Identification of chemical components and network pharmacology of Huanglian Decoction based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology / 中国中药杂志

The chemical components of Huanglian Decoction were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) technology. The gradient elution was conducted in Agilent ZORBAX Extend-C_(18) column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) with the mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution(A)-acetonitrile(B) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min~(-1) and the column temperature of 35 ℃. The MS adopted the positive and negative ion mode of electrospray ionization(ESI), and the MS data were collected under the scanning range of m/z 100-1 500. Through high-resolution MS data analysis, combined with literature comparison and confirmation of reference substances, this paper identified 134 chemical components in Huanglian Decoction, including 12 alkaloids, 23 flavonoids, 22 terpenes and saponins, 12 phenols, 7 coumarins, 12 amino acids, 23 organic acids, and 23 other compounds, and the medicinal sources of the compounds were ascribed. Based on the previous studies, 7 components were selected as the index components. Combined with the network pharmacology research and analysis me-thods, the protein and protein interaction(PPI) network information of the intersection targets was obtained through the STRING 11.0 database, and 20 core targets of efficacy were screened out. In this study, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology was successfully used to comprehensively analyze and identify the chemical components of Huanglian Decoction, and the core targets of its efficacy were discussed in combination with network pharmacology, which laid the foundation for clarifying the material basis and quality control of Huanglian Decoction.

Guanxin Zhitong Capsules attenuate human endothelial cell damage induced by palmitic acid via MAPK signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

The present study observed the effect of Guanxin Zhitong Capsules(GXZT) on the lipotoxicity of vascular endothelial cells and investigated the mechanism of GXZT in atherosclerosis treatment. The lipotoxicity model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) was induced by palmitic acid(PA) stimulation. These cells were divided into a normal control group(NC, 15% normal serum), a model group(PA, 0.6 mmol·L~(-1) PA+15% normal serum), a high-dose GXZT group(GXZT-H, 0.6 mmol·L~(-1) PA+15% GXZT-medicated serum), a medium-dose GXZT group(GXZT-M, 0.6 mmol·L~(-1) PA+10% GXZT-medicated serum+5% normal serum) and a low-dose GXZT group(GXZT-L, 0.6 mmol·L~(-1) PA+5% GXZT-medicated serum+10% normal serum). HUVECs were detected for cell viability by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay, apoptosis by flow cytometry, mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) by JC-1 labeled laser scanning confocal microscopy, and total and phosphorylated proteins of p38, ERK1/2, and JNK1/2 in the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK) signaling pathway by Western blot. The phosphorylated level was calcula-ted. Compared with the NC group, the PA group showed decreased cell viability and MMP(P<0.01, P<0.01), elevated apoptosis(P<0.01), and up-regulated phosphorylated levels of p38, ERK1/2, and JNK1/2(P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.01). Compared with the PA group, the GXZT-H, GXZT-M, and GXZT-L groups showed increased cell viability and MMP(P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.01), reduced apoptosis(P<0.01), and down-regulated protein expression and phosphorylated levels of p38, ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 in the MAPK signaling pathway(P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.01). In conclusion, the results suggest that GXZT functions via blocking MAPK signaling pathway to relieve the damage of HUVECs induced by PA.

Modern research on theory of “salt-processing enhancing drug into kidney meridian” proposed by healer Jia-mo Chen from Xinan / 中草药

Jia-mo Chen who was a Xinan medical scientist put forward the theory of “Salt-processing enhancing drug into kidney meridian” recorded in “Enlightening Primer of Materia Medica”, which has great significance for the clinical application of Chinese medicine processing excipients. In recent years, scholars have done a lot of research work on the chemical composition and pharmacological effect changes of Chinese medicines and related prescriptions before and after salt-processing, and preliminarily explained the scientific connotation of the processing theory of “salt-processing enhancing drug into kidney meridian” of Chinese materia medica (CMM). According to the literatures of recent years studies, the research progress on processing theory of “Salt-processing enhancing drug into kidney meridian” of CMM was summarized and concluded from the perspective of chemical composition and pharmacological effects changes, and the problems of the present study were analyzed, which put forward new research idea for the theory of “salt-processing enhancing drug into kidney meridian” combined with modern research methods.

Identification of chemical constituents in Huangdi Anxiao Capsules by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E combined with UNIFI software / 中国中药杂志

In order to clarify the main chemical constituents of Huangdi Anxiao Capsules, an ultra-high performance liquid coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E) combined with Waters UNIFI software were successfully used to rapidly identify the chemical constituents in Huangdi Anxiao Capsules. The mass spectrometry data of chemical constituents from Huangdi Anxiao Capsules were collected by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS~E, and their structures were identified by the results of UNIFI software according to relative retention time of reference standards, MS feature fragments and literature data of each compound. A total of 100 compounds in Huangdi Anxiao Capsules were identified, including 25 compounds from Pueraria Lobate Radix, 22 compounds from Coptis Rhizoma, 6 compounds from Ophiopogonis Radix, 14 compounds from Eriobotryae Folium, 22 compounds from Rehmanniae Radix, and 15 compounds from Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. Among them, 3 compounds were common components. These 100 compounds included flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and organic acids. This study systematically analyzed the chemical composition of Huangdi Anxiao Capsules, so as to provide evidences for defining the chemical material basis of Huangdi Anxiao Capsules.

Efficacy of Loulu Shengma Tang Combined with Azithromycin in Treating Children with Mycoplasma Pneumonia with Obstruction of Lung by Pathogenic Heat and Its Effect on Treg and Foxp3 mRNA / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Loulu Shengma Tang combined with azithromycin in the treatment of pediatric mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia（MPP） with obstruction of lung by pathogenic heat， and its effect on inflammatory factors， treg and Foxp3 mRNA. Method:Totally 274 children with MPP were divided into observation group （137 cases） and control group （137 cases）. Observation group was treated with Loulu Shengma Tang combined with azithromycin dry suspension， while control group was treated with azithromycin dry suspension alone. The changes of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndrome score of pathogenic-heat obstruction in the lung， serum inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin-6 （IL-6），interleukin-10 （IL-10），tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α），C-reactive protein （CRP）］， CD4+CD25+Treg， CD4+Foxp3+Treg and Foxp3 mRNA expressions were observed after treatment. The clinical efficacy and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between two groups. Result:The total effective rate of observation group was 94.16%（129/137） after treatment， which was significantly higher than 77.37% （106/137）of observation group （P<0.05）. The disappearance times of cough， lung rale， fever and lung shadow in observation group were shorter than that in control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， TCM syndrome score of pathogenic-heat obstruction in lung was significantly higher than those in control group （P<0.05）， serum IL-6， IL-10， TNF-α and CRP levels in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while CD4+CD25+Treg， CD4+Foxp3+Treg and Foxp3 mRNA expressions were significantly higher than those in control group （P<0.05）. The incidence of adverse reactions in observation group was 7/137 （5.11%）， which was significantly lower than 16/137 （11.68%） in control group. Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of Loulu Shengma Tang combined with azithromycin dry suspension in the treatment of pediatric MPP and its effect on serum inflammatory factors （IL-6， IL-10， TNF-α， CRP）， regulatory T cells and Foxp3 mRNA expressions were better than those of azithromycin dry suspension alone. The incidence of adverse reactions of Loulu Shengma Tang was lower than that of azithromycin dry suspension alone.

Overview on main research method of effective material basis of Chinese materia medica / 中草药

Studies on the effective material basis of Chinese materia medica (CMM), which is critical for clarifying the mechanism of action and control quality. The main research methods on the effective material basis of CMM were reviewed through consulting relevant literature in this paper. It mainly includes the serum pharmaceutical chemistry, spectrum-effect and PK/PD model research.

Chemical profiling of Qixue Shuangbu Tincture by ultra-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole-time-of-flight high-definition mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to develop and validate a sensitive and reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) method to separate and identify the chemical constituents of Qixue Shuangbu Tincture (QXSBT), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription. Under the optimized UPLC and QTOF/MS conditions, 56 components in QXSBT, including chalcones, triterpenoids, protopanaxatriol, flavones and flavanones were identified and tentatively characterized within a running time of 42 min. The components were identified by comparing the retention times, accurate mass, and mass spectrometric fragmentation characteristic ions, and matching empirical molecular formula with that of the published compounds. In conclusion, the established UPLC-QTOF/MS method was reliable for a rapid identification of complicated components in the TCM prescriptions.

Identification of antioxidant activity of two new aromatic ring butyrolactone derivatives from Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz / 中国天然药物

The present study carried out a phytochemical investigation on the root barks of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz, leading to the isolation and characterization of two new aromatic ring butyrolactone derivatives, dasycarpusphenol acid A (1) and dasycarpusphenol acid B (2). Their structures were elucidated by using spectroscopic techniques and HR-FAB-MS. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited antioxidant activity, with their IC values being 28.95 and 41.76 mg·mL, respectively.

Research progress in chemical constituents in single herbs of Fangji Huangqi Decoction and its pharmacological activities / 中草药

Fangji Huangqi Tang is a traditional Chinese medicine formula composed of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, Astragali membranaceus Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizoma, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle. At present, the compounds extracted from the Chinese materia medica in Fangji Huangqi Decoction are reported to be alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, saccharides and terpenoids. Fangji Huangqi Decoction was identified as one of the main formula used to treat chronic glomerular nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, renal edema, and cardiac edema in clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine. In this paper, the research progress in the chemical constituents and their pharmacologic actions of Fangji Huangqi Decoction are reviewed, providing the scientific basis for its modernization research and comprehensive utilization.

Effects of umbilical cord mononuclear cells transplantation combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of umbilical cord monoculcear cells (UCBMC) transplantation combined with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on the long-term behaviors and histology in neonatal rats after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: normal control (CON), HIBD, UCBMC and UCBMC+HBO. HIBD was induced according to the Rice-Vannucci method. The rats in the UCBMC+HBO group were treated with HBO 3 hours after HIBD, followed by UCBMC transplantation 24 hours after HIBD. IL-1β and TNF-α protein levels were examined by Western blot analysis in the 4 groups. T-maze test and radial arm maze test were used to detect the long-term learning memory capability. Nissl staining was used to examine the histological changes of the hippocampal CA1 region.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-four hours after transplantation, IL-1β and TNF-α protein levels in the UCBMC+HBO group were significantly reduced compared with the HIBD (P<0.01) and UCBMC groups (P<0.05). The study and memory capabilities were impaired, and the number of the pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region was reduced in the HIBD group. The study and memory capabilities were greatly improved and the number of pyramidal cells increased significantly in the UCBMC+HBO group compared with the UCBMC and HIBD groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>UCBMC transplantation combined with HBO therapy could reduce the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α protein, improve long-term behaviors and alleviate brain damages in the hypoxic ischemic neonatal rats.</p>

Investigation on iodine nutrition of pregnant women and thyroid function of newborn in Jiangbei District of Ningbo City / 上海预防医学

Objective To investigate and evaluate the iodine nutritional status of pregnant women and thyroid function of new born children in Jiangbei District, and provide the basis for rational iodine supplement. Methods From March 2014 to October 2014,three survey spots ( representing the city,the rural-urban continum,and the countryside) investigated a total of 161 pregnant women, whose urine were tested for urine iodine.Comparative analysis was done on iodine nutritional status in different geographical areas and different pregnancy.Blood of pregnant women and matching neonatal umbilical cord blood were tested for free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), with analysis on the relationship between the two. Results Median of the 161 pregnant women urine iodine level was 178.67μg/L.Among them,the iodine excess ( urine iodine,>500 mu g/L) accounted for 3.73%(6/161),iodine sufficiency (urinary iodine 250~499 μg/L) 33.54%(54/161),iodine moderacy (urinary iodine 150 ~249 μg/L) 22.36%(36/161),iodine deficiency (urinary iodine <150 μg/L) 40.37%(65/161).Urine iodine levels in pregnant women from three different geographical areas showed no statistical difference.Median urine iodine of pregnant women in third trimester was 148.23 μg/L.FT3 ,FT4 level of 36 neonatal was (2.60 ±0.35) and (13.81 ±1.63) pmol/L respectively,the average serum TSH level was 3.38 mIU/L.Pregnant women urine iodine level paired with FT3 , TSH level of neonatal serum showed no correlation (P>0.05),but were positively correlated in FT4 level (P<0.01). Conclusion Iodine nutritional status in most pregnant women in Jiangbei District is at appropriate levels,but there is still some iodine deficiency found in them.Urine iodine content of pregnant women in third trimester was low;FT4 levels were positively correlated in matched pregnant woman and newborn.In view of this situation,monitoring of the iodine nutritional status in pregnant women and neonatal thyroid function should be enhanced.

Hyperbaric oxygen promotes the migration and differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on the migration and differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal control (CON), the HIBD model and the HBO groups (HBO treatment was administered at 2 ATA, once daily for 7 days within 3 hrs after HIBD). HIBD model was prepared according to the classic Rice-Vannucci method. BrdU/DCX, BrdU/beta-tubulin, BrdU/GFAP and BrdU/O4 immunofluorescence were examined by confocal microscopy in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the cortex 7, 14 and 28 days after HBO treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BrdU(+)DCX(+) cells in the SVZ (84 +/- 21 cells/mm2) in the HBO group were significantly higher than those in the CON group (39 +/- 14 cells/mm2) (p<0.05) and the HIBD model group (68 +/- 17 cells/mm2) (p<0.05) 7 days after HBO treatment. Fourteen days after HBO treatment, the BrdU(+) DCX(+) cells decreased in the SVZ and more cells were observed in the cortex in the HBO group as compared with the CON group (p<0.01). The BrdU(+) beta-tubulin(+), BrdU(+)GFAP(+) and BrdU(+) O4(+) cells were observed in the cortex, and more BrdU(+)beta-tubulin(+) and BrdU(+) O4(+) cells were observed in the HBO group as compared with the CON and the HIBD model groups (p<0.05) 28 days after HBO treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HBO treatment may promote endogenous NSCs to migrate to the cortex and differentiate into mature neurocytes in neonatal rats with HIBD.</p>

Investigation on inhibition of HIV III B virus with extractions of Juglans regia / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of anti-HIV III B virus with extractions from Juglans regia, so as to searching for the new and efficacious leading compound of AIDS therapy.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Phytochemical and chromatographical techniques were used to isolate compounds from J. regia; MT4 cells and HIV III B virus were used to study the effect of anti-HIV activity in vitro. BIACORE 3000 molecule coupled equipment were used for the target research also.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Two extractions (B&E) were isolated from J. regia which possess the effect of anti-HIV activity. Targets study found that extraction B could affected on HIV-1 gp-41 fusing protein and extraction E could affected on HIV-1 integrase respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>J. regia is a traditional Chinese medicine with active anti-HIV activity and worth to be studied further.</p>

Therapeutic effects of acupoint injection at cervical Jiaji points and effects on ET and CGRP in the patient of ischemic stroke / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe effects of point injection at cervical Jiaji points on endothelin (ET) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in the patient of ischemic stroke (IS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy cases of IS were randomly divided into a treatment group of 35 cases and a control group of 35 cases. The treatment group were treated with acupoint injection at cervical Jiaji points and routine acupuncture, and the control group only with routine acupuncture. Two weeks constituted one course with an interval of one day between courses. After two courses and 4 courses, changes of ET and CGRP were detected, and after 4 courses, their clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Acupoint injection at cervical Jiaji points could significantly decrease ET and increase CGRP level; the cured and markedly effective rate was 88.6% in the treatment group and 68.6% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupoint injection at cervical Jiaji points has a very good clinical therapeutic effect and can improve ET and CGRP levels in the patient of IS.</p>

Changes of Wnt-3 protein during the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage after hyperbaric oxygen therapy / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Previous studies suggest that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment promotes the proliferation of neurocytes in neonatal rats following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). The Wnt signaling pathway is associated with neurogenesis. This study examined whether HBO promoted neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation after HIBD, and whether that the proliferation correlated with Wnt-3 protein expression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control, hypoxia-ischemia (HI), and HI-HBO. HI was induced by the ligation of left common carotid artery, followed by a 2-hr exposure to 8% O2 in the latter two groups. HBO was administered 3 hrs after HI in the HI-HBO group for continuous 7 days (2 atmospheres absolute, once daily). The proliferating NSCs in the subventricular zone (SVZ) was examined by BrdU/nestin immunofluorescence and the expression of Wnt-3 protein in NSCs was examined by nestin/Wnt-3 immunofluorescence at 6 and 24 hrs and at 3, 7 and 14 days of HI. The cellular expressions of nestin and Wnt-3 protein were analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between cellular Wnt-3 and nestin protein. The expressions of nestin and Wnt-3 protein in the ischemic cerebral hemisphere were analyzed with Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of BrdU/nestin positive cells in the SVZ increased 3 hrs after HBO therapy, peaked at 7 days and remained at a higher level until 14 days after HBO therapy in the HI-HBO group compared with the normal control and the HIBD groups. The level of Wnt-3 protein in NSCs increased significantly 3 hrs after HBO therapy, peaked at 3 days and remained at high levels until 14 days after HBO therapy in the HI-HBO group compared with the normal control and the HIBD groups. The level of cellular nestin protein was closely correlated with the level of cellular Wnt-3 protein (r = 0.893, P < 0.05). The Western blotting analysis demonstrated increased Wnt-3 and nestin protein expressions in the ischemic cerebral hemispheres.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HBO treatment promotes the proliferation of NSCs in HIBD neonatal rats, which is correlated with the activation of Wnt signaling.</p>

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy administered at different time on white matter damage following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>A recent study has suggested that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy administered within 3 hrs following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) may alleviate brain white matter damage (WMD) in neonatal rats. However it is unclear whether a delayed HBO therapy (more than 3 hrs following HIBD) has neuroprotective effects in neonatal rats. This study aimed to explore the effect of HBO therapy administered at different time points following HIBD on WMD in neonatal rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HIBD model was prepared according to the Rice-Vannucci procedure in 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. HBO therapy was administered at 3, 6, 12, 24 or 72 hrs after HIBD, once daily for consecutive 7 days. T-maze test, the foot-fault test and the radial arm maze test were performed after 14 days of HIBD. Myelin basic protein (MBP) in the callositas and corpora striata was examined by immunohistochemical method 28 days after HIBD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rats receiving HBO therapy at 3, 6 and 12 hrs after HIBD performed significantly better in the T-maze test, the radial arm maze test and the foot-fault test than the untreated HIBD rats. There were no significant differences in the behavioral test results between the HBO-treated groups administered HBO at 24 and 72 hrs after HIBD and the untreated HIBD group. The MBP expression in the HBO-treated groups treated within 12 hrs after HIBD was significantly higher than that in the untreated HIBD group (P < 0.05). When the HBO therapeutic window was delayed to 24 hrs after HIBD, there were no significant differences in the MBP expression between the HBO-treated and the untreated HIBD groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HBO therapy administered within 12 hrs following HIBD can alleviate brain WMD in neonatal rats, but the efficacy of HBO therapy administered 24 hrs after HIBD does not appear to be satisfactory.</p>

Recent progress on anti-HIV research of traditional Chinese medicine and components / 中国中药杂志

This paper summarized the recent 6 years' progress of anti-HIV compounds and traditional Chinese medicines by searching international network and reviewing the domestic and foreign literature. Traditional Chinese medicinal appeared to be a rich source of potentially useful materials for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Some of them are much more potent in anti-HIV activity. And some components extracted from the herbs are even more tonic than the crude herb medicines. It has been proved that some active components such as alkaloids, proteins, flavonoids, quercetin, terpene, lignanoid are able to work on anti-HIV. People should pay more attention to the study of traditional Chinese medicine and the leading compounds on anti-HIV/AIDS in the clinic and in the laboratory. So searching for high efficacy and low toxicity anti-HIV drug from traditional Chinese medicine is an important and prospective research direction in the future.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on neural stem cells and myelin in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study investigated the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on neural stem cells (NSCs) and myelin in neonatal rats following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) and aimed to explore the possible mechanism of the protective effect of HBO on HIBD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly assigned into 4 groups: Normal control, HIBD, hyperbaric air (HBA), and HBO groups (n=30 each). The HIBD model was produced by permanent occlusion of the left common carotid artery and 2 hrs hypoxemia exposure (8% O2 at 37 degrees C). HBA and HBO treatment was administered (2 ATA, once daily for 7 days) in the HBA and HBO groups respectively 1 hr after HIBD. BrdU immunohistochemistry was used to detect the NSCs in the sub-ventricle zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. The myelin damage was assessed by myelin basic protein (MBP) immunostaining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BrdU-positive cells in the SVZ and the DG of the ischemic hemisphere in the HIBD group were dramatically decreased compared with those of the Normal control group at 3 weeks post-HIBD (P < 0.01). The HBO treatment resulted in an increase of BrdU-positive cells in the DG from 153.7 +/- 37.0 to 193.7 +/- 38.8 (P < 0.05). The nestin expression in the HIBD and HBA groups was reduced compared with that in the Normal control group. There was no difference in the nestin expression between the HBO and the Normal control groups. Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) led to marked myelin damage at 1 week post-HIBD. HBO or HBA treatment alleviated the damage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The HBO treatment can result in the proliferation of BrdU-positive cells and alleviate the myelin damage following HIBD in neonatal rats, thereby offering neuroprotectivity against HI insults.</p>

Effect of Astragalus injection on plasma levels of apoptosis-related factors in aged patients with chronic heart failure / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Astragalus injection (AI) on plasma levels of apoptosis-related factors in aged patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two CHF patients were randomly divided into the AI group (36 cases) treated with AI and the control group (36 cases) treated with conventional treatment. Plasma levels of soluble Fas (sFas), soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) with monoclonal anti-human antibodies. Besides, New York Heart Association (NYHA) grading was assessed according to improved symptoms and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were assessed by echocardiogram after 4 weeks of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 4 weeks of treatment, NYHA grading was markedly improved in the two groups, but it was significantly better in AI group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). As compared with the control group, sFas, sFasL, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the AI group were obviously lower, the difference between the two groups and between before and after treatment were significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, in AI group, LVESV and LVEDV decreased, LVEF increased, which was significantly different than that before treatment (P < 0.05), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AI could lower plasma levels of apoptosis-related factors, and is one of the effective drugs in improving cardiac function in the aged patients with CHF.</p>