The Sanbi Decoction alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration in rats through intestinal flora and serum metabolic homeostasis modulation.

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is an essential cause of low back pain (LBP), the incidence of which has risen in recent years and is progressively younger, but treatment options are limited, placing a serious economic burden on society. Sanbi decoction (SBD) is an important classical formula for the treatment of IVDD, which can significantly improve patients' symptoms and is a promising alternative therapy. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of SBD in the treatment of IVDD and to explore the underlying mechanisms by using an integrated analytical approach of microbiomics and serum metabolomics, as well as by using molecular biology. METHODS: A rat IVDD puncture model was established and treated by gavage with different concentrations of SBD, and clean faeces, serum, liver, kidney, and intervertebral disc (IVD) were collected after 4 weeks. We assessed the safety by liver and kidney weighing, functional tests and tissue staining, the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-ɑ), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) inflammatory factors in serum was detected by ELISA kits, and X-ray test, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blotting (WB), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and safranin O-fast green (SO/FG) staining were used to assess the efficacy. Finally, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing analysis on the faeces of different groups and untargeted metabolomics on serum and analyzed the association between them. RESULTS: SBD can effectively reduce the inflammatory response, regulate the metabolic balance of extracellular matrix (ECM), improve symptoms, and restore IVD function. In addition, SBD can significantly improve the diversity of intestinal flora and maintain the balance. At the phylum level, SBD greatly increased the relative abundance of Patescibacteria and Actinobacteriota and decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroidota. At the genus level, SBD significantly increased the relative abundance of Clostridia_UCG-014, Enterorhabdus, and Adlercreutzia, and decreased the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 (p < 0.05). Untargeted metabolomics indicated that SBD significantly improved serum metabolites and altered serum expression of 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4alphaPDD), euscaphic acid (EA), alpha-muricholic acid (α-MCA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and kynurenine (Kyn) (p < 0.05), and the metabolic pathways were mainly lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that SBD can extensively regulate intestinal flora and serum metabolic homeostasis to reduce inflammatory response, inhibit the degradation of ECM, restore IVD height and water content to achieve apparent therapeutic effect for IVDD.

Early risk assessment and prediction model for osteoporosis based on traditional Chinese medicine syndromes.

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors of osteoporosis and establish a risk prediction model based on routine clinical information and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes. Methods: Adults aged 30-82 who lived in 12 grass-roots communities or rural towns in Shanghai, Jilin Province, and Jiangsu Province from December 2019 to January 2022 through a multi-stage sampling method were included in this study. The risk factors and risk prediction of osteoporosis in women and men were explored and established by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression model. ROC curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test were used to evaluate the prediction model. Results: A total of 3000 subjects including 2243 females (75 %) and 757 males (25 %) were included in this study. The logistic prediction model of osteoporosis in women was Logit (P) = -2.946 + 0.960 (age ≥50 years old) + 0.633 (BMI ≥24 kg/m2) - 0.545 (daily exposure to sunlight >30 min) + 0.519 (no intake of dairy products) + 0.827 (coronary heart disease) + 0.383 (lumbar disc herniation) + 0.654 (no intake of calcium tablets and vitamin D) - 0.509 (insomnia) + 0.580 (flushed face and congested eyes) + 1.194 (thready and rapid pulse) + 1.309 (sunken and slow pulse). The logistic prediction model of osteoporosis in men was Logit (P) = -1.152-0.644 (daily exposure to sunlight >30 min) + 0.975 (no intake of calcium tablets and vitamin D) - 0.488 (insomnia). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of female and male osteoporosis prediction models was 0.743 and 0.679, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was >0.5. Conclusions: There are some significant differences in risk factors between female and male patients with osteoporosis. The risk of osteoporosis are found to be associated with TCM syndromes, and osteoporosis risk prediction models based on routine clinical information and TCM syndrome is effective.

Why traditional herbal medicine promotes wound healing: Research from immune response, wound microbiome to controlled delivery.

Impaired wound healing in chronic wounds has been a significant challenge for clinicians and researchers for decades. Traditional herbal medicine (THM) has a long history of promoting wound healing, making them culturally accepted and trusted by a great number of people in the world. However, for a long time, the understanding of herbal medicine has been limited and incomplete, particularly in the allopathic medicine-dominated research system. The therapeutic effects of individual components isolated from THM are found less pronounced compared to synthetic chemical medicine, and the clinical efficacy is always inferior to herbs. In the present article, we review and discuss underlying mechanisms of the skin microbiome involved in the wound healing process; THM in regulating immune responses and commensal microbiome. We additionally propose few pioneer ideas and studies in the development of therapeutic strategies for controlled delivery of herbal medicine. This review aims to promote wound care with a focus on wound microbiome, immune response, and topical drug delivery systems. Finally, future development trends, challenges, and research directions are discussed.

Puffball spores improve wound healing in a diabetic rat model.

Persistent chronic oxidative stress is a primary pathogenic characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers. Puffball spores are a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat diabetic foot ulcers infections and bedsores. However, their effects against diabetic wounds and the mechanism underlying these effects remain largely unknown. The present study explored the effectiveness of puffball spores in diabetic wound treatment and the mechanisms underlying their effects. Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were treated with puffball spores to ascertain whether they accelerated wound healing.Real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting, hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry analysis, and immunofluorescence assays were performed. As indicated by wound and serum histology and biochemical analyses, the puffball spores accelerated wound healing by activating Akt/Nrf2 signaling and promoting the expression of its downstream antioxidant genes, markedly stimulating antioxidant activity and enhanceing angiogenesis and collagen deposition. Our findings showed that puffball spores could accelerate diabetic wound healing, enhance antioxidant ability, promote the expression of vascular markers, and suppress inflammation, thus providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of diabetic and refractory wounds.

High-Throughput Optical Controlling and Recording Calcium Signal in iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Toxicity Testing and Phenotypic Drug Screening.

Understanding how excitable cells work in health and disease and how that behavior can be altered by small molecules or genetic manipulation is important. Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) with multiple emission windows can be combined (e.g., for simultaneous observation of distinct subcellular events) or used in extended applications with other light-dependent actuators in excitable cells (e.g., combining genetically encoded optogenetic control with spectrally compatible calcium indicators). Such approaches have been used in primary or stem cell-derived neurons, cardiomyocytes, and pancreatic beta-cells. However, it has been challenging to increase the throughput, or duration of observation, of such approaches due to limitations of the instruments, analysis software, indicator performance, and gene delivery efficiency. Here, a high-performance green GECI, mNeonGreen-GECO (mNG-GECO), and red-shifted GECI, K-GECO, is combined with optogenetic control to achieve all-optical control and visualization of cellular activity in a high-throughput imaging format using a High-Content Imaging System. Applications demonstrating cardiotoxicity testing and phenotypic drug screening with healthy and patient-derived iPSC-CMs are shown. In addition, multi-parametric assessments using combinations of spectral and calcium affinity indicator variants (NIR-GECO, LAR-GECO, and mtGCEPIA or Orai1-G-GECO) are restricted to different cellular compartments are also demonstrated in the iPSC-CM model.

A promising biomarker of elevated galanin level in hypothalamus for osteoporosis risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and osteoporosis are two major healthcare problems worldwide. T2DM is considered to be a risk factor for osteoporosis. Interestingly, several epidemiological studies suggest that bone abnormalities associated with diabetes may differ, at least in part, from those associated with senile or post-menopausal osteoporosis. The growing prevalence that patients with T2DM simultaneously suffer from osteoporosis, puts forward the importance to discuss the relationship between both diseases, as well as to investigate correlative agents to treat them. Emerging evidences demonstrate that neuropeptide galanin is involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM and osteoporosis. Galanin via activation of central GALR2 increases insulin sensitivity as well as bone density and mass in animal models. The disorder of galanin function plays major role in development of both diseases. Importantly, galanin signaling is indispensable for ΔFosB, an AP1 antagonist, to play the bone mass-accruing effects in the ventral hypothalamic neurons of diabetic models. This review summarizes our and other recent studies to provide a new insight into the multivariate relationship among galanin, T2DM and osteoporosis, highlighting the beneficial effect of galanin on the comorbid state of both diseases. These may help us better understanding the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and T2DM and provide useful clues for further inquiry if elevated galanin level may be taken as a biomarker for both conjoint diseases, and GALR2 agonist may be taken as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat both diseases concurrently.

San-Huang-Tang protects obesity/diabetes induced NAFLD by upregulating PGC-1α/PEPCK signaling in obese and galr1 knockout mice models.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: San-Huang-Tang (ST), a classic prescription, has been clinically used to cure diabetes and diabetes-associated metabolic disorders. Established studies have reported that ST can alleviate inflammation, obesity, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. AIM OF THE STUDY: To the best of our knowledge, here, we reported for the first time the underlying mechanistic therapeutic efficacy of the ST against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in high-fat induced obese and galr1-deficient diabetic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The obese and galr1-deficient mice were treated with ST at a dose of 10 g/kg every day for three weeks. Then food intake, body weight and insulin resistance indexes were measured. Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and plasma biochemical analyses were applied. RESULTS: ST reduced food intake, body weight, blood glucose level and insulin resistance, improved glucose tolerance in obese and galr1-deficient mice. Mechanistically, we confirmed that ST protected against NAFLD through activation of PGC-1α and its downstream signaling pathways as shown by the attenuated hepatic adipogenesis and lipid accumulation, increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation, regulated plasma lipid parameters, and increased energy expenditure and metabolic function in fat and muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in food intake produced by ST may contribute to the observed metabolic effects. Our findings strongly suggest that ST might be a potential novel therapeutic drug against obesity/diabetes-induced NAFLD and other metabolic disorders.

Inner-heating acupuncture of lumbar degenerative lesions based on β-catenin signaling pathway / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#By observing the effect of inner-heating acupuncture on the expression of Wnt1, Axin and β-catenin in the intervertebral disc of rats with lumbar degenerative disease and to explore the regulatory mechanism of inner-heating acupuncture on the apoptosis of annulus fibrosus cells in rats with lumbar degenerative disease.@*METHODS@#Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, inner heating acupuncture group and acupuncture group with 10 rats in each group. Except for normal group, all rats were modeled. Bilateral were selected for inner-heating acupuncture and acupuncture treatment. Western-bolt assay was used to detect the expression of Wnt1, Axin and β-catenin in rat intervertebral discs.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the model group, Wnt1 and β-catenin expression in annulus fibrosus cells of rats in the inner heating acupuncture group and the acupuncture group were significantly decreased(0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Inner heating acupuncture can down regulate the expression of Wnt1 and β-catenin and up regulate the expression of Axin in annulus fibrosus of rats with lumbar degenerative desease. It is suggested that the mechanism may be to regulate the expression of related factors in the β-catenin signaling pathway, so as to achieve the goal of treating lumbar degenerative diseases.

Compound Compatibility Law of Rhubarb and Aconite Decoction Based on CYP450 Enzymes / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To study the law of compatibility and detoxification of rhubarb and aconite decoction based on the CYP450 enzyme-mediated metabolic interaction. METHODS: The activities of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzymes were determined by incubating the "Cocktail" probe drugs in vitro. The total content of CYP450 enzyme in liver microsomes was determined by carbon monoxide differential method. And the expression of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR method. RESULTS: Rhubarb group, aconite root combined with rhubarb group and rhubarb combined with asarum group showed significant induction effects on CYP1A2 enzyme activity. CYP1A2 enzyme activity was significantly inhibited in the aconite root combined with asarum group. CYP3A4 enzyme activity was significantly inhibited in the asarum group and the aconite root combined with asarum group. Rhubarb group, rhubarb combined with asarum group and rhubarb and aconite decoction had significant induction effects on CYP3A4 enzyme activity. Rhubarb group significantly induced the total content of CYP450 enzyme, asarum group and aconitum root combined with asarum group inhibited the total content of CYP450 enzyme, rhubarb and aconite decoction had slight induction effects on the total content of CYP450, but there was no significant difference. Rhubarb group, rhubarb combined with asarum group and rhubarb and aconite decoction group could up-regulate the mRNA expression of CYP1A2. In addition, rhubarb and aconite decoction and rhubarb group could up-regulate the mRNA expression of CYP3A4. And asarum group and aconite combined with asarum group could down-regulate the mRNA expression of CYP3A4. CONCLUSION: The drug combination weakened the strong induction of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzymes by rhubarb alone, reflecting the holism concept of compound traditional Chinese medicine. The effects of rhubarb and aconite decoction on CYP3A4 enzyme activity are likely to be regulated by the mRNA levels of CYP3A4 enzyme. Whether there is correlation between the cold-heat compatibility based on the pharmacological theory and the induction or inhibition of CYP450 enzyme needs further study.

