ObjectiveTo observe and compare the electrocardiogram index， myocardial morphology， and connexin 43 （Cx43） expression of two rat models of acute cerebral infarction （ACI） due to stasis combined with toxin complicated with cerebral-cardiac syndrome （CCS）， and to provide experimental evidence for the research on the occurrence mechanism of cardiac diseases induced by ACI and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CCS. MethodSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into six groups （n=10）： normal ， syndrome of stasis combined with toxin induced by carrageenin combined with dry yeast （CA/Y）， multi-infarct induced by micro-embolism （ME）， middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）， CA/Y+ME， and CA/Y+MCAO groups. The model of syndrome of stasis combined with toxin was established by intraperitoneal injection with carrageenan （CA） at 10 mg·kg^-1 on the first day and subcutaneous injection with dry yeast （Y） suspension （2 mg·kg^-1） on the second day of modeling. Twenty-four hours after the modeling of ACI， the electrocardiograms （ECGs） of rats in each group were collected and the number/percentage （%） of abnormal ECG was calculated. The infarct area of the brain was evaluated by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining， and myocardial injury was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immumohistochemical staining and Western blot were employed to determine the expression of Cx43 in the myocardium. ResultA certain number of rats in each model group presented abnormal ECG. Compared with the normal group and CA/Y group， CA/Y+MCAO group had the highest rate of abnormal ECG （P<0.01）. Compared with the normal， CA/Y， ME， and CA/Y+ME groups， the CA/Y+ME and CA/Y+MCAO groups showed decreased amplitudes of P-wave and T-wave， shortened P-R interval， and extended Q-T interval， which were particularly obvious in the CA/Y+MCAO group （P<0.05， P<0.01） and in accordance with the cerebral infarction area and pathological changes. The expression of Cx43 was up-regulated in both CA/Y+ME and CA/Y+MCAO groups， especially in the CA/Y+MCAO group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe two rat models of ACI due to stasis combined with toxin complicated with CCS can be used to study the mechanism of heart diseases caused by cerebrovascular diseases and the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicines with the functions of resolving stasis and detoxifying. Moreover， the CA/Y+MCAO method has higher abnormal electrocardiogram rate， severer myocardial pathological injury， and higher expression of Cx43 protein. The models can be chosen according to specific experimental purpose.

Objective To investigate the correlation between brain injury and spleen damage in a rat model of acute ischemic stroke and stasis interaction,and its effect on the MCP-1/CCR2 axis,and to provide an experimental basis for the mechanism of brain-spleen inflammatory coupling in spleen lesions caused by acute ischemic stroke.Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group,carrageenan/yeast stasis syndrome group(carrageenan/yeast,CA/Y),middle cerebral artery occlusion group(MCAO),and middle cerebral artery stasis syndrome group(MCAO CA/Y)with 10 rats in each group.CA/Y and MCAO CA/Y groups were injected with 10 mg/kg carrageenan and 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally on the first day of modeling.2 mg/kg of dry yeast suspension were injected subcutaneously on the second day.MCAO and MCAO CA/Y groups were established by wire embolism on the second day.At 24 h after cerebral infarction modeling,the neurological deficit score was calculated in each group,the percentage of the cerebral infarction area was determined by TTC staining,the spleen weight was measured,and the correlation between the percentage of the cerebral infarction area and spleen weight was analyzed by the Spearman correlation coefficient.Furthermore,the pathological morphology of brain and spleen tissues was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,and chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)contents were measured in rat plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Western blot was used to detect chemokine C-C-motif receptor 2(CCR2)protein expression in the ischemic side of brain tissue.Results Compared with the sham group,the neurological deficit score,cerebral infarction area,and MCP-1 and IFN-γ contents in plasma were significantly increased(P＜0.01),spleen weight was decreased significantly(P＜0.01),and CCR2 protein expression in brain tissue was significantly upregulated(P＜0.05)in MCAO and MCAO CA/Y groups.Moreover,the area of cerebral infarction was increased significantly(P＜0.01),the spleen weight was decreased significantly(P＜0.01),and CCR2 protein expression in brain and spleen tissues was significantly upregulated(P＜0.05)Compared with the MCAO group,the area of