Effect of Chaihu Shugan Powder-Contained Serum on Glutamate-Induced Autophagy of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in the Rat Gastric Antrum.

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorder is caused by excessive autophagy of the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Chaihu Shugan Powder (CSP) is a traditional Chinese medicine with therapeutic benefits in GI motility disorders; however, the underlying mechanism of its therapeutic effect in GI disorders, especially autophagy of ICC, remains unclear. Thus, this study investigated the effects of CSP-contained serum on glutamate-induced autophagy in rat gastric ICC, exploring its underlying mechanism. In vitro cultured rat stomach ICC were identified by fluorescence microscopy and then stimulated with glutamate (5 mmol/L) for 3 h to establish the autophagy model. These cells were then treated with 10% CSP-containing serum or the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA; 5 mmol/L) for 24 h. The control group was cultured with only 10% serum containing physiological saline. The viability of ICC was measured by the CCK-8 assay. The ultrastructure and autophagosomes of ICC were observed using transmission electron microscopy. LC3 expression was detected by immunofluorescence, and LC3, Beclin1, Bcl2, and PI3KC3 expression was detected by western blot analysis. Transmission electron microscopy showed abundant endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and other organelles in the control group, whereas the cells in the autophagy model control group had clear autophagic vacuoles, which were not apparent in both CSP and 3-MA groups. ICC viability was significantly increased by CSP and 3-MA interventions (P < 0.01), accompanied by a decrease in LC3 fluorescence (P < 0.01). Moreover, the expression levels of LC3II/I, Beclin1, and PI3KC3 were significantly decreased (all P < 0.01) with CSP and 3-MA treatment, while Bcl2 expression level was higher than that of the model group (P < 0.01). Thus, CSP can reduce autophagic damage by enhancing Bcl2 expression and downregulating the expression of LC3, Beclin1, and PI3KC3 to protect ICC. These results highlight the potential of CSP in the treatment of GI motility disorders.

[Effects of Chaihu Shugan Powder on the Cytoactivity of Rat Interstitial Cells of Cajal and Intracellu- lar Ca²+ Concentration].

Objective To observe effects of Chaihu Shugan Powder (CSP) on the cytoactivity and intracellular Ca²âº concentration of rat interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). Methods CSP containing serum was prepared according to common methods of seropharmacology, which was then divided into three CSP groups (5%,10%, 20% CSP containing serum) , 10% Domperidone containing serum group, and the blank control group. ICCs in gastric antrum were rapidly isolated and extracted to perform routine culture. ICCs were identified by immunofluorescence staining. The logarithmic growth curve of ICCs was determined by MTT method. After 3 days culture of ICCs at the logarithmic phase, the cytoactivity of ICCs was detected by CCK-8 method. Intracellular Ca²âº changes of ICCs were tested by Fluo-3 fluorescence with laser scanning confocal microscope. Effects of drug containing serums in each group on the growth of ICCs in gastric an- trum were compared. Results After successful isolation, culture, and identification of ICCs, the cytoac- tivity of ICCs and intracellular Ca²âº fluorescence intensity were significantly enhanced in the Domperidone group and the CSP groups, as compared with the blank group at the same time point (P <0. 05). Compared with the Domperidone group at the same time point, the cytoactivity of ICCs and intracellular Ca²âº fluorescence intensity were significantly enhanced in 10% and 20% CSP groups (P <0. 05). Compared with 5% CSP group at the same time point, the cytoactivity of ICCs (48 and 72 h respectively) and intracellular Ca²âº fluorescence intensity were significantly enhanced in 10% and 20% CSP groups (P <0. 05). Conclu- sion CSP could promote cytoactivity and growth of ICCs by enhancing intracellular Ca²âº concentration.

[Exploration of the Essence of "Endogenous Turbidity" in Chinese Medicine].

The essence of endogenous turbidity in Chinese medicine (CM) is different from cream, fat, phlegm, retention, damp, toxicity, and stasis. Along with the development of modern scientific technologies and biology, researches on the essence of endogenous turbidity should keep pace with the time. Its material bases should be defined and new connotation endowed at the microscopic level. The essence of turbidity lies in abnormal functions of zang-fu organs. Sugar, fat, protein, and other nutrient substances cannot be properly decomposed, but into semi-finished products or intermediate metabolites. They are inactive and cannot participate in normal material syntheses and decomposition. They cannot be transformed to energy metabolism, but also cannot be synthesized as executive functioning of active proteins. If they cannot be degraded by autophagy-lysosome or ubiquitin-prosome into glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and other basic nutrients to be used again, they will accumulate inside the human body and become endogenous turbidity. Therefore, endogenous turbidity is different from final metabolites such as urea, carbon dioxide, etc., which can transform vital qi. How to improve the function of zang-fu organs, enhance its degradation by autophagy-lysosome or ubiquitin-prosome is of great significance in normal operating of zang-fu organs and preventing the emergence and progress of related diseases.

[Relationship between shen-deficiency syndrome and polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme gene in longevous elders in Bama area of Guangxi municipality].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between Shen-deficiency syndrome (SDS) and the insert/deficit (I/D) polymorphism types (PMTs) of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene in longevous elders in Bama area of Guangxi municipality. METHODS: The investigation on 27 centenarians (Group A), 56 elders of 90-99 years old (Group B) and 114 of 60-89 years old (Group C) was carried out by questionnaire, and the polymorphism was detected using polymerize chain reaction detection, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, and direct sequencing technique. And the study was controlled by 79 naturally died elders within 60-70 years old. RESULTS: The presenting frequencies of SDS in various PMT were D/D, I/D and I/I in rising order. The frequencies of PMT, I/I, I/D and D/D, were 37.04% (10/27), 33.33% (9/27), and 29.63% (8/27) respectively; the frequency rates of I and D alleles were 53.70% (29/54) and 46.30% (25/54) in Group A. Comparison of frequency of D/D and D allele between groups showed that Group A was significantly different to Group C (P<0.05) and also to the control (P<0.01), while all the frequencies in Group A and B were rather identical, showing insignificant difference (P>0.05). SSCP analysis showed no significant difference in D/D among groups. Outcomes of direct sequencing test further proved the correctness of I/D ACE polymorphism detection. CONCLUSION: SDS is closely correlated with ACE gene polymorphism and life span. Whereas, other multiple factors that influence longevity should also be taken into consideration.

[Preliminary practice on education of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in Western medical universities].

Through the exploration and practice on education of integrated Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM) in Guangxi Medical University, it is elaborated in this paper that to train the compound personnel of ICWM is the demand of society nowadays; to establish the courses of ICWM in Western medical universities has its great advantages, and it is one of the best ways to nurture the top-level personnel in ICWM.

[Effects of jianwei yuyang granule on inflammatory reaction and NF-kappaB expression in rat gastric mucosa of ulcer healing and recurrence].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Jianwei Yuyang granule (JWYY) on inflammatory reaction and NF-kappaB expression in rat gastric mucosa of ulcer healing and recurrence. METHOD: Gastric ulcer was induced in rat by acetic acid according Okeba's method with some modification and the recurrence model was induced by IL-1beta. Pathohistology of ulcer healing and recurrence was observed. Density of inflammatory cell infiltrating regenerative mucosa, NF-kappaB protein and mRNA expression were measured. RESULT: JWYY had effects on improving the quality of ulcer healing, reducing the rate of ulcer recurrence, decreasing the density of inflammatory cell infiltrating regenerative mucosa and suppressing the activation and expression quantity of NF-kappaB protein and mRNA. CONCLUSION: JWYY may promote the ulcer healing and prevent the recurrence of the gastric ulcer by suppressing the activation of NF-kappaB and the following inflammatory reaction.

[Nuclear factor-kappaB mRNA and protein expression in stomach tissue of rats with gastric ulcer recurrence and effect of jianwei yuyang granule on its expression].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the inflammatory reaction, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) mRNA and protein expression in stomach tissue of rats with gastric ulcer recurrence and the effect of Jianwei Yuyang granule (JYG) on them. METHODS: Gastric ulcer and its recurrent lesion were successively induced by acetic acid and interliukin1-beta (IL-1beta), and the model rats were divided into the sham operation group, the model group, the omeprazole (correction of omepraxole) group and the JYG group to observe the state of chronic inflammatory cell, neutrophil count, NF-kappaBmRNA and protein expression in stomach tissue. RESULTS: On the 16th and 92th day after administration, the increase of chronic inflammatory cell, neutrophil, NF-kappaBmRNA and protein expression in the model group was more significant than those in the sham operated group (P < 0.01), while that was lower in the JYG group than in the model group (P < 0.05, P <0.01), but with no remarkable difference to the omepraxole group. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression of NF-kappaB were correlated closely with the count of chronic inflammatory cell and neutrophil respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: NF-kappaB may play an important role in regulating inflammatory reaction during the healing and recurrence processes of gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid. JYG may suppress inflammatory reaction by inhibiting the activation and expression of NF-kappaB in stomach tissue, which may be one of the mechanisms of JYG in preventing the recurrence of gastric ulcer.

[Therapeutic effects of the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine on patients with peptic ulcers].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of the combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine on patients with peptic ulcers. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into 6 groups. Another 10 patients as the control group were confirmed with no peptic ulcers by endoscope, but had digestive tract symptoms. The clinical effects were compared among each group after the one month treatment. RESULTS: The clinical effects of the combination of Jianweiyuyang granules and ranitidine capsules were better than those of western medicine, with improvement in symptoms and syndrome (P < 0.01 to 0.05), but there was not significant difference with the rate of ulcer healing and the Hp clearance among the combination of Jianweiyuyang granules and ranitidine capsules, Jianweiyuyang granules, and ranitidine capsules (P > 0.05). The combination of Jianweiyuyang granules and ranitidine capsules could significantly upregulate the expression of MUCSAC mRNA (P < 0.01), while downregulate the expression of ETAR mRNA (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There is obvious advantage in treating peptic ulcers by the combination of Jianweiyuyang granules and ranitidine capsules, and its mechanisms may be to protect the gastric mucosal barrier by up-regulating the expression of MUCSAC mRNA and to improve the gastric mucosal blood flow by down-regulating the expression of ETAR mRNA.