Objective To identify the animal drug of Cervus elaphs and C. nippon from origin of deers. Methods To extract DNA from deer blood and hairy antler of 11 species of deers such as C. elaphus, C. nippon and so on, and to gain the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene fragment using the general primers of L1091 and H1478. Based on the sequence multialinement of 11 species deers above gene fragments, designing the couples of special difference primers and identifying C. elaphs and C. nippon. Results 12S rRNA Gene fragments can distinguish different deers well. The couple of primers (EP-1/H1478 and EP-2/H1478) PCR can effectively identify C. elaphus and C. nippon. Conclusion Special primer PCR is suitable for the identification of valuable Chinese medicinal materials, such as C. elaphus and C. nippon.

Objective To investigate the expression of NMDAR1 in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of old rats after 30-min -inhalation of 2% isoflurane, and to investigate the effects of isoflurane on the learning and memory functions of old rats and the underlying mechanism. Methods The healthy old male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 36) were randomly divided into the control group, the oxygen group, the 2-hour post-recovery group, the 1-day post-recovery group, the 3-day post-recovery group, and the 7-day post-recovery group. The morris water maze was used to detect the ethological effect of 30-min inhalation of isoflurane , and the immunohistochemistry assay was used to detect the expression of NMDAR1 in the hippocampus (CA1, CA3) and the cerebral cortex. Results The 30-min inhalation of 2% isoflurane inhibited the learning and memory abilities of old rats at 2 h post-recovery. On 1 d post-recovery, the inhibition of learning and memory began to reduce, then on 3 d and 7 d post-recovery, the learning and memory abilities continously recovered. The expression of NMDAR1 in the rat hippocampus and cerebral cortex decreased at 2 h post-recovery, and reversed on 1 d post-recovery and reached the normal level on 3 d and 7 d post-recovery. Conclusion 30-min inhalation of 2%isoflurane had an inhibitory effect on the learning and memory abilities of old rats, and the attenuation of NMDAR1 in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex may involve in this process.

Objective It is well known that diethylstilbestrol ( DES ) can result in testicular oxidative injury , and one of its mechanisms of action is leading to dysfunction of steroidogenesis .The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between testicular oxidative injury caused by DES and the key synthetase activities for the synthesis pathway of steroidogenesis and the possible mechanism .Methods Twenty-four 4-wk-old male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups , 6 rats each.Three doses of DES (0.1, 1.0 and 10 μg/kg· d) groups and a vehicle (corn oil) control group , were respectively administered by subcutaneous injection once a day for eight weeks .The rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks treatment and the body weight , testis, epididymis, prostate were weighed, respectively.The testicular tissues were homogenized and the oxidation of MDA and ROS , the activity changes of antioxidases SOD, CAT and GPx, as well asthe activities of steroid synthetases 3β-HSD1 and 17β-HSD3 were determined by biochemical measurement.The levels oftestosterone and LH in peripheral blood were measured by radioimmunoassay .The intensities of expression of StAR,P450scc, 3β-HSD1, 17β-HSD3-mRNA were detected by PCR.Results In the 10.0 μg/kg dose group, the weights andorgan coefficients of testis and prostate were decreased significantly , the oxidation of MDA and ROS was increased distinctlyand the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, 3β-HSD1 and 17β-HSD3 were reduced.The concentration of serum testosterone wasdecreased in the 10.0 μg/kg dose group.In the 10.0 μg/kg and 1.0 μg/kg dose groups, the decline of LH levelpresented a dose-dependent manner, and the intensities of immunochemical positive staining for StAR , P450scc, 3β-HSD1and 17β-HSD3 mRNA were decreased.Conclusions DES exposure results in disturbance of the oxidant /antioxidantbalance and decline of testosterone level that induces reproductive impairment in male rats .DES induces reductions of bothGPx and 3β-HSD activities which cause the decrease of testosterone synthesis .The expression of P450scc and 3β-HSDmRNA,which are the key synthetases in biosynthetic pathway of steroidogenesis , are inhibited by DES, and it isspeculated that the disturbance of steroidogenic synthesis enzymes may be one of the mechanisms of toxic effects of DES .

