AIM: To observe the effects of Yangxue qingnao-containing serum on rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). METHODS: The [ 3H]-TdR incorporation and mitogen-activated protein kinasc (MAPK) activity were measured in cultured VSMC. End product of lipid peroxidation-MDA levels were also detected. RESULTS: 1?10 -9 ,1?10 -8 and 1?10 -7 mol/L LPA enhanced the cultured VSMC [ 3H]-TdR incorporation, increased MAPK activity and MDA content in a concentration-dependent manner. 5%, 10% and 15% Yangxue qingnao-containing serum concentration-dependently inhibited the increase in VSMC [ 3H]-TdR incorporation, MAPK activity and MDA content induced by LPA. CONCLUSIONS: LPA has a stimulating effect on VSMC proliferation. The LPA-induced intracellular signal transduction may be related to MAPK activity. Yangxue qingnao can efficiently inhibit LPA -induced VSMC proliferation,MAPK activity and lipid peroxidation. [

Objective To investigate the effectsof quercetin on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC)-12 undergoing endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) induced by TGF-β1; To discuss its mechanism of action. Methods Cell activity of intervening by quercetin with different concentrations and TGF-β1 for 72 h was detected by CCK-8 method;RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the transition of endothelial and stromal markers; Western blot was used to detect the signal transduction pathway; RT-PCR was performed to detect the transcription factors that play crucial roles in the process of transformation. Results The results of RT-PCR and immunofluorescence double staining showed that TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) stimulated HUVEC-12 cells for 72 h to induce fibroblast phenotype, showing more interstitial markers and less endothelial markers;Western blot and RT-PCR results showed that quercetin inhibited the phosphorylation of smad2/3 in a concentration-dependent manner;After TGF-β1 stimulation, the downstream transcription factors EndMT of snail1, twist1, twist2, ZEB1, and ZEB2 significantly increased, while 100 μmol/L quercetin could down-regulate the five downstream transcription factors. Conclusion Quercetin has anti-fibrosis effects through inhibiting HUVEC-12 cells undergoing EndMT.

[Objective] To observe the reversal action of acupuncture on experimental rats with insulin resistance. [Methods] Twenty-four rats were randomized into normal group, control group and treatment group. Each group had 8 rats. Rat models with insulin resistance were induced by feeding of high-carbonhydrate forage. Fasting blood-glucose (FBG) and plasma insulin (PI) levels and insulin sensitivity index ( ISI) were examined after acupuncture of Neiguan ( PC6 ) , Zusanli ( ST36) , Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Shenshu (BL23). [Results] FBG and PI levels were increased and ISI decreased in model group as compared with those in normal group ( P

Objective To evaluate four tumor markers of insulin-like growth factor 1((IGF-1), CEA, cytokeratin fragment antigen 21-1 (CYFRA21-1), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) for the diagnosis and prediction of treatment response in human lung cancer. Methods Serum samples were taken from three groups: 91 patients with lung cancer, 30 healthy adults and 15 patients with benign pulmonary diseases. Serum IGF-1 was assayed by radioimmunoassay and CEA, CYFRA21-1, and NSE by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The differences among the three groups were determined by Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and with Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. Diagnostic efficacy was evaluated by ROC curves. Results The four serum tumor marker levels were significantly higher in lung cancer group, as compared with the benign and the healthy (IGF-1:χ2=26.95,P<0.001, CEA:χ2=49.11,P<0.001; CYFRA21-1:χ2=40.63,P<0.001; NSE:χ2=14.76;P<0.001). The diagnostic sensitivities of IGF-1, CEA, CYFRA21-1 and NSE was 75.6% (34/45), 53.3% (24/45), 66.7% (30/45) and 42.2% (19/45) respectively for lung cancer. The diagnostic sensitivity of IGF-1 combined with CYFRA21-1 was 95.5 %( 43/45) and that of IGF-1 combined with CEA and CYFRA21-1was 97.8%(44/45). Only IGF-1 and CYFRA21-1 showed significant changes before and after treatment (IGF-1: χ2=5.99,P=0.014; CYFRA21-1:χ2=4.99, P=0.025) in cancer group. Conclusions Serum IGF-1, CEA, CYFRA21-1 and NSE are all valuable for lung cancer diagnosis and the combination of those parameters can enhance the diagnostic efficiency. Serum IGF-1 and CYFRA21-1 may also be useful for evaluating the treatment response in lung cancer.

Humans ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell ; Societies, Medical ; United States

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy of Yishen Jiejing Decoction (YJD) in treating poststroke shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) patients of yin deficiency yang hyperactivity with blood stasis stagnation collaterals syndrome.

METHODSTotally 60 SHS patients of yin deficiency yang hyperactivity with blood stasis stagnation collaterals syndrome were randomly assigned to two groups, the treatment group and the control group, 30 cases in each group. Conventional rehabilitation training and therapeutics were applied in all patients. Besides, patients in the treatment group took 50 mL YJD, twice a day. One month without interruption consisted of one course of treatment. The curative effects of each group were evaluated respectively before treatment and at one month after treatment. The neurologic impairment, TCM syndrome, and the improvement of upper limbs movement were assessed by the neurologic impairment integral, scoring for TCM syndrome diagnostics, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (U-FMA). Adverse reactions were observed at the same time.

RESULTSThe effective rate of stroke was 86.67% and the effective rate of SHS was 90.00% in the treatment group, higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Both groups got improvement in neurologic impairment, stroke induced blood stasis syndrome, yin deficiency yang hyperactivity syndrome, and the improvement of upper limbs movement after treatment (all P < 0.05). Besides, all the improvement was obviously superior in the treatment group (P < 0. 05). No adverse reaction occurred during the course of treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe curative effect of YJD combined with conventional rehabilitation training was confirmative and superior to the control group.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy ; drug therapy ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy ; Yin-Yang

0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture has an effect on I/O curve amplitude of EPSP and PS,and on LTP induction of PS of dentate gyrus(DG) in rats after cerebral ischemia.However,the difference of effect of acupuncture at different doses on LTP induction is insignificant.

Objective To observe the intervention with electroacupuncture(EA) through regulating protein kinase(MAPK/ERK) pathway for cerebral ischemia rats.Methods SD rats were randomized into pseudo-operation group,model group and EA group.And the three groups were divided into 2-hour,one-day and 3-day subgroups according to the observation time.Focal cerebral ischemia(FCI) rat models were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) with heat-coagulation method.EA group received EA on Baihui(GV20) and Dazhui(GV14),qd,for 2 hours,one day and 3 days respectively.The learning and memory abilities of the rats in Y maze test and their neuroethological score were observed.Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(p-ERK) after ischemia in CA1 area and CA3 area.Results In the model group,the neuroethological score was markedly increased,time for arriving the safe area in Y maze was prolonged(P

[Objective] To study the effect of electroacupuncture on NO, NOS and ET - 1 levels in rats with focal cerebral ischemia (FCI). [Methods] Rat models with FCI were established by occlusion of unilateral middle cerebral artery. Twenty - two rats were allocated to three groups: Group A (mimic operation group), Group B (model group) and Group C (model rats treated with electroacupuncture). NO, NOS and ET - 1 levels in brain homogenate were measured by spectrophotometry and radioimmunoassay method respectively. [Results] Sixty minutes after modeling, NO, NOS and ET- 1 levels were increased and then decreased 10 minutes after acupuncturing Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14). [Conclusion] Electroacupuncture of Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14) can protect neuron from ischemic injury by decreasing the levels of NO and ET - 1 and inhibiting the activity of NOS.

Objective: To study the effect of Shenxiong Xintong Pill(SXP) on cardiac hemodynamics. Methods: Parameters of cardiac hemodynamics were examined in anesthetic chest-opened dogs medicated with various doses of SXP. Results: After intraduodenal administration of SXP of 2.0g/kg, the coronary blood flow was raised, coronary resistance decreased, heart rate slowed and the left ventricular diastolic end pressure fallen in the dogs. No obvious changes were found in the contraction , works and ejection of left ventricle. Conclusion: The mechanism of SXP in relieving angina pectoris was probably related to the dilatation of coronary artery and increase of coronary flow with the increase supply of oxygen.