[Dumai moxibustion combined with low-dose tadalafil for erectile dysfunction: Evaluation of therapeutic effect].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of dumai (governor meridian) moxibustion combined with low-dose tadalafil in the treatment of ED with decline of vital gate fire. METHODS: We enrolled in this study 130 ED patients with decline of vital gate fire who met the inclusion criteria and equally randomized them into a control and an experimental group, the former treated with low-dose tadalafil tablets at 5 mg once a day while the latter by dumai moxibustion once a week in addition, all for 4 weeks. Of the total number of subjects, 62 in the control group and 63 in the experimental group completed the experiment. We recorded the scores on IIEF-5, Erection Quality Scale (EQS), Erection Hardness Scale (EHS), TCM symptoms and Treatment Satisfaction Scale (TSS) as well as the penile hemodynamic parameters peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI) before and after treatment and compared them between the two groups. RESULTS: The total response rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control (87.30% vs 66.13%, P < 0.05). IIEF-5, EQS, EHS and TSS scores, PSV and RI were markedly increased while TCM symptoms and EDV remarkably decreased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05), even more significantly in the experimental than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dumai moxibustion combined with low-dose tadalafil can improve erectile function, increase penile blood flow velocity and alleviate clinical symptoms in ED patients with decline of vital gate fire, with definite clinical effect and safety.

Enterolactone and trabectedin suppress epithelial ovarian cancer synergistically via upregulating THBS1.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common and fatal subtype of ovarian malignancies, with no effective therapeutics available. Our previous studies have demonstrated extraordinary suppressive efficacy of enterolactone (ENL) on EOC. A chemotherapeutic agent, trabectedin (Trabe), is shown to be effective on ovarian cancer, especially when combined with other therapeutics, such as pegylated liposomal doxorubicin or oxaliplatin. Thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), a kind of matrix glycoprotein, plays important roles against cancer development through inhibiting angiogenesis but whether it is involved in the suppression of EOC by ENL or Trabe remains unknown. To test combined suppressive effects of ENL and Trabe on EOC and possible involvement of THBS1 in the anticancer activities of ENL and Trabe. The EOC cell line ES-2 was transfected with overexpressed THBS1 by lentivirus vector. We employed tube formation assay to evaluate the anti-angiogenesis activity of ENL and of its combined use with Trabe after THBS1 overexpression and established drug intervention and xenograft nude mouse cancer models to assess the in vivo effects of the hypothesized synergistic suppression between the agents and the involvement of THBS1. Mouse fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing and microbiota analysis. We detected strong inhibitory activities of ENL and Trabe against the proliferation and migration of cancer cells and observed synergistic effects between ENL and Trabe in suppressing EOC. ENL and Trabe, given either separately or in combination, could suppress the tube formation capability of human microvascular endothelial cells, and this inhibitory effect became even stronger with THBS1 overexpression. In the ENL plus Trabe combination group, the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 and cluster of differentiation 36 was both upregulated, whereas matrix metalloproteinase 9, vascular endothelial growth factor, and cluster of differentiation 47 were all decreased. With the overexpression of THBS1, the results became even more pronounced. In animal experiments, combined use of ENL and Trabe showed superior inhibitory effects to either single agent and significantly suppressed tumor growth, and the overexpression of THBS1 further enhanced the anti-cancer activities of the drug combination group. ENL and Trabe synergistically suppress EOC and THBS1 could remarkably facilitate the synergistic anticancer effects of ENL and Trabe.

Fecal microbiota transplantation inhibits colorectal cancer progression: Reversing intestinal microbial dysbiosis to enhance anti-cancer immune responses.