Objective To systematically assess the relation between angiotensin-I converting enzyme(ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) variation and type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) onset risk among Chinese population.Methods The related literatures were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data until June 1st,2016.The RevMan 5.0 was used to conduct the statistical analysis.The merge OR value and corresponding 95% confidence interval(95%CI) were used to assess ACE gene I/D polymorphism and T2DN onset risk.Results Totally 29 papers with 4 357 subjects were included according to the inclusion and exclusion standard,including 2 208 cases of DN and 2 149 cases of T2DM without DN.Meta analysis showed that compared with ACE gene I/D polymorphism I allele,D allele could significantly increase the risk of T2DM patients suffering from DN,the OR value and corresponding 95%CI were 1.44(1.25,1.66);the gene analysis showed that ACE gene I/D polymorphism loci were significantly correlated with DN onset risk in the Asian population.The corresponding relative onset risk OR and 95%CI were 1.42(1.15,1.76) and 1.75(1.46,2.10) in the dominant and recessive genetic model.The Begg′s test showed that the included data had no obvious publication bias existence.Conclusion ACE gene I/D polymorphism is closely correlated with the onset risk of T2DN,and D allele might be a risk genetic factor for DN occurrence in the patients with T2DM.

Objective To assess the peripheral arterial structural and elastic remodeling in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic disease (LEAD).Methods Thirty-one patients with LEAD and 34 age-,sex-matched healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in this study.The intima-media thickness (IMT),diameter (D) and parameters of arterial stiffness (β,pulse wave velocity (PWVβ)) were measured by acquiring the longitudinal view of left and right common femoral artery (LCFA,RCFA) and common carotid artery (LCCA,RCCA) by quality intima-media thickness (QIMT) and quality arterial stiffness (QAS) techniques.The factors correlated with arterial stiffness in LEAD patients were analyzed.Results ① The systolic blood pressure(SBP),pulse pressure(PP),smoking pack-year and smoking extent (nonsmoker,smoker with ＜40 pack-year,or smoker with ≥40 pack-year) were significantly higher in LEAD group than those in the control group (P ＜0.05).②IMT of the LCCA and the diameters (D) of LCCA and RCCA were significantly increased in the LEAD group (P ＜0.05-0.01).As to the both sides CFA,IMT and IMT/D values were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01).The mean IMT (mIMT) of both sides of CCA and CFA were increased (P ＜0.05).The values of β,PWVβ of LCCA and PWVβ of RCCA were significantly increased,and β and PWVβ values of both sides of CFA were significantly increased in the LEAD group (P ＜ 0.05).There was a positive correlation between the stiffness indexes of the carotid artery and that of the femoral artery (P ＜0.01).③The femoral mβ was correlated with femoral mIMT,SBP,PP,smoking amount and smoking extent,and the femoral mPWVβ was also correlated with mIMT,age,SBP,PP,smoking pack-year and smoking extent (P ＜0.05-0.01).In multivariable stepwise regression analysis,mIMT and PP were factors independently correlated with femoral mβ.And SBP,smoking extent,and mIMT were independently correlated with femoral mPWVβ.Conclusions Peripheral arteries in patients with LEAD experience vascular remodeling,as well as increased carotid and femoral stiffness.Femoral stiffness is correlated with IMT,arterial blood pressure and smoking extent.

ObjectiveTo explore the value of conventional echocardiography and transthoracic real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in diagnosis of Ebstein anomaly.MethodsWe investigated the morphology and function of right ventricle (RV) as well as the structure, morphology and regurgitation of tricuspid valve in 61 adult patients with Ebstein anomaly before surgery by using conventional echocardiography and transthoracic RT3DE. Twenty normal adults were enrolled as control group. ResultsThe surface of the tricuspid leaflets, the morphology of the tricuspid annulus as well as the three-dimensional structure of the tricuspid valve were displayed stereoscopically by RT3DE. Complete RV volume data could be acquired in 32 patients of Ebstein anomaly. The apex or part of RV could not be contained in the remaining 29 patients. Thirty-four (55.7%) patients with Ebstein anomaly had severe tricuspid regurgitation,
16 (26.2%) patients had moderate to severe regurgitation, and 11 (18.1%) patients had moderate regurgitation. Compared with the normal adults, patients of Ebstein anomaly showed higher RV end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), end-systolic volume index (ESVI), stroke volume (SV), RV anterior-posterior diameter (RV), tricuspid valve annular transverse diameter (TV-R), and lower RV ejection fraction(EF) [(273.5±77.7) mlvs (74.3±15.9) ml, (187.1±96.8) mlvs (31.1±9.2) ml, (177.4±53.6) ml/m2vs (43.4±8.2) ml/m2, (121.7±65.5) ml/m2vs (18.4±5.1) ml/m2, (95.9±20.2) ml vs (43.6±8.8) ml, (48.1±13.3) ml/m2vs (19.0±1.9) ml/m2, (56.4±8.9) ml/m2vs (28.5±4.3) ml/m2, (38.3±12.8) %vs (59.3±5.1) %, allP<0.05). The tricuspid regurgitant orifice flow cross-sectional area (EROA) were correlated positively with RV anterior-posterior diameter (r=0.691), ratio of RV and LV anterior-posterior diameter (RV/LV) (r=0.6471).ConclusionTransthoracic RT3DE is a feasible method in addition to conventional two-dimensional echocardiography in evaluation of tricuspid valve mophology and function, as well as RV volume and EF in adult patients with Ebstein anomaly.

Objective: To observe the antiasthmaf ic, anti-inflammatory and immunological effects of Gubenchuansoukang Granule. Methods: The rats asthma model was established by ovalbumin sensitization. The model was identified by the study of the asthma incubation period and the total white cells counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The anti-inflammatory effect was observed by the acute inflammation and chronic inflammation induced xylene and agar. To observe the effect of Gubenchuansoukang Granule on humoral immunity and cellular immunity induced by chicken red blood cell and 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene. Results: Gubenchuansoukang Granule could lengthen the asthma incubation period, reduce the quantity of total white cells in BALF, against the acute inflammation and chronic inflammation, and restrain the humoral immunity and cellular immunity. Conclusion: Gubenchuansoukang Granule had antiasthmafic, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppression effects.

Objective:To systematically explore the effect and mechanism of melastomatis dodecandri herba(Melastoma dodecandrum Lour.) in the treatment of hepatitis based on network pharmacology.Method:We evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of M.dodecandrum in concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis in mice by assessing survival rate,histological analysis,serum transaminases,and related cytokines.Then the mechanism of action was predicted by a network pharmacology-based strategy.Based on the results,we measured the hepatic expression of related genes at mRNA level and proteins related to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways.Results:Our study results clearly demonstrated that M.dodecandrum pretreatment significantly allevi-ated liver injury.This was demonstrated by an increase in survival rate,decreased severity of liver damage,and reduced serum transaminase levels compared with those in the Con A group.Moreover,M.dodecandrum significantly reduced the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,and interferon-y and increased the liver levels of superoxide dismutase,which indicated that M.dodecandrum exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.On the basis of network phar-macology,50 nodes were selected as major hubs based on their topological importance.Pathway enrichment analyses indicated that the putative targets of M.dodecandrum mostly participate in various pathways associated with the anti-inflammation response,which implies the underlying mechanism by which M.dodecandrum acts on hepatitis.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR analysis showed that M.dodecandrum downregulates the mRNA expression of interleukin-6,Toll-like receptor 7,interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-4,NF-κB and tumor necrosis factor-α in liver tissues.Western blotting showed that M.dodecandrum pretreatment protected against inflammation through activating the PI3K-Akt pathway by upregulating phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) expression and suppressing NF-κB activation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IKK,IκBα,and p65.Conclusion:The present work demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of M.dodecandrum by regu-lating the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways in Con A-induced mice,which provide insights into the treat-ment of hepatitis using M.dodecandrum.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Liqingtong (LQT) granules in patients with dampness-heat hyperuricemia. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial was conducted at the 983rd Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of the People's Liberation Army from March 15, 2023, to August 10, 2023. In total, 119 participants were enrolled in this trial, and participants were given either LQT granules or placebo for 60 days based on a health education. The primary outcome was serum uric acid (SUA) level, and the secondary outcome was the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, measured on days 0, 30, and 60. Safety indicators, including liver function, kidney function, blood routine, glucose, blood lipid, blood pressure, and heart rate were tested on days 0 and 60 of the trial. The data were analyzed using Prism 9 software, and the significance level was set at P < .05. Results: Among 119 participants, six in the LQT granule group and seven in the placebo group dropped out, and 106 participants completed clinical observation. Baseline information, including SUA levels, TCM symptom scores, and other clinical characteristics, did not differ between the groups. At the end of the trial, compared with baseline values, the SUA levels in the LQT granule group decreased (P < .001), and no significant change was observed in the placebo group (P = .422); compared with the placebo group, the SUA levels decreased in the LQT granule group (P = .001). Compared with baseline values, the total TCM symptom scores in the LQT granule group decreased (P < .001), with no change in the placebo group (P = .136). Safety indicators did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion The pilot trial demonstrated the potential of LQT granules to lower SUA levels and improve symptoms of dampness and heat.

Objective To explore the effects and mechanism of Lishi Huoxue ( damp-dispersing and blood-activating) formula and two decomposed recipes Chinese herbal compound, on the vascular endo-thelial cells by detecting the serum levels of functional indicators of vascular endothelial cells and the aor-tic morphology of the rat model of hyperuricemia. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups:normal group, model group, benzbromarone group, Simiao Pill group, Lishi Huoxue for-mula (LSHX) group, decomposed recipe I for clearing heat and damp (recipe I) group, decomposed recipe Ⅱfor activating blood and resolving stasis ( recipeⅡ) group. The rat model of hyperuricemia was established by intragastrical ( i. g. ) administration of yeaut and adenine. After successful modeling, rats of each medication group were administered i. g. with corresponding drugs, while normal group and mod-el group were i. g. distilled water for consecutive 14 days. Then the serum contents of uric acid ( UA) and nitric oxide (NO) were detected by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and endothelin (ET-1), throm-boxane B2 ( TXB2 ) and 6-keto-PGF1αwere measured by radioimmunoassay. Besides, thoracoabdominal a-orta of all rats were dissected and stained using HE and Masson. Results Compared with normal group, the serum level of UA, ET-1 and TXB2 increased significantly in model group(P<0. 05) and level of NO and 6-keto-PGF1αdecreased(P<0. 05). Compared with the model group, the serum contents of UA, ET-1 and TXB2 showed significantly decreasing in LSHX group(P<0. 05),while in recipe I group UA and ET-1 decreased(P<0. 05)and serum contents of NO, 6-keto-PGF1α in LSHX group, recipe ⅠandⅡ groups increased (P<0. 05). Furthermore, compared with LSHX group, the levels of TXB2 in both recipe groups and ET-1 in recipe Ⅱ group showed on statistical difference. Although LSHX and the two partial prescriptions ( recipe I, II) protected against the injury of aorta, the whole prescription ( LSHX) was more effective than the two decomposed recipes. Conclusion LSHX formula could reduce the serum UA, and protect vascular endothelium and the aorta of rats with hyperuricemia.