Galangin inhibits programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression by suppressing STAT3 and MYC and enhances T cell tumor-killing activity.

BACKGROUND: The flavonoid galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is derived from the root of Alpinia officinarum Hance, an edible and medicinal herb. Galangin has many biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-obesogenic, and anti-oxidant effects. However, the anti-tumor mechanism of galangin remains unclear. PURPOSE: To elucidate the anti-tumor mechanisms of galangin in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: MTT, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence assays were used to assess the mechanism of galangin inhibiting PD-L1 expression. The effect of galangin on T cell activity was analyzed in Hep3B/T cell co-cultures. Colony formation, EdU, migration, and invasion assays were performed to explore the effect of galangin on cancer progression and metastasis. Anti-tumor effects of galangin were investigated in a xenograft model. RESULTS: Galangin inhibited PD-L1 expression dose-dependently, which plays a major role in tumor progression. Moreover, galangin blocked STAT3 activation through the JAK1/JAK2/Src signaling pathway and Myc activation through the Ras/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Galangin reduced PD-L1 expression by suppressing STAT3 and Myc cooperatively. Galangin increased the killing effect of T cells on tumor cells in Hep3B/T cell co-cultures. Moreover, galangin inhibited tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through PD-L1. In vivo experiments showed that galangin suppressed tumor growth. CONCLUSION: Galangin enhances T-cell activity and inhibits tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through PD-L1. The current study emphasizes the anti-tumor properties of galangin, offering new insights into the development of tumor therapeutics targeting PD-L1.

[Acupoints compatibility rules of acupuncture for depression disease based on data mining technology].

Based on data mining technology, the acupoints compatibility rules of acupuncture for depression diseases were explored. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) articles regarding acupuncture for depression diseases published from establishment of database to September 2nd, 2022 were searched in CNKI database, Wangfang database, VIP database, SinoMed database, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. The use frequency of acupoints, meridian tropism, selection of special acupoints and acupoint association rules for five common depression diseases, including primary depression, post-stroke depression, menopausal syndrome, psychoneurosis and anxiety disorder, were analyzed by Python programming language. Cytoscape software was used to analyze the acupoint association and the disease-acupoint co-occurrence network. As a result, totally 387 articles were included, and 319 acupoints prescriptions for the above five common depression diseases were extracted, involving 159 acupoints. The use frequency of acupoints was 2 574 times in total. The frequently-used acupoints were Baihui (GV 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taichong (LR 3), Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Yintang (GV 24+), Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4), Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and Taixi (KI 3), etc. The frequently involved meridians were the governor vessel, foot-taiyang bladder meridian, foot-taiyin spleen meridian, and foot-jueyin liver meridian. The frequency of the special acupoints from high to low was crossing points, five-shu points, yuan-primary points, back-shu points, luo-connecting points, and eight confluent points, etc, which were often used in combination with "Baihui (GV 20)-Yintang (GV 24+)" (the highest degree of association). At the same time, the analysis of the co-occurrence network of depression diseases and acupoints showed that the core acupoints group of acupuncture for depression diseases were Baihui (GV 20), Taichong (LR 3), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). In conclusion, acupuncture treatment for depression diseases has gradually formed a rule of acupoint compatibility, with special acupoint as the main body and "unblocking the governor vessel, and regulating the spirit and qi " as the main therapeutic principle.

Acupoints compatibility rules of acupuncture for depression disease based on data mining technology / 中国针灸

Based on data mining technology, the acupoints compatibility rules of acupuncture for depression diseases were explored. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) articles regarding acupuncture for depression diseases published from establishment of database to September 2nd, 2022 were searched in CNKI database, Wangfang database, VIP database, SinoMed database, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. The use frequency of acupoints, meridian tropism, selection of special acupoints and acupoint association rules for five common depression diseases, including primary depression, post-stroke depression, menopausal syndrome, psychoneurosis and anxiety disorder, were analyzed by Python programming language. Cytoscape software was used to analyze the acupoint association and the disease-acupoint co-occurrence network. As a result, totally 387 articles were included, and 319 acupoints prescriptions for the above five common depression diseases were extracted, involving 159 acupoints. The use frequency of acupoints was 2 574 times in total. The frequently-used acupoints were Baihui (GV 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taichong (LR 3), Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7), Yintang (GV 24+), Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4), Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and Taixi (KI 3), etc. The frequently involved meridians were the governor vessel, foot-taiyang bladder meridian, foot-taiyin spleen meridian, and foot-jueyin liver meridian. The frequency of the special acupoints from high to low was crossing points, five-shu points, yuan-primary points, back-shu points, luo-connecting points, and eight confluent points, etc, which were often used in combination with "Baihui (GV 20)-Yintang (GV 24+)" (the highest degree of association). At the same time, the analysis of the co-occurrence network of depression diseases and acupoints showed that the core acupoints group of acupuncture for depression diseases were Baihui (GV 20), Taichong (LR 3), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). In conclusion, acupuncture treatment for depression diseases has gradually formed a rule of acupoint compatibility, with special acupoint as the main body and "unblocking the governor vessel, and regulating the spirit and qi " as the main therapeutic principle.

[Current situation and outlook of acupuncture-moxibustion translational medicine under the background of multi-disciplinary intersection innovation].

The common development of multi-disciplinary intersection is a hot spot in the research of acupuncture- moxibustion translational medicine. This article analyzes the current situation and reasons for slow development of acupuncture-moxibustion translational medicine, takes acupuncture-moxibustion for depressive disorder as an example, takes acupuncture and moxibustion literature, clinical evidence-based, biological mechanism and medical equipment research and development as the main line, expounds potential strategies to promote the development of acupuncture-moxibustion translational medicine under the background of multi-disciplinary intersection innovation, and discusses the future research direction of acupuncture-moxibustion translational medicine.

Gene set enrichment analysis and ingenuity pathway analysis to identify biomarkers in Sheng-ji Hua-yu formula treated diabetic ulcers.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sheng-ji Hua-yu (SJHY) formula is a Chinese herbal prescription for diabetic ulcers (DUs) treatment, which can accelerate wound reconstruction and shorten the healing time. However, its mechanism role maintains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of SJHY application on DUs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To begin with, transcriptome sequencing was adopted to identified differentially expression mRNAs among normal ulcers, DUs, and DUs + SJHY treatment in vivo. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was applied for the quality control of SJHY formula. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were used to identify the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of SJHY formula, and then gene set enrichment analysis and ingenuity pathway analysis were conducted for functional analysis. Further, qPCR detection was performed in vivo for validation. RESULTS: SJHY administration could regulate the glucose metabolic process, AMPK and HIF-1 pathway to accelerate healing processes of DUs. Besides, CRHR1, SHH, and GAL were identified as the critical targets, and SLC6A3, GRP, FGF23, and CYP27B1 were considered as the upstream genes of SJHY treatment. Combined with animal experiments, the prediction results were validated in DUs mice model. CONCLUSIONS: This study used modular pharmacology analysis to identify the biomarkers of SJHY formula and provide the potential therapeutic targets for DUs treatment as well.

