Proteomics reveals the protective mechanism of salvianolate injection on early hyperacute myocardial infarction / 药学学报

The hyperacute stage of myocardial infarction refers to a period of time within 30 minutes after the occurrence of myocardial infarction, when the symptoms are not obvious and the diagnosis is difficult, and the related pathophysiological mechanism has received less attention. In this study, proteomics was used to investigate the pathological changes in the early hyperacute phase of myocardial infarction, aiming to provide experimental evidence for pathological mechanism of myocardial infarction hyperacute stage. Meanwhile, the intervention effect and related mechanism of salvianolate injection were discussed based on heat shock protein B6 (HSPB6), aiming to benefit the clinical rational use of salvianolate injection. The protein expression changes before and after myocardial infarction model establishment were detected by label-free proteomics via mass spectrometry and analyzed by bioinformatics method. Then the binding effect of salvianolate injection on the commonly differential protein HSPB6 was evaluated by molecular docking technology, which was finally verified by animal experiments. All animal experimental protocols were approved by the Ethics Committee of Xiyuan Hosptial (2022XLC041). The results of this study showed that a total of 2 166 proteins were quantified by lable-free proteomics, of which 194 shared differential proteins were involved in myocardial injury and body regulation in the hyperacute phase of myocardial infarction, mainly involving molecular functions such as protein homodimerization activity, oxygen binding and transport, and serine endopeptidase inhibitor activity. Among them, HSPB6 protein is involved in the regulation of myocardial function. Molecular docking results indicated that magnesium salvianolate acetate, which is the main component of salvianolate injection, had the lowest binding energy with HSPB6 protein: -14.53 kcal·mol-1. Animal experiments showed that compared with the Sham group, the model group had significantly lower ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) (P < 0.001), cardiac blood perfusion decreased significantly (P < 0.001). There were obvious pathological changes such as myocardial fiber disorder, cardiomyocyte edema and interstitial small blood vessel congestion; the injury of cardiac function of rats in the administration group was attenuated, and the FS of rats in the low-dose group was significantly improved (P < 0.05), the pathological injury of myocardial tissue was markedly mitigated, and the expression of HSPB6 protein was up-regulated to varying degrees (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). In conclusion, salvianolate injection could be able to improve the cardiac function and pathological morphology of rats in the early hyperacute stage of myocardial infarction, and its mechanism may be related to the promotion of expression of HSPB6.

Treatment of acetabular fractures with infra-acetabular screwing / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of infra-acetabular screwing in the treatment of acetabular fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 22 patients with acetabular fracture who had been admitted to Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinjiang Medical University from January 2016 to January 2019. They were 16 males and 6 females, aged from 19 to 65 years (mean, 45.2 years). According to Letournel-Judet classification, there were 2 anterior column fractures, 12 anterior plus posterior hemi-transverse fractures, 3 T-shaped fractures and 5 both-column fractures. All patients were treated with infra-acetabular screwing through the ilioinguinal approach. Recorded were the patients＇ operation time, intraoperative blood loss, reduction quality, fracture union time, hip function and complications.Results:Operation time for this cohort ranged from 115 to 285 min (mean, 160 min), and intraoperative blood loss from 360 to 1,600 mL (mean, 650 mL). By the Matta scoring, fracture reduction was assessed as excellent in 14 cases, as good in 5 cases and as poor in 3 cases, giving an excellent and good rate of 86.4% (19/22). Of this cohort, 21 were followed up from 12 to 45 months (mean, 28.5 months) and one was lost to the follow-up. The fracture healing time for 21 patients ranged from 1.6 to 3.0 months, averaging 2.2 months. No patient had fracture displacement. The Merle d’Aubigné & Postel hip scores at the last follow-up ranged from 8 to18 points (average, 16 points), giving 12 excellent, 6 good, 2 fair, and one poor cases and an excellent and good rate of 85.7% (18/21). Follow-ups observed injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in one case, deep venous thrombosis of lower limb in 2 cases, superficial wound infection in one case and traumatic arthritis in one case, yielding a total rate of compilations of 23.8% (5/21).Conclusion:Application of infra-acetabular screwing after anatomical reduction of an acetabular fracture can effectively enhance the strength of internal fixation with no risk of fracture re-displacement, conducive to early functional exercise of the patient and leading to good clinical efficacy.

Modern research progress of traditional Chinese medicine Paeoniae Radix Alba and prediction of its Q-markers / 中国中药杂志

Paeoniae Radix Alba is the dried root of Paeonia lactiflora, which was first recorded in the Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica and listed as the top grade. It is a common blood-tonifying herb, and its chemical components are mainly monoterpenes and their glycosides, triterpenes, flavonoids and so on. Modern research has demonstrated that Paeoniae Radix Alba has the activities of anti-inflammation, pain easing, liver protection, and anti-oxidation, and thus it is widely used in clinical practice and has broad development prospects. In this paper, the research progress on the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and quality control of Paeoniae Radix Alba were summarized. On this basis, the Q-markers of Paeoniae Radix Alba were predicted from the aspects of mass transfer and traceability, chemical composition specificity, and availability and measurability of chemical components, which will provide a scientific basis for the quality evaluation of Paeoniae Radix Alba.

Effect of background music therapy on the pain management of burn children during function exercises / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of background music therapy on the pain management of school age burn children during function exercises.Methods:A total of 78 burned children of school age were divided into intervention group (39 cases) and control group (39 cases) according to random number table method. The control group received routine function exercises, the intervention group was listening background music during function exercises. The pain degree was evaluated by Face, Legs, Activity, Crying, Consolability (FLACC) scores, children's medical fears was determined by Broome's Child Medical Fear Questionnaire (CMFQ), activities of daily living was assessed by Barthel index.Results:At 1th, 2th, 3th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, the FLACC scores were (3.82±0.46), (3.25±0.49), (3.29±0.57), (3.04±0.59), (2.82±0.58), (2.90±0.48), (2.31±0.32) points in the intervention group, (4.26±0.54), (3.88±0.84), (4.09±0.86), (3.82±0.65), (3.75±0.68), (3.39±0.72), (2.97±0.64) points in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 3.457-6.363, all P<0.05). After intervention, the fear medical environment, medical operation fear fear, self scores were (6.84±1.44), (5.28±1.41), (4.18±1.58) points in the intervention group, and (7.96±1.34), (7.56±2.43), (5.78±1.31) points in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.511, 4.995, 4.779, all P<0.05). However, the scores of activity of daily life between two groups was no statistical difference ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Background music therapy can alleviate pain degree and medical fear of burn children during function exercises and serve as a useful non-drug strategy for pain management.

Investigation of Molecular Mechanism of Yangxue Antai Fang in Improving Prethrombolic State of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion Based on Integrated Pharmacology Techniques / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To predict the potential molecular mechanism of Yangxue Antai Fang in treating prethrombolic state of recurrent spontaneous abortion （RSA-PTS）. Method:The chemical constituents and drug targets of Yangxue Antai Fang were collected by Integrated Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCMIP V2.0）. RSA-PTS disease target information was collected by TCMIP V2.0 and improved by Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man （OMIM） database. The interaction of these targets was analyzed and key target network was constructed. Gene ontology （GO） function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis were further performed. Finally， Cytoscape 3.5.1 was used to build up a multidimensional network of TCM-ingredient-target-pathway. The levels of absorption， distribution， metabolism， excretion and toxicity （ADMET） of the main components in the network were analyzed. Result:A total of 310 chemical constituents and 975 targets were collected from 8 TCMs in Yangxue Antai Fang. A total of 143 targets of RSA-PTS were obtained. A total of 243 core targets were obtained by the interrelationship analysis of drug and disease targets. The analysis of the top 100 core targets showed that these targets might participate in treating RSA-PTS by affecting biological processes related to thrombosis， such as blood coagulation， platelet activation， positive regulation of angiogenesis and so on. Pathway analysis showed that these targets were mainly concentrated in complement and coagulation cascades， platelet activation， estrogen signaling pathway， thyroid hormone signaling pathway， etc. Multidimensional network analysis in combination with ADMET level showed that 14 components （leonurine， paeonol， vanillin， and so on） may play a therapeutic role in RSA-PTS by affecting coagulation factors Ⅱ （F2）， plasminogen （PLG） and estrogen receptor 1 （ESR1） proteins involved in complement and coagulation cascades， platelet activation， thyroid hormone signaling pathway and others. Conclusion:The main chemical constituents in Yangxue Antai Fang may improve RSA-PTS by regulating complement and coagulation cascades， blood coagulation， platelet activation and other biological processes.

