To study the compatible mechanisms and compatible proportion of Shaoyao Gancao decoction, the intestinal absorption of main ingredients in Shaoyao Gancao decoction SG11 (Baishao-Zhigancao 1: 1) , SG31 (Baishao-Zhigancao 3: 1), Baishao water decoction S and Zhigancao (G) were investigated and compared using in vitro everted intestinal sac model and in situ single pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) model. The concentration of paeoniflorin (PF), liquiritin (LQ) and mono-ammonium glycyrrhizinate (GL) in test samples and samples of intestinal sac and intestinal perfusion was determined by HPLC. The intestinal absorptive amount and absorption parameters were calculated. Results showed that in the everted intestinal sac model, three ingredients could be absorbed by duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and the absorption in the jejunum was best for all 3 ingredients. The absorption rate of three ingredients in SG11 was significantly higher than that in single decoction (P < 0.05), but had no significant difference compared with SG31. In SPIP model, the absorption rate constant K(a), the apparent absorption coefficient P(app) and the absorption rate of three ingredients in SG11 were significantly higher than those in single decoction. Parameters of PF and GL in SG11 were significantly higher than those in SG31, but had no differences of LQ. It proved that the compatibility of Baishao and Zhigancao could improve the intestinal absorption of PF, LQ and GL. The absorption of each ingredient in SG11 was better than that in SG31.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestines ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUND: Strontium-doped calcium polyphosphate (SCPP) is a new type of bone repair materials with good biocompatibility and controlled degradation. The preliminary studies of our group indicate their role in promoting angiogenesis,but its mechanism is unclear.OBJECTIVE: By co-culturing osteoblasts ROS17/2.8 with SCPP in vitro to observe cell proliferation and the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A contrast study was performed at the Laboratory of Tissue Engineering of Sichuan University from October 2008 to June 2009.MATERIALS: A series of calcium polyphosphate (CPP) respectively containing 0%, 1 %, 2%, 5%, 8%, and 10% Sr~(2+) were prepared. ROS17/2.8 osteoblastic cell strain was provided by Laboratory of Transplantation Immunity and Transplantation Engineering, West China Hospital, Sichuan University.METHODS: ①Preparation of cell scaffold complexes: The materials were placed in 24-well plates, then 300 μL cell suspension with a concentration of 2×10~7 cells/Lwas inoculated into each hole. These complexes were cultured for 14 days and the liquid was changed every two days. ②These complexes were measured by MTT assay to observe the proliferation of osteoblasts on the 1~(st), 3~(rd), 5~(th), 7~(th), 10~(th) and 14~(th) days, respectively. ③ The centrifugal supernatant of the complex cultured for seven days was measured by ELISA assay to check the secretion of VEGF.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proliferation of osteoblastic cells on SCPP and CPP was observed. The amount of VEGF protein secreting from osteoblastic cells was detected.RESULTS: The results of MTT showed that, compared with the CPP group, SCPP groups could promote the proliferation of osteoblasts, and 8% SCPP group was the best; ELISA results showed that, compared with the CPP group, SCPP groups could increase the amount of VEGF protein secretion, of which the promoting role of 8% SCPP was the most obvious (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: When cultured with osteoblasts, SCPP can promote cell proliferation, and can significantly increase the secretion of VEGF; moreover, 8% SCPP is the best, which reveals a certain mechanism of its promoting angiogenesis.

Objective To observe the changes on the neurogenic inflammation-related factors in the dura mater of the rat model of migraine and investigate the possible mechanism of the pain of migraine.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into stimulation group ( n = 32 ) and sham group ( n = 32 ).Unilateral trigeminal ganglion was stimulated to induce migraine for rats in the stimulation group. Rats in the sham group were subjected to sham surgery. The levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the blood of jugular vein in the stimulation side were measured by radioimmunoassay. The levels of histamine in peripheral blood and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) in the dura mater were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The number of mast cells and percentage of their degranulation in the dura mater were determined under a microscope after toluidine blue staining. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)expression in the dura mater was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. Results In the stimulation group, the level of CGRP in the ipsilateral jugular vein was (82. 84 ± 16. 24)pg/ml and in the sham group was (59. 20 ±11.66) pg/ml (t = -3.34, P ＜ 0. 05 ). The level of histamine in the ipsilateral jugular vein was ( 11.59 ± 1.20) ng/ml and in the sham group was (9. 87 ±0. 88) ng/ml (t = - 3. 27, P ＜ 0. 05). The number of mast cells in the dura mater decreased from 15.46 ± 2. 40 in the stimulation group to 11.63 ± 1.67 in the sham group ( t = 3.71, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Degranulation of mast cells in the dura mater significantly increased from 14. 09% ±4. 53% in the sham group to 29. 10% ±9. 39% in the stimulation group (t = - 4. 07, P ＜ 0. 05 ). The level of PGE2 in the stimulation group was ( 382. 30 ±20. 90) pg/ml and in the sham group was (80. 70 ± 10. 60) pg/ml (t = - 16. 674, P ＜0. 05). The number of COX-2 positive cells significantly increased from 42. 00 ± 18.40 in the sham group to 139.00 ±20. 50 in the stimulation group (t = -7. 994, P ＜0. 05). Also the COX-2 protein level was elevated from 19. 50 ±9. 20 in the sham group to 359. 20 ±21.90 in the stimulation group (t = -5. 190, P ＜0. 05). Conclusions Electrical stimulation on the unilateral trigeminal ganglion induces neurogenic inflammation in the dura mater. Changes on the neurogenic inflammation-related factors are probably the essential pathophysiological mechanism underlying the pain in migraine.

This study examined the effect of GHRP-6, a known GHSs receptor agonist, on the phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) and the underly mechanism. GH3 cells were cultured and subjected to different treatments as follows: GHRP-6, GHRP-6 plus GHRH, phorbol ester (PMA), an activator of PKC, alone or in combination with GHRP-6, Gö6983, a general inhibitor of PKCs, in the presence or absence of GHRP-6, rottlerin, an inhibitor of PKCs, alone or plus GHRP-6. The cells were transiently transfected with PKCsigma-specific siRNA and then treated with GHRP-6. GH level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of phosphor-CREB, PKCsigma, PKCtheta and phosphor-PKCsigma was determined by Western blotting. The results showed that GHRP-6 stimulated GH secretion in both time- and dose-dependent manners and enhanced the effect of GHRH on GH secretion. GHRP-6 was also found to induce CREB phosphorylation. Moreover, GH secretion was enhanced by the PKC activator PMA and reduced by the PKC inhibitors (Gö6983, rottlerin) and knockdown of PKCsigma. PKCsigma could be activated by GHRP-6. It is concluded that PKC, especially PKCsigma, mediates CREB phosphorylation and GHRP-6-induced GH secretion.

Sanjie Zhentong capsules were scanned by using a near infrared spectra probe with different drug mass fraction and the spectral information of capsule shells and contents in it were obtained. Then partial least squares (PLS) models were developed for the prediction of mass fraction of Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus and Resine draconis in Sanjie Zhentong capsules. The correlation coefficient (r9c)) and root mean standard error( RMSEC) of 0.949 5, 0.958 2 and 4.742 4, 4.135 7. The models obtained correlation coefficient (r(v)) of 0.919 2, 0.936 7 and root mean square error (RMSECV) of 6.158 9, 5.037 3 respectively in the training set. The paired T test analysis of statistics showed that there were no significant difference between predictive values and measure values. The established models reflected a strong prediction performance and can meet the needs of the production.
Capsules ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods

Objective:To investigate the expression of fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) and related inflammatory factors in the serum of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A case control study was conducted. The patients with AECOPD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from November 2016 to January 2020 were enrolled. The patients were divided into mild group [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (FEV1/FVC) < 0.70, FEV1 percentage in predicted value (FEV1%) ≥ 80%], moderate group (FEV1/FVC < 0.70, 50% ≤ FEV1% < 80%), and severe group (FEV1/FVC < 0.70, 30% ≤ FEV1% < 50%) based on their lung function test results, with 20 patients in each group, and 20 patients with normal pulmonary function who underwent elective non-thoracic surgery such as gastrointestinal surgery and orthopedics surgery in the same period were selected as controls. The demographic data, FEV1/FVC, FEV1%, FVC, maximum mid-expiratory flow percentage in predicted value (MMEF%), 6-minute walking test (6MWT), and St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score were recorded respectively. Serum levels of FGF7, interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between TNF-α and lung function.Results:Compared with the normal pulmonary function group, the levels of FEV1/FVC, FEV1%, MMEF% and 6MWT in the mild, moderate and severe groups were significantly decreased, and the SGRQ scores were increased, the indicators continued to deteriorate with the aggravation of the disease, the statistical differences were found between severe group and normal pulmonary function group [FEV1/FVC: 0.39±0.09 vs. 0.81±0.04, FEV1%: (38.80±6.28)% vs. (109.58±13.80)%, MMEF%: (0.34±0.14)% vs. (2.69±0.99)%, 6MWT (m): 279.00±41.61 vs. 402.85±53.97, SGRQ scores: 34.95±6.71 vs. 2.60±2.06, all P < 0.05]. Compared with the normal pulmonary function group, the levels of FGF7 in the mild, moderate and severe groups were significantly lowered (ng/L: 6.31±2.65, 6.10±1.39, 6.64±1.77 vs. 8.29±3.51, all P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found among the mild, moderate and severe groups (all P > 0.05). Compared with the normal pulmonary function group, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly increased in the mild, moderate and severe groups, and TNF-α increased with the aggravation of the disease, the statistical difference was found between severe group and normal pulmonary function group (ng/L: 7.42±2.28 vs. 3.83±0.92, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in IL-1β level between the normal pulmonary function group and the mild, moderate, severe groups. Correlation analysis showed that TNF-α was negatively correlated with FEV1/FVC and FEV1% ( r values were -0.350 and -0.527, respectively, both P < 0.01). Conclusion:In AECOPD patients, serum FGF7 was decreased, while IL-6 and TNF-α were increased; however, with the aggravation of the disease, there was no significant change in the level of FGF7 in the peripheral blood, but the TNF-α level might be increased, accompanied by severe damage of small airway function.

Adult ; Brain Stem Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Tremor ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo conduct a meta-analysis on the effects of testosterone on the related factors of metabolic syndrome in hypogonadal males.

METHODSBased on the principles and methods of Cochrane systematic reviews, we searched the PubMed (1980 to August 2009), Embase (1980 to August 2009), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CNKI (1995 to August 2009) , and handsearched some relevant journals and conference proceedings as well. We also identified randomized controlled trials addressing the use of testosterone for the treatment of hypogonadism, screened the retrieved studies according to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluated the quality of the included studies, and performed a meta-analysis on the results of homogeneous studies using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0 software.

RESULTSSix randomized controlled trials were included. The results of analysis indicated that testosterone substitution could significantly ameliorate fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and insulin resistance in hypogonadism patients, and it could also reduce LDL, HDL, triglyceride and systolic blood pressure, though with no significant difference from the controls. However, there was insufficient evidence to show the effects of testosterone on waist circumference, waist-hip ratio and diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONExisting clinical evidence has demonstrated the positive effects of testosterone substitution on the improvement of insulin resistance, blood glucose and lipids, but due to the heterogeneity and high risk of bias in the included studies, the evidence might be insufficient to give full support to the demonstration. Further large-scale trials are required to define the metabolic effects of testosterone in the treatment of hypogonadism.

Humans ; Hypogonadism ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Testosterone ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Professor Xue Chong-cheng devotes himself in clinical and research of integrative works of TCM, acupuncture, neuropsychiatry, neurosurgery and medicopsychology for more than 70 years. He firstly confirmed acupoints are identical with nerve and motor points, found propagating meridian sensation on phantom limbs of acquired and congenital amputates. The sensation can pass over fresh incision wound and it exits and disappears with the cortical sensation. He proposed a central theory that a meridians model is present in the brain. He suggested examination of general afferent system, cortical sensation and deep pain of syringomyelia with acupuncture as they are absent in routine methods but still present during needling. He firstly reported meridian type of sensory epilepsy and it was recognized by the Epilepsy Center of the USA. He treated psychosis with electroacupuncture convulsive therapy, the dosage of current used was less than 4% of the conventional method. The Journal of Psychiatry of USA recognized it is a dramatic progress for more than 40 years. He compiled first integrative medical questionnaire for assessment of pain. According to TCM theories and modern method of standardization he established inventories and national norms of personality and constitution for the corresponding examinations. They fulfill the gap of China. He firstly proposed the model of TCM is temporo-spatio-socio-psycho-biological. Now he is nearly ninety years old but is still struggling on the first line.
Acupuncture ; China ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Psychiatry

OBJECTIVETo find out the optimum extract process for Ligusticum chuanxiong in Gan-ning Granule, and studyed the methods of concentration and dry for the extract.

METHODWith the yield of ferulic acid as the assessment index, to optimize the 80% alcohol totalling, extracting times and circumfluence time for extract process by the orthogonal design, to optimize the inlet-air temperature, feed speed and density of feed for spry drying by the orthogonal design.

RESULTThe optimum procedure was the ferulic acid were extracted for 1 hour with 3 times of 80% alcohol. While extracting times effected it most porminently. The optimal processing conditions of spry drying were inlet-air temperature 120 degrees C, feed speed 8.5 mL x min(-1) and density of feed 1.15, While feed speed effected it most porminently.

CONCLUSIONThe experimental results provide the basis for the extraction process and drying process of the ferulic acid in ligusticum chuanxiong.

Coumaric Acids ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Desiccation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods