Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for osteoarthritis is an old and useful method. According to recent literatures, the following four problems were reviewed in this article: 1) Mechanisms. Real-time PCR was used to detect the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene expression, which were significantly increased, as well as promoted secretion and synthesis of the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase, thus the reaction and cartilage destruction were decreased. 2) Methods. Because of discovering of new HA derivants, single intra-articular treatment with 6 ml hylan G-F 20 had replaced the routine method of once a week. To improve the therapeutic effectiveness, compound drags were applied, such as NSAIDs. 3) Indication. Knee OA (K-L II-III type) was first elected. But at present, the K-L I type was advocated early application. While the K-L IV type, although joint function can not improve, the symptoms relieved. 4) Therapeutic effectiveness. The double-blind place bo-controlled study showed that it was better than corticoid, and persistent and no side-effect. Therefore, this was a safe, persistent effective method.
Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Osteoarthritis ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of oral medicine and sodium hyaluronate in prevention of intrauterine adhesions after artificial abortion.
 METHODS: A total of 572 patients with early pregnancy termination through artificial abortion, who experienced two or more times of abortion, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were randomly and voluntarily divided into 4 groups: an artificial cycle group, a drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets group, a sodium hyaluronate group, and a control group. The thickness of the endometrium, return time of menses, and the status of intrauterine adhesions were observed.
 RESULTS: The thickness of the endometrium in the artificial period group was greater than that in the control group (P<0.001). It was less in the drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets group comparing with that in the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the thickness of the endometrium between the sodium hyaluronate group and the control group (P=0.717). Return time of menses in the artificial menstrual cycle group and the drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets group was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in return time of menses between the sodium hyaluronate group and the control group (P=0.813). The incidence of intrauterine adhesions could be reduced by the 3 preventive measures (All P<0.01).
 CONCLUSION Drugs for artificial cycle and drospirenone and ethinylestradiol tablets medication immediately after artificial abortion can effectively promote endometrial repair and reduce the incidence of intrauterine adhesions. However, for the patients with poor compliance, drospirenoneand ethinylestradiol tablets are the first choice for prevention of intrauterine adhesion.
Abortion, Induced ; adverse effects ; Androstenes ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endometrium ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects ; Ethinyl Estradiol ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Menstrual Cycle ; drug effects ; Menstruation ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Tissue Adhesions ; etiology ; prevention & control

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to study the protective effect and influence of sodium hyaluronate (Na-HA) on mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) in cartilage of rabbit osteoarthritis (OA) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty eight white rabbits were randomly divided into A, B, and C groups. Group A was normal control group, B and C groups underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). The rabbits in group B were injected normal saline after ACLT; and Group C received intraarticular1% sodium hyaluronate (HA) injection 5 weeks after surgery, 0.3 mL once a week. At 11th week after surgery, all the rabbits were sacrificed. The cartilage changes on the medial femoral condyles were graded separately. Cartilage sections were stained with safranin-O and HE, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of PPAR-gamma was detected by using real time polymerase chain reaction (Real Time-PCR). RESULTS: Cartilage degeneration in group B was significantly more severe than in A and C injection group. The grey value of Safranin-O of B group was higher than A and C groups. Expression of PPAR-gamma mRNA in group B was higher than group A and C. CONCLUSION: This study shows that Na-HA has a protective effect on articular cartilage degeneration, and the inhibitory effect on the PPAR-gamma mRNA expression may be one of therapeutic mechanism of Na-HA.
Animals ; Cartilage/*drug effects/*metabolism ; Gene Expression/drug effects/genetics ; Hyaluronic Acid/*pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Microscopy ; Osteoarthritis/*drug therapy/metabolism ; PPAR gamma/*genetics ; RNA, Messenger/*genetics ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Viscosupplements/*pharmacology/therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanism of Tanshensu on experimental fibrotic rats.

METHODSPigs serum was used to induce liver fibrosis in Wistar rats. The rats in Tanshensu-treated group were injected peritoneally with Tanshensu solution at the dose of 300 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), and the rats in model-control group and normal-control group received the same volume of double distill water. At the end of the twelfth week, the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were isolated from the liver of one rat in model-control group using in-situ perfusion with pronase and collagenase, then density gradient centrifugation, and the other rats were killed to take the serum and liver samples. MTT colorimetric assay was used for detecting the proliferation of HSCs and flow cytometry was used for observing the cell cycles of HSCs under different concentrations of Tanshensu. The hyaluronic acid (HA) level in serum was detected and the morphological changes of liver tissue were observed.

RESULTSThere was a decline of serum HA level in Tanshensu-treated group compared to that of the model-control group (231.4 ng/ml +/- 41.1 ng/ml vs. 398.7 ng/ml +/- 54.5 ng/ml, F =154.796, P < 0.05). Both HE and VG stain showed a decline of liver fibrosis degree in Tanshensu-treated group. And Tanshensu had an inhibition effect on the proliferation of HSCs at the concentrations of 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, and 200 mg/L (1.60x10(-2) +/- 8.17x10(-4), 1.10x10(-2) +/- 1.41x10(-3), and 6.75x10(-3) +/- 3.30x10(-3) vs. 7.18x10(-2) +/- 1.71x10(-3), F =1154.221, P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTanshensu shows a therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in rats induced by pig's serum through inhibiting the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Lactates ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate (SH) on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the synovium and nitric oxide (NO) content in synovial fluid of rabbits with traumatic osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODSSixteen white rabbits underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection and were randomly divided into 2 groups 5 weeks after the operation. Rabbits in the experimental group received intra-articular injection of 0.3 ml of 1% SH, once a week for 5 weeks. Animals in the control group were treated under the same conditions using physiological saline. All the animals were sacrificed at the 10th week after surgery. The mRNA expression of iNOS in the synovium was analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The content of NO in the synovial fluid was assayed.

RESULTSThe level of iNOS expression of the synovium in the experimental group was lower than that in control group (0.47+/-0.09 vs. 0.65+/-0.12, t equal to 3.45, P less than 0.01). Compared with control group, the content of NO decreased significantly in synovial fluid of SH injection group (134.11 micromolar/L +/- 12.47 micromolar/L vs. 152.17 micromolar/L +/- 15.69 micromolar/L, t equal to 2.55, P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSH significantly decreases the content of NO in the synovial fluid of rabbits with traumatic OA. SH may exert the effect on synovial fluid NO level as a result of the suppression of iNOS expression in the synovium. It may be one of the mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of SH on early traumatic OA.

Animals ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Hyaluronic Acid ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; analysis ; Osteoarthritis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Synovial Fluid ; chemistry ; Synovial Membrane ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of SSd on lipid peroxidation during experimental hepatic fibrosis progression.

METHODThe experimental models of hepatic fibrosis were induced by intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) on rats. SSd was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks. Serum was analyzed for alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), collagen IV (IV-C), malonaldehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Liver samples were measured for MDA contents and SOD activities in normal group, model group and SSd group.

RESULTSSd significantly decreased ALT and AST activities and lowered HA, LN and IV-C contents. It enhanced SOD activities in liver, while reduced MDA contents both in serum and liver.

CONCLUSIONSSd has obvious effects of protecting hepatocytes and resisting hepatic fibrosis, and the mechanism may be associated with its anti-lipid peroxidation effect.

Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Collagen Type IV ; blood ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; adverse effects ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Laminin ; blood ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore therapeutic effect of Haobieyangyinruanjianfang (HBYYRJ) on mouse liver fibrosis by schistosomiasis.

METHODSMice except for normal control were infected with Japanese schistosome cercarias, after 12 weeks, infected mice were divided into 7 groups: low HBYYRJ group, middle HBYYRJ group, high HBYYRJ group, Fufangbiejiaruangan tablet (FFBJRG) group, colchicine group, 3 months infection group and 6 months infection group. Hepatic fibrosis was found in 3 months infection group. Liver hydroxyproline (Hyp) was determined, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9) were detected with gelatin zymography, serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and precollagen III (PC-III) were detected using RIA.

RESULTSHBYYRJ obviously reduced hepatic fibrosis (probability value less than 0.01). Collagen and HA in 3 months infection group and 6 months infection group were higher than that in normal group (probability value less than 0.01), collagen in high and middle HBYYRJ groups and HA in middle and low HBYYRJ groups were lower than that in 6 months infection group (P less than 0.01, probability value less than 0.05). The expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 in 3 months infection group and 6 months infection group was higher than that in normal group (probability value less than 0.01), The expression of MMP-9 in three HBYYRJ groups and the expression of MMP-2 in high HBYYRJ group were lower than that in 6 months infection group (probability value less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHBYYRJ can reduce liver fibrosis caused by schistosomiasis.

Animals ; Collagen Type III ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Schistosoma japonicum ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; complications ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sex Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the antifibrotic mechanism of Huangqi decoction in rats with BDL-induced cholestatic liver fibrosis.

METHODSLiver fibrosis model was induced by ligating the common bile duct (BDL) in rats. Sham-operation was performed in control rats. The BDL rats were randomly divided into two groups: the BDL group and the Huangqi decoction group. Huanqi decoction was given intragastrically for 4 weeks. At the end of the fifth week after BDL, animals were sacrificed.

RESULTSCompared with the sham control group, mortality rate in BDL group was 33.3% and incidence rate of ascites was 90%, and hepatic function was abnormal in most of the rats in BDL group. The number of Hepatocytes was decreased and the number of cholangiocytes significantly increased in BDL group. In addition, Hyp content of liver tissue and protein expression of CK 7 and a-SMA were significantly increased. Immunostaining indicated that CK 7 and a-SMA were co-localized in BDL group. These changes were markedly suppressed by the Huangqi decoction.

CONCLUSIONSThese observations suggest that Huangqi decoction can inhibit cholangiocyte proliferation and cholangiocyte transdifferentiation.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Bile Ducts ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Hyaluronic Acid ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of anluohuaqianwan on experimental hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN) in rats.

METHODS36 male SD rats were randomly dividied into three groups: model group, normal group, anluohuaqianwan group. The rats in the three groups were treated with DMN daily for 4 weeks. The liver function was detected using auto biochemistry analyzer, the serum HA, LN, IV-C, PIIIP were detected by immunoradiometry, the histopathology was observed in the left liver lobe after HE staining, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TP, ALB and the contents of HA, LN, IV-C in model group were significantly increased compared to these in the normal group (P less than 0.01). The serum levels of ALT, AST and the contents of HA in anluohuaqianwan group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P less than 0.01). The liver MMP-2 in the model group was significantly increased compared to that in the normal group (P less than 0.05). The expression of MMP-2 in liver tissue of model group was lower than that in the anluohuaqianwan group (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnluohuaqianwan can inhibit liver fibrosis in rats induced by DMN.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley