AIM: The work was designed to explore protective effects of a traditional Chinese medicine-sini decoction (SD) on liver in hemorrhagic shock and its mechanism relating to oxygen free radical and nitric oxide. METHODS: Anesthetized Wistar rats were subjected to a hemorrhagic shock protocol for 60 min followed by intravenous injection with normal sodium chloride solution or SD solution. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in liver were examined. The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined immunohistochemically. RT-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)was used to assay the mRNA, which were corresponding to eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) and iNOS. RESULTS: The activity of SOD decreased, while the concentration of MDA increased in liver during hemorrhagic shock. SD enhanced SOD activity and inhibited a increase in MDA level in liver ( P

AIM: To observe the effects of Sini decoction on atherosclerosis(AS) and ceramide content of aorta in rabbits. METHODS: 28 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Control group was fed with a normal diet; High cholesterol group was fed 1% cholesterol and 5% fat diet; Sini decotion+ high cholesterol group was fed 1% cholesterol and 5% fat diet plus Sini decotion (4.2 g?kg -1 ?d -1 ). At the end of study, the plaque area were measured, the atorta ceramide and cell apoptosis were also detected. RESULTS: Sini decotion diminished lipid plaque area on the aortic endothelium, reduced the levels of aorta ceramide and the apoptosis index. CONCLUSION: Sini decoction has an inhibitory effect on AS, the mechanism may be that Sini decotion reduces concentration of ceramide in aorta.

AIM: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of irbesartan,one of the angiotensin Ⅱreceptor blockers,on kidney function in diabetic rats. METHODS: Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group,diabetes group,irbesartan group and captopril group. At the end of 12 weeks,the rats were sacrificed. Urine volume,body weight,kidney weight/body weight,plasma,glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c),urinary ?_2-microglobulin (?_2-MG) excretion,urinary albumin excretion rate (UAR),creatinine clearance (Ccr) were measured. Nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in plasma,urinary and renal tissues were determined. RESULTS: Urine volume,kidney weight/body weight,plasma glucose,HbA1C,UAR,Ccr,urinary ?_2-MG excretion,NO and ET-1 levels of urinary,blood and renal tissue in diabetic rats were significantly higher than those of normal controls ( P