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Objective To explore the clinical significance of serum cytokine expression in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) sero-clearance in patients with severe hepatitis B. Methods A nested case-control trial was conducted on 14 inpatients with severe hepatitis B admitted in our hospital from 2006 to 2020. Of them, 7 patients (aged 36.57±3.15 years) achieved HBsAg sero-clearance within 1 year after the onset of hepatitis B flares (with abrupt rise of ALT level to >5 times the upper limit of normal during HBV infection) and were assigned into HBsAg clearance group, while the other 7 patients (aged 34.14±2.97 years) only obtained HBsAg decreased less than 1 g within 1 year after the onset (HBsAg non-clearance group). Then, multiplex liquid-chip assay based on Luminex xMAP was used to detect the expression levels of 48 cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-2 in serum samples of these 14 patients. Results The serum levels IFN-γ, IL-2Ra and SDF-1α were significantly lower in the HBsAg clearance group than the HBsAg non-clearance group (P < 0.05), but no statistical differences were observed in other 39 cytokines between the 2 groups. And there were 5 cytokines having no mutual expression in both groups. The copy number of HBV DNA was positively correlated with serum HGF (r=0.675, P=0.008) and SDF-1α levels (r=0.587, P=0.027), while negatively with IP-10 (r=-0.600, P=0.023) and MIG level (r=-0.640, P=0.014). Meanwhile, a positive correlation was found between HBsAg titer and IL12-p70 level (r=0.593, P=0.025), and a negative correlation between HBsAg titer and TNF-α level (r=-0.609, P=0.021). In addition, the serum total bilirubin level was positively correlated with the expression of SCGF-β (r=0.543, P=0.045). Conclusion Three differentially expressed cytokines and some cytokines related to HBV DNA level and HBsAg titer are found, which may provide new insights into the underlying immunological mechanism of HBV virus clearance caused by hepatitis flares. Meanwhile, it also provides potential biomarkers for HBsAg serological clearance in patients with severe hepatitis B.

Objective·To observe the role of serum Th17/Treg levels in the correlation between Alzheimer′s disease and periodontitis.Methods·Eighteen periodontitis patients with Alzheimer′s disease who visited the Department of Geriatric, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and 15 periodontitis patients with normal cognitive function who visited the Department of Periodontology, Shanghai Ninth People′s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2020 to December 2021, were enrolled in this study. Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) and percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP%) were examined and recorded. Serum levels of Th17-related cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-17, and IL-22, Treg-related cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were measured by ELISA. The differences of periodontal status and cytokine levels were compared by using t-test. The difference was statistically significant when P

Objective To observe the proportion of peripheral blood T follicular helper (Tfh) cell subsets and serum cytokine levels in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and to analyze the relationship between the two and their relationship with the prognosis of patients. Methods Thirty newly treated ALL patients (observation group, includ‑ ing13 patients with good prognosis and 17 patients with poor prognosis according to the risk stratification criteria for ALL patients) and 20 healthy subjects (control group) were selected. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Tfh cell subgroups (Tfh, Tfh1, Tfh2, Tfh17) in the peripheral blood of the two groups. Serum cytokine levels [interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL）-4, IL-17] were detected by ELISA, and the correlation between the proportion of Tfh subsets in peripheral blood and serum cytokine level in the observation group was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results Compared with the control group, the proportions of Tfh and Tfh2 in peripheral blood increased, and the proportion of Tfh1 decreased in the observation group (all P<0. 05). Compared with those with poor prognosis, the proportions of Tfh and Tfh2 decreased in the observation group with good prognosis (both P<0. 05). Compared with the control group, the serum IFN-γ level decreased and serum IL-4 level increased in the observation group (both P<0. 05). Compared with those with poor prognosis, the serum IFN-γ level increased and serum IL-4 level decreased in patients with good prognosis in the observation group (both P<0. 05). The proportions of Tfh and Tfh2 in the observation group were positively correlated with the serum IL-4 level of ALL patients (r=0.860 and 0. 965, respectively; both P<0. 05), and the proportion of Tfh was negatively correlated with the serum IFN-γ level (r =–0. 289, P<0. 05). Conclusion In ALL patients, the proportions of Tfh and Tfh2 in peripheral blood increase, the proportion of Tfh1 decreases, the level of serum IFN-γ decreases, and the level of IL-4 increases, which are related to the poor prognosis of patients, and they may participate in the immune dysfunction of ALL, enhance the immunosuppressive effect, and participate in the disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the regulatory axis of circular RNA Cbl proto-oncogene B (circCBLB)/miR-486-5p on the proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokines of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA-FLS). Methods Human RA-FLS were stimulated with 100 μL of 10 ng/mL of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) to establish the model. The binding relationship of circCBLB/miR-486-5p was validated by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. pcDNA3.1/siRNA-circCBLB, negative control (pcDNA3.1-NC/si-NC), and miR-486-5p-mimics were created and transfected into RA-FLS, respectively. The experiment was divided into seven groups: control, TNF-α-treated RA-FLS, pcDNA3.1-circCBLB, pcDNA3.1-NC, si-circCBLB, si-NC, and pcDNA3.1-circCBLB combined with miR-486-5p-mimics. Cell viability was assessed by a CCK-8 assay; cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry; colony formation ability by a colony formation assay; and the expression levels of circCBLB and miR-486-5p by real-time quantitative PCR. The levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Results The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that circCBLB bound to the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of miR-486-5p. Compared with the model group at the same time point, the cell viability of the overexpression group was lower, while that of the interference group was higher. Compared with the model group, the overexpression group had a higher apoptosis rate, a higher proportion in S and G2 phases, a lower colony formation rate, a lower miR-486-5p expression level, higher IL-4 and IL-10 levels, and lower IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The interference group had a lower apoptosis rate, a lower proportion in S and G2 phases, a higher colony formation rate, a higher miR-486-5p expression level, and a higher TNF-α level. The pcDNA3.1-circCBLB combined with miR-486-5p-mimics group reversed the effects of circCBLB on cell viability, apoptosis rate, cell cycle, colony formation ability, antiinflammatory cytokines, and proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion circCBLB inhibits the viability of RA-FLS, increases apoptosis rate, prolongs the cell cycle, reduces colony formation ability, increases antiinflammatory cytokines, and decreases proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, miR-486-5p has opposite regulatory effects on circCBLB and can partially reverse and offset the effects of circCBLB.

