Effect of Total Flavone of Haw Leaves on Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2 Related Factor and Other Related Factors in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of total flavone of haw leaves (TFHL) on the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor (Nrf2) and other related factors in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rats induced by high-fat diet and then to further discuss the mechanism of TFHL's prevention against NASH.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>High-fat diet was fed to 40 rats to establish the NASH model. Then model rats were intragastrically administrated with 40, 80, 160 mg/(kg•day) TFHL, respectively. The pathological changes of liver tissues in NASH rats were detected by oil red O and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stainings. The expression of Nrf2 in rat liver was examined through immunohistochemistry. The level of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α in serum was detected through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and other related factors in liver tissue were measured by real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction and western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Lipid deposition, hepatic steatosis, focal necrosis in lobular inflammation and ballooning degeneration were emerged in livers of NASH rats. The 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α in the serum of NASH rats increased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05). The mRNA of Nrf2, hemeoxyenase1 (HO-1) and the mRNA and protein levels of quinine oxidoreductase (NQO1) in NASH rats liver tissue showed a striking increase, while the mRNA levels of Keap1, r-glutamylcysteine synthethase (rGCS) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05). After TFHL treatment, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α level in serum significantly decreased, and Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels in hepatocytes nucleus enhanced compared with the model group (P<0.05 or 0.01). Meanwhile the Keap1 mRNA, the mRNA and protein levels of HO-1, NQO1 antibody, rGCS antibody, GST increased after TFHL treatment (P<0.05 or 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Nrf2 and other related factors were involved in development of NASH, and they also served as an important part in its occurrence. By regulating expression of Nrf2 and other related factors, TFHL may play a role in antioxidative stress and prevention of NASH.</p>

Effect of total flavones of hawthorn leafonon expression of COX-2/Nrf2 in liver of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis / 中国中药杂志

To explore the effect of total flavones from hawthorn leaf on (THFL) on the expression of COX-2/Nrf2 in the liver tissues of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and discuss its anti-NASH mechanism, thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, THFL high dose group and low dose group, 8 in each group. High fat diet was given to the rats for 12 weeks to establish the NASH models, and the high and low dose groups were administered with TFHL at the dosage of 250, 125 mg•kg⁻¹•d⁻¹ respectively. Steatosis and the inflammatory changes of the liver tissues in rats were observed by HE staining; T-AOC level was detected by colorimetry; the level of 8-OHdG and the protein expressions of COX-2, Nrf2 and HO-1 in the liver tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry; and the mRNA expressions of COX-2, Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues were detected by Real time-PCR. Compared with the normal group, the liver steatosis, ballooning degeneration for inflammatory degree and NAFLD activity scores (NAS) were significantly increased in model group, while total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was decreased, DNA damage marker 8-OHdG level was increased, and the mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2, Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased. After the administration of high and low dose of TFHL, the inflammation degree of the liver tissues and NAS were significantly decreased, 8-OHdG level and COX-2mRNA and protein expressions were decreased, and the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased when compared with the model group. COX-2/Nrf2 pathway was involved in the development and progression of NASH induced by high fat diet. TFHL could prevent the development of NASH by promoting the expression Nrf2/HO-1, regulating and inhibiting the over expression of COX-2, and further attenuating the cell injury and hepatic inflammation caused by oxidation reaction.

Effect of Nrf2 and related factors on the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of NF-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2) and its related factors in the progression of nonalcoholi steatohepatitis (NASH) by investigating the alterations of lipid metabolism and liver histopathology as well as the changes of mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2 and its related factors in rats during NASH progression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group and model group, which were administrated with high fat diet to establish nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model. The rats from both groups were randomly killed at the end of 4, 12 weeks respectively. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were detected in the serum and liver tissue; Changes in fat deposition in liver tissue were determined by oil red O staining. HE staining were used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue and to calculate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (hepatic steatosis, inflammation and ballooning degeneration of liver cells). The expression of Nrf2 in liver was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and related factors in liver were determined by Realtime PCR and Western blot, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 4 weeks of high fat diet, the levels of ALT, AST, TC in rat serum and TC, TG, LDL-C in liver were significantly increased compared with that of the normal group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). After 4 weeks of high fat diet, the levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG in serum and TC, TG, LDL- C in liver increased further (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Until the 12th week, the content of HDL-C in liver was significantly lower than that of the normal group (P < 0.05). At the end of the 4th or the 12th week, lipid droplets in the model rat liver cells were heavily dyed red and hepatic steatosis increased severely, with ballooning degeneration of liver cells. With the extension of high fat diet feeding time, fat deposition in the liver tissue, hepatic steatosis, NAFLD score, Nrl2 expression were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Expression levels of mRNA and protein of Nrf2, heme oxyenase 1(HO1), NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), γ-glutamylcysteine synthethase (γ-GCS), glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the model rats increased or decreased at the end of the 4th or the 12th week differentially, (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) with the more significant changes at the end of the 4th week than the 12th week.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nrf2 and its related factors may be involved in the occurrence and development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which may play an important role in the process of NASH formation.</p>

Analysis on occupational exposure levels and control effectiveness of dust in cement production line of new dry method / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the occupational exposure levels of dust in new suspension preheated dry process (NSP) cement production line and put forward rectification measures for dust-exposed posts, and to provide ideas for the modern cement production enterprises in dust control and occupational health management.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Occupational health field investigation combined with field test were used to measure the time-weighted average concentration (C(TWA)) of the dust in the workplace. Rectification measures were taken for the dust-exposed posts with unqualified dust concentration, and the protective effects of dustproof facilities in the rectified workplace were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The field investigation revealed incompletely closed dustproof facilities, improperly set dust hoods, excess of dust leakage points, and other problems in the dust-exposed posts of an NSP cement production line before rectification, and the dustproof facilities could hardly exert dust removal effect. The field test showed that the vast majority of dust-exposed posts had the dust concentrations exceeding the occupational exposure limits (OELs), with a qualified rate as low as 31.8%. A series of rectification measures were taken for these posts. After the rectification, the dust-exposed posts demonstrated dramatically dropped C(TWA), and the qualified rate of dust concentration in the dust-exposed posts rose to 90.9%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The dust hazards in NSP cement production line cannot be ignored. Taking appropriate protective measures are critical for curbing dust hazards in modern cement production.</p>

Comparative study on therapeutic effect between acupuncture at special acupoints and non-specific acupoints in foot yangming meridian for functional dyspepsia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy differences among acupuncture at special acupoints, nonspecific acupoints and non acupoints in Foot Yangming Meridian for functional dyspepsia (FD) at different time points.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and sixteen FD patients were randomly divided into a special acupoints in Foot Yangming Meridian group (group A, n = 36), a non-specific acupoints in Foot Yangming Meridian group (group B, n 39) and a non acupoints group (group C, n = 41). Group A was treated with acupuncture at Chongyang (ST 42), Fenglong (ST 40), Zusanli (ST 36) and Liangqiu (ST 34), and group B was treated with acupuncture at Tiaokou (ST 38), Yinshi (ST 33), Futu (ST 32) and Dubi (ST 35), and the assisted acupoints were setting up at 2 mm apart from selected acupoints in meridian of proximal part. Group C was treated with 4 non acupoints: (1) medial elbow, middle point on the line between olecranon and armpit; (2) middle point on the line between condylus medialis humeri and wrist of elbow-bone; (3) the junction of deltoid and biceps inside the arm; (4) 1-2 cm horizontally away from Zusanli (ST 36), lateral border of shin bone, and the assisted acupoints were setting up at 2 mm away from selected non acupoints along limb longitudinal axis of proximal part. All acupoints and assisted acupoints were connected to the HANS nerve stimulator and they were all treated for 4 courses. The FD Symptom Index (FDI) and MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) after treatment, 1 month and 3 months after treatment were observed and the clinical efficacy was assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the total effective rate of abdominal fullness after meal, early satiation, upper abdominal pain and upper abdominal burning sensation were 84.8% (28/33), 67.7% (21/31), 76.9% (20/26) and 56.3% (9/16), respectively, in group A, and 45.9% (17/37), 38.7% (12/31), 42.9% (12/28) and 38.5% (5/13), respectively, in group B, and 15.8% (6/38), 18.4% (7/38), 46.1% (12/26) and 16.7% (4/24), respectively, in group C. The total effective rate of abdominal fullness after meal, early satiation and upper abdominal pain in group A were superior to those in group B (all P < 0.05), and the total effective rate of abdominal fullness after meal, early satiation, upper abdominal pain and upper abdominal burning sensation in group A were all superior to those in group C (all P < 0.05), and the total effective rate of abdominal fullness after meal in group B was superior to that in group C (P < 0.05). The score of FDI and SF-36 after treatment, 1 month and 3 months after treatment in all the groups were better than those before treatment (all P < 0.05), and above indices in group A were the most significant (all P < 0.05), and the scores of FDI and SF-36 after treatment in group B were better than those in group C (both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All the treatment of acupuncture at special acupoints, non-specific acupoints in Foot Yangming Meridian and non acupoints have therapeutic effect on FD, but acupuncture at special acupoints has better short and long term therapeutic effects, which confirm the existence of acupoints specificity.</p>

Metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease in a rural adult population of Hunan province, China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a rural adult population of Hunan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>1953 residents (older than 18 years) from the same village were randomly selected, using a stratified, multistage sampling method. All residents were interviewed and tested for albuminuria with morning spot urine albumin to creatinine ratio (abnormal: >/= 30 mg/g), reduced renal function with estimated glomerular filtration rate by modified MDRD equation [abnormal: < 60 ml/min (1.73 m(2))]. The associations of kidney damage indicators with demographic characteristics (age, gender, smoking status), indicators on health (diabetes, hypertension) and metabolic syndrome traits were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eligible data of 1709 subjects were enrolled in the study. After the adjustment of age, gender and other metabolic syndrome traits, participants with metabolic syndrome had a higher prevalence of CKD (19.3% vs. 13.2%, P < 0.001) than those without the syndrome. As the number of metabolic syndrome traits increased, so did the prevalence of CKD. There seemed to be a strong and independent association between metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease. For participants without hypertension and diabetes, metabolic syndrome was also associated with CKD (OR value 1.733, 95%CI: 1.20 - 2.41, P = 0.004).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In these 1709 adults under this study from a village of southern China, metabolic syndrome seemed to be associated with CKD.</p>

Study on effect and mechanism of sodium ferulate in preventing and treating ozone induced lung injury in mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect and mechanism of sodium ferulate (SF) in preventing and treating ozone (O3) induced lung oxidative injury in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lung oxidative injury model mice were established by making them inhale O3. The activity of anti-oxidase and membranous microviscosity in epithelial cells in the lung of mice were determined, and the ultrastructural change of lung tissues was observed with electromicroscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were reduced, while membranous lipo-microviscosity significantly increased in the pulmonary epithelial cells of model mice, revealing ultrastructural change. These abnormal changes were reversed by SF treatment, which was manifested as the significantly raised activities of SOD and GSH-Px after treatment with high and moderate doses of SF, showing a significant difference compared with those in the model group (P<0.01). Membranous lipo-microviscosity basically approached that in the control group (P>0.05); electron microscopic examination showed a basically normal morphological structure of pulmonary epithelial cells, with the change in lung injury significantly milder than that in the model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>O3 could induce oxidative injury of lungs in mice, and SF could enhance the anti-oxidation capacity of mice and scavenge the oxygen free radicals so as to alleviate the injury.</p>

Effect of sodium ferulate on fluidity and morphology of cell membrane in ozone induced lung injury / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of sodium ferulate (SF), an active component of Radix Angelica, on lung damage induced by ozone (03).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice model of lung injury was induced by ozone inhalation and treated with SF. The level of lipid peroxide and microviscosity in alveolar epithelial cell membrane of the mice was determined, and the structural change of lung cells was observed by microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ozone could increase the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the microviscosity in alveolar epithelial cell membrane, and induce inflammatory changes in morphologic structure. These abnormal changes were improved after SF administration, which was manifested as alleviation of heightened microviscosity, increase of membrane fluidity, as well as the basically normalized pulmonary cellular structure under microscope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SF has a preventive effect against oxidized pulmonary injury induced by ozone, the action of which could be through scavenging oxygen free radicals, reducing lipid peroxide production, increasing membranous fluidity and mitigating inflammatory changes in cell structure. sodium ferulate, ozone, malondialdehyde, membranous fluidity, morphology</p>