Toll-like receptors ( TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors, which exist in both cell membrane and cytoplasm, and participate in inflammatory reactions. Some studies have shown that TLR2/4-NF-κB signal pathways mediated by TLR2 and TLR4 could regulate the production of inflammatory factor IL-1β, which played an important role in the attack of gouty arthritis. The article focused on the pathogenesis of gouty arthritis, discussed the structure and distribution of TLRs, the ligands and its mediated signal pathways, the validity in the treatment of gouty arthritis using the signal pathways as the target points and the relationship between the signal pathways and gouty arthritis, and reviewed the research progress in Chinese medicines using the signal pathways as the guidance.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of polysaccharides of Radix scrophulariae on immune function in mice under nor-mal physiological and hypoimmunical state. METHODS:80 mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group,treat-ment high-dose,medium-dose,low-dose groups and physiological high-dose,medium-dose,low-dose groups,10 in each group. Mice in normal group and model group were received distilled water (10 mL/kg) intragastrically,treatment high-dose,medi-um-dose,low-dose groups and physiological high-dose,medium-dose,low-dose groups were administrated 0.16,0.08,0.04 g/kg drug,ig,once a day,for 7 d. From the third day,mice in model group and treatment high-dose,medium-dose,low-dose groups were respectively received cyclophosphamide(100 mg/kg),ip,for 4 d to induce hypoimmunical model. Carbon clearance test was adopted to determine the carbon clearance indexes and organs(chest,spleen)indexes of mice. Another 80 mice were grouped with the same administration,serum half hemolytic value (HC50) was determined after compressed Mianyang red blood cell sensitiza-tion. Then another 80 mice were grouped with the same administration,1% dinitrofluorobenzene method was used to induce de-layed hypersensitivity in mice;its ear swelling was determined,as well as IL-2,IL-4,immunoglobulin G(IgG),immunoglobulin M(IgM),γ-interferon(IFN-γ)contents in serum,and the proliferation in vitro of splenic lymphocytes were detected. RESULTS:High-dose polysaccharides can promote the increasing of immune organ and carbon clearance indexes(P<0.05);enhance the inten-sity of delayed type hypersensitivity (HC50 increasing)(P<0.01) and improve the decreasing of serum hemolysin in model mice (P<0.01);promote the splenic lymphocytes proliferation and increase IL-2,IL-4,IgG,IgM,IFN-γ contents in serum(P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Polysaccharides can enhance the immune function in mice under normal physiological and hypoim-munical state induced by cyclophosphamide.

Objective To study the feasibility of rat models of renal edema based on disease combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome yin-deficiency and yang-deficiency types .Methods Gastric gavage of thyroxine and tail vein injection of Adriamycin were performed to induce a rat model of kidney Yin deficiency edema , and intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone and tail vein injection of Adriamycin were used to establish a rat model of kidney Yang deficiency edema .The 24 h urine protein content , triiodothyronine ( T3 ) , thyroxine ( T4 ) , cyclic adenosine monophosphate ( cAMP ) , cyclic guanosine monophosphate ( cGMP ) , estradiol ( E2 ) and testosterone ( T ) and other indicators were assayed to determine whether the rat models were successfully established .Result The rats of Yin deficiency edema group had clinical presentation such as hyperactivity , hair loss, dry stool, weight loss and temperature rise.Compared with the blank group , T3, T4, cAMP, E2, and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly increased , cGMP and T content decreased , and cAMP/cGMP ratio was significantly increased , showing significant differences ( P<0.05 for all).The Yang deficiency edema animals displayed reduced activity , diarrhea, decreased body weight and body temperature, and other signs of disease.Compared with the blank group, T3, T4, cAMP, and E2 contents were significantly decreased , cGMP, T, and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly increased , and cAMP/cGMP ratio decreased , showing significant differences ( P <0.05 for all ) .Conclusions The rat model of renal edema disease combined with TCM syndrome yin-deficiency was successfully induced by thyroxine in combination with Adriamycin , and the rat model of renal edema based on disease combined with TCM syndrome yang-deficiency is successfully established by administration of hydrocortisone plus Adriamycin .These two rat models demonstrate similar clinical manifestations of human renal edema based on disease combined with TCM syndrome yin-deficiency and yang-deficiency, respectively, therefore, may serve as useful tools for further research on this disease .

The purpose of our research was to evaluate the protective effect of the effective part of Acanthopanacis senticosus (AS) on the damage of PC12 cells induced by MPP+, an in vitro cell model for Parkinson's disease. Cell viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by MPP' were assayed by MTT and flow cytometry respectively in the presence or absence of the effective part of AS. The contents of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by UV spectrophotometer. Our study showed that the survival rate of PC12 cells was markedly increased while cell apoptosis was decreased in the range of 200 to 400 mg x L(-1) of the effective part of AS. The contents of LDH, NO, NOS, MDA were reduced. Our experimental results indicated that the effective part of AS had the protective effect on the damage of PC12 cells induced by MPP+. The underlying mechanisms might be the combination of reduction of LDH leakage and decreases in the contents of NO, NOS and MDA, and finally prevent the apoptosis in PC12 cells and increase the cell survival rate.
1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ; toxicity ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Araliaceae ; chemistry ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; PC12 Cells ; Parkinson Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of hospitalization rates and in-hospital mortality for coronary heart disease (CHD) in Beijing from 2007-2012.

METHODSPatients hospitalized for CHD in Beijing from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2012 were identified from"The Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System in Beijing". In total, 421 929 patients aged ≥25 years of permanent Beijing residents were admitted for CHD in Beijing during the 6 years. After excluding duplicate records and validation for the completeness and accuracy of the records, the hospitalization rates for CHD and in-hospital CHD mortality were analyzed. Trends in hospitalization rates and the in-hospital mortality for CHD were analyzed with Poisson regression models.

RESULTSThe age-standardized average hospitalization rate of CHD was 515.3 per 100 000 population in patients aged ≥25 years in Beijing. During the six years, an increasing trend was observed in the hospitalization rates for CHD after adjusting the age and gender (P<0.001). The age-standardized hospitalization rates of CHD increased by 43.0% in the past six years. The greatest increases of hospitalization rates were noted in both men and women between 45 to 54 years. The age-standardized in-hospital mortality decreased from 3.3% to 2.2% over the time (P<0.001), with a in-hospital mortality reduction for acute myocardial infarction from 11.3% to 8.5%.

CONCLUSIONSAn increasing trend in hospitalization rate was observed during 2007-2012 for Beijing residents aged ≥25 years, indicating an urgent need in CHD prevention in Beijing. The in-hospital mortality reduction during this period might reflect the improvement in the in-hospital treatment modalities of CHD.

Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization ; Hospitals ; Humans