This study aims to investigate the antipyretic effects and mechanisms of ethanol extracts from Arisaematis Rhizoma fermented with bile from different sources on a rat model of fever induced by a dry-yeast suspension. The rat model of fever was established by subcutaneous injection of 20% dry-yeast suspension into the rat back. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6) in the serum, as well as prostaglandin E_2(PGE_2) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) in the hypothalamus, were determined by ELISA. Metabolomics analysis was then performed on serum and hypothalamus samples based on UPLC-Q-TOF MS to explore the potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways. The results showed that the body temperatures of rats significantly rose 4 h after modeling. After oral administration of high-dose ethanol extracts of Arisaematis Rhizoma fermented with bovine bile(NCH) and porcine bile(ZCH), the body temperatures of rats declined(P<0.05), and the NCH group showed better antipyretic effect than the ZCH group. Additionally, compared with the model group, the NCH and ZCH groups showed lowered levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE_2, and cAMP(P<0.01). The results of serum and hypothalamus metabolomics analysis indicated that both NCH and ZCH exerted antipyretic effects by regulating phenylalanine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Collectively, both NCH and ZCH can play an obvious antipyretic role in the rat model of dry yeast-induced fever, and the underlying mechanism might be closely associated with inhibiting inflammation and regulating metabolic disorders. Moreover, NCH demonstrates better antipyretic effect.
Animals ; Rats ; Male ; Fermentation ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Bile/chemistry* ; Antipyretics/chemistry* ; Fever/metabolism* ; Cattle ; Swine ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Ethanol/chemistry* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/blood*

Based on the high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia rat model, this study aimed to evaluate the lipid-lowering effect of Arisaema Cum Bile and explore its mechanisms, providing experimental evidence for its clinical application. Biochemical analysis was used to detect serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), triglycerides(TG), and total cholesterol(TC) to assess the lipid-lowering activity of Arisaema Cum Bile. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics techniques were employed to jointly elucidate the lipid-lowering mechanisms of Arisaema Cum Bile. The experimental results showed that high-dose Arisaema Cum Bile(PBA-H) significantly reduced serum ALT, AST, LDL-C, TG, and TC levels(P<0.01), and significantly increased HDL-C levels(P<0.01). The effect was similar to that of fenofibrate, with no significant difference. Furthermore, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly alleviated hepatocyte ballooning and mitigated fatty degeneration in liver tissues. As indicated by 16S rDNA sequencing results, PBA-H significantly enhanced both alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota in the model rats, notably increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Subdoligranulum species(P<0.01). Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that PBA-H primarily regulated pathways involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, vitamin B_6 metabolism, and steroid biosynthesis. In summary, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly improved abnormal blood lipid levels and liver pathology induced by a high-fat diet, regulated hepatic metabolic disorders, and improved the abundance and structural composition of gut microbiota, thereby exerting its lipid-lowering effect. The findings of this study provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Arisaema Cum Bile and the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Hyperlipidemias/microbiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypolipidemic Agents/pharmacology* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Humans ; Alanine Transaminase/metabolism* ; Triglycerides/metabolism* ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism*

This paper clarified the scientific connotation of the changes in cold and heat properties of Arisaematis Rhizoma and Arisaema Cum Bile through investigating the changes of substance and energy metabolism after drug intervention in the rats with normal and cold/heat syndrome, so as to improve the method of evaluating the drug properties of Chinese medicine. After one week of adaptive feeding, healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three parts: normal rats, heat syndrome rat models, and cold syndrome rat models. Through ice water bath and oral euthyrox(120 μg·kg~(-1)), the models of cold syndrome and heat syndrome were induced, respectively. The models were made at 9:00 am. and administrated by gavage at 3:00 pm. every day. All administration groups were administrated with Arisaematis Rhizoma and Arisaema Cum Bile decoction, respectively, and the blank group was given the same dose of normal saline. After continuous administration for 15 d, the rats were anesthetized by chloral hydrate, blood was taken from abdominal aorta, and the hearts and livers were removed and stored at-80 ℃. The changes in the body weight and anal temperature of rats during administration were detected, and the liver coefficient of rats was detected after removing the liver. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was adopted to detect the expression level of the indexes related to substance and energy metabolism in liver and heart of rat, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of key proteins in AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway for further verification. The results showed that Arisaematis Rhizoma enhanced the expression level of enzymes related to substance and energy metabolism in the normal and cold and heat syndrome rat models, and increased anal temperature, which exhibited warm(hot) drug property. Arisaema Cum Bile inhibited the level of substance and energy metabolism in rats, and reduced anal temperature, which showed cold(cool) drug property. Chinese Pharmacopoeia has recorded "Arisaematis Rhizoma has warm property and Arisaema Cum Bile has cool property", which is consistent with the phenomenon in this study. Therefore, it is feasible to evaluate the drug properties of Chinese medicine based on the substance and energy metabolism of normal and cold/heat syndrome model rats, which completes the method of evaluating drug properties of Chinese medicine.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; Animals ; Arisaema/chemistry* ; Bile ; Chloral Hydrate ; Cold-Shock Response/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Energy Metabolism ; Heat Stroke/therapy* ; Hot Temperature ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saline Solution ; Syndrome ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Thyroxine ; Water