Objective: To investigate prognostic value of cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with severe pneumonia. Methods: Clinical data of 44 patients with severe pneumonia who were admitted to Intensive Care Unit of Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2020 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' gender, age, acute physiology and chronic health scoreⅡ （APACHEⅡ）, oxygenation index, cytokine detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and 28-day prognosis were collected. SPSS27.0 statistical software was used to analyze and process data. Results: IL-17A level［ 51.15（1.85, 125.20） pg/ml vs 9.65（0.01, 19.95） pg/ml］ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and APACHEⅡ（ 27.29±5.27 vs 21.81± 5.00） in death group were significantly higher than those in survival group （P<0.05）, oxygenation index ［（131.14±60.95） mmHg vs （188.69±56.85） mmHg］ was worse than survival group （P<0.05）. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that IL-17A, APACHE Ⅱ and oxygenation index were independent risk factors affecting prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia ［OR: 1.033（95%CI= 1.010~1.056）, 1.228（95%CI=1.022~1.477） and 0.984（95%CI=0.969~1.000）, all P<0.05］. ROC curve analysis showed that IL-17A, APACHEⅡ and oxygenation index had predictive value for 28-day death in patients with severe pneumonia, and AUC were 0.735 （95%CI=0.567~0.904）, 0.741（95%CI=0.575~0.906）, 0.789（95%CI=0.634~0.944）（all P<0.01）. Conclusion: IL-17A, APACHE Ⅱ and oxygenation index are all risk factors affecting prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia, which can all predict 28-day prognosis of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the changes in serum inflammatory cytokines and the predictive factors for the efficacy of sertraline following medication therapy in adolescents with first-episode major depressive disorder (MDD)., Methods: A total of 61 adolescent patients with first-episode drug-naïve MDD were enrolled for the MDD group and 55 healthy adolescents were enrolled for the healthy control (HC) group. Sertraline tablets were administered to the MDD group for 8 weeks after enrollment, while no medication was given to the HC group. In the MDD group, blood samples were collected to measure the cytokine levels and clinical data, including scores for the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), were assessed at baseline and at the end of the 8-week medication, whereas in the HC group, blood samples and clinical data were collected only at baseline. The correlation between the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines and depression severity in the MDD group was analyzed and stepwise linear regression of HAMD-17 in the MDD group was performed to find serologic indicators that could be used to predict the efficacy of sertraline., Results: At baseline, the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the MDD group were significantly higher than those in the HC group (all P <0.0001), while the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level in the MDD group was significantly lower than that in the HC group ( P =0.006). After 8 weeks of medication treatment, the MDD group showed decreased levels of IL-1β and IL-6 and increased level of TNF-α compared to the pre-treatment levels. In addition, the HAMD-17 score, CD-RISC total score, and scores for perceived competence, trust and tolerance, and control, three factors of CD-RISC, all improved after treatment. There was no significant difference in serum cytokine levels at baseline between the subgroup showing response to the treatment and the non-responding subgroup. There was a weak correlation between IL-6 levels before and after treatment and CD-RISC scores and the scores for the trust and tolerance factor of CD-RISC before and after treatment. The baseline IL-1β and TNF-α levels did not show significant effect on posttreatment HAMD-17 scores., Conclusions: Serum cytokine levels of adolescents with first-episode MDD differ significantly from those of healthy adolescents. Although IL-6 was found to be correlated with depression severity, there was not enough support for it to be used as a predictor of the antidepression efficacy of sertraline., (Copyright© by Editorial Board of Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences).)

Objective: To explore the correlation between the changes of T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in patients with MM and immune function status, biochemical indicators, and their relationships with clinical stage and prognosis, which is expected to provide a scientific basis for the prognosis analysis and condition monitoring of MM patients., Methods: The clinical data of 89 MM patients in two hospitals were collected, and 36 healthy people without tumor or infectious diseases were selected as the control group. Flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the changes of core members of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels, respectively. At the same time, automatic biochemical analyzer and automatic blood cell analyzer were used to detect serum β 2 -microglobulin (β 2 -MG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin (ALB), creatinine (CRE) and hemoglobin (HGB) levels, and the relationship between T lymphocyte subsets and the above indexes and their clinical significance were analyzed., Results: The proportions of NK cells and CD8 + T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of MM patients were significantly higher than that of the control group ( P <0.01), the proportion of CD4 + T and the ratio of CD4 + /CD8 + were lower than those of the control group ( P <0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the numbers CD3 + T cells compared with the control group ( P >0.05). The proportion of CD4 + T and ratios of CD4 + /CD8 + in MM patients were lower than those of normal controls, and were negatively correlated with MM staging ( r =-0.964, r =-0.653), that is, the later the MM staging, the more obvious their levels were reduced, while CD8 + T and NK cells were positively correlated with MM staging ( r =0.891, r =0.728), that is, the later the MM staging, the more significant their levels increased. The levels of Treg cells (CD4 + CD25 high CD127 low/- T cells/CD4 + T cells) of MM patients in the disease stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were (5.87±0.92)%, (7.97±1.32)%, (11.52±4.71)% respectively, the difference was statistically significant compared with control group ( P <0.05), and the level of Treg cells in MM patients with stage III was significantly higher than that in controls and patients with other disease stages ( P <0.01). The proportion of Treg cells (CD4 + CD25 high CD127 low/- T cells/CD4 + T cells) in MM patients was positively correlated with the concentration of β 2 -MG and LDH ( r =0.793, r =0.536), but had no significant correlation with HGB, ALB and CRE. The serum levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in MM patients were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P <0.05), which were closely related to MM staging( r =0.839, r =0.917, r =0.746), that is, the later the MM staging, the higher the levels; The serum IFN-γ level was negatively correlated with the stage of MM ( r =-0.689), and its level gradually decreased with the increase of the disease stage and degree ( P <0.01). There was no significant correlation between the levels of IL-2 and IL-4 and the disease stage, but they were all up-regulated compared with the control group ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: The abnormal regulation of the core members of T lymphocyte subsets and the levels of various cytokines are closely related to the disease progression and poor prognosis of MM patients, which is an effective indicator for the disease monitoring of MM patients.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and diagnostic accuracy of changes in cytokine levels before and after non-biological artificial liver (referred to as ABL) treatment in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in order to establish a basis for treatment timing selection and short-term (28d) prognosis. Methods: 90 cases diagnosed with ACLF were selected and divided into a group receiving artificial liver treatment (45 cases) and a group not receiving artificial liver treatment (45 cases). Age, gender, first routine blood test after admission, liver and kidney function, and procalcitonin (PCT) of the two groups were collected. The 28-day survival of the two groups was followed-up for survival analysis. The 45 cases who received artificial liver therapy were further divided into an improvement group and a deterioration group according to the clinical manifestations before discharge and the last laboratory examination results as the efficacy evaluation indicators. Routine blood test, coagulation function, liver and kidney function, PCT, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), β-defensin-1 (HBD-1), 12 cytokines and other indicators were analyzed and compared. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of the short-term (28 d) prognosis and an independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of ACLF patients. According to different data, Kaplan-Meier method, log-rant test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, χ 2 test, Spearman rank correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: The 28-day survival rate was significantly higher in ACLF patients who received artificial liver therapy than that of those who did not receive artificial liver therapy (82.2% vs <0.05). The levels of serum HBD-1, alpha interferon (IFN-α) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) after artificial liver treatment were significantly lower in ACLF patients than those before treatment ( P <0.05). The levels of serum HBD-1, alpha interferon (IFN-α) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) after artificial liver treatment were significantly lower in ACLF patients than those before treatment ( P <0.05), while liver and coagulation function were significantly improved compared with those before treatment ( P ＞0.05). Before artificial liver treatment, serum HBD-1 and INF-α levels were significantly lower in the ACLF improvement group than in the deterioration group ( P ＞0.05). Before artificial liver treatment, serum HBD-1 and INF-α levels were significantly lower in the ACLF improvement group than in the deterioration group ( P <0.05) and were positively correlated with the patients' prognosis (deteriorating) ( r =0.591, 0.427, P <0.001, 0.008). The level of AFP was significantly higher in the improved ACLF group than that in the deterioration group ( P <0.05), and was negatively correlated with the prognosis (deteriorating) of the patients ( r =-0.557, P =0.001, 0.043, and 0.036, respectively), and that higher HBD-1 and IFN-α levels were associated with lower AFP level and a deteriorating prognosis. The area under the curve (AUC) of HBD-1, IFN-α, and AFP for short-term (28d) prognostic and diagnostic efficacy of ACLF patients was 0.883, 0.763, and 0.843, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificty was 0.75, 0.75, and 0.72, and 0.84, 0.80, and 0.83, respectively. The combination of HBD-1 and AFP had further improved the diagnostic efficiency of short-term prognosis of ACLF patients (AUC=0.960, sensitivity and specificity: 0.909 and 0.880 respectively). The combination of HBD-1+IFN-α+AFP had the highest diagnostic performance, with an AUC of 0.989, sensitivity of 0.900, and specificity of 0.947. P =0.001, 0.043, and 0.036, respectively), and that higher HBD-1 and IFN-α levels were associated with lower AFP level and a deteriorating prognosis. The area under the curve (AUC) of HBD-1, IFN-α, and AFP for short-term (28d) prognostic and diagnostic efficacy of ACLF patients was 0.883, 0.763, and 0.843, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificty was 0.75, 0.75, and 0.72, and 0.84, 0.80, and 0.83, respectively. The combination of HBD-1 and AFP had further improved the diagnostic efficiency of short-term prognosis of ACLF patients (AUC=0.960, sensitivity and specificity: 0.909 and 0.880 respectively). The combination of HBD-1+IFN-α+AFP had the highest diagnostic performance, with an AUC of 0.989, sensitivity of 0.900, and specificity of 0.947. Conclusion: Artificial liver therapy can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and liver and coagulation function of patients with ACLF; remove cytokines such as HBD-1, IFN-α, and IL-5 in patients with liver failure; delay or reverse the progression of the disease; and improve the survival rate of patients. HBD-1, IFN-α, and AFP are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of ACLF patients, which can be used as biological indicators for evaluating the short-term prognosis of ACLF patients. The higher the level of HBD-1 and/or IFN-α, the higher the risk of disease deterioration. Therefore, artificial liver therapy should be started as soon as possible after the exclusion of infection. In diagnosing the prognosis of ACLF, HBD-1 has higher sensitivity and specificity than IFN-α and AFP, and its diagnostic efficiency is greatest when combined with IFN-α and AFP.

