AIM:To investigate the autophagy induced by sepsis and acute kidney injury , and the regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway in this process.METHODS: The rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture ( CLP) or sham operation .Histopathologic changes of the renal tissues were examined by HE staining .Blood urea nitrogen ( BUN) and serum creatinine ( SCr) were measured by chemical colorime-try.The protein expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 I/II (LC3 I/II), beclin-1 and p-Akt at different time points after CLP was detected by Western blotting .In vitro, human proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 were treated with LPS to induce autophagy .The protein expression of LC 3 I/II and p-Akt in the HK-2 cells after LPS treatment at different time points and different concentrations was detected by Western blotting .These molecules in HK-2 cells and apoptosis of HK-2 cells treated with LPS plus PI3K inhibitor or Akt inhibitor were also detected .RESULTS: Compared with sham group , the severe changes of renal histopathological injuries in CLP groups were observed , the levels of BUN and SCr in CLP groups were significantly increased .LC3 I/II, beclin-1 and phosphorylation of Akt gradually increased after CLP.After treatment with LPS, the expression of p-Akt (308) in the HK-2 cells gradually increased in a dose-and time-dependent fashion.The expression of beclin-1 and p-Akt (472) reached a peak at 8 h or 10 mg/L LPS treatment.Treat-ment with PI3K or Akt inhibitor down-regulated the expression of LC3 and promoted the apoptosis of HK-2 cells.CON-CLUSION:Autophagy in the kidney is induced by sepsis and acute kidney injury .PI3/Akt signaling pathway may be in-volved in this process .

Objective To explore the effects of andrographolide(AP),extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Andrographlis paniculata(AP),on injury induced by radiation exposure.Methods Sixty male rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups and irradiated with 60Co γ-rays at the doses of 1,2,and 4 Gy,respectively:low dose AP group(intragnstrically administered with AP at the dose of 100 ms/kg daily for 10 d before irradiation),and high dose AP group(intragastrically administered with AP at the dose of 200 ms/kg daily for 10 d before irradiation),model group(administered with the same volume of normal saline instead of AP for 10 d before irradiation),and control group(irradiated only at 3 different doses).One day after irradiation all rats were killed with their livers being fixed to make paraffin section.The morphological feature was observed under light microscope after HE staining,and the cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL technology.Results Compared to the control and model groups,the pathological changes of liver were significantly gentler in the AP treatment groups.The apoptosis rates of the liver cells of all the AP sub-groups were significantly lower than those of the control and model subgroup(t=2.19-4.80.P<0.05).Conclusions AP might have prevention effect against radiation exposure.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Wenyang Yiqi Pingchuan Recipe (WYPR) on the pathomorphology of lung and its regulation on lung tissue contents of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in rats with bronchial asthma.

METHODSSixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: the normal group, the model group, and the four treated groups treated with high dose WYPR, low dose WYPR, Guilong Kechuanning Capsule and aminophylline, respectively, 10 in each group. Except those in the normal group, all rats of bronchial asthma model were established by egg protein sensitization and provocated by inhalation. The treatments were given via gastrogavage every day starting from the first provocation (the 3rd week of modeling) to the execution. Rats were sacrificed after 4-week treatment, their lung was taken for determining the contents of NO and ET-1, and histopathological changes in lung were observed as well.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the contents of NO and ET-1 in the lung tissue, the thickness of bronchus wall and bronchus smooth muscle, the number of eosinophil granulocytes increased in the model group and the low dose WYPR group, showing statistical significance (P < 0. 01). As compared with the model group, all the above-mentioned indices were lower in all the 4 treated groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but the lowering in the WYPR treated groups (either high or low dose) was more significant than in the Guilong Kechuanning treated group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); while compared with the aminophylline treated group, the high dose WYPR group was superior in reducing eosinophile granulocytes (P < 0.01), but no significance between them was shown in NO and ET-1 levels (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWYPR could reduce the eosinophilic infiltration, decrease the contents of NO and ET-1 in the lung tissue, restrain the air passage inflammation and inhibit the pathological process as airway remodeling.

Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; pathology ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhitiaokang capsule (ZTK) on serum insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) in patients with hyperlipidemia (HLP).

METHODSPatients with HLP were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 124) and the control group (n = 62), they were treated by ZTK and Zhibituo tablet respectively for 8 weeks as one therapeutic course. The changes of blood lipids and serum IGF-2 before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSZTK could significantly reduce blood lipids and increase serum content of IGF-2.

CONCLUSIONZTK could improve the insulin resistant status and inhibit the development of hyperlipidemia in patients by means of raising serum content of IGF-2 and suppressing vascular endothelial cell apoptosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of Gnaphalium affine extracts on xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in vitro and to analyze the mechanism of this effect.
Methods In this in vitro study, Kinetic measurements were performed in 4 different inhibitor concentrations and 5 different xanthine concentrations (60, 100, 200, 300, 400 &mu;mol/L). Dixon and Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis were used to determine Ki values and the inhibition mode for the compounds isolated from Gnaphalium affine extract.
Results Four potent xanthine oxidase inhibitors were found in 95% ethanolic (v/v) Gnaphalium affine extract. Among them, the flavone Eupatilin exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on XO with a inhibition constant (Ki) of 0.37&mu;mol/L, lower than the Ki of allopurinol (4.56 mol/L), a known synthetic XO inhibitor. Apigenin (Ki of 0.56&mu;mol/L, a proportion of 0.0053‰in Gnaphalium affine), luteolin (Ki of 2.63 &mu;mol/L, 0.0032‰ in Gnaphalium affine) and 5-hydroxy-6,7,3’,4’-tetramethoxyflavone (Ki of 3.15&mu;mol/L, 0.0043‰ in Gnaphalium affine) also contributed to the inhibitory effect of Gnaphalium affine extract on XO activity.
Conclusions These results suggest that the use of Gnaphalium affine in the treatment of gout could be attributed to its inhibitory effect on XO. This study provides a rational basis for the traditional use of Gnaphalium affine against gout.

Objective To investigate the possible role of interstitial cell of Cajal (ICE)in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis and the protective effect of"Xiaopi prescription (消痞方)".Methods Fifty healthy male Spregue-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (each n=10):normal, model,and 3 Xiaopi prescription groups:low,middle and high dosages.Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of alloxan,and equal amount of normal saline was intravenously injected in the normal group.Gastric lavage method was used to administer the traditional Chinese medicine decoction of Xiaopi prescription in corresponding amount (5,10 and 20 g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)) in respective low,middle and high dosage groups.In the normal control group and diabetic model group,only equal amount of normal saline was administered into the stomach.Gastric emptying rate was measured by method of nutritious semisolid paste;c-kit positive cells of ICC were quantitatively measured with immunohistochemistry assay and computer image analysis system;c-kit mRNA positive cells were quantitatively measured with in situ hybridization and computer image analysis system.Results①Gastric emptying rate:The rate was significantly lower in the model group than that in the normal control group (P0.05),but higher than those in the model group and the low dosage group (all P0.05).②c-kit immmunohistochemistry:c-kit positive cell presented yellow in color,and its membrane was stained yellow,this kind of cells primarily were distributed around the neural plexus in the inter-space between the circular and longitudinal muscular fibers, and around the ganglionic cells forming"sheath-like"structure.The results of numbers of c-kit positive cells in the various groups:the number of the cells in the model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (P0.05),but the numbers in the former two dosage groups were obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal group,middle and high dosage groups (all P0.05),but obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal,middle and high dosage groups (all P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of potassium and calcium supplementation in table salt on reduction of arterial blood pressure and sodium metabolism in adolescents with higher blood pressure.

