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Biomedical subjects

Ping Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Ping Chen.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Increased heme oxygenase-1 expression in infarcted rat hearts following human bone marrow mesenchymal cell transplantation.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays an important role in oxidative stress and recent studies indicate that it is a graft survival protein in cardiac and liver transplant models. In this study, we investigated the relation between the expressions of HO-1 and the effects of human bone marrow mesenchymal cells (MSCs) transplantation to xenogenic rat hearts with experimental myocardial infarction (MI). A total of 5 x 10(6) cells in 100 microl PBS or equal volume PBS alone were injected into the ischemic zones immediately post-MI. At 1, 3, and 7 days post-MI, cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography, the expression of HO-1 was assessed by real-time PCR and Western blot, the localization of HO-1 protein was determined under immunofluorescence microscopy. The infarct size was examined by histology. The numbers of Hoechst-33342 positive MSCs were evaluated under immunofluorescence microscopy and also by flow cytometry after isolation from the host hearts. The results indicated that the HO-1 expressions were markedly increased at both mRNA and protein levels in comparison with injection of PBS at each time point post MSCs transplantation (P < 0.01). HO-1 was revealed both in transplanted MSCs and recipient cardiomyocytes by immunofluorescence. Up-regulated HO-1 expression was accompanied by increase of the numbers of Hoechst-33342 positive MSCs, the reduction of infarct size, and the improvement of cardiac function. Transplantation of human MSCs could up-regulate HO-1 expression in infarct rat hearts, which might play an important role in protecting transplanted MSCs, cardiomyocytes survival, and cardiac function improvement during the early stage after MI.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 by anandamide in cerebral microvascular endothelium.

Anandamide (AEA), an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist, is a potent vasodilator in the cerebral microcirculation. AEA is converted to arachidonic acid (AA) by fatty acid amidohydrolase (FAAH), and the conversion of AA to prostaglandins has been proposed as a potential mechanism for the vasodilation. Although AEA stimulated prostaglandin production by mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells, no [(3)H]prostaglandins were produced when these cells were incubated with [3H]AEA. Incubation with R(+)-methanandamide (MAEA), a stable analogue of AEA that is not a substrate for FAAH, produced a similar increase in PGE2 production as AEA. The PGE2 production induced by either AEA or MAEA was completely inhibited by NS-398, a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, suggesting that COX-2 was induced. AEA and MAEA increased the expression of COX-2 protein in a time-dependent manner. This increase occurred as early as 1 h and reached maximum at 2 h. Induction of COX-2 protein by AEA was partially inhibited by AM-251, a selective cannabinoid receptor-1 antagonist. Furthermore, AEA increased COX-2 promoter activity approximately twofold above baseline in a fragment ranging from -1432 to +59, the full-length of the COX-2 promoter, and the increase in COX-2 promoter activity produced by AEA was partially inhibited by AM-251. These results indicate that AEA increased COX-2 expression at the transcriptional level through, at least in part, a cannabinoid receptor-1-mediated mechanism in cerebral microvascular endothelium.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Determinants and heritability of intraocular pressure and cup-to-disc ratio in a defined older population.

