OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD), Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XZD), and Sijunzi Decoction (SD) contained serums on expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signals, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and to explore possible anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms.

METHODSTwenty New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups at random, i.e., the normal control group, the BHD group (6.7 g/kg), the XZD group (3.6 g/kg), and the SD group (1.6 g/kg), 5 in each group. All medication lasted for 7 successive days. Two h after the final medication, about 50 mL blood was withdrawn from rabbit heart for preparing serums. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell ECV304 were cultured in vitro for 18 h and randomly divided into the blank control group, the model group, the Western medicine (WM) control group, the BHD group, the XZD group, and the SD group at random. ECV304, except in the blank control group, were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 2 h. Those in the WM control group and CM groups were treated respectively with corresponding CM contained serum for 24 h. Finally gene and protein expressions of TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-6 (TRAF-6), NF-κB, LOX-1, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, mRNA expressions of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF-6, NF-KB, LOX-1 , TNF-cx, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 increased significantly; protein expressions of TLR4, NF-κB, LOX-1, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 also increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, mRNA and protein expressions of each index could be significantly inhibited in the BHD group, the XZD group, and the WM control group (P < 0.05). Besides, mRNA and protein expressions of each index could be significantly elevated more in the BHD group and the XZD group than in the WM control group (P < 0.05). No statistical difference existed in each index between the SD group and the rest groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe mechanism of BHD and XZD for fighting against atherosclerosis might be associated with inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signal transduction pathway and expressions of its downstream inflammatory factors such as LOX-1, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. But SD showed no associated effect on atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endothelial Cells ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Scavenger Receptors, Class E ; Signal Transduction ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Umbilical Veins ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo observe effects of modulated medium frequency low frequency current hydroelectric bath therapy on sequela of ankle fracture.Methods32 sequela patients of ankle fracture were treated with ZM-C type intellectual faculties intermediate frequency therapeutics instrument. Modulated medium frequency square all wave,the frequency of carry wave was 4 KHz,and the frequency of modulated wave was 100 Hz. The water temperature was 40℃. 30 minutes was a time,12 times was a course. Before and after treatment,results were contrasted themselves.ResultsAfter treatment,32 patients all got satisfactory effects,the shorter of the course,the better of the effect.ConclusionThe modulated medium frequency low frequency current hydroelectric bath therapy is a simple,safe and better effect method for sequela of ankle fracture.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of triple needling at myofascial trigger points plus warm needling in treating periarthritis of shoulder. Method Eighty patients with periarthritis of shoulder were randomized into a treatment group of 44 cases and a control group of 40 cases. The treatment group was intervened by triple needling at myofascial trigger points plus warm needling, while the control group was by warm needling alone. The two groups were treated once a day, 10 times as a treatment course. The Pain Rating Index (PRI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Present Pain Intensity (PPI), and motion of shoulder joint were observed before the treatment and after 2 treatment courses, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result In the treatment group, the PRI, VAS, and PPI scores respectively after 1 and 2 treatment courses were significantly different from those before the treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01). In the control group, the scores after 2 treatment courses were significantly different from those before the treatment (P<0.05). After 2 treatment courses, the scores in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.01). In both groups, the motions of shoulder joint respectively after 1 and 2 treatment courses were significantly changed compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01). The motions of shoulder joint in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group respectively after 1 and 2 treatment courses (P<0.05,P<0.01). The recovery plus markedly-effective rate and total effective rate were respectively 70.5% and 95.5% in the treatment group, versus 52.5% and 90.0% in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Triple needling at myofascial trigger points plus warm needling is an effective approach in treating periarthritis of shoulder.

Adhesives ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Dental Cements ; Dental Materials ; Humans

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture (EA) plus pricking-cupping bloodletting therapy for herpes zoster.
Methods:A total of 43 patients with herpes zoster were randomly divided into two groups, 23 cases in the treatment group and 20 cases in the control group. The treatment group was given EA plus pricking-cupping bloodletting therapy. The control group was given oral administration of Aciclovir Tablets, Diclofenac Sodium Dual Release Enteric-coated Capsules, Methylcobalamin Dispersible Tablets, and V itamin B12.
Results: The total effective rate was 87.0% in the treatment group and 70.0% in the control group, with a statistical significance in difference of the total effective rate between the two groups (P<0.01).
Conclusion:The clinical effect is better in the treatment of herpes zoster by EA plus pricking-cupping bloodletting therapy than by medications.

