This article was aimed to study the therapeutic material basis of Xiong-Shao (XS) decoction on hepatic fi-brosis (HF), and screen effective parts from XS decoction for protecting liver, reducing enzyme activity and oxidative damage. Male wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, Fu-Zheng Hua-Y u (FZHY) group, XS group, polysaccharide group, total alkaloids group and the total glycosides group. HF rat model was estab-lished with the intraperitoneal injection of DMN. After modeling, FZHY solution (0.105 g·mL-1), XS decoction (1.610 g·mL-1), crude polysaccharides extract of XS decoction (35.420 mg·mL-1), total glycosides extract solution (25.725 mg·mL-1), and total alkaloids extract of XS decoction (0.196 mg·mL-1) were administered to corresponding treatment group by gavage once a day for 4 weeks, respectively. Rats of the normal group and model group were given equiva-lent normal saline by gavage once a day for 4 weeks. After 4-week drug administration, rats were killed to remove the liver. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used in the detection of serum parameters of liver function, including ALT, AST, TIBL and ALB. Serum SOD activity was detected by xanthine oxidase. GSH-PX activity was tested by DTNB reduction. Serum contents of MDA were measured by TBA. Pathological changes of the liver were observed with HE staining and masson staining. The results showed that compared with the model group, there was no signifi-cant differences between the total alkaloids group and the model group, but levels of serum ALT, AST and TBIL of other treatment groups were significantly decreased, and the serum ALB level was significantly elevated (P< 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, levels of serum SOD and GSH-PX of the FZHY group, XS group and total alkaloids group were significantly elevated (P < 0.01), and level of serum MDA was significantly reduced (P <0.05 or P< 0.01). Comparison among the polysaccharides group, total glycosides group, and model group showed no significant differences. It was concluded that crude polysaccharide and total glycosides fractions were effective parts of XS decoction for protecting liver and reducing enzyme activity. And total alkaloids fraction was the effective part for reducing oxidative damage.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of early inhaled budesonide on the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) and intercellular adhesion molecule(ICAM-1) in airway epithelial cells of asthma rats.Methods30 rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group, asthma group and therapeutic group with inhaled budesonide.The expression of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in bronchial epithelium were observed with immunohistochemical staining and computer image analysis system.ResultsThe expression of NF-κB, ICAM-1 and subepithelial collagen deposition were significantly highly in asthma group than those of control group and of therapeutic group (P<0.01 respectively). There was a close correlation between the expression of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in asthma rats (r=0.61,P<0.01), as well as between the expression of ICAM-1 and supepithelial collagen(r=0.47,P<0.01).ConclusionThe excessive expression of NF-κB and ICAM-1 play an important role in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling in asthma.Budesonide can influence airway remodeling by downregulating the expression of NF-κB and ICAM-1.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yigan Fupi Decoction (YFD) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) patients.

METHODSA randomized controlled clinical trail was carried out in patients with IBS-D. All patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (58 cases, treated with YFD) and the control group (58 cases, treated with Pinaverium Bromide Tablet). The treatment course was 4 weeks for all patients. The total effective rate, the stool property and state, the quality of life (QOL), and TCM syndrome efficacy were assessed by IBS bowel symptom severity scale (IBS-BSS), IBS defecation state questionnaire (IBS-DSQ), IBS quality of life questionnaire (IBS-QOL), and traditional Chinese medicine pattern curative effect scoring system (TCM-PES) before and after treatment.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in the total effective rate between the two groups (82.76% vs. 77.59%, P > 0.05). The treatment group was superior in the total IBS-BSS integral to the control group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate of improving the stool property was better in the treatment group than in the control group (81.03% vs. 72.41%, P < 0.05). Besides, the number of days for emergent defecation among 10 days was less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The improvement of the total IBS-QOL integral and the total integral of TCM syndrome were better in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate of TCM-PES was better in the treatment group than in the control group (84.48% vs. 70.69%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYFD was effective in the treatment of IBS-D patients of Gan-qi invading Pi syndrome, and could effectively relieve bowel symptoms, improve the stool property and the defecation frequency, elevate their QOL, and attenuate Gan-qi invading Pi syndrome with favorable safety and compliance.

Adult ; Diarrhea ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Morpholines ; therapeutic use ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus MOTOmed intelligent motor training in treating children with spastic cerebral palsy, and analyze the effects on lower limb motor function, intelligence development level, immune function and cerebral hemodynamics.Methods: A total of 42 children with spastic cerebral palsy were selected as the observation objects, and enrolled into the observation group. Another 42 cases treated in the same period were selected as the control group. Both groups received MOTOmed intelligent motor training, and the observation group was given additional acupuncture therapy, and the control group was given additional conventional rehabilitation treatment. After 2 consecutive treatment courses, the psychomotor development index (PDI) and mental development index (MDI) of Children's Developmental Center of China (CDCC) scale, the scores of gross motor function measure (GMFM) scale and modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and the changes in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ were observed. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) and mean flow velocity (MFV) of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) were observed and measured. The clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results: Compared with the same group before treatment, the scores of GMFM, PDI and MDI, levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+, PSV and MFV levels of ACA, MCA and PCA in both groups were significantly increased after treatment (all P<0.05), while the CD8+ level had no significant change (both P>0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of lower limb spasm in the observation group was 90.5％, significantly higher than 71.4％ in the control group (P<0.05). The scores of GMFM, PDI and MDI, the levels of CD3+ and CD4+, PSV and MFV, and the levels of ACA, MCA and PCA in the observation group were all significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the CD8+ level and CD4+/CD8+ between the groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus MOTOmed intelligent motor training has a better clinical efficacy than conventional rehabilitation plus MOTOmed intelligent motor training in treating children with spastic cerebral palsy, and is also superior in improving lower limb motor function and the level of intellectual development. And the mechanism may be related to the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics.

A subcellular proteomic method was applied to investigate the protein expression profiles of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines,CNE1 and CNE2,at various differentiation levels.Plasma membrane (PM) proteins were obtained by Percoll density grade centrifugation and subjected to twodimensional electrophoresis (2DE) followed by PDQuest software analysis.Nine proteins expressed with more than two folds difference were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF,of which functions involved in cell differentiation,signal transduction,and metabolism.Half of these proteins,such as galectin-1 and annexin Ⅱ,were analyzed with real-time quantitative PCR or Westem blotting.We have tested a proteomic method to study differentiated NPCs at different levels and found several proteins that might be related to their biological characteristics.

BACKGROUNDNajanalgesin, a toxin isolated from the venom of Naja naja atra, has been shown to exert significant analgesic effects in a neuropathic pain model in rats. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this protective effect of najanalgesin is poorly understood. The present study sought to evaluate the intracellular signaling pathways that are involved in the antinociceptive effect of najanalgesin on neuropathic pain.

METHODSThe antinociceptive properties of najanalgesin were tested in hind paw withdrawal thresholds in response to mechanical stimulation. We analyzed the participation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38, extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by western blot analysis. This inhibition of JNK was confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe phosphorylation levels of JNK (as well as its downstream molecule c-Jun), p38, and ERK were significantly increased after injury. Najanalgesin only inhibited JNK and c-Jun phosphorylation but had no effect on either ERK or p38. This inhibition of JNK was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, which suggested that the antinociceptive effect of najanalgesin on spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain in rats is associated with JNK activation in the spinal cord.

CONCLUSIONThe antinociceptive effect of najanalgesin functions by inhibiting the JNK in a neuropathic pain model.

Animals ; Elapid Venoms ; therapeutic use ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuralgia ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

According to the analysis of current clinical research situation on insulin resistance and its related diseases: obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with acupuncture and moxibustion, some clinical research thinking are proposed: based on national, international acupuncture-moxibustion standard, setting a normalized clinical research programme in accordance with the clinical practice; addressing effective acupoints combination and prescription, emphasizing the role played by vital qi strengthening in the treatment of insulin resistance and its related diseases; taking advantage of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment apportunity, that is to say , mainly focus on prevention; setting proper control group, grasping the theoretical and clinical characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion. In this way, some reference could be provided for insulin resistance and its related diseases treated with acupuncture and moxibustion.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Biomedical Research ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Moxibustion

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the sub-typing of full-frequency sudden deafness and its effect in treatment.

