Research progress of histone acetylation in prevention and treatment of heart failure and new ideas based on traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Chronic heart failure(CHF) has become a worldwide public health problem due to its high morbidity and mortality, which seriously endangers people's lifespan and quality of life. In recent years, the treatment strategy of CHF has shifted its emphasis on short-term improvement and transformation of hemodynamics to long-term repair as well as improvement of the biological properties of heart failure. At present, with the continuous deepening of medical research, it has been found that histone acetylation is closely related to the occurrence and development of CHF. Traditional Chinese medicine, via regulating histone acetylation, delays ventricular remodeling, improves energy metabolism, inhibits fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and intervenes in the development process of heart failure, thus reducing the mortality and the readmission rate and ultimately improving long-term prognosis. Therefore, this study reviewed the mechanism of histone acetylation in the treatment of heart failure as well as its prevention and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine, to provide reference for clinical treatment of CHF.

A Data Mining-Based Study on Medication Rules of Chinese Herbs to Treat Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To summarize the medication rules of Chinese herbs to treat heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) based on data mining and to provide references for clinical utilization.@*METHODS@#The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database (Wanfang), VIP database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature (CBM), PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to October 2021 to identify relevant literature on treating HFPEF with Chinese herbs. Microsoft Excel 2019 was used to set up a database, and then, association rule analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were performed by using apriori algorithm and hclust function respectively in R-Studio (Version 4.0.3).@*RESULTS@#A total of 182 qualified papers were included, involving a total of 92 prescriptions, 130 Chinese herbs, and 872 individual herbs prescribed, with an average of 9.5 herbs per prescription. The six most frequently prescribed herbs were Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma (Danshen), Poria (Fuling), Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma (Gancao), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), and Ginseng Radix Et Rhizoma (Renshen). There were 35 herbs used more than 5 times, involving 11 efficacy categories. The top three categories were deficiency-tonifying herbs, blood-activating and stasis-removing herbs, and dampness-draining diuretic herbs. The most commonly used herbs were mainly warm and sweet. The primary meridian tropisms were Lung Meridian, Heart Meridian and Spleen Meridian. Association rule analysis yielded 26 association rules, such as Astragali Radix (Huangqi) & Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma (Danshen), Poria (Fuling), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi) & Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu). Hierarchical cluster analysis yielded four herb classes, and their functions were mainly qi-replenishing and yang-warming, blood-activating and diuresis-inducing.@*CONCLUSIONS@#HFPEF is the syndrome of root vacuity and tip repletion, and its core pathogenesis is "deficiency", "stasis", and "water", with "deficiency" being the most principal, which is closely related to Xin (heart), Fei (Lung), and Pi (Spleen). The treatment of this disease occurs by improving qi, warming yang, activating blood and inducing diuresis. Astragali Radix (Huangqi) with Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma (Danshen) is the basic combination of herbs applied.

Thoughts on path of R&D and registration of innovative traditional Chinese medicine with synchronous transformation of "series prescriptions" / 中国中药杂志

Since the implementation of drug registration in China, the classification of Chinese medicine has greatly met the needs of public health and effectively guided the transformation, inheritance, and innovation of research achievements on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). In the past 30 years, the development of new Chinese medicine has followed the registration transformation model of " one prescription for single drug". This model refers to the R&D and registration system of modern drugs, and approximates to the " law-abiding" medication method in TCM clinic, while it rarely reflects the sequential therapy of syndrome differentiation and comprehensive treatment with multiple measures. In 2017, Opinions on Deepening the Reform of Review and Approval System and Encouraging the Innovation of Drugs and Medical Devices released by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council pointed out that it is necessary to " establish and improve the registration and technical evaluation system in line with the characteristics of Chinese medicine, and handle the relationship between the traditional advantages of Chinese medicine and the requirements of modern drug research". Therefore, based on the development law and characteristics of TCM, clinical thinking should be highlighted in the current technical requirements and registration system of research and development of Chinese medicine. Based on the current situation of registration supervision of Chinese medicine and the modern drug research in China, the present study analyzed limitations and deficiency of " one prescription for single drug" in the research and development of Chinese medicine. Additionally, a new type of " series prescriptions" was proposed, which was consistent with clinical thinking and clinical reality. This study is expected to contribute to the independent innovation and high-quality development of the TCM industry.

Serum proteomic approach in patients with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in coronary heart disease:to explore therapeutic mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue decoction / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To explore the curative effect and mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue decoction in the treatment of coronary heart disease with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. METHODS The patients with coronary heart dis?ease of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were treated with Yiqi Huoxue decoction for 3 months, and the changes of cardiac function were observed. 61 serum samples (including 29 cases of disease group and 32 cases of Yiqi Huoxue expression group) were analyzed by non labeled proteomics. The disease group was used as the control group, and the protein with expression level difference of more than 1.2 folds (P<0.05) was screened. The molecular function, biologi?cal pathway and protein interaction of the different proteins were analyzed by bioinformatics, so as to identify the molecu?lar and biological pathway of Yiqi Huoxue decoction in the treatment of coronary heart disease with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. RESULTS Clinical treatment found that Yiqi Huoxue decoction can improve TCM syndrome score and left ventricular ejection fraction, regulate blood glucose and blood lipid levels, prolong thrombin time, and improve heart function. The results of proteomic quantitative analysis showed that there were 69 proteins with different expression levels in the disease group. Bioinformatics analysis results showed that Yiqi Huoxue decoction may regulate ApoA1, alpha-2 and other proteins to act on HDL assembly, platelet degradation, PI3K Akt signaling pathway, and then play a therapeutic role in coronary heart disease with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. CONCLUSION Yiqi Huoxue decoction can effectively improved the heart function decline caused by Qi deficiency and blood stasis syn?drome of coronary heart disease. It mainly act on energy metabolism and platelet activation pathway by activating HDL assembly and platelet degradation signal pathway proteins. This study can provide reference for the follow-up treatment mechanism of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome of coronary heart disease.

Key points of post-marketing evaluation of classic traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions based on combination of disease and syndrome / 中国中药杂志

Classic prescriptions, hospital preparations and famous traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) experience prescriptions are the main sources of new drug development and innovation. The multi-components and multi-targets treatment characteristics of TCM are advantages, but at the same time, broad indications, unclear clinical positioning and lack of evidence-based evidence support are the key problems affecting the play of TCM efficacy and restricting its promotion and application. The hot in recent research was to how to break through the bottleneck, precise clinical positioning, highlight the advantages of the classic TCM prescriptions, and complete the transformation from clinical practice, clinical research to clinical evidence, but at the same time, it is also the difficulty. The clinical research model of the combination of disease and syndrome can fully reflect the ancient medical case evidence of classic TCM prescriptions, the historical experience of human used and the characteristics of syndrome differentiation and treatment, and highlight the advantages of Chinese medicine. At the same time, under the modern disease classification system and research mode, is conducive to established the standardized clinical evidence report and evaluation system, is conducive to promote the integration of clinical research evidence, and avoids excessive attenuation of information. Based on the previous work of our team, the intention of this study was to make a comment about the key points of the post-marketing evaluation of the classic TCM prescriptions under the combination of disease and syndrome and includes key points:(1)With the syndrome as the carrier, connected with the classical prescription and clinical diseases, focused on the clinical positioning on macroscopically.(2)The combination of syndrome visualization, standardization and pharmacological molecular basis, focus on clinical precise positioning in microscopic.(3)Innovating therapeutic effect evaluation methods, reflecting the curative effect characteristics based on syndrome differentiation.(4)The combination of "randomized controlled evidence-based studies" and "real world evidence-based evaluation", focusing on clinical advantages, fully evidence-based evidence.(5)Make full use of clinical registration studies and pay attention to safety.

Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of Xinmailong Injection in treatment of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction / 中国中药杂志

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Xinmailong Injection in the treatment of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction. Seven Chinese and English databases, namely CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed and PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, were retrieved from the establishment of the database to March 2020. Randomized controlled trials for Xinmailong Injection in the treatment of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction were screened out. Cochrane collaboration network bias risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the literature quality of the studies included, and RevMan 5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis. A total of 926 relevant literatures were retrieved, and 12 studies were finally included, involving 972 patients, including 486 patients in the treatment group and 486 patients in the control group. The quality of the literatures included was generally low. The results of Meta-analysis showed that Xinmailong Injection combined with Western medicine could decrease the levels of BNP(SMD=-5.90, 95%CI[-8.45,-3.36], P<0.000 01) and NT-proBNP(SMD=-2.28, 95%CI[-3.13,-1.43], P<0.000 01) and decrease the levels of cTnI(SMD=-2.91, 95%CI[-4.21,-1.60], P<0.000 1), increase LVEF(MD=4.67, 95%CI[4.19, 5.16], P<0.000 01), increased 6 MWT(MD=73.90, 95%CI[67.51, 80.28], P<0.000 01], decreased LVEDD(MD=-5.46, 95%CI[-9.66,-1.25], P=0.01), reduce the level of serum inflammatory factor(hs-CRP, CRP, IL-6). In terms of safety, less adverse reactions occurred in the study, with no impact on the treatment. The results showed that clinical use of Xinmailong Injection combined with Western medicine in the treatment of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction can further alleviate clinical symptoms and relevant indexes, with less adverse reactions. However, due to the limitations in quantity and quality of the clinical studies included, the positive results can only be used as a hint and reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment, and more high-quality studies are needed to further confirm its efficacy.

Analysis of Medication Rules of Coronary Heart Disease with Heart Failure of Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome Based on Literature Research / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To systematically sort out and summarize the medication rules of clinical prescriptions for coronary heart disease with heart failure of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome，and to provide reference for selecting prescriptions and medications for the treatment of coronary heart disease （CHD） with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Method:All relevant literature concerning the treatment of CHD with compound TCM prescriptions for Qi deficiency and blood statis syndrome from 2000 to 2020 were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Network （CNKI），WanFang database （WanFang），and VIP journal database （VIP），and the names of prescriptions and drug components were extracted，followed by the frequency of drug use and drug category. Association rules of high-frequency drugs were analyzed by SPSS 18.0，and systematic clustering analysis was conducted by SPSS 21.0. Result:Finally，41 qualified literature articles covering 35 prescriptons and 66 drugs were included in the study. The total frequency of the drugs was 433 times. Among them，there were a total of 25 traditional Chinese medicines with a frequency of ≥5 times. The top 3 frequently used Chinese medicines were Astragali Radix （8.8%），Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma （7.2%），Chuanxiong Rhizoma （5.8%）. A total of 15 types of drugs were involved，among which tonic drugs （31.4%），blood promoting and blood stasis drugs （28.2%），and hydration and dampening drugs （7.6%） were used most frequently. The association rule analysis of traditional Chinese medicines with frequency of ≥ 5 showed that there were 13 pairs of binomial associations in 25 traditional Chinese medicines，with Astragali Radix in combination with Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma，Chuanxiong Rhizoma，Carthami Flos，et al. There were 8 groups of three associations，with Astragali Radix，Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma，and Chuanxiong Rhizoma as the main combinations. A systematic clustering analysis showed that the clustering effect was best when the 25 traditional Chinese medicines were clustered into 5 categories. Conclusion:The treatment of coronary heart disease with heart failure of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is based on replenishing qi and activating blood circulation，supplemented by warming yang，diuresis，and phlegm-resolving drugs，which can enhance the clinical efficacy. Two basic prescriptions of Buyang Huanwutang and Si junzitang are extracted. Other combinations of prescriptions and drugs can provide references for the clinical treatment of coronary heart disease with heart failure.

