Objective: To analyse the fatty acid and trace element composition and antioxidant capacity of Trionyx sinensis. [WT5FZ]Methods:[WT5BZ] We determined the contents of fatty acids and trace elements in Trionyx sinensis with gas chromatography and atomic absorption spectrometry respectively. The rats were fed on a diet containing 0.8% Trionyx sinensis powder. The activities of GSH Px and SOD in blood, SOD in liver, CAT in muscle and the contents of MDA in serum and liver were determined. [WT5FZ]Results:[WT5BZ] We found that the contents of MUFA, Zn and Se were higher in Trionyx sinensis. The activities of GSH Px and SOD in blood, SOD in liver, CAT in muscle were increased, but the contents of MDA in serum and liver were decreased in rats. [WT5FZ]Conclusion:[WT5BX] Trionyx sinensis can increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes in rats and lower the content of lipid preoxides.

AIM: To determine whether triptolide induce apoptosis of synovial cells in collagen - induced arthritis(CIA) in rats. METHODS: The male Wistar rats were used to make CIA models by immunized with Bovine collagen Ⅱ ( BC Ⅱ )in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). A total of 20 CIA rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, triptolide group (10 rats) and CIA control group (10 rats). Triptolide group were administered with triptolide at 40 μg/kg body weight intramuscularly every three days. CIA control group andanother 10 age - matched normal rats were given normal saline instead. The rats were sacrificed on the 31st day after the triptolide administration. The pieces of synovium of the rat knee joints were harvested. The synovium was examined by HE staining and electron microscope. The apoptosis was tested by TUNEL and flow cytometer. RESULTS: The earlier phase of apoptotic synoviocytes were observed under the electron microscope. The flow cytometry showed that the percentage of the apoptotic cells was (3.98 ± 1.16)% in the triptolide group, (1.83 ± 0.82)% in the CIA control group, and (0.87 ±0.24)% in the normal group (P＜0.01: triptolide vs control group). While the percentage of the cells in DNA synthesis phase was (3.3± 1.2)% in the triptolide goup, (8.0± 1.4)% in the CIA control group, and (3.4 ± 0.7)% in the normal group.There is significantly different in the apoptosis changes between the triptolide group and the CIA control group ( P ＜ 0.01: triptolide vs CIA control group). The TUNEL labeling demonstrated that the percentage of the apoptotic cells was (4.5 ± 1.0)% in the triptolide group, (2.2 ± 1.0) % in the CIA control group, and ( 1.0 ± 0.4) % in the normal group. The difference of apoptotic rate between the triptolide group and the CIA control group is significant ( P ＜ 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that triptolide can induce apoptosis in CIA rats, which may be one of the mechanisms that triptolide treats the rheumatoid arthritis.

AIM: To determine whether triptolide induce apoptosis of synovial cells in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. METHODS: The male Wistar rats were used to make CIA models by immunized with Bovine collagen Ⅱ (BCⅡ) in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). A total of 20 CIA rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, triptolide group (10 rats) and CIA control group (10 rats). Triptolide group were administered with triptolide at 40 ?g/kg body weight intramuscularly every three days. CIA control group and another 10 age-matched normal rats were given normal saline instead. The rats were sacrificed on the 31st day after the triptolide administration. The pieces of synovium of the rat knee joints were harvested. The synovium was examined by HE staining and electron microscope. The apoptosis was tested by TUNEL and flow cytometer. RESULTS: The earlier phase of apoptotic synoviocytes were observed under the electron microscope. The flow cytometry showed that the percentage of the apoptotic cells was (3.98?1.16)% in the triptolide group, (1.83?0.82)% in the CIA control group, and (0.87?0.24)% in the normal group (P

The clinical effects of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in sperm parameter and on therapeutic results in assisted reproductive technology were investigated. 22 patients failed in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with idiopathic male infertility were treated with acupuncture twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by ICSI treatment again. The sperm concentration, motility, morphology, fertilization rates and embryo quality were observed. Quick sperm motility after acupuncture (18.3% +/- 9.6%) was significantly improved as compared with that before treatment (11.0% +/- 7.5%, P < 0.01). The normal sperm ratio was increased after acupuncture (21.1% +/- 10.4% vs 16.2% +/- 8.2%, P < 0.05). The fertilization rates after acupuncture (66.2%) were obviously higher than that before treatment (40.2%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in sperm concentration and general sperm motility between before and after acupuncture. The embryo quality after acupuncture was improved, but the difference between them was not significant (P > 0.05). Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and fertilization rates in assisted reproductive technology.
*Acupuncture Therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Infertility, Male/*therapy ; Semen ; *Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; *Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa/physiology

The clinical effects of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in sperm parameter and on therapeutic results in assisted reproductive technology were investigated. 22 patients failed in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with idiopathic male infertility were treated with acupuncture twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by ICSI treatment again. The sperm concentration, motility, morphology, fertilization rates and embryo quality were observed. Quick sperm motility after acupuncture (18.3% +/- 9.6%) was significantly improved as compared with that before treatment (11.0% +/- 7.5%, P < 0.01). The normal sperm ratio was increased after acupuncture (21.1% +/- 10.4% vs 16.2% +/- 8.2%, P < 0.05). The fertilization rates after acupuncture (66.2%) were obviously higher than that before treatment (40.2%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in sperm concentration and general sperm motility between before and after acupuncture. The embryo quality after acupuncture was improved, but the difference between them was not significant (P > 0.05). Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and fertilization rates in assisted reproductive technology.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Semen ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; physiology