OBJECTIVETo study the effects of integrative medicine protocols on the neural function deficit and short-term disability outcomes in patients with acute ischemic cerebral stroke.

METHODS99 patients were randomly assigned to three groups, i.e., the Dengzhan Xixin (fleabane) group (Group A), the Kudiezi (sowthistle-leaf ixeris seedling) group (Group B), and the Western medicine control group (Group C). Dengzhan Xixin Injection was intravenously dripped to patients in Group A for 14 days. Chinese decoction was administered to them by pattern typing as well. Meanwhile, they took Dengzhan Shengmai Capsule for two months. Kudiezi Injection was intravenously dripped to patients in Group B for 14 days. Chinese decoction was administered to them by pattern typing as well. Meanwhile, they took Naoshuantong Capsule for two months. In addition to internal therapies, patients in Group A and B received acupuncture, massage, and external washing with Chinese medicine for 21 days. Patients in Group C also received modem rehabilitation therapy for 21 days, including rehabilitation training and electronic stimulus in addition to the internal medicine. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and disability outcome (modified Rank Scale, mRS) were taken as main effect indices.

RESULTSThe NIHSS scores at each time point obviously decreased more than before treatment in all the three groups (P<0.01), but with no difference at each time point (P>0.05). The disability outcomes of all the three groups postponed as time went by. Significant difference existed among the three groups by log-lineal model (CATMOD) (P<0.05). The best effect was shown in Group B, with the markedly effective rate of 19. 35% and the total effective rate 54.84%.

CONCLUSIONSThe integrative medicine protocols could improve the nerve functions of ischemic stroke patients. Therefore, it could improve the disability outcomes. The comprehensive protocol (Kudiezi Injection + Naoshuantong Capsule + Chinese decoction according to pattern typing + acupuncture + massage + external washing with Chinese medicine) was better.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Ischemia ; therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Stroke ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

A high activity isoflavone-glucosidase, which hydrolysis glycosides, was obtainde using liquid fermentation from Absidia sp. R strain. The isoflavone-glucosidase was purified 11 folds with yielding rate of 10.9% after ammonium sulfate precipitation and DEAE-Cellocuse (DE-52) ion exchange chromatography. SDS-PAGE results showed that the molecular weight is 53kD. And the optimum temperature, the optimum pH, Km and pI of the enzyme are 50 deegrees C, 5.0, 1.3 x 10(-2) mol/L and 3.2, respectively. The isoflavone-glucosidase is also rather stable under 60 degrees C and in pH range from 5.0 to 7.0. The enzyme can be activated by Co2+ and Ca2+, and be inhibited by Ag+ and Cu2+.
Absidia ; enzymology ; Glucosidases ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Isoflavones ; metabolism ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Bushen Huoxue Compound (BHC) on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF mRNA in retinal Muller cells under high glucose condition or advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) condition by using serum pharmacological method.

METHODSThe retinal Müller cells of 5-7 days post-natal Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were cultured with modified enzyme-digestion method. Purified retinal Muller cells were cultured in normal conditions, high glucose condition (50 mmol/L) or AGEs (50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) conditions, and BHC-containing serum was added to culture medium. The LDH leakage and VEGF expressions were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the relative expression of VEGF mRNA was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA were significantly increased in the high glucose group, the low dose AGEs group and the high dose AGEs group (all P < 0.01). The LDH leakage was obviously increased in the high dose AGEs group, when compared with the normal control group and the high glucose group (P < 0.01). The LDH leakage, expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA were obviously decreased by BHC-containing serum both in high glucose and AGEs conditions (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). BHC-containing serum had no significant effect on the LDH leakage and expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA in normal conditions (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAGEs intervention could obviously lower the stability of Müller cell membrane. Up-regulated expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA in cultured Müller cells could be induced by AGEs or high glucose. BHC-containing serum could stabilize the stability of Müller cell membrane, inhibit the transcription of VEGF mRNA and decrease the protein expression of VEGF, which might be one of important mechanisms for preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ependymoglial Cells ; Glucose ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Objective To evaluate the quality of intraoperative wake?up test in the patients undergoing scoliosis correction surgery under etomidate?based anesthesia. Methods Thirty patients of both sexes, aged 13-32 yr, weighing 40-65 kg, of ASA physical statusⅠorⅡ, undergoing elective scoliosis correction surgery, were randomly assigned into etomidate group ( group E, n=15 ) or propofol group (group P, n=15) using a random number table. Anesthesia was induced with etomid 0.3 mg∕kg (group E) or propofol 2mg∕kg ( group P ) injected intravenously, midazolam, fentanyl and rocuronium. The patients were mechanically ventilated after naso?tracheal intubation. Etomidate 0.6-1. 2 mg · kg-1 · h-1 and propofol 8- 10 mg·kg-1 ·h-1 were infused intravenously during surgery in E and P groups, respectively. Both remifentanil and cisatracurium were used for maintenance of anesthesia in the two groups. Cisatracurium infusion was stopped before wake?up test. The infusion rate of propofol was adjusted to 4 mg·kg-1 ·h-1 at 15 min before wake?up test. After the scoliotic angle was corrected, infusion of etomidate and propofol was stopped, and the infusion rate of remifentanil was adjusted to 0.025μg·kg-1 ·min-1 in both groups. The wake?up time was recorded, and the quality of wake?up was assessed. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were recorded before anesthesia ( T0 ) , immediately before the patients were awakened ( T1 ) , when the patients responded to commands from doctors ( T2 ) , and after anesthesia was deepened ( T3 ) . At T0 , the end of surgery ( T4 ) , and 24 h after surgery ( T5 ) , blood samples were collected from the internal jugular vein for determination of plasma cortisol concentrations. Results The patients were awakened successfully in the two groups, and there were no significant differences in the wake?up time, quality of wake?up, and MAP, HR and plasma cortisol concentrations at each time point between the two groups. MAP and HR were significantly higher at T2 than at T0 in the two groups. MAP and HR were within the normal range during wake?up test, and no patients developed severer cardiovascular events in the two groups. Conclusion Etomidate?based anesthesia provides better quality of intraoperative wake?up test in the patients undergoing scoliosis correction surgery, which is similar to that of propofol?based anesthesia.

AIM: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) control and visual rehabilitation after placement of the Ex-press(R)miniature glaucoma shunt with adjunctive amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) and mitomycin C (MMC) in patients with post-traumatic open-angle glaucoma during 2y of follow up.METHODS: This was an interventional,2-year,observational study.Eighteen eyes were prospectively observed (in 18 patients with traumatic secondary open-angle glaucoma) in which Ex-press miniature glaucoma filtration shunts were implanted with AMT and MMC.The outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP),best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),number of antiglaucoma medications,and complications.The progress of all patients was monitored for 24mo.RESULTS: Complete success (IOP <21 mmHg without glaucoma medications) was seen in 15 of the 17 (88.2%) eyes enrolled in the study at 24mo after the operation.IOP decreased from 36.9±4.8 mmHg preoperatively to 15.4±3.5 mmHg at 12mo and 15.5±3.5 mmHg at 24mo postoperatively.Early postoperative hypertension developed in two patients (11.1%) due to postoperative fibrosis.Most of the patients had improved postoperative BCVA values at the final follow-up visit compared to their preoperative measurements.Two patients (11.1%) developed transient hypotony.There were no complications such as hyphema,choroidal effusion,shallow anterior chamber,the device touching the iris,or extrusion of the device.CONCLUSION: The Ex-press miniature glaucoma filtration shunt with adjunctive AMT and MMC is effective and safe in cases of traumatic open-angle glaucoma.Surgical management is an appropriate surgical treatment in this series of cases.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Pinggan Qianyang Recipe (PQR) on inhibiting angiotensin II (Ang II) induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and changes of DNA methylation.

METHODSVSMCs were cultured using tissue explant method, and PQR containing serum was prepared. Primarily cultured VSMCs were divided into four groups, the normal group, the model group, the folate group (folic acid intervention) , and the PQR group. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs was duplicated by Ang II. After 24-h Ang II induced culture, 40 microg/mL folic acid was added to the folate group for 48 h, while 5% PQR containing serum was added to the PQR group for 48 h. The cell growth curve of VSMCs was drawn by using Cell Counting Kit (CCK-8). The proliferative activity of VSMC was determined by MTT assay. The migration of VSMCs was measured by Millicell chamber. The general level of cytosine methylation in cell nucleus was detected via 5-mC antibodies immunofluorescence, and mRNA expression levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) were measured by Real-time q-polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR).

RESULTSVSMCs were promoted by Ang II at 10(-6) mol/L for 24 h. Compared with the normal group, the proliferative activity and migration quantity of VSMCs obviously increased, and DNA methylation level obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the cell growth, proliferative activity and migration quantity of VSMCs obviously decreased and the general DNA methylation level increased in the folate group and the PQR group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the mRNA expression of DNMT1 decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, mRNA expression of DNMT1 in Ang II induced VSMCs was obviously enhanced in the folate group and the PQR group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPQR could inhibit Ang II induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and cause high genomic DNA methylation level. Changes of DNA methylation might be associated with DNMT1 expression.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1 ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical value of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) in diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia.

METHODSMSCT, including plain scan, the arterial phase scan, and the portal vein phase scan, was performed in 18 patients who were suspected of acute intestinal ischemia. The mesenteric arteries and portal veins were imaged with techniques including volume-rendered technique, multi-planar reconstruction, and maximum intensity projection-thin. All of them were also examined with digital subtractive angiography (DSA). The diagnostic results of MSCT were compared with those of DSA, and the abnormal MSCT findings were analyzed.

RESULTSBowel wall thickening, mesenteric edema, and ascites were most commonly seen in venous thromboses, while luminal dilatation and air-fluid levels were commonly seen in arterial embolization. Except that pneumatosis was only seen in transmural infarction, all the abnormal CT findings were found in different patterns and different degrees of ischemia.

CONCLUSIONSThe integrated MSCT examination is a valuable tool in diagnosis of acute intestinal ischemia. It can accurately diagnose acute intestinal ischemia and is also useful to assess the degrees of ischemia.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Ischemia ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Male ; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thrombosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Iron plays a key role in Parkinson s disease (PD). To illustrate the mechanism underlying the increase of iron in substantia nigra (SN) in PD, changes of the expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and iron content were examined in SN in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treated mice using immunohistochemistry and histochemistry respectively. Following MPTP treatment for 3 d, elevated iron staining was found in SN. A further increase in iron content was observed after 7 d. In these lesioned animals, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive DA neurons exhibited a decrease in number and morphological changes as well. There were two isoforms of DMT1 expressed in SN of mice. After MPTP treatment, the expression of DMT1 without IRE form increased in either group, whereas DMT1 with IRE form increased only after 7 d of MPTP treatment. These observations suggest that DMT1 is possibly involved in the process of iron accumulation in SN of MPTP-treated mice, which might be responsible for the subsequent death of DA neurons.
Animals ; Cation Transport Proteins ; metabolism ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Iron ; metabolism ; Iron-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; metabolism ; Protein Isoforms ; metabolism ; Substantia Nigra ; metabolism ; Transferrin ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the role of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mito-KATP)channel in sevoflurane preconditioning-induced delayed cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in isolated rat hearts.Methods Seventy-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n =12 each):control group (group CON),I/R group,sevoflurane control group (group SEVO),sevoflurane preconditioning group (group SWO P),5-hydroxydeconoate (5-HD) + sevoflurane preconditioning group (group 5-HD+ SWOP) and 5-HD control group (group 5-HD).The rats were exposed to 33％ pure oxygen for 1 h in groups CON and I/R.The rats were exposed to 2.5％ sevoflurane for 1 h in groups SEVO and SWOP.5-HD (a mito-KATP channel inhibitor) 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before sevoflurane preconditioning in group 5-HD + SWOP.5-HD 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally in group 5-HD.The hearts were immediately removed and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus.The hearts were made globally ischemic for 30 min followed by 120 min reperfusion in groups I/R,SWOP,5-HD + SWOP and 5-HD.The expression of phosphorylated protein kinase C-epsilon (p-PKC-ε) and caspase-8 was measured by Western blot immediately before ischemia (T0) and at 120 min of reperfusion (T1).The myocardial infarct volume was measured by TTC staining.Results Compared with group CON,the myocardial infarct volume was significantly increased at T1 in groups I/R,SWOP,5-HD +SWOP and 5-HD,p-PKC-ε expression was up-regulated at T0 in groups SEVO and SWOP and at T1 in groups I/R,SWOP,5-HD + SWOP and 5-HD,and caspase-8 expression was down-regulated at T1 in group SEVO (P ＜0.05).Compared with group I/R,the myocardial infarct volume was significantly decreased at T1 in groups SWOP and 5-HD + SWOP,p-PKC-ε expression was up-regulated at T0 in groups SEVO and SWOP,and caspase-8 expression was down-regulated at T1 in group SWOP (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group SWOP,the myocardial infarct volume was significantly increased,p-PKC-ε expression was down-regulated at T0,and caspase-8 expression was up-regulated at T1 in group 5-HD + SWOP (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The mito-KATP channel is involved in sevoflurane preconditioning-induced delayed cardioprotection against I/R injury in isolated rat hearts through upregulation of p-PKC-ε expression before ischemia and inhibition of cell apoptosis during reperfusion.

Objective To study the effect of mung beans, honey and yogurt on the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. Methods KM mice were randomly divided into four groups, and ig. with mung beans juice, honey liguid and yogurt. After 3h' treatment, blood were obtained from orbit and the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase were detected and compared. Results Showed mung bean, honey and yogurt has a role in promoting the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, which was mung bean > honey > yogurt. Compared with control group, mung beans can increase the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase by 22.98 U/ml and 6.02 U/ml,respectively(P<0.01 ). Conclusion Mung bean, honey and yogurt can promote the alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, has a hangover effect.