Successful treatment of Talaromyces marneffei pneumonia in a HIV-negative renal transplantation recipient: A case report.

RATIONALE: Talaromyces marneffei causes life-threatening opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. It often has a poorer prognosis in non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected than in HIV-infected individuals because of delayed diagnosis and improper treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 51-year-old man presented with complaints of pyrexia, cough, and expectoration that had lasted for 15 day. This patient has been taking anti-rejection medication since kidney transplant in 2011. DIAGNOSIS: T marneffei pneumonia; post renal transplantation; renal insufficiency; hypertension. INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous moxifloxacin was administered on admission. After the etiology was established, moxifloxacin was discontinued and replaced with voriconazole. The tacrolimus dose was adjusted based on the blood concentration of tacrolimus and voriconazole. OUTCOMES: The patient was successfully treated and followed-up without recurrence for 1 year. LESSONS: A high degree of caution should be maintained for the possibility of T marneffei infection in immunodeficient non-HIV patients who live in or have traveled to T marneffei endemic areas. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent progression of T marneffei infection and achieve a cure. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) can aid the physician in reaching an early pathogenic diagnosis. Close monitoring of tacrolimus and voriconazole blood levels during treatment remains a practical approach at this time.

Study on the mechanism of Yupingfeng powder in the treatment of immunosuppression based on UPLC⁃QTOF⁃MS, network pharmacology and molecular biology verification.

AIMS: The current study aims to investigate the effect of Yupingfeng (YPF) powder on immunosuppression, and explore the possible mechanisms. MAIN METHODS: Firstly, the monomer components of YPF powder were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS combined with UNIFI automatic analysis platform, then the mechanism of YPF on immunosuppressive treatment was investigated using network pharmacological method, and finally the prediction was verified in a Candida albicans (Can)-induced immunosuppressive BALB/c mouse model. KEY FINDINGS: 98 monomer compounds in YPF were obtained. Through virtual analysis and screening on the oral utilization and drug likeness properties of the components, 47 effective components were got. 9 core targets obtained were enriched in IL-17 signaling pathway. In the mouse model, YPF could reduce the number of Can and alleviate Can-induced inflammation in the kidney effectively, upregulate Can-induced low proportion of CD4+/CD8+ of splenic lymphocytes, and increase Can-induced low activity of IL-17 pathway. SIGNIFICANCE: These results demonstrate that YPF could improve the immunity of Can-induced immunosuppression in BALB/c mice through upregulating the activity of IL-17 pathway.

Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim.) Franquet extract suppresses the development of colorectal cancer through downregulation of PI3K/Akt pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bolbostemma paniculatum (Maxim.) Franquet (BPF), a kind of Chinese medicine, has been traditionally used in treating mastitis, dysentery, phlegm nuclear, and sore swelling poison. AIM OF THE STUDY: In current study, we tried to investigate the possible anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) effects of BPF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of BPF extract on human colon cancer cells HCT-116 and SW-620, and a colitis associated colorectal cancer (CACC) mouse model were evaluated using the method of experimental pharmacology combined with network pharmacology. RESULTS: The ethyl acetate extract 3 (EA3) of BPF showed the most potent growth inhibitory effect in CRC cells. It could inhibit the clone formation, induce the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G1 phase as well as suppress the invasion and migration of CRC cells. And EA3 prevented ICR mice against CACC effectively. Both KEGG and GO analysis indicated that EA3 may inhibit CRC through influencing PI3K/Akt pathway. Results of Western blot analysis and ELISA confirmed that the molecules in the pathway were affected by EA3. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that EA3 from BPF could suppress the development of CRC through inhibiting the activity of PI3K/Akt pathway.

