Objective To investigate the effects of clearing liver and purging the heart decoction( CLPHD) combined with methimazole on hormone levels in hyperthyroid rats. Methods Rats were administered with levothyroxine (600 μg·kg-1 ) for 3 weeks to establish the hyperthyroid model,and the serum contents of T3,FT3,T4,FT4,TSH and TRAb in hyperthyroid rats treated with CLPHD combined with methimazole were detected. Results Methimazole, CLPHD, and the combination therapy significantly reduced food intake,water intake and body temperature of the hyperthyroid rats. All treatments reduced levels of FT3, T4 and FT4 in hyperthyroid rats. Compared with the CLPHD mono-therapy, the combination therapy significantly lowered serum T4 in hyperthyroid rats,but not the TRAb level. Conclusion CLPHD combined with methimazole can obviously improve the function of thyroid gland in hyperthyroid rats.

OBJECTIVETo study the estrogen-like action mechanism of Menoprogen on ovariectomized female rats.

METHODOvariectomized rat model (OVX) was established and estradiol (17beta-estradiol, E2) was used as positive control. The uterine coefficient and serum E2 level were determined after administration of Menoprogen for 2 weeks. The uterine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), water channel protein (aquaporin, AQP), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and the expression of proto-oncogenes (c-jun, c-fos) were observed by immunohistochemical method. Yeast two-hybrid assay was applied to detect the existence of components combining with ERalpha or ERbeta in Menoprogen.

RESULTBoth Menoprogen and E2 could significantly elevate the uterine coefficient of OVX rats, increase the level of serum E2 and up-regulate the expressions of VEGF, AQP2 as well as AQP5 in uterus. E2, not as E2 Menoprogen couldn't promote the expressions of ERalpha, PR, c-jun and c-fos in OVX rat uterus. And yeast two-hybrid assay showed no components combining with ERalpha or ERbeta in Menoprogen.

CONCLUSIONMenoprogen has estrogen-like effect, and can be used to treat menopause syndrome. The risk of estrogen-mediated endometrial cancer is low for this treatment because its mechanism is different from estrogen-like substances.

Animals ; Aquaporin 2 ; metabolism ; Aquaporin 5 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; blood ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Female ; Ovariectomy ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

The fundamental pathogenic mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),a chronic inflammatory illness affecting the gastrointestinal tract,are still not fully understood.Dipeptidyl peptidase Ⅳ(DPP-4)is a glycoprotein found on the cell surface that has signaling and enzymatic properties.In addition,there is growing evidence from animal models and clinical trials that DPP-4 inhibitors have potential impacts beyond only lowering blood sugar levels,such as immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capabilities.This article reviews the biological properties of DPP-4 and its research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD.It also discusses the mechanism of DPP-4 in IBD,aiming to provide a more in-depth understanding of the role of DPP-4 in IBD.