Qi-dan-dihuang decoction ameliorates renal fibrosis in diabetic rats via p38MAPK/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

CONTEXT: Qi-dan-dihuang decoction (QDD) has been used to treat diabetic kidney disease (DKD), but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study reveals the mechanism by which QDD ameliorates DKD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The compounds in QDD were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Key targets and signaling pathways were screened through bioinformatics. Nondiabetic Lepr db/m mice were used as control group, while Lepr db/db mice were divided into model group, dapagliflozin group, 1% QDD-low (QDD-L), and 2% QDD-high (QDD-H) group. After 12 weeks of administration, 24 h urinary protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were detected. Kidney tissues damage and fibrosis were evaluated by pathological staining. In addition, 30 mmol/L glucose-treated HK-2 and NRK-52E cells to induce DKD model. Cell activity and migration capacity as well as protein expression levels were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 46 key target genes were identified. Functional enrichment analyses showed that key target genes were significantly enriched in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In addition, in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that QDD ameliorated renal fibrosis in diabetic mice by resolving inflammation and inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the p38MAPK and AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: QDD inhibits EMT and the inflammatory response through the p38MAPK and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, thereby playing a protective role in renal fibrosis in DKD.

Jia Wei Xiao Yao San ameliorates chronic stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice by regulating the gut microbiome and brain metabolome in relation to purine metabolism.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of depression remains largely unknown. Accumulating evidence demonstrates the existence of a complex relationship between gut microbiome composition and brain functions. Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (JWXYS) is considered a potential antidepressant. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of JWXYS have not yet been clarified. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the effects of JWXYS on chronic stress-induced depression-like behaviors in mice. METHODS: A chronic restraint stress mouse model of depression was established. JWXYS was administered, and the responses of these mice to treatment were evaluated through several behavioral tests. The activity of astrocytes and microglia was detected by specific fluorescent labels. Inflammatory cytokines were quantified in intestinal and cerebral tissues. An integrated approach with full-length 16S rRNA sequencing and different types of untargeted metabolomics was conducted to investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome at the species level, metabolic brain functions, and JWXYS. RESULTS: We found that behavioral symptoms were associated with the relative abundance of Lactobacillus animalis. After JWXYS treatment, the relative abundance of Ileibacterium valens with enzymes potentially involved in purine metabolism was also described. The activation of astrocytes and microglia was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of L. animalis. Combined with network pharmacological analysis, several targets predicted based on JWXYS treatment focused on purine metabolism, which was also enriched from cerebral metabolites regulated by JWXYS. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that L. animalis is involved in depression-like behaviors in mice. JWXYS increases the abundance of I. valens with potential enzymes in relation to cerebral purine metabolism, which is positively correlated with the activation of astrocytes in the amygdala.

Gut Microbiota and Urine Metabonomics Alterations in Constitution after Chinese Medicine and Lifestyle Intervention.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution (TCMC) divides human beings into balanced (ping-he) constitution (PH) and unbalanced constitution. Yang-deficiency (yang-xu) constitution (YAX) is one of the most common unbalanced constitutions in Chinese general population, and it causes susceptibility to particular diseases. However, unbalanced constitutions can be regulated by Chinese medicine and lifestyle intervention in clinical practice. Gui-fu-di-huang-wan (GFDHW) is a well-known Chinese medicine with yang-invigorating activity and is regarded as improving YAX. In this study, 60 healthy YAX students selected from a prospective population of 5185 were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial and completed the study. We compared the gut microbiota and urinary metabolome between individuals with PH and those with YAX before and after one-month-intervention. Compared with the control group, the health status of the intervention group improved significantly, the YAX symptom score was reduced, and the efficacy remained high at the one-year follow-up. The gut microbiota of the healthy PH exhibited greater diversity, and significantly higher species were identified. Compared to PH group, YAX individuals showed increased abundance of Bacteroidetes and Bacteroides, also had higher levels of gut microbial-derived urinary metabolites. After one-month-intervention, both GFDHW treatment and lifestyle intervention enriched the diversity and modulated the structure in YAX. The intervention group also partially restored the microbiome and metabolome to healthy PH-like levels. Further, a microbiota co-occurrence network analysis showed that the metabolites enriched in YAX were correlated with microbial community structure. Taken together, our results suggest that Chinese medicine combined with lifestyle intervention benefits YAX individuals. Gut microbiota/metabolite crosstalk might be involved in the Chinese medicine-mediated effects.

Qi-dan-di-huang decoction alleviates diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting the NF-kappaB pathway.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus, for which no effective treatment currently exists. We tested the hypothesis that Qi-dan-di-huang (QDDH) might have therapuetic effects in an experimental rat model of DN. The levels of I kappa KinaseAlpha and Beta, p-p65, p-IκB alpha, TGF-ß1 and Alpha-SMA were significantly increased in kidneys in DN. QDDH decoction only partially reversed the increased Ikappa KinaseAlpha/Beta, p-p65, p-IKappaB alpha, TGF-Beta1 and alpha-SMA in the kidneys in DN. However, treatment of diabetic rats with QDDH decoction significantly inhibited the production and release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha into the serum. QDDH decoction also significantly improved the physiologic and biochemical indicators of DN, reduced glycogen and protein deposition in DN and prevented renal fibrosis. Together, the data show that QDDH decoction exerts a protective effect on kidneys in diabetic rats and reverses the inflammatory milieu of the serum in DN.

Qi-Deficiency Related Increases in Disease Susceptibility Are Potentially Mediated by the Intestinal Microbiota.

Qi-deficiency (QX) is thought to promote the body's susceptibility to disease, but the underlying mechanism through which this occurs is not clear. We surveyed the traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC) of healthy college students to identify those that were PH (balanced TCMC constitution) and QX (unbalanced TCMC constitution). We then used high-throughput sequencing of the 16SrRNA V3-4 region in fecal microbiota samples to identify differences between those obtained from PH and QX individuals. Our results demonstrated that the alpha diversity of QX samples was significantly lower than that of PH samples (p < 0.05) and that beta diversity was remarkably different in QX and PH samples. Four and 122 bacterial taxa were significantly overrepresented in QX and PH groups, respectively. The genera Sphingobium, Clostridium, and Comamonas were enriched in the QX group and had a certain pathogenic role. The QX group also showed a statistically significant lack of probiotics and anti-inflammatory bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Bdellovibrio. The functional potential of QX bacterial taxa was reduced in fatty acid metabolism and butanoate metabolism. We contend that the imbalanced intestinal microbiota in QX and the following functional changes in metabolism influence immunity and energy metabolism, which could increase susceptibility to disease.

[Plasma metabonomics of Guifu Dihuang Wan in the treatment of yang deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Guifu Dihuang Wan (GFDHW) in the treatment of yang deficiency and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: Sixty-two participants without diseases were randomized into control group (n=31) and experimental group (n=31) and were given lifestyle intervention additional GFDHW treatment for a month. NMR technology was used for metabonomics analysis. RESULTS: Intervention with GFDHW resulted in significantly decreased conversion scores of yang deficiency in the experimental group compared with the control group (P<0.005). The concentrations of lactate, valine, proline, arginine and 3-hydroxybutyrate were increased in the plasma of yang-deficient subjects after lifestyle intervention. GFDHW treatment with lifestyle intervention significantly increased the concentrations of lactate, valine, proline, arginine and 3-hydroxybutyrate and also the levels of alanine, glutamine, alpha glucose, isoleucine, betaine and propylene glycol. CONCLUSION: GFDHW treatment improves yang deficiency possibly by increasing the concentrations of alanine, glutamine, alpha glucose, isoleucine, betaine and propylene glycol and promoting energy metabolism of the body.

Additive Effect of Qidan Dihuang Grain, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on Albuminuria Levels in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy: A Randomized, Parallel-Controlled Trial.

Albuminuria is characteristic of early-stage diabetic nephropathy (DN). The conventional treatments with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are unable to prevent the development of albuminuria in normotensive individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Purpose. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ARB combined with a Chinese formula Qidan Dihuang grain (QDDHG) in improving albuminuria and Traditional Chinese Medicine Symptom (TCMS) scores in normotensive individuals with T2DM. Methods. Eligible patients were randomized to the treatment group and the control group. Results. Compared with baseline (week 0), both treatment and control groups markedly improved the 24-hour albuminuria, total proteinuria (TPU), and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (A/C) at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Between treatment and the control group, the levels of albuminuria in the treatment group were significantly lower than in the control group at 8 and 12 weeks (p < 0.05). In addition, treatment group markedly decreased the scores of TCMS after treatment. Conclusion. This trial suggests that QDDHG combined with ARB administration decreases the levels of albuminuria and the scores for TCMS in normotensive individuals with T2DM.

