OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effect of integrative medicinal therapy with Qinzhu Liangxue Mixture (QLM) in combined with valaciclovir on herpes zoster (HZ) in middle and old aged patients.

METHODSNinety-seven HZ patients were randomly assigned to three groups and treated respectively with QLM alone (A), valaciclovir alone (B) and QLM plus valaciclovir (C). Times for stopping newly appeared blisters, scabbing relieving pain, and curing, as well as incidence rate of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) after treatment were evaluated. Patients' symptoms and signs were scored before and after treatment.

RESULTSTime for appeaed newly blister and scabbing was shorter in Group B than in Group A; time for relieving pain and curing was shorter in Group C than in Group A; and the PHN incidence rate in Group C was the lowest.

CONCLUSIONValaciclovir can control the skin rash of HZ with quicker initiating time, and QLM can effectively relieve pain, the combined use with the two drugs can decrease the incidence rate of PHN availably.

Acyclovir ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Aged ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Herpes Zoster ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Middle Aged ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q exactive orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-QEOrbitrap-MS/MS) was used to explore the inhibitory effect and mechanism of ginkgo flavone aglycone(GA) combined with doxorubicin(DOX) on H22 cells. The effects of different concentrations of GA and DOX on the viability of H22 cells were investigated, and combination index(CI) was used to evaluate the effects. In the experiments, control(CON) group, DOX group, GA group, and combined GA and DOX(GDOX) group were constructed. Then the metabolomics strategy was employed to explore the metabolic markers that were significantly changed after combination therapy on the basis of single medication treatment, and by analyzing their biological significance, the effect and mechanism of the anti-tumor effect of GA combined with DOX were explained. The results revealed that when 30 μg·mL~(-1) GA and 0.5 μmol·L~(-1) DOX was determined as the co-administration concentration, the CI value was 0.808, indicating that the combination of GA and DOX had a synergistic anti-tumor effect. Metabolomics analysis identified 23 metabolic markers, including L-arginine, L-tyrosine and L-valine, mostly amino acids. Compared with the CON group, 22 and 17 metabolic markers were significantly down-regulated after DOX treatment and GA treatment, respectively. Compared with the DOX and GA groups, the treatment of GA combined with DOX further down-regulated the levels of these metabolic markers in liver cancer, which might contribute to the synergistic effect of the two. Five key metabolic pathways were found in pathway enrichment analysis, including glutathione metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, and valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation. These findings demonstrated that the combination of GA and DOX remarkably inhibited the viability of H22 cells and exerted a synergistic anti-tumor effect. The mechanism might be related to the influence of the energy supply of tumor cells by interfering with the metabolism of various amino acids.
Arginine/therapeutic use* ; Doxorubicin/therapeutic use* ; Flavones/therapeutic use* ; Ginkgo biloba/chemistry* ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Isoleucine/therapeutic use* ; Leucine/therapeutic use* ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Metabolomics/methods* ; Phenylalanine/therapeutic use* ; Proline ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Tyrosine/therapeutic use* ; Valine/therapeutic use* ; beta-Alanine/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanism of valsartan and felodipine extended release tablets (Plendil) on a novel salt-sensitive hypertensive rat induced by sensory denervation.

METHODSNewborn Wistar rats were given 50 mg/kg capsaicin subcutaneously on the 1st and 2nd day of life. Control rats were treated with vehicle solution (10%ethanol, 10%Tween 80 in saline). After weanling period (3 weeks), male rats were divided into 5 groups and subject to the following treatment for 4 weeks: control + high salt diet (4%, CON-HS), capsaicin + normal salt diet (0.5%, CAP-NS), capsaicin + high salt diet (CAP-HS), capsaicin + high salt diet + Valsartan (30 mg/kg per day, by orally) (CAP-HS-VAL), capsaicin + high salt diet + Plendil (30 mg/kg per day, by orally) (CAP-HS-PLE). Tail-cuff systolic blood pressure, body weight, intralymphocytic [Ca(2+)](i), plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide concentration ([CGRP]), angiotensin II concentration ([AngII]) and 24 hour water intake, urinary volume, urinary Na(+) and K(+) concentrations were examined.

RESULTSTail-cuff systolic blood pressure and intralymphocytic [Ca(2+)](i) were lower in CAP-HS-VAL or CAP-HS-PLE group than those in CAP-HS group. Plasma [AngII] were higher in CAP-HS-VAL group than that in other groups. Tail-cuff systolic blood pressure were lower in CAP-HS-VAL group than that in CAP-HS-PLE group. Intralymphocytic [Ca(2+)](i) were lower in CAP-HS-PLE group than that in CAP-HS-VAL group. The 24 hour urine sodium excretion was higher in CAP-HS-PLE group than that in CAP-HS or CAP-HS-VAL group.

CONCLUSIONValsartan or Plendil could prevent the development of salt-sensitive hypertension induced by sensory denervation and the overloading of intracellular [Ca(2+)](i), which indicated that salt-sensitive hypertension induced by sensory nerve degeneration might be related to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the over loading intracellular [Ca(2+)](i), and might be more closely to RAAS.

Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; Felodipine ; therapeutic use ; Hypertension ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Gastric Mucosa ; blood supply ; pathology ; Hypertension, Portal ; drug therapy ; Male ; Propranolol ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of intradermal injection of methylene blue for treatment of moderate to severe acute thoracic herpes zoster and prevention of postherpetica neuralgia in elderly patients.

METHODSSixty-four elderly patients with herpes zoster were randomized to receive a 10-day course of intradermal injection of methylene blue and lidocaine plus oral valaciclovir (group A, 32 cases) and intradermal injection of lidocaine plus oral valaciclovir (group B).Herpes evaluation index, pain rating index, incidence of postherpetic neuralgia, and comprehensive therapeutic effect were compared between the two groups at 11, 30 and 60 days after the treatment.

RESULTSThe baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with that in group B, the time for no new blister formation, blister incrustation and decrustation, and pain relief was significantly shortened in group A (P<0.05) with also obviously lower pain intensity after the treatment. The incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was significantly lower in group A than in group B at 30 days (P<0.05), but not at 60 and 90 days after the treatment. The total clinical response rate was 93.8% in group A, much higher than that in group B (62.5%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntradermal injection of methylene blue can effectively shorten the disease course, reduce the pain intensity and prevent the development of postherpetic neuralgia in elderly patients with herpes zoster.

Acyclovir ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Aged ; Herpes Zoster ; complications ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intradermal ; Lidocaine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Methylene Blue ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Valine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 80/12.5 mg once daily (o.d.) in Chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension who was not adequately controlled by valsartan 80 mg o.d. monotherapy.

METHODSIn this multi-center, double-blind, randomized, active controlled, parallel group trial, 1051 out of 1175 Chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension [DBP >or= 95 mm Hg and < 110 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa)] completed single-blind run-in period (valsartan 80 mg o.d. therapy for 4 weeks) after 2 week's wash-out period. At the end of the single-blind run-in period, those patients with DBP >or= 95 mm Hg (n = 864) were randomized in 1:1 ratio to Valsartan and Valsartan 80 mg (n = 429)/HCTZ80/12.5 mg (n = 435) treatment o.d. for 8 weeks. Safety and efficacy was assessed every 4 weeks during double blind phase.

RESULTSAt the end of study, valsartan/HCTZ 80/12.5 mg combination treatment further reduced systolic (-3.5 mm Hg) and diastolic (-2.2 mm Hg) pressures and increased the rate of patients reaching goal BP level (53.9% vs. 40.9%) compared to valsartan 80 mg o.d. monotherapy. Incidence of side effects was similar between the combination therapy and monotherapy groups (8.9% vs. 5.1%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEfficacy of Valsartan 80 mg/HCTZ 12.5 mg compound was superior to valsartan 80 mg on BP reduction and goal BP control rate in Chinese patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. The combination of Valsartan 80 mg/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg provides a suitable treatment for Chinese patients who are not adequately controlled by valsartan 80 mg o.d. monotherapy.

Adult ; Antihypertensive Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tetrazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Valine ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) using macromolecular contrast agent (P792) for assessment of vascular disrupting drug effect in rabbit VX2 liver tumor models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. DCE-MRI was performed with 3-T scanner in 13 VX2 liver tumor-bearing rabbits, before, 4 hours after, and 24 hours after administration of vascular disrupting agent (VDA), using gadomelitol (P792, n = 7) or low molecular weight contrast agent (gadoterate meglumine [Gd-DOTA], n = 6). P792 was injected at a of dose 0.05 mmol/kg, while that of Gd-DOTA was 0.2 mmol/kg. DCE-MRI parameters including volume transfer coefficient (K(trans)) and initial area under the gadolinium concentration-time curve until 60 seconds (iAUC) of tumors were compared between the 2 groups at each time point. DCE-MRI parameters were correlated with tumor histopathology. Reproducibility in measurement of DCE-MRI parameters and image quality of source MR were compared between groups. RESULTS: P792 group showed a more prominent decrease in K(trans) and iAUC at 4 hours and 24 hours, as compared to the Gd-DOTA group. Changes in DCE-MRI parameters showed a weak correlation with histologic parameters (necrotic fraction and microvessel density) in both groups. Reproducibility of DCE-MRI parameters and overall image quality was not significantly better in the P792 group, as compared to the Gd-DOTA group. CONCLUSION: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using a macromolecular contrast agent shows changes of hepatic perfusion more clearly after administration of the VDA. Gadolinium was required at smaller doses than a low molecular contrast agent.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Benzophenones/therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heterocyclic Compounds/administration & dosage/*chemistry ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/*radiography ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Organometallic Compounds/administration & dosage/*chemistry ; Rabbits ; Reproducibility of Results ; Valine/analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of hydrochloride valacyclovir in treatment of varicella in pediatric patients between April 2006 and March 2007.

METHODSA randomized controlled multi-center clinical trial was conducted in 5 pediatric centers, i.e., Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Pediatric Department of Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology and Children's Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences. Patients who were clinically diagnosed as varicella without any complications and were beyond 3 years of age were enrolled into the study from the out-patient clinics. The subjects were divided into two groups randomly, one was treated with hydrochloride valacyclovir, the other with ribavirin. There were 128 cases in the group treated with hydrochloride valacyclovir and 132 cases in control group treated with ribavirin. The treatment duration of two groups was five days. The clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated after the first day and the fourth day of the treatment and within three days after the end of the treatment. The clinical efficacy was assessed by efficacy index.

RESULTS(1) The efficacy index on the fourth day of the therapy (0.80 +/- 0.24) in the valacyclovir group was significantly higher than that of ribavirin control group (0.59 +/- 0.37) (t = 5.42, P < 0.01). The efficacy index at the end of the treatment (0.86 +/- 0.14) in the hydrochloride valacyclovir group was also significantly higher than that (0.70 +/- 0.30) of the ribavirin control group (t = 5.43, P < 0.01). (2) In the valacyclovir and ribavirin groups, the effective rates on the fourth day of the therapy were 94.53% and 72.7% respectively (chi2) = 22.38, P < 0.01). The effective rates at the end of the therapy were 99.2% and 88.6%, respectively (chi(2) = 12.60, P < 0.01). The rates of cure of the two groups were 33.6% and 25.0% (chi2) = 2.32, P > 0.05). (3) No severe adverse drug reactions were observed in any of the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe hydrochloride valacyclovir was safe, reliable and convenient in treatment of uncomplicated varicella in children.

Acyclovir ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Chickenpox ; drug therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Valine ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo compare effects of valsartan and benazepril on erythropoietin (EPO) levels in essential hypertensive patients with normal renal function.

METHODSSixty essential hypertensive patients were randomly divided into valsartan group (n=30, valsartan 80 mg/day) and benazepril group (n=30, benazepril 10 mg/day). Plasma EPO and hemoglobin (Hb) levels were measured at the start of and at 4 and 8 weeks during the treatments.

RESULTSEPO and Hb levels were all in normal range in the two groups. Valsartan decreased EPO levels from 14.179∓3.214 U/L (baseline) to 12.138∓2.926 U/L (P<0.05) and Hb levels from 144.32∓13.84 g/L (baseline) to 135.16∓14.78 U/L (P<0.05). Benazepril treatment did not resulted in any obvious changes in EPO or Hb levels (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONValsartan may lower EPO and Hb levels in patients with essential hypertension, while benazepril does not have such effects. The safety of valsartan in anemic hypertensive patients should be further investigated.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Benzazepines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Erythropoietin ; blood ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tetrazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Valine ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan