Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Medicine Resuscitation Pack for Enhanced Recovery after Bronchoscopy: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a hospital-made resuscitation pack, a Chinese medicinal herbal compound formula designed to enhance recovery in post-bronchoscopy patients. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, eligible patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the treatment or control groups. The patients in the treatment group applied the resuscitation pack, which contained aromatic compounded Chinese herbs. The patients in the control group applied a hospital-made, single herb placebo pack. Packs were placed on the Tiantu (CV 22) acupuncture point for 4 h as soon as the bronchoscopy finished. Efficacy indicators, such as recovery time, patients' symptoms including nausea and dizziness, and adverse events (AEs) were observed and compared. The outcome indices were evaluated at baseline, 1 and 24 h after the bronchoscopy. Subgroup analysis was further performed by patients' age and depth of sedation. RESULTS: When applying generalized estimating equations (GEE) to evaluate the intensity of post-bronchoscopy nausea and vomiting, the intensity was lower in the treatment group (163 cases) compared with the control group (162 cases; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.099, P=0.03]. Also, significantly lower intensity of nausea was observed in the 60-70 years of age subgroup (95% CI: 0.029, 0.169, P=0.006) and deep sedation subgroup (95% CI: 0.002, 0.124; P=0.04). There was no significant difference in dizziness between two groups by GEE (95% CI: -0.134, 0.297; P=0.459). In addition, no serious AEs were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that the resuscitation pack markedly improved patients' symptoms by reducing nausea and vomiting after bronchoscopy without AEs, compared with placebo in the perioperative period. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2000038299).

Pulmonary rehabilitation integrated coached exercise training for patients with COPD: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common chronic lung disease creating an immense burden on social health care systems. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has proven to be effective in patients with COPD. However, exercise training as the basis of PR becomes extremely tedious, occasionally causing a loss of perseverance in patients. Therefore, we considered an approach that makes this technique interesting and easier to persist. The aim of this project was to explore an exercise training approach based on PR-integrated coached exercise training to promote the new exercise training approach as a form of group rehabilitation activity in the future. METHODS: Participants will be randomly divided into the trial and control groups. The trial group will be treated with PR-integrated coached exercise training (plus usual care). All exercise programs will be guided by sports coaches with a physical education background. Meanwhile, the control group will receive traditional PR and home exercises, including walking and swimming. The study will last for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure is exercise tolerance using the 6-min walking test and secondary outcomes are the peak oxygen uptake of cardiopulmonary exercise tests, the COPD Assessment Test, and the St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire. Other evaluated outcomes include changes in postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume at 1st second, forced vital capacity, body fat and muscle composition, and mental status measured using the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scales. DISCUSSION: This study provides a simple, feasible, repeatable, and fun exercise training approach. To the best of our knowledge, there are no randomized controlled trials in the existing literature on PR-integrated coached exercise. The protocol shared in our study can be used as a reference for exercise training in patients with COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Ethical approval (BF2020-236-02) was obtained from the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine Human Research Ethics Committee. All participants signed an informed consent form. ChiCTR-2100043543. The registration date is 2021/02/21 and it is the third version.

A multicenter survey on the current status of chronic cough and its impact on quality of life in Guangdong, China.

