Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on the expression of NF-κB in lung tissues during limb ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) in rats.Methods Forty-eight male SD rats weighing 230-260 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=16 each):sham operation group (group S);I/R group; ulinastatin group (group U).A rat model of lung injury induced by I/R of hind limbs which was produced by occlusion of the bilateral femoral arteries for 2 h followed by reperfusion was established.The rats were sacrificed at 2 and 4 h of reperfusion(8 rats at each time point) and the lung tissues removed for determination of NF-κB expression (by immuno-histochemistry) and microscopic examination.W/D lung weight ratio was calculated.Results W/D lung weight ratio was significantly increased and NF-κB expression was up-regulated in group I/R compared with group S(P＜ 0.05). W/D lung weight ratio was significantly decreased and NF-κB expression was down-regulated in group U compared with group I/R (P＜0.05). The lung injury induced by I/R was reduced in group U compared with group I/R. Conclusion Ulinastatin can reduce the lung injury induced by limb I/R by down-regulating the expression of NF-κB in rat lung tissues.

Objective To determine the clinical significance of measuring the levels of 25-(OH) vitamin D3 [(25-(OH) D3)],immune globulins and serum alkaline phosphatase(AKP) in children with recurrent community-acquired pneumonia(CAP).Methods Serum samples were collected in children with recurrent CAP (recur-rent CAP group,n =38),first CAP (first CAP group,n =123),and age matched normal children (heath control group,n =39).The 25-(OH) D3 level,IgG,IgM,IgA and AKP levels were measured.Results The serum 25-(OH)D3 concentration of the recurrent CAP group was (47.87 ± 2.28)nmol/L,that of the first CAP group was (84.43 ± 4.12) nmol/L,and that of the heath control group was (91.2 ± 7.85) nmol/L,the differences among the three groups were statistically significant (t =3.716,8.881,all P ＜0.05).The differences of the serum IgA concen tration among the three groups had statistically significant differences (t =4.596,5.319,9.230,all P ＜ 0.05).But the serum IgG concentration among the three groups had no statistically significant differences(t =1.115,1.887,1.090,all P ＞ 0.05).The serum IgM concentration among the three groups had no statistically significant differences (t =0.804,0.942,0.918,all P ＞ 0.05).The serum AKP concentration among the three groups had no statistically signifi cant differences(t =0.277,0.661,0.866,all P ＞ 0.05).The serum 25-(OH) D3 levels in 161 cases of CAP patients were not correlated to any of the levels of IgM,IgG,IgA,or AKP.Conclusion The levels of 25-(OH) D3 and IgA are significantly lower in children with recurrent CAP,indicating that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent CAP.Prophylactic use of vitamin D supplementation may improve the immune function and reduce the development of recurrent CAP in children.