[Effect of Huangqi decoction on delaying renal cell apoptosis induced by 12C6+ ion irradiation in rats and its mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the molecular protective mechanisms of Huangqi decoction inhibiting the apoptosis of renal cells in the 12C6+ radiation brain model rats. Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group, radiation alone model group, Huangqi decoction (high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose ) groups. The normal control group and the radiation alone group were treated with saline10 ml/(kg·d) by gavage, the Huangqi decoction treatment groups were treated with Huangqi decoction at the doses of 4.5, 9 and 18 g/(kg·d) by gavage respectively. After 7 d, except mice in normal control group, the brain of the rats in radiation alone model group, high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose Huangqi decoction group were radiated by 4 Gy 12C6+ ion once. The rats were killed by the femoral artery after irradiation 7 d. The pathomorphism changes of renal tissue were observed by HE, the IL-6 level in serum was detected by ELISA, the gene expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 in renal tissue were assessed by RT-PCR, and the protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and NF-κB in renal tissue were analyzed by immunehistochemical staining. Results: Compared with normal control group, the body weight and kidney index were decreased significantly, the expression of Bcl-2 in renal tissue was decreased significantly, the serum content of IL-6 was increased obviously, and the expressions of Bax, caspase-3 and NF-κB in renal tissue were increased significantly in the radiation alone model group (P＜0.01). The mesangial cells proliferated obviously, interstitial vessels of renal tubules were dilated and congested obviously, the lumen of renal tubules was narrow and irregular in the radiation alone model group. As compared with the radiation alone model group, the body weight and the kidney index were increased obviously in high-dose Huangqi decoction group, the gene and protein expressions of Bcl-2 in renal tissue were increased significantly in Huangqi decoction intervention group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). whereas, the protein expressions of Bax and caspase-3 in renal tissue were decreased significantly in middle-dose and high-dose Huangqi decoction group, the serum content of IL-6 was decreased obviously, the gene expressions of Bax and caspase-3 in renal tissue were decreased significantly and the protein expression of NF-κB in renal tissue was decreased significantly in Huangqi decoction intervention group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). The proliferation of mesangial cells was improved and the contour of renal tubules was clear in high-dose huangqi decoction group. Conclusion: High-dose of huangqi decoction has protective effect on kidney in rats induced by 12C6+ radiation brain, the mechanism may be related to the regulation of Bcl-2/NF-κB signal pathway.

[The therapeutic effects of Yougui pill on knee osteoarthritis and the expression of Wnt signal pathway related factors in rats].

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of Yougui pill (Traditional Chinese Medicine) on the related factors of Wnt signal pathway of rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and explore its protective mechanism. METHODS: Sixty SPF SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operative group, model group, glucosamine sulfate group, high-dose, middle-dose, low-dose of Yougui pill treated group (n=10). KOA model was established by modified Hulth method for six weeks. The rats in the high, middle and low-dose of Yougui pill group were treated with Yougui pills at the doses of 20,10 and 5 g/kg respectively by gastrogavage once a day for 8 weeks, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham and model control group and an equal volume of glucosamine sulfate (1.7 g/kg·d) was given to those in glucosamine sulfate group for 8 weeks. The knee joint was removed after the last dose of drug. The pathological changes of cartilaginous tissues were observed under a microscope. The mRNA levels of Dickkopf homolog 1(DKK1), Wnt induced secreted protein 1(WISP1), Wnt1, low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 5(LRP5) and beta -catenin in rats cartilaginous tissues were analyzed by using RT-PCR method, and the protein contents of DKK1, WISP1, Wnt1, LRP5 and beta-catenin in cartilaginous tissues were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the articular cartilage was severely damaged, the Mankin score was increased significantly (P<0. 05), the mRNA and protein expression levels of DKK1 in cartilaginous tissue were markedly decreased(P<0.05), while those of WISP, Wnt1, LRP5 and beta-catenin were increased significantly in model group(P<0.05). Compared with model group, the articular cartilage lesions was light (P<0.05), the Mankin Score was decreased significantly(P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein levels of DKK1 in cartilaginous tissue were increased(P<0.05), while those of WISP, Wnt1, LRP5 and beta-catenin were decreased in Yougui pill high-dose group and glucosamine sulfate group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Yougui pill has protective effects on the KOA by inhibiting the expressions of WISP, Wnt1, LRP5, beta-catenin and increasing the expression of DKK1 cytokine in the Wnt signaling pathway.

[The influences of ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation on protective effects of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri against rat's cerebral ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influences of ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation on protective effects of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri against rat's cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Using dexamethasone (im.) and ligating common carotid artery, the rat stasis model combined transient cerebral ischemia was established to evaluate the effects of the ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation through detecting antioxidant system and other indexes in brain tissue. RESULTS: The results showed that the 6 g/kg water extract(crude drug), ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri could upgrade adenosine-triphosphate (ATP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and degrade malondialdehyde(MDA) and water content of brain tissue in rat stasis model combined transient cerebral ischemia, the water extract and ultrafiltration of them could degrade lactic acid (LD) of brain tissue, and the effects of alcohol sedimentation of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri become weaker than water extract of them. CONCLUSION: The water extract, ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri have some protective effects on cerebral ischemia in rats, the effective differences of the extract through the same extraction method are not remarkable, and alcohol precipitation method has obvious influences effect on Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri.

[Effect of JTS caps. treating cerebral ischemia on metabolism and antioxidant system in cerebral ischemia rat].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of JTS, Traditional Chinese Medicine caps. treating cerebral ischemia on metabolism and antioxidant system in cerebral ischemia rat. METHODS: I.m. dexamethasone and ligating common carotid artery, the model of cerebral ischemia rats was established to investigate the effects of JTS caps. and its mechanisms through detecting substance metabolism, energy metabolism and antioxidant system. RESULTS: JTS caps. (1.78 - 3.56 g/kg) could upgrade glucose (Glu), total amino acids (T-AA), ATP, Na(+)-K(+) -ATPase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) of brain tissue and degrade lactic acid (LD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and water content of brain tissue in cerebral ischemia rat (P < 0.05, 0.01). JTS caps. (3.56 g/kg) could also depress extenuation of rat's body weight. CONCLUSION: JTS caps. has some protections against the cerebral ischemia in rats, and one of the mechanisms may be improving the metabolism and antioxidant system.