Ulinastatin for acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of ulinastatin for patients with acute lung injury(ALI) and those with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).METHODS: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of ulinastatin for ALI/ARDS was conducted. Oxygenation index, mortality rate [intensive care unit(ICU) mortality rate, 28-d mortality rate] and length of ICU stay were compared between ulinastatin group and conventional therapy group. Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.1.RESULTS: Twenty-nine RCTs with 1726 participants were totally included, the basic conditions of which were similar. No studies discussed adverse effect. Oxygenation index was reported in twenty-six studies(1552 patients). Ulinastatin had a significant effect in improving oxygenation [standard mean difference(SMD) = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.42-2.29, P < 0.00001, I2 = 92%]. ICUmortality and 28-d mortality were respectively reported in eighteen studies(987 patients) and three studies(196 patients). We found that ulinastatin significantly decreased the ICU mortality [I2 = 0%, RR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.38-0.59, number needed to treat(NNT) = 5.06, P < 0.00001], while the 28-d mortality was not significantly affected(I2 = 0%, RR = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.51-1.19, NNT = 12.66, P = 0.24). The length of ICU stay(six studies, 364 patients) in the ulinastatin group was significantly lower than that in the control group(SMD =-0.97, 95%CI:-1.20--0.75, P < 0.00001, I2 = 86%). CONCLUSION: Ulinastatin seems to be effective for ALI and ARDS though most trials included were of poor quality and no information on safety was provided.

Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome： experimental and clinical investigations

Acute lung injury （ALl） or acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS） can be associated with various disorders. Recent investigation has involved clinical studies in collaboration with clinical investigators and pathologists on the pathogenetic mechanisms of ALl or ARDS caused by various disorders. This literature review includes a brief historical retrospective of ALI/ARDS, the neurogenic pulmonary edema due to head injury, the long-term experimental studies and clinical investigations from our laboratory, the detrimental role of NO, the risk factors, and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms as well as therapeutic regimen for ALI/ARDS.

Effectiveness and safety of Qidong Huoxue decoction(芪冬活血饮)in treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome:a randomized,controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy of Qidong Huoxue decoction(芪冬活血饮,QDHX)in treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ALI/ARDS)when used as an adjunctive treatment.METHODS:ALI/ARDS patients admitted to our medical intensive care unit were randomly allocated to the control group or the QDHX group and received standard therapy.The QDHX group received QDHX(50 mL per day for 14 d)orally or via a gastric tube.The primary outcome was measured according to Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,with partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen(PaO_(2)/FiO_(2))levels as the secondary outcome.RESULTS:A total of 73 patients completed the study(36 in the TCM and 37 in the conventional group),and their records were analyzed.After 14-d treatment,the TCM group showed a significant decrease in TCM syndrome scores(P<0.05)and increased PaO_(2)/FiO_(2) levels(P<0.05).The therapeutic effect of integrated Chinese and western medicine was more significant than that of Western Medicine alone.No serious side effects were observed.CONCLUSIONS:Our study results show that QDHX in combination with conventional drug therapy can significantly reduce some clinical symptoms in patients with ALI/ARDS.

Mechanisms and Research Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating NF-κB in the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute lung injury(ALI)has multiple causes and can easily progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)if not properly treated.Nuclear factorκB(NF-κB)is a key pathway in the treatment of ALI/ARDS.By exploring the relevance of NF-κB and the pathogenesis of this disease,it was found that this disease was mainly associated with inflammation,dysfunction of the endothelial barrier,oxidative stress,impaired clearance of alveolar fluid,and coagulation disorders.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has the characteristics of multitargeting,multipathway effects,and high safety,which can directly or indirectly affect the treatment of ALI/ARDS.This article summarizes the mechanism and treatment strategies of TCM in recent years through intervention in the NF-κB-related signaling pathways for treating ALI/ARDS.It provides an overview from the perspectives of Chinese herbal monomers,TCM couplet medicines,TCM injections,Chinese herbal compounds,and Chinese herbal preparations,offering insights into the prevention and treatment of ALI/ARDS with TCM.

Mechanisms of pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Endothelial cells(ECs)form a semi-permeable barrier between the interior space of blood vessels and the un-derlying tissues.Pulmonary endothelial barrier integrity is maintained through coordinated cellular processes involving receptors,signaling molecules,junctional complexes,and protein-regulated cytoskeletal reorganiza-tion.In acute lung injury(ALI)or its more severe form acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS),the loss of endothelial barrier integrity secondary to endothelial dysfunction caused by severe pulmonary inflamma-tion and/or infection leads to pulmonary edema and hypoxemia.Pro-inflammatory agonists such as histamine,thrombin,bradykinin,interleukin 1𝛽,tumor necrosis factor𝛼,vascular endothelial growth factor,angiopoietin-2,and platelet-activating factor,as well as bacterial toxins and reactive oxygen species,cause dynamic changes in cytoskeletal structure,adherens junction disorganization,and detachment of vascular endothelial cadherin(VE-cadherin)from the actin cytoskeleton,leading to an increase in endothelial permeability.Endothelial interactions with leukocytes,platelets,and coagulation enhance the inflammatory response.Moreover,inflammatory infil-tration and the associated generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines during infection cause EC death,resulting in further compromise of the structural integrity of lung endothelial barrier.Despite the use of potent antibiotics and aggressive intensive care support,the mortality of ALI is still high,because the mechanisms of pulmonary EC barrier disruption are not fully understood.In this review,we summarized recent advances in the studies of endothelial cytoskeletal reorganization,inter-endothelial junctions,endothelial inflammation,EC death,and endothelial repair in ALI and ARDS,intending to shed some light on the potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in the clinical management of the disease.

Protective mechanism of quercetin in alleviating sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments

BACKGROUND:Sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)has a high mortality rate,and no effective treatment is available currently.Quercetin is a natural plant product with many pharmacological activities,such as antioxidative,anti-apoptotic,and anti-inflammatory effects.This study aimed to elucidate the protective mechanism of quercetin against sepsis-related ARDS.METHODS:In this study,network pharmacology and in vitro experiments were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of quercetin against sepsis-related ARDS.Core targets and signaling pathways of quercetin against sepsis-related ARDS were screened and were verified by in vitro experiments.RESULTS:A total of 4,230 targets of quercetin,360 disease targets of sepsis-related ARDS,and 211 intersection targets were obtained via database screening.Among the 211 intersection targets,interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor(TNF),albumin(ALB),AKT serine/threonine kinase 1(AKT1),and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)were identified as the core targets.A Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analysis revealed 894 genes involved in the inflammatory response,apoptosis regulation,and response to hypoxia.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis identified 106 pathways.After eliminating and generalizing,the hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1),TNF,nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),and nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor signaling pathways were identified.Molecular docking revealed that quercetin had good binding activity with the core targets.Moreover,quercetin blocked the HIF-1,TNF,NF-κB,and NODlike receptor signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced murine alveolar macrophage(MH-S)cells.It also suppressed the inflammatory response,oxidative reactions,and cell apoptosis.CONCLUSION:Quercetin ameliorates sepsis-related ARDS by binding to its core targets and blocking the HIF-1,TNF,NF-κB,and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways to reduce inflammation,cell apoptosis,and oxidative stress.

Outpatient insulin use in type 2 diabetes mellitus and acute respiratory distress syndrome outcomes:A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND The impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)on acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)is debatable.T2DM was suspected to reduce the risk and complications of ARDS.However,during coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),T2DM predisposed patients to ARDS,especially those who were on insulin at home.AIMTo evaluate the impact of outpatient insulin use in T2DM patients on non-COVID-19 ARDS outcomes.METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database.Adult patients diagnosed with ARDS were stratified into insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(DM)(IDDM)and non-insulindependent DM(NIDDM)groups.After applying exclusion criteria and matching over 20 variables,we compared cohorts for mortality,duration of mechanical ventilation,incidence of acute kidney injury(AKI),length of stay(LOS),hospitalization costs,and other clinical outcomes.RESULTS Following 1:1 propensity score matching,the analysis included 274 patients in each group.Notably,no statistically significant differences emerged between the IDDM and NIDDM groups in terms of mortality rates(32.8%vs 31.0%,P=0.520),median hospital LOS(10 d,P=0.537),requirement for mechanical ventilation,incidence rates of sepsis,pneumonia or AKI,median total hospitalization costs,or patient disposition upon discharge.CONCLUSION Compared to alternative anti-diabetic medications,outpatient insulin treatment does not appear to exert an independent influence on in-hospital morbidity or mortality in diabetic patients with non-COVID-19 ARDS.

Outcomes of combined mitochondria and mesenchymal stem cellsderived exosome therapy in rat acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis

BACKGROUND The treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)complicated by sepsis syndrome(SS)remains challenging.AIM To investigate whether combined adipose-derived mesenchymal-stem-cells(ADMSCs)-derived exosome(EXAD)and exogenous mitochondria(mitoEx)protect the lung from ARDS complicated by SS.METHODS In vitro study,including L2 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and in vivo study including male-adult-SD rats categorized into groups 1(sham-operated-control),2(ARDS-SS),3(ARDS-SS+EXAD),4(ARDS-SS+mitoEx),and 5(ARDS-SS+EXAD+mitoEx),were included in the present study.RESULTS In vitro study showed an abundance of mitoEx found in recipient-L2 cells,resulting in significantly higher mitochondrial-cytochrome-C,adenosine triphosphate and relative mitochondrial DNA levels(P<0.001).The protein levels of inflammation[interleukin(IL)-1β/tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α/nuclear factor-κB/toll-like receptor(TLR)-4/matrix-metalloproteinase(MMP)-9/oxidative-stress(NOX-1/NOX-2)/apoptosis(cleaved-caspase3/cleaved-poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase)]were significantly attenuated in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-treated L2 cells with EXAD treatment than without EXAD treatment,whereas the protein expressions of cellular junctions[occluding/β-catenin/zonula occludens(ZO)-1/E-cadherin]exhibited an opposite pattern of inflam-mation(all P<0.001).Animals were euthanized by 72 h post-48 h-ARDS induction,and lung tissues were harvested.By 72 h,flow cytometric analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid demonstrated that the levels of inflam-matory cells(Ly6G+/CD14+/CD68+/CD11b/c+/myeloperoxidase+)and albumin were lowest in group 1,highest in group 2,and significantly higher in groups 3 and 4 than in group 5(all P<0.0001),whereas arterial oxygen-saturation(SaO2%)displayed an opposite pattern of albumin among the groups.Histopathological findings of lung injury/fibrosis area and inflammatory/DNA-damaged markers(CD68+/γ-H2AX)displayed an identical pattern of SaO2%among the groups(all P<0.0001).The protein expressions of inflammatory(TLR-4/MMP-9/IL-1β/TNF-α)/oxidative stress(NOX-1/NOX-2/p22phox/oxidized protein)/mitochondrial-damaged(cytosolic-cytochrome-C/dynamin-related protein 1)/autophagic(beclin-1/Atg-5/ratio of LC3B-II/LC3B-I)biomarkers exhibited a similar manner,whereas antioxidants[nuclear respiratory factor(Nrf)-1/Nrf-2]/cellular junctions(ZO-1/E-cadherin)/mitochondrial electron transport chain(complex I-V)exhibited an opposite manner of albumin among the groups(all P<0.0001).CONCLUSION Combined EXAD-mitoEx therapy was better than merely one for protecting the lung against ARDS-SS induced injury.