Many lines of evidence demonstrate the associations of colorectal cancer (CRC) with intestinal microbial dysbiosis. Recent reports have suggested that maintaining the homeostasis of microbiota and host might be beneficial to CRC patients, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we established a CRC mouse model of microbial dysbiosis and evaluated the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on CRC progression. Azomethane and dextran sodium sulfate were used to induce CRC and microbial dysbiosis in mice. Intestinal microbes from healthy mice were transferred to CRC mice by enema. The vastly disordered gut microbiota of CRC mice was largely reversed by FMT. Intestinal microbiota from normal mice effectively suppressed cancer progression as assessed by measuring the diameter and number of cancerous foci and significantly prolonged survival of the CRC mice. In the intestine of mice that had received FMT, there were massive infiltration of immune cells, including CD8+ T and CD49b+ NK, which is able to directly kill cancer cells. Moreover, the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells, Foxp3+ Treg cells, seen in the CRC mice was much reduced after FMT. Additionally, FMT regulated the expressions of inflammatory cytokines in CRC mice, including down-regulation of IL1a, IL6, IL12a, IL12b, IL17a, and elevation of IL10. These cytokines were positively correlated with Azospirillum_sp._47_25, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, the E. coli complex, Akkermansia, Turicibacter, and negatively correlated with Muribaculum, Anaeroplasma, Candidatus_Arthromitus, and Candidatus Saccharimonas. Furthermore, the repressed expressions of TGFb, STAT3 and elevated expressions of TNFa, IFNg, CXCR4 together promoted the anti-cancer efficacy. Their expressions were positively correlated with Odoribacter, Lachnospiraceae-UCG-006, Desulfovibrio, and negatively correlated with Alloprevotella, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Ruminiclostridium, Prevotellaceae UCG-001 and Oscillibacter. Our studies indicate that FMT inhibits the development of CRC by reversing gut microbial disorder, ameliorating excessive intestinal inflammation and cooperating with anti-cancer immune responses.

[Effects of heat-reinforcing needling on synovial inflammation and miR-155/TLR4/NF-κB signaling axis in rheumatoid arthritis rabbits with cold syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of heat-reinforcing needling on synovial inflammation and microRNA-155 (miR-155)/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling axis, so as to investigate its anti-inflammatory mechanism in rabbits with cold syndrome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A total of 36 rabbits were randomly divided into normal, model, agonist, inhibitor, heat-reinforcing needling (HRN) and agonist+heat-reinforcing needling (A+HRN) groups, with 6 rabbits in each group. The RA with cold syndrome model was induced by injecting ovalbumin dry powder and Freund's complete adjuvant combined with cold freezing. Rabbits in agonist group were intraperitoneally injected with miR-155 agomir 4.5 OD; rabbits in the inhibitor group were intraperitoneally injected with miR-155 antagomir 6.1 OD; rabbits in HRN group received heat-reinforcing needling at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36) for 30 min；rabbits in A+HRN group received the same treatment as agonist group, and 30 min later, received the same treatment as the HRN group; rabbits in the normal and model groups were grasped and fixed in the same way, all groups received continuous treatment once a day for 7 d. After modeling, the knee joints of rabbits were examined by ultrasound, the pain threshold and the circumference were determined. After the interventions, the pain threshold and knee circumference were measured; the pathological morphology of synovial tissue of the knee joints were observed by HE staining; the mRNA levels of miR-155 and suppressor of cytokine signaling protein 1 (SOCS1), the expression levels of SOCS1, TLR4, NF-κB p65, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-17A proteins in synovial tissue of knee joints were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the pain threshold was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the knee circumference was significantly increased (P<0.05); the synovial tissue of knee joints showed significant hyperplasia, abundant blood flow signal, joint cavity effusion and obvious inflammatory invasion, the pathological score was significantly increased (P<0.05), the expressions of miR-155 mRNA and IL-1ß, IL-17A, TLR4, NF-κB p65 proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05), the expressions of SOCS1 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the model group. Compared with model group, the pain threshold was significantly increased (P<0.05), the circumference of knee joint was significantly decreased (P<0.05); in synovial tissue, the pathological score was decreased (P<0.05), the expression levels of miR-155 mRNA and IL-1ß, IL-17A, TLR4, NF-κB p65 proteins were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the expressions of SOCS1 mRNA and protein were significantly increased (P<0.05) in inhibitor group and HRN group, while the above changes in agonist group were reversed (P<0.05). Compared with the agonist group, the pain threshold was significantly increased (P<0.05), the knee circumference was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the synovial pathological score was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the expressions of miR-155 mRNA and IL-1ß, IL-17A, TLR4, NF-κB proteins in synovial tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of SOCS1 mRNA and protein were significantly increased (P<0.05) in A+HRN group. CONCLUSION: The heat-reinforcing needling can increase the pain threshold, reduce the knee circumference and inhibit the inflammatory response in rabbits with RA cold syndrome. The possible mechanism is related to the regulation of miR-155/TLR4/NF-κB signaling axis.

