Recently many researches have demonstrated that insulin resistant (IR), as an important pathologic process, is increasingly involved with a series of diseases such as central obesity and diabetes. Hypertension is highly associated with IR. The relationships between IR and glucose or lipid metabolism disorders are well established. However, association of IR with hypertension is less covered. Current researches on insulin resistance and pathogenesis of hypertension are reviewed in this paper, which holds that traditional Chinese medicine treatment on IR in patients with hypertension has a good prospect.

Objective To study the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on free radical metabolism of different fiber types of quadriceps in exercised rats and its mechanism. Method Increasing load exercised rat model was selected. The test rats were orally given GBE aqueous suspension (100 mg/ kg?d), and the controls with water. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of red muscle, white muscle and whole quadriceps of exercised rats were examined before exhaustive exercise, at instant,24h and 48h after strenuous exhaustive exercise. Results Compared with the controls,MDA contents were 49.69% higher in white muscle (P

To evaluate the effects of Shenmai Huoxue Decoction (SMHXD) on early diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in rats.

BACKGROUND:Labeling was commonly used to further trace bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).OBJECTIVE:To label rabbit BMSCs by green fluorescent protein,and then to observe the potency of multi-directional differentiation by osteoblast and lipoblast formation induction.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Cell observational study was performed at the Laboratory of the Department of Orthopaedics,Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology from December 2007 to October 2008.MATERIALS:Totally 6 healthy New Zealand rabbits aged 4 months were purchased from the Animal Experimental Center,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology.METHODS:BMSCs were isolated from the femurs of rabbits,purified and cultured in vitro by density gradient centrifugation and adherent culture.BMSCs at the third passage were obtained.Green fluorescent protein plasmid was transfected into BMSCs using Lipofectamine.The stable transfection cells were obtained using G418 selection after transfection.The stable transfected BMSCs were induced to osteoblasts and lipoblasts by osteogenic inductor and adipogenic inductor.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The following parameters were measured:BMSC morphology,surface marker expression,green fluorescent protein labeling,the differentiation potential of BMSCs into osteoblasts and lipoblasts.RESULTS:The BMSCs were mostly fusiform in shape,to be similar to fibroblast cell after cultivation of primary and subculture.The flow cytometer analysis showed that the membrane mark CD44 was positive,CD34 was negative.Following G418 screening,BMSCs labeled by green fluorescent protein were apparent calcium mineralization after 21 days osteogenic induction.Alizarin red staining showed positive with red.Intra-cellular lipid droplet appeared after 3 days adipogenic induction.2 weeks later,oil red O staining showed a great quantity lipid deposition.CONCLUSION:Rabbit BMSCs labeled by green fluorescent protein using Upofectamine have the potency of multi-directional differentiation after induction.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the nerve function and the sorbitol concentrations of erythrocyte and sciatic nerve, and to evaluate the effects and mechanism of a formulae of Chinese medicine, Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin (a decoction, it ingredients including ginseng, tuber of dwarf lilyturf and safflower) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods The rats were divided into 3 groups: normal rats, diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin. The diabetes of rats was induced by streptozotocin intraperitoneally. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of sciatic, sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of caudal nerve and the H reflex were detected with evoked electromyogram; The sorbitol concentrations of erythrocyte and sciatic nerve was measured by spectrophotography. Results The sorbitol concentration of erythrocyte was positively correlated with that in the sciatic nerve, and the sorbitol concentration of erythocyte and sciatic nerve were negatively correlated with SNCV and positively with H reflex. The SNCV reduced significantly and the sorbitol concentration of both erythrocyte and sciatic nerve increased significantly in diabetic group as compared with those in normal group. The SNCV and sorbitol concentrations of sorbitol both erythrocyte and sciatic nerve in diabetic group were significantly improved after treated with Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin. Conclusion The sorbitol concentration in erythrocyte reflects the level of that in sciatic nerve and the lesion degrees of DPN. Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin alleviates the lesion of DPN in the early stage.

Objective: To investigate the curative effects of Shuanghongtong Decoction (Flos carthami, Radix Ginseng Rubra and Radix Ophiopogonis) diabetic neuropathy peripheral (DPN) and its mechanism.Methods:28 DPN patients were treated with Shuanghongtong Decoction for 3 weeks. The symptom and the peroneal nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) were observed before and after the experiments respectively. The diabetic rats reduced by STZ were treated with the same decoction for 4 weeks, at the end of the experiments the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and the activity of aldose reductase (AR) were measured.Results: Some symptoms such as acra pain, numbness, asthenia and the peroneal SNCV were significantly improved after treatment with decoction. The animal experiments showed that the NCV were significantly increased and the activity of AR significantly decreased in diabetic rats as compared with the normal rats.Conclusion: Shuanghongtong Decoction could improve the symptom and increase the NCV of DPN. It's mechanism may be through inhibiting the activity of AR then improving the diabetic metabolism disorder.

