OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of tiaogan Lipi Recipe (TLR) in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients of Gan stagnation Pi deficiency syndrome (GSP-DS).

METHODSA randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed. Totally 99 NAFLD patients of GSPDS were randomly allocated into two groups, 66 patients in the treatment group (treated with-TLR, one dose per day) and 33 patients in the control group (treated with placebos, one dose per day). The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. All patients received lifestyle interventions including moderate aerobic exercise, moderate caloric restriction, and dietary changes. Clinical symptoms, CT indices, liver functions and blood lipids were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the total score of clinical symptoms decreased in the two groups (P <0. 01), and it was lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). Liver/spleen CT ratio increased in the treatment group (P <0. 01), and it was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 01). After treatment levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) all decreased in the treatment group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01), while levels of ALT decreased in the control group (P <0. 05). Besides, all the 3 levels mentioned above were lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). Levels of total cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TG) decreased in the two groups (P <0. 05), and they were lower in the treatment group (P <0. 05). Total effective rates of TCM syndrome, abdominal CT, liver functions, and blood lipids were 79. 69% (51/64 cases), 54. 69% (35/64 cases), 67. 65% (23/34 cases), and 67. 39% (31/46 cases) in the treatment group, while they were 56. 25% (18/32 cases), 25. 00% (8/32 cases), 33. 33% (6/18 cases), and 55. 56% (10/18 cases) in the control group. All were superior in the treatment group (P <0.05, P <0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONTLR combined with lifestyle intervention could safely and effectively improve clinical symptoms of NAFLD patients of GSPDS, elevate liver/spleen CT ratios, and play a role in liver protection, anti-inflammation, and lowering blood lipids.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lipids ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Syndrome ; Triglycerides ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the effects of asymptomatic arteriovenous fistula closure on left ventricular morphology and function in renal transplant recipients.Methods Between March 2007 and March 2011,a total of 60 patients undergoing consecutive kidney transplantation with asymptomatic arteriovenous fistula were divided randomly into two groups: arteriovenous fistula closure group,and non-arteriovenous fistula closure group.By using echocardiography,the changes in CO,CI,EF,LVEDV and LVMI were analyzed.Results At 12th month after transplantation,the values of CO,LVEDV and LVMI were significantly lower than those before transplantation (P＜0.05).The value of CI also showed a tendency to decrease (P＞0.05),and the value of EF was increased significantly (P＜0.05).At 6th month after arteriovenous fistula closure (18 months after transplantation),the values of CO,CI,LVEDV and LVMI were significantly lower than those before arteriovenous fistula closure (12 months after transplantation) (P＜0.05),and the value of EF was increased significantly (P＜0.05),but the values of CO,CI,EF,LVEDV and LVMI remained unc(b)anged in controls (P＞0.05).At 18th month after transplantation,the values of CO (4.4 ±0.8 L/min),CI [3.0 ± 0.8 L·min-1·m-2],LVEDV (110.0 ± 17.4 ml) and LVMI (114.7 ± 42.5g/m2) in trial group were significantly lower than the values [CO: 5.1 ± 0.9 L/min,CI: 3.5 ± 1.0L·min-1·m-2,LVEDV: 121.4±19.3 mL,LVMI: 138.4±44.1 g/m2] in controls (P＜0.05),and the value of EF (75.2％ ± 7.4％ vs.70.5％ ± 8.2％) significantly higher (P＜005).Conclusion In both groups,kidney transplantation benefits significantly the regression of cardiac mass,cardiac index and left ventricular dimensions,but closure of asymptomatic AVF induces more significant regression.

To provide a foundation for the development of rapid and specific methods for the diagnosis of rabies virus infection,anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibodies were prepared and rabies virus nucleoprotein and human rabies virus vaccine strain (PV strain) were used as immunogens to immunize 6-8 week old female BALB/c mice.Spleen cells and SP2/0 myeloma cells were fused according to conventional methods:the monoclonal cell strains obtained were selected using the indirect immunofluorescence test; this was followed by preparation of monoclonal antibody ascitic fluid; and finally,systematic identification of subclass,specificity and sensitivity was carried out.Two high potency and specific monoclonal antibodies against rabies virus were obtained and named 3B12 and 4A12,with ascitic fluid titers of 1∶8000 and 1∶10000,respectively.Both belonged to the IgG2a subclass.These strains secrete potent,stable and specific anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibodies,which makes them well suited for the development of rabies diagnosis reagents.

This study is to investigate the transportation of scutellarin in cell and live models and study on mechanism of absorption and transport of scutellarin in mouse liver. The concentration of scutellarin in plasma and liver from control and pretreated groups was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The uptake of scutellarin was examined in control hepatocytes group, induced hepatocytes group and induced hepatocytes plus pravastatin group. Pravastatin can affect the pharmacokinetics of scutellarin in mouse: CL is decreased while AUC is increased. The scutellarin absorption of hepatocyte induced group was higher than that of control group, but was decreased in the group with pravastatin added. The research showed that there was potential drug interaction between pravastatin and scutellarin. The drugs may compete for oatp2 mediated transport pathway consisted in the uptake of scutellarin in liver.
Absorption ; Animals ; Apigenin ; blood ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Biological Transport ; Cell Survival ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Interactions ; Glucuronates ; blood ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Organic Cation Transport Proteins ; metabolism ; Pravastatin ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Pregnenolone Carbonitrile ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlationship between platelet count and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Western medicine (WM) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

METHODSA total of 356 patients with confirmed diagnosis of active RA from 9 clinical centers were randomly assigned to the TCM group (184 cases) and the WM group (172 cases). The TCM group was treated with basic therapy (administration of glucosidorum tripterygll totorum and Yishen Juanbi Pill) and TCM syndrome differentiation dependent treatment, while the WM group was treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed with ACR20, the joint damage degree of both hands was evaluated by X-ray.

RESULTSThe platelet count was positively correlated to the X- ray grading of joint damage, namely, patients with a more severe joint damage often presented a higher platelet count. After treatment, in patients with joint damage of X-ray grade II or III and effectively treated with TCM, also in patients with joint damage of grade III and effectively treated with WM, the platelet count was lower than that in those treated ineffectively.

CONCLUSIONPlatelet count is closely correlated to the efficacy of drug therapy, therefore, it may be taken as an important index for judging the curative effect of therapeutic approach in treating RA patients.

Adult ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Platelet Count ; Treatment Outcome ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the current status of treatment and prophylaxis of ischemic stroke associated with atrial fibrillation(AF),and to assess the opportunities for improvement. Methods Ninty-seven consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF were evaluated and compared with 173 acute ischemic stroke patients without AF.Medical records were reviewed using a pre-defined questionnaire developed from the guidelines.Functional outcome was measured according to modified Rankin scale. Results The patients with stroke and AF was older than the control group(years vs years,P

0.05). The relative bioavailability of tested capsules to reference tablets was (99.3?13.1)% Conclusion Both formulations are of bioequivalence.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic range of tacrolimus and effects of tacrolimus on liver and re- nal functions and blood routine in renal transplant recipients.Method:The whole blood tacrolimus concentration was meas- ured by micro-particle enzyme immunoassay(MEIA).Blood tacrolimus concentrations in 390 cases of renal transplant re- cipients were analyzed.The effects of tacrolimus on liver and renal function and blood routine were also studied.Result: The blood tacrolimus concentrations in 377 of 390 cases were within the range from 3 to 15?g?L~(-1).Their blood tacrolimus concentration differed greatly in renal transplant recipients within 6 months after transplantation.Their blood tacrolimus concentration was gradually decreased as time went on.Tacrolimus with therapeutic dosage had no effects on liver and renal function and blood routine.Conclusion:The therapeutic ranges of tacrolimus with MEIA were as follows:5 to 15?g?L~(-1) within 3 months after transplantation,5 to 10?g?L~(-1)between 4 to 6 months after transplantation,3 to 10?g?L~(-1)6 months after transplantation.The administration of tacrolimus had no effects on the liver and renal function and blood routine in re- nal transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between phenotype transformation and biomechanical properties of detrusor smooth muscle cell (DSMC) subjected to the cyclic mechanical stretch.

METHODSCultured rat DSMCS were grown on collagen-coated silicone membranes and subjected to continuous cycles of stretch-relaxation. All experiments were made on cells between passage 2 and 4. Each cycle consists of 5-second stretch and 5-second relaxation. The computer controlled vacuum induced 10% (I), 20% (II) and 30% (III) maximum elongation of the plate membrane at different designed pressures. We assessed DNA synthesis rate using tritiated thymidine incorporation assay. Using immunofluorescent assay and flow cytometer, we analysed the expression of SM-alpha-actin and proliferation of DSMC. The image analysis and micropipette aspiration systems were employed to investigate the single cell contraction and viscoelasticity. The elastic modulus K(1), K(2) and viscoelastic coefficient micro were determined using the three-element standard linear solid model, thus demonstrating the passive deformation ability of detrusor cells.

RESULTSAs the basic structural changes to mechanical stretch, DSMCs underwent phenotypic modulation from their normal contractile phenotype to a "synthetic" phenotype: the DSMCs became more proliferative and the actin less organized along the cell's long axis. The cell proliferation index (CPI) of control and stretched group (10%, 20%, 30% elongation) were 0.24, 0.43, 0.58 and 0.65 respectively. After mechanical stretch, the well-spread filaments changed their orientation. Contraction and viscoelasticity of single DSMC subjected to stretch both decreased significantly compared to control. The Vmax and. DeltaLmax of group III (30% elongation) saw significant decreases compared with unstretched control (P < 0.01). K(1) and K(2) decreased with the increasing of mechanical overload, however, there was no statistic difference between groups II and group III.

CONCLUSIONSStructure determines function. Conversely, dysfunction implies the structural transformation. Functional abnormalities of BOO have the structural basis: phenotype transformation of detrusor cells. Cyclic stretch and relaxation applied to DSMCs in vitro can be used to model the increases in urodynamic load experienced by the bladder detrusor muscle under the conditions of bladder outlet obstruction. Phenotypic transformation is the structural basis of functional changes of DSMC subjected to periodic overload mechanical stretch.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; DNA ; biosynthesis ; Muscle, Smooth ; physiology ; Phenotype ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stress, Mechanical ; Urinary Bladder ; physiology ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVEThe metabolic character of tetramethylpyrazine (TMPz) in rat liver microsomes was studied in vitro and in vivo to identify which isoforms of cytochrome P450 were responsible for TMPz metabolism in rats, offer the theoretical foundation for the fact that it is rational to use medicine in clinic.

METHODSet up UV- HPLC method of TMPz, determine concentration of TMPz and its formation in rat plasma and liver microsomes incubation solution, analyze the correlation between TMPz's metabolic eliminate rate and each inducer. Erythromycin( ERY) N-demethylase activity of each sample in rat liver microsomes was measured using N-demethylation reaction of ERY as probe. The correlation between the rate of TMPz metabolite formation and the demethylase activity was analysed. After the SD rats who had been treated with inducer, inhibitor, or untreated, received administration of TMPz in vein, the plasma concentration of TMPz were determined by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters of TMPz were computed and compared.

RESULTThe disppearing rate of TMPz in the incubation solutions of the rats liver microsomes, which treated with DEX, were markedly quicker than that of control group (P < 0. 01) , while no obvious difference between P-NF group or PB and control group was observed (P > 0. 05). The activity of ERY-N-demethylase in DEX-induced group was corespondingly enhanced, was much higer than that in control group. The correlation between the rate of TMPz metabolic product formation and the activity of N-demethylase was significant. After using Ket, the CYP3A inhibitor, the metabolism of TMPz could be significantly inhibited the metabolism of TMPz in rat liver microsomes. In vivo, CL( s) were larger than that of the control group,t,/2 were smaller than the control group in DEX group; By contrary, CL(s) was smaller than the control group,t1/2 was larger than the control group in Ket group.

CONCLUSIONResults suggest that CYP3A plays a major role in TMPz metabolism in rats, TMPz lie in the possibility of Interaction among the medicines between TMPz and CYP3A inducers or inhibitors when they are used in clinic.

Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Ketoconazole ; pharmacology ; Male ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Microsomes, Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; blood ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vasodilator Agents ; blood ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics