Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on functional connectivity in the related brain regions of patients with depression based on the resting-state fMRI / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the brain effect mechanism and the correlation between brain functional imaging and cognitive function in treatment of depressive disorder (DD) with transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) based on the resting-state functional magenetic reasonance imaging (rs-fMRI).@*METHODS@#Thirty-two DD patients were included in a depression group and 32 subjects of healthy condition were enrolled in a normal group. In the depression group, the taVNS was applied to bilateral Xin (CO15) and Shen (CO10), at disperse-dense wave, 4 Hz/20 Hz in frequency and current intensity ≤20 mA depending on patient's tolerance, 30 min each time, twice daily. The duration of treatment consisted of 8 weeks. The patients of two groups were undertaken rs-fMRI scanning. The scores of Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) were observed in the normal group at baseline and the depression group before and after treatment separately. The differential brain regions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups and the value of degree centrality (DC) of fMRI was obtained. Their correlation was analyzed in terms of HAMD, HAMA and WCST scores.@*RESULTS@#The scores of HAMD and HAMA in the depression group were all higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of HAMD and HAMA were lower than those before treatment in the depression group; the scores of total responses, response errors and perseverative errors of WCST were all lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). The brain regions with significant differences included the left inferior temporal gyrus, the left cerebellar peduncles region 1, the left insula, the right putamen, the bilateral supplementary motor area and the right middle frontal gyrus. After treatment, the value of DC in left supplementary motor area was negatively correlated to HAMD and HAMA scores respectively (r=-0.324, P=0.012; r=-0.310, P=0.015); the value of DC in left cerebellar peduncles region 1 was negatively correlated to the total responses of WCST (r=-0.322, P=0.013), and the left insula was positively correlated to the total responses of WCST (r=0.271, P=0.036).@*CONCLUSION@#The taVNS can modulate the intensity of the functional activities of some brain regions so as to relieve depressive symptoms and improve cognitive function.

Therapeutic effect of ursodeoxycholic acid-berberine supramolecular nanoparticles on ulcerative colitis based on supramolecular system induced by weak bond / 中国中药杂志

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a recurrent, intractable inflammatory bowel disease. Coptidis Rhizoma and Bovis Calculus, serving as heat-clearing and toxin-removing drugs, have long been used in the treatment of UC. Berberine(BBR) and ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA), the main active components of Coptidis Rhizoma and Bovis Calculus, respectively, were employed to obtain UDCA-BBR supramolecular nanoparticles by stimulated co-decocting process for enhancing the therapeutic effect on UC. As revealed by the characterization of supramolecular nanoparticles by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and dynamic light scattering(DLS), the supramolecular nanoparticles were tetrahedral nanoparticles with an average particle size of 180 nm. The molecular structure was described by ultraviolet spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance(H-NMR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the formation of the supramolecular nano-particle was attributed to the mutual electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interaction between BBR and UDCA. Additionally, supramolecular nanoparticles were also characterized by sustained release and pH sensitivity. The acute UC model was induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) in mice. It was found that supramolecular nanoparticles could effectively improve body mass reduction and colon shortening in mice with UC(P<0.001) and decrease disease activity index(DAI)(P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences between the supramolecular nanoparticles group and the mechanical mixture group(P<0.001, P<0.05). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6), and the results showed that supramolecular nanoparticles could reduce serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels(P<0.001) and exhibited an obvious difference with the mechanical mixture group(P<0.01, P<0.05). Flow cytometry indicated that supramolecular nanoparticles could reduce the recruitment of neutrophils in the lamina propria of the colon(P<0.05), which was significantly different from the mechanical mixture group(P<0.05). These findings suggested that as compared with the mechanical mixture, the supramolecular nanoparticles could effectively improve the symptoms of acute UC in mice. The study provides a new research idea for the poor absorption of small molecules and the unsatisfactory therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine and lays a foundation for the research on the nano-drug delivery system of traditional Chinese medicine.

