[Clinical observation on Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture combined with warming acupuncture for postoperative urinary retention].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture (acupuncture for unblocking governor vessel and regulating qi ) combined with warming acupuncture, Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture, abdominal moxibustion and oral tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsule on postoperative urinary retention. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with postoperative urinary retention were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group, an acupuncture group, a moxibustion group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture combined with warming acupuncture were applied in the acupuncture-moxibustion group. Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Shuigou (CV 26) etc. in the acupuncture group. Moxibustion was applied at Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao (ST 28) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the moxibustion group. Tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsule was given orally in the medication group. The treatment was once a day, and 5-day treatment was required in each group. Before and after treatment, the residual urine volume of bladder, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the time of first urethral catheter removal were observed, and the clinical efficacy was compared in the 4 groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the residual urine volume of bladder was decreased compared before treatment in the 4 groups (P<0.05), and that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was less than the other 3 groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores were decreased compared before treatment in the acupuncture-moxibustion group, the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group (P<0.05), and those in the 3 groups were lower than the medication group (P<0.05). The time of first urethral catheter removal in the acupuncture-moxibustion group was earlier than the other 3 groups (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group, which was superior to 63.3% (19/30) in the acupuncture group, 60.0% (18/30) in the moxibustion group and 66.7% (20/30) in the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of Tongdu Tiaoqi acupuncture combined with warming acupuncture on postoperative urinary retention is superior to simple acupuncture, abdominal moxibustion and tamsulosin hydrochloride sustained release capsule.

Antibiotics prescription for targeted therapy of pediatric invasive pneumococcal diseases in China: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a major cause of bacterial meningitis, septicemia and pneumonia in children. Inappropriate choice of antibiotic can have important adverse consequences for both the individual and the community. Here, we focused on penicillin/cefotaxime non-susceptibility of S. pneumoniae and evaluated appropriateness of targeted antibiotic therapy for children with IPD (invasive pneumococcal diseases) in China. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 14 hospitals from 13 provinces in China. Antibiotics prescription, clinical features and resistance patterns of IPD cases from January 2012 to December 2017 were collected. Appropriateness of targeted antibiotics therapy was assessed. RESULTS: 806 IPD cases were collected. The non-susceptibility rates of S. pneumoniae to penicillin and cefotaxime were 40.9% and 20.7% respectively in 492 non-meningitis cases, whereas those were 73.2% and 43.0% respectively in 314 meningitis cases. Carbapenems were used in 21.3% of non-meningitis cases and 42.0% of meningitis cases for targeted therapy. For 390 non-meningitis cases with isolates susceptible to cefotaxime, vancomycin and linezolid were used in 17.9% and 8.7% of cases respectively for targeted therapy. For 179 meningitis cases with isolates susceptible to cefotaxime, vancomycin and linezolid were prescribed in 55.3% and 15.6% of cases respectively. Overall, inappropriate targeted therapies were identified in 361 (44.8%) of 806 IPD cases, including 232 (28.8%) cases with inappropriate use of carbapenems, 169 (21.0%) cases with inappropriate use of vancomycin and 62 (7.7%) cases with inappropriate use of linezolid. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic regimens for IPD definite therapy were often excessive with extensive prescription of carbapenems, vancomycin or linezolid in China. Antimicrobial stewardship programs should be implemented to improve antimicrobial use.

Effects of ticagrelor pretreatment on electrophysiological properties of stellate ganglion neurons following myocardial infarction.

Higher sympathetic activity predisposes to malignant ventricular arrhythmias in the context of myocardial infarction (MI). This is, in part, mediated by the electrical activity of the stellate ganglion (SG). The aim of this study is to examine the effects of ticagrelor pretreatment on the electrophysiological properties of SG neurons following MI in rabbits. MI was induced by isoproterenol (ISO) of 150 mg kg-1 d-1 (twice at an interval of 24 hours). Ticagrelor pretreatment was administered at low- (10 mg kg-1 d-1) or high-dose (20 mg kg-1 d-1). Protein and RNA expression were determined by immunohistochemical analysis and real-time PCR, respectively. The activity of sodium channel current (INa), delayed rectifier potassium current (IKDR), M-type potassium current (IKM) as well as action potentials (APs) from SG neurons were measured by whole-cell patch-clamp. Intracellular calcium concentrations were measured by confocal microscopy. Compared with the control group, the MI group exhibited a greater amplitude of INa, IKDR and IKM, significantly altered activation and inactivation characteristics of INa, no significant alterations in protein or mRNA expression of sodium and M-type potassium channels, along with higher AP amplitude and frequency and intracellular calcium concentrations. Most of these abnormalities were prevented by pretreatment with low- or high-dose ticagrelor. Our data suggest that ticagrelor exerts cardioprotective effects, potentially through modulating the activity of different ion channels in SG neurons.

