To investigate the effects of lanosterol (1), inotodiol (2) and trametenolic acid (3) from Inonotus obliquus against oxidative damage induced by CCl4 in mice, 1, 2 and 3 (20, 10 and 5 mg x kg(-1)) were respectively administered to mice, once a day for 3 days. Then the mice were induced to oxidative damage by CCl4 on the third day 30 min after the administration. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reductive glutathione (GSH) in serum and liver homogenate were determined. And the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration in serum were detected. The results showed that treatment with compound 1, 2 and 3 could significantly increase the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX in serum and liver homogenate. Furthermore, the content of GSH in serum and liver homogenate increased and MDA content decreased markedly. In addition, compound 1, 2 and 3 could significantly inhibit the activities of ALT and AST in serum, and decrease the IL-6 concentration in serum remarkably. So, compound 1, 2 and 3 can protect mice against oxidative stress injury induced by CCl4. Furthermore, compound 1, 2 and 3 can protect cells from damage through inhibition on ALT, AST and the expression of IL-6.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Catalase ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutathione ; blood ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lanosterol ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; metabolism ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Polyporaceae ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ganxian recipe (GXR) and lamivudine (LVD) in a two-year treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients with CHB were randomly divided into the combinedly treated group (combined group) of 40 CHB patients who were treated with GXR combined with LVD. Another 40 CHB patients were treated with LVD alone (WM group), and still another 40 CHB patients were treated with GXR alone (TCM group). All these cases were randomly controlled and observed for two years.

RESULTSComprehensive efficacy: Total effective rate of the combined group (complete response and partial response) was 92.5%, while that of the WM group was 67.5% and TCM group 57.5%, respectively, with the difference between them was significant (P < 0.01); after treatment, the hepatic functions (AST, ALT, SB) of the three groups were all reduced, and the reduction in the combined group was particularly significant in comparison with the WM group or TCM group, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 respectively, suggesting that the effect in the combined group was better than that in the other two groups; the rate of tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) virus mutation: it was 7.5% in the combined group, 40.0% in the WM group, and 5.0% in the TCM group; liver fibrosis improvement parameter: after treatment, the results in the combined group got better than those in the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONGXR could inhibit the appearance of YMDD after long-term application of LVD, and combined use has marked synergism.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genes, Viral ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Phytotherapy ; adverse effects ; Plant Preparations ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDSmoking is known to be a strong risk factor for premature atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and sudden cardiac death. According to a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2000 - 2001 in China, the prevalence of smoking among the Chinese men was 60.2%, the highest prevalence in the world. Up to date, the relationship between smoking and AMI in Chinese male smokers is still unclear. This study analyzed the baseline characteristics for male smokers hospitalized with AMI and investigated the effect of cigarette smoking on their clinical outcomes.

METHODSA total of 890 men aged 18 years or over with AMI were prospectively recruited from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2009 from Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital. Patients were grouped into smokers and nonsmokers. The relationships between baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were tested using either the chi-square test for trend for discrete variables or analysis of variance for continuous variables.

RESULTSSmokers accounted for 66.7% (594), more than twice of nonsmokers (296 (33.3%)), and were averaged 7 years younger ((56.61 ± 11.44) vs. (63.61 ± 11.62) years, P < 0.001). Smokers had the higher rate of TIMI flow grade 2 or 3 after thrombolytic therapy (42.4% vs. 24.5%, P = 0.002), 1 vessel disease (25.5% vs. 14.5%, P = 0.003) than nonsmokers. Smokers had better in-hospital outcome with lower in-hospital mortality rate than nonsmokers (6.2% vs. 10.8%, P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONSMale smokers suffered from AMI in this study presented an average of 7 years earlier than nonsmokers and were more than twice as likely to have AMI as nonsmokers in China. Smoking appeared to result in earlier infarction, especially ST elevated myocardial infarction in otherwise healthier patients who are likely to survive.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; mortality ; Smoking ; adverse effects

