Effect of electroacupuncture on the repair of stress ulcer injury in neurocritical patients: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Stress ulcer (SU) is one of the main causes of prolonged hospital stay, poor prognosis, and increased mortality in critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on SU in patients with severe neurological diseases and explore its possible mechanisms. Methods: Taking patients with SU in adult neurocritical care as the research object, they were randomly divided into the EA group and the control group. Through the perioperative EA intervention, the following indicators were documented: main observation indicator (the effective rate of SU treatment), secondary observation indicators (gastric juice pH, gastric juice occult blood test, and stool occult blood test), related mechanisms [repair factors trefoil factor family 2 (TFF2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70)], complications during hospitalization, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay time. Results: Compared with the control treatment, EA increased the effective rate of SU treatment (85.4% for the EA group, 57.5% for the control group, risk difference: 27.9% (95% CI: 8.3%-45.1%); P < 0.01). EA increased the success rate of gastric juice pH treatment on days 1, 2, and 3 (P < 0.01 for day 1, P < 0.05 for days 2 and 3). EA lowered the positive rate of gastric occult blood test on days 1 and 3 (all P-values < 0.05) and the positive rate of fecal occult blood test on day 3 (P < 0.05). EA also reduced the ICU stay time (P < 0.01) and total hospitalization time (P < 0.05). Compared with day 0, all serum repair factors (VEGF, HSP70, and TFF2) of both groups significantly increased on days 1, 3, and 5 (all P-values < 0.01). Compared with the control group, VEGF in the EA group was increased on days 3 and 5 (all P-values < 0.01); HSP70 was increased on days 1, 3, and 5 (P < 0.05 for day 1, P < 0.01 for days 3 and 5); and TFF2 was increased on days 1, 3, and 5 (all P-values < 0.01). Conclusion: Electroacupuncture promoted the repair of SU damage in severe neurological disease, and its effect was related to enhancing the expression of gastric mucosal repair factors. Clinical trial registration: [https://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=127012], identifier [ChiCTR2100046701].

Protective Mechanism of Electroacupuncture on Peripheral Neurotoxicity Induced by Oxaliplatin in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) in rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into 3 groups using a random number table: the control group, the OIPN group, and the EA (OIPN + EA) group, with 10 rats in each. The time courses of mechanical, cold sensitivity, and microcirculation blood flow intensity were determined. The morphology of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was observed by electron microscopic examination. The protein levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and the transient receptor potential (TRP) protein family in DRGs were assayed by Western blot. RESULTS: EA treatment significantly reduced mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia in OIPN rats (P<0.01). Notably, oxaliplatin treatment resulted in impaired microcirculatory blood flow and pathomorphological defects in DRGs (P<0.01). EA treatment increased the microcirculation blood flow and attenuated the pathological changes induced by oxaliplatin (P<0.01). In addition, the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were down-regulated, and the TRP protein family was over-expressed in the DRGs of OIPN rats (P<0.01). EA increased the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and decreased the level of TRP protein family in DRG (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA may be a potential alternative therapy for OIPN, and its mechanism may be mainly mediated by restoring the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Protective effect of total flavonoids from Ixeris Sonchifolia on herpes simplex virus keratitis in mice.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the protective effect of Ixeris Sonchifolia (Bae.) Hance (ISH) extract on herpes simplex virus keratitis (HSK) in mice. METHODS: A mouse model of HSK was established by inoculating 60 mice (60 right eyes) with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) by corneal scratch. The other 15 mice as blank control only received corneal scratch but without HSV-1. From the 2nd day after the successful modeling, the experimental group was fed with ISH total flavonoids (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) orally, twice a day for 14 days. The model group and control group were given the same amount of normal saline. The pathological changes of cornea were observed once a day by slit lamp microscopy combined with fluorescein staining. The corneal histopathological examination, the survival status and the serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4 and interferon-gama (INF-γ) were performed at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: The result showed that ISH could significantly improve the corneal lesion degree, increase mice survival rate, and markedly increase the levels of IL-2 and INF-γ, reduce the levels of IL-4 in serum of mice. CONCLUSIONS: ISH could increase the anti-virus ability, promote the healing of corneal inflammation and alleviate the pathological damage of cornea, which suggested that ISH has a potential and valuable therapeutic effect on the HSK.

Bu Shen Yi Sui capsule promotes remyelination correlating with Sema3A/NRP-1, LIF/LIFR and Nkx6.2 in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bu Shen Yi Sui capsule (BSYSC), based on traditional Chinese formula Liu Wei Di Huang pill, is effective for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) in clinical experience and trials. Our previous studies confirmed that BSYSC had the neuroprotective effect in MS and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE); however, its mechanism of action was not clear. Thus, the effect of BSYSC on remyelination and the underlying mechanisms were investigated in the EAE mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The EAE model was established by injecting subcutaneously myelin oligodendrocyte protein (MOG) 35-55 in mice. Mice were treated with BSYSC (3.02 g/kg) or vehicle daily by oral gavage for 40 days. The body weight and clinical score of mice were evaluated. Brain was observed by magnetic resonance imaging. The inflammation infiltrate of brain and spinal cord was determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining, while the structure of myelin sheath was visualized by transmission electron microscopy on days 23 and 40 post immunization (dpi), respectively. The protein and mRNA levels of platelets-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) α and 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotide-3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) were measured by immunohistochemistry, western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The protein expressions of semaphorins (Sema) 3A, Neuropilin (NRP) - 1, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), LIF receptor (LIFR) and Nkx6.2 were further investigated by western blot. RESULTS: BSYSC treatment improved the body weight and clinical score of EAE mice, alleviated inflammatory infiltration and nerve fiber injuries. It also protected the ultrastructural integrity of myelin sheath. BSYSC significantly increased expressions of PDGFRα and CNPase in mice with EAE on 40 dpi. Furthermore, BSYSC treatment increased the expressions of LIF, LIFR and Nkx6.2 and reduced Sema3A and NRP-1 in EAE mice on 40 dpi. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrated that BSYSC exhibited the neuroprotective effect against EAE by promoting oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) proliferation and differentiation, thus facilitating remyelination. Sema3A/NRP-1, LIF/LIFR and Nkx6.2 are likely contributed to the effects of BSYSC on OPCs.

Vagal modulation of high mobility group box-1 protein mediates electroacupuncture-induced cardioprotection in ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Excessive release of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein from ischemic cardiomyocytes activates inflammatory cascades and enhances myocardial injury after reperfusion. Here we report evidence that electroacupuncture of mice at Neiguan acupoints can inhibit the up-regulation of cardiac HMGB1 following myocardial ischemia and attenuate the associated inflammatory responses and myocardial injury during reperfusion. These benefits of electroacupuncture were partially reversed by administering recombinant HMGB1 to the mice, and further potentiated by administering anti-HMGB1 antibody. Electroacupuncture-induced inhibition of HMGB1 release was markedly reduced by unilateral vagotomy or administration of nicotinic receptor antagonist, but not by chemical sympathectomy. The cholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine mimicked the effects of electroacupuncture on HMGB1 release and myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. Culture experiments with isolated neonatal cardiomyocytes showed that acetylcholine, but not noradrenaline, inhibited hypoxia-induced release of HMGB1 via a α7nAchR-dependent pathway. These results suggest that electroacupuncture acts via the vagal nerve and its nicotinic receptor-mediated signaling to inhibit HMGB1 release from ischemic cardiomyocytes. This helps attenuate pro-inflammatory responses and myocardial injury during reperfusion.

Tissue lipid metabolism and hepatic metabolomic profiling in response to supplementation of fermented cottonseed meal in the diets of broiler chickens.

This study investigated the effects of fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on lipid metabolites, lipid metabolism-related gene expression in liver tissues and abdominal adipose tissues, and hepatic metabolomic profiling in broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty 21-d-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into three diet groups with six replicates of 10 birds in each group. The three diets consisted of a control diet supplemented with unfermented cottonseed meal, an experimental diet of cottonseed meal fermented by Candida tropicalis, and a second experimental diet of cottonseed meal fermented by C. tropicalis plus Saccharomyces cerevisae. The results showed that FCSM intake significantly decreased the levels of abdominal fat and hepatic triglycerides (P<0.05 for both). Dietary FCSM supplementation down-regulated the mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase and acetyl CoA carboxylase in liver tissues and the lipoprotein lipase expression in abdominal fat tissues (P<0.05 for both). FCSM intake resulted in significant metabolic changes of multiple pathways in the liver involving the tricarboxylic acid cycle, synthesis of fatty acids, and the metabolism of glycerolipid and amino acids. These findings indicated that FCSM regulated lipid metabolism by increasing or decreasing the expression of the lipid-related gene and by altering multiple endogenous metabolites. Lipid metabolism regulation is a complex process, this discovery provided new essential information about the effects of FCSM diets in broiler chickens and demonstrated the great potential of nutrimetabolomics in researching complex nutrients added to animal diets.

Copper-catalyzed radical reaction of N-tosylhydrazones: stereoselective synthesis of (E)-vinyl sulfones.