[To evaluate the efficacy of Yishen Tongluo decoction combined with low-dose tadalafil in the treatment of diabetic erectile dysfunction with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of the combined treatment of Yishen Tongluo formula and low-dose tadalafil in diabetic erectile dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with diabetic erectile dysfunction were randomly divided into two groups. The control group given tadalafil treatment, observation group in the control group given Yishen Tongluo Formula on the basis of treatment. The treatment period was 8 weeks. Erectile function were observed before and after treatment in the two groups patients-5 international questionnaire (IIEF - 5) score, erection quality scale (EQS) score, erectile hardness (EHS) score, TCM syndrome integral, content of serum homocysteine (HCY), endothelial function index ï¼»serum levels of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2)ï¼½ and endothelin (ET) content, a The changes of nitrogen oxide (NO), glucose and lipid metabolism indexes ï¼»triglyceride (TC), total cholesterol (TG)ï¼½ and oxidative stress related factors ï¼»total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)ï¼½ were evaluated, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. RESULTS: In terms of overall efficacy rate, the observation group (79.4%) outperformed that of the control (48.7%, P< 0.01).After treatment, the IIEF-5 score, EQS score, EHS score, and serum levels of PGI2, NO, T-AOC and GSH-Px were higher than those before treatment in the two groups (P< 0.05). The TCM syndrome score and serum HCY, ET-1, TC and TG were lower than those before treatment (P< 0.05), and the comparison group's consequence was comparatively worse than the group under observation (P< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Yishen Tongluo Formula can dramatically enhance the erectile dysfunction andimprovement of glucose-lipid metabolism when adopted in together with low-dose tadalafil.

[Effect of heat-reinforcing needling on expression of P2X7R, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in synovial tissues of knee joint in rabbits with cold syndrome rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of heat-reinforcing needling on the expression of purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor(P2X7R)，Nodlike receptor protein 3(NLRP3) and Caspase-1 in synovium tissues of knee joint of rabbits with cold syndrome rheumatoid arthritis(RA)，so as to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of heat reinforcing needling in the treatment of RA. METHODS: Thirty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into normal group, model group, reinforcing-reducing needling group(RRG), heat-reinforcing needling group(HRG), and antagonist group(AG), with 6 rabbits in each group.The model of cold syndrome RA was established by ovalbumin combined with Freund's adjuvant and cryogenic freezing. Rabbits of RRG and HRG were treated with corresponding acupuncture techniques on both sides of "Zusanli"(ST36) for 30 min, once a day for 7 days; Rabbits of the AG was intraperitoneally injected with A438079(2.5 mg/kg), once a day for 7 days. After intervention, color Doppler ultrasound was used to observe the joint cavity effusion, synovial thickness and internal blood flow signal.The histomorphological changes of synovial tissues were observed by HE staining. Quantitative real-time PCR method was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of P2X7R, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in synovial tissues. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of interleukin(IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in synovial tissues. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the synovial tissues in the model group was thickened, linear and punctate blood flow signals were increased, joint effusion was obvious, synovial coating cells were enlarged, the synovial matrix was severely hyperplasia, inflammatory cells infiltration was obvious.The mRNAs expression levels of P2X7R, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α proteins in synovial tissues were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with model group, abnormal blood flow signals, synovial thickness, joint effusion, proliferation of synovial matrix, inflammatory cell infiltration and synovial coating cells in the RRG, HRG and AG were improved. The mRNAs expression levels of P2X7R, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α proteins in synovial tissues were decreased in the RRG, HRG and AG (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the RRG, the above indexes were lower in the HRG and AG (P<0.05, P<0.01).There was no significant difference in all indexes above between the HRG and AG (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Heat reinforcing needling can improve synovial inflammation of RA, which may be related to regulating the expressions of P2X7R/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.

