Correlation Between Preoperative and Postoperative Alignment and Kinematic Gait in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Objective: Maintaining the lower limb in a neutral posture following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has long been a concept maintained by operators. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in lower limb alignment and the dynamics of knee gait before and after TKA to understand the impact of alignment on gait better and offer a theoretical foundation for correcting lower limb alignment in TKA. Methods: Our study included a group of 20 participants. The cohort consisted of 1 male and 19 females, 11 left and 9 right knees, ages 58 to 81. Using the Opti_Knee® Knee Motion Test System with infrared reflective markers and a high-speed camera, the step length and 6 degrees of freedom of the knee were recorded. Following that, we investigated the association between HKA angle and knee kinematic gait before and after surgery. Results: For preoperative HKA angles ranging from -28° to -3°, we observed increased step length, flexion-extension rotation, and varus-valgus rotation with an increase in HKA angle. Conversely, an increase in HKA angle from -3 ° to 15° corresponded with decreased step length, flexion-extension rotation, and varus-valgus rotation. An increase in HKA angle from 1° to 3° postoperatively increased step length, flexion-extension rotation, and varus-valgus rotation. In contrast, increasing the HKA angle from 3° to 5° resulted in less flexion-extension rotation. The flexion-extension rotation was at its maximum when the HKA angle was 3°. A 3° postoperative varus resulted in improved kinematic gait. Step length, varus-valgus rotation, and flexion-extension rotation increased with increasing HKA angle in the neutral alignment group. In contrast, the non-neutral alignment group exhibited decreased flexion-extension rotation as the HKA angle increased, while step length and varus-valgus rotation increased as the HKA angle increased. The varus-valgus rotation was statistically significant (P < .05) in the preoperative versus early postoperative period in the 6 degrees of freedom. Conclusions: A 3° varus alignment was found to have a superior postoperative knee kinematic gait, implying that a 3° varus alignment may be more suitable as a new gold standard for TKA than the traditional "0°" alignment. The neutral alignment group demonstrated a better knee kinematic gait than the non-neutral alignment group. During early postoperative walking, significant improvements in varus-valgus rotation were found in the 6 degrees of knee freedom.

Methylated mud snail protein as a bio-flocculant for high turbidity wastewater treatment.

The authors reported a potential candidate methylated mud snail protein (MeMsp) as an effective and eco-friendly flocculant to treat the high turbidity wastewater. MeMsp was obtained by extraction of mud snail protein (Msp) through isoelectric precipitation (PSC-IP) and then methylated via the esterification with side-chain carboxyl. Structural characterization of FT-IR, zeta potential and elemental analysis were carried out and further confirmed the successful of the methylation. Flocculation experiments with kaolin suspension simulated wastewater indicated that MeMsp-24 displayed more excellent flocculation efficiency at a low dosage. At the optimum dosage 27 mg/L, the maximum clarification efficiency of MeMsp-24 was 97.46% under pH 7.0. Furthermore, MeMsp-24 exhibited a wide flocculation window in the pH range 1.0-9.0, and faster sedimentation velocity and larger flocs size. In addition, MeMsp-24 exhibited 92.12% clarification efficiency in treating railway tunnel construction effluent. The flocculation kinetic and mechanism analysis revealed that the most effective particle collision occurred at the optimal dosage, with charge neutralization and adhesion playing irreplaceable roles in different environments, respectively. Therefore, through extraction and methylation modification, MeMsp could be a promising eco-friendly flocculant for high turbidity wastewater treatment.

Non-ephedrine constituents from the herbaceous stems of Ephedra sinica.

Three new flavonoids, ephedroside A (1), ephedroside B (2), ephedroside C (3), together with fifty-four known compounds 4-57 were isolated from the EtOH extract of the herbaceous stems of Ephedra sinica. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques, as well as by comparison with literature data. Thirty-eight of these compounds were isolated from the genus Ephedra for the first time. The antimicrobial activities of eight compounds were tested by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against bacteria (both Gram positive and Gram negative) and fungi, and were found to be in the range of 0.105-0.926 mM. Among them, compound 2 showed the best antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC value of 0.105 mM.

