This study aimed to elucidate the effect and underlying mechanism of Bovis Calculus in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC) through network pharmacological prediction and animal experimental verification. Databases such as BATMAN-TCM were used to mine the potential targets of Bovis Calculus against UC, and the pathway enrichment analysis was conducted. Seventy healthy C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a solvent model(2% polysorbate 80) group, a salazosulfapyridine(SASP, 0.40 g·kg~(-1)) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose Bovis Calculus Sativus(BCS, 0.20, 0.10, and 0.05 g·kg~(-1)) groups according to the body weight. The UC model was established in mice by drinking 3% dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) solution for 7 days. The mice in the groups with drug intervention received corresponding drugs for 3 days before modeling by gavage, and continued to take drugs for 7 days while modeling(continuous administration for 10 days). During the experiment, the body weight of mice was observed, and the disease activity index(DAI) score was recorded. After 7 days of modeling, the colon length was mea-sured, and the pathological changes in colon tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and interleukin-17(IL-17) in colon tissues of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The mRNA expression of IL-17, IL-17RA, Act1, TRAF2, TRAF5, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL10 was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The protein expression of IL-17, IL-17RA, Act1, p-p38 MAPK, and p-ERK1/2 was investigated by Western blot. The results of network pharmacological prediction showed that Bovis Calculus might play a therapeutic role through the IL-17 signaling pathway and the TNF signaling pathway. As revealed by the results of animal experiments, on the 10th day of drug administration, compared with the solvent model group, all the BCS groups showed significantly increased body weight, decreased DAI score, increased colon length, improved pathological damage of colon mucosa, and significantly inhibited expression of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β, and IL-17 in colon tissues. The high-dose BCS(0.20 g·kg~(-1)) could significantly reduce the mRNA expression levels of IL-17, Act1, TRAF2, TRAF5, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL1, and CXCL2 in colon tissues of UC model mice, tend to down-regulate mRNA expression levels of IL-17RA and CXCL10, significantly inhibit the protein expression of IL-17RA,Act1,and p-ERK1/2, and tend to decrease the protein expression of IL-17 and p-p38 MAPK. This study, for the first time from the whole-organ-tissue-molecular level, reveals that BCS may reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by inhibiting the IL-17/IL-17RA/Act1 signaling pathway, thereby improving the inflammatory injury of colon tissues in DSS-induced UC mice and exerting the effect of clearing heat and removing toxins.
Mice ; Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Interleukin-17/pharmacology* ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2/pharmacology* ; TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 5/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction ; Colon ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Dextran Sulfate/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal

Objective:To compare the detection success rates (DSRs) of different kinds of near-infrared spectrum non-invasive hemoglobin monitors in high-altitude environments.Methods:One hundred and forty-four healthy volunteers of either sex, aged 18-50 yr, were assigned to one of 3 groups using a random number table method: simulated high-altitude 3 500 meter group ( n=35), 4 000 meter group ( n=55) and 4 500 meter group ( n=54). Hemoglobin was detected by Radical-7, NW-9002SHM, A5 and TensorTip MTX type hemoglobin monitors in plain environment and simulated environment at different altitudes, and the DSRs were compared.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors affecting the success rate of instrument detection, and the cut-off value was determined by ROC curve and the Youden index. Results:In the simulated high-altitude environment of 3500, 4000 and 4500 m, the DSR of TensorTip MTX was significantly higher than that of Radical-7, NW-9002SHM and A5 ( P<0.001), and there was no significant difference in the DSR among Radical-7, NW-9002SHM and A5 ( P>0.05). Low SpO 2 was the main factor affecting the DSRs of the Radical-7, NW-9002SHM and A5 type hemoglobin monitor in high-altitude environment ( P<0.001), and the cut-off value of SpO 2 in determining the success of detection was 88.5%, 87.5% and 89.5%, respectively.The DSR of TensorTip MTX was not affected by low SpO 2. Conclusions:The DSR of TensorTip MTX hemoglobin monitor is minimally affected by the high-altitude environment and can be preferred in the absence of oxygen supply; when Radical-7, NW-9002SHM or A5 hemoglobin monitor applied in high-altitude environments, oxygen saturation needs to be increased to ensure a high DSR.

