Effect of Yufeining (愈肺宁) on Induced Sputum Interleukin-8 in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease at the Stable Phase

Objective： To evaluate the effect of Yufeining （愈肺宁）, a traditional Chinese medicine, on induced sputum interleukin-8 ilL-8） in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） at the stable phase. Methods： Thirty-six patients with COPD were divided into trial group （18 cases） and control group （18 cases） randomly. The trial group was treated with Yufeining pills taken orally for half a year; the control group was not given any medicine. Routine lung function was recorded before and after treatment. Total cell count （TCC）, differential cell counts （DCCs） and IL-8 in induced sputum were determined at the baseline and 6 months later. Results： The indices of lung function improved significantly after 6 months＇ treatment in trial group （P〈0.05）; TCC and absolute neutrophil count decreased significantly compared with baseline in the trial group （P〈0.05） ; Sputum IL-8 concentration dropped significantly after 6 months＇ treatment, from a mean of 5. 216±2.914 μg/L to 4. 222±2. 140 μg/L （P〈0.05）. There were insignificant changes in the parameters in the control group between baseline and 6 months later. Conclusion： Yufeining could improve lung function, decrease sputum TCC, absolute neutrophil count and IL-8 concentration, and relieve airway inflammation in patients with COPD in the stable phase.

Biomechanical Properties of Bilateral Puncture PVP and Unilateral Curved PVP

Objective: To compare the biomechanical properties of bilateral puncture PVP and unilateral curved PVP. Methods: Twenty old sheep spine models were taken as research specimens in this experiment, which were randomly divided into control group and experimental group, with 10 in each group. The specimens were made into a compressive spinal fracture model and treated with bone cement for vertebroplasty. In the control group, 1.5 ml of bone cement was injected into one side through bilateral puncture PVP. In the experimental group, a total of 3 ml of bone cement was injected through the unilateral curved PVP. The exudation of bone cement was observed and a CT examination was performed. Mechanical experiments were performed on the two groups of experimental specimens, and the compressive strength and stiffness of the two groups were counted and compared. Results: The initial height of the spine in the experimental group and the control group were(18.52 ±0.84) mm and(18.42±0.86) mm, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). After compression, the height of the vertebral bodies decreased significantly in both groups. With(10.36±2.33) mm in the experimental group and(10.51±2.41) mm in the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05) compared with that before compression, and there was no significant difference between the groups(P>0.05). After the PVP operation of the two groups, there was no bone cement exudation. The specimens in the control group had an ultimate compressive strength of(1752.52 ±55.21) N and a stiffness of(208.51 ±11.02) Nwm/m. The compressive strength and stiffness of the experimental group after PVP were:(3052.51±85.24) N,(235.25 ±10.35) Nwm/m. The difference was significant compared with the control group(P>0.05). Conclusion: The use of PVP in the treatment of spinal osteoporotic compression fractures can effectively increase the compression resistance of the spine while restoring the anatomical structure of the spine, so mechanical requirements are met, and the surgical method is safe. Implementation of bone cement injection using unilateral curvature of the spine can result in better spinal compression resistance,which has high promotion and application value.

Dan-gua Fang (丹瓜方) Improves Glycolipid Metabolic Disorders by Promoting Hepatic Adenosine 5'-monophosphate Activated Protein Kinase Expression in Diabetic Goto-kakizaki Rats

Objective：To investigate the effect of Dan-gua Fang（丹瓜方） on adenosine 5’-monophosphate（AMP） activated protein kinase（AMPK） α expression in liver and subsequent improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism.Methods：Forty 13-week-old diabetic Goto-Kakizaki（GK） rats were randomly divided into model,Dan-gua Fang,metformin and simvastatin groups（n=10 for each）,and fed high-fat diet ad libitum.Ten Wistar rats were used as normal group and fed normal diet.After 24 weeks,liver expression of AMPK α mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR.AMPK α and phospho-AMPK α protein expression in liver was evaluated by Western blot.Liver histomorphology was carried out after hematoxylin-eosin staining,and blood glucose（BG）,glycosylated hemoglobin A1c（HbA1c）,food intake and body weight recorded.Results：Similar AMPK α mRNA levels were found in the Dan-gua Fang group and normal group,slightly higher than the values obtained for the remaining groups（P〈0.05）.AMPK α protein expression in the Dan-gua Fang group animals was similar to other diabetic rats,whereas phospho-AMPK α（Thr-172） protein levels were markedly higher than in the metformin group and simvastatin group（P〈0.05）,respectively.However,phosphor-AMPKa/AMPK α ratios were similar in all groups.Dan-gua Fang reduced fasting blood glucose with similar strength to metformin,and was superior in reducing cholesterol,triglycerides,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as improving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in comparison with simvastatin and metformin.Dan-gua Fang decreases plasma alanine aminotransferase（ALT） significantly.Conclusion：Dan-gua Fang,while treating phlegm-stasis,could decrease BG and lipid in type 2 diabetic GK rats fed with high-fat diet,and effectively protect liver histomorphology and function.This may be partly explained by increased AMPK expression in liver.Therefore,Dan-gua Fang might be an ideal drug for comprehensive Intervention for glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus.