Effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on Th17/Treg Immune Imbalance and Notch1 Signaling Pathway in AIT Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on the immune imbalance of helper T cell 17 （Th17）/regulatory T cell （Treg） and Notch1 signaling pathway in mice with autoimmune thyroiditis （AIT）. MethodA total of 60 8-week-old NOD.H-2h4 mice were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， western medicine group （selenium yeast tablet， 32.5 mg·kg-1）， and low-dose （4.78 g·kg-1·d-1）， middle-dose （9.56 g·kg-1·d-1）， and high-dose （19 g·kg-1·d-1） Buzhong Yiqitang groups， with 10 mice in each group. The normal group was fed with distilled water， and the other groups were fed with water containing 0.05% sodium iodide for eight weeks. After the animal model of AIT was formed spontaneously， the mice were killed under anesthesia after intragastric administration for eight weeks. Serum anti-thyroglobulin antibodies （TGAb）， thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）， free triiodothyronine （FT3）， and free thyroid hormone （FT4） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and thyroid tissue changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of retinoid-related orphan receptor-γt （RORγt）， interleukin （IL）-17， forkhead box P3 （FoxP3）， IL-10， Notch1， and hair division-related enhancer 1 （Hes1） in thyroid tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group， the thyroid structure of the model group was severely damaged， and lymphocytes were infiltrated obviously. The levels of serum TGAb， FT3， and FT4 contents were significantly increased， and TSH content was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt， IL-17， Notch1， and Hes1 were significantly increased， while those of FoxP3 and IL10 were significantly decreased in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， thyroid structural damage and lymphocyte infiltration were improved in the treatment groups， and serum TGAb， FT3， and FT4 contents were significantly decreased. TSH content was increased， and mRNA and protein expression levels of RORγt， IL-17， Notch1， and Hes1 were decreased. mRNA and protein expression levels of FoxP3 and IL-10 were increased to different degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the middle-dose Buzhong Yiqitang group had the most significant intervention effect. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can alleviate the thyroid structural damage in AIT mice， and its mechanism may be related to improving the abnormal differentiation of Th17/Treg immune cells and inhibiting the activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway.

Clinical evaluation of Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel for postoperative hypospadias in children / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel for postoperative hypospadias in children.@*METHODS@#From January to December 2020, we treated 116 children with distal hypospadias in the Department of Urology, Department of Pediatrics and the Seventh Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, 58 by primary Snodgrass urethroplasty only (the control group) and the other 58 with Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel smeared on the penis postoperatively in addition (the trial group). We compared the operation time and postoperative pain score, edema regression and incidence of infection between the two groups, followed by statistical analysis using T test and Chi-square test.@*RESULTS@#All the operations were successfully completed by the same surgeon under general anesthesia. There were no statistically significant differences between the trial and control groups in age (［2.5 ± 0.8］ vs ［2.4 ± 0.6］ yr, P > 0.05) or operation time (［95.6 ± 14.5］ vs ［97.1 ± 15.2］ min, P > 0.05). No incision infection occurred in any of the cases. The pain scores at dressing removal were remarkably lower in the trial than in the control group at 2 hours (1.4 ± 1.0 vs 2.6 ± 1.3, P < 0.05), 24 hours (2.2 ± 1.3 vs 3.9 ± 1.6, P < 0.05), 48 hours (1.2 ± 0.7 vs 1.6 ± 0.9, P < 0.05) and 72 hours after surgery (2.5 ± 0.8 vs 3.7 ± 1.8, P < 0.05). Significantly more cases of edema regression were achieved in the trial than in the control group at 2 weeks postoperatively (35 vs 19, P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Compound Chamomile and Lidocaine Hydrochloride Gel can effectively relieve pain, reduce edema and accelerate edema regression after surgery in children with hypospadias, and therefore deserves wide clinical application.、.

Potential hepatotoxic compounds and mechanisms of Epimedii Folium based on network toxicology and cell experimental validation / 中国中药杂志

To probe the potential hepatotoxic components of Epimedii Folium and investigate its mechanism based on network toxicology and cell experimental validation. According to the previous results of component measurement and cytotoxicity evaluation, 11 active compounds related to hepatotoxicity in Epimedii Folium were chosen as research object in this study. Through SwissTargetPrediction database and GeneCards database, the potentially hepatotoxic targets of Epimedii Folium were obtained. Subsequently, the protein-target interaction network and active compounds-hepatotoxic targets network were established to analyze the core targets and screen the key hepatotoxic compounds in Epimedii Folium. Meanwhile, the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms were inferred with GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the core targets. At last, the effect of icaritin as the chief hepatotoxic compound on the indexes related to hepatotoxicity in HL-7702 cells and HepG2 cells was investigated to validate the hepatotoxicity mechanism of Epimedii Folium. Through the network toxicology analysis, 190 action targets and 991 hepatotoxic targets were collected, then 64 potentially hepatotoxic targets of Epimedii Folium including AKT1, EGFR, MAPK3, TNF and so on were obtained, and icaritin was screened as the key hepatotoxic compound. GO functional enrichment analysis indicated 160 biological process terms such as protein phosphorylation and negative regulation of apoptotic process, 41 molecular function terms such as protein binding and ATP binding, and 32 cellular component terms such as cytosol and cell surface. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis inferred 75 signaling pathways involving PI3 K-Akt and HIF-1. After comprehensive analysis, it was inferred that the hepatotoxicity mechanism of Epimedii Folium was related with regulating oxidative stress and apoptosis. The results of cell biology experiments showed that icaritin could significantly increase the level of aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, reduce the level of glutathione, improve the quality of reactive oxygen species and reduce mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating that it could cause hepatotoxicity by destroying cell membrane structure, inhibiting antioxidant enzyme activity, activating oxidative stress and inducing apoptosis. These results proved the reliability of results of network pharmacology. This study preliminarily clarified the material base and the mechanism of potential hepatotoxicity of Epimedii Folium, which provided important information for further research and safe application.

Investigation on the infestation and environment tolerance of Ornithonyssus bacoti in stored traditional Chinese herb Semen Coicis / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the infestation status and environment tolerance of ornithonyssus bacoti (O. bacoti) in stored traditional Chinese herb Semen Coicis (Coix seed). Methods 800 g of stored Semen Coicis was initially taken, and subjected to passing a 40-mesh sampling sieve. Then 80 g of Coix seed particles was sampled to directly isolate the mites that were made into slide specimen in conventional technique, and identified as the procedures described in previous literature. Results A total of 449 mites were isolated from the 80 g stored Semen Coicis particles, and were identified as O. bacoti. Conclusions O.bacoti was first detected in the stored traditional Chinese medicinal Semen Coicis with which infestation is serious. This status should call out attention to prevent the disease associated with transmission of pathogens from O.bacoti.

[Investigation of infestation of Carpoglyphus lactis in stored jujube from Anhui Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the breeding of Carpoglyphus lactis in stored jujube from Anhui Province, so as to provide the evidence for preventing the harm of C. lactis to stored jujube. METHODS: The jujube samples stored for more than 6 months were collected from dried fruit shops and/or Chinese herbal medicine warehouses, which were chosen as survey sites in Anhui Province. The mites were isolated and identified under a microscope. RESULTS: Totally 19 samples infested with C. lactis were obtained from 300 samples in 17 cities of Anhui Province, the breeding rate and breeding density of C. lactis were 6.33% and 6.52 per gram respectively. The constituent ratios of different developmental stages were adult 85.72%, larva 12.27%, dormancy body 0.56%, and egg 1.45%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The breeding density of C. lactis in the stored jujube is high and the species diversity is rich, so the control of C. lactis and the prevention of human acariasis should be strengthened.

Serum containing Gengnianchun formula suppresses amyloid ß­induced inflammatory cytokines in BV­2 microglial cells by inhibiting the NF­κB and JNK signaling pathways.

