Normal Saline Injection Group Research Articles

Effects of intrapolyp steroid injection on intraocular pressure and recurrent polyp treatment

PurposeTo examine the effects of intrapolyp triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections on intraocular pressure (IOP) and recurrence of nasal polyps after endoscopic sinus surgery.Patients and methodsThis was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized into either the TA injection group (Group I, 20 mg/ml, 2 mL) or the placebo normal saline injection group (group II, 2 mL). There were a total of five study visits: one baseline visit and one at 2, 4, 8, and 12 w after the injection. The primary safe outcome was the change in IOP between two groups at 4 w. The secondary safe outcome was the IOP at each visit and proportion of patients having IOP above 21 mmHg at 4 and 8 w. Changes in the nasal polyp size were measured between two groups at each visit.ResultsA total of 43 consenting participants completed this study (22 in group I and 21 in group II). The mean IOP elevation in both eyes was not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05) and was not over 2 mmHg at the 4-w mark. There was also no significant difference in the proportion of patients having IOP above 21 mmHg at 4 and 8 w between the groups (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the change in polyp size until 8 w between both groups (p < 0.01).ConclusionsIntrapolyp TA injection is a safe and effective method for the management of recurrent polyps after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Single-dose Intravenous Injection Toxicity of Water-soluble Danggui Pharmacopuncture (WDP) in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

ObjectiveThis study is to evaluate both the single-dose intravenous injection toxicity and the approximate lethal dose of Water-soluble Danggui Pharmacopuncture (WDP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.MethodsToxicity experiments were conducted at Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) laboratory in Biotoxtech Co., according to the regulations of GLP. WDP injection of dose 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mL/animal were experimental groups and normal saline injection group was control group. WDP and normal saline were injected once to 6-week old 5 male and 5 female SD rats at the tail veins at approximately 2 mL/min. During 14 days after the injection, general symptoms were observed and weight were measured. After the observation period, hematological and blood biochemical examination, macroscopic autopsy, topical resistance test at the injection area were performed.ResultsRThe WDP 0.5 mL/animal injection group in 4 cases of male rats and all cases of female rats showed hematuria 30 minutes after the administration. However, after 1 hour, no more abnormal general symptoms were observed. The WDP did not affect weight, hematological and blood biochemical examination, macroscopic autopsy, and topical resistance test at the injection area.ConclusionWDP single dose intravenous injection results showed that WDP have no toxic effects and a lethal dose of WDP should be over 0.5 mL/animal in male and female rats under the study condition. So WDP may be safe.

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin induces low expression of NMDA receptors and postoperative cognitive impairment

Whether Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy can affect patients' postoperative brain function is not clear. In this study, we investigated the effect of preoperative cisplatin treatment on postoperative cognitive function and its possible mechanism in rats. Moreover, we also tested whether the NMDAR inhibitor memantine could attenuate cisplatin-induced alterations. 12-month-oldSprague-Dawley rats randomly received an intraperitoneal injection of either cisplatin once a week at a dose of 3mg/kg for three consecutive weeks or an equivalent volume of normal saline. After the injections, the normal saline injection group was divided into 3 groups (n=5 each): a normal saline group (group S), normal saline+pentobarbital group (group SP), and normal saline+pentobarbital+operation group (group SPO).The cisplatin injection group was divided into 3 groups: a cisplatin group (group C), cisplatin+pentobarbital group (group CP), and cisplatin+pentobarbital+operation group (group CPO).Rats in the group SP, SPO,CP and CPO were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and then the SPO and CPO groups underwent a simple laparotomy operation. The effects of memantine were tested through two additional groups of rats (cisplatin+memantine group (group CM) and cisplatin+pentobarbital+operation+memantine group (group CPOM)). A Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the spatial learning and memory ability five days after anesthesia or operation. After the test, the hippocampi were removed for detection of the expression of NMDAR by western bloting. The relevant protein expression levels of PSD95 and ERK1/2 were detected by western blot analysis. Rats treated with cisplatin had a longer mean escape latency and spent a shorter amount of time in the target quadrant than did the normal saline injection rats. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of NMDA receptors, PSD95 and ERK1/2 were decreased in cisplatin group and memantine could up-regulate their expression. These results suggest that neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin exacerbate the postoperative cognitive dysfunction in rats, and this may be caused by a lower expression of NMDA receptors in the hippocampus. Memantine could attenuate these alterations.

Effects of epinephrine–saline submucosal injection of different concentrations on endoscopic submucosal dissection

Objective To evalute and compare the efficacy and safety of epinephrine–saline submucosal injection of different concentrations on endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and to discuss the best concentration of submucosal injection. Methods A total of 128 patients who underwent ESD were randomly assigned to submucosal normal saline injection group (group A, n=32), 0.001% epinephrine–saline injection group(group B, n=32), 0.002% epinephrine–saline injection group(group C, n=32), and 0.004% epinephrine–saline injection group (group D, n=32). The incidence of bleeding during and after ESD were counted, the blood preasure and heart rate of preoperative and intraoperative, the amount of submucosal injection, the time of operation were observed. Results ESD was successfully performed on all patients. There were no difference in highest blood preasure and fastest heart rate between preoperative and intraoperative results of each group. No perforation or intraoperative acute massive bleeding occurred. Intraoperative acute minimal bleeding during ESD occurred in 9 patients in group A and 3 in group B, 2 in group C and 2 in group D (P<0.05), but there were no differences among group B, C and D. The amount of submucosal injection of group A was(39.5±10.8)ml, which was more than that of group B(29.4±9.4)ml, group C(27.3±8.2)ml and group D(20.4±11.8)ml with significant difference. There were no differences among group B, C and D, but there was less in group D than group B. The operation time of group A was(82.3±24.78 minutes), which was longer than that of group B(60.7±25.35minutes), group C (54.7±31.72minutes) and group D(59.2±28.49 minutes), but there was no difference among B, C and D group. Conclusion Epinephrine–saline submucosal injection assiting ESD is safe and effective and reduces the operation time and bleeding than normal saline. The increase of the epinephrine–saline concentrations has not been found to be more beneficial. Key words: Endoscopic submucosal dissection; Injections; Epinephrine; Bleeding

Temporary inductions of matrix metalloprotease-3 (MMP-3) expression and cell apoptosis are associated with tendon degeneration or rupture after corticosteroid injection.

Corticosteroid injections are widely used to treat enthesopathy and tendinitis, but are also associated with possible side effects, such as tendon degeneration or rupture. However, the mechanism of tendon degeneration or rupture after corticosteroid injection remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to reveal the mechanism of tendon degeneration or rupture after injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) or prednisolone (PSL). Forty-two rats were divided into 3 groups: A normal saline injection group (control group), a TA injection group, and a PSL injection group; the normal saline or corticosteroid was injected around the Achilles tendon. One or 3 weeks after injection, the tendons were subjected to biomechanical testing and histological analysis. At 1 week, the biomechanical strength was significantly lower in the corticosteroid groups. Histological analysis, at 1-week post-injection, showed collagen attenuation, increased expression of MMP-3 and apoptotic cells in the corticosteroid groups. The histological changes and biomechanical weaknesses of the tendon were not seen at 3 weeks. These alterations appeared to be involved in tendon degeneration or rupture after corticosteroid injection.

