Rapid flavonoid-focused sub-chemome characterization of Draconis Sanguis using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS in combination with molecular weight imprinting and mass defect filtering / 中国中药杂志

Draconis Sanguis is a precious Chinese medicinal material for activating blood and resolving stasis, and its effective components are flavonoids. However, the structural diversity of flavonoids in Draconis Sanguis brings great challenges to the in-depth chara-cterization of its chemical composition profiles. To clarify the substance basis of Draconis Sanguis, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used in this study to acquire MS data of Draconis Sanguis. The molecular weight imprinting(MWI) and mass defect filtering(MDF) were developed for rapid screening of flavonoids in Draconis Sanguis. Full-scan MS and MS~2 were recorded within the mass range m/z 100-1 000 in positive ion mode. Accor-ding to previous literature, MWI was employed to hunt for reported flavonoids in Draconis Sanguis, and the mass tolerance range of [M+H]~+ was set as ±10×10~(-3). A five-point MDF screening frame was further constructed to narrow the screening range of flavonoids from Draconis Sanguis. Combined with diagnostic fragment ions(DFI) and neutral loss(NL) as well as mass fragmentation pathways, 70 compounds were preliminarily identified from the extract of Draconis Sanguis, including 5 flavan oxidized congeners, 12 flavans, 1 dihydrochalcones, 49 flavonoids dimers, 1 flavonoids trimer and 2 flavonoid derivatives. This study clarified the chemical composition of flavonoids in Draconis Sanguis. Moreover, it also showed that high-resolution MS combined with data post-processing methods such as MWI and MDF could achieve rapid characterization of the chemical composition in Chinese medicinal materials.

Forsythiaside A alleviates methotrexate-induced intestinal mucositis in rats by modulating the NLRP3 signaling pathways.

Most chemotherapeutic drugs can kill the tumor cells, but also cause a vast damage to body, such as intestinal mucositis (IM). The present study was design to find out the effect of Forsythiaside A (FTA) on chemotherapeutic-induced IM in rats. Briefly, for 3 consecutive days, male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 7 mg / kg methotrexate (MTX) to establish IM and simultaneously administered with 40 or 80 mg / kg FTA for 7 days. Our results showed that the final body weight and daily food intake were increased, and the disease activity index was reduced in the MTX group after FTA treatment. The MTX group showed the pathological alterations like the inflammatory cells infiltration, the mucosal layer destruction, glands expansion, intestinal villi structure disorder and goblet cells reduction, while we found that 80 mg / kg FTA treatment displayed evident reversal effects. ELISA further suggested that TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-18 levels in serum in MTX-induced rats were reduced after 80 mg / kg FTA treatment. Moreover, FTA decreased the number of leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Western blot and immunofluorescence results indicated that the expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase 1, cleaved IL-1ß and CD68 positive rate were down-regulated in MTX-induced rats after 80 mg / kg FTA intervention. The findings of the current study suggested that FTA effectively inhibited MTX-induced IM in rats by attenuating the activation of the NLRP3 signaling pathways.

Meteorin-like/Meteorin-ß upregulates proinflammatory cytokines via NF-κB pathway in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella.

Meteorin-like (Metrnl) is a newly discovered cytokine but whether it exists in fish is unclear. In this study, we identified two Meteorin-like (Metrnl) homologues in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (termed CiMetrnl-a and CiMetrnl-b) which share high sequence homology and conserved genomic organization of 4 exons and 3 introns with known Metrnl molecules. Also, gene synteny of Metrnl genes is well conserved in vertebrates. Expression analyses showed that the CiMetrnl-a gene was constitutively expressed in tissues of healthy fish whilst the levels of CiMetrnl-b transcripts were too low to be detected. The CiMetrnl-a gene was inducible by Flavobacterium columnare, grass carp reovirus and PAMPs. Recombinant CiMetrnl-a produced in the CHO-S cells was active in up-regulating the expression of cytokines involved in promoting inflammation (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A and TNF-α), type 1 immune response (IFN-γ and IL-2) and NF-κB signaling pathway (NF-κBp65 and NF-κBp52) in the primary head kidney leukocytes. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay showed that CiMetrnl-a was able to activate the NF-κB promoter in the EPC cells, suggesting that CiMetrnl-a may upregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines via NF-κB dependent pathway.

