Chinese medicine Gushukang capsule for treating primary osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gushukang (GSK) capsules in the treatment of primary osteoporosis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials related to the treatment of primary osteoporosis were collected through online retrieval of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (Sino-Med), VIP, US National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Web of Science and Cochrane library. The literature was searched from January 1, 2000, to March 17, 2022. The risk bias and quality of the trials included in the meta-analysis were evaluated with the Cochrane Collaboration's risk assessment tool. The effect size was expressed as risk ratios (RRs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 24 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) were incorporated into this systematic review. The 2363 patients were all primary osteoporosis patients, of whom 1197 were in the observation group and 1166 were in the control group. GSK capsule group was superior to conventional medication group in improving beta type I collagen carboxy-terminal peptide (ß-CTX) (MD - 0.28, 95% CI [- 0.31, - 0.25]), while in improving prepeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), conventional medications group was superior to GSK capsule group (MD - 1.37, 95% CI [- 1.92, - 0.82]), and there were no significant differences between the two groups in overall efficacy (OE) (OR 1.62, 95% CI [0.89, 2.98]), increase of bone mineral density (BMD) (lumbar spine: MD - 0.02, 95% CI [- 0.08, 0.04]; femoral neck: MD - 0.01, 95% CI [- 0.07, 0.05]; hip: MD 0.01, 95% CI [- 0.02, 0.02]), enhancement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (MD - 1.37, 95% CI [- 13.29, 10.55]), serum calcium (S-Ca) (MD 0.02, 95% CI [- 0.13, 0.17]), bone glutamyl protein (BGP) (MD 3.75, 95% CI [- 12.26, 19.76]), safety (OR 0.37, 95% CI [0.07, 2.02]) and pain relief (MD 0.32, 95% CI [- 0.59, 1.22]). GSK capsule combined with conventional medications group was superior to conventional medications group in improvement of OE (OR 3.19, 95% CI [2.20, 4.63]), BMD (lumbar spine (MD 0.06, 95% CI [0.02, 0.10]), femoral neck (MD 0.08, 95% CI [0.03, 0.13]), hip (MD 0.14, 95% CI [0.08, 0.21]) and other parts (MD 0.04, 95% CI [0.03, 0.05]), ALP (MD - 5.56, 95% CI [- 10.08, - 1.04]), ß-CTX (MD - 0.15, 95% CI [- 0.18, - 0.12]) and pain relief (MD - 1.25, 95% CI [- 1.83, - 0.68]), but there was no difference in S-Ca (MD 0.02, 95% CI [- 0.13, 0.17]), BGP (MD 1.30, 95% CI [- 0.29, 2.89]), PINP (MD 1.30, 95% CI [- 0.29, 2.89]), serum phosphorus (S-P) (MD 0.01, 95% CI [- 0.09, 0.12]) and safety (OR 0.71, 95% CI [0.38, 1.35]). CONCLUSION: GSK capsules can effectively treat primary osteoporosis, and when combined with conventional medications, the drug significantly increased bone mineral density, relieved pain and improved bone metabolism-related indicators in primary osteoporosis patients with better efficacy. However, due to the inclusion of Chinese literature and possible publication bias, the reliability of conclusions still requires more high-quality RCTs to enhance.

Zuogui and Yougui pills improve perimenopausal syndrome regulation of apoptosis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To examine, dissect, and understand the molecular mechanisms and combinatorial effects of Zuogui (, ZGP) and Yougui pills (, YGP) in 4-vinyl cyclohexene diepoxide (4-VCD)-induced Perimenopausal syndrome (PMS). METHODS: Using the 4-VCD-induced PMS mouse model, uterine and ovary index were measured, and serum sex steroidal hormone levels were evaluated after treatment with ZGP, YGP, ZGP + YGP, estradiol valerate (EV), and Gengnian An (gengnianan, GNA). Histopathological examinations, ingredient-target network predictions, western blotting, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyses were performed to ascertain the possible pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of ZYP and YGP. RESULTS: Treatment with ZGP and YGP remarkably improves estrous cyclicity and prevents pathological damage to the uterus. Also, altered sex hormones, including AMH, E2, FSH, LH, P, and T, were restored to normal levels after ZGP and YGP administration. Ingredient-target network analysis showed that the 5 ingredients common to the ZGP and YGP formula modulate 53 targets shared with PMS. Pathway-enrichment analysis further predicted that ZGY and YGP likely regulate of apoptosis and other essential pathways during PMS. In-vivo studies showed that ZGP and YGP suppress PMS modulating apoptosis through decreasing Caspase-3 and Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) levels and increasing B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bax and Bcl-2 levels. Importantly, ZGP + YGP treatment modulation effects were somewhat or significantly better compared to ZGP or YGP alone treatment. CONCLUSION: ZGP and YGP represent novel anti-PMS agents whose effects involve restoring altered hormonal levels, protecting the uterus, and regulating apoptosis.

