OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with TDP for treatment of postmenopausal patients with deficiency of liver and kidney syndrome and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred and twelve cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 56 cases in each group. The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture combined with TDP, Shenshu (BL 23), Mingmen (GV 4) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were selected as main points; the medication group was treated with oral administration of Nylestriol and Oryzanol. The therapeutic effects were evaluated after treatment of 3 months in the two groups, and the changes of estrogen,bone mineral density and endometrium of patients were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 94.6% in acupuncture group was superior to 75.0% in medication group (P<0.01), the acupuncture group was better than the medication group in increasing bone mineral density and decreasing the endometrial thickness (P<0.05, P<0.01), the medication group was better than the acupuncture group in decreasing the levels of serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and increasing the estradiol (E2) level (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effect of acupuncture combined with TDP for treatment of postmenopausal patients with deficiency of liver and kidney syndrome is significant, and it can increase bone mineral density, decrease endometrial thickness and obviously regulate the estrogen level.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dimethylformamide ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

Partial nature of "promoting blood circulation and dieresis" of Salvia Miltiorrhizain was initially demonstrated by investigating the regulation effect of AQP2 expression in kidney of trauma blood stasis model rats with the Salvia Miltiorrhizain so as to provide guidance for its clinical deployment of administration. Random allocation was taken to averagely divide 30 SD rats into two groups: 10 rats in normal group and 20 rats in blood stasis syndrome group. Trauma blood stasis rat model was established by quantitatively beating. Then the rat model group was divided into model group and salvia group. After 7 days of treatment, the rat kidney AQP2 expression was detected, the content of urine AQP2 was compared and the damaged local muscle and kidney pathological changes were observed by immunohistochemical method and western blot method. Compared with that of the normal group, rats in model group had inflammatory cells infiltration, blood stasis and edema of the injured local muscles and up-regulated AQP2 expression, decreasing urinary output, and kidney tissues blood stasis and edema (P < 0.05). On the other hand, compared with that of the model group, those parameters of rats in salvia group were all decreasing except urine output (P < 0.05). Such result indicated that Salvia Miltiorrhiza can reduce trauma blood stasis rat content of urine AQP2 and down-regulated AQP2 expression in kidney tissue, so as to reduce the reabsorption of water by renal tubular and increase urine output. The promoting blood circulation effect of Salvia Miltiorrhizain can alleviate the degree of the damaged tissue edema and encourage urine drainage. This therapy is closely related to the effect of regulating AQP2 in kidney by salvia, so the purpose of this study by verifying "promoting blood circulation and diuresis" as the mechanism for the regulation effect of the salvia on AQP2 expression.
Animals ; Aquaporin 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blood Circulation ; drug effects ; Diuresis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; blood supply ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

OBJECTIVESTo explore the effects and significance of Huanshuai Recipe Oral Liquid (, HSR), a formula with supplementing qi, nourishing blood and activating blood on restructuring glomerular microvasculature and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in subtotal nephrectomized (SNX) rats.

METHODSA total of 76 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: 16 in the sham-operated group and fed with tap water 10 mL/kg per day; 20 in the model group were operated with 5/6 SNX and fed with tap water 10 mL/ kg per day; 20 SNX rats in the HSR group were treated with HSR 10 mL/kg per day; 20 SNX rats in the losartan group were treated with losartan 40 mg/kg per day. Serum creatinine (SCr) and urinary protein excretion (Upro) were examined at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks of the treatment, and the remnant kidneys were harvested. Changes in histological microstructure were evaluated using light microscopy, and the expression of VEGF was detected by using ELISA.

