[Effects of acupuncture on pulmonary function and airway smooth muscle spasm in asthma rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture at "Kongzui" (LU 6) and "Yuji" (LU 10) on the latent period of inducing asthma, pulmonary function and the expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and metallothionein-2 (MT-2) in asthma rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of acupuncture in alleviating airway smooth muscle spasm and improving the acute attack of asthma. METHODS: A total of 40 male SD rats of SPF-grade were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a medication group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, ovalbumin sensitization method was used to establish the asthma model in the other 3 groups. Salbutamol nebulization was adopted in the medication group, while acupuncture was applied at bilateral "Kongzui" (LU 6) and "Yuji" (LU 10) in the acupuncture group. The intervention was given once a day for 14 days in the two groups. The latent period of inducing asthma and pulmonary function were observed, the levels of ET-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by ELISA method, the morphology of the airway was observed by Masson staining, the ultrastructure of the airway smooth muscle was observed by transmission electron microscopy, the mRNA and protein expression of ET-1 and MT-2 in lung tissue was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot methods. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, in the model group, the latent period of inducing asthma was shortened (P<0.01); the airway resistance (RL) was increased while the dynamic compliance (Cdyn) was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05); the levels of ET-1 and TNF-α in serum and BALF were increased (P<0.01); collagen fibers and collagen depositions were found around the bronchi, airway smooth muscle was thickened, the cell damage was severe and mitochondria were swollen; the mRNA and protein expression of ET-1 was increased while the mRNA and protein expression of MT-2 was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the latent period of inducing asthma was prolonged (P<0.05), the RL was decreased while the Cdyn was increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the medication group and the acupuncture group, the levels of ET-1 and TNF-α in serum and BALF were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05); collagen fibers and collagen depositions around the bronchi were reduced, the thickened airway smooth muscle was lightened, the cell damage was improved; the mRNA and protein expression of ET-1 was decreased while the mRNA and protein expression of MT-2 was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the medication group, the mRNA expression of MT-2 was increased in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at "Kongzui" (LU 6) and "Yuji" (LU 10) can improve the pulmonary function and alleviate the airway smooth muscle spasm in rats with asthma. Its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of ET-1 expression and up-regulation of MT-2 expression.

[Experiment on Jianpi Qingre Huoxue Decoction Drug Serum Regulates SW480 Cell Proliferation,Apoptosis,Cycle and the Expression of ß-Catenin by Altering PI3K/Akt Signal Pathway].

Objective: To study Jianpi Qingre Huoxue decoction( JPQRHX) in preventing colon cancer by observing SW480 cells proliferation,apoptosis,cycle and the expression of P-ß-catenin, and to research its mechanism. Methods: SW480 cells were incubated with serum containing blank serum, different concentrations of JPQRHX decocition and PI3 K blocking agent LY294002 for 24 h,respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The protein translocation of P-ß-catenin was assayed by immunofluorescent staining. Results: The inhibitory rate and apoptosis rate in JPQRHX decoction group were higher than control group( P < 0. 05),respectively. S phase cells were increased significantly, and G1 phase cells and LY294002 group cells were decreased significantly( P < 0. 05). The P-ß-catenin in JPQRHX decoction groups were mainly expressed in membrane, while the P-ß-catenin in the control group was characterized by deletion in membrane and increased in nucleus. Conclusion: JPQRHX decoction has the ability in curing colon cancer, and the mechanism is associated with altering the expression of P-ß-catenin in the cells nucleus, blocking SW480 cells cycle at G1 phase, inhibiting SW480 cells proliferation, and inducing SW480 cell apoptosis.

Effect of huanglian jiedu decoction on thoracic aorta gene expression in spontaneous hypertensive rats.

Objective. Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular disorders with high mortality. Here we explored the antihypertension effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD) on thoracic aorta gene expression in spontaneous hypertensive rats. Methods. A rat model of spontaneous hypertension was used. The gene change profile of thoracic aorta after JHD treatment was assessed by GeneChip(GC) analysis using the Agilent Whole Rat Genome Oligo Microarray. Results. Hypertension induced 441 genes upregulated and 417 genes downregulated compared with the normal control group. Treatment of HJD resulted in 76 genes downregulated and 20 genes upregulated. GC data analysis showed that the majority of change genes were involved in immune system process, developmental process, and cell death. Conclusion. Hypertension altered expression of many genes that regulate various biological functions. HJD significantly reduced hypertension and altered the gene expression profiles of SHR rats. These changing genes were involved in many cellular functions such as regulating smooth muscle contraction, Ca(2+) homeostasis, and NO pathway. This study provides the potential novel insights into hypertension and antihypertension effects of HJD.

[Differentially expressed genes in adrenal gland of H22 liver cancer mice with different syndromes and in different stages].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the characteristics of gene expression in adrenal gland of H22 tumor mice with typical syndromes and in different liver cancer stages. METHODS: By the quantitative four diagnosis and syndrome differentiation methods and GeneChip Mouse Exon 1.0 ST Array, we observed adrenal gland gene expression in H22 tumor mice with pathogenic factor-toxin predominance syndrome and qi deficiency syndrome in the earlier stage, yang-qi deficiency syndrome in the intermediate stage, and qi-yin-yang deficiency syndrome in the advanced stage. Genes highly expressed and remarkably different were analyzed in this study. RESULTS: A total of seventy-three up-regulated coincident genes and twenty-six down-regulated coincident genes in different stages were investigated in the study. Up-regulated coincident genes included Hp, C3, Anxa1, Procr, C2, Il4ra, Cd14, Ptprc, Cd52, C4b, Eno3, Xdh, Gpx3, and so on. Down-regulated coincident genes included nervous system function-related genes such as Plp1, Mbp, Aldh1a1, Cck, Atn1, genes associated with electrolyte metabolism such as Aldh1a1 and Slc22a17, genes related to signal transduction such as Cxcr4, Spag5 and Stmn3, etc, and genes related to transcriptional control and protein biosynthesis such as Hspa1a, Dnajb1, Thra, Hhex and so on. CONCLUSION: With the development of the tumorigenesis, the symptoms and signs and differentially expressed genes in adrenal gland of H22 tumor mice can be measured. Up-regulated and down-regulated coincident genes may be the features of H22 tumor mice different from those of normal mice.