Background: Chronic cough is a troublesome clinical problem with long-term impacts at the patient level. However, the burden of chronic cough in China is largely unknown. Thus, we performed a multicenter cross-sectional survey on the current status of chronic cough and its impact on quality of life in Guangdong, south China. Methods: Using a standardized questionnaire, we extracted and analyzed the relevant data on demographics, number of visits to a doctor, previous diagnosis, previous medications used and initial diagnosis. Cough-specific quality of life was measured by the Mandarin Chinese version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ-MC). Results: Of 933 patients from 13 tertiary medical centers in Guangdong, 52.2% were female, the median age was 40.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 31.0-52.0] years, and the median duration of chronic cough was 6.0 (IQR, 3.0-24.0) months. Over half (n=452, 54.0%) of the patients had visited physicians ≥3 times for cough. In terms of previous diagnosis, bronchitis (n=432, 46.5%) had been most frequently diagnosed, followed by pharyngitis (n=246, 26.5%) and asthmatic cough (n=98, 10.5%). A majority of patients with chronic cough had used antitussive agents (n=539, 58.5%), antibiotics (n=374, 40.6%) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (n=294, 31.9%). Among the three subscales of the LCQ-MC, we observed lower scores in the mental health domain than in the physical and social domains (both P<0.001). Additionally, lower LCQ-MC scores were found in females and patients who saw the doctor >3 times for both the total and three subscale scores (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment are prevalent in patients with chronic cough and lead to considerable antibiotic abuse. Chronic cough markedly affects suffers' quality of life, especially for women.

The Role of Acupoint Application of Herbal Medicine for Asthma: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials.

Background: Acupoint application of herbal medicine (AAHM) has been widely used in China. At present, there is no systematic review of AAHM versus placebo in the treatment of asthma. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of AAHM for asthma. Methods: Searches were conducted in five English databases and four Chinese databases from their inceptions until December 2020. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials were screened, and included studies evaluated routine pharmacotherapy (RP) plus AAHM versus RP plus placebo or AAHM versus placebo. The Cochrane risk of bias tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) were performed to evaluate the methodological quality and quality of evidence separately. Results: Sixteen studies involving 1,730 participants were included in this review. Compared with placebo plus RP, participants receiving long-term AAHM plus RP showed improvement in asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) with moderate-quality evidence (MD 6.53 points, 95% CI 2.70 to 10.36). Low-quality evidence indicated that AAHM plus RP was associated with improved FEV1 (%) compared with placebo plus RP, whether long- or short-term use (MD 11.80%, 95% CI 2.84 to 20.76; MD 10.57%, 95% CI 8.40 to 12.74; respectively). Moderate-quality evidence showed that participants receiving short-term AAHM were associated with a higher AQLQ score (MD 6.57 points, 95% CI 3.76 to 9.38) and a lower frequency of acute exacerbations (MD -1.84, 95% CI -2.32 to -1.36) compared with placebo. Low-quality evidence also indicated that AAHM was associated with improved FEV1 (L) compared with placebo, whether long- or short-term use (MD 0.35 litres, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.67; MD 0.66 litres, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.73; respectively). Conclusions: Moderate-quality evidence is promising that AAHM can improve the quality of life and reduce acute exacerbations in patients with asthma. AAHM also shows a positive role in improving lung function, but the evidence is so indefinite due to low quality.

Treatment with JianPiYiFei II granules for patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A 52-week randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative therapy is widely used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A Chinese herbal medicine, JianPiYiFei (JPYF) II granules, have been shown to improve COPD patients' quality of life, however long-term effectiveness has not been examined. PURPOSE: To investigate whether long-term treatment with JPYF II granules is effective and safe for patients with stable, moderate to very severe COPD. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Eligible participants from six hospitals were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive either JPYF II granules or placebo for 52 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score during treatment. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of acute exacerbations during treatment, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), 6-minute walking test (6MWT), lung function, body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea, exercise capacity (BODE) index, and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) at the end of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 276 patients (138 in each group) were included in the analysis. JPYF II granules led to a significantly greater reduction in SGRQ score (-7.33 points, 95% CI -10.59 to -4.07; p < 0.0001) which reflects improved quality of life. JPYF II granules improved CAT (-3.49 points, 95% CI -5.12 to -1.86; p < 0.0001) and 6MWT (45.61 metres, 95% CI 20.26 to 70.95; p = 0.0005), compared with placebo. Acute exacerbations were less frequent with JPYF II granules than with placebo (0.87 vs. 1.34 events per patient; p = 0.0043). There were no significant differences between the groups in lung function, BODE index and SpO2. JPYF II granules were well tolerated and no significant adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with JPYF II granules is effective in moderate to very severe COPD, improving quality of life and exercise capacity, decreasing the risk of acute exacerbation, and relieving symptoms.

