Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on uterine prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and to discuss the possible mechanism in EA intervening PD. Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an EA group and an ibuprofen group, with 10 rats in each group. The PD model was established using estradiol benzoate combined with oxytocin in the model group, EA group and ibuprofen group. At the same time of modeling, rats in the EA group were given EA at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) once a day for 20 min each time for 10 consecutive days. Ibuprofen was intragastrically administered once a day for 10 consecutive days in the ibuprofen group. The same amount of normal saline was intragastrically administered once a day for 10 consecutive days in the blank group and model group. The number of writhing of rats in each group within 30 min was compared on the 11th day just after the interventions. The uterine homogenate supernatant was separated and the PGF2α level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was applied for the detection of the expression levels of COX-2, phospho-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 proteins in uterine tissues. Results: Compared with the blank group, the number of writhing in the model group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the expression levels of PGF2α, COX-2, phospho-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 proteins in uterine tissues were significantly increased (all P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the number of writhing in the EA group and ibuprofen group were significantly reduced (both P<0.01), and the expression levels of PGF2α and COX-2 protein in uterine tissues were significantly reduced (both P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the phospho-NF-κB p65 level in uterine tissues in the EA group was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the ibuprofen group, the phospho-NF-κB p65 level in the EA group was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Conclusion: The mechanism of EA for PD rats may be related to inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF-κB and reducing the levels of COX-2 and PGF2α in uterine tissues.

Objective To observe the effects of repeated +10 Gz stress on cerebral lipid peroxidation,liver and renal function in rats and the prophylactic effects of antioxidant tea polyphenols(TP).Method Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups(n=8 each):group A(control),group B(+10 Gz),and group C(TP).Group B and C were exposed to repeated +10 Gz stress(each for 30s,onset rate about 0.5 G/s,3 times/d with +1 Gz 1 min intervals,3 d/wk,4 weeks in total),but group A was only submitted to +1 Gz.TP(200 mg/kg) was given orally in group C about 1 h prior to the +Gz experiment,while distilled water was given in group A and B.Lipid peroxidation in the brain,liver and renal functions and serum lipids were determined.Results As compared with the control,lipid peroxidation in rat cerebral homogenate,mitochondria and cytoplasm was significantly increased( P<0.05),and serum creatinine concentration was markedly elevated after repeated +10 Gz stress(P<0.01).But,TP had significant inhibitory effect on +10 Gz stress induced peroxidative injury in rat brain and reduced the serum creatinine level.There were no differences of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity among the three groups.Conclusion These results indicated that repeated high +Gz stress could bring about peroxidative injury in brain and harmful effect on renal function,and natural antioxidant TP had signficant protective effects.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; Pneumoconiosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; methods ; Young Adult

AIM: To study the role of scavenger receptor A(SR A) in the uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein(OxLDL) in mouse peritoneal macrophages(MPM). METHODS: Comparing the difference of the uptake of OxLDL in SR A-deficient and wild-type MPM. RESULTS: The results showed that the binding of OxLDL wasn't apparently reduced in SR A-deficient MPM. The association of OxLDL was reduced by 35.8% and degradation of OxLDL was reduced by 42% in SR A-deficient MPM compared with those in wild-type MPM. CONCLUSION: Studies showed that SR A didn't play an important role in the uptake of OxLDL in MPM. Approximately 70% of the uptake of OxLDL in macrophages is attributable to non-SR A receptor.

Objective: To research the effects of astragaloside IV (AST IV) on improving insulin resistance in HepG2 cells, and predict and verify the AST IV possible targets based on pharmacophore model matching and molecular docking. Methods: HepG2 cells insulin resistance model was induced with high concentration insulin. After being interfered by AST IV, the glucose consumption was characterized by glucose test, AST IV possible targets were predicted by pharmacophore model matching and molecular docking, the expressions of related pathway protein were detected by Western blotting. Results: AST IV significantly increased the glucose consumption in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, the possible target of AST IV may be related to tyrosine phosphotase 1B (PTP1B) based on pharmacophore model matching and molecular docking. The Western blotting results showed that, the level of PTP1B was significantly increased and the levels of p-IR and p-IRS-1 were significantly decreased in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. The intervention of AST IV decreased the levels of PTP1B, and increased the levels of p-IR and p-IRS-1. Conclusion: AST IV can significantly improve insulin resistance of insulin induced HepG2 cells, and its mechanism is related to inhibiting PTP1B and activating insulin signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on levels of prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) in the uteruses of rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of PD. METHODS: Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, acupoint catgut embedment and medication groups, with 10 rats in each group. The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate (0.5 mg on the 1st day, and 0.2 mg thereafter) once daily for 10 days, followed by i．p. of oxytocin 2 U(0.5 mg•5 U－1•mL－1) on the 11th day. Catgut embedment was applied to "Guanyuan"(CV4) and "Sanyinjiao"(SP6) on day 1 and 5 while modeling, and rats of the medication group received gavage of ibuprofen (1.25 mg/mL, 0.8 mL/rat) once daily for 10 d. The level of PGF2αin the uterus tissuewas assayed by ELISA, and the expression levels of uterine COX-2, phospho (p)-NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65 proteins were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the levels of PGF2α， COX-2, p-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 in the uterine tissues were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of PGF2α and COX-2 in both catgut embedment and medication groups as well as p-NF-κB p65 in the catgut embedment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the medication group, the level of p-NF-κB 65 in the catgut embedment group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The analgesic effect of acupoint catgut embedding may be related to its effects in down-regulating the expression of p-NF-κB and the levels of COX-2 and PGF2αin uteruses of PD rats.

The effects of several factors on the chlamydospores production of Trichoderma aureoviride T-33 during the fermentation were researched.Based on the results above, the orthogonal test was made to screen out the best prescription.The results showed that, the best single-factor conditions for the chlamydospores production of T.aureoviride T-33 were, liquid culture of oat powder, 30℃, pH4.0, 120r/min, 24 hours oscillate incubating as well as liquid culture volume of 80mL/bottle when the 250mL size triangle bottle was used.The result of orthogonal test showed that, the best prescription for temperature, pH and oscillating speed was 30℃, pH4.0 and 140r/min.3.37?10~ 7 spore/mL chlamydospores were obtained at this combined condition.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Yiqi Huoxue Tongyang Xiezhuo Recipe (YHTXR, capable of supplementing qi, activating blood, warming yang, and discharge turbidity) in treating coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAHD). and chronic heart failure (CHF) with carotid plaque patients, and to explore new ways of Chinese medicine (CM).

METHODSTotally 69 CAHD-CHF patients of qi deficiency phlegm stasis syndrome (QDPSS) with carotid plaque were recruited in this study using parallel cohort method. They were assigned to the treatment group (35 cases) and the control group (34 cases). Patients in the control group received routine treatment of Western medicine, while those in the treatment group were additionally treated with YHTXR (twice daily). The therapeutic course for all was three months. Cardiac function levels, echocardiography, carotid plaque, blood lipids and safety indicators were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment the improvement of cardiac function levels was better in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Decreased LDL-C levels were higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), LDL-C, TC, TG in the treatment group between before and after treatment (P < 0.05). LDL-C and TG also decreased in the control group after treatment (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction, carotid IMT, or TC in the control group between before and after treatment (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in stroke volume, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, the area of carotid artery plaque, or HDL-C in the two groups between before and after treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSYHTXR could effectively improve cardiac functions of CAHD-CHF patients of QDPSS with carotid plaque, reduce blood lipids and IMT. It had no significant adverse reactions for elderly patients in short term.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Coronary Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lipids ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; drug therapy ; Qi ; Ventricular Function, Left

Compound Wuzhigan capsules is a compound preparation composed of Wuzhigan, Shidagonglao, Gangmei, Shanzhima. A Randomized, double-blind, multi-center, positive parallel control designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of compound Wuzhigan capsules on anemopyretic cold. One hundred and twenty anemopyretic cold patients were given compound Wuzhigan capsules (test group), 2 capsules one time, three times a day, 119 patients were given compound Wuzhigan tablets (control group) ,4 tablets one time, three times a day; three days of treatment The study showed, the markedly effective rate and total effective rate respectively were 63. 3% and 80% of the test group. For the control group, the markedly effective rate and total effective rate respectively were 72. 5% and 80. 7%. The difference was not statistically significant. Compound Wuzhigan capsules can reduce the dosage, and get better patient compliance.
Adult ; Capsules ; Common Cold ; complications ; drug therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Safety ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Xiangdan Injection on mRNA expression of the endothelial vaso-active factors of patients with coronary heart disease and blood stasis. METHODS: Fifty-six patients were randomly divided into two groups:twenty-eight patients were treated according to the therapeutic guide for coronary heart disease as the control group and 28 were given the same treatment plus Xiangdan Injection as the treated group. The expressions of ET-1 and eNOS mRNA were examined with RT-PCR before experiment and ten days later. RESULTS: The positive rate of eNOS mRNA of the treated group increased, while the positive rate of ET-1 mRNA of the treated group decreased after ten day's treatment, with significant differences as compared with that before the experiment. Xiangdan Injection up-regulated the eNOS mRNA expression and suppressed the ET-1 mRNA expression. Changes of expression were not observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: Xiangdan Injection improves the endothelial function of patients with coronary heart disease and blood stasis by regulating the expressions of ET-1 and eNOS mRNA.