BACKGROUND: The effective chemical constituents and the precise action mechanism of Cassia obtusifolia L. seed to rats with hypercholesterolemia are not clear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of anthraquinones from Cassia obtusifolia L. on hypolipidemic activity and endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis in rats with experimental hyperlipoidemia, and to explore the effective compound and the mechanism of Cassia obtusifolia L. seed on hypolipidemic action. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized controlled animal experiment was performed from September 2003 to May 2004. All rats were raised and tested at the College of Life Sciences, South China Normal University. Blood sample was collected from the tail vein at the Institute of Biotechnology to detect blood lipid, survival rate, and to culture cells. MATERIALS: Forty-five male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish animal models of hypedipoidemia by intragastrically with fat emulsion. Cassia obtusifolia L. seed was purchased from Guangzhou Dispensary, China, and further identified by South China Plant Institute. Anthraquinones were extracted from Cassia obtusifolia L. by the Institute of Biotechnology of South China Normal University. METHODS: Forty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=15): a control group, 80 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg anthraquinones groups. Rat models in each group were given fat emulsion in the morning and afternoon 2 days after model induction, once in morning. Rat modes were treated with corresponding doses of drugs in the two experimental groups. Rat models were administrated with the same volume of saline in the control group, once a day, for 20 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effect of anthraquinones on endogenous cholesterin in Chinese hamster oocytes was measured by amphotericin B cell models. The levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density iipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were detected by enzyme endpoint method. Survival rate of Chinese hamster oocytes (A570) was tested by methyl thiazolyi tetrazolium (MTT) with spectrophotometric determination. RESULTS: Anthraquinones significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C levels and increased HDL-C levels in hyperlipidemic rats in a dose-dependant pattern. Anthraquinones elevated the survival rate of Chinese hamster oocytes. CONCLUSION: Anthraquinones can decrease blood lipid levels. Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis of anthraquinones may be one of the underlying mechanism involved in decreasing blood lipid.

The development of health-related quality of life (HRQL) instrument in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is increasing rapidly in China, but few studies focus on their necessity. This study explores the necessity of the development of TCM instruments from both theoretical and practice perspectives, and aims to explain whether the adoption of the cross-medical style is valid. Through theoretical analysis, both TCM and Western medicine instruments show the same objectives, whereas TCM instruments are more suitable for the Chinese social behavior, customs and expectations. In practical analysis, 47 TCM instruments were identified, among which 17 had 18 corresponding Western medical instruments. In the domains layer, except for physiological, psychological and social factors, TCM instruments focus more on the harmony between body and spirit, humanity and nature or human and society and the constitution, etc. In the facts layer, TCM instruments focus on the emotions, initiative social intercourse, TCM symptoms, diet, sleep, taste, feces and urine, etc. In addition, significant differences existed in the methods of information selection. There is no need to modify cross-medical style research except when TCM characteristic terms exist, but attention must be paid to the influence of culture in different areas. Therefore, the TCM instruments can resolve the limitations of the application of Western medical instruments to the Chinese setting, while also having remarkable abilities of information coverage and detection. Both forms of instruments have the capacity and requirement to inter-communicate with each other in order to serve the whole Chinese cultural system. Generally speaking, there is no need to modify the instruments in cross-medical style research. But this point requires further demonstration in the rigorous designed clinical trials.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristic of Rathke′s cleft cyst and assess the effect of endoscopic en-donasal transsphenoidal surgery .Methods A retrospective research was performed on 9 patients who underwent endoscopic en-donasal transsphenoidal surgery .Neural endoscopic surgery by single nostril transsphenoidal approach ,partial resection of the cyst wall with drainage of the intracystic contents was performed in all patients .Results Symptoms in all patients were resolved or alle-viated .No CSF rhinorrhea ,permanent diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism happened .All patients were followed up for 4 to 12 months and no recurrence was found .Conclusion Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery is a effective method for symptom-atic Rathke′s cleft cysts .

Objective To explore the effect of neuroendoscopic surgery for the removal of medium and large sized tuberculum sellae meningiomas through supraorbital keyhole approach.Methods A retrospective research was performed on 7 case of patients with tuberculum sellae meningioma who underwent endoscopic surgery through supraorbital keyhole approach.The main performance of patients as tumor diameter were 2.8-4.7 cm and the skin incision located at superciliary aich which size of intra-frontal bone window was 3.5 cm× 2.0 cm.Results Total removal was achieved in 7 cases(simpson Ⅰ grade in 2 patients,sirnpson 1Ⅱ grade in 5 patients).Postoperative,the visual outcomes of eyes were showed improvement in 9 eyes,remained steady in 3 eyes,and deterioration in 2 eyes.All patients were followed up for 6-13 months and no recurrence was found.Conclusion Neuroendoscopic surgery through supraorbital keyhole approach is an effective method for the resection of medium and large sized tuberculum sellae meningiomas.