OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) in Asian childhood obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: The medical data of the OSAHS patients in the Sleep Center of the Duchess Kent Children's Habilitation Institute from May 1999 to May 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. OSAHS was diagnosed according to the abnormal sleep monitoring results. The clinical outcomes were followed up and compared between the Operation and Non-operation groups (Control) in OSAHS children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH). Sleep endoscopy was performed for those who had residual OSAHS for the purpose of detecting the underlying causes. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were diagnosed with OSAHS. Among the OSAHS patients, 39 were associated with ATH, and 25 of the 39 patients underwent T&A. The desaturation dip!rate and minimum saturation in the Operation group were significantly improved after T&A. Six out of 25(24%) patients in the Operation group had residual OSAHS whereas 11 out of the 13 (85%) patients in the Control group had unchanged or worsening clinical symptoms (OR= 15.4, 95%CI 2.7-87.5). Residual OSAHS after surgery were attributable to obesity, achondroplasia, upper airway structure anomaly and airway dynamic problems. CONCLUSIONS: T&A was effective in the majority of Asian childhood OSAHS associated with ATH. Upper airway structure or dynamic abnormalities can result in residual OSAHS in parts of children. Further investigation is required to detect the underlying problems. ［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2006, 8 (1):1-5］

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the changes of serum levels of interleukin(IL)-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulins and the correlation of serum IL-16, IL-18 levels and immunoglobulins in children with asthma and aimed to explore the role of IL-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of asthma. METHODS: Thirty-four children with asthma and 21 age and gender-matched healthy children were enrolled in this study. The levels of IL-16, IL-18 and immunoglobulin E(IgE)were determined using ELISA. Immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were detected by immunoturbidimetry. RESULTS: The levels of IL-16, IL-18 and IgE in patients with asthma at both acute attack and convalescence stages were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. An increased IgG and a decreased IgA levels were found in asthmatic patients at the acute attack stage. There was a positive correlation between the IL-16 and IL-18 levels at both acute attack and convalescence stages of asthma (r=0.70, P<0.01;r=0.70,P<0.05). The IL-16 level correlated positively with the IgE level at acute attack stage of asthma (r=0.624, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: IL-16, IL-18 and IgE may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The immunologic imbalance exists in children with asthma at both acute attack and convalescence stages. Anti-allergic therapy should be administered through the acute attack to the convalescence stages of asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of serum interleukin-15 (IL-15) levels and the expression of CD4+T (T-helper lymphocyte) subsets CD4+CD45RA+ and CD+CD45RO+ in peripheral blood of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). METHODS: The serum concentration of IL-15 was detected using ELISA in 39 children with JRA. The expressions of CD4+CD45RA+T and CD4+CD45RO+ T in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry in 24 out of the 39 patients with JRA. Twenty-six age and sex-matched healthy children were used as the Control group. RESULTS: The mean serum IL-15 level in JRA patients was significantly higher than that in controls (1.37±0.98 pg/mL vs 0.96±0.41 pg/mL, P<0.05). Among the 39 JRA patients, the serum IL-15 level in 17 patients with systemic JRA increased remarkably (P<0.01), but not in patients with the other two types of JRA, the oligoarthritis and polyarthritis (n=13, n=9, respectively), compared with that in controls. The mean serum IL-15 level of the JRA patients was significantly reduced after conventional treatment (P<0.01). The serum IL-15 level in JRA patients positively correlated with white blood cell count (r=0.347, P<0.05) and C reactive protein (r=0.452, P<0.01), but not with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The patients with high serum IL-15 levels (≥medium level 1.73 ρg/mL) had higher expression of CD4+CD45RO+T than those with low serum IL-15 levels