Simultaneous optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction for phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. fruit using response surface methodology.

Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (LR) is a functional food that plays an important role in anti-oxidation due to its high level of phenolic compounds. This study aims to optimize ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of obtained extracts from LR using response surface methodology (RSM). A four-factor-three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to discuss the following extracting parameters: extraction time (X1), ultrasonic power (X2), solvent to sample ratio (X3) and solvent concentration (X4). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results revealed that the solvent to sample ratio had a significant influence on all responses, while the extraction time had no statistically significant effect on phenolic compounds. The optimum values of the combination of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities were obtained for X1=30min, X2=100W, X3=40mL/g, and X4=33% (v/v). Five phenolic acids, including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid, were analyzed by HPLC. Our results indicated that optimization extraction is vital for the quantification of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in LR, which may be contributed to large-scale industrial applications and future pharmacological activities research.

A sensitive pre-column derivatization method for the analysis of free fatty acids by RP-HPLC with fluorescence detector and its application to Caragana species.

Caragana korshinskii Kom. (CK), one of afforestation tree species, is widely planted in northwest region of China. To compare the constituents as references for further utilization of CK, C. microphyll Lam. (CM) and C. jubata L. (CJ), been used as traditional Chinese medicine, were taken into consideration. To obtain more information on CK for further utilization, a sensitive and stable pre-column derivatization method for the analysis of fatty acids (FAs) was established using a novel labeling reagent 2-(5H-benzo[a]-carbazol-11(6H)-yl)ethyl hydrazine-carboxylate (BCEHC) by HPLC with fluorescence detector. The derivatives exhibit predominant fluorescence property at excitation and emission wavelengths of 330nm and 380nm, respectively. 16 derivatives of FAs including 13 saturated FAs and 3 unsaturated FAs are separated on a reversed-phase column with gradient elution within 30min. The validation of method indicated that all FAs were given excellent linear responses with good linear coefficient of correlation being equal to or greater than 0.9985. The limits of detection (LODs) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 varied from 63.12 to 116.21ngL-1. The developed method was successfully applied to determine the contents of free FAs (FFAs) in flowers, leaves and bark of CK and the samples were extracted by a green and simple method of gas purge microsyringe extraction. The results show that the contents of linoleic acid and linolenic acid are high in flowers and leaves while the bark is rich in linoleic acid. The total content of FFAs in all parts of CK is higher than that of CM. The distribution of FFAs in plants is obviously different even in the congeneric among different species.

The Rice Phytochrome Genes, PHYA and PHYB, Have Synergistic Effects on Anther Development and Pollen Viability.

Phytochromes are the main plant photoreceptors regulating multiple developmental processes. However, the regulatory network of phytochrome-mediated plant reproduction has remained largely unexplored. There are three phytochromes in rice, phyA, phyB and phyC. No changes in fertility are observed in the single mutants, whereas the seed-setting rate of the phyA phyB double mutant is significantly reduced. Histological and cytological analyses showed that the reduced fertility of the phyA phyB mutant was due to defects in both anther and pollen development. The four anther lobes in the phyA phyB mutant were developed at different stages with fewer pollen grains, most of which were aborted. At the mature stage, more than one lobe in the double mutant was just consisted of several cell layers. To identify genes involved in phytochrome-mediated anther development, anther transcriptomes of phyA, phyB and phyA phyB mutants were compared to that of wild-type rice respectively. Analysis of 2,241 double-mutant-specific differentially expressed transcripts revealed that the metabolic profiles, especially carbohydrate metabolism, were altered greatly, and heat-shock responses were activated in the double mutant. This study firstly provides valuable insight into the complex regulatory networks underlying phytochrome-mediated anther and pollen development in plants, and offers novel clues for hybrid rice breeding.

