[Myocardial protection of cardioplegic solution with Salvia miltiorrhizae in extracorporeal circulation of coronary artery bypass graft].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the myocardial protection of cardioplegic solution with Salvia miltiorrhizae (SM) in extracorporeal circulation of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and to investigate the mechanisms of SM. METHODS: 30 patients who received CABG under extracorporeal circulation were randomly assigned to two groups, the observation group (15 cases) and the control group (15 cases). Patients in the observation group received the cardioplegic solution with SM and those in the control group received the cardioplegic solution without SM. The indices such as serum SOD activities, MDA contents, LDH, CK-MB, cTnl levels, the rate of heart reskip, activated coagulation time (ACT), the time of assisted respiration, and the days of in-hospital after operation were observed in the two groups pre-operation, post-operation, 6 h and 24 h post-operation, respectively. RESULTS: When compared with the control group, MDA contents, LDH, CK-MB, cTnl levels were lower, SOD activities (all P<0.05) and heart re-skip rate (P>0.05) higher in the observation group. There was no statistical significance in the time of assisted respiration, the days of in-hospital, or ACT in the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The application of cardioplegic solution with SM in extracorporeal circulation of CABG showed obvious myocardial protection. It had better effects than the cardioplegic solution with no SM.

Action mechanism of Zuo Gui Yin Decoction's promotion on estradiol production in rats during the peri-menopausal period.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Although Zuo Gui Yin Decoction has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat menopausal symptoms, the underlying mechanism(s) by which these effects are induced remains to be defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the action mechanism of Zuo Gui Yin Decoction on estradiol production in the rat ovary during peri-menopause. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The peri-menopausal animal model was established by natural aging. Peri-menopausal rats were treated by intragastric administration (ig) with low (13.78gkg(-1)), middle (20.67gkg(-1)) or high (31gkg(-1)) dose of Zuo Gui Yin Decoction per day for 8 weeks. At the 8th weekend, the rats were sacrificed for sampling. Estradiol (E(2)) levels in rats' serum were evaluated by radioimmunoassay (RIA). RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to determine mRNA and protein expression of relevant genes. RESULTS: Medium- and high-dose of Zuo Gui Yin Decoction could significantly increase serum estradiol concentration, ovarian CYP19 mRNA levels, and P450(arom) protein expression in rats during peri-menopause. Zuo Gui Yin Decoction at three different dosages all could promote FSHR expression and the effect of low-dose was the greatest. Zuo Gui Yin Decoction could elevate LRH-1 and ER(α) expression in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Taken collectively, these findings suggest that Zuo Gui Yin Decoction could promote estradiol production in rat serum during peri-menopausal period through ovarian ER(α)→LRH-1→CYP19 pathway as well as the ovarian classical FSHR→CYP19 mechanism.