Correlations Between Severity of Heart Failure Related to Coronary Heart Disease of Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis Syndrome and Biological Indexes / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the correlations of the severity of heart failure related to coronary heart disease arising from Qi deficiency and blood stasis with cardiac function indexes， energy metabolism indexes， coagulation function indexes， and inflammatory factors， in order to provide a scientific basis for further research on the biological foundation of this disease. Method:Two hundred patients with heart failure related to coronary heart disease of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were collected and then classified into mild， moderate and severe groups according to their scores of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. Meanwhile， 40 healthy persons confirmed by physical examination during the same period were included into the control group. Such biological indexes as cardiac function indexes， energy metabolism indexes， coagulation function indexes， and inflammatory factors were determined in patients of each group for comparison. Then the Spearman rank correlation analysis was conducted to figure out the correlations between differential indexes and the severity of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome， followed by the determination of risk factors for the severity of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome by ordered logistic regression analysis. Result:The cardiac function indexes， energy metabolism indexes， coagulation function indexes， and inflammatory factors in patients with heart failure related to coronary heart disease arising from Qi deficiency and blood stasis varied significantly. There were significant statistical differences in the levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-ProBNP）， 6-minute walk test （6MWT）， heart-type fatty acid-binging protein （H-FABP）， prothrombin time （PT）， activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT）， tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic> （TNF-<italic>α</italic>）， and nitric oxide （NO） among the mild， moderate， and severe groups （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The severity of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was positively correlated with NT-ProBNP （<italic>r</italic>=0.144）， PT （<italic>r</italic>=0.173）， and APTT （<italic>r</italic>=0.144）， but negatively with 6MWT （<italic>r</italic>=-0.287）. The 6MWT［odds ratio（OR）=0.995， 95% confidence interval（CI） 0.991-0.998），<italic>P</italic><0.01］ and APTT（OR=1.088，95%CI 1.021-1.157，<italic>P</italic><0.01） were independent risk factors affecting the severity of heart failure related to coronary heart disease arising from Qi deficiency and blood stasis. Conclusion:The severity of heart failure related to coronary heart disease of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is closely related to NT-ProBNP， 6MWT， H-FABP， PT， APTT， TNF-<italic>α</italic>， and NO. Moreover， 6MWT and APTT can be used as independent risk factors to evaluate the severity of patients with heart failure related to coronary heart disease due to Qi deficiency and blood stasis.

Clinical Observation of Compound Guizhencao Granule in Treatment of Grade 1 Hypertension with Dampness Heat and Blood Stasis Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of compound Guizhencao granule （CGG） on grade 1 hypertension patients with dampness heat and blood stasis syndrome and its influence on related biological indicators and safety indexes. Method:A randomized，double-blind，placebo-controlled clinical trial design was used. 80 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the treatment group （40 cases） and control group （40 cases）. On the basis of health education，patients in the treatment group received 6.5 g CGG，twice daily，for four weeks. Patients in the control group received CGG simulant in a similar dosing scheme. The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring（24 h ABPM），traditional Chinese medcine（TCM） syndrome score，angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ），endothelin-1 （ET-1），homocysteine（Hcy） and safety indexes were observed. Result:Compared with that before treatment， systolic blood pressure （SBP） and diastolic blood pressure （DBP） of the consulting room in the treatment group were significantly lower （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and there was no significant difference in the control group；The daytime DBP and 24 h DBP in the control group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the 24 h SBP， 24 h DBP， daytime SBP， daytime DBP， nighttime SBP and nighttime DBP in the treatment group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The total effective rate of 24 h ABPM on the nighttime blood pressure was 57.14% （20/35） in the treatment group， which was significantly higher than 28.57% （10/35） in the control group （<italic>Z</italic>=-2.310， <italic>P</italic><0.05）； The total effective rate of daytime blood pressure and 24-hour blood pressure treatment group increased， but the difference was not statistically significant. The TCM syndrome score of two groups was significantly lower than that of the control group before treatment （<italic>P</italic>< 0.05， <italic>P</italic>< 0.01）， and that of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group after treatment （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The total effective rate of TCM syndrome score in the treatment group was 51.43% （18/35）， which was significantly higher than 28.57% （10/35） in the control group （<italic>χ</italic>²= 9.973， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with that before treatment， the levels of ET-1 and Hcy in the control group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and the levels of Ang Ⅱ， ET-1 and Hcy in the treatment group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）； Compared with the control group after treatment， the levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in the treatment group decreased significantly （<italic>P</italic> < 0.01）. Conclusion:CGG is safe and effective in reducing the blood pressure level，improving the TCM syndrome score，and regulating related biological indicators of patients with Grade 1 hypertension.