Clinical significance of platelet mononuclear cell aggregates in patients with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of sepsis combined with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)has increased owing to the enhanced awareness among medical profes-sionals and the continuous development of modern medical technologies,while early diagnosis of ARDS still lacks specific biomarkers.One of the main patho-genic mechanisms of sepsis-associated ARDS involves the actions of various pathological injuries and inflammatory factors,such as platelet and white blood cells activation,leading to an increase of surface adhesion molecules.These adhesion molecules further form platelet-white blood cell aggregates,including platelet-mononuclear cell aggregates(PMAs).PMAs has been identified as one of the markers of platelet activation,here we hypothesize that PMAs might play a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis of this complication.METHODS We selected 72 hospitalized patients diagnosed with sepsis as the study population between March 2019 and March 2022.Among them,30 patients with sepsis and ARDS formed the study group,while 42 sepsis patients without ARDS comprised the control group.After diagnosis,venous blood samples were imme-diately collected from all patients.Flow cytometry was employed to analyze the expression of PMAs,platelet neutrophil aggregates(PNAs),and platelet aggregates(PLyAs)in the serum.Additionally,the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)II score was calculated for each patient,and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to assess diagnostic value.RESULTS The study found that the levels of PNAs and PLyAs in the serum of the study group were higher than those in the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).However,the expression of PMAs in the serum of the study group was significantly upregulated(P<0.05)and positively correlated with the APACHE II score(r=0.671,P<0.05).When using PMAs as a diagnostic indicator,the area under the curve value was 0.957,indicating a high diagnostic value(P<0.05).Furthermore,the optimal cutoff value was 8.418%,with a diagnostic sensitivity of 0.819 and specificity of 0.947.CONCLUSION In summary,the serum levels of PMAs significantly increase in patients with sepsis and ARDS.Therefore,serum PMAs have the potential to become a new biomarker for clinically diagnosing sepsis complicated by ARDS.

Suppression of miR-17 Alleviates Acute Respiratory Distress-associated Lung Fibrosis by Regulating Mfn2

Objective Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)patients currently have relatively high mortality,which is associated with early lung fibrosis.This study aimed to investigate whether miR-17 suppression could alleviate ARDS-associated lung fibrosis by regulating Mfn2.Methods A mouse model of ARDS-related lung fibrosis was constructed via intratracheal instillation of bleomycin.The expression level of miR-17 in lung tissues was detected via quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).In the ARDS mouse model of lung fibrosis,the mitigating effects of miR-17 interference were evaluated via tail vein injection of the miR negative control or the miR-17 antagomir.The pathological changes in the lung tissue were examined via HE staining and Masson’s trichrome staining,and the underlying molecular mechanism was investigated via ELISA,qRT-PCR and Western blotting.Results Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis significantly increased collagen deposition and the levels of hydroxyproline(HYP)and miR-17.Interfering with miR-17 significantly reduced the levels of HYP and miR-17 and upregulated the expression of Mfn2.The intravenous injection of the miR-17 antagomir alleviated lung inflammation and reduced collagen deposition.In addition,interference with miR-17 could upregulate LC3B expression,downregulate p62 expression,and improve mitochondrial structure.Conclusion Interfering with miR-17 can improve pulmonary fibrosis in mice by promoting mitochondrial autophagy via Mfn2.

Impact of interleukin 6 levels on acute lung injury risk and disease severity in critically ill sepsis patients

BACKGROUND Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulation of the host response to infection that can lead to acute lung injury(ALI)and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS).Interleukin 6(IL-6)is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and its complications.AIM To investigate the relationship among plasma IL-6 levels,risk of ALI,and disease severity in critically ill patients with sepsis.METHODS This prospective and observational study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital between January 2021 and December 2022.A total of 83 septic patients were enrolled.Plasma IL-6 levels were measured upon admission using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The development of ALI and MODS was monitored during hospitalization.Disease severity was evaluated by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II(APACHE II)and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)scores.RESULTS Among the 83 patients with sepsis,38(45.8%)developed ALI and 29(34.9%)developed MODS.Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients who developed ALI than in those without ALI(median:125.6 pg/mL vs 48.3 pg/mL;P<0.001).Similarly,patients with MODS had higher IL-6 levels than those without MODS(median:142.9 pg/mL vs 58.7 pg/mL;P<0.001).Plasma IL-6 levels were strongly and positively correlated with APACHE II(r=0.72;P<0.001)and SOFA scores(r=0.68;P<0.001).CONCLUSIONElevated plasma IL-6 levels in critically ill patients with sepsis were associated with an increased risk of ALI andMODS.Higher IL-6 levels were correlated with greater disease severity,as reflected by higher APACHE II andSOFA scores.These findings suggest that IL-6 may serve as a biomarker for predicting the development of ALI anddisease severity in patients with sepsis.

Microvesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells inhibit acute respiratory distress syndrome-related pulmonary fibrosis in mouse partly through hepatocyte growth factor

BACKGROUND Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the main reasons for the high mortality rate among acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)patients.Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived microvesicles(MSC-MVs)have been shown to exert antifibrotic effects in lung diseases.AIM To investigate the effects and mechanisms of MSC-MVs on pulmonary fibrosis in ARDS mouse models.METHODS MSC-MVs with low hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)expression(siHGF-MSC-MVs)were obtained via lentivirus transfection and used to establish the ARDS pulmonary fibrosis mouse model.Following intubation,respiratory mechanics-related indicators were measured via an experimental small animal lung function tester.Homing of MSC-MVs in lung tissues was investigated by near-infrared live imaging.Immunohistochemical,western blotting,ELISA and other methods were used to detect expression of pulmonary fibrosis-related proteins and to compare effects on pulmonary fibrosis and fibrosis-related indicators.RESULTS The MSC-MVs gradually migrated and homed to damaged lung tissues in the ARDS model mice.Treatment with MSC-MVs significantly reduced lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis scores.However,low expression of HGF(siHGF-MSC-MVs)significantly inhibited the effects of MSC-MVs(P<0.05).Compared with the ARDS pulmonary fibrosis group,the MSC-MVs group exhibited suppressed expression of type I collagen antigen,type III collagen antigen,and the proteins transforming growth factor-βandα-smooth muscle actin,whereas the siHGF-MVs group exhibited significantly increased expression of these proteins.In addition,pulmonary compliance and the pressure of oxygen/oxygen inhalation ratio were significantly lower in the MSC-MVs group,and the effects of the MSC-MVs were significantly inhibited by low HGF expression(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION MSC-MVs improved lung ventilation functions and inhibited pulmonary fibrosis in ARDS mice partly via HGF mRNA transfer.

Steroids in acute respiratory distress syndrome:A panacea or still a puzzle?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)is a unique entity marked by various etiologies and heterogenous pathophysiologies.There remain concerns regarding the efficacy of particular medications for each severity level apart from respiratory support.Among several pharmacotherapies which have been examined in the treatment of ARDS,corticosteroids,in particular,have demonstrated potential for improving the resolution of ARDS.Nevertheless,it is imperative to consider the potential adverse effects of hyperglycemia,susceptibility to hospital-acquired infections,and the development of intensive care unit acquired weakness when administering corticosteroids.Thus far,a multitude of trials spanning several decades have investigated the role of corticosteroids in ARDS.Further stringent trials are necessary to identify particular subgroups before implementing corticosteroids more widely in the treatment of ARDS.This review article provides a concise overview of the most recent evidence regarding the role and impact of corticosteroids in the management of ARDS.

Review:Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS): the mechanism,present strategies and future perspectives of therapies

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome （ALI/ARDS）, which manifests as non-cardiogcnic pulmonary edema, respiratory distress and hypoxemia, could be resulted from various processes that directly or indirectly injure the lung. Extensive investigations in experimental models and humans with ALI/ARDS have revealed many molecular mechanisms that offer therapeutic opportunities for cell or gene therapy. Herein the present strategies and future perspectives of the treatment for ALI/ARDS, include the ventilatory, pharmacological, as well as cell therapies.

