[Huotan Jiedu Tongluo decoction alleviates early atherosclerosis of rabbits by inhibiting eNOS uncoupling pathway].

The aim of this paper was to study the curative effect of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo (HTJDTL) decoction on a rabbit model with early atherosclerosis (AS),and furtherly to explore whether it could inhibit the BH4/eNOS uncoupling ROS or not. Twenty-four Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, HTJDTL decoction group and atorvastatin group. Rabbit models with early atherosclerosis were established by high fat diet, nitrogen drying and carotid artery balloon injury. The rabbits were sacrificed at 7th days after balloon injury and several parameters were measured. The pathological morphology of the common carotid artery was observed by HE staining. The blood lipids were detected by peroxidase method. The ratio of vascular eNOS dimer and monomer was measured by Western blot. The ELISA and biochemical technology were respectively used for testing BH4 and ROS levels in serum. The results showed that compared with the sham operation group, the model group had mild stenosis of the common carotid artery lumen, uneven intimal hyperplasia, lipid deposition in the intima and media, and obvious hyperplasia of the adventitia with inflammatory cell infiltration. The HTJDTL decoction could significantly inhibit the intimal hyperplasia compared with the model group, meanwhile, reduce the lipid deposition of the media and the infiltration of the adventitial cells. Compared with the sham operation group, the blood lipids and ROS of the model animals significantly increased, but BH4 and the ratio of eNOS dimer/monomer decreased. Compared with the model group, HTJDTL decoction significantly reduced the TC, ox-LDL and ROS levels, and also up-regulated eNOS dimer/monomer ratio, but it increased BH4 trend without statistical difference. According to the results, it was found that HTJDTL decoction couldsignificantly prevent and improve the vascular remodeling of rabbits model with early atherosclerosis. The mechanism of decoction may largely be related to the inhibition of BH4/eNOS uncoupling and the reduction of oxidative stress.

Anti-inflammatory and immune response regulation of Si-Ni-San in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin dysfunction.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Si-Ni-San (SNS) is a well-known decoction in traditional Chinese medicine. Although studies have indicated that the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of SNS and its components can account for their therapeutic effects, the role and mechanism of SNS in treating skin dysfunction remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: Atopic dermatitis (AD), a disorder known for its prevalence in infants and adults, severely influences the quality of life of affected patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and immune response modulations of SNS in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dermatitis was induced in Kunming mice by the topical application of DNCB. SNS or dexamethasone (positive control) was topically applied every day over the course of the 21-day study. The following were assessed: dermatitis severity scores; ear and dorsal skin haematoxylin and eosin staining; interleukin (IL)- 1α, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α cytokine levels in the serum; spleen index; spleen CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocyte ratio; and phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs- p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)), IκB-α, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65) in skin lesions. RESULTS: SNS significantly alleviated the symptoms of AD-like lesions induced by DNCB, decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ear and dorsal tissues, suppressed the increased cytokine levels in the serum, reduced the CD4 + /CD8 +T lymphocyte ratio in the spleen, and downregulated the activation of MAPKs, IκB-α, and NF-κB (p65) in the dorsal skin. The effects were similar to those of dexamethasone. CONCLUSIONS: SNS alleviated the DNCB-induced AD-like skin dysfunction in mice through anti-inflammatory and immune system modulation, indicating that SNS shows potential for AD treatment in clinical settings.

[A comparative study of nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of nephrectomy versus radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: A total of 134 patients with renal carcinoma without metastasis in lymphatic system and distant sites were recruited. In random, 69 cases of renal cell carcinoma were elected for nephrectomy and the others radical nephrectomy. The operating time, blood loss, fasting time, postoperative hospital stay, information of tumor recurrence and metastasis, survival time without tumor, survival rate and perioperative complication were compared between two groups. RESULTS: In cases of nephrectomy, the operating time ranged from 60 - 135 minutes and blood loss 70 - 100 ml. In 4 cases, membrana pleuro-peritonealis was damaged. The fasting time ranged from 6 - 24 hours and postoperative hospital stay 5 - 8 days; the staging of all 69 cases was detected; follow-up studies ranged from 5 - 15 years, finding 1 case tumor metastasis in adrenal body and 1 case recurrent tumor in cases of radical nephrectomy, operating time ranged from 105 - 185 minutes and blood loss 150 - 2000 ml. Membrana pleuro-peritonealis was breached in 3 cases. The fasting time ranged from 12 - 90 hours and postoperative hospital stay 8 - 12 days. The staging of all 65 cases was detected. Follow-up studies of 5 - 15 years revealed 1 case of tumor metastasis in brain and 1 case of recurrent tumor. There was no significant difference in perioperative complication, tumor recurrence, tumor metastasis and survival time without tumor between those two groups (P > 0.05). The blood loss, operating time, fasting and postoperative hospital stay were less than that in radical nephrectomy group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients without metastasis in lymphatic system and distant sites, nephrectomy is both effective and safe. It has the advantages of a short operating time, a short postoperative hospital stay and less damage and blood loss than radical nephrectomy.

[Preventive strategies and causes of common complications of ureteroscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the causes of common complications of ureteroscopy and how to prevent them. METHODS: A total of 768 cases of common complications of ureteroscopy were retrospectively analyzed from February 2004 to February 2009. RESULTS: The intra-operative complications were failed entry (n = 6, 0.78%), ureterostoma injury and ureterostoma submucosa pseudocana (n = 12, 1.56%), ureteral perforation (n = 16, 2.08%), stone displacement (n = 13, 1.87%) and ureteral mucosa evulsion (n = 3, 0.39%). And the post-operative complications were lumbago or renal colic (n = 11, 1.43%), infection (n = 9, 1.17%)and severe hematuria (n = 5, 0.65%). CONCLUSION: Skillful operative techniques and strict indications are key to reducing complications of ureteroscopy.