Recently, compound Ejiao slurry (FFEJJ) had been applied to treat cancer patients in clinic, with obvious curative effect. In this study, data and literatures were collected from the TCM chemical component database to establish the chemical component database of FFEJJ. Afterwards, MetaDrug software was used to predict the targets of FFEJJ and obtain the compound-target network. Next, the compound-target network was compared and analyzed to obtain the "compound-target-tumor target" heterogeneous network. Besides, further analysis was made on gene functions and metabolic pathway. The results indicated that FFEJJ could directly resist tumors by regulating cancer cell differentiation, growth, proliferation and apoptosis, and show an adjuvant therapeutic effect by enriching the blood and increasing the immunity.
Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; drug effects ; Humans ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the relationship between atherosclerotic lesions of arteries of lower extremities and metabolic disorders in patients with diabetic foot. Methods Three hundreds and sixty two patients with type 2 diabetes were selected, including 232 males and 130 females, with average age of (64.9?11.2) years and the average diabetic duration of (9.2?7.5) years. Atherosclerotic lesions of the arteries were detected by type B ultrasound. According to severity of lesions of femoral, popliteal and tibial arteries, the patients were classified into four groups: A-control group, B-plague formation (plague), C-arterial stenosis (stenosis) (luminal narrowing≥50%) and D-arterial occlusion (occlusion). Fasting blood glucose, GHbAlc and lipid levels (Total cholesteral, TC; Triglyceride, TG; Low density iipoprotein, LDL) were tested in all patients. Results (1)GHbAlc levels in group B and group C were significantly different from that in group A respectively[(8.4?2.2%)vs(7.8?2.2%),P

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Chinese drugs for supplementing qi, nourishing yin and activating blood circulation on the myocardial perfusion in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients after revascularization.

METHODSEighty patients with anterior or inferior ventricular wall AMI, who had received revascularization by intravenous thrombolysis or coronary bypass, were randomized into the treated group and the control group equally, both treated with conventional Western medical treatment, but combined, respectively, with Xinyue Capsule (, XYC) plus Composite Salvia Tablet (CST) and placebo for 3 months. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed 14 days and 3 months after revascularization, respectively on every patient to observe blood perfusion extent (b value), myocardial perfusion velocity (k value) and local blood fl ow volume (k x b) in left ventricular infarction-related vascular segments under stressed state.

RESULTSWith 5 cases dropping out in the observation period (3 in the treated group and 2 in the control group), the trial was completed in 75 patients in total. The 14-day DSE shows that the b value and k x b value of left anterior ventricular wall mid segment and apex segment, and the k value of apex segment in patients with anterior wall AMI, as well as the b value and k x b of basal segment in patients with inferior wall AMI in the treated group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The 3-month DSE shows that the b value of apex segment, k x b value of basal segment, mid segment and apex segment of left anterior ventricular wall in patients with anterior wall AMI as well as the b value and k x b value of basal segment of left inferior ventricular wall in patients with inferior wall AMI were all higher in the treated group than those in the control group, respectively (P<0.05). The comparison between 14-day DSE and 3-month DSE in the treated group showed that the b value of apex segment of left anterior ventricular wall in patients with anterior wall AMI and the k x b value of apex segment and mid segment of left inferior ventricular wall in patients with inferior wall AMI significantly increased along with the on-going treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTherapy with Chinese drugs for supplementing qi, nourishing yin and activating blood circulation in combination with conventional Western medical treatment could obviously improve the blood perfusion at the myocardial tissue level in infarction-related vascular segments.

Coronary Circulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Myocardial Revascularization ; Qi ; Ultrasonography ; Yin-Yang

BACKGROUNDThis study aimed to observe the differences in brain gray matter volume in drug-naive female patients after the first episode of major depression with and without stressful life events (SLEs) before the onset of depression.

METHODSForty-three drug-naive female patients voluntarily participated in the present study after the first major depressive episode. The life event scale was used to evaluate the severity of the impact of SLEs during 6 months before the onset of the major depressive episode. High-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained, and the VBM and SPM8 software process were used to process and analyze the MRI.

RESULTSCompared to that in patients without SLEs, the volume of brain gray matter was lower in the bilateral temporal lobe, right occipital lobe, and right limbic lobe in the SLE group. However, the gray matter volume did not differ significantly between the two groups after the application of false discovery rate (FDR) correction.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough the results of the present study suggest the absence of significant differences in brain gray matter volume between female drug-naive patients after the first episode of major depression with and without SLEs after FDR correction, the study provides useful information for exploring the definitive role of stress in the onset of depression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Depression ; physiopathology ; Female ; Gray Matter ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Software ; Stress, Physiological ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of embolization of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF).

