OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of intracellular free calcium level ([Ca(2+)]i) in gallbladder cells of guinea pigs with gallstones so as to study the mechanisms of gallstone formation and the prevention and treatment function of traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver. METHODS: Eighty guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups, which were normal control group, untreated group, nourishing-liver Chinese drug (NLCD) group and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) group, with 20 guinea pigs in each group. Gallstones were induced in the guinea pigs of the latter 3 groups by the feed of diet inducing cholelithiasis with high cholesterol, while the corresponding medicines were used in NLCD group and UDCA group for prevention and treatment for 7 weeks. Then the state of the guinea pigs, the formation of gallstones, and the changes of [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells were observed. RESULTS: The [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells of guinea pigs in the untreated group was decreased significantly. NLCD improved the behavioral signs of the guinea pigs, significantly decreased the formative rate of gallstones and increased the [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells. CONCLUSIONS: The [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells is the important factor for contractile function of gallbladder and the information of gallstones. Traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver may significantly increase the [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells to facilitate contraction of the smooth muscle cells of gallbladder and relieve the cholestatis. It may be one of the mechanisms of traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver in preventing and treating cholelithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of the inhibiting effects of recipe for dispersing stagnated liver qi to promote bile flow (Danshijing Tablets) on cholesterol gallstone formation and provide experimental evidence for its clinical application. METHODS: Eighty guinea pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups, which were normal control group, untreated group, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-treated group and Danshijing Tablets-treated group. The gallstones in guinea pigs were induced by high-cholesterol diet. UDCA and Danshijing Tablets were given orally to guinea pigs in the corresponding group respectively for seven weeks. Then the physical signs of the guinea pigs, the rates of gallstone formation and the histomorphological changes of the gallbladder were examined. RESULTS: The behavior of guinea pigs in the Danshijing Tablets-treated group was obviously improved and the rate of gallstone formation was significantly decreased as compared with those in both untreated and UDCA-treated groups (P<0.05). The inflammation reaction of mucous membrane in gallbladder was evidently reduced in the Danshijing Tablets-treated group and its morphological appearance turned to be approximately normal. CONCLUSION: Recipe for dispersing stagnated liver qi to promote bile flow may decrease gallstone formation. Its mechanism may be related to reducing pathologic changes in gallbladder tissues, which will reduce the damages of cholesterol to the smooth muscle in gallbladder and enhance the contractility of gallbladder.

Objective To explore the feasibility and application of determining the center of the inferior portion of the glenoid on a standard anteroposterior view of the normal glenoid. Methods Seventy shoulders of 35 mature adults were measured in this study. A 64-slice CT 3D reconstruction was performed for each glenoid. A standard anteroposterior view and the scale of glenoid were made at a 3D workstation by one radiologist, and then transferred to software AutoCAD as 2D images. The 2D images were analyzed with AutoCAD respectively by 3 radiologists. The line was drawn between the most anterior and the most inferior points of the glenoid bony rim. On the same image, another line was drawn between the most posterior and the most inferior points of the glenoid bony rim. Two perpendicular bisectors of the 2 lines were drawn. The cross point of the 2 perpendicular bisectors was regarded as the circle center of the inferior part of the glenoid. The distances from the circle center to the anteroinferior and the posteroinferoir rims of the glenoid and the most posterior point were measured. Measurements were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. Several related samples Friedman rank sum test was used to compare the measurements (the distance from the circle center to the most posterior point) by the 3 radiologists. Paired t tests were used to compare the differences between the left and right glenoids. Results The mean distance from the circle center to the most posterior point was ( 14. 1 ± 1.6) mm, the anteroinferior rim was ( 14. 0 ± 1.7) mm, and the posteroinferoir rim was ( 14. 1 ±1.6) mm. No significant differences were found ( P>0. 05) between measurements by the 3 radiologists. No significant differences were found ( P>0. 05) between the measurements of the both-side glenoids. Conclusions The method of determining the center of the inferior portion of the glenoid based on the most anterior,posterior and inferior points of the glenoid on a standard 3D anteroinferior view of the normal glenoid is easy,practical and highly repeatable. The radius of the left glenoid is comparable to the radius of the right side in normal shoulders. This method can be used to quantify a glenoid bone defect precisely.