Prone positioning ventilation for treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Patients who are diagnosed with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome （ALI/ARDS） usually have ventilation-perfusion mismatch, severe decrease in lung capacity, and gas exchange abnormalities. Health care workers have implemented various strategies in an attempt to compensate for these pathological alterations. By rotating patients with ALI/ARDS between the supine and prone position, it is possible to achieve a significant improvement in PaO2/FiO2, decrease shunting and therefore improve oxygenation without use of expensive, invasive and exprimental procedures. Prone positioning is a safe and effective way to improve ventilation when conventional strategies fail to initiate a patient response. Because a specific cure for ARDS is not available, the goat is to support the patients with therapies that cause the least amount of injury while the lungs have an opportunity to heat. Based on current data, a trial of prone positioning ventilation should be offeted to the patients who have ALI/ARDS in the early course of the disease. Published studies exhibit substantial heterogeneity in clinical results, suggesting that an adequately sized study optimizing the duration of pronmg ventilation strategy is warranted to enable definitive conclusions to be drawn.

Is Chinese Medicine Injection Applicable for Treating Acute Lung Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome?A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine injection(CMI)for treating acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome(ALI/ARDS).Methods Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)were identified by searching 3 English databases and 4 Chinese databases from their inceptions until February 2019.The Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate risk of bias in the included studies.Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3.3 software.Results A total of 19 eligible RCTs involving 1,334 participants was included in this systematic review and meta-analysis.The main meta-analysis showed that CMI combined with conventional therapy(CT)was more effective than CT alone in reducing the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation(APACHE)H score[mean difference(MD):−1.74 points,95%confidence interval(CI):−2.77 to−0.71,I^2=0]and increasing the total effective rate[relative risk(RR):1.35,95%CI:1.17 to 1.56,I^2=37%].Compared with CT,CMI combined with CT showed improvements in the arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2,MD:9.25 mm Hg,95%CI:0.87 to 17.63,I^2=98%)and oxygenation index[arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen(FiO2),MD:50.75 mm Hg,95%CI:35.18 to 66.31,I^2=94%].CMI plus CT was superior to CT in reducing the systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS)score(MD:−0.84 points,95%CI:−1.26 to−0.42,I^2=65%),length of hospital stay(MD:−4.22 days,95%CI:−6.49 to−1.95,I^2=92%),and duration of mechanical ventilation(MD:−2.94 days,95%CI:−4.68 to−1.21,I^2=89%).Only 1 study reported adverse events.Conclusions CMI as an adjuvant therapy showed great potential benefits for the treatment of ALI/ARDS.However,we could not make a definite conclusion due to low quality of included studies and uncertain security.Future studies should focus on improving research design,especially in blindness and placebo.The reporting of adverse events was also needed.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome and lung injury: Pathogenetic mechanism and therapeutic implication

To review possible mechanisms and therapeutics for acute lung injury(ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). ALI/ARDS causes high mortality. The risk factors include head injury, intracranial disorders, sepsis, infections and others. Investigations have indicated the detrimental role of nitric oxide(NO) through the inducible NO synthase(i NOS). The possible therapeutic regimen includes extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, prone position, fluid and hemodynamic management and permissive hypercapnic acidosis etc. Other pharmacological treatments are anti-inflammatory and/or antimicrobial agents, inhalation of NO, glucocorticoids, surfactant therapy and agents facilitating lung water resolution and ion transports. β-adrenergic agonists are able to accelerate lung fluid and ion removal and to stimulate surfactant secretion. In con-scious rats, regular exercise training alleviates the endotoxin-induced ALI. Propofol and N-acetylcysteine exert protective effect on the ALI induced by endotoxin. Insulin possesses anti-inflammatory effect. Pentobarbital is capable of reducing the endotoxin-induced ALI. In addition, nicotinamide or niacinamide abrogates the ALI caused by ischemia/reperfusion or endotoxemia. This review includes historical retrospective of ALI/ARDS, the neurogenic pulmonary edema due to head injury, the detrimental role of NO, the risk factors, and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms as well as therapeutic regimen for ALI/ARDS.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe pneumonitis after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment:A case report

