[Study on medication regularity of chronic atrophic gastritis in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region based on latent structure model].

To explore the etiology, pathogenesis, distribution of syndromes and the rule of medication of chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG) in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region based on the latent structure model. Chronic atrophic gastritis of 279 cases in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region were extracted from the established database of spleen and stomach diseases of famous veteran Chinese medicine experts. The latent structure models of symptoms and drugs of chronic atrophic gastritis were constructed by using Lantern 3.1.2 software, and the latent structure models were interpreted. SAS 10.0 software was used to mine association rules of drugs and symptoms. The constitutional characteristics of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region were "turbid toxin and damaging Yin". The common syndromes were turbid toxin, deficiency of stomach Yin, stagnation of liver and stomach, stagnation of liver and stomach Qi, obstruction of stomach collaterals and blood stasis, and weakness of spleen and stomach. Common medicines are Lobeliae Chinensis Herba, Scutellariae Barbatae Herba, Amomi Fructus Rotundus, Amomi Fructus, Poria, Isatidis Radix, Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, Scorpio, Coptidis Rhizoma, Lilii Bulbus, Linderae Radix, Phragmitis Rhizoma, Ophiopogonis Radix, Pogostemonis Herba, Eupatorii Herba, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, Aurantii Fructus Immaturus. Common prescriptions are Baihe Wuyao Powder, Danggui Shaoyao Powder, Xiaoyao Pills, Xiangsu Powder, Dachengqi Decoction, Zuojin Pills, Qingzhong Decoction, Zhishi Daozhi Pills, etc. The application of latent structure model and correlation analysis in the empirical study of famous and veteran Chinese medicine experts is in line with the research direction of modern Chinese medicine "traditional Chinese medicine + X". The conclusions obtained effectively tap the experience of famous and veteran TCM experts, and provide a data and visual clinical reference and prescription compatibility for young TCM physicians in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis based on syndrome differentiation.

Identification and characterization of an anti-fibrotic benzopyran compound isolated from mangrove-derived Streptomyces xiamenensis.

An anti-fibrotic compound produced by Streptomycesn xiamenensis, found in mangrove sediments, was investigated for possible therapeutic effects against fibrosis. The compound, N-[[3,4-dihydro-3S-hydroxy-2S-methyl-2-(4'R-methyl-3'S-pentenyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl]carbonyl]-threonine (1), was isolated from crude extracts and its structure, including the absolute configuration was determined by extensive spectroscopic data analyses, Mosher's method, Marfey's reagent and quantum mechanical calculations. In terms of biological effects, this compound inhibits the proliferation of human lung fibroblasts (WI26), blocks adhesion of human acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1) to a monolayer of WI26 cells, and reduces the contractile capacity of WI26 cells in three-dimensional free-floating collagen gels. Altogether, these data indicate that we have identified a bioactive alkaloid (1) with multiple inhibitory biological effects on lung excessive fibrotic characteristics, that are likely involved in fibrosis, suggesting that this molecule might indeed have therapeutic potential against fibrosis.

Effect of toll-like receptor 3 agonist poly I:C on intestinal mucosa and epithelial barrier function in mouse models of acute colitis.

AIM: To investigate potential effects of poly I:C on mucosal injury and epithelial barrier disruption in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis. METHODS: Thirty C57BL/6 mice were given either regular drinking water (control group) or 2% (w/v) DSS drinking water (model and poly I:C groups) ad libitum for 7 d. Poly I:C was administrated subcutaneously (20 µg/mouse) 2 h prior to DSS induction in mice of the poly I:C group. Severity of colitis was evaluated by disease activity index, body weight, colon length, histology and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, as well as the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 17 (IL-17) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Intestinal permeability was analyzed by the fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled-dextran (FITC-D) method. Ultrastructural features of the colon tissue were observed under electron microscopy. Expressions of tight junction (TJ) proteins, including zo-1, occludin and claudin-1, were measured by immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: DSS caused significant damage to the colon tissue in the model group. Administration of poly I:C dramatically protected against DSS-induced colitis, as demonstrated by less body weight loss, lower disease activity index score, longer colon length, colonic MPO activity, and improved macroscopic and histological scores. It also ameliorated DSS-induced ultrastructural changes of the colon epithelium, as observed under scanning electron microscopy, as well as FITC-D permeability. The mRNA and protein expressions of TJ protein, zo-1, occludin and claudin-1 were also found to be significantly enhanced in the poly I:C group, as determined by immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, Western blot and RT-qPCR. By contrast, poly I:C pretreatment markedly reversed the DSS-induced up-regulated expressions of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-17 and IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that poly I:C may protect against DSS-induced colitis through maintaining integrity of the epithelial barrier and regulating innate immune responses, which may shed light on the therapeutic potential of poly I:C in human colitis.