Figures & data
Table 1. The primer sequence of STAT4, STAT6, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and GAPDH.
Table 2. Baseline characteristics for included patients.
Table 3. LWBQ capsules can improve the pulmonary function indicated by pulmonary function tests.
Figure 1. LWBQ capsules contribute to reduce expression of STAT4/STAT6 and MMP-9/TIMP-1. (A) Relative mRNA expression of STAT4/STAT6 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 were decreased by conducting RT-qPCR; (B and C) Relative protein levels of STAT4/STAT6 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 were decreased by conducting western blot analysis; *, p < 0.05, vs. the detection results before treatment; #, p < 0.05, vs. the control group; △, p < 0.05, vs. the low-dose group; ▲, p < 0.05, vs. the medium-dose group; STAT4: signal transducers and activators of transcription 4; STAT6: signal transducers and activators of transcription 6; MMP-9: matrix metalloproteinase-9; TIMP-1: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; RT-qPCR: reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Figure 2. LWBQ capsules repress the expression of inflammatory cytokines. #, p < 0.05, vs. the control group; △, p < 0.05, vs. the low-dose group; ▲, p < 0.05, vs. the medium-dose group; IFN-γ: interferon-γ; IL-6: interleukin-6; IL-4: interleukin-4.
Table 4. Pulmonary function was correlated with the expression of STAT4/STAT6 and MMP-9/TIMP-1.
Figure 3. STAT4, STAT6, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 are potential biomarkers for stable COPD with lung-qi deficiency syndrome. STAT4: signal transducers and activators of transcription 4; STAT6: signal transducers and activators of transcription 6; MMP-9: matrix metalloproteinase-9; TIMP-1: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1.
Table 5. Pulmonary function indexes, expressions of STAT4/STAT6, MMP-9/TIMP-1 all affect curative effect.