Adolescent ; Brain ; pathology ; Child ; Encephalitis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Mycoplasma Infections ; pathology ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; pathogenicity ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To observe the effect of the proteininhibitor of activated STAT 3 (PIAS3) on the proliferation and apopto-sis of U251 glioma cells after PIAS3 expression was inhibited by RNAi. Methods: Three RNAi expression vectorstargeting PIAS3 were constructed and transfected into CHG-5 cells by liposomein vitro. The most efficient RNAi vector was subsequently selected by examiningthe mRNA expressions of PIAS3 in the transfected cells by semi-quantitativeRT-PCR. The selected RNAi vector was then transfected into U251 cells. After 48h of transfection, the mRNA and protein expressions of PIAS3 in glioma cellswere examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and western blot. Apoptosis wasobserved by flow cytometry using a double-staining method with FITC-con-jugatedannexin V and PI. Flow cytometry was also applied in cell cycle assay. Results:RNAidownregulated the mRNA (P<0.01) and protein (P<0.01) expressionsof PIAS3 in transfected cells.RNAi promoted the resistance of U251 cells to apoptosisand subsequently al-tered the cell cycle. A high percentage of G2 phaseand a low percentage of Sphase were observed in U251 cells. Conclusion:The down-regulation of PIAS3arrested U251 cells in the G2 phase andinduced the resistance of U251 cells to apoptosis.

Objective: To construct the three dimensional models of L. chuanxiong caffeic acid-3-O-methyltransferase (LCCOMT) and verify the model using site-directed mutagenesis technology. Methods: The three-dimensional model was constructed by homology modeling using the crystal structure of COMT from Medicago sativa as a temple. Caffeic acid was docked into the optimized model of LCCOMT to predict the active site. The predicted site was mutated using site-directed mutagenesis technology. Then, the activity of mutant enzyme was detected. Results: The molecular docking, which showed there were hydrogen bonds between His268 and 3-OH of caffeic acid, was successful. Two mutant enzymes, H268N and H268Q, lost 94.85% and 95.28% of their activity respectively. Conclusion: The His268 is confirmed as one of the key residues of LCCOMT. It may play a role as a base in the deprotonation reaction of the 3-OH of caffeic acid.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) plus Tanbo-plucking the trigger points for scapulohumeral periarthritis (SP). Methods:A total of 80 patients with SP were randomized into an observation group and an EA group by the random number table, with 40 cases in each group. The EA group was treated with EA therapy, and the observation group was treated with EA therapy plus Tanbo-plucking the trigger points. After treatment, the visual analog scale (VAS) and Melle scores of the two groups were compared to evaluate the improvement of shoulder pain and functional activity, and meanwhile the clinical efficacy was observed. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was 95.0％ and the cure and markedly effective rate was 72.5％. The total effective rate of the EA group was 87.5％ and the cure and markedly effective rate was 42.5％. There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups (P>0.05). The cure and markedly effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the EA group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the intra-group differences in VAS and Melle scores of both groups were statistically significant (bothP<0.001). The inter-group differences in the changes of the VAS and Melle scores after treatment were statistically significant (bothP<0.001). Conclusion: EA plus Tanbo-plucking the trigger points has a better curative effect than EA therapy alone in the treatment of SP.

Objective To investigate the effect of excessive fluoride,aluminum on Zn,Fe,Ca,Mg,Cuin rat blood.Methods Forty eight SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups matched with their weights:control group,high aluminum group,high fluorine group and high fluorine-aluminum group.Aluminum content in their drinking water was 0,90,0,90 mg/L respectively.Fluorine content of their feed was 5.2,5.2,106.0,106.0 mg/kg and aluminum Was 6.8,6.8,19.7,19.7 mg/kg respectively.90 days later,the level of blood Zn,Fe,Ca,Mg, Cu Was detected by the atomic absorption spectrometry.Results Compared among these groups,Zn,Fe,Mg and Cu content of the whole blood had significant difierences(F=46.25,14.74,6.10,2.93,P<0.05),while Ca content of the whole blood did not significantly change(F=2.81.P>0.05).Factorial analysis showed that excessive intake of aluminum could significantly decreased Zn,Fe,Mg content of the blood(F=42.66,5.41,7.04,P<0.05)and excessive intake of fluorine could significantly decreased Zn,Fe,Mg,Cu content of the blood(F=64.50,37.90,9.75,6.74, P<0.05).The coexistence offluorine and Muminum had interaction to the level of Zn(F=31.59,P<0.05)and did not obviously interact with other elements(F=0.91,1.63,1.51.0.00,P>0.05).Compared with the control group [(131.30 ±13.86)μmol/L,(10.24 ±1.02),(1.71 ±0.19)mmol/L,(20.43 ±4.42)μmol/L],Zn content in the high aluminum group[(90.84±9.98)μmol/L]decreased significantly(P<0.05),so did Zn,Fe,Mg content in tlle high fluorine group[(85.85 ±10.92)μmol/L,(8.49 ±0.68),(1.52 ±0.13)mmol/L],the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05)0Zn,Fe,Mg,Cu content in the high fluorine-aluminum group,being(82.82 ±11.00)μmol/L, (8.16±0.45),(1.46±0.09)mmoL/L,(15.69±2.38)μmol/L,respectively,all decreased signitlcarIdy(P<0.05). Compared with the high aluminum group[(9.43±1.09)mmol/L],Fe content of the high fluorine aluminum group[(8.16±0.45)mmol/L]decreased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusions Excessive fluoride can cause blood zn, Fe,Mg,Cu decline,so can excessive aluminum.Combination of excessive fluofine and aiuminum has 8ignificant synergic effect on the level of Zn but have rio influence on Ca.