Role of endogenous calcitonin gene related peptide in stress-induced retinal cell apoptosis

Background Acute stress can provoke the apoptosis of retina cells and induce increasing expression of calcitonin gene related peptide(CGRP)in retina.However,the role of CGRP in pathology of the stressinduced apoptosis of the retina ceils is still elusive.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of endogenous CGRP on retinal cell apoptosis induced by stress of acute myocardial ischemia after coronary artery occlusion in rats. Methods The acute myocardial ischemia model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery in 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats.The rats were randomized into CGRP8-37 injection group and normal saline injection group,6 rats 12 eyes for every group.CGRP8-37(10-7 mol/L),a specific antagonist of CGRP receptor,was intravenously injected in CGRP8-37 group by caudal vine at 15 minutes prior to the coronary artery occlusion,and the equivalent amount of normal saline was used at the same fashion in normal saline group.The retinal samples of the rats were collected at 3 hours after coronary artery occlusion for TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activity detection respectively. Results The cellular displacement was observed in inner and outer nuclear layer,and vacuolar degeneration of retinal ganglion cells was found in the coronary artery occlusion animals.The total apoptosis index of retinal cells in CGRP8-37 group was significantly higher than that in normal saline group (42.8％±2.8％ vs 37.5％±2.9％,t=-3.244,P<0.01).The retinal capase-3 activity was significantly enhanced in the CGRP8-37 group compared with saline group(11.3±3.1 fold vs 4.9±1.2 fold,t=-4.603,P<0.01)at 3 hours of coronary artery occlusion.Conclusion The results suggest that the endogenous CGRP may play an anti-apoptotic role in the stress.induced retinal cell injury. Key words: Retina cell apoptosis; Calcitonin gene related peptide; Stress response; Acute myocardial ischemia

기능성 두통에 대한 황련해독탕약침(黃連解毒湯藥鍼)의 임상적 연구

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HHT(Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-Acupuncture) on functional headache. Methods : 26 clinical experiment participants who experienced functional headache were gathered. The qualified patients were classified in two group, Normal saline injection group and Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-Acupuncture group. NS group was injected normal saline and HHT group was injected HHT at GB20, GB21, LI4. Treatment was applied 4 times every second day. The effects of both groups were analyzed using VAS scores and BPI(Brief Pain Inventory). Result : The VAS pain scores improved in both groups. the BPI scores decreased only in HHT group. The decrease rate of VAS scores and BPI scores was larger in HHT group. Conclusion : These results provided that HHT group is more effective than NS group. For clearly comparing the Effect of Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-Acupuncture on functional headache, it is need more sample`s number and more treatment`s duration.

Does Epidural Clonidine Decrease the Sevoflurane Concentration for Maintaining the BIS 50?

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of epidural clonidine on the BIS, and its potential dose-sparing effect on the sevoflurane requirement for maintaining the BIS 50. Methods: Forty ASA I or II patients aged 20 to 65, undergoing lower abdominal, gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia, were randomly allocated to either a 10 ml epidural normal saline injection group (n = 20) or a 10 ml epidural clonidine 3g/kg mixed with normal saline injection group (n = 20). They received 5 mg/kg thiopental sodium and 0.1mg/kg vecuronium bromide for induction, with no premedication. After surgical incision, the sevoflurane concentration was controlled to maintain the BIS 50. Epidural saline or clonidine was then injected and end-tidal sevoflurane concentration to maintain the BIS 50, the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MBP) were measured every 5 min over a 20 minute period. Results: The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration in the clonidine group decreased by 27.5% after the epidural clonidine injection (1.49 0.23 vol% vs. 1.080.27 vol%; P 0.18 vol% vs. 1.330.21 vol%; P > 0.05). There were no changes in the heart rate and mean blood pressure in either group. Conclusions: Epidural clonidine causes a significant decrease in the BIS, and lowers the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration required for maintaining the BIS 50.

