Effect of acupuncture on Hashimoto thyroiditis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoimmune thyroid disease for which there is no specific treatment. Oral levothyroxine sodium tablets significantly improved thyroid function but did not promote a reduction in thyroid-related antibody concentrations. Acupuncture can improve clinical symptoms and thyroid function in HT patients, reduce serum TPOAb and TGAb levels in HT patients, and improve patients' quality of life. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of acupuncture versus levothyroxine sodium tablets on Hashimoto thyroiditis. We searched Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, VIP, SinoMed and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials to identify candidate randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RESULTS: A total of 1020 patients participated in 14 randomized controlled trials. The results of meta-analysis showed that acupuncture regulated TPOAb content (mean difference [MD] = -63.18, 95%CI = -91.73 to -34.62, P < .00001), TGAb content (MD = -68.56, 95%CI = -101.55 to -35.57, P < .00001), serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) content (MD = 0.74, 95%CI = 0.20 to 1.27, P < .00001), serum free thyroxine (FT4) content (MD = 1.10, 95%CI = 0.29 to 1.92, P < .00001), TSH content (MD = -2.16, 95%CI = -3.14 to -1.19, P < .00001) had a significant effect. CONCLUSION: Compared with levothyroxine sodium tablets alone, acupuncture can significantly regulate the contents of TPOAb, TGAb, FT3, FT4 and TSH.

Large Yellow Tea Polysaccharide Alleviates HFD-Induced Intestinal Homeostasis Dysbiosis via Modulating Gut Barrier Integrity, Immune Responses, and the Gut Microbiome.

Long-term high-fat diet (HFD) will induce dysbiosis and a disturbance of intestinal homeostasis. Large yellow tea polysaccharide (LYP) has been shown to improve obesity-associated metabolic disease via modulation of the M2 polarization. However, the contribution of LYP to intestinal barrier impairment and improvement mechanisms in obesity caused by an HFD are still not clear. In this study, we evaluated the impacts of LYP on the mucosal barrier function and microbiota composition in HFD-feeding mice. Results exhibited that dietary LYP supplement could ameliorate the physical barrier function via maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity and elevating tight-junction protein production, strengthen the chemical barrier function via up-regulating the levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 and increasing mucin-producing goblet cell numbers, and enhance the intestinal immune barrier function though suppressing immune cell subsets and cytokines toward pro-inflammatory phenotypes. Moreover, LYP reshaped the constitution and metabolism of intestinal flora by enriching probiotics that produce short-chain fatty acids. Overall, LYP might be used as a critical regulator of intestinal homeostasis to improve host health by promoting gut barrier integrity, modulating intestinal immune response, and inhibiting bowel inflammation.

Expression and Clinical Significance of MAGE-A Proteins and mRNA in Lung Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: This study investigated the expression and clinical significance of Melanoma Associated Antigen (MAGE)-A proteins and mRNA in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, and we selected a cohort of 88 NSCLC patients treated at our hospital from January 2015 to January 2020. Adjacent tissues were chosen as controls. The expression of MAGE-A proteins in lung cancer and adjacent tissues was assessed via Western blot, while MAGE-As mRNA expression was measured using RT-PCR. Results: The relative expression levels of MAGE-A proteins and mRNA in NSCLC tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues (P < .05), with values of (0.343 ± 0.101) and (0.728 ± 0.112), respectively. Furthermore, MAGE-As protein expression was significantly higher in stage III - IV lung cancer compared to stage I - II (P < .05). No significant differences were observed in MAGE-A protein expression concerning gender, age, tumor diameter, pathological type, and differentiation degree (P > .05). The relative expression of MAGE-As mRNA was significantly higher in clinical stage III - IV and moderately differentiated lung cancer tissues compared to stage I - II and well-differentiated tissues (P < .05). No significant differences were found in MAGE-As mRNA expression concerning gender, age, tumor diameter, and pathological type (P > .05). Patients with high MAGE-As mRNA expression had a significantly shorter median overall survival of 33 months (95% CI: 31.64-34.36) compared to those with low MAGE-As mRNA expression (P < .05). However, no significant difference was observed in median overall survival between patients with high and low MAGE-As protein expression (P > .05). Conclusions: In NSCLC, the up-regulation of MAGE-A proteins and mRNA is associated with clinical stage and differentiation degree, warranting further investigation.

Brain structural alterations in MDD patients with gastrointestinal symptoms: Evidence from the REST-meta-MDD project.