Berberine ameliorates dexamethasone-induced metabolic disorder in C57 mice / 药学学报

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of berberine (BBR) against dexamethasone (Dex)-induced metabolic disorders. 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated by Dex treatment and then treated with BBR (2.5, 5, 10 μmol·L-1). Lipid accumulation was detected using oil-red O staining. After review and approval of the ethics committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into three groups. In the BBR treatment group, mice were subcutaneously implanted with an osmotic pump containing Dex and gavaged with BBR (100 mg·kg-1·day-1) for 4 weeks. The model control group was implanted with a Dex osmotic pump with no other treatment. Mice given a saline-filled osmotic pump were used as a negative control. During the study, food intake and body weight were measured weekly. Subcutaneous fat and visceral fat was detected by MRI. At the end of the experiment the plasma levels of total cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), glucose (Glu), and muscle mass were measured. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) in 3T3-L1 cells and epididymal fat of C57BL/6N mice was evaluated through RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The results showed that BBR inhibited Dex-induced adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by up to 23% in a dose-dependent manner. In C57BL/6N mice, berberine alleviated hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia and reduced visceral fat accumulation induced by Dex. The results from RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that BBR reduced PPARγ expression and increased the phosphorylation of AMPKα in 3T3-L1 cells as well as in adipose tissue. Berberine might alleviate Dex-induced metabolic disorder and visceral fat accumulation by modulating PPARγ and AMPK expression.

The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on the social psychology of women with human papillomavirus infection / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective This study examined the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy on the social psychology of women with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Methods Sixty women with HPV infection who visited a health center were randomly assigned to either an intervention (30 cases) or control group (30 cases), from December 2018 to March 2019. The control group received routine health education and psychological intervention. On the basis of the control group, the intervention group received 8 weeks of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. The HPV Impact Profile (HIP) was used as an evaluation tool to compare the efficacy of the two groups. Results There were no significant baseline differences between the two groups. After intervention, HIP scores for worries and concerns, affective impact, sexual impact, and partner and communication were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group: worries and concerns (31.87±9.94 vs. 44.80±7.89), affective impact (30.93±9.79 vs. 54.93±12.89), sexual impact (27.60±10.73 vs. 58.87±8.35), partner and communication (28.90±8.57 vs. 46.83±12.2). There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in each domain. Conclusion Mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy can significantly improve negative emotions and sexual satisfaction among women with HPV infection.

Effect of salvianolic acid A on anesthetized canine experimental myocardial infarction / 中国中药杂志

Salvianolic acid A (SAA), one of the major active water-soluble salvianolic acids of traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, has been reported to be effective on anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-oxidation and anti-thrombus. This study aimed to investigate appropriate administration route on dogs with acute myocardial ischemia(AMI). Twenty-four dogs were randomized into four groups (n=6), model, oral administration of SAA (8 mg•kg⁻¹), intravenous administration of SAA (4 mg•kg⁻¹), intravenous administration of Herbesser(0.5 mg•kg⁻¹) as positive drug group. AMI model was established by ligating left anterior descending coronary arteries(LAD) of dogs. Changes of ST segment were determined by epicardial electrocardiogram(ECG), coronary blood flow (CBF) and myocardial oxygen consumption were measured by ultrasonic Doppler flow meter, serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were observed by fully automatic biochemical analyser. Myocardial infarct size was assessed by nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) staining. Both oral and intravenous administration of SAA reduced the myocardial infarct area/left ventricle area significantly [(16.73±6.52)% and (13.19±2.38)%, compared with (24.35±4.89)% in model group, P<0.01). Oral administration of SAA improved the ECG performance of Σ-ST from 30-190 min after ischemia (P<0.05-0.01), while intravenous SAA had a rapid onset (10-190 min after ischemia, P<0.05-0.01). Compared with model group, oral and intravenous SAA both decreased serum CK and LDH significantly (P<0.05-0.01), while the difference of intravenous administration is more significant. SAA protects myocardium in canine experimental myocardial infarction models. Intravenous administration of SAA alleviates myocardial infarction with greater significance than oral route.

