Objective To observe the effect of Shenqichongcao capsule on oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Selected 30 COPD patients from treatment group and control group respectively.Pre- and post treatment,the changes of points of Syndromes and their SOD,LPO and NO of patients were observed and compared with normal group.Results The level of SOD and LPO of COPD patients were lower than normal group with shenqichongcao capsule.There was significant difference before and after treatment (P＜0.01).The control group had no significant difference.Conclusion The effect of Shenqichongcao capsule on the free radical injury in patients with COPD had some improving effect.

Objective To study the mechanism of different forms of ST-segment elevation in acute myocardial infarction(AMI),and to investigate the distribution of its traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)syndrome types.Methods Two hundred and twelve hospitalized AMI patients with ST-segment elevation from March of 2015 to July of 2017 were divided into group A and group B.Group A had 102 cases with the elevation of concavity of STsegment,and group B had 110 cases with the elevation of arch of ST-segment.The correlation of ST-segment elevation in different forms with TCM syndrome types was analyzed.Results (1) Patients of group B were usually male,young and middle-aged,with or without short-term medical history of coronary heart disease,and coronary angiography results indicated the stenosis or occlusion of the vessels without collateral circulation.Patients in group A were usually female,aged,with medical history of coronary heart disease,and coronary angiography results indicated the existence of collateral circulation.(2) Group A was dominated by Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome,and the frequency of its syndrome types was in decreasing sequence:Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome,Qi-yin deficiency syndrome,heat-toxicity and blood-stasis syndrome,phlegm blended with bloodstasis syndrome,syndrome of cold stagnation in heart vessels.Group B was dominated by heat-toxicity and bloodstasis syndrome,and the frequency of its syndrome types was in decreasing sequence:heat-toxicity and bloodstasis syndrome,Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome,Qi-yin deficiency syndrome,syndrome of cold stagnation in heart vessels,phlegm blended with blood-stasis syndrome.The difference of the distribution of syndrome types was significant between the two groups (P ＜ 0.01).(3) In respect of the differentiation of deficiency and excess syndromes,group A was dominated by deficiency interweaved with excess syndrome,while group B was dominated by excess syndrome.The difference of the distribution of deficiency and excess syndrome was significant between the two groups (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion AMI patients with different forms of ST-segment elevation have different TCM syndrome types.The investigation results will provide a new vision for the clinical trial of AMI treated with Chinese medicine integrated with western medicine,and will supply evidence for the syndrome differentiation and treatment of AMI patients with different forms of ST-segment elevation,which will contribute to enhancing clinical efficacy,saving life and improving prognosis.

Aim To observe the anti-apoptotic effect of different concentrations of amygdalin on the endplate chondrocytes induced by IL-1 βderived from rat inter-vertebral discs and explore the possible mechanism fur-ther.Methods Chondrocytes were obtained from endplate of one-month SD rat intervertebral discs and cultured primary chondrocytes.After identifying,they were divided into normal group,induced group and A-mygdalin 1 0 -2 mol·L -1 ,1 0 -3 mol·L -1 ,1 0 -4 mol· L -1 ,1 0 -5 mol · L -1 administration group.Then the apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry (FCM).Re-al-Time PCR was adopted to detect the mRNA expres-sion of Bax and Bcl-2.The protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was detected by Western blot.Results The apoptosis of the endplate chondrocytes induced by IL-1 βderived from rat intervertebral discs could be inhib-ited by amygdalin with different concentrations.Amyg-dalin could reduce the apoptotic rate analysed by FCM,down-regulate the Bax mRNA expression of Bax and up-regulate the Bcl-2 mRNA assayed by RT-PCR;compared with the induced group the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05).Besides,observa-tion of the protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 by Western blot found that amygdalin 1 0 -4 mol · L -1 could inhibit the effect of IL-1 β,which could increase the protein expression of Bax and reduce the protein expression of Bcl-2.Conclusion Amygdalin has an effect on anti-apoptosis of the end-plate chondrocytes induced by IL-1 βderived from rat intervertebral discs and improve the degeneration of intervertebral discs.

Aim To observe the effects and mechanism of safflor yellow on the experimental acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) model rats. Methods AMI model rats were induced by isoproterenol (10 mg?kg-1). The changes of indexes on hemodynamics such as MBP, LVSP, LVEDP and ?dp/dt_ max,the coronary artery flux(CF) and myocardia O_2 comption(MVO_2) in AMI model rats were observed respectively. Results The CF and MVO_2 in the heart muscle increased and decreased respectively the indexes of hemodynamics were improved in safflor yellow groups. Conclusion The results indicate that safflor yellow can inhibit the failure of heart function induced by AMI, increase the coronary artery flux and decrease MVO_2 significantly.