cerebral infarction in the MCAO CA/Y group was significantly increased(P＜0.01)and the spleen weight was decreased significantly(P＜0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the spleen weight was negatively correlated to the percentage of the cerebral infarction area(P＜0.01,r=-0.9711).Pathological morphology observation revealed that the pathological changes in the MCAO CA/Y group were the most serious,cerebral liquefaction necrosis foci were seen in the brain tissue cortex,arrangement of neuronal cells in the lesions was sparse and disordered with volume atrophy and a small number of vacuoles and nuclear solidification,most neuronal cells were degenerated and necrotic,microglia hyperplasia was obvious,small blood vessels were significantly increased,and interstitial lipid degeneration was severe.The density of periarterial lymph sheath cells in some of the spleen tissue was reduced and the marginal area is widened.Conclusions A correlation between brain and spleen injury was found after acute ischemic stroke with stasis and toxin syndrome,and the chemokine signaling axis of MCP-1/CCR2 might be involved in the mechanism of brain-spleen inflammation coupling.

ObjectiveTo screen and establish animal models of combined stasis and toxin syndrome based on the comparison of three modeling methods， i.e.， carrageenan （Ca）， Ca combined with dried yeast （Ca+Yeast）， and Ca combined with lipopolysaccharide （Ca+LPS）. MethodForty SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， Ca group， Ca+Yeast group， and Ca+LPS group， with 10 rats in each group. The Ca group， Ca+Yeast group， and Ca+LPS group received an intraperitoneal injection of Ca （10 mg·kg^-1） on the first day. The Ca+LPS group received an intraperitoneal injection of LPS （50 μg·kg^-1） on the second day， and the Ca+Yeast group received a subcutaneous injection of dry yeast suspension （2 mg·kg^-1） on the back on the second day. The rectal temperature of each group was dynamically observed after modeling. After 24 hours of modeling， the macroscopic evaluation indexes， including tongue manifestation， pulse， and black tail length in each group were observed. The PeriCam PSI imaging system was used to detect the blood flow perfusion of the rat tail. The automatic hemorheology analyzer was used to measure the whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity of each group. The PL platelet function analyzer was used to detect the platelet aggregation rate of the rats. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the interleukin-6 （IL-6） level in the rat plasma. The myocardial tissue， brain tissue， and lung tissue of each group of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. ResultCompared with the normal group， all three model groups showed varying degrees of black tail （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced blood flow perfusion at the tail end （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased R， G， and B values of tongue manifestation （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and increased maximum platelet aggregation rate （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The pulse amplitudes of the Ca+Yeast group and the Ca+LPS group were lower than that of the normal group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the average rectal temperature of the Ca+Yeast group increased after 24 hours of modeling （P<0.01）， and the low-， medium-， and high-shear whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity increased （P<0.05， P<0.01） as compared with those in the normal group. Additionally， the expression level of the plasma inflammatory factor IL-6 was significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. Pathological morphology results showed that the Ca+Yeast group had the most severe pathological changes， with small foci of myocardial fiber dissolution， inflammatory cell infiltration， and fibroblast proliferation observed. In the hippocampal area， the neurons were sparse and had undergone red degeneration. In the small focus of the lung interstitium， lymphocytes and neutrophils were infiltrated. ConclusionThe animal model of combined stasis and toxin syndrome was properly established using Ca+Yeast. The systematic evaluation system of the model， which includes traditional Chinese medicine four diagnostic information， western medicine microscopic indicators， and tissue pathological morphology， is worthy of consideration and reference by researchers.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of Yinxing Mihuan oral solution （YM） on neovascularization and vascular remodeling in chemical photothrombosis-induced focal cerebral ischemia model in mice. MethodFifty SPF C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham group， model group， ginaton group （12.