[Yishen Tongluo Recipe combined with minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of varicocele-associated asthenospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Yishen Tongluo Recipe (YTR) combined with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the treatment of varicocele-associated asthenospermia (of the kidney-deficiency and collateral-obstruction type). METHODS: We randomly divided 116 patients with varicocele-associated asthenospermia and up to the inclusion criteria into three groups and treated them by YTR combined with MIS (low spermatic vein ligation at the external inguinal ring orifice under the microscope) (the YTR+MIS group, n = 39), YTR alone (the YTR group, n = 38), or MIS alone (the MIS group, n = 39). At 12 weeks after treatment, we compared the total effectiveness rate, the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS), sperm straight line velocity (VSL), sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and symptoms among the three groups of patients. RESULTS: After treatment, the total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in the YTR+MIS than in the YTR and the MIS group (89.74% vs 63.16% and 64.10%, P < 0.05), and so were the percentage of PMS (31.67 ± 3.93 vs 24.48 ± 3.15 and 25.57 ± 3.37, P < 0.05) and VSL (ï¼»30.19 ± 5.32ï¼½ vs ï¼»27.19 ± 5.48ï¼½ and ï¼»27.55 ± 5.24ï¼½ µm/s, P < 0.05), but the DFI was remarkably lower in the former than in the latter two groups (11.25 ± 8.27 vs 15.87 ± 5.45 and 15.26 ± 4.36, P < 0.05). The symptoms were improved more significantly in the YTR+MIS than in the YTR and MIS groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Yishen Tongluo Recipe combined with minimally invasive surgery, as an effective and safe strategy, can significantly improve sperm quality and sperm DNA integrity in patients with varicocele-associated asthenospermia.

[Acupuncture technique of Jingou Diaoyu combined with speech rehabilitation training for post-stroke motor aphasia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of the acupuncture technique of Jingou Diaoyu combined with speech rehabilitation training and speech rehabilitation training alone for post-stroke motor aphasia. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with post-stroke motor aphasia were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with basic treatment and speech rehabilitation training; on the basis of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with the acupuncture technique of Jingou Diaoyu at Yamen (GV 15), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13), and Hegu (LI 4) etc., once a day, 6 days per week, for a total of 4 weeks. The speech function score, aphasia grade, daily life speech ability score of the two groups before and after treatment were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 94.3% (33/35) in the observation group, which was superior to 80.0% (28/35) in the control group (P<0.05). In addition to listening comprehension, each score of speech function in the two groups was significantly increased after treatment (P<0.05), and the increasing in the observation group was greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the aphasia grade of the two groups were improved (P<0.05), and the aphasia grade in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of daily life speech ability in the two groups were significantly improved (P<0.05), and the increasing in the observation group was greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupuncture technique of Jingou Diaoyu combined with speech rehabilitation training could improve the speech function of patients with post-stroke motor aphasia, and its curative effect is superior to the speech rehabilitation training alone.

[Mechanism of Heat-reinforcing Needling for Rheumatoid Arthritis Rabbits with Cold Syndrome Based on Metabonomics].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the specific mechanism of heat-reinforcing needling (HRN) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rabbits with cold syndrome based on metabolomics. METHODS: A total of 40 healthy rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a reinforcing-reducing needling(RRN) group, a twirling-reinforcing needling (TRN) group and a HRN group (n=8 rabbits/group). The RA model with cold syndrome was established with ovalbumin and freezing. Except the normal and model groups, RRN, TRN and HRN were given at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the corresponding acupuncture groups for 30 min, once a day for 7 days. After the interventions, the pain threshold and the local skin temperature of each group were observed. The endogenous metabolites in the serum were analyzed by the gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technology combined with the pattern-recognition method. RESULTS: The pain threshold and the local skin temperature in the model group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.05). The pain thresholds and the local skin temperatures in the three acupuncture groups were higher than those in the model group after interventions (P<0.05), and those in the HRN group were obviously higher than those in the RRN and TRN groups (P<0.05). The serum metabolites of leucine, valine, isoleucine, and arachidonic acid in the model group were increased compared with those in the normal group (P<0.05), and the metabolites of α-ketoglutaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid, glucose, inositol, palmitic acid, stearic acid, lactose, d-ribose, and D-mannose were decreased (P<0.05). The above-mentioned metabolites in the three acupuncture groups were significantly reversed relevant to the model group (P<0.05), and the effect of HRN group was significantly superior to those of the RRN and TRN groups in regulating α-ketoglutaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid, glucose, inositol, d-ribose, and D-mannose (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HRN for RA with cold syndrome is effective, which may be related to the specific regulation for the krebs cycle and glycometabolism.