OBJECTIVE: To observe brain white matter changes in children with late-treated phenylketonuria (PKU) before and after receiving treatment. METHODS: This study included 19 PKU patients(aged 34-410 weeks) who were administered a low-phenylalanine diet (<15-50 mg/kg daily) for 8-16 months. The brain MR imaging with spin-echo T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences in coronal and axial planes was taken before and after treatment. The white matter abnormalities (T2WI high signal intensity) were graded based on the Thompson grading system. Meanwhile the intelligence quotient (IQ) or developmental quotient (DQ) was tested by the Gesell's Intelligence Scale. RESULTS: All 19 PKU patients presented with the brain white matter lesions, manifesting abnormally high T2-signal intensity in the periventricular region around anterior and posterior horns of both lateral ventricles. Different extents of mental retardation were also observed in the 19 patients. The low-phenylalanine diet treatment decreased the average grade of abnormal T2-signal intensity from 2.59 to 1.76 (P<0.05). The mean IQ or DQ improved from 44.8 to 61.6 after treatment (P<0.05). There was some correlation between the amelioration of brain white matter lesions and IQ or DQ. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with late-treated PKU have a higher occurrence of the brain white matter lesions and mental retardation. A low-phenylalanine diet treatment can partly improve the abnormalities. Brain white matter lesions may play a part in mental retardation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of serum procalcitonin(PCT) to differentiate between bacterial and viral meningitis. METHODS: The serum PCT levels were measured in 41 children with acute bacterial (n=18) or viral (n=23) meningitis by immunoluminometric assay. Meanwhile serum CRP levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. RESULTS: The children with acute bacterial meningitis had higher levels of PCT (51.73±30.75 μg/L) and CRP(182.36±54.5 mg/L)and ESR (50.44±8.95 mm/h) than those with viral meningitis (0.84±0.99 μg/L, 8.90±10.66 mg/L and 16.75±13.23 mm/h respectively,P<0.01). Both PCT and CRP had high predictive value for bacterial meningitis based on the area under curve of the receiver operating characteristics curves, 0.984 for PCT (95% confidence interval 0.953-1.013) and 0.983 for CRP (95% confidence interval 0.954-1.012)(P >0.05). All of the children with bacterial meningitis had serum PCT levels above 0.5 μg/L, but only 2 patients with viral meningitis exceeded this value. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of serum PCT levels may be of value in the differential diagnosis of meningitis due to either bacterial or viruses.

Cardiac catheterization is rarely performed in neonates in China. The medical records of 26 neonates who underwent cardiac catheterization in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from June 1994 to June 2004 were reviewed. These infants weighed 2 300 to 4 500 g (mean 3 400±500 g) . Postnatal age ranged from 5 to 28 days (mean 15.2± 8.7 days). Right heart ventricle angiography was performed in 24 cases, left heart ventricle angiography in 20 cases and pulmonary angiography in 6 cases. Balloon aortic septostomy(BAS) was performed in 10 cases. Twenty cases were diagnosed with complex cyanotic cardiovascular malformauions and 4 with acyanotic heart disease. The implantation of a temporary cardiac pacemaker was performed in 2 cases. All diagnostic and interventional procedures were successfully performed. The catheterization-related complications occurred in 15.3% of the 26 cases, but without mortality. In conclusion, cardiac catheterization is an accurate and safe method for diagnosing complex congenital heart diseases in neonates. Interventional catheterization is useful in the treatment of complex congenital heart malformations.

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between obesity and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), leptin, and insulin sensitive index (ISI) in children. METHODS: The subjects included 69 obese volunteers and 30 age and gender-matched normal volunteers who were recruited from 13 702 children aged 2 to 18 years in Xiangtan City by sampling survey. The body mass index (BMI), hsCRP, leptin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and fasting insulin (INS) were tested, and then the ISI was calculated. The results between the obese and normal children were compared. The correlation between the parameters was evaluated. RESULTS: The values of hsCRP, leptin and INS in obese children were significantly higher than those in the normal controls (P<0.01), but the ISI in obese children was significantly lower than that in normal controls (P<0.01).The BMI was significantly positively correlated with the values of hsCRP, leptin and INS (r=0.225, P<0.05; r=0.776, P<0.01; r=0.568, P<0.01), but was significantly negatively correlated with the ISI (r=-0.889, P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between the value of hsCRP and the values of FPG and INS (r=0.429, P<0.01; r=0.206, P<0.05), and there was a negative correlation between the value of hsCRP and the ISI (r=-0.889, P<0.01). The value of leptin significantly positively correlated with the values of INS and BMI, and significantly negatively correlated with the ISI. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance and leptin resistance exist in obese children. The inflammatory factors such as CRP and leptin may be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity.

OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) can reduce the ratio of pulmonary and systemic circulation blood flow (Qp/Qs) and thus decrease the blood flow of left-to-right shunt in children with left-to-right shunt congenital cardiac lesions. This suggests that there are differences in the expression of Angiotensin Ⅱ receptors between systemic and pulmonary circulation. This study aimed to explore the differences of Angiotensin Ⅱ receptors type 1 and type 2 (AT1 and AT2 receptors) expression between systemic and pulmonary circulation in children with left-to-right shunt congenital cardiac lesions. METHODS: Lung and skeletal muscular tissues were obtained from 20 children with left-to-right shunt congenital cardiac lesions by biopsy during operation. The specimens were stained by immunohistochemistry techniques for AT1 and AT2 receptors. The technique of morphometric analysis was used to measure the immunoreactivity of AT1 and AT2 receptors (expressed by IOD values) of pulmonary, skeletal muscular and pleural small vascular wall the diameter of which was 15-100 μm. RESULTS: The immunoreactivities of AT1 and AT2 receptors of pulmonary small vascular walls [(124±95)×103 and (85±62)×103 respectively] were significantly lower than those of skeletal muscular [(219±156)×103 and (155±139)×103 respectively] and those of pleural small vascular walls [(279±191)×103 and (175±128)×103 respectively] in children with left-to-right shunt congenital cardiac lesions (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors in small vascular walls of systemic circulation was higher than that of pulmonary circulation in children with left-to-right shunt congenital cardiac lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Recent progress in developmental biology has shown that the thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) plays an important role in lung development. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and distribution of TTF-1 and its function during the development of epithelial stem cells in fetal human lungs. METHODS: Human lung tissues were obtained with parental consent from 32 fetuses (10-27 weeks) and from seven newborn infants (28-36 weeks) who had not died from pulmonary diseases. The expression of TTF-1 was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: TTF-1 was expressed in the nuclei of columnar nonciliated epithelial cells of the fetal human lung as early as 10 weeks of gestation. With the development of bronchus TTF-1 positive cells were present in scattered nonciliated cells and were predominantly expressed in the nuclei of epithelial cells of the distal tubules and lung buds. By the late phase of fetal development or neonatal period, TTF-1 was expressed in only type Ⅱ alveolar epithelium cells and their precursor cells,but was absent in ciliated cells and type Ⅰ alveolar epithelium cells. CONCLUSIONS: TTF-1 can stimulate the growth of both bronchial trees and alveolar cells and regulate the type Ⅱ alveolar epithelium cells and their precursors to secret surfactants.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on neural stem cells (NSCs) and myelin in neonatal rats following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) and aimed to explore the possible mechanism of the protective effect of HBO on HIBD. METHODS: Seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly assigned into 4 groups: Normal control, HIBD, hyperbaric air (HBA), and HBO groups (n=30 each). The HIBD model was produced by permanent occlusion of the left common carotid artery and 2 hrs hypoxemia exposure (8% O-2 at 37 ℃). HBA and HBO treatment was administered (2 ATA, once daily for 7 days) in the HBA and HBO groups respectively 1 hr after HIBD. BrdU immunohistochemistry was used to detect the NSCs in the sub-ventricle zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. The myelin damage was assessed by myelin basic protein (MBP) immunostaining. RESULTS: The BrdU-positive cells in the SVZ and the DG of the ischemic hemisphere in the HIBD group were dramatically decreased compared with those of the Normal control group at 3 weeks post-HIBD (P< 0.01). The HBO treatment resulted in an increase of BrdU-positive cells in the DG from 153.7±37.0 to 193.7±38.8 (P< 0.05). The nestin expression in the HIBD and HBA groups was reduced compared with that in the Normal control group. There was no difference in the nestin expression between the HBO and the Normal control groups. Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) led to marked myelin damage at 1 week post-HIBD. HBO or HBA treatment alleviated the damage. CONCLUSIONS: The HBO treatment can result in the proliferation of BrdU-positive cells and alleviate the myelin damage following HIBD in neonatal rats, thereby offering neuroprotectivity against HI insults.

