OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy of various therapeutic principles of TCM in treating patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

METHODSAdopting blinded controlled trial method, 218 patients with CP/CPPS were randomly assigned to 4 groups: Group A treated with Aike Decoction for smoothing Gan-qi; Group B with Bazhengsan Decoction for clearing heat and removing dampness; Group C with Qianliexianyan Decoction for promoting blood circulation to remove stasis; and Group D with placebo. The scores of NIH chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), clinical symptoms, including pain, symptoms of urinary tract and quality of life (QOL), and TCM syndrome integral were estimated at the beginning, the end of the 2nd and 4th week in the study.

RESULTSCompared with the others, Group A showed a superiority in improving NIH-CPSI, scores of various clinical symptoms and TCM syndrome integral at the 2nd week, and improving NIH-CPSI, scores of pain and QOL at the 4th week (all P < 0.05), while the improvement on urinary tract symptoms and TCM syndrome integral in Group A at the 4th week were better than those in Group B and D, but insignificantly different to those in Group C, respectively. No adverse reaction occurred in Group A and D, but it did occur in the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONTCM therapy for smoothing Gan-qi shows good efficacy with quick initiating and high safety, it is an important principle for the treatment of CP/CPPS.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Phytotherapy ; Prostatitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome

To investigate the role of volatile components in the compound and to find the substance foundation of Gualou Guizhi decoction (GLGZD) for curing extremities spasticity after stroke. The chemical compositions of essential oil, obtained by hydrodistillation from Gualou Guizhi decoction and its major constituting herbs (Trichosanthis Radix, Paeoniae Alba Radix, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Zingiberis Recens Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus) were analyzed by GC-MS to evaluate the correlativity between volatile components of GLGZD and its major constituting herbs, and volatile components after oral administration of GLGZD in the rats' brain. Volatile components of GLGZD are mainly derived from Cinnamomi Ramulus, Zingiberis Recens Rhizoma, Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus, Trichosanthis Radix. The volatile components in the brain is mostly derived from radix trichosanthis. Compared with individual herbs of GLGZD, the dissolution of the components increase or new components appear after compatibility of six herbs. Adminstrated with GLGZD, the results point out that volatile components in the brain play a neuroprotective role through passing the brain.
Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo assess the anti-inflammatory effect of Aike Mixture (AKM) on rats with nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP).

METHODSRat model of NBP was established by injection of Xiaozhiling Injection. The experimental rats were randomized into 7 groups: the three AKM groups (A1, A2 and A3), treated with high, middle and low dose of AKM respectively, the 2 positive control groups (C1 and C2), treated by Bazheng Mixture (BZM) and Qianliexian Decoction (QLXD) respectively, the model control group (Cm) and the sham-operative control group (Cso). The pathological changes in rats' prostate were observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSSignificant differences in the number and structure of acini, mesenchyma, as well as the degrees of anti-fibroplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration were shown between the treated groups (A1, A2, A3, C1, C1, C2) and the untreated groups (Cm, Cso), with statistical significance (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, the anti-fibroplasia and anti-inflammatory effects in A1 were better than that in the two positive control groups significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAKM is a new TCM drug functioned for dispersing Gan-qi in treating NBP. It shows a better efficacy than that of BZM and QLXD, the two Chinese herbal medicines for clearing heat with remove dampness and activating blood circulation to remove stasis, respectively. Aike Mixture; prostatitis; pathological observation

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

In order to explore the differences of chemical constituents of Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra, a qualitative analytical method of liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was developed for identification of multi-constituents and an HPLC-DAD analytical method was developed for simultaneously determining 14 major compounds (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, paeoniflorin sulfonate, protocatechuic aldehyde, methyl gallate, oxypaeoniflorin, catechin, albiflorin, and paeoniflorin, ethyl gallate, benzoic acid, pentagaloylglucose, benzoyl-paeoniflorin, and paeonol) in Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra. Q-TOF/MS qualitative analysis was performed under negative ion mode and inferred 38 components of Paeoniae Radix Alba and 30 components of Paeoniae Radix Rubra. HPLC-DAD quantitative method result showed the contents of 8 ingredients were different between Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra. The results indicated that the new approach was applicable in qualitative and quantitative quality control of Paeoniae Radix Alba and Paeoniae Radix Rubra.
Bridged-Ring Compounds ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Monoterpenes ; chemistry ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; classification ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

OBJECTIVEInvestigations were carried out to understand the effect of 50 Hz power frequency magnetic field on microfilament assembly of human amniotic cells and on expression of actin and epidermal growth factor receptor.

METHODSHuman amnion FL cells were exposed to 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mT power frequency magnetic field for 30 minutes. Microfilaments were marked using Phalloidin-TRITC, and then were observed under a fluorescence microscope. An optical method was used to detect the relative content of microfilament in cells. A scanning electron microscope was used to detect the cell shape. The content of actin and epidermal growth factor receptor in the preparation of the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton were measured by western-blotting to analyse the potential mechanism of the change induced by magnetic field.

RESULTSIntracellular stress fibers were found to decrease after exposing cells to a 0.2 mT power frequency magnetic field for 30 minutes. New microfilament and filopodia bundles appeared at the cell periphery after exposure, but the detected total F-actin content per cell was not significantly changed, detected by a F-actin-specific dye. The change in the amount of microfilaments caused by the field could be recovered 2 hours later when the field was withdrawn. The mean height of microfilament cytoskeleton decreased from (12.37 +/- 1.28) microm to (9.97 +/- 0.38) microm (t = 6.96, P > 0.05) after exposure using a confocal microscope. The cell shapes became more flat and lamellipodia appeared after exposure observed by a scanning electron microscope. By using Western blotting method, the intracellular contents of epidermal growth factor receptor and of actin in the preparation of the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton which are associated with high-affinity epidermal growth factor receptors, increased about (31.2 +/- 4.1)% (t = 17.10, P < 0.05) and (16.8 +/- 2.3)% (t = 16.68, P < 0.05) respectively, compared with that of the control.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that a short time exposure to a 0.2 mT power frequency magnetic field induces re-organization of microfilament in human amnion FL cells. These changes could be recovered by field withdraw and may have something with the clustering of epidermal growth factor receptors induced by magnetic field.

Actin Cytoskeleton ; metabolism ; Amnion ; cytology ; radiation effects ; Cell Line ; Cell Movement ; Cytoskeleton ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Humans ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To investigate the value of mean platelet volume(MPV)combined with red blood cell distribution width(RDW)in prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP). Methods 65 SAP patients from January 1,2013 to December 31,2016 were included in the study and were divided into pospital death group(n=7) and survival group(n = 58). The basic clinical data of two groups were compared,the risk factors for hospital death and the prognostic value of MPV and RDW were analyzed. Results Compared with the survival group,the APACHEⅡ score,RDW,PLT,MPV,PDW were statistically different(P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis was used to show APACHEⅡ score(OR = 1.793,95% CI: 1.212 ~ 2.654),PLT(OR = 0.982,95% CI: 0.967 ~0.997),MPV(OR=2.964,95% CI: 1.341~6.549),PDW(OR=1.470,95% CI: 1.019~2.122),RDW(OR=3.274,95% CI: 1.271 ~ 8.429)(P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of APA-CHEII score was 0.861(95% CI: 0.743 ~ 0.979,P = 0.001),MPV was 0.828(95% CI: 0.689 ~ 0.967,P =0.003,RDW was 0.849(95% CI: 0.749 ~ 0.949,P = 0.001),MPV+RDW was 0.914(95% CI: 0.832 ~ 0.997, P = 0.000). Conclusion The APACHEⅡ score,PLT,MPV,PDW,RDW are all the independent risk factors for hospital death with SAP. MPV combined with RDW has an important reference value for the prognosis of SAP patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of anticolchicine cytotoxicity of Dan Gua-Fang, a Chinesea Chinese), a Chinese herbal compound prescription on endothelial cells of vein (ECV304) cultivated in mediums of different glucose concentrations as well as the proliferation of those cells in the same conditions, in order to reveal the value of Dan Gua-Fang in preventing and treating endothelial damage caused by hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus.

METHODSThe research was designed as three stages. The growing state and morphological changes were observed when ECV304 were cultivated in the culture mediums, which have different glucose concentrations with or without Dan Gua-Fang and at the same time with or without colchicine.

RESULTS(1) Dan Gua-Fang at all concentrations reduced the floating cell population of ECV304 cultivated in hyperglycemia mediums. (2) Dan Gua-Fang at all concentrations and hyperglycemia both had a function of promoting "pseudopod-like" structure formation in cultivated ECV304, but the function was not superimposed in mediums containing both hyperglycemia and Dan Gua-Fang. (3) Colchicine reduced and even vanished the "pseudopod-like" structure of the endotheliocyte apparently cultivated in mediums of hyperglycemia or with Dan Gua-Fang. The "pseudopod-like" structure of the endotheliocyte emerged quickly in Dan Gua-Fang groups after colchicine was removed, but it was not the case in hyperglycemia only without Dan Gua-Fang groups. (4) Dan Gua-Fang reduced the mortality of cells cultivated in mediums containing colchicine. The cell revived to its normal state fast after colchicine was removed.

CONCLUSIONDan Gua-Fang has the functions of promoting the formation of cytoskeleton and fighting against colchicine cytotoxicity.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Cell Shape ; drug effects ; Colchicine ; adverse effects ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Culture Media ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Cytotoxins ; adverse effects ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Drug Antagonism ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; drug effects ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo study the toxicity features of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle and the influence of Dan Gua-Fang, a Chinese herbal compound prescription, on the reproductive cycle of vascular endothelial cells cultivated under a high glucose condition; to reveal the partial mechanisms of Dan Gua-Fang in the prevention and treatment of endothelial injury caused by hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus (DM); and offer a reference for dealing with the vascular complications of DM patients with long-term high blood glucose.

METHODSBased on the previous 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (z-y1)-3-5-diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) experiment, under different medium concentrations of glucose and Dangua liquor, the endothelial cells of vein-304 (ECV-304) were divided into 6 groups as follows: standard culture group (Group A, 5.56 mmol/L glucose); 1/300 herb-standard group (Group B); high glucose culture group (Group C, 16.67 mmol/L glucose); 1/150 herb-high glucose group (Group D); 1/300 herb-high glucose group (Group E); and 1/600 herb-high glucose group (Group F). The cell cycle was assayed using flow cytometry after cells were cultivated for 36, 72 and 108 h, respectively.

RESULTS(1) The percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased in Group C compared with that in Group A (P<0.05), while the percentage of S-phase (S%) cells in Group C was significantly reduced compared with Group A (P<0.05); the latter difference was dynamically related to the length of growing time of the endothelial cells in a high glucose environment. (2) The S% cells in Group A was decreased by 30.25% (from 40.23% to 28.06%) from 36 h to 72 h, and 12.33% (from 28.06% to 24.60%) from 72 h to 108 h; while in Group C, the corresponding decreases were 23.05% and 21.87%, respectively. The difference of S% cells between the two groups reached statistical significance at 108 h (P<0.05). (3) The percentage difference of cells in the G2/M phase between Group C and Group A was statistically significant at 72 h (P<0.01). (4) 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely reversed the harmful effect caused by 16.67 mmol/L high glucose on the cell cycle; moreover it did not disturb the cell cycle when the cell was cultivated in a glucose concentration of 5.56 mmol/L.

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose produces an independent impact on the cell cycle. Persistent blocking of the cell cycle and its arrest at the G0/G1 phase are toxic effects of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle. The corresponding variation of the arrest appears in the S phase. 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely eliminates the blockage of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions of Aike Mixture (AKM).

METHODSA total of 100 male mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups: a normal control group, a drug control group (a hydrocortisone subgroup and an atropine subgroup), a high-dose AKM group, a mid-dose AKM group and a low-dose AKM group. Xylene was spread on the left ear of the experimental mice to induce inflammation, and 1% acetic acid solution injected into the abdominal cavity to produce pain so as to cause the body bend. Different doses of AKM were given and their actions observed.

RESULTSAKM had obvious anti-inflammatory effect on the xylene-induced ear tumefaction and inhibited the pain-caused body bend in the AKM groups, with significant difference from the normal control (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAKM has good anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which is of clinical significance in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Combinations ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

Objective:To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) trajectories in children and adolescents and subclinical renal damage (SRD) in adulthood.Methods:4 623 participants aged 6-18 years old were recruited from the ongoing cohort of Hanzhong adolescent hypertension study in 1987, and the subjects were followed up in 1989, 1992, 1995, 2005, 2013 and 2017, respectively. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify distinct BMI trajectories in longitudinal analysis. Generalized linear model was applied to examine the association between different BMI trajectories and SRD incidence in adulthood.Results:A total of 2 678 subjects from childhood to adulthood were enrolled in this study. All subjects were divided into three groups according to three distinct BMI trajectories: low-increasing BMI group ( n=1 017), moderate-increasing BMI group ( n=1 353), and high-increasing BMI group ( n=308). Over follow up for 30 years, a total of 248 participants (9.3%) developed SRD. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) in low to high-increasing BMI group was 0.9(0.6, 1.4), 1.0(0.7, 1.7), 1.6(0.8, 3.2), respectively ( P trend<0.001), and estimated glomerular filtration rate was 98.5(87.6, 111.6) , 96.2(86.4, 109.7), 95.3 (87.5, 125.0) ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, respectively ( P trend=0.025). The generalized linear model analysis showed that uACR was increased linearly from low to high-increasing BMI group [ β=3.16(95% CI 1.02-5.31), Ptrend=0.004]. There was no correlation or linear trend between BMI trajectory and estimated glomerular filtration rate [ β=-2.30(95% CI-5.18-0.57), Ptrend=0.117]. Compared with the low-increasing BMI group, the high-increasing BMI group had greater odds of experiencing SRD in adulthood after adjusting for multiple confounders such as age, gender, medical history and lifestyle ( OR=2.83, 95% CI 1.84-4.36, Ptrend<0.001). Conclusions:Higher BMI trajectorie is correlated with higher level of uACR and risk of SRD in middle age. Identifying long-term BMI trajectorie from early age may assist in predicting individuals′ renal function in later life.