Original Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2000. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 15, 2000; 6(1): 115-118
Published online Feb 15, 2000. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v6.i1.115
Experimental study of “Tong Xia” purgative method in ameliorating lung injury in acute necrotizing pancreatitis
Qing Xia, Jun-Ming Jiang, Xu Gong, Guang-Yuan Chen, Lei Li, Zong-Wen Huang
Qing Xia, Jun-Ming Jiang, Xu Gong, Guang-Yuan Chen, Lei Li, Zong-Wen Huang, Department of TCM, The First University Hospital of West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Qing Xia, male, born on 1966-10-01 in Tongnan City, Sichuan Province, graduated from West China University of Medical Sciences as a postgraduate in 1996, attending physician in the Department of TCM of the university hospital, having 4 papers published.
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the “8th 5-year Plan” of National Administration Bureau of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, No.H09301
Correspondence to: Dr. Qing Xia, Department of TCM, The First Un iversity Hospital of West China University of Medical Sciences, 37 Wainan Guoxue shiang, Chengdu 610041, China. hxydtcm@mcwcums.com
Telephone: +86-28-5422557
Received: May 16, 1999
Revised: August 22, 1999
Accepted: September 19, 1999
Published online: February 15, 2000
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in lung injury during acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), and the therapeutic ef fect of “Tong Xia” purgative method in minimizing the severity of lung injury.

METHODS: Fourteen canines were randomly divided into 3 groups: the “Tong Xia” treatment group (n = 5) using Dachengqitang; saline control group (n = 5), and the sham operation group (n = 4). TNF activity in serum and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the serum endotoxin levels were meas ured, and the severity of lung injury evaluated.

RESULTS: Elevation of TNF activity was more prominent in BALF than in serum. TNF activity in serum at 6 and 12 h and in BALF was significantly decreased in the “Tong Xia” treatment group than in the saline control one (q = 21.11, q = 12.07, q = 9.03, respectively, P < 0.01) and the lung injury was significantly alleviated at 12 h as compared with that in the saline group, manifested as amelioration of the lung wet/dry weight ratio, decrease in protein concentration and neutrophils count in BALF, and improvement of pulmonary inflammatory changes. A positive correlation was demonstrated between serum TNF activity and endotoxin level.

CONCLUSION: Hypersecretion of TNF is shown to be one of the majo r causes of lung injury during ANP; “Tong Xia” purgative method could allevia te the degree of lung injury mediated by TNF.

Keywords: pancreatitis/ therapy, lung disease, tumor nec rosis factor, Tong Xia method