Bushen-Tiansui Formula Improves Cognitive Functions in an Aß 1-42 Fibril-Infused Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Bushen-Tiansui Formula (BTF) was empirically updated from a classical prescription named Kong-Sheng-Zhen-Zhong pill. It is based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of the mutual relationship between the brain and the kidney and is intended to treat neurodegenerative diseases. This formulation has been used for several years to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease- (AD-) like symptoms in our clinical department. However, the medicinal ingredients and the mechanisms by which BTF improves cognition and memory functions have not been characterized. In this study, we used UPLC-MS to generate a chromatographic fingerprinting of BTF and identified five possible active ingredients, including stilbene glycoside; epimedin A1, B, and C; and icariin. We also showed that oral administration of BTF reversed the cognitive defects in an Aß 1-42 fibril-infused rat model of AD, protected synaptic ultrastructure in the CA1 region, and restored the expression of BDNF, synaptotagmin (Syt), and PSD95. These effects likely occurred through the BDNF-activated receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB)/Akt/CREB signaling pathway. Furthermore, BTF exhibited no short-term or chronic toxicity in rats. Together, these results provided a scientific support for the clinical use of BTF to improve learning and memory in patients with AD.

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics of hydroxysafflor yellow A in patients with traumatic brain injury after intravenous administration of Xuebijing using LC-MS/MS method.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is the most pharmaceutically relevant compound in Xuebijing (XBJ) for traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment. We aimed to investigate biofluids pharmacokinetics of HSYA from XBJ to ensure the drug safety and to guide the clinical use.A sensitive, rapid and reliable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was applied to investigate pharmacokinetics of HSYA in TBI patients after intravenous administration of XBJ. Non-compartmental methods using DAS 3.0 software were applied to analyse the pharmacokinetic parameters.A similar half-life (Plasmat1/2: 14.55 ± 3.51 h vs. CSFt1/2: 15.73 ± 3.63) was observed. HSYA reached the peak level rapidly, but exhibited a strongly slow absorption phase from blood to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, PlasmaTmax: 0.69 ± 0.26 h vs. CSFTmax: 4.0 ± 2.62 h). HSYA exhibited much higher Cmax (PlasmaCmax: 9342.76 ± 2489.23 µg/L vs. CSFCmax: 98.08 ± 14.51 µg/L) and AUC0-t (PlasmaAUC0-t: 57490.5 ± 5560.3 µg h/L vs. CSFAUC0-t: 1851.6 ± 269.1 µg h/L), yet a shorter CL (PlasmaCL: 0.02 ± 0.002 L/h/kg vs. CSFCL: 0.55 ± 0.01 L/h/kg) in plasma than in CSF. The AUCCSF/AUCplasma of HSYA was almost 3.37%.In summary, the results demonstrate that part of HSYA come across blood-brain barrier after XBJ administration. This study provides evidence for better understanding the pharmacokinetics and potential for clinical guidance of XBJ for TBI treatment.

Use of Jianpi Jiedu Herbs in Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the effect of invigorating Pi and detoxification (Jianpi Jiedu, (JPJD)) herbs in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: Three English and four Chinese databases were searched. Literature was screened by EndNote X7 and data were analyzed by RevMan 5.2. RESULTS: This review comprised 12 randomized clinical studies of 701 patients. The results showed that JPJD herbs improved the therapeutic effect on Chinese medicine symptoms [risk ratio (RR) = 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35~1.88] and Karnofsky performance score [RR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.52~2.82] for advanced CRC patients receiving chemotherapy, lowered the Chinese medicine symptoms' score [weighted mean difference = -2.44; 95% CI: -3.23~-1.64], reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting [RR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.11~0.49], improved platelet at toxicity grades III-IV [odds ratio = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.12~0.74] and I-IV [RR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.51~0.82], and improved white blood cell at toxicity grades III-IV [RR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.23~0.58] and I-IV [RR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.60~0.79]. However, the results showed no significant effect on tumor response. CONCLUSION: JPJD herbs can improve quality of life, relieve symptoms, and reduce adverse events of advanced CRC patients receiving chemotherapy.

Protective effects of Bushen Tiansui decoction on hippocampal synapses in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

Bushen Tiansui decoction is composed of six traditional Chinese medicines: Herba Epimedii, Radix Polygoni multiflori, Plastrum testudinis, Fossilia Ossis Mastodi, Radix Polygalae, and Rhizoma Acorus tatarinowii. Because Bushen Tiansui decoction is effective against amyloid beta (Aß) toxicity, we hypothesized that it would reduce hippocampal synaptic damage and improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease. To test this hypothesis, we used a previously established animal model of Alzheimer's disease, that is, microinjection of aggregated Aß25-35 into the bilateral brain ventricles of Sprague-Dawley rats. We found that long-term (28 days) oral administration of Bushen Tiansui decoction (0.563, 1.688, and 3.375 g/mL; 4 mL/day) prevented synaptic loss in the hippocampus and increased the expression levels of synaptic proteins, including postsynaptic density protein 95, the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit, and Shank1. These results suggested that Bushen Tiansui decoction can protect synapses by maintaining the expression of these synaptic proteins. Bushen Tiansui decoction also ameliorated measures reflecting spatial learning and memory deficits that were observed in the Morris water maze (i.e., increased the number of platform crossings and the amount of time spent in the target quadrant and decreased escape latency) following intraventricular injections of aggregated Aß25-35 compared with those measures in untreated Aß25-35-injected rats. Overall, these results provided evidence that further studies on the prevention and treatment of dementia with this traditional Chinese medicine are warranted.

Icariin Attenuates Synaptic and Cognitive Deficits in an Aß1-42-Induced Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Icariin (ICA), a prenylated flavanol glycoside present in abundant quantities in Epimedium sagittatum, has shown promise in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Damage to synaptic plasticity induced by amyloid-beta-mediated neurotoxicity is considered a main pathological mechanism driving the learning and memory deficits present in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of icariin in an Aß1-42-induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Our results showed that Aß1-42 injection induced loss of learning and memory behaviour in the Morris water maze, which could be reversed with intragastric administration of ICA. Furthermore, ICA reversed decreases in PSD-95, BDNF, pTrkB, pAkt, and pCREB expressions and prevented deterioration of synaptic interface structure. These findings indicate that ICA may improve synaptic plasticity through the BDNF/TrkB/Akt pathway and provide further evidence for its clinical application to improve learning and memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Naoling decoction restores cognitive function by inhibiting the neuroinflammatory network in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

Neuroinflammation is central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously showed that Naoling decoction (NLD), a traditional Chinese medicine, was effective against AD, acting by inhibiting expression of IL-1ß and IL-6. In the present study, we generated the rat model of AD by injecting Aß1-42 peptide intracerebroventricularly and evaluated the dose-dependent effects of NLD treatment. The NLD-treated rats exhibited significant improvements in cognitive function as evaluated by the Morris water maze test. Golgi-Cox staining revealed that NLD treatment dose-dependently increased dendritic spines in the CA1 region, which were diminished in vehicle-treated rats. Further, NLD treatment normalized hippocampal Chromogranin A levels, which were elevated by Aß1-42 induction. NLD also attenuated activation of microglia and astrocytes induced by Aß1-42. Subsequently, NLD dose-dependently reduced levels TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and the ASC-dependent inflammasome in the hippocampus. These findings reveal that NLD is a promising therapeutic agent that exerts inhibitory effects at multiple sites within the neuroinflammatory network induced in AD.

Is the Chinese medicinal formula Guipi Decoction () effective as an adjunctive treatment for depression? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Guipi Decoction (, GPD) as an adjunctive in the treatment of depression. METHODS: A review of all relevant studies retrieved from a search of the following databases were conducted without any language restriction: Excerpt Medica Database (EMBASE), PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Information, Wanfang Data, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Papers published until February 2013 were taken into consideration. The analysis was performed using the Cochrane software Revman 5.1. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials involving 620 patients with depression were included in this review. The meta-analysis revealed that compared with antidepressant therapy alone, treatment with a combination of GPD and an antidepressant drug signifificantly improved the symptoms of depression [weighted mean difference (WMD):-3.09; 95% confifidence interval (CI):-4.11 to-2.07] and increased the rates of effectiveness (OR: 4.75; 95% CI: 2.66-8.51) as well as recovery (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.17-2.56). The adverse effects of GPD were not found to be signifificant in these studies. CONCLUSIONS: The fifindings of this meta-analysis were in keeping with the notion that GPD formulations were effective in the treatment of depression without causing any serious adverse effects. However, currently available evidence was of low quality and therefore inadequate to justify a strong recommendation of using GPD formulations in the management of depression.