Isomeric discrimination of kaempferol versus luteolin by online energy-resolved mass spectrometry / 中国中药杂志

Isomers are widely distributed in Chinese herbal medicines,and can be discriminated by energy-resolved mass spectrometry( ER-MS). However,ER-MS was performed through direct injection of reference compounds with syringe pump,which encountered a significant technical barrier for high-throughput and automated measurements. Herein,online ER-MS was conducted using LC-MS platform,and a pair of isomers,kaempferol vs luteolin,were employed as a case study to illustrate and assess the utility of online ER-MS for isomeric discrimination. High-resolution tandem mass spectrometry data of both flavonoids were acquired on LC-QE-Orbitrap-MS,and the fragmentation pathways responsible for the primary fragment ions were proposed. The primary signal in MS1 occurred at m/z 285( [M-H]-),and the primary signals of either compound generated by retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation were observed at m/z 151 and 133. The spectral information was subsequently transferred onto LC-Qtrap-MS platform to carry out online ER-MS. Two precursor-to-product ion transition candidates were constructed as m/z 285>151 and 285>133,and either afterward derived a set of pseudo-ion transitions( PITs) and so forth,exactly corresponding to a series of progressive collision energies( eg-5,-8,-11 e V,and so on). All PITs were typed into the monitoring list of multiple reaction monitoring program to generate the peak area datasets. Either dataset was normalized using the highest values in the set and imported into Graph Pad Prism software to plot the Gaus-sian-shaped curve that was termed as the break-down graph. The apex of the regressive curve was termed as optimal collision energy( OCE). The OCE values corresponding to m/z 285>151 were calculated as-29. 06 e V and-35. 71 e V for kaempferol and luteolin,respectively. In the case of m/z 285>133,the OCEs were yielded as-44. 15 e V for kaempferol and-49. 01 e V for luteolin. With re-ference to their chemical structures,the location of hydroxyl group was regarded to be responsible for the differences of either m/z 285>151 or 285>133 between the isomers,attributing to their different bond properties. Above all,online ER-MS offers an eligible tool for isomeric discrimination,and provides meaningful information for the accurate chemical composition characterization based on LC-MS,which is not limited to Chinese herbal medicines.

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Ischemic Brain Injury and Cellular Apoptosis via Mitochondrial Translocation of Cofilin / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) to prevent ischemic stroke.@*METHODS@#The method of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was employed to establish a rat model of ischemic stroke. Seventy-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham group, MCAO + EA control (EC) group, and MCAO + EA (EA) group according to a random number table (n=26 per group). EA was applied to the acupoints of Baihui (DU 20) and Shenting (DU 24) 5 min and 6 h, respectively after the onset of MCAO. Rats in the sham and EC groups received only light isoflurane anesthesia for 30 min after MCAO. The neuroprotective effects of EA were evaluated by rota-rod test, neurological deficit scores and infarct volumes. Additionally, Nissl staining and immunostaining were performed to examine brain damage, rod formation, cellular apoptosis, and neuronal loss induced by ischemia. The activities of caspase-3, and expression levels of cofilin and p-cofilin in mitochondria and cytoplasm after ischemic injury were determined by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the EC group, EA significantly improved neuromotor function and cognitive ability after ischemic stroke (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Therapeutic use of EA also resulted in a significant decrease of cofilin rod formation and microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) degradation in the cortical penumbra area compared with the EC rats (P<0.01). Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that EA stimulation significantly inhibited mitochondrial translocation of cofilin and caspase-3 cleavage (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, brain damage (infarct volume and neuropathy), cellular apoptosis and neuronal loss induced by ischemia were remarkably suppressed by EA in the cortical penumbra of rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#EA treatment after ischemic stroke may attenuate ischemic brain injury and cellular apoptosis through the regulation of mitochondrial translocation of cofilin, a novel mechanism of EA therapy.

