OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effects and mechanisms of Qifu decoction( QFD) on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) in model rats with yang-deficiency syndrome.

METHODThe rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the Sham group (Group A), the Model group (Group B), the Qifu decoction group (Group C) and the Enalapril group (Group D). The RIF model was established by adenine administrated and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) of the left ureter. After the model was successfully established, the rats in Group C and D were administrated with QFD or the Enalapril suspension,while the rats in Group A and B were administrated with distilled water. All rats were administrated for 3 weeks. Before administration and at the end of week 1, 2 and 3, the rats were weighted, and 24 h urinary protein excretion (Upro), urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2-MG) and urinary N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were examined, respectively. All rats were killed after administration for 3 weeks. Blood and renal tissues were collected, renal morphology and tubulointerstitial morphology were evaluated, respectively. Serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and uric acid (UA) were detected, respectively. The protein expressions of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), onnective tissue growth factor (CTGF) extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) and phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in kidney were evaluated, respectively.

RESULTQFD ameliorated serum cAMP level and the rate of cAMP/cGMP, attenuated urinary β2-MG level, NAG level and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, increased E-cadherin protein expression, and reduced α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions in the kidney. However, QFD had no influence on renal function in vivo. In addition, these effects were better than those of the model rats treated by Enalapril.

CONCLUSIONQFD could alleviate yang-deficiency parameters, as well as urinary β2-MG level and NAG level in model rats induced by adenine administration and UUO. Moreover, QFD could improve EMT and RIF by up-regulating E-cadherin protein expression, and down-regulating α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions, the key molecular in ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; complications ; Yang Deficiency ; complications

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory responses during the progression of renal tissue and tissue injury related causes its progression to end-state renal disease. Among them, nuclear factor (nuclear factor, NF)-kappaB signaling pathway by regulating the corresponding nuclear expression of target gene transcription, as well as affecting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, induction of inflammation lead to kidney damage and renal fibrosis. Some single herbs and their extracts (such as Astragali Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Ginkgo Folium) and some traditional Chinese medicine (such as Danggui Buxue decoction, Qilian decoction) can reduce the inflammatory damage induced by renal tissue NF-kappaB signaling pathway and delay the progression of CKD.
Animals ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

AIM:To improve the quality standard of Fuke Yangkun Pill. METHODS: Fructus Viticis was(identified) by micrology,Radix Angelica sinensis,Rhizoma Chuanxiong,Rhizoma Cyperi,Radix Aucklandiae,Rhizoma Corydalis,Radix Rehmanniae,Radix Rehmanniae preparata,Radix Paeoniae alba,Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae,Fructus Amomi were identified by TLC,baicalin content was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: The TLC spots were fairly clear and distinguishable,the linear range of baicalin was within 3.28-131.2 ?g/mL.The average recovery was 100.4% with RSD 1.0%(n=6). CONCLUSION: The method is simple,and specific,and can be used for quality control of Fuke Yangkun Pill.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Microglia ; immunology ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Oxidopamine ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of baicalin on Aβ25-35 induced learning and memory deficits and changes in autophagy-related genes in mice so as to explore the related mechanisms of Alzheimer disease (AD) treatment . METHODS C57 mice were administered with 3μL Aβ25-35 3 mmol·L-1 by intracerebroventricular injection to establish an AD model. Baicalin was given by intracerebroventricular injection at the dose of 25, 50 and 100 mg · kg-1 for 15 d, respectively. The total distance and the central grid residence time were measured in the open-field test. The escape latency and the time to reach the platform were monitored in the Morris water maze trial. The autophagic vacuoles in the hippocampus of the mice were observed by transmission electron microscopy before the protein expressions of microtu?bule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin1 in brain tissue were analyzed by Western blot?ting assay. RESULTS Intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ25-35 could reduce the total distance from (3984±321)cm to (2790±306)cm and extend central grid residence time from (3.6±1.2)s to (8.8±2.9)s in the open-field test. The escape latency of water maze also increased from (22.0 ± 1.9)s to (38.8 ± 2.2)s. Autophagic vacuoles or late autophagic vacuoles and increased Beclin1 and LC3 and protein level were observed in the hippocampus after Aβ25-35 injection. Intraperitoneal injection of Baicalin 50 and 100 mg · kg-1 for fifteen consecutive days extended the total distance in open-field test to (3705 ± 337)cm and (3968 ± 448)cm, respectively, while the central grid residence time was reduced to (5.6 ± 1.8)s and (3.9±1.5)s, respectively. The total time taken to reach the platform in water maze test was reduced to (28.6± 1.9)s, (22.9 ± 1.7)s. Mitochondrial swelling, vacuolar membrane structure or autophagic vacuoles were visible in the hippocampus. LC3 and Beclin1 protein expression was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01). CONCLUSION Baicalin shows protective effect against Aβ25-35 induced learning and memory deficits, and this effect may be related to the activation of autophagy in the mouse hippocampus.

Objective To explore the relationship between some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)loci of interferon regulatory factor 6(IRF6)gene,transforming growth faetor-?(TGFA)gene and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate(NSCL/P)in nuclear families consisting of fathers, mothers and affected offspring with NSCL/P from southeast China.Methods Some SNloci of IRF6 and TGFA were detected by applying microarray technology in nuclear families,and then haplotype relative risk (HRR)and transmission disequilibrium test(TDT)were performed.Results There were no significant difference in genotypes and alleles distribution between patients and their parents.The SNP locus——V274I of IRF6 was associated with NSCL/P(HRR:?~2=4.5816,P

Depression is a serious mental illness with a high incidence. At present, we do not fully understand the specific pathological mechanisms of depression, and the efficacy of drug treatments is very limited. Recent studies have shown that epigenetic changes that occur in specific brain regions may be a key mechanism by which environmental factors to interact with individuals to influence the risk of depression. Therefore, drugs that target epigenetic regulation may become a new direction for the development of antidepressants. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are a class of compounds that inhibit histone deacetylase activity, which has been reported to be associated with depression; this article addresses the use of HDACi in preclinical studies, and their potential therapeutic role and limitations of use in depression.

Angioedema ; Asthma ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Phenotype ; Rhinitis ; Urticaria

ObjectiveTo explore the expression of N-cadherin and β-catenin mRNA in human brainstem and supratentorial gliomas. MethodsN-cadherin and β-catenin mRNA expression in 18 cases of brainstem gliomas and 18 cases of supratentorial gliomas tissues were detected with PT-PCR. Resultsβ-catenin mRNA expression was more in human brainstem gliomas than in supratentorial gliomas （t=2.255,P<0.05）, but was not significantly different of N-cadherin mRNA (P＞0.05). The expression of N-cadherin mRNA in human brainstem gliomas of grades Ⅰ～Ⅱ were less than those in human gliomas of grades Ⅲ～Ⅳ (t=2.711，P<0.05), but was not of β-catenin mRNA (P＞0.05). N-cadherin mRNA expression was positively correlated with the β-catenin mRNA expression in either brainstem gliomas or supratentorial gliomas （r=0.480，r=0.809 respectively, P<0.05）. ConclusionThe over expressions of N-cadherin and β-catenin may play an important role in the invasion and malignant progress of human brainstem gliomas.

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed as a key role leading to the progressive tubulo-interstitial fibrosis (TIF). The tubular EMT is an highly regulated process involving four key steps including: loss of epithelial cell adhesion, de novo smooth muscle actin expression and actin reorganization, disruption of tubular basement membrane,and enhanced cell migration and invasion. These crucial processes are closely connected to the relative actions on many signaling pathways in EMT. Additionally, increasing evidences suggest that some Chinese herbal medicines and their extracts, such as Astragali Radix, Cordyceps, Salvia miltiorrhiza, as well as Chinese. herbal prescriptions including Astragalus Angelica mixture and Supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation decoction, could intervene the related events controlling EMT both in vitro and in vivo. Chinese herbal medicines could ameliorate TIF by intervening the course of EMT.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects