Berberine Enhances Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function by Promoting Vitamin D Receptor Activity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if berberine can act on vitamin D receptors (VDR) and thereby regulate the expression of tight junction proteins (TJPs) in irritable bowel syndrame-diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D) rats. METHODS: The newborn rats were induced into IBS-D rat model via neonatal maternal separation combined with acetic acid chemical stimulation. After modeling, the model was evaluated and rats were divided into the control group and berberine treatment groups (0.85, 1.7 and 3.4 mg/kg, once a day for 2 weeks). The distal colon was obtained and colonic epithelial cells (CECs) were isolated and cultured after IBS-D model evaluation. The vitamin D receptor response element (VDRE) reporter gene was determined in the CECs of IBS-D rats to analyze the effect of berberine on the VDRE promoter. VDR overexpression or silencing technology was used to analyze whether VDR plays a role in promoting intestinal barrier repair, and to determine which region of VDR plays a role in berberine-regulated intestinal TJPs. RESULTS: The IBS-D rat model was successfully constructed and the symptoms were improved by berberine in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). The activity of VDRE promoter was also effectively promoted by berberine (P<0.05). Berberine increased the expression of TJPs in IBS-D CECs (P<0.05). VDR expression was significantly increased after transfection of different domains of VDR when compared to normal control and basic plasmid groups (all P<0.05). RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group, expressions of occludin and zonula occludens-1 were significantly higher in VDR containing groups (all P<0.05). Berberine plus pCMV-Myc-VDR-N group exerted the highest expression levels of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Berberine enhances intestinal mucosal barrier function of IBS-D rats by promoting VDR activity, and the main site of action is the N-terminal region of VDR.

Construction of hidden curriculum in the academic experience inheritance of distinguished TCM veteran doctors / 中国针灸

To discuss the advantages and necessity of hidden curriculum construction in the academic experience inheritance of distinguished TCM veteran doctors by analyzing the characteristics of the hidden curriculum and the academic experience inheritance of distinguished TCM veteran doctors, and put forward viewpoints and pathways of promoting academic experience inheritance of distinguished TCM veteran doctors through the construction of hidden curriculum，such as optimal design of teaching environment，reasonable planning of teaching content and development of teaching information model，to effectively improve student cultivation quality and achieve the TCM talent cultivation goal which clinical diagnosis and treatment skills and clinical innovation ability are the core.

Absorbed components analysis of Zhitong Huazheng Capsules in rat serum by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS / 中国中药杂志

To identify and analyze the constituents in rat serum after oral administration of Zhitong Huazheng capsule (ZTHZC), and provide a reference for its further research on pharmacodynamics material basis. Female Wistar rats were selected as experimental animals, and received intragastric administration of ZTHZC at a dose of 1.5 g·kg⁻¹. After the serum samples were collected, the absorbed prototype components in rat serum were identified and analyzed by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) combined with multivariate statistical analysis．The results showed, a total of fifteen absorbed constituents were identified, all of which were prototype components, including Danshensu, salvianolic acid A, B, C, D, 9,12-dihydroxy-15-nonadecanoicacid, linoleic acid, ethyl palmitoleate, tetrahydropalmatine, fumarate A, astragaloside A, astragaloside II, saponin, locustin and luteolin. This experiment showed that these fifteen components absorbed into blood may be the potential bioactive components in ZTHZC, providing a scientific basis for clarifying its material basis in pharmacodynamics.

Effects of Couplet Medicines (Astragalus Membranaceus and Jiaozhen) on Intestinal Barrier in Postoperative Colorectal Cancer Patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of the couplet medicines (Astragalus Membranaceus and Jiaozhen) on intestinal barrier functions of postoperative colorectal cancer patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 90 inpatients with confirmed colorectal cancer by pathological diagnosis were recruited as subjects in this study. They were assigned to the Chinese medicine group (CM, treated with Astragalus Membranaceus and Jiaozhen), the Western medicine group (WM, treated with glutamine), and the blank control group (treated with normal saline) according to random digit table, 30 in each group. The treatment course consisted of eight days. Levels of blood D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase (DAO), urinary lactulose/mannitol ratio (L/M), ET, TNF-alpha, and postoperative recovery time of bowel sound were observed before surgery and after surgery. The effect of the couplet medicines (Astragalus Membranaceus and Jiaozhen) on intestinal barrier functions of postoperative colorectal cancer patients were comprehensively assessed by taking blood D-lactic acid levels, DAO levels, urinary L/M as main potency indices; ET and TNF-alpha, recovery time of bowel sound as the secondary potency indices.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CM showed similar effect with that of WM in improving blood D-lactic acid levels and DAO levels, and urinary L/M ratio, with no statistical difference between them (P > 0.05). But they showed better effect than that of the blank control group (P < 0.05). Levels of ET and TNF-alpha were decreased more in the CM group than in the WM group (P < 0.05). The recovery time of bowel sound was shorter in the CM group than in the WM group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Levels of ET and TNF-alpha were decreased more in the WM group than in the blank control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the recovery time of bowel sound between the WM group and the blank control group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The couplet medicines (Astragalus Membranaceus and Jiaozhen) had obvious protection for intestinal barrier dysfunction of postoperative colorectal cancer patients, showing similar efficacy to that of WM. It was even superior to glutamine in restoring bowel functions, reducing toxin absorption, and lowering levels of pro-inflammatory factors.</p>

Chemical constituents and cytotoxicity assay research in small polar substances from Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana / 中国中药杂志

This article studied the chemical constituents from the aerial part of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana. The 60% ethanol extract was eluted with 95% ethanol though HP-20 macroporous adsorption resin column. 12 compounds, including (1) betulinic acid, (2)2, 2, 2'-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane bis (2, 3-epoxypropyl) ether, (3) eriodictyol, (4) trans-ε-viniferin, (5) (+)-cis-ε-viniferin, (6) kobophenol A, (7) ampelopsin A, (8) nepalensinol B, (9) cis-miyabenol C, (10) cis-vitisin B, (11) cis-gnetin H and (12) (+)-hopeaphenol, were separated by using normal phase silica gel, ODS, Sephdadex LH-20 column chromatographies and semi-preparative or preparative HPLC. Compounds 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 were separated from the genus Vitis for the first time and compounds 3, 7, 12 were separated from Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana for the first time. At a concentration of 50 μmol · L(-1), compound 6, 7 and 11 showed strong cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cell lines with the inhibition rate of 66.58%, 57.16%, 52.84%, respectively.

Alteration of antioxidant enzymes and associated genes induced by grape seed extracts in the primary muscle cells of goats in vitro.

This study was conducted to investigate how the activity and expression of certain paramount antioxidant enzymes respond to grape seed extract (GSE) addition in primary muscle cells of goats. Gluteal primary muscle cells (PMCs) isolated from a 3-week old goat were cultivated as an unstressed cell model, or they were exposed to 100 µM H2O2 to establish a H2O2-stimulated cell model. The activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutases (SOD) and glutathione peroxidases (GPx) in combination with other relevant antioxidant indexes [i.e., reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC)] in response to GSE addition were tested in the unstressed and H2O2-stimulated cell models, and the relative mRNA levels of the CAT, GuZu-SOD, and GPx-1 genes were measured by qPCR. In unstressed PMCs, GSE addition at the dose of 10 µg/ml strikingly attenuated the expression levels of CAT and CuZn-SOD as well as the corresponding enzyme activities. By contrast, in cells pretreated with 100 µM H2O2, the expression and activity levels of these two antioxidant enzymes were enhanced by GSE addition at 10 µg/ml. GSE addition promoted GPx activity in both unstressed and stressed PMCs, while the expression of the GPx 1 gene displayed partial divergence with GPx activity, which was mitigated by GSE addition at 10 µg/ml in unstressed PMCs. GSH remained comparatively stable except for GSE addition to H2O2-stimulated PMCs at 60 µg/ml, in which a dramatic depletion of GSH occurred. Moreover, GSE addition enhanced TAOC in unstressed (but not H2O2-stimulated) PMCs. GSE addition exerted a bidirectional modulating effect on the mRNA levels and activities of CAT and SOD in unstressed and stressed PMCs at a moderate dose, and it only exhibited a unidirectional effect on the promotion of GPx activity, reflecting its potential to improve antioxidant protection in ruminants.

Effect of Qufeng Tongluo Recipe on expression of desmin and CD2AP proteins in adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats: an experimental research / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Qufeng Tongluo Recipe (QTR) on the expression of desmin and CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) in adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The adriamycin-induced nephropathy rat model was induced by a disposable intravenous injection of adriamycin. The model was successfully established after 3 weeks. Rats were then randomly divided into the blank control group (Group A, n =12), the model control group (Group B, n = 8), the small, medium, large dose QTR group (Group C, n = 8; Group D, n = 8; Group E, n = 8), and the positive control group (Group F, n = 8). From the fourth week normal saline was given to rats in Group A and Group B, QTR 1.0 g/mL, 2.1 g/mL, and 4.2 g/mL was respectively administered to those in Group C, D, and E. Prednisone 25 mg/kg was given to rats in Group F. All medication was performed by gastrogavage at 10 mL/kg, once daily, for 28 successive days. 24-h urinary protein excretion and sera biochemical indices were determined during medication. At the end of the experiment, ultrastructure was observed, mRNA expression of desmin, mRNA and protein of CD2AP were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with Group B, 24-h urinary protein excretion significantly decreased in Group C, D, E, and F (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with Group B, Alb in Group C, D, and E increased (P < 0.05) and TC significantly decreased (P < 0.05). TG significantly increased in Group F (P < 0.05). (3) Results of electron microscope showed, compared with Group B, the morphology of foot cells was improved to various degrees in Groups D, E, and F, especially the foot process structure and the number of foot processes were significantly improved, which was more obviously shown in Group D and Group E. (4) mRNA expression of desmin, mRNA and protein of CD2AP increased in adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats (P < 0.05). After intervention, when compared with Group B, mRNA expression of desmin and CD2AP were significantly lower in Group C, D, E, and F (P < 0.05). (5) Compared with Group A, expression of desmin and CD2AP significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with Group B, the expression of desmin protein were obviously lower in Group C, D, E, and F, and the protein expression of desmin obviously decreased in Group D, E, and F (P < 0.05). The protein expression of desmin and CD2AP gradually decreased in Group C, D, and E (P < 0.05). Compared with Group F, the expression of CD2AP protein obviously increased in Group C and D (P < 0.05); the expression of CD2AP protein obviously decreased in Group E (P < 0.05); the expression of desmin protein was higher in Group C, D, and E (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QTR's therapeutic effect on adriamycin-induced nephropathy rats might be achieved through altered expression of desmin and CD2AP.</p>

Qufeng Tongluo Prescription () inhibits mesangial cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis through regulating cell cycle progression / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects and possible underlying mechanism of Qufeng Tongluo Prescription (, QFTL) on the regulation of mesangial cells (MCs) proliferation and apoptosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The MCs used in this experiment have undergone five passages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Changes in the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulatory proteins and mRNA expression levels of the MCs after administration of Benazepril or QFTL were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) reduction assay, flow cytometry, Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The addition of Benazepril or QFTL serum inhibited LPS-induced MC proliferation after treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, the inhibitory effect is more significant in the QFTL group at 48 h (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, LPS-induced cell proliferation decreased the number of cells in G1 phase versus cells in S and G2/M phases, while the addition of QFTL and Benazepril serum increased the ratio of cells at G1 phase (P<0.05 or P<0.01) to cells at S phase (P<0.01), implicating the cell cycle inhibition effect exerted by QFTL. LPS decreased the level of MC apoptosis, compared with the control group (P<0.05), while QFTL and Benazepril serum increased the level of MC apoptosis (P<0.01). Moreover, the difference between the QFTL group and the Benazepril group was statistically significant (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the protein and mRNA expression levels of cylinD1, cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and p21 were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), p27 was decreased but with no statistical significance (P>0.05); After being treated with QFTL and Benazepril serum, the protein and mRNA expression levels of cylinD1, CDK2, p21 were decreased and p27 increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01); Compared with the Benazepril group, QFTL show better effects on protein and mRNA expression levels of cylinD1, CDK2 (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and p21 protein expression (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QFTL inhibits MCs proliferation, promotes MCs apoptosis through an underlying mechanism of down-regulating the protein and mRNA expression levels of cylinD1, CDK2, p21 and up-regulation of the expression level of p27.</p>

Effect of Yupingfeng San against OVA-induced allergic asthma in mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Yupingfeng San (YPFS) against OVA-induced allergic asthma in mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Mice were injected with OVA to establish the allergic asthma model. They were abdominally injected with 20 microg OVA on day 0 and 14, and inhaled aerosol 0.5% OVA solution for 20 min for seven days. The blank control group was administrated with equal volume of saline. YPFS groups with different doses were administrated intragastrically with YPFS every day, with the crude drug dosage of 3.25, 6.5, 13 g x kg(-1), respectively. The model group and control group were administrated with equal volume of saline. The positive control group was given intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg x kg(-1) DEX since aerosol inhalation. Blood was drawn after the last OVA aerosol inhalation to count the number of Eosnophils (Eos) in blood and detect IgE in serum; BALF was collected to count the number of cells and classify; right lung tissues were evenly grinded to detect cytokines IL-4 and IFN-gamma, and left upper lung lobes were collected for pathologic histology.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The level of Eos and IgE in serum increased significantly in the model group, and a large number of Eos were detected in BALF. Histopathological changes in lung showed bronchial serous exudation, tubular epithelial cells exfoliation, tube narrowing, widened alveolar septum, and bronchial periarterial lymphocytes infiltration. Homogenate of lung tissues showed increase of IL-4, and decrease in IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio. YPFS groups with different doses displayed decrease of Eos in blood and BALF and IgE content in serum, and relief of pathologic changes in above models. Meanwhile, IL-4 content in homogenate of lung tissues decreased, with the increase in IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YPFS shows the inhibitory effects on OVA-induced allergic asthma, involving down regulation of Eos and IgE levels in blood of asthma mice, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues. Meanwhile, it can reduce IL-4 in lung homogenates, increase IFN-gamma/IL-4, and inhibits Th2 polarization.</p>

Study on inflammatory effect of toxic raphides from Pinellia ternate and its correlation with macrophages / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the toxic mechanism of toxic raphides from Pinellia ternata.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Mouse peritoneal macrophage in vitro culture model was adopted to study dose-dependent and time-dependent curves of toxic raphides, with TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in supernatant as indexes. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the changes in surface morphology of raphides-treated macrophages. Macrophages-neutrophils co-cultured the transport model to study the effect of toxic raphides' stimulation of macrophages on neutrophils migration.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Toxic raphides' stimulation of macrophages could cause the increase in the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 released, and showed dose dependence and time dependence. Scanning electron microscopy showed that toxic raphides were swallowed by macrophages, with notable cell membrane creases, increase in the number of pseudopods and decrease in integrity of cell membranes, and could significantly induce migration of neutrophils.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The inflammatory process induced by toxic raphides is mainly mediated by macrophages. The toxic mechanism of toxic raphides from P. ternata is that toxic raphides penetrate into tissues to activate resident macrophages, release phagocytic and inflammatory cytokines, and cause migration of neutrophils, which finally results in acute inflammatory response.</p>

Effect of acupuncture on renal function and pathologic changes of kidney in rabbits with nephritis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of acupuncture on cationized bovine serum albumin (C-BSA) nephritis model in rabbits and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a metoprolol group, a irbesartan group and an acupuncture group, 10 rabbits in each group. The model was established by ear vein intravenous injection with C-BSA. The positive control groups were treated by intragastric administrated with metoprolol and irbesartan, respectively. The acupuncture group was treated by acupuncture at "Fengmen" (BL 12) and "Shenshu" (BL 23). No interventions were added on the blank group and the model group. The changes of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), plasma norepinephrine (NE), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and 24 hours urine protein (24 h UP) in rabbits at the time points of 3rd, 6th and 8th week of treatment were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the model was established, the Scr of (194.30 +/- 20.09) micromol/L, BUN of (9.19 +/- 0.66) mmol/L and 24 h UP of (277.70 +/- 20.09) mg/24 h in the model group were all higher than the Scr of (66.03 +/- 4. 76) micromol/L, BUN of (4.11 +/- 0.71) mmol/L and 24 h UP of (14.28 +/- 1. 47) mg/24 h in the blank group (all P < 0.01), and the diffused mesenteria hyperplasia and the increase of intercapillary cells in the model group were showed in the pathological sections. After 3 weeks of treatment. The Scr of (99.82 +/- 9.29) micromol/L, BUN of (6.32 +/- 0.75) mmol/L and 24 h UP of (189.67 +/- 15.45) mg/ 24 h in the acupuncture group were all decreased significantly, furthermore, the decrease of BP, HR, NE were better than the other treatment groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Except the level of 24 h up and HR at 8th week, other results were as same as the 3rd week.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can improve the function of kidney, decrease the content of 24 h UP and the underlying therapeutic mechanism could be correlated with that acupuncture can lower excitability of sympathetic nerve and alleviate the renal pathological lesion induced by nephritis.</p>

Effects of Qufengtongluo Recipe on expressions of cell cycle regulatory proteins in rat mesangial cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Qufengtongluo Recipe (QFTLR) on the expressions of cell cycle regulatory proteins in rat mesangial cells (MCs) in vitro and investigate the mechanism by which QFTLR inhibits MC proliferation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the methods of serum pharmacology, we studied the expressions of cell cycle regulatory proteins in rat MCs treated with QFTLR by laser scanning confocal microscope and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control cells, the cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed significantly enhanced expressions of cyclin D1, CDK2, and P21 (P<0.01) and obviously lowered protein expression of P27 (P<0.01). Treatment of the LPS-challenged cells with QFTLR and benazepril both resulted in significantly attenuated expressions of cyclin D1, CDK2, and P21 and obvious increase of P27 expression (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but QFTLR produced stronger effects than benazepril in regulating of cyclinD1, P21 and P27 protein expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QFTLR inhibits rat MC proliferation in vitro possibly by down-regulating the cellular expressions of cyclin D1, CDK2, and P21 and up-regulating the expression of P27 protein.</p>

Effects of Qufengtongluo recipe on proteinuria and glomerular filtration membrane in rats with adriamycin-induced nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the therapeutic effect of Qufengtongluo (QFTL) recipe against proteinuria and glomerular filtration membrane damage in rats with adriamycin-induced nephropathy (AN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-six SD rats were randomized into normal control (A) and AN model groups. In the AN model group, the rat AN models established by a single intravenous injection of adriamycin via the tail vein were subdivided into model (B), QFTL recipe (C), prednisone (D), and benazepril (E) groups 3 weeks after adriamycin injection. The 24-h urinary protein level was measured and the expression of anionic sites on the filtration membrane was evaluated using electron microscope with PEI staining. Nephrin expression on the glomerular filtration membrane was detected with indirect immunofluorescence assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group A, the model group showed significantly increased level of 24-h urinary protein (P<0.01), suggesting successful establishment of the AN model. Treatment with QFTL recipe obviously lowered the 24-h urinary protein (P<0.01), and increased the expression of anionic sites and nephrin on the glomerular filtration membrane in the AN rats (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QFTL recipe can effectively decrease 24-h urinary protein, improve the symptoms, and up-regulate the expressions of anionic sites and nephrin on the glomerular filtration membrane in rats with AN.</p>

Qufeng Tongluo decoction inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced rat mesangial cell proliferation in vitro by suppressing NF-kappaB activation and reducing TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNA expressions / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Qufeng Tongluo (QFTL) decoction on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat mesangial cell proliferation and explore the possible mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two rats were randomized into normal control, glomerulonephritis model, QFTL treatment and positive control groups, and serum samples were obtained from these groups. Rat mesangial cells with or without LPS exposure were treated with the sera, and the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB ) was detected using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNAs were detected with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>QFTL decoction inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB in LPS-stimulated rat mesangial cells stimulated by LSP, and lowered the expressions of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QFTL decoction can inhibit LPS-induced rat mesangial cell proliferation by decreasing the expression of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNA as a result of suppression NF-kappaB activation.</p>

Mechanism of the effect of Tongluo Recipe against glomerular sclerosis in rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Tongluo Recipe on the expression of collagen IV (Col IV), fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in rat renal tissues and explore the mechanism underlying these effects in rats with glomerular sclerosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The pathological changes in the renal tissues of rats with glomerular sclerosis were observed microscopically, and the expressions of Col IV, FN, LN, and TGF-beta1 were detected using immunohistochemical staining and image analysis system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tongluo Recipe significantly decreased the expressions of Col IV, FN, LN and TGF-beta1 in the renal tissue of rats with glomerular sclerosis (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and obviously alleviated the renal pathologies (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effects of Tongluo Recipe are probably mediated by lowered expressions of Col IV, FN, LN and TGF-beta1.</p>

Effects of Qufeng Tongluo Recipe on proliferation of and TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNA expressions in glomerular mesangial cells from rats / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Qufeng Tongluo Recipe (QFTLR), a compound of traditional Chinese herbal medicine for dispelling wind and removing obstruction in the meridians, on cell proliferation and expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNAs induced by lippolysaccharide in glomerular mesangial cells from rats. METHODS: The method of serum pharmacology was used. A total of 32 rats were divided into normal control group, untreated group, QFTLR group and positive control group which also was named Monopril (fosinopril sodium) group. Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was induced by injection of antithymocyte serum in the rats except for the normal control group. Sera of the rats were obtained after corresponding interventions. Lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation of rat mesangial cells (MCs) cultured in the respective serum-containing media was detected by the method of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and the expressions of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNAs were analyzed by the method of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated group, QFTLR showed remarkable inhibitory function on the proliferation of the mesangial cells (P<0.05). The expressions of TGF-beta1 mRNA in mesangial cells were increased in the untreated group, QFTLR group and Monopril group when compared with the normal control group (P<0.01), but the TGF-beta1 mRNA expressions in QFTLR group and in Monopril group were lower than that in the untreated group. The IL-6 mRNA expression could be increased by the LPS stimulation, and it was significantly higher in the other three groups than that in the normal control group, including the untreated group, the Monopril group and the QFTLR group (P<0.01). Compared with the untreated group, the expression of IL-6 mRNA was decreased by QFTLR and Monopril (P<0.01). QFTLR was better than Monopril in inhibiting the proliferation of the mesangial cells and decreasing the expressions of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNAs (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: QFTLR has great inhibitory effect on mesangial cell proliferation and expressions of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNAs, which may be one of its mechanisms in postponing glomerular sclerosis.