OBJECTIVE: While gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are very common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), few studies have investigated the neural basis behind these symptoms. In this study, we sought to elucidate the neural basis of GI symptoms in MDD patients by analyzing the changes in regional gray matter volume (GMV) and gray matter density (GMD) in brain structure. METHOD: Subjects were recruited from 13 clinical centers and categorized into three groups, each of which is based on the presence or absence of GI symptoms: the GI symptoms group (MDD patients with at least one GI symptom), the non-GI symptoms group (MDD patients without any GI symptoms), and the healthy control group (HCs). Structural magnetic resonance images (MRI) were collected of 335 patients in the GI symptoms group, 149 patients in the non-GI symptoms group, and 446 patients in the healthy control group. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) was administered to all patients. Correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to determine if there was a correlation between the altered brain regions and the clinical symptoms. RESULTS: There were significantly higher HAMD-17 scores in the GI symptoms group than that of the non-GI symptoms group (P < 0.001). Both GMV and GMD were significant different among the three groups for the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle temporal gyrus, left lingual gyrus, bilateral caudate nucleus, right Fusiform gyrus and bilateral Thalamus (GRF correction, cluster-P < 0.01, voxel-P < 0.001). Compared to the HC group, the GI symptoms group demonstrated increased GMV and GMD in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, and the non-GI symptoms group demonstrated an increased GMV and GMD in the right superior temporal gyrus, right fusiform gyrus and decreased GMV in the right Caudate nucleus (GRF correction, cluster-P < 0.01, voxel-P < 0.001). Compared to the non-GI symptoms group, the GI symptoms group demonstrated significantly increased GMV and GMD in the bilateral thalamus, as well as decreased GMV in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus and bilateral insula lobe (GRF correction, cluster-P < 0.01, voxel-P < 0.001). While these changed brain areas had significantly association with GI symptoms (P < 0.001), they were not correlated with depressive symptoms (P > 0.05). Risk factors for gastrointestinal symptoms in MDD patients (p < 0.05) included age, increased GMD in the right thalamus, and decreased GMV in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus and left Insula lobe. CONCLUSION: MDD patients with GI symptoms have more severe depressive symptoms. MDD patients with GI symptoms exhibited larger GMV and GMD in the bilateral thalamus, and smaller GMV in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus and bilateral insula lobe that were correlated with GI symptoms, and some of them and age may contribute to the presence of GI symptoms in MDD patients.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of COVID-19 patients with stroke in China: A multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies mainly reported the clinical characteristics of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infections, but the research on clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of COVID-19 patients with stroke is still rare. METHODS: A multi-center retrospective study was conducted at 11 hospitals in 4 provinces of China, and COVID-19 patients with stroke were enrolled from February 24 to May 4, 2020. We analyzed epidemiological, demographic, and clinical characteristics of cases as well as the laboratory test results, treatment regimens and outcomes, and the clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes were compared between severe and nonsevere patients, and by age group, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients [mean age: 66.41 (SD 12.1) years] were enrolled. Among them, 9 (33.3%) were severe patients and 18 (66.7%) were nonsevere patients; 17 (63.0%) were female; 19 (70.4%) were aged 60 years and above. The most common symptoms were fever [19 (70.4%)], fatigue [12 (44.4%)] and cough [11 (40.7%)], respectively. Abnormal laboratory findings of COVID-19 patients with stroke included high levels of C-reactive protein [19 (73.1%)], D-dimer [14 (58.3%)], blood glucose [14 (53.8%)], fibrinogen [13 (50.0%)], and decreased lymphocytes [12 (44.4%)]. Comparing to nonsevere cases with stroke, severe patients with stroke were likely to be older, susceptible to receiving oxygen inhalation, and had more complications (p < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in lymphocytes, neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, creatine kinase between the severe cases and nonsevere cases (p < 0.05). The older patients had a decreased platelet count and elevated fibrinogen, compared with the younger (p < 0.05). All patients (100%) received antiviral treatment, 12 (44.4%) received antibiotics treatment, 26 (96.3%) received Traditional Chinese Medicine (Lung cleansing & detoxifying decoction), and oxygen inhalation was in 18 (66.7%). The median duration of hospitalization was 16 days. By May 4, 2020, a total of 26 (96.3%) patients were cured and discharged, and 1 (3.7%) patients died. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 patients with stroke had poor indicators of coagulation system, and severe and older patients might have a higher risk of complications and unfavorable coagulation system. However, the overall treatment outcome is favorable.

