OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of Lingtong Capsule (LC) in treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

METHODSTotally 59 PD patients took LC, while 59 patients in the placebo group took placebo capsule, two pills immediately when they felt dysmenorrhea. Their pain levels were quantitatively classified. The pain score was assessed at an interval of 30 min using visual analogue scale/score (VAS) while taking medicine and within two h after taking medicine. It was assessed as effective when the pain level was reduced by more than or equal to 50% within 2 h.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 69.49% (41/ 59) in the LC group and 20.34% (12/59) in the placebo group (P < 0.01). The analgesia effect was obviously superior in the LC group 60 min after taking medicine (P < 0.01). LC showed better effect in treating mild, moderate, and severe PD (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLC showed obvious analgesia effect on PD.

Adult ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Dysmenorrhea ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Visual Analog Scale ; Young Adult

Abstract: TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway has a wide range of biological activities and plays an important roles in regulating cell growth, adhesion, differentiation, cell dynamic balance, and immune responses. The higher activity of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway may promote scar formation, organ fibrosis, immunosuppression, and late-stage cancer progression, while low activity may lead to inflammation, dysplasia, poor healing and oncogenesis. The function of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway is extremely complex and can exhibit inhibitory or enhancing effects on immunity and inflammation under different circumstances, but immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects are dominant. During HIV infection, the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway interacts with HIV in a complex manner as HIV proteins tat and gp120 can induce TGF-β expression. Meanwhile, this signaling pathway may also play a role in HIV infection and replication, latent virus reservoir, host immune deficiency and HIV-related inflammation. It is worth noting that even though TGF-β, which mainly exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, is induced by HIV, high levels of TGF-β do not seem to inhibit HIV-related inflammation. So far, the relationship between TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and HIV infection has not been elucidated, and its role and mechanism in HIV infection and related illnesses need further exploration and validation. This review summarizes the relevant research progress on the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and HIV infection, and provides a reference for further understanding of HIV pathogenesis and exploring strategies of AIDS treatment.

Background The effectiveness of medical tissue adhesive for the reparation of operative incision has been recognized,but its influence to ocular surface microenvironment is not quite clear.Objective This study was to appraise the safety and efficacy of α-cyanoacrylate,a medical issue adhesive,for the reparation of the conjunctival and skin laceration.Methods Twenty healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into suturing group and medical glue group.Routine ophthalmic examination,the level of tear secretion and breakup time of tear film (BUT) were tested before operation.The upper bulbar conjunctiva of each right eye was cut apart about 1.0 cm after surface anesthesia and the skin of back was incised about 2.5 cm length after local anesthesia.The conjunctival and skin lacerations were adhered with compound medical adhesive in the medical glue group,and continuous suture was done to repair the conjunctival laceration and interrupted suture to the skin laceration with 5-0 chorda serica chirurgicalis in the suture group.The routine ophthalmic examination,level of tear secretion,BUT and the states of wound healing were examined 1 day,2 days and 7 days postoperatively.Pathologic examination of the corresponding tissues was also carried out 1 week after the animals were sacrificed.The data were analyzed by SPSS 13.0 statistical software.This experiment followed the Administration of the Care and Use of Experimental Animals of Shanghai City.Results The conjunctival and skin lacerations healed well both in the suture group and the medical glue group.The levels of tear secretion 1 day and 2 days postoperatively in the medical glue group were (12.70±2.21)mm and (12.70±2.00)mm respectively,showing a significant lowness in comparison with (14.90±2.38)mm and (14.90±2.33)mm of the suture group (q =-4.02,P =0.03;q =-4.02,P =0.03).Compared with the baseline,the difference of the levels of tear secretion in the medical glue group was not statistically significant in various time points after operation (P=1.00,1.00,0.51).The BUT values at 2 days and 7 days postoperatively in the medical glue group were (4.50 ± 1.18) seconds and (4.10±0.88) seconds respectively,being significantly longer than (3.30 ± 1.06) seconds and (3.00±1.25) seconds in the suture group (q=4.37,P=0.02;q=4.19,P=0.03).Compared with the baseline,there was not statistically significant difference at each time point postoperatively in the medical glue group (P =0.28,0.59,0.21).However,BUT at each time point after operation in the suture group was significantly shorter than that of the baseline (P=0.01,0.01,0.00).Pathological examination showed that all the conjunctival and skin lacerations healed well.Trivial collagen hyperplasy was seen in the eyes of the suture group and infiltration of a few of inflammatory cells was found in the medical glue group.In the pathological result of the skin test,there was conspicuous scar and severe collagen hyperplasy in the suture group,but in the medical glue group,the skin structure was almost normal.Conclusions α-Cyanoacrylate is safe and effective for the repair of the conjunctival incision with little affection to ocular surface microenvironment.

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Maple Syrup Urine Disease ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy

Objective To observe the effect of multiple interventions on secondary epilepsy patients.Methods 114 secondary epilepsy patients were randomly divided into the intervention group and control group with 57 cases in each group.The cases in the intervention group received multiple interventions including heath education,psychological treatment,safety nursing,overdose administration,early rehabilitation,discharge guide and so on besides usual nursing.While,the cases in the control group received usual nursing.The follow-up was performed for 6 months and the therapeutic efficacy of two groups was compared.Results After multiple interventions,the seizure frequency and trauma incidence rate decreased,compliance and quality of life increased in patients of the intervention group,and there was a significant difference compared with the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Multiple interventions can decrease seizure frequency and increase compliance of treatment and quality of life of secondary epilepsy patients.

Objective To discuss the diagnostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in differentiating vertebral metastatic tumors from benign deseases after studying the early changes of signal intensity.Methods Twenty patients were scanned by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.The parameters of signal intensity were measured and calculated,and time-intensity cures(TICs)were drawn.Then,they were compared with those of normal verte- braes,the characteristics were analyzed.Results The parameters of vertebral metastatic tumors:peak signal intensi- ty,signal intensity minimum signal intensity of post-peak,peak slope,initial ratio of enhancement,maximum ratio of enhancement was respectively(50.61?11.38),(46.75?10.23),(0.73?0.12),(0.33?0.08),(1.03?0.31); that of normal vertebraes was respectively(40.53?12.12),(34.72?14.06),(0.31?0.11),(-0.25?0.05), (0.69?0.28);and ten normal cases showed negative in initial percent of enhancement,but only two abnormal ver- tebraes showed that.All of the above had significant statistical difference.Four types of TICs were concluded:early rapid rise and early rapid descent followed by steady phase(type A),persistently rise(type B),rise phase followed by steady phase(type C),rise phase followed by rapid descent phase(type D).TICs of abnormal vertebraes were respec- tively 6,5,5,5 cases;types of normal vertebraes were mainly type C,15 cases.Type A and type B and the type with the characteristic of early rapid descent phase were features of abnormal vertebraes;type C was the feature of normal ones.Conclusions Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI could quantitatively show the characteristics of early changes of signal intensity of vertebral metastatic tumors,which were significant statistically different from those of normal ver- tebraes.Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was worth performing in the early diagnosis of vertebral metastatic tu- mors.

AIM To observe the effects of Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules (Cinnamomi Ramulus,Poria,Epimedii Folium,etc.) on autophagy proteins of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats and to explore the possible mechanism of action.METHODS Sixty SD rats were randomized into six groups:normal group,model group,Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules (0.8,1.6,3.2 g/kg) groups and tripterygium glycosides (TPT,40 mg/kg) group.In addition to the normal group,adjuvant arthritis (AA) was induced with Freund's complete adjuvant.From the 2th day after injection of FCA,Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules with different doses and TPT were given by gavage once a day for 12 days.At the end of the experiment,ankle-joint samples were taken to examine the degree of AA by HE.Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ mRNA were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.Meanwhile,the protein expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ were determined by immunofluorescence histochemical staining and Western blot.RESULTS As compared with the model group,Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules (1.60,3.20 g/kg) not only significantly reduced histopathological injuries,but also effectively up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ.CONCLUSION Wuwei Wentong Chubi Capsules has a therapeutic action on AA in rats,which might be partly associated with promoting autophagy,decreasing excessive proliferation of synovial cells,leading to the reduction of damage to articular cartilage.

BACKGROUND:Emerging evidence shows that rs6756667 SNP EPAS1-A alele is beneficial for, however, the GG genotype is detrimental for adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia in Tibetan populations.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the EPAS1 gene rs6756667 polymorphism between Tibetan elite endurance athletes and Tibetan non-physical education major students and analyze its relationship to aerobic exercise capacity.
METHODS:Forty Tibetan athletes in Ganzi Tibetan middle and long distance athletes sports teams (athlete group) and forty Tibetan non-physical education major students in Ganzi (student group) were included in this study. The EPAS1 gene rs6756667 polymorphic loci were determined using PCR high-resolution melting analysis. The genetic polymorphism data from this study were compared withthe data from previous studies. Increase values of bone mineral density in the pelvis, upper and lower limbs were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were significant differences in the genotype frequencies of EPAS1 rs6756667 AA, AG and GG between student group(50%, 47.5%, 2.5%)and athlete group(72.5%, 27.5%, 0;P< 0.05). The genotype frequency of GG was significantly increased in student group compared with athlete group (P< 0.05). There were differences in the frequencies of A alele and G alele between both groups (95%CI:0.459-0.908,P=0.011).Bone mineral density inthe pelvis, upper and lower limbs and whole body was significantly higher in student group than athlete group (P< 0.05). These findings suggest that EPAS1 gene rs6756667 polymorphism is related to aerobic capacity of Tibetan elite endurance athletes. rs6756667 SNP EPAS1-A alele is beneficial for, however, the GG genotype is detrimental for adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia in Tibetan athletes.

This study aimed to investigate the involved immunologic mechanism of pure total flavonoids from Citrus (PTFC) on the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). C57BL/6 mice were fed with high .fat diet for 16 weeks to induce the NASH model, and from the 7th week three dosages (25, 50 and 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) of PTFC were administrated intragastric for 10 weeks respectively. Serum TG, CHOL, ALT, AST were determined by biochemical assay, histopathological changes of the liver tissue were observed by HE staining, expression of RORyt and Foxp3 mRNA of the liver tissue was detected by Real-time PCR, and serum IL-17, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-4 were determined by.Cytometric Beads Array. As a result, we find that after the administration of PTFC, the in- flammation of the liver tissue of NASH mice was attenuated, liver function was improved, and the expression of RORgammat mRNA was higher in the liver tissue while which was lower of Foxp3 mRNA, the level of proinflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IL-6 decreased and the level of suppressive cytokines IL-10 and IL-4 increased. These data show that PTFC protects the development of NASH through regulating the Th17/Treg balance and attenuating inflammation.
Animals ; Citrus ; chemistry ; Cytokines ; blood ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; immunology ; prevention & control ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; Th17 Cells ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of pure total flavonoids from Citrus (PTFC) on the hepatic fatty degeneration, inflammation, oxidative stress and SIRT1/PGC-1alpha expressions in mice with non-alcohol steatohepatitis (NASH), and discuss the action mechanism of PTFC on NASH.

METHODMice were given high-fat diet for 16 weeks to induce the NASH model. Since the seventh week after the model establishment, the mice were intervened with 100, 50 and 25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) PTFC for 10 weeks. The pathologic changes in hepatic tissues were observed with HE staining. The contents of TG, CHOL in hepatic tissue, as well as the levels of AST, ALT in serum were detected by using the biochemical process. The expression of SIRT1, PGC-1alpha and MnSOD mRNA in hepatic tissues were detected with Real-time PCR assay. SIRT1, PGC-1alpha protein and 8-OHdG expressions were determined with the immunohistochemical method. The SOD level in hepatic tissues was tested by the xanthine oxidase method. The MDA content in hepatic tissues was examined by the thiobarbituric acid method.

RESULTThe contents of TG, CHOL, NAFLD activity scores and ALT level in serum in hepatic tissues of mice in the model induced by fat-rich diet were obviously higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.010. The SIRT1, PGC-1alpha, MnSOD mRNA and protein expression in hepatic tissues were significantly lower than that of the normal group (P < 0.01). The expression of 8-OHdG and the content of MDA in hepatic tissues were obviously higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.01). After the intervention with different doses of PTFC, the NAFLD activity scores, the content of TG and the level of AST in serum were notably lower than that of the normal group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); whereas the SIRT1, PGC-1alpha, MnSOD mRNA and protein expression were obviously higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), with the significant decrease in the expression of 8-OHdG and the content of MDA (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress/lipid peroxidation enhancement in in NASH mice induced by high-fat diet may be related to the changes in SIRT1/PGC-1alpha signal transduction pathway. PTFC could enhance the anti-oxidant capacity in liver, relieve the damage of reactive oxygen during the fatty acid metabolic process, and prevent NASH from the occurrence and development by regulating the SIRT1/PGC-1alpha signal pathway.

Animals ; Citrus ; chemistry ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; genetics ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Sirtuin 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism