Effect of loureirin A against Candida albicans biofilms / 中国天然药物

Loureirin A is a major active component of Draconis sanguis, a traditional Chinese medicine. This work aimed to investigate the activity of loureirin A against Candida albicans biofilms. 2, 3-Bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT)reduction assay and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the anti-biofilm effect. Minimal inhibitory concentration testing and time-kill curve assay were used to evaluate fungicidal activity. Cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) assay and hyphal formation experiment were respectively carried out to investigate adhesion and morphological transition, two virulence traits of C. albicans. Real-time RT-PCR was used to investigate gene expression. Galleria mellonella-C. albicans and Caenorhabditis elegans-C. albicans infection models were used to evaluate the in-vivo antifungal effect. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and C. elegans nematodes were used to evaluate the toxicity ofloureirin A. Our data indicated that loureirin A had a significant effect on inhibiting C. albicans biofilms, decreasing CSH, and suppressing hyphal formation. Consistently, loureirin A down-regulated the expression of some adhesion-related genes and hypha/biofilm-related genes. Moreover, loureirin A prolonged the survival of Galleria mellonella and Caenorhabditis elegans in C. albicans infection models and exhibited low toxicity. Collectively, loureirin A inhibits fungal biofilms, and this effect may be associated with the suppression of pathogenic traits, adhesion and hyphal formation.

Influence of Dexmedetomidine Applied in Combined Acupuncture-medication Anesthesia on Vomiting After Thyroidectomy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the influence of dexmedetomidine applied in combined acupuncture-medication anesthesia on vomiting after thyroidectomy. Method Seventy patients who were going to receive thyroidectomy were randomized into group A and B, with 35 cases in each group. Combined acupuncture-medication anesthesia [electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6) and Futu (ST32) plus intravenous infusions of sufentanil citrate injection (0.3 mg/kg) 20 minutes before operation]was adopted in both groups. Group A was additionally intervened by constantvelocity micropump infusion of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride injection (0.5 mg/kg) within 10 minutes before operation and remaining 0.4 mg/kg/min during operation, while group B was intervened by infusion of normal saline 10 minutes before operation. The observer's assessment of awareness/sedation (OAA/S) scores at different time points[lying in bed for 5 minutes before operation (T0), before the beginning of the operation (T1), 30 minutes after operation (T2), 60 minutes after operation (T3) and at the end of operation (T4)] in the two groups were observed. The additional times and total dose of sufentanil during operation, the number of cases using esmolol and urapidil, and the number of vomiting cases occurred within 2 hours after operation and 2～24 hours after operation in the two groups were recorded.Result The additional times and total dose of sufentanil during operation in group A were significantly different from those in group B (P<0.01). The utilization rate of esmolol and urapidil were respectively 31.4％ and 14.3％ in group A versus 77.1％ and 65.7％ in group B, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The incidence of vomiting within 2 hours after operation and 2～24 hours after operation were respectively 20.0％ and 17.1％in group A versus 54.3％ and 42.9％ in group B, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The OAA/S scores at different time points (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in group A were significantly different from those in group B (P<0.01). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine applied in combined acupuncture-medication anesthesia can reduce the additional times and total dose of sufentanil during thyroidectomy, and it can reduce the incidence of postoperative vomiting as well.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on inflammatory response and intestinal permeability in perioperative period of laparoscopic intestinal surgery / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the inflammatory response and intestinal permeability after laparoscopic radical surgery for colon cancer, so as to explore the protective mechanism for perioperative organs.@*METHODS@#Sixty patients with laparoscopic intestinal resection were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. TEAS at Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and Hegu (LI 4) was used in the observation group on the day of operation and within 3 days after surgery, 2 Hz, within 2 mA. The interventions in the control group were the same as those in the observation group, except opening the current source. Central venous blood was collected before TEAS and 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after surgery. The level of the inflammatory indexes of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intestinal mucosal barrier response indexes of endotoxin (LPS) and D-lactate were detected.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α decreased in the observation group 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after surgery (all 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#TEAS can reduce the inflammatory reaction after laparoscopic radical surgery for colon cancer, but has no effect on the intestinal permeability.

