OBJECTIVETo study the antiulcer effects and the mechanism of Veronicastrum axillare (Sieb. et Zucc) Yamazaki (VAY) on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats.

METHODSTotally 48 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the ranitidine group, the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group, 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline respectively. Rats in the ranitidine group were administered with 0.18% ranitidine suspension (at the daily dose of 0.027 g/kg) by gastrogavage. Those in the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group were administered with VAY at the daily dose of 2.8 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, and 0.7 g/kg by gastrogavage, once daily for 14 consecutive days. The gastric ulcer model was established using absolute ethanol after the last gastrogavage. The ulcer index and the ulcer inhibitory rate were compared. The concentrations of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum and the homogenate of the gastric mucosa tissue were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the gastric ulcer index in the rest groups obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The ulcer index was dose-dependent with VAY (P < 0.01), with the highest gastric ulcer index shown in the high dose VAY group (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of MDA and NO significantly increased in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue, the activity of SOD and the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue of rats in the model group significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the MDA concentrations in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum NO content increased, the NO content in the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum SOD activity increased, the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue increased in the rest groups, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe water extract of VAY had significant effects on ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Its mechanisms might lie in reducing the generation of free radicals, promoting the oxygen free radical clearance, restraining lipid peroxidation, regulating and controlling the in vivo contents of NO and EGF.

Animals ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plantago ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach Ulcer ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of qingchang huashi recipe (QHR) on the dendritic cells (DCs) of experimental colitis rats, thus exploring its possible mechanisms for treating ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODSThe UC rat model was induced by TNBS/anhydrous alcohol. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the QHR group, and the Mesalazine group, 10 in each group. Since the 2nd day of modeling, corresponding medication was respectively administered to each treatment group by gastrogavage for 10 successive days. The number of DCs in the colonic mucosa was observed using iMmunohistochemical assay. The DCs ratio in the mesenteric lymph nodes, and the expressions of surface molecules MHC-II and CD86 were detected using flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the number of DCs in the colonic mucosa significantly decreased, the expression of MHC-II in the mesenteric lymph nodes significantly decreased in the QHR group and the Mesalazine group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the DCs ratios and the CD86 expression among the 4 groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQHR could decrease the infiltration of DCs in the colonic mucosa, and suppress the activation of DCs in the mesenteric lymph nodes, which might be one of its mechanisms for treating UC.

Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Intestinal Mucosa ; cytology ; Lymph Nodes ; cytology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Mesentery ; cytology ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the dynamic changes of blood hormone levels in H22 liver cancer mice of poisonous pathogenic factors syndromes (PPFS) to different degrees.

METHODSTwo hundred and twenty mice were injected with H22 tumor cells from their armpits. On the ninth day after inoculation the mice of severe poisonous pathogenic factors syndrome (SPPFS) and of mild poisonous pathogenic factors syndrome (MPPFS) were screened. Besides, another normal control group consisting of 30 mice was set up. The mice were killed on the tenth and eleventh day after inoculation (as the 1st and 2nd time window). The weight of the tumor, the wet weight of the thymus and the spleen were weighed. The plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone, aldosterone, thyroid hormone T3 and T4, testosterone, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma were detected by ELISA. All the aforesaid laboratory parameters were analyzed.

