Astragalus membranaceus Polysaccharide Regulates Small Intestinal Microbes and Activates IL-22 Signal Pathway to Promote Intestinal Stem Cell Regeneration in Aging Mice.

Aging can cause degenerative changes in multiple tissues and organs. Gastrointestinal diseases and dysfunctions are common in the elderly population. In this study, we investigated the effects of Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (APS) and Astragalus membranaceus ethanol extract (AEE) on age-related intestinal dysfunction and gut microbiota dysbiosis in naturally aging mice. The energy expenditure and physical activity of 23-month-old C57BL6/J mice were recorded using a metabolic cage system. Pathological changes in the intestine were evaluated using Alcian blue staining. The protein levels of leucine-rich repeats containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) and Stat3 in the small intestine were determined using immunohistochemistry. The intestinal cell migration distance was assessed using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunofluorescence staining. The gene transcription levels of intestinal stem cell (ISC) markers and ISC-related signaling pathways were detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Microbiota analysis based on 16S rDNA was performed to evaluate the composition of the gut microbiota. APS and AEE improved a series of aging phenotypes in female but not in male aging mice. APS and AEE ameliorate intestinal dysfunction and histopathological changes in aging mice. APS had a more significant anti-aging effect than AEE, particularly on intestinal dysfunction. APS promotes ISC regeneration by activating the IL-22 signaling pathway. Cohousing (CH) experiments further confirmed that APS induced the IL-22 signaling pathway by increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus, thereby promoting the regeneration of ISCs. Our results show that APS may serve as a promising agent for improving age-related intestinal dysfunction.

IL-10-dependent Effect of Chinese Medicine Abelmoschus manihot on Alleviating Intestinal Inflammation and Modulating Gut Microbiota.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a recurrent disease associated with a potential risk of colorectal cancer. Abelmoschus manihot (AM), a Chinese herbal medicine, is known to alleviate IBD. However, its mechanism of action requires further clarification. Here, we focused on the role of IL-10 and the gut microbiota in the mechanism of action of AM. The effects of AM on intestinal inflammation, mucus production, and gut microbes were evaluated in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute and chronic IBD models and in IL-10-deficient mice (IL-10[Formula: see text]). AM exhibited protective effects on acute and chronic models of IBD in wild-type mice by restoring body weight and colon length, promoting IL-10 secretion, and decreasing TNF-[Formula: see text] levels. Moreover, AM alleviated inflammatory infiltration, increased mucin 2 transcription, and increased the number of goblet cells in the colon. On the contrary, these effects were diminished in IL-10[Formula: see text] mice, which implied that the effect of AM on intestinal inflammation is IL-10-dependent. A gut microbial sequencing analysis showed that gut microbial dysbiosis was modulated by AM intervention. The regulatory effects of AM on Eggerthellaceae, Sutterellaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Enterococcaceae were dependent on IL-10. These results revealed that AM ameliorated IBD and modulated gut microbes by promoting IL-10 secretion, indicating that AM has the potential to improve IBD and that AM is IL-10-dependent.

In vitro activity and clinical efficacy of macrolides, cefoperazone-sulbactam and piperacillin/piperacillin-tazobactam against Bordetella pertussis and the clinical manifestations in pertussis patients due to these isolates: A single-centre study in Zhejiang Province, China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Macrolides are the recommended antibiotics for treating pertussis and preventing transmission. The causative bacterium, Bordetella pertussis, has high macrolide resistance and has recently circulated in China. The objective of this study was to find effective alternative antibiotics for treatment by assessing the in vitro activity and clinical efficacy of antibiotics against Bordetella pertussis. METHODS: Bordetella pertussis was confirmed by agglutination with specific antisera and mass spectrometry. The MICs of antibiotics against isolates were determined using the Etest method. Treatment outcomes were clinically and microbiologically evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 126 pertussis patients were diagnosed based on culture, 69.8% of whom were aged ≤6 months and 72.1% were treated with previous macrolides. Leucocytosis and lymphocytosis were observed in 29.4% and 54.8% of all patients, respectively. Both MIC50 and MIC90 of erythromycin, azithromycin, and clindamycin were >256mg/L, and 75.4% were highly macrolide resistant. The MIC90 of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone and cefoperazone-sulbactam were 0.38mg/L, 0.25mg/L, 0.19mg/L, 12mg/L, 0.19mg/L and 0.047mg/L, respectively. The MICs of piperacillin in all of the isolations were <0.016mg/L. Of the patients treated with single cefoperazone-sulbactam or piperacillin-tazobactam, 30 of 32 (93.8%) had significantly improved clinical symptoms and 24 of 25 (96%) had negative culture results after 2 weeks of therapy. CONCLUSION: Macrolide resistance in Bordetella pertussis is a serious problem in Zhejiang Province, China. Piperacillin/piperacillin-tazobactam and cefoperazone-sulbactam have potent antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo, and may become the alternative choice for treating pertussis caused by macrolide-resistant isolates.