Scalp-cluster acupuncture with electrical stimulation can improve motor and living ability in convalescent patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with post-stroke hemiplegia could benefit from long-term treatment with scalp cluster (SC) acupuncture combined with electrical stimulation (ES) and to evaluate the feasibility of this treatment to improve motor and living abilities. METHODS: Twenty patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: SC acupuncture and SC acupuncture with ES (SC and SC + ES, respectively). All participants also received rehabilitation training. All participants were blindly evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for motor ability, the modified Barthel Index for living ability, and a scale for the degree of neurological deficits. Outcome was assessed at three points before randomized grouping, at the beginning or treatment, and after 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Following 4 weeks treatment, all the patients exhibited significant improvements in aspects of motor ability, living ability, and the severity of neurological deficits. The experimental group (SC + ES) scored higher on the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (68 ¡À 12) and the modified Barthel Index (49 ¡À 9) than the control (SC) group (50 ¡À 13, 36 ¡À 13, respectively). CONCLUSION: When patients with post-stroke hemiplegia are treated using SC acupuncture with ES, motor and living ability can improve more than if they were treated with SC acupuncture alone.

Effects of Different TCM Exercises for Preventive Treatment of Diseases on Sleep Quality, Depression and Anxiety of College Students / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the effects of different TCM exercises for preventive treatment of diseases on sleep quality and multidimensional mental health level of college students.Methods According to the willing of the research objects, 132 college students were divided into Yijinjing group, Baduanjin group, Wuqinxi group, Tai Chi group, and jogging group. They exercised 45 min each time, 5–6 times per week, received central guidance every two weeks, and exercise intensity was timely adjusted based on master of physical activity and reaction to the situation of college students, for 2 months. PSQI, BFS, SDS and SAS before and after intervention in each group were observed. Results After intervention, five kinds of exercises could improve sleep situation of college students, and had their own focus in sleep quality, falling-asleep time, sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep disorders, sleep medication, daytime dysfunction. There was statistical significance in BFS activity score, thought score, anger score, excitation score, and depression score after intervention in Yijinjing group compared with before intervention (P<0.05); There was statistical significance in activity score, total joy score, calm total score after intervention in Wuqinxi group compared with before intervention (P<0.05). There was statistical significance in SAS total scores of college students in Yijinjing group, Baduanjin group, and jogging group after intervention compared with before intervention (P<0.05). There was statistical significance in SAS standard scores of college students in Yijinjing group, Baduanjin group, and jogging group after intervention compared with before intervention (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in SDS scores in the five groups before and after intervention (P>0.05).Conclusion 5 kinds of exercises can improve the sleep quality from different aspects. Yijinjing group and Wuqinxi group can improve the mental health of college students, of which Yijinjing group can bi-directionally regulate the positive and negative psychological indicators of college students.

Central neuromechanisms underlying control of intragastric pressure through acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) in rats: the upper cervical cord is the key link between the ascending and descending pathways.

Sensory inputs stimulated by Zusanli (ST36) acupuncture in the abdomen are known to converge in the upper cervical cord. However, it is unclear whether these inputs are subsequently conveyed to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and what kind of afferent fibers are involved. We focused on the upper cervical cord, where afferent inputs converge, and detected c-fos expression in oxytocinergic neurons. We found that Zusanli acupuncture therapy effectively elevated intragastric pressure, but inhibited expression of c-fos in oxytocinergic neurons of the paraventricular nucleus in upper cervical cord injured rats. These Zusanli acupuncture effects remained even after complete dorsal cord transection. However, after complete transection of the spinal cord or dorsolateral funiculus, the effects were significantly attenuated and even disappeared. These findings suggest that the paraventricular nucleus is responsible for pooling and integrating signals from the Zusanli acupuncture and sensory information from the intragastric pressure variation, thereby contributing to the regulation of intragastric pressure. The upper cervical cord serves as the key link between ascending and descending pathways, which conveys afferent inputs to the paraventricular nucleus through the dorsolateral funiculus.

[Clinical effect on infantile food accumulation treated with centripetal tuina therapy at spleen meridian site of different location].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on infantile food accumulation treated with centripetal tuina therapy at spleen meridian site of different location. METHODS: Sixty cases of infantile food accumulation were randomized into a palmar thumb surface group and a radial margin group, 30 cases in each one. In the palmar thumb surface group, the spleen meridian was stimulated with the pushing technique centripetally on the palmar side of the thumb. In the radial margin group, the spleen meridian was stimulated with the pushing, technique centripetally along the radial margin of the thumb. The traditional tuina techniques, such as tuisanguan, yun neibagua were combined in the two groups. The treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week, 12 treatments as one session. After the 1 session of treatment, the main symptom scores before and after treatment were compared in the patients of the two groups, the improvements in the accompanied symptoms were observed, such as appetite, defecation and tongue coating; and the efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30) and 90.0% (27/30) in the palmar thumb surface group and the radial margin group respectively and the difference was not significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the main symptom score was improved significantly in the two groups, indicating the significant difference as compared with that before treatment (both P < 0.05). The improvement in foul breathing in the palmar thumb surface group was better than that in the radial margin group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Between the two kinds of pushing techniques at spleen meridian site, pushing on the palmar surface of the thumb and pushing along the radial margin, there is no difference in the total efficacy on infantile food accumulation. Regarding the improvement in foul breathing, the effect in the palmar thumb surface group is better than that in the radial margin group.

[Effect of Rhizoma Polygonati on the Function of Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Telomerase Ac- tivity in Nature Senescent Rats].

Objective To observe the effect of Rhizoma Polygonati (RP) on the function of spi- nal endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and telomerase activity in nature senescent rats. Methods To- tally 48 natural senescent rats (20 months old) were randomly divided into 4 groups according to their body weight, i.e., the blank group, high, medium, low dose RP groups, 12 in each group. Meanwhile, 12 young rats (5 months old) were recruited as a normal control group. RP decoction at 4, 2, 1 g/kg was in- tragastrically administered to rats in high, medium, low dose RP groups, once per day for 12 successive weeks. Equal volume of normal saline was intragastrically administered to rats in the normal control group and the blank group, once per day for 12 successive weeks. Contents of antioxidant indices were detec- ted. Meanwhile, adherence cells were identified after in- vitro culture of mononuclear cells of bone marrow in each group. The proliferation was detected using MTT assay. The migration was detected by Transwell assay. The tubule function was detected using in vitro angiogenesis kit. And the telomerase activity was detected by real time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Results Compared with the normal control group, serum total-antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) , contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-per- oxidase (GSH-Px) were obviously reduced, malondialdehyde (MDA) content obviously increased, the function of bone marrow EPCs was obviously damaged in the blank group (P <0. 01). Compared with the blank group, serum contents of T-AOC, SOD, and GSH-Px obviously increased and MDA content decreased in high and medium dose RP groups (P <0. 05,P <0. 01). The proliferation and migration of EPCs, the tubule function, and the telomerase activity could be promoted in high and medium dose RP groups (P <0. 05,P <0. 01). Conclusion RP could protect damaged function of EPCs in senescent rats by promoting serum antioxidant level and telomerase activity.

Resveratrol Rescues Kidney Mitochondrial Function Following Hemorrhagic Shock.

OBJECTIVE: Hemorrhagic shock may contribute to acute kidney injury (AKI) by profoundly altering renal mitochondrial function. Resveratrol (RSV), a naturally occurring sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activator, has been shown to promote mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative damage in a variety of aging-related disease states. We hypothesized that RSV treatment during resuscitation would ameliorate kidney mitochondrial dysfunction and decrease oxidative damage following hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Using a decompensated hemorrhagic shock model, male Long-Evans rats (n = 6 per group) were killed prior to hemorrhage (sham), at severe shock, and following either lactated Ringer's (LR) resuscitation or LR + RSV resuscitation (RSV: 30 mg/kg). At each time point, blood samples were assayed for arterial blood gases, lactate, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine. Mitochondria were also isolated from kidney samples in order to assess individual electron transport complexes (complexes I, II, and IV) using high-resolution respirometry. Total mitochondria reactive oxygen species were measured using fluorometry, and lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring 4-hydroxynonenal by Western blot. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used quantify mRNA from peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α (PGC1-α) SIRT1, and proteins known to mitigate oxidative damage and promote mitochondrial biogenesis. RESULTS: Resveratrol supplementation during resuscitation restored mitochondrial respiratory capacity and decreased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. Compared with standard LR resuscitation, RSV treatment significantly increased SIRT1 and PGC1-α expression and significantly increased both superoxide dismutase 2 and catalase expression. Although RSV was associated with decreased lactate production, pH, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine values did not differ between resuscitation strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Resuscitation with RSV significantly restored renal mitochondrial function and decreased oxidative damage following hemorrhagic shock.

Discrete potentials guided radiofrequency ablation for idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias.

AIMS: Discrete potentials (DPs) have been recorded and targeted as the site of ablation of the outflow tract arrhythmias. The aim of the present study was to investigate the significance of DPs with respect to mapping and ablation for idiopathic outflow tract premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or ventricular tachycardias (VTs). METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventeen consecutive patients with idiopathic right or left ventricular outflow tract PVCs/VTs who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation were included. Intracardiac electrograms during the mapping and ablation were analysed. During sinus rhythm, sharp high-frequency DPs that displayed double or multiple components were recorded following or buried in the local ventricular electrograms in all of the 17 patients, peak amplitude 0.51 ± 0.21 mV. The same potential was recorded prior to the local ventricular potential of the PVCs/VTs. Spontaneous reversal of the relationship of the DPs to the local ventricular electrogram during the arrhythmias was noted. The DPs were related to a region of low voltage showed by intracardiac high-density contact mapping. At the sites with DPs, lower unipolar and bipolar ventricular voltage of sinus beats were noted compared with the adjacent regions without DPs (unipolar: 6.1 ± 1.8 vs. 8.3 ± 2.3 mV, P < 0.05; bipolar: 0.62 ± 0.45 vs. 1.03 ± 0.60 mV, P < 0.05). The targeted DPs were still present in 12 patients after successful elimination of the ectopies. Discrete potentials were not present in seven controls. CONCLUSION: Discrete potentials and related low-voltage regions were common in idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias. Discrete potential- and substrate-guided ablation strategy will help to reduce the recurrence of idiopathic outflow tract arrhythmias.

Discrete potentials guided ablation for idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Discrete potentials (DPs) have been recorded and targeted as the site of ablation of the outflow tract arrhythmias. The aim of the present study was to investigate the significance of DPs with respect to mapping and ablation for idiopathic outflow tract premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or ventricular tachycardias (VTs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventeen out of 24 consecutive patients with idiopathic right or left ventricular outflow tract PVCs/VTs who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation between September 2012 and December 2013 in our department were included. Intracardiac electrograms during the mapping and ablation were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During sinus rhythm, sharp high-frequency DPs that displayed double or multiple components were recorded following or buried in the local ventricular electrograms in all of the 17 patients, peak amplitude was (0.51 ± 0.21) mV. The same potential was recorded prior to the local ventricular potential of the PVCs/VTs. Spontaneous reversal of the relationship of the DPs to the local ventricular electrogram was noted during the arrhythmias. The DPs were related to a region of low voltage showed by intracardiac high-density contact mapping. At the sites with DPs, unipolar and bipolar ventricular voltage of sinus beats were lower compared with the adjacent regions without DPs (unipolar: (6.1 ± 1.8) mV vs. (8.3 ± 2.3) mV, P < 0.05; bipolar: (0.62 ± 0.45) mV vs. (1.03 ± 0.60) mV, P < 0.05). The targeted DPs were still present in 12 patients after successful elimination of the ectopies. Discrete potentials were not present in seven controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Discrete potentials and related low-voltage regions were common in idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias. Discrete potential- and substrate-guided ablation strategy could help to reduce the recurrence of idiopathic outflow tract arrhythmias.</p>

The licorice flavonoid isoliquiritigenin suppresses phorbol ester-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the non-tumorigenic MCF-10A breast cell line.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the rate-limiting enzyme for the conversion of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. Upregulation of COX-2 has been well documented during tumorigenesis and metastasis of breast cancer. Isoliquiritigenin (ILN), a flavonoid isolated from licorice (the rhizomes of GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA, a member of the bean plant family), is known to be a potential suppressor of COX-2 expression. This study focuses on phorbol ester-induced COX-2 expression in the non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cells. Real-time PCR and Western blotting indicated that ILN at 5 microM or above significantly inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced COX-2 expression in the breast cells. The activated PKC alpha appeared to be not affected, whereas its downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) ERK-1/2 was deactivated. ERK can activate the transcriptional factor binding of AP-1 or CRE, which can be located at the COX-2 promoter region (- 72/- 53). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays illustrated that ILN suppressed DNA binding at this region. The shifted bands could be competed off with consensus sequences of AP-1 and CRE, and the supershift assay demonstrated that CREB-1 instead of c-Jun was responsible for the binding. This study showed that ILN downregulated PMA-induced COX-2 expression by modulating ERK-1/2 signaling, a finding that may be relevant to the disease prevention properties of licorice.

[Role of MMP-9 and NF-kappaB expression by xuemaitong capsule preconditioning on rats of acute myocardial ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression change of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) induced by Xuemaitong capsule (XMT) preconditioning on rats of myocardial ischemia, and provide experimental evidence for the protection of XMT. METHOD: 60 wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 roups: the control group, the model group, the three difference dose groups of XMT. The groups of XMT were treated by continuous 14 days intragastric administration. After 14 days, except the control group, all groups were continuous 2 days subcutaneous injected with isoproterenol 30 mg x kg(-1) every day. Before and 5, 10, 20, 30 minutes after subcutaneous injection, electrocardiogram were recorded, immunohistochemical staining, RT-PCR and image analysis were also measured for the investigation of the expression of MMP-9 and NF-KB in the ischemic region. RESULT: Compared with the model group, the delta sigma-ST of electrocardiogram of the high dose, middle dose, low dose groups of XMT decreased at different degree. Pathological conditions of ischemic myocardial ameliorated. The immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR indicated that the expression of MMP-9 and NF-kappaB decreased in the high dose group (P < 0.05), the mRNA expression of MMP-9 and NF-kappaB decreased in the high dose group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of MMP-9 and NF-kappaB increased after myocardial ischemia After high dose treated by XMT, the expression reduction of MMP-9 and NF-kappaB indicated that XMT played an important preventive role in acute myocardial ischemia.

Icariin inhibits neurotoxicity of beta-amyloid by upregulating cocaine-regulated and amphetamine-regulated transcripts.

beta-Amyloid peptide (Abeta) is one of the main protein components of senile plaques contributing to Alzheimer's disease and it can induce neuronal apoptosis. In this study, it was found that icariin, a flavonoid extracted from Chinese Herba-Epimedii, inhibited Abeta42-induced neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. The peak dose of icariin was 160 microg/ml. In addition, mRNA and protein expressions of cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) were increased in Abeta42-treated neurons in the presence of 80 microg/ml icariin. Moreover, CART-RNA interference was able to reverse neuroprotection of icariin on Abeta42. Furthermore, the expression of CART can be suppressed by extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor instead of p38/JNK inhibitors, suggesting that icariin may be developed into therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The soy isoflavone genistein induces estrogen synthesis in an extragonadal pathway.

Genistein is a phytoestrogen isolated from soyabean, and is a potential nutraceutical gearing for women suffering from perimenopausal symptoms. Because of its differential binding affinity to estrogen receptor (ER) isoforms, genistein is described as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). The ligand-receptor interaction is established, but the potential confounding factors have not been fully addressed. Alteration in estrogen metabolism is an important issue when determining the downstream effect of ER. Aromatase or CYP19 catalyzes the rate-limiting reaction of estrogen synthesis, and is highly expressed in the ovary. This organ is the source of estrogen in females. After menopause the ovaries cease to produce the hormone, and localized estrogen synthesis in extragonadal tissues could become physiologically significant. In the present study, effect of genistein on CYP19 regulation was investigated in the hepatic cells HepG2. The phytoestrogen induced aromatase activity in the cells. Increased mRNA expression with concurrent elevation in the usage of promoters I.3/II was also demonstrated. Luciferase reporter gene assays verified the transcriptional control dictated by the specific promoters under genistein treatment. Several protein kinases were examined, and PKC?, P38, ERK-1/2 appeared to be activated. Subsequent inhibition and expression experiments demonstrated the involvement of these kinases. The transcriptional factor CREB was ultimately activated in the gene regulation. The present study illustrated an extragonadal pathway by which genistein might increase estrogen synthesis.

Dietary administration of the licorice flavonoid isoliquiritigenin deters the growth of MCF-7 cells overexpressing aromatase.

Licorice is the sweet-tasting rhizomes of a bean plant and is quite commonly used in Western countries for culinary purposes, while it is a medicinal herb in China. Many flavonoids have been isolated from licorice, and their pharmacological properties may be applicable in preventive medicine. Overexposure to estrogen has been implicated in the etiology of breast cancer, and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 19 enzyme, or aromatase, catalyzes the rate-limiting reaction. Phytocompounds that are able to inhibit this enzyme may potentially suppress breast cancer development. In the present study the licorice flavonoid isoliquiritigenin (ILN) was shown to be an aromatase inhibitor in recombinant protein and MCF-7 cells stably transfected with CYP19 (MCF-7aro). ILN displayed a K(i) value of around 3 muM, and it also blocked the MCF-7aro cell growth pertaining to the enzyme activity in vitro. Subsequently, the compound administered in diet was given to ovariectomized athymic mice transplanted with MCF-7aro cells. This mouse model is widely accepted for studying postmenopausal breast cancer. The phytochemical significantly deterred the xenograft growth without affecting the body weight. Subsequently, the flavonoid's effect on CYP19 transcriptional control in vitro was also investigated. At the mRNA level, ILN could also suppress the expression in wild-type MCF-7 cells. Reporter gene assay and real-time PCR verified that the transactivity of CYP19 driven by promoters I.3 and II was suppressed in these cells. Deactivation of C/EBP could be the underlying molecular mechanism. Our study demonstrated that ILN was an inhibitor of aromatase and a potential chemopreventive agent against breast cancer.

[Inhibitory effects of Sanleng pellet on angiogenesis of endometriosis in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Sanleng pellet on angiogenesis of endometriosis in SD rats. METHOD: The rat model of endometriosis were treated with Sanleng pellet. Observe microvessels density by immunohistochemical test as well as the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in ectopic endometriotic tissue by immunohistochemical test and RT-PCR. RESULT: Sanleng pellet can reduce MVD, and inhibit the level of protein and mRNA of vascular endothelial growth factor and TNF-alpha in ectopic endometriotic tissue. CONCLUSION: Sanleng pellet can reduce the degree of angiogenesis in the endometriosis rats, and its mechanism might be associated with inhibiting the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and TNF-alpha in the heterotopic tissue.

[Effects of tetramethylpyrazine on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-induced factor-1alpha by rat peritoneal macrophages].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of tetramethylpyrazine on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-induced factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in macrophages. METHOD: Rat peritoneal macrophages were treated with LPS, and at the same time given different doses of tetramethylpyrazine. The secreation of VEGF was determined by ELISA test, and MTT assay was used to examine cells proliferation. Western blot assay was used to examine the expression of HIF-1alpha. RESULT: 100 microg x mL(-1) and 10 microg x mL(-1) tetramethylpyrazine decreased the secretion of VEGF and also inhibited the expression of HIF-1alpha by LPS-induced macrophages. But these doses of tetramethylpyrazine had no effect on the cells proliferation. CONCLUSION: Tetramethylpyrazine could inhibit the secretion of VEGF by LPS-induced macrophages, and the mechanism must be associated with inhibiting the expression of HIF-1alpha. The inhibition effect was not due to inhibition of the proliferation of macrophages.