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with six-step manipulation combined with extracorporeal shock wave / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of six-step manipulation combined with extracorporeal shock wave in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.@*METHODS@#Seventy-six patients with KOA from December 2016 to June 2018 were divided into control group and treatment group, 38 in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with oral medicine combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy, while the patients in the treatment group were treated with six-step manipulation combined with shock wave therapy. The VAS score, WOMAC score and clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared before treatment, 1 day, 1 month and 6 months after treatment.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in VAS score and WOMAC score between the two groups before treatment(>0.05). VAS score and WOMAC score in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group at 1 day, 1 month and 6 months after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant(<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Six-step manipulation combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy can significantly alleviate pain and improve knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and the clinical effect is obvious.

Preparation instructions for Experts consensus statement on Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao in clinical practice / 中国中药杂志

As a topical plaster developed by modern pharmaceutical technology based on traditional Tibetan medicine,Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao has functions of promoting blood circulation,relieving swelling and relieving pain. Since its introduction in 1993,it has been widely used in the treatment of various types of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and various types of spinal,joint and soft tissue diseases. In order to better standardize the clinical application and improve the clinical efficacy of Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao,the research and development work of the Experts consensus statement on Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao in clinical practice was officially launched on October 19,2017,upon approval from China Association of Chinese Medicine. In this paper,main R&D process and related technical links for the experts consensus on Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao would be summarized,which will help the various medical workers understand,master and apply more accurately,and also provide reference for the development of experts consensus on clinical application of other topical Chinese medicines.

Beneficial effect of baicalin on insulin sensitivity in adipocytes of diet-induced obese mice.

AIMS: Although baicalin has been shown to increase glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle of mice, there is no literature available about the effect of baicalin on insulin sensitivity in adipocytes of diet-induced obese mice. METHODS: In the present study, diet-induced obese mice were given 50 mg/kg baicalin intraperitoneally (i.p.) once a day for 21 days, and 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 100, 200, 400 µM baicalin for 3 h. Then insulin resistance indexes and insulin signal protein levels were examined to elucidate whether baicalin increased glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes of diet-induced obese mice. RESULTS: The present findings showed that administration of baicalin decreased food intake, body weight, HOMA-IR and p-p38 MAPK and pERK levels, but enhanced pAKT and PGC-1α contents, as well as GLUT4 mRNA, PGC-1α mRNA expression in adipocytes, and reversed high fat diet-induced glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in diet-induced obese mice. Moreover, baicalin treatment increased GLUT4 concentration in plasma membranes of adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrated that baicalin accelerated GLUT4 translocation from intracellular membrane compartments to plasma membranes in adipocytes. Baicalin plays a significant role in elevation of glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity to promote glucose clearance.

