The carotid body (CB) plays important roles in cardiorespiratory changes in chronic and intermittent hypoxia. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is involved in the regulation of respiratory chemoresponse. We hypothesized an upregulation of the expressions of PACAP and its receptor (PAC1) in the rat CB in chronic and intermittent hypoxia. The CB expressions of PACAP and PAC1 were examined in rats breathing 10% O(2) (in isobaric chamber for chronic hypoxia, 24 h/day) or in intermittent hypoxia (cyclic between air and 5% O(2) per minute, 8 h/day) for 7 days. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the PACAP and PAC1 proteins were localized in CB glomic clusters containing tyrosine hydroxylase. The proportional amount of cells with positive staining of PACAP and PAC1 was significantly increased in both hypoxic groups when compared with the normoxic control. In addition, the mRNA level of PAC1 expression was markedly elevated in the hypoxic groups, despite no changes in the PACAP expression. These results suggest an upregulation of PACAP and its receptor expression in the rat CB under chronic and intermittent hypoxic conditions. The PACAP binding to its receptor could activate the PKA signaling pathway leading to an increased CB excitability under hypoxic conditions.

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Objective To investigate the effect of BUD aerosol turbuhaler in plasma IL-16 and pulmonary function in bronchial asthma. Methods Fifty patients with asthma were randomly divided into group A and B. Thirty patients in group A received 300 ug budesonide and ventolin aerosol turbuhaler by inhalation and oral theophyllin control release tablet 0.2 mg two times daily. Twenty patients in group B received no budesonide aerosol, but oral theophyllin control release table 0.2 mg and ventolin aerosol inhalation (300 ug) were received two times daily, then observed the change of IL-16 in plasma and FEV 1 %. Results IL-16 in plasma of group A was much lower group B (P < 0.05), whereas the FEV 1 % of group A was much higher group B (P < 0.05) after four week treatment. Conclusions Glucocorticoids turbuhaler inhalation could effectively decrease the IL-6 in plasm and improve pulmonary function in bronchinal asthma. EFFICACY OF MONTELUKAST IN THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMA HUA-ZIANG WANG Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Zhong Da Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, ChinaObjective To investigate the effect of montelukast on clinical efficacy and lung function of patients with mild to moderate asthma. Methods 63 patients with mild to moderate asthma were divided into 2 groups randomly. 32 patients (group A), 39 ± 11 years old, were treated with montelukast 10 mg daily for 4 weeks; the other 31 patients (group B), 36 ± 12 years old, were as control. There were no differences in FEV 1 and FEV 1 % between two groups significantly. All patients inhaled Terbutaline 500 mg 3/day and Budesonide 200 ug 3/day. After 2 weeks treatment, the dose of Terbutaline and Budesonide in group A were reduced to 1/3; and no change was in the group B. Before and after 2, 4 weeks treatment, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) was measured, and symptom was noted. t-Test was used to compare mean values ± SD between groups, and P < 0.05 was assumed as the level for statistical significance. Results Before and after 2, 4 weeks treatment, FEV 1 and FEV 1 % were (1.91 ± 0.11, 60.7 ± 2.1%), (2.22 ± 0.08, 69.8 ± 2.2%), and (2.30 ± 0.11, 72.2 ± 2.3%) in group A respectively. Before and after 2, 4 weeks treatment, FEV 1 and FEV 1 % were (1.89 ± 0.07, 59.3 ± 2.3%), (2.04 ± 0.06, 61.6 ± 2.4%), and (2.26 ± 0.09, 69.1 ± 2.2%) in the group B respectively. Significant improvements in FEV 1 and FEV 1 % of asthmatic patients after 2 weeks treatment with montelukast. There were no differences in FEV 1 and FEV 1 % between two groups significantly after 4 weeks treatment. 29 cases (80.1%) reach the asthma control standard in group A; and 20 patients (67.7%) reach the asthma control standard in group B. Montelukast was well tolerated, only 4 patients had headache occasionally. Conclusion Montelukast significantly improve lung function, ease symptom, and reduce the dose of Corticosteroids and Beta-agonists. Objective To evaluate the safety of inhalation of hypertonic saline in sputum induction in severe asthmatic patients. Methods Thirty-seven...