Objective To evaluate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST-36) and Neiguan (PC6) acupoints on endotoxic shock (ES)-induced myocardial injury in rabbits and the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).Methods Sixty healthy male New Zealand white rabbits,aged 2 months,weighing 1.5-2.0 kg,were randomly assigned into 6 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S) ; heme oxygenase-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin-Ⅸ (ZnPP-Ⅸ) group (group Z) ; group ES; EA + ES group (group EES); sham EA + ES group (group SEES); EA + ES + ZnPP-Ⅸ group (group EESZ).The rabbits were anesthetized with intravenous 20％ urethane 5 ml/kg.Right common carotid artery was cannulated for BP monitoring.Ear vein was cannulated for drug administration.ES was induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 5 mg/kg injected intravenously in ES,EES,SEES and EESZ groups,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in S and Z groups.ES was confirmed by decrease in MAP to 75 ％ of the baseline value.ZnPP-Ⅸ 10 μmol/kg (in 1 ml of NaHCO3 50 mmol/L) was injected intraperitoneally at 2 h after LPS or normal saline administration in EESZ and Z groups,while the equal volume of NaHCO3 was injected intraperitoneally in the other groups.In EES and EESZ groups,bilateral 30 min EA stimulation (0.2-0.6 ms,2/100 Hz,2-3 mA) of ST36 and PC6 was performed once a day on days 1-4 before induction of ES and on the day of induction of ES (from the onset of LPS injection until the end of induction of ES).In SEES group,electro-stimulation was performed at the points 0.5 cm lateral to the acupoints of ST36 and PC6 and the method was similar to those previously described in group EES.Blood samples were taken from the right common carotid artery at 6 h after LPS or normal saline administration for measurement of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),creatine kinase (CK),and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels.Then the rabbits were sacrificed by exsanguination,and the myocardial tissues were removed for microscopic examination of the pathological changes which were scored and for determination of HO-1 protein (by Western blot) and mRNA (using fluorescence quantitative PCR) expression.Results Compared with group S,the pathological scores and concentrations of serum TNF-α,CK,and LDH were significantly increased,and the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in ES,EES,SEES and EESZ groups (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group Z (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group ES,the pathological scores and concentrations of serum TNF-α,CK,and LDH were significantly decreased,and the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in group EES (P ＜ 0.05),while no significant change in the parameters mentioned above was found in SEES and EESZ groups (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group EES,the pathological scores and concentrations of serum TNF-α,CK,and LDH were significantly increased,and the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated in group EESZ (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion EA at ST-36 and PC6 acupoints can attenuate ES-induced myocardial injury in rabbits and upregulation of HO-1 expression and inhibition of inflammatory responses may be involved in the mechanism.

OBJECTIVETo study the impacts of electroacupuncture (EA) on memory impairment after cerebral infarction through the observation of hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of brain tissue metabolites in the patients of cerebral infarction.

METHODSSixty cases of memory impairment after cerebral infarction were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The conventional rehabilitation training and medication were applied to all the patients. In the observation group, beside the basic treatment, EA was applied to bilateral Ezhongxian (MS 1), Dingzhongxian (MS 5), Dingniehouxiexian (MS 7), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36), Taixi (KI 3), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Fengchi (GB 20). The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks. The clinical memory scale was used for the score evaluation before and after treatment in all the patients. The magnetic resonance image (MRI) and 1H-MRS scanning were applied to the head. The ratio of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and creatine (Cr) and the ratio of choline (Cho) and Cr were determined in the foci of cerebral infarction.

RESULTSEight weeks later, the scores of clinical memory scale were all increased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two group (all P<0. 01). The ratio of NAA and Cr was increased as compared with that before treatment (P<0. 05); the ratio of Cho and Cr was reduced as compared with that before treatment (P<0. 05). The changes in the observation group were more obvious than those in the control group (all P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of the conventional medication and rehabilitation training, EA improves the metabolism of brain tissue and memory function of the patients. The efficacy of this therapy is better than that of medication combined with rehabilitation training.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebral Infarction ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Memory ; Memory Disorders ; etiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

Particulate matter is one of the important factors that have adverse effects on human health. It is generally known that the fine particles are more toxic than coarse ones, but some researchers have different opinion. Based on the analysis of the opinions, the factors that may influence the adverse effects of particulate matter on human health, including surface characteristics and adsorbed components, were discussed in the present paper. This paper will be helpful for the assessment of the toxicity of particulate matter.