Distinct Hippocampal Expression Profiles of Long Non-coding RNAs in an Alzheimer's Disease Model.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia worldwide, is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of memory and other cognitive functions. The pathogenesis of AD is not yet completely understood. Although long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been shown to play a role in AD pathogenesis, the specific influences of lncRNAs in AD remain largely unknown; in particular, hippocampal lncRNA expression profiles in AD rats are lacking. In this study, microarray analysis was performed to investigate the hippocampal expression patterns of dysregulated lncRNAs in a rat model of AD. A total of 315 lncRNAs and 311 mRNAs were found to be significantly dysregulated in the AD model (≥2.0 fold, p < 0.05). Then, quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate the expression of selected lncRNAs and mRNAs. Bioinformatics tools and databases were employed to explore the potential lncRNA functions. This is the first study to comprehensively identify dysregulated hippocampal lncRNAs in AD and to demonstrate the involvement of different lncRNA expression patterns in the hippocampal pathogenesis of AD. This information will enable further research on the pathogenesis of AD and facilitate the development of novel AD therapeutics targeting lncRNAs.

Impact of 2, 3, 5, 4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-D-glucoside on cognitive deficits in animal models of Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of 2, 3, 5, 4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-D-glucoside (TSG) treatment on cognitive decline in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) has not been investigated. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the effect of TSG on cognitive deficits in a rodent model of AD. METHODS: We identified eligible studies published from January 1980 to April 2015 by searching seven electronic databases. We assessed the study quality, evaluated the efficacy of TSG treatment, and performed a stratified meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis to assess the influence of study design on TSG efficacy. RESULTS: Among a total of 381 publications, 18 fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The overall methodological quality of these studies was poor. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant benefit of TSG on acquisition memory (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.46 (95 % CI: -1.81 to -1.10, P < 0.0001) and retention memory (SMD =1.93 (95 % CI: 1.40 to 2.46, P < 0.0001) in experimental models of AD. The stratified analysis revealed a significantly higher effect size for both acquisition and retention memory in studies that used mixed sex models and a significantly higher effect size for acquisition memory in studies that used transgenic models. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis highlights a significantly better treatment effect in rodent AD models that received TSG that in those that did not. These findings indicate a potential therapeutic role of TSG in AD therapy. However, additional well-designed and detailed experimental studies are needed to evaluate the safety of TSG.

Evidence-based review of oral traditional Chinese medicine compound recipe administration for treating weight drop-induced experimental traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Recently, a number of studies conducted and published in China have suggested that traditional Chinese medicine compound recipe (TCMCR) may be beneficial in the treatment of experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of TCMCR in TBI model with weight drop method to provide robust evidence on the effects of TCMCR and to determine whether TCMCR can be recommended for routine treatment or considered as a standard treatment for TBI. METHODS: We identified eligible studies by searching five electronic databases on April 1, 2014, and pooled the data using the random-effects model. Results were reported in terms of standardized mean difference (SMD). We also calculated statistical heterogeneity, evaluated the studies' methodological quality and investigated the presence of publication bias. RESULTS: Totally, 187 relevant publications were searched from databases, 25 of which met our inclusion criteria. The overall methodological quality of the most studies was poor, and there was evidence of statistical heterogeneity among studies along with small-study effects. Meta-analysis showed statistically significant effects indicating that TCMCR has a beneficial effect on TBI. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations, we concluded that TCMCR may reduce brain water content, improve BBB permeability, and decrease TNF-α/NO expression after experimental TBI in terms of overall efficacy. However, our review also indicates that more well-designed and well-reported animal studies are needed.

Xuefu Zhuyu decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine, provides neuroprotection in a rat model of traumatic brain injury via an anti-inflammatory pathway.

Neuroinflammation is central to the pathology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZY) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine to treat TBI. To elucidate its potential molecular mechanism, this study aimed to demonstrate that XFZY functions as an anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to controlled cortical impact to produce a neuroinflammatory response. The treatment groups received XFZY (9 g/kg and 18 g/kg), Vehicle group and Sham group were gavaged with equal volumes of saline. The modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) and the Morris water maze test were used to assess neurological deficits. Arachidonic acid (AA) levels in brain tissue were measured using tandem gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. TNF-α and IL-1ß levels in injured ipsilateral brain tissue were detected by ELISA. AKT and mTOR expression were measured by western blot analysis. The results indicated that XFZY significantly enhanced spatial memory acquisition. XFZY (especially at a dose of 9 g/kg) markedly reduced the mNSS and levels of AA, TNF-α and IL-1ß. Significant downregulation of AKT/mTOR/p70S6K proteins in brain tissues was observed after the administration of XFZY (especially at a dose of 9 g/kg). XFZY may be a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing inflammation in TBI.

The impact of ginsenosides on cognitive deficits in experimental animal studies of Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of ginsenoside treatment on cognitive decline in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) has yet to be investigated. In this protocal, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effect of ginsenosides on cognitive deficits in experimental rodent AD models. METHODS: We identified eligible studies by searching seven electronic databases spanning from January 1980 to October 2014. We assessed the study quality, evaluated the efficacy of ginsenoside treatment, and performed a stratified meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis to assess the influence of the study design on ginsenoside efficacy. RESULTS: Twelve studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria from a total of 283 publications. The overall methodological quality of these studies was poor. The meta-analysis revealed that ginsenosides have a statistically significant positive effect on cognitive performance in experimental AD models. The stratified analysis revealed that ginsenoside Rg1 had the greatest effect on acquisition and retention memory in AD models. The effect size was significantly higher for both acquisition and retention memory in studies that used female animals compared with male animals. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ginsenosides might reduce cognitive deficits in AD models. However, additional well-designed and well-reported animal studies are needed to inform further clinical investigations.

Effects of stem cell transplantation on cognitive decline in animal models of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), an irreversible progressive neurodegenerative disease, causes characteristic cognitive impairment, and no curative treatments are currently available. Stem cell transplantation offers a powerful tool for the treatment of AD. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from controlled studies to study the impact of stem cell biology and experimental design on learning and memory function following stem cell transplantation in animal models of AD. A total of 58 eligible controlled studies were included by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to April 13, 2015. Meta-analysis showed that stem cell transplantation could promote both learning and memory recovery. Stratified meta-analysis was used to explore the influence of the potential factors on the estimated effect size, and meta-regression analyses were undertaken to explore the sources of heterogeneity for learning and memory function. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test. The present review reinforces the evidence supporting stem cell transplantation in experimental AD. However, it highlights areas that require well-designed and well-reported animal studies.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells on locomotor recovery in animal models of traumatic brain injury.

INTRODUCTION: The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is attractive. Conducting systematic review and meta-analyses based on data from animal studies can be used to inform clinical trial design. To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to (i) systematically review the literatures describing the effect of MSCs therapy in animal models of TBI, (ii) determine the estimated effect size of functional locomotor recovery after experimental TBI, and (iii) to provide empirical evidence of biological factors associated with greater efficacy. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science and hand searched related references. Studies were selected if they reported the efficacy of MSCs in animal models of TBI. Two investigators independently assessed the identified studies. We extracted the details of individual study characteristics from each publication, assessed study quality, evaluated the effect sizes of MSCs treatment, and performed stratified meta-analysis and meta-regression, to assess the influence of study design on the estimated effect size. The presence of small effect sizes was investigated using funnel plots and Egger's tests. RESULTS: Twenty-eight eligible controlled studies were identified. The study quality was modest. Between-study heterogeneity was large. Meta-analysis showed that MSCs exert statistically significant positive effects on sensorimotor and neurological motor function. For sensorimotor function, maximum effect size in studies with a quality score of 5 was found in the weight-drop impact injury TBI model established in male SD rats, to which syngeneic umbilical cord-derived MSCs intracerebrally at cell dose of (1-5)×10(6) was administered r 6 hours following TBI, using ketamine as anesthetic agent. For neurological motor function, effect size was maximum for studies with a quality score of 5, in which the weight-drop impact injury TBI models of the female Wistar rats were adopted, with administration syngeneic bone marrow-derived MSCs intravenously at cell dose of 5×10(6) at 2 months after TBI, using sevofluorane as anesthetic agent. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that MSCs therapy may improve locomotor recovery after TBI. However, additional well-designed and well-reported animal studies are needed to guide further clinical studies.

Icariin Prevents Amyloid Beta-Induced Apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt Pathway in PC-12 Cells.

Icariin is a prenylated flavonol glycoside derived from the Chinese herb Epimedium sagittatum that exerts a variety of pharmacological activities and shows promise in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of icariin against amyloid beta protein fragment 25-35 (Aß 25-35) induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and explored potential underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that icariin dose-dependently increased cell viability and decreased Aß 25-35-induced apoptosis, as assessed by MTT assay and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, respectively. Results of western blot analysis revealed that the selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 suppressed icariin-induced Akt phosphorylation, suggesting that the protective effects of icariin are associated with activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. LY294002 also blocked the icariin-induced downregulation of proapoptotic factors Bax and caspase-3 and upregulation of antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2 in Aß 25-35-treated PC12 cells. These findings provide further evidence for the clinical efficacy of icariin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Fructus Aurantii induced antidepressant effect via its monoaminergic mechanism and prokinetic action in rat.