Berberine is the main extract of Coptis chinensis, and its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects have been confirmed by modern studies. Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic, idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease with unknown etiology. Its causes involve genetics, intestinal microecology and mucosal immune system disorders. In this paper, literatures on relevant pathways and mechanism of berberine on ulcerative colitis in recent years were consulted and summarized to provide me-thods and ideas for developing berberine in the treatment of UC and exploring the mechanisms. The results showed that berberine protects the intestinal mucosal barrier, restores the body's normal immune response, and improves oxidative stress by regulating multiple signaling pathways, such as JAK-STAT, NK-κB, PI3 K-AKT, MAPK, Nrf2, ERS, and MLCK-MLC, so as to treat UC.
Berberine/pharmacology* ; Colitis ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Signal Transduction

This article aims to compare the qualities of Armeniacae Semen Amarum before and after rancidness, in order to study the rancidness of Armeniacae Semen Amarum. In the experiment, content of fatty oil, acid value and peroxide value were determined before and after rancidness,respectively. Meanwhile, HPLC, GC-MS were utilized to analyze laetrile and fatty acid components. Besides, colorimeter and e-nose were introduced to quantify and compare "color and odor". A correlation analysis was conducted on the above results. The results showed that color of post-rancidness Armeniacae Semen Amarum changed from yellow to brown, with sour and lower content of laetrile. On the contrary, acid and peroxide values increased significantly, with changes in fatty acid component. There was a considerable correlation between appearance characteristics and changes in internal quality. The "sensory analysis-quality identification system" can provide a certain scientific basis for prediction of the content of chemical components in traditional Chinese medicine, preliminary judgment of quality of traditional Chinese medicine and real-time quality monitoring, which offers us novel ideas and reference for storage principles of traditional Chinese medicines of "pre-event prediction, during-event intervention and post-event identification".

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical effect and safety of floating needle therapy and duloxetine in treating patients with persistent somatoform pain disorder (PSPD).

METHODSTotally 108 PSPD patients were randomly assigned to the floating needle treatment group, the duloxetine treatment group, and the placebo treatment group, 36 in each group. Patients in the floating needle treatment group received floating needle therapy and placebo. Those in the duloxetine treatment group received duloxetine and simulated floating needle therapy. Those in the placebo treatment group received the placebo and simulated floating needle therapy. All treatment lasted for six weeks. Efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated using Simple McGill pain scale (SF-MPQ) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) before treatment and immediately after treatment, as well as at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment, respectively. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD, 17 items), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were assessed before treatment and at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment, respectively. Patients in the floating needle treatment group and the duloxetine treatment group with the total reducing score rate of SF-MPQ in Pain Rating index (PRI) ≥ 50% after 6 weeks' treatment were involved in the follow-up study.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the same group before treatment, SF-MPQ score, HAMD score and HAMA total scores all decreased in all the three groups at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Besides , each item of SF-MPQ significantly decreased immediately after treatment in the floating needle treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the placebo treatment group, SF-MPQ, HAMD, and HAMA total score in the floating needle treatment group significantly decreased after 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). SF-MPQ score, HAMD score and HAMA total score in the duloxetine treatment group also significantly decreased after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) There were 3 patients (8.3%) who had adverse reactions in the floating needle treatment group, 17 (50.0%) in the duloxetine treatment group, and 7 (21.2%) in the placebo treatment group. Compared with the placebo treatment group, the incidence of adverse reaction increased in the duloxetine treatment group (χ² = 6.04, P < 0.05). Besides, it was higher in the duloxetine treatment group than in the floating needle treatment group (χ² = 14.9, P < 0.05). (3) There were 19 patients in the floating needle treatment group and 17 patients in the duloxetine treatment group involved in the follow-up study. Compared with 6 weeks after treatment, no significant difference was observed at 3 and 6 months after treatment in the score of SF-MPQ, HAMD, and HAMA in the floating needle treatment group and the duloxetine treatment group. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were 5 patients (29.4%) who had adverse reactions in the duloxetine treatment group, and no adverse reactions were observed in the floating needle treatment group. The adverse reaction rate was significantly different between the two groups (χ² = 4.26, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFloating needle therapy and duloxetine were effective in treatment of patients with PSPD. However, floating needle therapy could relieve pain more rapidly than duloxetine, with obviously less adverse reactions.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Anxiety Disorders ; Duloxetine Hydrochloride ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Needles ; Pain ; Pain Management ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Somatoform Disorders ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo create a convenient method to establish an alcoholic liver fibrosis model in mice and use it to explore the putative pathogenic mechanisms involving the immunomodulatory proteins osteopontin (OPN) and transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-beta1).