BOLA (BolA Family Member 3) Deficiency Controls Endothelial Metabolism and Glycine Homeostasis in Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Deficiencies of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters, metal complexes that control redox state and mitochondrial metabolism, have been linked to pulmonary hypertension (PH), a deadly vascular disease with poorly defined molecular origins. BOLA3 (BolA Family Member 3) regulates Fe-S biogenesis, and mutations in BOLA3 result in multiple mitochondrial dysfunction syndrome, a fatal disorder associated with PH. The mechanistic role of BOLA3 in PH remains undefined. METHODS: In vitro assessment of BOLA3 regulation and gain- and loss-of-function assays were performed in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells using siRNA and lentiviral vectors expressing the mitochondrial isoform of BOLA3. Polymeric nanoparticle 7C1 was used for lung endothelium-specific delivery of BOLA3 siRNA oligonucleotides in mice. Overexpression of pulmonary vascular BOLA3 was performed by orotracheal transgene delivery of adeno-associated virus in mouse models of PH. RESULTS: In cultured hypoxic pulmonary artery endothelial cells, lung from human patients with Group 1 and 3 PH, and multiple rodent models of PH, endothelial BOLA3 expression was downregulated, which involved hypoxia inducible factor-2α-dependent transcriptional repression via histone deacetylase 1-mediated histone deacetylation. In vitro gain- and loss-of-function studies demonstrated that BOLA3 regulated Fe-S integrity, thus modulating lipoate-containing 2-oxoacid dehydrogenases with consequent control over glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. In contexts of siRNA knockdown and naturally occurring human genetic mutation, cellular BOLA3 deficiency downregulated the glycine cleavage system protein H, thus bolstering intracellular glycine content. In the setting of these alterations of oxidative metabolism and glycine levels, BOLA3 deficiency increased endothelial proliferation, survival, and vasoconstriction while decreasing angiogenic potential. In vivo, pharmacological knockdown of endothelial BOLA3 and targeted overexpression of BOLA3 in mice demonstrated that BOLA3 deficiency promotes histological and hemodynamic manifestations of PH. Notably, the therapeutic effects of BOLA3 expression were reversed by exogenous glycine supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: BOLA3 acts as a crucial lynchpin connecting Fe-S-dependent oxidative respiration and glycine homeostasis with endothelial metabolic reprogramming critical to PH pathogenesis. These results provide a molecular explanation for the clinical associations linking PH with hyperglycinemic syndromes and mitochondrial disorders. These findings also identify novel metabolic targets, including those involved in epigenetics, Fe-S biogenesis, and glycine biology, for diagnostic and therapeutic development.

Application and analysis of ethnic medicines in "Three Minorities" in Inner Mongolia / 中国中药杂志

This paper investigates and counts the ethnic medicines of the Ewenki,Daur and Oroqen ethnic groups,which are known as the " Three Minorities" in Inner Mongolia. Through the methods of literature collection,interview investigation,and resource investigation,different ethnic medicines were collected on the main diseases,drug varieties,drug-injection sites,and drug administration methods. Through data statistics and SPSS analysis,the similarities and individual differences between the three ethnic groups were clarified. The results indicated the predicament of the current national medicine,which is helpful for the protection and inheritance of ethnic medicine.

Tartary buckwheat protein prevented dyslipidemia in high-fat diet-fed mice associated with gut microbiota changes.

As one of low-digestible proteins, tartary buckwheat protein (BWP) revealed a cholesterol-lowering activity. The relationship between the prevention of BWP on dyslipidemia and changes in the numbers of gut microbiota was investigated. The male C57BL/6 mice were separately fed on normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD) with casein, and HFD with BWP extract for 6 weeks. Quantitative PCR assay was applied to quantify the microbiota composition in feces. The levels of plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in the mice fed on HFD with BWP were significantly lower than those on HFD with casein. BWP promoted the growth of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus and inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, Bifidobacterium population was closely related to contents of plasma lipids. Further, BWP significantly decreased the levels of plasma inflammation factors as induced by HFD, including lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6. BWP significantly increased the excretion of total bile acids and short-chain fatty acids in feces. In conlusion, BWP benefited cholesterol metabolism, which could be attributed to regulating composition of gut microbiota.

Network pharmacology exploration reveals endothelial inflammation as a common mechanism for stroke and coronary artery disease treatment of Danhong injection.

