Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a common infection among individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing cancer chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressive drugs, autoimmune patients, and people living with HIV/AIDS. The rise in PCP cases became particularly noticeable during the early stages of the AIDS epidemic in 1984, as more people fell into high-risk categories. Current treatments include sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ), pentamidine, and similar drugs. While these medications are effective, they often come with severe side effects or resistance issues. This has led to ongoing research for new and improved therapies.
Studies have shown that Ginkgolide may offer a promising alternative in treating PCP. In this experiment, we compared the effectiveness of domestically produced and imported Ginkgolide in managing the condition. Below are the results of our investigation.
Materials and Methods
1. Establishment of PCP Model
Seventy female Wistar rats, weighing between 230-270 grams, were obtained from the Chongqing Medical Science Experimental Animal Center (license number: Sichuan Medical Laboratory Animal Management Committee, No. 2 4301045). An experimental model of pneumocystis pneumonia was created following established procedures [1].
2. Grouping and Treatment
The PCP-infected rats were randomly divided into four groups of 16 each. Group A served as the control group with no treatment. Group B received domestic Ginkgolide (Guizhou Aofang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., batch number 010405, 95% HPLC, powder) at 20 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal injection for 8 days. Group C received imported Ginkgolide (Sigma, batch 053K1397, 95% HPLC, powder) under the same conditions. Group D was treated with a combination of sulfamethoxazole (Southwest Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., batch number 020503, SMZ: TMP = 5:1, tablet) at 100 mg/kg/day and TMP at 20 mg/kg/day for 8 days. After 8 days of treatment, the drug was discontinued for one week, and efficacy was evaluated at the end of the ninth week.
3. Efficacy Assessment
Throughout the treatment period, survival status, body weight, and weekly weight changes were recorded. At the end of the study, the lungs, trachea, and hilar tissues were removed, dried, and weighed. Each lung was sectioned, stained with GMS, and examined under a microscope. A total of 100 fields per lung were analyzed to count the number of Pneumocystis cysts, and the average number of cysts per field was calculated for each group.
4. Statistical Analysis
Body weight, lung weight, and lung weight/body weight ratio were compared using ANOVA. The reduction rate of cysts was calculated based on the following formula:
1. Results
1.1 Survival Status
At the end of the experiment, two rats died in Group A, one in Group C, while no deaths occurred in Groups B and D.
1.2 Body Weight Changes
The average body weight of rats in Group A decreased, whereas the other treatment groups showed varying degrees of weight gain. Statistical analysis confirmed that the difference in average body weight between Group A and the other groups was significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the domestic and imported Ginkgolide groups (P > 0.05).
1.3 Lung Weight and Ratio
The lung weight and lung weight/body weight ratio were significantly higher in the control group compared to the treatment groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the domestic and imported Ginkgolide groups (P > 0.05).
1.4 Cyst Count in Lung Prints
The average number of cysts per field in the treatment groups was lower than that in the control group, indicating a potential therapeutic effect of Ginkgolide in reducing Pneumocystis infection.
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