Prediction of exacerbation frequency of AECOPD based on next-generation sequencing and its relationship with imbalance of lung and gut microbiota: a protocol of a prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with frequent acute exacerbation phenotype chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) have a higher hospitalisation rate than infrequent exacerbation, the disease progresses quickly and treatment is more difficult. At present, it is impossible to predict patients with COPD with frequent acute exacerbation phenotypes. The composition of the lower respiratory tract flora and the intestinal flora is closely related to AECOPD, but the specific association mechanism between them is not very clear. This study used metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology to explore the microbial characteristics of the intestinal tract and airways of patients with COPD, and analyse the correlation between the sequencing results and inflammatory factors, immune factors and nutritional factors. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This will be a prospective cohort study. We intend to recruit 152 patients with stable COPD. In the baseline, we will detect the participants' induced sputum and faecal flora through mNGS, and changes in blood immune levels, and the patient's condition is evaluated. Every 2 months, we will check the number of acute exacerbation through the phone range. After 12 months, we will check again the changes in the blood immune level, evaluate the patient's condition and count the number of episodes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the ethics committee of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval number ZF2019-219-03). The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (ChiCTR2000032870).

Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic cough in Guangdong, China: a multicenter descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical characteristics of patients with chronic cough are reported only in single-center survey in China, being significantly different from that in western countries. Here, we performed a multicenter study to describe the clinical characteristics of chronic cough patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational survey was conducted in thirteen tertiary hospitals of Guangdong, South China. Relevant data were recorded using a standardized questionnaire and analyzed, including demographics, educational attainment, cough features, and concomitant symptoms. RESULTS: Of 933 patients in this study, the median age was 40.0 (IQR 31.0-52.0) years with a peaked age of 30-39 years. The proportion of females (487, 52.2 %) was comparable to that of males (446, 47.8 %). Up to 81.9 % of the patients were non-smokers. More than two-thirds of the subjects with chronic cough had a low educational level. The median cough duration was 6.0 (IQR 3.0-24.0) months, and 73.0 % of chronic cough patients presented with dry cough. Laryngeal paresthesia was the most common concomitant symptom (704, 75.5 %), followed by rhinitis/sinusitis-related (350, 37.5 %) and respiratory symptoms (322, 34.5 %). Rhinitis/sinusitis-related symptoms more frequently occurred in patients with productive cough than in those with dry cough (49.0 % vs. 33.0 %, P < 0.001). Moreover, female patients displayed an older age and a higher prevalence of nocturnal cough compared to male patients (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show an equal gender, young profile and laryngeal paresthesia in patients with chronic cough, and different clinical features between females and males.

Effects of Dingchuan Decoction on Lung Function and Clinical Effectiveness Rate in Children with Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Dingchuan decoction (DCD) is a traditional Chinese prescription for asthma that remains popular today. To systematically evaluate the effect of DCD on lung function, clinical effectiveness rate, and safety in children with asthma, significant databases were searched for randomized controlled trials from their inception to September 9, 2019. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of DCD on lung function and clinical effectiveness rate in children with asthma were included in this meta-analysis. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RevMan 5.3 was used for data analysis. Fourteen studies with 1,384 children were reviewed. FEV1 improvement rate (mean difference [MD] 12.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.72-16.29), PEF improvement rate (MD 14.28, 95% CI 11.08-17.49), and clinical effectiveness rate (relative risk 1.19, 95% CI 1.14-1.25) significantly increased in the DCD group when compared to simple conventional medication. Four trials suggest that DCD is safe for children. In conclusion, the use of DCD combined with conventional medication improves lung function and clinical effectiveness rate better than simple conventional medication. However, the selected trials lack blinding and large-scale studies. Therefore, to better manage DCD in clinical practice, more randomized controlled trials and large-scale studies are required for further evaluation.

