The effects of Rikkunshi-to (Liu jun zi tang), Hochu-ekki-to (Bu zhong yi qi tang), and Hange-shashin-to (Ban xia xie xin tang) on morphological changes in the small intestinal mucosa of mice with age were observed. The results indicated that Rikkunshi-to and Hochu-ekki-to had a beneficial effect on intestinal mucosal changes in 36-weeks-old mice. In particular, the improvement of the absorptive area of the intestinal villi and microvilli depending on the concentration of medicine was found. Ninjin-yoei-to had a strong effect on aged mice of 50 and 70 weeks. The morphology and absorptive function were significantly improved.

The hematological effects of Sokeikakketsu-to, Yokuinin-to, Keisi-ka-jutsubsu-to, Eppi-ka-jutsu-to, and Sairei-to observed on the AA rats were investigated. The time course of blood count and albumin, sialic acid and acid-soluble glycoprotein in the serum whs. were measured. Sokeikakketsu-to had the strongest anti-inflammatory effect on the improvement of Inflammatory Index Substances, platelets, and the Arthritis Score for changes in synovitis. Yokuinin-to was also effective. When these Kampo medicines were administered in the early stages of AA, Sokeikakketsu-to improved the AA signficantly. The results may suggest that Sokeikakketsu-to works for the control of autoimmunity. On the other hand, Keisi-ka-jutsubu-to aggravated the AA when it was administered in the early stages of the AA.

Rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA rats) show obvious inhibition of the local inflammation when steroids (DXM) are administered. But the contraction of thymic or adrenal atrophy, spleen hypertrophy, and reduction of activity of serum dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV are recognized. In rats where Sokei-kakketsu-to or Yokuinin-to was administered, prominent anti-inflammatory effects like dexamethasone were not found; however the contraction of thymic or adrenal atrophy, spleen hypertrophy, and reduction of activity of serum dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV was not recognized. In addition, after withdrawal of drugs, rebound in regional joints did not occurr as with steroids, and the reducing effect for arthrocele was prolonged. Therefore, it was concluded that those two formulations have an effect on the immune system —with anti-inflammatory effects for AA rats— and these action mechanisms are different from that of steroids (DXM).

The injury of intestinal mucosa of mice with zinc-deficiency was inhibited by the Chinese herbal medicine (_??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??__??_), while the concentration of serum zinc in zinc deficient mice was not increased after administrations of the Chinese herbal medicine.

The Chinese herbal medicine (_??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??__??_) suppressed the injury of intestinal mucosa in mice with excess zinc administrations. The increase of serum zinc concentration with excess zinc administrations was also inhibited by administrations of the Chinese herbal medicine.

Introduction : Catheter which strays in the ascending lumbar vein during femoral vein catheterization can cause complications such as retroperitoneal hematoma. However, not much is known of this phenomenon.
Methods : We retrospectively studied 107 patients who had indwelling femoral vein catheter in our hospital between March 2013 and April 2011.
Results : The catheter went straying in the ascending lumbar vein 11/110 times (10.0%) , 5/34 times (14.7%) on the left side, and 6/76 times (7.9%) on the right side. The possibility of the catheter straying was maximum when the catheter was displaced laterally or raised sharply towards the caudal side, as seen through abdominal radiographic examination.
Conclusion : Femoral central venous catheter misplacement in the ascending lumbar veins is fairly common. Tests such as additional abdominal CT or radiographs should be conducted if misplacement is suspected.