Stable Organic Photosensitizer Nanoparticles with Absorption Peak beyond 800 Nanometers and High Reactive Oxygen Species Yield for Multimodality Phototheranostics.

Effective multimodality phototheranostics under deep-penetration laser excitation is highly desired for tumor medicine, which is still at a deadlock due to lack of versatile photosensitizers with absorption located in the long-wavelength region. Herein, we demonstrate a stable organic photosensitizer nanoparticle based on molecular engineering of benzo[c]thiophene (BT)-based photoactivated molecules with strong wavelength-tunable absorption in the near-infrared region. Via molecular design, the absorption and singlet oxygen generation of BT molecules would be reliably tuned. Importantly, the nanoparticles with a red-shifted absorption peak of 843 nm not only show over 10-fold reactive oxygen species yield compared with indocyanine green but also demonstrate a notable photothermal effect and photoacoustic signal upon 808 nm excitation. The in vitro and in vivo experiments substantiate good multimodal anticancer efficacy and imaging performance of BT theranostics. This work provides an organic photosensitizer nanoparticle with long-wavelength excitation and high photoenergy conversion efficiency for multimodality phototherapy.

Two-step tumor-targeting therapy via integrating metabolic lipid-engineering with in situ click chemistry.

Highly efficient tumor-targeted therapy remains a great challenge due to the complexity and heterogeneity of tumor tissues. Herein, we developed an in vivo two-step tumor-targeting strategy by combining metabolic lipid-engineering with a stain-promoted azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (SPAAC) reaction, independent of the tumor microenvironment and cell phenotype. Firstly, exogenously-supplied azidoethyl-cholines (AECho) were metabolically incorporated into the cell membranes in tumor tissues through the intrinsic biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine. The pre-inserted and accumulated azido groups (N3) could subsequently serve as 'artificial chemical receptors' for the specific anchoring of dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO) modified biomimetic nanoparticles (DBCO-RBCG@ICG) via in situ click chemistry, resulting in significantly enhanced tumor-targeting and then an improved photothermal therapy effect. Such a two-step targeting strategy based on these cutting-edge techniques provided new insights into the universal and precise functionalization of living tissues for site-specific drug delivery in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

Perioperative holistic care more significantly reduces levels of anxiety and depression of pituitary tumor patients versus conventional care.

To compare the effect of perioperative holistic care versus conventional care on the levels of anxiety and depression of pituitary tumor patients at a single tertiary care center in China.We enrolled 100 patients who underwent transnaso-sphenoidal microsurgical resection of pituitary tumor at our institution between January 2017 and December 2017. The patients were assigned to the conventional care group (n = 50) and the holistic care group by the order of admission. Patients were evaluated by staff nurses at admission and upon discharge from the hospital using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and the self-rating depression scale (SDS). QoL was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30.The 2 groups were comparable in the demographic and baseline variables including baseline SDS and SAS scores (P > .05). A significantly greater reduction in SAS score was observed in the holistic care group versus the conventional care group (-19.14% vs -11.60%; P < .05). Moreover, we observed a significantly greater reduction in SDS score in the holistic care group versus the conventional care group (-40.4% vs -18.79%, P < .05). The QoL functional domain scores at discharge were significantly higher in the holistic care group than the conventional care group (P < .05).Perioperative holistic care significantly alleviates the levels of anxiety and depression and improves QoL of pituitary adenoma patients.

Ablation of ventricular arrhythmias with predominant monophasic "R" waves in precordial leads from the left sinus of Valsalva: Electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics.

BACKGROUND: While the left sinus of Valsalva (LSV) is a frequent origin of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Uncommonly, VAs with right bundle branch block (RBBB) morphology may be successfully terminated from the LSV. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics of VAs with RBBB which were successfully eliminated from the LSV. METHODS: We identified patients with VAs successfully ablated from the LSV from January 2014 to December 2017 and compared electrophysiologic characteristics and ablation sites of those VAs with RBBB versus a control group of patients with left bundle branch block morphology. RESULTS: We identified 18 patients with RBBB and predominant "R" waves in the precordial leads. In 12 (66.7%) patients, a small "s" wave in lead V2 and positive "R" in the remaining pericardial leads could be seen. Overall, a single "V" potential was seen in 72.2% of patients in the study group, while discrete potentials were recorded in 80% of the patients in the control group. The majority (88.9%) of the VAs could only be terminated at the nadir of the LSV in the study group. After mean follow-up of 33 ± 14 months, 93.8% and 92% were free of VAs after initial ablation in study and control group, respectively (P = 0.99). CONCLUSION: Some VAs with predominant monophasic "R" wave in precordial leads could be terminated from LSV, especially a small "s" wave in lead V2 was recorded. The nadir of LSV is highly successful for RBBB VAs and single electrogram was recorded at the target for most of the cases.

Compounds with inhibitory activity on peristalsis from the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica.

Eight compounds were isolated from the seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall.ex A.DC. On the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data, holarrhenanan (1) was identified as a new compound, compounds 2-3 were isolated from H. antidysenterica for the first time, and five known compounds were also obtained. Inhibitory effects of some compounds and extracts to the intestinal peristalsis were evaluated. Results showed that the extracts and compounds 4, 6 exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects with tension inhibition rate of 32.77, 32.77% and amplitude inhibition rate of 59.51, 55.98%, respectively on the vitro rabbit intestinal peristalsis.

Ru(ii) polypyridyl complex-incorporated and folate-conjugated vehicle for cancer cell imaging and photoinduced inactivation.

Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes have been expected as promising therapeutic agents against cancer owing to its DNA photocleavage activity. However, the lack of cell selectivity poses a significant obstacle to their practical application. Herein, the strategy combining cell-specific imaging with photoinduced cell death based on [Ru(phen)2(dppz)](2+) has been developed by incorporating [Ru(phen)2(dppz)](2+) into folate-conjugated liposomes. The cells overexpressing folate receptors could specifically recognize this vehicle and be imaged through the luminescence of [Ru(phen)2(dppz)](2+). Thereafter, the delivered [Ru(phen)2(dppz)](2+) interacted with DNA in cells and led to photoinduced cell death. This work provided a possible alternative for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

[Interaction of effective ingredients from traditional Chinese medicines with intestinal microbiota].

A large number and wide varieties of microorganisms colonize in the human gastrointestinal tract. They construct an intestinal microecological system in the intestinal environment. The intestinal symbiotic flora regulates a series of life actions, including digestion and absorption of nutrient, immune response, biological antagonism, and is closely associated with the occurrence and development of many diseases. Therefore, it is greatly essential for the host's health status to maintain the equilibrium of intestinal microecological environment. After effective compositions of traditional Chinese medicines are metabolized or biotransformed by human intestinal bacteria, their metabolites can be absorbed more easily, and can even decrease or increase toxicity and then exhibit significant different biological effects. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicines can also regulate the composition of the intestinal flora and protect the function of intestinal mucosal barrier to restore the homeostasis of intestinal microecology. The relevant literatures in recent 15 years about the interactive relationship between traditional Chinese medicines and gut microbiota have been collected in this review, in order to study the classification of gut microflora, the relationship between intestinal dysbacteriosis and diseases, the important roles of gut microflora in intestinal bacterial metabolism in effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines and bioactivities, as well as the modulation effects of Chinese medicine on intestinal dysbacteriosis. In addition, it also makes a future prospect for the research strategies to study the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicines based on multi-omics techniques.

Anti-herpes simplex virus activities of bioactive extracts from Antrodia camphorata mycelia.

BACKGROUND: Antrodia camphorata, a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in the treatment of liver diseases and cancers. Anti-inflammatory properties have also been described. HSV infection represents one of the most serious public health concerns globally because of its devastating impact. Searching for new antiviral agents, especially those with different mechanisms of action, is a crucial goal and there is an unmet need for alternative and complementary therapy against HSV infection. In this study, anti-herpes screening was performed with extracts from A. camphorata mycelia. METHODS: MTT assay, fractional inhibitory concentration index and median-effect principle were used to evaluate antiviral activity and to calculate drug combination effect. RESULTS: Crude ethanol extracts and isolated constituents showed inhibition of HSV replication at a very low concentration. Fraction A and antrodin A showed viral inhibitory effect with reduction of viral cell-to-cell spread. In addition, neither fraction A nor antrodin A showed interaction in combination with acyclovir. CONCLUSIONS: A. camphorata mycelia and antrodin A might have potential use as anti-HSV agents and are promising candidates for future antiviral drug design.

Transcriptional Regulation of CYP3A4/2B6/2C9 Mediated via Nuclear Receptor PXR by Helicid and Its Metabolites.

Objective. This study aims at establishing and validating an in vitro system to screen drug inducers of CYPs mediated via hPXR, as well as studying transcriptional regulation of CYPs mediated via hPXR by helicid and its two metabolites. Methods. Cloning the nuclear receptor hPXR and the promoters of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, and inserting the trans-element to the upstream of firefly luciferase reporter gene of the pGL4.17 vectors, then cotransfecting the report vectors and hPXR expression plasmid to HepG2 cell line. After 24 hours, the transfected cells were treated with helicid (0.004, 0.04, and 0.4 µmol/L) and its metabolite I and metabolite II (0.0004, 0.004, and 0.04 µmol/L) for 48 h, while rifampin (10 µmol/L) was included as the positive control and 0.1% DMSO as the negative control group. Cells were lysized and luciferase activity was determined using a dual luciferase reporter assay kit. Results. Helicid and its metabolites did not significantly increase promoter activities of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9 in HepG2 cells transfected with PXR expression plasmid (P > 0.05). Conclusion. PXR-expressed CYP3A4, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9 dual luciferase reporter gene platforms were successfully established, and helicid and its metabolites I, II do not significantly induce the transcription of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9.

Catalpol regulates cholinergic nerve system function through effect on choline acetyl-transferase not M receptor affinity.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of catalpol on choline acetyl-transferase and M receptor affinity in a PC12 cell model and a rat model induced by beta-amyloid 25-35 (Aß25-35). METHODS: In PC12 cells, catalpol (10µmol/l, 100µmol/) or saline was retained in the medium and Aß25-35 (final concentration 20µmol/l) was added. Choline acetyl-transferase (ChAT) expression was determined by immunocytochemistry, ChAT activity measured by radioenzymatic assay, and M receptor (muscarinic receptor) affinity determined by (3)H-QNB binding test. In Wistar rats, Aß25-35 was injected intracerebroventricularly to establish AD model. After injection of Aß25-35, the rats were injected catalpol at 5 and 10mg/kgd(-1) intraperitoneally for the next 7 days, and saline for the control rats. ChAT expression, ChAT activity and M receptor affinity were tested. Cells and rats all were divided into four groups: Group A (control), Group B (model), Group C (catalpol low dose), and Group D (catalpol high dose). RESULTS: Compared with control, both PC12 cell and rat AD models showed decreased expression and activity of ChAT (p<0.01), but M receptor affinity remained the same (p>0.05). Compared with model group, treatment of catalpol increased expression and activity of ChAT of PC12 cell and rat AD model induced by Aß25-35, p<0.05 or p<0.01 respectively. But there was no difference of M receptor affinity among the four groups (p>0.05). M receptor affinity remained the same as concentration of catalpol increased gradually in atropine competition experiments (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Catalpol could regulate the cholinergic nerve system function from its effect on ChAT and may have beneficial effect for treatment of AD, but had no effect on M receptor affinity.

Association of dietary fat intake with the risk of hip fractures in an elderly Chinese population: A matched case-control study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between dietary fat intake and the risk of hip fractures in an elderly Chinese population. METHODS: A case-control study of 646 patients with newly diagnosed hip fractures and 646 controls, matched by age (±3 years) and sex, was carried out among elderly Chinese (55-80 years) in Guangdong, China. Their dietary fat intake was measured and calculated using a 79-item food-frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, a dose-dependent increased risk of hip fractures was found to be associated with higher intakes of total fat, animal fat, saturated fatty acids and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (P for trend < 0.005). The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for hip fractures from a comparison of extreme quartiles were 1.92 (1.26-2.92) for total fat, 2.60 (1.70-3.99) for animal fat, 1.95 (1.30-2.93) for saturated fatty acids and 2.22 (1.46-3.39) for animal mono-unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. No significant association was observed for plant fat or polyunsaturated fatty acids (P for trend = 0.063 for plant fat and 0.174 for polyunsaturated fatty acids). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that higher consumption of total fat and animal fat rich in saturated fatty acids might increase the risk of hip fractures in elderly Chinese.

Studies on the identification of constituents in ethanol extract of Radix Glycyrrhizae and their anticancer activity.