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low- （YM-L， 412 mg·kg^-1） and high-dose （YM-H， 824 mg·kg^-1） YM groups， with 10 mice in each group. The focal cerebral ischemia model was established by chemical photothrombosis method. Drugs in each group were administered by gavage for 14 consecutive days after operation. The modified neurological severity score （mNSS） and measurement of forelimb grasping were used to evaluate the neurologic impairment of mice. The vascular density of infarct border-zone （IBZ） was measured by fluorescein labelled dextran （FITC-dextran） method. The morphology of IBZ was evaluated and observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The expression of proteins related to neovascularization and vascular remodeling in brain tissues， including vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 （CD31）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）， von Willebrand factor （vWF）， and angiogenin （ANG）， was detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the sham group， the model group showed manifest neurological deficits （P<0.01）， weakened forelimb grasping （P<0.01）， increased vascular density of IBZ （P<0.01）， and obvious pathological changes， such as neuronal necrosis and gliocyte proliferation. After treatment for 14 days， compared with the model group， the YM-H group showed improved neurological deficits （P<0.01）， and the YM-L group and the YM-H group showed strengthened forelimb grasping （P<0.01）. Moreover， the YM-L group displayed increased vascular density of IBZ （P<0.05）， reduced pathological damage， and up-regulated protein expression of CD31， ANG， HIF-1α， and vWF （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionYM could improve motor function and pathological morphological impairment in chemical photothrombosis-induced focal cerebral ischemia mouse model， and the underlying mechanism might be related to the promotion of neovascularization and vascular remodeling in IBZ.

Objective:To observe the effect of Lingshao-Zaoren Decoction on urodynamics and the expression of Piezo1 if overactive bladder (OAB) rats. Methods:Thirty SPF grade female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Tolterodine control group, low-dose and high-dose Lingshao-Zaoren Decoction groups, with 6 rats in each group. The OAB rats were modeled by intraperitoneal injection of Cyclophosphamide. After the successful modeling, Tolterodine control group was given 0.36 mg/kg Tolterodine tartrate, the low-dose and high-dose Lingshao-Zaoren Decoction groups were given 1.59 and 3.18 g/kg Lingshao-Zaoren Mianjian granules by gavage, the blank group and model group were given the same amount of distilled water, once a day for 14 days. After 14 days, the urodynamics of rats in each group were detected. The bladder volume and maximum bladder pressure were observed respectively. The pathological changes of bladder tissue were observed by HE staining. The expression of Piezo1 protein in bladder tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The expression of Piezo1 mRNA in bladder tissue was detected by qPCR. Results:Compared with the blank group, the body weight, bladder volume and maximum bladder pressure of the model group were significantly reduced ( P<0.01). HE staining result showed that the model group had hyperplasia of urinary tract epithelium, degeneration, necrosis and abscission of epithelial cells, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in stroma, vascular proliferation, thickening of vascular wall, hyperplasia of mucosal smooth muscle, disorder of arrangement, and significant up regulation of Piezo1 protein expression ( P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the weight [(244.83 ± 6.05) g, (233.33 ± 11.76) g vs. (219.00 ± 9.70) g] of rats in the Tolterodine control group and high-dose group of Lingshao-Zaoren Decoction significantly increased ( P<0.01), and the bladder volume [(0.93 ± 0.31) ml, (1.17 ± 0.17) ml, (1.21 ± 0.23) ml vs. (0.50 ± 0.16) ml] and maximum bladder pressure [(42.00 ± 3.03) cmH 2O, (45.83 ± 7.19) cmH 2O, (46.83 ± 8.23) cmH 2O vs. (30.50 ± 5.47) cmH 2O] of rats in the Tolterodine control group, low-dose and high-dose Lingshao-Zaoren Decoction groups were significantly increased ( P<0.01); the bladder epithelial hyperplasia and degeneration degree, interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration degree and vascular hyperplasia degree of rats in the Tolterodine control group, low-dose and high-dose Lingshao-Zaoren Decoction groups significantly increased. The expression of Piezo1 mRNA (1.50 ± 0.04, 2.05 ± 0.08, 1.44 ± 0.10 vs. 2.56 ± 0.11) and protein in the Tolterodine control group, low-dose and high-dose Lingshao-Zaoren Decoction groups were significantly decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Lingshao-Zaoren Decoction can increase the bladder volume and maximum bladder pressure of urinary incontinence caused by detrusor overactivity in rats with overactive bladder, which may be related to reduction of Piezo1 expression.

