[Retracted] N‐Acetylcysteine Improves Inflammatory Response in COPD Patients by Regulating Th17/Treg Balance through Hypoxia Inducible Factor‐1α Pathway
Xiaopeng Liu, Zhixiong Hu, Haiying Zhou
Abstract
Introduction . This study was aimed to investigate the effects of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the change of Th17/Treg cytokine imbalance. Material and Methods . A total of 121 patients with stable COPD at the stage of C or D were consecutively enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups. Patients in the treatment group received NAC granules (0.2 g × 10 bags, 0.4 g each time, 3 times/d) for half a year. The control group was treated with the same amount of placebo therapy. The peripheral blood of the patient was collected and the cytokine, T lymphocyte subsets were detected. Results . We found the oral administration of NAC could regulate Th17/Treg balance to resist inflammation in COPD patients. Serum testing showed that the proportion of Treg in CD4+ T cells has increased and the Th17/Treg ratio has decreased during the NAC treatment. In vitro studies, we found that NAC regulated Th17/Treg balance through Hypoxia Inducible Factor‐1 α pathway. Conclusions . Our result could provide new diagnosis and treatment for elderly patients with COPD from the perspective of immunity ideas.