Depression could hardly get a satisfactory effect from the currently available antidepressants. To get a more effective treatment, antidepressant effect and monoaminergic mechanism of Fructus Aurantii (FRA) in the rat forced swimming test (FST) and open field test (OFT), and its prokinetics were examined. FST and OFT were respectively used to evaluate the antidepressant effect and locomotor activity of FRA. We observed the effects of monoamine receptor antagonists on FRA-induced antidepressant effect in rat. The effects of FRA on intestinal transit, gastric emptying and in vitro jejunum contractile activity were assessed. FRA decreased significantly the immobility time (32.6±8.5, 30.3±5.2 vs 56.4±9.4, all p<0.01) in FST, dose-dependent increased the locomotor activity (102±17.5, 120±18.5 vs 89±9.8, p<0.05 or 0.01), significantly accelerated gastric emptying (GE: 48.1±6.3, 39.5±5.7 vs 19.5±3.8, p<0.01) and intestinal transit (IT: 67.3±9.1, 64.2±6.3 vs 49.1±8.2, p<0.01) of the semi-liquid meal, compared with vehicle. And FRA (1 µM, 10 µM) significantly increased the mean amplitude (0.24±0.021 and 0.281±0.015) of contraction in jejunum of rat compared with vehicle (0.149±0.011) in vitro. FRA (10 µM) could induce a largest amplitude (0.281±0.015) of contraction in jejunum. The anti-immobility effect of FRA in FST was prevented by pre-treatment of rat with p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester, WAY100635, ketanserin, haloperidol, SCH233390, sulpiride, yohimbine, but not prazosin. FRA could simultaneously induce prokinetics and antidepressant effect, deserves further to investigate.

[QTLs mapping of leaf traits and root vitality in a recombinant inbred line population of rice].

By employing a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 247 lines derived from an inidca-indica cross Zhenshan 97B x Milyang 46, a linkage map consisting of 158 DNA markers was constructed and used for the determination of QTLs conditioning five leaf traits and root exudates. The leaf traits analyzed were leaf area, leaf length, leaf width, leaf perimeter and leaf length/width ratio measured on top first leaf, top second and top third leaves. The RIL population showed transgressive segregation on each trait, and highly significant or significant positive correlations were observed between all traits except between leaf length and width, and between leaf perimeter and length/width ratio. A total of 24 QTLs located in 9 intervals were detected to have significant additive effects for leaf traits analyzed, with LOD scores ranging 2.9-11.8 and 4.0%-32.5% phenotypic variation explained for a single QTL. Clustering of QTLs for leaf traits was evident. In interval RM197-RZ516 on chromosome 6, 2 QTLs for leaf length, 2 QTLs for leaf width and 3 QTLs for leaf length/width ratio of different leaves were detected, among which the alleles for increasing trait values were from Zhenshan 97B for leaf length and leaf length/width ratio, and from Milyang 46 for leaf width. In interval RM1-RG532 on chromosome 1,2 QTLs for leaf length and 2 QTLs for leaf perimeter were detected on top first leaf and top second leaf, respectively, and all the alleles for increasing trait values were from Milyang 46. In this interval, larger additive effects were observed for QTLs detected on top first leaf than at top second leaf. In interval RZ667-B10B on chromosome 6, a QTL for leaf perimeter of top second leaf was detected, accounting for 8.0% phenotypic variation. In intervals RZ66-RM264 and RG81-RM313 on chromosome 8 and 12, each QTL was detected for leaf length of top third leaf and explained for 9.0% and 15.3% phenotypic variation, respectively. Epistasis analysis detected 56 and 4 significant additive-by-additive interactions for leaf traits and root vitality, explaining 2.7% to 13.7% and 6.8% to 14.9% of the total phenotypic variation, respectively. On comparison with QTLs for yield traits detected in the same population previously, it was found that the majority of QTLs for leaf traits and root vitality and those for yield traits were located in similar intervals. Fine mapping of QTLs for both leaf and yield traits in these chromosomal regions would facilitate investigations of the source-sink relationship in rice.