Transcatheter Arterial Sclerosing Embolization for the Treatment of Giant Propranolol-Resistant Infantile Hemangiomas in the Parotid Region.

PURPOSE: To report the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial sclerosing embolization (TASE) for the treatment of parotid infantile hemangiomas that did not respond appreciably to propranolol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 infants (12 male and 9 female) with large propranolol-resistant infantile hemangiomas in the parotid region were enrolled in this study. During TASE, the feeding arteries of the lesions were embolized using pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion and polyvinyl alcohol particles (300-500 µm) to reduce the blood flow rate. All children were followed up as outpatients at 2 weeks and monthly thereafter. The curative effect was evaluated at the 1- and 3-month follow-up visits. RESULTS: Nine lesions were located on the right side of the parotid gland, whereas 12 were located on the left side. The feeding arteries in all patients originated from branches of the external carotid artery. TASE was technically successful in all patients. The mean (± SD) maximal diameter of the hemangiomas significantly decreased from 6.50 cm ± 2.28 before treatment to 3.56 cm ± 1.84 at 1 month after TASE (P <. 05). Three months after TASE, the mean maximal diameter further significantly decreased to 1.94 cm ± 1.58 (P <. 05). During the follow-up period, 16 cases were rated as excellent and 5 as good; no recurrence or serious complications were noted. Minor side effects, such as slight pain, mild fever, and tissue swelling, were observed. CONCLUSIONS: TASE significantly decreased the size of the parotid hemangiomas with minor side effects during a short follow-up period.

Progress toward the development of the small molecule equivalent of small interfering RNA.

Given that many small molecules could bind to structured regions at sites that will not affect function, approaches that trigger degradation of RNA could provide a general way to affect biology. Indeed, targeted RNA degradation is an effective strategy to selectively and potently modulate biology. We describe several approaches to endow small molecules with the power to cleave RNAs. Central to these strategies is Inforna, which designs small molecules targeting RNA from human genome sequence. Inforna deduces the uniqueness of a druggable pocket, enables generation of hypotheses about functionality of the pocket, and defines on- and off-targets to drive compound optimization. RNA-binding compounds are then converted into cleavers that degrade the target directly or recruit an endogenous nuclease to do so. Cleaving compounds have significantly contributed to understanding and manipulating biological functions. Yet, there is much to be learned about how to affect human RNA biology with small molecules.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Alone for Giant Hepatic Hemangioma.

Giant hepatic hemangioma is a benign liver condition that may be treated using surgery. We studied the digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) characteristics of giant hepatic hemangioma, and the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) alone for its treatment. This was a retrospective study of 27 patients diagnosed with giant hepatic hemangioma and treated with TAE alone (using lipiodol mixed with pingyangmycin) at the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, between January 2010 and March 2013. The feeding arteries were identified using DSA. All patients were followed up for between three weeks and 12 months. Changes in tumor diameter and symptoms were observed. The 27 patients included had giant hepatic hemangiomas ranging from 5.3 to 24.5 cm (mean, 11.24±5.08 cm) in the right (n = 13), left (n = 1) or both (n = 13) lobes. Preoperative hepatic angiography showed multiple abnormal vascular lakes in the early phase, known as the "early leaving but late returning, hanging nut on a twig" sign. On the day after TAE, hepatic transaminase levels were increased (ALT: 22.69±17.95 to 94.88±210.32 U/L; ALT: 24.00±12.37 to 99.70±211.54 U/L; both P<0.05), but not total bilirubin. Six patients complained of abdominal pain, and 12 experienced transient fever. In the months after TAE, tumor size decreased (baseline: 11.24±5.08; 3 months: 8.95±4.33; 6 months: 7.60±3.90 cm; P<0.05), and the patients' condition improved. These results indicated that TAE was effective and safe for treating giant hepatic hemangioma. TAE may be a useful alternative to surgery for the treatment of hepatic hemangioma.

Generation of peanut drought tolerant plants by pingyangmycin-mediated in vitro mutagenesis and hydroxyproline-resistance screening.

