OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Shenqi Fuzheng injection on the expression of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in congestive heart failure model rats.METHODS: The experimental rats were randomly divided into 6 groups,i.e.normal group,model group,captopril(10 mg?kg-1)group,Shenqi Fuzheng injection low dosage(2 mL)group,Shenqi Fuzheng injection medium dosage(4 mL)group,and Shenqi Fuzheng injection high dosage(6 mL)group.All except the normal group were intraperitoneally injected with adriamycin on the first experimental day.After drug intervention for 8 weeks,the rats were anesthetized and sacrificed,with heart specimen sampled rapidly for pathological examination and semi-quantitative analysis of myocardial MMP-3 and TIMP-1 mRNA by RT-PCR method.RESULTS:In the model group compared with the normal group,MMP-3 mRNA were significantly increased(P

AIM: To explore the effects of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt on interleukin (IL)-6, the endothelin (ET)-1-mediated process of airway fibroblast activation induced by injured human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE). METHODS: Human primary cultured airway fibroblasts were co-cultured with HBE pre-treated with or without poly-L-arginine (PLA). The procedure was also performed in the presence or absence of p38 MAPK selective inhibitor SB203580, PI3K selective inhibitor LY294002 or ETA receptor blocker BQ123, respectively. Immunostaining, Western blotting or ELISA were used for detecting α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, the activities of p38 MAPK and Akt in fibroblasts or IL-6 levels in supernatants of fibroblasts. In addition, fibroblasts were mixed with soluble collagen and cultured with HBE treated as the same mentioned above, the gel contraction was measured by serial area measurements. RESULTS: ET-1 and IL-6 levels [(13.69±1.36) ng/L, (56.7±10.7) ng/L] in the supernatants of fibroblasts cultured with injured HBE were significantly higher than those in the supernatants of fibroblasts cultured with HBE [(3.79±0.64) ng/L, (15.5±3.2) ng/L]. BQ123, SB203580 or LY294002 decreased IL-6 levels [(27.2±3.1) ng/L, (31.5±3.6) ng/L, (41.3±3.2) ng/L] differently in the supernatants of fibroblasts induced by injured HBE. Activation of p38 MAPK preceded Akt in fibroblasts cultured with injured HBE. BQ123 reduced the phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK and Akt. SB203580 concentration-dependently attenuated Akt phosphorylation, while LY294002 had little effect on p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Fibroblasts expressed more α-SMA after cultured with injured HBE and showed significant increase in the gel contraction compared to fibroblasts cultured with HBE [percentage of gel contraction: (61.2±2.7)% vs (15.4±7.3)%], all these effects were diminished or inhibited by BQ123, SB203580 or LY294002. Furthermore, the effects of BQ123 and SB203580 on decreased gel contraction were stronger than the effect of LY294002. CONCLUSION: ET-1 exerts a key role in the airway fibroblasts activation induced by injured HBE through activating p38 MAPK, PI3K/Akt signaling and promoting IL-6 expression.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the safety of acyclovir in the treatment of liver-transplanted children with EB-viremia. METHODS:Retrospectively analysis was conducted for the general information of 10 liver-transplanted children with EB-viremia, preoperative donor and recipient EBV infection and treatment,tacrolimus dose and plasma concentration before and after interven-tion,platelets,serum creatinine and white blood cell levels before and after treatment,and the recurrence were followed-up. RE-SULTS:Biliary atresia was the primary disease for all the children,EB virus polymerase chain reaction(EBV-PCR)was positive, and there was no routine testing for donor HBV infection;6 cases reduced the tacrolimus dose,4 remained unchanged,and 9 cas-es of plasma concentrations reduced after intervention,9 were negative and 2 recoveried. There were no significant differences in the platelets,serum creatinine and white blood cells before and after treatment(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Acyclovir can be used in the treatment of liver-transplanted children with EB-viremia,with good safety.