[Correlation Analyses between Obesity/Overweight and Constitutions of Chinese Medicine/Cardio- vascular Risk Factors in Elderly Residents of a Community in Guangzhou].

Objective To analyze the correlation between obesity/overweight and constitutions of Chinese medicine (CM)/cardiovascular risk factors in elderly residents of Tianhe District Wushan Com- munity, Guangzhou City. Methods Recruited were 1 054 elderly residents (over 60 years), who had free health examinations in Tianhe District Wushan Community of Guangzhou City from October 2014 to September 2015. They were assigned to the obesity group (107 cases) , the overweight group (431 ca- ses) , and the normal weight group (516 cases) according to body mass index (BMI) by randomized sampling. Constitution types of CM were assessed using Classification and Judgment of Constitution Types of CM. Health files were filled in. General indices such as waist circumference, blood pressure, etc., and blood biochemical indicators such as fasting blood glucose, blood lipids, uric acid, blood creati- nine, etc. were detected. The correlation between constitution types of CM and obesity/overweight was analyzed using multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results Among the 1 054 elderly residents, 75. 62% (797/1 054) of those were of biased constitution and 24. 38% (257/1 054) were of normal consti- tution. Phlegm dampness (247 cases, 23. 43%), yin deficiency (150 cases, 14. 23%), and qi deficiency (136 cases, 12. 90%) constitution were top 3 commonly seen biased constitution types. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of obese/overweight patients of phlegm dampness constitution was 61. 641 times (Cl: 24. 491 -155. 144) and 9. 393 times (Cl: 5. 910 -14. 929) that of subjects of nor- mal constitution respectively (P <0. 01) ; the risk of obese/overweight patients of dampness heat consti- tution was 21. 478 times (Cl: 6. 978 -66. 102) and 4. 505 times ( Cl: 2. 308 -8. 793) that of subjects of normal constitution respectively (P <0. 01) ; the risk of obese/overweight patients of qi deficiency consti- tution was 3.408 times ( Cl:1. 161 -10. 004) and 1. 655 times (Cl: 1. 062 -2. 580) that of subjects of nor- mal constitution respectively (P <0. 05). Compared with normal body weight senile, the incidences of ab- dominal obesity, hypertension, diabetes were obviously higher in obese/overweight senile (P <0. 01 , P < 0. 05). Their values of fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and uric acid were ob- viously higher than those in normal body weight senile (P <0. 01). Conclusions Community obese/over- weighed elderly residents have the tendency of phlegm dampness, dampness heat, and qi deficiency constitutions. Compared with the normal body weight senile, they have higher risk of cardiovascular risk factors, and increased risks of suffering from hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

Effects of TCMC on Transformation of Good Health Status to Suboptimal Health Status: A Nested Case-Control Study.

To explore the effects of traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC) on transformation of good health status to suboptimal health status (SHS), we conducted a nested case-control study among college students in China. During the 18-month mean follow-up time, 543 cases of SHS (42.7%) occurred in 1273 healthy students. There was a significant (P = 0.000) and marked reduction in SHMS V1.0 total score in the case group at the 18-month follow-up (69.32 ± 5.45) compared with baseline (78.60 ± 4.70), but there was no significant change in the control group. Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that respondents reporting Yin-deficiency and Qi-deficiency were, respectively, 2.247 and 2.198 times more likely to develop SHS, while tendency to Yin-deficiency and tendency to Damp-heat were, respectively, 1.642 and 1.506 times more likely to develop SHS. However, the Balanced Constitution was a significant protective factor (OR 0.649; P < 0.05). Altogether, these findings demonstrate that Yin-deficiency, Qi-deficiency, tendency to Yin-deficiency, and tendency to Damp-heat appeared to induce a change in health status to SHS, while the Balanced Constitution seemed to restrain this change. We conclude that regulating the unbalanced TCMC (such as Yin-deficiency and Qi-deficiency) may prevent a healthy status developing into SHS or lead to the regression of SHS.

The efficacy of Shugan Jianpi Zhixie therapy for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Shugan Jianpi Zhixie therapy (SJZT) has been widely used to treat diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), but the results are still controversial. A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials was performed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of SJZT for IBS-D. METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, the Chinese Biomedical Literature database and the Wanfang database were searched up to June 2014 with no language restrictions. Summary estimates, including 95% confidence intervals (CI), were calculated for global symptom improvement, abdominal pain improvement, and Symptom Severity Scale (BSS) score. RESULTS: Seven trials (N=954) were included. The overall risk of bias assessment was low. SJZT showed significant improvement for global symptom compared to placebo (RR 1.61; 95% CI 1.24, 2.10; P =0.0004; therapeutic gain = 33.0%; number needed to treat (NNT) = 3.0). SJZT was significantly more likely to reduce overall BSS score (SMD -0.67; 95% CI -0.94, -0.40; P < 0.00001) and improve abdominal pain (RR 4.34; 95% CI 2.64, 7.14; P < 0.00001) than placebo. The adverse events of SJZT were no different from those of placebo. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that SJZT is an effective and safe therapy option for patients with IBS-D. However, due to the high clinical heterogeneity and small sample size of the included trials, further standardized preparation, large-scale and rigorously designed trials are needed.

Bu-zhong-yi-qi pill alleviate the chemotherapy-related fatigue in 4 T1 murine breast cancer model.

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel induced fatigue still remains underrecognized and undertreated, partly because of limited understanding of its pathophysiology and lack of effective treatments. This study is aim to evaluate the anti-fatigue effects and mechanism of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi pill in murine 4 T1 breast cancer mice were treated with paclitaxel. METHODS: Breast cancer mice established with murine 4 T1 cells were randomly and repectively divided into five groups: negative control group (NC), tumor control group (TC), paclitaxel group (PTX), Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi pill group (BZYQ) and Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi pill plus paclitaxel group (BZYQ + PTX). The mice were administered for 21 days. During this period, the tumor volume, body weight and the weight-loaded swimming time were measured. After the last administration, all mice were sacrificed, weighted the tumor, measured immune cell cytokines and oxidative stress indicator. The remaining 10 mice in each group were observed for survival analysis. RESULTS: Treatments with BZYQ + PTX and PTX significantly reduced the rates of tumor volume in comparison with TC starting on the 9th day and the 18th day respectively (P < 0.05-0.01), and presented decreased tumor weight compared to TC (P < 0.05-0.01). Compared with mice in TC group, the median survival time and the average survival time in BZYQ + PTX group, BZYQ group and PTX group were significantly prolonged (P < 0.05-0.01). The swimming time of the BZYQ + PTX group gradually increased, which is longer than the PTX group on Day 14 and Day 21 (P < 0.01). The level of TNF-α was lower in BZYQ + PTX group than PTX group (P < 0.01). The level of SOD activity in BZYQ + PTX group was lower than the NC group (P <0.01), but much higher than the PTX group (P < 0.01). The level of MDA of BZYQ + PTX group was higher than the NC group (P < 0.01), but significant lower than the PTX group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: BZYQ has the potential of alleviating paclitaxel chemotherapy-related fatigue in 4 T1 breast cancer mice by reducing the serum levels of TNF-α and modulating the level of MDA and the SOD activity.

The effect of chinese herbal medicine on albuminuria levels in patients with diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the effect of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on albuminuria levels in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN), we performed comprehensive searches on Medline database, Cochrane Library, CNKI database, CBM database, Wanfang database, and VIP database up to December 2012. A total of 29 trials including 2440 participants with DN met the selection criteria. CHM was tested to be more effective in reducing urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) (MD -82.95 µ g/min, [-138.64, -27.26]) and proteinuria (MD -565.99 mg/24 h, [-892.41, -239.57]) compared with placebo. CHM had a greater beneficial effect on reduction of UAER (MD -13.41 µ g/min, [-20.63, -6.19]) and proteinuria (MD -87.48 mg/24 h, [-142.90, -32.06]) compared with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). Combination therapy with CHM and ACEI/ARB showed significant improvement in UAER (MD -28.18 µ g/min, [-44.4, -11.97]), urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (MD -347.00, [-410.61, -283.39]), protein-creatinine ratio (MD -2.49, [-4.02, -0.96]), and proteinuria (MD -26.60 mg/24 h, [-26.73, -26.47]) compared with ACEI/ARB alone. No serious adverse events were reported. CHM seems to be an effective and safe therapy option to treat proteinuric patients with DN, suggesting that further study of CHM in the treatment of DN is warranted in rigorously designed, multicentre, large-scale trials with higher quality worldwide.

Subamolide B Isolated from Medicinal Plant Cinnamomum subavenium Induces Cytotoxicity in Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells through Mitochondrial and CHOP-Dependent Cell Death Pathways.