RESULTSThe tumor weight was obviously larger in mice of the SPPFS group than in those of the MPPFS group at the same time window (P < or = 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the thymus was obviously atrophied (P < or = 0.05), the spleen was significantly enlarged (P < or = 0.05), the plasma ACTH significantly increased (P < or = 0.05) in the SPPFS group at the two time windows. But the increment of ACTH was less in the MPPFS group. The plasma corticosterone showed similar tendency as that of ACTH. At the 1st time window the plasma testosterone significantly increased in the two groups (P < or = 0.05). The plasma testosterone and T4 showed a decreasing tendency in the SPPFS group. The plasma TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels showed an increasing trend in the two groups. Correlation study showed that the degree of PPFS was negatively correlated with qi deficiency (r = -0.766, P < or = 0.05) and T4 (r = -0.738, P < or = 0.05). The degrees of PPFS was positively correlated with the plasma ACTH level (r = 0.635, P < or = 0.05). The degree of qi deficiency was positively correlated with yang heat syndrome (r = 0.632, P < or = 0.05). The plasma ACTH was negatively correlated with T4 (r = -0.504, P < or = 0.05). The plasma testosterone was positively correlated with TNF-alpha (r = 0.619, P < or = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPPFS occurs naturally and shows difference to different degrees in the development of H22 liver cancer. The disorders of neuroendocrine hormones and the suppression of the immune function show dynamic changing trends.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Animals ; Corticosterone ; blood ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Testosterone ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of acupuncture anesthesia (AA) and local anesthesia (LA) on the blood pressure (BP) and the heart rate (HR) in chronic rhinitis patients accompanied inferior turbinate hypertrophy in low temperature radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

METHODSTotally 61 chronic rhinitis patients accompanied inferior turbinate hypertrophy were randomly assigned to the AA group (31 cases) and the control group (30 cases). All patients received RFA respectively under AA and RA. Their heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SP), diastolic pressure (DP), and mean pressure (MP) were recorded and compared at 10 minutes after their entry into the operating room, immediately before surgery, intraoperation, and 5 min after operation.

RESULTSWhen compared with the control group at the same time points, the SP, DP, MP, and HR all decreased at intraoperation and 5 min after operation in the AA group. There was statistical difference in the SP on the right side at the 2nd melting point and the HR on the left side at the 2nd melting point between the two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the same group at 10 min after entry into the operating room, the SP on the right side at the 1st melting point, the SP, DP, and MP on the right side at the 2nd melting point, the SP, DP, and MP on the left side at the 1st melting point, and the SP on the left side at the 2nd melting point all obviously increased with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). When compared with the same group at 10 min after entry into the operating room and immediately before surgery, there was no statistical difference in the SP, DP, MP, or HR of the AA group at intraoperation and 5 min after operation (P > 0.05). When compared with the same group at 10 min after entry into the operating room and immediately before surgery, there was no statistical difference in HR of the control group at intraoperation and 5 min after operation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPatients undergoing AA had less fluctuation of the BP and the HR, indicating AA had better analgesic effects.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; Blood Pressure ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Turbinates

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) and anger regulation.

METHODSEnrolled were healthy students from some college, including 225 of the high trait anger and 221 of the low trait anger. Subjects were recruited referring to the state-trait anger expression inventory 2 (STAXI-2) and their blood sampled. The DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform method, 4 tag SNPs of MAOA (rs5906957, rs2235186, rs1181275, and rs5905613) were genotyped by PCR-based ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR). The scores for trait anger expression inventory and the scores for trait anger expression control at the 4 tag SNPs of MAOA in the different sexes groups of the high and the low trait anger were statistical analyzed.

RESULTSThere was statistical difference in anger control score of locus rs2235186 of MAOA gene group (P = 0.037). There was no significant difference in anger expression or anger control score of different genotypes of the other three tag SNPs (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMAOA gene tag SNP rs2235186 was correlated with anger control traits of healthy female college students of the low trait anger in China.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Anger ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Monoamine Oxidase ; genetics ; Personality Inventory ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo explore the methods and therapeutic efficacy of restitution combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for treating osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).

