The effect and mechanism of metformin on peripheral neuropathy in type 1 diabetic rats / 药学学报

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common microvascular complications occurring in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, which often results in patients suffering from severe hyperalgesia and allodynia. Up to now, the clinical therapeutic effect of DPN is still unsatisfactory. Metformin is an anti-diabetic drug that has been safely and widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes for decades. Studies have shown that metformin can improve pain caused by DPN, but its effects on the nerve conduction velocity and morphology of the sciatic nerve of DPN, and the mechanism for improving DPN are not clear. Therefore, the STZ-induced model of type 1 DPN in SD rats was used to study the effects of metformin on DPN, and to preliminarily explore its mechanism in this study. All animal experiments were carried out with approval of the Experimental Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College). After the model was established successfully, STZ diabetic rats were randomly divided into a model group and a metformin treatment group, and 10 normal SD rats were selected as the normal control group, and the rats were intragastrically administered for 12 weeks. The results showed that metformin significantly reduced blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, food consumption and water consumption in STZ rats. Metformin markedly increased the motor nerve conduction velocity and mechanical stabbing pain threshold, prolonged the hot plate latency threshold, and improved the pathological morphological abnormalities of the sciatic nerve in STZ rats. In addition, metformin increased the content of glutathione (GSH), enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and sciatic nerve of STZ diabetic rats, as well as regulating the expression of genes related to oxidative stress in the sciatic nerve. Metformin obviously reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the serum in STZ rats, and inhibited the gene expression of these inflammatory factors in the sciatic nerve. In summary, metformin significantly increased nerve conduction velocity, improved sciatic nerve morphological abnormalities and pain in DPN rats, which may be related to its effect in improving oxidative stress and reducing inflammation.

Anti-tumor alkaloids from Peganum harmala.

Six alkaloids peharmalines F-K, along with 14 known ones, were isolated from the aerial part of Peganum harmala L.. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on their HR-ESI-MS data, extensive NMR spectroscopic analyses, and ECD calculations. 3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)quinoline exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against the HepG-2 cell lines with an IC50 value of 3.05 µM. Norharmane displayed a moderate inhibition against A549 and HepG-2 cells with IC50 values of 16.45 µM and 17.27 µM, respectively.

Clinical study of Acupoint Pressing Therapy of Zang and Fu for the children with functional constipation and food retention of heat patterns / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy, safety and recurrence rate of Acupoint Pressing Therapy of Zang and Fu in the treatment of children with functional constipation.Methods:A total of 120 children with functional constipation form the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to June 2021, were divided into two groups randomly, 80 in observation group and 40 in control group. Both groups were treated with routin therpy. The observation group was treated with Acupoint pressing therapy of Zang and Fu, and the control group was treated with Xiaoerhuashi syrup. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, TCM syndromes were scored, daily defecation and spontaneous defecation response were recorded, and the efficacy was evaluated. The patients were followed up for 4 weeks and the recurrence was recorded.Results:Seventh and 14th day after treatment, the effective rates of TCM syndrome efficacy in the observation group were 87.5% (70/80) and 92.5% (74/80), and 62.5% (25/40) and 80.0% (32/40) in the control group. The scores of main symptoms, secondary syndromes and total scores of TCM syndromes in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05) at 7th day ( t values were 2.90, 2.77 and 3.93) and 14th day ( t values were 4.24, 5.95 and 6.27) after treatment. The effective rates of the observation group was 83.8% (67/80) and that of the control group was 65.0% (26/40). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=5.38, P=0.020). In the follow-up, the recurrence rate of the observation group was 9.5% (7/74) and that of the control group was 18.8% (6/32). There was no significant difference between two groups ( χ2=1.79, P=0.181). Conclusion:Acupoint Pressing Therapy of Zang and Fu has the advantages of curative effect, low recurrence rate and safety in the treatment of children's functional constipation.

Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Monomers Against Cisplatin-induced Resistance of Ovarian Cancer： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Because the early symptoms of ovarian cancer are not typical and there is a lack of effective screening methods， most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage， which seriously endangers the health of modern women. Platinum-based chemotherapy after tumor reduction is the first choice for patients with advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer， but almost all patients with recurrent ovarian cancer will eventually develop platinum resistance. Therefore， the search for natural， safe， and effective chemotherapeutic sensitizers has become an urgent and important topic in the study of ovarian cancer. With the increasingly extensive application of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of cancer， the research on Chinese herbal monomers is also deepening， and the mechanisms of Chinese herbal monomers in intervening in cisplatin （DDP）-induced resistance of ovarian cancer is becoming increasingly clearer. Based on the research status of Chinese herbal monomers available in many Chinese and English databases， it was found that Chinese herbal monomers were involved in the reversal of DDP-induced resistance of ovarian cancer via many routes， mainly through increasing the intracellular drug concentration， reversing the blocked apoptosis， correcting the abnormal intracellular signaling pathway， enhancing DNA damage and inhibiting DNA repair， regulating intracellular autophagy， and suppressing epithelial mesenchymal transition （EMT）. Chinese herbal monomers weaken the resistance of ovarian cancer to DDP from multiple targets and enhance the toxicity of DDP to ovarian cancer cells in vitro and transplanted tumors in vivo. Therefore， Chinese herbal monomers are expected to become natural sensitizers for ovarian cancer chemotherapy with DDP. However， the current studies on Chinese herbal monomers are still confined to the single experimental type， and their action mechanisms and toxic and side effects remain to be further clarified. The application of Chinese herbal monomers for sensitizing DDP chemotherapy still needs to be verified by multi-target， multi-level experimental studies and large-scale clinical studies in the future.

New tirucallane-type triterpenoids from the resin of Boswellia carteriiand their NO inhibitory activities.

Six new tirucallane-type triterpenoids (1-6), along with ten known triterpenoids, were isolated from methylene chloride extract of the resin of Boswellia carterii Birdw. By the application of the comprehensive spectroscopic data, the structures of the compounds were clarified. The experimental electronic circular dichroism spectra were compared with those calculated, which allowed to assign the absolute configurations. Compounds 5 and 6 possesed a 2, 3-seco tirucallane-type triterpenoid skeleton, which were first reported. Their inhibitory activity against NO formation in LPS-activated BV-2 cells were evaluated. Compound 9 showed appreciable inhibitory effect, with an IC50 value of 7.58 ± 0.87 µmol·L-1.

Clinical observation on warm needling moxibustion plus tuina for cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of warm needling moxibustion plus Kai Qing Long Suo tuina therapy (opening the Qing Long lock,one type of'Eight and a Half Locks' tuina therapy) for cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type (CSA).Methods:Sixty patients with CSA were randomly allocated into an observation group or a control group,with 30 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with warm needling moxibustion plus Kai Qing Long Suo tuina therapy,while the control group was treated with warm needling moxibustion alone.Warm needling moxibustion was conducted once every other day and tuina was conducted once a day,7-day treatments for one course.The clinical efficacy and vertebral artery blood flow was observed after one course of treatment.Results:After treatment,the total effective rate was 93.3％ in the observation group versus 80.0％ in the control group,and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.05).After treatment,the systolic blood flow velocity of vertebral artery increased in both groups,with statistical significance compared with that before treatment (both P＜0.05),and the blood flow velocity in the observation group was faster than that in the control group,with statistical significance between the two groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Both warm needling moxibustion plus Kai Qing Long Suo tuina therapy and warm needling moxibustion alone are both effective for CSA,can improve the systolic blood flow velocity of vertebral artery.The curative effect of warm needling moxibusiton plus Kai Qing Long Suo tuina therapy is better than that of warm needling moxibustion alone.

Anti-diabetic effects of the fraction of alkaloids from Ramulus Mori, an innovative Sangzhi alkaloids as an α-glucosidase inhibitor / 药学学报

Sangzhi alkaloids (SZ-A) are derived from traditional Chinese medicine Ramulus Mori, serving well as an innovative antidiabetic drug, due to α-glucosidase inhibition. To evaluate the potency of glucosidase inhibitory effect of SZ-A, the enzyme-based screening platforms, including sucrase, maltase and amylase were established, and IC50 was calculated. The effects of SZ-A on postprandial blood glucose at a single dose, oral sucrose, starch and glucose loading were determined in normal ICR mice and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice. To confirm the anti-diabetic effects of SZ-A on glucose and lipid metabolism after long-term administration, the postprandial and fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, urinary glucose levels, glycosylated serum proteins and blood lipid levels were determined in high-fat fed C57 obese mice (pre-diabetic HFC57 mice) and diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). The Experimental Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College approved all of the protocols for this research. We found that SZ-A exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on the sucrase and maltase. SZ-A showed no effect on amylase. In normal ICR mice and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice, SZ-A at a single dose significantly delayed and reduced the peak of blood glucose after sucrose or starch loading, but showed no effect on the increase of blood glucose after glucose loading. In STZ diabetic rats, SZ-A significantly reduced the postprandial or fasting blood glucose levels, glycosylated serum proteins and urinary glucose. SZ-A also reduced serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (TC) levels after 3 weeks of treatment. SZ-A ameliorated the postprandial blood glucose or the fasting blood glucose elevation, and reduced the incidence of hyperglycemia in HFC57 mice. SZ-A decreased the basal insulin level, improved insulin sensitivity, and ameliorated glucose intolerance in pre-diabetic HFC57 mice. Our results indicated that SZ-A had a novel inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase, especially on disaccharidases. SZ-A at a single dose significantly reduced the peak of blood glucose elevation and delayed the increase of blood glucose in normal and diabetic mice after disaccharide and polysaccharide loading. Long-term SZ-A treatment improved glucose and lipid metabolic profiles by delaying carbohydrate absorption from the intestine and reduced the postprandial blood glucose levels in both pre-diabetic and diabetic animal models. Therefore, SZ-A application may display a beneficial role in preventing the development and complications of diabetes.

Abscisic acid is involved in root cell wall phosphorus remobilization independent of nitric oxide and ethylene in rice (Oryza sativa).

Background: Abscisic acid (ABA) is a well-studied phytohormone demonstrated to be involved in sub-sets of stress responses in plants, such as iron (Fe) deficiency and phosphorus (P) deficiency in Arabidopsis. However, whether ABA is involved in P deficiency in rice has not been frequently studied. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism underlying ABA-aggravated P deficiency in rice (Oryza sativa). Results: P deficiency decreased ABA accumulation rapidly (within 1 h) in the roots. Exogenous ABA negatively regulated root and shoot soluble P contents by decreasing pectin content, inhibiting P deficiency-induced increases in pectin methylesterase activity and expression of the phosphate transporter gene-OsPT6, thereby decreasing the re-utilization of P from the cell wall and its translocation to the shoot. Moreover, neither the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside nor ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid had any effect on ABA accumulation, and application of ABA or the ABA inhibitor fluridone also had no effect on NO production and ethylene emission. Conclusions: Under P deficiency, NO levels increase as quickly as ABA levels decrease, to inhibit both the ABA-induced reduction of pectin contents for the re-utilization of cell wall P and the ABA-induced down-regulation of OsPT6 for the translocation of P from roots to shoots. Overall, our results provide novel information indicating that the reduction of ABA under P deficiency is a very important pathway in the re-utilization of cell wall P in rice under P-deficient conditions, which should be a very effective mechanism for plant survival under P deficiency stress for common agronomic practice.

Anti-diabetes effects and mechanisms of a Chinese herbal medicine preparation JQ-R in diabetic KKAy mice and in vitro / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms by which JQ-R regulated the glucose metabolism and improves insulin sensitivity in diabetic KKAy mice and insulin-resistant L6 myotubes. JQ-R is a mixture of refined extracts from Coptis chinensis, Astragalus membranaceus and Lonicera japonica, three major herbs of JinQi-JiangTang tablet. METHODS Diabetic KKAy mice were adminis-tered JQ-R (100 mg·kg-1or 200 mg·kg-1BW) for 10 weeks. Levels of fasting plasma glucose, lipids, insulin and hemoglobin A1c were monitored.Systemic insulin sensitivity was quantified using the eugly-cemic clamp.The effect of JQ-R on the expressions of the enzymes involved in insulin signaling,oxidative stress and inflammation(Akt,NFκB,IΚBα, JNK, Erk, p38 MAPK) were measured in L6 insulin-resis-tant myotubes. RESULTS JQ-R showed beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensi-tivity in diabetic KKAy mice after 10 weeks treatment. JQ-R also ameliorated the plasma lipid profiles. Moreover,JQ-R can directly reverse the decreased activity of SOD and increased MDA levels as well as activity of iNOS in insulin resistant L6 cell induced with palmitic acid(PA).The expressions of phos-phorylation of NF-κB p65,IκBα,JNK1/2 and Erk1/2 were also decreased after JQ-R treatment.It was also shown that the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake increased significantly after JQ-R treatment,with upregulated expression of phosphorylation of Akt. CONCLUSION JQ-R ameliorated the glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in diabetic KKAy mice. In vitro treatment with JQ-R directly enhanced insulin stimulated glucose uptake in insulin resistant myotubes with improved insulin signal-ling and inflammatory response and oxidative stress state.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on patients with cognitive dysfunction after cerebral infarction / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy combined with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients with cognitive dysfunction after cerebral infarction.Methods A total of 81 patients with cognitive dysfunction after cerebral infarction were randomly divided into a control group,an HBO group and a combined treatment group,each of 27.In addition to basic medication and traditional rehabilitation therapy,the HBO group was also treated with hyperbaric oxygen,while the combined treatment group received both HBO and rTMS.The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were administered before and after the four weeks of treatment.Results The average MMSE scores of the HBO and combined treatment groups were both significantly higher than that of the control group,with the former significantly higher than the latter.Moreover,the average MoCA score of the HBO group was also significantly higher than that of the combined treatment group,and both were significantly higher than that of the control group.Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can more effectively improve the cognitive function of patients with cognitive dysfunction after the cerebral infarction when it is combined with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) for primary osteoporosis in the elderly: a clinical trial / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) for primary osteoporosis in the elderly.Methods:Eighty old patients with primary osteoporosis were randomized into a Yi Jin Jing group and a medication group,40 cases in each group.The Yi Jin Jing group was intervened by Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) training,while the medication group was intervened by oral administration of alendronate sodium tablet.Prior to and after 6-month intervention,the bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur,visual analog scale (VAS) and activities of daily living (ADL) were estimated.Results:There were no significant differences in the BMD of the proximal femur,and VAS and ADL scores between the two groups before the intervention (P＞0.05).After 6-month intervention,the above items all improved significantly in both groups (both P＜0.01);the improvements in VAS and ADL scores in Yi Jin Jing group were more significant than those in the medication group (P＜0.01),while the between-group difference in the BMD of the proximal femur was statistically insignificant (P＞0.05).Conclusion:Practice of Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) can effectively ameliorate the BMD in the elderly with primary osteoporosis,and it can reduce the pain and improve ADL,with a better general effect compared to oral administration of alendronate sodium tablet.

Effect of Music Therapy on Post-stroke Depression with Left Basal Ganglia Aphasia / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To explore the effect of music therapy on post-stroke depression (PSD) with left basal ganglia aphasia. Methods From April, 2013 to July, 2016, 60 patients with PSD and left basal ganglia aphasia were selected as control group (n=30) and research group (n=30). Both groups accepted routine medicine and rehabilitation, and the research group accepted music therapy in addition, for three months. They were assessed with modified Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire Hospital Version (SADQ-H) and China Rehabilitation Research Center Aphasia Examination (CRRCAE) before and after treatment. Results The incidence of serious depression was less in the re-search group than in the control group after treatment, according to the score of SADQ-H (χ2=8.926, P5.707, P<0.001). Conclusion Music therapy helps to relief depression and improve speech in patients with PSD and basal ganglia aphasia.

Advances in diabetic animal models and its application in the traditional Chinese medicine research / 药学学报

The high and continuing soaring incidence of diabetes may become a huge obstacle to China's development. The antidiabetic drug development is one way to solve the problem. Animal model is a powerful tool for drug development. This paper compares and analyzes the three kinds of animal models for antidiabetic drug development in replicating principle, methods and characteristic, then summarized the application in the research of traditional Chinese medicine. At the same time, the analysis of the market, application and clinical advantages of hypoglycemic medicine from traditional Chinese medicine, is given in this paper, based on the literature analysis. From the point of the clinic advantage embodiment and new drug development, this paper will provide advisory and assistance support for the anti-diabetic fighting with traditional Chinese medicine.

Effect of Mudan Granule on islets beta cell function in monosodium glutamate induced obese mice with insulin resistance: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Mudan Granule (MD) on the glucose metabolism and beta cell function in monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced obese mice with insulin resistance (IR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MSG obese mice were induced by subcutaneous injecting MSG (4 g/kg for 7 successive days in neonatal ICR mice). Forty MSG mice with IR features were recruited and divided into four groups according to body weight, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and the percentage of blood glucose decreased within 40 min in the IR test, i.e., the model group (Con), the low dose MD group, the high dose MD group, and the Metformin group (Met). Besides, another 10 ICR mice were recruited as the normal control group (Nor). The water solvent of 2.5 g/kg MD or 5 g/kg MD was respectively administered to mice in the low dose MD group and the high dose MD group. Metformin hydrochloride was given to mice in the Met group at 0.2 g/kg body weight. Equal dose solvent distilled water was administered to mice in the Nor group and the Con group by gastrogavage, once per day. All medication was lasted for 15 weeks. Insulin tolerance test (ITT) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed after 6 weeks of treatment. Beta cell function was assessed by hyperglycemic clamp technique. The morphological changes in the pancreas were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Changes of iNOS, NF-kappaB p65, and p-NF-kappaB p65 in the pancreas were tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the Nor group, the blood glucose level, AUC, and fasting blood insulin, ONOO-contents, iNOS activities, and the expression of iNOS, NF-kappaB p65 subunit, pNF-kappaB p65 subunit obviously increased; decreased percentage of blood glucose within 40 min in ITT, glucose infusion rate (GIR), Clamp 1 min insulin, and Max-Insulin obviously decreased in the Con group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Con group, the aforesaid indices could be improved in the Met group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the low dose MD group, AUC, iNOS activities, and the expression of iNOS and p-NF-kappaB p65 subunit obviously decreased; percentage of blood glucose within 40 min in ITT and GIR obviously increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the high dose MD group, AUC, ONOO-contents, iNOS activities, and the expression of iNOS, NF-kappaB p65 subunit, and p-NF-KB p65 subunit obviously decreased; percentage of blood glucose within 40 min in ITT, Max-Insulin, and GIR obviously increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MD could significantly improve IR and functional disorder of 3 cells in MSG obese mice, which might be associated with lowering inflammatory reaction in the pancreas.</p>

Effects of acupuncture and moxibustion of Yangchi point on carpal tunnel syndrome / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To explore the difference of treating carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with needling Yangchi point and moxibustion on Yangchi point.Methods 38 cases of CTS were randomly recruited into a treatment group (19 cases) and a control group (19 cases).The treatment group was treated with electric acupuncture on Yangchi point and the control group was treated with moxibustion on Yangchi point.VAS (visual analogue scale) and GSS (overall symptom score table) scores were measured before and after the treatment.Results After the treatment VAS,GSS scores were (3.95± 1.87),(13.42±7.81) in the treatment group and (4.26±2.38),(14.63±9.97) in the control group,both decreased than those in the same group before the treatment [treatment group were (6.89± 1.56),(25.58±8.09) ; the control group were (5.79± 1.69),(20.37±8.67)],and the difference between the two groups was significant (t=-3.06,-3.39,P＜0.05).3 months follow-up after the treatment,the value of VAS and GSS scores in treatment group were (3.29±2.31)％ and (8.06±7.77); in the control group were (3.28±2.95) and (10.44±9.82),both decreased than those in the same group before the treatment [treatment group were (6.76± 1.56),(24.76±8.17); the control group were (5.78± 1.73),(20.33± 8.92) (P＜0.05)].The difference of VAS score was not significant between the two group (t=-1.49,P＞0.05); while the difference of GSS score showed statistical difference between the two groups (t=-2.64,P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupunctureon Yangchi point can effectively improve pain,numbness and motor activity in patients with the carpal tunnel syndrome.

Inhibitory effect of losartan on prostatic hyperplasia in spontaneous hypertension rats and its pathophysiological mechanism / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of losartan on prostatic hyperplasia in spontaneous hypertension rats (SHRs) and its pathophysiological mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly divided 36 male SHRs into three groups of equal number to be treated intragastrically with high-dose losartan (30 mg per kg per d), low-dose losartan (15 mg per kg per d) and distilled water (control group). After 6 weeks of intervention, we measured the body weight and tail artery blood pressure of the rats and compared them with the baseline data. We collected blood from the heart for determination of the levels of serum angiotensin II (Ang II), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and harvested their prostates for measurement of their weight, observation of the tissue ultrastructures under the electron microscope and detection of the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the prostate tissue by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the low- and high-dose losartan groups showed significant decreases in systolic blood pressure ([203.75 +/- 10.28] vs [184.54 +/- 16.90] mmHg, P = 0.013; [203.75 +/- 10.28] vs [166.88 +/- 14.74] mmHg, P = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure ([151.58 +/- 9.96] vs [136.71 +/- 14.28] mmHg, P = 0.022; [151.58 +/- 9.96] vs [122.71 +/- 11.56] mmHg, P < 0.001) of the lower tail artery after treatment, as well as in the prostate weight ([0.73 +/- 0.08] vs [0.64 +/- 0.10] mg, P = 0.011; [0.73 +/- 0.08 ] vs [0.50 +/- 0.17] mg, P < 0.001). Electron microscopy revealed edema of the basal and columnar epithelial cells, concentrated and marginated heterochromatin and widened nuclear gap of interstitial fibroblast nuclei, and reduced mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula in the low-dose losartan group, and even more obvious in the high-dose group. The level of serum Ang II was remarkably higher in the low- and high-dose losartan groups than in the control ([61.32 +/- 2.49] vs [54.85 +/- 7.20] pg/ml, P = 0.021; [65.49 +/- 6.78] vs [54.85 +/- 7.20] pg/ml, P < 0.001]) , that of serum IGF-1 was lower in high-dose losartan than in the control group ([1.50 +/- 0.11] vs [1.60 +/- 0.10] ng/ml, P = 0.03), but the serum IL-6 levels exhibited no significant differences among the three groups. The expression of eNOS in the prostate tissue was significantly higher in the losartan groups than in the controls (P = 0.022), even higher in the high-dose than in the low-dose group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Losartan can suppress the progression of prostate hyperplasia in spontaneous hypertension rats by inhibiting RAS, IGF-1 and angiogenesis.</p>

Antiulcer effects and mechanism study of Veronicastrum axillare on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the antiulcer effects and the mechanism of Veronicastrum axillare (Sieb. et Zucc) Yamazaki (VAY) on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 48 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the ranitidine group, the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group, 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline respectively. Rats in the ranitidine group were administered with 0.18% ranitidine suspension (at the daily dose of 0.027 g/kg) by gastrogavage. Those in the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group were administered with VAY at the daily dose of 2.8 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, and 0.7 g/kg by gastrogavage, once daily for 14 consecutive days. The gastric ulcer model was established using absolute ethanol after the last gastrogavage. The ulcer index and the ulcer inhibitory rate were compared. The concentrations of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum and the homogenate of the gastric mucosa tissue were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, the gastric ulcer index in the rest groups obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The ulcer index was dose-dependent with VAY (P < 0.01), with the highest gastric ulcer index shown in the high dose VAY group (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of MDA and NO significantly increased in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue, the activity of SOD and the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue of rats in the model group significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the MDA concentrations in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum NO content increased, the NO content in the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum SOD activity increased, the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue increased in the rest groups, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The water extract of VAY had significant effects on ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Its mechanisms might lie in reducing the generation of free radicals, promoting the oxygen free radical clearance, restraining lipid peroxidation, regulating and controlling the in vivo contents of NO and EGF.</p>

Advances of the mechanism study on berberine in the control of blood glucose and lipid as well as metabolism disorders / 药学学报

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from some Chinese medicinal herbs such as Coptidis rhizoma, has been used for the treatment of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal infections as an antibacterial drug in Chinese medicine. In recent years, it was reported to have beneficial effects on the metabolism disorders states of diabetes. The mechanisms involve many aspects of the diabetes, including regulating the blood cholesterol and triglyceride, lowering blood glucose, ameliorating the insulin resistant state and influencing the function of the pancreatic beta cell.

A novel cell model targeted on GLP-1 receptor for application to anti-diabetic candidates screening / 药学学报

The aim of this project is to establish a GLP-1 signaling pathway targeted cell model, for screening the new class of GLP-1 receptor agonists as anti-diabetic candidates. Firstly construct a recombined plasmid with multi-copied specific response element (RIP-CRE) regulated by GLP-1 signaling pathway and E-GFP reporter gene. Transient transfect this recombined plasmid into islet cell NIT-1, then detect the responsibility of transfected cell to GLP-1 analogue, Exendin 4. For secondly, use stable transfection and monocloning cell culture to obtain a GLP-1 signaling-specific cell line. It indicates that this cell model can response to Exendin 4, which response can be completely inhibited by GLP-1 receptor antagonist, Exendin 9-39, further showing GLP-1 receptor specific activity with a cAMP-PKA-independently mechanism. Establishment of this novel cell model can be used in high-throughput drug screening of peptides or small molecular GLP-1 analogues.

Effects of different interference orders of acupuncture and exercise therapy on the amplitude of somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) in the patient of hemiplegia after stroke / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe effects of different interference orders of acupuncture and exercise therapy on the therapeutic effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The patients of hemiplegia after stroke in the stage of recovery were randomly divided into two groups: raising handclasp of Bobath after electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI 11) and Hegu (LI 4) on the affected side or electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI 11) and Hegu (LI 4) on the affected side after raising handclasp of Bobath. The changes of SEP on the affected side were recorded and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SEP on the affected side significantly increased in the patients after treatment of simple electroacupuncture or exercise therapy (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was a very significant difference in SEP on the affected side between the group of exercise treatment after electroacupuncture and the group of electroacupuncture after exercise therapy (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both electroacupuncture and exercise therapy can immediately improve SEP of the patient in the recovery stage, and the groups of the different interference orders of electroacupuncture and exercise have different effects on SEP, and raising handclasp of Bobath after electroacupuncture is better for improvement in cerebral function of the patient.</p>