Intermittent Hypoxia Inhibits Hepatic CYP1a2 Expression and Delays Aminophylline Metabolism.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of intermittent hypoxia (IH) on hepatic cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) expression and the pharmacokinetics of CYP1A2-mediated aminophylline and warfarin in vitro and in a rabbit model of obstructive sleep apnea. Materials: Human normal liver (LO-2) cells were exposed to 30 min each of 1%, 1-21%, 21%, and 21-1% O2, and then, CYP1A2 expression and drug concentrations were analyzed. We compared the pharmacokinetic parameters of drugs administered to normoxic rabbits and those exposed to 10 min of IH during which the oxygen level fluctuated from 21% to 8%-10% (n = 10 per group). Result: s. The expression of CYP1A2 protein in vitro was significantly reduced in the IH compared with the normoxic cells (0.56 ± 0.11 vs. 1.27 ± 0.17, p < 0.001). Aminophylline was more abundant in cell culture supernatants after 48 h of IH than in those under normoxia. The T 1/2, AUC0-24 h, and Ke values for aminophylline were significantly higher in the IH group. Conclusion: Intermittent hypoxia inhibits hepatic CYP1A2 expression and delays aminophylline metabolism, suggesting that the impact of IH on the expression of CYP enzymes should be closely monitored in clinical practice.

[Identification and expression analysis of NRT1 family genes in Rehmannia glutinosa].

NRT1 family proteins play an important roles for absorbing and transporting of nitrate in different plants. In order to identify the NRT1 family genes of Rehmannia glutinosa, this study used 11 NRT1 homologous proteins of Arabidopsis as probe sequences and aligned with the transcriptome data of R. glutinosa by using NCBI BLASTN software. Resulting there were 18 NRT1 proteins were identified in R. glutinosa. On basis of this, a series of the molecular characteristics of R. glutinosa NRT1 proteins including the conserved domains, the transmembrane structure, the subcellular location and phylogenetic features were in detail analyzed. At same time, it were systematically analyzed that the temporal and spatial expression patterns and characteristics of R. glutinosa NRT1 family genes in response to different stress factors. The results indicated that 18 R. glutinosa NRT1 family genes with the length of coding region from 1 260 bp to 1 806 bp, encoded proteins ranging from 419 to 601 amino acids, and all of they owned the domains of typical peptide transporter with 7 to 12 transmembrane domains. These R. glutinosa NRT1 family proteins mostly were found to locate on cellular plasma membrane, and belonged to the hydrophobic proteins. Furthermore, the evolutionary analysis found that the 18 R. glutinosa NRT1 protein family could be divided into two subfamilies, of which 14 NRT1 family genes might occur the positive selection, and 4 genes occur the passivation selection during the evolution process of R. glutinosa. In addition the expression analysis showed that 18 R. glutinosa NRT1 family genes have the distinct expression patterns in different tissues of R. glutinosa, and their expression levels were also obvious difference in response to various stress. These findings infield that 18 R. glutinosa NRT1 family proteins might have obviously different functional roles in nitrate transport of R. glutinosa. In conclusion, this study lays a solid theoretical foundation for clarifying the absorption and transport molecular mechanism of N element during R. glutinosa growth and development, and at same time for deeply studying the molecular function of R. glutinosa NRT1 proteins in absorption and transport of nitrate.

[Study on mechanism and method of membrane preparation and membrane process optimization based on molecular structure analysis of noneffective common macromolecules].

The molecular weight of the effective components of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) is usually less than 1 000.However, " noneffective common macromolecules"( starch,pectin and other macromolecules commonly present in the water extract of TCM) generally have no physiological activity,which restricts the overall advantages of membrane technology to obtain small molecular pharmacodynamic substances,and such macromolecules are the main influence factor of membrane fouling. Therefore,in order to obtain the total pharmacological efficacy of TCM,based on the molecular structure analysis of noneffective common macromolecules,aimed at the key scientific problems in correlation between the molecular structure of noneffective common macromolecules and the pore structure of membrane material,and by referring to the material science theory and molecular simulation method,the correlations between noneffective common macromolecules' molecular structure-solution environment-membrane antagonism were investigated. Multidisciplinary approaches could be integrated to: ① optimize the spatial form of membrane surface and improve the membrane's antifouling ability; ② accurately control the pore structure and the size distribution of membranes,aimed at the innovative preparation technology of special membrane used for TCM; ③ adjust solution environment based on the analysis of molecular structure,and establish the pretreatment method based on the optimization of solution environment. Furthermore,the technical bottleneck on how to obtain the pharmacodynamic micromolecules effectively might be solved,and the theory and technology about TCM pharmaceutical engineering could be developed based on the concept of multivariate and integration.

Total glucosides of paeony for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) is commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China. However, clinical practice hasn't been well informed by evidence from appropriately conducted systematic reviews. This PRISMA-compliant systematic review aims at examining the effectiveness and safety of TGP for RA. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TGP with placebo, no treatment, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for patients with RA were retrieved by searching seven databases. Primary outcomes included disease improvement and disease remission. Secondary outcomes included adverse effects, pain, health-related quality of life, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Data extraction and analyses were conducted according to the Cochrane standards. We assessed risk of bias for each included studies and quality of evidence on pre-specified outcomes. RESULTS: Eight studies enrolling 1209 patients with active RA were included in this systematic review. On the basis of traditional DMARD(s), TGP might be beneficial for patients with RA in improvement of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response rate, ACR 50 response rate, ACR70 response rate, and in reduction of adverse effects, compared with no treatment. The overall methodological quality of included studies and the quality of evidence for each outcome were limited. CONCLUSIONS: Current trials suggested potential benefits of TGP for RA on the basis of traditional DMARD(s). Therefore, TGP may be a good choice for RA as an adjuvant therapy. However, considering the limited methodological quality and strength of evidence, high-quality RCTs are warranted to support the use of TGP for RA.

Total glucosides of paeony for rheumatoid arthritis: a protocol for a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) is a natural plant extract, which is widely used in China for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Many relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of TGP for RA are available, but they have not been systematically reviewed. This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness and safety of TGP in patients with RA. METHODS AND ANALYSES: We will search for RCTs of TGP in the treatment of RA, performed up until February 2016, in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and four Chinese databases (Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database and Chinese Scientific Journal Database). Trial registers and reference lists of retrieved articles will also be searched to identify potential articles. RCTs comparing TGP with placebo, no treatment, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for patients with RA will be retrieved. The primary outcomes will be disease improvement and disease remission. The secondary outcomes will be surrogate outcomes, symptoms, adverse effects, and quality of life. Two reviewers will independently extract data on participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, etc. The methodological quality of each included study will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the strength of evidence on prespecified outcomes will be assessed in accordance with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. Review Manager 5.3 software will be used for data analyses. Meta-analyses will be performed if the data are sufficiently homogeneous, both statistically and clinically. Possible publication bias will also be checked using funnel plots once the number of included studies is sufficient. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not required, as this study will not involve patients. The results of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication, to inform both clinical practice and further research. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42015026345.

[Research progress on molecular genetics of forest musk deer].

Forest musk deer is one of the large-scale farming musk deer animals with the largest population at the same time. The male musk deer can secrete valuable medicines, which has high medicinal and economic value. Due to the loss of habitat and indiscriminate hunting, the numbers of wild population specie and the distribution have been drastically reduced. Therefore, in-depth understanding of the molecular genetics progress of forest musk deer will pave a way for musk deer protection and breeding. In this review, the progress associated with the molecular marker, genetic classification, artificial breeding, musk secretion and disease in past decades were reviewed, in order to provide a theoretical basis for subsequent molecular genetic researches in forest musk deer.

[Effect of substrate of edible mushroom on continuously cropping obstacle of Rehmannia glutinosa].

The continuous cultivation of Rehmannia glutinosa causes the accumulation of phenolic acids in soil. It is supposed to be the reason of the so called "continuously cropping obstacle". In this study, phenolic acids (hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, eugenol, vanillin and ferulic acid) were degraded by the extracta of all the tested spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and the maximal degradation rate was 75.3%, contributed by extraction of SMS of Pleurotus eryngii. Pot experiment indicated that hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillin in soil were also degraded effectively by SMS of P. eryngii. The employment of SMS enhanced ecophysiology index to near the normal levels, such as crown width, leaves number, leaf length, leaf width and height. At the same time, the fresh and dry weight and total catalpol concentration of tuberous root weight of R. glutinosa was increased to 2.70, 3.66, 2.25 times by employment of SMS, respectively. The increase of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes numbers in rhizosphere soil were observed after the employment of SMS by microbial counts. The employment of SMS also enhanced the enzyme activity in soils, such as sucrase, cellulase, phosphalase, urease and catelase. These results indicated that the employment of SMS alleviated the continuously cropping obstacle of R. glutinosa in some extent.

[Treating rheumatoid arthritis patients of Shen deficiency and cold invading syndrome by bushen quhan zhiwang decoction combined methotrexate: an evaluation of clinical efficacy and safety].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of bushen quhan zhiwang decoction (BQZD) combined methotrexate (MTX) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A prospective, randomized controlled study was carried out. RA patients of Shen deficiency and cold invading syndrome in the treatment group (120 cases) were treated with BQZD and MTX (10 mg/week), while those in the control group (120 cases) were treated with MTX (10 mg/week) alone. The therapeutic course for all was 24 weeks. The efficacy and safety indices were evaluated at the baseline and 24 weeks after treatment, including clinical signs and symptoms, condition assessment, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), disease activity index 28 (DAS28), laboratory parameters of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), safety indicators, and Chinese medical syndrome integrals. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 80. 0% in the treatment group, better than that of the control group (66.7%), showing statistical difference (P <0.01). In the two groups significant improvement of clinical signs and symptoms, ESR, CRP, visual analogue scale (VAS) by both physicians and patients, HAQ, DAS28, and Chinese medical syndrome integrals after treatment were shown (P <0.01). Better effects were obtained in the treatment group in lessening tender joint numbers and swollen joint numbers, VAS by both physicians and patients, DAS28, and Chinese medical syndrome integrals (P < 0.05). Besides, adverse reactions occurred less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BQZD had roles in relieving symptoms, improving joint functions, signs, ESR, and CRP. It was an effective herb for RA patients of Shen deficiency and cold invading syndrome. It could enhance the efficacy and reduce adverse reactions of MTX through synergistic effects with MTX.

[Combination of acupuncture with cupping increases life quality of patients of osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effect of "general regulation" acupuncture and cupping therapy on osteoporosis. METHODS: Sixty cases of primary osteoporosis were treated with the "general regulation" acupuncture-cupping therapy: warming needle moxibustion, plum-blossom needle, moving cupping and retaining the cup, thrice each week, for 3 months. The therapeutic effect was assessed by modified life quality scale for the patient of osteoporosis. RESULTS: Of the 60 cases, 3 cases did not complete the therapeutic course and 48 cases had a significant increase of life quality, the score of the life quality scale decreased from (67.45 +/- 15.67) before treatment to (42.28 +/- 27.89) after treatment with a significant difference (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The "general regulation" acupuncture-cupping therapy can effectively increase life quality of the patient with osteoporosis, which is an effective therapy for osteoporosis.

Diet habits, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, green tea drinking, and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in relation to exogenous factors in a rural area of China with a high incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted in Yangzhong County, Jiangsu Province, China, with 355 histologically confirmed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases recruited between 1 January 2004 and 28 February 2006 and 408 controls matched by sex and age, randomly selected from the local population. RESULTS: Stratified logistic regression analysis by sex revealed that hot-temperature food items, pork braised in brown sauce and old stocked rice intake could increase the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with odds ratio of 2.127 (95% confidence interval: 1.394-3.245), 2.059 (95% confidence interval: 1.417-2.993) and 9.059 (95% confidence interval: 5.930-13.840), respectively, in men and 3.048 (95% confidence interval: 1.733-5.364), 1.914 (95% confidence interval: 1.159-3.162) and 14.532 (95% confidence interval: 7.816-27.019), respectively, in women, whereas diet high in salt and chili, tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking only showed possible risk effects in men with odds ratio 2.338 (95% confidence interval: 1.568-3.485), 3.378 (95% confidence interval: 2.117-5.389), 1.976 (95% confidence interval: 1.337-2.921) and 2.197 (95% confidence interval: 1.510-3.195), respectively. Green tea drinking showed a protective effect in women (odds ratio=0.257; 95% confidence interval: 0.070-0.941). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study provided evidence that dietary habits, tobacco-smoking and alcohol drinking contribute to the etiology of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A healthy dietary habit, with smoking cessation and alcohol controlling is of a great importance in the prevention of esophageal cancer.

[Clinical observation on acupuncture combined with medication for intractable angina pectoris].

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical effects of acupuncture combined with medication and simple medication on intractable angina pectoris (IAP). METHODS: Seventy cases of IAP were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and a treatment group, 35 cases in each group. The control group were treated with nitric acid ester, beta-receptor blocking agent, calcium antagonist, aspirin and hypo-molecular heparin, and the treatment group were treated with acupuncture at Danzhong (CV 17) and Neiguan (PC 6) and others, once daily for 10 consecutive days on the basis of the above treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rates for symptoms and electrocardiogram were 88.6% and 62.9% in the treatment group and 60.0% and 31.4% in the control group, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups; the incidence of acute heart attack and sudden death of 5.7% in the treatment group was lower than 20.0% in the control group, with no serious adverse effect. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with medication is safe and effective for intractable angina pectoris and it can improve short-term prognosis.