Formononetin attenuates cigarette smoke-induced COPD in mice by suppressing inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis in bronchial epithelial cells via AhR/CYP1A1 and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive, and lethal lung disease with few treatments. Formononetin (FMN) is a clinical preparation extract with extensive pharmacological actions. However, its effect on COPD remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect and underlying mechanisms of FMN on COPD. A mouse model of COPD was established by exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) for 24 weeks. In addition, bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were treated with CS extract (CSE) for 24 h to explore the in vitro effect of FMN. FMN significantly improved lung function and attenuated pathological lung damage. FMN treatment reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion. FMN also suppressed apoptosis by regulating apoptosis-associated proteins. Moreover, FMN relieved CS-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the mouse lungs. In BEAS-2B cells, FMN treatment reduced CSE-induced inflammation, ER stress, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, FMN downregulated the CS-activated AhR/CYP1A1 and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro. FMN can attenuate CS-induced COPD in mice by suppressing inflammation, ER stress, and apoptosis in bronchial epithelial cells via the inhibition of AhR/CYP1A1 and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, suggesting a new therapeutic potential for COPD treatment.

[Analysis on clinical application characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of Meniere's disease based on topology model by complex network].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the application characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in clinical treatment of Meniere's disease by using complex network technology, so as to provide evidence for selecting acupoints, needling and moxibustion methods and treatment ideas. METHODS: Articles both in English and Chinese published from the inception of databases of CNKI, Wanfang VIP, Chinese biomedical literature database (SinoMed), PubMed, Embase, EBSCO (Academic Search Pre-mier), Web of Science and Ovid to April of 2021 were retrieved by using key words "acupuncture" or "moxibustion" or "acupuncture and moxibustion" and "Meniere disease" or "Meniere's syndrome" or "Ménières vertigo" or "otogenic vertigo" or "auditory vertigo", followed by screening the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and establishing a database of clinical li-terature about acupuncture treatment of Meniere's Disease with software Epidata 3.1. Then, the descriptive analysis was conducted first, followed by association rule analysis using SPSS Modeler 18.0, and complex network analysis using Gephi 0.9.2 software. RESULTS: A total of 232 articles were included, containing 152 acupoints [97 body acupoints as Baihui (GV20), Fengchi (GB20), Neiguan (PC6), etc., 28 otopoints as Ershenmen (MA-TF1), Shen (MA-SC), etc., 20 scalp points as Yunting Area, 7 extra-points as Sishencong (EX-HN1), Taiyang (EX-HN5), etc.] which were used to be a total frequency of 1 569. Descriptive analysis showed that the main meridians were the Governor Vessel, Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, Trienergizer Meridian of Hand Shaoyang, and Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang. Acupuncture was the most commonly used therapy for Meniere's disease. The association analysis showed that the most relevant combination of acupoints was GV20 and GB20, GV20 and PC6, reflecting the principles of local acupoint selection and combination of local and distant acupoints. Finally, "K-core Analytic Hierarchy Process" and "Community Analysis" revealed that 3 core acupoint groups were most frequently used in clinical treatment of Meniere's disease, including 1) auricular acupoints, as MA-TF1, MA-SC, Neier(MA-L), Zhen(MA-AT) and Pizhixia(MA-AT1), 2) acupoints of the 14 meridians and extra-points, as Tinggong(SI19), Yifeng(TE17), GB20, 3) acupoints of the Shaoyang meri-dians of hand and foot, as Shuaigu (GB8), Tinghui (GB2), Zhongzhu (TE3), Ermen (TE21), etc. CONCLUSION: The principle of acupoint selection is mainly based on the combination of acupoints along the meridians and local areas, while paying attention to the coordination among the auricular points, scalp acupoints and extra-points, which may provide a reference for the clinical treatment and scientific research on acupuncture treatment of Meniere's disease.

[Analysis on rules of acupoint compatibility and application characteristics in acupuncture treatment of migraine based on complex network technique].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the compatible rules of acupoints in the treatment of migraine with acupuncture and moxibustion based on complex network technique so as to provide a reference for composing best acupoint recipes. METHODS: Clinical papers about acupuncture treatment of migraine published from January of 2010 to October of 2020 were searched from Chinese and English databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and Pubmed by using keywords of acupuncture, moxibustion and migraine. According to our inclusive and exclusive criteria, the collected papers were screened out to set up a database. The SPSS Modeler 18.0 software was used to analyze the association rules of acupoints, and the Gephi 0.9.2 software was used to conduct a complex network analysis about the compatibility rules of acupoints and their application characteristics of moxibustion and needling methods in the treatment of migraine. RESULTS: In the end, 572 articles meeting the conclusive criteria were selected, and a total of 1 091 acupoint prescriptions for the treatment of migraine were extracted, including 230 acupoints with a total appea-rance frequency of 7 902. Those acupoints most frequently used were mainly attributed to the Gallbladder Meridian, with Fengchi (GB20) being the highest in the cumulative frequency. The association rule analysis showed that the highest supporting degree acupoints was GB20-Taiyang(EX-HN5). The highest levels of confidence were EX-HN5-Touwei(ST8), GB20-Baihui(GV20), and GB20-ST8. The analysis of complex network topology showed that a total of 17 acupoints including GB20, EX-HN5, Shuaigu(GB8), Taichong(LR3), GV20, Ashi point, etc. were the core node acupoints for acupuncture treatment of migraine. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of migraine, the acupoints selected are mainly distributed in the head region. When the specific acupoints chosen, the five Shu acupoints, Yuan (source) acupoints and the confluent acupoints of eight meridians are frequently used. In terms of composing acupoint recipes, the acupoints in the local and distant part of the body are often used in combination. These outcomes may have a certain guiding significance for clinical treatment of migraine.

[Regularities of acupoint combinations and characteristics of core acupoint application for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia based on complex network analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the acupoint combination regularities and application characteristics of core acupoints in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH) by using complex network technology, so as to provide reliable evidence for clinical selection of acupoints and treatment ideas. METHODS: The articles related to acupuncture treatment of MGH published from January of 1981 to May of 2020 were collected from databases as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP (VIP), PubMed, the Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science and Ovid database (OVID) according to the set inclusion and exclusion criteria of the present paper and by using keywords of "mammary gland hyperplasia", "mastalgia" or "fibrocystic breast change", "breast cystic hyperplasia ", etc. plus "acupuncture", "moxibustion", etc. Then, a correlative database model was established by using SPSS Modeler 18.0 to analyze their association regularities, followed by conducting a complex network analysis with Gephi 0.9.2 software. RESULTS: A total of 312 eligible articles containing 343 acupoint prescriptions and 113 acupoints were collected. The total frequency of use of the 113 acupoints was 1 998. The association regularity analysis showed a top relativity between Danzhong(CV17) and Zusanli(ST36). The analysis of the complex network topology revealed that CV17, Qimen(LR14), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Taichong(LR3), ST36, Jianjing(GB21), Rugen(ST18), Wuyi(ST15), Neiguan(PC6), Ashi-points, Fenglong (SP40), Guanyuan(CV4), Taixi(KI3), Tianzong(SI11), Ganshu (BL18), and Hegu(LI14) are the core acupoints for treatment of MGH. The principle for composing acupoint prescriptions is mainly the combination of acupoints on the left and right sides, the upper and lower parts, front and back parts of the body, respectively, and those of the outer and inner meridians, and those of the same name meridians and Zangfu-organ syndrome differentiation. The needle-insertion direction is mostly toward the focus. CONCLUSION: The composition of acupoint prescriptions for treating MGH with acupuncture and moxibustion is mainly based on the combination of specific acupoints among which the confluent acupoints are most frequently used, followed by the combination of acupoints distributing at the chest, back, upper and lower limbs, and the local acupoints.

[Study on characteristics and regularity of acupuncture prescription by DOU Han-qing].

Summarized the characteristics and rules of DOU Han-qing's acupuncture prescription in ancient acupuncture and moxibustion literature, and provided reference for studying DOU Han-qing's academic thought and modern acupuncture clinic. The literature of DOU 's acupuncture prescription was collected, sorted out and input, the database of DOU Han-qing's acupuncture prescription was established, the frequency of acupoints in the prescription was analyzed, and the Apriori algorithm was used to analyze the rule of acupoints in the prescription. A total of 446 DOU Han-qing's acupuncture prescriptions are included, and the maximum number of acupoints in acupuncture prescriptions is 12. The most common diseases are internal medicine syndrome, pain syndrome of head, face and body and five sense organs disease. In all the prescriptions of DOU Han-qing, 205 acupoints are used in total, including 25 extra-meridian points. There are 7 groups of acupoint pairs with the strongest correlation in DOU Han-qing's acupuncture prescription, including Hegu (LI 4) - Zusanli (ST 36), Zusanli (ST 36) - Zhongwan (CV 12), Hegu (LI 4) - Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4)-Weizhong (BL 40), Quchi (LI 11) - Jianjing(GB 21), Weizhong (BL 40) - Quchi (LI 11) and Weizhong (BL 40)-Zusanli (ST 36). The principle of acupoint selection mainly includes near acupoint selection and far acupoint selection. In the method of matching acupoints, above and below the matching acupoints, this meridian matching acupoints and inner and outer meridian matching acupoints are used. DOU pays attention to the coordination of acupuncture and moxibustion methods with acupoints and emphasizes acupuncture sequence.

[Feasibility analysis on acupuncture therapy for the treatment of Corona Virus Disease 2019 and the exploration on the application scheme].

The situation of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still severe at present. In order to better fight against the epidemic and give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine, we explored the feasibility of acupuncture therapy in the intervention of COVID-19 through analyzing the relevant literature in both ancient and modern time. Additionally, we analyzed the intervention scheme of acupuncture for COVID-19 developed by China Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and supplemented the protocol of the intervention with auricular acupuncture. It was proposed that the advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion should be fully displayed while Chinese herbal medications have been applied in the treatment of COVID-19. During treatment, acupuncture physicians should be rationally allocated to a certain proportion so as to adequately utilize comprehensive therapeutic approaches and guarantee people's safety to the greatest extent. Eventually, the clinical therapeutic effect may be improved, the national resources be economized on and the COVID-19 epidemic be conquered early.

Biomineralization-inspired nanozyme for single-wavelength laser activated photothermal-photodynamic synergistic treatment against hypoxic tumors.

Hypoxia, one of the features of most solid tumors, can severely impede the efficiency of oxygen-dependent treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and type-II photodynamic therapy. Herein, a catalase-like nanozyme RuO2@BSA (RB) was first prepared through a biomineralization strategy, and a high efficiency near-infrared photosensitizer (IR-808-Br2) was further loaded into the protein shell to generate the safe and versatile RuO2@BSA@IR-808-Br2 (RBIR) for the imaging-guided enhanced phototherapy against hypoxic tumors. RB not only acts like a catalase, but also serves as a photothermal agent that speeds up the oxygen supply under near-infrared irradiation (808 nm). The loaded NIR photosensitizer could immediately convert molecular oxygen (O2) to cytotoxic singlet oxygen (1O2) upon the same laser irradiation. Results indicated that RBIR achieved enhanced therapeutic outcomes with negligible side effects. Features such as a simple synthetic route and imaging-guided and single-wavelength-excited phototherapy make the nanozyme a promising agent for clinical applications.

Dietary DHA/EPA Ratio Changes Fatty Acid Composition and Attenuates Diet-Induced Accumulation of Lipid in the Liver of ApoE-/- Mice.

Diets containing various docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratios protect against liver damage in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). However, it is unclear whether these beneficial roles of DHA and EPA are associated with alterations of fatty acid (FA) composition in the liver. This study evaluated the positive impacts of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) containing different DHA/EPA ratios on HFD-induced liver disease and alterations of the hepatic FA composition. ApoE-/- mice were fed with HFDs with various ratios of DHA/EPA (2 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 2) and an n-6/n-3 ratio of 4 : 1 for 12 weeks. After treatment, the serum and hepatic FA compositions, serum biochemical parameters, liver injury, and hepatic lipid metabolism-related gene expression were determined. Our results demonstrated that dietary DHA/EPA changed serum and hepatic FA composition by increasing contents of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs and decreasing amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and the n-6/n-3 ratio. Among the three DHA/EPA groups, the DHA/EPA 2 : 1 group tended to raise n-3 PUFAs concentration and lower the n-6/n-3 ratio in the liver, whereas DHA/EPA 1 : 2 tended to raise n-6 PUFAs concentration and improve the n-6/n-3 ratio. DHA/EPA supplementation reduced the hepatic impairment of lipid homeostasis, oxidative stress, and the inflammatory responses in HFD-fed mice. The DHA/EPA 2 : 1 group had lower serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher levels of adiponectin than HFD group. The DHA/EPA 1 : 2 group had elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, without significant change the expression of genes for inflammation or hepatic lipid metabolism among the three DHA/EPA groups. The results suggest that DHA/EPA-enriched diet with an n-6/n-3 ratio of 4 : 1 may reverse HFD-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to some extent by increasing n-6 and n-3 PUFAs and decreasing the amount of MUFAs and the n-6/n-3 ratio.

Ultra-small Albumin Templated Gd/Ru Composite Nanodots for In Vivo Dual modal MR/Thermal Imaging Guided Photothermal Therapy.

Multifunctional theranostic nanoagents which realize precise diagnosis and treatment of tumors are attracting increasing interests in recent years. However, efficient and controlled synthesis of ultra-small noble metal nanoagents remains a challenge. Here, monodisperse Gd/Ru@BSA nanodots (GRBNDs) are successfully fabricated via a totally "green", "one-pot" protocol for in situ reduction of Ru(III) and biomineralization of Gd(III) in the presence of albumin. The as-prepared nanoagent possesses the features of being ultra small in size (≈6.7 nm), having strong colloidal stability, and thermal stability as well as high photothermal conversion efficiency (η = 50.7%). As expected, the GRBNDs achieve a significant efficacy of anticancer therapy under LASER activation both in vitro and in vivo. It also exhibits superior T1 -weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging ability due to its high longitudinal relaxivity value (r1 = 10.98 × 10-3 m-1 s-1 ). Moreover, it is demonstrated to be renal clearable with negligible systemic toxicity. This work highlights a straightforward and repeatable approach for synthesizing highly effective and multifunctional noble metal nanoagent of great clinical promising for cancer theranostics.

Novel Metal Polyphenol Framework for MR Imaging-Guided Photothermal Therapy.

Phothermal therapy has received increasing attention in recent years as a potentially effective way to treat cancer. In pursuit of a more biocompatible photothermal agent, we utilize biosafe materials including ellagic acid (EA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and iron element as building blocks, and we successfully fabricate a homogeneous nanosized Fe-EA framework for the first time by a facile method. As expected, the novel nanoagent exhibits no obvious cytotoxicity and good hemocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. The microenvironment responsiveness to both pH and hydrogen peroxide makes the NPs biodegradable in tumor tissues, and the framework should be easily cleared by the body. Photothermal potentials of the nanoparticles are demonstrated with relevant features of strong NIR light absorption, moderately effective photothermal conversion efficiency, and good photothermal stability. The in vivo photothermal therapy also achieved effective tumor ablation with no apparent toxicity. On the other hand, it also exhibits T2 MR imaging ability originated from ferric ions. Our work highlights the promise of the Fe-EA framework for imaging-guided photothermal therapy.

Hepatoprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Triterpenoids from Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes) on α-Amanitin-Induced Liver Injury in Mice.

Most fatal mushroom poisonings are caused by species of the genus Amanita; the amatoxins are responsible for acute liver failure and death in humans. Ganoderma lucidum is a well-known traditional medicinal mushroom that has been shown to have obvious hepatoprotective effects. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of triterpenoids from G. lucidum on liver injury induced by a-amanitin (α-AMA) in mice and the mechanisms of action of these triterpenoids, including radical scavenging and antiapoptosis activities. Mice were treated with α-AMA, followed by G. lucidum total triterpenoids or individual triterpenoids, and their hepatoprotective effects were compared with those of the reference drug silibinin (SIL). Treatment with SIL, G. lucidum total triterpenoids, and each of the 5 individual triterpenoids significantly reduced serum alanine aminotransaminase and aspartate ami- notransaminase concentrations and reduced mortality rates 20-40%. Moreover, triterpenoids and SIL significantly enhanced superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and reduced malondialdehyde content in livers. Treatment with ganoderic acid C2 significantly inhibited DNA fragmentation and decreased caspase-3, -8, and -9 activities. The results demonstrated that triterpenoids have hepatoprotective effects on α-AMA-induced liver injury and that their hepatoprotective mechanisms may be the result of their antioxidative and radical scavenging activities and their inhibition of apoptosis.

Protective role of n6/n3 PUFA supplementation with varying DHA/EPA ratios against atherosclerosis in mice.

The effects of n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on cardiovascular disease are controversial. We currently explored the effects of various ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on high-fat-induced atherosclerosis. In model apoE(-/-) mice, high-fat diets (HFD) were partially replaced with fish and algal oils (DHA/EPA 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2) and/or plant oils enriched in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids with an n6/n3 ratio of 4:1. PUFA supplementation significantly reduced the atherosclerotic plaque area, serum lipid profile, inflammatory response, aortic ROS production, proinflammatory factors and scavenger receptor expression as compared to those in the HFD group. However, plant oils did not have a significant effect on the following: serum HDL-C level; aortic ABCA1, ABCG1 and LAL mRNA expression; and CD36 and LOX-1 protein expression. Compared to the plant-oil-treated group, the DHA/EPA 1:1 group had a smaller atherosclerotic plaque area, higher serum HDL-C levels and lesser CD36 and MSR-1 mRNA expression; the DHA/EPA 2:1 group had lower serum TC, LDL-C and TNF-α levels and lower aortic ROS levels. Our study suggested that n3 PUFA from animals had more potent atheroprotective effects than that from plants. Supplementation involving higher DHA/EPA ratios and an n6/n3 ratio of 4:1 was beneficial for reducing serum "bad cholesterol" and a 1:1 DHA/EPA ratio with an n6/n3 ratio of 4:1 was beneficial for improving serum "good cholesterol" and inhibiting ox-LDL uptake. Our results suggest that achieving an n6/n3 ratio of 4:1 in the diet is also important in addition to having an optimal DHA/EPA ratio.

Separation of N-derivatized di- and tri-peptide stereoisomers by micro-liquid chromatography using a quinidine-based monolithic column - Analysis of l-carnosine in dietary supplements.

In the present study, a new analytical methodology was developed enabling the enantiomeric determination of N-derivatized di- and tri-peptides in dietary supplements using chiral micro-LC on a monolithic column consisting of poly(O-9-[2-(methacryloyloxy)-ethylcarbamoyl]-10,11-dihydroquinidine-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) (poly(MQD-co-HEMA-co-EDMA)). After optimization of the mobile phase conditions, a baseline resolution of the stereoisomers of 24 out of 53 N-derivatized di- and tri-peptides was obtained. 3,5-Dinitrobenzoyl- and 3,5-dichlorobenzoyl-peptide stereoisomers were separated with exceptionally high selectivity and resolution. The monolithic column was then applied to the quantitative analysis of l-carnosine and its enantiomeric impurity in three different commercial dietary supplements. Method validation demonstrated satisfactory results in terms of linearity, precision, selectivity, accuracy and limits of detection and quantification. The determined amounts of l-carnosine in commercial formulations were in agreement with the labeled content for all analyzed samples, and the enantiomeric impurity was found to be below the limit of detection (LOD), showing the potential of the poly(MQD-co-HEMA-co-EDMA) monolithic column as a reliable tool for the quality control of l-carnosine in dietary supplements by micro-LC.

Dauricine induces apoptosis, inhibits proliferation and invasion through inhibiting NF-kappaB signaling pathway in colon cancer cells.

Dauricine, a bioactive component of Asiatic Moonseed Rhizome, has been widely used to treat a large number of inflammatory diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. In our study, we demonstrated that dauricine inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation and invasion, and induced apoptosis by suppressing nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Addition of dauricine inhibited the phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha, and the phosphorylation and translocation of p65. Moreover, dauricine down-regulated the expression of various NF-kappaB-regulated genes, including genes involved cell proliferation (cyclinD1, COX2, and c-Myc), anti-apoptosis (survivin, Bcl-2, XIAP, and IAP1), invasion (MMP-9 and ICAM-1), and angiogenesis (VEGF). In athymic nu/nu mouse model, we further demonstrated that dauricine significantly suppressed colonic tumor growth. Taken together, our results demonstrated that dauricine inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and induced cell apoptosis by suppressing NF-kappaB activity and the expression profile of its downstream genes. These findings provide evidence for a novel role of dauricine in preventing or treating colon cancer through modulation of NF-kappaB singling pathway.

[Relationship between electroacupuncture-induced regulatory effect on leukocytes and the caliber of splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole on rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study the underlining mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in regulating leukocyte counts in the rabbit. METHODS: A total of 75 rabbits were randomly divided into normal control, leukocytosis model, leukocytosis + EA, leukopenia model, leukopenia+EA groups, with 15 cases in each. EA (2-20 Hz, 1-2 mA) was applied to "Dazhui" (DU 14), bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and bilateral "Geshu" (BL 17) for 20 min, once daily for 5 days. Leukocytosis and leukopenia models were duplicated by intravenous injection of coliform (0.1 ml/kg) and cyclophosphamide (30 mg/kg) separately. Peripheral blood leukocyte counts were detected every day. At the end of the experiment, the rabbit's spleen tissue was collected under anesthesia, and the diameter of splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole was measured under scanning electronic microscope. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, after i.v. coliform and cyclophosphamide, leukocytes increased and decreased significantly and respectively, while the area of the splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole in leukocytosis model group increased lightly and that of leukopenia model group reduced obviously (P < 0.01). In comparison with their individual model group, the leukocyte count in leukocytosis + EA group decreased considerably (P < 0.05), while that of leukopenia + EA group increased markedly (P < 0.01). The area of splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole in leukocytosis+ EA group decreased apparently (P < 0.05), and that in leukopenia+ EA group increased remarkably (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION EA is able to regulate the leukocyte counts in coliform-induced leukocytosis and cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia rabbits, which may be related with its effects in improving the splenic sinusoid basal lamina eyehole activity.

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acids on the growth and quality of large yellow croaker fish Pseudosciaena crocea (Richardson) in cages.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in artificial feeds on the growth and quality of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) raised in cages. Two diet formulas with dietary CLA were developed, and a diet without of CLA served as a control. The effects of CLA (2% and 4%) on average daily gain per tail (DGT), feed conversion ratio (FCR), muscle lipid, and lean body mass (LBM) for a 60-day period were evaluated. The results from two independent experiments revealed that diets with 4% CLA significantly improved DGT and FCR (p<0.05). Muscle lipid significantly reduced as increase of CLA content in diets (p<0.01), correspondingly, the LBM significantly increased (p<0.05). This study demonstrates that CLA supplemental diet could be used to improve growth and quality of large yellow croaker raised in cages.