Objective To investigate the effect of combined Metformin and esomeprazole therapy on plasma levels of gastrin,blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) and insulin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled study of 41 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes was conducted.Patients were randomly assigned into treatment group(combination therapy with Metformin 0.5 g,bid or tid and Esomeprazole 20 mg,qd,for 12 weeks)and placebo group(Metformin monotherapy 0.5 g,bid or tid,for 12 weeks).Fasting blood samples were taken from vein before and after treatment.Fasting serum levels of gastrin,glucose,HbA1c,insulin,lipids,liver and renal functions were compared between the two groups.The homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) and insulin secretion index (HOMA-β)were calculated,and complications were recorded.Results There were no significant differences in body mass index and waist circumference between the two groups.Serum gastrin level was slightly increased in the treatment group 12 weeks after treatment,but without statistically significance [(127.20±9.21)ng/L vs.(131.53±7.84)ng/L,P＞0.05],and serum gastrin level had no significant differences in the placebo group before and after treatment [(128.42±4.58)ng/L vs.(127.51±3.47)ng/L,P＞0.05].However,there were no significant differences in the changes of blood glucose,HbA1c,insulin,HOMA-β and HOMA-IR before versus after therapy,and between the two group(all P＞0.05).Conclusions Combined Metformin and insulin therapy cannot increase serum gastrin and insulin levels and has no significant effect on reducing blood glucose and HbA1c levels in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective To observe the effects of low frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) on the proliferation of endogenous brain neural stem cells (NSCs) and on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in rats with acute cerebral infarction; to explore the therapeutic mechanism of LFES in improving neural function. Methods Fifty-four rats were randomly divided into a LFES group, a placebo stimulation group and a sham-operated group. Each group was further divided into 3rd day, 7th day and 14th day subgroups, with 6 rats in each subgroup. An acute cerebral infarction model was induced in the rats of the LFES and placebo stimulation groups by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Three days after the operation, rats in the LFES group began LFES treatment (frequency 30 Hz, pulse width 250 μs, current intensity 3 mA, 10 min/d) ,while the placebo stimulation group was treated identically but without electricity. The rats in the sham-operated group had no special treatment. The expression of nestin positive cells in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of bFGF, EGF proteins and mRNA in the ischemic hemisphere was detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis. A screen test was applied to evaluate motor function. Results Nestin-positive cells in the subgranular and subventricular zones of rats in the LFES group increased significantly more than in the placebo stimulation group at the 7th and 14th day. The expression of bFGF, EGF proteins and mRNA in the ischemic hemisphere was up-regulated compared to the placebo stimulation group at the 7th and 14th day. At the 14th day a difference in motor function was observed in rats in the LFES group compared with the placebo stimulation group. Conclusion LFES can promote the proliferation of endogenous brain NSCs and the expression of bFGF and EGF in rats with acute cerebral infarction. It can also improve motor function and enhance neural plasticity in the brain.

Aged ; Anthracosis ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retinoblastoma Protein ; metabolism

With inlet temperature, specific gravity, feeding speed as independent variables, the comprehensive evaluating indexes of content of schisandrin and arctiin as dependent variable, the experimental data were fitted to a second order polynomial equation. Based on establishing the mathematical relationship between the comprehensive evaluating indexes and respective variables, Box-Benhnken central composite test and response surface analysis method was employed to optimize the spray drying technology of Biqiu granules ethanol extract. The optimal drying parameter was as follows: the inlet temperature was 175 degrees C, the specific gravity was 1.10, feeding speed was 32 r x min(-1). Under these conditions, the comprehensive evaluating indexes of spraying dry processes was 92.68, which was close to the model prediction. The spraying dry technology of Biqiu granules ethanol extract optimized by response surface methodology was accurate and feasible, which provided theoretical experiment basis for the industrialization production.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ethanol

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of pure total flavonoids from Citrus (PTFC) on the hepatic fatty degeneration, inflammation, oxidative stress and SIRT1/PGC-1alpha expressions in mice with non-alcohol steatohepatitis (NASH), and discuss the action mechanism of PTFC on NASH.

METHODMice were given high-fat diet for 16 weeks to induce the NASH model. Since the seventh week after the model establishment, the mice were intervened with 100, 50 and 25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) PTFC for 10 weeks. The pathologic changes in hepatic tissues were observed with HE staining. The contents of TG, CHOL in hepatic tissue, as well as the levels of AST, ALT in serum were detected by using the biochemical process. The expression of SIRT1, PGC-1alpha and MnSOD mRNA in hepatic tissues were detected with Real-time PCR assay. SIRT1, PGC-1alpha protein and 8-OHdG expressions were determined with the immunohistochemical method. The SOD level in hepatic tissues was tested by the xanthine oxidase method. The MDA content in hepatic tissues was examined by the thiobarbituric acid method.

RESULTThe contents of TG, CHOL, NAFLD activity scores and ALT level in serum in hepatic tissues of mice in the model induced by fat-rich diet were obviously higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.010. The SIRT1, PGC-1alpha, MnSOD mRNA and protein expression in hepatic tissues were significantly lower than that of the normal group (P < 0.01). The expression of 8-OHdG and the content of MDA in hepatic tissues were obviously higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.01). After the intervention with different doses of PTFC, the NAFLD activity scores, the content of TG and the level of AST in serum were notably lower than that of the normal group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); whereas the SIRT1, PGC-1alpha, MnSOD mRNA and protein expression were obviously higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), with the significant decrease in the expression of 8-OHdG and the content of MDA (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress/lipid peroxidation enhancement in in NASH mice induced by high-fat diet may be related to the changes in SIRT1/PGC-1alpha signal transduction pathway. PTFC could enhance the anti-oxidant capacity in liver, relieve the damage of reactive oxygen during the fatty acid metabolic process, and prevent NASH from the occurrence and development by regulating the SIRT1/PGC-1alpha signal pathway.

Animals ; Citrus ; chemistry ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; genetics ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Sirtuin 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic effect of Shenle capsule (SLC) in treating mesangial proliferating glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) and to explore its therapeutic mechanism and clinical indication.

METHODSAdopting case control method, taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (benazepril) as control agent, the 142 cases of MsPGN were randomly divided into 3 groups, treated with SLC (Group A, n = 36), SLC plus benazepril (Group B, n = 68) and benazepril alone (Group C, n = 38) respectively. Changes of fibrinogen, lipids, renal function and urinary protein were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in Group A was higher than that in Group C, but with insignificant difference. The total effective rate in Group B after 3 courses of treatment was 89.74%, which was higher than that in Group C and Group A (P < 0.05). Levels of cholesterol (CH), triglyceride (TG), serum creatinine, fibrinogen and urinary protein (UP) were significantly lowered in Group A after treatment, with the levels of CH, TG and UP lower than those in Group C, while CH, TG and fibrinogen were unchanged in Group C after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSLC is superior in higher efficacy and less side-effects in treating MsPGN, its effect is related with the degree of kidney pathological changes, it is more effective in treating patients with mild pathological change than in those with severe change. The outcome of combined use of SLC and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor would be better.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Benzazepines ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Proteinuria ; drug therapy ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVE To explore the expression of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) HOTAIR, enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and their relationship between HOTAIR and prognosis. METHODS We examined the expression of HOTAIR, EZH2 and VEGF in NPC tissues, and analyzed the clinical significance of HOTAIR expression in patients with NPC. RESULTS We found that the expression of HOTAIR, EZH2 and VEGF in the NPC tissues were significantly higher than those in the chronic nasopharyngitis tissues in the gene and protein levels (U=955,P<0.05). The HOTAIR was positively correlated with VEGF (r=0.599,P<0.001), VEGF was positively correlated with EZH2 (r=0.369, P=0.012), and HOTAIR had no significant correlation with EZH2 (r=0.139,P=0.357). Moreover, HOTAIR expression levels increased with clinical stage progression. CONCLUSION The expression of HOTAIR, EZH2 and VEGF were significantly increased in the NPC tissues, and the expression of HOTAIR was related with the TNM stage, the clinical stage and the short term therapeutic effect of the NPC patients, which indicated that the HOTAIR might be used as a biological indicator to determine the prognosis of the NPC.

