BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated that secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) is associated with impaired glucose and triglyceride metabolism in patients with stable coronary artery disease. In the present study, we investigated human epicardial adipose tissue (EAT)-derived and circulating SFRP4 levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsPlasma samples and adipose biopsies from EAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were collected from patients with CAD (n = 40) and without CAD (non-CAD, n = 30) during elective cardiac surgery. The presence of CAD was identified by coronary angiography. SFRP4 mRNA and protein expression levels in adipose tissue were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Plasma SFRP4 concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to determine the association of SFRP4 expression with atherosclerosis as well as clinical risk factors.ResultsSFRP4 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly lower in EAT than in paired SAT in patients with and without CAD (all P < 0.05). Compared to non-CAD patients, CAD patients had higher SFRP4 expression levels in EAT (both mRNA and protein levels) and in plasma. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that CAD was an independent predictor of SFRP4 expression levels in EAT (beta = 0.442, 95% CI 0.030–0.814; P = 0.036) and in plasma (beta = 0.300, 95% CI 0.056–0.545; P = 0.017). SAT-derived SFRP4 mRNA levels were independently associated with fasting insulin levels (beta = 0.382, 95% CI 0.008–0.756; P = 0.045). In addition, plasma SFRP4 levels were positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.259, P = 0.030), fasting insulin levels (r = 0.306, P = 0.010) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values (r = 0.331, P = 0.005).ConclusionsEAT-derived and circulating SFRP4 expression levels were increased in patients with CAD. EAT SFRP4 mRNA levels and plasma SFRP4 concentrations were independently associated with the presence of CAD.

The immunological function of patients with malignant tumors may be suppressed during the perioperative period. However, details on the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on immunological function are relatively lacking. We designed this study to examine the effects of TEAS on the immunological function of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) during the perioperative period. Participants (n = 144) were enrolled and randomly assigned into group TEAS or group sham TEAS. TEAS on bilateral Feishu (BL13), Hegu (L14), and Zusanli (ST36) was performed continuously throughout the procedure. The primary outcome was the quantities of natural killer (NK) cells at 30 minutes before induction (T0), 5 minutes after intubation (T1), at the beginning of the operation (T2), at the beginning of the lobectomy (T3), at the beginning of the lymphadenectomy (T4), and immediately after extubation (T5). The secondary outcomes were the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at T0 to T5, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), the intraoperative consumption of propofol and remifentanil, the incidence of hypoxemia, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and the length of hospital stay. The quantities of NK cells were decreased in group sham TEAS after intubation compared to that in group TEAS, while the quantities of NK cells in group TEAS were similar at T0 to T5. Meanwhile, the quantities of NK cells in group sham TEAS at T1 (P = .012), T2 (P < .001), T3 (P = .027), T4 (P = .045), and T5 (P = .021) were lower than those in group TEAS. In group TEAS, the serum levels of TNF-α were lower at T1 to T5, while the levels of IL-6 were lower at T2 to T5. Furthermore, the intraoperative MAP and HR were more stable, the total propofol and remifentanil consumptions were lower, and the length of hospital stay was shorter than those in group sham TEAS. The application of TEAS can effectively reverse the decrease in NK cells, decrease the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6, maintain hemodynamic stability during the perioperative period, decrease the consumption of propofol and remifentanil, and shorten the length of the hospital stay.

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The influence of surgery and anesthesia on immune function during the perioperative period should not be neglected. In this study, we evaluated the effects of oxycodone combined with flurbiprofen axetil on postoperative analgesia and immune function in patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer (CRC). One hundred and thirty‐three were randomized into the oxycodone combined with flurbiprofen axetil (OF) group or the sufentanil combined with flurbiprofen axetil (SF) group. Patients in the OF group were prescribed oxycodone hydrochloride 0.1 mg/kg combined with flurbiprofen axetil 3 mg/kg for postoperative analgesia, whereas the SF group received sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg combined with flurbiprofen axetil 3 mg/kg. The primary outcome was visual analog scale (VAS) score. Secondary outcomes included the quantities of CD4+, CD8+, and natural killer (NK) T cells, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α level, and interleukin (IL)‐6 in peripheral blood, the consumption of analgesics, and the incidence of adverse reactions, and so forth. The VAS scores at rest were similar in both group. However, the VAS scores at cough in the OF group at 8, 12, and 24 hours postsurgery were lower than those in the SF group. Compared with the SF group, the count of CD4+ T cells and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ were higher in the OF group at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postsurgery, although the count of CD8+ and NK T cells was higher than that in the SF group at 48 and 72 hours postsurgery. In addition, the serum level of TNF‐α and IL‐6 at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postsurgery in the OF group was lower than that in the SF group. In addition, the incidence of postoperative nausea, postoperative vomiting, and pruritus was lower, the time to first flatus and bowel movement was earlier in the OF group. Oxycodone combined with flurbiprofen axetil applied for patient‐controlled intravenous analgesia could effectively reduce pain intensity, particularly for visceral pain, and help to reverse the status of immunosuppression during radical resection of CRC.

Purpose. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is widely used. However, no study evaluated TEAS on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) of patients after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The study was to evaluate TEAS on SIRS of patients after PCNL. Methods. 67 patients were enrolled and divided into group TEAS and group sham TEAS. Data were collected from 60 participants finally. In the study, TEAS or sham TEAS on bilateral Shenshu (BL23), Yinlingquan (SP9), Hegu (LI4), and Neiguan (PC6) was performed continuously throughout the procedure. The primary outcome included the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) within 48 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes included the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, hemodynamics changes, complications, and hospital stay after surgery. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α and interleukin- (IL-) 6, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) at 30 min before anesthesia (T0), the time after surgery (T1), 24 h postoperation (T2), and 48 h postoperation (T3) were recorded. The consumption of analgesic during surgery was also recorded, as well as the complications and duration of hospital stay after PCNL. Results. The incidence of SIRS in group TEAS was lower than group sham TEAS (30% vs. 6.67%, p = 0.023 ). Compared with the sham TEAS group, both levels of TNF-α and IL-6 at T1, T2, and T3 were lower in the TEAS group ( p < 0.05 ). The levels of MAP and HR in sham TEAS at T1, T2, and T3 were markedly higher than that in the TEAS group ( p < 0.05 ). The total consumption of propofol and remifentanil during surgery in group TEAS was lower than that in the sham TEAS group. The incidence of hypotension, hypertension, emergence agitation, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was also lower in group TEAS after PCNL ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusions. TEAS could effectively reduce the incidence of SIRS and inflammatory cytokines for patients who underwent PCNL. In addition, TEAS helped to maintain the hemodynamic stability and cut down the consumption of analgesics during PCNL, reducing the complications after PCNL.