Herbal Medicine for Adult Patients with Cough Variant Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Herbal medicine is commonly used by patients with chronic cough, but the role of herbal medicine for cough variant asthma (CVA) has not yet been clearly defined. For the first time, we performed a meta-analysis to integrate the current evidence of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on this topic and assess the efficacy of herbal medicine in adults with CVA. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases to identify RCTs of herbal medicine for adult CVA. Cochrane systematic review methods were followed, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation was performed to evaluate the quality of evidence. RESULTS: Twenty-eight RCTs were included. Compared with placebo, moderate-quality evidence from two studies showed that herbal medicine was associated with reduced cough symptom score (CSS) (MD -1.15 points; 95% CI, -1.67 to -0.63) and visual analogue scale (VAS) (MD -1.76 points; 95% CI, -2.66 to -0.86). Compared with montelukast, low- to moderate-quality evidence from 11 studies indicated that herbal medicine was associated with improved Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) (MD 2.38 points; 95% CI, 1.32 to 3.44), reduced CSS (SMD -0.81 points; 95% CI, -1.09 to -0.53), and VAS (MD -1.34 points; 95% CI, -1.82 to -0.86). There were no significant differences between herbal medicine and ICS plus bronchodilator. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with CVA, herbal medicine may result in improved quality of life and reduced cough frequency and severity scores compared with placebo or montelukast. Herbal medicine was not better than ICS plus a bronchodilator but the evidence is very uncertain.

Diagnostic value of the hypertonic saline bronchial provocation test in children with asthma using the high-power aerosol provocation system.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of the modified hypertonic saline bronchial provocation test (HS-BPT) for children with asthma by using the high-power Aerosol Provocation System (APS).Methods: A total of 330 children suspected of having asthma and receiving HS-BPT-APS were included in this prospective survey conducted in Guangzhou, China from February 2017 to September 2018. The positive rate of HS-BPT-APS and the volume and types of adverse reactions were observed. There was also a retrospective cohort of 123 children with suspected asthma who underwent a methacholine BPT from 2015 to 2017. Using the method of nearest neighbor matching, a comparison was made of the positive rate and adverse reaction between the methacholine BPT group and HS-BPT-APS group.Results: The total positive rate of HS-BPT-APS was 43.9%. Common adverse reactions included cough, wheezing and chest tightness. There were no serious adverse reactions. Results of nearest neighbor matching showed a difference in the positive rate between the methacholine BPT group and HS-BPT-APS group (8.1% vs 18.2%, p = 0.026), but there was no statistically significant difference between the age groups in patients who received the methacholine BPT or HS-BPT-APS. There was a similar adverse reaction rate in the two groups (p = 0.609).Conclusions: HS-BPT-APS is simple, safe, and time-saving, with few adverse reactions. The positive rate of HS-BPT-APS was higher than that of methacholine BPT in children with asthma. HS-BPT-APS may be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of children with asthma, and further study is required.

Jianpiyifei II Granules Suppress Apoptosis of Bronchial Epithelial Cells in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease via Inhibition of the Reactive Oxygen Species-Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Ca2+ Signaling Pathway.

Jianpiyifei II granules (JPYF II), a herbal formula, are used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine. The protective effects of JPYF II against bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis in mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) and apoptosis of human bronchial epithelial cell lines (BEAS-2B and 16-HBE) stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) were investigated. Mice were exposed to CS generated from four cigarettes/day for 30 days and administered a dose of JPYF II (0.75, 1.5, and 3 g/kg/d) from the 3rd week of CS exposure. In mice exposed to CS, JPYF II significantly inhibited CS-induced apoptosis and overexpression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related markers in bronchial epithelial cells of the lung tissues. In CSE-stimulated BEAS-2B and 16-HBE cells, JPYF II attenuated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Mechanistically, CSE initially induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which then triggered ER stress, leading to the release of Ca2+ from ER inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R)-mediated stores and finally cell death. Treatment with JPYF II resulted in a significant reduction in CSE-induced apoptosis through interruption of the ROS-ER stress-Ca2+ signaling pathway. Therefore, the results of this study have revealed the underlying mechanism of action of JPYF II in the treatment of COPD.

