OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Astragali Radix on the denervated tibial muscle atrophy in rats, and discuss its mechanism.

METHODTotally 60 SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley rats were selected in the common peroneal nerve crush model, and then randomly divided into 6 groups: Astragali Radix high-dose, medium-dose, low-dose groups, the Mecobalamin group, the model group, and the sham operation group. They were administered with drugs after the operation. At 18 d, the pathological section staining and morphological analysis were performed. The wet-weight ratio and section area of tibial muscles were also measured. The real-time fluorescence quantification was adopted to detect the differential expression between Angptl4 and PI3K genes.

RESULT(1) Wet-weight ratio: The wet-weight ratio in Astragali Radix high-dose, medium-dose groups was much higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) Section area: The sham operation group was higher, with regular morphology; Whereas the model group showed significant decrease, with chaotic structure and obvious connective tissue proliferation; Astragali Radix groups and the mecobalamin group showed relatively small section areas, with chaotic structure and unobvious connective tissue proliferation. Compared with the model group, Astragali Radix groups showed significant increase (P < 0.01). (3) Motor end plate: The sham operation group was in uniform brownish black color and oval or round shape; Astragali Radix medium-dose and high-dose group and the mecobalamin group showed rough line edges; Astragali Radix medium-dose and low-dose groups and the model group showed decline in the number, with irregular morphology, rough line edges and a light color. (4) Angptl4 and PI3K: Compared with the model group, the Astragali Radix high-dose group showed significant increase (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAstragali Radix has a significant effect in preventing and treating denervated tibial muscle atrophy. It may delay the muscle atrophy by increasing Angptl4 and PI3K gene expressions.

Angiopoietin-like 4 Protein ; Angiopoietins ; genetics ; Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Muscular Atrophy ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia

Chinese herbal nature combination (CHNC) is the particular combination of nature, taste and channel tropism, which can be used to express the effect of Chinese herbal medicine in the clinical application concisely. The complex system model for the relationship between CHNC and viscera was constructed in this paper based on the thinking model of viscera theory. The model is able to reveal the functional features of CHNC. The model will promote research on the relationship between CHNC and viscera and provide new ideas for clinical applications of CHNC.

The severity of ischemic brain injury was closely associated with the mortality and disability of stroke. How to limit ischemic brain injm-y to the greatest extent and promote the recovery of neurological function is one of the most concerned hotspots at present in the field of neuroscience. A large number of studies have shown that a variety of factors involve in the pathological process of ischemic brain injury, in which, the role of T lymphocyte-mediated immune inflammatory response in ischemic brain injury has received increasing attention. This article mainly reviews the role of T cells in ischemic brain injury.

Objective To study the efficacy of complement depletion with CVF in preventing a-cute rejection after heart allotransplantation in inbred strain rats. Methods Inbred male Lewis rats were used as recipients and Brown-Norway rats as donors, and the heterotopic heart transplantation model was established. The allografts were divided into 2 groups (n=8 in each group). After infusing low-dose CVF 20?g/kg to the CVF-treated group, cardiac allograft survival time was observed on 4 rats of each group. The remaining 4 rats in each group were killed respectively at day 1,3,5 and 6, the pathological grade for acute rejection, the complement activity in serum, the deposition of C3 on tissue, and the extent of infiltration by CD3+ T cells were compared. Results The mean survival time of heart allograft was (11. 69?0. 72) days and (6. 65?0. 35) days in CVF-treated group and control group respectively (P

Objective To investigate clinical and pathological characteristics of acquired digital fibrokeratoma (ADF).Methods Clinical data were collected from 12 patients with ADF,and their clinical manifestations,histopathological features,treatment and prognosis were analyzed retrospectively.Results The mean age at onset of ADF was 39.75 ± 17.69 years (range,17-64.5 years),and the average disease duration was 4.83 ± 5.77 years (range,0.5-20 years).The ratio of male to female was 1.4:1.Most skin.lesions were polymorphic,and mainly involved fingers,toes and nail grooves.Sometimes non-extremity sites are also involved.Histopathological examination of skin lesions showed epidermal hyperkeratosis,acanthosis and broadened dendroid rete ridges.The dermis consisted of mature collagen bundles,fibroblasts and a large number of dilated capillaries.The characteristic manifestation was that most collagen bundles were vertical to the epidermis.Conclusions ADF,a rare benign fibrous tumor with unknown etiology,usually occurs in adults as a solitary lesion on fingers or toes,sometimes in non-extremity sites.Surgery and laser therapy are common treatments for ADF with low recurrence rate.

Objective To investigate whether N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) signal pathway is involved in platelet-activating factor(PAF)-induced apoptosis in neurons.Methods Mice cortex neurons were treated by PAF in different dose for 24 hours or pretreated by a PAF receptor antagonist BN52021, an NMDA receptor antagonist MK801 and a nitric oxide synthase(NOS) inhibitor L-NAME for 30 min. Then the neurons were stained by propidium iodide(PI)/calcein AM and the images were taken by a digital camera on a fluorescent microscope. Neuron death ratio(%) was calculated. In the mean time, neuron NOS(nNOS) expression of the cells was detected by Western Blot method, as well as nNOS activity was measured by 3H radioimmunoassay.Results (1)Neuronal death increased after neurons were treated with 0.01, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 ?mol/L PAF 24 h. There were signifitantly changed in 0.3 ?mol/L and 0.6?mol/L comparing control. (2)PAF-induced neurotoxicity was prevented not only by BN5021, but also by MK-801 or L-NAME. (3)PAF enhanced nNOS expression and activity in neurons.Conclusion NMDA signal pathway is involved in platelet-activating factor-induced neurotoxicity.

To study the chemical constituents from the roots of Chirita longgangensis var. hongyao. The methanol extract was isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by MS and spectral data (1H, 13C-NMR). Seven compounds were isolated and identified as plantainoside A (1), plantainoside B (2), calcedarioside C (3), calcedarioside D (4), platyphylloside (5), hirsutanonol (6), and hirsutanonol-5-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7). Compounds 5-7 were isolated for the first time from the family Gesneriaceae.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Tracheophyta ; chemistry

To study the chemical constituents of the methanol portion of the stem of Illicium henryi. The methanol portion was isolated and purified by HP-20, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by MS and spectral data(1H, 13C-NMR). Five compounds were isolated from the methanol portion and identified as benzyloxy-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 4-hydroxy-phenethyl alcohol-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3-methoxyl-4-hydroxyl-phenpropanol-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), 3-methoxyl-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (4), and 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-benzoic acid methyl ester (5). All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Illicium ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Klinefelter Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male