[Study on the controlling effect of Shenqi Fuzheng injection on plasma cytokine network in patients with thoracic tumor undergoing radiotherapy].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effect of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI) in radiation pneumonitis and its influence on the levels of plasma transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) at various stages (pre-, mid- and post-radiation) of radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS:

Fifty-eight patients enrolled in this study were randomized into two groups, all received conventional radio therapy, but the treatment group was intravenously dripped with SFI additionally, once daily, starting 3 days before radiotherapy to 1 week after the end of it. Levels of TGF-beta, TNF-alpha and IL-10 in blood samples collected and frozen at different time point of RT, before radiotherapy (Pre-RT), after received 40-50 Gy radiation (Mid-RT) and in time of terminating RT (Post-RT), were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). And the occurrence of radiation pneumonitis was analyzed according to RTOG acute radiation pneumonitis criteria.

RESULTS:

Level of TGF-beta increased in both groups after RT, either Mid- or Post-RT, but in comparing with that at Pre-RT, statistical significant (P < 0.05) only showed in the control group at Post-RT time when it raised to peak, while in inter-group comparing insignificance was shown. Level of TNF-alpha also increased in both groups, but statistical significance only showed in the control groups as compared with that of Pre-RT, accordingly, it was lower in the treatment group than that in the control group at corresponding time points (P < 0.05). Level of IL-10 decreased gradually in the process of RT, as compared with that at Pre-RT, significant difference was shown in both groups at Post-RT but not at Mid-RT, as compared between groups, no significance (P < 0.05) was shown, though the treatment group showed a high tendency. As for the ratio of IL-10/TNF-alpha, significant difference of lowering in the control group after RT was shown as compared with that at Pre-RT (P < 0.05), and also as compared with that in the treatment group at corresponding time point (P < 0.05). The occurrence of radiation pneumonia > or = grade 2 in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (chi2 = 8.7133, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Plasma level of TNF-alpha and ratio of IL-10/ TNF-a could be the practicable indexes for estimating the susceptibility of acute radiation pneumonia; SFI can regulate the network of cytokine, and thus be effective in preventing and treating radiation pneumonitis.

• Authors: Li Liu, Qian Ding, Xiao-Fang Dai
• Journal: Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine (Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi) Vol. 27 Issue 12 Pg. 1082-5 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 1003-5370 [Print] China
• PMID: 18198640 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• shenqi fuzheng
• Interleukin-10

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (radiotherapy)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (radiotherapy)
• Cytokines (blood)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (therapeutic use)
• Esophageal Neoplasms (radiotherapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-10 (blood)
• Lung Neoplasms (radiotherapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phytotherapy
• Radiation Pneumonitis (blood, prevention & control)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)
• Young Adult