OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on pain matrix (PM) brain area in the patients of cervical spondylosis of neck type treated with acupuncture at single point and the multiple points.

METHODSForty-nine patients of cervical spondylosis of neck type were randomized into a single-point group (25 cases) and a multiple-point group (24 cases), and treated with acupuncture at Bailao (EX-HN 15) singly or Bailao (EX-HN 15) and Hegu (LI 4) in combination correspondingly. At the same time, 19 healthy people were selected as a control group. The resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was conducted in each group before and after treatment. The changes in the regional homogeneity (ReHo) of brain area PM were analyzed in terms of the different therapeutic programs. The relevant analysis was on the scores of the Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire (NPQ) and short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) for life quality.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, ReHo value was increased in supplementary motor area (SMA) of PM in the patients, of cervical spondylosis of neck type. In the single-point group, after treatment, ReHo value was reduced in the bilateral medial superior frontal gyri of patients. In the multiple-point group, ReHo values were reduced in the left medial superior frontal gyrus and right SMA in PM area after treatment. In the single-point group, ReHo value in each brain area of PM was not significantly correlated with NPQ and SF-36 scores. In the multiple-point group, the changes of ReHo value in superior frontal gyrus were positively correlated with those of NPQ scores.

CONCLUSIONConsidering the clinical efficacy of acupunctrue for cervical spondylosis of neck type, the overall result in the multiple-point group is better than that in the single-point group. It is deduced that the advantages of the therapeutic program in the multiple-point group is relevant with the cooperative integration of the stimulation at multiple points in cerebral analgesic center.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neck Pain ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Radiography ; Spondylosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of matrine (Mat) induced human erythroleukemia TF-1 cell apoptosis and its effect on SALL4 expression.

METHODDifferent concentrations of the Mat (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 g x L(-1) ) were cultured in vitro in TF-1 cells at different time (24, 48, 72 h). Cell proliferation was assayed by MTT. Cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V and PI double staining method. SALL4 mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription RT-PCR (RTT-PCR).

RESULTAdministrated with Mat (0.5-2.0 g x L(-1)) after 24, 48, 72 h, the proliferation of TF-1 cells were inhibited (P < 0.01) , and in dose- and time-dependent manner. Half inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) was 1.0 g L(-1) at 48 h. After 48 h that the Mat acted on TF-1 cells, the proportion of G0/G1 phase cells increased while compared with the control group, and S phase cells decreased (P < 0.01). Apoptosis were 8.6% , 11.21%, 15.26% , 17.63%, which showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) compared with the control group (5.05%). RT-PCR results showed the ratio between SALL4 mRNA expression and beta-actin (internal reference) expression significantly decreased (P < 0.01) with Mat dose increased.

CONCLUSIONIn a certain range of concentration and time, Mat can inhibit TFT-1 cells proliferation. The mechanism is to make the cells G0/G1 phase blocked, to inhibit SALL4 gene expression and induce cell apoptosis.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effects of down-regulation of Beclin 1, which is an autophagy regulatory molecule, expression induced by RNA interference on the proliferation and apoptosis in skin fibroblasts of naked mole rat. Methods The expression levels of Beclin 1 were detected after starvation or H2 O2 treatment.The fibroblasts were transi-ently transfected with specific siRNA targeting Beclin 1 and then screened by real-time PCR and Western blot.Cell prolifer-ation and apoptosis were determined using CCK-8 detection kit and flow cytometry ( FCM ) .The expressions of related genes were detected by Western blot.Results The expression of Beclin 1 gene at mRNA and protein levels was signifi-cantly lower in fibroblasts of the naked mole rat.Starvation and H2 O2 treatment induced changes of the Beclin 1 expression. Inhibition of Beclin 1 gene expression can inhibit cell proliferation and induce early and late apoptosis.The protein levels of p53, BAX, Bcl2, LC3B, p-AKT and mTOR were reduced after transient transfection with Beclin 1-siRNA.Conclusions The expression of Beclin 1 in fibroblasts of naked mole rat are changed in response to starvation or H2 O2 stimulation.Inhi-bition of Beclin 1 gene expression can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis.Therefore, Beclin1 gene may play a regulatory role in autophagy, proliferation and apoptosis in the skin fibroblasts of naked mole rat.

Objective To explore the value of multiparameter MRI for follow-up observation on changes of spinal cord microstructures in patients with hereditary spastic paraplegias type 5.Methods Eleven patients with SPG5 who underwent cervico-thoracic spinal cord MR examination and spastic paraplegia rating scale(SPRS)were prospectively enrolled.The second MR examination and SPRS were completed after 1 year follow-up,and the changes of SPRS score,the overall structures and microstructures of spinal cord were compared.Results No significant difference of SPRS scores was found(P＞0.05).Compared to the first cervico-thoracic spinal cord MR examination,atrophy of spinal cord aggravated in the second time MRI.Significant difference of axial diffusivity of C4 right corticospinal tract(CST)was found(t=3.987,P＜0.01),but not of the other parameters of C4(all P＞0.05)between the first and the second time MRI.No significant difference of fractional anisotropy(FA),mean diffusivity(MD),AD,radial diffusivity(RD)nor T1 value of the other centrums'white matter,posterior funiculus or bilateral CST in spinal cord was found between the first and the second time MRI(all P＞0.05).Meanwhile,no significant difference of CSA,left and right diameter nor anteroposterior diameter of C1-T9 was found between the first and second time MRI(all P＞0.05).FA value of white matter,posterior funiculus and bilateral corticospinal tract in cervical spinal cord were all lower,whereas RD value at the above position were all higher in the second time MRI than those in the first time MRI(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Multiparameter MRI could be used for follow-up observation on changes of microstructure spinal cord in patients with hereditary spastic paraplegias type 5.