Technical specifications for hospital-based intensive monitoring of post-marketing Chinese patent medicine / 中国中药杂志

In 2013,China pharmaceutical regulatory department issued guiduance on postmarketing drug safety monitoring for industry. It aimed to encourage industry to carry out postmarketing drug safety monitoring including hospital-based intensive monitoring of postmarketing Chinese patent medicine. Subsequently,more and more such kind of studies have been performed all over China. However,in view of the current situation in this field,the development of hospital-based intensive monitoring of postmarketing Chinese patent medicine lacks standardization,such as unreasonable design,omission of reports about adverse drug reactions,inadequate process of quality control,non-standardized interpretation of adverse reactions,etc. Therefore,it is necessary to formulate relevant technical specifications to guide this area. The developing of this technical specification refered to the international post-marketing safety monitoring model and advanced design concepts and methods. We developed it under the guidance of relevant laws,regulations and technical documents in China. Meanwhile the characteristics of Chinese patent medicines and the real situation in this area were considered. The aim of this technical specification is to obtain the incidence,type,degree and clinical manifestation of adverse drug reactions of Chinese patent medicines,to find new risk signals of adverse reactions,to identify risk factors,and to provide a basis for the formulation of risk management and control plans. This specification has been approved by China association of Chinese medicine which is numbered T/CACM011-2016.

Expert consensus on the design and implementation of clinical safety centralized monitoring study of Chinese medical injection / 中国中药杂志

Along with the increase of clinical application, the safety of traditional Chinese medicine gained more and more attentions. In particular, the safety evaluation of Chinese medical injections has become a mandatory task should be completed by pharmaceutical companies under the supervision of China Food and Drug Administration(CFDA). Due to the weak foundation of previous studies, the safety issues of Chinese medical injections have not been fully understood, and lack of scientific and rational risk management programs. Clinical safety centralized monitoring(CSCM) is an important method for post-market safety evaluation of Chinese medicine. Due to the lack of appropriate norms and procedures, the quality of similar research is uneven, and the results vary. Combined with practical experience with experts' suggestions, we developed this expert consensus on the design and implementation of CSCM from three stages (design, implementation and report) with 20 technical points, which will provide technical support for future CSCM studies.

Protective effects of Jiashen Prescription () on myocardial infarction in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of Jiashen Prescription (, JSP) on myocardial infarction (MI) size and cardiac function at the early stage of MI in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sham-operation or MI induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The rats with MI were treated with vehicle, JSP 3 and 6 g/(kg·d), or losartan 10 mg/(kg·d) for 1 week.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the vehicle-treated MI rats, 6 g/(kg·d) JSP reduced MI size 3 days after MI (P<0.05), and attenuated the MI-induced increases in left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic dimension and decreases in fractional shortening and ejection fraction 1 week after MI (P<0.05). In addition, 6 g/(kg·d) JSP and losartan were equally effective in reducing MI size and enhancing cardiac functional recovery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JSP reduces MI size and improves cardiac function after MI, suggesting that JSP has potential as a therapy for MI.</p>

