Objective:To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at acupoints Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on the levels of estradiol (E2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in serum, as well as the expression of BDNF in hippocampus in chronic depression rat models. Methods:Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, including a normal control (NC) group, a model group and an EA group, 10 rats in each group. The depression model was established by using chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS), such as cold-water swimming, tail clamping, electric shock to foot, etc., combined with individual caging for 21 d. Rats in the model group and EA group were randomly exposed to one of the 9 stressors each day and caged individually. After modeling, rats in the EA group were then treated with EA at Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) once daily for 14 d, and the model group was not treated with EA but bounded in the same way as the EA group. Serum E2 was measured by radioimmunoassay and BDNF was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the expression of BDNF in hippocampus was detected by using immunohistochemistry. Results:After the stress stimulation, compared with the NC group, the model group and EA group showed a significant reduction of sucrose preference rate (P<0.01) and remarkable increase of forced-swimming immobility time (P<0.01). In addition, EA significantly reduced the depression-like behavior of rats in the EA group (P<0.01). The expressions of E2 and BDNF in serum as well as the expression of BDNF in hippocampus were remarkably lower in the model rats than those in the NC group (P<0.01,P<0.01,P<0.05). The expression of BDNF in rats’ serum and hippocampus in the EA group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05), while serum E2 increased but insignificantly (P>0.05). Conclusion:E2 and BDNF may contribute to the depression-like behaviors of the rats during CUMS period. EA may exert its anti-depression effects through promoting BDNF expression in serum and hippocampus.

Objective To investigate the effects of aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy(ALA-PDT) on chicken combs, an animal model for port wine stains (PWS), and to explore the feasibility of PWS treatment with ALA-PDT. Methods A total of 80 leghorns were randomly and equally divided into 10 groups: blank control group receiving no treatment, ALA group treated with ALA alone, four single laser groups irradiated with 630-nm red laser at 75, 100, 150 and 200 J/cm2 respectively, four ALA-PDT groups pretreated with ALA followed by 630-nm red laser radiation at 75, 100, 150 and 200 J/cm2 respectively. An area sized 1 cm × 1 cm were marked at one side of combs in all these leghorns, and served as the experiment area to receive corresponding treatment, with that in the other side as the control area. Tissue specimens were obtained on the 14th and 28th days after treatment followed by the observation of morphological and histological changes, calculation of decrement rate in capillary number, and determination of apoptosis index in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) in chicken combs. Results In all the four ALA-PDT groups, the combs became lighter in color with apoptosis of some VECs as well as a decrease in capillary count and diameter in the dermis of the experiment areas. The decrement rate in capillary number was 33.53% ± 4.89%, 52.02% ± 2.77%, 67.48% ± 5.58%and 88.96% ± 2.47% respectively, and apoptosis index in VECs was 63.44 ± 1.09, 88.50 ± 6.11, 94.32 ± 3.67 and 113.76 ± 10.57 respectively, in the 75-, 100-, 150- and 200-J/cm2 ALA-PDT groups on the 14th day after treatment, and both the decrement rate and apoptosis index in each of these groups were significantly different from those in the blank control group, ALA group, single laser groups receiving red laser radiation at the corresponding dose, and the other ALA-PDT groups (all P < 0.01)separately. The apoptosis depth of VECs, defined as the vertical distance from the basal layer to the deepest level at which VEC apoptosis occurred, was 201.19 ± 0.33 μm, 266.15 ± 1.02 μm, 546.09 ± 2.45 μm and 766.37 ± 1.08 μm respectively in the 75-, 100-, 150- and 200-J/cm2 ALA-PDT groups on the 14th day, with significant differences between these four groups (all P < 0.01). Conclusions ALA-PDT can markedly damage capillaries in the animal model of port wine stains, chicken combs, with the degree and depth of capillary damage associated with red light energy density. The induction of VEC apoptosis may be an action mechanism of ALA-PDT in the treatment of PWS.

AIM:To set up the quality standard for Fuyang Jiedu Granules(Radix Sutellariae,Herba Scute-(llariae) Barbatae,Herba Epimedii,etc.). METHODS: Radix Scutellariae,Herba Scutellariae Barbatae and Herba Epimedii in preparation were identified by TLC.The content of baicalin was determined by HPLC on Agilent Eclipse XBD-C_(18) column. The mobile phase was methanol-phosphoric-water(47∶53∶0.2).The detection wavelength was at 280 nm. A Shim-pack VP-ODS column was used to determine icariin.The mobile phase consisted of 0.32% phosphoric acid-acetonitrile(75∶25).The detection wavelength was 270 nm. RESULTS: The spot on the thin layer plate was clear.The negative contral was not disturbed.The linear range of baicalin was in the range 0.122 12 ?g to 0.606 ?g.The average recovery was 99.59% with RSD of 2.16%.The linearity range of icariin was in the range 0.201 6 ?g-1.008 ?g.The average recovery was 99.49% with RSD of 1.31%.(CONCLUSION:) The methods are specific,simple,fast and accurate,and can be used for quality control of Fuyang Jiedu Granules.