Effect of Panax Ginseng (G115) Capsules versus Placebo on Acute Exacerbations in Patients with Moderate to Very Severe COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Herbal medicines are commonly used by people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but high quality randomized controlled trials are limited. This study evaluated the therapeutic value of ginseng capsules in reducing acute exacerbations and improving the quality of life in people with COPD. Patients and Methods: This randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial assessed ginseng's effects on 200 patients with moderate to very severe COPD. Ginseng capsules (200 mg, twice per day) were compared to placebo over 24 weeks. Patients were followed up for a further 24 weeks after the treatment period. The primary outcome measure was acute COPD exacerbation rate over 12 months. Secondary outcome measures were health-related quality of life, including the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). We also assessed lung function, walking distance and use of relief medication. Results: Baseline characteristics were balanced between groups. The rate of COPD exacerbations was not statistically significant between groups after 1 year (62 participants in the ginseng group and 63 in the placebo group). Secondary outcome measures showed improvements after ginseng and placebo but results were not clinically significant. The incidence of adverse events in the two groups was similar and events were unrelated to the intervention. Conclusion: Compared with placebo, ginseng did not reduce the rate of acute COPD exacerbations over 12 months. It was safe and well tolerated by people with moderate to very severe COPD.

Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Cordyceps sinensis on Stable COPD of GOLD Stages 2-3: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cordyceps sinensis (CS) is a complementary medicine used for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages 2-3. Many randomized controlled trials have been conducted to evaluate the effect of CS alone or in combination with other herbs on stable COPD. To provide a synthesis of the evidence, we searched nine major electronic databases for randomized controlled trials on CS published before 21st December 2016. Fifteen interventional studies, including 1,238 participants, met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that both CS preparations and CS formulae showed the potential benefits in lung function, exercise endurance, life quality, and improvement of symptoms. No serious adverse events were reported. So CS may be a promising treatment for patients with stable COPD of GOLD stages 2-3. No studies were placebo-controlled or of high methodological quality, which limits the conclusions.

12-month randomised controlled trial of ginseng extract for moderate COPD.

BACKGROUND: Panax ginseng (ginseng) is a therapeutic herb which might be beneficial in COPD. The study investigated if ginseng, compared with placebo, is effective and safe for people with moderate COPD. METHODS: This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared 24 weeks of ginseng capsules (100 mg twice daily) with placebo. Participants were followed up for a further 24 weeks. Participants were aged 40 years and over and had airflow limitation in the moderate (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2) COPD range. The coprimary endpoints were the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, the COPD Assessment Test and the Short Form Health Survey. Secondary outcomes included lung function, exacerbation rate and use of relief medication. FINDINGS: 168 participants were randomised 1:1 from five centres in Australia and China. Baseline characteristics were balanced between groups. There were no significant differences between ginseng and placebo, with overall results improving in both groups. Ginseng seemed safe for, and well tolerated by, people with COPD. INTERPRETATION: There was no significant difference in improvement in health-related quality of life (primary outcome) between the ginseng and placebo groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12610000768099.