Effect of Yishen capsule on serum vascular endothelial growth factor and cell immunity in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Yishen capsule on the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the cell immunity and the theraphic.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Serum VEGF and T cell subsets were studied in 30 normal subjects and 83 patients before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compare with normal subjects, CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 were decreased, CD8 and serum VEGF were increased obviously (P <0. 05 or P <0. 01). After three months treatment with YiShen capsule, CD4/CD8 was increased, CD8 and serum VEGF were decreased significantly (P <0.05 or P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yishen capsule can reduce the proteinuria, increase the function of immunity and improve the clinical symptom of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis, achieved the effects of allevating chronic glomerular sclerosis ultimately.</p>

Protective effects of mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach (保肝益胃合剂) on rat acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To observe the protective effects of a mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach (保肝益胃合剂) on rat acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl_4). Methods The model of rat acute liver damage was established by injection of CCl_4 2 ml/kg into the abdominal cavity.The rat models were treated respectively by the mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach 30 g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),the polyene phosphatide acid radical choline capsule [Yi Shanfu (易善复), 180 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)],the glycyrrhizic acid diaminogen capsule [Gan Lixin (甘利欣),30 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)] infused into the stomach.The activities of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were detected.In the mean time,the liver pathological changes were observed,the degree of liver cell necrosis was evaluated,and the rat mortality was noted in various groups of treatment.Results The values of ALT,AST and the score of liver cell necrosis in the group treated with the mixture for protecting liver and supplementing stomach [(1.168?1.066) kU/L,(1.845?2.212) kU/L,(0.56?0.53) score] were significantly lower than those in the model group [(4.982?3.502) kU/L,(7.030?3.616) kU/L, (1.38?0.92) scores],and all the differences being statistically significant (all P

Etiology and treatment of bladder spasm associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the etiology and treatment of bladder spasm associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Urodynamic tests were performed in 102 cases of BPH before operation. The correlation of bladder spasm with aging, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life, prostatic volume, operation methods and urodynamic indexes was studied by t and chi2 tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidences of bladder spasm in the lower compliant bladder and unstable bladder were 32.1% (9/28) and 42.5% (13/20), and those after suprapubic prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) were 50.9% (26/51) and 23.3% (12/51). There was significant difference between operation methods (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Bladder spasm easily develops in the lower compliant bladder and unstable bladder, especially after suprapubic prostatectomy. TURP might decrease the incidence of bladder spasm after BPH operation.</p>

Effect of micronutrient supplementation on the growth of preschool children in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between micronutrient supplementation and children growth.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 156 growth retarded preschool children. They were randomly assigned to five groups: supplemental control (S-control, n = 28), zinc supplementation (+Zn, 3.5 mg Zn/day, n = 34), zinc and calcium supplementation (+ZnCa, 3.5 mg Zn + 250 mg Ca/day, n = 37), zinc and calcium and vitamin A supplementation (+ZnCaVA, 3.5 mg Zn + 250 mg Ca + 200 g VA/day, n = 28), Calcium, and vitamin A supplementation (+CaVA, 250 mg Ca + 200 g VA/day, n = 29). Another 34 children with normal height were selected as normal control (N-control). Supplementation continued for twelve months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The height gain in +Zn group (7.84 cm per year) and +ZnCa group (7.70 cm per year) was significantly higher than that in S-control group (6.74 cm per year, P < 0.05); The weight gain in +ZnCaVA group (2.55 kg per year) and +CaVA group (2.57 kg per year) was also significantly higher than that in S-control group (2.19 kg per year, P < 0.05); The average days of illness in each supplementation group were lower than that in S-control (13 days per year compared with 23 days per year). No significant difference was observed on bone age.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Zinc and Zinc + Calcium supplementation can improve the height gain, and vitamin A can improve weight gain in growth retarded preschool children, but do not affect the maturity of bone. Micronutrient supplementation can lower the morbidity of these children.</p>