title: The protective effect of Shenfu injection against elderly severe pneumonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Shenfu injection (SFI) on the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the interleukin (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) of elderly patients who suffered from severe pneumonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2012 to September 2014, we performed in our department 89 cases of elderly patients with severe pneumonia. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group (45 cases) and the control group (44 cases). The control group was given the treatment of anti-infection, reducing sputum, and support therapy, while the treatment group was fed by SFI intravenously based on the control group. The TNF-α and the interleukin were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, the changes in the inflammatory response indicators, the blood gas analysis, and the parameters of vital signs were measured and compared before and after therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prior to treatment, there is no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group (p > 0.05); after the treatment for 7 days, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly decreased, while the level of IL-10 was obviously increased. The APACHE II score was significantly decreased in comparison to that before the treatment (p < 0.05), and the time of mechanical ventilation, the duration of time in ICU, and the application time of vasoactive drugs were notably shortened.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of Shenfu injection exhibited a positive and effective effect on removing the inflammation media during the treatment of elderly severe pneumonia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Road 126, Hangzhou, 310015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. lvsjhz@163.com.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Road 126, Hangzhou, 310015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Road 126, Hangzhou, 310015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Road 126, Hangzhou, 310015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Road 126, Hangzhou, 310015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D015850:Interleukin-6; C492793:Shen-Fu; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: Elderly serious pneumonia; Interleukin; Shenfu injection; Tumor necrosis factor-α