Professor -' clinical experiences in the identification and treatment of cranial tinnitus / 中国针灸

On the base of the relevant theories on disease identification of western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, professor - has made the differentiation of cranial tinnitus and proposes the intervention measures. The location of disease is identified firstly. Secondly, the deficiency is distinguished from the excess, and the involved organs are determined as well. In view of the holistic idea and in combination of meridian differentiation of acupuncture-moxibustion, the principle of treatment is proposed, named "regulating , harmonizing blood circulation, clearing office and tranquilizing the mind". In treatment, the disease is treated individually. According to the involved location of onset and the related meridian running course, acupuncture-moxibustion therapy is exerted, in which, the local acupoints are combined with the distal ones. Additionally, electroacupuncture is used flexibly. The appropriate electric wave and frequency are selected in consideration of the syndromes/patterns of disease so as to optimize the regimen of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. All of the approaches aforementioned provide the reference to clinical treatment of traditional Chinese medicine.

Effect of electroacupuncture on rehabilitation of knee joint movement after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the rehabilitation of knee joint function after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.@*METHODS@#A total of 140 patients with ACL reconstruction were randomly divided into an observation group (58 cases recruited, 12 cases dropped out) and a control group (65 cases recruited, 5 cases dropped out). The patients in the control group were treated with routine rehabilitation treatment. The patients in the observation group, on the basis of the treatment in the control group, were treated with EA at Fengshi (GB 31), Futu (ST 32), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Fenglong (ST 40), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Diji (SP 8) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on the affected side (2 Hz/100 Hz of dilatational wave, 2-5 mA). Each EA treatment lasted 20-30 min, twice a day for 7 days. The swelling degree (d), pain visual analogue scale (VAS), knee joint range of motion (ROM), scores of International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective short form and scores of Lysholm were observed in the two groups 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after operation.@*RESULTS@#One month and 3 months after operation, the swelling degree (d) and VAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (0.05). One month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after operation, the ROM of the knee joint in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05), the IKDC score and Lysholm score were higher than those in the control group (<0.05). Within one year, there were no relaxations, fractures and other related complications in the two groups. The pivot shift test, anterior drawer test and the Lachman test were all negative.@*CONCLUSION@#EA combined with routine rehabilitation training could obviously reduce the pain of knee joint, improve the swelling degree, increase the ROM of knee joint, promote the functional recovery in patients with ACL reconstruction, which are superior to rehabilitation training alone.

Exploring the protective effect of ShengMai-Yin and Ganmaidazao decoction combination against type 2 diabetes mellitus with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by network pharmacology and validation in KKAy mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: ShengMai-Yin and Ganmaidazao decoction are classic formulas in traditional Chinese medicine. Individually, Shengmai-Yin is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, and Ganmaidazao decoction for therapy of mental disorders. The combination of Shengmai-Yin and Ganmaidazao decoction (SGD) is normally used as adjuvant therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). AIM OF THE STUDY: The central aim is to elucidate the pharmacological efficacy of SGD and its mechanism in the treatment of T2DM with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Active ingredients in SGD and their drug targets were identified using network analysis followed by experimental validation. First, existing databases were mined for information relevant to SGD, including pharmacological actions, chemical components, physicochemical characteristics, potential targets, and implicated diseases. Candidate patterns obtained with the network analysis were then tested in a KKAy mouse model of T2DM with NAFLD. Various doses of SGD were administered, followed by measurements of fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance tests, insulin tolerance tests, markers of lipid metabolism - including free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) - liver histology, and expression levels of implicated molecules including PI3K/AKT and PPARα. RESULTS: Over 300 potential active compounds with their physicochemical characteristics and 562 candidate targets were collected, and then the network of them was constructed. Follow-up pathway and functional enrichment analyses indicated that SGD influences metabolism-related signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt, AMPK, and PPAR. In validation experiments, treatment of KKAy mice with SGD reduced serum levels of glucose, TC, TG, and FFA, decreased numbers of crown-like structures in visceral adipose tissue, reduced adipocyte size, and lowered liver lipid deposits. Further, SGD improved liver metabolism by increasing the expressions of PPARα, HSL, and PI3K/Akt, and decreasing expressions of SREBP-1 and FASN, inhibiting lipid biosynthesis, and increasing insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Experimental validation of network analysis revealed anti-diabetic effects of the plant product SGD, manifested most notably by improved serum profiles and diminished insulin resistance. These experimental results may have clinical implications.

Quality evaluation of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction / 中国中药杂志

Decoction of single medicinal herb is a reference for the standardization of different dosage forms of Chinese medicine and it provides a new direction for solving the problems existing in the quality of Chinese medicinal granules such as no uniform dosage form and no clear quality standard. In this paper, the quality evaluation method of standard decoction of rhubarb was established to provide reference for the quality control of common dosage forms such as clinical decoction and formula granule. 10 batches of representative Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were collected to establish UPLC fingerprints were established. The chemical structures of main peaks were identified with ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and the main components in the decoction were Anthraquinones. The extraction ratio of the standard decoction was (28.1±3.8)% and the transfer rate was (19.9±6.3)%. The method for the quality evaluation of standard decoction of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was established in this study, providing reference for the quality control method of terminal products from decoction of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

Clinical Study on Osteoporosis Treated by Taoshi Jiangu Decoction / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Taoshi Jiangu Decoction for osteoporosis(OP). Methods A total of 120 cases of OP patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group ,60 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with Taoshi Jiangu Decoction orally,and those in the control group were treated with Caltrate D and Alendronate Sodium Tablets orally. Four weeks constituted one treatment course, and the treatment for the two groups covered 3 courses. The therapeutic effect of the two groups was evaluated by the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,urine hydroxyproline (U-HYP),serum bone Gla-protein (BGP or osteocalcin),serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP),urine calcium (U-Ca),tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), bone mass density(BMD) and quantitative CT(QCT) before and after treatment. Results (1)After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were decreased(P<0.05 compared with those before treatment),and the decrease in the treatment group was superior to that of the control group (P < 0.05). (2)After treatment,the levels of bone formation indexes of ALP and BGP were increased,and the levels of bone resorption indexes of U-HYP,U-Ca and TRAP were decreased in the two groups (P<0.05 compared with those before treatment). The effects of the treatment group were superior to those of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P < 0.05).(3)After treatment,BMD of lumbar vertebrae 2-4 (L2-L4),neck of femur,Wards triangle and trochanter of femur,and QCT values of left neck of femur were obviously increased in the two groups (P < 0.05 compared with those before treatment). The treatment group showed stronger effect on increasing BMD and QCT values than the control group, the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Taoshi Jiangu Decoction can restrain bone absorption , promote bone formation and increase BMD, showing certain therapeutic effect for OP.

Advances in study of anticancer properties of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus / 中国中药杂志

A commonly used Chinese crude drug Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus has been shown to possess good anticancer activities and related properties such as antioxidation, nitrite scavenging, nitrosamine synthesis blocking and immune enhancement, and has been widely used as an effective auxiliary drug in the treatment of some malignant tumors. This paper systematically reviews the advances in the study of anticancer-related activities of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus's various components such as raw juice, extracts, saponins, volatile oil, polysaccharides, nitrogen compounds, etc.

Simply mixed commercial red phosphorus and carbon nanotube composite with exceptionally reversible sodium-ion storage.

Recently, sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have been given intense attention because they are the most promising alternative to lithium ion batteries for application in renewable power stations and smart grid, owing to their low cost, their abundant natural resources, and the similar chemistry of sodium and lithium. Elemental phosphorus (P) is the most promising anode materials for SIBs with the highest theoretical capacity of 2596 mA h g(-1), but the commercially available red phosphorus cannot react with Na reversibly. Here, we report that simply hand-grinding commercial microsized red phosphorus and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can deliver a reversible capacity of 1675 mA h g(-1) for sodium ion batteries (SIBs), with capacity retention of 76.6% over 10 cycles. Our results suggest that the simply mixed commercial red phosphorus and CNTs would be a promising anode candidate for SIBs with a high capacity and low cost.

[Study on phosphorus adsorption characteristic of sediments in an ecological ditch].

Sediments properties and phosphorus (P) adsorption capacities were compared among the samples of 0-5 cm and 5-15 cm layers from the ecological ditch vegetated with Cenetlla asiatica, Sparganium stoloniferum and a natural agricultural ditch with weeds. The results showed the 0-5 cm sediment vegetated with Cenetlla asiatica had higher concentrations of oxalate extracted Fe, Al and P than those vegetated with Sparganium stoloniferum or weeds. The parameters calculated from the Freudlich and Langmiur isotherms showed the equilibrium phosphate concentration (EPC0) ranged from 0.009 to 0.031 mg x L(-1). Cenetlla asiatica in the 0-5 cm layer had the maximum values of 352.2 L x kg(-1) and 562.7 mg x kg(-1) for Freundlich adsorption constant (K(f)) and Langmuir sorption maximum (S(max)), respectively, which proved it had the highest P adsorption capacity. The regression analysis showed P sorption parameters had significant relationship to oxalate-extracted Fe, clay content and DPS (P < 0.05). It was thus clear that aquatic plants influenced sediment properties and P adsorption capacity, and the practice of growing proper plants in ecological ditch could reduce the risk of P loss in non-point source pollution.

Capsaicin ameliorates stress-induced Alzheimer's disease-like pathological and cognitive impairments in rats.

Hyperphosphorylated tau aggregated into neurofibrillary tangles is a hallmark lesion of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is linked to synaptic and cognitive impairments. In animal models, cold water stress (CWS) can cause cognitive disorder and tau hyperphosphorylation. Capsaicin (CAP), a specific TRPV1 agonist, is neuroprotective against stress-induced impairment, but the detailed mechanisms are still elusive. Here, we investigated whether CAP mitigates CWS-induced cognitive and AD-like pathological alterations in rats. The animals were administered CAP (10 mg/kg in 0.2 ml, 0.1% ethanol) or a control (0.2 ml normal saline, 0.1% ethanol) by intragastric infusion 1 h before CWS treatment. Our results showed that CAP significantly attenuated CWS-induced spatial memory impairment and suppression of PP-DG long-term potentiation; CAP abolished CWS-induced dendritic regression and enhanced several memory-associated proteins decreased by CWS, such as synapsin I and PSD93; CAP also prevented CWS-induced tau hyperphosphorylation by abolishing inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A. Taken together, this study demonstrated that activation of TRPV1 can mitigate CWS-induced AD-like neuropathological alterations and cognitive impairment and may be a promising target for therapeutic intervention in AD.

Effect of euodiae fructus on hepatic energy metabolism-related mechanisms of reserpine-induced asthenia cold syndrome rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the effect of Euodiae Fructus on hepatic energy metabolism-related mechanisms of mitochondria of hepatic tissues of asthenia cold syndrome rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats were subcutaneously injected with Reserpine to establish the model. After the oral administration with Euodiae Fructus for 12 d, the oxygen electrode method was adopted to determine the respiration efficiency. The expressions of Cox4, Atp5b, Ucp2,Pgc-1alpha, Nrf1, Tfam mRNA were assayed by using RT-PCR method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Euodiae Fructus 4.2 g x kg(-1) could obviously increase ST3 and RCR of asthenia cold syndrome rats, and expressions of Cox4, Ucp2 Nrf1 mRNA. It could also increase expressions of Atp5b and Pgc-1alpha mRNA, but with no statistical significance. No obvious change was observed in Tfam mRNA expression. Euodiae Fructus 4.2 g x kg(-1) could significantly increase ST3 and RCR of asthenia cold syndrome rats and Pgc-1alpha mRNA and Nrf1 mRNA expressions, and significantly decrease P/O, with no obvious impact on Cox4, AtpSb, Ucp2, Tfam mRNA expressions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Euodiae Fructus can promote mitochondrial respiratory function and oxidative phosphorylation efficiency by improving Pgc-1alpha mRNA and Nrf1 mRNA expressions and regulating Cox4 and Atp5b mRNA in mitochondrial respiratory chain. It can also strengthen mitochondrial uncoupling respiration and add heat production by activating Ucp2 mRNA expression in liver.</p>

Clinical study of Fuzheng Yiliu Recipe combined with microwave ablation on hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical value of Fuzheng Yiliu Recipe (FYR) combined with microwave ablation on hepatocellular carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were randomly assigned to the control group and the treatment group according to the random digit table, 30 in each group. Patients in the control group received microwave ablation therapy, while those in the treatment group received FYR three days after microwave ablation. The therapeutic course was 6 months. By the end of the treatment, the short-term objective therapeutic efficacy, the liver function, the hepatic fibrosis index, the cellular immune function were statistically analyzed between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The indices of the liver function, the hepatic fibrosis, and the cellular immune function were more significantly improved in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The CD4+ level and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ of the treatment group were remarkably higher than those of the control group (40.38 +/- 12.47 vs 28. 19 +/- 6.59, 1.49 +/- 0.41 vs 1.22 +/- 0.31). The tubercle recurrence rate of the treatment group (14.0%, 7/50) was significantly lower than that of the control group (33.3%, 15/45) after 6 months of treatment (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FYR combined with microwave ablation could elevate the therapeutic efficacy, enhance the patients' immunity, improve the liver function and the hepatic fibrosis degree.</p>

Study of novel threadlike structures on the intestinal fascia of dogs.

The primo-vascular system was visualized in the mesentery surrounding the small intestine of a dog using Trypan blue. This structure, which was first observed in a rat, formed a network as primo-vessel branches were joined to primo-nodes. Other characteristic features of the primo-vascular system, such as bundles of tubes with fibrous extracellular matrix in a primo-vessel and a broken-line alignment of rod-shaped nuclei along the primo-vessel, were observed. Blood vessels, lymph vessels, and primo-vessels were present in the same mesentery, and they could clearly be distinguished by histological differences.

Effect of naoxintong capsule on the vascular endothelial function and the infarct size of patients with acute myocardial infarction / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Naoxintong Capsule (NC) on the vascular endothelial function and the infarct size of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and four patients with AMI were randomly assigned to the NC group (Group A, 36 cases), the Tongguan Capsule group (Group B, 32 cases), and the conventional Western medicine group (Group C, 36 cases). The conventional Western medicine was given to the three groups. NC was additionally given to Group A, and Tongguan Capsule was additionally given to Group B. The therapeutic course for all was 4 weeks. The plasma nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), von Willebrand factor (vWF) were detected in the 3 groups before and after treatment. The inner diameter of brachial artery was examined by ultrasonograph. The flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and the nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD) were calculated. The ECG QRS integral and the infarct size were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in the vascular endothelial function, ECG QRS integral, or the infarct size among the three groups before treatment (P > 0.05). Compared with before treatment, NO and NMD obviously increased after treatment in Group A and Group B, while the vWF and the infarct size obviously decreased in Group A, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with those in Group C, the NO, FMD, NMD significantly increased and ET obviously decreased in Group A and B after treatment (P < 0.05). The ECG QRS integral and the infarct size also decreased, with statistically significant differences in Group A (P < 0.05). Better effects on improving NO, NMD, and vWF were obtained in Group A than in Group B (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NC could reduce the infarct size of AMI patients possibly through improving the vascular endothelial function.</p>

Fluorescent nanoparticles for observing primo vascular system along sciatic nerve.

The primo vascular system was found in the epineurium along the rat sciatic nerve following subcutaneous injection of fluorescent nanoparticles at the Zusanli acupoint (ST-36). Nanoparticles were injected into the primo-vessel near ST-36 and flowed along the sciatic nerve. Fluorescence revealed a structure in the epineurium that was hardly detectable. Images of the isolated sample stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole were captured using confocal microscopy. These images showed the distinctive nuclei distribution and multi-lumen structure of primo-vessels that differentiate them from lymphatic vessels, blood capillaries and nerves. This study demonstrates a new use for nanoparticles in fluorescence reflectance imaging techniques during in vivo imaging of primo-vessels.

Effect of renshen jianxin capsule for alleviating insulin resistance in patients with coronary heart disease and glucose tolerance impairment / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Renshen Jianxin Capsule (RJC) on insulin resistance in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and glucose tolerance impairment (GTI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty patients with CHD-GTI of qi-deficiency blood-stasis syndrome were randomly assigned to 2 groups equally, the treated group was treated by RJC and the control group by metformin, based on the conventional Western medical treatment with nitric esters for 20 weeks. Changes before and after treatment in clinical symptoms and levels of blood glucose insulin, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The scores of clinical symptoms of Chinese medicine decreased in both groups, which showed statistical significances compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). On alleviating the angina pectoris, the markedly effective rate of the treated group is 47.5%, the total effective rate was 80.0%, and the difference between the two groups showed statistical significance (P<0.05). FBG, INS and ISI were improved significantly in both groups after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01); while the three indices showed in significant difference between the two groups after treatment (P> 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RJC was effective in improving insulin resistant, which may be one of the mechanisms of its therapeutic effect on CHD.</p>