Objective: To observe the efficacy of Weijin Xiaoyong decoction in the adjuvant therapy of bronchiectasis at acute exacerbation stage with syndrome of phlegm-heat obstructing lung

and investigate its effects on levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in serum and sputum. Method: Ninty-eight patients with acute exacerbation stage bronchiectasis were randomly divided into treatment group (49 cases) and control group (49 cases) according to random number table. Non-pharmaceutical interventions were given according to ‘Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Bronchiectasis Disease’ in both groups. In the control group

0.4 g ofloxacin hydrochloride injection was added to 400 mL normal saline for anti-infection (200 mL/time

bid)

0.6 g ofloxacin hydrochloride injection was added to 600 mL normal saline for pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (300 mL/time

bid)

30 mg ambroxol injection was added to 100 mL normal saline for dissipating phlegm

qd. The patients in treatment group also received Weijin Xiaoyong decoction (one dose/day

boiled and taken orally twice) based on the treatment in control group. The treatment course was 2 weeks for both groups. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)

FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC)

blood oxygen partial pressure (PaO2)

CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2)

blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) and clinical symptom scores were compared between two groups. The clinical efficacy was analyzed in two groups. The levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in serum and sputum were detected in both groups. Result: After treatment

FEV1

FEV1/FVC

PaO2 and SaO2 levels in treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group

while clinical scores such as PaCO2 and cough were significantly lower than those in control one (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 95.92%in treatment group

significantly higher than 79.59%in control group (P<0.05). After treatment

the levels of MMP-9 in serum and sputum in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group

while TIMP-1 levels were higher than those of control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Weijin Xiaoyong decoction based on the routine western medicine

has an exact effect in the adjuvant therapy of bronchiectasis at acute exacerbation stage with syndrome of phlegm-heat obstructing lung

and the mechanism may be associated with down-regulating MMP-9 levels in serum and sputum

and up-regulating TIMP-1 level.