Jiaolong capsule protects SD rats against 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced colitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jiaolong capsule (JLC) was approved for the therapy of gastrointestinal diseases by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China. It has a satisfactory curative effect in the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, however, the mechanism remains to be elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: In current study, the effects and possible mechanisms of JLC on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sulfasalazine and JLC were administrated orally and initialized 6 h after TNBS enema, once a day for seven consecutive days. The effect of JLC on intestinal microbial populations and LPS/TLR-4/NF-κB pathway was observed and assessed. Thirty female SD rats were distributed into six groups randomly and equally, namely, control, TNBS, TNBS + sulfasalazine (625 mg/kg), and TNBS + three different doses of JLC (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) groups. RESULTS: The effect of JLC on restoring normal structures of colorectum and repairing colonic damage were superior to that of sulfasalazine. JLC showed a positive effect in re-balancing intestinal bacteria population of colitis, and suppressed the activation of LPS/TLR-4/NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that JLC demonstrated a beneficial effect on treating colitis in a rat model. The possible mechanisms may be through the regulatory effect of intestinal commensal bacteria and down-regulation of LPS/TLR-4/NF-κB pathway.

Altered Brain Regional Homogeneity Following Contralateral Acupuncture at Quchi (LI 11) and Zusanli (ST 36) in Ischemic Stroke Patients with Left Hemiplegia: An fMRI Study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of contralateral acupuncture (CAT) at acupoints of Quchi (LI 11) and Zusanli (ST 36) on the unaffected limbs of ischemic stroke patients with left hemiplegia based on regional homogeneity (ReHo) indices. METHODS: Ten ischemic stroke patients with left hemiplegia received CAT on right side at LI 11 and ST 36. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed before and after acupuncture. A ReHo analytical method was used to compare brain responses of patients before and after CAT operated by REST software. RESULTS: The stimulation at both LI 11 and ST 36 on the unaffected limbs produced significantly different neural activities. CAT elicited increased ReHo values at the right precentral gyrus and superior frontal gyrus, decreased ReHo value at right superior parietal lobule, left fusiform gyrus and left supplementary motor area. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture at one side could stimulate bilateral regions. CAT could evoke the gyrus which was possibly related to motor recovery from stroke. A promising indicator of neurobiological deficiencies could be represented by ReHo values in post-stroke patients.

Chemical Constituents of Stems and Leaves of Tagetespatula L. and Its Fingerprint.

Tagetespatula L. is a widely cultivated herbal medicinal plant in China and other countries. In this study, two new 2, 3-dihydrobenzofuran glucosides (1, 2) and fourteen known metabolites (3-16) were isolated from the stems and leaves of T. patula (SLT). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were characterized comprehensively based on one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry. Absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by ECD calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate in vitro inhibitory activities against human gastric cancer cell lines (AGS) with IC50 values of 41.20 µmol/L and 30.43 µmol/L, respectively. The fingerprint profiles of stems and leaves of T. patula with three color types of flowers (Janie Yellow Bright, Jinmen Orange, Shouyao Red and Yellow color) were established by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ten different batches of stems and leaves were examined as follow: Shouyao Red and Yellow color (1, 2, 3), Janie Yellow Bright (4, 5, 6, 7) and Jinmen Orange (8, 9, 10). Twenty-two common peaks were identified with similarity values ranging from 0.910 to 0.977. Meanwhile, the average peak area of SLT in the three types of flowers was different and it was the highest in Janie Yellow Bright.

[Soil fertility characteristics under different land use patterns in depressions between karst hills].

Soil samples were collected from the depressions between karst hills by grid sampling method (5 m x 5 m), soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) in surface layer (0-20 cm) under different land use patterns (burning, cutting, cutting plus root removal, enclosure, maize plantation, and pasture plantation) were measured, the main factors of influencing the soil fertility was identified by principal component analysis (PCA), and the relationships between soil nutrients and microorganisms were demonstrated by canonical correlation analysis (CCA). The results showed that the soil was slightly alkaline (pH 7.83-7.98), and the soil fertility differed under the different land use patterns, with 76.78-116.05 g x kg(-1) of SOC, 4.29-6.23 g x kg(-1) of TN, 1.15-1.47 g x kg(-1) of TP, 3.59-6.05 g x kg(-1) of TK, 331.49-505.49 mg x kg(-1) of AN), 3.92-10.91 mg x kg(-1) of AP, and 136.28-198.10 mg x kg(-1) of AK. These soil indexes except pH showed moderate or strong variation. Different land use patterns had various impacts on soil fertility: Soil nutrients such as SOC, TN, TP, and AN were most significantly influenced by land use patterns in the depressions between karst hills; Followed by soil microorganisms, especially soil actinomycetes, and the effect decreased with the increasing gradient of human disturbance from enclosure, burning, cutting, cutting plus root removal, pasture plantation, and maize plantation. CCA elucidated that considerable interactions existed in soil TP with MBP (microbial biomass phosphorus), TK with MBC (microbial biomass carbon), TN with actinomycetes in the burned area, while TN and MBC in the cutting treatment, AP and MBN (microbial biomass nitrogen) in the treatment of cutting plus root removal, pH with MBC and fungus in the enclosure treatment, TN and TK with MBP in the maize plantation, pH with fungi and actinomycetes in the pasture plantation. Land use patterns changed the soil fertility in the depressions between karst hills; therefore, in the ecological restoration and reconstruction of karst region with fragmented landforms and shallow soil, rational land use patterns should be adopted to improve the soil quality of degraded ecosystems.

Folic acid attenuates cognitive dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetic cognitive dysfunction is common in patients with diabetes but its pathogenesis is not clear. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of 5', 10' methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in the development of diabetic cognitive impairment and test whether folic acid (FA) supplementation prevents cognitive dysfunction in diabetic rats. In the current study, three months after streptozotocin-induced diabetes onset, rats showed cognitive dysfunction including the prolonged escape latency, the decreased time spent in the target quadrant and the declined number of crossing the platform in Morris water maze test. Diabetic rats also presented elevated plasma homocysteine level and downregulation of MTHFR in hippocampus revealed by Western blotting. The diabetic cognitive dysfunction was attenuated by 30-day dietary FA treatment with a significantly decreased homocysteine level. In conclusion, these results suggest that MTHFR plays a crucial role in diabetic cognitive dysfunction and folate fortification might become a potent therapeutic strategy against diabetic cognitive impairment.

[Adverse effect of environmental endocrine disruptors on gonadal development of prepubertal male rats and therapeutic effect of bushen tianjing recipe on it].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the antagonistic effect of Bushen Tianjing Recipe (BTR) on environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) induced gonadal dysgenesis (GD) Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rat model. METHODS: Totally 70 3-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, i.e., the control group (fed with corn oil), the model A group [di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP) 500 mg/kg], the CM A group (fed with DEHP 500 mg/kg + BTR 40 mL/kg), the exposed group B (fed with CYP 80 mg/kg), the CM B group (fed with CYP 80 mg/kg + BTR 40 mL/kg), the model C group [fed with DEHP 500 mg/kg + CYP 80 mL/kg], the CM C group (DEHP 500 mg/kg + CYP 80 mg/kg + BTR 40 mL/kg), respectively, 10 in each group. All were administered with corresponding medication by gastrogavage, once daily, for total 30 days. Rats were killed 24 h after the last administration, and their body weight and wet testis weight were weighed. The coefficient of testis was calculated. The serum testosterone (T) level was measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. The histopathologic tissue was prepared. The ultrastructural changes of genital cells were observed by electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, there was no statistical difference in the body weight increase among all groups (P > 0.05). The time of testicular descent and preputial separation were significantly delayed in each exposed group (P < 0.01). In the exposed group A and the exposed group C, the wet weight of the testes was reduced and serum T level decreased (P < 0.01). The coefficient of testis significantly decreased in the exposed group A (P < 0.01). Compared with corresponding model group, the time of testicular descent and preputial separation were significantly fore-laid in each corresponding CM group (P < 0.01). The weight of the testes, the coefficient of testis, and the serum T level increased in the CM A group (P < 0.01). The serum T level obviously increased in the CM B group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The GD rat model was successfully duplicated by using DEHP. EEDs were proved to have significant anti-androgen activities. BTR was verified to have significant antagonistic to its anti-androgen effect.

[Litter decomposition of dominant plantations in Guangxi and its effects on leachate quality].