A Comprehensive Strategy to Evaluate Compatible Stability of Chinese Medicine Injection and Infusion Solutions Based on Chemical Analysis and Bioactivity Assay.

Stability of traditional Chinese medicine injection (TCMI) is an important issue related with its clinical application. TCMI is composed of multi-components, therefore, when evaluating TCMI stability, several marker compounds cannot represent global components or biological activities of TCMI. Till now, when evaluating TCMI stability, method involving the global components or biological activities has not been reported. In this paper, we established a comprehensive strategy composed of three different methods to evaluate the chemical and biological stability of a typical TCMI, Danhong injection (DHI). UHPLC-TQ/MS was used to analyze the stability of marker compounds (SaA, SaB, RA, DSS, PA, CA, and SG) in DHI, UHPLC-QTOF/MS was used to analyze the stability of global components (MW 80-1000 Da) in DHI, and cell based antioxidant capability assay was used to evaluate the bioactivity of DHI. We applied this strategy to assess the compatible stability of DHI and six infusion solutions (GS, NS, GNS, FI, XI, and DGI), which were commonly used in combination with DHI in clinic. GS was the best infusion solution for DHI, and DGI was the worst one based on marker compounds analysis. Based on global components analysis, XI and DGI were the worst infusion solutions for DHI. And based on bioactivity assay, GS was the best infusion solution for DHI, and XI was the worst one. In conclusion, as evaluated by the established comprehensive strategy, GS was the best infusion solution, however, XI and DGI were the worst infusion solutions for DHI. In the compatibility of DHI and XI or DGI, salvianolic acids in DHI would be degraded, resulting in the reduction of original composition and generation of new components, and leading to the changes of biological activities. This is the essence of instability compatibility of DHI and some infusion solutions. Our study provided references for choosing the reasonable infusion solutions for DHI, which could contribute the improvement of safety and efficacy of DHI. Moreover, the established strategy may be applied for the compatible stability evaluation of other TCMIs.

Comparative analysis of main bio-active components in the herb pair Danshen-Honghua and its single herbs by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry.

A sensitive, reliable, and powerful ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous quantification of the 15 main bio-active components including phenolic acids and flavonoids within 13 min for the first time. The proposed method was first reported and validated by good linearity (r2  > 0.9975), limit of detection (1.12-7.01 ng/mL), limit of quantification (3.73-23.37 ng/mL), intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD ≤ 1.92%, RSD ≤ 2.45%), stability (RSD ≤ 5.63%), repeatability (RSD ≤ 4.34%), recovery (96.84-102.12%), and matrix effects (0.92-1.02). The established analytical methodology was successfully applied to comparative analysis of main bio-active components in the herb pair Danshen-Honghua and its single herbs. Compared to the single herb, the content of most flavonoid glycosides was remarkably increased in their herb pair, and main phenolic acids were decreased, conversely. The content changes of the main components in the herb pair supported the synergistic effects on promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. The results provide a scientific basis and reference for the quality control of Danshen-Honghua herb pair and the drug interactions based on variation of bio-active components in herb pairs.

Epidemiological Features and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Haemophilus influenzae Originating from Respiratory Tract and Vaginal Specimens in Pediatric Patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is a common pathogen of respiratory tract infections in children, however, as a possible cause of vulvovaginitis in prepubertal girls, its epidemiological features, antibiotic-resistance patterns, and treatment are seldom noted. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Specimens obtained from patients were inoculated on Haemophilus selective medium; and drug-sensitivities tests were determined using the disk diffusion method. A cefinase disk was used to detect ß-lactamase. RESULTS: A total of 610 H. influenzae strains, 81.6% (498/610) from the respiratory tract and 18.0% (110/610) from the vagina, were identified in the Children's Hospital in 2015. The age of the children with respiratory tract strains were significantly younger than those with vaginal strains (P < .001). The H. influenzae isolation rate in May was the highest. The ß-lactamase positive rate was 51.5% (314/610), and 52.5% (320/610) were resistant to ampicillin. The susceptibilities rates to cefuroxime, ampicillin/sulbactam, cefotaxime, clarithromycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim were 72.1% (440/610), 95.9%, 96.4% (588/610), 81.8% (499/610), and 36.4% (222/610), respectively. Higher resistance to ampicillin, cefuroxime, clarithromycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim were found in respiratory tract strains, compared with vaginal strains (P < .05). All of the patients with H. influenzae in the respiratory tract were cured with oral or intravenous ß-lactam antibiotics. Of all patients with vaginal strains, 50% (55/110) were cured with topical ofloxacin gel, and 44.5% (49/110) were cured with oral ß-lactam antibiotics. CONCLUSION: The drug-resistance rates of H. influenzae isolated from vagina were lower than those from the respiratory tract. Topical ofloxacin gel or oral ß-lactam antibiotics are effective treatments to eliminate the H. influenza causing infection in the vagina.

The mixture of Salvia miltiorrhiza-Carthamus tinctorius (Danhong injection) alleviates low-dose aspirin induced gastric mucosal damage in rats.

BACKGROUND: Danhong injection (DHI) is quite often used in combination with low-dose aspirin (ASA, 75-325mg daily) in clinic, particularly for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Exploring their interaction profile is of great clinical importance. PURPOSE: The current study aims to explore the interaction between DHI and low-dose ASA in rats. METHODS: Sixty four rats were randomly divided into eight groups. Stomach and other four vital organs were collected for histological evaluation. Organs which exhibited histological changes were selected for a further study to evaluate the damage score and mode of action. We tested the protective effect of DHI on gastric mucosal damage in different regimes of administration. COX activity, gastric mucus secretion, pepsin activity, antioxidant activity and ROS level were assayed to reflect the protective effect of DHI on gastric mucosal damage induced by ASA. RESULTS: Stomach was the target organ of interaction when DHI and ASA were used in combination. DHI alleviated gastric mucosal damage by 55.8% when DHI was injected before ASA (Group E) and by 53.5% when DHI was injected 2h after ASA administration (Group F). Additionally, if DHI treatment was appended to the long-term administration of ASA, DHI still decreased the gastric mucosal damage score in 52.0% from 2.50 to 1.20. DHI improved gastric mucus secretion, as well as decreased pepsin activity to maintain the integrity of gastric mucosal barrier (P<0.05). Furthermore, DHI recovered antioxidant activity which was impaired by ASA. In details, DHI decreased gastric mucosal ROS level, increased CAT, GSH-Px and SOD activity, and reduced MDA concentration (P<0.05). When ASA (71.9µM) was used in combination with DHI (23-fold dilution, presented in terms of concentrations of DSS, PA, SaD RA, SaB and SaA were 6.45-6.92, 1.10-1.14, 1.09-1.10, 0.86-0.90, 16.76-19.38 and 1.83-1.94µg/ml, respectively) in vitro, the inhibition rate of ASA increased from 38.6% (ASA alone) to 62.8% (ASA-DHI) on COX-1 and from 28.9% (ASA alone) to 38.8% (ASA-DHI) on COX-2 (P<0.05). DHI strengthened the inhibition activity of ASA on both COX-1 and COX-2, which showed that DHI alleviated ASA induced gastric mucosal damage but not antagonized anti-COX effect of ASA. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric protective benefits were clearly produced when DHI and ASA were used in combination, which provided rational guidance for clinical combined application of DHI and ASA.

[Rationality analysis of clinical application of Danhong injection in affiliated hospital of Nanjing university of Chinese medicine from 2013 to 2014].