Subamolide B is a butanolide isolated from Cinnamomum subavenium, a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat various ailments including carcinomatous swelling. We herein reported for the first time that subamolide B potently induced cytotoxicity against diverse human skin cancer cell lines while sparing nonmalignant cells. Mechanistic studies on human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line SCC12 highlighted the involvement of apoptosis in subamolide B-induced cytotoxicity, as evidenced by the activation of caspases-8, -9, -4, and -3, the increase in annexin V-positive population, and the partial restoration of cell viability by cotreatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. Additionally, subamolide B evoked cell death pathways mediated by FasL/Fas, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as supported by subamolide B-induced FasL upregulation, BCL-2 suppression/cytosolic release of cytochrome c, and UPR activation/CHOP upregulation, respectively. Noteworthy, ectopic expression of c-FLIPL or dominant-negative mutant of FADD failed to impair subamolide B-induced cytotoxicity, whereas BCL-2 overexpression or CHOP depletion greatly rescued subamolide B-stimulated cells. Collectively, these results underscored the central role of mitochondrial and CHOP-mediated cell death pathways in subamolide B-induced cytotoxicity. Our findings further implicate the potential of subamolide B for cutaneous SCC therapy or as a lead compound for developing novel chemotherapeutic agents.

Anti-fatigue activity of polysaccharides extract from Radix Rehmanniae Preparata.

The anti-fatigue effects of the Radix Rehmanniae Preparata polysaccharides (RRPP) were studied in mice. The RRPP were orally administered at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 4 weeks and the anti-fatigue activity was evaluated using a weight-loaded swimming test, along with the determination of serum urea nitrogen (SUN), hepatic glycogen and blood lactic acid (BLA) contents. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the body weight of mice in the three RRPP groups compared with the negative control group during initial, intermediate and terminal stages in the experiment (p>0.05). The ratio of exhausting swimming time was obviously increased 31.48% (p<0.05) and 61.51% (p<0.01) in the middle-dose group and the high-dose RRPP group, respectively. The BLA and SUN levels were decreased in middle-dose and high-dose RRPP groups (p<0.01). Hepatic glycogen level was increased in three RRPP treated groups (p<0.01). Therefore, RRPP may be responsible for the pharmacological effect of anti-fatigue of Radix Rehmanniae Preparata. The mechanism was related to the increase of the storage of hepatic glycogen and the decrease of the accumulation of SUN and BLA.

Chinese herbal medicine liu jun zi tang and xiang sha liu jun zi tang for functional dyspepsia: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives. To assess the efficacy and safety of Liu Jun Zi Tang (LJZT) and Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (XSLJZT) for treating functional dyspepsia. Methods. Literature searches were carried out on Medline database, Cochrane Library, CNKI database, Chinese Biomedical Literature database, Wanfang database, and VIP database up to July 2012. Hand search for further references was conducted. Study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and data analyses were performed according to the Cochrane standards. Results. Fifteen publications in total were suitable for inclusion. There was evidence that LJZT compared with prokinetic drugs increased symptom improvement (odds ratio 1.96, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.36). There was also evidence that XSLJZT compared with prokinetic drugs increased symptom improvement (odds ratio 2.63, 95% CI 1.72 to 4.03). No adverse events were reported in LJZT or XSLJZT group in any of these randomized controlled trials. Conclusion. LJZT and XSLJZT might be more effective compared with prokinetic drugs in the treatment of functional dyspepsia, and no side effects are identified in the included trials. However, due to poor methodological quality in the majority of included studies, the potential benefit from LJZT and XSLJZT need to be confirmed in rigorously designed, multicentre, and large-scale trials.

Fluorofenidone attenuates diabetic nephropathy and kidney fibrosis in db/db mice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fluorofenidone [1-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(1H)-pyridone, AKF-PD], a novel pyridone agent, showed potent antifibrotic properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AKF-PD on diabetic nephropathy and kidney fibrosis, and to obtain an insight into its mechanisms of action. METHODS: We administered AKF-PD to diabetic db/db mice for 12 weeks. Moreover, we performed in vitro cultures using murine mesangial cells exposed to high ambient glucose concentrations. RESULTS: AKF-PD reduced renal hypertrophy, mesangial matrix expansion and albuminuria in the db/db mice. The upregulated expression of α1(I)- and α1(IV)-collagen and fibronectin mRNAs, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) mRNAs and proteins was inhibited by AKF-PD treatment in the renal cortex of db/db mice. The maximal effective dose of AKF-PD was about 500 mg/kg body weight. AKF-PD inhibited the upregulated expression of α1(I)- and α1(IV)-collagens, TGF-ß1, TIMP-1 and α-SMA induced by high glucose concentrations in cultured mesangial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that AKF-PD diminishes the abnormal accumulation of mesangial matrix through the inhibition of upregulated expression of TGF-ß target genes in kidneys of db/db mice, resulting in attenuation of renal fibrosis and amelioration of renal dysfunction despite persistent hyperglycemia. Therefore, AKF-PD, a potent antifibrotic agent, holds great promise in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

[Differential gene expressions in kidney Yang deficiency in individuals with sub-health status].

OBJECTIVE: To study the gene expression profiles in kidney Yang deficiency in individuals with sub-health status. METHODS: The subjects identified to have Kidney-yang deficiency and sub-health status were enrolled in this study with healthy subjects as the normal control. Using gene chip technique and MAS software, the gene expression profiles in kidney Yang deficiency in the subjects with sub-health status were analyzed. RESULTS: Characteristic profiles of the differentially expressed genes were found between the kidney Yang deficiency group and normal control group. Among the total of 75 differentially expressed genes, 22 were up-regulated (with a ratio greater than 2) and 53 were down-regulated (with a ratio less than 0.5) in kidney Yang deficiency group. CONCLUSION: Gene chip technique allows rapid and high-throughput screening for gene expression in kidney Yang deficiency and sub-health status, and a initial evidence of kidney Yang deficiency-related genes has been obtained.

[Effect of modified Yupingfeng granule on nuclear factor-kappaB expression in mice with allergic contact dermatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of modified Yupingfeng granule on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)expression in mice with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). METHODS: Mouse models of ACD were treated with the granules at low, medium and high doses, with normal saline and hydrocortisone as the negative and positive controls, respectively. The expressions of NF-kappaB and its distribution in the lesions were detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The staining intensity, area and positive expression rates of NF-kappaB p50 were significantly different between the treatment group and the normal saline group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Modified Yupingfeng granule can effectively inhibit the expression of NF-kappaB in ACD, which might be a possible mechanism for its therapeutic effect on ACD.

[Correlation between chirp auditory brainstem response and behavioral hearing threshold in children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between thresholds in the chirp-ABR and behavior audiogram in order to find out if it is possible to be used as an clinical application of the chirp-ABR in estimating hearing sensitivity. METHODS: Twenty-two cases with hearing loss or normal hearing were enrolled in the study. The behavior audiogram and the response thresholds of chirp ABR (including chirp ABR, L-chirp ABR and U-chirp ABR) were obtained from 35 ears. RESULTS: Twenty-two cases were of both genders. The age was between 3.3- 6.5-years-old with the average age of 4.8-years-old. Divided by the degree of hearing loss, in the 35 ears, there were 6 with normal hearing, 2 with slightly hearing loss, 4 with moderate hearing loss, 10 with severe hearing loss and 13 with profound hearing loss. The Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.939, 0.900 and 0.930, respectively, which got from the data between the average of 0.5 - 4 kHz and chirp ABR respond threshold, 0.5 kHz and L-chirp ABR, and the average of 1 - 4 kHz and U-chirp ABR. CONCLUSION: As an objective test, the response threshold of chirp-ABR and the behavior audiogram were a highly correlated with each other, but more application in more subjects is needed.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture for treatment of sudden hearing loss].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture for treatment of sudden hearing loss and to compare with western medicine therapy. METHODS: Sixty cases were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2), Yifeng (TE 17), Hegu (LI 4), Xiaxi (GB 43), Zhongzhu (TE 3), etc. and the medication group with intravenous dripping of 6% low molecule dextran 500 mL with ATP and coenzyme A, and oral administration of Nimodipine, Gold Theragan. Whole blood specific viscosity, plasma specific viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen before and after treatment and their therapeutic effects were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 86.7 in the electroacupuncture group and 60.0% in the medication group with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05), the former being better than the latter; there were significant differences in whole blood specific viscosity, plasma specific viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen before and after treatment in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), and with no significant difference in the medication group (P>0.05) before and after treatment, and with a significant difference in whole blood specific viscosity, plasma specific viscosity and fibrinogen between the two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture has a significant therapeutic effect on sudden hearing loss, which is better than that of the medication, and the mechanism is possibly related with regulative action on indexes of blood rheology.