PURPOSE: To investigate the heritability of intraocular pressure (IOP) and cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) in an older well-defined population. DESIGN: Family-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Through the population-based Salisbury Eye Evaluation study, we recruited 726 siblings (mean age, 74.7 years) in 284 sibships. METHODS: Intraocular pressure and CDR were measured bilaterally for all participants. The presence or absence of glaucoma was determined by a glaucoma specialist for all probands on the basis of visual field, optic nerve appearance, and history. The heritability of IOP was calculated as twice the residual between-sibling correlation of IOP using linear regression and generalized estimating equations after adjusting for age, gender, mean arterial pressure, race, self-reported diabetes status, and history of systemic steroid use. The heritability of CDR was calculated using the same model and adjustments as above, while also adjusting for IOP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heritability and determinants of IOP and CDR, and impact of siblings' glaucoma status on IOP and CDR. RESULTS: We estimated the heritability to be 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.46) for IOP and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.35-0.76) for CDR in this population. Mean IOP in siblings of glaucomatous probands was statistically significantly higher than in siblings of normal probands (mean difference, 1.02 mmHg; P = 0.017). The mean CDR in siblings of glaucomatous probands was 0.07 (or 19%) larger than in siblings of glaucoma suspect referrals (P = 0.045) and siblings of normal probands (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In this elderly population, we found CDR to be highly heritable and IOP to be moderately heritable. On average, siblings of glaucoma patients had higher IOPs and larger CDRs than siblings of nonglaucomatous probands.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Inhibitors of cytochrome P450 4A suppress angiogenic responses.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes of the 4A family (CYP4A) convert arachidonic acid to 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) in blood vessels of several vascular beds. The present study examined the effects of inhibiting the formation of 20-HETE with N-hydroxy-N'-(4-butyl-2-methylphenol) formamidine (HET0016) on the mitogenic response of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro, and on growth factor-induced angiogenesis in the cornea of rats in vivo. HET0016 (10 micromol/L and 20 microg, respectively) abolished the mitogenic response to VEGF in HUVECs and the angiogenic response to VEGF, basic fibroblast growth factor, and epidermal growth factor in vivo by 80 to 90% (P < 0.001). Dibromododecenyl methylsulfonimide (DDMS), a structurally and mechanistically different inhibitor of 20-HETE synthesis, also abolished angiogenic responses when tested with VEGF. Additionally, administration of the stable 20-HETE agonist, 20-hydroxyeicosa-6(Z) 15(Z)-dienoic acid (WIT003) induced mitogenesis in HUVECs and angiogenesis in the rat cornea in vivo. We studied the ability of HET0016 to alter the angiogenic response in the rat cornea to human glioblastoma cancer cells (U251). When administered locally into the cornea, HET0016 (20 microg) reduced the angiogenic response to U251 cancer cells by 70%. These results suggest that a product of CYP4A product, possibly 20-HETE, plays a critical role in the regulation of angiogenesis and may provide a useful target for reduction of pathological angiogenesis.

Amides↗
PubMed2005

Adeno-associated virus-mediated bone morphogenetic protein-7 gene transfer induces C2C12 cell differentiation into osteoblast lineage cells.

AIM: To investigate the effects of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7)-expressing recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector on the differentiation of C2C12 cells. METHODS: AAV-BMP7 was packaged by infecting the stable cell clone BHK-21 (integrated with recombinant AAV vector plasmid pSNAV-BMP7) with recombinant herpes simplex virus type 1, which expresses AAV-2 Rep and Cap and possesses AAV packaging functions. Following infection with AAV-BMP7 at multiplicities of infection of 1 x 10(5) vector genomes per cell and subsequent culture, C2C12 cells were assessed qualitatively for BMP7 production, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin production and Cbfal and MyoD expression. RESULTS: C2C12 cells transduced with AAV-BMP7 could produce BMP7 protein until d 28. Alkaline phosphatase in the cultured C2C12 cell lysate was elevated. Secreted osteocalcin in the culture medium was detectable at d 12 and Cbfal mRNA expression level was upregulated, coinciding with downregulation of MyoD in a temporal manner. CONCLUSION: The present in vitro study demonstrated that AAV-BMP7 could infect and efficiently convert C2C12 cells from myoblasts into osteoblast lineage cells.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2005

Characterization of native outer membrane vesicles from lpxL mutant strains of Neisseria meningitidis for use in parenteral vaccination.