Mechanism of Electroacupuncture Inhibiting Inflammatory Pain by Activating CB2 Receptor to Regulate Autophagy / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective In this study,we attempted to investigate whether Electroacupuncture(EA)could promote the autophagy function in macrophages of inflammatory skin tissues by activating CB2 receptor,thus relieving inflammatory pain induced by CFA in mice,and whether activation of CB2 receptor in NR8383 macrophages cell line can simulate the effect of EA on the autophagy function and mitochondrial damage.Methods Inflammatory pain model was induced by CFA injection into the planta the hind paw of wildtype and CB2 knockout mice.EA or sham EA was applied on the left Huantiao(GB30)and Yanglingquan(GB34)sites.Thermal hyperalgesia was determined with the Hargreaves test.Mechanical sensitivity was assessed with von Frey filaments.NR8383 microphage cell line was used to study the effect of CB2 activation on macrophage function induced by CFA.The expression level of autophagy protein LC3 and p62 in wildtype and CB2 knockout mice skin tissue and NR8383 cell line were determined by Western blot.And flow cytometry analysis was applied to detect damaged mitochondria and mitochondrial superoxide.Results CFA significantly reduced the thermal and mechanical pain threshold in both wildtype and CB2 knockout mice,comparing with the vehicle control groups(P<0.01).EA significantly inhibited thermal and mechanical hyperpathia induced by CFA in wildtype mice(P<0.05),but had no effect on CB2 knockout mice with CFA(P>0.05).CFA significantly increased the expression of p62 protein and decreased LC3-II/I ratio,which was inversed by EA in wildtype mice but wasn't affected by EA in CB2 knockout mice.CFA increased the expression of p62 protein and decreased LC3-II/I ratio in NR8383 cell line,which were inversed by CB2 agonist AM1241.CFA increased mitochondria damage,which were then attenuated by CB2 agonist AM1241.Conclusion The analgesic effect of EA on inflammatory pain induced by CFA was mediated by activation of CB2 receptor,which promoted the autophagy function and the clearance of damaged mitochondria in macrophage.

Protective Mechanism of Total Flavonoids of Lavender Against Skin Photoaging in Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the protective effect of total flavonoids of lavender on skin photoaging induced by ultraviolet B （UVB） in mice and to explore its mechanism from the perspective of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） antioxidant pathway. MethodEighty-four female KM mice were randomly divided into seven groups， namely blank group， model group， solvent group， vitamin E （0.013 g·kg-1） group， as well as low-， middle-， and high-dose （0.25， 1.25， 2.50 g·kg-1） groups of total flavonoids of lavender. The naked skin on the back of mice was irradiated with UVB for inducing optical damage. Thirty minutes before irradiation， the skin was coated with the total flavonoids of lavender. After continuous irradiation for one week， the skin moisture and elasticity on the back of mice were evaluated， and the effects of total flavonoids of lavender on histopathological changes in mouse skin were investigated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Van Gieson （VG） staining. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， total antioxidant capacity （T-AOC）， nitric oxide synthase （NOS）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） after skin homogenization were detected by colorimetry， the inflammatory factors interleukin-1 （IL-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in skin tissue by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1 （Keap1）， BTB-CNC homology 1 （Bach1）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）， and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit （GCLC） by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly increased appearance score （P<0.01）， reduced skin moisture and elasticity （P<0.01）， pronounced pathological changes in the skin tissue like epidermal thickening， scabbing， small abscess， and severe injury， elevated MDA， NOS， IL-1， IL-6 and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered SOD， T-AOC， Nrf2， Keap1， NQO1 and GCLC mRNA expression （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and up-regulated Bach1 mRNA expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the total flavonoids of lavender at the low， middle， and high doses all remarkably reduced the appearance score （P<0.01）， enhanced the skin moisture and elasticity （P<0.01）， diminished the MDA， NOS， IL-1， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased SOD， T-AOC， Nrf2， Keap1， NQO1， HO-1 and GCLC mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of Bach1 mRNA （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe protective effect of the total flavonoids of lavender against skin photoaging in mice is significant， which may be related to its activation of Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway， regulation of oxidative stress， and improvement of inflammatory response.

Revealing the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on migraine using neuroimaging: a narrative review / 生理学报

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by attacks of moderate or severe headache and various neurological symptoms. Acupuncture, as a commonly used non-pharmacological therapy, has the advantage of obvious therapeutic effect and few side effects in the prevention and treatment of migraine. But the underlying mechanism of acupuncture on migraine remains unclear. Recently, advances in neuroimaging technology have helped to objectively assess the effect of acupuncture on treating migraine and offered new opportunities to explore the central mechanism of acupuncture on treating migraine. In order to better understand the current status of neuroimaging studies on the therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture on migraine and shed light on future research, this review aims to overview the neuroimaging studies in recent 10 years from two aspects: (1) Central mechanism of acupuncture on treating acute migraine attack; (2) Central mechanism of acupuncture on preventing migraine attack.