Elevated CO2 benefits the soil microenvironment in the rhizosphere of Robinia pseudoacacia L. seedlings in Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils.

Soil contamination by heavy metals in combination with elevated atmospheric CO2 has important effects on the rhizosphere microenvironment by influencing plant growth. Here, we investigated the response of the R. pseudoacacia rhizosphere microenvironment to elevated CO2 in combination with cadmium (Cd)- and lead (Pb)-contamination. Organic compounds (total soluble sugars, soluble phenolic acids, free amino acids, and organic acids), microbial abundance and activity, and enzyme activity (urease, dehydrogenase, invertase, and ß-glucosidase) in rhizosphere soils increased significantly (p < 0.05) under elevated CO2 relative to ambient CO2; however, l-asparaginase activity decreased. Addionally, elevated CO2 alone affected soil microbial community in the rhizosphere. Heavy metals alone resulted in an increase in total soluble sugars, free amino acids, and organic acids, a decrease in phenolic acids, microbial populations and biomass, and enzyme activity, and a change in microbial community in rhizosphere soils. Elevated CO2 led to an increase in organic compounds, microbial populations, biomass, and activity, and enzyme activity (except for l-asparaginase), and changes in microbial community under Cd, Pb, or Cd + Pb treatments relative to ambient CO2. In addition, elevated CO2 significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the removal ratio of Cd and Pb in rhizosphere soils. Overall, elevated CO2 benefited the rhizosphere microenvironment of R. pseudoacacia seedlings under heavy metal stress, which suggests that increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations could have positive effects on soil fertility and rhizosphere microenvironment under heavy metals.

Miniscalpel-Needle Treatment Is Effective for Work-Related Neck and Shoulder Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Background. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves, such as neck and shoulder MSD. This study was designed to use miniscalpel-needle (MSN) technique as an intervention for work-related MSDs. Methods. Thirty-one patients with work-related MSDs and 28 healthy subjects were enrolled as controls in this study. The MSD symptoms of each patient were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Blood samples were collected from control subjects and MSD patients before and after treatment. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured using ELISA. Results. Prior to MSN treatment, serum levels of CRP and TNF were significantly higher in the MSD patients than the healthy controls. Serum CRP levels correlated with VAS and NDI scores, and serum TNF levels correlated with NDI scores. Compared to pretreatment, VAS and NDI scores were significantly lower in MSD patients after MSN treatment, while serum CRP and TNF levels were significantly lower compared with the healthy control levels. Conclusions. Our results indicate that MSN may be an effective intervention for work-related MSDs and be associated with lower serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers.

In vitro and in vivo biological activities of anthocyanins from Nitraria tangutorun Bobr. fruits.

Anthocyanins are the main compounds in Nitraria tangutorun Bobr. The enrichment and purification of anthocyanins on macroporous resins were investigated. Regarding anthocyanin purification, static adsorption and desorption were studied. The optimal experimental conditions were the following: resin type: X-5; static adsorption time: 6h; desorption solution: ethanol-water-HCl (80:19:1, V/V/V; pH 1); desorption time: 40min. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo biological activities of the anthocyanins were evaluated. The anthocyanins showed ideal scavenging effects on free radicals in vitro, especially on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl free radical (OH). In the animal experiment, blood lipid metabolism of hyperlipidemia rats was regulated by anthocyanin contents. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of hyperlipidemia rats were also improved by anthocyanins. These results showed that anthocyanins from N. tangutorun Bobr. fruits had potential biological activities in vivo as well as in vitro.

Effects of Miniscalpel-Needle Release on Chronic Neck Pain: A Retrospective Analysis with 12-Month Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic neck pain is a highly prevalent condition, and is often treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Limited clinical studies with short-term follow-up have shown promising efficacy of acupuncture as well as miniscalpel-needle (MSN) release. In this retrospective study, we examined whether MSN release could produce long-lasting relief in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS: We retrieved the medical records of all patients receiving weekly MSN release treatment for chronic neck pain at this institution during a period from May 2012 to December 2013. Only cases with the following information at prior to, and 1, 6, and 12 months after the treatment, were included in the analysis: neck disability index (NDI), numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), and active cervical range of motion (CROM). The primary analysis of interest is comparison of the 12-month measures with the baseline. Patients who took analgesic drugs or massage within 2 weeks prior to assessment were excluded from the analysis. For MSN release, tender points were identified manually by an experienced physician, and did not necessarily follow the traditional acupuncture system. MSN was inserted vertically (parallel to the spine) until breaking through resistance and patient reporting of distention, soreness or heaviness. The depth of the needling ranged from 10 to 50 mm. The release was carried out by moving the MSN up and down 3-5 times without rotation. RESULTS: A total of 559 cases (patients receiving weekly MSN release treatment for chronic neck pain) were screened. The number of cases with complete information (NDI, NPRS, and CROM at baseline, 1, 6 and 12 months after last treatment) was 180. After excluding the cases with analgesic treatment or massage within 2 weeks of assessment (n = 53), a total of 127 cases were included in data analysis. The number of MSN release session was 7 (range: 4-11). At 12 months after the treatment, both NPRS and NDI were significantly lower [3 (0, 9) vs. 7 (5, 10) at the baseline for NPRS; [7 (0, 21) vs. 17 (9, 36) for NDI; p<0.001 for both]. All 6 measures of CROM were significantly higher at 12 months vs. the baseline. No severe complications (such as nerve damage and hematoma) were noted. DISCUSSION: MSN release is effective, even 12 months after the treatment, in patients with chronic neck pain. Caution must be exercised in data interpretation due to the respective nature of the study and lack of a comparator group.

Neuroprotective effects of apelin-13 on experimental ischemic stroke through suppression of inflammation.

Acute inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenic progression of post-ischemic neuronal damage. Apelin-13 has been investigated as a neuropeptide for various neurological disorders. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of apelin-13 on the inflammation of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Transient focal I/R model in male Wistar rats were induced by 2h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24h reperfusion. Rats then received treatment with apelin-13 or vehicle after ischemia at the onset of reperfusion. The neurological deficit was evaluated and the infarct volume was measured by TTC staining. The activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was measured. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured using real-time PCR. And the expression of apelin receptor (APJ), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were measured by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Our results demonstrated that treatment with apelin-13 in I/R rats markedly reduced neurological deficits and the infarct volume. The increase of MPO activity induced by I/R was inhibited by apelin-13 treatment. The real-time PCR showed that apelin-13 decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, TNF-α and ICAM-1 in I/R rats. The expression of APJ in I/R rats was increased. And the expression of Iba1, GFAP and HMGB1 in I/R rats was decreased by apelin-13 treatment indicating the inhibition of microglia, astrocytes and other inflammatory cells. In conclusion, apelin-13 is neuroprotective for neurons against I/R through inhibiting the neuroinflammation.

Miniscalpel-Needle versus Steroid Injection for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial with a 12-Month Follow-Up.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. A novel alternative medical instrument, the miniscalpel-needle (MSN), which is based on an acupuncture needle, has been recently developed in China. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the MSN release treatment versus that of traditional steroid injection for plantar fasciitis. Patients with plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to 2 groups and followed up for 12 months, with 29 receiving MSN treatment and 25 receiving steroid injection treatment. The results showed that visual analog scale scores for morning pain, active pain, and overall heel pain all were decreased significantly in the MSN group from 1 to 12 months after treatment. In contrast, treatment with steroid injection showed a significant effect only at the 1-month follow-up but not at 6 or 12 months after treatment. Moreover, the MSN group achieved more rapid and sustained improvements than the steroid group throughout the duration of this study. No severe side effects were observed with MSN treatment. Our data suggest that the MSN release treatment is safe and has a significant benefit for plantar fasciitis compared to steroid injection.