Objective To explore the treatment effect of human growth factor (NGF) on vascular dementia. Method 47 cases with vascular dementia were randomly divided into two groups (study and control). The study group (24 cases) were treated with NGF, the control group (23 cases) were treated with ordinary medicines.Results The intelligence and cognitive ability in the study group were obviously higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion Compared with other methods, NGF has a significant curative effect.

AIM: To investigate the effect of puerarin on diabetic myocardial damage and to explore its possible mechanisms in rats. METHODS: The male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, diabetic group, high dose puerarin (160 mg/kg), middle dose puerarin (120 mg/kg), low dose puerarin (80 mg/kg) treatment groups and aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg) treatment group. Corresponding drugs were intraperitoneally injected once a day. The animals in normal control group and diabetic group were given equal propylene glycol. 12 weeks later, the rats were sacrificed and their cardiac muscles were collected. Myocardial structure was observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM). The blood glucose concentration and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), Ca~(2+)-ATPase, Na~+-K~+-ATPase and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in myocardial homogenate were measured biochemically. In addition, the mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) and aldose reductase (AR) in myocardial tissues were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: It is observed that the myofibrils were diminished, broken or fused, some lipid droplets deposited in the cytoplasm of cardiocytes and part of cristae of mitochondria were broken or disappeared under TEM in diabetic group. The activities of SOD, Ca~(2+)-ATPase, Na~+-K~+-ATPase as well as the mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ and GLUT-4 decreased significantly (all P<0.01). The blood glucose concentration and the MDA level and the AR mRNA expression increased obviously (all P<0.01) in diabetic group as compared to those in normal control group. How-ever, in puerarin treatment groups, the above changes were reversed, a significant differences of those were found as compared to those in diabetic group (P<0.05 or P<0.01, respectively). The pathological change of cardiac muscles was relieved. It showed that myofibrils were well-arranged and only few lipid droplets deposited in the cytoplasm of cardiocytes and most mitochondria had clear and regular cristae under TEM in puerarin treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Puerarin exerts preventive and remedial effects on the diabetic myocardium, which may be related to up-regulating the mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ and GLUT-4, promoting glucose uptake and relieving oxidative stress damage.

AIM: To investigative the inhibitory effects of Paecilomyces cicadae polysaccharide (PcPS) against HBV in vitro, and the effects on the Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA expression in HepG2.2.15 cell strain. METHODS: HepG2.2.15 cell strain was co-cultured in vitro with PcPS in different concentrations, and lamivudine (LMV) was applied as positive control. MTT assay was employed to detect the cytotoxicities of PcPS in vitro, when the HepG2.2.15 cells was used as target cells. The effects of PcPS on the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg were assayed by ELISA method. Fluorescence quantitative-PCR (FQ-PCR) was used to detect the inhibitory effects of PcPS on the content of HBV-DNA and TLR4 mRNA in HepG2.2.15 cells. RESULTS: The inhibitory effects of PcPS on the HBsAg and HBeAg were observed and the maximum inhibitory ratio up to 44.8% and 31.0%, respectively. The same inhibitory effects of PcPS on the HBV-DNA replication and TLR4 mRNA expression in HepG2.2.15 cells were also found. CONCLUSION: A certain concentration of PcPS significantly inhibits HBV replication in vitro.

