Objective:To explore the effects of smoking on peripheral regulatory T cells (Tregs), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β 1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 43 elderly patients (≥60 years old) who were hospitalized in the Department of Geriatrics Medicine, Guangzhou First People′s Hospital from January 2018 to December 2024 and were newly diagnosed with NSCLC were recruited. According to smoking history, patients were divided into non-smoking group (15 cases), low smoking group (13 cases, smoking index<400) and high smoking group (15 cases, smoking index≥400). Venous blood samples were collected from participants, plasma and cells were separated. Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportions of Tregs and the expression of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) in peripheral blood. Plasma levels of TGF-β 1 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of smoking on peripheral Tregs, TGF-β 1, and IL-10 in elderly patients with NSCLC were analyzed. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, rank-sum test, and Fisher′s exact test. Results:The proportions of Tregs in non-smoking group, low smoking group and high smoking group were 2.50% (2.32%, 2.81%), 2.83% (2.48%, 3.72%), and 3.01% (2.37%, 3.73%), respectively, and there were no statistically significant differences among the three groups ( H=3.845, P>0.05). The proportions of Foxp3 +Tregs were (3.72±0.84)%, (4.64±1.10)%, and (4.68±1.27%), respectively. The mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) of Foxp3 were 123.0 (108.0, 128.0), 131.0 (123.5, 350.0), and 222.0 (141.0, 311.0), respectively. Both the proportions of Foxp3 +Tregs and the MFI of Foxp3 were higher in low smoking group and high smoking group than those in non-smoking group (all P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between low smoking group and high smoking group (all P>0.05). The concentrations of IL-10 were 2.27 (1.42, 3.95), 3.42 (2.30, 5.08), and 3.26 (2.35, 6.28) ng/L, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups ( H=2.930, P>0.05). The concentrations of TGF-β 1 were (10.72±9.37), (13.46±10.39), and (25.28±16.67) ng/ml, respectively. The concentration of TGF-β 1 in high smoking group was higher than that in non-smoking group and low smoking group (all P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between low smoking group and non-smoking group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Smoking intensity may be correlated with the immunosuppressive function of Tregs in elderly patients with NSCLC. Higher smoking levels are associated with increased Foxp3 expression in Tregs and elevated plasma levels of TGF-β 1, potentially enhancing the immunosuppressive function of Tregs.

Objective:To explore the effects of smoking on peripheral regulatory T cells (Tregs), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β 1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 43 elderly patients (≥60 years old) who were hospitalized in the Department of Geriatrics Medicine, Guangzhou First People′s Hospital from January 2018 to December 2024 and were newly diagnosed with NSCLC were recruited. According to smoking history, patients were divided into non-smoking group (15 cases), low smoking group (13 cases, smoking index<400) and high smoking group (15 cases, smoking index≥400). Venous blood samples were collected from participants, plasma and cells were separated. Flow cytometry was used to measure the proportions of Tregs and the expression of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) in peripheral blood. Plasma levels of TGF-β 1 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of smoking on peripheral Tregs, TGF-β 1, and IL-10 in elderly patients with NSCLC were analyzed. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, rank-sum test, and Fisher′s exact test. Results:The proportions of Tregs in non-smoking group, low smoking group and high smoking group were 2.50% (2.32%, 2.81%), 2.83% (2.48%, 3.72%), and 3.01% (2.37%, 3.73%), respectively, and there were no statistically significant differences among the three groups ( H=3.845, P>0.05). The proportions of Foxp3 +Tregs were (3.72±0.84)%, (4.64±1.10)%, and (4.68±1.27%), respectively. The mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) of Foxp3 were 123.0 (108.0, 128.0), 131.0 (123.5, 350.0), and 222.0 (141.0, 311.0), respectively. Both the proportions of Foxp3 +Tregs and the MFI of Foxp3 were higher in low smoking group and high smoking group than those in non-smoking group (all P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between low smoking group and high smoking group (all P>0.05). The concentrations of IL-10 were 2.27 (1.42, 3.95), 3.42 (2.30, 5.08), and 3.26 (2.35, 6.28) ng/L, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups ( H=2.930, P>0.05). The concentrations of TGF-β 1 were (10.72±9.37), (13.46±10.39), and (25.28±16.67) ng/ml, respectively. The concentration of TGF-β 1 in high smoking group was higher than that in non-smoking group and low smoking group (all P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between low smoking group and non-smoking group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Smoking intensity may be correlated with the immunosuppressive function of Tregs in elderly patients with NSCLC. Higher smoking levels are associated with increased Foxp3 expression in Tregs and elevated plasma levels of TGF-β 1, potentially enhancing the immunosuppressive function of Tregs.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between spinal Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway and inflammatory responses in rats with neuropathic pain (NP).Methods Forty-eight cleangrade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8 weeks,weighing 250-300 g,were divided into 4 groups (n=12 each) using a random number table method:sham operation group (group S),group NP,dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group (group D) and specific Shh signaling pathway inhibitor cyclopamine group (group CP).Spared nerve injury was produced by exposing the sciatic nerve and branches followed by ligation and transection of tibial and common fibular nerves in anesthetized rats.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured at 1 day before establishing the model and 1 and 7 days after establishing the model.,The animals were sacrificed after measurement of pain threshold at 7 days after operation,and the lumbar segment L4-6 of the spinal cord was obtained for determination of the expression of Shh,Patched homolog (Ptch),Smoothened (Smo) and zinc finger-containing transcription factors 1 (Gli1) (by Western blot) and contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).Results Compared with group S,the MWT was significantly decreased,the expression of Shh,Patched,Smo and Gli1 was up-regulated,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β were increased in NP,D and CP groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group NP,the MWT was significantly increased,the expression of Shh,Patched,Smo and Gli1 was down-regulated,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased in group CP (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group D (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which Shh signaling pathway is involved in the development and mainterance of inflammatory responses is related to inhibiting inflammatory responses of the spinal cord in rats with NP.