As the resident macrophages of the brain's innate immune system, microglial cells are key modulators in the neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer's disease (AD). In particular, the activation and accumulation of microglial cells around amyloid plaques is considered to result in chronic neuroinflammation. Although the pathologic mechanism remains to be fully elucidated, inflammation has been shown to be critical in the pathogenesis of AD. The Gengnianchun (GNC) formula has long been used to treat perimenopausal syndrome clinically, and is particularly effective in improving learning ability and memory. Our previous study demonstrated that GNC formula had an anti­inflammatory effect and offered neuroprotection in animal experiments. In the present study, the anti­inflammatory properties of GNC and its underlying mechanism of action were examined in BV­2 microglial cells. Amyloid­ß peptide (Aß)­stimulated microglial cells were examined for the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the underlying signaling pathways. Compared with the normal control group, the protein expression levels of IL­1ß and TNF­α were significantly increased following treatment with Aß (P<0.01), but medicated rat serum containing GNC formula (MRS) could significantly attenuated the Aß­induced secretion of these pro­inflammatory cytokines. It was identified by CCK­8 assay that the viability of the BV­2 cells was not reduced following treatment with various concentrations of MRS. The phosphorylation of factor­κB (NF­κB) and c­Jun N­terminal kinase (JNK) was markedly increased following treatment with Aß, compared with the normal control group (P<0.01). However, treatment with MRS resulted in a significant reduction in the phosphorylation of NF­κB (P<0.05). These results suggested that MRS suppressed the Aß­induced inflammatory response of microglial cells by inhibiting the NF­κB and JNK signaling pathways. These novel findings provide insights into the development of GNC formula as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Investigation of infestation of Carpoglyphus lactis in stored jujube from Anhui Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the breeding of Carpoglyphus lactis in stored jujube from Anhui Province, so as to provide the evidence for preventing the harm of C. lactis to stored jujube. Methods The jujube samples stored for more than 6 months were collected from dried fruit shops and/or Chinese herbal medicine warehouses, which were chosen as survey sites in Anhui Province. The mites were isolated and identified under a microscope. Results Totally 19 samples infested with C. lactis were obtained from 300 samples in 17 cities of Anhui Province, the breeding rate and breeding density of C. lactis were 6.33% and 6.52 per gram respectively. The constituent ratios of different developmental stages were adult 85.72%, larva 12.27%, dormancy body 0.56%, and egg 1.45%, respectively. Conclusion The breeding density of C. lactis in the stored jujube is high and the species diversity is rich, so the control of C. lactis and the prevention of human acariasis should be strengthened.

Investigation of infestation of Carpoglyphus lactis in stored jujube from Anhui Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the breeding of Carpoglyphus lactis in stored jujube from Anhui Province, so as to provide the evidence for preventing the harm of C. lactis to stored jujube. Methods The jujube samples stored for more than 6 months were collected from dried fruit shops and/or Chinese herbal medicine warehouses, which were chosen as survey sites in Anhui Province. The mites were isolated and identified under a microscope. Results Totally 19 samples infested with C. lactis were obtained from 300 samples in 17 cities of Anhui Province, the breeding rate and breeding density of C. lactis were 6.33% and 6.52 per gram respectively. The constituent ratios of different developmental stages were adult 85.72%, larva 12.27%, dormancy body 0.56%, and egg 1.45%, respectively. Conclusion The breeding density of C. lactis in the stored jujube is high and the species diversity is rich, so the control of C. lactis and the prevention of human acariasis should be strengthened.

[Carpoglyphus lactis infestation in stored traditional Chinese medicine Arillus longan].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the breeding of Carpoglyphus lactis in the storage Arillus longan, so as to provide the evidence for preventing the harm of C. lactis to traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS: Chinese herbal medicine warehouses were chosen as survey sites according to the breeding habits of mites, and the A. longan samples were stored more than 6 months. The mites were isolated and identified under a microscope. RESULTS: The C. lactis breeding rate was 20.0% (4/20) and the breeding density was 184.95 per sample. The constitute rates of adult, larva, dormancy body and egg were 58.39%, 30.41%, 0.06%, and 11.14% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The breeding density of C. lactis is high in the stored A. longan, so the control and prevention of human intestinal acariasis should be strengthened.

[Investigation and morphological observation of Histiostoma feroniarum breeding in Chinese herbal medicine Rhizoma Zingiberis].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the breeding situation of Histiostoma feroniarum in Chinese herbal medicine Rhizoma Zingiberis. METHODS: The Rhizoma Zingiberis sold on the market was selected and brushed. The dust from Rhizoma Zingiberis was screened under a microscope to search the mites. The mites were made into specimens to identify the species. RESULTS: The mites were H. feroniarum. Totally 14 mites were found in 100 g dust sample, with the density of breeding of 0.14/g. CONCLUSIONS: H. feroniarum could breed in Chinese herbal medicine Rhizoma Zingiberis, and the prevention and control measures should be adopted.

[Investigation on species of Limacodidae on Prunus cerasifera and sycamore in urban area of Wuhu City].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the species of Limacodidae and the biological habits on Prunus cerasifera and sycamore in the urban area of Wuhu City, so as to provide the reference for the prevention and control of the diseases caused by Limacodidae. METHODS: Two observation places were selected in the urban area of Wuhu City, and the survey period of the first observation place (A) was from 2014-5-4 to 2014-11-2, and eucleid caterpillar was observed and collected every Sunday (a total of 27 times); the survey period of the second observation place (B) was from 2014-1-5 to 2014-12-28, and eucleid caterpillar was observed and collected every Sunday (a total of 52 times). The eucleid caterpillars were collected by the visual inspection and artificial direct collecting method, and then they were identified and classified by the naked eye direct observation and the direct observation with the help of the anatomical lens in the laboratory. RESULTS: There were seven kinds of identified Limacodidae from the two observation places and their occurrence regularity, the species composition ratio, and natural enemies were understood. CONCLUSIONS: Limacodidae larvae not only are the defoliator of the ornamental forests, but also harm the health of residents, that is they can cause eucleid larva dermatitis. Therefore, we should strengthen the prevention and control of Limacodidae, reducing its impact on the lives of the residents.

[Investigation on species and community ecology of Acaroid mites breeding in stored traditional Chinese animal medicinal materials].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the species of Acaroid mites breeding in the stored traditional Chinese animal medicinal materials and the relationship between its community and habitats. METHODS: A total of 30 samples of traditional Chinese animal medicinal herbs were collected from Wuhu City, Anhui Province, China. The mites were isolated by the directly microscopic and floatation microscopic examinations, and then identified and counted under a light microscope. RESULTS: Acaroid mites was represented in 28 of the 30 samples, and the breeding rate accounted for as high as 93.3% (28/30). Totally, 13 species of Acaroid mites were identified, which belonged to 4 families and 9 genera. The densities of Acaroid mites were top in 6 Chinese herbal medicines, such as corium erinacei, aspongopus, hirudo, pheretima aspergillum, Apostichopus and huechys. The diversity parameters of these six traditional Chinese animal medicinal herbs were calculated. The highest richness indexes were in aspongopus and hirudo, the highest diversity index was in hirudo, and the highest evenness index was in Apostichopus. CONCLUSIONS: There are Acaroid mites breeding in parts of the traditional Chinese animal medicinal herbs stored in Wuhu. In the storage and processing of Chinese herbal medicines, we should pay attention to the prevention and control of mites.

[Morphologic observation on Histiostoma feroniarum in Allium cepa].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the external morphology of Histiostoma feroniarum hypopus under a light microscope. METHODS: The samples were collected in a mushroom cultivation base, and the H. feroniarum hypopus was isolated and purified. The slide samples were prepared and observed under an optical microscope. RESULTS: The back body of the H. feroniarum hypopus was flat with tiny bristles, the epidermis was of significant ossification, the ventral had four pairs of slender feet stretched, the sucker plate was prosperous in the end of the body, and the sucker plate had eight suckers. The gnathosoma was thin, long and highly specialized. CONCLUSIONS: The light microscopy shows the morphological characteristics of H. feroniarum hypopus, providing the basis for identifying and life cycle study.

[Study on Histiostomas apromyzarum breeding in traditional Chinese medicine Rhizoma bletillae].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Histiostomas apromyzarum breeding in traditional Chinese medicine Rhizoma Bletillae. METHODS: The scurf and dust of R. bletillae were obtained by brushing, and the mites samples were separated and identified. RESULTS: Totally 520 g samples were collected, and 56 adult mites (female-male ratio 0.12) and 18 dormant bodies were obtained from the samples, and they were identified as H. apromyzarum with an average breeding density of 0.14/g. CONCLUSIONS: H. apromyzarum could breed on the traditional Chinese medicine R. bletillae, and the corresponding control measures should be strengthened.

The effect of different nutritional states on puberty onset and the expression of hypothalamic Kiss1/kisspepetin.