Objective To explore the protective effect of hesperidin pretreatment on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced acute liver injury and the effect on expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Methods Seventy-two SPF C57BL/ 6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group, model control group and hesperidin group. Acute liver injury model was established by injected with Con A. The hesperidin group was treated intragastrically with 1 000 mg·kg-1 hesperidin for 10 days. Model control group was treated intragastrically with the same volume of 0. 5% of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase ( AST) were measured. Pathological changes in hepatic tissue were observed under microscope. The expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ mRNAs in hepatic tissue was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR). The contents of TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum were detected by ELISA. Results Compared with model control group, the contents of ALT and AST in serum were significantly decreased (P<0. 01) in hesperidin group. Pathological changes in hepatic tissue were markedly improved. The expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the hepatic tissues and serum were significantly downregulated (P<0. 01). The concentrations of TNF-α and IFN-γ in hesperidin group were (717. 05±205. 22) and(611. 06±92. 82)pg·mL-1 in 2 h,(811. 56±167. 47)and(786. 19±215. 44)pg·mL-1 in 6 h. Compared with model control group, the expressions of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the hesperidin group were significantly downregulated (P<0. 01). But there was no significant difference between hesperidin group and model control group in 6 h after treated with Con A(P>0. 05). Conclusion Hesperidin pretreatment protects mice from Con A-induced acute liver injury possibly by inhibiting the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in the liver of mice.

Objective To compare the therapeutic and adverse effects of MT regimen (mitoxantrone plus teniposide) and DA regimen (daunorubicin plus cytarabine) on initial treatment to acute monocytic leukemia. Methods 40 patients with initial treatment to acute monocytic leukemia were randomly divided into MT group(n=23) and DA group(n=17). All patients were treated with MT or DA regimen. The result and adverse effects of the two regimens were compared. Results Complete remission(CR) rate in the first course chemotherapy in MT and DA regimen was 65 % and 18 %, respectively. The total CR rate in MT and DA regimen was 83 % and 47 % respectively. The total effective rate was 92 % and 59 %, respectively. Significant differences were found. Severe myelosuppression occurred in both groups. The counts of wbc nadir and the durations of wbc less than 1×10~9/L were not significantly different in two group. The time points of wbc nadir, the start and end time points of wbc less than 1×10~9/L were significantly later in MT group than in DA group. Conclusion MT regimen is significant better than DA regimen in inducing remission in initial treatment acute monocytic leukemia, and it is a good choice for inducing remission strategy. The degrees of myelosuppression in two groups are similar. But the occurrent time of myelosuppression is later in MT group than in DA group. The great attention should be paid to anti-infection and support therapy at time properly.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of combined needle-embedding and SSRIs for depressive sleep disorder. Method: Upon admission, 71 depression cases were randomized into needle-embedding group of 24 cases, using combined needle-embedding and SSRIs, acupuncture group of 21 cases, using combined acupuncture and SSRIs, and medication group of 26 cases, using SSRIs alone. After 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the HAMD sleep scores were compared. Result: The HAMD sleep scores in the needle-embedding and acupuncture group were remarkably superior to the medication group and there was significant statistical difference after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.01). However, there was no statistical difference after 6 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: SSRIs can improve HAMD sleep scores. The combined needle-embedding or acupuncture with SSRIs can work faster and better than medication alone. There was no statistical difference between needle-embedding and acupuncture group, however, needle-embedding can reduce the treatment frequencies and therefore has more active clinical meaning.

BACKGROUND: In the field of intervertebral disc tissue engineering, seed cells primarily consist of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). NPCs have been known to have several shortcomings: limited source, inconvenient collection, poor proliferative capacity, and difficult in vitro culture.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proliferation of MSCs after co-culture with NPCs in alginate beads-simulated three-dimensional environment.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cell observation was performed at the Laboratory of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology between December 2007 and October 2008.MATERIALS: Six healthy New Zealand rabbits of 4 months old were provided by the Laboratory Animal Center, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and were used for the present study.METHODS: Rabbit MSCs were isolated and purified using density gradient centrifugation and adherence methods. Rabbit NPCs were isolated and purified using collagenase Ⅱ digestion and adherence methods. Following liposome-mediated green fluorescent protein tranfection and G418 screening, MSCs of passage 3 were cultured either alone (control group) or with NPCs at a ratio of 1:1 (co-culture group) in alginate beads. After 14 days of culture, alginate beads were dissolved and MSCs were collected by flow cytometry sorting.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expression of collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan in MSCs was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot techniques.RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression of collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan was observed in the co-culture group, but not in the control group, after 14 days of culture.CONCLUSION: MSC differentiation towards nucleus pulposus-like cells can be induced by co-culture with NPCs in a three-dimensional environment.