The therapeutic effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs in treating osteoporosis have become the focus under study. Pharmacological studies have shown that traditional Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs are promoters for the proliferation of osteoblasts, inhibitors for the activity of osteoclasts, regulators for the estrogen level and its receptor, plays important roles in promoting osteogenesis and suppressing adipogenesis of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), modulating the function of OPG/RANK/RANKL system and the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, as well as antioxidation. The anti-osteoporotic active ingredients and pharmacological action mechanism of traditional Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs are summarized from the perspective of molecular and cell biology in this paper, so as to provide references for the study of their mechanism of anti-osteoporosis and for the development of traditional Chinese kidney-tonifying and bone-strengthening drugs.
Animals ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

Objective To explore the correlation and significance between adult nut-cracker phenomenon (NCP) and varicocele. Methods The clinical characters of 226 adult patient (including inpatients and outpatients)with NCP diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound examination were analyzed retrospectively, whose chief complaints were asymptomatic bematuria or/and orthostatic proteinuria (microalbuminuria). The ratio of left renal vein inner diameter before and after being compressed≥2 was regarded as the criteria of diagnosis of NCP. Among 226 cases, 184 male NCP patients were taken as study group, and the incidence of varicocele was tested. One hundred and fifty-six male adults who had physical examination in the same period and whose ages matched with study group were taken as control group, they were not NCP patients examined by color Doppler ultrasound. The incidence of varicocele was compared between two groups. The indexes associated NCP were examined in detail in study group. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the correlation between NCP and left varicocele. Results There were 184 male patients in study group, among which there were 22 patients with left sub-clinical varicocele (accounted for 11.96%), 47 patients with left varicocele (accounted for 25.54%).The total incidence of varicocole was 37.50%(69/184). There were 156 male adults in control group, among which there were 13 patients with sub-clinical varicocole(accounted for 8.33%), 8 patients with varicocele (accounted for 5.13%).The total incidence of varicocele was 13.46%(21/156). The total incidence of varicocele in study group was significantly higher than that in control group (P=0.000). In study group, there were 22 patients with left sub-clinical varicocele,with average age (24.73±1.03) years. The inner diameter of left renal vein(LRV) in front of spine was (3.65±0.11) mm(a),the inner diameter of LRV at left side of spine was (8.41±0.11)mm(b), and b/a ratio was 2.31± 0.06. The angle between superior mesenterie artery (SMA) and abdominal aorta(AA) was (15.95±0.59)°. There were 47 patients with left varicocele, with average age(26.62±1.74)years. The inner diameter of LRV in front of spine was (3.43±0.08)mm(a),the inner diameter of LRV at left side of spine was (8.72±0.14) mm (b), and b/a ratio was 2.54±0.08. The angle between SMA and AA was (14.54±0.53)°. In study group, Lagistic regression analysis proved that male patients with NCP were complicated with varicocele easier when the angle between SMA and AA became smaller, the inner diameter of LRV at the left side of spine (b)and age increased. Conclusions Male adult patients with NCP are complicated with left varicocele, which is significantly higher than that in non-NCP male adults at the same age. It shows that NCP is one important cause for varicocele and there is a close correlation between NCP and varicocele in male adults.

This paper arranged the research results of the chemi-cal components and pharmacological effects of five kinds of Loni-cera. All these herbs have organic acids( chlorogenic acid) , fla-vonoids( galuteolin) , triterpenoid saponins, iridoids and volatile oils, and have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, an-tioxidant, hepatoprotective, immunological effects, and so on.The major medicinal ingredients and pharmacological effects of these herbs have no significant difference. Some similar pharma-cological effects are caused by different chemical components.

Objective:To determine the expression of the full-length (NK1R-FL) and truncated (NK1R-Tr) neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) and the neurokinin-2 receptor (NK2R) in breast cancer tissues and cell lines, as well as to study the effects of the NK1R and NK2R antagonists on the growth of breast cancer cells. Methods:Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays were used to detect NK1R, NK1R-FL, and NK2R expression in clinical samples of primary breast cancer tissue, benign lesions, and normal breast tissue, as well as in different breast cancer cell lines. Cell proliferation and soft agar growth tests were performed on cells treated with the NK1R and NK2R antagonists to study the ectopic overexpression of NK1R-FL and NK1R-Tr in breast cancer cell lines. Results:Total NK1R expression was detected in the breast cancer tissues, benign lesions, and normal breast tissues. Compared with the normal breast epithe-lia and benign breast lesions, the expression levels of NK1R-FL and NK2R decreased in the carcinoma. These changes were also relat-ed to the carcinoma type, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, HER2 and Ki-67 expression, and estrogen and progesterone recep-tors in breast cancer. The expression levels of NK1R-FL and NK2R were high in the HBL-100 breast cell lines of para-neoplastic tis-sues, but NK1R-Tr expression was low. The MDA-MB-231, T-47D, and MCF-7 cells only expressed NK1R-Tr. NK1R-Tr or NK1R-FL overexpression caused the decreased inhibition rate or increased levels of the NK1R and NK2R antagonists in the breast cancer cells. Conclusion:NK1R-FL and NK2R are co-expressed in normal cells. NK1R-Tr is highly expressed in breast cancer cells and exerts nega-tive feedback to regulate NK1R-FL and NK2R expression in all cells, especially cancer cells.

Objective To investigate the changes of blood oxygen saturation and heart rate after urgently going to high‐alti‐tude area ,so as to provide a reference for medical rescue in high‐altitude area .Methods Subjects left from the plain area with an al‐titude of 400 m .Blood oxygen saturation and heart rate were measured before departure and after reaching 4 300 m altitude region . Then the subjects were taken to the destination with an altitude of 3 200 m ,at which they received a dynamic continuous monitoring of blood oxygen saturation /heart rate at the 1st day ,2nd day ,3rd day ,4th day ,5th day ,6th day ,7th day after arrival .After adapting to the environment in 3 200 m altitude area for 1 week ,subjects were taken to the 4 300 m altitude region ,at which they were re‐measured blood oxygen saturation and heart rate .Results After entering the areas of 4 300 m altitude and 3 200 m altitude ,the blood oxygen saturation was significantly decreased compared with that in plain area (P< 0 .05) .The blood oxygen saturation at the 6th and 7th day after entering 3 200 m altitude area was statistically different when compared with that at the 1st day(P< 0 .05) . The blood oxygen saturation had statistical difference between reaching at 4 300 m altitude area for the first time and re‐entering 4 300 m altitude area ,while the heart rate had no statistical difference (P> 0 .05) .Conclusion The arterial oxygen saturation was de‐creased with the increase of altitude ;the people living in plain areas can preliminarily adapt to the environment at 6th day after reaching 3 200 m altitude regions ;people can better adapt to the high‐altitude environment by shortly living in lower‐altitude areas before re‐entering high‐altitude areas .

Objective To survey the prevalence of hypertension in population of Keshan disease endemic areas, in order to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of hypertension in rural areas of our country.Methods One hundred and twenty villages were selected as the survey places based on case-finding from 15 provinces including Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Hubei, Yunnan,Sichuan, Guizhou, Chongqing and Mongolia in 2009.The subjects were permanent residents in the survey places.Basic situation of all subjects was collected through the questionnaire survey and blood pressure was measured by a clinician.Diagnostic criterion for hypertension was based on the Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension.Results Totally 33 558 subjects aged 18 and over were surveyed, including 8 699 hypertension patients.The positive rate of hypertension was 25.9％ (8 699/33 558), among that 26.3％ (3 532/13 408) were males,and 25.6％ (5 167/20 150) were females.The positive rate of hypertension increased with age (x2 =3 348.325, P ＜0.05).In the classification of hypertension, the proportion of stage 1, 2 and 3 hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension was 31.8％ (2 770/8 699), 26.1％ (2 273/8 699), 17.2％ (1 492/8 699) and 24.9％ (2 164/8 699),respectively.Conclusions The positive rates of hypertension in Keshan disease endemic areas are higher than those of the national average (18.8％).Hypertension is a serious public health problem in Keshan disease endemic areas.The strategy of hypertension prevention and control should be formulated for remote rural areas.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of orthodontic intrusion combined with periodontal regenerative surgery in the treatment of pathologic migration of upper incisors. Methods: Nine patients with chronic periodontitis who had pathologic migration of upper incisors were selected. After periodontal initial therapy, periodontal regenerative surgery was performed on the vertical defect around 11 displaced teeth, and then orthodontic intrusion was performed 3 months after the surgery. The differences between baseline (T0) and end of orthodontic treatment (T1) of the periodontal clinical parameters and bone defects were analyzed. Results: For all patients, the periodontal clinical parameters and bone defects were significantly improved. The average pocket probing depth reduction was 2.81 mm, the average attachment gain was 3.38 mm, the average gingival recession was reduced by 0.56 mm, and the width of keratinized gingival tissue was not decreased. As measured on the X-ray, the depth and width of the vertical bone defect were reduced by an average of 2.20 mm and 0.55 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Orthodontic intrusion combined with periodontal regenerative surgery can effectively treat pathologic migration of the upper incisors with vertical bone defects, and obtain good periodontal soft and hard tissue regeneration.

