Effects of different doses of Savda Munziq on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats with abnormal Savda syndrome.

To investigate the effects of different doses of abnormal Savda Munziq on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) in rats with the abnormal Savda syndrome, 50 abnormal Savda animal models were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a high-dose group, a middle-dose group, and a low-dose group, with each group containing 10 rats. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum myocardial enzyme and troponin levels, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe changes of the myocardial tissues in the different groups. Results showed that in the Munziq intervention groups, the serum creatine kinase and troponin levels were significantly lower than those in the model group, and the middle-dose group showed the lowest levels. The HE staining of myocardial tissue showed that the myocardial edema and muscle fiber proliferation levels were significantly higher in the Munziq intervention groups than in the model group, and the middle-dose group showed the least cardiac tissue damage. Therefore, intervention with an intermediate Munziq dose could significantly reduce MI/RI in rats with abnormal Savda syndrome.

Factors associated with acceptability of circumcision among male drug users in western China: a cross-sectional study.

This study is aimed to investigate whether male circumcision (MC) is feasible among IDUs in China. 1304 drug users who attended methadone maintenance therapy clinics in Guangxi, Chongqing and Xinjiang were selected for participation by using convenience sampling, and completed a self-administered questionnaire. The factors associated with the acceptability of MC were examined via multiple logistic regression models. 45.2% (589/1304) of the participants reported an acceptance of MC. Many of the participants who were initially not willing to accept MC (715/1304) had changed their mind when they were informed that MC would reduce the risk of HIV and STDs (43.4%; 310/715), that MC is associated with few surgery-related complications (23.1%; 165/715), that the surgical procedure could be arranged free of charge (20.1%, 144/715). In the multivariate analysis, higher acceptability of MC was associated with knowledge of the hazards of phimosis (OR=2.22), the presence of phimosis (OR=14.87), and knowledge that MC can prevent AIDS and STDs (OR=1.49); while lower acceptability was associated with residing in Chongqing province (OR=0.41) and an educational level of junior (OR=0.64) and senior high (OR=0.63) school. The MC policy targeting IDUs in China should take into account these factors associated with MC acceptability.

Protective effect of Cichorium glandulosum root extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced and galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Cichorium glandulosum Boiss. et Huet is a native plant used in Traditional Uighur Medicine, especially for treating a variety of liver disorders. In the present study, in vivo hepatoprotective effect of C. glandulosum root extract (CGRE) was evaluated using two experimental models, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- and galactosamine (GalN)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice. Pretreatment with CGRE (800 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for seven days significantly reduced the impact of CCl4 toxicity (10 mL/kg, i.p.) on the serum markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Protective effect was reconfirmed against GalN-induced injury (800 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) and elevated serum enzymatic levels were significantly (p<0.05)and dose dependently restored towards normalization by the extracts. Furthermore, considering the well-known implication of free radicals in tissue injury, in vitro antioxidant properties of the extract were determined with a view to suggest the possible mechanism of activity. The extract showed noticeable antioxidant activity, comparable with standard antioxidants, through its ability to scavenge several free radicals (DPPH, O(2)(-), NO()) and efficiency against lipid peroxidation. Therefore, presented results suggest that CGRE is potent hepatoprotective agent that could protect liver against the acute injury and this ability might be attributed to its antioxidant potential.