In order to enlarge the potential resources of drought-tolerant peanuts, we conducted in vitro mutagenesis with Pingyangmycin (PYM) as the mutagen as well as directed screening on a medium supplemented with Hydroxyproline (HYP). After being extracted from mature seeds (cv. Huayu 20), the embryonic leaflets were cultured on somatic embryogenesis-induction medium with 4 mg/L PYM and the generated embryos were successively transferred to a germination medium with 4 and then 8 mmol/L HYP to screen HYP-tolerant plantlets. After that, these plantlets were grafted and transplanted to the experimental field. In the next generation, all seeds were sown in the field, and phenotype variation and trait segregation can be observed in most of the offspring (M2 generation). The M3 generation individuals were subjected to drought stress at the seedling stages. The activities of SOD and POD were substantially increased in eight offspring of 11 HYP-tolerant, regenerated plants than in their mutagenic parents. To determine the correlation between mutant phenotypes and genomic modification, we carried out a comparison of the DNA polymorphisms between the mutagenic parents and 13 M3 generation individuals from different HYP-tolerant, regenerated plants with SSR primers. Results showed that most mutants and parent plants had signs of polymorphisms. Under drought stress, some M3 generation individuals of 10 original HYP-tolerant, regenerated plants produced more pods than the mutagenic parent; twenty individuals among them produced >60 g pods/plant. M4-generation seeds were tested for quality characteristics by Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIS) and nine individuals with higher protein content (>30%) and 21 individuals with higher oil content (>58%) were screened. We concluded that the use of PYM-based in vitro mutagenesis in combination with directed screening with HYP is effective for the creation of potential drought-tolerant mutants of peanut.

[A clinical study on the treatment of mucocele by bleomyin A5 combined with phosphorus-32 colloid].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of bleomyin A5 combined with phosphorus-32 colloid in the treatment of mucocele. METHODS: A total of 214 patients divided into three groups, bleomyin A5 (50 cases), phosphorus-32 colloid (50 cases) and bleomyin A5 combined with phosphorus-32 colloid (114 cases). RESULTS: The efficacy of bleomyin A5 group, phosphorus-32 colloid group, and bleomyin A5 combined with phosphorus-32 colloid group was 84% (42/50), 82% (41/50) and 98% (112/114), respectively. There were significant difference in efficacy among the three groups (P < 0.05). The phosphorus-32 colloid group and the bleomyin A5 group had no significant difference in efficacy (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The independent use of bleomyin A5 and phosphorus-32 colloid is effective, but the combined use of the two methods is more effective.

Transarterial Chemoembolization of Giant Liver Haemangioma: A Multi-center Study with 836 Cases.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion for the treatment of symptomatic giant hepatic haemangioma. Four hospitals (The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong Provincial Hospital and Jinan Municipal Hospital) participated in this study during 2002-2012. A total of 836 patients with symptomatic giant haemangioma were treated with pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion via selective TACE. The patients were followed-up for 12 months-10 years. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by symptom assessments and upper abdominal magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. TACE was successfully performed for a total of 1120 lesions in 836 patients. Success rate of the procedure was 100 %. The mean diameter of the haemangiomas was significantly reduced after the interventional therapy (mean diameter 9.6 ± 0.8 vs. 3.6 ± 0.5 cm; P < 0.05). Symptom relief was achieved in all the patients during the follow-up period. No mortality was identified. TACE with pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion is a safe, feasible, and effective treatment for the giant symptomatic hepatic haemangioma.

Image-guided percutaneous lipiodol-pingyangmycin suspension injection therapy for sacral chordoma.

A 74-year-old man presented with a progressively worsening pain in sacrum and was diagnosed to have a sacral chordoma by biopsy in May, 2004. Percutaneous intratumoral injection with lipiodol-pingyangmycin suspension (LPS) was carried out under image guidance and repeated when the pain in sacrum recurred and the tumor increased. During a 6-year follow-up period, three sessions of this treatment were executed. CT imaging and Karnofsky Performance Score were used to evaluate the size of tumor and quality of life, respectively. The patient was free of pain after each procedure and had a high quality of life with a Karnofsky Performance Score above 80 points. The tumor lesion in sacral area was effectively controlled. No complications were observed. Percutaneous intratumoral injection with LPS under image guidance may be an effective and safe alternative for the patients with sacral chordoma.

[Effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion on VX2 liver tumors in rabbits].

To evaluate the changes induced in tumor tissue, the feeding artery, and neovascularization upon pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion treatment via transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using the rabbit VX2 liver cancer model. The VX2 liver tumor model was established in 28 rabbits, and baseline tumor volume (V1, in mm3) was measured by spiral scan computed tomography (CT). Then, the rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7 each) and administered intraarterial therapies of: ultrafluid lipoidol embolization (group A); pingyangmycin (group B); pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion (group C); or saline (group D). All rabbits were sacrificed seven days later, and the response to therapy was determined by measuring the tumor volume (V2, in mm3), calculating the tumor growth rate, detecting expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tumor biomarker, and performing histological analysis of the microvessel density (MVD) in the liver. Prior to therapy, the average V1 of the groups was statistically similar (A: 389.8+/-167.3, B: 404.1+/-184.9, C: 355.1+/-158.3, D: 378.1+/-189.0; (F = 0.257, P more than 0.05). In contrast, after therapy the average V2 of the groups was significantly different (A: 922.6+/-32.9, B: 665.9+/-99.9, C: 349.5+/-177.8, D: 1403.5+/-411.2; F = 26.23, P less than 0.05), as was the tumor growth ratio (A: 1.4, B: 0.6, C: -0.02, D: 2.7) and the mean positive ratio of VEGF (A: 57.1%, B: 42.9%, C: 28.6%, D: 100%; F = 8.407, P less than 0.05). MVD was highest in group D and lowest in group C (all, P less than 0.05). Bivariate correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between VEGF expression and MVD (r = 0.743, P less than 0.01). Pingyangmycin exerts anti-tumor effects in the rabbit VX2 liver cancer model, but is more effective when administered as the combination therapy of pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion with TACE.

Clinical evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery in the management of stage IB2-IIB cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical efficacy, toxicity, and survival outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by radical surgery (RS) among patients with cervical cancer stage IB2-IIB. METHODS: In a retrospective clinical study at West China Second Hospital, Chengdu, data were analyzed from 414 patients who underwent NACT followed by radical surgery (NACT-RS) or RS alone between January 2008 and November 2009. RESULTS: The clinical response for NACT was 90%. Lymph node metastasis (25% versus 48%, P<0.05) and deep cervical stromal invasion more than 0.5, (68% versus 91%, P<0.05) were significantly lower among responders than among non-responders, respectively, in the NACT-RS group. The 2-year progression-free survival and 2-year overall survival were 93.0% and 95.5% in the NACT-RS group, and 94.5% and 97.1% in the RS group (P>0.05). Parametric infiltration (hazard ratio [HR], 7.668; P<0.05) and lymph node metastasis (HR, 7.714; P<0.05) were independent risk factors for all study patients. CONCLUSION: Compared with RS, NACT-RS did not show a significant advantage for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. However, the data provide the rationale for assessing NACT-RS in a multicenter randomized clinical trial setting. NACT may be considered as an alternative treatment when radiotherapy is not available.

Transarterial embolization using pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion and polyvinyl alcohol for the treatment of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Surgical resection is the current treatment for focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver (FNH) when indicated. However, tumor location and size, patient comorbidities, and risk of complications may limit surgical options in some cases. Our goal was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) using pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion (PLE) and polyvinyl alcohol particles to treat FNH. METHODOLOGY: Four patients with FNH, who experienced dull pain in the upper abdomen or liver area and confirmed by biopsy, were treated by TAE with PLE and polyvinyl alcohol (diameter: 500µm-700µm). Therapeutic effects including changes in lesion diameter and symptomatic improvement, and occurrence of complications, were evaluated for a follow-up period ranging from 12 to 42 months after the procedure. RESULTS: All of four patients were successfully treated with PLE and polyvinyl alcohol embolization. One month after the procedure, dull pain in the upper abdomen or liver area vanished completely. Follow-up examination by CT or MRI revealed complete resolution in two cases and an obvious decrease in the other two cases. No immediate or delayed postembolization complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: Transarterial embolization using PLE and polyvinyl alcohol should be considered as a safe and effective method for the treatment of FNH.