Bu-Shen-Tong-Luo decoction prevents bone loss via inhibition of bone resorption and enhancement of angiogenesis in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis of rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gathering three ancient formulas, traditional Chinese medicine Bu-Shen-Tong-Luo decoction (BSTLD) has been used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) at the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine for decades. However, the effect of BSTLD on angiogenesis and bone resorption as well as its possible mechanism are still unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of BSTLD on ovariectomy-induced bone loss and vasculature disorder, and to investigate the possible bone protection mechanism of BSTLD in inhibiting bone resorption by enhancing angiogenesis signaling in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animal experiment was divided into five groups. Rats underwent either sham surgery with intact ovaries (SHAM, n = 10) or bilateral ovariectomy (OVX, n = 40). OVX rats were randomly divided into four groups and gavaged by water (vehicle, 12 mL/kg, n = 10), BSTLD (6 g/kg, n = 10), BSTLD (12 g/kg, n = 10) and 17ß-estradiol (E2, 100 µg/kg, n = 10) daily for 12 weeks, respectively. The bone loss and microstructure of the distal femur were observed using micro-computed tomography (µCT). The biomechanical parameters of the femur were detected using three-point bending tests. The distribution of osteoclasts and endothelial cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein levels of angiogenesis-related hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as osteoclast activation-related signaling calcitonin receptor (CALCR), cathepsin K (CTSK), receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and ß-catenin were assayed by RT-PCR or Western blot. RESULTS: BSTLD protected trabecular bone mass density and trabecular bone microstructure from ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats. BSTLD significantly reduced mRNA and protein levels of calcitonin receptor and CTSK in femoral metaphysis and inhibited bone resorption in ovariectomized rats. Furthermore, BSTLD stabilized HIF-1α activity and subsequently increased VEGF expression to enhance angiogenesis and modulated RANKL/OPG signaling in this animal model. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that BSTLD reduced osteoclasts activation and bone resorption in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Bone protection by BSTLD may be associated with its stimulation of HIF-1α/VEGF angiogenesis signaling and suppression of RANKL/OPG ratio. This study may provide evidence that BSTLD treats postmenopausal osteoporosis, especially with micro-circulation complication.

Carvacrol Ameliorates Ligation-Induced Periodontitis in Rats.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the ameliorative effect of carvacrol, an anti-inflammatory monoterpenoid phenol and a major component of Plectranthus amboinicus, on periodontal damage in an experimental rat model of periodontitis. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into ligation (Lig), non-ligation (n-Lig), and two ligation plus carvacrol (Lig+C) groups. Carvacrol (17.5 or 35.0 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered intragastrically from 1 day before ligation. On day 8, dental alveolar bone loss and gingival inflammation in periodontal specimens were examined by dental radiography, microcomputed tomography, and histology. Expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase messenger (m)RNAs, and levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in gingiva were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and zymography. RESULTS: Dental radiography revealed periodontal bone-supporting ratios in Lig and Lig+C groups were lower than the n-Lig group, with Lig group ratios being lowest. Compared with the n-Lig group, the cemento-enamel junction-bone distance was significantly longer in Lig and Lig+C groups, with Lig+C groups showing shorter distances regardless of radiographic methods used. Histology and histometry showed less inflammatory area and stronger connective tissue attachment in Lig+C groups than in the Lig group. Cytokine/mediator mRNA expression and MMP-9 levels were reduced in the Lig+C groups. CONCLUSIONS: Carvacrol reduced tissue damage and bone loss caused by ligation-induced periodontitis. The present results indicate that carvacrol might reduce tissue destruction by downregulating expression of proinflammatory mediators and MMP-9.

The effects of traditional Chinese medicine intervention among community-dwelling elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment / 中华护理杂志

Objective To explore the effects of health management intervention with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) characteristics among community-dwelling elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI).Methods A quasi-experimental study design was adopted,and 40 elderly patients with MCI were randomly selected from 2 communities in Zhang-jia-wan Neighborhood in Wuhan.A phased,step-by-step health management for communitydwelling elderly patients with MCI was implemented,which lasted four months.The content of health management intervention included guidance of basic disease knowledge,cognitive training,acupoint massage,exercise of TCM,emotion of TCM and lifestyle of TCM.Knowledge-Attitude-Practice scale and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale were used before and after intervention.The results were analyzed by descriptive analysis,paired t test,x2 test and other statistical methods.Results There were significant differences in MoCA total score and scores of language,abstract and delayed recall dimensions(P＜0.05);differences of KAP total score,and scores of knowledge dimension and attitude dimension were statistically significant (P＜0.05).Conclusion Health management intervention with TCM characteristics can increase cognitive ability and KAP level among community-dwelling elderly patients with MCI.