It is necessary to investigate the influence of the rationality of clinical drug use on the benefit and risk factors of traditional Chinese medicine injections. The retrospective survey was based on the medical records and information of 4 950 patients who used Danhong injection in the HIS database of the first affiliated hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from 2013 to 2014. The basic statistical methods and associated rules analysis were utilized to analyze the HIS information of these patients, including the basic information, the diagnosis, the department, the dosage, the usage of medication, the drug combination and the adverse reactions. And the rationality analysis of the clinical application of Danhong injection was carried out to investigate relevant factors of the adverse reactions. The results showed that most cases came from the department of cardiology (51.95%) and encephalopathy center (20.67%). In the statistical period, the patients aged above 40 years old accounted for 96.65%. And the two western medicine diagnosis items with the highest confidence level were coronary heart disease and angina pectoris (97.15%), while the three items were coronary heart disease, angina pectoris and hypertension (97.02%). The irrational indications were mainly hypertension (12.93%) and diabetes (4.55%). All of them were diagnosed as blood stasis syndrome by the traditional Chinese medicine. About 98.93% of the single dosage was within the range stipulated on package insert, the duration mainly ranged between 1 and 21 days, and 97.64% of the menstrua contained 0.9% NS and 5% GS. According to the medication records,99.26% were the use of combined drugs, with 8.41 drugs on average. Antiplatelet drugs (72.04%) were the most frequently combined with western medicine, followed by the cholesterol-regulating drugs (64.86%) and the cerebrovascular drugs (60.26%). When used in the combination with antibiotics for the infection, cephalosporin antibiotics were the most frequently applied (8.81%). When used with traditional Chinese medicines, traditional Chinese medicines for activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis or monomer traditional Chinese medicine injections (28.93%) were the dominance, in which Gastrodin injection was the most frequently applied (16.23%). And 12 cases of adverse reactions were reported, with the ADR rate of 0.24%. The indications, solvent compatibility and irrational drug combination may be the potential risk factors for ADRs induced by Danhong injection. Further experiments are required to evaluate the benefits and risks in these three aspects.

[Two new compounds from Dryopteris fragrans].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Dryopteris fragrans. METHODS: Two new compounds were isolated and purified from this plant by column chromatography and their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis. RESULTS: Two new compounds were identified as trans-S-trans-p-hydroxy cinamic acid-9-beta-D-xylpyranosyl (1 --> 2) -beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, methyl-2-eth-yl-6-((3, 4, 5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl) tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl) oxy) benzoate. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 and 2 are new and named fragranoside J and fragranoside K.

Nrf2 pathway activation contributes to anti-fibrosis effects of ginsenoside Rg1 in a rat model of alcohol- and CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis.

AIM: To investigate the anti-fibrosis effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on alcohol- and CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and to explore the mechanisms of the effects. METHODS: Rats were given 6% alcohol in water and injected with CCl4 (2 mL/kg, sc) twice a week for 8 weeks. Rg1 (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg per day, po) was administered in the last 2 weeks. Hepatic fibrosis was determined by measuring serum biochemical parameters, HE staining, Masson's trichromic staining, and hydroxyproline and α-SMA immunohistochemical staining of liver tissues. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and Nrf2 signaling pathway-related proteins (Nrf2, Ho-1 and Nqo1) in liver tissues were analyzed. Cultured hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) of rats were prepared for in vitro studies. RESULTS: In the alcohol- and CCl4-treated rats, Rg1 administration dose-dependently suppressed the marked increases of serum ALT, AST, LDH and ALP levels, inhibited liver inflammation and HSC activation and reduced liver fibrosis scores. Rg1 significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px and CAT) and reduced MDA levels in liver tissues. Furthermore, Rg1 significantly increased the expression and nuclear translocation of Nrf2 that regulated the expression of many antioxidant enzymes. Treatment of the cultured HSCs with Rg1 (1 µmol/L) induced Nrf2 translocation, and suppressed CCl4-induced cell proliferation, reversed CCl4- induced changes in MDA, GPX, PCIII and HA contents in the supernatant fluid and α-SMA expression in the cells. Knockdown of Nrf2 gene diminished these actions of Rg1 in CCl4-treated HSCs in vitro. CONCLUSION: Rg1 exerts protective effects in a rat model of alcohol- and CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis via promoting the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and expression of antioxidant enzymes.

