Effect of cold-dryness on pulmonary and immunologic function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model rats.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the effects of cold-dryness on pulmonary and immunologic function of peripheral T-lymphocytes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model rats, and to provide references for the prevention and treatment of cold-dryness COPD in the Xinjiang region.

METHODS:

The COPD model was established with an elastase drip into the trachea combined with smoking. The cold-dryness COPD model was developed by stressing with a cold-dry environment. Success of the model was determined by observation of pathologic lung sections. Rats were sacrificed by exsanguination from the femoral artery and changes of peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ were detected by flow cytometry. Data were analyzed with SAS 11.5 statistical software.

RESULTS:

On the ninetieth day after ending the experiment, Peak expiratory flow in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD and normal control groups (P < 0.01). The time of inspiration in the cold-dryness COPD group was higher than that in the COPD and normal groups (P < 0.05). Time of expiration (Te) in the cold-dryness COPD group was higher than that in the COPD and normal groups (P < 0.01). 50% tidal volume expiratory flow (EF50) in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD and normal groups (P < 0.01), and EF50 in the COPD group was lower than that in the normal group (P < 0.05). CD4+ content of peripheral blood in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD and the normal groups (P < 0.05). CD8+ content in the cold-dryness COPD and COPD groups was higher than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01), and CD8+ content in the cold-dryness COPD group was higher than that in the COPD group (P < 0.01). CD4+/CD8+ in the cold-dryness COPD group and the COPD group was lower than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01), and CD4+/CD8+ in the cold-dryness COPD group was lower than that in the COPD group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

In the cold-dryness COPD model, CD8+ increased and CD4+/CD8+ decreased. Moreover, cold-dryness may aggravate this state. The effects of cold-dryness on pulmonary function mainly manifested as prolongation of Te and decrease of EF50, which could be one of causes of cold-dryness environment in the northwest of China leading to COPD with region characteristics.

• Authors: Zhen Gao, Fengsen Li, Halmurat Upur, Jiang Min, Wang Jing, Jing Jing, Dan Xu
• Journal: Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan (J Tradit Chin Med) Vol. 34 Issue 2 Pg. 221-6 (Apr 2014) ISSN: 0255-2922 [Print] China
• PMID: 24783937 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Animals
• CD4-CD8 Ratio
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (cytology, immunology)
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes (cytology, immunology)
• Humans
• Lung (immunology, pathology)
• Lymphocyte Count
• Male
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (immunology, pathology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar