OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Bushen Yanggan Recipe (BSYGR) on the function and morphology of nigrostriatal system in Parkinsonian model rats with long-term levodopa treatment.

METHODSUnilateral Parkinsonian rat models were established by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and ventral segmental area (VTA). Animals were randomly divided into four groups, the sham control group, model control group, levodopa group and levodopa plus BSYGR group. The content of striatal dopa (DA), digydroxy-phenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanilic acid (HVA) or the THmRNA expression level in the midbrain were measured.

RESULTS(1) Levels of striatal DA, DOPAC, HVA, DOPAC/DA, HVA/DA decreased in the model control group by about 90% as compared with those in sham control group (P < 0.05). These parameters in the levodopa group were higher than those in the sham control group, while in the levodopa plus BSYGR group, they were lower than those in the levodopa group (P < 0.01), approaching the levels in the sham control group (P > 0.05). (2) Striatal TH activity in the model group was lower than that in the sham control group significantly, but higher than that in the levodopa group, while in the levodopa plus BSYGR group, it showed a level obviously higher than that in the levodopa group (P < 0.05). (3) Levodopa plus BSYGR group had a higher midbrain THmRNA expression level than that in the levodopa group.

CONCLUSIONBSYGR could effectively reduce the side effects resulting from the long-term treatment of levodopa.

Animals ; Corpus Striatum ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Levodopa ; pharmacology ; Male ; Parkinson Disease ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shenmai Injection (SMI) and aminophylline on small airway smooth muscle cell (SASMC) apoptosis and the Fas/FasL expression in the papain induced emphysema model rats.

METHODSEmphysema model in rat was established by a single intratracheal instillation of papain. Apoptosis and Fas/FasL expression of SASMC were examined by immunohistochemical SABC and TUNEL assay at 1, 3, 5, 7, 15 and 30 days after modelling, and the effect of SMI and aminophylline on them were observed.

RESULTSFas, FasL expressions in normal SASMC were very low with a positive rate of (2.31 +/- 0.05)% and (1.28 +/- 0.47)% respectively. After papain instillation, the positive rates increased along with the prolonging of instillation time. SMI showed an inhibition on SASMC Fas and FasL expression but aminophylline didn't show. SASMC apoptosis was very low in normal rats with a rate of (0.87 +/- 0.32)%, it also raised after papain instillation and increased progressively along with the instillation time. SMI treatment could lower the apoptosis rate but aminophylline couldn't.

CONCLUSIONFas and FasL participated the SASMC apoptosis modulation in emphysema formation. SMI shows a definite treatment effect on emphysema by influencing the Fas and FasL protein expression and reducing SASMC apoptosis through inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediator.

Aminophylline ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bronchi ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cells, Cultured ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Emphysema ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; Female ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth ; cytology ; metabolism ; Neuropeptides ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Papain ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; fas Receptor

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of Zhongfeng No. II Oral Liquid (ZF II) in treating acute cerebral infarction (CI).

METHODSRandomly controlled clinical study was conducted in 160 patients with CI, they were treated with ZF II plus western medicine (treated group) and western medicine alone (control group) respectively. The animal model of CI was made by unilaterally common carotid artery ligation in 45 Mongolian gerbil, and they were divided into the model group, the normal saline group and ZF II group.

RESULTSZF II could improve the TCM Syndrome, neuro-function and cerebral blood circulation in CI patients. Experimental study showed that ZF II could significantly inhibit the release of glutamic acid in 6 hrs (P < 0.05), maintain the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione, and scavenge the free radicals effectively.

CONCLUSIONZF II could improve the function of brain tissue, and is worth developing and applying in treating CI.

Administration, Oral ; Aged ; Animals ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gerbillinae ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the essence of Spleen-Kidney Deficiency in middle-aged patients.

METHODSInvestigation was carried out in 773 cases of 50-69 years old to assay 34 parameters in them, including blood lipid, oxidation and anti-oxidation related substance, sex hormone, liver and renal function, immune function, blood routine, blood pressure and lung vital capacity, etc.

RESULTSSpleen Deficiency Syndrome is closely related with lipid metabolism disorder; Kidney-Qi Deficiency Syndrome is closely related with hypoimmune function; Kidney-Yin Deficiency Syndrome is closely related with lipid metabolism disorder and hypertension, and Kidney Yang Deficiency is closely related with weakness of anti-oxidation capacity, hypoimmunity, the internal environment disorder of sex hormone and aging, manifested as multiple functions abating.

CONCLUSIONSpleen Deficiency, Kidney-Qi Deficiency and Kidney Yang Deficiency are different layers of a gradually developed and aggravated pathological process, but Kidney-Yin Deficiency could not be listed into this layer.

Aged ; Aging ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Splenic Diseases ; blood ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Yang Deficiency ; blood ; Yin Deficiency ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Colquhounia root tablet (CRT) in treating nephrotic syndrome with sequential lipid metabolism disorder (NS-LMD).

METHODSThe 96 patients with NS-LMD were randomly divided into two groups, the 60 cases in the treated group treated with CRT and the 36 cases in the control group treated with hormone or cytotoxic medicine. The curative effect and the related indexes were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter six months treatment, the general effective rate in the treated group was 88. 33%, which was markedly higher than that in the control group (69.44%, P < 0.05). The levels of the treated group in ameliorating lipid metabolism disorder and renal dysfunction were also higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCRT could improve NS-LMD, improve renal function, eliminate urinary protein and increase plasma albumin. It is highly effective with low toxicity and safe.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of Salvia Injection (SI) in treating primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) in children.

METHODSForty-four PNS children were randomly divided into conventional steroid treated group (20 cases) and conventional plus SI intervention treated group (24 cases), the levels of serum endothelin (ET), soluable interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were observed.

RESULTSBefore treatment, plasma ET and sIL-2R in PNS children were higher than those in healthy children significantly (P < 0.01). After treatment, the ET and sIL-2R levels were all obviously improved in both treated groups (P < 0.05) and the improvement in the conventional plus SI intervention treated group was more obvious, the difference between the two treated groups after treatment was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONConventional treatment supplemented with SI could more effectively improve the levels of plasma ET and SIL-2R in treating PNS children, and hence alleviate the damage of renal tissue.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelins ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Bushen Huayu Composite (BSHY) on interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion and IL-2 receptor expression in the aged.

METHODSIL-2 was examined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method and IL-2 dependent cellular stains, IL-2 receptor expression was examined by FACS-indirect immunofluorescence.

RESULTSAging could result in the decrease in lymphocytic IL-2 secretion and IL-2 receptor expression (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), which could be improved by BSHY (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBSHY has significant up-regulatory effect on immune function of lymphocytes in the aged.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Aged ; Aging ; drug effects ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of puerarin in improving the insulin resistance (IR) and its closely related abnormal lipid and fibrinolytic activity in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODSSeventy-six patients with CHD were randomly divided into two groups, 40 in the puerarin group and 36 in the routine treated group. Puerarin 500 mg was given to the former in addition to routine therapy by adding to 250 ml of normal saline for intravenous dripping once a day with a therapeutic course of 3 weeks. The changes of fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting plasma insulin (FINS), plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C & HDL-C) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity were measured before and after treatment, and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) calculated. At the same time, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activity before and during venous occlusion test (VOT) was tested. Besides, 30 healthy subjects were taken as control.

RESULTSIn CHD patients, FINS, TC, TG, LDL-C and PAI-1 levels were higher and ISI, HDL-C and tPA before and during VOT were lower than those in the healthy controls. FINS and ISI correlated well with lipids and fibrinolytic abnormality. After puerarin treatment, FINS level lowered and ISI increased significantly (P < 0.01), while comparing with the routine group, TC, TG, LDL-C and PAI-1 were lower but HDL-C and tPA activity before and during VOT were higher in the puerarin group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that FINS was positively correlated with TC, TG, LDL-C and PAI-1 and negatively correlated with HDL-C, tPA before and during VOT; ISI was negatively correlated with TC, TG, LDL-C and PAI-1 and positively correlated with HDL-C and tPA before and during VOT in the puerarin group.

CONCLUSIONPuerarin could improve the IR, IR related lipid and fibrinolytic activity abnormality in CHD patients.

Aged ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Isoflavones ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; blood ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Jiangzhi Tiaoya Granule (JZTYG) in treating essential hypertension and its protection on function of vascular endothelial cells (VEC).

METHODSFifty-nine patients of essential hypertension divided into two groups were treated with JZTYG (the treated group) and Jinjia Yixintong (the control group) respectively. The changes of symptoms, signs, blood pressure, heart rate were observed and the levels of endothelin (ET), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) content were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTSThe total effective rates of JZTYG in lowering blood pressure and improving symptoms were both 90.0%, markedly effective rate in lowering blood pressure and improving symptoms was 36.7% and 60.0% respectively. The symptom improved in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). It also could reduce the plasma ET level (P < 0.05) and ET/CGRP ratio (P < 0.01), and increase the CGRP level (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONJZTYG has a promising clinical therapeutic effect in treating essential hypertension and is able to protect the VEC function.

Adult ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of Gandou Tablet I (GD I) on neurologic electrophysiology in patients of hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD).

METHODSVigilance-controlled electroencephalogram (VEEG), electromyogram (EMG) and brain-stem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) in 32 cases of HLD were examined before GD I treatment, and reexamined after 4 weeks of treatment in those with abnormal neurologic electrophysiology.

RESULTSAt the same time of clinical symptom improvement after treatment, the abnormal VEEG, EMG and BAEP also improved with the effective rate of 71.43%, 70% and 66.67% respectively, their constitutional ratio were different insignificantly, P > 0.05. The peak latency (PL) of III, V waves and interpeak latency (IPL) of I-III, III-V and I-V waves in patients before treatment were all greatly prolonged, compared with those in the healthy control group (P < 0.05 or 0.01), the IPL of III-V and I-V waves were markedly improved after treatment.

CONCLUSIONNeurologic electrophysiologic examination was valuable for complementary diagnosis and therapeutic effect evaluation of HLD. GD I could improve the abnormal neurologic electrophysiologic parameters.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Electroencephalography ; drug effects ; Electromyography ; drug effects ; Electrophysiology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; drug effects ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Tablets