Remodeling Effects of the Combination of GGT Scaffolds, Percutaneous Electrical Stimulation, and Acupuncture on Large Bone Defects in Rats.

The regeneration defect of bone is a long-term physiological process after bone injuries. To accelerate the bone remodeling process, the combination of chemical and physical stimulations provides an efficient strategy to allow maturation and to functionalize osteoclasts and osteoblasts. This study aims to investigate the dual effects of a tricalcium phosphate (TCP)-based gelatin scaffold (GGT) in combination with electroacupuncture stimulation on the activation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, as well as new bone regrowth in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that electrical stimulation changes the pH of a culture medium and activates osteoblasts and osteoclasts in an in vitro co-culture system. Furthermore, we showed that electroacupuncture stimulation can enhance osteogenesis and new bone regrowth in vivo and can upregulate the mechanism among parathyroid hormone intact (PTH-i), calcium, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts in the bone-defected rats. Those results showed the potential interest to combine the electroacupuncture technique with GGT scaffolds to improve bone remodeling after injury.

Effects of Bilayer Nanofibrous Scaffolds Containing Curcumin/Lithospermi Radix Extract on Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Impaired growth factor production, angiogenic response, macrophage function, and collagen accumulation have been shown to delay wound healing. Delayed wound healing is a debilitating complication of diabetes that leads to significant morbidity. In this study, curcumin and Lithospermi radix (LR) extract, which are used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, were added within nanofibrous membranes to improve wound healing in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Gelatin-based nanofibers, which were constructed with curcumin and LR extract at a flow rate of 0.1 mL/hour and an applied voltage of 20 kV, were electrospun onto chitosan scaffolds to produce bilayer nanofibrous scaffolds (GC/L/C). The wounds treated with GC/L/C exhibited a higher recovery rate and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) expression in Western blot assays. The decreased levels of pro-inflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), provided evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of GC/L/C treatment. Chronic wounds treated with GC/L/C achieved better performance with a 58 ± 7% increase in recovery rate on the seventh day. Based on its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects, the GC/L/C bilayer nanofibrous scaffolds can be potential materials for chronic wound treatment.

Herbal Textual Analysis of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma has a long history of medication,and was recorded in Shennong Bencaojing. Through the study of herbal medicine of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma,we reviewed and analyzed previous herbal records,studied its basic,origin and processing methods, and provided the basis for further development and utilization of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma. Through the analysis of ancient herbal researches and drawings,we knew that the ancient resources of this medicine were basically consistent with Gentiana scabra and G. manshurica. The Latin name of the original plant of gentian medicinal herbs set forth in the modern literature was analyzed for the first time. The commodities of this medicine were divided into Guanlongdan and Dianlongdan. Guanlongdan was produced in Northeast China, and consisted of G. scabra,G. manshurica,and G. triflora. Dianlongdan was G. rigescens and grew in Yunnan province. Due to various reasons, such as historical changes, genuine producing areas of medicinal materials gradually changed from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to Northeast China. The processing methods of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma included preparing with wine, preparing with licorice juice and preparing with ginger juice. The purpose of these processing methods is to suppress its nature of bitter and cold. Among those processing methods,preparing with wine has the longest history, and can promote the dissolution of the active ingredients of gentian,thus is a better method of processing. This study provides the basis for radical reform, resource development, correct use, and determination of genuine producing area and processing methods for Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma.

Sophora alopecuroides ameliorates large intestine dampness-heat syndrome in rats by serum metabolomic approach based on UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS / 药学学报

The Chinese herbal Sophora alopecuroides is widely used to clean intestine and eliminate dampness, and it has good therapeutic effects on treating bacillary dysentery and inflammatory bowel disease, etc. in clinics. However, the mechanism of treatment is not yet well understood. The present study was aimed to explore the mechanism of Sophora alopecuroides treatment of large intestine dampness-heat syndrome (LIDHS). The LIDHS model was performed by the comprehensive factors, including high temperature and humidity environment, high-sugar and high-fat diet, and intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli. The blood routine, serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and histopathological changes of intestine were detected and observed. Meanwhile, the serum metabolomic approach was conducted using the method of ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass/mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS). The results showed that Sophora alopecuroides has good therapeutic effects on the LIDHS rat models. After treatment with Sophora alopecuroides, the abnormality of blood routine indexes as well as proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α in vivo, tended to be normal, and the histopathological changes of intestine were improved. Through metabolic profiling and protocol analysis, 9 potential metabolic markers may be closely related with the treatment mechanism of Sophora alopecuroides on this disease, including taurine, L-tryptophan, LysoPE, LysoPC, LPA, DG, chenodeoxycholic acid disulfate, traumatic acid and 7-ketodeoxycholic acid, which were involved in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism and primary bile acid biosynthesis etc. The serum metabolomic approach can be applied to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of Sophora alopecuroides on LIDHS, and provide the theoretical basis for Sophora alopecuroides in clinical practice.

Reconstructive Effects of Percutaneous Electrical Stimulation Combined with GGT Composite on Large Bone Defect in Rats.

Previous studies have shown the electromagnetic stimulation improves bone remodeling and bone healing. However, the effect of percutaneous electrical stimulation (ES) was not directly explored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect of ES on improvement of bone repair. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for cranial implantation. We used a composite comprising genipin cross-linked gelatin mixed with tricalcium phosphate (GGT). Bone defects of all rats were filled with the GGT composites, and the rats were assigned into six groups after operation. The first three groups underwent 4, 8, and 12 weeks of ES, and the anode was connected to the backward of the defect on the neck; the cathode was connected to the front of the defect on the head. Rats were under inhalation anesthesia during the stimulation. The other three groups only received inhalation anesthesia without ES, as control groups. All the rats were examined afterward at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Radiographic examinations including X-ray and micro-CT showed the progressive bone regeneration in the both ES and non-ES groups. The amount of the newly formed bone increased with the time between implantation and examination in the ES and non-ES groups and was higher in the ES groups. Besides, the new bone growth trended on bilateral sides in ES groups and accumulated in U-shape in non-ES groups. The results indicated that ES could improve bone repair, and the effect is higher around the cathode.

Docetaxel-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in androgen independent prostate cancer cells are enhanced by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Pre-treatment with high-dose 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-VD) enhanced the antitumor activity of docetaxel in the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line, PC-3. The effect manifested as an increasing population of apoptotic cells and amount of pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, under combined treatment compared with single treatment of either 1,25-VD or docetaxel alone. We further demonstrated that pre-treatment with 1,25-VD reduced the expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein-1 at both the mRNA and protein levels. This suggests pre-treatment with 1,25-VD can potentiate cytotoxicity of docetaxel in PC-3 due to 1,25-VD reducing multidrug resistance-associated protein-1 expression.

Surgery for BPH with impaired detrusor contractility: a report of 12 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the outcome of prostatectomy simultaneously with suprapubic punctual cystostomy for BPH patients with impaired detrusor contractility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve cases of BPH with impaired detrusor contractility were diagnosed by urodynamic examination from 2002 to 2005. The patients underwent prostatectomy simultaneously with suprapubic punctual cystostomy and were followed up for a year.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine of the patients, at the average age of 69.00 +/- 5.13 years and with a short history of LUST, were restored to normal bladder function, while the other 3, older than 78 years and with a longer LUST history, failed to respond to the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BPH patients with impaired detrusor contractility that are younger and have a shorter LUST history could benefit from prostatectomy simultaneously with suprapubic punctual cystostomy, but the older ones with a longer LUST history should be treated by suprapubic punctual cystostomy alone.</p>

Effect of compound duzhong jiangu granule on knee joint osteoarthritis: a report of 400 cases / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical efficacy and adverse reaction of compound Duzhong Jiangu granule (CDJG) on knee joint osteoarthritis (KJO) of Gan-Shen deficiency with stasis in tendon and muscle syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The randomized controlled method was adopted in this study, comparative study was conducted in 400 patients in the treated group treated with CDJG and 200 patients in the control group treated with Zhuanggu Guanjie pill (ZGP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate in the treated group was 92% and the curative-markedly effective rate was 47%, which were higher than those in the control group respectively. Moreover, CDJG showed superiority in improving symptoms and with shorter initiating time of action as compared with ZGP. However CDJG had the effect more favourable for patients of mild condition.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CDJG is a kind of effective and safe medicine for treatment of KJO.</p>