Native outer membrane vesicles (NOMV) of Neisseria meningitidis consist of intact outer membrane and contain outer membrane proteins (OMP) and lipooligosaccharides (LOS) in their natural conformation and membrane environment. NOMV have been safely used intranasally in P1 studies with encouraging results, but they are too toxic for parenteral vaccination. We now report the preparation and characterization of lpxL mutants that express LOS with reduced toxicity, and the evaluation of the potential of NOMV from these strains for use as a parenteral vaccine. A series of deletion mutants were prepared with knockouts of one or more of the lpxL1, lpxL2, or synX genes. The deltalpxL2 mutants had a reduced growth rate, reduced level of LOS expression, and increased sensitivity to surfactants. In addition, deltasynX deltalpxL2 double mutants had reduced viability in stationary phase. The deltalpxL1 deltalpxL2 double mutant behaved essentially the same as the deltalpxL2 single mutant. LOS from both lpxL mutant strains exhibited altered migration on polyacrylamide gels. The LOS of deltalpxL2 mutants of L3,7 strains were fully sialylated. NOMV prepared from lpxL2 mutants was about 200-fold less active than wild-type NOMV in rabbit pyrogen tests and in tumor necrosis factor alpha release assays. Bactericidal titers induced in animals by deltalpxL2 mutant NOMV were lower than those induced by deltalpxL1 or wild-type NOMV. However, immunogenicity could be largely restored by use of an adjuvant. These results provide evidence that NOMV from deltalpxL2 mutant strains will be safe and immunogenic in humans when given parenterally.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed2005

Orientation within the exosporium and structural stability of the collagen-like glycoprotein BclA of Bacillus anthracis.

Bacillus anthracis spores, which cause anthrax, are enclosed by an exosporium consisting of a basal layer and an external hair-like nap. The filaments of the nap are composed of BclA, a glycoprotein containing distinct N-terminal (NTD) and C-terminal (CTD) domains separated by an extended collagen-like central region. In this study, we used immunogold electron microscopy to show that the CTD of BclA forms the distal end of each filament of the hair-like nap, indicating that the NTD is attached to the basal layer. Ten randomly chosen anti-BclA monoclonal antibodies, raised against spores or exosporium, reacted with the CTD, consistent with its exterior location. We showed that recombinant BclA (rBclA), encoded by the B. anthracis Sterne strain and synthesized in Escherichia coli, forms a collagen-like triple helix as judged by collagenase sensitivity and circular dichroism spectroscopy. In contrast, native BclA in spores was resistant to collagenase digestion. Thermal denaturation studies showed that the collagen-like region of rBclA exhibited a melting temperature (T(m)) of 37 degrees C, like mammalian collagen. However, rBclA trimers exhibited T(m) values of 84 degrees C and 95 degrees C in buffer with and without sodium dodecyl sulfate, respectively. CTD trimers exhibited the same T(m) values, indicating that the high temperature and detergent resistances of rBclA were due to strong CTD interactions. We observed that CTD trimers are resistant to many proteases and readily form large crystalline sheets. Structural data indicate that the CTD is composed of multiple beta strands. Taken together, our results suggest that BclA and particularly its CTD form a rugged shield around the spore.

Bacillus anthracis↗
PubMed2005

Cochlear gap junctions coassembled from Cx26 and 30 show faster intercellular Ca2+ signaling than homomeric counterparts.

The importance of connexins (Cxs) in cochlear functions has been demonstrated by the finding that mutations in Cx genes cause a large proportion of sensorineural hearing loss cases. However, it is still unclear how Cxs contribute to the cochlear function. Recent data (33) obtained from Cx30 knockout mice showing that a reduction of Cx diversity in assembling gap junctions is sufficient to cause deafness suggest that functional interactions of different subtypes of Cxs may be essential in normal hearing. In this work we show that the two major forms of Cxs (Cx26 and Cx30) in the cochlea have overlapping expression patterns beginning at early embryonic stages. Cx26 and Cx30 were colocalized in most gap junction plaques in the cochlea, and their coassembly was tested by coimmunoprecipitation. To compare functional differences of gap junctions with different molecular configurations, homo- and heteromeric gap junctions composed of Cx26 and/or Cx30 were reconstituted by transfections in human embryonic kidney-293 cells. The ratio imaging technique and fluorescent tracer diffusion assays were used to assess the function of reconstituted gap junctions. Our results revealed that gap junctions with different molecular configurations show differences in biochemical coupling, and that intercellular Ca(2+) signaling across heteromeric gap junctions consisting of Cx26 and Cx30 was at least twice as fast as their homomerically assembled counterparts. Our data suggest that biochemical permeability and the dynamics of intercellular signaling through gap junction channels, in addition to gap junction-mediated intercellular ionic coupling, may be important factors to consider for studying functional roles of gap junctions in the cochlea.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effect of pH and phosphate on trapping capacity of various heavy metal ions with ferritin reactor in flowing seawater.

