Respiratory physiology & neurobiology
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Respir Physiol Neurobiol · Jun 2012
Comparative StudyActivity-related dyspnea is not modified by psychological status in people with COPD, interstitial lung disease or obesity.
Sensory (physiological) and affective (psychological) dimensions of dyspnea have been described but the usefulness of measuring psychological status in addition to ventilatory capacity (spirometry, lung volumes) in the assessment of exertional dyspnea remains controversial. We hypothesized that activity-related dyspnea would not be modified by psychological status. ⋯ Ventilatory capacity was described by three main dimensions by PCA related to airways, volumes, and their combination (specific airway resistance, FEV(1)/FVC), which were weakly correlated with dyspnea. In conclusion, in patients with COPD, interstitial lung disease or severe obesity, psychological status does not modify activity-related dyspnea rating as evaluated by the MRC scale.
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Respir Physiol Neurobiol · Jun 2012
Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of triptolide on traumatic brain injury in rats.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized by neuroinflammation, brain edema, and cerebral damage leading to impairment of neurobehavioral function. Triptolide (PG-490), a diterpenoid component from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., has anti-inflammatory properties. Whether triptolide has neuroprotective functions when treating TBI is unclear. ⋯ Thriptolide reversed the TBI-induced decrease in brain levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. Importantly, triptolide improved neurobehavioral outcomes regarding motor, sensory, reflex and balance function. We conclude that triptolide confers neuroprotection against TBI, at least in part, via its anti-inflammatory activity.