Objective To evaluate the effects of acupuncture of acupoints selected on postsurgical gastrointestinal dysfunction in the patients undergoing non-gastrointestinal abdominal surgery.Methods A total of 160 patients of both sexes,aged 18-64 yr,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,scheduled for elective non-gastrointestinal abdominal surgery under general anesthesia,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =40 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),common acupuncture group (group CA),acupuncture of acupoints selected group (group SA),and acupuncture of non-acupoint group (group NA).Acupuncture was performed at 30 min before induction of anesthesia in CA,SA and NA groups.Group CA received acupuncture at bilateral Taichong and Neiguan acupoints,group SA at bilateral Zusanli and Hegu acupoints,and group NA at the points 1 cm lateral to the acupoints of Zusanli and Hegu once every 30 min until the end of surgery.The time when the patients passed flatus,defecating time,and recovery time of bowel sounds were recorded after surgery.The occurrence of nausea and vomiting was recorded within 1 day after surgery.The electrogastrogram (EGG)was performed at 1 day before surgery and 2 days after surgery,and the frequency,amplitude and rhythm of EGG were recorded.At 1 day before and after surgery,the levels of plasma motilin and gastrin were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The recovery of postsurgical gastrointestinal function was assessed,and the recovery rate was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the incidence of postsurgical nausea and vomiting was significantly decreased,the time when the patients passed flatus,defecating time,and recovery time of bowel sounds after surgery were significantly shortened,the recovery rate was significantly increased,the frequency,amplitude and rhythm of EGG were significantly increased at 2 days after surgery,and the levels of plasma motilin and gastrin were significantly increased at 1 day after surgery in CA and SA groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group CA,the incidence of postsurgical nausea and vomiting was significandy decreased,the time when the patients passed flatus,defecating time,and recovery time of bowel sounds after surgery were significantly shortened,the recovery rate was significantly increased,the frequency,amplitude and rhythm of EGG were significantly increased at 2 days after surgery,and the levels of plasma motilin and gastrin were significantly increased at 1 day after surgery in group SA (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture of acupoints selected provides better efficacy than common acupuncture in improving postsurgical gastrointestinal dysfunction in the patients undergoing nongastrointestinal abdominal surgery.

Objective To study the effects of sesamin on lipid metabolism disorders in hyperlipidemia rats. Methods The hyperlipidemia SD rat models were established with high-fat diet. These rats had been interfered by sesamin for seven weeks, and then had their levels of serum lipids, antioxidant enzymes and peroxidation products determined. The morphological changes in their livers were observed. Results Sesamin could reduce the hyperlipidemia rats' serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels, and properly increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A contents (P<0.05). It also reduced the rats' free radical metabolites in serum MDA contents, raised the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and enhanced the body's capacity of inhibiting hydroxyl free radicals (P<0.05). Sesamin of high, medium and low dosage had different effects in relieving liver steatosis of the hyperlipidemia rats. Conclusion Sesamin can regulate lipid metabolism of hyperlipidemia rats, alleviate oxidative stress of the body, and improve liver steatosis.

PRL-3, belonging to the family of protein tyrosine phosphatase, has been found to be high expressed in colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer and melanoma.It also has been reported that PRL-3 plays an important role in the progression of tumor.With the distinction of PRL-3 in tumor progression, especially in the metastatic tumor, there are more and more researches about the regulating mechanism of PRL-3.This paper reviews the development of signaling pathway of PRL-3.

Objective To study the effect of sesamin on glucose metabolism in hyperlipidemia rats. Method The hyperlipidemia SD rats were established by high lipid diet. These rats were intervened by sesamin for 7 w,and then their serum lipids were determined. Fasting blood glucose (FBS),glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c),insulin,and the pathological changes of pancreas were observed. Results Sesamin could reduce serum TC,TG,LDL-C,apoB and insulin levels,appropriately increase HDL-C and apoA contents (P

Objective To determine whether rapid and delayed tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia can be induced by pretreatment with single electroacupuncture (EA) at the Baihui acupoint in rats. Methods Forty-eight healthy male SD rats weighing 280-320 g were randomly divided into 6 equal groups with 8 animals in each group: (1) control group received no pretreatment before focal cerebral ischemia; (2) electroacupuncture group was further divided into 5 groups in which EA was performed at Baihui acupoint and electric stimulation was maintained for30min0.5 h(EAl),1 h(EA2),2 h(EA3),3 h(EA4) or 24 h(EA5) before focal cerebral ischemia. The animals were anesthetized with isoflurane and spontaneous respiration was maintained. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed using a nylon thread with a rounded tip inserted into internal carotid artery and thread cranially until resistance was felt. MCAO was maintained for 2 h, then the nylon thread was withdrawn to allow reperfusion . After MCAO the animals were observed for 24 h for neurological deficits which were assessed by a 0-5 grade scoring system (0 = no deficit, 5 = death) . The animals were then sacrificed and brain was immediately removed for estimation for the size of cerebral infarction. Results There were significantly less neurological deficits and the size of infarction was smaller in group EA3 and EA5 than those in control group. There were no significant differences in neurological deficits and size of infarction between group EA1,EA2,EA4 and control group. Conclusion Pretreatment with single electroacupuncture stimulation for 30 min at Baihui acupoint can induce rapid and delayed tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia. Rapid tolerance develops 2 h after pretreatment while delayed tolerance develops 24 h after pretreatment.

Objective To provide suggestions for the safety management of printing inks and the establishment of food safety standard for food contact materials.Methods The laws,regulations and directives related to printing inks from different countries were collected and the differences among different management models were analyzed and compared.Results The safety management models of European Union,Switzerland,Germany,US and Japan were generalized and their experiences in the management measures of printing inks were summarized.Conclusion Safety standard of printing inks for food contact materials should be established on the basis of industry status and the various safety risks of different inks.Management experiences of other countries should be considered and the participation of industry associations should be encouraged.