We describe a protein reactor consisting of native liver ferritin of Dasyatis akajei (DALF) and a dialysis bag. Our goal was to study a ferritin reactor for its capacity to trap various heavy metal ions (M2+) in flowing seawater. The reactor is sensitive and inexpensive and can be operated by nonprofessional technicians. A positive relationship between the number of trapped M2+ with the DALF reactor and its concentration in the flowing seawater was observed. Both the pH in the medium and the phosphate content within the ferritin cavity strongly affected trapping capacity. It was found that the ferritin released its phosphate compound directly with a shift in pH without the need for releasing reagent, which differs from the phosphate release characteristics of horse spleen ferritin, as previously described. This behavior evidently makes the trapping capacity with the ferritin reactor weaken, indicating that this trapping capacity is tightly connected to its phosphate compound. Our study shows that a self-regulation ability of the ferritin shell rather than its phosphate compound plays an important role in controlling the rate and capacity of trapping M2+. The ferritin reactor was constructed to monitor the contamination level of M2+ in flowing seawater. Our preliminary data along with fieldwork indicate that the DALF reactor is an analytical means for effectively monitoring the contamination level of M2+ in flowing seawater.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Purified human bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal stem cells regenerate infarcted myocardium in experimental rats.

Recent findings suggest the feasibility of cardiac repair by transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs). However, it remains controversial regarding which cell type is the best source for transplanting into the ischemic heart because of lack of well-defined cell markers. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of the novel multipotent marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MMSCs) from human bone marrow. Pluripotent markers (Oct4, Bmi1, and Abcg2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence in MMSCs. Myocardial differentiation was induced in the expanded MMSC cultures by treatment with 5-azacyline. Expressions of VEGF in the animals transplanted with MMSCs were markedly increased in comparison with the animals injected with fibroblasts or saline at both mRNA and protein levels. VEGF expression was observed in both transplanted MMSCs and recipient cardiomyocytes by immunofluorescence. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the specific markers for cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells in transplanted MMSCs 14 days after transplantation. Vessel count was increased and left ventricular function improved post-MMSC transplantation. These results indicate that transplantation of purified MMSCs from human bone marrow upregulated VEGF expression, enhanced angiogenesis, and improved the functional recovery following myocardial infarction in rats.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Mem↗
PubMed2005

[Radiation transformation mechanism in a photocatalytic reactor of three-phase internal circulating fluidized bed].

A novel three-phase internal circulating fluidized bed photocatalytic reactor was established and the radiation transformation in which was investigated. The experimental results indicate that with the interaction of gas and solid (gas flux > 0.3m3/h), the radiation transformation in the reactor along radial direction conforms to a definite exponential function, which agrees to formula Rose about the rules of light intensity distribution through evenly suspended particles. The value of radiation energy is affected by the initial light intensity, the concentration of photocatalyst and the thickness of liquid layer. The aerated gas amount only influence the state of the fluidized bed and has little effect on the distribution of light intensity along radical direction. Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B indicate that the efficiency of three-phase internal circulating fluidized bed is much higher than slurry bed. The optimal catalyst concentration of this system is 10 - 12g/L.