To understand the decomposition characteristics of the litters in different forest plantations and the effects of released substances during litter decomposition on the leachate quality, litter samples (leaf, shoot, and cortices) were collected from five forest plantations (1 year-old Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis, EU1; 4 year-old Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis, EU4; 7 year-old Acacia mangium x A. auriculaef, AM; 13 year-old Pinus massoniana Lamb, PL; and mixed broad-leaved softwood, BL), and incubated at 28 degrees C, using water leached for 255 days. In the first 105 days, the litter leachates of EU1 and EU4 had significantly higher coloration and N and P contents and lower pH than those of AM, PL, and BL. On the 255th day, the cumulative chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the leaf litters leachates of EU1 and EU4 was 193.9 and 212.8 g x kg(-1), being 4.2, 4.0, and 4.3 times and 5.3, 4.4, and 4.7 times higher than that of AM, PL, and BL, respectively. The mass loss rate and the N and P leaching rate of the leaf litter of EU1 were significantly higher than those of AM, PL, and BL. The mass loss rate of cortices of EU1 was significantly higher than that of PL. No significant difference was observed for the leaching rate of the shoot litters between AM, PL, and BL. Among the litter samples, leaf litter was easiest to be decomposed, while shoot litter was most difficult to be decomposed. The pH value of the litter leachates of Eucalyptus plantations was significantly negatively correlated with leachate chroma and COD, and the COD had significant positive correlations with the concentrations of total N and P in the leachates.

[The establishment of environmental endocrine disruptors induced precocious puberty Macaca fascicularis model and the intervention of yin nourishing fire purging Chinese materia medica].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) induced precocious puberty macaca fascicularis model, thus verifying the antagonism of yin nourishing fire purging Chinese materia medica (YNFPCMM) against the estrogenic effects. METHODS: (1) The female prepubescent monkeys at different months old were fed with high dose and low dose EEDs. By observing EEDs' estrogenic effects, the optimal age, the optimal exposure dose, and the optimal exposure time were determined. (2) Fifteen female prepubescent monkeys were randomly divided into the exposure group, the treatment group, and the control group, 5 in each group. Those in the exposure group were fed with EEDs such as nonylphenol (4-NP) and bisphenol A (BPA). Those in the treatment group were fed with EEDs and YNFPCMM. Those in the control group were fed with dissolvent such as corn oil. The therapeutic course was 4 weeks. By the end of the treatment, the serum estrogen level was measured and the maturation index of the vaginal keratinocytes was calculated. The uterus was extracted to measure the wet weight, the endometrial thickness, the ring-shaped myometrium thickness, the endometrial epithelial cells, and the glandular epithelium height. RESULTS: (1) Twenty month was the optimal exposure age. The low dose EEDs was the best exposure dose, and 4 weeks was the optimal exposure time. (2) Compared with the control group, the serum estrogen level obviously increased, the maturation index of the vaginal keratinocytes significantly increased, the wet uterus weight, the endometrial thickness, the ring-shaped myometrium thickness, the endometrial epithelial cells, and the glandular epithelium height significantly increased in the exposure group (P<0.05). Compared with the exposure group, the aforesaid indices significantly decreased in the treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The EEDs induced precocious puberty macaca fascicularis model was successfully established in this study. The EEDs were proved to have estrogenic-like activities. YNFPC-MM was proved to have significant antagonism like estrogenic activities.

[Effect of Chinese herbs for nourishing shen-yin and removing xiang-fire on estrogen receptor expression in reproductive organ of rats contaminated with environmental endocrine disruptor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Chinese herbs for nourishing Shen-yin and removing Xiang-fire (NYRF) on estrogen receptor (ER) expression in uterus and ovary of rats contaminated with nonylphenol (NP) or its bisphenol A (BPA) mixture, for exploring the action mechanism of NYRF in antagonizing the estrogen-mimetic activity of environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs). METHODS: EEDs contaminated female SD rats, 3-week old, were divided into two groups, the treated group fed with NYRF and the control group with corn oil during the same period of contaminating for 15 days. The wet weight (WW) and organ coefficient (OC) of uterus in rats, as well as the ER protein and mRNA expressions in rat's uterus and ovary were detected and compared. RESULTS: As compared with normal range, WW and OC increased significantly in the contaminated rats of the control group, with significantly down-regulated ER protein expression in uterus, and expressions of ER alpha and ER beta gene and protein in ovary (P<0.05). While in the treated group, the above-mentioned abnormalities of various indicators were markedly reversed to a certain extent (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EEDs show estrogenic-mimetic action on productive organs, which could be antagonized by NYRF, resulting in the down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of ER in reproductive organs, so as to reduce the sensibility of reproductive organs to EEDs, which is probably one of the acting mechanisms of NYRF.

Warm-needling plus Tuina relaxing for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To probe into quick and effective therapies for carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Totally 98 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group received warm-needling plus Tuina relaxing, while the control group was treated by hormone block therapy and drug medication. RESULTS: The cure rate was 81.7% in the treatment group and 47.4% in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture plus Tuina manipulation is a simple therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome, but with remarkable therapeutic effects.

[Effect of multiple paralleled acupuncture needles stimulation of scalp points on hemodynamics and blood flow energy of the common carotid artery in stroke patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of carotid hemodynamic and hydraulic power indices after paralleled scalp-point acupuncture therapy in post-stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty post-stroke volunteer patients were enlisted in the present study. Aseptic filiform needles were inserted into Baihui (GV 20), bilateral Motor Area (MS 8), etc. with the needles retained for 5 min. The treatment was given one time. Hemodynamic indices: mean velocity of blood flow (Vmean), maximum velocity (Vmax), minimum velocity (Vmin), mean blood flow (Qmean), maximum blood flow (Qmax), minimum blood flow (Qmin), natural impedance (Zc), peripheral resistance (Rc), dynamic resistance (Dr), and critical pressure (Pc) before and after the treatment were detected with KF-3000 Brain Circulation Analyzer. The hydraulic power indices:stable potential energy (Ws), oscillation potential energy (Wo), total potential energy (Wc), stable kinetic energy (Ks), success kinetic energy (Ko), total kinetic energy (Kc), stable total energy (Ts), oscillation total energy (To), total energy (Tc), To/Tc, Kc/Tc, Wo/Wc and Ks/Kc were obtained through calculation. RESULTS: After the therapy, Vmin, Vmean, Qmin and Qmean increased significantly (P<0.001), while Rc decreased evidently (P<0.001). Ws, Ks, Ts, Wc, Kc, Tc and Kc/Tc increased obviously (P<0.001, P<0.05), and Ks/Kc declined significantly (P<0.01). The rest indices had no significant changes after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Multiple paralleled scalp acupuncture needles stimulation can effectively raise the blood flow volume of the common caroitid artery, leading to an increase of the energy supply of the cerebral blood circulation, but has no apparent influence on the total oscillatory energy/total energy in stroke patients.

[Regulative effects of Chinese herbs for nourishing yin and removing fire on gene expressions of estrogen receptor alpha, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, epithelial growth factor receptor and protein synthesis in epiphyseal growth plate of female pubertal rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Chinese herbs for nourishing yin and removing fire (NYRF) on gene expressions of estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the epiphyseal growth plate of the female pubertal rats. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into the control group and the intervened group. Immunohistochemistry and realtime-PCR methods were used to measure the gene expression of ER alpha, IGF-1R and EGFR and their protein synthesis in epiphyseal growth plate. RESULTS: After being intervened with NYRF, the gene expressions of ER alpha and IGF-1R were down-regulated and their protein synthesis markedly reduced, while those of EGFR were unchanged. CONCLUSION: NYRF can modulate the development and maturation of bone by regulating the expressions of ER alpha and IGF-1R in the epiphyseal growth plate.

[Effects of Chinese herbal medicine for supplementing Shen and strengthening the bone on rat distal femur cancellous bone in simulated weightlessness: an observation with scanning electron microscope].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Chinese herbal medicine for supplementing Shen and strengthening the bone on distal femoral trabecular ultrastructure of male rats subjected to simulated weightlessness. METHODS: Fifteen male SD rats were randomized equally into 3 groups, including a control group (group A, in which the rats were allowed free movement) and two simulated weightlessness (via tail suspension) groups (group B and C). The rats in group C were treated with the commercially available Chinese herbal preparation, and those in the other two groups received normal saline at the same dose, for a treatment course of 28 days. Observation of trabeculae was performed with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: In group B, the trabeculae of the femur became thinner, fragile, discontinuous with reduced quantity as compared with those in group A. The rats in group C had greater number of the trabeculae than those in group B. Resorption surface decreased and the collagenous fiber were much more regular in group B. CONCLUSION: The Chinese herbal medicine may produce beneficial effect on bone microstructure of rats subjected to simulated weightlessness.

