Retrospection and reflection on the integrated Chinese and Western medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

Integration of Chinese medicine and Western medicine is the necessary outcome in the reality of co-existence of the two medicines nowadays, also an inevitable tendency of cross-comprehensive, systematization, internationalization and diversification in the progress of science development and research. Experienced over half a century's self-innovation, lots of achievements in clinical and experimental studies have been achieved by the integrated Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM), but it still remains in the primary period of developing, and some deficiencies existed yet. So, we should have the foresight and mind of "Harmony in Diversity" and make effort to establish a series of independent and perfect theoretical system, for making more breakthrough development of ICWM.

Effects of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 ASODN on transforming growth beta-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 of rat hepatic stellate cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B p65 ASODN on transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF beta 1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and the mechanisms of NF-kappa B p65 ASODN in treating liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Type IV collagen enzyme digestion and density centrifugation methods were used to separate rat hepatic stellate cells. NF-kappa B p65 ASODN was manually synthesized and completely phosphorothioate-modified. The changes of TGF beta 1 and ICAM-1 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR and albumen of TGF beta 1 and ICAM-1 were detected by ELISA. The changes of NF-kappa B activity were determined by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NF-kappa B activity and the expressions of ICAM-1 and TGF beta 1 increased after the HSC were treated by TNF alpha. NF-kappa B activity weakened after being treated with NF-kappa B p65 ASODN (0.001-1.000 micromol/L), P less than 0.05 in a dose dependent manner. Transferring NF-kappa B p65 ASODN (0.001-1.000 micromol/L) also weakened the expression of ICAM-1 and TGF beta 1 mRNA and the protein induced by TNF alpha in HSC. It was also in a dose dependent manner, P less than 0.05.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>After transferring NF-kappa B p65 ASODN into HSC, their NF-kappa B activity decreased, and their mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 and TGF beta 1 also decreased. This may serve as a new way in treating hepatic fibrosis.</p>