Bioreactors↗
PubMed2005

[Differentially expressed gene profiles of cochlea in rats induced by acute and chronic sodium salicylate injection].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of electrophysiologic changes caused by different type of sodium salicylate injection. METHODS: Decapitated three group rats ( acute injected, chronic injected and normal rats ) separately, dissected the temporal bones to collect cochlea, and the otic capsules were removed. Then the cochlear materials from each groups were pooled and homogenized respectively, extracted the total RNA, obtained cDNA from purified total RNA by reversed transcription, cDNA were transcripted to cRNA probes in vitro. Hybridized the cRNA probes with tester chip to evaluate the quality of probes, if good, hybridized the probes with real chip. Obtained three gene expression profiles of different groups of cochlea Analyzed the differentially expressed genes among three groups by SOM. Analogized the SOM result to electrophysiologic changes. Then analyzed the genes in clusters of analog results by Gene Ontology. Then the genes in clusters of analog results were analyzed by Gene Ontology. Hsp27 was chosen to validate the result of gene chip using real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR ( RTQ RT-PCR). RESULTS: The probes was good, and the chip hybridization results was credible. We obtained 6 clusters genes by SOM analysis, in which we choose cluster 3 and cluster 4 as candidate cluster. There were 46 genes in cluster 3 and 30 genes in cluster 4 employing GO analysis, which involved in cell communication, cell motility, metabolism, immune response and nerve ensheathment, et al. The result of RTQ RT-PCR showed high concordance with that of gene chip. CONCLUSION: It's a new method to study the mechanism of electrophysiologic changes caused by sodium salicylate by gene chip and SOM analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in induced sputum and airway obstruction in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Fifty-five patients with stable COPD and 10 age-matched controls were enrolled in the study. Sputum induction was collected by inhalation of 3% sodium chloride. Cell numbers and differentials in sputum suspension were counted with Wright's stain. The concentrations of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and MMP-2 in sputum supernatant were measured by ELISA. COX-2 protein expression in the cells was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The total sputum cells, the numbers of alveolar macrophages (AM) and neutrophils (Neu) in COPD patients were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The number of AM and Neu was inversely correlated with FEV(1)%pred and FEV(1)/FVC (r = -0.280, P < 0.05, r = -0.345, P < 0.01; r = -0.677, r = -0.773, all P < 0.01). The level of COX-2 protein expression was higher in induced sputum in COPD patients than that in the control group. Concentrations of PGE(2) in the control group and in COPD patients with grade 0, I, IIA, IIB and III were (81 +/- 18), (111 +/- 17), (117 +/- 23), (118 +/- 29), (153 +/- 24), (194 +/- 28) ng/L, respectively. Concentrations of MMP-2 in the control group and in COPD patients with grade 0, I, IIA, IIB and III were (0.7 +/- 0.4), (4.0 +/- 0.9), (4.5 +/- 1.5), (7.7 +/- 3.1), (11.9 +/- 3.5), (18.5 +/- 5.0)microg/L, respectively. Concentrations of PGE(2) and MMP-2 in sputum in COPD patients were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P < 0.01). PGE(2) and MMP-2 were inversely correlated with FEV(1)%pred, FEV(1)/FVC in stable COPD patients (r = -0.748, r = -0.750, P < 0.01; r = -0.801, r = -0.816, all P < 0.01). Concentrations of PGE(2) were positively correlated with MMP-2 in COPD patients (r = 0.775, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: (1) There is chronic inflammatory process in airway of stable COPD. AM and Neu contribute to the process. (2) COX-2 and MMP-2 may be involved in the airway inflammatory process and contribute to airway remodeling in COPD.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Effect of full-length cyclin B1 antisense cDNA on chemosensitivity of lewis lung carcinoma cells to gemicitabine in vitro and in vivo].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of full-length cyclin B1 antisense cDNA (AS-CLB1) on chemosensitivity of Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LL/2) to gemicitabine (GEM) in vitro and in vivo and hence provide a therapeutic regiment for treating non-small cell lung (NSCL) cancer using AS-CLB1 combined with GEM. METHODS: Cell cycle phase distribution and apoptosis of LL/2 parent cells, LL/2/vect and LL/2/AS-CLB1 transfectants (LP, LV and LA cells) were determined by flow cytometry. In addition, the three kinds of cells were treated with GEM (20 nmol/L-20 micromol/L) in vitro for 1 h and 24 h respectively, and then cytotoxicity of GEM was measured by MTT assay. After inoculation with the three kinds of cells respectively, the C57BL/6 mice were treated with GEM [25 - 125 mg/(kg x day)] once every three days for four times when tumors developed; tumorigenicity and survival were observed and cell apoptosis in tumor tissues was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: LA cells displayed apparent apoptosis and G1 arrest compared with LP and LV cells (controls). Additionally, cytotoxicity of GEM to LA cells was more obvious than that to controls. Moreover, tumorigenicity was inhibited, cell apoptosis in tumor tissues was induced, and survival was evidently increased in LA cells group. CONCLUSION: AS-CLB1 slightly increased the sensitivity of LL/2 cells to GEM in vitro and in vivo. The function of AS-CLB1 may be associated with its ability to enhance the anti-tumor activity of GEM by inducing cell apoptosis and G1 arrest.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[The efficacy of half of the Global Initiative for Asthma recommended dose of inhaled corticosteroids in the management of Chinese asthmatics].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the optimal doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for the management of Chinese asthmatics in order to enhance cost-effectiveness. METHODS: A randomized, paralleled and controlled multi-center study was carried out in 11 provincial hospitals. After one week run-in period when only inhaled salbutamol as needed was given, the asthmatic patients (n = 86) were divided into two groups: patients in group G (n = 42) received inhaled ICS with the doses recommended by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), ie, fluticasone propionate (FP) 250 microg bid for moderate asthma and 375 microg bid for severe asthma. Patients in group H (n = 44) received half of the above doses of FP (125 microg bid for moderate asthma and 125 microg in the morning, 250 microg in the evening for severe asthma). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between group G and group H in the 32 measurements after management, including day symptom score (severe asthma in group G 0.7 +/- 0.8, group H 0.4 +/- 0.6 and moderate asthma in group G 0.4 +/- 0.5, group H 0.3 +/- 0.5), FEV(1) [severe asthma in group G (1.5 +/- 0.5) L, group H (1.8 +/- 0.6) L/min and moderate asthma in group G (2.3 +/- 0.6) L, group H (2.3 +/- 0.8) L/min, FEV(1)% of predicted [severe asthma in group G (54 +/- 17)%, group H (59 +/- 19)%, and moderate asthma in group G (79 +/- 14)%, group H (79 +/- 15)%], the increased morning PEF value (45, 67 L/min in moderate and severe asthma in group G and 56, 65 L/min in moderate and severe asthma in group H respectively), frequency of nights awakened (81, 69 in severe asthma in groups G and H respectively), numbers of well controlled cases (88 and 98 d in severe asthma in groups G and H respectively) and the use of extra bronchodilators (salbutamol, puff/day, 5.0 and 3.4 d in severe asthma in groups G and H respectively, P > 0.05). On the other hand, in the subgroups of moderate asthma, night symptom score (0.30 +/- 0.22 in group G, 0.13 +/- 0.33, t = -2.06, P < 0.05), number of exacerbations (3/22 in group G, 11/24 in group H, chi(2) = 4.74, P < 0.05), number of total controlled cases (18/22 cases in group G, 12/24 cases in group H, chi(2) = 4.97, P < 0.05) were significantly different between group G and group H. In the subgroups of severe asthma, the total days of exacerbations were different between group G and group H (11 days in group G, 6 days in group H, U = 31, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a whole, similar therapeutic effect was achieved using half of the GINA recommended dose of ICS with/without salbutamol inhalation as needed compared with those receiving the GINA recommended full dose of ICS in most Chinese asthmatics.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2005

[C-reactive protein level and the correlation between lung function and CRP levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) level in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and to analyze the correlation between the lung function and CRP levels. METHODS: Sputum and serum specimens were obtained from 30 COPD patients diagnosed according to the national criteria. The CRP level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The lung function indexes such as the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) were also determined. RESULTS: The sputum CRP level in COPD patients was 30-50 times higher than that of the health controls. The sputum CRP level in COPD patients is significantly higher than that of serum in these patients (P < 0.05). The correlation between changes of serum and sputum CRP levels and sputum CRP levels was positive (r = 0.625, P < 0.05). The correlations between changes of serum CRP levels and FEV1 were negative (r = -0.610, -0.725, respectively, P < 0.001). And the correlations between changes of serum and sputum CRP levels and FEV1/FVC were negative (r = -0.639, -0.600, respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CRP may be secreted from the local respiratory tract. The damage of lung function in COPD patients is associated with the increase of CRP level.

Adult↗