AIM: To analyse the effect of Guipi Granule and serum that contains drug on rat's liver. METHODS: Isolated rat's liver perfusion model was used in the experiment for determining AST and ALT content. RESULTS: Middle and low concentration of Guipi Granule (2.5、5.0g/L) didn't cause any chang of enzyme AST、ALT content in isolated rat's liver perfusion liquid. The effect of serum was not different from Guipi Granule groups and control groups. CONCLUSION: The result shows that Guipi Granule doesn't cause damage to the liver cell.

Objective To evaluate the potential effect of HLF (Hawthorn leave flavonoids, w/w, 80% flavonoids) against thrombus formation, effect of HLF on hypoxia-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) was studied. Method The levels of cytotoxicity and NO upon HUVECs were studied by flow cytometry. Moreover, the level of calcium ion in HUVECs was examined through laser scanning confocal microscopy. Result Data from this study showed that HLF at concentrations of 5 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml decreased the cytotoxicity of hypoxia to HUVECs (P<0.05, P<0.01). The intracellular levels of NO and calcium ion were downregulated by HLF at concentrations of 5 μg/ml (P<0.01; P<0.01) and 10 μg/ml (vs control, P<0.01; P<0.01) too. Conclusion Results observed suggest that HLF protect HUVECs from hypoxia partly through its regulative effect on NO and calcium ion levels.

Objective To provide clinical evidence for the relationship between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and colorectal cancer(CRC) by detecting the expression of TGF-β, Smad-3 and Smad-7 in serum from CRC patients. Methods We detected the expression levels of TGF-β1 , Smad-3 and Smad-7 by ELISA method. Results The expression levels of TGF-β1 , Smad-3 were significantly higher and the Smad-7 was significantly lower in CRC patients than those in control group(P<0. 01). The expression levels of TGF-β1 and Smad-3 were signifi-cantly higher in Dukes D than those in Dukes B,C. The Smad-7 was significantly lower in Dukes D than that in Dukes B,C(P<0. 01). Conclusion TGF-β1 and Smad-3 and Smad-7 may play an important role in the develop-ment of CRC.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of interventional therapy by direct puncture for the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Methods 24 experimental rabbits were undertaken and divided randomly into 3 groups, B, C groups as the models of hormone induced necrosis of femoral head, and A group as the control one. B group was followed up later with interventional therapy by direct puncture. Thromolytic agents, drugs improving microcirculation, and repairing bone tissue were infused directly into the femoral head; and then microscopic observations were conducted to study the pathology. Results The results showed: in group B, the number of vacant bony lacunae in femoral head, the average diameter of fat cells in marrow cavity and the number of blood vessel in subchondral areas showed significant improvement, approaching group A. Conclusions Treatment of femoral head necrosis through interventional method of direct puncture has commenced a solid foundation for clinical therapy.

Objective To research the trichomonacidal effect of secnidazole benzoate in vitro.Methods Trichomonas vaginalis was cultured in liver extract medium in 96-well microplate.The culture suspension of Trichomonas vaginalis was divided into four groups:secnidazole benzoate, secnidazole, metronidazole and control, with medium as blank control.MTT colorimetric assay was applied to determine the inhibitory effect of secnidazole benzoate on the proliferation of Trichomonas vaginalis.The culture suspension was transfered into test tubes and divided into same groups to observe inhibitory effect by the classical microscopic counting method.Results After 24 h incubation, the proliferation of the parasites was concentration-dependent by secnidazole benzoate(t=9.02, P

AIM To compare the new methods which can be used fo r soring the stages of rat sleep. METHODS Cortical EEG and hippocampal potential(HP) were collected by implanted electrodes in freely moving rats. Gravity frequency (f g) and the complexities(Kc,C 1), were calculated. According to the characteristics of each stage and by studying the histogram of f g, Kc and C 1, the stages of rat sleep were distinguished. RESULTS The methods of f g, Kc and C 1 can distinguish the Waking, nonrapid eye movement(NREM) and REM sleep well. Comparing the results of visual and our analysis, the rate of accordance is above 85%, and the analysis based on the complexity measure is more believable than that based on the f g. CONCLUSION The gravity frequency and the complexities of Kc,C 1 can be used to distinguish the different stages of rat sleep.