Extracellular splitting pattern of mitochondria and the depressant effects of CsA on the process / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate extracellular splitting pattern of mitochondria and the depressant effects of CsA on the process and explore the mechanism of post-traumatic SIRS and its therapeutic strategy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten male SD rats with 60 to 70 days age and 240 to 280 g weight were used for mitochondrial isolation. Freshly isolated mitochondria were randomly divided into two groups, which were cultured in blood plasma with or without CsA respectively for 8 h. COX and MDH were assayed by ELISA every 30 min. Meanwhile, Rat macrophage cell line NR8383 were treated as follows, control (group A): cultivation with normal medium; NR8383+CsA co-culture group (group B): culture medium was supplemented with CsA of 10 mmol/L; NR8383+intact mitochondria co-culture group (group C): culture medium was supplemented with intact mitochondria (mtDNA=5 g/ml); NR8383+intact mitochondria+CsA co-culture group (group D): culture medium was supplemented with intact mitochondria (mtDNA=5 μg/ml)and CsA of 10 mmol/L; NR8383+disrupted mitochondria co-culture group (group E): culture medium was supplemented with disrupted mitochondria (mtDNA=5 μg/ml); NR8383+disrupted mitochondria+CsA co-culture group (group F): culture medium was supplemented with disrupted mitochondria (mtDNA=5 μg/ml)and CsA of 10 mmol/L. TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations in supernatant were assessed at 1, 3, 5 h after culture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the mitochondria plasma cultures, MDH and COX levels were increased with the time and peaked at about 3 h and 3.5 h; CsA can delay the appearance of peak to 4.5 h. Among different treated groups,there was no significant difference in TNF-α and IL-6 between group A and group B; there was significant difference in TNF-α and IL-6 other groups. After 1 h culture, compared with group C, no significant difference of TNF-α and IL-6 was observed in group D, while TNF-α and IL-6 were significant higher in group E; after 3 h culture, compared with group C, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in group D, while TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly higher in group E; after 5 h culture, compared with group C, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in group D, while no significant difference of TNF-α and IL-6 were observed in group E. At each time point, there was no significant difference in TNF-α and IL-6 between group F and group E.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mitochondria can split in serum with time, which will further activate macrophages. CsA has depressant effect to mitochondrial splitting on the process and will therefore inhibit the activation of macrophages.</p>

Effects of qingyang toujie mixture in combination with prednisone tablet on Th1/Th2 cytokines in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To research the effects of Qingyang Toujie Mixture (QTM) in combination with prednisone tablet on the balance of Th1 and Th2 (Th1/Th2) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients of yin deficiency syndrome (YDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 42 patients with SLE were recruited from clinics of internal medicine and hospitalization department of First Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from August 2009 to March 2011. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (22 cases) and the control group (20 cases) according to the random digit table. Another 12 healthy subjects were recruited as the healthy control group from employees of First Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and healthy students in physical examinations. All patients took prednisone tablet. The dosage was adjusted according to the severity of SLE activity index and the condition: 40 -60 mg per day for severe active stage; 20-40 mg per day for moderate active stage; 15 -20 mg per day for light active stage; and less than 15 mg per day for those in the stable stage, respectively. When patients' condition had been stabilized for 1 to 2 weeks, the dosage was gradually reduced according to the method of hormone reduction. In case of the recurrence of symptoms or when complicated with lupus nephritis or lupus encephalitis uncontrollable, standard shock therapy with Cyclophosphamide Injection (0.5-1 g/m2 body surface area, intravenous dripping, once every 4 weeks) was performed. Patients in the treatment group took QTM additionally, one dose daily, taken in two portions, once in the morning and once in the evening. Those in the control group took placebos additionally, one dose daily, taken in two portions, once in the morning and once in the evening. The therapeutic course was 6 months for all. No measure was taken for those in the healthy control group. Venous blood was withdrawal before and after treatment. Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-12) and Th2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-4) were detected by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the healthy control group, the serum Th1 cytokines such as IL-12 and IFN-gamma, Th2 cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-4 increased, the Th1/Th2 ratios such as IFN-gamma/IL-4 and IL-12/IL-10 decreased in the treatment group and the control group before treatment (P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment in the same group, the serum Th1 cytokines such as IL-12 and IFN-gamma decreased, the serum Th2 cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-4 decreased, the ratios of Th1/Th2 cytokines such as IFN-gamma/IL-4 and IL-12/IL-10 increased in the treatment group (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, IL-4 decreased, and the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 increased in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Fewer patients suffered from adverse reactions in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QTM in combination with prednisone tablet was effective to improve the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines, and alleviate the toxic and adverse reactions of hormone or immune inhibitors.</p>

Case control study of hook needle knife for the treatment of stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect and safety of the hook needle knife for the treatment of stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From September 2007 to September 2008, 60 outpatients with stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum were randomized divided into the treatment group and the control group, 30 cases in each group. Among the patients, 44 patients were female and 16 patients were male, aged from 34 to 69 years, averaged 56 years, the duration of disease ranged from 1 month to 1 year, averaged 3 months. All the patients were treated with hook needle knife and local-blocking respectively. The patients were followed up for 6 months, and the relief of moving-pain, tender-pain, stretching-pain and resist-ing--pain were observed respectively. All the patients were evaluated by the symptoms with numerical rating scale.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The relief of moving-pain, tender-pain, stretching-pain and resisting-pain in the treatment group were significantly better than those of the control group; and the therapeutic effects of treatment group were better than those of the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method for treating stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum with hook needle knife has advantages of definite effects, micro-invasion and safety.</p>

Effects on VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression of the tissues of periosteum in three-period treatment of TCM for the fractures in rabbit / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of the three-period treatment theory of bone fracture in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) on VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in the issues of outer periosteum, endosteum and bone marrow of rabbits, and to explore the rationality of phasing method in TCM in treating fracture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>3 mm bone defection were made at lower one third part of both radius in 140 male healthy rabbits. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, including three-period treatment group (TTG), one-period treatment group(OTG), positive medicine treatment group(PTG) and model control group (MCG). The rabbits in TG were treated with three-period treatment, rabbits in OTG were treated with one-period treatment, rabbits in PTG were fed by Guzhe-Cuoshangsan (a Chinese patent medicine which was used to treat bone fracture), rabbits in model control group were given no prescription or drug but distilled water as same dose as that of other groups. At day 3, 6, 9, 14, 28, 42 and 56, five rabbits from every group were randomly selected and were killed by aeroembolism. The left radiuses were taken out as the research object. Immunohistochemistry stain and in situ hybridization stain were performed to examinate the VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in the outer periosteum, endosteum and bone marrow.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression of all TCM treatment groups were enhanced in the outer periosteum, endosteum and bone marrow at different time points in fracture healing. The VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in the three tissues of TTG had the tendency of higher than that of the other groups at the most time points after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Treating fracture in stages has more predominant effect on the expression of VEGF and VEGF mRNA in the outer periosteum, endosteum and bone marrow than that of treating fracture with single prescription or drug.</p>

Effects on VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in issues of callus in treating fracture of rabbit with three-period treatment theory of bone fracture in traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of the three-period treatment theory of bone fracture in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in the issues of callus of rabbits. And to explore the rationality of phasing method in TCM in treating fracture.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>one hundred and forty male and healthy rabbits were made 3 mm wide bone defection at lower one third part of both radius as fracture healing model. Then those rabbits were divided into four groups randomly, which are three-period treatment group (TTG), one-period treatment group (OTG), positive medicine treatment group (PTG) and model control group (MCG). Those rabbits in TTG were treated with three-period treatment. Those in OTG were treated with one-period treatment. Those in PTG were feed by guzhecuoshangsan, a Chinese patent medicine which is used to treat bone fracture. Those in model control group were given no prescription or drug but distilled water as same dose as that of other groups. At day 3, 6, 9, 14, 28, 42 and 56, five rabbits were selected from every group randomly and were killed by aeroembolism respectively. Their radius were taken out and the left one was taken as the research object. Immunohistochemistry stain and in situ hybridization stain were performed to examinate the VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in the haematoma, fibrous callus and soft callus.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>All TCM treatment groups can enhance the VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in the haematoma, fibrous callus and soft callus at different time points in fracture healing. The VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in the three issues of TTG had the tendency of higher than that of the other groups at the most time points after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TCM can promote the VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in the haematoma, fibrous callus and soft callus. Different Chinese medicines play various roles on VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression at different stage of fracture healing. Treating fracture in three-period treatment has more predominant effect on the expression of VEGF and VEGF mRNA in the haematoma, fibrous callus and soft callus than that of treating fracture with single prescription or drug. It is necessary to treat fracture in stages.</p>