AIM The preventive effects of safflor yefflor (SY) on myocardium injury of myocardium ischemic reperfusion (I/R) was studied. METHODS The contents of MDA activity of SOD,as well as the activity of creatine phospho kinase(CK) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were determined in rat models injured by I/R. RESULTS SY could reduce the activities of CK and LDH ,decrease the the content of MDA in plasmo, and increase the activities of SOD. CONCLUSION SY may obviously prevent the rat I/R model which may be related to its anti lipoperoxidation.

The effect of amygdalin joint hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on the endplate chondrocytes derived from intervertebral discs of rats induced by IL-1beta and the possible mechanism were studied and explored. Chondrocytes were obtained from endplate of one-month SD rat intervertebral discs and cultured primary endplate chondrocytes. After identification, they were divided into normal group, induced group, amygdalin group, HSYA group and combined group. CCK-8 kit was adopted to detect the proliferation of the endplate chondrocytes. FCM was measured to detect the apoptosis. Real-time PCR method was adopted to observe the mRNA expression of Aggrecan, Col 2 alpha1, Col 10 alpha1, MMP-13 and the inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta. The protein expression of Col II, Col X was tested through immunofluorescence. Compared with the normal group, the proliferation of the endplate chondrocytes decreased while the apoptosis increased (P < 0.05). With down regulation of the mRNA expressions of Aggrecan, Col 2 alpha1 and up regulation of the mRNA expressions of Col 10 alpha1, MMP-13, IL-1beta (P < 0.05), the protein expression of Col II decreased while the protein expression of Col X increased. Compared with the induced group, amygdalin group, HSYA group, the combined group could inhibit the apoptosis and promote the proliferation (P < 0.05). They could increase the mRNA expressions of Aggrecan and Col 2 alpha1 while decrease the mRNA expressions of Col 10 alpha1, MMP-13 and IL-1beta (P < 0.05). They could also enhance the protein expression of Col II while reduce the protein expression of Col X. The effect of the combined group was significantly better than that of amygdalin and HSYA. Amygdalin joint HSYA could inhibit the degeneration of the endplate chondrocytes derived from intervertebral discs of rats induced by IL-1beta and better than the single use of amygdalin or HSYA.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of selective inhibitor of caspase-1 VX-765 on cognitive function in a rat model of hemorrhage shock and resuscitation (HSR).Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 350-400 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), HSR group (H group), VX-765 group (V group), and solvent control group (C group). The rats in H, V and C groups were subjected to hemorrhage by bleeding from femoral vein to achieve mean arterial pressure of 25-35 mmHg which was maintained at this level for 60 min followed by resuscitation with shed blood within 15 min to restore blood pressure, and normal saline was infused when needed.VX-765 1 mg/kg and 0.4% polyethylene glycol 1 mg/kg were intravenously injected via the femoral vein immediately after the end of resuscitation in V and C groups, respectively.Six rats in each group were selected and sacrificed at 12 h after the end of resuscitation, and the cerebral cortex was removed for determination of neuronal pyroptosis (by immunofluorescence) and degree of cortical edema (using T2-weighted imaging). Cognitive function was measured by open field test on day 7 after resuscitation in the rest 6 rats in each group. Results:Compared with S group, the pyroptosis rate in cortical neurons at 12 h after resuscitation and degree of cortical edema were significantly increased, the distance in the central square and the number of standing on the back legs were decreased on day 7 after resuscitation, and the time spent in the central square was shortened in H, V and C groups ( P<0.05). Compared with H and C groups, the pyroptosis rate in cortical neurons at 12 h after resuscitation and degree of cortical edema were significantly decreased, the distance in the central square and the number of standing on the back legs were increased on day 7 after resuscitation, and the time spent in the central square was prolonged in V group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:VX-765 can improve the cognitive function, and the mechanism may be associated with inhibiting pyroptosis in cortical neurons in a rat model of HSR.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of exogenous carbon monoxide (CO) on cell apoptosis during acute renal injury induced by hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR) in rats.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 350-400 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) by a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), HSR group (H group), HSR plus CORM-3 group (HC group) and HSR plus iCORM-3 group (HiC group). Mean arterial pressure was maintained at 30-35 mmHg for 45 min by withdrawing blood from the femoral vein, and the shed blood was re-transfused within 15 min to reach the initial blood pressure for resuscitation.Normal saline was infused when necessary, and the model of HSR was established.CORM-3 4 mg/kg and iCORM-3 4 mg/kg were added during resuscitation in HC group and HiC group, respectively.Only femoral vein and artery puncture was performed in S group.Blood samples were obtained from the tail vein at 3 h after resuscitation for measurement of serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Scr) concentrations.Rats were sacrificed at 12 h after resuscitation, and renal tissues were obtained for determination of the expression of Bcl-2 and Bak protein and cleaved caspase-3 (by Western blot) and cell apoptosis (by TUNEL). The damage to the renal tubules was assessed by paller assay after HE staining.Bcl-2/Bak ratio and apoptosis rate were calculated. Results:Compared with group S, the serum BUN and Scr concentrations, paller scores, and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, Bcl-2/Bak ratio was decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated in H, HC and HiC groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group H, the serum BUN and Scr concentrations, paller scores, and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased, Bcl-2/Bak ratio was increased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was down-regulated in group HC ( P<0.05). Compared with group HC, the serum BUN and Scr concentrations, paller scores, and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, Bcl-2/Bak ratio was decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated in group HiC ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the indexes mentioned above between group H and group HiC ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which exogenous CO improves acute kidney injury may be related to inhibiting cell apoptosis in a rat model of HSR.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3) on blood transfusion-related acute lung injury in rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods:Seventy-two clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 300-350 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=18 each) using the random number table method: sham operation group (group S), TBI group (T group), TBI plus 10 ml/kg plasma transfusion group (TP group), and TBI plus 10 ml/kg plasma transfusion plus CORM-3 group (TPC group). TBI was induced by dropping a 20-g weight from 20 cm height falling freely in anesthetized rats.Plasma 10 ml/kg was infused via the femoral vein after TBI in TP and TPC groups.The rats were sacrificed at 24 h after plasma transfusion, and lung tissues were obtained for determination of wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio, cell apoptosis, and expression of caspase-3, Bid, Bim and Puma (by Western blot). The lung injury score was calculated using the results of HE staining.Lung ultrasonography was performed for assessment of sonographic score, and the apoptosis rate was calculated by the TUNEL staining method. Results:Compared with S group, the W/D ratio, lung injury score, sonographic score and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, and the expression of activated caspase-3, Bid, Bim and Puma was up-regulated in the other three groups ( P<0.05). Compared with T group, the W/D ratio, lung injury score, sonographic score and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, and the expression of activated caspase-3, Bid, Bim and Puma was up-regulated in TP group ( P<0.05). Compared with TP group, the W/D ratio, lung injury score, sonographic score and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased, and the expression of activated caspase-3, Bid, Bim and Puma was down-regulated in TPC group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CORM-3 can reduce acute lung injury related to blood transfusion in rats with TBI, and the mechanism may be related to inhibiting cell apoptosis in lung tissues.