The effects of the king oyster mushroom Pleurotus eryngii (higher Basidiomycetes) on glycemic control in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Pleurotus eryngii on glycemic metabolism. Alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice were used to study the effects of P. eryngii on blood glucose, glycohemoglobin, insulin secretion, damaged pancreatic ß-cells, total antioxidant status (TAOS), and hepatic glycogen in hyperglycemic mice. Sixty diabetic mice were divided equally into 5 groups: the alloxan (AX)-induced hyperglycemic group, the AX and glibenclamide (GLI)-treated group, the AX and P. eryngii extracts (PEEs) 50-treated group (PEE 50 mg/kg), the AX and PEE100-treated group (PEE 100 mg/kg), and the AX and PEE200-treated group (PEE 200 mg/kg). The other 12 normal mice were injected intravenously with the normal saline and used as the control group. After PEE (100 and 200 mg/kg) was orally administered to the mice over 5 weeks, blood glucose and HbAlc were significantly decreased in AX-induced hyperglycemic mice (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), whereas the level of insulin secretion was markedly elevated in (P < 0.05). The pancreatic ß-cells damaged by AX partially and gradually recovered after PPE extract was administered to the hyperglycemic mice for 35 days. In addition, PEE treatment gradually increased the body weight and significantly increased the concentration of hepatic glycogen in hyperglycemic mice (P < 0.05). The results suggest that the action of PPE on glycemic metabolism occurs via increasing glycogen and insulin concentrations as well as recovering injured ß-cells and reducing free radical damage. PPE may become a new potential hypoglycemic food for hyperglycemic people.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields protect the balance between adipogenesis and osteogenesis on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head at the pre-collapse stage in rats.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on the balance of adipogenesis and osteogenesis on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (OFH) in rats. Forty-two rats were divided into three groups: Steroid group (S, n = 16); Steroid + PEMF group (S + P, n = 16); and Control group (C, n = 10). For groups S and S + P, all rats were first intravenously given 10 µg/kg lipopolysaccharide on day 1, and then intramuscularly injected with 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone acetate on days 2, 3, and 4, with an interval of 24 h. After 4 weeks, the S + P group was treated with PEMF (4.5-ms square pulse, repeated at 15 Hz, with a peak of 1.2 mT) for 4 h a day for the next 8 weeks. Group S was not exposed to PEMF. Group C was chosen as the control group, without steroid use and exposure to PEMF. After 8 weeks of treatment, the histological changes, and mRNA and protein expressions of PPAR-γ2 and Runx2 were measured and analyzed. Compared with the S group, lower incidence of osteonecrosis (31% vs. 69%, P < 0.05) and empty osteocyte lacuna rate (36.16 ± 15.34 vs. 59.55 ± 21.70, P < 0.01) was observed in the S + P group. Furthermore, PEMF suppressed the expressions of PPAR-γ2 and improved the expressions of Runx2 in the femoral head (P < 0.05). All data suggest that PEMF is an effective physiotherapy in the treatment of steroid-induced ONFH, and the possible underlying mechanisms include protecting the balance between adipogenesis and osteogenesis.

[Research of Chinese medicine pairs (VIII)--Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Carthami flos].

Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Carthami Flos is a famous Chinese medicine pair (CMP). Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma can promote blood circulation for removing blood stasis, and Carthami Flos can promote blood circulation for removing meridian obstruction and remove blood stasis for relieving pain. The two herbs are important TCMs for activating blood. Danhong injection is the classic application of the two herbs compatibility, which was made from Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Carthami Flos with scientific formalation by extraction and refining. The CMP is used for treatement of organ flood insufficiency and ischemic infarction diseases. It can obviously relieving symptoms of angina pectoris, improve myocardial ischemia, regress atherosclerosis plaque, and inhibit thrombus. This paper elaberated the bio-active constituents, compatibility effects and action mechanism, and clinical applications of the CMP in order to further upgrade basic research and application levels of the CMP.

[Qianlieping capsule plus alpha-blocker for chronic non-bacterial prostatitis: analysis of 220 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of Qianlieping Capsule combined with alpha-receptor blocker tamsulosin on chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNBP). METHODS: We assigned 220 CNBP patients to three groups to receive oral Qianlieping Capsule (2.0 g tid) plus alpha-receptor blocker tamsulosin (0.2 mg qd) (n = 98), Qianlieping Capsule alone at 2.0 g tid (n = 66), and tamsulosin alone at 0.2 mg qd (n = 56) , respectively. After 6 weeks of medication, we assessed the therapeutic effects according to the NIH-CPSI scores and the number of small particles of lecithin (SPL) in the prostatic fluid after treatment. RESULTS: Qianlieping Capsule alone increased the number of SPL by 46.9% and reduced the NIH-CPSI score by 24.4%. Combination of Qianlieping and tamsulosin more significantly increased the number of SPL (61.4%) and decreased the NIH-CPSI score (42.3%) than tamsulosin alone (33.7% and 28.6%) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Qianlieping Capsule chronic is effective for chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, and the combination of Qianlieping Capsule with tamsulosin produces even better effect than tamsulosin alone.

Functional organization of complex brain networks modulated by acupuncture at different acupoints belonging to the same anatomic segment.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques have opened a "window" into the brain, allowing us to investigate the anatomical and physiological function involving acupuncture needling. Imaging its sustained effect rather than acute effect on the brain networks may further help elucidate the mechanisms by which acupuncture achieves its therapeutic effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the functional brain networks during the post-resting state following acupuncture at KI3 in comparison with acupuncture at GB40. METHODS: Needling at acupoints GB40 and KI3 was performed in twelve subjects. Six minutes of scanning at rest were adopted before and after acupuncture at different acupoints. Then we divided the whole brain into 39 regions and constructed functional brain networks during the post-acupuncture resting states (PARS). RESULTS: For direct comparisons, increased correlations during post-resting state following acupuncture at KI3 compared to resting state (RS) were primarily located between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and post temporal cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and post temporal cortex. These brain regions were all cognitive-related functions. In contrast, the increased connections between the anterior insula and temporal cortex mainly emerged following acupuncture at GB40 compared with the RS. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that acupuncture at different acupoints belonging to the same anatomic segment can exert different modulatory effects on the reorganizations of post-acupuncture RS networks. The heterogeneous modulation patterns between two conditions may relate to the functional specific modulatory effects of acupuncture.

[Effects of modified bazhen decoction in assistant with enteral nutrition on the growth hormone, the nutritional state, and the immune function in patients with gastric cancer after operation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of modified Bazhen Decoction (BZD) in assistant with enteral nutrition (EN) on the growth hormone, the nutritional state, and the immune function in patients with gastric cancer after operation. METHODS: The prospective, random, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial was adopted. 88 patients receiving gastric cancer operation were randomly assigned to the parenteral nutrition group (Group A, 27 cases), the EN group (Group B, 30 cases), and the comprehensive group (Group C, BZD in assistant with EN, 31 cases). Isocaloric and isonitrogenous parenteral nutritional support was given to patients in Group A from the operation day to the ninth day. Isocaloric and isonitrogenous EN was given to patients in Group B and C from the second day of operation till the ninth day. 100 mL BZD was nasal fed to patients in Group C during the second day to the ninth day after operation. The levels of the growth hormone, immune indices such as IgA, IgG, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+, etc., and nutritional indices such as serum albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, etc. were detected in the three groups one day before operation, on the 1st day after operation, and on the tenth day after operation. RESULTS: The levels of IgA, IgG, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+, serum albumin, prealbumin, transferrin decreased more than before operation in the three groups, with statistical difference (P<0.05). On the tenth day after operation, all indices in Group B and C were somewhat improved, showing statistical difference when compared with those in Group A (P<0.05). Besides, the aforesaid indices were higher in Group C than in Group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Modified BZD in assistant with EN could further promote the elevation of the growth hormone levels. Besides, it could further improve the nutrition state and the immune function.

Effects of leonurine hydrochloride on medically induced incomplete abortion in early pregnancy rats.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of leonurine hydrochloride (LH) on abnormal bleeding induced by medical abortion. STUDY DESIGN: Rats had incomplete abortions induced in early pregnancy using mifepristone in combination with misoprostol. After abortion, rats were treated with LH for 7 days, and the duration and volume of uterine bleeding were observed. Approximately 30min after the last treatment, the animals were killed and the uterine shape was observed. The sinistro-uteri were suspended in organ baths to record the contraction curves, including the frequency and tension for 10min; the dextro-uteri were fixed with formaldehyde for pathologic evaluation. In addition, blood samples were collected from the femoral artery for the measurement of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: In in vivo experiments, compared with the model group, LH treatment markedly reduced the volume of bleeding and intrauterine residual, and significantly shortened the duration of bleeding. From the contraction curve, LH notably reinforced the frequency and tension of uterine contractions. LH remarkably elevated the serum estradiol level in rats, but had no obvious effect on progesterone level. CONCLUSIONS: LH has an inhibitory effect on bleeding caused by incomplete abortion; the mechanism may be related to up-regulation of the E2 level, leading to an increase in uterine contractions and evacuation of intrauterine residuum.

[Observation of therapeutic effects on cervical vertigo treated with different methods].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of routine acupuncture, the electroacupuncture and the combined therapy of electroacupuncture and acupoint injection. METHODS: Ninety-one cases were randomly divided into a routine acupuncture group (30 cases), an electroacupuncture group (31 cases), and a combined therapy of electroacupuncture and acupoint injection group (30 cases). Zusanli (ST 36), Fengchi (GB 20), Anmian (Extra), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Hegu (LI 4), Yintang (EX-HN 3), Baihui (GV 20) and Sishengcong (EX-HN 1) were selected among 3 groups. Even manipulation was applied in routine acupuncture group; G 6805 electroacupuncture apparatus was added in electroacupuncture group; in combined therapy of electroacupuncture and acupoint injection group, electroacupuncture was applied, besides, Vitamin B12 0.5 mg and 0.2%/ Lidocaine 2 mL were injected at Fengchi (GB 20) and Anmian (Extra). Twenty treatments were given in 4 weeks. The changes of average blood flow of vertebral artery and basilar artery before and after treatment were observed and graded by the cervical vertigo syndrome and function score; the therapeutic effects were evaluated as well. RESULTS: The average blood flow of vertebral artery and basilar artery, and the cervical vertigo syndrome and function score were improved in 3 groups (all P < 0.01), in which, it was more obvious in combined therapy of electroacupuncture and acupoint injection group than in others (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and it in electroacupuncture group was superior to that in routine acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The effective rate was 63.3% (19/30) in routine acupuncture group, 80.6% (25/31) in electroacupuncture group and 90.3% (28/30) in combined therapy of electroacupuncture and acupoint injection group, indicating the significant differences among them (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The routine acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and combined therapy of electroacupuncture and acupoint injection are effective for cervical vertigo; the combined therapy is the best, and electroacupuncture comes second. It illustrates that the routine acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and combined therapy of electroacupuncture and acupoint injection have additive effects on treatment of cervical vertigo.

Protective effects of Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide on liver ischemia-reperfusion injury and its possible mechanism in rats.

Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide (AMP), a traditional Chinese medicine, is thought to have protective effects against liver injury. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the effects of AMP on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and elucidate the possible mechanisms. Ninety-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups with 24 rats per group: a normal control group, an IRI group, an AMP-treated group (0.4 g/kg/d) and a bifendate-treated group (100 mg/kg). Rats were treated with AMP or bifendate once daily for seven days by gastric gavage. The normal control group and the IRI model group received an equivalent volume of physiological saline. At 1, 6 and 24 h after surgery, the rats were killed and liver tissue samples were obtained to determine interleukin-1 (IL-1) expression by Western blotting and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression by immunohistochemistry. Liver morphology was assessed by microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Blood samples were obtained to measure liver function (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin). AMP significantly reduced the elevated expression of markers of liver dysfunction and the hepatic morphologic changes induced by hepatic IRI in rats. AMP also markedly inhibited IRI-induced lipid peroxidation and altered the activities of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels. Moreover, pretreatment with AMP suppressed the expression of interleukin-1ß and NF-kB in IRI-treated rats. These results suggest that AMP exerts protective and therapeutic effects against hepatic IRI in rats, which might be associated with its antioxidant properties and inhibition of NF-κB activation. More studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of AMP on hepatic IRI.