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common cancers worldwide and has a high mortality.However,the treatment options for advanced HCC are limited to tyrosine kinase inhibitors,such as sorafenib and lenvatinib.Since previous regimens have an insufficient efficacy,the combination therapy of atezolizumab and bevacizumab(Ate/Bev)has been investigated,which showed an improvement in progression-free and overall survival.However,the adverse events of this combination therapy in advanced HCC have not been established.Herein,we report a novel case of an unresectable HCC and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)after a combination therapy of Ate/Bev.CASE SUMMARY An 82-year-old male visited our outpatient clinic for an incidentally detected liver mass.Liver magnetic resonance imaging and enhanced chest computed tomography(CT)were performed,which showed arterial hyperenhancement with washout in delayed phase suggesting HCC,and a well-defined metastatic solid nodule,respectively.F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography(PET)-CT exhibited multiple hypermetabolic lesions in the iliac bone,lumbar vertebrae,and femur.Because of the high burden of the intrahepatic tumor,transarterial radioembolization was initially performed;after 37 d,a combination therapy of Ate/Bev was administered.The patient visited the emergency department three days after Ate/Bev treatment complaining of dyspnea.He was diagnosed with severe pneumonitis based on CT.Despite administering oxygen via a high-flow nasal cannula,the P/F ratio was only 74;therefore,the patient was diagnosed with ARDS based on the overall examination results.Low tidal volume with high positive end-expiratory pressure,sedative agents combined with a neuromuscular blocker,and a systemic steroid were promptly applied to manage the ARDS.However,the patient did not recover from the hypoxia and expired 31 h after being admitted.CONCLUSION Clinicians should be aware of severe pneumonitis due to the immune-related adverse events of this combination therapy,and patients should be closely monitored after therapy.

Current status and prospects of basic research and clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)is a common and clinically devastating disease that causes respiratory failure.Morbidity and mortality of patients in intensive care units are stubbornly high,and various complications severely affect the quality of life of survivors.The pathophysiology of ARDS includes increased alveolar–capillary membrane permeability,an influx of protein-rich pulmonary edema fluid,and surfactant dysfunction leading to severe hypoxemia.At present,the main treatment for ARDS is mechanical treatment combined with diuretics to reduce pulmonary edema,which primarily improves symptoms,but the prognosis of patients with ARDS is still very poor.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)are stromal cells that possess the capacity to self-renew and also exhibit multilineage differentiation.MSCs can be isolated from a variety of tissues,such as the umbilical cord,endometrial polyps,menstrual blood,bone marrow,and adipose tissues.Studies have confirmed the critical healing and immunomodulatory properties of MSCs in the treatment of a variety of diseases.Recently,the potential of stem cells in treating ARDS has been explored via basic research and clinical trials.The efficacy of MSCs has been shown in a variety of in vivo models of ARDS,reducing bacterial pneumonia and ischemia-reperfusion injury while promoting the repair of ventilator-induced lung injury.This article reviews the current basic research findings and clinical applications of MSCs in the treatment of ARDS in order to emphasize the clinical prospects of MSCs.

Effects of Early-stage Phased Rehabilitation Training on Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

[Objectives]To systematically evaluate the effects of early-stage phased rehabilitation training on the oxygenation index,ICU length of stay,duration of mechanical ventilation,and occurrence of complications(ventilator-associated pneumonia,pressure ulcers,delirium)in ARDS patients,thus contributing evidence for the clinical application of early-stage phased rehabilitation training.[Methods]The China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang,and other databases were searched.Literature screening,data extraction,and systematic analysis of the included studies were performed using Revman software.[Results]Thirteen randomized controlled trials involving a total of 860 patients were included in this review.The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared to the traditional rehabilitation training group,the early-stage phased rehabilitation training group demonstrated a significant increase in the oxygenation index of ARDS patients[SMD=1.18,95%CI(1.01,1.35),P<0.01],with statistically significant differences.Furthermore,there were significant reductions in ICU length of stay[SMD=-0.70,95%CI(-0.90,-0.50),P<0.01],duration of mechanical ventilation[SMD=-1.15,95%CI(-1.36,-0.94),P<0.01],and occurrence of complications[OR=0.16,95%CI(0.10,0.26),P<0.01],all of which were statistically significant.[Conclusions]Early-stage phased pulmonary rehabilitation training for ARDS patients effectively improves the oxygenation index,shortens ICU length of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation,and reduces complications.These findings support the clinical application and promotion of early-stage phased rehabilitation training.