1.17-β estradioi prevent apoptosis in H2O2-induced astrocytes of rat spinal cord
Jingjing CAO ; Deyou XU ; Lili HUANG ; Bo SUN ; Susu HUANG ; Huachao SHEN ; Jin ZHU ; Xinsheng DING
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2012;45(7):505-510
Objective To investigate the mechanism of protective effects of 17-β estradiol on the experimental model of spinal cord injury (SCI) rats.Methods First,the primary astrocytes were cultured and identified.When the third generation astrocytes were cultured,they were induced by H202 whose concentrations were established by the method of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT).The cells were randomly divided into five groups:control group; the group of treatment with 400 μmol/L H2O2 for 24 hours; the group of treatment with 20 nmol/L estrogen for 2 hours prior to exposure to 400 μmol/L H2O2 for 24 hours; the group of treatment with 20 nmol/L estrogen for 26 hours and the group of treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide for 26 hours.The proteins which were extracted from these cells after treatments with H2O2 for 24 hours were detected by Western blotting.Results The absorbances of the astrocytes of treatments with H2O2 were reduced( q' =-11.45,P =0.001 ).But exposure to estrogen prior to exposure to H2O2 provided partial restoration of the absorbances (q' =7.025,P =0.0025 ).The absorbances of the astrocytes among different groups showed significant differences( F =69.69,P =0.0025 ).The results suggested that estrogen might increase the cell viability in astrocytes.Compared with the group of treatment cells with H2O2,treatment cells with 17-β estradiol prior to H2O2 exposure down-regulated the expressions of both phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 ( PTEN ) ( F =290.003,P =0.001 ) and caspase-3 ( F =46.158,P =0.023 ).And,17-β estradiol treatment of cells increased the levels of p-Akt ( F =49.173,P =0.033 ) and Bcl-2 ( F =115.916,P =0.001 ) when compared with the group of treatment astrocytes with H2O2.Conclusion These findings suggest that the attenuation of PTEN expression mediated by estrogen is associated with an increase in phosphorylation/activation of the Akt and the Bel-2 expressions.These results suggest that the protective effects of 17-β estradiol on the experimental model of SCI rats may depend on the estrogen protection to the astrocytes which may be mediated by decreasing the PTEN expression.
2.Mental health status and influencing factors of China medical team members in Africa during COVID-19
Juan TIAN ; Lan HE ; Min JIA ; Haiyuan ZHAO ; Huachao ZHU ; Xiaogang LI
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2022;43(4):483-488
【Objective】 To analyze the mental health status and influencing factors of China medical team (CMT) members in Africa during COVID-19 pandemic. 【Methods】 From July 2021 to August 2021, 72 members of the 8th CMT in Malawi, the 36th CMT in Sudan and the 22nd CMT in Zambia were tested by 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9), general information form and influencing factors form. 【Results】 The results of GHQ-12 were positive for 33.3% (24/72) of the CMT members. 51.4% (37/72) of the CMT members showed different levels of anxiety: 40.3% (29/72) of them had mild anxiety, 8.3% (6/72) of them had moderate anxiety, and 2.8% (2/72) of them had severe anxiety. 52.8% (38/72) of the CMT members had different degrees of depression: 34.7% (25/72) of them had mild depression, 11.1% (8/72) of them had moderate depression, 4.2% (3/72) of them had moderate-severe depression, and 2.8% (2/72) of them had severe depression. The CMT members who contacted with COVID-19 patients got significantly high scores of GHQ-12, GAD-7 and PHQ-9 (P<0.05) compared to those who did not have contact with COVID-19 patients. And CMT members who did not adapt to the local social life got significantly higher scores than those who adapted to the local social life (P<0.05). These factors were the main factors affecting the mental health of the CMT members. 【Conclusion】 During COVID-19, the psychological pressure of CMT members was increased significantly, and both the incidence and severity of anxiety and depression were increased. Paying attention to and improving CMT members’ mental health status can ensure the smooth development of medical aid to Africa.
3.Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Medicinal Prescriptions in Treatment of Acute Gouty Arthritis: A Network Meta-analysis
Jinying FANG ; Mingxuan LIU ; Zhenghui HUANG ; Yucao MA ; Yiwen WANG ; Liu LYU ; Chunping LIU ; Wei LI ; Xiaojia ZHENG ; Zhenhong ZHU ; Huachao ZHU ; Jie HU ; Yonghong WANG ; Hailong WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(12):175-184
ObjectiveIn the treatment of acute gouty arthritis (AGA), western medicine is mostly used for anti-inflammatory and analgesic purposes to control the blood uric acid level, but some patients are still at risk of poor control and recurrent attacks. Chinese medicinal prescriptions, potent in resisting inflammation and relieving pain, are able to stabilize the blood uric acid level, reduce acute attacks, and improve the clinical efficacy of western medicine. However, there is a lack of evidence to support their use as evidence-based medicine. This study employed network Meta-analysis (NMA) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of common Chinese medicinal prescriptions in the treatment of AGA, aiming to provide evidence-based medical evidence for the clinical use of Chinese medicinal prescriptions in the treatment of AGA. MethodChinese and English databases were searched for prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on Chinese medicinal prescriptions against AGA from database inception to December 1, 2022. Stata software and Review Manager were used for statistical analysis. ResultForty-four papers with 3 564 cases involved were included in the current NMA. In terms of reducing blood uric acid, the cumulative probability results showed that Mahuang Lianyao Chixiaodou Tang showed optimal efficacy (87.60%). In terms of relieving joint pain, Danggui Niantongtang and Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimutang showed optimal efficacy (92.00% and 82.30%). In terms of improving erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Simiaowan was superior to other prescriptions (87.00%). In terms of reducing C-reactive protein (CRP), Simiaowan and Baihutang modified with Guizhitang showed superior efficacy (76.00% and 66.10%). In terms of safety, except for the basic treatment group, Mahuang Lianyao Chixiaodou Tang had the lowest probability of adverse events, and Danggui Niantongtang had the highest probability of adverse reactions during treatment. According to the results of cluster analysis, Mahuang Lianyao Chixiaodou Tang and Simiaowan are effective and safe. ConclusionAccording to the results of NMA, Chinese medicinal prescriptions can assist in the treatment of AGA and improve the effectiveness of western medicine. For patients with AGA, clinicians can choose Mahuang Lianyao Chixiaodou Tang or Simiaowan as an auxiliary drug for routine western medicine treatment.