To study the protective mechanism of Danhong injection on brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) injured by hypoxic. In the experiment, primary suckling mouse's rBMECs cells were collected and identified with factor VIII to establish the 4 h injury model. Meanwhile, rBMECs were given Danhong injection (25, 50, 100 mL . L-1), and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level were detected by the biochemical method. Cell MMP-9, ICAM-1 and P53 mRNA expression levels were detected by RT-PCR method. Changes in cells' microscopic structure were observed by transmission electron microscope. According to the results, primary rBMECs were notably injured by hypoxia. Compared with model group, Danhong injection (50, 100 mL . L-1) could remarkably resist the injury induced by hypoxic, increase intracellular SOD activity, decrease MDA level and significantly down-regulate ICAM-1, MMP-9 and P53 mRNA expressions. Danhong injection (100 mL . L-1) could protect the cells' normal morphology and microscopic structure, maintain the close intercellular junction, and inhibit the hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis. The results showed that Danhong injection plays a significant role in protecting rBMECs injured by hypoxia. Its mechanism may be related to the enhancement of cells' antioxidant capacity, the inhibition of inflammatory response and the cell apoptosis.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Injections ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

To study the protective effect of combined administration of active ingredients of Danhong on cultured primary mice's brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) injured by hypoxia. Primary mice's brain micro-vascular endothelial cells were cultured to establish the 4 h hypoxia model. Meanwhile, active ingredients (protocatechuic aldehyde, salvianolic acid B, hydroxysafflor yellow A and tanshinol) of Danhong were administered in rBMECs. The non-toxic dosage was determined by MTT. The leakage of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and MDA level were detected by the colorimetric method. The expressions of ICAM-1, MMP-9, P53 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR method. Changes in rBMECs cell cycle and early apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Danhong's active ingredients and prescriptions 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 could be combined to significantly restrain LDH in hypoxic cells supernatant. Prescriptions 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 could significantly enhance SOD activity in anoxic cells; Prescriptions 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 could significantly decrease the MDA level; Prescriptions 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 could significantly inhibit the early rB-MECs apoptosis induced by hypoxia. After hypoxia, the up-regulated P53 mRNA expression could cause retardation in G, phase and promote cell apoptosis. This proved that the regulatory function of P53 gene lay in monitoring of calibration points in G, phase. Prescriptions 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 could significantly down-regulate the P53 mRNA expression; Prescriptions 1, 4, 7, 8, 9 could significantly down-regulate the ICAM-1 mRNA expression; Prescriptions 1, 3, 6, 9 could significantly down-regulate the MMP-9 mRNA expression. The combined administration of Danhong's active ingredients showed a significant protective effect on primary cultured rBMECs injury induced by hypoxia Its mechanism may be related to the enhancement of cellular antioxidant capacity and the inhibition of inflammatory response and cell apoptosis. This study could provide ideas for researching prescription compatibility, and guide the clinical medication.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; Microvessels ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of anti-atrial fibrillation of Philos DDDR pacemaker on atrial tachyarrhythmia.

METHODSThirty-eight patients with sick sinus syndrome and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) were implanted with Philos DDDR pacemaker. After implantation, auto-Mode-Switch (AMS) function was switched "on" and AF preventive algorithms were "off" in all cases. The number of AMS, atrial premature beats, heart rate and the percentage of atrial and ventricular pacing were recorded by pacemaker diagnostic function for one-month after procedure. AF preventive algorithms function with "middle" (approx 8 bpm) was then switched on and the same parameters as above from the database of pacemaker diagnostic function were collected for additional one month.

RESULTSThe symptoms of dizziness, dyspnoea, and palpitation in the majority of patients were dramatically improved regardless of whether the AF preventive algorithms function was switched "on" or "off" after pacemaker implantation. There were no significant clinical changes in most patients when AF preventive algorithms were "on". However, 5 cases (13.2%) had palpitations and short of breath. These symptoms were relieved by changing the algorithms from "middle to slight (approx 4 bpm)". When AF preventive algorithms were switched on, atrial premature beats were reduced significantly (P < 0.05) with a dramatic increase in atrial pacing percentage and heart rate (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in AMS (P > 0.05) between the two groups of AF preventive algorithms function switching "on" and "of", indicating that atrial tachyarrhythmias were not inhibited by anti-atrial fibrillation pacemaker.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggested that atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia were not reduced by implantation of an anti-atrial fibrillation Philos DDDR pacemaker, although atrial premature beats decreased significantly with increasing atrial pacing percentage when AF preventive algorithms were in "middle" and "slight".

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Algorithms ; Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pacemaker, Artificial