulmonale in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients in China

Background:Increased right ventricle afterload during acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)may induce acute cor pulmonale(ACP),which is associated with a poor clinical outcome.Echocardiography is now considered as a rapid and non-invasive tool for diagnosis of ACP.The aims of this study were to investigate the morbidity and mortality rates of ACP in ARDS patients in intensive care units(ICUs)across the mainland of China and to determine the severity and prognosis of ACP in ARDS patients through an ultrasound protocol(TRIP).And the association between ACP related factors and the ICU mortality will be revealed.Methods:This study is a multicenter and cross-sectional study in China which will include ICU participants when diagnosed as ARDS.The ultrasound protocol,known as the TRIP,is proposed as severity assessment for ACP,which includes tricuspid regurgitation velocity(T),right ventricular size(R),inferior vena cava diameter fluctuation(I),and pulmonary regurgitation velocity(P).The 28-day mortality,ICU/hospital mortality,the length of stay in ICU,mechanical ventilation days,hemodynamic parameters and lab parameters of liver function and kidney function are all recorded.Discussion:This large-scale study would give a sufficient epidemic investigation of ACP in ARDS patients in China.In addition,with the TRIP protocol,we expect that we could stratify ACP with more echocardiography parameters.

The Relationship Between P-Selectin on Platelet Membrane and Platelet Function in Chronic Cor Pulmonale.

Platelet plays an importent role in thromboembolic diseases. It is demonstrated that recurrent pulmonary embolism may cause pulmonary hypertention. In recent years，P-selectin（granule membrane protein，GMP40）was found to be a surface marker for platelet activation.

Potential role of human visceral pleura in pleural fluid turnover

With continuing advanced research into pleural fluid turnover, the majority of scientists hold the view that pleural fluid is derived from the microvessels in parietal pleura and drained via parietal lymphatic vessels which empty into systemic veins. The lymphatic vessels that contribute to the pulmonary lymphatic circulation originate in the subpleural connective tissue, not directly from the visceral mesothelium. Therefore, according to the current point of view, pleural effusion absorption through the visceral pleural is normally neclligible and visceral pleura,