METHODSA series of 87 cases that have full-frequency sudden deafness were studied from Aug, 2005 to Mar, 2008. All cases were treated with methylprednisolone, Batroxobin and Xueshuantong.

RESULTSBased on the frequency of hearing loss, the objectives were divided into sudden-drop-down type and slow-drop-down type. The effective percentage and significant effective percentage in sudden-drop-down type were 84.4% (27/32) and 68.8% (22/32), respectively. The effective percentage and significant effective percentage in slow-drop-down type were 52.7% (29/55) and 32.7% (18/55), respectively. Slow-drop-down type showed a higher effective and significant effective percentage respectively (P < 0.01). According to the degree of hearing loss, objectives were divided into flat-type and profound-type. The effective percentage and significant effective percentage in flat-type were 73.3 % (44/60) and 53.3 % (32/60) respectively. The effective percentage and significant effective percentage in flat-type were 44.4% (12/27) and 29.6% (8/27) respectively. The flat-type showed a higher effective (P < 0.01) and significant effective percentage (P < 0.05) for treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe sudden deafness needs a further classification. According to the frequency of hearing loss, it can be divided into sudden-drop-down and slow-drop-down type. According to the degree of hearing loss, it can be divided into flat-type and profound-type. It would be appropriate to using 90 dB(average hearing threshold) as a criteria for the classification of hearing loss.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; classification ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between TCM Syndromes types, Xin-qi deficiency (XQD) and Xin-yang deficiency (XYD), and contents of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta and IL-10 in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

METHODSSixty-seven CHF in-patients with Xin-qi deficiency or Xin-yang deficiency syndrome were enrolled, their NYHA (New York Heart Association) cardiac function was assessed, ejection fraction (EF) and E peak/A peak (E/A) ratio were determined by Doppler ultrasonic echocardiograph, and serum TNF-alpha, II-6, IL-1beta and IL-10 were measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA assay.

RESULTSThe cardiac function grading in patients of XQD was mostly of I and II grade, while that in patients of XYD was mostly of III and IV grade (by Ridit analysis, P<0.01). The E/A and EF values were higher in patients of XQD than those in patients of XYD (P<0.01). Levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta were higher and IL-10 was lower in patients of XYD than those in patients of XQD (P<0.05 or P<0.01) respectively.

CONCLUSIONTNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta and IL-10 probably play an important role in the development process of XQD to XYD, and could be taken as the microcosmic indexes for differentiation of the two syndromes.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Contraction ; Stroke Volume ; physiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; physiopathology ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Yang Deficiency ; blood ; Yin Deficiency ; blood

Objective To investigate the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) on the osteogenic activities of human osteosarcoma cell line SaOS-2. Methods SaOS-2 cells were exposed to rhBMP-2 for 12,24,48 h at 0(control) ,2,20,200 μg/L, respectively. The mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and bone gla(BCP) were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction. Results The mRNA expression of ALP and BGP of SaOS-2 cells increased gradually with rhBMP-2. The mRNA expression of ALP of the 20 μg/L group exposed for 48 h(1.60 ± 0.64), and the 200 μg/L group exposed for 12,48 h(1.70 ± 0.41, 1.80±0.19) were significantly higher than those of control (12 h: 0.80±0.25, 48 h: 0.74±0.21, allP<0.05). The mRNA expression of BGP of the 2 μg/L group exposed for 24 h(1.67 ± 0.33), the 20 μg/L group exposed for 12,24 h(2.42 ± 0.13,1.82 ± 0.14) and the 200 μg/L group exposed for 12,24 h(1.46 ± 0.11,1.24 ± 0.07) were significantly higher than those of control( 12 h: 1.01 ± 0.14, 24 h: 0.84 ± 0.12, all P< 0.05). Conclusions rhBMP-2 can promote the mRNA expression of ALP and BGP of SaOS-2 cells. They have a dose-response relationship, but represent a different dose-response effect.