Although Danhong injection (DHI) is the most widely prescribed Chinese medicine for both stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD), its underlying common molecular mechanisms remain unclear. An integrated network pharmacology and experimental verification approach was used to decipher common pharmacological mechanisms of DHI on stroke and CAD treatment. A compound-target-disease & function-pathway network was constructed and analyzed, indicating that 37 ingredients derived from DH (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., Flos Carthami tinctorii and DHI) modulated 68 common targets shared by stroke and CAD. In-depth network analysis results of the top diseases, functions, pathways and upstream regulators implied that a common underlying mechanism linking DHI's role in stroke and CAD treatment was inflammatory response in the process of atherosclerosis. Experimentally, DHI exerted comprehensive anti-inflammatory effects on LPS, ox-LDL or cholesterol crystal-induced NF-κB, c-jun and p38 activation, as well as IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-10 secretion in vascular endothelial cells. Ten of 14 predicted ingredients were verified to have significant anti-inflammatory activities on LPS-induced endothelial inflammation. DHI exerts pharmacological efficacies on both stroke and CAD through multi-ingredient, multi-target, multi-function and multi-pathway mode. Anti-endothelial inflammation therapy serves as a common underlying mechanism. This study provides a new understanding of DHI in clinical application on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Oxyresveratrol Is a Phytoestrogen Exerting Anti-inflammatory Effects Through NF-κB and Estrogen Receptor Signaling.

Recent studies suggest an anti-inflammatory activity of oxyresveratrol, a stilbene extracted from Cortex mori root used in traditional Chinese medicine that also presents estrogen-like activity. We herein tested the hypothesis that oxyreservatrol exerts an anti-inflammatory effect through its estrogenic-like function. In MCF-7 cells, oxyresveratrol significantly induced proliferation, which was accompanied with estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated transcriptional activation, increased estrogen-targeted gene expression (e.g., pS2, PGR, and CTSD), and increased ERα/ß proteins. The estrogen-like effect of oxyresveratrol was reversed by the ER inhibitor ICI 182780. Strong ER-binding activities of oxyresveratrol were revealed by negative docking scores. The LPS-induced inflammatory response (e.g., upregulated IκB-α phosphorylation, NF-κB nuclear translocation, and cytokine messenger RNA expression) was significantly suppressed in an ER-dependent manner by oxyresveratrol in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that oxyresveratrol may function as an ER agonist and modulate NF-κB signaling.

Acupuncture for a first episode of acute ischaemic stroke: an observer-blinded randomised controlled pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the required sample size for, and feasibility of, a RCT examining the effectiveness of early acupuncture for acute ischaemic stroke. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients aged 40-85 years with a first episode of acute ischaemic stroke presenting within 72 h of stroke onset were randomly assigned to receive manual acupuncture (MA group; n=20) plus standard care or standard care only (control group, n=18). The acupuncture treatment was provided daily for 2 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score between baseline and 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and the functional independence measure scores between baseline and 4 weeks, and changes in NIHSS, Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale scores at 12 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients completed the study (dropout rate=18%) and adverse effects were minimal. No significant differences were seen between groups in the improvements in NIHSS scores, although there tended to be a greater reduction in NIHSS score after 1 week in the MA group relative to the control group (p=0.066). The post-stroke motor activity at 4 weeks was associated with a significantly increased FMA score in the acupuncture group compared with the control group (p<0.05), but not supported by intergroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study indicates that acupuncture appears to be safe for patients in the acute stage of ischaemic stroke. A subsequent trial with a larger sample size (estimated at n=122) is required to confirm whether early acupuncture intervention contributes to earlier functional improvement and to assess the longer-term clinical efficacy of acupuncture. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02210988; Results.

Engineering nonphosphorylative metabolism to generate lignocellulose-derived products.

Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products provides important environmental and economic benefits. Here we report the engineering of an unconventional metabolism for the production of tricarboxylic acid (TCA)-cycle derivatives from D-xylose, L-arabinose and D-galacturonate. We designed a growth-based selection platform to identify several gene clusters functional in Escherichia coli that can perform this nonphosphorylative assimilation of sugars into the TCA cycle in less than six steps. To demonstrate the application of this new metabolic platform, we built artificial biosynthetic pathways to 1,4-butanediol (BDO) with a theoretical molar yield of 100%. By screening and engineering downstream pathway enzymes, 2-ketoacid decarboxylases and alcohol dehydrogenases, we constructed E. coli strains capable of producing BDO from D-xylose, L-arabinose and D-galacturonate. The titers, rates and yields were higher than those previously reported using conventional pathways. This work demonstrates the potential of nonphosphorylative metabolism for biomanufacturing with improved biosynthetic efficiencies.