Objective To assess the modulation of baroreflex activity by exogenous and endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in SD rats. Method The normal baroreflex sensitivity of SD rat was evaluated by intravenous (I.v.) administration of Phenylephrine (PE, 30 μg·kg-1) to elevate blood pressure. Exogenous and endogenous nitric oxide (NO) were respectively produced by I.v. Infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10.2 μg·kg-1) and L-arginine (L-Arg, 25 mg·kg-1). And NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME, 10 mg·kg-1) was infused to inhibit the generation of NO. Meanwhile, baroreflex sensitivity fluctuations caused by PE were estimated. Result Compared with the normal state, L-Arg significantly reduced the baroreflex sensitivity (Gmax) and the slope coefficient τ of the blood pressure-heart rate curve [Gmax=-1.469±0.120 beats/(min·mmHg) vs. -0.664±0.080 beats/(min·mmHg), P<0.01; τ=0.0860.005 vs. 0.0490.007, P<0.05]. SNP also led to attenuation of Gmax and τ [Gmax=-1.277±0.392 beats/(min·mmHg) vs. -0.943±0.297 beats/(min·mmHg); τ=0.074豹0.027 vs. 0.071±0.023] but the changes were not significant. In contrast to L-Arg and SNP, L-NAME induced raise of Gmax and τ [Gmax=-0.705±0.231 beats/(min·mmHg) vs. -1.065±0.200 beats/(min·mmHg); τ=0.0450.011 vs. 0.0590.026], however, they were statistically insignificant. Conclusion The results demonstrated that NO imposes effect on baroreflex activity, and the behaviors of exogenous and endogenous NO are different. Endogenous NO may be involved in the regulation of autonomic nervous system via central nervous system or carotid sinus, and inhibits the baroreflex sensitivity.

Objective Normal estimation is the key step for volume visualization. Commonly used methods for normal estimation are based on interpolation and derivative. A novel normal estimation algorithm based on approximation for visualization of medical images was presented in this paper. Method It approximated the density function in local neighborhood with a second-degree polynomial function. The coefficients of the polynomial function were solved by minimizing the error of the approximation and the gradient vector at arbitrary point was obtained directly from the analytical derivative of the density function without interpolation. Because of symmetry, the solution of this equation was simplified.This method was tested in several volume data sets. The results and the generation time by different methods were obtained and compared. Result The results showed that this algorithm produced satisfactory quality images while the computational complexity was not increased. Conclusion This approach is preferable for most applications, especially for medical images reconstruction.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at point Zusanli (ST36) on gastric expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA in rats with stress gastric ulcer and explore the molecular mechanism of its prevention and treatment of gastric ulcer. Method Fifty-one SD rats were randomly allocated to normal control (normal), stress gastric ulcer (model) and electroacupuncture at point Zusanli (electroacupuncture) groups. A model of stress gastric ulcer was made by cold restraint. From the second day after model making, the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at point Zusanli 20 min once daily for three consecutive days, with left and right points Zusanli alternately needled; the model group, the same restraint treatment as in the electroacupuncture group; the normal group, no treatment. Gastric mucosal ulcer index (UI) was calculated using the GUTH’s method. The pathological morphology of gastric tissue was observed by HE staining. Gastric HSP70 mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. Result Different numbers and sizes of obvious gastric mucosal ulcers were observed, UI increased significantly (P<0.001) and HSP70 mRNA expression decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the model group compared with the normal group. The pathological change in gastric tissue improved somewhat, gastric mucosal UI decreased significantly (P<0.05) and HSP70 mRNA expression increased significantly (P<0.01) in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at point Zusanli can upregulate gastric HSP70 mRNA expression and promote the repair of gastric mucosa injuries in rats with stress gastric ulcer.

The Chinese and English published literature regarding the effects of acupuncture on microcirculation in recent years were analyzed, and it was found out that the theory of TCM meridian had subtle connection with microcirculation on structure and function, which could provide a possible breakthrough for the research of meridian essence. Acupuncture, through multiple links, multiple paths and multiple levels, could regulate microcirculation under physiological or pathological condition, which was a bidirectional benign adjustment function, and reflected the characteristic of acupoint specificity. Due to many shortcomings in the current studies, studies with rigorous design, large sample size and multicenter are expected in the further to make a standard systematized research.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Meridians ; Microcirculation