METHODSRecruited were 132 senile patients with OVCF who were willing to receive minimally invasive therapy were assigned to the comprehensive treatment group and the percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) group. The 89 vertebral bodies in the 68 cases of the comprehensive treatment group received restitution combined with PVP, while the 81 vertebral bodies in the 64 cases of the control PKP group received PKP alone. All patients completed the follow-ups for more than 3 years. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Cobb's angle, the height ratios of the diseased vertebral anterior edge and middle edge. The operation time for a single centrum, the perspective time during the operation, the incidence of bone cement leakage, the injection rate of the bone cement, the cost of hospitalization, and the hospital days were compared between t he comprehensive treatment group and the PKP group.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, the VAS and ODI were significantly lower, the height ratios of the diseased vertebral anterior edge and middle edge, and the Cobb's angle were obviously improved in the two groups, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the aforesaid indices between the two groups after treatment at the same time point (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of bone cement leakage, th e injection rate of the bone cement, or the hospital days between the two groups (P > 0.05). But the operation time f or individual vertebral body, the perspective time during the operation, and the cost of hospitalization were obviously less in the comprehensive treatment group than in the PKP group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSRestitution combined PVP could achieve the same therapeutic efficacy as that of the PKP. It could effectively restore the diseased vertebral height and correct the spinal kyphosis. Besides, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of bone cement leakage.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; Posture ; Spinal Fractures ; etiology ; therapy ; Vertebroplasty ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of the comprehensive protocol of integrative medicine in preventing and treating perioperative delayed cerebrovasospasm (DCVS) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

METHODSUsing a prospective randomized controlled trial design, 63 aSAH inpatients were assigned to the treatment group (31 cases, 24 treated by intervention treatment and 7 by craniotomy) and the control group (32 cases, 26 treated by intervention treatment and 6 by craniotomy). All patients were treated with basic therapy and nimodipine. Those in the treatment group additionally took naomai jiejing decoction No. 1 and No. 2. The incidence and the mortality of DCVS, re-bleeding, hydrocephalus were compared on the 180th day. The middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity (Vm), PI value, linde-gard index on day 1, 3, 7, and 14 were compared. The Chinese medicine syndrome score, NIHSS, and revised Rankin questionnaire on day 1, 14, and 180 were compared.

RESULTSThe DCVS occurred in 9 cases (29. 0%) of the treatment group and 17 patients (53.1%) of the control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The occurrence of re-hemorrhage was obviously lower in the treatment than in the control group (3.2% vs. 6.2%), showing statistical difference (P < 0. 05). There was no statistical difference in the mortality (6.4% vs. 9.4%) or the occurrence of hydrocephalus (29.0% vs 25.0%, P > 0.05). The Vm, PI, and linde-gard index on day 7, the Vm and linde-gard index on day 14 were obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The Chinese medicine syndrome score and NIHSS on day 14 and 180 were lower in the treatment group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe comprehensive protocol of integrative medicine could reduce the incidence of aSAH patients' DCVS, the Chinese medicine syndrome score and NIHSS, and improve their clinical symptoms.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; complications ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Prospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the disease course of chronic renal failure (CRF) intervened by Qudu Granule (QG) and to explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSTotally 166 phase 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients of Pi-Shen deficiency and phlegm-turbidity obstruction syndrome were randomly assigned to two groups, the experimental group (83 cases, completed in 77 cases) and the control group (83 cases, completed in 75 cases). Based on the routine treatment, patients in the experimental group orally took QG, while those in the control group orally took niaoduqing granule (NG), 5 g each time, 3 times a day in both groups. The total therapeutic course was over 12 months for all. The changes of serum creatinine (SCr) were observed in the two groups. The reciprocal of SCr was taken as the vertical coordinate, and the course of disease (months) as the horizontal coordinate. The oblique rate and the return coefficient (value b) were compared between the two groups. Meanwhile, the changes of blood pressure, 24-h urinary protein quantitative amount, plasma albumin (Alb), and hemoglobin (Hb) were also observed.

RESULTSThe average treatment time was longer in the experimental group [(42.8 +/- 18.5) months] than in the control group [(34.2 +/- 12.7) months, P < 0.01]. In the experimental group 35 patients didn't reach the endpoint at the 48th month, accounting for 45.45%, while 24 patients didn't reach the endpoint in the control group, accounting for 32.00%, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). The b value was -0.00258 +/- 0.00132 in the experimental group and -0.00386 +/- 0.00167 in the control group. The absolute value of the slope rate was obviously smaller in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.01). The 48-month blood pressure was obviously lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The 24-h urinary protein at the 12th, 24th, 36th, and 48th month were obviously lower in the experimental group than in the control group at the same time point (P < 0.05). The plasma Alb was obviously higher in the experimental group than in the control group at the same time point with statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the Hb level between the two groups at each time point (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe course of CRF could be postponed by QG. Its mechanisms might possibly be correlated with lowering blood pressure, reducing the excretion of urinary protein, and increasing plasma Alb.