The possibility of an alteration in the age at which pubertal onset occurs has shown that we still lack knowledge on the molecular and physiological mechanisms of normal female puberty. In this study, the adjustment effects of different suckling and prepuberty nutrition on puberty onset and the expression of hypothalamic Kiss1/kisspeptin and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) were examined in 1-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were randomly assigned according to different suckling nutritional challenges (different milk intake before weaning) and prepuberty nutritional challenges (different food supply after weaning) into four groups: overnutrition group 1, overnutrition group 2 (O2), normal group (N, control group), and malnutrition group (M). In situ hybridization, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of hypothalamic Kiss1/kisspeptin and GnRH. In the O1 group, GnRH and Kiss1/kisspeptin levels in the hypothalamus peaked at an early age, while malnutrition resulted in a delay in the GnRH and Kiss1/kisspeptin peaks. This study indicated that nutrition greatly affected the sexual development of female rats and that the effects of suckling nutrition were much greater than those of prepuberty nutrition.

Experimental study of eliminat dampness resolv phlegm method in treating cervical spondylopathy of the vertebral artery type / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the velocity and viscosity of blood flow of the vertebral arteries, the apoptotic cell and apoptotic related protein in the brain in order to offer theoretical foundation for the treatment of cervical spondylopathy of the vertebral artery type with the eliminat dampness resolv phlegm method.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty male Japanese big ear rabbits were divided randomly into normal sodium group (A), Flunarizine group (B), low dosage Wendantang group (C), large dosage Wendantang group (D), Flunarizine group combined with large dosage Wendantang group (E), normal group (F). Each group had 10 rabbits. Xiaozhiling injection was injected around the vertebral arteries of rabbits in group A, B C, D, E to make the model of the cervical spondylopathy of the vertebral artery type. Normal sodium (20 ml x kg(-1)d(-1)) was apply through intragastric administration in group A, F; Flunarizine (0.8 mg x kg(-1)d(-1)), low dosage Wendantang (1 g x ml(-1)d(-1)), large dosage Wendantang (2 g x ml(-1)d(-1)), Flunarizine combined with large dosage Wendantang were respectively apply through intragastric administration in group B, C, D, E. The velocity and viscosity of blood flow of the vertebral arteries, the apoptotic cell and apoptotic protein in the brain were detected before and after the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Satisfactory animal model were obtained in group A, B, C, D, E. The rabbits of group E had the most improvement of the velocity and viscosity of blood flow of the vertebral arteries while at meantime, which had the lowest apoptotic index and apoptotic related protein expression in the brain.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The routine treatment for the cervical spondylopathy of the vertebral artery combined with eliminat dampness resolv phlegm method could improve velocity and viscosity of blood flow of the vertebral arteries, which maybe relate with reduction of apoptosis in the brain.</p>

Effects of Calotes versicolor on adenohypophysis androgen receptor level in mature castrated male rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of C. versicolor petroleum ether extracts (CVPE) on the adenohypophysis androgen receptor level in mature castrated male rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>All the rats in experiment were anesthetized for bilateral testicular and epididymis removal under sterile condition. The rats were randomized into four groups on the 14 th day after operation. The first group was intragastric physiological saline for castratered control group. The second group was intragastric CVPE 2 g x kg(-1) for low-dose group. The third group was high-dose group by giving CVPE 4 g x kg(-1). The fourth group was injected hypodermic testosterone propionate for positive-effect drug treatment group. The drug was given orally to animals one time a day successively for 21 days. The androgen receptor (AR) in adenohypophysis of mature castrated male rats was determined by the immunohistochemistry method and the level of serum testosterone (T) were determined by the radio-immunoassay after ig CVPE for 21 days.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The immunohistochemistry results showed that positive cell numbers of androgen receptor in positive control and each CVPE groups were more than those in the castrated control group. The serum T level was increased greatly in mature castrated male rats treated with CVPE compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results show that CVPE can increase the adenohypophysis androgen receptor and serum T level in mature castrated male rats. It is indicated that CVPE has the effects on the hypophysis function.</p>

Cloning and sequence analysis of the full-length cDNA of a novel yp05 gene associated with citrinin production in Monascus aurantiacus / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To obtain the full-length cDNA of a novel gene (named yp05) associated with citrinin production-related genes in Monascus aurantiacus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total RNA was extracted from mycelium, 3' and 5' cDNA end of yp05 gene was amplified using smart trace cDNA amplification kit, and the full-length cDNA of a novel gene (named yp05) was obtained from the electronic assembly of 3'-RACE and 5'-RACE products.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This yp05 gene was 787 bp including a 597 bp open reading frame (ORF) and encoded a deduced protein with 199 amino acid residues, and the amino acid sequence of this protein was found similar with the sequences of many fungal manganese-superoxide dismutases in the GenBank with the aid of BLASTp. The transcription of yp05 gene in Monascus strains was analyzed with the aid of Northern blotting. The transcription of yp05 gene was only detected in Monascus strains, provided that citrinin was produced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The transcription of yp05 gene belongs to differential expression genes of citrinin yielded from Monascus and has no correlation with the biosynthesis pathway of red pigments.</p>

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine on modulating the course of puberty development in children with precocious puberty / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects of Ziyin Xiehuo Recipe (ZYXHR) for nourishing yin and lowering fire and Yishen Tianjing Recipe (YSTJR) for nourishing kidney and replenishing essence on regulating the gonadotrophic and somatotrophic functions of hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and to reveal the mechanisms of ZYXHR and YSTJR in modulating the course of pubertal development of children with precocious puberty. METHODS: The pubertal rats were fed with ZYXHR or YSTJR for 30 days, and the parameters of rats were monitored as the followings: The content of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the frequency and amplitude of GnRH impulse releasing, the releasing amounts of aminoacid neurotransmitters, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) and beta-endorphin (beta-END) in the gonadotrophic area of the hypothalamus were detected with neurobiological methods (push-pull perfusion, homogenate, incubation of brain slices, and immunohistochemical staining). The levels of gene and protein expressions of GnRH, growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SS) in hypothalamus, and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH) in adenohypophysis as well as insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in metaphysis were determined with real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The ZYXHR could reduce the activity of GnRH neurons in hypothalamus through inhibiting the release of central exciting aminoacid neurotransmitters, whereas promoting the release of central inhibiting aminoacid neurotransmitters, NPY and beta-END in gonadotrophic area of hypothalamus. The expression levels of GnRH, FSH and LH mRNAs were down-regulated while the expression level of SS mRNA in hypothalamus was up-regulated in the ZYXHR-treated group. The GH mRNA in hypophysis and the IGF-I mRNA in metaphysis were both down-regulated by ZYXHR. The YSTJR could promote the activity of GnRH neurons in hypothalamus through inhibiting the release of NPY in gonadotrophic area of hypothalamus, up-regulating the expression levels of GnRH, FSH, LH and GH mRNAs in hypophysis, and IGF-I mRNA in metaphysis, while down-regulating the expression level of SS mRNA in hypothalamus. CONCLUSION: The ZYXHR and YSTJR could both regulate the gonadotrophic and somatotrophic functions of hypothalamic-pituitary axis through modulating the neuroendocrine regulation and the gene expressions of GnRH and SS in hypothalamus, GH, FSH and LH in hypophysis, and IGF-I in metaphysis. These may be the chief mechanisms of ZYXHR and YSTJR in modulating the course of pubertal development and ameliorating the skeletal development in children with precocious puberty.

Pattern of abnormal skeletal development in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty and therapeutic effect of Chinese herbs for nourishing yin and purging fire / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the pattern of abnormal skeletal development in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty (IPP) and the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbs for nourishing yin and purging fire (CH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Measurement of bone age, bone mineral content (BMC) and bone density (BD) were performed and levels of serum gla-protein (BGP), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) were determined in girls with IPP at various stages of pubertal development. Data were compared with those collected from matched girls, and the correlativity between various parameters and the extent of the disease were analyzed to explore the pattern. Thirty-eight girls out of them were treated with CH and the therapeutic effect was observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The bone age of the IPP girls was ahead of time obviously (P < 0.05), levels of BMC, BD and serum BGP, IGF-1 were significantly higher than the levels in the healthy girls of matched age (P < 0.05). And the degree of these changes were markedly positive correlated with the severity of disease (P < 0.05). After being remitted with CH treatment, the advanced bone age was apparently alleviated, and above-mentioned abnormal criteria were lowered significantly (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The skeletal development of the girls with IPP was accelerated and the skeletal maturity were ahead of time, the more serious the condition of disease, the more obvious the acceleration and the advanced bone age. CH could decelerate skeletal development and delay the skeletal maturity of IPP patients.</p>