The curative effect and mechanism of magnetic hyperthermia in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 We combined the concept of traditional medicine with magnetic induction technology, originally brought up the research concept of magnetic hyperthermia to cure KOA, explored the mechanism and constructed a new treatment of KOA with modern medical features. 【Methods】 Through establishing a primary KOA model in rats and constructing ferrimagnetic vortex domain iron oxide nanorings (FVIOs) as a platform for highly efficient magnetic hyperthermia agent, the lesions of KOA were heated accurately under the low-intensity magnetic field. We confirmed the curative effect through the results of pain perception, histopathology, knee joint morphology and microscopic bone structure and the content of serum inflammatory factor, to study the therapeutic mechanism of magnetic hyperthermia for KOA. 【Results】 Compared with the model group, the recovery of mechanical pain threshold after magnetic hyperthermia improved by approximately 48.9%; the degree of hyperemia and edema of joint capsule and synovial tissue and the wear degree of joint cartilage surface, were significantly reduced; the Mankin and OARSI scores decreased by about 33% and 20%, respectively; the MicroCT results indicated that the degree of hardening of the subchondral bone also improved; the expression of inflammatory factors in the serum was reduced. 【Conclusion】 In this study, we utilized the FVIOs as a high-efficiency magnetic hyperthermia platform for the treatment of KOA. The efficacy of magnetic hyperthermia on KOA is clarified, and the mechanism is related to the inhibition of inflammatory factors.

Advances in traditional Chinese medicine as adjuvant therapy for diabetic foot.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex disease that often causes multiple systemic complications that have become a major international public health problem. Diabetic foot (DF) is one of the severe and frequent chronic complications of DM due to vascular lesions and neuropathy. DF ulcers (DFU) affect approximately 15% of people with DM and are the leading cause of death and disability. The prevalence and recurrence of DF are worrisome, and morbidity and mortality are also on the rise, which poses a substantial socioeconomic burden. Treating DF is difficult for clinicians and requires multidisciplinary cooperation, combining local and systemic therapy to reduce amputation and case-fatality rates. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has received extensive attention due to noticeable therapeutic effects and few adverse reactions. In recent years, research on DF treatment by TCM has been increasing, and further progress has been made. TCM includes oral medication, injectable preparations, and adjuvant therapy. This article reviews the relevant research on TCM-related adjuvant therapy for DF. We describe current progress in TCM in terms of external application, acupuncture, massage, acupoint injection, foot bath, fumigation, and moxibustion, as well as the mechanisms involved.

Auricular Acupressure for Improving Sleep Quality in Patients With Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis was conducted to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of auricular acupressure on sleep quality in patients with lung cancer. Nine articles with a total of 802 patients were retrieved after searching on 11 electronic databases. Results of the meta-analysis showed that auricular acupressure improved sleep score (standard mean difference: -0.80, 95% confidence intervals: -1.30 to -0.30, P = .002) and reduced sleep disturbance rate (risk ratio: 0.65, 95% confidence intervals: 0.51-0.84, P = .001) and sleep medicine usage (risk ratio: 0.26, 95% confidence intervals: 0.11-0.65, P = .004) significantly. Our review suggests that auricular acupressure is effective and relatively safe in improving sleep quality among patients with lung cancer.

Active Cycle of Breathing Technique: A Respiratory Modality to Improve Perioperative Outcomes in Patients With Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cancer and surgery put a physiologic and psychological burden on patients with lung cancer. The active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) has been considered as an effective airway clearance method for patients with lung diseases. Its effectiveness on perioperative outcomes in patients with lung cancer warrants study. OBJECTIVES: This prospective study explored the effects of the ACBT on patients with lung cancer undergoing surgical resection. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to the intervention (N = 34) or control group (N = 34). The intervention group received the ACBT, and the control group received usual pre-/postoperative breathing exercises. Outcomes included dyspnea, exercise capacity, anxiety, depression, and postoperative pulmonary complications. Intention-to-treat analysis was also performed. FINDINGS: Dyspnea, anxiety, depression, and postoperative pulmonary complications were significantly improved at discharge for patients in the intervention group.

Multimodal Exercise Program: A Pilot Randomized Trial for Patients With Lung Cancer Receiving Surgical Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Curative lung resection is the best option for patients with stage I-III lung cancer, and the best exercise intervention in these patients has not been determined. OBJECTIVES: This pilot study explored whether a short-term pre- and postsurgery multimodal exercise program affected dyspnea, exercise capacity, inspiratory capacity, anxiety, and depression. METHODS: A total of 101 patients were randomly allocated into the combined intervention group (n = 34), the breathing exercise group (n = 32), or the control group (n = 35). During hospitalization, patients in the two intervention groups received one or more kinds of exercise intervention, and patients in the control group only received usual care. Outcomes were assessed at admission, on the day before surgery, and at discharge. FINDINGS: Both intervention groups achieved significant improvements in dyspnea, exercise capacity, and inspiratory capacity, and patients in the combined intervention group exhibited greater improvements in outcomes as compared to those randomized to the breathing exercise group.

Nutrition support in the chronic critically ill patients / 中华危重病急救医学

Over the last decade, chronic critically ill (CCI) has emerged as an epidemic in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors worldwide. Advances in ICU technology and implementation of care bundles has significantly decreased early deaths of critically ill patients, and have allowed them to survive previously lethal multiple organ failure (MOF). However, more and more survivors leave persistent low grade organ dysfunctions, depend on continues organ support, need to stay in ICU, and become CCI patients. These patients experience a persistent immune dysregulation with persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolic syndrome. Therefore, malnutrition is an important feature of patients with CCI, and nutritional support is a crucial part of their treatment. The main strategies of nutritional support are as follows: providing sufficient calories and proteins with appropriate anabolic agents to promote anabolic metabolism, using immunomodulators to improve immune suppression and inflammatory responses, and supplementing micronutrients to enhance metabolic support. In this review, the nutritional assessment, calorie assessment, protein assessment and other nutrient supplementation (such as β blocker, testosterone and oxandrolone, immunonutrition, vitamins) of CCI patients were reviewed, so as to provide reference for the treatment of CCI.

Analysis of prescription regularity of traditional Chinese medicine for colorectal cancer based on data mining / 中国中药杂志

The tumor prescriptions contained in Dictionary of Tumor Formulas, Compendium of Good Tumor Formulas, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ministry of Health Drug Standards for Chinese Medicine Formulas and National Compilation of Standards for Proprietary Chinese Medicines were selected and organized to construct a database for tumor prescriptions, and the data mining techniques were applied to investigate the prescription regularity of colorectal cancer prescriptions. The formula data were extracted after screening in strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were then analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2010 for frequency statistics, Apriori block provided by SPSS Clementine 12.0 software for correlation rule analysis, and arules and arulesViz packages in R 4.0.2 software for correlation rule visualization. In addition, SPSS 18.0 software was used for cluster analysis and factor analysis, in which cluster analysis was performed by Ochiai algorithm with bicategorical variables in systematic clustering method and factor analysis was performed mainly with principal component analysis. A total of 285 prescriptions were included in the statistical analysis, and the frequency statistics showed that 43 herbs had been used more than 16 times. The association rules analysis showed that 26 high-frequency me-dicine pair rules were obtained, and the association rules for those dispelling evil spirits, strengthening the body, resolving stasis, dispelling dampness, etc. were visualized. In the cluster analysis, we generated a dendrogram from which 7 groups of traditional Chinese medicines with homogeneity were extracted. 10 common factors were obtained in the factor analysis. The types of herbal medicines involved in the colorectal cancer prescription included anti-cancer antidotes, strengthening and tonifying medicines, blood-regulating medicines, and expectorant medicines, corresponding to the treatment for eliminating evil spirits, strengthening, resolving stasis, and expectorating dampness. The prescriptions for anti-cancer detoxification were normally based on the pairs composed of Scutellaria barbata-Hedyotis diffusa and Sophora flavescens, Sargentodoxa cuneata, S. barbata, often combined with stasis relieving drug and dampness eliminating drug, reflecting the characteristics of treatment for both toxicity and stasis, dampness and toxicity simultaneously. The prescriptions for strengthening the righteousness and tonifying the deficiency were composed of Astragalus membranaceus and Atractylodes macrocephala mainly, exerting the effect of benefiting Qi, strengthening the spleen and drying dampness, tonifying kidney and essence, tonifying blood and invigorating blood. Meanwhile, anti-cancer detoxification medicines shall be reduced as much as possible. The compatibility of the medicines for the intestinal tract reflected the principle of using the right medicine for the right condition and eliminating evil spirits or strengthening the body, as appropriate.

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: and purpose: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has gained increasing attention for the treatment of psychological disorders. This study aims to establish the effectiveness of CBT on psychological and physical outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Two waves of electronic searches of the PubMed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were conducted. Statistical analyses were performed using Revman Manager 5.3 and Stata 12.0 software. RESULTS: Sixteen randomized controlled trials were eligible. There were significant improvements in anxiety (SMD = -0.23; 95% CI: -0.42 to -0.04; P = 0.02), depression (SMD = -0.29, 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.19, P < 0.01), quality of life (MD = -5.21; 95% CI: -10.25 to -0.17; P = 0.04), and mean visits to emergency departments in the CBT groups. No statistically significant differences were observed in fatigue (SMD = 0.88, 95% CI: -0.58 to 2.35, P = 0.24), exercise capacity (MD = 28.75, 95% CI: -28.30 to 85.80, P = 0.32), self-efficacy (SMD = 0.15, 95% CI: -0.05 to 0.34, P = 0.14), or sleep quality (MD = 1.21, 95% CI: -0.65 to 3.06, P = 0.20). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that CBT can serve as a complementary therapy to improve anxiety, depression, and quality of life in COPD patients and deserves more widespread application in clinical practice.

Effect of electroacupuncture on SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway in adipose tissue of obese rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on insulin sensitivity, adipose tissue inflammatory reaction and silent information regulation factor 1(SIRT1)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in obese rats.@*METHODS@#A total of 100 SPF-grade Wistar male rats were collected. Thirteen rats of them were selected randomly as the normal group and fed with common forage, and the rest rats were fed with high-fat forage. Eight weeks later, 39 rats that met the obesity criteria were randomized into a model group, an EA group and a sham-EA group, 13 rats in each one. In each group, 3 rats were collected randomly and the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp was exerted to record glucose infusion rate (GIR) so as to determine insulin sensitivity. Afterwards, in the EA group, EA was applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Fenglong" (ST 40), "Zhongwan" (CV 12) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4), stimulated with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in current intensity, for 15 min. The treatment was given once every 2 days, 3 times a week, for 8 weeks totally. In the sham-EA group, the needles were inserted shallowly at the sites, 5 mm lateral to each of the acupoints stimulated in the EA group, and the electrodes were attached to the needle handles, but without electric stimulation exerted. The rest management was the same as the EA group. Before and after intervention, the body mass and the insulin sensitivity were measured. After intervention, the white adipose tissue was collected from the kidney in the rats. Western blot was adopted to detect the relative protein expressions of SIRT1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and acetylated NF-κB (Ac-NFκB). The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of SIRT1, IL-6 and TNF-α. The immunofluorescence double labeling method was applied to detect the co-expression of SIRT1 and Ac-NFκB in adipose tissue.@*RESULTS@#After fed with high-fat forage for 8 weeks, the body mass was significantly increased and GIR decreased in the rats of the model group as compared with the normal group (0.05). Compared with the normal group, in the model group, the protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT1 in adipose tissue were decreased, and the protein expression of Ac-NFκB increased, the protein and mRNA expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α increased (0.05). The results of immunofluorescence double labeling showed that SIRT1 and Ac-NFκB were co-expressed in adipose tissue.@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture significantly reduces the body mass, inflammatory reaction conditions of adipose tissue and improves insulin sensitivity in obese rats. Regarding the potential mechanism, after the activation of SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway by electroacupuncture, and down-regulates the transcription of downstream inflammatory factors.

Research Progress on Chemical Constituents from Infructescence of Platycarya strobilacea and Their Pharmacological Activities / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The infructescence of Platycarya strobilacea is the dry infructescence of P. strobilacea, which is a traditional medicinal plant in China. It has functions of clearing up heat and detoxification, dispelling wind and relieving pain, activating blood circulation and removing stasis, clearing orifices and expelling pus. It is commonly used by people to treat various complications caused by acute and chronic rhinitis, sinusitis and acute upper respiratory tract infection, and is a kind of Chinese medicine with excellent development space and utilization value and has broad market prospects. There are many chemical constituents in the infructescence of P. strobilacea, including volatile oils, Phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates and other compounds. Among them, volatile oils are the most abundant, but lack of correlated activity studies. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and terpenoids are the main pharmacogenetics constituents. However, few of these compounds have been isolated and identified. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the infructescence of P. strobilacea has many pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-virus, anti-inflammatory and bacteriostasis, anti-aging, growth promotion, hypotension and sedation, but the existing studies mainly focus on anti-virus, anti-inflammatory and bacteriostasis, anti-tumor effects, and other activities have not been further explored. In the future, the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of the infructescence of P. strobilacea should be studied in depth, and its mechanism should be further clarified so that it can be more fully and reasonably applied. By consulting domestic and foreign literature in recent years in CNKI, VIP database, Wanfang date, PubMed and other databases. The chemical constituents, pharmacological effects and clinical application of the infructescence of P. strobilacea were summarized and expounded its research progress in order to provide theoretical reference for further research and further development and application of the Infructescence of P. strobilacea.

Mechanisms of acupuncture for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: researches progress and prospects / 中国针灸

Literature regarding the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the mechanisms of acupuncture for NAFLD published between January of 2006 to December of 2016 was searched in CBM database, Wanfang database, CNKI database and PubMed. After analysis, the possible mechanisms of acupuncture for NAFLD were summarized from 5 following aspects: acupuncture regulating lipid metabolism and participating lipid metabolism-related signaling pathways, acupuncture improving insulin resistance, acupuncture increasing the antioxidant levels of liver tissue to improve lipid peroxidation, acupuncture inhabiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and acupuncture improving the morphology and structure of hepatocyte. Based on the characteristics of acupuncture, the suggestions and prospects of future research were proposed from the 4 following aspects: the specificity and compatibility of acupoint, the treatment timing of acupuncture, the stimulus parameter of acupuncture, and the intervention of acupuncture combined with dietary control.

MicroRNA-122 Inhibits Lipid Droplet Formation and Hepatic Triglyceride Accumulation via Yin Yang 1.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: An increase in intracellular lipid droplet formation and hepatic triglyceride (TG) content usually results in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of hepatic TG homeostasis remain unclear. METHODS: Oil red O staining and TG measurement were performed to determine the lipid content. miRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative PCR. A luciferase assay was performed to validate the regulation of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) by microRNA (miR)-122. The effects of miR-122 expression on YY1 and its mechanisms involving the farnesoid X receptor and small heterodimer partner (FXR-SHP) pathway were evaluated by quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses. RESULTS: miR-122 was downregulated in free fatty acid (FFA)-induced steatotic hepatocytes, and streptozotocin and high-fat diet (STZ-HFD) induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice. Transfection of hepatocytes with miR-122 mimics before FFA induction inhibited lipid droplet formation and TG accumulation in vitro. These results were verified by overexpressing miR-122 in the livers of STZ-HFD-induced NASH mice. The 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of YY1 mRNA is predicted to contain an evolutionarily conserved miR-122 binding site. In silico searches, a luciferase reporter assay and quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that miR-122 directly bound to the YY1 3'UTR to negatively regulate YY1 mRNA in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. The (FXR-SHP) signaling axis, which is downstream of YY1, may play a key role in the mechanism of miR-122-regulated lipid homeostasis. YY1-FXR-SHP signaling, which is negatively regulated by FFA, was enhanced by miR-122 overexpression. This finding was also confirmed by overexpression of miR-122 in the livers of NASH mice. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that miR-122 plays an important role in lipid (particularly TG) accumulation in the liver by reducing YY1 mRNA stability to upregulate FXR-SHP signaling.

[Adsorption Behavior of Low Concentration Phosphorus from Water onto Modified Reed Biochar].

In order to remove low concentration of phosphorus in wastewater and realize resource utilization of reed, reed biochar(RB) was prepared using reed and then modified by ferric chloride, and the adsorption behavior of low concentration phosphorus was investigated. The results showed that the iron content of modified reed biochar(MRB) was 11.98 mg·g-1, which was 44.7 times that of RB; pHpzc of the MRB was 7.49, and the adsorption effect was the best when the solution pH was 7.0; at the initial concentration of 4.0 mg·L-1 and temperature of 298K, the adsorption capacity of MRB was 0.658 mg·g-1, which was 34.6 times that of RB. The adsorption isotherms at different temperatures were well fitted to Langmiur equation, which indicated the adsorption was monolayer adsorption, and increasing temperature was favorable for adsorption. ΔGθ<0, ΔHθ>0 and ΔSθ>0 indicated that the adsorption was a spontaneous, entropy increasing and endothermic process. The kinetic experimental data of the adsorption fitted well to the pseudo-second-order equation, the initial adsorption rate increased with the increasing initial concentration of solution, and the adsorption was mainly controlled by intraparticle diffusion. The research will provide basic data for application of MRB in deep removal of low concentration phosphorus from sewage treatment plant and water body.

Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen on the Growth of Intracranial Glioma in Rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Numerous studies have confirmed that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy may increase the efficacy of radiotherapy or chemotherapy in patients with glioma. However, whether HBO therapy alone may inhibit or promote the growth of malignant tumors remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effect of HBO on the growth of glioma in rats, and the impact of HBO on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), angiogenesis, and apoptosis of glioma cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with or without HBO after glioma cell inoculation and followed for up to 16 days postinoculation. Rats were randomized to receive bilateral forelimb function tests (n = 20 per group) and head magnetic resonance imaging (n = 5 per group). Differences between HBO and control groups were tested using 2-sample independent t-tests and changes over time within treatment groups were analyzed using a repeated measurement analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. The effect of HBO on the expression of VEGF, HIF-1α, von Willebrand factor, angiogenesis, and tumor cell apoptosis were also examined (n = 5 per group).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forelimb function scores were reduced in both HBO-treated and control groups. HBO-treated rats had significantly larger tumor volume and more water in the cerebellum compared with control rats. The intratumoral expression of VEGF was significantly higher in HBO-treated rats compared with control rats (23.2% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.002). HIF-1α was significantly increased in HBO-treated rats compared with controls in the expression of both intratumoral (72.7% vs. 54.9%, P = 0.001) and peritumoral (2.6% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.003) cells. The intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) was significantly higher in the HBO group (15.6 vessels/field vs. 4.4 vessels/field, P < 0.001), and the peritumoral MVD was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Apoptosis was significantly lower in HBO-treated rats compared with controls (44.4% vs. 82.8% for intratumoral; 10.1% vs. 77.5% for peritumoral, both P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The current results demonstrate that HBO alone may promote tumor growth, and is therefore not suitable to treat patients with gliomas with neurological deficits or disorders with HBO alone. If HBO must be used as a mean of rehabilitation, it is recommended that HBO should be combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture with manifestation-root acupoint combination on ultrastructure and biosynthesis in mitochondrial of quadriceps femoris in rats with insulin resistance / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture on improving insulin resistance of rat from aspects of morphology and function of mitochondrial in quadriceps femoris.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight 8-week Wistar rats (female and male in half) were randomly divided into a normal group (16 rats, group A), a model control group (16 rats, group B), a model plus electroacupuncture (EA) group (8 rats, group C) and a model plus sham acupoint EA group (8 rats, group D). Group A was given with basic diet while high-fat diet was applied in the group B, group C and group D for 8 weeks to establish model of insulin resistance. After the model establishment, "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zhongwan" (CV 12), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Fenglong" (ST 30) were selected according to acupoint combination of manifestation-root in the group C, while four points in non-meridian area where 1 to 2 mm next to the acupoints used in group C were selected in the group D. The treatment was given 15 min per time with 1 mA of intensity and 2 Hz in frequency, 5 times per week for totally 8 weeks. The transmission electron microscope was adopted to observe mitochondria structure, and chemical colorimetry was used to test the activity of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase and phosphomolybdic acid colorimetry was applied to measure the content of ATP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the treatment, the body mass was (401.63 +/- 109.81) g in the group B, which was significantly higher than (305.88 +/- 62.72) g in the group A (P < 0.05); morphological structure of mitochondrion was damaged, showing swelling and deformation; the activity of ATP synthase was decreased (P < 0.05) and the content of ATP in tissue of quadriceps femoris was also obviously lowered (P < 0.05). The body mass was (294.13 +/- 53.78) g in the group C, which was significantly lower than that in the group B (P < 0.05); the damaged mitochondrion was restored and merged among each other; the activity of ATP synthase was increased (P < 0.05); the content of ATP in tissue of quadriceps femoris was obviously lifted (P < 0.05). The results in group D were not different from those in group B.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The electroacupuncture with manifestation-root acupoint combination could improve the recovery of damaged structure of mitochondrion and promote the merge among each other, which could enhance oxidizing capacity, lower body mass and improve synthetic rate of ATP.</p>

