OBJECTIVETo observe preventive and therapeutic effect of Yifei Jianpi Recipe (YJR) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model rats and to explore its mechanism from the way of airway inflammation and airway mucus hypersecretion.

METHODSThe COPD rat model was established by using cigarette smoking combined with intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group (control group), the model group, the YJR group, 6 in each group. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 0. 1 second (FEV0. 1), FEVO. 1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF) was tested by lung function device. Pathological changes of bronchi and lung tissues were observed by HE staining. Airway Goblet cells were observed using AB-PAS staining. Contents of IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein expressions of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), nuclear factor KB (NF-KB), mucin 5AC (Muc5AC), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in rat airway were detected by immunohistochemical assay. mRNA expressions of TLR4 and Muc5AC in bronchi and lung tissues were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT qPCR).

RESULTSChanges of bronchi and lung tissues in the model group rats were consistent with typical pathological manifestations of COPD. Compared with the model group, the degree of lung injury was significantly alleviated in the YJR group. Compared with the control group, FVC, FEV0. 1, FEVO. I/FVC, and PEF were decreased (P <0. 01), contents of IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-α in BALF were significantly increased (P <0. 01), protein expressions of ICAM-1, NF-KB, Muc5AC, and TLR4, mRNA expression levels of Muc5AC and TLR4 in bronchi and lung tissues were also significantly increased in the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, FVC, FEV0. 1, FEV0. 1/FVC, and PEF were significantly increased in the YJR group (P <0. 01, P <0. 05), but the rest indices were significantly lowered (P <0. 01, P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONYJR could decrease contents of IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-α in BALF of COPD model rats, inhibit protein expression levels of ICAM-1, NF-κB, Muc5AC, and TLR4.in airway and lung tissues, thus playing preventive and therapeutic roles by reducing airway inflammation and airway mucus hypersecretion.

Animals ; Bronchi ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Mucin 5AC ; metabolism ; Mucus ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Yishen Daluo Decoction (YDD) on the expression of protein lipoprotein (PLP), oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1 (Olig 1), and oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2) in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

METHODSTotally 40 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the Chinese medicine (CM) group, and the Western medicine (WM) group, 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the model, CM, and WM groups was subcutaneously injected with 200 microL antigen emulsion (containing 150 micro g PLP139 -151 and 400 micro g H37RA) in two parts at the upper abdomen on the first day. 100 microLBordetella pertussis juice (containing 0. 6 x 10(6) Bordetella pertussis) was injected by caudal vein on the first and the third day. On the 7th day after modeling, each mouse in the normal group and the model group was intragastrically given normal saline (0. 1 mL/10 g). YDD (0. 2 g crude drug/10 g) was intragastrically given to mice in the CM group, and prednisone (0. 039 mg/10 g) was intragastrically given to mice in the WM group. All mice were intervened for 54 days. Changes of PLP, Olig1, and Olig2 in the brain tissue of EAE mice were detected by Western blot. Results The levels of PLP and Olig2 in the brain tissue of the model group were less than those of the normal group (P <0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of PLP, Olig1, and Olig2 in the brain tissue increased in the CM group (P <0.05); the levels of PLP and Olig2 in the brain tissue increased in the WM group (P <0.05). Compared with the WM group, the level of Olig1 in the brain tissue increased in the CM group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONYDD could enhance remyelination by elevating the levels of Olig1 and Olig2 in the brain tissue of EAE mice.

Animals ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Brain ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Mice ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2 ; Transcription Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of ginseng-sanqi extract (GSE) on the vascular endothelium growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), Ras and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in VEGFR-2-Ras-MAPK signal pathway of angiogenesis in cultured human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODSThe protein expressions of VEGFR-2, Ras and MAPK in HUVEC and the effects of GSE (at different doses) and basic fibrin growth factor (bFGF) on them were detected by Western-Blot test.

RESULTSGSE can enhance the expression of angiogenesis signaling proteins (VEGFR-2, Ras, MAPK) to different extents, especially in the groups treated by bFGF or higher dose GSE, the levels showed significant differences to those in the blank group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONGSE can promote the expressions of VEGFR-2, Ras and MAPK in the angiogenesis signaling pathway, which may be the foundation of Chinese medicine for tonifying qi and activating blood circulation in promoting endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis.

Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

To explore the underlying mechanism(s) of pulmonary arterial hypertension in endotoxic shock, the roles of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) were investigated. Pulmonary arterial rings (3-mm width) were prepared from 24 rabbits. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), after 7-hour incubation, decreased the endothelium-dependent relaxation response of the arterial ring (pre-contracted with phenylephrine) to acetylcholine (1 mumol/L), but did not affect the endothelium-independent relaxation response to sodium nitroprusside. The LPS effects were reduced by a concomitant incubation with the free radical scavenger (NAC), NO donor (L-arginine), and CO donor (hemin), respectively. On the other hand, the LPS effects were enhanced by applying heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitor (zinc protoporphyrin) to block CO production. The response to acetylcholine changed from relaxation to contraction, however, the contractile response to phenylephrine increased significantly after pre-incubation with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (L-NAME) to block NO production, confirming the importance of CO and NO. These results show that LPS impairs endothelium-dependent relaxation of the pulmonary artery, which can be greatly reduced by the antioxidant, or by supplying with NO and CO. Thus, multiple factors are involved in this model of endotoxin-induced pulmonary hypertension.
Acetylcysteine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Rabbits ; Shock, Septic ; complications

OBJECTIVETo comparatively study the effects of three TCM methods for activating blood circulation, i.e. in combined with resolving stasis (A), regulating qi (B) and supplementing qi (C), respectively, on early stage cell apoptosis in precancerous lesion of rats with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG).