A new chemistry of hydrazines that is a copper-catalyzed radical reaction to synthesize vinyl sulfones from readily available N-tosylhydrazones has been described. The protocol provides a novel strategy for the synthesis of various vinyl sulfones including α, ß-disubstituted ones and terminal ones. The advantages of the transformation include excellent E stereoselectivity, broad substrate scope, low cost of reagents, and convenient operation. A novel and efficient one-pot synthesis of alkynes from N-tosylhydrazones has been achieved. The studies provide important complementary approaches for the syntheses of vinyl sulfones and alkynes.

Fabrication and properties of TiO2 nanofilms on different substrates by a novel and universal method of Ti-ion implantation and subsequent annealing.

We report a new, novel and universal method to fabricate high-quality titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanofilms on different substrates by a solid phase growth process of ion implantation and subsequent annealing in oxygen atmosphere. Ti ions were implanted into fused silica, soda lime glass, Z-cut quartz, or (0001) α-sapphire by a metal vapor vacuum arc (MEVVA) ion source implanter to fluences of 0.75, 1.5 and 3 × 10(17) ions cm(-2) with a nominal accelerating voltage of 20 kV. To understand the influence of the annealing temperature, time, and substrate on the formation and phase transformation of the TiO2 nanofilms, the Ti-ion-implanted substrates were annealed in oxygen atmosphere from 500 to 1000 °C for 1-6 h. The formation of TiO2 nanofilms resulted from the slow out-diffusion of implanted Ti ions from the substrates which were then oxidized at the surfaces. The thickness and phase of the nanofilms can be tailored by controlling the implantation and annealing parameters. Since the TiO2 nanofilms are formed under high temperature and low growth rate, they show good crystallinity and antibacterial properties, with good film adhesion and stability, suggesting that the TiO2 nanofilms formed by this method have great potential in applications such as antibacterial and self-cleaning transparent glass.

[Effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of Zusanli (ST 36) and Liangqiu (ST 34) combined with general anesthesia on pain and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic operation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) combined with general anesthesia (acupuncture analgesia combined with general anesthesia) on postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting and exhausted defecation symptoms in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic operation. METHODS: Sixty patients with gynecological laparoscopic operation were randomly divided into TAES group and control group, with 30 cases in each group. Patients of the control group received simple general anesthesia and those of the TAES group were treated with general anesthesia and TAES of bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Liangqiu (ST 34) . Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used for measuring the patients' pain reaction at 8 h, 24 h and 72 h after surgery. Symptoms of patients' nausea and vomiting, post-operation exhaust and defecation time were recorded after operation. RESULTS: The VAS scores at time-points of 8 h, 24 h and 72 h and nausea level in the TAES group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The vomiting severity of the TAES group was also relatively lower in comparison with the control group, but without significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The post-operation exhaust and defecation time of patients in the TAES group apparently appeared earlier than those of patients in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TAES combined with general anesthesia is effective in reducing post-operative pain and nausea, and improving gastrointestinal function in patients undergoing laparoscopic operation.

[Effects of modified liangge powder contained serum on LPS stimulated TLR4 expression and release of cytokines in mouse platelets].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Modified Liangge Powder (MLP) on the expressions of platelet toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the release of platelet-derived cytokines interleukin 8 (IL-8), beta platelet globulin (beta-TG), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). METHODS: The modulating effects on the release of cytokines from mice platelets by TLR4 ligand through monoclonal antibody blocking TLR4 on platelet were compared. The stimulated platelet by LPS was incubated with low (0.94 g/mL), medium (1.89 g/mL), and high (2.84 g/mL) dose of MLP contained serum. The changes of the platelet TLR4 expression and platelet-derived cytokines were observed. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of platelet TLR4 obviously decreased (P < 0.01) and the release of sCD40L and beta-TG from platelets significantly increased (P < 0.01) after stimulated by LPS. However, the release of sCD40L and beta-TG from platelets obviously decreased by TLR4 monoclonal antibody (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in IL-8 between before and after LPS stimulation (P > 0.05). Platelet TLR4 positive expression rate was significantly higher after incubated by medium and high doses of MLP contained serum (P < 0.01), and the releasing of sCD40L and beta-TG was lower in the serum contained groups. The inhibitory effects were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: LPS induced platelet activation by TLR4 and released sCD40L and beta-TG, while the release of platelet IL-8 was not dependent on platelet TLR4-LPS pathway. MLP could inhibit LPS-stimulated sCD40L and beta-TG, inhibit the binding of platelet TLR4 and LPS in a dose-dependent manner, thus reducing the release of platelet cytokines.

[Platelet parameters and platelet Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in patients with sepsis, and the effect of a joint treatment-plan integrating traditional Chinese and western medicine: a clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of a treatment regimen combining modern (Western) medication and a traditional Chinese medicinal recipe Modified Liang-Ge San on sepsis, and its effect on platelet parameters/activation, platelet TLR4 expression and the intensity of inflammatory response in the patients. METHODS: 64 patients with sepsis were randomly assigned to two groups (32 each) to receive Western therapy only (group X) and Western therapy + Modified Liang-Ge San (group L). The values of: platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), the expression of TLR4 and procaspase activating compound-1 (PAC-1) in platelets, plasma concentration of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were collected on the day of admission, and 3, 5, 9 days after treatment. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU), bleeding events and 28 day mortality in these patients were also analyzed. A group of 15 healthy volunteers (group C) were used as control. RESULTS: Compared to group C, the patients with sepsis have significantly: lower PLT (×10 9/L: 211.37±77.84 vs. 272.33±34.23, P< 0.01 ), increased MPV (fL: 10.24±0.81 vs. 9.64±0.66, P< 0.05) and PDW (fL: 17.79±1.68 vs. 15.61±1.54, P< 0.01), up-regulated platelet TLR4 [(39.93±9.07)% vs. (23.50±4.68)%] and PAC-1 expression [(42.21±8.74)% vs. (21.02±3.49)%], both P < 0.01, and higher level of sCD40L (µg/L: 6.94±1.05 vs. 3.27±0.41)and TNF-α(ng/L: 60.10±9.77 vs. 4.08±3.08), both P< 0.01. Compared to group X, group L had significantly (P< 0.05 or P< 0.01, respectively) lower value in: creatinine (µmol/L: 106.2±34.4 vs. 127.5±43.7); alanine aminotransferase (U/L: 31.7±12.5 vs. 41.9±19.9);aspartate aminotransferase (U/L: 54.1±21.6 vs. 68.5±24.1); TLR4 [(27.14±6.08)% vs. (30.92±5.47)%]; PAC-1 [(27.52±6.51)% vs. (31.24±5.77)%]; sCD40L (3.86±0.69 vs. 4.38±0.73); TNF-α (22.06±7.19 vs. 28.25±8.99), and higher PLT (261.93±55.32 vs. 231.37±63.58, P< 0.05), in the 9 days after treatment. In patients with sepsis, platelet PAC-1 expression correlated significantly to PLT ( r = - 0.409, P< 0.01 ) negatively, and MPV, PDW, platelet TLR4 expression, plasma sCD40L ( r (1) = 0.262, r (2) = 0.318, r (3) = 0.341, r(3) = 0.519, all P< 0.01) positively; sCD40L and TNF-α was positively correlated ( r = 0.542, P < 0.01 ) in these patients. In comparison with group X, the length of stay in ICU (day: 8.06±2.86 vs. 9.31±2.48), the incidence of bleeding (12.5% vs. 21.9%) and APACHE II score (12.75± 4.56 vs. 14.59± 3.97) were significantly lower (all P< 0.05) in group L on the 9 days after treatment. No significant difference was found in 28 day mortality between group L and X (15.63% vs. 18.75%, P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with sepsis, platelet TLR4 expression is elevated together with platelet activation. The joint application of Western medicine and Modified Liang-Ge San may suppress such up-regulation in TLR4/other inflammatory mediators, and alleviate platelet activation/thrombocytopenia in these patients.

[Preliminary study on characteristics of the Illustrations of Moxibustion in Dunhuang Caves in treatment of 5 kinds of strain and 7 kinds of impairments].

The Illustrations of Moxibustion, a remained book in Dunhuang Caves, is available the earliest monograph about moxibustion methods with both pictures and writing since recorded writing. In treatment of 5 kinds of strain and 7 kinds of impairments, point association for correspondence between man and universe was adopted human point distribution according to Jiugong and Bagua; and point association method of viewing the situation as a whole according to humam point distribution on the head, the body and the limbs; it wrote and drew available the earliest naked figures for acupuncture and moxibustion in simple natural materialism; and it is the most reasonable, the most complete explanation of sexual science in Chinese medicine, and is a sample for treatment of 5 kinds of strain and 7 kinds of impairments by ancient physicians stressing moxibustion, with convenient point selection and safety.

Halophilols A and B, two new stilbenes from Iris halophila.

A new monomeric stilbene, halophilol A (1), and a new tetrastilbene, halophilol B (2), along with three known oligostilbenes were isolated from the seeds of Iris halophila. Their structures were established on the basis of the spectral data. The oligostilbene skeleton is encountered for the first time in the Iridaceae family. Bioactivity tests showed that 1 had moderate cytotoxicity against KB and HMEC cell lines (IC50 = 17.28 microM, 22.47 microM respectively), while 2 was inactive.