Objective To investigate the functional and histological changes in aging gerbil bladders.MethodsTwelve male gerbils were randomly divided into control group and aging bladder group,with 6 in each group.Experiment was conducted in gerbils of control group and aging bladder group 6 months and 24 months after normal feeding,respectively.Urodynamic examinations including irrigation volume,compliance and filling pressure of bladder were performed,bladder weight was obtained,bladder weight index was calculated,morphological observation was conducted with HE staining,ratio of amount of smooth muscle to collagen was obtained with double immunohistochemical staining,and electron microscope was used to evaluate the ultrastructure of bladder.ResultsCompared with those in control group,the irrigation volume and compliance of bladder significantly decreased in aging bladder group(P0.05).However,the bladder weight index was significantly lower in aging bladder group(P0.05).There existed degeneration in smooth muscle cells and organelles in aging bladder group.ConclusionThe function of aging bladder in gerbils is impaired,which may be related to the degeneration of bladder tissues.

Objectives To explore the effects of aging on midgastric transverse band(MTB)and gastric emptying.Methods In our prospective study,57 healthy volunteer were divided into young, middle and old-age groups.After taking test meal labeled by 99mTc-iethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid(99mTc-DTPA), the pictures were collected using double probe single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT).Stomach in each frame of the pictures was divided into proximal, midgastric transverse band(MTB)and distal parts.And half gastric emptying time,gastric remnant rate at 90 min, areas of different gastric parts were tested and calculated respectively.Results Half gastric emptying time of whole stomach was(43.24± 11.87)min,(42.07 ± + 9.31)min and(45.81 ± 10.73)min in young,middle and old-age groups, respectively, with P＞0.05.Among young, middle and oldage groups, half gastric emptying time was(38.09 ± 10.26)min,(37.33 ± 9.28)min and(26.74 ± 12.07)min in proximal stomach, and it was(38.35 ± 12.96)min,(37.73 ± 7.46)min and(46.41 ± 10.74)min in distal stomach,respectively.The half gastric emptying time was significantly reduced in proximal stomach and increased in distal stomach in old-age group(both P＜0.05).The gastric nuclide remnant rate at 90min in total stomach was(30.38 ± 19.32)％,(29.03 ± 10.36)％ and(31.92 ± 13.47)％ ,in young, middle and old-age groups, respectively, with P＞0.05.This rate in proximal stomach was(25.01 ± 12.35)％,(26.36± 15.29)％ and(19.54±8.47)％ among three group, respectively.The rate in proximal stomach was(42.25 ± 12.36)％,(41.56 ±± 9.33)％ and(56.05 ± 11.72)％ among three group,respectively.The gastric remnant rate at 90min was reduced in proximal stomach and was increased in distal stomach significantly in old-age group(both P＜0.05).Compared with young and middle-age group,the old-age group showed no difference in areas of total stomach in all the time, while the areas were reduced in proximal stomach and increased in distal stomach significantly from 30 min to 90 min(all P＜0.05).Total stomach versus proximal and distal stomach showed no difference in count/pixel ratio in all time,while a count/pixel ratio was reduced in proximal stomach and increased in distal stomach significantly from 30 min to 90 min(both P＜ 0.05).Both areas and count/pixel ratio of MTB at 60 min and 90 min were significantly increased in old-age group(both P＜0.05).Conclusions The total gastric emptying is not delayed along with aging, while the gastric emptying is increased in proximal stomach and reduced in distal stomach in the elderly.This abnormity of intragastric distribution of food might be related with larger area of midgastric transverse band.

First with the qualified rate of granules as the evaluation index, significant influencing factors were firstly screened by Plackett-Burman design. Then, with the qualified rate and moisture content as the evaluation indexes, significant factors that affect one-step pelletization technology were further optimized by Box-Behnken design; experimental data were imitated by multiple regression and second-order polynomial equation; and response surface method was used for predictive analysis of optimal technology. The best conditions were as follows: inlet air temperature of 85 degrees C, sample introduction speed of 33 r x min(-1), density of concrete 1. 10. One-step pelletization technology of Biqiu granules by Plackett-Burman design and Box-Behnken response surface methodology was stable and feasible with good predictability, which provided reliable basis for the industrialized production of Biqiu granules.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Temperature