Objective: To observe the effect and mechanism of modified Erchentang on immune function

chemoattractant cytokine 18 (CCL18)

interleukin-8 (IL-8)

clara cell protein (CC16) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (sICAM-1) in patients at acute exacerbation stage of COPD (AECOPD). Method: Totally 120 cases of elder AECOPD patients were randomly divided into modified Erchentang group and placebo-controlled group

with 60 cases in each group. In addition to western drugs

modified Erchentang was also used in modified Erchentang group

and placebo was also used in control group for 14 days. Their pulmonary function was detected

and euzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of CCL18

CC16

IL-8 and sICAM-1 in patients' plasma and exhaled breath condensate of all groups before and after treatment. Result: Compared with control group

treatment group showed increases in total effective rate (P<0.05)

and FEV1 and FEV1% (P<0.01)

but decreases in total inflammatory cell counts

neutrophil counts

monocytes and lymphocytes (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment

the group showed no significant difference in IgG

IgA

IgM

increases in CD3+

CD4+

CD4+/CD8+ and decreases in CD8+

CCL18

CC16

IL-8

sICAM-1

CCL18 and CC16 in EBC (P<0.05). Conclusion: Modified Erchentang has an anti-inflammatory effect on AECOPD by reducing level of inflammation medium CCL18

CC16

IL-8 and sICAM-1

preventing inflammation progress and adjusting the immune function.