Expression of interferon-γ and its effect on cough hypersensitivity in chronic refractory cough patients

Chronic refractory cough (CRC) is characterised by cough hypersensitivity. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) has been reported to induce calcium influx, action potentials of vagal neurons in vitro and cough response in guinea pigs. While the effect of IFN-γ in CRC patients remains unknown. Here, via flow-cytometry and inhalation cough challenge, we found CRC patients had significantly increased levels of sputum IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells, IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells as well as supernatant of IFN-γ. The average number of coughs in CRC patients increased as the concentration of inhaled IFN-γ went up in IFN-γ cough challenge. Two or more coughs and five or more coughs elicited by inhaled IFN-γ in CRC patients occurred in 7 of 10 and 2 of 10, respectively. Preinhaled IFN-γ (100 µg/mL) increased the capsaicin cough sensitivity in CRC patients but not healthy volunteers. Targeting IFN-γ may be a potential effective anti-tussive strategy in CRC patients.

Dexdemetomidine for Prevention of Cough Response and Agitation in Patients with Intubation after Flap Reconstructive Surgery for Oral Cancer

Background: To investigate whether intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine could safely prevent the incidence of cough response and agitation in patients with intubation after flap reconstructive surgery for oral cancer.Methods: Sixty-four patients undergoing flap reconstructive surgeries were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine (D) group and control (C) group. Within 15 min before anesthesia induction, dexmedetomidine was infused with a 0.5μg/kg loading dose followed by a maintenance dose of o.4μg/kg/h in group D, while the same volume saline was administered in group C. All patients kept the tracheal tube and maintained spontaneous respiratory in intensive care unit (ICU). Postoperative cough response, the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score, the behavioral pain scale (BPS) score, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2 ), respiratory rate (RR) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) were recorded at 10min (T1), 20 min(T2), 30 min (T3), 1h(T4), 6h(T5), 12h(T6) and 24h (T7) after surgery. Meanwhile, the length of ICU stay and adverse effects were also calculated.Results: The data of 32 patients in each group were included in this study. The incidence of cough response were significantly lower in group D than that in group C at T1-6 (P<0.05); The RASS scores in group D were significantly lower than that in group C at T1-5 (P<0.05); The BPS score in group C was much higher than that in group D at all time-points (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference in the SpO2, RR, EtCO2, the length of ICU stay and other complications. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an anesthetic adjuvant could safely prevent the incidence of cough response and agitation in patients with intubation after flap reconstructive surgery for oral cancer. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-1800018367.

Effects of propofol on intracranial pressure and prognosis in patients with severe brain diseases undergoing endotracheal suctioning

Background To investigate whether the administration of intravenous propofol before endotracheal suctioning (ES) in patients with severe brain disease can reduce the sputum suction response, improve prognosis, and accelerate recovery. Methods A total of 208 severe brain disease patients after craniocerebral surgery were enrolled in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 104) and the control group (n = 104). The experimental group was given intravenous propofol (10 ml propofol with 1 ml 2% lidocaine), 0.5–1 mg/kg, before ES, while the control group was subjected to ES only. Changes in vital signs, sputum suction effect, the fluctuation range of intracranial pressure (ICP) before and after ES, choking cough response, short-term complications, length of stay, and hospitalization cost were evaluated. Additionally, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) prognosis score was obtained at 6 months after the operation. Results At the baseline, the characteristics of the two groups were comparable (P > 0.05). The increase of systolic blood pressure after ES was higher in the control group than in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The average peak value of ICP in the experimental group during the suctioning (15.57 ± 12.31 mmHg) was lower than in the control group (18.24 ± 8.99 mmHg; P < 0.05). The percentage of patients experiencing cough reaction- during suctioning in the experimental group was lower than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the fluctuation range of ICP was increased (P < 0.0001). The effect of ES was achieved in both groups. The incidence of short-term complications in the two groups was comparable (P > 0.05). At 6 months after the surgery, the GOS scores were significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (4–5 points, 51.54% vs. 32.64%; 1–3 points, 48.46% vs. 67.36%; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of stay and hospitalization cost between the two groups. Conclusions Propofol sedation before ES could reduce choking cough response and intracranial hypertension response. The use of propofol was safe and improved the long-term prognosis. The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on May 16, 2015 (ChiCTR-IOR-15006441).

Effects of Propofol on Intracranial Pressure and Prognosis in Patients with Severe Brain Diseases Undergoing Endotracheal Suctioning

BackgroundTo investigate whether the administration of intravenous propofol before endotracheal suctioning (ES) in patients with severe brain disease can reduce the sputum suction response, improve prognosis, and accelerate recovery.MethodsA total of 208 severe brain disease patients after craniocerebral surgery were enrolled in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=104) and the control group (n=104). The experimental group was given intravenous propofol (10ml propofol with 1ml 2% lidocaine), 0.5-1 mg/kg, before ES, while the control group was subjected to ES only. Changes in vital signs, sputum suction effect, the fluctuation range of intracranial pressure (ICP) before and after ES, choking cough response, short-term complications, length of stay, and hospitalization cost were evaluated. Additionally, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) prognosis score was obtained at six months after the operation.ResultsAt the baseline, the characteristics of the two groups were comparable (P>0.05). The increase of systolic blood pressure after ES was higher in the control group than in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The average peak value of ICP in the experimental group during the suctioning (15.57 ± 12.31 mmHg) was lower than in the control group (18.24 ± 8.99 mmHg; P < 0.05). The percentage of patients experiencing cough reaction- during suctioning in the experimental group was lower than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the fluctuation range of ICP was increased (P < 0.0001). The effect of ES was achieved in both groups. The incidence of short-term complications in the two groups was comparable (P > 0.05). At 6 months after the surgery, the GOS scores were significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (4-5 points, 51.54% vs. 32.64%; 1-3 points, 48.46% vs. 67.36%; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of stay and hospitalization cost between the two groups.ConclusionsPropofol sedation before ES could reduce choking cough response and intracranial hypertension response. The use of propofol was safe and improved the long-term prognosis.The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on May 16, 2015 (ChiCTR-IOR-15006441).

Effects of Propofol on Intracranial Pressure and Prognosis in Patients with Severe Neuropathy Undergoing Endotracheal Suctioning

Background To investigate whether the administration of intravenous propofol before endotracheal suctioning (ES) in patients with severe neuropathy can reduce the sputum suction response, improve prognosis, and accelerate recovery.Methods A total of 208 severe neuropathy patients after craniocerebral surgery were enrolled in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=104) and the control group (n=104). The experimental group was given intravenous propofol (10ml propofol with 1ml 2% lidocaine), 0.5-1 mg/kg, before ES, while the control group was subjected to ES only. Changes in vital signs, sputum suction effect, the fluctuation range of intracranial pressure (ICP) before and after ES, choking cough response, short-term complications, length of stay, and hospitalization cost were evaluated. Additionally, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) prognosis score was obtained at six months after the operation.Results At the baseline, the characteristics of the two groups were comparable (P>0.05). The increase of systolic blood pressure after ES was higher in the control group than in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The average peak value of ICP in the experimental group during the suctioning (15.57 ± 12.31 mmHg) was lower than in the control group (18.24 ± 8.99 mmHg; P < 0.05). The percentage of patients experiencing cough reaction and pain during suctioning in the experimental group was lower than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the fluctuation range of ICP was increased (P < 0.0001). The effect of ES was achieved in both groups. The incidence of short-term complications in the two groups was comparable (P > 0.05). At 6 months after the surgery, the GOS scores were significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (4-5 points, 51.54% vs. 32.64%; 1-3 points, 48.46% vs. 67.36%; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of stay and hospitalization cost between the two groups.Conclusions Propofol sedation before ES couldreduce choking cough response, painful experience, and intracranial hypertension response. The use of propofol was safe and improves long-term prognosis.The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on May 16, 2015 (ChiCTR-IOR-15006441).

Modulation of TRPV-1 by prostaglandin-E2 and bradykinin changes cough sensitivity and autonomic regulation of cardiac rhythm in healthy subjects

A neurogenic pathway, involving airway TRPV-1, has been implicated in acute cardiovascular events occurring after peaks of air pollution. We tested whether inhaled prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) and bradykinin (BK) regulate TRPV-1 activity in vivo by changing cough response to capsaicin (CPS) and affecting heart rate variability (HRV), while also taking into account the influence of TRPV-1 polymorphisms (SNPs). Moreover, we assessed the molecular mechanism of TRPV-1 modulation in vitro. Seventeen healthy volunteers inhaled 100 μg PGE2, 200 μg BK or diluent in a randomized double-blind fashion. Subsequently, the response to CPS was assessed by cough challenge and the sympathetic activity by HRV, expressed by low (nLF) and high (nHF) normalized frequency components, as well as nLF/nHF ratio. Intracellular [Ca2+] was measured in HeLa cells, transfected with wild-type TRPV-1, pre-treated with increasing doses of PGE2, BK or diesel exhaust particulate (DEP), after CPS stimulation. Six functional TRPV-1 SNPs were characterized in DNA from each subject. Inhalation of PGE2 and BK was associated with significant increases in cough response induced by 30 μM of CPS (cough number after PGE2 = 4.20 ± 0.42; p < 0.001, and after BK = 3.64 ± 0.37; p < 0.01), compared to diluent (2.77 ± 0.29) and in sympathetic activity (nLF/nHF ratio after PGE2 = 6.1; p < 0.01, and after BK = 4.2; p < 0.05), compared to diluent (2.5–3.3). No influence of SNPs was observed on autonomic regulation and cough sensitivity. Unlike PGE2 and BK, DEP directly activated TRPV-1. Inhalation of PGE2 and BK sensitizes TRPV-1 and is associated with autonomic dysregulation of cardiac rhythm in healthy subjects.

Effects of Propofol on Intracranial Pressure and Prognosis in Severe Neuropathy Patients Undergoing Endotracheal Suctioning

Background To investigate whether intravenous propofol before endotracheal suctioning (ES) in severe neuropathy patients can reduce the sputum suction response, improve the prognosis, and accelerate recovery.Methods A total of 208 severe neuropathy patients after craniocerebral surgery were enrolled in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=104) and the control group (n=104). The experimental group was given intravenous propofol, 0.5-1 mg/kg, before ES, while the control group was subjected to ES only. Changes in vital signs, sputum suction effect, the fluctuation range of intracranial pressure (ICP) before and after ES, choking cough response, short-term complications, and length of stay and hospitalization cost were evaluated. Additionally, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) prognosis score was obtained at six months after the operation.Results At the baseline, the characteristics of the two groups were comparable (P>0.05). The increase of systolic blood pressure after ES was higher in the control group than in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The average peak value of ICP in the experimental group during the suctioning (15.57 ± 12.31 mmHg) was lower than in the control group (18.24 ± 8.99 mmHg; P < 0.05). The percentage of patients experiencing cough reaction and pain during suctioning in the experimental group was lower than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the fluctuation range of ICP was increased (P < 0.0001). The effect of ES was achieved in both groups. The incidence of short-term complications in the two groups was comparable (P > 0.05). The difference at 6 months after the surgery, the GOS scores were significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (4-5 points, 51.54% vs. 32.64%; 1-3 points, 48.46% vs. 67.36%; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of stay and hospitalization cost between the two groups.Conclusions Propofol sedation before ES can reduce the choking cough response, the pain experience of patients, and the intracranial hypertension response. The use of propofol is safe and improves long-term prognosis.The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on May 16, 2015 (ChiCTR-IOR-15006441).