Objective To study the role of 1,4,5-trisphosphate inositol(IP3) and bax gene expression in inhibiting transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma of nude mice by quercetin.Methods After animals with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with quercetin 1mg/kg/d(ip)for 3 weeks,the volume and weight of tumor was measured,and IP3,Bax mRNA,and Bax protein were assayed by IP3- Birtrak assay,RT-PCR,and Western blotting,respectively;and compard with coutrol group.Results The tumor volume and weight of animals treated with quercetin were lower than those of control[(15.8?10.1) mm3 vs.(52.3?26.5 mm3;(44.8?10.4) mg vs.(91.3?31.4) mg],IP3 content was lower than that of control[(15.9?2.8)pmol/mg protein vs(35.3?6.6)pmol/mg protein],Bax mRNA expression was not significantly different between the 2 groups[RI which was the gray degree multiply area of bax / the gray degree multiply area of ?-actin(0.64?0.12) vs.(0.56?0.15)],Bax mRNA expression was higher in group treated with quercetin than that of control[(3.16?0.95) vs.(1.37?0.48)].Conclusions Quercetin can inhibit growth of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma of nude mice by reducing IP3 production and bax protein expression.

OBJECTIVE:To provide practical standard for sampling the crude drugs.METHODS:To look up and analyse the relevent literature to the subject.RESULTS:The condition of sampling the cruds drugs for research reflected by literature is confused without standard given.CONCLUSION:It is a practical way to pay attention to the growing area,the channel to be obtained and authentication and analysis of crude drugs in research to control the quality.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM) is a type of primary cardiomyopathy caused by diabetes, changing in the structure and function of the myocardium, which is distinguished from secondaiy cardiomyopathy resulted from coronary atherosclerosis, hypertension, and viruses. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt is an important signal transduction pathway in human body involved in the growth and reproduction of body. Regulatory factors of the PDK/Akt signaling pathway include silencing information regulator 1, homologous phosphatase-tensin, glycogen synthase kinase 3(3 and the rapamycin target protein. The role of PDK/Akt signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of DCM includes regulating blood sugar level, regulating lipid metabolism, protecting endothelial cells, reducing inflammatory response , improving cardiac function, resisting fibrosis, and regulating myocardial apoptosis. The development of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway inhibitors provides the possibility for PDK-Akt pathway targeted therapy. This article reviews the progression of the PDK/Akt pathway in DCM.

Objective To study the anti-apoptotic effects of Levodopa on osteonecrosis of the femoral head induced by methylprednisolone (MPS).Methods Forty-four rabbits were randomly divided in to 3 groups.The model group (n=15) was injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS,10 μg/kg) and then MPS (20 mg/kg) was given 3 times with 24 h interval.The treatment group (n=1 5) was firstly treated by the same methods as the model group,then was administered Levodopa (0.4 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) orally after the last injection of MPS.The control group (n=14) was injected with sodium chloride alone.On the 6th and 8th week after modeling,radiography and MR images were taken in 7 rabbits of each group,specimens taken from the femoral heads were observed by HE stain and TUNEL analysis was made.Blood samples were taken for detection of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the 8th week.Results On the 6th and 8th week,the average percentage of empty osteocyte lacunae in the treatment group (13.33‰±3.06‰,25.97‰±6.29‰) was significantly lower than that of the model group (21.44‰±4.77‰,33.86‰±8.38‰,P<0.01),and the average apoptosis index in the treatment group (74.93‰±14.32‰,120.67‰±13.13‰) was significantly lower than that of the model group (102.56‰±18.96‰,202.02‰±18.99‰.,P<0.01).On the 8th week,the level of IGF-1 in the treatment group was (14.78±2.37)ng/ml,which was higher than that of the model group obviously (10.12±2.49)ng/ml(P<0.01).Conclusion The Levodopa can decrease apoptosis of osteocytes and effectively prevent the progress of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Nephritis ; chemically induced ; prevention & control