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Objective To observe the changes of T lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in peripheral blood of children with Epstein-Barr virus associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(EBV-HLH). Methods Twenty-three children with EBV-HLH(EBV-HLH group) and 29 children with EBV-infection-associated infectious mononucleosis(EBV-IM) (EBV-IM group) were selected. Venous blood samples were collected from the two groups. The proportions of PD1+ cells, CD57+ cells and CD69+ activated cells in T lymphocyte subsets of CD3+(total T lymphocytes), CD4+CD3+(regulatory T lymphocytes) and CD8+CD3+(killer T lymphocytes) were detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of cytokines IL- 2，IL-4，IL-6，IL-10，TNF- α and IFN- γ were detected by fluorescence microbeads combined with flow cytometry. Results The proportion of activated CD69+CD3+ T lymphocytes in the EBV-HLH group was higher than that in the EBV-IM group(P<0. 05) . The proportion of PD1+CD3+ T cells in the EBV-HLH group was lower than that in the EBV-IM group, especially the proportion of PD1+CD8+CD3+ T cells with killer function was much more obvious(P<0. 05) . There was no significant difference in the proportion of senescent CD57+CD3+ T cells between the two groups(P>0. 05). The levels of IL- 2，IFN-γ and IL-10 in the EBV-HLH group were significantly higher than those in the EBV-IM group(all P<0. 05). Conclusion The killer function of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of children with EBV-HLH decreased，not the increase of senescent cells, which was partly reflected in the exhaustion of T lymphocytes function in EBV-HLH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective　 To analyze the clinical features of adult hemophagocytic syndrome （HPS） and the correlation between the levels of various cytokines and prognosis. Methods　 The data of 19 adult patients with hemophagocytic syndrome were collected, and the clinical features and laboratory tests were analyzed. The blood samples were collected for 12 cytokine levels detection, and the correlation between the levels and prognosis was analyzed. Results　The levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-6, IFN-γand TNF-α in HPS patients were higher than those in non-HPS non-infected patients （P < 0.05）. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL10, IFN-γ and TNF-α in HPS patients were higher than those in non-HPS patients （P < 0.05）, the ROC curve of IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α showed that the AUC of IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α was between 0.7 and 0.9, indicating accuracy in the diagnosis of HPS. Fib was significantly lower than that in the survival group （P < 0.05）, while there were no significant differences in age, sex, clinical features （fever, liver, spleen, lymphadenopathy） and laboratory tests （ALT, AST, TBIL, ALB, Fer, TG, ACN, HGB, PLT） between the HPS death group and the survival group （P > 0.05）, and the levels of IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α in HPS death group were significantly higher than those in survival group （P < 0.05）. Conclusion　HPS may present increased levels of various cytokines, among which IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α may be significant for the diagnosis of HPS. The significant decrease of Fib and the significant increase of IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α may indicate a poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the treatment effect of berberine on periodontitis rats, and to explore the effect of berberine treatment on inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and inflammatory osteolysis in the gingival tissue of rats with periodontitis. 45 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely the control group, the model group and the berberine treatment group. The rats in the model group and the berberine treatment group were applied with periodontal pathogens to establish a periodontitis model, and the rats in the control group were applied with normal saline. Berberine was treated by intragastric administration of berberine, and rats in the control and model groups were given the same amount of normal saline. After 8 weeks of berberine treatment, rats in each group were euthanized by Elisa kit to determine the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PEG2), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydrogen peroxide (LPO), catalase (CAT), nuclear factor-kB activated receptor (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) content in the gingival tissue of each group of rats. Compared with the periodontitis model group of rats, the gingival index and adhesion level of periodontitis rats in the berberine treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). After 8 weeks of berberine treatment, the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as PEG2, IL-1β, TNF-αand IL-6 in the gingival tissue of the periodontitis rat model decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the oxidative stress indicators MDA and LPO Both were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the content of anti-oxidative stress index CAT increased significantly (P<0.05). In addition, berberine also significantly reduced the RANKL content and RANKL/OPG ratio in the gingival tissue of rats with periodontitis (P<0.05), and significantly increased the OPG content in the gingival tissue of rats with periodontitis(P<0.05). Berberine has a high therapeutic effect on rats with periodontitis, and its mechanism may be related to the fact that berberine treatment can reduce the content of inflammatory cytokines in the gum tissue of rats with periodontitis, reduce the level of oxidative stress and relieve inflammatory osteolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the immunomodulatory mechanism and optimal dose of dexmedetomidine (DEX) for preventing postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery., Objective: A total of 120 elderly patients undergoing elective spinal surgery with general anesthesia were randomized into 4 groups to receive a loading dose of 0.3 μg/kg DEX for 10 min before anesthesia induction followed by maintenance doses of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 μg · kg -1 ·h -1 (low-, medium-, and high-dose DEX groups, respectively) or an equal volume of normal saline (control group). DEX and saline was discontinued 40 min before the end of the surgery. Before induction (D 0 ) and on day 1 (D 1 ), day 3 (D 2 ) and day 7 (D 3 ) after the operation, the cognitive function of the patients was assessed using the MMSE scale and their serum levels of β-amyloid (Aβ), TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were measured. The occurrence of adverse effects including bradycardia and hypotension and the recovery time of the patients were recorded., Objective: Compared with those on D 0 , serum levels of Aβ, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α on D 1 were markedly increased in all the groups ( P < 0.05); the levels of Aβ decreased to the baseline level on D 3 in medium- and high-dose DEX groups ( P > 0.05) but remained high in the other two groups. On D 2 , TNF-α, L-1β and IL-6 recovered their baseline levels in medium- and high-dose DEX groups ( P > 0.05) but remained elevated in the other two groups. The incidences of POCD in medium- and high-dose DEX groups were comparable but significantly lower than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). The incidences of hypotension and bradycardia were the highest in high-dose DEX group ( P < 0.01), which also had longer recovery time than the other 3 groups ( P < 0.05)., Objective: With a loading dose of 0.3 μg/kg followed by a maintenance doses of 0.5 μg · kg -1 ·h -1 , DEX can effectively reduce the incidence of POCD in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery by inhibiting the production of Aβ and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

To study effect of symbicort turbuhaler (ST) combined with montelukast on pulmonary function and serum cytokine levels in patients with acute stage of bronchial asthma(ASBA). 86 patients with ASBA who were treated in our hospital from February 2015 to August 2017 were selected as research subjects. The patients were divided into the observation group (n=43) and the control group (n=43) according to the random number table method. The control group was treated with ST, and the observation group was treated with montelukast on the basis of the control group, two groups were treated for 3 months. The lung function, cytokine levels, cough score, St. George's respiratory disease questionnaire (SGRQ) before treatment and 3 months after treatment and drug safety were compared between the two groups. After treatment, the levels of forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC in the two groups were increased significantly compared with those before treatment, and the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), interferon-酌 (INF-酌) and tumor necrosis factor-琢 (TNF-琢) in the two groups were all lower than those before treatment, and the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of cough in two groups were significantly higher than before treatment, and the observation group was significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of SGRQ in two groups were significantly lower than before treatment, and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05). The total incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 20.93%, and there was no statistical difference compared with 16.28% of the control group (P>0.05). ST combined with montelukast can effectively improve the symptoms of the ASBA patients, alleviate the inflammatory reaction of the body and improve the pulmonary function and quality of life of the patients at the same time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the changes of hepatic fibrosis, liver function and Th1/Th2 cytokine levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and to analyze the effect of entecavir intervention on related indexes of patients with chronic HBV. Methods: 120 case of patients with chronic HBV infective who were admitted to our hospital from April 2016 to January 2018 were selected as the objects, among them 50 mild cases, 24 moderate cases, 21 severe cases and 25 cirrhosis cases. And then 50 cases of healthy persons who were admitted to hospital for physical examination at the same time were selected as the healthy control group. The liver fibrosis indexes [hyaluronidase (HA), collagen type IV (ⅣC), laminin (LN) and procollagen peptide type III(PC III)], liver function indexes [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transferase (AST)] and Th1/Th2 cytokines [interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4 and IL-6] in the serum were analyzed among patients with different conditions of chronic HBV infection. Then the patients were divided into observation group and control group according to random number table method. The control group was treated with routine liver protection therapy such as reduced glutathione and compound glycyrrhizin, and the observation group was treated with entecavir dispersible tablets on the basis of the control group. The changes of all indexes between two groups before and after treatment were compared. Results: The indexes of hepatic fibrosis indexes, liver function indexes, Th1/Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-6 in patients with HBV infective were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group, and gradually increased with the severity, while the levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 were lower than those of the healthy control group, and gradually decreased with the aggravation of the disease (P<0. 05). After treatment, the levels of serum hepatic fibrosis indexes (HA, IVC, LN and PC III)), the liver function indexes (ALT and AST), IL-4 and IL-6 in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment, and those in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: After treatment, the levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 in the two groups were higher than before treatment, and those in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The patients with chronic HBV infection have elevated levels of liver fibrosis, impaired liver function and imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells. Entecavir combined with conventional liver protection treatment could effectively correct imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells of the patients, they can alleviate liver fibrosis and improve liver function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the changes of cytokine profile in elderly patients with silicosis and lower respiratory tract infection and its clinical significance. Methods: In Oclober 2019, a retrospective study was conducted to select 167 elderly patients with silicosis from Xuzhou Mining Group General Hospital as subjects, including 115 patients with silicosis and lower respiratory tract infection as infected group, including 41 patients with stage I silicosis, 38 patients with stage II silicosis and 36 patients with stage III silicosis. There were 52 cases of silicosis without lower respiratory tract infection as non-infected group, and 48 cases of healthy examination in our hospital were selected as control group. All the participants were tested for cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and statistically analyzed the relevant experimental data. Results: The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the infected group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment ( P <0.05) . The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-γ before and after treatment in the infected group were higher than those in the non-infected group and the control group ( P <0.05) . The levels of IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the infected group were higher than those in the control group, and the difference were statistically significant ( P <0.05) . The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A and IFN-γ in patients with stage III silicosis were higher than those in stage I silicosis in infected group ( P <0.05) . The levels of IL-6 and IL-17A in the patients with stage Ⅲ silicosis were higher than those in the patients with stage II silicosis in infected group ( P <0.05) . The level of IL-10 in patients with stage II silicosis was higher than that in stage I in infected group ( P <0.05) . ROC curve analysis of the indicators for diagnosis of senile silicosis with lower respiratory tract infection and silicosis without lower respiratory tract infection found that IL-6 had the largest AUC (0.910) . And its specifuity and sensithcity were 85.2% and 98.1% respectivehy. Conclusion: The detection of cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-10 has better specificity and higher diagnostic efficiency in the early diagnosis and treatment of elderly patients with silicosis complicated with lower respiratory tract infection. It has good clinical application value and can provide important laboratory evidence for early treatment for clinicians.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the changes of inflammatory cytokine levels and prognosis of patients with critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV)., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. The clinical date of critical COVID-19 patients undergoing IMV who were hospitalized in Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from February 4th to March 25th in 2020 were collected. At the same time, the inflammatory cytokine levels including interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) at 48 hours before IMV and 48 hours after IMV of all the patients, as well as the 48 hours after weaning or right before death were recorded. Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors of death during hospitalization., Results: Among the 43 patients, 13 patients improved and 30 died. Compared with the survival group, the patients in the non-survival group were older (years old: 67.6±7.3 vs. 58.5±11.9, P < 0.05), with higher rates of hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease (53.3% vs. 15.4%, 63.3% vs. 23.1%, 26.7% vs. 0%, all P < 0.05), and the time from onset to admission to hospital, admission to ICU and IMV were longer (days: it was 9.17±5.00 vs. 5.07±2.49, 17.10±7.11 vs. 12.23±5.05, and 17.90±7.46 vs. 12.61±5.60, respectively, all P < 0.05). The IL-6 and TNF-α levels on 48 hours after IMV in the non-survival patients increased significantly as compared with those before 48 hours and the surviving patients. Especially, the IL-6 levels increased significantly as compared with those at 48 hours after IMV and 48 hours after weaning in the surviving patients [ng/L: 800.00 (194.25, 2 000.00) vs. 22.03 (6.66, 28.21), 3 204.00 (1 264.88, 5 000.00) vs. 5.00 (3.98, 12.27), both P < 0.01]. The IL-10 level before death in the non-survival patients increased significantly as compared with that at 48 hours after weaning in the surviving patients [ng/L: 55.89 (26.07, 100.14) vs. 3.53 (2.76, 12.36), P < 0.05]. There were no significant differences in the levels of IL-2 and IL-4 between the two groups at every time point. The variables of age, basic diseases, the IL-6 level after IMV were included in the multivariate unconditional Logistic regression analysis, which showed that age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.821, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.695-0.968], hypertension (OR = 0.027, 95%CI was 0.002-0.378), diabetes mellitus (OR = 0.054, 95%CI was 0.005-0.611), coronary heart disease (OR = 0.042, 95%CI was 0.002-0.968) and the IL-6 level after IMV (OR = 0.902, 95%CI was 0.819-0.994) were independent risk factors for death during hospitalization in patients with critical COVID-19 undergoing IMV (all P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The levels of inflammatory cytokine including IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α increased significantly with aggravation in critical COVID-19 patients undergoing IMV, especially IL-6. IL-6 was an independent risk factor for death of critical COVID-19 patients undergoing IMV.

Objective: To investigate the correlations of serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (T-25 (OH) D) levels with serum cytokine levels including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: A total of 60 patients with CD admitted in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2014 to March 2019 who completed the tests for serum T-25 (OH) D and cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and/or TNF-α) were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical data were collected for analysis. Results: Among 60 CD patients, there were 46 male patients, and the age was (34±13) years. There were 16 patients (26.7%) in remission and 44 cases (73.3%) in active status. The T-25(OH)D level was (16.0±7.7)μg/L. The prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency, insufficiency and deficiency was 26.7%, 40.0% and 33.3%, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that serum T-25 (OH) D level was negatively correlated with CDAI ( r= -0.363, P= 0.004), IL-6 level ( r= -0.360, P= 0.007), hsCRP level( r= -0.272, P= 0.043) and ESR level( r= -0.293, P= 0.024), while positively correlated with serum Alb level( r= 0.372, P= 0.003)、Hb( r= 0.330, P= 0.010) and BMI( r= 0.276, P= 0.033).Twenty-three cases (52.3%) of active CD patients accompanied with infection had a lower level of serum T-25 (OH) D than those without infection [(12.55±7.17) vs (17.41±6.49)μg/L, P= 0.023]. Conclusion: Serum T-25 (OH) D level was negatively correlated with CDAI, serum IL-6 level and inflammatory markers in patients with CD, and it was lower in active CD patients with infection than those without infection.

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of narrow-spectrum UVB in the treatment of psoriasis and the effect on peripheral blood cytokines. Methods 109 patients with psoriasis treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from May 2018 to March 2020 were selected and randomly divided into experimental group(n = 55)and control group (n = 54). The control group was treated with capotriol ointment，and the experimental group was treated with narrow-spectrum UVB combined with capotriol ointment. The clinical efficacy and the changes of cytokines in peripheral blood of patients in the two groups were compared. Results The total effective rate of clinical treatment in the experimental group was higher than that of control group， and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, Th17, Treg and Th17/Treg in the experimental group were statistically significant in control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, TNF- radiation and il-10 in the experimental group were compared with those in the control group，and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Narrow spectrum UVB treatment of psoriasis can improve the clinical outcomes，which may be related to the inhibition of serum TNF- beam and Th17 levels in patients with psoriasis， and the improvement of 1l-10 and Treg cell levels. UVB in narrow spectrum may play a role in improving Th17/Treg imbalance ratio and cytokine levels in patients with psoriasis, which has great potential in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective T o observe the effect of melatonin on the level of cytokines, RANKL/ OPG ratio and bone mineral density in ovariectomized rats. Methods 32 3 -month-old female rats were ran domly divided into 4 groups: A: sham operation grou p (Sham group), B: ovariectomized group (OVX group), C: ovariectomized + β- es tr ad l treatment group [487. 5 µ g/ (kg.d), OVX+E2 group J, D: ovariectomized + melatonin treatment group [50 mg/ (kg.d), OVX + MEL group] for 8 weeks. After treatment, the animals were sacrificed, the tibia was taken for bone mineral density (BMD) determination, and the femurs were analyzed for cytokine and gene expression. Results After 8 weeks of treatment, the tibial bone mineral density in OVX group was significantly lower than that in Sham group(P

Objective: To explore the effects of minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty on hip function and inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with anterolateral interspace interspace approach. Methods: 98 cases of total hip arthroplasty in our hospital from January 2015 to January 2017 were selected as the research subjects. Patients were grouped by random digital table, 49 patients were treated as the control group with traditional total hip replacement therapy, 49 patients were treated as the observation group with minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty with anterolateral interspace interspace approach. The perioperative indexes of the two groups were observed and compared, including the length of the incision,operation time, the amount of blood loss during the operation, and the flow rate of 1 d after the operation. The serum inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 levels in two groups before and 24 h after operation were compared. Harris scores were used to evaluate the hip function of all patients before operation, 3 months and 6 months after operation. The incidence of adverse reactions during the treatment and follow-up of two groups was recorded and compared. Results: The amount of blood loss and the flow rate of 1 d after operation in the observation group were significantly lower than that of the control group, the length of the incision was significantly shorter than that of the control group, but the operation time was significantly longer than that of the control group(P<0.05). 24 h after operation, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05). 3 months and 6 months after operation, the Harris score of the two groups increased gradually(P<0.05), compared with the control group in the same period, the Harris score of the patients in the observation group was significantly higher(P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction in the observation group was 8.16%, which was significantly lower than 28.57% of the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty with the anterolateral interspace approach can significantly improve the perioperative indicators and lower the early inflammatory response, it can obviously promote the recovery of the hip joint function and safety, it is worthy of clinical promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of moxibustion of "Zusanli "(ST36) on levels of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus and hypothalamus regions of rats with fatigue, so as to reveal its anti-fatigue mechanism., Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control, fatigue model, and moxibustion groups, with 8 rats in each group. The fatigue model was established by chronic weight-loaded exhaustive swimming. During modeling, the rats in the moxibustion group were given moxibustion (3 moxa cones, about 8 min in duration) at bilateral ST36, once every other day for 11 times in total. The duration of exhausted swimming was observed, and ELISA was used to measure the contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the hippocampus and hypothalamus tissues., Results: The duration of exhausted swimming was obviously prolonged on day 14 and 21 after moxibustion intervention relevant to the model group ( P <0.05, P <0.01). The contents of IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α in the hippocampus were significantly increased in the model group than in the normal group ( P <0.01), and that of hippocampal IL-6 was considerably decreased in the moxibustion group than in the model group ( P <0.05). The content of hippocampal IFN-γ was significantly lower in the model group than in the normal group ( P <0.05) and was increased mildly after moxibustion ( P >0.05). No significantly changes were found in the levels of hypothalamic IL-1β， IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ after modeling and moxibustion ( P >0.05), and in the levels of hippocampal IL-1β， TNF-α and IFN-γ after moxibustion ( P >0.05)．., Conclusion: Moxibustion can significantly down-regulate hippocampal IL-6 content in fatigue rats, which maybe contribute to its effect in alleviating fatigue. Further studies need being conducted to identify this conclusion.

Copyright of Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University (Medical Science) is the property of Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University (Medical Science) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective To compare the changes in levels of hepatic enzymatic parameters, T lymphocyte subsets, and cytokines, and to analyze the correlation of these indexes in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB ) with different HBV DNA loads. Methods Totally 188 CH13 patients were divided into the negative group ( n = 35 ) , low copy group (n = 55) , medium copy group (n = 56) , and high copy group (n =42 ) according to the loads of HBV-DNA in serum. Another 20 healthy people in the same period were selected as the control group. The liver function indexes of each group were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. The percentage of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells was detected by flow cytometry and its related antibodies. The CD4+ T/CD8+ T value was calculated. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were detected by ELISA. Results Compared with the control group and the negative group, the levels of ALT and AST increased in the low copy group, the medium copy group, and the high copy group (both P <0. 05). Compared with the control group, the level of AST in the negative group decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group and negative group, the levels of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD4+ CD8+ T decreased in the low copy group, the medium copy group and the high copy group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the control group, the levels of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells decreased and CD4+ CD8+ T increased in the negative group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the control group and the negative group, the level of TNF and IFN-γ increased in the low copy group, the medium copy group and the high copy group (all P <0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of TNF decreased and IFN-γ increased in the negative group (both P <0. 05 ). ALT and AST levels in the CHB patients were positively correlated with IFN-γ and TNF levels (r = 0. 805 , 0. 836, 0. 883, and 0.913, respectively; all P< 0.05 ), while CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were negatively correlated with IFN-γ and TNF levels (r= - 0.797, - 0.831, - 0.834, and - 0.820, respectively; all P <0.05). HBV DNA load was positively correlated with IFN-γ and TNF levels in the CHB patients (r = 0. 902 and 0.940, both P < 0.05) , while HBV UNA load was negatively correlated with CD4+T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T/CD8+ T (r = - 0. 820, - 0. 773 , and - 0. 930, respectively, all P <0.05 ). Conclusions With the increase of HBV DNA load, the percentage of CD4+T cells and CD8+ T cells in CHB patients gradually decreases, and the levels of ALT, AST, TNF, and IFN-γ gradually increase. To some extent, the DNA load of HBV is consistent with the inflammatory cytokine levels and degree of liver function damage in CHB patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Compared with conventional total hip replacement, minimally invasive total hip replacement has some advantages, such as small incision, less blood loss, light pain, low incidence of dislocation, and short rehabilitation period. However, changes in post-displacement stress and in vivo metabolism-related serological indicators have not been systematically reported. OBJECTIVE: To observe cytokines and curative effect before and after minimally invasive total hip replacement and conventional total hip replacement. METHODS: We selected 178 patients who underwent unilateral total hip replacement in the Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2015 to January 2017. They were randomly divided into observation group (89 cases) and control group (89 cases). The control group was treated by total hip arthroplasty through the standard invasive posterolateral approach. The observation group was treated by total hip arthroplasty through the minimally invasive anterolateral approach. The related operation indexes were recorded in two groups. Harris score was analyzed preoperatively, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and procalcitonin were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay preoperatively, 1 and 3 days after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up for 12 months. (2) Age, sex, body mass index and joint replacement site were not significantly different in both groups (P > 0.05). (3) The operation time, hospital stay and incision length in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group. The blood loss, blood transfusion, and postoperative drainage in the observation group were less than those in the control group (P < 0.05). (4) Harris Score increased at various time points after replacement in both groups. Harris score was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group at 1 and 3 months after surgery (P < 0.05). (5) The serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and procalcitonin in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group 1 and 3 days after surgery. (6) These findings confirm that minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty has better curative effect than conventional total hip arthroplasty, and can reduce related cytokine levels, and is more conducive to the rapid recovery of lower extremity motor function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the role of serum cytokine levels prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell trans-plantation (allo-HSCT) in the outcome of severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients received allo-HSCT treatment., Methods: The clinical data of 117 SAA patients received allo-HSCT were enrolled in this study. The overall survival (OS), graft versus host disease (GVHD) incidence and relationship of serum cytokines with OS and major transplantation complications were retrospectively analyzed., Results: The patients enrolled in this study included 78(66.7%) cases received HSCT matched sibling donors (MSD), 12(10.2%) HSCT of unrelated donors (MUD) and 27 cases received HSCT of haploidentical donors (HID). The 5-years OS was 76.0%(95% CI: 64.4-87.5%); aGVHD cumulative incidence was 49.6%(95% CI: 40.4%-58.8%) and cumulative incidence cGVHD was 31.6%(95% CI:23.1%-40.2%). MSD allo-HSCT had a significantly higher 5-years OS as compared with the other donors(82.3%±6.6% vs 61.3%±11.7%, P<0.05). HLA matching, donor's age, cytomegalovirus/ Epstein-Barr virus (CMV/EBV) infection were important factors of affecting occurence of aGVHD. The patients with higher serum IL-6 had reduced platelet recovery time after transplantation (14.6±1.8 vs 18.3±2.6 d)(P=0.050) and higher serum TNF-α level accompanied by a lower incidence of CMV/EBV infection (37.8%±11.1% vs 58.8±16.8%)(P<0.05)., Conclusion: MSD allo-HSCT is the effective treatment for SAA patients. Donor's type remains the strong predictor of survival. The serum levels IL-6 and TNF-α before transplantation associate with platelet recovery and CMV/EBV infection.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the bradykinin B2 receptor + 9 /-9 polymorphisms and proinflammatory cytokine levels in osteoarthritis ( OA) and the molecular mechanisms involved． Methods A total of 156 patients with primary knee OA and 121 healthy controls were enrolled． The BDKＲB2 + 9 /-9 polymorphisms were genotyped． The tumor necrosis factor ( TNF) -α，interleukin ( IL) -1β，IL-6 and IL-8 levels were determined using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) ． The toll-like receptor ( TLＲ) -2 and TLＲ-4 mＲNA levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCＲ． The basal and bradykinin-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in human OA synoviocytes was investigated． Ｒesults In OA patients， significantly higher TNF-α and IL-8 levels were detected in the serum and synovial fluid of the BDKＲB2 -9 /-9 genotype carriers compared with the + 9 / + 9 carriers ( P ＜ 0. 05) ． IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the BDKＲB2 -9 /-9 and + 9 /-9 genotype carriers compared with the + 9 / + 9 ( P ＜ 0. 05) ． In the synovial tissue significantly higher TLＲ-2 mＲNA levels were detected in the + 9 /-9 and -9 /-9 carriers compared with the + 9 / + 9 carriers ( P ＜ 0. 01) ; TLＲ-2 silencing inhibited IL-6 and IL-8 secretion in human OA synoviocytes ( P ＜ 0. 01) ． Conclusion The data suggested that the BDKＲB2 + 9 /-9 polymorphisms influence proinflammatory cytokine levels in knee osteoarthritis by altering TLＲ-2 expression． [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells attract extensive attention because of good biological characteristics and broad prospects, but the cells gradually show the characteristics of the aging with the increase of individual age or incubation time in vitro. Nonhuman primates have similar biological characteristics with human being, and have unique advantage in the animal model and disease treatment research. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the difference in proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from macaques at different ages and to explore the effect of age on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Bone marrow samples from male macaques aged < 3 years and over 20 years were collected through bone marrow puncture, and divided into young group and elder group, with three macaques in each group. Then, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured in vitro, and the morphological changes, proliferation and differentiation ability were observed. Age-related beta-galactosidase staining was performed, and protein microarray and ELISA were used to detect cytokine levels. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: With age, the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from the elder macaques were reduced significantly, and the number of senescent cells increased significantly; the levels of interleukin-1b, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α and vascular endothelial growth factor were elevated obviously, the levels of heparin-binding basic fibroblast growth factor and placental growth factor were reduced. These findings indicate that the body's aging lead to the reduction in the proliferation, differentiation and cytokine secretion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of China Medical University is the property of Journal of China Medical University Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Objective: To identify the correlation between serum inflammatory cytokine levels including high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and lipoprotein associated phospholipase (Lp-PLA2) and the fibrous cap thickness of fibrofatty plaque in coronary culprit lesions. Methods: Clinical data of 117 patients with selective coronary artery angiography diagnosed coronary artery disease admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to January 2016 were retrospective analyzed. According to type of coronary disease, patients were divided into 3 subgroups: SAP group (containing 47 stable angina patients), UAP group (containing 52 unstable angina patients), and NSTEMI group(containing 18 acute non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients). Serum hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 levels were measured before subsequent procedures. The characteristics of the culprit lesions were detected by optical coherence tomogarpgy(OCT) before interventional treatment, and the correlation between hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 and the fibrous cap thickness of fibrofatty plaque in coronary culprit lesions were analyzed. Results: (1) The serum levels of hs-CRP (2.13(1.04, 4.75)μg/L vs. 1.02(0.60, 1.29)μg/L and 1.30(1.03, 1.96)μg/L, all P <0.05) and Lp-PLA2 ((394.8±61.4)mg/L vs. (140.1±40.4)mg/L and (284.5±93.6)mg/L, all P <0.05) were significantly higher in NSTEMI group than in SAP group and UAP group, and serum levels of hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 were significantly higher in UAP group than in SAP group (all P <0.05). (2)The fibrous cap thickness of fibrofatty plaque in coronary culprit lesions were smaller in NSTEMI group and UAP group than in SAP group(50(50, 60)μm and 60(50, 90)μm vs. 130(80, 190)μm, all P <0.05), and there was no significantly difference between NSTEMI group and UAP group( P >0.05). Proportion of thin-cap fibroatheroma plaque(82.35%(14/18) vs. 19.15%(9/47) and 63.46%(33/52), all P <0.05), plaque rupture(55.56%(10/18)vs. 6.38%(3/47) and 28.85%(15/52), all P <0.05) and thrombosis(33.33%(6/18) vs. 4.26%(2/47) and 9.26%(5/52), all P <0.05) were significantly higher in NSTEMI group than in SAP group and UAP group. Proportion of calcifiacation in plaque was lower in NSTEMI group than in SAP group (11.11%(2/18)vs. 42.55%(20/47), P <0.05), and there was no significantly difference between NSTEMI group and UAP group( P >0.05). (3) Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum levels of hs-CRP( r =-0.233, P <0.05) and Lp-PLA2( r =-0.465, P <0.01)were negatively correlated with fibrous cap thickness of fibrofatty plaques. Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum levels of hs-CRP were positively correlated with plaque rupture( r =0.409, P <0.01) and thrombosis ( r =0.227, P <0.05), and serum levels of Lp-PLA2 were also positively correlated with plaque rupture( r =0.499, P <0.01) and thrombosis( r =0.263, P <0.01). (4)Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that serum levels of Lp-PLA2 at baseline was independently related to thin-cap fibroatheroma plaque( OR =1.017, P <0.01). Conclusions: The serum levels of hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 in NSTEMI patients are much higher than that in SAP and UAP patients, higher in UAP patients than in SAP patients. Prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma plaque, plaque rupture and thrombosis was significantly higher in the NSTEMI patients, while the prevalence of calcification in plaque is more often in SAP patients. Increased serum levels of Lp-PLA2 are independent risk factor of thin-cap fibroatheroma plaque formation.

BACKGROUND: There is still a lack of an effective treatment method for alcoholic liver injury. Extracts from Lycium ruthenicum Murr have been shown to play a role in immunoregulation, reducing blood lipid and glucose, antioxidation, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and tumor. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with flavonoids from Lycium ruthenicum Murr on alcoholic liver injury and its anti-inflammatory mechanism. METHODS: Forty healthy male Kunming mice were used to construct alcoholic liver injury models. The rat models were randomly divided into model, flavonoids, aerobic exercise and aerobic exercise + flavonoids from Lyceum ruthenicum Murr (combination) groups. Aerobic exercise and intragastrical administration of flavonoids from Lyceum ruthenicum Murr were given at 1 day after modeling for 6 weeks. Afterwards, the mice were fasted overnight and then the liver tissues were removed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and histopathological scoring were conducted. The serum contents of glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and total bilirubin were tested by biochemical analysis, and the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α, nuclear factor κB, interleukin 6 and interleukin 10 in the liver tissues and blood were determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hematoxylin-eosin staining and histopathological changes: in the model group, the hepatic cord arranged in disorder, hepatic lobules were damaged severely, and there were abundant uneven fat vacuoles and inflammatory cells in the cytoplasm. The damage degree of liver tissues was significantly lowered in the flavonoids and aerobic exercise groups (P < 0.05). The necrotic hepatocytes, fat vacuoles and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly decreased in the combination group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum contents of glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and total bilirubin in the combination (P < 0.01) and aerobic exercise (P < 0.05) groups were significantly reduced. Real-time PCR results: compared with the model group, the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α, nuclear factor κB, interleukin 6 in the liver tissues and blood in the three treatment groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), especially in the combination group (P < 0.01), and the mRNA expression level of interleukin 10 was significantly increased. Our findings manifest that aerobic exercise and flavonoids from Lycium ruthenicum Murr can effectively reduce the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines. As a minimally invasive early detection method, circulating RNA detection of plasma inflammatory factors is an important marker in the screen, observation and prognosis of alcoholic liver injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cytokines play a critical role in the pathophysiologic mechanism of spinal cord injury (SCI). Direct or indirect inhibition or alleviation of immune inflammatory reactions following SCI can improve the patient’s prognosis and recovery of neurologic function. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β1 and interferon-γ in the peripheral blood of patients with early cervical SCI and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, and explore the role of cytokine-mediated immune inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of cervical SCI. METHODS: Thirty patients with cervical SCI and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. The levels of related cytokines in the peripheral blood were detected by ELISA. According to the ASIA impairment scale, all patients were divided into two groups: complete SCI group (Grade A, 10 cases) and incomplete SCI group (Grade B+C+D+E, 20 cases). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 in the peripheral blood in the SCI patients were significantly higher than those in the control group. The level of transforming growth factor-β1 in the peripheral blood of the complete SCI patients was significantly higher than that of incomplete SCI patients. Our findings imply that the levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 in the peripheral blood of patients with cervical SCI in early period are increased significantly, and the level of transforming growth factor-β1 is associated with the severity of SCI, suggesting that there is a correlation between dysfunction of nervous system and immune response post-cervical SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture interventions on colonic inflammatory injury, cytokine level and cell apoptosis in ulcerative colitis (UC)rats, so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improvement of UC., Methods: A total of 32 SD rats were randomized into control, model, EA and manual acupuncture groups (8 rats/group). The UC model was established by intrarectally administration of 5% trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS)+ dehydrated alcohol. Both "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) were punctured with filiform needles for 20 min in the manual acupuncture group or stimulated with EA (8 Hz/25 Hz, 2-4 mA, and duration of 20 min) in the EA group. The treatment was conducted once daily for consecutive 6 days. Changes of body weight and pathological state of colitis were observed. The contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6), anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), homocysteine (Hcy) and myeloperoxidase (MPO, two oxygen free radicals associated substances) in the colon tissues were detected by ELISA, and the protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,phosphorylated (p)-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB kinase α(IκBα) and p-p 65 (a subunit of nuclear factor) of colonic tissues were detected by Western blot, separately., Results: Compared with the control group, the body weight was decreased and the state of the swelling and hemorrhage of the colon got worsened in the model group, while the state of the swelling and hemorrhage of the colon was better in both EA and manual acupuncture groups, and the body weight was clearly increased from day 4 on in both treatment groups. The concentrations of colonic TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-10, MPO and Hcy were all significantly higher in the model group than in the control group ( P <0.01), but those of colonic TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6 in both EA and manual acupuncture groups, those of MPO and Hcy in the EA group were significantly down-regulated following the intervention ( P <0.05, P <0.01), and that of IL-10 was notably further increased in the manual acupuncture group ( P <0.05). In addition, modeling-induced remarkable down-regulation of colonic Bcl-2/Bax, and marked up-regulation of expression of IκBα and p-p 65 proteins were significantly suppressed in both EA and manual acupuncture groups ( P <0.01)., Conclusions: Both EA and manual acupuncture interventions Feb alleviate the colonic lesions in UC rats, which Feb be related to their functions in regulating levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, in balancing the expression of apoptosis-related protein and anti-apoptosis-related protein and in down-regulating the expression of the key nuclear transcription factors in the colonic tissue.

Copyright of Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine is the property of Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective To investigate the relationship between inflammatory cytokine levels and airway remodeling in bronchial asthma patients. Methods 106 patients with bronchial asthma were divided into exacerbation group and stable groups, there were 61 cases, 45 cases, separately, 40 cases of healthy people were selected as control group. IL-2, IL-5, VEGF, bFGF, TGF-β 1 levels were detected. Results Compared with the control group, the levels of VEGF, bFGF, TGF-β1 in stable group were significantly increased ( P < 0.05) . Compared with the control group and the stable group, the levels of VEGF, bFGF, TGF-β1 in exacerbation group were significantly increased ( P < 0.05) . The levels of IL-5 in stable group patients were significantly higher than the control group (P< 0.05) . The levels of IL-2 and IL-5 in exacerbation group patients were significantly higher than than those in the control group and the stable group patients (P < 0.05) . IL-2 and TGF-β1 showed a significant positive correlation (F < 0.05), IL-5 and VEGF, bFGF, and TGF-β1 showed significant positive correlation (P< 0.05) . Conclusion The imbalance of inflammatory cytokine levels is closely related to airway fibrosis induced by VEGF, bFGF and TGF-β1 in bronchial asthma patients, these two factors work together to lead to bronchial asthma progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the possible regulatory effect of Pulsatilla decoction on Th17 cells and inflammatory cytokines of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) mice., Methods: Seventy-two female Kunming mice were randomly assigned into six groups: a blank control group, a VVC model group, a fluconazole group and three Pulsatilla decoction groups (dose levels: 22.5, 15.0 and 7.5 g/kg, respectively). The VVC mouse models were established by vaginal inoculation with Candida albicans (C. albicans) in female mice in pseudoestrus state caused by estradiol injection. After 7-day treatment on VVC mice, the vaginal C. albicans burden was assessed using dilution spread plate method; the vaginal C. albicans morphology was observed by Gram staining method; the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-17, IL-21 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in sera were detected by ELISA. The content of the transcription factor retinoid related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) in vaginal tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry., Results: The VVC mouse models were successfully developed. After treatment, the vaginal C. albicans burden of the fluconazole group and 22.5 g/kg Pulsatilla decoction group dropped significantly compared with that of the VVC model group. Gram staining showed that the VVC mice had lots of C. albicans hyphae in vaginal discharge, that 7.5 g/kg Pulsatilla decoction group remained the mycelia-phase C. albicans, and that 15.0 g/kg Pulsatilla decoction group had the majority of yeast-phase C. albicans and a few of mycelia-phase, while no hyphae and only very few of yeast-phase C. albicans were observed in 22.5 g/kg Pulsatilla decoction group and fluconazole group. After 7-day treatment, compared with the model group, the levels of IL-6, IL- 17, IL-21 and TNF-α in the sera of the fluconazole group, 15.0 and 22.5 g/kg Pulsatilla decoction groups were reduced significantly and the levels of RORγt in the vaginal tissues of the fluconazole group, 15.0 and 22.5 g/kg Pulsatilla decoction groups also decreased significantly., Conclusion: Pulsatilla decoction could inhibit the proliferation of vulvovaginal C. albicans and reduces the levels of inflammatory cytokines in VVC mice.