BACKGROUND: Prenatal stress can cause neurobiological and behavioral defects in offspring; environmental factors play a crucial role in regulating the development of brain and behavioral; this study was designed to test and verify whether an enriched environment can repair learning and memory impairment in offspring rats induced by prenatal stress and to explore its mechanism involving the expression of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) and activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) in the hippocampus of the offspring. METHODS: Rats were selected to establish a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model during pregnancy. Offspring were weaned on 21st day and housed under either standard or an enriched environment. The learning and memory ability were tested using Morris water maze and Y-maze. The expression of IGF-2 and Arc mRNA and protein were respectively measured by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: There was an elevation in the plasma corticosterone level of rat model of maternal chronic stress during pregnancy. Maternal stress's offspring exposed to an enriched environment could decrease their plasma corticosterone level and improve their weight. The offspring of maternal stress during pregnancy exhibited abnormalities in Morris water maze and Y-maze, which were improved in an enriched environment. The expression of IGF-2, Arc mRNA, and protein in offspring of maternal stress during pregnancy was boosted and some relationships existed between these parameters after being exposed enriched environment. CONCLUSIONS The learning and memory impairment in offspring of prenatal stress can be rectified by the enriched environment, the mechanism of which is related to the decreasing plasma corticosterone and increasing hippocampal IGF-2 and Arc of offspring rats following maternal chronic stress during pregnancy.
Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/metabolism* ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/metabolism* ; Learning ; Learning Disabilities/psychology* ; Male ; Memory Disorders/psychology* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/psychology* ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Social Environment ; Stress, Psychological/genetics*

Allbladder cancer is highly malignant and has few effective therapeutic drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has attracted the attention from researchers because of its multi-target, multi-link, multi-channel and less toxic side effect. In recent years, the basic studies of gallbladder cancer have made certain achievements in active components of TCM. Relevant experimental studies have extended to the lever of cells, molecules and genes. The main mechanism of experimental research include inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing tumor cell apoptosis, inhibiting cell metastasis, inhibiting cell migration, influencing signal transduction pathway, enhancing sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs, and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. The existing experimental studies have showed that active components of TCM have certain curative effect on gallbladder cancer, but with many problems. For example, although the extract of active components of TCM shows an anti-tumor activity, the specific composition and chemical molecular structure are still unclear. Most studies focus on the level of in vitro cell experiments, but only a few in vivo experimental studies have been carried out in animals. Therefore, more in-depth studies need to be carried out in the future. Currently, most of the mechanisms of anti-gallbladder cancer of active components of TCM are classical signaling pathways. The next step is to find new signaling pathways and new targets. In addition, under the guidance of TCM theory, the future studies of TCM compound can bring advantages of TCM against tumor into full play. The experimental study on the mechanism of action of active components of TCM in the treatment of gallbladder cancer is summarized as follows, which is helpful for researchers to understand the current experimental studies on active components of TCM in gallbladder cancer, in order to conduct more in-depth studies. Basic experimental studies on gallbladder cancer can provide theoretical basis for clinical treatment.

Objective To analyze the genetic phenotypes of Y-chromosome STR and SNP in Han male population of Wujiang area, Suzhou City and explore the genetic structure of population of Wujiang area for further examination of regional-specific Y-SNP genetic markers ancestor haplogroups. Methods Blood samples of 472 Wujiang area Han males were randomly collected and genotyped by Yfiler^TM Plus PCR Amplification Kit. The allele frequencies and haplotype frequencies of each locus were obtained using the direct calculation method. Y-SNP haplogroups of each sample were estimated using Y-Predictor software and verified through experiments by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction （ARMS-PCR）. Results A total of 453 haplotypes were found in the 27 Y-STR genetic markers in 472 Han males of Wujiang area. The haplotype diversity （HD） was 0.997 696 93, among which, the highest gene diversity （GD） value was DYF387S1a/b （GD=0.953 1） and the lowest was DYS438 （GD=0.321 8）. Based on genotyping data of 27 Y-STRs and 472 samples, 132 haplogroups from C, D, N, O and Q, etc downstream Y-SNP haplogroups were estimated and then verified through experiments. Conclusion This study is based on Y-chromosome STR haplotypes, and predicts Y-SNP haplogroups by Y-Predictor software, then uses ARMS-PCR to verify. Y-SNP genetic markers were introduced to achieve precise analysis of the genetic structure of male families in population of three towns in Wujiang area.
China ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; Cities ; Gene Frequency ; Genetics, Population ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) with donated sperm from the sperm bank and the differences in the pregnancy outcomes of different means of promoting pregnancy.

METHODSWe analyzed and compared the feedback data on promoting pregnancy with donated sperm from the sperm bank by artificial insemination by donor (AID), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasm sperm injection (ICSI).

RESULTSTotally, 13 723 tubes of sperm specimens were used for ART. The number of specimens used differed in different clinical reproductive centers, some using 1 tube and others using 2 tubes per cycle. The 13 723 tubes were used for a total of 7 743 cycles. Among the 7 123 cycles of AID, there were 1 415 clinical pregnancies (19.87%), 1 221 normal births (86.29%), 169 abortions (11.94%), 6 cases of birth defects (0.43%), 19 ectopic pregnancies (1.34%), and 0 sexually transmitted infection. Among the 571 cycles of IVF, there were 367 clinical pregnancies (64.27%), 330 normal births (89.92%), 35 abortions (9.54%), 0 birth defect, 2 ectopic pregnancies (0.54%), and 0 sexually transmitted infection. Among the 49 cycles of ICSI, there were 28 clinical pregnancies (57.14%), 25 normal births (89.29%), 3 abortions (10.71%), 0 birth defect, 0 ectopic pregnancy, and 0 sexually transmitted infection. There were statistically significant differences in the rate of clinical pregnancy among AID, IVF and ICSI (P < 0.05), but not between IVF and ICSI (P > 0.05), nor were there any significant differences in the rates of abortion, birth defects and ectopic pregnancy among AID, IVF and ICSI (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNone of the recipients of the donated sperm from the sperm bank was infected with sexually transmitted diseases. AID, IVF and ICSI showed no significant differences from natural conception in the rates of abortion, birth defects and ectopic pregnancy. ART with donated sperm from the sperm bank is safe. IVF and ICSI are associated with a higher rate of pregnancy than AID, though the latter costs less than the former two.

Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Sperm Banks ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Spermatozoa

OBJECTIVEPituitary prolactinoma with severe erectile dysfunction (ED) as the initial symptom is often misdiagnosed. This article explores the diagnosis and treatment of severe ED caused by pituitary prolactinoma.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the diagnosis and treatment of 4 cases of pituitary prolactinoma with severe ED (IIEF-5 score 5 - 7) as the initial clinical symptom confirmed by MRI.

RESULTSThe 4 cases of pituitary prolactinoma-induced severe ED, with serum prolactin 10 times above the maximum normal level, were misdiagnosed for 2 years. All failed to respond to the PDE5 inhibitor therapy, and then 3 of them underwent transnasal hypophysectomy. Twenty-four months of follow-up found the level of prolactin restored to normal in 1 case (IIEF-5 = 19), and reduced to 600 and 768 IU/L respectively (IIEF-5 = 15) in the other 2. Then administration of the PDE5 inhibitor was followed, which produced satisfactory efficacy. One case was treated with oral bromocriptine, which restored the prolactin level to normal at 12 months (IIEF-5 > 21).

CONCLUSIONProlactin detection and brain MRI can help to confirm pituitary prolactinoma with severe ED at the onset. As for its treatment, in case of an extremely high level of prolactin, simple administration of the PDE5 inhibitor is ineffective. When the prolactin level is reduced after surgery or medication, the symptom of ED can be improved and, in case of no obvious relief, administration of the PDE5 inhibitor can be followed, which may achieve satisfactory results.

Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Prolactinoma ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Adult ; Coronary Aneurysm ; complications ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; complications ; Fistula ; complications ; Humans ; Male

Objective To analyze the efficacy of plasma adjuvant therapy on coagulation disorders in patients with traumatic brain injury and its relation with the prognosis.Methods Prospective study was performed on patients with traumatic brain injury and coagulation disorders,admitted to our hospitals from January 2010 to June 2012; these patients were divided into conventional treatment group and plasma adjuvant therapy group.Cranial CT was performed and blood coagulation function was checked at admission,and then,coagulation function was re-checked again 3 days after therapy and cranial CT within 3 days.The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was marked 21 days after treatment.The improvement of coagulation disorders,secondary bleeding and prognosis were compared between the two groups.Results As compared with those in the conventional treatment group,the prothrombin time,partial thromboplastin time,secondary hemorrhage rate in the plasma adjuvant therapy group were significantly reduced (P＜0.05).The differences of D-dimer content and GOS scores between the two groups were not statistically significant (P＞0.05).Conclusion Plasma adjuvant therapy effectively improves the coagulation function,reduces the incidence of intracranial secondary bleeding,but can not obviously improve the prognosis of patients with traumatic brain injury.