BACKGROUND: The main functions of Radix Glycyrrhizae include regulating middle warmer, moistening lung, relieving toxicity, harmonizing property of drugs which is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used in clinical settings. The objective of the paper is to isolate and identify the constituents in ethanol extract of Radix Glycyrrhizae, and to study their anticancer activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Column chromatography, ODS column chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography and NMR spectroscopy techniques were used to isolate compounds from ethanol extract of Radix Glycyrrhizae; optical microscopy and flow cytometry were used to determine the anticancer effect of Radix Glycyrrhizae extract. RESULTS: Four compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of Radix Glycyrrhizae, namely oleanolic acid, isoliquiritin, glycyrrhetinic acid and licochalcone A. Optical microscopic observation showed that the growth of gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was inhibited in the experimental groups, and apoptotic morphological changes were observed in adherent cells; flow cytometry with PI staining showed that Radix Glycyrrhizae extract could induce SGC-7901 cell apoptosis within a concentration range of 0.5-1.5 mg/mL, compared with the control group, the apoptosis was positively correlated with the drug concentration, which exhibited an apparent dose-dependence. CONCLUSION: We conclude Ethanol extract of Radix Glycyrrhizae has an anti-proliferative activity on SGC-7901 cells.

Associations between the dietary intake of antioxidant nutrients and the risk of hip fracture in elderly Chinese: a case-control study.

The role of oxidative stress in skeletal health is unclear. The present study investigated whether a high dietary intake of antioxidant nutrients (vitamins C and E, ß-carotene, animal-derived vitamin A, retinol equivalents, Zn and Se) is associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture in elderly Chinese. This 1:1 matched case-control study involved 726 elderly Chinese with hip fracture and 726 control subjects, recruited between June 2009 and May 2013. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to determine habitual dietary intakes of the above-mentioned seven nutrients based on a seventy-nine-item FFQ and information on various covariates, and an antioxidant score was calculated. After adjustment for potential covariates, dose-dependent inverse associations were observed between the dietary intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, ß-carotene, and Se and antioxidant score and the risk of hip fracture (P for trend ≤ 0·005). The OR of hip fracture for the highest (v. lowest) quartile of intake were 0·39 (95 % CI 0·28, 0·56) for vitamin C, 0·23 (95 % CI 0·16, 0·33) for vitamin E, 0·51 (95 % CI 0·36, 0·73) for ß-carotene, 0·43 (95 % CI 0·26, 0·70) for Se and 0·24 (95 % CI 0·17, 0·36) for the antioxidant score. A moderate-to-high dietary intake of retinol equivalents in quartiles 2-4 (v. 1) was found to be associated with a lower risk of hip fracture (OR range: 0·51-0·63, P< 0·05). No significant association was observed between dietary Zn or animal-derived vitamin A intake and hip fracture risk (P for trend >0·20). In conclusion, a higher dietary intake of vitamins C and E, ß-carotene, and Se and a moderate-to-high dietary intake of retinol equivalents are associated with a lower risk of hip fracture in elderly Chinese.

Catalpol regulates function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical-axis in an Alzheimer's disease rat model.

AIMS: To investigate the regulating effects of catalpol on the hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenocortical-axis (HPA) in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat model. METHODS: Healthy male Wistar Rats were selected. The AD model was generated by orthotopic injection of beta-amyloid 25-35 (Abeta25-35) into the right lateral ventricle. The animals were divided into five study groups: Catalpol at low dose (5 mg/kg), Catalpol at high dose (10 mg/kg), model control group and sham surgery control group, n = 9 respectively. The serum concentration of hydrocortisone (HYD), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Structural alterations of the hypothalamus were examined by H&E stain and electron microscope. The CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1) positive neurons were detected with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Serum HYD level was significantly increased (p < 0.01), and both ACTH and CRH were dramatically decreased (p < 0.01) in the AD model group rats compared with normal control rats at day 7. Catalpol treatment was able to improve the hormone secretion disorder in AD model group rats compared with the model group (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) in particular at 21 days. Structure damage of hypothalamus in the AD rat as evidenced less CRHR1 positive neurons, rough endoplasmic reticulum dilation and degranulation, and mitochondrial swelling under electron microscope. Catalpol treatment at both high and low doses was able to alleviate the structure damage of the hypothalamus in the AD rats. CONCLUSIONS: Catalpol could improve the endocrine function of the HPA and alleviate the structural damage of hypothalamus in AD rats.

A new bufadienolide with cytotoxic activity from the Chinese traditional drug Ch'an Su.

AIM: To study the bufadienolides in the Chinese traditional drug "Ch'an Su" and their cytotoxic activity. METHOD: Various chromatographic techniques were used to isolate the constituents, and their structures were elucidated through physical and spectroscopic data. RESULTS: Twenty compounds were isolated, and eighteen were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against A-549 and K-562 cells. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 (bufalin 3ß-acrylic ester) was a new bufadienolide and exhibited the most potent activity against the two tumor cell lines with IC50 values of 7.16 and 6.83 nmol · L(-1). The relationships between structure and activity are discussed.