METHODSA single blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out for two years in 220 adolescents with higher blood pressure, aged 18 - 22 years, who were randomly divided into supplementary group (n = 110) and control group (n = 110). Each of the subjects in the supplementary group and their family members was given 10 mmol of potassium and 10 mmol of calcium mixed in their table salt daily for 24 months.

RESULTSNight urinary sodium and potassium excretion increased (urinary Na(+), P < 0.05; urinary K(+), P < 0.01) and blood pressure lowered by 5.3 mm Hg/1.8 mm Hg in average from the baseline in the supplementary group two years after potassium and calcium supplementation, as compared with that in the control group increased by (1.3/1.7) mm Hg.

CONCLUSIONSAdequate supplement of potassium and calcium in daily table salt intake was an effective way to prevent form hypertension and could promote their urinary sodium excretion and reduction of arterial blood pressure in adolescents with higher blood pressure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Calcium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diet therapy ; prevention & control ; Male ; Natriuresis ; Potassium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Single-Blind Method ; Sodium ; metabolism ; Sodium, Dietary ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-like immunoreactive substance in spinal cord of the rat and to probe the mechanism.

METHODSThe IFN-gamma-like immunoreactive positive cell number in spinal cord of the rat was investigated with immunohistochemical SP method and microscopy.

RESULTSAfter electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36), IFN-gamma-like immunoreactive positive cell number in the spinal cord of the rat with electroacupuncture plus immunosuppression did not significantly change (P > 0.05). The number of positive cells in the dorsal horn in the rats with immunosuppression was significantly less than that in the normal control group (P < 0.05) with no significant change in other parts and with no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) can increase expression of IFN-gamma-like immunoreactive substance in spinal cord of the rat, and acupuncture activates the nerve-immunoregulative network possibly by IFN-gamma as medium.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Interferon-gamma ; Rats ; Spinal Cord

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zhongfengkang on the content of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in brain of focal cerebral ischemia rats.

METHODThe model of focal cerebral ischemia was made by thread-blocking method. In comparison with the curative effect of buchangnaoxintong, the action of Zhongfengkang on infarct volume and the content of IGF-1 in brain of focal cerebral ischemia rats were observed in 6, 12, 24 h and 48 h after cerebral ischemia.

RESULTAs compared with sham operation group, the content of IGF-1 in brain of model group was gradually increased from 6th hour after cerebral ischemia, reaching to the maximal level at 24th hour after the onset of cerebral ischemia (P < 0.01). In comparison with the values in model group at the corresponding time points, the content of IGF-1 in brain of each treatment groups was increased in different extent with a maximal enhancement in the group treated by the high dose of Zhongfengkang (P < 0. 05 or P < 0.01); while the infarct volume of each treatment groups were decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZhongfengkang could effectively protect the cerebral tissue from injury of focal cerebral ischemia in the rats through increasing the cerebral content of IGF-1 and reducing infarct volume.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To observe the psychological stress status in patients with acute coronarysyndrome(ACS)and stable angina pectoris(SA).Methods The intensity of social psychological stress and the Serum levels of IL-6,CRP and ICAM-1 were determined in patients with ACS(n=67)and SA (n=33).Results(1)The percentage of patients with psychological stress was significantly higher in ACS than that in SA group(78.8% vs.21.2%,P＜0.01).(2)The serum levels of CRP[(14.82±5.07)g/L vs.(8.78±4.34)g/L],IL-6[(101.7±22.2)ng/L vs.(71.1±23.5)ng/L]and sICAM-1[(1.41±0.47)mg/L vs.(0.82±0.37)mg/L]were significantly higher in psychological stress group than those in non-psychological stress group(all P＜0.05).Serm CRP[(18.91±3.12)g/L vs.(6.20±2.46)g/L],IL-6[(114.6±15.2)ng/L vs.(56.4±15.8)ng/L]and sICAM-1[(1.67±0.39)mg/L vs.(0.63±0.28)mg/L]levels in ACS group were significantly higher than those in SA group(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Higher psychological stress was associated with higher risk of ACS and increased serum inflammatory cytokines.