Novel Hydrogel Adjuvant of Chinese Medicine External Preparations for Accelerated Healing of Deep Soft Tissue Injuries.

Traditional Chinese medicine external prescriptions have displayed excellent clinical effects for treating deep soft tissue injuries. However, the effects cannot be fully utilized due to the limitations of their dosage forms and usage methods. It is still a challenge to develop a satisfactory adjuvant of traditional Chinese medicine external prescriptions. Herein, a hydrogel adjuvant was prepared based on gallic acid coupled ε-poly-l-lysine and partially oxidized hyaluronic acid. The resulting adjuvant shows great physicochemical properties, low hemolysis rate (still much less than 5% at 5 mg/mL), excellent antibacterial ability (about 95% at 2 mg/mL), strong antioxidant ability (1.687 ± 0.085 mmol FeSO4/(g hydrogel) at 1 mg/mL), as well as outstanding biocompatibility. A clinically used Chinese medicine external preparation was selected as an example to investigate the effectiveness of the adjuvant in treating deep soft tissue injuries. The results show that the prescription can be evenly dispersed in the adjuvant. Moreover, the introduction of the prescription has not significantly changed these advanced properties of the adjuvant. Importantly, the hydrogel adjuvant significantly improves the effectiveness of the prescription in treating deep soft tissue injuries. This work offers an alternative approach to the development of a new-type adjuvant of Chinese medicine external preparations and also provides a new strategy for the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and hydrogel to treat clinical diseases.

Dietary pectin attenuates Salmonella typhimurium-induced colitis by modulating the TLR2-NF-κB pathway and intestinal microbiota in mice.

The role of dietary pectin on microbial-induced colitis, oxidative status, barrier function, and microbial composition, as well as the underlying mechanisms, is scarce. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether dietary pectin alleviates Salmonella typhimurium-induced colitis in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice fed an isocaloric and isofibrous diet with 7% pectin or cellulose were administered sterile water or Salmonella typhimurium to induce colitis, which is equal to a human food dose of 0.57% (5.68 g/kg). Dietary pectin alleviated Salmonella typhimurium-induced colitis and oxidative stress as shown by the reduced disease activity index score, decreased colon shortening and histological damage score, colonic hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde concentrations, and relative mRNA expressions of coenzyme Q-binding protein COQ10 homologue B (Coq10b), Ccl-2, Ccl-3, Ccl-8, Tnf-α, Il-1ß, Ifn-γ, Ifn-ß, and serum TNF-α protein level. Moreover, pectin administration ameliorated the downregulated colonic abundances of occludin, zonula occludens-1, zonula occludens-2, and the upregulated abundances of TLR2 and p-NF-κB in Salmonella-infected mice. Additionally, 16S rRNA analysis demonstrated that pectin altered the microbial beta-diversity and reduced Salmonella levels. Collectively, pectin ameliorated Salmonella typhimurium-induced colitis, oxidative stress, and tight junction, which may be related to the inactivation of TLR2-NF-κB signalling and reduced abundance of Salmonella.

Morel (Morchella spp.) intake alters gut microbial community and short-chain fatty acid profiles in mice.

Morels (Morchella spp.) are highly nutritious and consumed as both edible mushrooms and traditional Chinese medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with morel mushrooms on the gut bacterial microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiles in healthy mice. Healthy mice were randomly assigned to five groups: a control group (0% morel) and four intervention groups supplemented with different levels of morel mushrooms (5% for M5, 10% for M10, 15% for M15, and 20% for M20) over a period of 4 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment to characterize the microbiota and assess the SCFAs levels. The morel intervention significantly altered the bacterial community composition, increasing Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and Parabacteroides, while decreasing Staphylococcus and the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B ratio). Moreover, increased morel intake was associated with weight loss. All SCFAs content was upregulated in the morel-intervention groups. Potential SCFAs-producing taxa identified by regression analysis were distributed in the families Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and in the genera Jeotgalicoccus, Gemella, Odoribacter, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014. The functional categories involved with SCFAs-production or weight loss may contain enzymes such as beta-glucosidase (K05349), beta-galactosidase (K01190), and hexosaminidase (K12373) after morel intervention. The exploration of the impact of morel mushrooms on gut microbiota and metabolites contributes to the development of prebiotics for improving health and reducing obesity.

Electroacupuncture Zusanli (ST36) Relieves Somatic Pain in Colitis Rats by Inhibiting Dorsal Root Ganglion Sympathetic-Sensory Coupling and Neurogenic Inflammation.

Referred somatic pain triggered by hyperalgesia is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It was reported that sprouting of sympathetic nerve fibers into the dorsal root ganglion (DGR) and neurogenic inflammation were related to neuropathic pain, the excitability of neurons, and afferents. The purpose of the study was to explore the potential and mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) for the intervention of colon inflammation and hyperalgesia. Sprague-Dawley (SD) was randomly divided into four groups, including control, model, EA, and sham-EA. Our results showed EA treatment significantly attenuated dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced colorectal lesions and inflammatory cytokine secretion, such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, PGE2, and IL-6. EA also inhibited mechanical and thermal pain hypersensitivities of colitis rats. Importantly, EA effectively abrogated the promotion effect of DSS on ipsilateral lumbar 6 (L6) DRG sympathetic-sensory coupling, manifested as the sprouting of tyrosine hydroxylase- (TH-) positive sympathetic fibers into sensory neurons and colocalization of and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Furthermore, EA at Zusanli (ST36) activated neurogenic inflammation, characterized by decreased expression of substance P (SP), hyaluronic acid (HA), bradykinin (BK), and prostacyclin (PGI2) in colitis rat skin tissues corresponding to the L6 DRG. Mechanically, EA treatment reduced the activation of the TRPV1/CGRP, ERK, and TLR4 signaling pathways in L6 DRG of colitis rats. Taken together, we presumed that EA treatment improved colon inflammation and hyperalgesia, potentially by suppressing the sprouting of sympathetic nerve fibers into the L6 DGR and neurogenic inflammation via deactivating the TRPV1/CGRP, ERK, and TLR4 signaling pathways.

[Identification of potential genes involved in biosynthesis of flavonoid and analysis of biosynthetic pathway in Fagopyrum dibotrys].

In order to enrich the transcriptome data of Fagopyrum dibotrys plants, analyze the genes encoding key enzyme involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, and mine their functional genes, in this study, we performed RNA sequencing analysis for the rhizomes, roots, flowers, leaves and stems of F. dibotrys on the BGISEQ-500 sequencing platform. After de novo assembly of transcripts, a total of 205 619 unigenes were generated and 132 372 unigenes were obtained and annotated into seven public databases, of which, 81 327 unigenes were mapped to the GO database and most of the unigenes were annotated in cellular process, biological regulation, binding and catalytic activity. Besides, 86 922 unigenes were enriched in 136 pathways using KEGG database' and we identified 82 unigenes that encodes key enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Comparing rhizome with root, flower, leaf or stem in F. dibotrys, 27 962 co-expressed differentially expressed genes(DEGs) were obtained. Among them, 23 515 DEGs of rhizome tissue-specific were enriched into 132 pathways and 13 unigenes were significantly enriched in biosynthesis of flavone and flavonol. In addition, we also identified 3 427 unigenes encoding 60 transcription factor(TFs) families as well as four unigenes encoding bHLH TFs were enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis. Our results greatly enriched the transcriptome database of plants, provided a reference for the analysis of key enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in plants, and will facilitate the study of the functions and regulatory mechanisms of key enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in F. dibotrys at the genetic level.

Guilu Erxian Glue () Inhibits Chemotherapy-Induced Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Stem Cell Senescence in Mice May via p16INK4a-Rb Signaling Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Guilu Erxian Glue (, GEG) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) senescence in mice and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The H22 liver cancer ascites lump model was established in male Kunming mice by injecting intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 5 × 106/mL H22 cells per mouse. Fifty tumor-bearing mice were divided into the control, model, pifithrin-α, GEG, and GEG+pifithrin-α groups using a random number table, 10 mice in each group. CTX (100 mg/kg i.p.) was administrated to mice from day 1 to day 3 (d1-d3) continuously except for the control group. The mice in the pifithrin-α, GEG and GEG+pifithrin-α groups were treated with pifithrin-α (2.2 mg/(kg·d) i.p.) for 6 consecutive days (d4-d9), GEG (9.5 g/(kg·d) i.p.) for 9 consecutive days (d1-d9), and GEG plus pifithrin-α, respectively. HSCs were collected after 9-d drug treatment. The anti-aging effect of GEG was studied by cell viability, cell cycle, and ß -galactosidase (ß -gal) assays. The mRNA and protein expressions of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), CDK4, inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 4a encoding the tumor suppressor protein p16 (p16INK4a), p21Cip1/Waf1, p53, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma (pRb) were evaluated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and semi-quantitative Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, GEG increased cell viability as well as proliferation (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and reduced ß -gal expression. Furthermore, GEG significantly decreased the expressions of p16INK4a, p53 and p21Cip1/Waf1 proteins, and increased the expressions of CDK2, CDK4 and pRb proteins compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: GEG can alleviate CTX-induced HSCs senescence in mice, and the p16INK4a-Rb signaling pathway might be the underlying mechanism.

Human iPSC-Derived Blood-Brain Barrier Chips Enable Disease Modeling and Personalized Medicine Applications.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) tightly regulates the entry of solutes from blood into the brain and is disrupted in several neurological diseases. Using Organ-Chip technology, we created an entirely human BBB-Chip with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived brain microvascular endothelial-like cells (iBMECs), astrocytes, and neurons. The iBMECs formed a tight monolayer that expressed markers specific to brain vasculature. The BBB-Chip exhibited physiologically relevant transendothelial electrical resistance and accurately predicted blood-to-brain permeability of pharmacologics. Upon perfusing the vascular lumen with whole blood, the microengineered capillary wall protected neural cells from plasma-induced toxicity. Patient-derived iPSCs from individuals with neurological diseases predicted disease-specific lack of transporters and disruption of barrier integrity. By combining Organ-Chip technology and human iPSC-derived tissue, we have created a neurovascular unit that recapitulates complex BBB functions, provides a platform for modeling inheritable neurological disorders, and advances drug screening, as well as personalized medicine.

Catecholamines promote Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae growth by regulating iron metabolism.

Catecholamines are host stress hormones that can induce the growth of many bacteria by facilitating iron utilization and/or regulate the expression of virulence genes through specific hormone receptors. Whether these two responsive pathways are interconnected is unknown. In our previous study, it was found that catecholamines can regulate the expression of a great number of genes of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, an important swine respiratory pathogen. However, bacterial growth was not affected by catecholamines in rich medium. In this study, it was discovered that catecholamines affected A. pleuropneumoniae growth in chemically defined medium (CDM). We found that serum inhibited A. pleuropneumoniae growth in CDM, while epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine promoted A. pleuropneumoniae growth in the CDM containing serum. The known bacterial hormone receptor QseC didn't play roles in this process. Ion-supplementation and transcriptome analysis indicated that serum addition resulted in iron-restricted conditions which were alleviated by the addition of catecholamines. Transferrin, one of the components in serum, inhibited the growth of A. pleuropneumoniae in CDM, an effect reversed by addition of catecholamines in a TonB2-dependent manner. Our data demonstrate that catecholamines promote A. pleuropneumoniae growth by regulating iron-acquisition and metabolism, which is independent of the adrenergic receptor QseC.

Use of auricular acupressure to improve the quality of life in diabetic patients with chronic kidney diseases: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background. Diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suffer from low quality of life (QOL). We aim to assess the effectiveness of auricular acupressure for QOL improvement in these patients. Materials and Methods. Sixty-two participants were randomly assigned to an auricular or a control arm in a randomized controlled trial. Participants in the auricular arm were instructed to perform auricular acupressure 3-5 times per day for 3 months, when they were receiving conventional treatments. Participants in the control arm received conventional treatments only. The primary outcome was the summarized score of Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short-Form (KDQOL-SF) at 3 months after randomization. The secondary outcomes included the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results. The summarized KDQOL differed significantly between the acupressure (76.6, 95% CI, 72.2 to 81.0) and the control group (61.8, 95% CI, 57.7 to 65.9). Similar results were found in the SF-36 scores. HbA1c and eGFR were not found to be significantly different between the arms and neither were the adverse events. Conclusion. Auricular acupressure was well tolerated in diabetic patients with chronic kidney diseases receiving hemodialysis. Future research is needed to confirm these results.

