Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a chronic inflammatory response that is worsened by acute exacerbations. Lianhuaqingwen (LHQW) has anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory functions and may inhibit the airway inflammation that occurs during an acute exacerbation of COPD. In this study, 100 participants were recruited and randomly assigned, 1 : 1, to the LHQW and the conventional groups, which were treated, respectively, with LHQW capsules and conventional Western medicine or only conventional Western medicine. The scores of the CAT scale and levels of inflammatory cytokines in blood and sputum were measured during treatment. In addition, subjects were subdivided into high-risk and low-risk subgroups. The CAT scores in the LHQW group and high-risk subgroup were clearly improved from the 5th day, but the other groups improved only after treatment was completed. Expression levels of IL-8, TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-23 in the sputum and of IL-8 and IL-17 in the blood were significantly decreased after treatment, and similar results were found in subgroups. These data suggested that LHQW capsules can accelerate the improvement of AECOPD patients, especially for the high-risk subgroup, and the mechanism of action may be related to the decreased release of inflammatory mediators.
Highlights
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a persistent disease characterized by limited airflow and disease progression that has a high morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]
Gong et al [3] carried out an epidemiological survey of the population over 60 years of age residing in Shanghai urban areas; the results showed that the prevalence rate of COPD was 14.61%, which is an increase of 8.3% compared with five years ago
The main reason for noninclusion was not meeting the inclusion criteria mainly due to the subject being complicated with respiratory failure. 100 Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) subjects were randomized within two groups: 50 in the LHQW group and 50 in the conventional group
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a persistent disease characterized by limited airflow and disease progression that has a high morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]. Gong et al [3] carried out an epidemiological survey of the population over 60 years of age residing in Shanghai urban areas; the results showed that the prevalence rate of COPD was 14.61%, which is an increase of 8.3% compared with five years ago. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is an important event in the natural progression of COPD. The Global Initiative for Control and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD) [1] recommends hormones, antibiotics, bronchodilators, and symptomatic and supportive therapy as the primary treatment program for AECOPD. This program has not produced a satisfactory effect, and large doses of these recommended
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