[Development of Researches on Scalp Acupuncture for Ischemic Stroke].

Ischemic stroke is one of the commonly met diseases in clinical practice nowadays. Acupuncture therapy is widly used in the treatment of sequela of ischemic stroke in China and its mechanisms have been extensively studied in recen years. In the present paper, the authors focus on the development of studies on the mechanism of scalp acupuncture therapy in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Results indicate that scalp acupuncture intervention can 1) improve cerebral blood circulation to promote regional energy metabolism, 2) up-regulate expression of glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), etc., possibly promoting proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the focal cerebral cortex and hippocampus, 3) reduce contents of excitatory amino acid and increase level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to lower neurogenic toxicity, and relieve cerebral injury, 4) ease cerebral vascular immunoinflammatory reactions, 5) regulate blood lipid metabolism to resist cerebral free radical damage, and 6) inhibit cerebral cortical apoptosis. However, these results only revealed very limited intrinsic mechanisms of scalp acupuncture in improving ischemic stroke. Further studies using comprehensive techniques of multi-disciplines as molecular biology, electrophysiology, etc. are definitely needed.

[Influence of Heat-reinforcing Needling on Expression of Plasma Atp 5 O mRNA and Atp 6 V 1 B 2 mRNA in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis of Wind-cold-damp Retention Type].

OBJECTIVE: To observe influences of heat-reinforcing needling (HRN) on scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms and expression of plasma ATP synthase subunit O (Atp 5 O) mRNA and lysosomal V 1 subunit B 2 (Atp 6 V 1 B 2) mRNA in patients with wind-cold-damp retention type rheumatoid arthritis (RA), so as to investigate its biological mechanisms in "heat production". METHODS: Sixty wind-cold-damp retention type RA patients were randomly allocated to HRN group (n=30) and control group (n=30). Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), and local acupoints near the knee-joint were selected for needling stimulation. Patients of the HRN group were treated by manipulating the acupuncture needle with HRN, and those of the control group treated by manipulating the needle with uniform reinforcing-reducing method. The treatments were performed once daily, 5 days a week, and two weeks altogether. The other 30 healthy volunteers were recruited as the normal control group. The TCM symptom scoring system (0-31 points, 11 items as the severities of pain, swelling and tenderness of the knee-joint) was used to evaluate the status of RA, and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of plasma Atp 5 O mRNA and Atp 6 V 1 B 2 mRNA following removal of red blood cells. RESULTS: After the treatment, the TCM scores of both the HRN and control groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and that of the HRN group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Before the treatment, the expression levels of plasma Atp 5 O mRNA and Atp 6 V 1 B 2 mRNA in RA patients were significantly lower than those of the normal group (P<0.05), and after the treatment, the expression levels of plasma Atp 5 O mRNA and Atp 6 V 1 B 2 mRNA were significantly increased in both HRN and control groups compared to pre-treatment in the same one group (P<0.05), and the up-regulated Atp 5 O mRNA and Atp 6 V 1 B 2 mRNA levels were remarkably higher in the control group than in the HRN group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both heat-producing needling and uniform reinforcing-reducing needling can improve RA patients' clinical symptoms, which may be associated with their actions in up-regulating expressions of plasma Atp 5 O mRNA and Atp 6 V 1 B 2 mRNA.