RESULTSUpro, microvasculature injury and glomerulosclerosis were found to be alleviated in HSR and Losartan groups, respectively. The change of VEGF expression showed positive correlation with glomerular capillary area and peritubular capillary number (r=0.448, r=0.422, P<0.01), but negative correlation with that of SCr and Upro (r=-0.592, r=-0.481, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHSR could regulate the VEGF expression, reduce the loss of microvasculature, which demonstrated similar renal protective effects to losartan in SNX rats. Examination of Chinese herbal medicine influence on VEGF signaling and restructuring renal microvasculature may elucidate the molecular mechanism of renal protection to a certain degree.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Capillaries ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Creatinine ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Matrix ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Kidney Glomerulus ; blood supply ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Microvessels ; drug effects ; Nephrectomy ; Proteinuria ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Time Factors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

To summarize present situation of a study on kidney-supplementing and blood-activating method in treating ovaries functional disorders (infertility with dysfunctional ovulation) for stimulating ovaries reactive mechanism to gonadotropic hormones. Refer to correlative articles and combine clinical experience to report. Kidney-supplementing and blood-activating method have obvious therapeutic effect and no side effect and no adverse reaction. More attention are paid on influence factors and contribution about kidney-supplementing and blood-activating method in treating ovaries functional disorders especially on sex hormones, ovulating, corpora luteuman and implantation factors. Indicate the necessarity to develop polycentric kidney-supplementing and blood-activating method in treating ovaries functional disorders (infertility with dysfunctional ovulation) evaluation research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gonadotropins ; secretion ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Ovarian Diseases ; drug therapy ; Ovary ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Ovulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with Chinese herbs on polycystic ovary syndrome of kidney deficiency and phlegm stasis type and probe into the mechanism.

METHODSSixty-three cases of polycystic ovary syndrome of kidney deficiency and phlegm stasis type were randomly divided in to a combined acupuncture and Chinese herb group (n=32) treated with acupuncture at Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), et al. and oral administration of Chinese herbs, and a simple Chinese herb group (n=31) treated with oral administration of the same Chinese herbs as in the combined acupuncture and Chinese herb group. The therapeutic effects and changes of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and LH/FSH were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.8% in the combined acupuncture and Chinese herb group and 80.6% in the simple Chinese herb group, the former being significantly better than the latter (P < 0.05). The decrease of T in the combined acupuncture and Chinese herb group was significantly su perior to that in the simple Chinese herb group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with Chinese herb therapy is superior to the simple Chinese herb in the clinical therapeutic effect on polycystic ovary syndrome of kidney deficiency and phlegm stasis type and decrease of T level, indicating this method is a better one for polycystic ovary syndrome of kidney deficiency and phlegm stasis type.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Sputum ; metabolism ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and delaying the development of diabetic nephropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus is very important. In this study, we investigated inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism to assess whether curcumin ameliorates diabetic nephropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were divided into three groups: Long-Evans-Tokushima-Otsuka rats for normal controls, Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats for the diabetic group, and curcumin-treated (100 mg/kg/day) OLETF rats. We measured body and epididymal fat weights, and examined plasma glucose, adiponectin, and lipid profiles at 45 weeks. To confirm renal damage, we measured albumin-creatinine ratio, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in urine samples. Glomerular basement membrane thickness and slit pore density were evaluated in the renal cortex tissue of rats. Furthermore, we conducted adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and oxidative stress-related nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) signaling to investigate mechanisms of lipotoxicity in kidneys. RESULTS: Curcumin ameliorated albuminuria, pathophysiologic changes on the glomerulus, urinary MDA, and urinary SOD related with elevated Nrf2 signaling, as well as serum lipid-related index and ectopic lipid accumulation through activation of AMPK signaling. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these findings indicate that curcumin exerts renoprotective effects by inhibiting renal lipid accumulation and oxidative stress through AMPK and Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Albuminuria ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/*therapeutic use ; Curcumin/*pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*metabolism/urine ; Diabetic Nephropathies/complications/*drug therapy/metabolism/pathology ; Gene Expression/drug effects ; Inflammation ; Kidney/drug effects/metabolism/physiopathology ; Kidney Glomerulus/metabolism/physiopathology ; Lipid Metabolism/*drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism/urine ; Oxidative Stress/*drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred OLETF ; Rats, Long-Evans ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish a kidney deficient aging model (KDAM), assess it in antioxidant capacity, HPAT axis function and bone metabolism, and compare with D-galactose aging model.