Objective:To evaluate the role of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway in carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3)-induced reduction of hepatocyte pyroptosis and apoptosis in a rat model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-11 weeks, weighing 320-380 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group), CORM-3 group (C group) and STING agonist ADU-S100 group (A group).Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury models were developed by reversible ligation of left middle hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct branches for 45 min, followed by reperfusion in anesthetized animals in IR, C and A groups.In group C, CORM-3 4 mg/kg was injected into the femoral vein immediately after reperfusion.The equal volume of normal saline containing dimethyl sulfoxide was injected into the femoral vein in S, IR and A groups.At 1.5 h after injection into the femoral vein, ADU-S100 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in A group, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S, IR and C groups.The serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) concentrations were determined at 3 h of reperfusion.The rats were sacrificed at 12 h of reperfusion, and liver tissues were collected for determination of the content of CO (by colorimetry), expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-18, Bcl-2, Bax, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), phosphorylated IRF3 (p-IRF3), STING, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), aspirin D (GSDMD) and activated caspase-1 (by Western blot), and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes (by immunofluorescence staining).The liver injury was scored. Results:Compared with group S, the serum ALT and AST concentrations, liver injury score, CO content, and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes were significantly increased, and the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, p-IRF3, STING, NLRP3, GSDMD and activated caspase-1 was up-regulated, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was decreased in group IR ( P<0.05).Compared with group IR, the serum ALT and AST concentrations, liver injury score, and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes were significantly decreased, the CO content was increased, the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, p-IRF3, STING, NLRP3, GSDMD and activated caspase-1 was down-regulated, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased in group C ( P<0.05).Compared with group C, the serum ALT and AST concentrations, liver injury score, and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes were significantly increased, the CO content was decreased, the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, p-IRF3, STING, NLRP3, GSDMD and activated caspase-1 was up-regulated, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was decreased in group A ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which CORM-3 attenuates hepatocyte pyroptosis and apoptosis may be related to the inhibition of activation of STING signaling pathway in a rat model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.