According to the TCM theory, human growth, development and aging are closely related to kidney function and the main cause of human senility is deficiency of “kidney essence”. Recent studies showed that the “kidney” in TOM include the regulatory function of the neuroendocrine and immune systems.
In this paper, the effect of Guzhen Recipe (_??__??__??_), an aging retarding prescription composed of kidney tonifying herbs such as Radix Polygoni Multiflori (_??__??_), Herba Cistanchis (_??__??_) Rubus Chiagii (_??__??__??_) etc. on the hippocampus and HPAT axis in senile rats were observed. The results showed : (1) With age the number of glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) in the hippocampus, the concentrations of NE, DA, 5-HT in the hypothalamus were markedly decreased, while the plasma corticosterone concentration in senile rats was obviously increased. (2) The thymocyte GCR nuclear transition rate was increased significantly ; (3) The contents of cytoplasmic protein, nuclear RNA and DNA, the thymus weight/body weight ratio, the serum thymic factors as well asthe rate of lymphocyte transformation, the activity of IL-2 and NK cells in senile rats were obviously decreased compared to those of young control rats. Guzhen recipe however, was capable of improving these changes in the neuroendocrine-thymic net work in senile rats to varying degrees, suggesting that the kidney with Chinese Medicine might retard the functional degeneration of thymic endocrine partly by improving the feedback regulation of the hippocampal GCR and increasing the concentrations of NE and 5-HT of hypothalamus, thus decreasing the plasma corticosterone ; Simultaneously weakening the nuclear transition rate of thymocyte GCR, which in turn improving the immune function of the senile animal.
We concluded that Guzhen Recipe may retard the functional degeneration of both the hypo-thalamuspituitary-gornadal-thymic and hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroidal-thymic axis. All the above results revealed that retarding the aging effect using TCM in volves multiple-leves, multiple-systems and links. Using holistic regulation, imbalance links in aging process are modulated and the equilibrium of Yin and Yang are maintained. This is an important characteristic of the TCM to retard aging.
This research was supported by funds from National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 38970908.

AIM: To observe the effect of Baoxin capsules on hemodynamics of ischemic myocardium of dogs. METHODS: Fed Baoxin capsule for continuous three days, left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery of the dogs were ligated to observe the change of cardiac output, blood pressure and ?dp/dt max in different time of myocardial ischemia. RESULTS: Baoxin capsules increased the blood flow obviously, and increased left ventricular function simultaneously, the difference with ischemic group is significant (P

AIM: To investigate the possible mechanism of PRL-2 in invasive metastasis of tumors.METHODS: The PRL-2 vector was transfected into CL1 cell with lipofectamine reagent,the transfectants were selected by growth in the medium supplemented with G418.Zymographic analysis of metalloproteinases(MMPs) activity was performed,RT-PCR was used to determine the mRNA levels of(MMP-2),MMP-9,TIMP-1 and TIMP-2,the protein levels of(MMP-2),MMP-9,TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were analyzed by Western blotting.The effects of the special inhibitor of PRL-2 on transfected cells were also observed.RESULTS: The stable cell line selected by G418 was identified by RT-PCR and Western blotting.More abundance of MMP-2,MMP-9 and its activated type were secreted by the CL-1-PRL-2 cells than untransfected cells and transfected vector cells(P

AIM:To establish a microthrombus model by carrageenan (Ca)/ lipopolysaccharides (LPS) intraperitoneal injection in rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and endothelial dysfunction induced by L-methionine intake. METHODS: ① Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control and endothelial dysfunction (HHcy) groups. L-methionine was administered by gavage in HHcy group for total 4 weeks. Purified water was administered by gavage in control rats. Plasma Hcy, NO and vWF were examined and the thoracic aorta were excised after 4 weeks of L-methionine treatment to evaluate endothelial function. ② Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups to establish a microthrombus formation model with Ca/ LPS: control, microthrombus formation (Ca/LPS) and endothelial dysfunction plus mitoarothrombus formation (HHcy+Ca/LPS) groups. Control rats were injected with normal saline (NS). Ca/LPS rats were intraperitoneally injected with carrageenan (Ca) and followed by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) 16 h later. HHcy+Ca/LPS rats were intragastric gavaged by L-methionine for total 4 weeks, and then were injected with Ca/LPS in the same way as Ca/LPS group. Cruor parameters and platelet count were detected at 20 h after LPS or NS injection and the mesentery microcirculation was monitored. Plasma NO and vWF were also detected at 24 h after LPS or NS injection. RESULTS: ① Plasma Hcy concentrations and vWF level were significantly increased in HHcy group, while plasma NO content was significantly decreased compared with that in control group. Endothelial dependent relaxation (EDR) of aortic rings was significantly decreased in HHcy group, suggesting endothelial damage/dysfunction was induced by HHcy. ② Mesentery capillary was obviously blocked by microthrombus in Ca/LPS rats and was blocked more seriously in HHcy+Ca/LPS rats. Cruor parameter results suggested that Ca/LPS rats were in hypercoagulable phase and HHcy+Ca/LPS rats were in hypocoagulable phase at 20 h after LPS injection. Platelet count and plasma NO content in HHcy+Ca/LPS group were significantly decreased, while plasma vWF level was significantly increased compared with Ca/LPS group. CONCLUSION: L-methionine intake induces severe HHcy and causes endothelial dysfunction in rats. Microcirculation dysfunction and microthrombosis can be caused by Ca/LPS intraperitoneal injection and may be aggravated by endothelial dysfunction.