[Effects of Chinese Bushen Zhuanggu medicine on bone loss in female rats after simulated weightlessness].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Bushen Zhuanggu, the traditional Chinese medicine for reinforcing kidney and strengthening bone, on bone loss in female rats after simulated weightlessness. METHOD: Thirty-six female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely normal control group (group A) and two groups of weightlessness simulated by tail suspension (groups B and C). Group C were treated with the Chinese medicine, while groups A and B were given the same dose of normal saline. The experiment lasted 28 days, and all rats were allowed to drink water freely. RESULTS: In the rats of group B, serum bone Gla protein (BGP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), estradiol (E(2)) and P content and femur bone mineral content (BMD) were significantly lower than those in group A (P<0.01, P<0.05), whereas serum calcium concentration was markedly higher than that in group A (P<0.01). In rats of group C, serum BGP, ALP, E2 and P content and femur BMD were significantly higher than those in group B (P<0.01, P<0.05), but serum calcium concentration was markedly lower (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: This Chinese prescription can stimulate bone formation and reduce bone loss in female rats subjected to simulated weightlessness.

[Retrospective analysis on effect of reinforcing qi and activating blood for promoting safety in peri-operational stage of hip operation in aged patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on the safety in peri-operational stage of hip operation in aged patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on the complications and the following therapy in peri-operational stage of hip operation in 1872 aged patients, the incidence and treatment of complication were analyzed and compared between patients who received TCM decoction alone and those received TCM decoction combined with Danshen Injection and Shenmai Injection. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: All treatments showed good effects in preventing and treating the complications in peri-operational stage of hip operation in aged patients, while the effect of combined therapy was better in improving dyspepsia and preventing deep vein thrombosis than that of TCM decoction alone. CONCLUSION: Treatment with TCM of reinforcing qi and activating blood circulation has favorable effects in preventing occurrence of complication in peri-operational stage of hip operation in aged people.

[Effects of Chinese herbal medicine on modulating the course of puberty development in children with precocious puberty].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects of Ziyin Xiehuo Recipe (ZYXHR) for nourishing yin and lowering fire and Yishen Tianjing Recipe (YSTJR) for nourishing kidney and replenishing essence on regulating the gonadotrophic and somatotrophic functions of hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and to reveal the mechanisms of ZYXHR and YSTJR in modulating the course of pubertal development of children with precocious puberty. METHODS: The pubertal rats were fed with ZYXHR or YSTJR for 30 days, and the parameters of rats were monitored as the followings: The content of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the frequency and amplitude of GnRH impulse releasing, the releasing amounts of aminoacid neurotransmitters, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) and beta-endorphin (beta-END) in the gonadotrophic area of the hypothalamus were detected with neurobiological methods (push-pull perfusion, homogenate, incubation of brain slices, and immunohistochemical staining). The levels of gene and protein expressions of GnRH, growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SS) in hypothalamus, and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH) in adenohypophysis as well as insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in metaphysis were determined with real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The ZYXHR could reduce the activity of GnRH neurons in hypothalamus through inhibiting the release of central exciting aminoacid neurotransmitters, whereas promoting the release of central inhibiting aminoacid neurotransmitters, NPY and beta-END in gonadotrophic area of hypothalamus. The expression levels of GnRH, FSH and LH mRNAs were down-regulated while the expression level of SS mRNA in hypothalamus was up-regulated in the ZYXHR-treated group. The GH mRNA in hypophysis and the IGF-I mRNA in metaphysis were both down-regulated by ZYXHR. The YSTJR could promote the activity of GnRH neurons in hypothalamus through inhibiting the release of NPY in gonadotrophic area of hypothalamus, up-regulating the expression levels of GnRH, FSH, LH and GH mRNAs in hypophysis, and IGF-I mRNA in metaphysis, while down-regulating the expression level of SS mRNA in hypothalamus. CONCLUSION: The ZYXHR and YSTJR could both regulate the gonadotrophic and somatotrophic functions of hypothalamic-pituitary axis through modulating the neuroendocrine regulation and the gene expressions of GnRH and SS in hypothalamus, GH, FSH and LH in hypophysis, and IGF-I in metaphysis. These may be the chief mechanisms of ZYXHR and YSTJR in modulating the course of pubertal development and ameliorating the skeletal development in children with precocious puberty.