[Effect of Scalp-acupuncture Stimulation on Neurological Function and Expression of ASIC 1 a and ASIC 2 b of Hippocampal CA 1 Region in Cerebral Ischemia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of scalp-acupuncture on the expression of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) 1 a and 2 b of hippocampal CA 1 region in cerebral ischemia (CI) rats, so as to investigate its mechanism underlying improvement of ischemic stroke. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly allocated to normal control, model, scalp-acupuncture and Amiloride group (n=8 in each group). The model of focal CI was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Scalp acupuncture stimulation was applied to bilateral Dingnieqianxiexian (MS 6) and Dingniehouxiexian (MS 7), once daily for 7 days. Rats of the Amiloride group were fed with Amiloride solution, twice a day for 7 days, and those of the normal control and model groups were grabbled and fixed in the same way with the acupuncture and Amiloride groups. The neurological deficit score was given according to Longa's method. The expression of hippocampal ASIC 1 a and ASIC 2 b was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the Ca2+ concentration in the hippocampal tissue assayed using flowing cytometry. RESULTS: After the intervention, the neurological deficit score of both the scalp-acupuncture and Amiloride groups were significantly decreased in comparison with pre-treatment (P<0.01), and the effect of scalp-acupuncture was markedly superior to that of Amiloride in reducing neurological deficit score (P<0.05). The expression of ASIC 1 a and ASIC 2 b in the hippocampal CA 1 region and hip-pocampal Ca2+ concentration were significantly up-regulated in the model group compared with the normal control group (P<0.01), and obviously down-regulated in both scalp-acupuncture and Amiloride groups (P<0.01, P<0.05),without significant differences between the two treatment groups in the ASIC 1 a and ASIC 2 b expression and Ca2+ concentration (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Scalp-acupuncture stimulation can improve neurological function in CI rats, which may be related to its effects in suppressing the increased expression of hippocampal ASIC 1 a and ASIC 2 b proteins and in reducing calcium overload in hip-pocampal neurocytes.

[Effects of grazing disturbance on soil active organic carbon in mountain forest-arid valley ecotone in the upper reaches of Minjiang River].

Effects of grazing disturbance on the soil carbon contents and active components in the four vegetations, i.e., artificial Robinia pseudoacacia plantation, artificial poplar plantation, Berberis aggregate shrubland and grassland, were studied in the mountain forest-arid valley ecotone in the upper Minjiang River. Soil organic carbon and active component contents in 0-10 cm soil layer were greater than in 10-20 cm soil layer at each level of grazing disturbance. With increasing the grazing intensity, the total organic carbon (TOC), light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and easily oxidized carbon (LOC) contents in 0-10 cm soil layer decreased gradually in the artificial R. pseudoacacia plantation. The LFOC content decreased, the POC content increased, and the TOC and LOC contents decreased initially and then increased with increasing the grazing intensity in the artificial poplar plantation. The POC content decreased, and the TOC, LFOC and LOC contents decreased initially and then increased with increasing the grazing intensity in the B. aggregate shrubland. The POC and TOC contents decreased, and the LFOC and LOC contents decreased initially and then increased with increasing the grazing intensity in the grassland. The decreasing ranges of LOC, LFOC and POC contents were 0.1-7.9 times more than that of TOC content. There were significant positive relationships between TOC and LOC, LFOC and POC, suggesting that the active organic carbon components could reflect the change of soil total carbon content.

[Effect of combined therapy of shenmai and compound danshen injection on myocardial reperfusion injury after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of combined therapy of shenmai and compound danshen injection (SM-DS) on myocardial reperfusion injury after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Thirty-eight AMI patients who received PCI were randomly divided into two groups, the 19 patients in the treated group were treated with SM-DS before and after PCI. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients' venous blood were measured at different time-points, and the integrated left ventricular ejection isometric index (Tei) was determined by echocardiogram. RESULTS: As compared with before operation in the treated group, MDA was higher and SOD was lower at 2 hrs, 24 hrs after operation (P < 0.05); IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly lower at 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 1 week (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the Tei began to be improved at 24 hrs (P < 0.05) and significantly improved at 1 week after operation (P < 0.01). While in the control group, MDA was higher and SOD was obviously lower at 2 hrs and 24 hrs (P < 0.01); lowering of IL-6 and TNF-alpha appeared at 1 week (P < 0.05) and improving of Tei index revealed 1 week after operation respectively (P < 0.05). Comparison between the two groups showed significant difference in levels of MDA and SOD at 2 hrs and 24 hrs (P < 0.01); significant difference in levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha at 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 1 week; and in Tei index at 24 hrs and 1 week after operation (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: SM-DS could reduce the myocardial reperfusion injury in patients with AMI after PCI.