[The influence of rotary manipulation on the internal pressure of cervical nucleus pulposus].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the pressure changes inside the cervical nucleus pulposus in fresh human cervical specimen by imitating different rotary manipulations. METHODS: The load of 100 N was applied for 5 second on the six fresh male cervical samples by using material test system, which imitated the human head weigh and the strength of cervical extensor muscle. After that, traction, rotation and pulling on the samples were performed in different sequence under the force of 150, 200, 300 N respectively. Three states were included in adding the load state A: samples were loaded with traction and then rotation to the biggest angle, pulling backward for 15 degrees; state B: samples were loaded with rotary stress to the biggest angle and then loaded with traction, pulling backward for 15 degrees; state C: samples were loaded simultaneously with traction and rotary stress to the biggest angle, pulling backward for 15 degrees. The internal pressure of cervical nucleus pulposus at segment of C(3,4), C(4,5), C(5,6), and C7 was measurred by micro-pressure sensors for state A, B, C and for the imitation of head weight and the strength of cervical extensor muscle. RESULTS: The pressure inside the cervical nucleus pulposus at segments C(5,6), C(6,7) was higher than that at segments C(3,4) and C(4,5) (P < 0.05) by loading stress with 100 N for 5 seconds. The internal pressure of the nucleus pulposus decreased with the increase of traction (P < 0.05), and increased when traction and rotary force were loaded. State A, the value of increased pressure within the nucleus pulposus became smaller and smaller while increasing of the traction force loaded (P < 0.05). State B, the increase of internal pressure in nucleus pulposus became obvious as loading pressure increased (P < 0.05). State C, the internal pressure in nucleus pulposus was not increased obviously (P > 0.05). There was a transitional pressure raise inside all cervical nucleus pulposus when pulling added after different sepuence traction and rotary strength was applied, however, the internal pressure of state A was significantly higher than that of state B or C (P < 0.05). There was also a transitional pressure raise inside all cervical nucleus pulposus when pulling added in different strength (P < 0.05),the internal pressure by pulling with 150 N was obviously higher than that with 200 N and 300 N (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The order of rotation first and traction second should be avoided when practice of rotary manupuplation in case protrusion of the nucleus pulposus. Meanwhile, proper traction should be applied along with rotary manipulation in order to increase its safety.

[Alteration of renal hemodynamic in adriamycin-induced nephrosis rats administrated with Wulingsan].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of traditional classical compound Wulingsan on renal hemodynamic in rats with adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephrosis. METHOD: After establishing a model of rats with adriamycin-induced nephrosis, we administrated wulin-san to the ADR rats via oral gavage for four weeks and measured mean arterial blood preasure (MABP) with manometer. Renal clearance of paraaminohippuric acid (PAH) and inulin were detected, then renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were calculated. Renal vascular resistance (RVR) was calculated as the division of MABP by RPF. Renal endothelin (ET) and angiotensin II (Ang II) were detected with radioimmunity assay kits, and nitrous oxide (NO) was detected with biochemical kits. RESULT: There was no significant change of GFR in ARD rats, but RPF and NO were decreased, which accompanied by enhanced RVR, ET and Ang II. RPF was increased in the administrated rats, in company with RVR, ET and Ang II decreased, whereas NO was not influenced after the administration. CONCLUSION: Wulingsan can improve the renal hemodynamic in ADR rats, at least in part by modulating the levels of vasoactive factor.

[HPLC fingerprinting of total glycosides of Swertia franchetiana].

AIM: To establish a sensitive and specific HPLC method for controlling the quality of total glycosides from Swertia franchetiana H. Smith. METHODS: HPLC method was applied for quality and quantitative assessment of the pharmaceutical extracts from Swertia franchetiana H. Smith. The preparation of sample, the HPLC column, mobile phase, elution mode (isocratic or gradient) and gradient program were optimized in order to obtain HPLC profile. The HPLC system consisted of a SPD-1OAvp pump, SPD-M1OAVP photodiode-array detector (PAD), SIL-10ADVP auto injector. Data were acquired and processed with the CLASS-VP6.1 workstation. HPLC analysis was performed on a Kromasil C18 column (250 mm x 4. 6 mm ID, 5 microm) with methanol and water as mobile phase. The column temperature was set up at 40 degrees C and the flow-rate was 1 mL x min(-1). The reference solution of chemical standards and sample were injected into HPLC system, separately. RESULTS: The HPLC chromatographic fingerprinting of the total glycosides, showing 16 characteristic peaks which were partitioned into three parts: one peak in 0-10 min of retention time, nine peaks containing main 1-7 peaks in 10-15 min of retention time, 6 peaks in 15-30 min of retention time, was established from 10 lots of their products. By comparison of the retention time and the on-line UV spectra and their molecule weights of chemical standards, peak 1-7 were identified as swertiamarin (1), gentiopicroside (2), sweroside (3), isoorientin (4), swertisin (5), isoswertisin (6) and swetianolin (7), respectively. The ratios of peak area between 1-16 were in their extent. Moreover, comparison of the HPLC profiles of the total glycosides, the extracts prepared using another process and the plant indicated that they were closely related to each other. CONCLUSION: The HPLC profiles and quantitative assessment of the total glycosides from Swertia franchetiana H. Smith with high specificity can be used to control their quality and assure lot to lot consistency.