[Interaction of anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities of commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis revealed by network pharmacology analysis].

Chinese traditional patent medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis(PBCRBS) originated from traditional Chinese medicine theory and had approved efficacy and safety standards. However, its compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism is not clear. To analyze the compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS, a statistical and bioinformatics analysis was carried out using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TICMISS, V2.0) and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). The compatibility regularity analysis shows that the most commonly used herb combinations are Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) and Honghua (Carthamustinctorius L.). The anti-thrombotic mechanism analysis reveals that 25 ingredients have an effect on 29 thrombosis related molecules which 23 molecules are related to inflammation response. Furthermore, there are 5 inflammation molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF, IL1ß) served as major targets. At the same time, Danshen, Chuangxiong and Honghua mainly used as sovereign herb or minister herb in the application of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS probably has an effect on anti-thrombotic activity through inhibiting the inflammatory response. In summary, the most commonly used herb combinations of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS are Danshen, Chuanxiong and Honghua. Inhibiting inflammatory response, especially inflammation related molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF and IL1ß), is probably a new starting point to clarify the anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese patent medicine for PBCRBS.

Interaction of anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory activities of commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis revealed by network pharmacology analysis / 药学学报

Chinese traditional patent medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis(PBCRBS) originated from traditional Chinese medicine theory and had approved efficacy and safety standards. However, its compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism is not clear. To analyze the compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS, a statistical and bioinformatics analysis was carried out using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TICMISS, V2.0) and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). The compatibility regularity analysis shows that the most commonly used herb combinations are Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) and Honghua (Carthamustinctorius L.). The anti-thrombotic mechanism analysis reveals that 25 ingredients have an effect on 29 thrombosis related molecules which 23 molecules are related to inflammation response. Furthermore, there are 5 inflammation molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF, IL1β) served as major targets. At the same time, Danshen, Chuangxiong and Honghua mainly used as sovereign herb or minister herb in the application of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS probably has an effect on anti-thrombotic activity through inhibiting the inflammatory response. In summary, the most commonly used herb combinations of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS are Danshen, Chuanxiong and Honghua. Inhibiting inflammatory response, especially inflammation related molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF and IL1β), is probably a new starting point to clarify the anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese patent medicine for PBCRBS.

[Effects of cadmium on zinc metabolism and its functions in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of cadmium on zinc metabolism and its function and the protective effects of pre-supplement zinc to it. METHODS: NS or different doses of CdCl(2) were injected to pregnant dams intraperitoneally at the 7th, 10th and 13th day of gestation respectively. At the 21st pregnant day embryos were taken out from the pregnant rats. Another rats of pre-supplement zinc or no pre-supplement zinc group were injected different doses of CdCl(2) or NS intraperitoneally after 6 days. After 24 hours the rats were killed. The contents of Cd, Zn and relative biomarkers of effect of liver, brain or serum were detected in both embryos and adult rats. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the contents of T-AOC and Ach were significantly reduced in the Cd treatment group in the embryonic brains, the activity of AKP in the embryonic liver tissues was decreased, and The Cd content was increased significantly in embryonic liver and was negatively correlated with the Zinc content in the embryonic brain. There were no differences in the activities of SOD and AKP and the contents of Cd and MDA between pre-supplement Zn control group and no supplement Zn control group, but higher content of Zn in liver and serum in the former. Compared with no supplement Zn control group, there were higher contents of Cd in liver and serum, Zn and MDA in liver, lower activities of SOD in liver and AKP in liver and serum, and lower content of Zn in serum in the Cd treatment groups. Pre-supplement Zn significantly increase the content of Zn and the activities of SOD in liver and AKP in serum, decrease the content of MDA in liver and Cd in serum resulted by Cd treatment only. The content of Zn and the activity of AKP in serum and the activities of SOD and AKP in liver were negatively correlated with the content of Cd in corresponding tissue significantly. CONCLUSION: Cadmium can enter embryo and enter brain by permeating the brain-blood barrier during the embryonic period. The decrease of AKP activity, some neural transmitter and capacity of anti-lipid peroxidation that are related with Zn in embryos are caused when the pregnant rats are administered with cadmium. Cd can inhibits the activities of AKP and SOD in liver, and the activity of AKP in serum respectively, and increase the content of MDA in liver dose-dependently. The effects induced by cadmium are related with zinc abnormal distribution. Pre-supplement zinc to rats can antagonize these effects in different degree.