Adult ; Disease Progression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the treatment of supplementing qi, nourishing yin, and promoting blood flow (SQNYPBF) on the serum levels of CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6, as well as the expression of HLA-DR in the peripheral monocytes in septic patients suffering from stress-induced hyperglycemia.

METHODSIn the prospective randomized controlled study, eighty-five stress-induced hyperglycemia patients with sepsis were randomly assigned to the experimental group (45 cases) and the control group (40 cases). On the basis of routine therapies, including anti-infection, nutrition support, and the glucose control with insulin pump, patients in the experimental group additionally received the treatment of SQNYPBF (They were intravenously dripped with Shenmai Injection and Sulfotanshinone Sodium Injection, once daily, for 7 successive days). The serum levels of CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6 and the HLA-DR expression of the peripheral monocytes were detected using ELISA before treatment and on the 8th day of the treatment. The total dose and the duration of insulin used, the morbidity of hypoglycemia, the APACHE II scores, and the mortality within 28-day hospitalization were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total dose of insulin used, the duration of insulin used, the morbidity of hypoglycemia, the APACHE II score on the 8th day of treatment, and the mortality within 28-day hospitalization significantly decreased in the experimental group, when compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no difference in the expression of HLA-DR, the serum levels of CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-1, or IL-6 before treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment the serum levels of CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6 significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and the expression of HLA-DR significantly increased in the two groups (P < 0.05). Better effects were shown in the experimental group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSQNYPBF combined intensive insulin therapy could better improve the sepsis patients' immunity, decrease the plasma glucose level and duration, increase their survival rate, and improve their prognosis.

APACHE ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Female ; HLA-DR Antigens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Oxidative Stress ; Prospective Studies ; Sepsis ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the microbial changes on the greasy tongue coating of the patients with chronic gastritis and to explore the formation mechanism of greasy tongue coating.

METHODSForty cases of tongue coating samples from patients with chronic gastritis were collected, 20 cases of greasy fur (as the greasy fur group), 20 cases of non-greasy fur (as the non-greasy fur group), and 20 cases of tongue coating samples from healthy subjects (as the healthy control group). Using 16S rRNA gene denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) the microbial population of the tongue coating was detected. The DGGE fingerprint of the bacterium on the tongue coating was obtained. After digitalized principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS-DA) were performed.

RESULTSThe microorganism compositions are different in the greasy fur group, the non-greasy fur group, and the healthy control group. (1) There were five significantly different bands between the greasy fur group and the non-greasy fur group, with the accuracy of 97.5% in judging the model. There were 8 significantly different bands between the greasy fur group and the healthy control group, with the accuracy of 95.0% in judging the model. There was no obvious difference between the healthy control group and the non-greasy fur group. (2) The brightness of band 8 was higher in the greasy fur group than in the non-greasy fur group and the healthy control group. It may be a new species closely associated with the formation of greasy tongue coating. Results of the sequence showed its nearest neighbor was Moraxella catarrhalis, but with the similarity of 96.2%. The brightness of band 10 was sequenced as the healthy control group > the non-greasy fur group > the greasy fur group. Results of the sequence showed it had 100.0% similarity to Rothia mucilaginosa (stick-slip Ross strain).

CONCLUSIONSThe bacteria species on band 8 may have a close correlation with the formation of greasy fur of chronic gastritis, while the bacteria species on band 10 may have a close correlation with the formation of non-greasy fur. They indicated the microbial changes in the oral cavity may be one of the formation mechanisms for greasy tongue coating.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Electrophoresis ; Female ; Gastritis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; microbiology ; Peptide Mapping ; RNA, Bacterial ; analysis ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; analysis ; Tongue ; pathology ; Young Adult