OBJECTIVETo observe different effects of acetoacetate extract of Radix Aconite and Radix Aconite Decoction on the energy metabolism in deficient cold model rats.

METHODSWistar rats were randomly divided into the blank control group (n=10) and the deficient cold model group (n=30). The deficient cold rat model was established using decoction consisting of gypsum, Radix Gentianae, Cortex Phellodendri, and Rhizoma Anemarrhenae. The decoction was given to rats of the deficient cold model group by gastrogavage for 5 days. Then these rats were randomly divided into the acetoacetate extract of Radix Aconite group (n=10), the Radix Aconite Decoction group (n=10), and the model group (n=10). Rats in the model model group were administered with the decoction by gastrogavage. Rats in the other two groups were administered with the acetoacetate extract of Radix Aconite or Radix Aconite Decoction by gastrogavage for 5 days. The contents of lactic acid (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pyruvate (PA), glycogen (Gn) and activities of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase and Ca(2+) -Mg(2+) -ATPase in the hepatic tissue were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the PA content, activities of Na(+)-K(+) -ATPase and Ca(2+) -Mg(2+) -ATPase decreased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the PA content increased in the other two groups. Compared with the control group, the contents of LDH and PA, and activities of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPase increased in the the acetoacetate extract of Radix Aconite group with statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe febricity of acetoacetate extract of Radix Aconite was slightly higher than that of Radix Aconite Decoction, seemingly generating more energy. But the final conclusions and concrete mechanisms of action need further studies.

Acetoacetates ; Adenosine Triphosphatases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Female ; Glycogen ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Pyruvic Acid ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

The effects of estriol on oxygen uptake, glucose release, lactate and pyruvate production, beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate production in perfused rat liver as well as, carbon uptake in rat liver and intracellular calcium in isolated Kupffer cells were investigated. Basal oxygen consumption of perfused liver increased significantly in estriol or ethanol-treated rats. But these increased effects were blocked by gadolinium chloride pretreatment. In a metabolic study, pretreatment with estriol resulted in a decrease in glucose production and in glycolysis while an increase in ketogenesis. A more oxidized redox state of the mitochondria was indicated by increased ratios of perfusate [lactate]/[pyruvate] and decreased ratios of perfusate [beta-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate]. Carbon uptake of Kupffer-cell increased significantly in estriol-treated rats. But these increased uptake were not shown in rats pre-treated by gadolinium chloride blocking phagocytosis. In isolated Kupffer cells from estriol-treated rats, intracellular calcium was more significantly increased after addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) than in controls. These findings suggest that the metabolic effects of estriol (two mg per 100 mg body wt) can be summarized to be highly toxic in rat liver, and these findings suggest that oral administration of estrogens may induce hepatic dysfunctions and play a role in the development of liver disease.
3-Hydroxybutyric Acid/metabolism ; Acetoacetates/metabolism ; Animal ; Calcium/metabolism ; Carbohydrates/metabolism ; Carbon/metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Colloids/metabolism ; Estriol/pharmacology* ; Estriol/metabolism ; Ethanol/pharmacology ; Female ; Gadolinium/pharmacology ; Glucose/biosynthesis ; Intracellular Fluid/metabolism ; Kupffer Cells/metabolism ; Kupffer Cells/cytology ; Lactates/metabolism ; Lipids/metabolism ; Liver/metabolism ; Liver/drug effects* ; Oxygen Consumption ; Phagocytosis ; Pyruvic Acid/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley