Inflammatory responses of the rat lungs in cold-dryness syndrome in the northwest of China

Serum inflammatory factor and cytokines in AECOPD

OBJECTIVE

To explore the serum levels of IL-32, MMP-9,PCT and CRP in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

METHODS

A total of 50 patients with AECOPD and 45 cases with acute asthma attack admitted from October 2013 to August 2014 were selected, and the serum levels of IL-32, MMP-9, PCT and CRP were determined and compaed by using Double antibody sandwich Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence double antibody sandwich assay and immunoturbidimetry assay.

RESULTS

Serum levels of IL-32, MMP-9, PCT and CRP were significantly higher in AECOPD group than acute asthma attack group (P<0.05). IL-32 and MMP-9 were negatively correlated with lung function. MMP-9 in AECOPD patients was increased more significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum levels of IL-32 and MMP-9 were negatively correlated with lung function, and the worse the lung function is, the more significant the increase is.

Effect of cold-dryness on pulmonary and immunologic function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model rats

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of cold-dryness on pulmonary and immunologic function of peripheral T-lymphocytes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model rats, and to provide references for the prevention and treatment of cold-dryness COPD in the Xinjiang region.

METHODS

The COPD model was established with an elastase drip into the trachea combined with smoking. The cold-dryness COPD model was developed by stressing with a cold-dry environment. Success of the model was determined by observation of pathologic lung sections. Rats were sacrificed by exsanguination from the femoral artery and changes of peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ were detected by flow cytometry. Data were analyzed with SAS 11.5 statistical software.

RESULTS

On the ninetieth day after ending the experiment, Peak expiratory flow in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD and normal control groups (P < 0.01). The time of inspiration in the cold-dryness COPD group was higher than that in the COPD and normal groups (P < 0.05). Time of expiration (Te) in the cold-dryness COPD group was higher than that in the COPD and normal groups (P < 0.01). 50% tidal volume expiratory flow (EF50) in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD and normal groups (P < 0.01), and EF50 in the COPD group was lower than that in the normal group (P < 0.05). CD4+ content of peripheral blood in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD and the normal groups (P < 0.05). CD8+ content in the cold-dryness COPD and COPD groups was higher than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01), and CD8+ content in the cold-dryness COPD group was higher than that in the COPD group (P < 0.01). CD4+/CD8+ in the cold-dryness COPD group and the COPD group was lower than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01), and CD4+/CD8+ in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In the cold-dryness COPD model, CD8+ increased and CD4+/CD8+ decreased. Moreover, cold-dryness may aggravate this state. The effects of cold-dryness on pulmonary function mainly manifested as prolongation of Te and decrease of EF50, which could be one of causes of cold-dryness environment in the northwest of China leading to COPD with region characteristics.