Effects of cadmium on zinc metabolism and its functions in rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of cadmium on zinc metabolism and its function and the protective effects of pre-supplement zinc to it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NS or different doses of CdCl(2) were injected to pregnant dams intraperitoneally at the 7th, 10th and 13th day of gestation respectively. At the 21st pregnant day embryos were taken out from the pregnant rats. Another rats of pre-supplement zinc or no pre-supplement zinc group were injected different doses of CdCl(2) or NS intraperitoneally after 6 days. After 24 hours the rats were killed. The contents of Cd, Zn and relative biomarkers of effect of liver, brain or serum were detected in both embryos and adult rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control group, the contents of T-AOC and Ach were significantly reduced in the Cd treatment group in the embryonic brains, the activity of AKP in the embryonic liver tissues was decreased, and The Cd content was increased significantly in embryonic liver and was negatively correlated with the Zinc content in the embryonic brain. There were no differences in the activities of SOD and AKP and the contents of Cd and MDA between pre-supplement Zn control group and no supplement Zn control group, but higher content of Zn in liver and serum in the former. Compared with no supplement Zn control group, there were higher contents of Cd in liver and serum, Zn and MDA in liver, lower activities of SOD in liver and AKP in liver and serum, and lower content of Zn in serum in the Cd treatment groups. Pre-supplement Zn significantly increase the content of Zn and the activities of SOD in liver and AKP in serum, decrease the content of MDA in liver and Cd in serum resulted by Cd treatment only. The content of Zn and the activity of AKP in serum and the activities of SOD and AKP in liver were negatively correlated with the content of Cd in corresponding tissue significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cadmium can enter embryo and enter brain by permeating the brain-blood barrier during the embryonic period. The decrease of AKP activity, some neural transmitter and capacity of anti-lipid peroxidation that are related with Zn in embryos are caused when the pregnant rats are administered with cadmium. Cd can inhibits the activities of AKP and SOD in liver, and the activity of AKP in serum respectively, and increase the content of MDA in liver dose-dependently. The effects induced by cadmium are related with zinc abnormal distribution. Pre-supplement zinc to rats can antagonize these effects in different degree.</p>

Direct analysis of mercury in Traditional Chinese Medicines using thermolysis coupled with on-line atomic absorption spectrometry.

The purpose of this study is to develop and apply a mercury analyzer system capable of quantitative analysis of mercury in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) drugs in the concentrations range from ng g(-1) to mg g(-1). No sample pre-treatment was needed and this greatly simplifies the analytical procedure and minimizes potential sources of contamination. The precisions of analyzing solid mercury standard sample and real TCM materials were 2.1% and 2.5-8.2%, respectively; and the recovery based on the analysis of standard reference materials ranged from 95.2% to 105%. The performance of the method has been compared with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique and excellent agreements were observed between the two methods. The method has been applied to the investigation of Hg content in several TCM drugs containing or not containing cinnabar. Mercury concentration in the same TCM products differs widely with different manufacturers, suggesting that external contamination and the Hg presence in raw herbal materials are the main sources of Hg. In addition, comparison of mercury thermal releasing profiles between TCM drug and cinnabar suggests that mercury conversion from cinnabar to biological matrices-bound Hg could occur because of the aid of other ingredients in the formulated drug.