METHODSRat model of CAG with precancerous lesion was duplicated by insertion of spring in pylorus and gastric perfusion of high-salt hot paste; and the impact of treatment on cell apoptosis was determined using Annexin V/PI double labeled flow cytometry.

RESULTSAfter being intervened for 12 weeks, the early stage cell apoptosis rate in the natural recovery group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P <0.01); while it lowered more significantly in the three groups receiving TCM therapeutic methods for activating blood circulation, showing significant difference compared with the natural recovery group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONThree therapies of activating blood circulation all show inhibitory action on the early stage apoptosis of precancerous lesion in CAG rats, which is possibly one of their action mechanisms for improving or reversing the precancerous lesion.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blood Circulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; complications ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Precancerous Conditions ; complications ; drug therapy ; Qi ; Rats ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) injury induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for investigating the mechanism of PNS in treating arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO).

METHODSTaking the cultured HUVECs as target cells, ox-LDL was used to establish a model of injured HUVEC and it was then intervened by PNS. The morphologic changes of HUVEC were observed under light microscope; activity of cells was determined by MTT method; the adhesive percentage between ox-LDL treated HUVEC and monocyte detennined by protein quantification and the protein expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSAt the time points of HUVEC being treated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) for 12 h and 24 h, significant injury of HUVEC was shown, its activity reduced, the adhesion rate with monocytes elevated, and the protein expression of ICAM-l in HUVEC increased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). PNS showed significant effect in reversing all the above changes, as compared with the control group (without PNS treaded), respective significant difference was shown in all the four indexes (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPNS has a protective effect on endothelial cells injury induced by ox-LDL,which may be one of its mechanisms in treating ASO. The protective effect of PNS is probably by way of down-regulating the expression of ICAM-1 in endothelial cells and inhibiting the adherence of monocytes to endothelial cells.

Arteriosclerosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Danshensu (DSS) and Ligustrazine (TMZ), the extracts of Chinese herbs for promoting blood circulation, on angiotensin II (Ang II) induced myocardial hypertrophy and its related genes, and to explore the mechanisms of inhibitory effect.

METHODSAdopting one-step method, the total RNA of myocardial cells was extracted by TRIzol reagent. Then the expression of ANP and beta-actin mRNA, as symbol of myocardial cells, were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSMolecular biological research showed that Ang II could significantly increase the expression of ANP mRNA in myocardial cells (P < 0.01), which could be significantly inhibited by Losartan (P < 0.01), both DSS and TMZ had the inhibitory effect (P < 0.05). Ang II could increase beta-actin mRNA expression in myocardial cells simultaneously, Losartan, DSS and TMZ could also significantly inhibit it (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effective ingredients of Chinese herbs for promoting blood circulation, DSS and TMZ, have the effect of inhibiting the hyper-expression of ANP and beta-actin induced by Ang II, and preventing myocardial hypertrophy, therefore, it could be used to prevent and treat cardiomegaly.

Angiotensin II ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cardiomegaly ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Lactates ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Animals ; Carps ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Fish Proteins ; genetics ; Hydroxylation ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; Lakes

Objective To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of progressive liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods A total of 2 054 subjects who underwent health check up and were diagnosed as NAFLD in 9 institutions were included in the study.Blood routine and biochemical findings were collected to calculate aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI).Subjects were divided into three groups according to diagnostic threshold of liver fibrosis:APRI ＜0.43 group,APRI 0.43-0.53 group and APRI ≥ 0.54 group.The correlation between APRI and biochemical variables was analyzed,and the risk factors of progressive fibrosis were also analyzed.Results Among 2 054 subjects (male/female 1 598/456) there were 61 cases with APRI ≥ 0.98 (2.97％,progressive fibrosis),318 with APRI ≥0.54 (15.48％),1 475 with APRI ＜ 0.43 (71.81％),261 with APRI 0.43-0.53 (12.71％).Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that TG (P =0.002,OR =1.095,95％CI:1.033-1.161),2 hPG(P =0.000,OR =1.103,95％ CI:1.058-1.151,BUN(P =0.034,OR =1.215,95 ％ CI:1.014-1.454) were risk factors,and H DL-C (P =0.034,OR =0.353,95 ％ CI:O.135-0.924) was a protective factor for the progression of fibrosis.Conclusion The progressive fibrosis in patients with NAFLD is closely associated to blood glucose and lipid metabolism disorder.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and the possible mechanism underlying the promotional effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng on the transformation of bone narrow stem cells and proliferation of EPC.

METHODThe marrow blood was collected in the patients with ischemia of lower limbs and BM-MNCs were separated and proliferated under different conditions. A. morphologic observation was performed and the ratio of CD34+ cells was measured.

RESULTThe shuttle shaped cells lined up as bunches with several round cells scattered. The ratio of CD34+ cells was significantly increased in groups treated with medium (P < 0.01) and lower (P < 0.05) dosages of A. membranaceus and medium (P < 0.01) and high dosages (P < 0.01) of P. notoginseng respectively as compared with control group.

CONCLUSIONA. membranaceus and P. notoginseng can promote the transformation and proliferation of EPC.

Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Ginsenosides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry