Data mining analysis reveals key acupoints and meridians for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore effective acupoints and combinations for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) METHODS: Clinical controlled trials and randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for CIPN were sourced from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Chinese databases, including the Wanfang database, VIP Journals database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database. The quality of eligible research was evaluated based on CONSORT and STRICTA statements. The common acupoints, meridians, and acupoint combinations were determined from acupuncture prescriptions reporting positive effects and were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and SPSS Modeler 14.1. Finally, a complex network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.8.2 to explore the core acupoints. RESULTS: The quality of 24 clinical trials was evaluated, and 20 acupuncture prescriptions that reported positive outcomes were included in subsequent data mining analysis. The most frequently used acupoints are ST36, LI11, LI4, LR3, and SP6. Meanwhile, they are also the core acupoints in acupuncture prescriptions according to the complex network with 28 nodes and 177 edges. The most commonly used meridians were the large intestine, stomach, and spleen. Acupoint combinations of LI11 and ST36, SP6 and ST36 were frequently used. CONCLUSION: Our study provides a reference for the selection of effective acupoints for CIPN treatment and a basis for the effective use of this form of traditional Chinese medicine. Furthermore, we found limitations in the design and implementation of the available clinical research, which should be minimized in future studies.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Yoga for Functional Movement Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Functional movement disorder (FMD), a conversion disorder characterized by involuntary movements, is difficult to treat. METHODS: We aimed to assess the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and yoga in FMD patients (n=5). TDCS of the right temporoparietal junction, a brain region relevant in the sense of self-agency, was conducted. Subjects underwent both sham and anodal tDCS with a washout period of 3 weeks. Yoga was used as a mode of exercise, as well as in conjunction with stimulation to sustain potential changes in neural plasticity. RESULTS: A total of 5 subjects completed the study [mean age: 52 (SE: 4) y, disease duration: 5 (SE: 1.6) y], undergoing both sham and anodal tDCS. Anodal tDCS does not appear to be superior to sham tDCS in alleviating symptoms and disability, but combining tDCS and yoga appears to lead to mild improvement noted on clinical observation, based on the change in the efficacy index of Clinical Global Impression found in 4 subjects. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that anodal tDCS is not superior to sham tDCS in alleviating subjective symptoms and disability in FMD. However, interpretation of these results is limited due to the small number of stimulation sessions and number of subjects. Future studies using more frequent stimulation sessions are needed to further determine whether anodal tDCS may have a therapeutic effect in this patient group compared with sham tDCS.

Preventive Efficacy and Safety of Yiqi-Wenjing-Fang Granules on Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Protocol for a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Trial.

Background. Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is one of the most common side effects of oxaliplatin, which can cause reduction and cessation of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and significantly affect patients' quality of life. However, no drug has got recognition to prevent or treat OIPN. Yiqi-Wenjing-Fang (YWF) is a joint name of Chinese medicine prescriptions with similar effects of tonifying qi and warming meridians, represented by Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction (HGWD) and Danggui Sini decoction (DSD), both from "Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Diseases." YWF granules, including HGWD granules and DSD granules, have been, respectively, demonstrated to be effective in preventing OIPN in previous small-sample observations. The purpose of this study is to enlarge the sample size for further evaluation of the preventive efficacy and safety of YWF granules on OIPN. Methods and Analysis. This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and multicenter clinical trial. 360 postoperative patients with stage IIa-IIIc colorectal cancer will be randomly assigned into placebo-control group, intervention group I, and intervention group II, taking the mimetic granules of YWF as placebo, HGWD granules and DSD granules, respectively. All subjects will receive oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy regimen at the same time. EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 will be used to assess the degree of OIPN as the primary outcome measure. The grades of OIPN, quality of life, chemotherapeutic efficacy, and the number of completed chemotherapy cycles are selected as the secondary outcome measures. Discussion. Based on the condition of no recognized effective drugs in preventing OIPN, evidence-based medical study will be conducted for seeking a breakthrough in the field of Chinese herb medicine. This protocol could provide reliable and systemic research basis about the efficacy of YWF granules and the differentiation of two classical prescriptions of YWF on preventing OIPN objectively. Trial Registration. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 26 December 2020 (ID: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04690283).

Herbal medicine WangShiBaoChiWan improves gastrointestinal health in mice via modulation of intestinal tight junctions and gut microbiota and inhibition of inflammation.

WangShiBoChiWan (WSBCW) is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, its preclinical efficacy and the mechanisms of action have not been adequately studied. The goals of this study were to evaluate the effects of WSBCW on gastrointestinal health and modulation of related biomarkers. Female C57BL mice were randomly assigned into one of the experimental groups consisting of the control, drug controls, and WSBCW at 40, 120, and 360 mg/kg BW. Whole gut transit, small intestinal motility, and intestinal barrier permeability were determined. The castor oil-induced diarrhea mouse model was used to determine the effect of WSBCW on the diarrhea type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). WSBCW increased whole gut transit and intestinal motility, improved intestinal permeability in healthy animals and alleviated diarrhea symptoms in IBS-D mice. WSBCW upregulated intestinal junction proteins, increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium genus, Desulfovibrio genus and inhibited Bacteroides fragillis group in the gut microbiota, increased intestinal villi lengths, and decreased blood levels of inflammatory cytokines. Our study provided preclinical evidence to verify the effectiveness of WSBCW in gastrointestinal health and elucidate mechanistic insights. The results warrant further investigations to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of WSBCW on gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS and IBD.

Genome-wide analysis of hippocampal transfer RNA-derived small RNAs identifies new potential therapeutic targets of Bushen Tiansui formula against Alzheimer's disease / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Bushen Tiansui formula (BSTSF), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been widely used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain largely unknown. In this study, a rat AD model was used to study the effects of BSTSF on cognitive performance and expression of transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in the hippocampus, to determine whether treatment of AD with BSTSF could regulate the expression of tsRNAs, a novel small non-coding RNA.@*METHODS@#To generate a validated AD model, oligomeric amyloid-β@*RESULTS@#The learning and memory deficits of Aβ@*CONCLUSION@#This study identified a previously uncharacterized mechanism underlying the effects of BSTSF in alleviating the learning and memory deficits in Aβ

Exploring the Possible Mechanism and Drug Targets of Huang-Qi-Gui-Zhi-Wu-Wu Decoction for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy on Network Pharmacology.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of anticancer treatment, which may influence its successful completion. The Huang-Qi-Gui-Zhi-Wu-Wu decoction (HQGZWWD) has been widely used to treat CIPN in China although the pharmacological mechanisms involved have not been clarified. Using the network pharmacology approach, this study investigated the potential pathogenesis of CIPN and the therapeutic mechanisms exerted by the HQGZWWD herbal formula in CIPN. The targets of HQGZWWD were identified using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) databases (TCMSP and ETCM) and prediction platforms (PharmMapper and TargetNet), and the genes of CIPN were collected by DisGeNET, GeneCards, and literature search. The common target interaction network between herbal formula and diseases was constructed by using Cytoscape. Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were used to reveal the mechanism and efficacy of HQGZWWD in the treatment of CIPN. A total of 153 CIPN-related genes were screened, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network with 96 nodes and 424 edges was constructed. Sixty-three active components were retrieved from HQGZWWD, with a herb-composite compound-target network including 748 nodes and 5448 edges. Forty-one targets belong to the above two networks. The analysis of network results and literature review shows that the main pathological processes of CIPN may be the inflammatory response and nerve injury, and HQGZWWD plays a therapeutic role in CIPN by regulating inflammatory response and repairing nerve injury, thus verifying the reliable efficacy of this herbal formula. In addition, we found two new potential therapeutic targets (CDK7 and GSTM2) warranting further investigation. This study fully illustrates that TCM has the characteristics of a multicompound, multitarget, and multipathway treatment, which is of great significance to study the curative effect of herbal formulations.

[Protective effects of Shenmai injection on intestinal mucosal barrier function in severely scalded rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of shen-mai injection on intestinal barrier function in the early stage of 30% 3° scald, and to provide experimental basis for the prevention and control of enterogenic infection. METHODS: A total of 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group (without treatment), model control group (with 30% total body surface area (TBSA) fully thickness burn on the back), hexadecadrol (5 mg/kg) group, Shenmai injection (5, 10, 15 mg/kg) groups, with 10 rats in each group. After burned by scald apparatus, rats in each group were treated with drugs immediately by intraperitoneal injection once a day. At 72 hours after burned, the levels of plasma endotoxin, diamine oxidase (DAO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukins-6(IL-6) in all rats were detected and the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen were homogenized to culture for bacteria. The change of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in intestinal mucosa was measured. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, bacterial translocation quantity in mesenteric lymph nodes(MLN), liver, and spleen, and the plasma levels of DAO, endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6 and the level of sIgA in intestinal mucosa in model control group were increased significantly (P＜0.01); compared with model control group, bacterial translocation quantity in MLN, liver, and spleen, and the plasma levels of DAO, endotoxin, TNF-α, IL-6 and the level of sIgA in intestinal mucosa in hexadecadrol (5 mg/kg) group and shen-mai injection (5, 10, 15 mg/kg) groups were decreased significantly (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: Shen-mai injection can alleviate intestinal mucosa injury caused by severe scald, and the effects are similar with those of dexamethasone, and the effect is better in the high-dose group.

Sugar release and growth of biofuel crops are improved by downregulation of pectin biosynthesis.

Cell walls in crops and trees have been engineered for production of biofuels and commodity chemicals, but engineered varieties often fail multi-year field trials and are not commercialized. We engineered reduced expression of a pectin biosynthesis gene (Galacturonosyltransferase 4, GAUT4) in switchgrass and poplar, and find that this improves biomass yields and sugar release from biomass processing. Both traits were maintained in a 3-year field trial of GAUT4-knockdown switchgrass, with up to sevenfold increased saccharification and ethanol production and sixfold increased biomass yield compared with control plants. We show that GAUT4 is an α-1,4-galacturonosyltransferase that synthesizes homogalacturonan (HG). Downregulation of GAUT4 reduces HG and rhamnogalacturonan II (RGII), reduces wall calcium and boron, and increases extractability of cell wall sugars. Decreased recalcitrance in biomass processing and increased growth are likely due to reduced HG and RGII cross-linking in the cell wall.

[Management for lymphatic malformation in infants: a single center experience].

Objective: To assess the therapeutic effect of management for lymphatic malformation (LM) in infants. Methods: This retrospective study recruited clinical data of 996 patients with LM from June 2004 to July 2015 in our center. All patients were diagnosed as LM after ultrasound, CT or MR scan. All patients were divided into Group 1 (427 patients, treated by endoscopic LM partial resection combined with cautery and postoperative intratumoral negative pressure and absolute ethyl alcohol),Group 2 (239 patients, treated by combined pinyangmycin and dexamethasone injection),Group 3 (330 patients, treated by surgical resection only).The clinical effects were observed in three groups, and therapeutic effect differences in gender, age, maximum diameter, location, range, histological typing, lymph property and treatments were analysed in cervicofacial LM. Results: Group 1:333 patients were cured (78.0％),Group 2:165 patients were cured (69.0％),Group 3:238 patients were cured (72.1％).The difference in cure rate between Group 1 and Group 2 or between Group 1 and Group 3 was significant(P ＜0.05).The number of patients with ≥ 2 treatments in Group 3 was significantly less than that in other two groups. The cure rate of LM in cervicofacial area was significantly lower than that in other parts of body (P ＜ 0.05).In cervicofacial LM patients, the therapeutic effect differences in maximum diameter, range, histological typing, lymph property were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).At the multivariable logistic regression analysis, LM range as well as histological typing were independent factors influencing the therapeutic effect (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions: Both treatment of endoscopic LM partial resection combined with cautery and postoperative intratumoral negative pressure and absolute ethyl alcohol, and surgical resection have good therapeutic effect on LM in infants. LM range as well as histological typing are important factors independently influencing the therapeutic effect of cervicofacial LM in infants.

[Expressions of S1P1-3 in the corpus cavernosum of castrated male rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors 1-3 (S1P1- 3) in the corpus cavernosum of castrated male rats and its relationship with the NOS/NO/cGMP and RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathways. METHODS: We equally randomized 18 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into a sham-operation control, a castration, and a testosterone replacement (TR) group and harvested the bilateral testes and epididymides from the rats in the latter two groups, followed by 4 weeks of subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 3 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for those in the TR group and that of plant oil for those in the control and castration groups. At the age of 12 weeks, we measured the serum testosterone (T) level and maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) of the animals and determined the expressions of SlP1-3, eNOS, P-eNOS, ROCK1, and ROCK2 in the corpus cavernosum by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The serum T level was significantly decreased in the rats of the castration group as compared with those of the control and TR groups ([0.41 ± 0.04] vs [16.01 ± 1.02] and [15.84 ± 1.32] nmol/L, P < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference between the latter two groups. The ICPmax/MAP at 0 V, 3 V, and 5 V electric stimulation was remarkably lower in the rats of the castration group (0.088 ± 0.014, 0.323 ± 0.014, and 0.432 ± 0.012) than in those of the control group (0.155 ± 0.011, 0.711 ± 0. 010, and 0.819 ± 0.024) and TR group (0.153 ± 0.012, 0.696 ± 0.017, and 0.763 ± 0.027) (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the latter two groups. With GAPDH as internal control, the animals of the castration group showed markedly reduced expressions of S1P1 ([49.99 ± 3.39]%), eNOS ([46.82 ± 3.81]%) , and P-eNOS ([45.42 ± 4.35]%) in comparison with those in the control group ([72.57 ± 3.06], [89.76 ± 3.98], and [82.53 ± 8.92] and TR group ([71.77 ± 4.43], [87.19 ± 4.23], and [79.82 ± 7.38]%) (P < 0.01) , while the expressions of S1P2, S1P3, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated in the castration group ([82.35 ± 4.13], [61.03 ± 5.14], [74.50 ± 4.02], and [69.83 ± 5.75]%) as compared with those in the control group ([41.67 ± 1.68], [31.66 ± 2.67], [35.69 ± 5.56], and [39.85 ± 7.17]%) and TR group ([42.80 ± 3.87], [32.25 ± 4.22], 38.06 ± 5.21], and [42.36 ± 4.44]%) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Androgen deficiency induces significant reduction of ICPmax/ MAP in male rats, which is possibly associated with the decline of S1P1 in the corpus cavernosum, inhibition of the eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling pathway, increased expressions of S1P2 and S1P3, and activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway.

Expressions of S1P1-3 in the corpus cavernosum of castrated male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors 1-3 (S1P1- 3) in the corpus cavernosum of castrated male rats and its relationship with the NOS/NO/cGMP and RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathways.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We equally randomized 18 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into a sham-operation control, a castration, and a testosterone replacement (TR) group and harvested the bilateral testes and epididymides from the rats in the latter two groups, followed by 4 weeks of subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 3 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for those in the TR group and that of plant oil for those in the control and castration groups. At the age of 12 weeks, we measured the serum testosterone (T) level and maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) of the animals and determined the expressions of SlP1-3, eNOS, P-eNOS, ROCK1, and ROCK2 in the corpus cavernosum by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum T level was significantly decreased in the rats of the castration group as compared with those of the control and TR groups ([0.41 ± 0.04] vs [16.01 ± 1.02] and [15.84 ± 1.32] nmol/L, P < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference between the latter two groups. The ICPmax/MAP at 0 V, 3 V, and 5 V electric stimulation was remarkably lower in the rats of the castration group (0.088 ± 0.014, 0.323 ± 0.014, and 0.432 ± 0.012) than in those of the control group (0.155 ± 0.011, 0.711 ± 0. 010, and 0.819 ± 0.024) and TR group (0.153 ± 0.012, 0.696 ± 0.017, and 0.763 ± 0.027) (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the latter two groups. With GAPDH as internal control, the animals of the castration group showed markedly reduced expressions of S1P1 ([49.99 ± 3.39]%), eNOS ([46.82 ± 3.81]%) , and P-eNOS ([45.42 ± 4.35]%) in comparison with those in the control group ([72.57 ± 3.06], [89.76 ± 3.98], and [82.53 ± 8.92] and TR group ([71.77 ± 4.43], [87.19 ± 4.23], and [79.82 ± 7.38]%) (P < 0.01) , while the expressions of S1P2, S1P3, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated in the castration group ([82.35 ± 4.13], [61.03 ± 5.14], [74.50 ± 4.02], and [69.83 ± 5.75]%) as compared with those in the control group ([41.67 ± 1.68], [31.66 ± 2.67], [35.69 ± 5.56], and [39.85 ± 7.17]%) and TR group ([42.80 ± 3.87], [32.25 ± 4.22], 38.06 ± 5.21], and [42.36 ± 4.44]%) (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Androgen deficiency induces significant reduction of ICPmax/ MAP in male rats, which is possibly associated with the decline of S1P1 in the corpus cavernosum, inhibition of the eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling pathway, increased expressions of S1P2 and S1P3, and activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway.</p>

Consumption of garlic and risk of colorectal cancer: an updated meta-analysis of prospective studies.

AIM: To conduct an updated meta-analysis of prospective studies addressing the association between garlic consumption and colorectal cancer. METHODS: Eligible cohort studies were identified by searching MEDLINE (PubMed) and screening the references of related articles published up to October 2013. Meta-analyses were conducted for colorectal cancer in relation to consumption of raw and cooked (RC) garlic and garlic supplements, separately. The summary relative risks (RR) with 95%CI were calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects model depending on the heterogeneity among studies. RESULTS: A total of 5 prospective cohort studies were identified. In contrast to the previous meta-analysis, no significant associations were found between consumption of RC garlic (RR: 1.06; 95%CI: 0.95-1.19) or garlic supplements (RR: 1.12; 95%CI: 0.96-1.31) and risk of colorectal cancer. A non-significant protective effect of garlic supplement intake against colorectal cancer was observed in females (RR: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.64-1.11), but the opposite was the case in males (RR: 1.24; 95%CI: 0.96-1.59). CONCLUSION: Consumption of RC garlic or garlic supplements is not significantly associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk.

[Expressions of CSE and CBS in the penile corpus cavernosum of hyperglycemia rats and their implications].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) signaling pathway in rat penile tissue and its relationship with erectile function. METHODS: Twenty healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into groups A (4-week healthy control), B (4-week diabetes mellitus model), C (6-week healthy control) and D (6-week diabetes mellitus model). The rats in groups B and D were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin at 50 mg/kg to induce diabetes mellitus, while those in groups A and C with the same volume of normal saline. The animals were killed at 4 (groups A and B) and 6 weeks (groups C and D) after treatment for measurement of the maximal intracavernous pressure/mean arterial blood pressure (ICP(max)/MAP) by electrostimulation, determination of the H2S concentration in the plasma and penile tissue, and detection of the expressions of cystathionine-beta-synthetase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) in the penile corpus cavernosum by immunohisto- chemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: With electrostimulation of the pelvic ganglia at 5V and 7 V, ICP(max)/MAP was significantly reduced in groups B (0.19 +/- 0.03 and 0.29 +/- 0.04) and D (0.14 +/- 0.04 and 0.25 +/- 0.04) as compared with A (0.46 +/- 0.07 and 0.68 +/- 0.09) and C (0.43 +/- 0.07 and 0.65 +/- 0.16) (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the level of serum testosterone either between groups A and B ([469.19 +/- 126.46] ng/dl vs [359.08 +/- 60.06] ng/dl, P > 0.05) or between C and D ([470.44 +/- 209.28] ng/dl vs [297.01 +/- 96.58] ng/dl, P > 0.05). Groups B and D showed remarkable reduction in the H2S concentration (P < 0.05) and the expressions of CBS and CSE (P < 0.05) in comparison with A and C, and the CBS and CSE expressions were even more significantly decreased in D than in B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The reduced concentration of H2S and decreased expressions of CBS and CSE in the penile corpus cavernosum of the diabetic rats suggested that the H2S signaling pathway might be involved in hyperglycemia-induced erectile dysfunction.

In vivo hair growth-promoting effect of rice bran extract prepared by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid.

The potential hair growth-promoting activity of rice bran supercritical CO2 extract (RB-SCE) and major components of RB-SCE, linoleic acid, policosanol, γ-oryzanol, and γ-tocotrienol, were evaluated with the histological morphology and mRNA expression levels of cell growth factors using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in C57BL/6 mice. RB-SCE showed hair growth-promoting potential to a similar extent as 3% minoxidil, showing that the hair follicles were induced to be in the anagen stage. The numbers of the hair follicles were significantly increased. In addition, mRNA expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) were also significantly increased and that of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) decreased in RB-SCE-treated groups. Among the major components of RB-SCE, linoleic acid and γ-oryzanol induced the formation of hair follicles according to examination of histological morphology and mRNA expression levels of cell growth factors. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that RB-SCE, particularly linoleic acid and γ-oryzanol, promotes hair growth and suggests RB-SCE can be applied as hair loss treatment.

Expressions of CSE and CBS in the penile corpus cavernosum of hyperglycemia rats and their implications / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) signaling pathway in rat penile tissue and its relationship with erectile function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into groups A (4-week healthy control), B (4-week diabetes mellitus model), C (6-week healthy control) and D (6-week diabetes mellitus model). The rats in groups B and D were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin at 50 mg/kg to induce diabetes mellitus, while those in groups A and C with the same volume of normal saline. The animals were killed at 4 (groups A and B) and 6 weeks (groups C and D) after treatment for measurement of the maximal intracavernous pressure/mean arterial blood pressure (ICP(max)/MAP) by electrostimulation, determination of the H2S concentration in the plasma and penile tissue, and detection of the expressions of cystathionine-beta-synthetase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) in the penile corpus cavernosum by immunohisto- chemistry and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With electrostimulation of the pelvic ganglia at 5V and 7 V, ICP(max)/MAP was significantly reduced in groups B (0.19 +/- 0.03 and 0.29 +/- 0.04) and D (0.14 +/- 0.04 and 0.25 +/- 0.04) as compared with A (0.46 +/- 0.07 and 0.68 +/- 0.09) and C (0.43 +/- 0.07 and 0.65 +/- 0.16) (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the level of serum testosterone either between groups A and B ([469.19 +/- 126.46] ng/dl vs [359.08 +/- 60.06] ng/dl, P > 0.05) or between C and D ([470.44 +/- 209.28] ng/dl vs [297.01 +/- 96.58] ng/dl, P > 0.05). Groups B and D showed remarkable reduction in the H2S concentration (P < 0.05) and the expressions of CBS and CSE (P < 0.05) in comparison with A and C, and the CBS and CSE expressions were even more significantly decreased in D than in B (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The reduced concentration of H2S and decreased expressions of CBS and CSE in the penile corpus cavernosum of the diabetic rats suggested that the H2S signaling pathway might be involved in hyperglycemia-induced erectile dysfunction.</p>

[Effects of Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule drug-containing serum on PDGF-induced proliferation and JAK/STAT signaling of HSC-T6 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule drug-containing serum at different concentrations on the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced proliferative capabilities of and JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression in hepatic stellate cells (HSC) using an in vitro system. METHODS: Twenty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five equal groups for intragastric administration of physiological saline (10 ml/kg; group A), Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet solution (1.5 g/kg; group B), or Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule solution at low dose (2.125 g/kg; group C1), mid dose (4.25 g/kg; group C2), or high dose (8.5 g/kg; group C3). The post-administration serum isolated from each rat (200 ml/L) was used to treat the HSC-T6 cell line following induction by PDGF (10 ng/ml). At 24, 48 and 72 h post-exposure, the cells' proliferation was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) colorimetric assay. In addition, at 24 h post-exposure the expression of JAK2 and p-STAT3 was measured by western blotting (expressed as grey scale intensity). Multiple group comparison of repeated measures data was made by one-way ANOVA with Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test. RESULTS: Compared to group A, groups C2 and C3 had significantly higher inhibited proliferation at all post-exposure time points examined (24 h: A = 1.550 +/- 0.065, C2 = 1.335 +/- 0.106, C3 = 1.241 +/- 0.205; 48 h: A = 1.311 +/- 0.650, C2 = 1.090 +/- 0.106, C3 = 0.909 +/- 0.191; 72 h: A = 1.039 +/- 0.103, C2 = 0.719 +/- 0.116, C3 = 0.641 +/- 0.110, F = 36.292, all P less than 0.05); in contrast, compared to group A, group C1 showed no inhibition of proliferation at 24 h (1.522 +/- 0.128, P = 0.717) but showed significantly higher inhibition of proliferation at 48 h and 72 h (1.153 +/- 0.183 and 0.753 +/- 0.210, respectively, F = 36.292, P less than 0.05). Compared with group A, all Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule-containing serum-treated groups showed significantly lower expression of both JAK2 (A = 1.605 +/- 0.024 vs. C1 = 1.170 +/- 0.042, C2 = 0.842 +/- 0.036, C3 = 0.555 +/- 0.036, F = 43.091) and p-STAT3 (A = 1.401 +/- 0.030 vs. C1 = 1.229 +/- 0.025, C2 = 0.668 +/- 0.034, C3 = 0.630 +/- 0.026, F = 78.426, all P less than 0.01). CONCLUSION: Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule drug-containing serum can inhibit the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells in a dose-dependent manner and cause an overall decrease in the expression of JAK2 and p-STAT3 in activated HSC, thereby leading to a suppression of the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway.

Effect of chitosan film incorporated with tea polyphenol on quality and shelf life of pork meat patties.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chitosan (CH) film incorporated with tea polyphenol (TP) on quality and shelf life of pork meat patties stored at 4±1 °C for 12 days. The microbiological, physicochemical (pH, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) values, and metmyoglobin (MetMb)), and sensory qualities were measured on all the samples. A microbiological shelf-life extension of 6 days was achieved for CH and CH-TP treatment groups when compared to the control group. Wrapping with CH-TP composite film tended to retard the increases in TBARS values and MetMb content. CH-TP composite film maintained acceptable sensory quality of pork meat patties throughout the storage. The results indicated that CH-TP composite film could be a promising material as a packaging film for extending the shelf life of pork meat patties.

Effects of Lycopersicon esculentum extract on hair growth and alopecia prevention.

To evaluate the potential hair growth-promoting activity and the expression of cell growth factors of Lycopersicon esculentum extracts, each 3% (w/w) of ethyl acetate extract (EAE), and supercritical CO2 extract (SCE) of L. esculentum and isolated lycopene Tween 80 solution (LTS) and test hair tonic (THT) containing LTS were applied on the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice, once a day for 4 weeks. At week 4, LTS and THT exhibited hair growth-promoting potential similar to that of 3% minoxidil as a positive control (PC). Further, in the LTS group, a significant increase of mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), keratinocyte growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was observed than PC, as well as the negative control (NC). In the THT group, increases in IGF-1 and decrease in VEGF and transforming growth factor-ß expression were significant over the NC. In a histological examination in the THT group, the induction of anagen stage of hair follicles was faster than that of NC. In the Draize skin irritation study for THT, no observable edema or erythema was observed on all four sectors in the back skin after exposure for 24 or 72 h for any rabbit. Therefore, this study provides reasonable evidence that L. esculentum extracts promote hair growth and suggests that applications could be found in hair loss treatments without skin irritation at moderate doses.

Effects of Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule drug-containing serum on PDGF-induced proliferation and JAK/STAT signaling of HSC-T6 cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the effects of Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule drug-containing serum at different concentrations on the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced proliferative capabilities of and JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression in hepatic stellate cells (HSC) using an in vitro system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five equal groups for intragastric administration of physiological saline (10 ml/kg; group A), Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet solution (1.5 g/kg; group B), or Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule solution at low dose (2.125 g/kg; group C1), mid dose (4.25 g/kg; group C2), or high dose (8.5 g/kg; group C3). The post-administration serum isolated from each rat (200 ml/L) was used to treat the HSC-T6 cell line following induction by PDGF (10 ng/ml). At 24, 48 and 72 h post-exposure, the cells' proliferation was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) colorimetric assay. In addition, at 24 h post-exposure the expression of JAK2 and p-STAT3 was measured by western blotting (expressed as grey scale intensity). Multiple group comparison of repeated measures data was made by one-way ANOVA with Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to group A, groups C2 and C3 had significantly higher inhibited proliferation at all post-exposure time points examined (24 h: A = 1.550 +/- 0.065, C2 = 1.335 +/- 0.106, C3 = 1.241 +/- 0.205; 48 h: A = 1.311 +/- 0.650, C2 = 1.090 +/- 0.106, C3 = 0.909 +/- 0.191; 72 h: A = 1.039 +/- 0.103, C2 = 0.719 +/- 0.116, C3 = 0.641 +/- 0.110, F = 36.292, all P less than 0.05); in contrast, compared to group A, group C1 showed no inhibition of proliferation at 24 h (1.522 +/- 0.128, P = 0.717) but showed significantly higher inhibition of proliferation at 48 h and 72 h (1.153 +/- 0.183 and 0.753 +/- 0.210, respectively, F = 36.292, P less than 0.05). Compared with group A, all Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule-containing serum-treated groups showed significantly lower expression of both JAK2 (A = 1.605 +/- 0.024 vs. C1 = 1.170 +/- 0.042, C2 = 0.842 +/- 0.036, C3 = 0.555 +/- 0.036, F = 43.091) and p-STAT3 (A = 1.401 +/- 0.030 vs. C1 = 1.229 +/- 0.025, C2 = 0.668 +/- 0.034, C3 = 0.630 +/- 0.026, F = 78.426, all P less than 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ling Qi Juan Gan capsule drug-containing serum can inhibit the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells in a dose-dependent manner and cause an overall decrease in the expression of JAK2 and p-STAT3 in activated HSC, thereby leading to a suppression of the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway.</p>

[Protective effects of tetrandrine against congenital diaphragmatic hernia in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of the prenatal use of tetrandrine (TET) against congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in rats and possible mechanisms. METHODS: Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, nitrofen and TET treatment. The later two groups were administered with nitrofen by gavage on day 9.5 of gestation. On day 18.5 of gestation, TET (30 mg/kg) was given by gavage (once a day, for three days) in the TET treatment group. On day 21 of gestation, parts of pregnant rats were delivered by cesarean section and amniotic fluid was collected. The fetal rats were examined for a diaphragmatic hernia. Lung histologic evaluations with microscope and immunohistochemistry staining of TNF-α were performed. TNF-α in amniotic fluid was detected using ELISA. The remaining pregnant rats were allowed to deliver spontaneously at term. The survival of pup rats was observed until 24 hrs of age. RESULTS: In the nitrofen group, significant lung hypoplasia was presented not only in fetuses with CDH but also in those without CDH. Stronger expression of TNF-α was observed in fetal lungs and amniotic fluid in the nitrofen group, even when CDH was absent. The TET treatment group showed improved lung development compared with the nitrofen group. The incidence of large diaphragmatic hernia in the TET treatment group was lower than that in the nitrofen group (P<0.05), and the expression of TNF-α in fetal lungs and amniotic fluid in the TET treatment group was also lower than in the nitrofen group (P<0.01). The 24-hr survival rate of pup rats in the TET group was higher than that in the nitrofen group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal use of TET can improve nitrofen-induced pulmonary hypoplasia, decrease the incidence of large diaphragmatic hernia and increase the survival rate of pup rats, possibly through a reduction in the production of TNF-α in fetal lungs and amniotic fluid in rats with CDH.