OBJECTIVE: Animal trials have demonstrated that memantine has neuroprotective effects on hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain damage. Whether memantine can improve the long-term prognosis of rats with HI brain damage has not been reported. This study was designed to investigate the long-term effect of memantine therapy on neonatal rats with HI brain damage. METHODS: Sixty postnatal 7-day-old newborn rats were randomly assigned into Normal control, HI and Memantine-treated groups. Memantine (20 mg/kg) was administered immediately after HI in the Memantine-treated group. All subjects received a 5-day training of Morris water maze test from 23 days old. The escape latency (EL) was recorded at 28 and 35 days old. RESULTS: The EL values of the Normal control, HI and Memantine-treated groups at 28 days old were 23.1±21.8, 35.1±5.3, and 20.6±3.4 seconds, respectively. There was a significant difference in the EL value between the HI and the Normal control groups (P<0.05). The EL value of the Normal control, HI and Memantine-treated groups at 35 days old were 19.7±16.7, 35.6±32.3, and 16.3±13.2 seconds, respectively. A prolonged EL induced by HI still existed (P<0.05 vs Normal controls) but memantine treatment shortened the EL (P<0.01 vs HI group) at 35 days old. CONCLUSIONS: Administering memantine immediately after HI can markedly increase the abilities of spatial discrimination, learning and memory and improve the long-term prognosis in rats with HI brain damage.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of captopril on the histopathology and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in neonatal rats exposed to hyperoxia. METHODS: Forty term neonatal Wistar rats were randomly assigned into Air control, Model, Normal saline control and Captopril-treated groups (n=10 each). The Air control group was exposed to air ( FiO-2=0.21). The remaining three groups were continuously exposed to hyperoxia (FiO-2=0.90). During exposure the Captopril-treated group received intragastric captopril (60 mg/kg daily) and the Normal saline control group was administered with normal saline. The Model group had no treatment. At the 14th and 21st days of exposure, the subjects were sacrificed. The lung coefficient and the protein contents and inflammatory cells in BALF were determined. The changes of lung histomorphology were observed. RESULTS: The lung coefficient and the protein contents, the total number of cells and the percentage of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils in BAFL increased significantly in the Model and Normal saline control groups on the 14th and 21st days of exposure compared with those of the Air control group. Captopril treatment significantly reduced the lung coefficient and the protein contents, the total number of cells and the percentage of neutrophils and eosinophils in BALF. On the 14th day the lung coefficient decreased from 9.72±0.67 mg/g to 8.63± 0.35 mg/g (P<0.05); the protein contents in BALF from 0.619±0.023 g/L to 0.486±0.027 g/L (P<0.05); and the total number of cells in BALF from (80.57±9.28)×104/mL to (48.62±1.53)×104/mL (P<0.01) compared with the Model group. On the 21st day the lung coefficient decreased from 10.67±0.87 mg/g to 8.76±0.89 mg/g (P<0.05); the protein contents in BALF from 0.978±0.012 g/L to 0.759±0.042 g/L (P<0.05); and the total number of cells in BALF from (92.86±10.32) ×104/mL to (35.52±3.89) ×104/mL (P<0.05) compared with the Model group. There were however significant differences in these results between the Captopril-treated and Air control groups. The histopathological examination demonstrated different degrees of alveolitis, broaden interstitium and reduced alveolar quantity in the Model and Normal saline control groups. The pathological changes were markedly alleviated after captopril treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Captopril may have protective effects on lung injury induced by hyperoxia .

OBJECTIVE:  This study investigated the 8003 base pair (bp) fragmentation damage of brain mitochondrial DNA in newborn piglets at different times after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) so as to explore the biomolecular foundation of neonatal neuronal metabolic disorders. METHODS: Fifty 3-day-old piglets were randomly assigned into Control and HIBD groups. The HIBD group was subdivided into groups sacrificed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hrs post-HIBD (n=10). HIBD was induced by left carotid ligation and exposure to 8% oxygen for 2 hours. The Control group was exposed to air and was sham-operated. The left hippocampal cortexes of all subjects were obtained to amplify the fragments of 200 bp and 8003 bp by the LX-PCR method. The PCR products were electrophoresed on agaros gels to obtain the integral optical density (IOD). RESULTS: The IOD of 8003 bp fragment was markedly reduced in the HIBD 0 hr group (22.616±2.276) when compared with that of the Control group (56.995±0.317)( P<0.05). The IOD value remained lower at 24 hrs (27.719±0.309) and 48 hrs post-HIBD (49.491±3.233) (P<0.05). Until 72 hrs post-HIBD, the IOD (55.972±2.236) restored to the control value. CONCLUSIONS: The brain mitochondrial DNA was fragmented in newborn piglets following brain hypoxia-ischemia. It did not recover to normal until 72 hrs post-HIBD. The fragmentation damage of mitochondrial DNA may be related to the depression of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes activity and neuron apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the reliability of establishing a neonatal piglet model of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). METHODS: Fourteen neonatal piglets were randomly assigned into Experiment group (n=9) and Control group (n=5). MODS model was established in the piglets from the Experiment group by CLP.The Control group underwent a sham-operation. Serum biochemical parameters(ALT, AST, ALB, BUN, Cr, CK-MB and lactic acid), blood platelet counting and blood gas analysis(PaO-2 and PaCO-2) were tested at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hrs after operation. The histomorphological changes of important vital organs were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining under a light microscope. RESULTS: The levels of serum ALT, AST, BUN, Cr, CK-MB and lactic acid in the Experiment group began to increase 24 hrs after operation. Significant differences were observed between the Experiment and the Control group at 48 hrs in ALT(83.0±9.3 U/L vs 57.8±15.8 U/L), AST(348.8±132.9 U/L vs 106.4±12.5 U/L) , BUN(10.5±2.5 μmol/L vs 4.3 ±1.0 μmol/L), Cr(79.2±9.0 μmol/L vs 53.6±6.8 μmol/L), CK-MB(5 152.0±1 857.8 U/L vs 1 243.0±354.5 U/L), and lactic acid(12.3±4.0 mmol/L vs 4.6±1.5 mmol/L)(P<0.01). The high levels of the above parameters persisted until 96 hrs after operation in the Experiment group and then decreased but were still higher than those at 0 h after operation. After operation, the blood platelet counting decreased significantly at 96 hrs, and PaO-2 decrease and PaCO-2 increase were observed at 48 hrs in the Experiment group compared with the Control group. All animals, except one, in the Experiment group died within 120 hrs after operation (with the MODS incidence of 56%), while none died in the Control group. The tissue injuries with different degrees were observed in the lungs, liver, heart, kidneys and gastrointestinal tracts of the Experiment group. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal piglet MODS model can be established successfully by CLP.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of nitric oxide (NO) inhaltion on lung function and modulation of inflammation in ventilated premature piglets. METHODS: Premature piglets were obtained at gestation of 101-103 days (89% of full term) with a mean body weight of 870 g. All animals were subjected to mechanical ventilation (PEEP 4-6 cmH2O, Vt 6-8 mL/kg, RR 40-60/min)and randomized into 4 group(n=8 each): Ventilation control, NO inhalation (5-10 ppm), Surfactant (100 mg/kg) or NO plus surfactant. Before and during the ventilation blood gas and lung mechanics were monitored. At the end of the experiment, the lung samples were taken for measuring the NF-κB activity, wet/dry weight ratio and histopathology, and the results were compared with those from 10 non-ventilated premature piglets. RESULTS: The oxygenation index was significantly lower in the NO+surfactant-treated group compared with that of the Control group (2.3±1.9 vs 9.5±7.5, P<0.05). The alveolar aeration in the lungs was similar among the treatment groups. Both NO and NO+surfactant treatments significantly improved the ventilation index. The NO-treated and the Non-ventilated groups had a significantly lower NF-κB activity and wet/dry lung weight ratio compared with the Control group. Neither methemoglobin and NO-2 levels nor inflammatory lung injury was significantly increased in the NO and combined with surfactant-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment with NO alone or combined with surfactant can improve oxygenation and ventilation efficacy without obvious adverse effects on immature lungs of premature piglets. The beneficial effects of NO may be due to the suppresion of NF-κB activity.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal dysfunction is closely correlated with the destruction of intestinal barrier function induced by serious infection. Platelet activating factor (PAF) may induce intestinal injuries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PAF on the injury of intestinal mucosal immuno-barrier function in young rats. METHODS: Eighteen-day-old Wistar rats were randomized to lipopolysaccharide(LPS) (5 mg/kg), LPS plus PAF receptor antagonist and normal saline injection(Control). PAF receptor antagonist BN52021 5 mg/kg was administered before or 30 minutes after LPS injection (pretreatment or treatment). The ileum specimens (n=8) were harvested at 1.5, 3, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after LPS injection. Double antibody-PEG radioimmunoassay was used to determine the secretory IgA(sIgA) content in intestinal mucosa. Hematoxylin and erosin staining was used for histological evaluation. The ratio of wet and dry weight (W/D) of ileum tissues was calculated. RESULTS: Intestinal villi edema, capillary congestion, extension of the subepithelial lympho channel, and polymorphonuclear infiltration in enteric cavity were noted in the LPS group at 1.5, 3, 6 and 24 hrs after LPS injection. In the PAF receptor antagonist group only villi edema was found. The W/D ratio in the LPS group was significantly higher than that in the Control group at all time points, but it was slightly reduced by the PAF receptor antagonist pretreatment or treatment. The sIgA content was obviously decreased after 1.5, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hrs of LPS challenge compared with that in the Control group (P<0.01). It reached to a nadir at 6 hrs (0.15±0.04 μg/mL). The level of sIgA in the PAF receptor antagonist group was higher than that in the LPS group at each time point. There was no statistical difference in the sIgA level between the PAF receptor pretreatment and treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: PAF plays roles in the injury of intestinal immuno-barrier function. Preventive and remedial use of PAF receptor antagonist BN52021 may relieve intestinal injury.

OBJECTIVE: Dingchuantang is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction which has the Qing, Xuan and Jiang components which have the ability to dispel (Xuan), depress (Jiang) and heat clear or febrigugal (Qing). It has been used for asthma and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of the decoction have not been identified. To understand the mechanism of the anti-RSV property of Dingchuantang, this study investigated the effects of Dingchuantang and its three components on the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (γ-IFN) in mice infected by RSV. METHODS: One hundred and twenty mice were randomly assigned into Normal, Infected, Dingchuantang-treated, Qing component-treated, Xuan component-treated and Jiang component-treated groups (n=20 each). The RSV infection model was prepared in the rats from the last 5 groups. The 4 treatment groups were administered with Dingchuantang, Qing component, Xuan component and Jiang component by gastric lavage respectively 2 hrs after RSV innoculation. The contents of RSV in the lungs were tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The levels of IL-4 and γ-IFN in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The contents of RSV of lungs in the Dingchuantang-treated group, and Qing and Xuan component-treated groups were significantly lower than those in the untreated Infected group. There was no significant difference between the Jiang component-treated and the Infected group. Dingchuantang treatment decreased the IL-4 level and increased the γ-IFN level. The Xuan and Jiang component treatment decreased the IL-4 level but had no effect on the γ-IFN level, while the Qing component-treatment increased the γ-IFN level but had no effect on the IL-4 level. CONCLUSIONS: Dingchuantang can inhibit RSV reproduction and this effect works by Qing and Xuan components. Dingchuantang can also restore the imbalance TH2/TH1 by depressing IL-4 levels, worked by Xuan and Jiang components, and increasing γ-IFN levels, worked by Qing component.

OBJECTIVE: Glutamine (Gln) is now considered as conditionally essential amino acid with many biological activities. This study aimed to investigate whether it has protective effects on the intestinal mucosal barrier in young rabbits under hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Eighteen young rabbits aged 26±3 days were randomly assigned into 3 groups:Control (no treatment), Low-dose Gln (L-Gln,0.5 g/kg daily) and High-dose Gln (H-Gln,1.0 g/kg daily) treatment groups. Gln was administered by gastric tube daily for 7 days and then hemorrhagic shock was induced by blood withdrawing from femoral artery. Plasma levels of diamine oxidase(DAO) and serum levels of interleukin-8(IL-8) were measured before shock, and at 2, 6 and 24 hrs after resuscitation. Ileum tissues located approximately 5 cm away from the ileocecal valve was removed for histological examination, lymphocyte distribution, polymorphonuclear(PMN) count and assessing the height, width and surface area of the villi. RESULTS: Plasma levels of DAO and serum levels of IL-8 at 6 and 24 hrs after resuscitation in the L-Gln and the H-Gln groups decreased significantly compared with those of the Control group. L-Gln and H-Gln also resulted in a decrease in the PMN counts and the lymphocyte percentage in the ileum compared with the Control group. Exfoliation and atrophy of villous epithelial cells occurred and the height and surface area of villous were reduced in the Control group. The ileum morphology of the two Gln treatment groups was found to be nearly normal. There were no differences between the L-Gln and the H-Gln groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gln within a therapeutic dose has protective effects on intestinal mucosal barrier in young rabbits under hemorrhagic shock.

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