Immunomodulatory activity of macromolecular polysaccharide isolated from Grifola frondosa / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to evaluate the immune-modulating effects of the polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa (GFP) by using mouse peritoneal macrophage and cytoxan (CTX) induced immunosuppression models. Our results from the phagocytotic and mononuclear phagocytic system function assays showed that GFP-A (one component from GFP) stimulated the phagocytosis of the phagocytes. The splenocyte proliferation assay showed that GFP-A acted the effect combing ConA or LPS in splenocyte proliferation. The results showed that GFP-A increased indices of thymus and spleen, the levels of LDH and ACP in the spleen, the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-γ in splenocyte. And GFP-A also significantly increased the expression of CD4(+) and CD8(+) splenic T lymphocytes, which were suppressed by the CTX in peripheral blood. In conclusion, our results indicate that the GFP-A is involved in immunomodulatory effects leading to its modulatory effects on immunosuppression.

Effect of formula of removing both phlegm and blood stasis in improving cardiac function of Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate that the effect of formula of removing both phlegm and blood stasis in improving cardiac function of Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Totally 36 Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided to six groups: the normal control group, the model group, the Danlou tablet group, and Tanyu Tonzhi Fang(TYTZ) groups with doses of 2. 0, 1. 0 and 0. 5 g kg-1, with six in each group. Except for the normal control group, all of other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 2 weeks. Interventional balloons are adopted to injure their left anterior descending artery endothelium. After the operation, they were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to prepare the coronary heart disease model of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome. After the operation, they were administered with drugs for 8 weeks. The changes in the myocardial ischemia were observed. The changes in the cardiac function and structure were detected by cardiac ultrasound and noninvasive hemodynamic method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the normal control group, the model group showed significant increase in myocardial ischemia and SVR and obvious decrease in CO, SV and LCW in noninvasive hemodynamic parameters (P <0.05 or P <0.01). The ultrasonic cardiogram indicated notable decrease in IVSd, LVPWs, EF and FS, and remarkable increase in LVIDs (P<0. 05 orP<0.01). Compared with the model group, TYTZ could reduce the myocardial ischemia, strengthen cardiac function, and improve the abnormal cardiac structure and function induced by ischemia (P <0. 05 or P <0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TYTZ shows a significant effect in improving cardiac function of Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome. The clinical cardiac function detection method could be adopted to correctly evaluate the changes in the post-myocardial ischemia cardiac function, and narrow the gap between clinical application and basic experimental studies.</p>

Clinical experiences of Professor Li Zhi-dao's acupuncture technique at muscle belly for arthralgia / 中国针灸

Professor LI Zhi-dao's acupuncture technique at muscle belly and its clinical experiences for the treatment of arthralgia are introduced. From aspects of TCM, anatomical physiology and sports biomechanics, the theory basis of this technique is explained, while its method is elaborated in details from acupoint selection and manipulation combined with classic medical cases. The acupuncture technique at muscle belly is applied at the muscles which already have pathological changes, avoiding re-stimulation on the pain area. It provides new thinking methods and references for acupuncture to treat arthralgia.

Correlation analysis for the attack of bacillary dysentery and meteorological factors based on the Chinese medicine theory of Yunqi and the medical-meteorological forecast model / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the impact of meteorological factors on the outbreak of bacillary dysentery, so as to provide suggestions for disease prevention.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the Chinese medicine theory of Yunqi, the descriptive statistics, single-factor correlation analysis and back-propagation artificial neural net-work were conducted using data on five basic meteorological factors and data on incidence of bacillary dysentery in Beijing, China, for the period 1970-2004.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of bacillary dysentery showed significant positive correlation relationship with the precipitation, relative humidity, vapor pressure, and temperature, respectively. The incidence of bacillary dysentery showed a negatively correlated relationship with the wind speed and the change trend of average wind speed. The results of medical-meteorological forecast model showed a relatively high accuracy rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is a close relationship between the meteorological factors and the incidence of bacillary dysentery, but the contributions of which to the onset of bacillary dysentery are different to each other.</p>

Recent researches of synthetic mercury sulfide in traditional medicine system / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Herein, the synthesis, component, microstructure and pharmacological and toxicology researches of the Synthetic Mercury Sulfide (S-HgS) a kind of common drug in Chinese, Mongolia, Tibetan medicine, and Indian medicine system were summarized. The similar cognition about mercury toxicity & pharmacological action from some Asian regions was analyzed, and it can supply some useful direction for the traditional Asian medicine system.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Recent literatures both domestic and abroad were summarized and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>S-HgS is the basis of Vermilion, Mongolia-Vermilion, Zuotai, and Ras-sindoor. Athough the processes of synthesis are very different, but the microstructure and pharmacological & toxicology of S-HgS is similar.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>S-HgS has a far-ranging application,and unique curative effect. New technology such as nanotechnology can be used for improving the advancement of traditional Asian medicine.</p>

Correlation analysis for the attack of respiratory diseases and meteorological factors / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between respiratory diseases onset and the meteorological factors in the same period and in a specific environment. METHODS METHODS: By using the data of daily incidence of respiratory diseases obtained from Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2007, and the data of 16 items of meteorological factors (such as the average, maximum, and minimum temperatures, etc., including meteorological factors derived) obtained from the Beijing Municipal Meteorological Observatory, mathematical statistical methods were applied to achieve the non-linear correlation analysis, or the correlation test, between the incidence of respiratory diseases and the time-related meteorological factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The simple correlation coefficients of the relationship between the incidence of respiratory diseases and 9 meteorological elements, including the average values of temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, degree of comfort, precipitation, vapor pressure, low cloud cover, change of vapor pressure, and change of wind speed, were all greater than 0.8286, in which one of the relationship between the incidence of respiratory diseases and the maximum temperature is as high as 0.9670. Statistical tests showed R>Rα=0.05 and F>Fα=0.05.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The incidence of respiratory diseases was closely correlated to meteorological factors, such as air temperature, vapor pressure, precipitation, wind speed, etc. To a certain extent, this conclusion confirmed the scientificity and objectivity of the theory of five evolutive phases and six climatic factors (Wu Yun Liu Qi ) in Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine).</p>

Role of Notch signaling pathway in cerebral ischemic tolerance induced by electroacupuncture preconditioning / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To investigate the role of Notch signaling pathway in cerebral ischemic tolenmce induced by clectroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning.Methods Fifty-two adult male SD rats weighing 280-320 g were randomly divided into 2 groups(n=each):control group(group C)and electroacupuncture preconditionig group(group EA).Group C received no treatment.Group EA received EA at the Baihui acupoint (GV20) for 30 min a day for 5 days.Twenty-four hours after the last preconditionig,focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 120 min,followed by 72 h of reperfusion.Notch intracellular domain(NICD)expression was determined by Western blot and expression of Notch1,Notch4,Jag1,and Hes1 mRNA by real-time PCR immediately before iachemia and 24 and 72 h of reperfusion.The neurological deficit was scored at 72 h of reperfusion.The infarct volumes were then determined after evaluation of the neurological deficit score .Results There was no significant difference in Hesl mRNA and NICD expression immediately before ischemia between group EA and C(P>O.05).NICD expression was up-regulated at 24 and 72 h of reperfusion in both groups, and Hesl mRNA expression at 72 h of reperfusion in group C and at 24 h of reperfusion in group EA was up-regulated compared with those immediately before ischemia (P < 0.05). Hes1 mRNA and NICD expression was up-regulated in group C, while down-regulated in group EA at 72 h of reperfusion compared with those at 24 h of reperfusion ( P < 0.05 ). Compared with group C, the expression of Notchl,Notch4 and Jag1 mRNA was up-regulated immediately before ischemia, and Hes1 mRNA and NICD expression was up-regulated at 24 h of reperfusion while down-regulated at 72 h of reperfusion in group EA( P < 0.05). EA preconditioning significantly reduced infarct volumes and increased neurological deficit scores at 72 h of reperfusion (P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Notch signaling pathway may participate in cerebral ischemic tolerance induced by EA preconditioning.

Pharmacokinetics of luteolin from Elsholtzia blanda extracts in rats / 药学学报

An RP-HPLC method for determination of luteolin from Elsholtzia blanda Benth. extracts in rats' plasma was established and the pharmacokinetics of luteolin in rats was studied. Drug blood samples from caudal vein were gotten after oral administration of luteolin. Plasma samples were determined by RP-HPLC after being deproteinized with trichloroacetic acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.37-47.27 microg x mL(-1). The limit of quantification was 0.37 microg x mL(-1). The method recovery of luteolin was 93%-99%. The extract recovery was 75%-85%. RSDs of intra-and inter-day precisions were less than 5%. The concentration-time curve of luteolin after oral administration of Elsholtzia blanda Benth. extracts was fitted to two compartment open model. Two factors analysis of variance were adopted in the evaluation of gender and time spots for collection of blood. The result suggested that the gender-based difference in blood-drug concentrations had statistical significance. The metabolite in blood was identified as galcuronide. The method is sensitive, specific, accurate, and is appropriate for determination of luteolin in vivo.

Influence of repeated seizures and large dosage anti-epileptic drug on phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein in rat's hippocampus and effect of Caoguo Zhimu Decoction / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of repeated seizures and anti-epileptic drug on phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (pCREB) in rat model of cognitive impairment, and the effect of Caoguo Zhimu Decoction (CZD) on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On the basis of epileptic model induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), cognitive impairment model was induced by kindling epilepsy with PTZ everyday, which were then di-vided into the model-1 group, the CZD-1 group, the nimodipine-1 group, and those by injecting large dosage phenytoin sodium were divided into the model-2 group, the CZD-2 group and the nimodipine-2 group. Changes of pCREB protein in rat's hippocampus were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of pCREB was higher in the CZD-1 and nimodipine-1 group than in the model group, while it was significantly different in the CZD-2 and nimodipine-2 groups than in the model-2 group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CZD could relieve the cognitive dysfunction in the epileptic model rats induced by everyday PTZ kindling or by dilantin through increasing the pCREB expression.</p>

Preparation of tanshinone microemulsion and its absorption in rat intestine in situ / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare tanshinone microemulsion (Tan-ME) and investigate its properities and the absorption character in rat intestine in situ.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The microemulsions were prepared and characterized using Zetapals Zeta potential/particle size analysis and atomic force microscope. A HPLC method for determination of tanshinone IIA in the intestinal flux was established. RESUILT: The Tan-ME was fine droplet with an average droplet size of (32.25 +/- 6.59) nm. The results of Tan-ME absorption in small intestinal indicated that Tan-ME could improve the absorption of tanshinone IIA in rat small intestine, but the absorption coefficient of Tan-ME, Ka was influenced by the ratio of water-phase in Tan-ME.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tan-ME could improve the absorption of tanshinone IIA in rat small intestine. Thus bioavailability of tanshinone was improved.</p>

Effects of acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) on brain function with PET/CT / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of needling at Weizhong (BL 40) acupoint in inducing metabolic changes in brain with positron emission tomography and dynamic contrast (PET/CT) imaging for exploring the mechanism of central regulation of acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PET/CT was performed before and during needling Weizhong acupoint of right leg by electro-acupuncture in 8 healthy volunteers, and also in other 8 subjects without any acupoint stimulation for control. Difference of brain functional images between the two groups before and during needling was analyzed by pairing t-test with statistical parametric mapping.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The needling evoked mean activated cerebral functional regions were: left Broadmann area (BA) 10, 11, 22, 38, 39, 40, 44-46, right BA10, bilateral BA18, 19, and left cerebellar cortex, claustrum and insula (t > 3.36, P < 0.01, k >30 voxels); its mean inhibited brain functional regions were: bilateral BA24, left BA7, 8, 19, 40, right BA 1, 3, 6, 20, 44, and left substantia nigra.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is a certain connection between Weizhong acupoint and the brain. Needling this acupoint could exert effects through activating or inhibiting brain function in specific regions and neurohumoral regulation. One of the central regulation mechanisms of acupuncture was functional activation in superior, middle, and inferior frontal gyrus, insula and cerebellum and functional inhibition in callosal gyrus, lobi parietalis and substantia nigra. This study further demonstrated PET/CT is useful in revealing TCM meridian theory and could provide objective proof of central regulation for acupuncture treatment.</p>