METHODSFrom December 2010 to May 2012, there were 104 cases of SDAVF were treated, and 26 cases were selected to be treated with embolization. The inclusion criteria was as follows: (1) No anterior or posterior spinal artery originated from the fistula segment; (2) The segmental artery can be catheterized with guiding or micro catheter; (3) High flow in fistula; (4) Patient's situation was not suitable for surgery or general anesthesia. Among 26 cases, there were 22 male and 4 female patients, the average age was 55.9 years (ranged from 34 to 81 years). The locations of SDAVF were 10 cases in thoracic, 9 in lumbar and 7 in sacral segment. The main symptoms were progressive numbness and weakness in both lower extremities, most cases accompanied with difficulties in urination and defecation. The average history was 17.1 months (from 1 to 156 months). ONYX-18 liquid embolic agent or Glubran-2 surgical glue were used as embolic material. The patients not cured with embolization were treated with surgery in the following 1 - 2 weeks. Follow-up evaluation was done with MRI after 3 months and DSA after 6 months, besides physical examination.

RESULTSFifteen from 26 cases achieved immediate angiographic cure results: 14 in 20 cases which embolized with ONYX-18; only 1 in 6 cases with Glubran-2. Three in 10 cases of thoracic SDAVF and 12 in 16 cases of lumbar/sacral SDAVF were cured with embolization. Partially embolized cases were treated with surgical obliteration of drainage veins within 2 weeks. Cured patients experienced immediate improvement after embolization and kept getting better in the follow-up. All the patients had MRI follow-up after 3 months and DSA follow-up after 6 months. In 6 month's follow-up, MRI showed the edema and flow void signal in the spinal cord disappeared. DSA showed no fistula recurrence or remnant. There was no deterioration case in all of the embolized cases.

CONCLUSIONSParticular SDAVF is suitable for embolization with ONYX-18. Most lesions located in lumbar and sacral segment are good indications for embolization.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations ; therapy ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the effeet of Zizyphus jujubekernelfreeze - dried powder on sleep and wakefulness and energy metabolism rate in rats under 24 h eontinuous darkness and its mechanism. Method U- sing the eortieal eleetroeneephalography method and the experimental animal monitoring system (CLAMS) and taking the time of wakefulness and sleep as well as the number of activities, food intake, and caloric pro- duetion as indicators to explore the funetion of it on improving energy metabolism rate. Theenzyme - linked immunoassay was used to determine the changes in the eontent of LEP, POMC, and NPY involved in energy regulation in the hypothalamus, so as to study the energy change mechanism of it. Result Compared with the DD group, the MAT group had redueed daytime awakening time, increased sleep time, deereased aetivities, no signifieant differenee in food intake, and inereased caloric production. There was no significant difference in night awakening and sleep time, no significant difference in the number of activities, reduced food intake , and increased caloric production. The weight gain of rats decreased; Compared with the DD group, the LEP content in the hypothalamus of the MAT group increased, the POMC content increased and the NPY content decreased. Conclusion By increasing LEP, POMC content and decreasing NPY content in hypothalamus , Zizyphus jujubekemelfreeze - dried powder collected the disturbance of sleep and wakefulness state and abnormal energy metabolism rate of rats caused by 24 h continuous dark condition.

Aim To observe the effect of state anxiety on the sleep-wake cycle of mice in the Triple test.Methods Eighteen male ICR mice were selected, and the electroencephalogram(EEG)and electromyogram(EMG)electrodes were embedded in the cortex and neck muscles of the mice under the conditions of anesthesia.There was a continuous 24 h tracing of mice under normal conditions after the recovery period.The model replication and behavioral evaluation of the state anxiety took place in the Triple test and the mouse sleep for 24 h was recorded for 7 consecutive days after the daily test.Results The behavioral evaluation showed that compared with 1st d, the time spent in central and% time in OF on 3 ?4 ?5 ?7 d of modeling was significantly reduced(P<0.05; P<0.01); the number of entries and% time of 4-7 d in EPM signifi-cantly increased(P<0.01); 2nd and 4th day of time spent in dark compartment of LDB increased significantly(P<0.05; P<0.01).The results of EEG analysis showed that compared with the sleep-wake cycle under normal conditions, the sleep and wake cycles had undergone significant changes, and the awakening time and its proportion were significantly prolonged(P<0.05; P<0.01), NREM sleep and its proportion markedly decreased on the 1-5 and 7 d(P<0.05; P<0.01), and a significant increase occurred in REM sleep and its proportion on 1st, 2nd, and 4th day(P<0.05).Conclusion The sleep-wake cycle of state anxiety mice replicated with the Triple test changes, and the impact on daytime sleep is more obvious.