Objective To investigate the influence of simvastatin on inflammatory indices in nasal lavage,sputum and blood and clinical index in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Methods Thirty-seven stable COPD patients were randomly divided into simvastatin-treatment group (n=17),orally given simvastatin tablets for 4 weeks in addition to basic therapy,40 mg,qd) and control group (n=20),given usual med-ication). Total cell counts,percentage of leukocytes (N%) and levels of interleukin IL-8,IL-6 in nasal lavage and sputum at pre-post-treatment were compared;Serum C-reactive protein (CRP),total cholesterol (TC),low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) as well as IL-8,IL-6 concentrations were measured,the variation of lung function,Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 20(SNOT-20) and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ) score were analyzed. Results After the treatment,the nasal lavage and sputum total cell counts,N%,IL-8 and IL-6 levels[nasal lavage: (0.7±0.3)×107/L,(41.1±10.9)%,(105.8±74.5) ng/L,(3.8±1.6) ng/L;sputum: (0.8±0.3)×109/L,(56.6±9.6) %,(2565.5±831.9) ng/L,(109.8±42.3) ng/L] dropped slightly in the simvastatin group com-pared with that at pretreatment [nasal lavage: (0.8±0.3)×107/L,(43.2±10.8) %,(107.6±86.3) ng/L,(4.1±1.9)ng/L;sputum: (0.8±0.3)×109/L,(58.1±9.3)% ,(2659.4±885.2) ng/L,(111.8±46.6) ng/L] (P>0.05) ;There were significant decreases in serum CRP [(4.3±3.7) mg/L vs (2.6±1.8) mg/L],IL-6 [(4.8±2.0)ng/L vs(4.7±1.9)ng/L] ,TC[(4.2±1.0) mmol/L vs(3.7±0.8)mmol/L] ,LDL-C[(2.4±0.5) mmol/L vs (2.2±0.5)mmol/L] (P>0.05) ;IL-8 concentrations in serum were lower gently[(6.2±1.8) ng/L vs (6.4±1.9) ng/L] (P>0.05). Significant change of simvastatin treatment on SGRQ was only reflected in the symp-tom score [pre-post-treatment:39.6±10. 8 vs 32.3±11.6,P<0.05,respectively],while other observation items (SNOT-20,FEV1%,FEV1/FVC) changed not notably (P>0.05). No marked changes in inflammatory markers and quality of life scores,lung function were observed in control group (P>0.05). Conclusion Simvastatin may be as-sociated with the potential to alleviate systemic inflammation and relieve symptoms in COPD patients.

Objective: To apply fuzzy clustering analysis to determination of 10 inorganic elements and Cu/Zn ratio in 13 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine cured for vascular disease. Methods: By FAAS (flame atomic absorption spectrometry) sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, chromium, nickel, manganese, copper and zinc were determined. By range analysis, correlation coefficients and relative fuzzy matrix were calculated.Results: Correlation coeffieients ? were mostly in the range of 0.55～0.80, especially ?=0.95 between Buzhangnaoxintong Capsule and Xinbao Pill. Conclusion: On condition that trace and macro elements are relatively rich and clustering correlation coefficients are larger, therapentic effects among traditional Chinese medicines cured for vascular disease are also similar. This suggests that trace elements, macro elements and Cu/Zn ratio have much to do with therapeutic effect.

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the extraction technology of pueraria, ophiopogonis, and loquat leaf. METHODS: Orthogonal test was carried out. The influence of concentration of solvent, the dosage of solvent, time length of extraction, and frequency of extraction on extraction results were investigated by using the content of pueraria as index. RESULTS: The optimal extraction technique was to extract pueraria in 60% alcohol 8 times the weight of herbal medicine for 3 times, with 60 minute for each time. CONCLUSION: High yield of extractum and high content of pueraria are obtained with the present technology. The results are stable and replicable, which can provide reference for preparation of Huanglian powder.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Compound Rhizoma Coptidis capsule (CRCC) on hemorheology and blood lipid in rats with diabetes mellitus(DM). METHODS: DM model was induced by alloxan. The effects of CRCC on hemorheology and blood lipid in DM rats were observed. RESULTS: The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), lipoprotein, the whole blood viscosity, the whole blood reductive viscosity, aggregation index (AI), rigidity index (IR), distortion deformation transformation index (TK) and fibrinogen (Fib) were all increased by CRCC, while the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) was increased. CONCLUSION: CRCC can significantly improve the abnormalities in hemorheology and lipid metabolism in DM rats.