Clinical efficacy of Traditional Chinese and Western medicine in treatment of 60 cases with angina pectoris / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To explore the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in treatment of patients with angina pectoris. Methods 120 cases with angina pectoris admitted in the Fourth Hospital of Baotou City from May 2012 to August 2013 were randomly divided into treatment group (n=60)and control group (n=60). All patients were given secondary prevention of coronary heart disease,and besides this, treatment group were added nitrates medications and traditional Chinese medicine treatment,while control group were only given nitrates medications.The treatment course was 14 days. The efficacy of angina pectoris,nitroglycerin loss rate and electrocardiogram efficacy were compared and the safety were evaluated between two groups. Results The efficacy of angina pectoris in treatment group was 90.00%,while control group was 71.67%,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05 ). ECG efficiency in treatment group was 68.33%,while control group was 48.33%,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05 ). The reduction of nitroglycerin was 86.67%,while control group was 61.67%,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). In addition,there were no adverse reaction in two groups. Conclusion Compared with nitrates medications,combined Chinese and Western medicine in treatment of patients with angina pectoris on basis of secondary prevention of coronary heart disease has better therapeutically effective rate.

Effects of allicin on hyperhomocysteinemia-induced experimental vascular endothelial dysfunction.

This study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of allicin on hyperhomocysteinemia-induced experimental vascular endothelial dysfunction in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control rats (NC), the high-methionine-diet rats (Met), the high-methionine-diet rats treated with folic acid, vitaminB6 and vitaminB12 (Met+F), or with low-dose allicin (Met+L), or with high-dose allicin (Met+H). After 6 weeks, we collected blood samples of all groups to determine plasma endothelin (ET), serum homocysteine (Hcy), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and detected the expression of basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the aorta. The Hcy and the expression of TGF-ß in both the Met+L and Met+H groups were significantly lower than the Met and Met+F groups. The ET, ET/NO ratio and the MDA levels of the Met+L and Met+H groups were significantly lower than the Met group. The SOD and NO levels and the expression of bFGF, TNF-α and ICAM-1 of the Met+L and Met+H groups were significantly higher than the Met group. Our data indicate that allicin inhibits lipid peroxidation induced by hyperhomocysteinemia and regulates the excretion and equilibrium of ET and NO, and suggest that allicin might be useful in the prevention of endothelial dysfunction caused by hyperhomocysteinemia.

Anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of oxysophoridine on cerebral ischemia both in vivo and in vitro.

In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of oxysophoridine on ischemia and ischemia-like insults. Protection by oxysophoridine was studied at the in vivo level using a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice and at the in vitro level using primary rat hippocampal neuronal cultures exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation, a model of ischemia-like injury. The behavioral test was performed by using the neurological scores. The infarction volume of brain was assessed in the brain slices stained with 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride. The neuron apoptosis was evaluated by Hoechst 33342 staining. The morphological change in the neurons was examined using a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM or EM). To evaluate neuron apoptosis, caspase-3, -9, and - 8 activities were measured using assay kits with an ELISA reader. The Western blotting assay was used to evaluate the release of cytochrome c and expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax proteins. The quantitative real-time PCR assay was used to evaluate the release of cytochrome c and the expression of caspase-3 mRNA. Oxysophoridine-treated groups (62.5, 125, 250 mg/kg) markedly reduced neurological deficit scores and infarct volumes. Treatment with oxysophoridine (5, 20, 80 µmol/L) significantly attenuated neuronal damage, with evidence of decreased cell apoptosis and decreased cell morphologic impairment. Furthermore, treatment with oxysophoridine could effectively downregulate the expression of cytochrome c and caspase-3 in both mRNA and protein levels, and Bax in the protein level, and induce an increase of Bcl-2 in the protein level. The caspase-3, -9, and -8 activities were also inhibited. These findings suggested that oxysophoridine may be a potential neuroprotective agent for cerebral ischemia injury.