Effects of NBP injection on the inflammatory response, oxidative stress response and vascular endothelial function in patients with ACI: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Acute cerebral infarction (ACI) is a common medical emergency. This study is the first systematic review of the use of Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) injection in the treatment of ACI. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of NBP injection on the inflammatory response, oxidative stress response and vascular endothelial function in patients with acute ACI. The objective is to provide reference for clinical application. METHODS: From the establishment of the database until August 2022, we systematically searched EMbase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Database. RCTs and retrospective studies were included in this study, and the results that qualified for inclusion were screened by 2 researchers and cross-checked. After the relevant data were extracted, a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 3307 patients with ACI from 34 studies were analyzed. The meta-analysis showed that the C-reactive protein levels in the NBP combined group were effectively reduced compared with those in the control group (MD = −3.75, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] [−4.95, −2.56], P < .00001). Based on comparison with the control group, it is evident that combination treatment with NBP is more effective than control group in reducing the oxidative stress response of ACI (MD([superoxide dismutase levels]) = 22.16, 95% CI [14.20,30.11], P < .00001; MD([malondialdehyde levels]) = −1.97, 95% CI [−2.62, −1.32], P < .00001). Comparison with the control group shows that combination treatment with NBP is more effective in improving vascular endothelial function in ACI patients (MD([vascular endothelial growth factor levels]) = 71.44, 95% CI [41.22, 101.66], P < .00001; MD([endothelin-1 levels]) = −11.47, 95% CI [−17.39, −5.55], P = .0001; MD([nitric oxide levels]) = 9.54, 95% CI [8.39, 10.68], P < .00001) than control group. The NBP combined group also showed a greater reduction in cerebral infarct volume (CIV) and cerebral infarct size (CIS) of ACI (MD([CIV]) = −1.52, 95% CI [−2.23, −0.81], P < .0001; MD([CIS]) = −2.79, 95% CI [−3.65, −1.94], P < .00001). The NBP combined group did not show an increase in the incidence of adverse reactions compared with the control group (odds ratio = 1.06, 95% CI [0.73, 1.53], P = .77). CONCLUSION: In summary, the use of NBP in combination with control group for ACI can reduce the degree of nerve damage, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, improve vascular endothelial function, and reduce CIS and CIV in ACI patients, without increasing the incidence of clinical adverse events.