Mechanisms of behavior modification in clinical behavioral medicine in China.

BACKGROUND: Behavior modification, as the core of clinical behavioral medicine, is often used in clinical settings. PURPOSE: We seek to summarize behavior modification techniques that are commonly used in clinical practice of behavioral medicine in China and discuss possible biobehavioral mechanisms. METHODS: We reviewed common behavior modification techniques in clinical settings in China, and we reviewed studies that explored possible biobehavioral mechanisms. RESULTS: Commonly used clinical approaches of behavior modification in China include behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, health education, behavior management, behavioral relaxation training, stress management intervention, desensitization therapy, biofeedback therapy, and music therapy. These techniques have been applied in the clinical treatment of a variety of diseases, such as chronic diseases, psychosomatic diseases, and psychological disorders. The biobehavioral mechanisms of these techniques involve the autonomic nervous system, neuroendocrine system, neurobiochemistry, and neuroplasticity. CONCLUSION: Behavior modification techniques are commonly used in the treatment of a variety of somatic and psychological disorders in China. Multiple biobehavioral mechanisms are involved in successful behavior modification.

New 23-spirocholestane derivatives from Ypsilandra thibetica.

Three new unusual 23-spirocholestane derivatives, ypsilanogenin (1), ypsilanogenin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), and 4'-acetylypsilanogenin 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (3), were isolated from the whole plants of Ypsilandra thibetica. The structures of compounds 1-3 were deduced by spectroscopic and chemical methods, and the structure of 1 was further confirmed by a single-crystal diffraction analysis. All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against HIV-1.

Selective overexpression of human SIRT1 in adipose tissue enhances energy homeostasis and prevents the deterioration of insulin sensitivity with ageing in mice.

SIRT1, a longevity regulator and NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase, plays a critical role in promoting metabolic fitness associated with calorie restriction and healthy ageing. Using a tissue-specific transgenic approach, the present study demonstrates that over-expression of human SIRT1 selectively in adipose tissue of mice prevents ageing-induced deterioration of insulin sensitivity and ectopic lipid distribution, reduces whole body fat mass and enhances locomotor activity. During ageing, the water-soluble vitamin biotin is progressively accumulated in adipose tissue. Over-expression of SIRT1 alleviates ageing-associated biotin accumulation and reduces the amount of biotinylated proteins, including acetyl CoA carboxylase, a major reservoir of biotin in adipose tissues. Chronic biotin supplementation increases adipose biotin contents and abolishes adipose SIRT1-mediated beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism and locomotor activity. Biochemical, spectrometric and chromatographic analysis revealed that biotin and its metabolites act as competitive inhibitors of SIRT1-mediated deacetylation. In summary, these results demonstrate that adipose SIRT1 is a key player in maintaining systemic energy homeostasis and insulin sensitivity; enhancing its activity solely in adipose tissue can prevent ageing-associated metabolic disorders.

[A new aristolochic acid derivative from Asarum himalaicum].

To study the chemical constituents of Asarum himalaicum, fifteen compounds were isolated from a 70% ethanol extract by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. By spectroscopic techniques including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HR-ESI-MS, these compounds were identified as 4-demethoxyaristolochic acid BII (1), aristolochic acid I (2), aristolochic acid Ia (3), 7-hydroxyaristolochic acid I (4), aristolochic acid IV (5), aristolic acid II (6), debilic acid (7), aristololactam I (8), 9-hydroxyaristololactam I (9), 7-methoxyaristololactam IV (10), (2S)-narigenin-5, 7-di-O-beta-D-pyranosylglucoside (11), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (12), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (13), 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (14), and beta-sitosterol (15). All of these compounds (1-15) were obtained from A. himalaicum for the first time. Among them, 1 was identified as a new compound, and compounds 3-6, 9, 12-14 were isolated from Asarum genus for the first time. Since the kidney toxicity of aristolochic acids and aristololactams has been reported, the result of this investigation suggests that it should be cautioned to use A. himalaicum as a medicine.

5-methoxyaristololactam I, the first natural 5-substituted aristololactam from Asarum ichangense.

A new aristololactam, 5-methoxyaristololactam I (1), was isolated from an ethanol extract of the whole plant of Asarum ichangense C. Y. Cheng et C. S. Yang, together with twenty known compounds (2-21). The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 11, 13, 17, and 19 were isolated from Aristolochiaceae for the first time. Compounds 2, 14, and 15 are considered as common constituents of the genus Asarum.

A new aristolochic acid derivative from Asarum himalaicum / 药学学报

To study the chemical constituents of Asarum himalaicum, fifteen compounds were isolated from a 70% ethanol extract by using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. By spectroscopic techniques including 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HR-ESI-MS, these compounds were identified as 4-demethoxyaristolochic acid BII (1), aristolochic acid I (2), aristolochic acid Ia (3), 7-hydroxyaristolochic acid I (4), aristolochic acid IV (5), aristolic acid II (6), debilic acid (7), aristololactam I (8), 9-hydroxyaristololactam I (9), 7-methoxyaristololactam IV (10), (2S)-narigenin-5, 7-di-O-beta-D-pyranosylglucoside (11), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (12), 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (13), 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (14), and beta-sitosterol (15). All of these compounds (1-15) were obtained from A. himalaicum for the first time. Among them, 1 was identified as a new compound, and compounds 3-6, 9, 12-14 were isolated from Asarum genus for the first time. Since the kidney toxicity of aristolochic acids and aristololactams has been reported, the result of this investigation suggests that it should be cautioned to use A. himalaicum as a medicine.

Tanshinone IIA inhibits smooth muscle proliferation and intimal hyperplasia in the rat carotid balloon-injured model through inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of tashinone IIA (TA) on intimal hyperplasia in a rat model of carotid artery balloon injury and on the proliferation of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by fetal bovine serum (FBS) and its underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Carotid artery injury was induced in rats by balloon dilatation and they were treated with TA or vehicle for 2 weeks until killed for assessment of neointimal formation and lumen area. VSMC was cultured in vitro and proliferation was assessed by determining cell number, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and cell cycle analysis. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and c-fos expression were assessed by Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. RESULTS: TA could significantly decrease intimal thickening, suppress cell proliferation and BrdU incorporation into DNA, block cell cycle in G(0)/G(1) phase, inhibit ERK1/2 phosphorylation and c-fos expression. CONCLUSIONS: TA abolishes VSMC proliferation and reduces intimal hyperplasia through inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and down-regulation of c-fos expression.

[Inhibitory effects and mechanism of tanshinone IIA on proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of tanshinone IIA (TA, one of the active components of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge), on the proliferation of cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), and to clarity the probable mechanism. METHOD: Cell culture technique was used in vitro and treated with or without 10% FBS. The inhibitory effect of TA on proliferation of VSMC was observed by cell count, MTU metabolism measuring and BrdU incorporation assay. Flow cytometry was performed to track cell cycle progression. Western bolts were performed to evaluate ERK1/2 activity. The expression of c-fos was examined by RT-PCR. RESULT: The results of cell number, MTU assay and BrdU incorporation showed that TA cound significantly inhibit 10% FBS induced proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry (FCM) analysis indicated that the G5/G1 phase fraction ratio of TA group was higher than that of 10% FBS group, while the S-phase fraction ratio was lower than that of 10% FBS group. Western blot's results displayed that TA inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and in accordance with this findings. TA could decrease the early elevation of c-fos expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TA can inhibit 10% FBS induced the proliferation of VSMC. This effect may be related to its blocking VSMCs cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, inhibiting of the ERK1/2 activity, and decreasing the expression of c-fos.