Objective: To investigate cytokine level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) and the effects of methylprednisolone on RMPP., Method: Sixty cases with RMPP and 20 cases with bronchial foreign body with no respiratory tract infection as control group hospitalized in Department of Pulmonary Diseases, the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Zhejiang University from February 2012 to February 2013 were enrolled. The RMPP patients were divided into two groups randomly (30 cases in each). Steroid group were given methylprednisolone 2 mg/(kg·d) intravenously for 3 days, and the cases in non steroid group were not given steroid therapy. Patients whose fever relieved after steroid treatment were classified as defervesced group while the others were classified as non defervesced group. Each patient was examined with fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage 3 days after admission and cytokine level in BALF of each patient was detected., Result: (1) In steroid group, the proportion of patients whose fever disappeared within 3 days after steroid therapy was 9/30 cases (30%), and in non steroid group no one responded within 3 days after medication, showing statistically significant difference (χ² = 14.073, P=0.002), at the same time, the duration of cough in steroid group was significantly shorter than that in non steroid group (5.1 d vs. 7.0 d, t=-2.276, P=0.027). The total fever time of steroid group was 4.7 days, which as compaired with non steroid group (6.7 days) was shorter, but the difference was not significant (t=-1.351, P=0.134). (2) IL-1 β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ in BALF of steroid group and non steroid group were both significantly higher than that of control group. But the same comparison between steroid group and non steroid group showed no significant difference. (3) In steroid group, IL-2 and IL-8 in BALF of patient whose fever disappeared after steroid therapy were both significantly lower than that of patients who still had fever (t=2.771, 2.054, P=0.010, 0.049) , but no significant difference was found between the two groups in BALF IL-1 β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ levels (P>0.05)., Conclusion: (1) Three days of 2 mg/(kg·d) methylprednisolone therapy had the antipyretic effect in children with RMPP, and could shorten the length of cough. (2) Incresed BALF IL-1 β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ levels were observed in RMPP and high level of BALF IL-2 and IL-8 might have some relevance with persistent fever of RMPP in children.

Objective To study the change of levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, IL-8, TNF-α and IFN-γ and their clinical significance on children with different types of Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP).Methods The blood specimens of 180 children with HSP as disease group and 30 health children as normal group were collected respectively. Disease group included 30 children at acute stage and 30 at convalescence stage of primary abdominal type,30 at acute stage and 30 at convalescence stage of primary non-abdominal type,30 at acute stage of secondary abdominal type,and 30 at acute stage of secondary non-abdominal type. The plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-23, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the two groups were measured by ELISA method for comparison and analysis.Results The plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-23 and TNF-α in disease group were higher than those in the normal group(P<0.05). Those levels in the children at acute stage and of primary group were also found to be higher than those at convalescence stage(P<0.05) and of secondary group(P<0.05) respectively. Comparison of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-23 and TNF-α between abdominal type and the non-abdominal type had no significant difference(P>0.05). The plasma level of IFN-γ in disease group was lower than those in normal group(P<0.05). The levels of IFN-γ in the children at acute stage and of primary group were lower than those at convalescence stage(P <0.05) and of the secondary group(P <0.05).Comparison of IFN-γ between abdominal type and non-abdominal type had no significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusions The plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-23, TNF-α, IFN-γ show obvious changes in children with HSP, which suggests that the changes of cytokines are associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of Henoch- Schonlein purpura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the changes in serum cytokines levels in children with newly diagnosed active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) and to explore the role of cytokines in the development and progression of SJIA., Methods: Seventy-four pediatric patients with active SJIA between January 2010 and December 2013 were included in the study. Serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukine-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were measured by flow cytometry in these patients. The levels of cytokines were also determined in 202 healthy children as the control group. Routine laboratory parameters including white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of neutrophils, hemoglobin level, platelet count, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were monitored in the patient group., Results: The WBC count, percentage of neutrophils, hs-CRP, and ESR in 74 cases of SJIA were significantly above the normal range, their platelet counts were within the normal range, whereas hemoglobin levels were below the normal range. Compared with the control group, the patient group showed a significantly increased level of IL-6 (P<0.01) and significantly reduced levels of IL-4, IL-10, and TNF (P<0.01). However, there were no significant changes in serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ in the patient group (P>0.05). In SJIA children, IL-6 level, which was significantly elevated, was negatively correlated with hemoglobin level, which was significantly reduced (r=-0.244, P<0.05)., Conclusions: Serum level of IL-6 is significantly increased in children with SJIA, and it has a negative correlation with anemia.

Objective: To investigate the influence of pregnancy on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from mouse peripheral blood neutrophils (PMN), the levels of NO and cytokines from serum, the activation of T lymphocytes, and initially find the immune regulation effects of pregnancy on the mouse peripheral blood lymphocytes., Methods: Take the BALB/c mice which were at the mid trimester of pregnancy (day 14) as the object, full blood staining using ROS probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) combing with flow cytometry was used to test the levels of ROS from PMN. The production of NO from peripheral blood serum were analyzed by Griess kit while the soluble cytokines interleukin (IL) 6, IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-12 were detected by liquid protein quantitative technology cytometric bead array (CBA) using flow cytometry. The activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes at early, middle and later phases which marked with CD69, CD25 and CD71 respectively were tested by flow cytometry and two-color fluorescent staining., Results: Comparing to the normal non-pregnant mouse, pregnancy obviously promoted the production of ROS from PMN (101.1±2.2 versus 134.5±10.3, P<0.05). Comparing to the normal non-pregnant mouse, pregnancy obviously promoted the secretion of NO [(22.7±0.7) versus (36.3±1.2) µmol/L, P<0.01]. In normal non-pregnant mouse, the serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12 were (9.3±0.5), (26.7±0.9), (21.2±1.6), (14.5±1.8), (22.6±1.6) and (8.4±1.2) pg/ml, while in pregnancy group the levels were (26.5±1.0), (40.4±2.5), (25.1±0.7), (457.4±17.9), (93.2±4.3) and (7.5±0.9) pg/ml correspondingly; the levels of IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α from peripheral blood serum (P<0.01), while had no effects on the production of IL-10 and MCP-1 (P>0.05). About the CD+3 T lymphocytes activation, in normal non-pregnant mouse, the CD69, CD25 and CD71 expression rate were (0.43±0.15)%, (5.13±0.25)% and (0.37±0.11)%, while in pregnancy group the CD69, CD25 and CD71 expression rate were (0.40±0.10)%, (6.17±0.40)% and (6.10±0.31)%. The levels of middle and later phases markers as CD25 and CD71 were highly up-regulated (P<0.05), while the early phase action CD69 had no obvious variation (P>0.05)., Conclusion: The mid trimester of pregnancy promoted the production of ROS from PMN, the levels of NO, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α from peripheral blood serum, and the middle- and later-phase activation of T lymphocytes.

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Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents and pancreatic nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) expression in acute pancreatitis rats., Methods: Sixty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation (sham), model and EA groups (n=22). Acute pancreatitis model was established by intra-pancreatic duct injection of 3.5% sodium taurocholate (0.1 mL/100 g). EA (2 Hz /100 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to bilateral ST 36 for 30 min after modeling and at the end of the experiment. The animals were killed at 3 h (n=7), 6 h (n=7) and 12 h (n=8) after modeling. The expression of pancreatic NF-,cB P65 was detected by immunohistochemical staining, and serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 contentswere determined by ELISA. The pathological changes of pancreatic tissue were displayed by H. E. staining and the quantity of ascite was measured by electronic balance., Results: The pathologic score, ascite quantity, serum TNFalpha and IL-6 contents, and pancreatic NF-kappaB P 65 expression levels at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after modeling were significantly higher in the model group than in the sham group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the pathologic score, ascite quantity, serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents, and pancreatic NF-kappaB P 65 expression levels at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h were significantly decreased in the EA group (P < 0.05). Microscopic observation displayed that the necrosis of the pancreatic acinar cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells were lighter in the EA group than in the model group., Conclusion: EA at ST 36 is able to down-regulate sodium taurocholate injection incduced increase of serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents, and pancreatic NF-kappaB P65 expression level in acute pancreatitis rats, which may contribute to its effect in relieving necrosis of the pancreatic acinar cells and infiltration of pancreatic inflammatory cells.