BACKGROUND: At present, studies on repair of cartilage defect have been focused on tissue engineering technique. Growth factors are one of the most important parts. However, the effect and security of growth factors have not been confirmed. Studies have shown that Weilingxian can maintain and promote the synthesis of proteoglycan, collagen Ⅱof chondrocyte, and it also can promote proliferation of chondrocyte and expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 mRNA.OBJEGTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of injectable chitosan/β-glycerol phosphate (C/β-GP) encapsulating allograft chondrocytes on the repair of articular cartilage defects and the intervention effect and possible mechanisms of Weilingxian.METHODS: A 0.4-mm defect was established on knee articular cartilage. Expeirmental New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Weilingxian, common culture media, and model groups. In the common culture media group, the samples were treated with C/β-GP and chondrocyte suspension (1 mL); at 2 days after gel injection, Weilingxian or common culture media (1 mL) were respectively given into joint cavity, once a day, for 7 successive days. The samples in the model group were not treated. Gross, histological (HE staining, TB staining), type Ⅱ collagen immunohistochemical, and Wakitani score examinations were performed on 6 and 12 weeks after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Defects of articular surface were well filled in Weilingxian and common culture media groups, and hyaline cartilage-like structure was formed. The surface flatness and degree of integration with surrounding tissue of Weilingxian group was better than common culture media group. Formation of cartilage-like and secretion of cartilage matrix and specificity of collagen type Ⅱ were found in histological slices. Defects in the model group were not repaired, while tissue proliferative degeneration was observed. Integration of.repair tissue with surrounding tissue, histology and amount of type Ⅱ collagen secretion in Weilingxian group were better than common culture media group. Wakitani scores of Weilingxian group and common culture media group were significantly lower than model group (P < 0.01), andscores of Weilingxian group was significantly lower than common culture media group (P<0.05). Injectable chitosan/β-glycerolphosphate gel encapsulating allograft chondrocytes could repair articular cartilage defects, and Weilingxian was able to promote the process of it, this manifested the role like growth factor in tissue engineering technique repairing articular cartilage defects.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that Weilingxian can maintain and promote the synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen Ⅱ of chondrocyte,and protect artlcular cartilage and postpone the development of osteoarthdtis by inhibiting the level of intedeukin-1(1L-1)possibly.OBJECTIVE:Based on the previous studies,to observe the effect of Weilingxian on the proliferation of rabbit knee articular chondrocyte and transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA expression,and then to explore the role and possible mechanism of Weilingxian in the treatment of osteoarthdtis.METHODS:Knee cartilage was shredded after harvested from New Zealand white rabbits under sterile conditions,and chondrocytes were isolated and cultured by the way Of enzymatic digestion.After identifying by toluidine blue staining,the third-passage calls in the logarithmic growth phase were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into two groups after adherence.The experimental groups were cultured in DMEM with 0.01,0.05,0.1,0.5,and 1.0 mg/mL Weilingxian,while the control group was given with normal medium alone.Chondrecytes morphology was observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope,and the phenotype was identified by toluidine blue staining;Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium(MTT)assay method was adopted to observe the influenca of Weilingxian with difierent concentrations on the proliferation of chondrocytes,and anti-transcription-polymerase chain-type reaction(RT-PCR)was used to assay the expression changes of transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA.RESULTS AND CONCLUSlON:Primary cultured chondrocyte was round-shaped,and most of It adhered after 24 hours,the appearance was polygonal and irregular-shaped;after passage,cell growth was faster than before,the typical appearance was slabstone-like;long spindle-shaped chondrocytes appeared after four generations;after six generations,most cells showed long spindle-shaped fibroblast-like appearance,the rate of growth also slowed down.Extracellular matrix of chondrocytes was stained to be blue by toluidine blue staining,and the nucleus was dark blue.Different concentrations of Weilingxian could promote the proliferation of chondrocytes,effect of 0.5 mg/mL group was significantly,and the peak of proliferation was on the third day.0.05,0.1,0.5,and 1.0 mg/mL Weilingxian group could promote the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA.and there was no significant difference between four groups(P＞0.05),but the peak was at 0.5 mg/mL group.Weilingxian can promote proliferation of chondrocyte and transfonlling growth factor-β1 mRNA expression,and these may be one of the possible mechanisms that Weilingxian can work in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

AIM: To examine the effect of traditional chinese medicine recipe, Taoren Honghua(semen persicae-flos carthami) decoction, on hyperlipidemia without symptom. METHODS: The plasma TC, TG, LDL, HDL, apolipoprotein(Apo) A, Apo B of the patients with hyperlipidemia without symptom were measured using automatic analyzer (shimadiu CL-7200), the production of nitric oxide(NO) was detected by Greiss reaction, and SOD activity and MDA formation were examined using o-trihydroxy benzene and barbituric methotheds, respectively. RESULTS: After oral administration of Taoren Honghua decoction, the plasma levels of TC, TG, LDL, and MDA of the patients were markedly decreased, however, the plasma levels of ApoA, HDL, SOD and NO were significantly increased and almost no change was detected in the plasma level of Apo B. In control group, it was found that although the plasma level of TC, TG and LDL were decreased ( P