[Electroacupuncture improves motor function of rats with osteoarthritis by alleviating joint inflammation through the Wnt-7B/ß-catenin signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on osteoarthritis in rats and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into osteoarthritis model group, electro-acupuncture group and control group (n=10), and in the former two groups, early osteoarthritis was induced using a modified DMM surgical modeling method. After successful modeling, the rats in the electro-acupuncture group were treated with electro-acupuncture at bilateral "Housanli" and "Anterior knee point". Behavioral tests of the rats were performed and scored using the LequesneMG scale. Subchondral bone degeneration was observed in each group, and serum levels of IL-1ß, ADAMTS-7, MMP-3 and COMP were measured using ELISA. The mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1ß, Wnt-7B, ß-catenin, ADAMTS-7, and MMP-3 in the cartilage tissue of the knee joints were detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: In behavioral tests, the rats in the model and electroacupuncture groups had significantly higher LequesneMG scores after modeling than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After 20 days of treatment, LequesneMG scores were significantly lowered in rats in the electroacupuncture as compared with the model rats (P < 0.05). Imaging examination revealed obvious subchondral bone damage in both the electroacupuncture group and the model group, but the damages were significantly milder with former group. Compared with the model rats, the rats receiving electroacupuncture had significantly lower serum levels of IL-1ß, ADAMTS-7, MMP-3 and COMP (P < 0.05) with also lower expressions of IL-1ß, Wnt-7B, ß-catenin, ADAMTS-7 and MMP-3 in the cartilage tissues at both the mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture can alleviate joint pain and improve subchondral bone damage in rats with osteoarthritis by reducing IL-1ß levels in the joint cartilage tissue and serum to alleviate joint inflammation and by reducing such cytokines as ADAMTS-7 and MMP-3 via regulating the Wnt-7B/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Skin photorejuvenation effects of light-emitting diodes (LEDs): a comparative study of yellow and red LEDs in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Red-coloured light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can improve skin photorejuvenation and regeneration by increasing cellular metabolic activity. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of visible LEDs with specific wavelengths for skin photorejuvenation in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) from neonatal foreskin were cultured and irradiated in vitro by LEDs at different wavelengths (410-850 nm) and doses (0-10 J/cm(2) ). In vivo experiments were performed on the skin of hairless mice. Expression of collagen (COL) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was evaluated by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR (semi-qRT-PCR), western blotting and a procollagen type I C-peptide enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Haematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome stains were performed to evaluate histological changes. RESULTS: In HDFs, COL I was upregulated and MMP-1 was downregulated in response to LED irradiation at 595 ± 2 and 630 ± 8 nm. In the EIA, a peak result was achieved at a dose of 5 J/cm(2) with LED at 595 ± 2 nm. In vivo, COL I synthesis was upregulated in a dose-dependent manner to both 595 and 630 nm LED irradiation, and this effect was prolonged to 21 days after a single irradiation with a dose of 100 J/cm(2) . These histological changes were consistent with the results of semi-qRT-PCR and western blots. CONCLUSION: Specific LED treatment with 595 ± 2 and 630 ± 8 nm irradiation was able to modulate COL and MMPs in skin, with the effects persisting for at least 21 days after irradiation. These findings suggest that yellow and red LEDs might be useful tools for skin photorejuvenation.

Hepatoprotective effects of Platycodon grandiflorum on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in mice.

The protective effects of an aqueous extract from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (Campanulaceae), Changkil (CK), on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicities and the possible protective mechanisms involved were investigated in mice. Pretreatment with CK prior to the administration of APAP significantly prevented the increase in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity and hepatic lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. APAP-induced hepatotoxicity was also essentially prevented as evidenced by liver histopathology. Hepatic glutathione levels and glutathione-S-transferase activities were not affected by treatment with CK alone, but pretreatment with CK protected the APAP-induced depletion of hepatic glutathione levels. The effects of CK on cytochrome P450 (P450) 1A2 and 2E1, the major isozymes involved in APAP bioactivation, were investigated. In microsomal incubations, CK effectively inhibited P450 lA2-dependent methoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities and the P450 2E1-dependent p-nitrophenol and aniline hydroxylase. The results suggest that the protective effects of CK against the APAP-induced hepatotoxicity may, at least in part, be due to its ability to block P450-mediated APAP bioactivation.

[Herbal compound 861 inhibits NF-kappa B binding activity of hepatic stellate cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Cpd 861 on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) binding activity of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro. METHODS: The study was carried out on the culture of hepatic stellate cell line, 5mg/ml of Cpd 861 was added and incubated for 48 hours. NF-kappa B binding activity was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. IL-6 and sICAM-1 levels in the cultured supernatant were detected by ELISA. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL. RESULTS: Cpd 861 suppressed the binding activity of NF-kappa B in HSCs compared with the control group. Moreover, IL-6 and sICAM-1 levels in the cultured supernatant were decreased (P<0.05) and apoptosis rate of HSCs was increased after Cpd 861 incubation (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory effect on NF-kappa B binding activity might be part of the cellular mechanism of Cpd 861 to treat liver fibrosis.

[Proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells and effects of compound 861 on liver fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proliferation and apoptosis of the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in vitro and in vivo and the effects of Chinese herb, compound 861. METHODS: The in vitro study was carried out on the culture of hepatic stellate cell line. Various concentrations of compound 861 were added and incubated. Cell proliferation was detected with MTT colorimetric assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by electron microscopy, flow cytometry and TUNEL. The subjects of in vivo study were patients with chronic hepatitis B. RESULTS: Compound 861 could significantly inhibit HSC proliferation and increase the apoptosis rate of HSC dose-dependently and time-dependently compared with the control group. After compound 861 incubation for 48h, the apoptosis rate of HSC was 25.9% compared with 9.2% in control group (P<0.05). The clinical study elucidated that the HSC was activated and proliferated in patients with chronic hepatitis B. After compound 861 treatment for 6 months, the number of activated HSC decreased and the apoptosis of HSC could be seen in the liver biopsy. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis of activated HSC exists in vitro and in vivo, stimulating its apoptosis may play an important role in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Rhythm in Chinese thinking: a short question for a long tradition.

This paper tries to shed a fresh light on the use of several key terms in traditional Chinese medicine (and philosophy) related to the theory of so-called systematic correspondence. Drawing on some influential works in Chinese science and civilization (e.g., Marcel Granet, Joseph Needham, Nathan Sivin), the paper argues that the idea of rhythm, properly defined, should become an organizing idea in studying the traditions of Chinese thinking and practice in medicine as well as in general. Rhythmicity is not periodicity (though they are inseparable from one another) and the idea of rhythm is more useful (than for example the notion of correspondence) for medical anthropology. The paper is divided into three parts: 1) the idea of rhythm in some key terms of traditional Chinese medicine, 2) the Chinese theory of resonance versus the idea of rhythm, and 3) the relation of resonance, rhythm and ecstatic experiences with respect to medical anthropology. An acquaintance with the arguments of my previous article in these pages will be helpful but not necessary for the present paper.

[The effect of 764-3 on platelet aggregation and the activity of enzymes in arachidonic acid metabolism].

764-3 is a purified compound extracted from Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhizae. It was found to inhibit human and rabbit platelet aggregation induced by AA or ADP. Using AA as the substrate and pig lung microsome to provide enzymes, low doses of 764-3 (5-100 micrograms/ml) promoted the generation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in a dose-dependent manner. At a dose of 500 micrograms/ml, both TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production were inhibited. The results suggest that low dose of 764-3 may be able to bring a balance between TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha.