Electroacupuncture Promotes Angiogenesis in Mice with Cerebral Ischemia by Inhibiting miR-7.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the angiogenesis effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Shuigou acupoint (GV 26) in the treatment of cerebral ischemia, and explore the value of miRNA-7 (miR-7) in it. METHODS: First, 48 mice were randomly divided into sham operation, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, and EA treatment groups. Then 9 mice were divided into carrier control group, miR-7 knockout group and miR-7 overexpression group (n=3 each group). Finally, 20 mice were divided into model and carrier control group, model and miR-7 knockout group, EA treatment and carrier control group and EA treatment and miR-7 overexpression group, with 3-6 mice in each group. The MCAO model was established in the MCAO and EA groups. Neurological deficit score and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining were used to evaluate the severity of cerebral ischemia. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to describe basic pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was used to quantify cerebral microvessel density. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of miR-7 and its downstream target genes Krüppel-like factor 4/vascular endothelial growth factor (KLF4/VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) in the ischemic cerebral cortex. RESULTS: After EA, neurological deficit scores and infarction volumes decreased, and the density of cerebral microvessels increased. In the MCAO group, miR-7 expression was higher than that in the sham group (P<0.01). After EA at GV 26, miR-7 expression decreased (P<0.01) and the expression of downstream target genes KLF4/VEGF and ANG-2 increased as compared with the MCAO group (P<0.01). After EA combined with overexpression of miR-7, the expression of downstream target genes KLF4/VEGF and ANG-2 decreased compared to the control EA group (P<0.01). After miR-7 knockdown, the expression of KLF4/VEGF and ANG-2 increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EA could promote angiogenesis in MCAO mice likely by inhibiting the expression of miR-7 and relieving inhibition of downstream target genes KLF4/VEGF and ANG-2.

Efficacy and Safety of Huashi Baidu Granules in Treating Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Huashi Baidu Granules (HSBD) in treating patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant. METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted during COVID-19 Omicron epidemic in the Mobile Cabin Hospital of Shanghai New International Expo Center from April 1st to May 23rd, 2022. All COVID-19 patients with asymptomatic or mild infection were assigned to the treatment group (HSBD users) and the control group (non-HSBD users). After propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio, 496 HSBD users of treatment group were matched by propensity score to 496 non-HSBD users. Patients in the treatment group were administrated HSBD (5 g/bag) orally for 1 bag twice a day for 7 consecutive days. Patients in the control group received standard care and routine treatment. The primary outcomes were the negative conversion time of nucleic acid and negative conversion rate at day 7. Secondary outcomes included the hospitalized days, the time of the first nucleic acid negative conversion, and new-onset symptoms in asymptomatic patients. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study were recorded. Further subgroup analysis was conducted in vaccinated (378 HSBD users and 390 non-HSBD users) and unvaccinated patients (118 HSBD users and 106 non-HSBD users). RESULTS: The median negative conversion time of nucleic acid in the treatment group was significantly shortened than the control group [3 days (IQR: 2-5 days) vs. 5 days (IQR: 4-6 days); P<0.01]. The negative conversion rate of nucleic acid in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group at day 7 (91.73% vs. 86.90%, P=0.014). Compared with the control group, the hospitalized days in the treatment group were significantly reduced [10 days (IQR: 8-11 days) vs. 11 days (IQR: 10.25-12 days); P<0.01]. The time of the first nucleic acid negative conversion had significant differences between the treatment and control groups [3 days (IQR: 2-4 days) vs. 5 days (IQR: 4-6 days); P<0.01]. The incidence of new-onset symptoms including cough, pharyngalgia, expectoration and fever in the treatment group were lower than the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In the vaccinated patients, the median negative conversion time and hospitalized days were significantly shorter than the control group after HSDB treatment [3 days (IQR: 2-5 days) vs. 5 days (IQR: 4-6 days), P<0.01; 10 days (IQR: 8-11 days) vs. 11 days (IQR: 10-12 days), P<0.01]. In the unvaccinated patients, HSBD treatment efficiently shorten the median negative conversion time and hospitalized days [4 days (IQR: 2-6 days) vs. 5 days (IQR: 4-7 days), P<0.01; 10.5 days (IQR: 8.75-11 days) vs. 11.0 days (IQR: 10.75-13 days); P<0.01]. No serious AEs were reported during the study. CONCLUSION: HSBD treatment significantly shortened the negative conversion time of nuclear acid, the length of hospitalization, and the time of the first nucleic acid negative conversion in patients infected with SARS-COV-2 Omicron variant (Trial registry No. ChiCTR2200060472).

Reyanning Mixture on Asymptomatic or Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children and Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect and safety of Reyanning Mixture (RYN) in treating asymptomatic or mild severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children and adolescents. METHODS: This is a prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Patients aged 1-17 years and diagnosed with asymptomatic or mild coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) were assigned to an intervention group (RYN plus standard care) and a control group (standard care) according to a randomization list. The primary outcomes were SARS-CoV-2 negative conversion time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate on days 3 and 7, hospital length of stay, symptom relief rate, new-onset symptoms of asymptomatic infected patients, and progressive disease rate. The cycle threshold (Ct) values of ORF1ab or N genes were also tested. RESULTS: A total of 214 patients in the intervention group and 217 in the control group were analyzed. The SARS-CoV-2 negative conversion time was significantly shortened in the intervention group [5 days (interquartile range (IQR): 5-6) vs. 7 days (IQR: 6-7), P<0.01]. By days 3 and 7, the negative conversion rates were significantly higher in the intervention group (day 3: 32.7% vs. 21.2%, P=0.007; day 7: 75.2% vs. 60.8%, P=0.001). Ct values significantly increase on day 2 [ORF1ab gene: 35.62 (IQR: 29.17-45.00) vs. 34.22 (IQR: 28.41-39.41), P=0.03; N gene: 34.97 (IQR: 28.50-45.00) vs. 33.51 (IQR: 27.70-38.25), P=0.024] and day 3 [ORF1ab gene: 38.00 (IQR: 32.72-45.00) vs. 35.81 (IQR: 29.96-45.00), P=0.003; N gene: 37.16 (IQR: 32.01-45.00) vs. 35.26 (IQR: 29.09-45.00), P=0.01]. No significant difference was found in hospital length of stay between the two groups (P>0.05). Symptoms of cough were significantly improved (82.2% vs. 70.0%, P=0.02) and wheezing was significantly reduced (0.7% vs. 12.9%, P<0.01) in the intervention group compared with the control group. During the trial, no disease progression or serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Adding RYN to standard care may be a safe and effective treatment for children with asymptomatic and mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200060292).

Analysis of mechanisms of Shenhuang Granule in treating severe COVID-19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.

OBJECTIVE: Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are expected to have a worse prognosis than mild cases. Shenhuang Granule (SHG) has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for severe COVID-19 in a previous randomized clinical trial, but the active chemical constituents and underlying mechanisms of action remain unknown. The goal of this study is to explore the chemical basis and mechanisms of SHG in the treatment of severe COVID-19, using network pharmacology. METHODS: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was employed to screen chemical constituents of SHG. Putative therapeutic targets were predicted by searching traditional Chinese medicine system pharmacology database and analysis platform, SwissTargetPrediction, and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The target protein-protein interaction network and enrichment analysis were performed to investigate the hub genes and presumptive mechanisms. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to verify the stability and interaction between the key chemical constituents of SHG and COVID-19 protein targets. RESULTS: Forty-five chemical constituents of SHG were identified along with 131 corresponding therapeutic targets, including hub genes such as HSP90AA1, MMP9, CXCL8, PTGS2, IFNG, DNMT1, TYMS, MDM2, HDAC3 and ABCB1. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that SHG mainly acted on the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathway and cAMP signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that the key constituents had a good affinity with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 protein targets. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that ginsenoside Rg4 formed a stable protein-ligand complex with helicase. CONCLUSION: Multiple components of SHG regulated multiple targets to inhibit virus invasion and cytokine storm through several signaling pathways; this provides a scientific basis for clinical applications and further experiments.

Effectiveness and Safety of Baidu Jieduan Granules for COVID-19: A Retrospective Observational Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Baidu Jieduan Granules (BDJDG) to treat common type coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective, and observational clinical trial included 230 common COVID-19 patients in Leishenshan, Huangshi, and Laohekou Hospitals in Wuhan from January 21 to March 26, 2020. The included patients were further divided into two subgroups according to the use of supplemental oxygen, mild and moderate groups. During the first 14 d of hospitalization, all patients were administered BDJDG combined with conventional Western medicine, and observed for continuous 28 d. Primary outcomes were disease progression rate and discharge rate. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion time of nucleic acid, hospitalization duration, clinical symptom subsidence time, and symptom regression rate. RESULTS: A total of 230 common COVID-19 patients were analyzed (138 in moderate group and 92 in mild group). By day 28, the disease progression rate was 4.3% and the discharge rate was 95.7%. All mild cases recovered and were discharged from hospital. The median negative conversion time of nucleic acid of all 230 COVID-19 patients was 12 d [inter-quartile range (IQR) 3.5-17], the median hospitalization duration was 15 d (IQR 12-20). The median time to fever, cough, and fatigue recovery was 4 d (IQR 2-6), 8 d (IQR 5-12), and 8 d (IQR 5-11). The recovery rate of fever, cough, and fatigue was 94.6%, 90.5%, and 93.5%. The median time to clinical improvement was 12 d (IQR 10-17). Compared with the baseline, total leukocyte counts, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, and platelet counts were increased significantly on days 7 and 14 (P<0.01). C-reactive protein markedly increased on day 3 and significantly decreased on days 7 and 14 (P<0.01). No serious adverse events occurred during treatment. CONCLUSION: BDJDG may be effective and safe for treatment of common type COVID-19. (Registration No. ChiCTR2000030836).

Isolation and identification of two new sargentodoxosides from Sargentodoxa cuneata and their agonistic effects against FXR.

Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv.) Rehd. et Wils is a traditional Chinese medicine to treat acute appendicitis, rheumarthritis, abdominal pain, and painful menstruation for a long history. The investigation of S. cuneata led to the isolation and identification of twenty-three secondary metabolites, including two new compounds, sargentodoxosides A (1) and B (2), and twenty-one known ones (3-23). Their structural characterization was conducted by HRESIMS, 1 D and 2 D NMR spectra. All the isolated compounds were assayed for their agonistic activities against the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Nine of the isolated compounds displayed significant agonistic effects against FXR at 0.1 µM, suggesting that they could be served as potential agents for the development of FXR agonists.

A retrospective study of Yiqi-Huoxue Decoction on blood pressure in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

This retrospective study investigated the effect of Yiqi-Huoxue Decoction (YQHXD) on blood pressure (BP) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).A total of 72 patients with BP following AIS who received routine treatment were included in this retrospective study. Of those, 36 patients received YQHXD and were assigned to a treatment group. The other 36 patients were allocated to a control group. All patients were treated for a total of 4 months. The outcomes were assessed by systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and Barthel index scale (BIS). All outcomes were measured after 4-month treatment.After treatment, all subjects in the treatment group showed greater improvements in SBP (P < .05), DBP (P < .05), NIHSS (P < .05) score, and BIS (P < .05) than those of patients in the control group. In addition, the safety profile is similar in both groups.The findings of this study demonstrated that YQHXD may benefit on BP in patients with AIS. Future studies should focus on warranting the current results.

Effectiveness of Fuyuan Xingnao Decoction for patients with diabetes mellitus combined cerebral infarction.

BACKGROUND: Previous study has reported that Fuyuan Xingnao Decoction (FYXND) can be utilized for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) combined cerebral infarction (CI) effectively. METHODS: We will search from the following databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Global Health, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All databases will be searched from the inception to the present without language limitation. Two independent authors will perform literature selection, information collection, and methodological quality assessment. Statistical analysis will be carried out using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will provide accurate results on the effectiveness and safety of FYXND on DM and CI through primary and secondary outcomes. The primary outcome is neurological deficit. The secondary outcomes consist of fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin Alc, fasting insulin, quality of life, and adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: This well-designed study will establish high quality evidence of the effectiveness and safety of FYXND for DM and CI to facilitate the clinical practice and guideline development.

Efficacy of metoclopramide for the treatment of acute migraine.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we will assess the efficacy and safety of metoclopramide for the treatment of acute migraine (AM). METHODS: We will comprehensively search Cochrane Library, PUMBED, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from the inception to July 1, 2019 to identify any eligible studies. Only randomized controlled trials will be considered for inclusion. The study selection, data collection, and management will be completed by two authors independently. The risk of bias will be assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The primary outcome includes pain intensity, as measured by visual analogue scale or others. The secondary outcomes are success rate, requirement of rescue medicine, quality of life, relapse, and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: This study will summarize the latest evidence for the clinical efficacy and safety of metoclopramide for the treatment of AM. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019142795.

Pregnane receptor gene polymorphisms, pathogenic bacteria distribution and drug sensitivity, and TCM syndrome differentiation in patients with cholelithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of pathogens and drug resistance in bile and the association between the pregnane X receptor (PXR) gene polymorphisms, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and the risk of cholesterol gallstone disease (CGD). METHODS: A total of 392 samples were enrolled in this study from January 2014 to February 2015, among which 192 patients were with CGD, and 200 samples were healthy. Strains were isolated and susceptibility testing was the disk diffusion method susceptibility testing. The patients were divided into hepatochlic hygropyrexia, stagnation of liver-qi, and the accumulation of damp. The PXR gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The association between the PXR gene polymorphisms and the risk of CGD was examined by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 192 cases were detected in 230 of bile culture pathogens, including Gram-negative bacteria 133 (57.83%), Gram-positive bacteria 76 (33.04%), and fungi 21 (9.13%). The top five pathogens were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Enterococcus feces, of which 110 cases was of single infection, 48 cases of mixed infection of two strains, eight cases of mixed infection of three bacteria. Among 59 Escherichia coli, the yield extended-spectrum beta-lactamases had 40 (67.80%). The hepatochlic hygropyrexia was the most TCM syndrome, followed by stagnation of liver-qi, and the accumulation of damp was least. Different pathogens and the rs6785049 genotypes distributed differently in cholelithiasis patients with different TCM syndromes (P < 0.05). In hepatochlic hygropyrexia patients the Gram-negative bacteria was most. There was significant differences between CGD group and control group in rs6785049 (P < 0.001). Comparison with wild-type portable GG, GA genotype increased the risk of the occurrence of gallstones (OR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.16-0.79); likewise, carrying the GA+AA genotype also increased the risk (OR = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.19-0.81). There was no significant differences in rs2276707, rs3814055 site polymorphic loci alleles in CGD group and control group. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of cholelithiasis, bile samples should be collected for bacterial culture and sensitivity test, and drugs should be strictly chosen based on the results. The rs6785049 polymorphisms in PXR gene may increase the risk of gallstones ontogeny, and gallstones can be early detected and prevented by detecting genotypes. rs6785049 polymorphisms in PXR gene may has relationship with TCM syndromes.

[Effects of Yanggan Lidan Granule on insulin resistance in guinea pigs with induced cholesterol gallstones].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Yanggan Lidan Granule (YGLDG), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on insulin resistance in guinea pigs with induced cholesterol gallstones. METHODS: Eighty guinea pigs were randomly divided into normal control group, untreated group, YGLDG group and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) group, with 20 guinea pigs in each group. Except the normal control group, gallstones were induced by high-cholesterol diet in the guinea pigs. The guinea pigs in the normal control group and the untreated group were administered with normal saline. UDCA and YGLDG were given to the guinea pigs in the corresponding groups for seven weeks. Eight guinea pigs of each group were used to measure the glucose infusion rate (GIR) by using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique. At the end the guinea pigs were killed and their gallstone formation was observed. RESULTS: The gallstones in guinea pigs were identified as cholesterol stones by qualitative analysis through infrared spectrum. The incidence rate of cholelithiasis of the untreated group was 82.35% . The GIR of guinea pigs in the untreated group was obviously lowered down as compared with the normal control group. Compared with the untreated group, the GIRs of the YGLDG group and the UDCA group were obviously increased, especially in the YGLDG group. CONCLUSION: YGLDG may improve insulin resistance in guinea pigs with cholesterol gallstones by elevating GIR obviously.

[Shengqing Capsule down-regulates estrogen and progesterone receptors in epithelial tissue of gallbladder in guinea pigs with gallstone].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the formation of cholesterol calculus and investigate the effects of Shengqing Capsule (SQC), a Chinese patent herbal medicine with the function of soothing liver and draining gallbladder, on ER and PR expressions. METHODS: A total of 80 female guinea pigs were divided into normal control group, untreated group, ursodeoxycholic acid group (UDCA group) and SQC group. The cholesterol gallstone was induced by feeding the guinea pigs with high-fat lithogenic diet. SQC and UDCA were separately administered to the guinea pigs in the SQC group and UDCA group. After 7-week administration, all the animals were sacrificed to calculate the incidence of calculus formation and detect the expressions the ER and PR in the epithelial tissue of gallbladder by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Gallstone was cholesterol calculus detected by infrared spectrum. The incidence of calculus formation in the SQC group (27.78%) was significantly lower than that in the untreated group (81.25%) (X(2)=9.721 5, P=0.001 8). On the basis of Reiner standard, the expression distribution of ER and PR increased gradually from the normal control group through the SQC group and UDCA group to the untreated group. Except for the former two groups and the latter two groups, the differences between the other groups and UDCA group were statistically significant (P<0.05). Besides, the differences of positive expression rates between groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased expressions of ER and PR are closely related to the formation of cholesterol stone. And Shengqing Capsule can down-regulate the expressions of ER and PR.

[Effects of Yanggan Lidan Granule on rate of gallstone formation and content of plasma cholecystokinin in guinea pigs with induced cholesterol gallstones].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Yanggan Lidan Granule (YGLDG), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for nourishing liver and improving choleresis, on the rate of gallstone formation and content of plasma cholecystokinin in guinea pigs with induced cholesterol gallstones. METHODS: Eighty guinea pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups, which were normal control group, untreated group, YGLDG-treated group and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-treated group (n=20). Except the normal control group, gallstones were induced by high-cholesterol diet in the guinea pigs. YGLDG (1.81 g/kg daily) and UDCA (30.12 mg/kg daily) were given orally to guinea pigs in the corresponding group respectively for seven weeks; however, the guinea pigs of normal control group and untreated group were administered with normal saline. The physical signs of the guinea pigs and the rates of gallstone formation were examined, and the content of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the plasma was detected by radio-immunoassay. RESULTS: YGLDG could obviously improve the ethological signs of the guinea pigs. Gallstone formation rate of the untreated group (82.35%) was significantly increased as compared with that of the normal control group (5.26%) (P<0.01), while the gallstone formation rates of the YGLDG-treated group (27.28%) and UDCA-treated group (38.89%) were lower than that of the untreated group (P<0.05). The content of CCK in plasma of the untreated group was significantly lower than that of the normal control group (P<0.01), while CCK content of the YGLDG-treated group and UDCA-treated group was lower than that of the normal control group, but both of them were significantly higher than that of the untreated group (P<0.01). The difference of CCK levels between YGLDG-treated group and UDCA-treated group had no statistical significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: YGLDG can significantly decrease the rate of gallstone formation in guinea pigs. It may be related to elevating the content of CCK in the plasma.

[Clinical early intervention of Tongxia Huayu Decoction on pancreatic microcirculatory disturbance in severe acute pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanisms of Tongxia Huayu Decoction (a Chinese herbal decoction for purgation and removing blood stasis) in prognostic improvement for severe acute pancreatitis by early intervention on pancreatic microcirculatory disturbance. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with severe acute pancreatitis were divided randomly into treatment group (n=28) and control group (n=25). Tongxia Huayu Decoction was given to the patients in treatment group in addition to the normal treatment in control group for one week. The clinical symptoms and signs, hemodiastase, urinary amylase, C-reactive protein (CRP) and endothelin (ET) of the patients in the two groups before and after treatment were observed and detected. RESULTS: The total response rate of the treatment group was 98.4%, while that of the control group was 80%, with significant difference between them (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of the contents of hemodiastase, urinary amylase, CRP and ET between the two groups before treatment, while they were significantly decreased after treatment (P<0.01) with more obvious change in treatment group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Tongxia Huayu Decoction brings satisfied therapeutic effect on severe acute pancreatitis. The mechanisms may associate with its reducing function on ET releasing so as to inhibit the pancreatic microcirculatory disturbance and acinar cell injury induced by ET.

[Effect of traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver on intracellular free calcium level in gallbladder cells of guinea pigs with gallstones].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of intracellular free calcium level ([Ca(2+)]i) in gallbladder cells of guinea pigs with gallstones so as to study the mechanisms of gallstone formation and the prevention and treatment function of traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver. METHODS: Eighty guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups, which were normal control group, untreated group, nourishing-liver Chinese drug (NLCD) group and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) group, with 20 guinea pigs in each group. Gallstones were induced in the guinea pigs of the latter 3 groups by the feed of diet inducing cholelithiasis with high cholesterol, while the corresponding medicines were used in NLCD group and UDCA group for prevention and treatment for 7 weeks. Then the state of the guinea pigs, the formation of gallstones, and the changes of [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells were observed. RESULTS: The [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells of guinea pigs in the untreated group was decreased significantly. NLCD improved the behavioral signs of the guinea pigs, significantly decreased the formative rate of gallstones and increased the [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells. CONCLUSIONS: The [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells is the important factor for contractile function of gallbladder and the information of gallstones. Traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver may significantly increase the [Ca(2+)]i in gallbladder cells to facilitate contraction of the smooth muscle cells of gallbladder and relieve the cholestatis. It may be one of the mechanisms of traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing the liver in preventing and treating cholelithiasis.

[Effects of Ruanjian Xiaoying Decoction on chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of Ruanjian Xiaoying Decoction (RJXYD) on chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. METHODS: Eighty patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis were randomly divided into RJXYD-treated group (n=40) and control group (n=40). The patients in the RJXYD-treated group received treatment of RJXYD combined with levothyroxine while the others in the control group received treatment of levothyroxine and prednisone both for 16 weeks. The serum levels of thyroid hormones and the titres of serum antithyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG Ab) and antithyroid microsomal antibody (anti-TM Ab) were all examined before and after treatment. The total response rates of the two groups were evaluated after treatment of 16 weeks. RESULTS: The total response rate of the RJXYD-treated group was 92.5%, while that of the control group was 60.0% (P<0.01). The serum levels of free triiodothyronine (FT(3)) and free thyroxine (FT(4)) were obviously increased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups. The titres of serum anti-TG Ab and anti-TM Ab and the serum level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were all obviously decreased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The RJXYD can shrink and soften the enlarged thyroid gland and thyroid nodules, improve the immune function of human body, alleviate the response to thyroid self-antigens and promote the recovery of thyroid function.

[Inhibiting effects of recipe for dispersing stagnated liver qi to promote bile flow on cholesterol gallstone formation in guinea pigs].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of the inhibiting effects of recipe for dispersing stagnated liver qi to promote bile flow (Danshijing Tablets) on cholesterol gallstone formation and provide experimental evidence for its clinical application. METHODS: Eighty guinea pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups, which were normal control group, untreated group, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-treated group and Danshijing Tablets-treated group. The gallstones in guinea pigs were induced by high-cholesterol diet. UDCA and Danshijing Tablets were given orally to guinea pigs in the corresponding group respectively for seven weeks. Then the physical signs of the guinea pigs, the rates of gallstone formation and the histomorphological changes of the gallbladder were examined. RESULTS: The behavior of guinea pigs in the Danshijing Tablets-treated group was obviously improved and the rate of gallstone formation was significantly decreased as compared with those in both untreated and UDCA-treated groups (P<0.05). The inflammation reaction of mucous membrane in gallbladder was evidently reduced in the Danshijing Tablets-treated group and its morphological appearance turned to be approximately normal. CONCLUSION: Recipe for dispersing stagnated liver qi to promote bile flow may decrease gallstone formation. Its mechanism may be related to reducing pathologic changes in gallbladder tissues, which will reduce the damages of cholesterol to the smooth muscle in gallbladder and enhance the contractility of gallbladder.