METHODAging rat model was established by injecting D-galactose solution, meanwhile dexamethasone solution was injected to establish kidney deficient aging model. Then these models were evaluated by serum MDA (malondialdehyde) and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase), liver SOD (superoxide dismutase), adrenal, thymus and spleen index, CD4(+), CD8(+), and serum COR (cortisol), BGP (bone Gla-protein), plasma ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone).

RESULTCompared with the normal group, the aging model group and the kidney deficient aging group showed significant decrease in liver SOD activity (P < 0.01 on average) and significant increase in serum MDA content (P < 0.01 on average) , and the kidney deficient aging group revealed remarkable decline in plasma ACTH content (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal group and the aging model group, the kidney deficient aging model group's weight, serum GSH-Px decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), adrenal index decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum COR decreased (P < 0.05 on average), plasma CRH increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum BGP content significantly decreased (P < 0.01 on average), value of CD4(+), CD8(+) decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), CD4(+)/CD8(+) increased, but without significant difference.

CONCLUSIONThe kidney deficient aging model shows significant decrease in antioxidant capacity, dysfunction of HPAT axis disorder and abnormal bone metabolism. However, D-galactose aging model only shows a significant difference in antioxidant capacity.

Aging ; drug effects ; physiology ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Galactose ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Liver ; enzymology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

The present study investigated the interaction between sodium loading and enalapril on renin synthesis and secretion in hydronephrotic mice. Four different experimental groups (n=10 each) were used: sham-operated animals with normal diet (control group); sodium loading (SL group); enalapril treatment with normal diet (E group), and sodium loading combined with enalapril treatment (SL+E group). The hydronephrotic left kidney was induced by unilateral ureteral ligation in mice in the latter three groups. Plasma renin concentration (PRC) in the aorta, both the left and right renal veins, tissue renin concentration (TRC) and renin mRNA levels in the kidneys were examined under different procedures. In hydronephrotic mice treated with sodium loading, PRC in the left and right renal veins was lower than that in control mice (P<0.05), and TRC and renin mRNA levels in the hydronephrotic kidney were also suppressed (P<0.05). In hydronephrotic mice treated with enalapril, there were significant increases in PRC, TRC and renin mRNA levels in the hydronephrotic and right kidneys compared to the normal control (P<0.01). In hydronephrotic animals treated with sodium loading and enalapril, the increasing response was attenuated, and PRC in the hydronephrotic vein was similar to the level in the aorta. There was an interaction between sodium loading and enalapril on renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in both hydronephrotic and normal kidneys. The mechanism in control of renin synthesis is independent of the macula densa, but the latter is critical in the control of renin secretion.
Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Enalapril ; pharmacology ; Hydronephrosis ; metabolism ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Renin ; metabolism ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; Sodium ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Shen-reinforcing and qi-supplementing (SRQS) drugs on some ingredients of neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network in asthma rat model.

METHODSAsthma model was established by ovalbumin sensitization and long-term excitation. Forty healthy Brown Norway rats of clean grade were randomly divided into 4 groups by randomized digital table, the normal control group and the three treated groups treated by low, moderate and high dose of SRQS drugs respectively. Blood content of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) was detected by RIA; interleukin-6 (IL-6) and corticosterone were determined by ELISA; and the mRNA expresion of corticosteroid release hormone (CRH) in hypothalamus was tested by Realtime-PCR.

RESULTSEosinophile inflammation was shown in the pathology of asthma model rats, and also shown a multiple level hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) disorder at the repeated attack of asthma. After treatment, levels of ACTH and CRH mRNA expression in the treated groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P <0.05), but the corticosterone only showed a rising tendency. Level of IL-6 increased during the episode, showing a significant negative correlation with ACTH (r = - 0.325, P = 0.043), and had somewhat reduction after SRQS treatment.

CONCLUSIONSRQS drugs could improve the function of HPH axis independent of IL-6, suggesting that the action is possibly targeted on the neuro-endocrine axis, which might be the hypothalamus.

Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; immunology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; drug effects ; immunology ; Qi ; Random Allocation ; Rats