Melatonin prevents cyclophosphamide-induced primordial follicle loss by inhibiting ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis and maintaining AMH expression.

Cyclophosphaty -45mide (Cyc) chemotherapy in young female cancer patients is associated with an increased risk of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). This study was designed to investigate the protective role of melatonin (Mel) as an adjuvant against Cyc-induced POI. Female mice received a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of Cyc (75 mg/kg). Mel protection was achieved in mice after i.p. injection of melatonin (50 mg/kg) every 24 h for four consecutive days prior to chemotherapy initiation and for 14 additional days. Ovarian reserve testing, hormonal assays for follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), assessment of the oxidative stress status, and measurement of the relative expression of genes in PTEN/AKT/FOXO3a and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways were performed. The results showed that treatment with 50 mg/kg Mel significantly prevented Cyc-induced over-activation of primordial follicles by maintaining the plasma level of AMH and subsequently preventing litter size reduction in mice treated with Cyc chemotherapy. Importantly, Mel treatment significantly prevented ovarian granulosa cell loss by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Identifying the protective actions of Mel against Cyc-induced primordial follicle loss has important implications for fertility maintenance in young cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Efficacy of acupuncture based on acupoint combination theory for irritable bowel syndrome: a study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and changes in defecation patterns. No organic disease is found to explain these symptoms by routine clinical examination. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for IBS patients compared with those of conventional treatments. We also aim to identify the optimal acupoint combination recommended for IBS and to clarify the clinical advantage of the "multiacupoint co-effect and synergistic effect." METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A total of 204 eligible patients who meet the Rome IV criteria for IBS will be randomly stratified into acupuncture group A, acupuncture group B, or the control group in a 1:1:1 ratio with a central web-based randomization system. The prespecified acupoints used in the control group will include bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Shangjuxu (ST37), Neiguan (PC6), and Zusanli (ST36). The prespecified acupoints used in experimental group A will include bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Neiguan (PC6). The prespecified acupoints used in experimental group B will include bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Zusanli (ST36). Each patient will receive 12 acupuncture treatments over 4 weeks and will be followed up for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the IBS-Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) score. The secondary outcomes include the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), Work and Social Adjustment Score (WSAS), IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QOL), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores. Both the primary outcome and the secondary outcome measures will be collected at baseline, at 2 and 4 weeks during the intervention, and at 6 weeks and 8 weeks after the intervention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The entire project has been approved by the ethics committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (2020BZYLL0903). DISCUSSION: This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial for IBS in China. The findings may shed light on the efficacy of acupuncture as an alternative to conventional IBS treatment. The results of the trial will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Register ChiCTR2000041215 . First registered on 12 December 2020. http://www.chictr.org.cn/ .

Administration of methyl palmitate prevents non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by induction of PPAR-α.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The lack of valid therapeutic approach that can ameliorate the manifestations of NASH is a barrier to therapeutic development. Therefore, we investigate the novel role of Methyl Palmitate (MP) in preventing NASH and the possible mechanism involved. METHODS: 50 Male C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10). The control group was fed control diet; model group was fed MCD diet; MP 1 group was fed MCD diet supplemented with MP (75 mg/kg/day); MP 2 group was fed MCD plus MP diet (150 mg/kg/day); and MP 3 group was fed MCD plus MP diet (300 mg/kg/day). Histological staining's, and commercially available kits for serum ALT and AST and hepatic contents of TG, TC, MDA, SOD, and GSH were used to assess NASH. Furthermore, relative liver protein and gene expression levels were determined by Western Blot and qPCR, respectively. RESULTS: Mice fed MCD diet developed NASH, which was markedly improved by MP in a dose-dependent manner. MP treatment improved hepatic content of TG, TC, MDA, SOD and GSH and serum levels of ALT and AST. In vivo studies showed that MP treatment activated PPARα expression, that in turns, promoted ß-oxidation protein and gene expressions, suppressed TNFα, MCP1, TGFß1 and Colla1 protein and gene expression levels, contributing to the prevention of NASH. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that MP could successfully prevent NASH. This effect of MP was mediated through induction of PPARα pathway. This study provides a novel therapeutic target that plays pivotal role in the prevention of NASH.

Effects of ulinastatin on early postoperative cognitive function after one-lung ventilation surgery in elderly patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

We investigated the effects of ulinastatin on early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after one-lung ventilation (OLV) surgery in elderly patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Eighty elderly patients with preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy scheduling for radical esophagectomy under OLV were recruited. They were randomly divided into an ulinastatin pretreatment group (U group, n = 40) and a control group (C group, n = 40). The U group received 10,000 U/kg ulinastatin before anesthesia and 5000 U/kg daily on postoperative days 1 to 3, while C group received saline. Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), and S-100ß protein were assayed before surgery, at the end of surgery, and on postoperative days 1 and 3. Patients underwent cognitive assessment 1 day before and 7 days after surgery. 38 patients in U group and 37 patients in C group completed the neuropsychological tests. The U group had a lower incidence of POCD than C group (23.7 % versus 45.9 %, P = 0.043). The levels of S-100ß protein, IL-6, IL-10, and CRP in both groups increased after surgery. The postoperative concentrations of S-100ß protein, IL-6, and CRP in U group were lower than those in C group. On postoperative day 3, compared with C group, the level of CRP in U group was lower, while that of IL-10 was higher. These findings demonstrate that ulinastatin can attenuate the elevation of S100ß protein levels and the incidence of POCD, most likely by the mechanism of reducing serum IL-6 and CRP levels and increasing IL-10 levels.

Cytoprotection of methionine on hyperthermia-induced damage in bovine mammary epithelial cells.

The protective effects of methionine against hyperthermia-induced damage in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) were studied. We have investigated the effects of methionine on proliferation, antioxidant activity, and apoptosis of the mammary epithelial cells of dairy cow after heat treatment. The structure of BMEC membrane was damaged by hyperthermia. Methionine (30 and 60 mg/L) efficiently increased cell viability and attenuated morphological damages in hyperthermia-treated BMEC. It significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase leakage and malondialdehyde formation, whereas superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly. It also increased cell survival and decreased early apoptosis. Methionine therefore is cytoprotective on hyperthermia-induced damage in BMEC by increasing intracellular antioxidant levels and decreasing lipid peroxidation.

[Health care and disease prevention in Jiujing Tu (Illustration of moxibustion) of the Dunhuang caves].

Figure four of the Jiujing Tu (Illustration of Moxibustion) of the Dunhuang Caves is the earliest and the most complete recording of treatment for five kinds of strain and seven kinds of impairments in the history of acupuncture and moxibustion. Figure 12 is held as a mystery since it only provided illustrations without indications. Through analysis and approved by clinical experiences, it is held that the two figures are companion illustrations on prevention and treatment of five kinds of strain and seven kinds of impairments as well as health keeping with moxibustion. The point prescriptions in these two figures are defined according to the tri-gram in Yijing (The Book of Change), which allowed the maximization of harmony between the human and the nature. Recovery and health are thus fulfilled through regulation on points at the head, trunk and four extremities of the body. And it is considered to have great significance for promoting the development of the present acupuncture and moxibustion theory since it is effective in both preventing and curing diseases caused by deficient and stagnation conditions such as the wei (flaccidity) syndrome, bi (arthralgia) syndrome, paralysis, dementia, asthma and so on.

Effect of Shugan Jianpi Granule () on gut mucosal serotonin-positive cells in patients with irritable bowel syndrome of stagnated Gan-qi attacking Pi syndrome type.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Shugan Jianpi Granule (, SJG) on the number of gut mucosal serotonin-positive cells (5-HT+C) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) of stagnated Gan-qi attacking Pi (SGAP) syndrome type. METHODS: Twenty-four patients were randomized equally into three groups. All were treated with the basic conventional treatment by cognition-behavior therapy with assistance of lactein 3 tablets thrice a day. Additionally, 24 g of SJG was given three times a day to group A, and the same dosage of SJG and Smecta 15 g thrice a day was given to group B, while no additional treatment was given to the control group. The number of 5-HT+C was measured respectively before and two weeks after treatment by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The number of 5-HT+C decreased after treatment in all the three groups (P<0.05), but the decrement was more significant in the two test groups than in the control group (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), while comparison of 5-HT+C between the two test groups showed insignificant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: SJG can reduce the number of 5-HT+C in IBS patients of SGAP syndrome type, and its effect is enhanced when used in combination with Smecta.