Clinical Study on the Effect of Pre-intervention with Electroacupuncture on Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Reaction in Hepatic Ischemia-reperfusion / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the effect of pre-intervention with electroacupuncture on oxidative stress (OS) and inflammatory reaction after hepatectomy under portal occlusion.Method Thirty patients going to receive hepatectomy under Pringle's portal occlusion were randomized into an electroacupuncture group and a sham electroacupuncture group, 15 cases each. Three days prior to the surgery, the patients started to receive corresponding acupuncture or sham electroacupuncture treatment by selecting bilateral Riyue (GB24), Qichong (ST30) and Yanglingquan (GB34), once a day. The anesthesia method was general (inhalational and intravenous) anesthesia. Central venous blood was drawn before the surgery, and respectively 6 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after the surgery to examine the OS-relatedparameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-10.Result Compared to the sham electroacupuncture group, the SOD activity significantly increased (241±11.4 U/mL,180±12.6 U/mL,P0.05).Conclusion Pre-intervention with electroacupuncture can up-regulate the activity of SOD and down-regulate the level of MDA in patients after hepatic portal occlusion, and thus partially reduce OS, but it doesn't shownoticeable effecton inflammatory response.

[Effect of Dangua Recipe on Hepatic Adiponectin Receptor 2 Expression in Diabetic Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice].

Objective To observe the effect of Dangua Recipe (DR) on adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2) expression in liver of apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE⁻¹â») diabetic mice. Methods Eight- week-old ApoE⁻¹â» mice were randomly divided into the model control group, the DR group, the pioglitazone group, and the combined treatment group. Besides, a C57 group was set up consisting of same age C57BL/ 6J mice. Streptozotocin (STZ) was injected to ApoE⁻¹â» mice in the four groups to induce diabetic model, and they were intervened by corresponding drugs. After 12 weeks the effect of DF on glucose-lipid metabolism was observed. mRNA and protein expressions of AdipoR2 in liver were detected. Histomorphological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylineosin ( HE) staining, red Ο fat dyeing, and Masson staining, respectively. Results Contents of fasting blood glucose (FBG) , total cholesterol (TC) , and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were reduced more significantly in the DR group than in the model group. DR could promote liver expression of AdipoR2 mRNA and protein expressions in ApoE⁻¹â» mice, which was significantly higher than that of the model group (P <0. 01) , and better than that of pioglitazone (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). DR could improve ectopic fat deposition and fibrosis of liver cells in diabet- ic ApoE⁻¹â» mice significantly, which was better than that of the pioglitazone group and the combined treatment group. Conclusion DR could significantly improve liver lipid metabolism , and reduce liver fat deposition and fibrosis, which might possibly be associated with promoting AdipoR2 expression in liver.

Dan-gua fang improves glycolipid metabolic disorders by promoting hepatic adenosine 5'-monophosphate activated protein kinase expression in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Dan-gua Fang on adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) activated protein kinase (AMPK) α expression in liver and subsequent improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism. METHODS: Forty 13-week-old diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were randomly divided into model, Dan-gua Fang, metformin and simvastatin groups (n=10 for each), and fed high-fat diet ad libitum. Ten Wistar rats were used as normal group and fed normal diet. After 24 weeks, liver expression of AMPKα mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR. AMPKα and phospho-AMPKα protein expression in liver was evaluated by Western blot. Liver histomorphology was carried out after hematoxylin-eosin staining, and blood glucose (BG), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), food intake and body weight recorded. RESULTS: Similar AMPKα mRNA levels were found in the Dan-gua Fang group and normal group, slightly higher than the values obtained for the remaining groups (P<0.05). AMPKα protein expression in the Dan-gua Fang group animals was similar to other diabetic rats, whereas phospho-AMPKα (Thr-172) protein levels were markedly higher than in the metformin group and simvastatin group (P<0.05), respectively. However, phosphor-AMPKα/AMPKα ratios were similar in all groups. Dan-gua Fang reduced fasting blood glucose with similar strength to metformin, and was superior in reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as improving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in comparison with simvastatin and metformin. Dan-gua Fang decreases plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) significantly. CONCLUSION: Dan-gua Fang, while treating phlegm-stasis, could decrease BG and lipid in type 2 diabetic GK rats fed with high-fat diet, and effectively protect liver histomorphology and function. This may be partly explained by increased AMPK expression in liver. Therefore, Dan-gua Fang might be an ideal drug for comprehensive intervention for glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Protection of Electro-acupuncture for Gastric Mucosa of Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on gastric mucosal oxygenation and systemic inflammatory response in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with controlled hypotension (CH), and to explore its protective effect on gastric mucosa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four patients, 18-65 years old, grade I-II of American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), who were scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery were randomly assigned to two groups, group A (general anesthesia group) and group B (general anesthesia combined EA anesthesia group), 27 in each group. Conrolled hypotension was executed during operation, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was maintained at 55-65 mmHg. After tracheal intubation gastric tesiometer catheter was indwelled through nasal cavity or oral cavity. After successful indwelling, it was connected with gastric mucosa monitoring mode of multifunctional parameters monitor. Patients' MAP and heart rate (HR), pHi, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PgCO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pg-aCO2) and endtidal pressure of carbon dioxide (Pg-etCO2) were measured and recorded at T, (immediately before induced hypotension), T, (20 min following induced hypotension to target MAP), T2 (40 min following induced hypotension to target MAP), T3 (20 min after ending induced hypotension), and T4(40 min after ending induced hypotension). Blood samples were intravenously collected, TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6 were detected by ELISA 24 h before operation, during operation (T3), and 24 h after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After hypotension was induced, Pg-CO2, Pg-aCO2 and Pg-etCO2 increased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), while pHi decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in both groups at T1-T4 than those at T0. During T1-T4, PgCO2, Pg-aCO2, and Pg-etCO2 were higher (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), while pHi was lower in group A than in group B (P < 0.01). Furthermore, TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6 increased significantly in both groups during operation and 24 h after operation, when compared with those 24 h before operation (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). TNF-alpha and IL-1 in group A were higher than those in group B (P < 0.05) during operation and 24 h after operation, but with no significant difference in the plasma concentration of IL-6 (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA exerted obvious protective effect of gastric mucosal injury in endoscopic sinus surgery with controlled hypotension, which might be achieved by increasing gastric mucosal blood flow, maintaining oxygen supply and demand, inhibiting inflammatory response, and alleviating injury of gastric mucosal barrier.</p>

[Clinical examples of professor LI Zhi-dao's "tonifying three qi" acupuncture method].

Professor LI Zhi-dao, according to acupoint selection of syndrome differentiation in TCM basic theory, concluded a new therapy, namely "tonifying three qi" that is mainly based on three acupoints in the Conception Vessel. This method is consisted of Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6) in the Conception Vessel, which could successively nourish clear qi, stomach qi and original qi. In clinic, according to the severity of symptoms of three qi, the acupoints are selected flexibly, which could respectively treat deficiency of heart-lung qi, deficiency of stomach-spleen qi and deficiency of original qi. Some examples are also given in the article.

[Effect of dangua recipe on glycolipid metabolism and VCAM-1 and its mRNA expression level in Apo E(-/-) mice with diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Dangua Recipe (DGR) on glycolipid metabolism, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and its mRNA expression level of transgenic Apo E(-/-) mouse with spontaneous atherosclerosis, thus revealing its partial mechanism for curing diabetes mellitus (DM) with angiopathy. METHODS: Diabetic model was prepared by peritoneally injecting streptozotocin (STZ) to Apo E(-/-) mouse. Totally 32 modeled mice were stratified by body weight, and then divided into 4 groups referring to blood glucose levels from low to high by random digit table, i.e., the model group (MOD, fed with sterile water, at the daily dose of 15 mL/kg), the DGR group (fed with DGR at the daily dose of 15 mL/kg), the combination group (COM, fed with DGR at the daily dose of 15 mL/kg and pioglitazone at the daily dose of 4.3 mg/kg), and the pioglitazone group (PIO, at the daily dose of 4.3 mg/kg), 8 in each group. Another 8 normal glucose C57 mouse of the same age and strain were recruited as the control group. All interventions lasted for 12 weeks by gastrogavage. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), body weight, food intake, water intake, skin temperature, the length of tail, and the degree of fatty liver were monitored. The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), and LDL-C were determined. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) was determined by radioimmunoassay. Nitrogen monoxidum (NO) was determined by nitrate reductase. The kidney tissue VCAM-1 level was analyzed with ELISA. The expression of VCAM-1 mRNA in the kidney tissue was detected with real time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the body weight and food intake decreased, water intake increased in all the other model groups (P < 0.05). Besides, the curve of blood glucose was higher in all the other model groups than in the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the body weight increased; levels of HbAlc, TC, LDL-C, ET-1, and VCAM-1 were significantly lower; and skin temperature was higher in the DGR group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the PIO group, body weight, the increment of body weight, FBG, TC, and LDL-C were lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); food intake and water intake increased more and the tail length was longer in the DRG group (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the level of NO among groups. The degree of fatty liver in the model group was significantly severer than that in the control group (P < 0.05). It was obviously alleviated in the DGR group (P < 0.05) when compared with the model group and the PIO group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). But it was severer in the PIO group than in the model group (P < 0.01). The degree of fatty liver in the combination group ranged between that of the DGR group and the PIO group (P < 0.05). The level of VCAM-1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the DGR group than in the model group, the PIO group, and the combination group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DGR had effect in lowering blood glucose and blood lipids, and fighting against fatty liver of transgenic Apo E(-/-) mouse with spontaneous atherosclerosis. DGR played an effective role in preventing and treating DM with angiopathy by comprehensively regulating glycolipid metabolism and promoting the vascular function.

The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colorectal cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Adjuvant chemotherapy use in stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) is debated. We evaluated the prognostic significance of clinicopathological features recommended by most guidelines for identifying high-risk stage II CRC and adjuvant chemotherapeutic response. METHODS: We enrolled 1,039 stage II CRC patients who underwent curative surgery at Taipei Veterans General Hospital from January 2005 to December 2010. Seventy-seven patients who received radiotherapy were excluded. The endpoint was disease-free survival. RESULTS: Of 962 patients, 37 had stage T4 tumors; 50, lymphovascular invasion; 39, poor differentiation; 249, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels >5 ng/mL; and 53 underwent emergent operations. One hundred ninety-four patients received 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy. During a median follow-up period of 60.2 months, recurrence developed in 110 patients (11.4 %). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 87.6 %. In multivariate analysis, preoperative CEA >5 ng/ml (p = 0.001), emergent operation for obstruction/perforation (p = 0.008), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.014), and T4 disease (p = 0.030) were significantly associated with poor DFS. High-risk stage II patients (n = 484) benefited from adjuvant chemotherapy (5-year DFS with and without adjuvant chemotherapy, 87.3 vs. 78.9 %; p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy improved DFS in high-risk stage II CRC patients, but not in low-risk patients.

Assessment of the value of carcinoembryonic antigen reduction ratio as a prognosis factor in rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the most widely used tumor marker for colorectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the role of CEA reduction ratio after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: We enrolled 284 patients who underwent preoperative CRT followed by radical surgical resection. Patients were divided into 3 groups: serum CEA levels before CRT (pre-CRT CEA) less than 5 ng/mL (group 1); pre-CRT CEA of 5 ng/mL or more with CEA reduction ratio of 50% or more (group 2); and pre-CRT CEA of 5 ng/mL or more with CEA reduction ratio less than 50% (group 3). RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was not different between groups 1 (71.8%) and 2 (69.4%) but was significantly lower in group 3 (49.5%). CEA group, lymph node status after CRT (ypN) stage, and histologic type were independent prognostic factors for DFS on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: CEA reduction ratio might be an independent prognostic factor for DFS in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative CRT and radical surgery.

Effect of application of acupuncture-anesthetic composite anesthesia on hysteroscopic surgery: a clinical study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the analgesic effect and safety of acupuncture-anesthetic composite anesthesia (AACA) in hysteroscopic surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 93 patients undergoing hysteroscopic surgery were randomly assigned to the intravenous anesthesia group (A group, 30 cases), the AACA group (B group, 32 cases), and the acupuncture combined with intravenous anesthesia group (C group, 31 cases). Patients in Group A were anesthetized by sufentanil combined propofol. Those in Group B were anesthetized by sufentanil combined acupuncture. Those in Group C were anesthetized by sufentanil, propofol combined acupuncture. Yinlian and Ququan (LR8) were needled for patients in Group B and C. The peri-operative mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SpO2), the surgical time, the recovery time, the sufentanil and propofol dosages, adverse anesthesia reactions were observed. Meanwhile, the OAA/S score, Ramsay sedation score, and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with Group A and C, patients in Group B were awake, with obvious increased OAA/S score (P < 0.01). Ramsay sedation score was significantly lower (P < 0.01).The MAP and HR were elevated (P < 0.05). The patient case of SpO2 less than 85% during the operation decreased (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative dizziness was reduced (P < 0.05). Compared with Group A, the propofol consumption decreased in Group C (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the operation time, the sufentanil dosage, VAS score, the incidence of postoperative nause- a and vomiting among the three groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The patients were awake in AACA. The intraoperative sedation was better than that obtained by intravenous anesthesia. But the analgesic effect was similar to that obtained by intravenous anesthesia.</p>

Clinical examples of professor LI Zhi-dao's "tonifying three qi" acupuncture method / 中国针灸

Professor LI Zhi-dao, according to acupoint selection of syndrome differentiation in TCM basic theory, concluded a new therapy, namely "tonifying three qi" that is mainly based on three acupoints in the Conception Vessel. This method is consisted of Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6) in the Conception Vessel, which could successively nourish clear qi, stomach qi and original qi. In clinic, according to the severity of symptoms of three qi, the acupoints are selected flexibly, which could respectively treat deficiency of heart-lung qi, deficiency of stomach-spleen qi and deficiency of original qi. Some examples are also given in the article.

[Research of Dangua Recipe on intervening the glycolipid metabolism and oxidative stress in diabetic rats with atherosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Dangua Recipe (DGR) on glycolipid metabolism, serum reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) positive expression and its mRNA expression level in the thoracic aorta of diabetic rats with atherosclerosis, thus revealing its partial mechanisms for intervening chronic diabetic complications. METHODS: Recruited 40 Goto-Kakisaki (GK) Wistar rats were fed with high fat forage containing metabolic inhibition Propylthiouracil, and peritoneally injected with endothelial NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester to establish a high fat diabetes model with atherosclerosis. The modeled GK rats were stratified by body weight, and then, by blood glucose level from high to low, randomly divided into the DGR group (at the daily dose of 8 mL/kg), the metformin group (MET, at the daily dose of 150 mg/kg), the simvastatin group (SIM, at the daily dose of 2 mg/kg), and the model group (MOD, fed with pure water, at the daily dose of 8 mL/kg) according to the random number table, 10 in each group. Another 10 Wistar rats of the same ages and comparable body weight level were recruited as the normal control group. All the interventions lasted for 24 weeks by gastrogavage. The fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight were monitored. The HbA1c, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, serum ROS were determined. The aortic NF-kappaB level was analyzed with immunohistochemical assay. The expression of NF-kappaB (P65) mRNA in the aorta was detected with Real-time PCR. RESULTS: The body weight in the normal control group was eventually heavier than others (P < 0.01). There was no difference among the four groups of GK modeled rats (P > 0.05). The FBG in the four GK modeled groups were higher than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the blood glucose level at the first visit and at the baseline among the GK modeled groups (P > 0.05). The last FBG level was obviously lower in the MET and DGR groups than in the MOD group (P < 0.01) and the SIM group (P < 0.05). Twenty-four weeks after intervention, the level of FBG, HbA1c, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and NF-kappaB positive expression rate of the thoracic aorta of the four groups of GK modeled rats, and NF-kappaB mRNA expression in the thoracic aorta in the MOD group, the MET group, and the DGR group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The TG level, serum ROS in the MET, DGR, and SIM groups, and the NF-kappaB mRNA expression level in the thoracic aorta in the SIM group were significantly lower than those in the normal control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The levels of FBG, TC, LDL-C, serum ROS, NF-kappaB mRNA expression level in the thoracic aorta in three drug intervention groups, and NF-kappaB positive expression rate in the DGR and MET groups, and the levels of HbA1c, TG in the DGR group were significantly lower than those in the MOD group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The level of FBG in the MET and DGR groups were lower than that in the SIM group (P < 0.05). The level of NF-kappaB mRNA expression in the thoracic aorta of the SIM and DGR groups, and the levels of TC and LDL-C in the DGR group were significantly lower than those in the MET group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: DGR played a role in preventing and treating chronic diabetic complications by comprehensively regulating blood glucose and serum lipids, as well as down-regulating oxidative stress.

Toxicity features of high glucose on endothelial cell cycle and protection by Dan Gua-Fang in ECV-304 in high glucose medium.

OBJECTIVE: To study the toxicity features of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle and the influence of Dan Gua-Fang, a Chinese herbal compound prescription, on the reproductive cycle of vascular endothelial cells cultivated under a high glucose condition; to reveal the partial mechanisms of Dan Gua-Fang in the prevention and treatment of endothelial injury caused by hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus (DM); and offer a reference for dealing with the vascular complications of DM patients with long-term high blood glucose. METHODS: Based on the previous 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (z-y1)-3-5-diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) experiment, under different medium concentrations of glucose and Dangua liquor, the endothelial cells of vein-304 (ECV-304) were divided into 6 groups as follows: standard culture group (Group A, 5.56 mmol/L glucose); 1/300 herb-standard group (Group B); high glucose culture group (Group C, 16.67 mmol/L glucose); 1/150 herb-high glucose group (Group D); 1/300 herb-high glucose group (Group E); and 1/600 herb-high glucose group (Group F). The cell cycle was assayed using flow cytometry after cells were cultivated for 36, 72 and 108 h, respectively. RESULTS: (1) The percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased in Group C compared with that in Group A (P<0.05), while the percentage of S-phase (S%) cells in Group C was significantly reduced compared with Group A (P<0.05); the latter difference was dynamically related to the length of growing time of the endothelial cells in a high glucose environment. (2) The S% cells in Group A was decreased by 30.25% (from 40.23% to 28.06%) from 36 h to 72 h, and 12.33% (from 28.06% to 24.60%) from 72 h to 108 h; while in Group C, the corresponding decreases were 23.05% and 21.87%, respectively. The difference of S% cells between the two groups reached statistical significance at 108 h (P<0.05). (3) The percentage difference of cells in the G2/M phase between Group C and Group A was statistically significant at 72 h (P<0.01). (4) 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely reversed the harmful effect caused by 16.67 mmol/L high glucose on the cell cycle; moreover it did not disturb the cell cycle when the cell was cultivated in a glucose concentration of 5.56 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: High glucose produces an independent impact on the cell cycle. Persistent blocking of the cell cycle and its arrest at the G0/G1 phase are toxic effects of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle. The corresponding variation of the arrest appears in the S phase. 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely eliminates the blockage of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle.

Impacts of electroacupuncture at different frequencies on the postoperative nausea and vomiting of patients with laparoscopic surgery / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the impacts on postoperative nausea and vomiting of the patients with laparoscopic surgery undergoing the general anesthesia by electroacupuncture (EA) at different frequencies at bilateral Neiguan (PC 6).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty female patients with laparoscopic surgery undergoing the general anesthesia were randomized into 4 groups: 2 Hz EA treatment group (group A), 2 Hz/100 Hz EA treatment group (group B), 100 Hz EA treatment group (group C) and a control group (group D), 30 cases in each one. The same anesthetic program was adopted in each group. For the patients in A, B and C groups, in the first half a hour undergoing the conventional drug anesthesia, acupuncture was applied to bilateral Neiguan (PC 6). After arrival of qi, HANS-200A electroacupuncture apparatus was connected, at the frequency as 2 Hz, 2 Hz/100 Hz and 100 Hz separately. The electric stimulation was discontinued at the end of surgery. The life physical signs after surgery, the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and the severity grades of postoperative nausea and vomiting were observed and recorded for the patients in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The differences in the postoperative 1 h heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), finger pulse oxygen saturation and respiratory frequency were not significant statistically in comparison of the patients among groups (all P > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting of the patients in group B was lower apparently than that in A, C and D groups [10.0% (3/30) vs 30.0% (9/30), 36.7% (11/30), 53.3% (16/30), all P < 0.01]. The severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting of the patients in group B was lower apparently than that in the rest three groups (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The electroacupuncture at 2 Hz/100 Hz reduces effectively the incidence and the severity of postopera tive nausea and vomiting of the patients with laparoscopic surgery undergoing the general anesthesia.</p>

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by metastasectomy converts to survival benefit in stage IV rectum cancer.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the impact of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) on stage IV rectum cancer. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2011, 297 consecutive patients diagnosed with stage IV rectum cancer (synchronous metastasis) were enrolled. Cox proportional hazard analyses were used for prognostic factors determination, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analyses. Propensity scores with the one-to-one nearest-neighbor matching model were used to select matched patients for validation studies. RESULTS: In total, 63 patients received CCRT and 234 did not. The patients in the CCRT group were younger, had more low-lying lesions, and had more T4 lesions, lung metastases, metastasectomies, and oxaliplatin-based upfront chemotherapy. Before propensity-score matching, a younger age (HR = 0.662, P = 0.016), lower carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (≤20 ng/ml) (HR = 0.531, P = 0.001), no metastasectomy (HR = 3.214, P < 0.001), and no CCRT (HR = 1.844, P = 0.019) were independent prognostic factors after controlling for other confounding factors. After matching, only CEA and metastasectomy, but not CCRT, were independent prognostic factors. The survival benefit of CCRT was restricted to patients who undergo subsequent metastasectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Upfront CCRT only provided a survival benefit in patients with stage IV rectum cancer who undergo subsequent metastasectomy.

Xylocoside G reduces amyloid-ß induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway in neuronal cells.

Amyloid-ß (Aß) peptide, which can invoke a cascade of inflammatory responses, is considered to play a causal role in the development and progress of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Xylocoside G (XG) is an active compound isolated from a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Itoa orientalis. We have previously reported that XG has neuroprotective effects, of which the mechanism is yet unknown. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms underlying neuroprotection of XG against Aß-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and primary neurons. Pretreatment with XG significantly attenuated the cell viability reduction induced by Aß exposure in a dose dependent manner which was testified by 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase release assay. In addition, pretreatment with XG countered the effect of Aß on Bax and Bcl-2 expression and repressed Aß-induced caspase-3 activation, suggesting that the neuroprotective effect of XG is associated with apoptosis regulation. Neuroinflammation has been implicated in Aß-induced neuronal death. XG significantly attenuated Aß-stimulated release of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, and prostaglandin E2. It also downregulated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in SH-SY5Y cells. Further molecular mechanism studies demonstrated that XG inhibited Aß-induced NF-κB p65 translocation, which was probably the result of inhibition of JNK phosphorylation but not ERK or p38 MAPK pathway by XG. This is the first study to demonstrate that XG protects SH-SY5Y cells against Aß-induced inflammation and apoptosis by down-regulating NF-κB signaling pathways.

Study of molecular mechanism of tanshinone II A inducing differentiation in acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate molecular mechanism of tanshinone II A inducing differentiation and apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>NB4 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with tanshinone II A and observed cellular morphology, cell category and the cellular proliferation. DNA microarray technique was used to analyze the gene expression profiles of NB4 cells induced by tanshinone II A.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>92.8% of NB4 cells treated with 0.5 mg x L(-1) tanshinone II A were induced into mature neutrophils, in which myetocytes and melamyetocytes were 27.0%, banded and segmented neutrophits 68.2%. Cell growth were inhibited. cDNA microarray showed the enormously expressed 183 genes including 23 differentiation associated genes, and other interrelated genes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tanshinone II A inducing differentiation in NB4 cells may be via regulation of many kinds of genes, especially differentiation associated genes expression. This partially explained the molecular mechanism of tanshinone II A inducing differentiation.</p>