[Effect of Shenqi Dihuang decoction on inflammatory factor, renal function and microcirculation in patients with early diabetic nephropathy].

To study the effect of Shenqi Dihuang decoction on inflammatory factor, renal function and microcirculation in patients with early diabetic nephropathy. A total of 205 cases of patient with early diabetic nephropathy treated in our hospital from March 2014 to April 2016 were selected and divided into two groups according to the admitted order, with 103 cases in clinical group and 102 in control group. Patients in control group were treated with melbine and captopril, which may be adjusted according to the clinical symptom. The clinical group was given Shenqi Dihuang decoction. Then the clinical efficady, inflammatory factors, renal function, endothelial function and hemorheology index were compared. Compared with 77.45% in the control group, the total effective rate of the clinical group was 92.23%. There was a significant increase (P<0.05). The comparison of the values of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and CRP between the two groups before and after treatment showed significant differences. The values of inflammatory factors in treatment group were lower than in control group (P<0.05). The comparison of the values of ß2-MG, Cys-C and urine m-ALB between the two groups before and after treatment showed significant differences. The values of renal function in treatment group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, ET-1 of the two groups after treatment decreased, while NO increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the value of ET-1 in patients of the experimental group was lower after treatment, while NO was higher (P<0.05). The comparison of the values of whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, whole blood reduction viscosity, platelet aggregation rate and fibrinogen between the two groups before and after treatment showed significant differences. The value of hemorheology index in treatment group was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). Shenqi Dihuang decoction has a better effect on patients with early diabetic nephropathy. It can significantly intervene with inflammatory response, reduce proteinuria, protect the renal function of patients, and improve the patient's vascular endothelial function and blood rheology, so as to make microcirculation to recover to the normal level.

Diabetes impairs spatial learning and memory and hippocampal neurogenesis via BDNF in rats with transient global ischemia.

Diabetic conditions worsen the prognosis of stroke. The molecular mechanism underlying the impairment of post-stroke recovery is not very clear. Here, we establish a rat model resembling human cerebral infarction with or without diabetes to determine how diabetes impairs cognitive recovery. Our data show that diabetes inhibits hippocampal BDNF expression and impairs the survival and differentiation of the newborn neural cells in rats with ischemia. Consequently, the rats of diabetic ischemia have a significantly lower score in spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze test than the non-diabetic ischemia model rats. On the other hand, treatment with BDNF effectively improves hippocampal neurogenesis and the spatial learning and memory in rat with diabetic ischemia. All together, our data suggest that diabetes impaired spatial learning and memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in rats with ischemia by inhibition of the BDNF expression in the hippocampus.

[Effects of ginseng and ligusticum drug containing serum on the ERK pathway, proliferation, and vitality of neural stem cells undergoing oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation culture].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of ginseng and Ligustrazine drug containing serum on the proliferation, vitality, and extracellular-signal-responsive kinase (ERK) pathway in neural stem cells undergoing in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation culture. METHODS: The cultured neural stem cells were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group (Group A), the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation group (Group B), the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation +ginseng serum group (Group C), the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation + Ligustrazine serum group (Group D), and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation +ginseng and Ligustrazine drug serum group (Group E).The protein expression levels of ERK and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) were observed using immunoblotting. The proliferation of neural stem cells was observed using 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay. The vitality of neural stem cells was detected using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry. RESULTS: The p-ERK level increased transiently at 10 min and 30 min after reoxygenation, but it decreased to the normal level at 4 h, 6 h, and 1 day, respectively. Compared with Group B, the p-ERK level at 6 h after reoxygenation could be elevated in Group C, D, and E. The proliferation and the vitality of neural stem cells at 1 day after reoxygenation could be enhanced. Furthermore, the effects of combination of ginseng and Ligusticum were better than those of using ginseng or Ligusticum alone. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of ginseng and Ligusticum could promote the proliferation and vitality of rats' neural stem cells undergoing oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation culture through ERK signal pathway. Its effects was better than that of using ginseng or Ligusticum alone.

[Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Shenxiong Yujing Granule on regeneration of neural cells in rats with diabetes-associated cerebral ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rat model of diabetes-associated cerebral ischemia due to qi and yin deficiency and blood stasis, and to investigate the effects of Radix Ginseng, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati and Rhizoma Polygonati Sibirici Granule (Shenxiong Yujing Granule), which has the function of strengthening qi, nourishing yin, and activating blood, on proliferation, differentiation and survival of neural cells in rats with diabetes-associated cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Rats were divided into sham-operation, diabetes plus ischemia reperfusion injury model, Shenxiong Yujing Granule and Radix Ginseng and Rhizoma Chuanxiong Granule (Shenxiong Granule) groups with 20 rats in each. The 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay and immunohistochemical method were used to investigate the proliferation, differentiation and survival of neural cells in dentate gyrus of rats with diabetes-associated cerebral ischemia. RESULTS: The number of newly proliferating cells in subgranular zone of dentate gyrus was increased in the model group, but there was no significant difference compared with 7 day treatment with Shenxiong Yujing Granule. Shenxiong Yujing Granule significantly increased the survival rate and promoted the differentiation of newly proliferating neurons after 21-day treatment (P<0.01). In addition, the beneficial effect of Shenxiong Yujing Granule was considerably greater than that of the Shenxiong Granule (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Shenxiong Yujing Granule can increase the survival rate and promote the differentiation of newly proliferating neurons in rats with diabetes-associated cerebral ischemia of dual deficiency of qi and yin and blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. The effect is greater than that of Shenxiong Granule.

Characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in post-stroke depression.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the main characteristics of syndromes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in post-stroke depression (PSD) and to provide basis for treatments with TCM herbs. METHODS: According to diagnostic criteria of PSD, stroke patients and depression patients from Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were assigned into cerebral stroke group (150 cases), depression group (151 cases) and PSD group (123 cases). Neuropsychological assessments and imaging and biochemical analyses were conducted. TCM syndrome differentiation for these diseases was performed. We also determined the characteristics of TCM syndromes of PSD, relative risk of the syndromes and their correlations with ages as well. RESULTS: Scores of qi stagnation and blood stasis, liver qi depression, and transformation of fire due to qi stagnation in PSD group were significant higher than those in cerebral stroke group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In cerebral stroke group, majority of the patients displayed one syndrome, while in PSD and depression groups, the patients had three or more syndromes. Of these syndromes, the incidence rate of syndrome of liver qi depression complicated with transformation of fire due to qi stagnation or flaring of fire due to yin deficiency was high. The syndrome of liver qi depression occurred much more frequently in PSD group and depression group than in cerebral stroke group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The logistic regression analysis showed that the syndrome of qi stagnation and blood stasis had high relative risk to PSD. The syndrome of deficiency of heart and spleen was positively correlated with age in cerebral stroke group. CONCLUSION: The main TCM syndromes of PSD and depression are qi stagnation and blood stasis, liver qi depression, and transformation of fire due to qi stagnation. The syndrome of deficiency of heart and spleen is closely related to age among the stroke patients. The syndrome of qi stagnation and blood stasis serves as an independent risk factor for PSD. The more complicated the syndromes are, the more serious depression becomes.

[Study on establishment of Alzheimer's disease animal model and intervening effect of zhinao capsule on it].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an experimental animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with clinical and pathological specificity conformed to AD in human, and to observe the effect of Zhinao Capsule (ZNC) on learning, memory and patho-morphological parameters in the model. METHODS: The experimental AD model of rats was improved and established by combined injection of beta-amyloid protein (beta-AP) to lateral ventricle and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) to brain. The learning and memory function of the model rats were tested by step-through test and water-maze test, and the number and cross area of beta-AP deposited macula in cerebral cortex and CA1 region of hippocampus were estimated quantitatively using immunohistochemical method and image pattern analysis. RESULTS: The improved AD animal model showed both the specificity of behavior (learning and memory impairments) and the typical pathological specificity (beta-AP deposited macula). ZNC could effectively improve the impairment of learning and memory and reduce the number and cross area of beta-AP deposited macula in cerebral cortex and hippocampus CA1 region in the AD model rats. CONCLUSION: The AD rat model induced by the combined injection of beta-AP and TGF beta 1 is a good animal model simulated to the clinical reality, which could be used to screen and evaluate the anti-dementia agents. ZNC could display anti-dementia effect of the AD model rats.

[Effect of si' an capsule combined enalapril on hypertensive trough/peak ratio and circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Si' an Capsule combined Enalapril on hypertensive trough/peak ratio (T/P) and circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension (EH). METHODS: Sixty patients with EH of stage II, III were randomly divided into two groups, the 30 patients in the treated group were treated with Si' an capsule combined Enalapril, and the 30 patients in the control group were treated with Enalapril alone. All patients were given 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring before and after 4 weeks treatment. T/P of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP & DBP) of each group were calculated. Circadian rhythm of blood pressure was observed at the same time. RESULTS: T/P of SBP and DBP in the treated group was 62.4 +/- 7.0% and 66.3 +/- 8.1% respectively, which was obviously higher than that in the control group, 53.3 +/- 6.7% and 60.1 +/- 7.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). The blood pressure circadian rhythm recovering rate in the treated group was 73.3% and in the control group 50%, the difference was insignificant. CONCLUSION: The combination therapy of Si' an capsule and Enalapril could lower the blood pressure smoothly and restore the circadian rhythm of blood pressure in EH patients.