Basic fibroblast growth factor protects auditory neurons and hair cells from glutamate neurotoxicity and noise exposure

ObjectiveTo determine the protective effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on cochlear neurons and hair cells in vitro and in vivo.Material and MethodsIn Experiment I, cultured spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) prepared from postnatal Day 3 mice were exposed to 20 mM glutamate for 2 h before the culture medium was replaced with fresh medium containing 0, 25, 50 or 100 ng/ml bFGF. Fourteen days later, all cultures were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and stained with 1% toluidine blue. The number of surviving SGNs was counted and the length of the neurites of the SGNs was measured. In Experiment II, in vivo studies were carried out with guinea pigs in which bFGF or normal saline was injected intramuscularly to assess possible protective effects of bFGF on cochlear hair cells and to accelerate the recovery of the auditory brainstem response (ABR). The ABRs were measured before, immediately after and 2 and 4 weeks after exposure to noise.ResultsExposure to 20 mM glutamate for 2 h resulted in an inhibition of neurite outgrowth of SGNs and an increase in cell death. Treatment of the cultures with bFGF led to promotion of neurite outgrowth and an increase in the number of surviving SGNs. In Experiment II, significant (p<0.05) differences in ABR thresholds were observed between the groups injected with bFGF and saline (t=2.689) at 4 weeks after noise exposure. Cochleae were removed and hair cell loss analyzed in surface preparations prepared from all experimental animals. Acoustic trauma caused loss of 240 and 2160 inner hair cells in the groups injected with bFGF and saline, respectively. Similarly, more outer hair cells were lost in the normal saline injection group (99 291) than in the group treated with bFGF (70 377).ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that bFGF protects SGNs against glutamate neurotoxicity in vitro. In addition, treatment with bFGF protects hair cells from acoustic trauma.

정맥 주입용 산삼약침이 인체에 미치는 영향에 관한 임상적 연구

Background : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture developed for the intravenous use. Healthy male and female volunteers(n=57) went through Randomized Control Trials(RCT). Methods : For those who are under a medication due to common cold or other illnesses were excluded in the primary stage and the subjects with possible abnormalities in the pre-screening process were also excluded in the secondary stage. Then the examination groups were determined by random sampling. Experiment groups were divided into Normal saline injection group(control group), cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group(experiment group 1) and natural wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group(experiment group 2) Blood tension, body temperature, pulse, and other criteria were measured and analyzed. Results : 1. Intravenous injection of cultivated wild ginseng herbal acupuncture and natural wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't cause significant changes in the blood tension, pulse, body temperature, and etc. 2. No significant differences were witnessed in CBC, ESR, biochemistry of blood test and UA between the experiment groups. 3. No significant changes were noted in the thermography before and after the test in the experiment groups. 4. Some of the common physical changes occurring during and after the administration were fatigue, chest distension, and headache in all of the experiment groups. 5. Comparing general condition after one week from the termination of administration, the control group showed worst condition while as the natural wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group displayed best condition. Conclusion : From the above results, we can carefully deduce that the intravenous injection of the wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't show significant differences compared to injection of the normal saline. We can infer it is safe on the human body and further studies and reports must be followed.

Analysis of the effect of combined desensitizing acupoints therapy in treating 419 cases of allergic rhinitis accompanied asthma

Objective: To explore the effect of combined acupoint desensitizing therapy.Methods: A total of 419 cases of allergic rhinitis accompanied with asthma were treated by combined acupoint desensitizing therapy with positive allergen extract on acupoints of head and upper back region.Results: After 3 courses of treatment, skin test repeated with responding allergen extract showed that the scope of redness and swelling of skin were smaller than those before treatment,P < 0.01. The3H-TdR incorporation lymphocyte transformation rate, acidophil count, IgA, IgG level and E-rosette formation rate of acupoint desensitizing group were different significantly from those of the two control groups (the acupoint 0.85% normal saline injection group and the subcutaneous desensitizing group),P < 0.01 orP < 0.05. Follow-up study for over 3 years showed that the markedly effective rate of the acupoint desensitizing group was 68.73%, the effective rate 29.12% and total effective rate, 97.85%. The effect was higher than that of the two control groups, P<0.01.Conclusion: Combined acupoint desensitizing therapy is valuable and worthy of popularizing in treating patients of allergic rhinitis accompanied asthma.