This study was aimed to observe the effect ofRong-Shuan (RS) capsule on rodent tolerance against cerebral ischemia, hypoxia and cerebral reserve capacity, which was related to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. Acute cerebral ischemia and anoxia models were established by permanent left carotid artery ligation on C57 BL/6 mice and hypoxia inhalation (O2?N2 = 8?92) for 15 min. Duodenal administration of RS capsule at different doses (100, 200 or 400 mg·kg-1) or saline were given 10 min after ischemia onset. The local brain blood circulation changes and neurobehavioral function were evaluated 24 h after ischemia onset. SD rats were given RS capsule at different doses (75, 150, 300 mg·kg-1) or saline. The effect of RS capsule on improvement of microcirculation disturbance induced by high molecular dextran was observed. The results showed that compared with the sham operation group, the brain blood circulation in the model group was significantly decreased; the cerebral infarction area increased; and the behavioral score after cerebral hypoxia was significantly increased (P < 0.05, orP < 0.01). Meanwhile, after the injection of high molecular dextran among rats in the model group, the cerebral leptomeninx microcirculation was obviously slowed down at 3 timepoints, which were 10, 20 and 30 min. Compared with the model group, RS capsule (400 mg·kg-1) can significantly increase the local blood circulation in the brain of mice, improve behavioral disturbance, reduce cerebral ischemia area (P< 0.05, orP < 0.01). RS capsule can also improve blood flow velocity and flow pattern in cerebral leptomeninx microcirculation disturbance induced by high molecular dextran at different timepoints (P < 0.05, orP < 0.01). It was concluded that RS capsule can increase the tolerance against cerebral ischemia, hypoxia and cerebral reserve capacity in order to protect the neural tissues to promote neuronal recovery.

This study was aimed to observe behavioral changes of post-stroke depression (PSD) rats, and to assess effect ofJie-Du Tong-Luo(JDTL) capsule onqi-supplementing and depression-relieving. Microspheres were injected from external carotid artery of rats under anesthesia to prepare the multiple cerebral infarction. Aftermid long term feeding, PSD rat model was established. Then, open-field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST) and glucose preference test were employed to study behavioral changes of rats. The results showed that rats suffered multiple cerebral infarction after mid long term feeding formed PSD, which were indicated by reduced food consume, slow body weight increasing, reduction of spontaneous movement and inquiry activity, prolonged accumulative immobility time in TST, FST and lowered glucose preference, compared with rats in the normal group. Compared with the model group, rats in the JDTL capsule group andBu-Chang Xin-Nao-Tonggroup showed larger body weight increase, higher scores in OFT, reduced immobility time in TST, FST, and elevated glucose preference. It was concluded that JDTL capsule had significant efficacy on rats’ body weight, behavior and glucose preference, which might be its pharmacological basis onqi-supplementing and depression-relieving.