Role of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 and C-C chemokine receptor 2 in renal injury induced by salt-sensitive hype / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effects of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel ablation and a chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) antagonist on salt-sensitive hypertension-induced renal injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wild-type (WT) and TRPV1-null mutant (TRPV1(-/-)) mice were subjected to uninephrectomy and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treatment for 4 weeks with or without a CCR2 antagonist, RS504393 (n=8 for all the 4 groups). Sham WT and TRPV1(-/-) mice (both n=7) underwent uninephrectomy without receiving DOCA and saline. Systolic blood pressure, urinary excretion of albumin, 8-isoprostane and creatinine clearance for 24 hours were assayed during the experimental period and at the end of the 4-week treatment. The morphological analysis was performed in renal histological sections, including glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial injury, and monocyte/macrophage infiltration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the corresponding control mice, DOCA-salt treatment in both WT and TRPV1(-/-) mice led to increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), enhanced urinary excretion of albumin and 8-isoprostane, decreased creatinine clearance, increased glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial injury associated with enhanced monocyte/macrophage infiltration (all P<0.05), all of which were much more severe in TRPV1(-/-) mice compared to WT mice with the exception of blood pressure (all P<0.05). RS5043943 attenuated DOCA-salt-induced changes in renal function and morphology in WT and TRPV1(-/-) mice (all P<0.05). There was no difference in blood pressure among DOCA-salt WT and TRPV1(-/-) mice with or without RS505393 with the exception of sham WT and TRPV1(-/-) mice (all P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CCR2 antagonist inhibits DOCA-salt-induced renal injury and monocyte/macrophage infiltration in WT and TRPV1(-/-) mice with the greater in the latter strain. Activation of TRPV1 attenuates salt-sensitive hypertension-induced renal injury possibly via inhibition of CCR2-induced monocyte/macrophage infiltration.</p>

Role of chemokine receptor 2 in renal damage induced by deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the role of chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension-induced renal damage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We investigated the renal damage induced by uninephrectomy and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt in mice treated with or without a selective CCR2 antagonist RS504393 for 4 weeks. Sham mice underwent uninephrectomy without receiving DOCA and saline. Systolic blood pressure, urinary excretion of albumin and 8-isoprostane, creatinine clearance, glomerulosclerosis, renal tubulointerstitial injury, and renal monocyte/macrophage infiltration were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DOCA-salt treatment led to increased systolic blood pressure, increased urinary excretion of albumin and 8-isoprostane, decreased creatinine clearance, glomerulosclerosis, renal tubulointerstitial injury, and renal monocyte/macrophage infiltration compared with the sham mice (P<0.05). All of them were prevented by CCR2 inhibition (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Blockade of CCR2 prevents renal damage induced by DOCA-salt treatment, suggesting that CCR2-mediated monocyte/macrophage infiltration may contribute to salt-sensitive hypertension-induced renal injury.</p>

Effect of clinical pathways based on integrative medicine for patients with chronic heart failure: a multi-center research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess a multi-center study effectiveness of clinical pathways based on integrative medicine (IM) for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A combined method of historical control study and clinical study on concurrent control was used. After the standard management for clinical pathways was carried out in four hospitals at home, the effects on hospitalization days, medical expenses, clinical efficacy, patient satisfaction, and quality of life were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Results of non-concurrent historical control study showed that: the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the pathways group than in the retrospective group (12.59 days vs 18.44 days), and the total cost of hospitalization was significantly reduced in the pathways group (yen 9 051.90 vs yen 11 978.40), showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). Moreover, the effect on the heart function was better in the pathways group than in the retrospective group (the markedly effective rate: 45.60% vs 21.90%; the total effective rate: 96.80% vs 86.10%), showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). Results of clinical study on concurrent control showed that the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the pathways group than in the control group (11.19 days vs 13.21 days), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The average total cost of hospitalization was significantly lower in the pathways group than in the control group (yen 8 656.80 vs yen 11 609.70), showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). As for clinical efficacy of Chinese medical syndrome, the total effective rate was higher in the pathways group than in the control group (97.10% vs 93.62%), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The markedly effective rate of heart function was better in the pathways group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (49.30% vs 38.30%, P < 0.05). The overall satisfaction was higher in the pathways group than in the conventional group (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the mortality within 3 months after discharge from hospital, and the readmission rate due to heart failure between the two groups (P > 0.05). But there was statistical difference in the quality of life (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pathway could shorten the hospitalization time, decrease the cost of hospitalization, improve the clinical efficacy, improve patients' quality of life and satisfaction, therefore, it could be spread nationwide.</p>

Effects of Xinjining extract on inward rectifier potassium current in ventricular myocytes of guinea pig / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Xinjining extract (, XJN) on inward rectifier potassium current (I(K1)) in ventricular myocyte (VMC) of guinea pigs and its anti-arrhythmic mechanism on ion channel level.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Single VMC was enzymatically isolated by zymolisis, and whole-cell patch clamp recording technique was used to record the I(k1) in VMC irrigated with XJN of different concentrations (1.25, 2.50, 5.00 g/L; six samples for each). The stable current and conductance of the inward component of I(K1) as well as the outward component of peak I(K1) and conductance of it accordingly was recorded when the test voltage was set on -110 mV.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The suppressive rate of XJN on the inward component of I(K1) was 9.54% + or - 5.81%, 34.82% + or - 15.03%, and 59.52% + or - 25.58% with a concentration of 1.25, 2.50, and 5.00 g/L, respectively, and that for the outward component of peak I(K1) was 23.94% + or - 7.45%, 52.98% + or - 19.62%, and 71.42% + or - 23.01%, respectively (all P<0.05). Moreover, different concentrations of XJN also showed effects for reducing I(K1) conductance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XJN has inhibitory effect on I(K1) in guinea pig's VMC, and that of the same concentration shows stronger inhibition on outward component than on inward component, which may be one of the mechanisms of its anti-arrhythmic effect.</p>

Lead impairs ability of learning and memory and affects expression of synaptosomal-associated protein-25 in hippocampus of offspring / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find the effects of lead taken by pregnant mice on learning and memory and the expression of synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP)-25 mRNA and protein, in order to reveal the mechanism of neurotoxicity induced by lead.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Lead exposure was conducted through freely drinking the corresponding lead acetate solutions with dosages of 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 g/L respectively. Each group was composed of 10 mice. 7, 14 and 21 days after their birth. The lead contents in blood and hippocampus of the offspring were determined. At the 21st day the expression of SNAP-25 mRNA and protein in hippocampus of all the offspring in various dosages groups were determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lead contents in blood and hippocampus of various lead exposed groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The lead levels in blood and hippocampus changed accordingly to the days of growth. In Water Morris Maze experiment, the result of 0.3 g/L group was not significantly different from that of the control group (P > 0.05), however, the results of 1.0, 3.0 g/L groups (5.89 ± 0.54, 9.53 ± 1.03) were significantly different from those of the control group (1.73 ± 0.07) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The expression of SNAP-25 mRNA and protein was lower in lead exposed groups than that of the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Maternal lead exposure may induce the damage in the ability of learning and memory of the offspring. The neurotoxicity of lead may be induced by decreasing the expression of SNAP-25 mRNA and protein so as to affect the release of neurotransmitter from presynaptic terminal resulted in nerve damages.</p>

Thinking on the efficacy evaluation of TCM for treatment of heart failure / 中国中西医结合杂志

Through dissertating the current status and trend in efficacy evaluation of traditional and Western medicine for treatment of heart failure, aiming at the difference between TCM and Western medicine in efficacy evaluation and existent problems for diagnosis and treatment of heart failure. The authors proposed to establish a method for evaluating TCM clinical studies, a systematic method and thinking of indexes rating, depending upon the guidance of clinical methodologies of systematology, clinical epidemiology and evidence-based medicine, to make the efficacy evaluation founded upon the superiority of TCM and meeting to the international requisition, thus to facilitate the goingahead of TCM to the world.