METHODSForty C57BLI6J mice were fed the Lieber-DeCarli 4% ethanol-containing liquid diet for four weeks, followed by an additional four weeks of the 4% ethanol diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CC14 5% solution in olive oil; 2ml/ kg body weight, 2 times/week) to induce alcoholic liver fibrosis. Control groups (n = 6 each) included: normal diet; normal diet plus CCl4 injections; ethanol diet alone; ethanol diet plus solvent (olive oil) injections. Model establishment was monitored by sacrificing six mice at model inception (week 0), and weeks 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of modeling to collect liver tissues and blood for histological and biochemical analyses. Extent of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining. Liver function markers, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, were tested by automated enzymatic assays. Alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein expression of OPN and TGF-beta1 was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Significance of differences between multiple groups was assessed by one-way ANOVA analysis followed by least significant difference t-test or Kruskal-Wallis H test followed by the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTSCompared to the control groups, the group of mice administrated ethanol and CCl4 developed mild to moderate hepatic steatosis at week 4 of modeling, progressive necroinflammation and perisinusoidal and portal fibrosis from weeks 5-8, and irregular necrosis and bridging fibrosis at week 8. In addition, the model group showed progressive up-regulation of a-SMA expression in the activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and fibrotic areas from weeks 5-8. Both hepatic OPN and TGF-beta1 showed significantly increasing trends in mRNA and protein expressions from weeks 5-8 (OPN mRNA: 1.83 +/- 0.25, 2.94 +/- 0.19, 3.45 +/- 0.31, and 5.99 +/- 0.17 (F= 476.27, P < 0.001); OPN protein: 0.52 +/- 0.06, 1.02 +/- 0.10, 1.52 +/- 0.11 and 1.50 +/- 0.08 (F= 298.03, P< 0.001); TGF-beta1 mRNA: 13.19 +/- 0.40, 3.31 +/- 0.28, 1.58 +/- 0.18 and 2.08 +/- 0.26 (F= 85.55, P < 0.001); TGF-P31 protein: 1.26 +/- 0.16, 0.96 +/- 0.12, 1.09 +/- 0.25 and 1.10 +/- 0.20 (F = 43.64, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONFeeding C57BL/6J mice the Lieber-DeCarli ethanol-containing liquid diet combined with CCl4 intraperitoneal injection is a convenient method to establish a model of alcoholic liver fibrosis within a relatively short amount of time (eight weeks). Progression of alcoholic liver fibrosis is accompanied by increased hepatic expression of OPN and TGF-beta1, which may contribute to the pathogenic mechanism of this disease and may be targets of future molecular therapies.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Osteopontin ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the role and mechanism of the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system and its downstream signaling pathway related to the progression of alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis.

METHODSEighteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups: controls; alcoholic steatohepatitis model, given four-weeks of a 4% ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet; alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis model, given the four-week alcohol diet followed by twice weekly intraperitoneal injections of carbon tetrachloride (5% olive oil solution; 2 mL/kg dose) during the fifth to eighth weeks. Mice in the model groups were sacrificed at the end of week 4 and 8, respectively, along with control mice for comparative analyses. Liver tissue sections were evaluated for hepatocellular apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The mRNA expression of Fas, FasL, cysteine aspartate-specific proteases 3 (caspase 3), and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1) in liver tissues was detected by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, visualized by ethidium bromide staining, and normalized to the gray-value of GAPDH expression. The protein expression of Fas and caspase 3 were detected by western blotting (b-actin normalized), and of FasL and CYP 2E1 by immunohistochemistry staining. Intergroup differences and statistical significance were evaluated by single factor analysis of variance and the least squares difference-t test or the Kruskal-Wallis H test and the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTSThe number of apoptotic cells in the liver sections was significantly higher in both model groups with alcoholic steatohepatitis (vs. controls) and the amount in the alcoholic steatohepatitis plus liver fibrosis model was significantly higher than that in the model with only alcoholic steatohepatitis. In addition, activation of Fas, FasL and its downstream signaling pathway showed an increasing trend with extent of liver injury. The hepatic mRNA (by RT-PCR) and protein (by western blotting) normalized expression levels in the controls, alcoholic steatohepatitis models, and alcoholic steatohepatitis plus liver fibrosis models were, respectively: Fas mRNA: 0.50+/-0.05, 0.61+/-0.10, 0.76+/-0.03 (H=12.137, P less than 0.05), protein: 0.52+/-0.14, 0.86+/-0.10, 0.99+/-0.09 (F=12.758, P less than 0.01); FasL mRNA: 0.31+/-0.03, 0.53+/-0.02, 1.02+/-0.04 (F=153.260, P less than 0.01); caspase 3 mRNA: 0.86+/-0.11, 0.85+/-0.05, 1.33+/-0.16 (F=8.740, P less than 0.01), protein: 0.40+/-0.03, 0.69+/-0.06, 1.02+/-0.10 (F=90.785, P less than 0.01); CYP 2E1 mRNA: 0.72+/-0.14, 1.00+/-0.15, 1.30+/-0.20 (H=4.713, P less than 0.01). The changes in hepatic FasL and CYP 2E1 expression detected by immunohistochemistry were consistent with the mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONActivation of Fas/FasL and its downstream signaling pathway, which induces hepatocellular apoptosis, contributes to the development of alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; metabolism ; Fas Ligand Protein ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver, Alcoholic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of anhydroicaritin phytosomes (AIP) in preventing and treating bone loss and enhancing bone quality in ovariectomized osteoporosis rats.

METHODSeventy-two SD female rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: the sham group, the model group, the estrogen group and AIP groups (low, middle, high). The sham group was only sham operated, and the remaining five groups were ovariectomized. One week after the ovariectomy, the rats were given 17 beta-estrogen and AIP (15, 30, 60 mg x kg(-1)) for consecutively three months, during which period their serum calcium (s-Ca), serum phosphorus(s-P), alkaline phosphate (ALP), urine calcium (u-Ca), urine phosphorus(u-P), urinary deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr) and creatinine (Cr) were detected. Subsequently, rats were sacrificed, and their thighbone, second lumbar vertebrate and forth lumbar vertebrate were collected to detect bone mineral density (BMD), bone calcium (b-Ca) and phosphorus (b-P), biomechanical properties and bone histomorphometric parameters.

RESULTCompared with the sham group, the model group showed a significant increase in serum ALP, u-Ca and D-Pyr /Cr, and reduction in BMD of femur, b-Ca and b-P, biomechanical properties (elastic load, maximum load, break load, stiffness), static parameters (total tissue area, trabecular area, trabecular perimeter) and dynamic parameters (% L Pm, BFR/BV and BFR/ TV), with metratrophia. Compared with the model group, ALP high and middle-dose groups and the estrogen group showed a decrease in serum ALP, u-Ca and D-Pyr/Cr, and growth in BMD of femur, b-Ca and b-P, biomechanical properties of the forth lumbar vertebrae (elastic load, maximum load, break load, stiffness), static parameters (total tissue area, trabecular area, trabecular perimeter) and dynamic parameters (% L Pm, BFR/BV and BFR/TV). The beta-estrogen group showed endometrial hyperplasia, whereas AIP groups showed no hyperplastic change.

CONCLUSIONAIP could inhibit enhanced bone turnover induced by ovariectomy, improve BMD the biomechanical properties of vertebrae, without any stimulation on uterus.

Animals ; Benzopyrans ; therapeutic use ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcium ; blood ; Female ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Ovariectomy ; Phospholipids ; therapeutic use ; Phosphorus ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the different features of hyperplasia in castrated and uncastrated mice after testosterone (T) treatment.

METHODSForty-eight BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 in each: castrated (A), uncastrated (B) , castrated + low T (C), uncastrated + low T (D), castrated + high T (E), uncastrated + high T (F). Groups C and D were treated with testosterone solution at the dose of 12.5 mg/(kg d) and Groups E and F at 125 mg/(kg d) for 20 consecutive days, while Groups A and B received saline only. All the mice were sacrificed on the 21st day, their ventral and dorsal prostate glands weighed and their pathological features studied.

RESULTSAtrophic prostates were observed in Group A, but normal in Group B; prostatic hyperplasia was found in both Group C and D, but more obvious in the latter (P <0.05); and a slightly higher degree of hyperplasia was noted in Groups E and F than in C and D. There was an increase in serum T and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration and a decrease in serum estrogen (E2) concentration in the testosterone treated groups.

CONCLUSIONBoth castrated and uncastrated mice develop prostate hyperplasia after short-term testosterone treatment, although in different degrees and with different features, which may help further the studies on the association of castration and androgen with prostate diseases.

Animals ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Testosterone ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between HBeAg expression and HBV-DNA in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

METHODS208 patients with chronic hepatitis B were included in this present study. HBV-DNA in the PBMCs were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with the serum HBV-DNA level being determined by the way of fluoresces quantities PCR (FQ-PCR). Meanwhile, HBV-GM was also detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThere were 106 patients for positivity in the HBV-DNA level of PBMCs with 102 for negativity, in which the HBV-DNA high levels (HBV DNA load > or = 1.0E5) in serum were 91.5%, 45.1% (chi2=52.12, P>0.01) respectively, with 76.4% and 50.9% (chi2=21.55, P>0.01) for the positive percentage of HBeAg expression.

CONCLUSIONA significantly positive correlation was found between HBV-DNA in PBMCs and serum HBV-DNA along with the positive percentage of HBeAg, indicating that obvious PBMCs' increase infected by HBV in patients with positivity of HBeAg and high level of serum HBV-DNA.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; virology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Young Adult