Efficient Adsorption of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Wastewater by Biochar.

Nitrogen and phosphorus play essential roles in ecosystems and organisms. However, with the development of industry and agriculture in recent years, excessive N and P have flowed into water bodies, leading to eutrophication, algal proliferation, and red tides, which are harmful to aquatic organisms. Biochar has a high specific surface area, abundant functional groups, and porous structure, which can effectively adsorb nitrogen and phosphorus in water, thus reducing environmental pollution, achieving the reusability of elements. This article provides an overview of the preparation of biochar, modification methods of biochar, advancements in the adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus by biochar, factors influencing the adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus in water by biochar, as well as reusability and adsorption mechanisms. Furthermore, the difficulties encountered and future research directions regarding the adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus by biochar were proposed, providing references for the future application of biochar in nitrogen and phosphorus adsorption.

Glycerol-3-Phosphate Acyltransferase GPAT9 Enhanced Seed Oil Accumulation and Eukaryotic Galactolipid Synthesis in Brassica napus.

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase GPAT9 catalyzes the first acylation of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P), a committed step of glycerolipid synthesis in Arabidopsis. The role of GPAT9 in Brassica napus remains to be elucidated. Here, we identified four orthologs of GPAT9 and found that BnaGPAT9 encoded by BnaC01T0014600WE is a predominant isoform and promotes seed oil accumulation and eukaryotic galactolipid synthesis in Brassica napus. BnaGPAT9 is highly expressed in developing seeds and is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Ectopic expression of BnaGPAT9 in E. coli and siliques of Brassica napus enhanced phosphatidic acid (PA) production. Overexpression of BnaGPAT9 enhanced seed oil accumulation resulting from increased 18:2-fatty acid. Lipid profiling in developing seeds showed that overexpression of BnaGPAT9 led to decreased phosphatidylcholine (PC) and a corresponding increase in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), implying that BnaGPAT9 promotes PC flux to storage triacylglycerol (TAG). Furthermore, overexpression of BnaGPAT9 also enhanced eukaryotic galactolipids including monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), with increased 36:6-MGDG and 36:6-DGDG, and decreased 34:6-MGDG in developing seeds. Collectively, these results suggest that ER-localized BnaGPAT9 promotes PA production, thereby enhancing seed oil accumulation and eukaryotic galactolipid biosynthesis in Brassica napus.

Biosynthesis and characterization of selenium nanoparticles from Andrographis alata: Assessment of their potential antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer's and wound healing properties.

Recently, there has been a lot of focus on the environmentally friendly, specifically plant-based, synthesis of nanoparticles. The extract of leaves from Andrographis alata (A. alata) was used in the current work as a reducing agent to create selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), which will be used in biological applications (antibacterial, antioxidant and antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer's and wound healing properties). As part of detailed characterization, the UV-Vis spectra showed an absorption peak at 274 nm with a size in the range of 55-75 nm were shown in morphological investigations using EDS, DLS and SEM analysis to have crystalline spherical-shaped structures. Against several harmful bacterial strains, SeNPs demonstrated a remarkable antibacterial effectiveness. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of synthesized SeNPs completely prevented the development of various pathogens. Furthermore, bio-reduced SeNPs showed high cholinesterase inhibition efficacy and good antipotential Alzheimer's. According to the current research, treatment with biosynthesized SeNPs stimulates faster wound healing in NIH3T3 murine fibroblast cell lines without cytotoxicity. Different in vitro biological experiments also showed that, when compared with the extract of A. alata, bio-reduced SeNPs had considerable antibacterial, antioxidant effects, antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer's and wound healing. In general, the findings demonstrate the efficacy and prospective therapeutic uses of SeNPs.

Rationale and design of the RESTORE trial: A multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of Shenfu injection on myocardial injury in STEMI patients after primary PCI.

BACKGROUND: The mortality following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains substantial in the reperfusion era. Shenfu injection, as a traditional Chinese herbal formula, can alleviate ischemia-reperfusion injury through multiple pharmacologic effects. However, no robust data are available regarding the role of Shenfu injection in reducing infarct size for patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). METHODS/DESIGN: This RESTORE trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial (NCT04493840). A total of 326 eligible patients with first-time anterior STEMI undergoing PPCI within 12 h of symptom onset will be enrolled from 10 centers in mainland China. Patients are randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive either intravenous Shenfu injection (80mL Shenfu injection + 70mL 5% glucose injection) or placebo group (150mL 5% glucose injection) before reperfusion and followed by once a day until 5 days after PPCI. The primary end point is infarct size assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging 5±2 days after PPCI. The major secondary end points include enzymatic infarct size, microvascular obstruction, intramyocardial hemorrhage, left ventricular volume and ejection fraction assessed by CMR, as well as cardiovascular events at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The RESTORE trial is sufficiently powered to demonstrate the clinical effects of Shenfu injection on myocardial injury in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI in the contemporary era.

A ratiometric fluorescence sensor for tetracycline detection based on two fluorophores derived from Partridge tea.

Blue fluorescent carbon dots (PCDs) were prepared by hydrothermal method with Partridge tea. The ethanol extract of Partridge tea (PEE) was found to emit red fluorescence. Thus, a novel ratiometric sensor was constructed by simply mixing the two fluorophores derived from Partridge tea. The presence of tetracycline (TET) at lower concentrations enhanced the emission peak at 508 nm of PCDs and had a negligible effect on the emission peak at 680 nm of PEE. TET at higher concentrations led to  quenching  both the fluorescence of PCDs and PEE via inner filter effect and fluorescence resonance energy transfer, separately. Good linearities for the detection of TET were obtained in the ranges 0.67 to 15.00 µM and 33.33 to 266.67 µM, with limit of detection of 0.095 µM. The sensor was successfully applied to detect TET in lake water and milk samples with good recoveries ranging from 93.27 ± 4.04% to 107.30 ± 6.16%. This study provided a simple, selective, sensitive, rapid, and environmentally friendly method of monitoring TET residues in the environment and food.

The complete chloroplast genome of Aristolochia hainanensis Merr. (Aristolochiaceae).

Aristolochia hainanensis Merr. 1922, a well-known Chinese medicinal plant, is distributed in Hainan Province and Guangxi Province, China. In the current study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of A. hainanensis. The complete plastome genome was 159,764 bp in length, with a GC content of 38.8%, showing a typical quadripartite organization. The genome contained a large single-copy (LSC) of 89,134 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) of 19,306 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,662 bp. A total of 113 genes were annotated, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNAs, and four rRNAs. The trnK-UUU gene contained the longest intron (2644 bp). The topology of the maximum-likelihood tree supported a close relationship between A. hainanensis and A. kwangsiensis.

Knockdown of heat shock transcription factor 1 decreases temperature stress tolerance in Bemisia tabaci MED.

The primary function of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) in the heat shock response is to activate the transcription of genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSPs). The phloem-feeding insect Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an important pest of cotton, vegetables and ornamentals that transmits several plant viruses and causes enormous agricultural losses. In this study, the gene encoding HSF (Bthsf1) was characterized in MED B. tabaci. The full-length cDNA encoded a protein of 652 amino acids with an isoelectric point of 5.55. The BtHSF1 deduced amino acid sequence showed strong similarity to HSF in other insects. Expression analyses using quantitative real-time PCR indicated that Bthsf1 was significantly up-regulated in B. tabaci adults and pupae during thermal stress. Although Bthsf1 was induced by both hot and cold stress, the amplitude of expression was greater in the former. Bthsf1 had distinct, significant differences in expression pattern during different duration of high but not low temperature stress. Oral ingestion of dsBthsf1 repressed the expression of Bthsf1 and four heat shock proteins (Bthsp90, Bthsp70-3, Bthsp20 and Bthsp19.5) in MED B. tabaci during hot and cold stress. In conclusion, our results show that Bthsf1 is differentially expressed during high and low temperature stress and regulates the transcription of multiple hsps in MED B. tabaci.

Safety of a Sustainably Produced, Bioengineered, Nature-Identical Salidroside Compound.

Bioactive phytochemicals such as salidroside have been studied to understand the beneficial effects of Rhodiola rosea, an herbaceous plant used in traditional medicine to increase energy and treat a variety of health issues. However, Rhodiola plants are often slow-growing, and many are endangered in their native habitats. Thus, there is a need for safe, alternative supplies of key phytochemicals from Rhodiola. The salidroside subject of this safety study is a synthetic biology product from fermentation of a bioengineered E. coli that produces salidroside. Here, we present comprehensive test results that support the safety of salidroside manufactured via a patented sustainable bioengineering manufacturing process. In vitro bacterial reverse mutation assays with the bioengineered salidroside show no mutagenicity in any of the concentrations tested. In vivo toxicity studies in rats show no adverse effects from the salidroside product. Based on the results of these studies, we conclude that the bioengineered salidroside discussed here is not genotoxic and demonstrates a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) at least 2000 mg/kg bw/day in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. This study supports that the salidroside compound produced using bioengineered E. coli is a viable alternative to salidroside produced from harvested Rhodiola plants for use as a dietary supplement, food ingredient, or potentially as a pharmaceutical product.

Moxibustion plus Acupuncture for the Treatment of Poststroke Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: In China, 45% of stroke patients suffer from poststroke shoulder pain, which brings about many obstacles to further rehabilitation. To date, there have been a few studies evaluating the effects of acupuncture or massage in treating poststroke shoulder pain, and good effects have been shown. However, better clinical treatments are still needed. OBJECTIVE: To explore a more effective treatment for poststroke shoulder pain, the clinical effects of moxibustion plus acupuncture were assessed. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly divided into the control and intervention groups. The control group received a standard stroke treatment protocol including acupuncture, and the intervention group was given moxibustion combined with acupuncture. The visual analogue scale (VAS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer motor assessment, Barthel Index, and 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) were applied, and differences were analyzed. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, compared with the control group, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvement in Fugl-Meyer motor assessment and HAMD-17 (both p < 0.01) as well as in the VAS, NIHSS, and Barthel Index (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion plus acupuncture treatment can alleviate poststroke shoulder pain, improve upper limb motor function and the ability to perform activities of daily living, and relieve patients' depression.

Macrophage membrane- and cRGD-functionalized thermosensitive liposomes combined with CPP to realize precise siRNA delivery into tumor cells.

Despite the success of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in clinical settings, their fast clearance and poor delivery efficiency to target cells still hinder their therapeutic effect. Herein, a new treatment system was constructed by combining thermosensitive liposomes with the macrophage membrane, tumor-targeting cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp peptide, a cell-penetrating peptide, and thermotherapy. The constructed system was found to be thermosensitive and stable; the proteins were inherited from the macrophage membrane. This new system combined with thermotherapy displayed the least uptake by macrophages, the greatest uptake by HepG2 cells, the most obvious HepG2 cell apoptosis, and the strongest inhibition of Bcl-2 mRNA and Bcl-2 protein in HepG2 cells. Moreover, 24 h after system administration in tumor-bearing mice, the most prominent distribution of siRNA was observed in tumors, while almost no siRNA was found in other organs. The strongest inhibition of Bcl-2 mRNA, Bcl-2 protein, and tumors was found in mice that had received the proposed system. In summary, when using the constructed system both in vitro and in mice, less uptake by the reticuloendothelial system, greater accumulation in tumor cells, and improved therapeutic efficacy were observed. Therefore, this new system can deliver siRNA selectively and efficiently, and it is a promising therapeutic candidate for precise tumor-targeted therapy.

Label-free surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of blood serum via coffee ring effect for accurate diagnosis of cancers.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is considered as an ultrasensitive, non-invasive as well as rapid detection technology for cancer diagnosis. In this study, we developed a novel blood serum analysis strategy using coffee ring effect-assisted label-free SERS for different types of cancer screening. Additionally, the pretreated Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were mixed with the serum from liver cancer patients (n = 40), prostate cancer patients (n = 32) and healthy volunteers (n = 30) for SERS measurement. The droplets of Ag NPs-serum mixture formed the coffee ring on the peripheral after air-drying, and thus extremely enhancing Raman signal and ensuring the stability and reliability of SERS detection. Partial least square (PLS) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms were utilized to establish the diagnosis model for SERS spectra data classifying, yielding the high diagnostic accuracy of 98.04% for normal group and two types of cancers simultaneously distinguishing. More importantly, for the unknown testing set, an ideal diagnostic accuracy of 100% could be achieved by PLS-SVM algorithm for differentiating cancers from the normal group. The results from this exploratory work demonstrate that serum SERS detection combined with PLS-SVM diagnostic algorithm and coffee ring effect has great potential for the noninvasive and label-free detection of cancer.

Effect of Shenfu Injection on Reperfusion Injury in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Shenfu injection is a traditional Chinese medicine formulation that alleviates ischemia-reperfusion injury through multiple pharmacologic effects. However, no data are available regarding its efficacy in patients with myocardial infarction. We aimed to examine the effects of Shenfu injection on infarct size in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: From April 2016 to February 2018, 40 patients with first-time anterior STEMI undergoing primary PCI within 6 h of symptom onset were randomized 1:1 to intravenous Shenfu injection (80 ml Shenfu injection + 70 ml 5% glucose injection) or placebo (150 ml 5% glucose injection) before reperfusion. Treatment started before PCI and maintained for 5 days after PCI. The primary end point was infarct size assessed by CK-MB area under the curve (AUC) over 72 h and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging 4 ± 1 days after PCI. Results: Infarct size by area under the curve for CK-MB over 72 h did not differ between the Shenfu injection and placebo groups (5602.5 [3539.4-7526.4] vs. 6403.2 [2234.4-8340.6] ng·h/ml, P = 0.82). Among 32 patients who underwent CMR Imaging, a nominal reduction in infarct size was observed in the Shenfu injection group compared with the placebo group (23.9 [15.2-28.5] % vs. 27 [21.9-31.9] %, P = 0.42). After excluding patients with no or minimal infarct, there was a trend toward reduction in infarct size in the Shenfu injection group (24.1 [20.3-29.3] % vs. 29.1 [24.5-32] %, P = 0.18). Incidence of adverse events was similar between the groups. Conclusions: This pilot study showed that the use of Shenfu injection was safe but did not reduce infarct size by CMR Imaging and CK-MB release kinetics in reperfused patients with STEMI. Larger studies (confining to patients with extensive infarct size) to evaluate the efficacy of Shenfu injection on reperfusion injury are warranted. Clinical Trail Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT02709798.

Improved spatial resolution using focal modulation microscopy with a Tai Chi aperture.

Focal modulation microscopy (FMM) has gained significant interest in biological imaging. However, the spatial resolution and penetration depth limit the imaging quality of FMM due to the strong scattering background. Here, we introduce FMM with a Tai Chi aperture (TCFMM) based on diffraction theory to improve the spatial resolution. The results show that the transverse resolution is improved by 61.60% and 41.37% in two orthogonal directions, and the axial resolution is improved by 29.67%, compared with confocal microscopy (CM). The signal background ratio (SBR) of TCFMM is increased by 23.26% compared with CM and remains nearly the same compared with FMM using D-shape apertures (DFMM). These improvements in spatial resolution and SBR indicate that TCFMM has potential in deep tissue imaging.

Structural characterization of modified whey protein isolates using cold plasma treatment and its applications in emulsion oleogels.

Cold plasma as a green and expeditious tool was used to modify whey protein isolate (WPI) in order to improve its emulsion capability. The emulsion-based oleogels with antibacterial functions were then constructed using the modified WPI. The modified WPI treated with cold plasma under 10 s at 50 W power significantly lowered the oil-water interface tension. Meanwhile, the fluorescence intensity and the α-helix content of WPI reduced with the cold plasma treatment. It is noted that SEM results showed that the treated WPI had more regular dendritic structures. Such modified WPI was applied to construct oleogels loaded with thyme essential oil and coconut oil, which showed a porous uniform network structure and excellent antimicrobial activities against E.coli. As a proof of concept, this study demonstrated cold plasma could be as a new facile tool to modify food-sourced proteins and expected to enlarge their applications in oleogel productions.

Protocol for a gallbladder cancer registry study in China: the Chinese Research Group of Gallbladder Cancer (CRGGC) study.

INTRODUCTION: Gallbladder cancer (GBC), the sixth most common gastrointestinal tract cancer, poses a significant disease burden in China. However, no national representative data are available on the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of GBC in the Chinese population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Chinese Research Group of Gallbladder Cancer (CRGGC) study is a multicentre retrospective registry cohort study. Clinically diagnosed patient with GBC will be identified from 1 January 2008 to December, 2019, by reviewing the electronic medical records from 76 tertiary and secondary hospitals across 28 provinces in China. Patients with pathological and radiological diagnoses of malignancy, including cancer in situ, from the gallbladder and cystic duct are eligible, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2019 guidelines. Patients will be excluded if GBC is the secondary diagnosis in the discharge summary. The demographic characteristics, medical history, physical examination results, surgery information, pathological data, laboratory examination results and radiology reports will be collected in a standardised case report form. By May 2021, approximately 6000 patient with GBC will be included. The clinical follow-up data will be updated until 5 years after the last admission for GBC of each patient. The study aimed (1) to depict the clinical characteristics, including demographics, pathology, treatment and prognosis of patient with GBC in China; (2) to evaluate the adherence to clinical guidelines of GBC and (3) to improve clinical practice for diagnosing and treating GBC and provide references for policy-makers. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol of the CRGGC has been approved by the Committee for Ethics of Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SHEC-C-2019-085). All results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04140552, Pre-results.

In vivo bactericidal effect of colistin-linezolid combination in a murine model of MDR and XDR Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia.

Recently, paradoxical combinations of colistin with anti-Gram-positive bacterial agents were introduced as a treatment alternative for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) infection. We assessed the therapeutic efficacy of the colistin-linezolid combination regimen in vitro and in a murine model of Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia. A multidrug-resistant clinical strain (MDRAB31) and an extensively drug-resistant clinical strain (XDRAB78) were used in this study. The survival rates of mice and bacterial counts in lung tissue were used to assess the effects of colistin-linezolid combination. The survival rates of colistin-linezolid combination groups significantly increased compared with colistin groups for MDRAB31 (72% versus 32%, P = 0.03) and for XDRAB78 (92% versus 68%, P = 0.031). The colistin-linezolid combination groups significantly reduced the bacterial counts in lung tissue compared with colistin groups for MDRAB31 and for XDRAB78 (P < 0.05). The colistin-linezolid combination had a bactericidal and synergistic effect compared with colistin alone in time-kill assay and in murine model of pneumonia. Our data demonstrated the synergistic effect of colistin-linezolid combination regimen as a treatment alternative for the severe pulmonary infection caused by MDRAB and XDRAB.

Xiaoyaosan Produces Antidepressant Effects in Rats via the JNK Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Xiaoyaosan (XYS) has achieved definite curative effects in clinic. However, the mechanism is not clear. Previous studies of our team indicated XYS improved anxiety-like behaviors through inhibiting c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway of hippocampus. OBJECTIVES: In the study, we explored whether the JNK signaling pathway is involved in the mechanism of XYS treating depression. METHOD: Forty-eight rats were divided randomly into 4 groups (n = 12): the control group (deionized water, p.o.), the model group (deionized water, p.o.), the fluoxetine group (2.08 mg/kg/day, p.o.), and the XYS group (3.9 g/kg/day, p.o.). All rats except for the control group were given continuous 21 days of chronic immobilization stress (CIS; 3 h/day). On day 29, the body weights and the behavioral tests, including the novelty suppressed feeding test, the open field test, and the elevated plus maze test, were measured. On day 30, all the rats were sacrificed, and three indices of the JNK signaling pathway were tested by Western blot. RESULTS: The body weight and behavioral tests of all groups indicated that 21 days of CIS induced depression-like behaviors. After 21 days of treatment with fluoxetine and XYS, changes were seen in body weight, behaviors, and JNK, phosphorylated JNK (P-JNK), and phosphorylated c-Jun (P-c-Jun) levels in the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: XYS ameliorated the depression-like behaviors, potentially through affecting the JNK signaling pathway in the hippocampus.

Pilose antler aqueous extract promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by stimulating the BMP-2/Smad1, 5/Runx2 signaling pathway.

Peptides from Pilose antler aqueous extract (PAAE) have been shown to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here, PAAE was isolated and purified to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying PAAE's effects on BMSCs as well as its osteoprotective effects in ovariectomized rats. Our results showed that PAAE promoted proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs to become osteoblasts by enhancing ALP activity and increasing extracellular matrix mineralization. The trabecular microarchitecture of ovariectomized rats was also found to be protected by PAAE. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (Quantitative RT-PCR) results suggest that PAAE also increased the expression of osteogenic markers including, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteocalcin (OCN), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and collagen I (COL-I). Immunoblotting results indicated that PAAE upregulated the levels of BMP-2 and Runx2 and was associated with Smad1/5 phosphorylation. PAAE A at the concentration of 200 µg·mL-1 showed the strongest effect on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs after 48 h. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), we identified the molecular weight of PAAE A and found that it is less than 3000 Da and showed several significant peaks. In conclusion, PAAE activates the BMP-2/Smad1, 5/Runx2 pathway to induce osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization in BMSCs and can inhibit OVX-induced bone loss. These mechanisms are likely responsible for its therapeutic effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Protective and therapeutic effects of Pilose antler against kidney deficiency-induced osteoporosis.

This study was carried out to evaluate the preventive and curative effects of Pilose antler against osteoporosis due to kidney deficiency, and investigate its potential mechanism of action. A model of osteoporosis due to kidney deficiency was established in rats using bilateral ovariectomy. Pilose antler polypeptide (PAP), Pilose antler polysaccharide (PAP'), and their mixture (PAP+PAP') were separately administered to the rats for 12 weeks, with progynova and xianlingubao tablets (XLGB) as the positive control groups. We determined the bone mineral density (BMD) and uterus Index of the rats. Osteoblastic bone metabolism-related indices in serum and bone tissue were measured with ELISA. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to investigate the protein and mRNA expressions of Bmp-2, Smad1, Smad5, Runx2 in bone tissue. The morphology of bone tissue was determined using immunohistochemical methods. Compared with control group, PAP, PAP', PAP+PAP' increased BMD and regulated bone metabolism indices in serum and bone tissue. Treatment with Pilose antler up-regulated the mNRA and protein expressions of Bmp-2, Smad1, Smad5 and Runx2. Immunohistochemical staining showed that Bmp-2, Smad1, Smad5 and Runx2 were stained brown, indicating that all of them were positive. There were abnormal changes in the protein expressions of Bmp-2, Smad1, Smad5 and Runx2 in bone tissue, which may be an important mechanism underlying the development of kidney deficiency osteoporosis. Moreover, PAP, PAP' and PAP+PAP' had some preventive effects on osteoporosis, probably via the activation of the Bmp-2/Smad1 and Smad5/Runx2 signaling pathways through induction of high expressions of their mRNAs and proteins.