Percutaneous intratumoral injection with pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion for the treatment of recurrent sacrococcygeal chordomas.

This study describes fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous intratumoral injection therapy (PIIT) with a pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion in the management of recurrent sacrococcygeal chordomas after surgical excision. Seven patients underwent a total of 22 treatment sessions (3-4 sessions per patient); treatment responses were evaluated clinically, and lesion size was determined using computed tomography (CT). Over 10-26 months of follow-up, tumor sizes and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of all patients were decreased. No patients had complications during the follow-up period. Preliminary results showed that PIIT with pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion under fluoroscopic guidance is effective and safe and may be considered as a treatment option.

[Effects of Herba Ephedra Sinicae and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis on pathology of rats with bleomycin A(5)-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the different effects between Mahuang (Herba Ephedra Sinicae) and Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) on the pathological changes of rats with bleomycin A(5)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: Ninety Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, hydrocortisone group, Herba Ephedra Sinicae group, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group and Herba Ephedra Sinicae plus Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group. There were 16 rats in each group except the sham operation group (10 rats). Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by a single intratracheal injection of bleomycin A5. Hematoxylin and eosin straining and immunohistochemical method were used after 7- and 28-day treatment to observe the pathology of lung injury, measure the inner diameter of pulmonary arterioles and the density of nuclear membrane. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group at 7 and 28 d, alveolar inflammation level was significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Alveolar inflammation level was decreased obviously in the hydrocortisone group (P<0.05) after 7- and 28-day treatment as compared with the model group, and that in Herba Ephedra Sinicae plus Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group was also decreased obviously (P<0.05) at 28 d. Compared with the sham operation group, nuclear density of the model group was increased, while its inner diameter was decreased (P<0.05). In the Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group, Herba Ephedra Sinicae plus Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group and hydrocortisone group, the nuclear density was decreased (P<0.05) as compared with the model group. Inner diameter in the Herba Ephedra Sinicae group, Herba Ephedra Sinicae plus Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group and hydrocortisone group was higher than that in the model group (P<0.05). Microvessel density of the model group was obviously higher than that of the sham operation group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, Herba Ephedra Sinicae plus Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group and hydrocortisone group had lower microvessel density (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Herba Ephedra Sinicae combined with Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis can restrain pulmonary artery injury. The nuclear density and microvessel density can be reduced by Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, while Herba Ephedra Sinicae can increase the inner diameter.

[Percutaneous intratumoral injection with pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion for treatment of recurrent sacrococcygeal chordomas].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous intratumor injection of pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion (PLE) in the management of recurrent sacrococcygeal chordomas. METHODS: Seven patients with recurrent sacrococcygeal chordomas presenting with severe local pain with visual analogue score (VAS)≥8 received treatment sessions of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous intratumor injection of PLE. The patients were followed up every 3 months after the last session to assess their clinical responses and observe the changes in the tumor size measured by computed tomography. The changes in the VAS, tumor necrosis and pain relief as well as the adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 22 sessions of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous intratumoral PLE injection was performed in these cases (3 or 4 sessions in each case). The total average pingyangmycin dose delivered was 48.0 mg and the average lipiodol dose was 40.0 ml in each case. Five patients showed low fever and vomiting 48 after the injection. During the follow-up (median time of 21.7 months, range 10-26 months), all the patients showed obviously reduced tumor size and VAS, and partial remission was achieved in 6 patients and stable disease (SD) in 1 patient. None of the patients had complications during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous intratumoral injection of PLE can be effective and safe and may serve as a alternative for treatment of recurrent sacrococcygeal chordomas.

[Effect of ginkgo biloba extract against pulmonary fibrosis and its mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) against the bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis and to investigate its mechanisms. METHOD: SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Control group, BLM + NS group and BLM + GbE group (n = 6 in each time point of each group). Rats in each group were sacrificed on the 14th and 30th day after endotracheal injection of bleomycin A5. Lung injury through HE stain and pulmonary fibrosis through Masson stain were observed by light microscope. The content of collagen protein in lung tissue and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma were assayed by biochemical methods. The expressions of TGF-beta1 in tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry respectively. RESULT: Compared with control group, every datum in each time point in BLM + NS group showed significant changes which indicated the success of the model. Compared with BLM + NS (14 d) group, MDA in serum and TGF-beta1 in alveolar macrophage were significantly reduced in BLM + GbE (14 d) group. The data in BLM + GbE (30 d) group were compared with those in BLM + NS (30 d) group as follows. The lung injury and fibrosis were significantly ameliorated, the content of collagen in lung tissue and MDA in plasma were significantly reduced, the expression of TGF-beta1 in lung tissue was significantly reduced, however the expression of TGF-beta1 in BALF cells was not significantly changed. CONCLUSION: GbE inhibited bleomycin induced lung injury and fibrosis in rats. The possible mechanisms were that GbE could inhibit the expression of TGF-beta1 in alveolar macrophage in early stage of fibrosis (14 d) and in noninflammatory cells in proliferative stage (30 d), and GbE could also attenuate the oxidative stress induced by bleomycin.

Lycopene from tomatoes partially alleviates the bleomycin-induced experimental pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

In this study, lycopene extracted from tomatoes was evaluated to treat PF induced by BLM in rats. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 20 rats each for a normal control group (group C), BLM-treated group (group M), and lycopene + BLM-treated group (group L). The rats in groups M and L were subjected to intratracheal instillation of BLM to induce PF; group C served as a sham control (intratracheal instillation of normal saline). Lycopene diluted with olive oil was administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight once a day in group L after BLM instillation, and groups C and M were treated with the same amounts of olive oil. The pathologic alterations of lung tissues, the concentrations of TNF-alpha, NO, malonyldialdehyde, the activities of superoxide dismutase in plasma, and the expression of TNF-alpha in lungs were assessed on day 3, 7, 14, and 28 after BLM instillation. The results showed that the lung coefficients in group L were reduced (day 14, P < .01) as well as the extents of alveolitis (day 7 and 14, P < .05) and PF (day 14 and 28, P < .05) compared with group M. The concentrations of TNF-alpha (day 7, 14, and 28, P < .001), NO (day 14, P < .05), and malonyldialdehyde (day 3, P < .01) in plasma as well as the expression of TNF-alpha in lungs decreased, whereas the plasma superoxide dismutase activities increased (day 28, P < .05) in group L compared with group M. Our study demonstrates that lycopene can partially reduce the extent of PF induced by BLM in rats. These findings suggest that the suppression of oxidative stress, the reduction of plasma TNF-alpha and NO levels, and the down-regulation of TNF-alpha in lungs contribute to the alleviation of PF in rats administered lycopene.

Fluoroscopic intralesional injection with pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion for the treatment of orbital venous malformations.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous intralesional injection under fluoroscopy with pingyangmycin Lipiodol emulsion (PLE) for the treatment of orbital venous malformations. MATERIALS AND METHOD: . This study is a retrospective analysis of 19 consecutive patients with distensible orbital venous malformations. Of the 19 patients, two had diffuse lesions. These patients presented with proptosis (n = 19), pain and orbital swelling (n = 11), reduction in visual acuity (n = 4), diplopia (n = 2), disk swelling (n = 5), and motility disturbance (n = 3). RESULTS: All 19 patients underwent technically successful percutaneous intralesional PLE injection under fluoroscopy. Complete resolution of proptosis, swelling, and pain was achieved in 17 patients 3-9 months after the procedure. In the other two patients with diffuse lesions, light proptosis was still present after the first procedure. A second procedure was performed in these two patients, and the symptom disappeared 3 months later. All four patients with reduced visual acuity recovered their vision, and diplopia in two patients disappeared. Examinations of the fundus revealed normal findings in the five patients with preprocedural disk swelling. None of the patients presented with a motility disturbance after the procedure. Local swelling in the eyelid and epiphora were present for 1 month in one patient and disappeared after treatment. No other complications, including acute orbital compartment syndrome, were observed during follow-up periods. The mean follow-up was 23 months. CONCLUSION: PLE sclerotherapy under fluoroscopic guidance is safe and effective for the treatment of orbital venous malformations and can be used as one of the treatment alternatives.

[Effect of gualou xiebai (GLXB) decoction on platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) expression in lungs from bleomycin A5 induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Gualou Xiebai (GLXB) decoction on pulmonary fibrosis. METHOD: Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by bleomycin A5 in SD rats. Rats in treatment group were killed after being treated by GLXB by decoction daily for 28 days. The lungs of all rats were harvested for histopathological studies. The contents of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) in lungs were measured and compared. RESULT: The contents of PDGF-BB in lungs have increased significantly in model group compared with normal group and treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: GLXB decoction could significantly alleviate the increased PDGF-BB expression in lungs of pulmonary fibrosis rats.

[An experiment study of protection and treatment of Kudan granule on rats of pulmonary fibrosis induced by pinyangmycin].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protection and treatment effects of Kudan granule on rats of pulmonary fibrosis induced by pinyangmycin. METHOD: In asepsis condition, rat was anaesthetized by 3.5% chloral hydrate, inserted the needle above the bifurcation of trachea and injecting 5 mg x kg(-1) pinyangmycin normal saline solution. RESULT: For model-group rats, after injecting pinyangmycin at 7, 14, 28, 56 days, there were mass inflammation cell infiltration at pulmonary alveoli and interstitial, the pulmonary alveolar wall and interstitial thickened obviously, and the pulmonary interval broadened distinctly. The structure of collagen fiber was destroyed, and the pulmonary alveoli disappeared. By Masson dyeing, there were hunk collagen fiber and the consolidation of lung had come into being. Compared with the model group, the rats of Kudan granule big-dose group, at 7, 14, 28, 56 days after injecting pinyangmycin, there were still much inflammation cell infiltration at pulmonary alveoli and interstitial, pulmonary interstitial edema and spotty necrosis, thickened alveolar wall, broadened pulmonary interval, and much collagen fiber in pulmonary interstitial, but there was not bunk the consolidation of lung. The curative effect of Kudan granule small-dose group was not better than that of Kudan granule big-dose group, because there were still bunk collagen fiber and the consolidation of lung in pulmonary interstitial. Although the destroyed area was more than 50%, it was better than that of the model-group. CONCLUSION: The big-dose Kudan granule show the better function of protection and treatment for pulmonary fibrosis of rats induced by pinyangmycin.

Gigantic cavernous hemangioma of the liver treated by intra-arterial embolization with pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion: a multi-center study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of pingyangmycin-lipiodol emulsion (PLE) intra-arterial embolization for treating gigantic cavernous hemangioma of the liver (CHL). METHODS: Three hospitals (Nanfang Hospital, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region's Hospital and Huai He Hospital) participated in the study during 1997-2001. A total of 98 patients with CHL were embolized with PLE via the hepatic artery. The therapeutic effects including changes in tumor diameter, symptomatic improvement and occurrence of complications were evaluated for a period of 12 months after the procedure. RESULTS: The tumor diameters decreased significantly from 9.7 +/- 2.3 cm to 5.6 +/- 1.6 cm 6 months after the treatment ( P < 0.01), and then to 3.0 +/- 1.2 cm at 12 months ( P < 0.01). Transient impairment of liver function was found in 77 cases after embolization, 69 cases of which returned to normal in 2 weeks, and the other eight cases of which recovered 1 month later. The clinical symptoms were significantly relieved in all 53 symptomatic patients. Persistent pain in the hepatic region was found in two cases, and these two patients resorted to surgery eventually. CONCLUSION: Intra-arterial PLE embolization proves to be effective and safe in treating patients with CHL.