Effect of Juanbitang Combined with Iontophoresis and Warm Acupuncture in Treatment of Wind Cold and Blocking Collaterals Syndrome Due to External Humeral Epicondylitis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Juanbitang iontophoresis combined with warm acupuncture in treatment of wind cold and blocking collaterals syndrome due to external humeral epicondylitis (EH) and the effect on serum oxidative stress index. Method:From January 2018 to October 2019, 180 patients with EH wind cold and blocking collaterals syndrome were randomly divided into the warm acupuncture group, the traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） group and the combination group, with 60 cases in each group. The TCM group was treated with modified Juanbitang combined local iontophoresis at Quchi (affected side), Zhouliao (affected side), Ashi (affected side), 30 min/time/day, while the warm acupuncture group was treated with warm acupuncture once a day, 5 days/week. The combination group was treated with warm acupuncture in addition to the therapy of the TCM group, and the three groups were treated for 4 weeks. JOA’s elbow joint function scale, HSS’ elbow joint score scale and pain visual simulation score (VAS) were used to evaluate the symptoms and signs and the improvement of daily life before and after treatment. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） method was used to detect the contents of late oxidized protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in serum of patients before and after treatment. The cure rate, the total effective rate and the recurrence rate of 1 month and 3 months after treatment were compared. Result:Compared with before treatment, JOA and HSS scores increased, whereas VAS scores decreased (P<0.05). AOPP and MDA contents decreased, while SOD and HO-1 contents increased in the combination group and the TCM group (P<0.05). Compared with the TCM group and the warm acupuncture group after treatment, JOA, HSS score and pain R value increased, whereas VAS score decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the warm acupuncture group after treatment, serum AOPP, MDA content decreased, while SOD, HO-1 content increased (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the cure rate and the effective rate of combination group were higher than those of the TCM group (χ2cure rate=4.617, χ2effective rate=6.471, P<0.05) and the warming acupuncture group (χ2cure rate=4.207, χ2effective rate=6.775, P<0.05). One month after the treatment, the cure rate and the effective rate of the combination group were higher than those of the TCM group (χ2cure rate=7.617, χ2effective rate=13.347, P<0.05) and the warm acupuncture group (χ2cure rate=4.762, χ2effective rate=6.277, P<0.05). The recurrence rate of the combination group was lower than that of the TCM group (χ2=9.32, P<0.05) and the warm acupuncture group (χ2=3.899, P<0.05). Three months after the treatment, the cure rate and the effective rate of the combination group were higher than those of the TCM group (χ2cure rate=4.789, χ2effective rate=9.643, P<0.05) and the warm acupuncture group (χ2cure rate=4.458, χ2effective rate=9.251, P<0.05). The recurrence rate of the combination group was lower than that of the TCM group (χ2=4.599, P<0.05) and the warm acupuncture group (χ2=4.518, P<0.05). Conclusion:Modified Juanbitang and the warm acupuncture has a good clinical efficacy in the treatment of EH wind cold and blocking collaterals syndrome and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Effect of acupuncture at proximal and distal acupoints combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on children with cerebral palsy salivation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of acupuncture at the proximal and distal acupoints combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for the children with cerebral palsy salivation on the basis of oral function training.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 124 children were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 62 cases in each one. Oral function training (30 min a time) and NMES (20 min a time) were used in the two groups. Acupuncture was applied after NMES in the observation group. The main acupoints were Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Speech AreaⅠ, Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. Scalp acupuncture was for 1 h, and body acupuncture was for 30 min. Pricking blood was used at Jinjin (EX-HN 12) and Yuye (EX-HN 13) for the patients of Ⅴ in teacher salivation grading (TDS). All the treatment was given for 3 courses, 30 days as a course, 5 times a week, once a day. TDS, safety, dysphagia and Gesell development scale were assessed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the total effective rate of TDS in the observation group was 83.9% (52/62), which was better than 58.1% (36/62) in the control group (<0.05). The total effective rate of dysphasia in the observation group was 88.7% (55/62), which was better than 69.4% (43/62) in the control group (<0.05). The lip and tongue movement, chewing and swallowing after treatment in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all <0.05). After treatment, the Gesell development scale of adaptability, language behavior and personal social development quotient were better compared with those before treatment in the observation group (all <0.05); the language behavior improved after treatment in the control group (<0.05). The adaptability, language behavior and personal social development quotient after treatment in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (<0.05，<0.01). The adverse reactions in the observation group were less than those in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at the proximal and distal acupoints combined with NMES are better than simple NMES for children with cerebral palsy salivation. The methods could not only improve children's behavior cognitive ability, but also improve the sensation and motor coordination of the lip, tongue, pharynx, etc. As a result, the salivation and swallowing function improve.</p>

Improvement of Synaptic Plasticity Injury of Alzheimer's Disease Rats by Electro-acupuncture at Different Frequency Through Regulating Protein and Phosphorylation Levels of GSK-3β / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the mechanism of electro-acupuncture (EA) at different frequency in improving synaptic plasticity injury in Alzheimer's disease(AD) rats, and to provide the theoretical basis for the clinical application of electro-acupuncture for the treatment of AD. Methods Ninety Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, sham-operation group, and 2 Hz, 30 Hz, 50 Hz acupuncture groups, 15 rats in each group. AD rat model was established by injection of amyloid β1-42 (Aβ1-42) into the lateral ventricle. The rats in EA groups were treated with EA on Baihui and Shenshu acupoints at different frequencies (2, 30, 50 Hz). Learning and memory ability and space exploration ability of rats in each group were measured by Morris water maze test. The synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampus was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Nerve fibers were stained using Golgi techniques. The protein and phosphorylation levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) in the brain tissues were detected by Western blotting method. Results(1) Compared with the normal group, the average escape latency time in the model group was significantly prolonged (P < 0.05), and the number of platform crossing was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), indicating that AD model had been established successfully. The average escape latency of rats in EA groups was significantly shortened and the frequency of platform crossing was increased as compared with those of the model group (P < 0.05). (2) The synaptic morphology of the hippocampus showed that the anterior membrane, posterior membrane and the interspace of the synapses in the model group were blurred, and the membrane structures of synapses were incomplete and dissolved. But the synaptic ultrastructures of the 3 EA groups were improved.(3) In the model group, the neurofibrillary tangles were found in the brain tissue, while the neurofibrillary tangles were relieved and the nerve fibers became clear in EA groups.(4) The levels of GSK-3β and GSK-3β(pTyr216) in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P < 0.05), whearas the GSK-3β(pSer9) level was significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05). In the EA groups, the levels of GSK-3βand GSK-3β(pTyr216) were down-regulated, while GSK-3β(pSer9) level was increased with the frequency of EA, and there was significant difference compared with the model group (P<0.05). (5) Compared with 2 Hz and 30 Hz EA groups, the number of plateau crossing, the average escape latency and the protein and phosphorylation levels of GSK-3β in 50 Hz EA group were significantly improved (P < 0.05). The improvement of synaptic morphology and neurofibrillary tangles of 50 Hz EA group was superior to that of the other 2 EA groups. Conclusion EA at different frequency can improve the learning and memory ability of AD rats, and the effect of 50 Hz is stronger. The therapeutic effect might be achieved by regulating the expression level of GSK-3βprotein and phosphorylation levels, which can improve synaptic plasticity damage of AD rats.

[Research on Test Method of Metallic Element Contained in Tea Based on EDXRF Technique].

As it has been certified by experimental testing that when using the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) method to analyze the metallic elements contained in the tea the energy segment of effective X-ray fluorescence photons is located between 3 and 16 keV. Accordingly the spectral correction element is targeted at the copper elements located near the energy center(8 keV). The copper elements are also used as the picketage to be the standard curve. In the energy segment of effective X-ray fluorescence photons contained in the tea 1.25 mg · kg(-1) of the average detection limit was obtained by using the spiked method to analyze four elements of copper, iron, zinc and lead. Compared with the flame atomic absorption spectrum(FAAS), the actual relative error of the tested value by EDXRF is less than 6%, and the relative standard deviation is less than 5%. The result by T test shows that p > 0.05. The conclusions are that there are no statistically significant differences between EDXRF and FAAS. The measured results gained by the two methods agree with each other. And EDXRF can be used thoroughly to test the metal contents contained in the tea. The result shows that it is feasible to test the metallic contents contained in the tea by EDXRF, and its measured result can meet the requirements of field testing and analysis.

Effects of miR-9 and tetramethylpyrazine on activation of hepatic stellate cells.

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are involved in regulation of the incidence and development of several hepatic diseases. Thus manipulating miRNAs may be a promising therapeutic strategy against these entities. In this study hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were transfected with hsa-miR-9 or anti-hsa-miR-9, treated with tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), or subjected to treatment with TMP and hsa-miR-9 transfection (combined treatment group). Then, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to measure mRNA levels of hsa-miR-9. Expression of hsa-miR-9 was highest in the combination treatment group compared with other groups, and significantly higher than TMP-treated and hsa-miR-9-transfected groups (both p<0.05). The anti-hsa-miR-9-transfected group expressed the lowest mRNA level of hsa-miR-9 with marked decrease versus control (p<0.05). Downstream factors that may be affected by miR-9 such as leptin, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and collagen I, as well as phosphorylation levels of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were investigated at the protein level. All these factors were regulated contrariwise to expression trends of hsa-miR-9, showing the lowest level in the combination treatment group and highest level in anti-hsa-miR-9-transfected group. These results suggest that both transfection of hsa-miR-9 and TMP can lead to upregulated endogenous expression of hsa-miR-9, inhibit activation of JAK1/STAT3 signal pathway induced by leptin, and lead to reduction of α-SMA and collagen I-thus impeding activation of HSC.

The effect of scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training on the regulation of neuro-plasticity-associated protein MAP-2 in gerbils modelling cerebral ischemia and reperfusion / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe the effect of scalp acupuncture and rehabilitation training on the regulation of neuro-plasticity-associated protein MAP-2 in gerbils modelling cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.Methods Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion were modelled into thirty-six male gerbils.They were then randomly divided into a model group (A),a scalp acupuncture and rehabilitation training group (B) and a rehabilitation training group (C),each of 12 cases.The scalp acupuncture and rehabilitation training were administered daily to the gerbils in group B beginning 24 h after modeling,for 14 d.Any changes in Bederson scores were observed after one,7 and 14 days.On the 14th day the expression of MAP-2 around the infarct focus was detected using western blotting in all 3 groups.Results On the 7th day the average Bederson score in group B (1.81 ± 0.52) was not significantly different from that in group A (2.13 ± 0.49) or group C (2.00 ± 0.31) (P ＞ 0.05).At the end of the treatment,however,there were significant differences between the groups,with group B (0.47 ± 0.31) scoring significantly better than groups C (1.04 ± 0.63) and A (1.46 ± 0.72) (P ＜ 0.05).Group C was also significantly better than group A (P ＜0.05).The expression of MAP-2 as measured as integrated optical intensity (IOD) in group B (0.91 ±0.18) was significantly higher than that in group A (0.43 ± 0.21) and group C (0.67 ± 0.24) (P ＜ 0.05) ; so was group C compared to group A (P ＜0.05).Conclusion The scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training can improve the recovery of motor function and enhance the expression of neuro-plasticity-associated protein MAP-2 in gerbils with after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.

Relationship among Neuropsychological Factors, De Qi and Effect of Acupuncture on Chronic Alcoholic Periph-eral Neuropathy in Male Adults / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To study the relationship among neuropsychological factors, De Qi, and efficacy of acupuncture on chronic alco-holic peripheral neuropathy (CAPN) patients. Methods 55 male patients with CAPN were randomized into acupuncture manipulation group (n=25) and non-manipulation group (n=25). The degree of symptoms and clinical efficacy in patients were evaluated with Neuropathy Im-pairment Score in the Lower Limbs (NIS-LL) and Neurological Severity Score (NSS). The levels of De Qi for patients and acupuncturists were assessed by Subjective Acupuncture Sensation Scale (SASS), the psychological factors in patients were tested with Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). Results 7, 14, 21, 28 days after treatment, the scores of De Qi and the average score were significantly higher in the manipulation group than in the non-manipulation group (P<0.05). The higher the scores of warmth, independence, intelligence, irritability and sensitivity, the more susceptible to SASS. 14, 28 days after treatment, the scores of SASS were lower in the depression group and anxiety group than in the healthy group (P<0.05). 28 days after treatment, the scores of NIS-LL and NSS were higher in the depression group and anxiety group than in the healthy group (P<0.05), and were lower in the acupuncture manipulation group than in the non-manipulation group (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture is effective on CAPN. The neuropsychological factors play important role in De Qi and the efficacy.

Therapeutic Observation of Acupuncture-moxibustion for Chronic Non-bacterial Prostatitis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNBP), and its effect on the inflammatory cytokines in prostatic fluid. Methods A hundred CNBP patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 50 in each group. The control group was intervened by oral administration of Tamsulosin Hydrochloride sustained-release capsules, while the treatment group was additionally treated with acupuncture-moxibustion. After 28-day treatment, changes of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, COX-2, PGE2, TNF-α, MIP-2, and iNOS contents were observed, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Results The IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, COX-2, PGE2, TNF-α, MIP-2, and iNOS contents were significantly changed after intervention in both groups (P<0.05). The contents of IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, COX-2, PGE2, TNF-α, MIP-2, and iNOS contents in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group after intervention (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 89.4% in the treatment group versus 78.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture-moxibustion is an effective method in treating CNBP, and can improve the associated indexes of prostatic fluid.

A correlation research on Chinese medical syndromes of chronic heart failure and various complications / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation between various complications of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and Chinese medical syndromes, thus indicating distribution laws of Chinese medical syndromes in various complications of CHF patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chinese medical syndrome typing was performed in 630 CHF patients by cross-sectional study of the demographic data, history of present diseases, related information on Chinese medical four diagnostic methods, and the distribution of complications. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation of various complications of CHF patients and Chinese medical syndromes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this study, recruited were common complications such as hypertension, diabetes, arrhythmia, hyperlipemia, and cerebral vascular accident, and so on. Main syndromes were sequenced as qi deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, water retention syndrome, yin deficiency syndrome, phlegm turbid syndrome, yang deficiency syndrome. Results of Logistic regression analysis indicated that correlation existed between common complications and Chinese medical syndromes. In CHF complicated hypertension patients, Logistic regression analysis showed qi deficiency syndrome and yang deficiency syndrome were negatively correlated with hypertension (P < 0.05). In CHF complicated diabetes patients, Logistic regression analysis showed phlegm turbid syndrome and water retention syndrome were positively correlated with diabetes (P < 0.05). In CHF complicated arrhythmia patients, there was no statistical difference in the distribution of each syndrome (P > 0.05). In CHF complicated hyperlipemia patients, Logistic regression analysis showed qi deficiency syndrome and water retention syndrome were negatively correlated with hyperlipemia (P < 0.05), while blood stasis syndrome, yin deficiency syndrome, and phlegm turbid syndrome were positively correlated with hyperlipemia (P < 0.01). In CHF complicated cerebral vascular accident patients, Logistic regression analysis showed qi deficiency syndrome and yang deficiency syndrome were negatively correlated with cerebral vascular accident (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There existed certain correlations between complications of CHF and the distribution of main Chinese medical syndromes. It could be used as guidance for treating CHF and its various complications by Chinese medicine and pharmacy.</p>

1H NMR based metabonomics study on the antidepressant effect of genipin in rat hippocampus / 药学学报

The purpose of this study is to explore depression metabolic markers in rat hippocampus and to investigate the anti-depressant effect of genipin and its mechanisms using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was conducted to establish the depressive rat model. At the beginning of the third week, genipin low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)), middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)), high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)), and venlafaxine (50 mg x kg(-1)) were given to the CUMS rats separately once daily for two weeks except control and model groups. Rat hippocampus was analyzed by 1H NMR based metabonomics after drug administration for 2 weeks. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of rat hippocampus of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed with metabolic effects of CUMS including decreasing in glycine and N-acetylaspartate, increasing in inositol, glutamate, lactate, glutamine, taurine and alanine. Genipin showed ideal antidepressive effects at a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1) in rats, decrease of inositol, glutamate, lactate, alanine were observed, while glycine and N-acetylaspartate were increased. Important influence has been found on normal nervous system function of these significant changed metabolites, which suggests that the antidepressant effect of genipin may be played by enhancing the activity of neurons in hippocampus, repairing and improving the function of the neuron. The metabonomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the anti-depressant effect and pharmacologic mechanisms of genipin.

1H NMR based metabonomics study on the antidepressant effect of genipin in rat hippocampus / 药学学报

The purpose of this study is to explore depression metabolic markers in rat hippocampus and to investigate the anti-depressant effect of genipin and its mechanisms using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was conducted to establish the depressive rat model. At the beginning of the third week, genipin low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)), middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)), high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)), and venlafaxine (50 mg x kg(-1)) were given to the CUMS rats separately once daily for two weeks except control and model groups. Rat hippocampus was analyzed by 1H NMR based metabonomics after drug administration for 2 weeks. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of rat hippocampus of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed with metabolic effects of CUMS including decreasing in glycine and N-acetylaspartate, increasing in inositol, glutamate, lactate, glutamine, taurine and alanine. Genipin showed ideal antidepressive effects at a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1) in rats, decrease of inositol, glutamate, lactate, alanine were observed, while glycine and N-acetylaspartate were increased. Important influence has been found on normal nervous system function of these significant changed metabolites, which suggests that the antidepressant effect of genipin may be played by enhancing the activity of neurons in hippocampus, repairing and improving the function of the neuron. The metabonomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the anti-depressant effect and pharmacologic mechanisms of genipin.

[Tissue culture of medicinal plant and abscisic acid].

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a key role in many physiological processes of plants, and it was also applied to fields of medicinal plant biotechnology. The article presents a review of some recent application of ABA in enhancing the production of secondary metabolites of medicinal plants, improving the in vitro conservation in medicinal plant tissue culture system.

Clinical characteristics of drug-induced liver injury in 31 pediatric cases / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical characteristics and responsible agents of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in pediatric patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-one cases of DILI treated in our hospital's pediatric ward were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data for each patient were extracted from the patient's medical records, and included reported causes, physical and biochemical features, natural history, blood examination results, and hepatic pathology findings.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 31 pediatric cases of DILI accounted for 1.7% of the 1831 total cases of drug-induced liver injury treated at our hospital between February 2002 to June 2011. The pediatric DILI population was composed of 20 males and 11 females, with an average age of 8.8+/-3.9 years old (range, 0.3-14.0). The liver injury patterns represented among the cases were: hepatocellular (25.8%), cholestasis (25.8%), and mixed hepatocellular-cholestatic (48.4%). Antimicrobials were the most common cause (41.9%) of DILI, followed by the herbal medicine (29.0%) and febrifuge drugs (19.4%). A single drug was implicated in nine cases (29.0%), and two or more drugs were implicated in 22 cases (71%). Most of the children had good prognosis, but those with pre-existing disease had poor prognosis. One child died of hepatic failure, making the death rate 3.23%. The average hospitalization time was 25.2 days, and the patients with hepatocellular injury had shorter hospitalization time than those with mixed injury.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Drug-induced liver injury in our pediatric population was most often caused by antimicrobials, followed by herbal medicine and febrifuge drugs. Most patients presented with mixed hepatocellular-cholestatic injury. Children with pre-existing diseases or hepatic failure had poor prognosis.</p>

Effects of a compound Chinese medicine Xinji' erkang on isoproterenol-induced ventricular remodeling in mice / 中西医结合学报

To investigate the effects of Xinji' erkang (XJEK), a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on isoproterenol-induced ventricular remodeling in mice.

Effects of Shengmai injection on testicular injury after torsion/detorsion in rats of different ages / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the different effects of Shengmai injection on testicular injury after testis torsion/detorsion in rats of different ages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen healthy male SD rats aged 3, 6 and 12 weeks were equally randomized into an experimental group (testicular torsion/detorsion plus Shengmai injection) and a control group (testicular torsion/detorsion plus saline). The rat models of testicular torsion were killed 24 h after surgery for the measurement of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the testis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the controls, the 3- and 6-week-old rats of the experimental group showed no significant changes in T-AOC, SOD activity and MDA content (P > 0.05), while the 12-week-old experimental rats exhibited a remarkable increase in SOD and T-AOC and an obvious decrease in MDA content (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Shengmai injection has a protective effect against acute ischemia-reperfusion testicular injury after torsion/detorsion in rats, but the effect varies with the age, more obvious in older ones.</p>