Objective To evaluate the two-stage repair in hypospadias cripples.Methods 35 patients with hypospadias cripples underwent two-stage repair.At the first stage,a full-thickness graft of skin or buccal mucosa was used for urethral plate reconstruction after the release of chordee.The second stage was performed 6 months after completion of the first stage.Tubularization of the replaced urethral plate was the preferred technique.Results There was no urethra stricture or “preplaced urethral plate ” atrophy.Fistula developed in 2 of 35 cases.Conclusion The twostaged technique was a useful strategy to deal with the myriad abnormalities encountered in crippled hypospadias.This technique could not only create a neourethra successfully,but also give the penis a near-normal shape and appearance.

The rat model of multi-infarct was adopted in this study to elucidate the protective mechanism of Sailuotong capsule (Sailuotong) in recovery period of multiple cerebral infarction. The effects of Sailuotong on levels of Glu, GABA and the expression of NMDA receptor subtypes including NR1, NR2A and NR2B, were detected. The multi-infarct model rats were established by injecting embolizing microsphere via internal carotid artery, and were given Sailuotong treatment (16.5 and 33.0 mg x kg(-1)) for 60 days. The pathological changes in brain ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscope. The levels of Glu and GABA in brain tissue were measured with high performance liquid chromatography. The expression of NMDA receptors including NR1, NR2A and NR2B in neurons was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Compared with the sham rats, abnormal changes were observed in ultrastructures of neurons, neuroglia cells and synapses of model rat brains. Moreover, significant decrease of Glu and GABA, as well as the elevated expression of NR1, NR2A and NR2B were detected in brain tissues. Sailuotong (16.5 and 33.0 mg x kg(-1)) could improve ultrastructure of cerebral tissue, facilitate synthesis of Glu and GABA, and down-regulate expression of NR1, NR2A and NR2B in neurons. The results demonstrated that Sailuotong could exert neuroprotective effects to some extent in the recovery phase of multiple cerebral infarction by promoting expression of NMDA receptors and synthesis of Glu and GABA.

Background: Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is a common disease in elderly people, threatening their health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment or integrative treatment had advantages in improving quality of life and protecting target organs, but need to be proved by large evidence-based researches. Objective: To observe the effects of TCM treatment (Jiangya Capsule) or integrative treatment (combination of Jiangya Capsule and nimodipine) on blood pressure and vasoactive agents, and their safety in elderly ISH patients. Design, setting, participants and interventions: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial was adopted. A total of 270 elderly ISH patients recruited from Xiyuan Hospital, and TCM Hospital and Community Health Service Centers of Yanqing County of Beijing were randomly divided into 3 groups: TCM group (Jiangya Capsule plus nimodipine simulation, 90 cases), integrative group (Jiangya Capsule plus nimodipine, 90 cases) and Western medicine (WM) group (nimodipine plus Jiangya Capsule simulation, 90 cases). They were all treated for 4 weeks. Main outcome measures: Before and after 4-week treatment, office blood pressure, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, serum nitric oxide (NO), and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin 1alpha (6-keto-PGF1alpha) were detected, and safety evaluation was conducted. Results: After 4-week treatment, 5 patients in TCM group were lost to follow-up and another 5 patients were excluded, and 80 patients finished the trial; 7 patients in integrative group were lost to follow-up and another 7 patients were excluded, and 76 patients finished the trial; 2 patients in WM group were lost to follow-up and another 3 patients were excluded, and 85 patients finished the trial. After treatment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased in each group (P<0.05), and integrative treatment was superior to TCM or WM treatment in decreasing SBP (P<0.05). Twenty-four hour average SBP and day average SBP decreased significantly in each group, and night average SBP decreased in integrative group, and integrative treatment was superior to TCM or WM treatment in decreasing day average SBP. Serum NO and plasma 6-keto-PGF1alpha levels were elevated and plasma ET-1 and TXB(2) levels were reduced after treatment, and integrative treatment was superior to TCM or WM treatment in reducing plasma TXB(2) level. Conclusion: TCM treatment or integrative treatment has affirmative effects and safety in treating elderly ISH patients, and integrative treatment has superiority in improving some indexes, and deserves further study.