Protective Effect of Jianpiyifei II Granule against Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease via NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Jianpiyifei II granule (JPYF II) is an oriental herbal formula used clinically in China to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of JPYF II in a mouse model of COPD induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoke (CS) and in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Mice were given LPS via intratracheal instillation on days 1 and 15 and exposed to CS generated from 4 cigarettes/day for 28 days. The mice were treated with 0.75, 1.5, or 3 g/kg/d JPYF II by intragastric administration in low, middle, and high dose groups, respectively, for two weeks. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by CSE and treated with JPYF II at doses of 12.5, 25, or 50 µg/mL. In the mouse model of LPS and CS-induced COPD, JPYF II decreased inflammatory cell counts in broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), in addition to mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases (MMPs) in lung tissues. In addition, JPYF II elevated catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and IκBα and p65 phosphorylation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissues. In RAW264.7 cells stimulated with CSE, JPYF II inhibited the mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators and the phosphorylation of IκBα and p65. Our results suggest that JPYF II enhanced anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities in a mouse model of COPD induced by LPS and CS and in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with CSE via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the herbal formula Buzhong Yiqi Tang for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Buzhong Yiqi Tang (BZYQT) for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Three electronic English databases (PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL) and four Chinese databases (CBM, CNKI, CQVIP and WFMO) were searched from their inceptions until 30th June 2016. Participants were diagnosed with COPD according to the Chinese Medical Association's COPD diagnosis and treatment guidelines or Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), and were in stable stage. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of oral BZYQT, alone or combined with conventional treatment, compared with conventional treatment alone or plus placebo were included in the review. Clinical improvement and the six-minute walking test (6MWT) were the primary outcome measures. The secondary outcome measures were defined as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), respiratory muscle strength index with maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and frequency of acute exacerbations. To assess risk of bias the Cochrane, Risk of Bias tool was used, and statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3.0 software. RESULTS: Sixteen studies (1400 participants) were included. The results of meta-analysis indicated patients receiving BZYQT alone or BZYQT in combination with conventional treatment showed a significant increase in clinical improvement (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.33, I2=0%), enhanced exercise capacity 6MWT (MD 51.22m, 95% CI 45.56 to 56.89, I2=44%), improved lung function FVC (L) (MD 0.26 liters, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.33, I2=37%), reduced respiratory muscle fatigue MIP (MD 0.46 liters, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.80, I2=0%), and improved quality of life CAT (MD -2.56 points, 95% CI -3.40 to -1.72, I2=0%) when compared with conventional treatment alone, or plus placebo. BZYQT also showed small but significant improvements in FEV1% and decreased acute exacerbations of COPD. Four studies reported that no adverse events occurred, other studies did not mention adverse events. The finding should be considered with caution because the included studies had methodological shortfalls. CONCLUSIONS: BZYQT improves clinically important outcomes for patients with stable COPD, such as improved clinical symptoms, exercise capacity, lung function and quality of life. Moreover, it has an excellent safety profile. However further evaluation is needed to validate these preliminary findings in high quality RCTs.

Oral huangqi formulae for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral Huangqi formulae for the treatment of stable COPD. Methods. The major databases were searched until September 2010 and supplemented with a manual search. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of oral Huangqi formulae that reported on lung function, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, symptom improvement and/or frequency of exacerbations were extracted by two reviewers. The Cochrane tool was used for the assessment of risk of bias in the included trials. Data were analyzed with RevMan 5.1.2 software. Results. 25 RCTs (1,661 participants) were included. Compared with conventional therapy (CT) alone, oral Huangqi formulae plus CT increased FEV1, and a similar result was found comparing Huangqi formulae with no treatment. Improvements in SGRQ total score, COPD-related symptoms and reduction of frequency of exacerbations were found in patients receiving Huangqi formulae plus CT compared to those receiving CT alone or CT plus placebo. No serious adverse events were reported. However, there were some methodological inadequacies in the included studies. Conclusions. The benefits of Huangqi formulae for stable COPD were promising, but its efficacy and safety have not been established due to methodological weakness and possible bias in the reported results. Further rigorously designed studies are warranted.

Oral Chinese herbal medicine for improvement of quality of life in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates published clinical trials of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that employ a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcome measure. METHODS: Searches were conducted in April 2011 on MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, CINAHL, Scopus, and Chinese databases (CNKI, CQVIP, WANFANG). Randomized controlled trials involving oral administration of CHM formulae or single herb, with or without blinding, compared to placebo, no treatment, routine pharmacotherapy control, or CHM plus routine pharmacotherapy versus routine pharmacotherapy, with a HRQoL questionnaire as an outcome measure were identified. The methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment. RESULTS: A total of 27 studies involving 1966 patients were identified. St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) or Cai's QoLQ were used in 13 and 14 studies, respectively. Assessment of the Cochrane risk of bias revealed adequate sequence of generation in 10 studies and adequate allocation concealment in 1 study; double blinding was not described adequately in any studies. Seventeen (17) studies addressed incomplete outcome data, and 17 studies were free of selective reporting. The main results of meta-analysis showed improvement of total HRQoL scores (SGRQ and Cai's QoLQ) when CHM was compared to no treatment (-6.07 [-9.21, -2.93] and -0.20 [-32, -0.07], respectively) and for CHM plus routine pharmacotherapy versus routine pharmacotherapy (-5.15 [-7.26, -3.05]) and (-0.25 [-0.37, -0.13]). CONCLUSIONS: While the results of CHM on HRQoL for stable COPD sufferers were promising, they need to be interpreted with caution due to methodological problems, which should be addressed in future trials.

[Effect of Nervilla fordii on lung aquaporin 1 and 5 expression in endotoxin-induced acute lung injury rat].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective mechanism of Nervilia fordii (NF) by observing the effect of its pretreatment on lung aquaporin 1 and 5 (AQP-1, AQP-5) expression in rats with endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI). METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the normal group (A), the NF pre-intervention group (B) and the endotoxin model group (C). Rats in Group B and C were made into ALI by endotoxin (5 mg/kg) injection via sublingual vein, and NF pretreatment was applied to Group B. Animals were sacrificed at the 8 h after modeling, their lung were taken for observing the water permeability change by wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) measuring, pathological feature by HE staining, and the expression of AQP-1, AQP-5 was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: The W/D ratio of lung was higher in model rats than in normal rats, but as compared with Group C, it was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in Group B. The pulmonary edematous change was significantly mild and the AQP-1 and AQP-5 protein expressions were significantly higher in Group B than in Group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: NF pretreatment can promote lung AQP-1 and AQP-5 expression up-regulation, increase lung water clearance and transportation to improve the water balance and eliminate pulmonary edema, so as to effectively protect lung from acute injury.

A follow-up study of 69 discharged SARS patients.

Sixty-nine patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) discharged from Guangdong Provincial TCM Hospital were followed up from January to April 2003 during which the patients were asked to fill the questionnaire form and at the same time received blood routine examination, hepatic, renal, pulmonary and immune function tests, and spiral computerized tomography (CT) of the chest, color B-ultrasonography of the heart with the collected data treated by descriptive analysis and deductive analysis. The results showed that in the 69 followed-up patients, impairment of the hepatic function was found in 5 cases, hypoimmune state in 18, impediment of ventilation in the distal air passages with normal major air passages in 15, increased residual volume in 40, mild disturbance of pulmonary diffusion function in 14, incomplete absorption of inflammatory exudates, focal or multiple interstitial lesions, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and pleural adhesion in 24; increased resistance or mild systolic hypertension in the pulmonary circulation, and segmental ischemia of the left myocardium in 34; and decreased visual acuity in 2. According to TCM differentiation 24 cases belonged to the type of deficiency of both qi and yin, 8 deficiency of both the heart and spleen, 37 depression of the liver and deficiency of the spleen, 18 intermingling with damp-heat, and 7 intermingling with stagnant blood. Some patients still had psychological problems. The study indicates that though clinically cured and discharged from hospital, some SARS patients have functional impairment of the heart, lung and liver, hypoimmune state as well as psychological problems, and need to be treated accordingly for a complete recovery. A rationale for suggested TCM treatment is expounded.