AIM: To examine the effect of bacillus calmette-guerin (BCG) on experimental asthma in guinea pigs. METHODS: Guinea pigs were sensitized with BCG and then with ovalbumin (ip). Two weeks later, guinea pigs were challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) aerosol inhalation. Thirty one Guinea pigs were divided into three groups at random control group,OVA-treated group, BCG and OVA-treated group.RESULTS: Ovalbumin inhalation caused a marked airway infiltration of eosinophils and all the animals exhibit asthmatic symptoms. Pretreatment with BCG induced typical increase in lymphocytes and monocytes in peripheral blood and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). BCG markedly inhibited eosinophil infiltration and attenuated the asthmatic symptoms. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that BCG exerts an inhibitory effect on asthmatic inflammation.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of blood glucose fluctuation of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with end stage diabetic nephropathy(ESDN) attaining glycated hemoglobin standard. Methods The study recruited 17 patients with type 2 diabetes attaining glycated hemoglobin standard, and used continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) to monitor glycemic variation for 72 h. General information was collected and biochemical indexes were determined. Results The mean amplitude glycemic excur-sions (MAGE), standard deviation ,mean blood glucose levels, maximum of blood sugar, and the proportion of greater than 13.9 mmol/L in peritoneal dialysis patients were (8.36 ± 4.44) mmol/L, (3.38±1.08) mmol/L, (9.88±1.92) mmol/L, (17.95±13.11)%, which were significantly higher than those in normal. The mean amplitude glycemic excur-sions (MAGE), standard deviation ,mean blood glucose levels, maximum of blood sugar, and the proportion of greater than 13. 9 mmol/L in daytime were (8.25± 3.71) mmol/L, (2.83±0.89) mmol/L, (11.32±2.54) mmol/L, (16.61±3.86) mmol/L, (28.45±19.56)%, which were significantly higher than those in nighttime: (4.20±2.67) mmol/L, (1.34±0.89) mmol/L, (7.02±1.92) mmol/L, (9.61±2.77) mmol/L, (5.31±1.28)%, all P<0.05. The minimum and the proportion of less than 3.9 mmol/L between the two groups had no significant difference ( P>0.05). Besides, biochemical glycosylated hemoglobin was less than the calculated from CGMS: (5.88± 0.73)%vs. (7.85±1.20)%, t=4.76, P<0.01. Conclusions Peritoneal dialysis patients with ESDN have an increased glycemic fluctuation and a unsatisfied glycemic control, which is worse in daytime. Glycosylated hemoglobin is undervalued. Glycosylated hemoglobin should not be simply used on hemodialysis patients with ESDN to evaluate whether they have a good glycemic control. CGMS can better describe their blood sugar condition.

In recent years,growth hormone and insulin-like growth factors have become key regulators of bone metabolism and remodeling,crucial for maintaining healthy bone mass throughout life.Studies have shown that adult growth hormone deficiency leads to alterations in bone remodeling,significantly affecting bone microarchitecture and increasing fracture risk.Although recombinant human growth hormone replacement therapy can mitigate these adverse effects,improving bone density,and reduce fracture risk,its effectiveness in treating osteoporosis,especially in adults with established growth hormone deficiency,seems limited.Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption by targeting farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase in osteoclasts,and clinical trials have confirmed their efficacy in improving osteoporosis.Therefore,for adult growth hormone deficiency patients with osteoporosis,the use of bisphosphonates alongside growth hormone replacement therapy is recommended.

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression change of mitophagy-related proteins in skeletal muscle in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome and to explain the partial action mechanism of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) for spleen deficiency syndrome.

METHODSForty male SD rats, after normal feeding, were randomly divided into a normal group, a spleen deficiency group, a Zusanli group and a non-acupoint group, ten rats in each group. Except the normal group, the three factors modeling method was used for 14 days to establish the model of spleen deficiency syndrome on the other 3 groups. The rats in the Zusanli group were treated with EA at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), while the rats in the non-acupoint group were treated with EA at bilateral non acupoint (dense-sparse wave, frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz, 20 min per treatment, once a day for 10 days). The rats in the normal group and spleen deficiency group were treated with immobilization for 20 min per day, and no EA was given. The HPLC method was applied to measure the content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in skeletal muscle. The Western blotting method was applied to measure the expression of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK), p-AMPK, ULK1, p-ULK1，LC3-Ⅰand LC3-Ⅱ in skeletal muscle.

RESULTSThe ATP content in the spleen deficiency group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (<0.01); the ATP content in the Zusanli group was significantly higher than that in the spleen deficiency group (<0.05) but lower than that in the normal group (<0.05), there was no significant difference between the non-acupoint group and the spleen deficiency group (>0.05). Compared with the normal group, the AMP/ATP in the spleen deficiency group and the Zusanli group were significantly up-regulated (<0.01, <0.05). The differences of p-AMPK/AMPK between the spleen deficiency group and the normal group was not significant (>0.05). Compared with the normal group and spleen deficiency group, the p-AMPK/AMPK in the Zusanli group was significantly up-regulated (both <0.05). The p-ULK1/ULK1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰin the Zusanli group was higher than those in the normal group and spleen deficiency group (all <0.01).

CONCLUSIONEA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) might activate AMPK and produce stable ULK1/AMPK compound and increase the mitochondrial autophagy, which could regulate spleen-stomach and treat spleen deficiency.