Effects of Ruanmailing in Blocking Early Stages of Atherosclerosis by TNF-α Regulation via Kir2.1.

Objective: Ruanmailing oral solution consists of 16 herbs, has anti-lipid peroxidation activity, protects vascular endothelial cells, and improves vascular elasticity. It is an effective drug for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying the antiatherosclerotic effects of Ruanmailing oral solution. Methods: Macrophages were isolated, cultured, and divided into the macrophage control; macrophage foam cell; and low-, medium-, and high-concentration Ruanmailing groups. Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the expression levels of inward-rectifier potassium ion channel 2.1 (Kir2.1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analyses. Results: CCK-8 assay results showed that the tested concentrations of Ruanmailing solution did not affect macrophage proliferation. RT-PCR and Western blot assays indicated that TNF-α expression increased significantly with the formation of macrophage foam cells (P < 0.05). In addition, significant decreases in Kir2.1 and TNF-α expression were observed following treatment with various concentrations of Ruanmailing (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results, Ruanmailing affects macrophage foam cell formation by regulating Kir2.1 expression, which in turn reduces TNF-α expression and exerts antiatherosclerotic effects. These findings provide a scientific basis for the use of traditional Chinese medicine for AS treatment.

[Clinical observation on treatment of functional dyspepsia by injection of vitamin B1 into Zusanli (ST36) and Hegu (LI4)].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and safety of injection of vitamin B1 into Zusanli (ST36) and Hegu (LI4) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD). METHODS: A total of 100 FD patients were equally divided into medication group and acupoint injection group (n=50/group) according to a random number table. Patients in the medication group were ordered to take mosapride citrate tablets (5 mg) orally 30 min before each of the three meals, while those in the acupoint injection group received injection of vitamin B1 into ST36 and LI4, once every other day, three times a week. One week later, the clinical symptom scores, total effective rates, serum gastrin (GAS) and plasma motilin (MTL) contents, and gastric emptying rates between the two groups were compared, followed by the observation of adverse reactions. Two weeks' follow-up survey was conducted after the end of treatment, and the clinical symptom scores and total effective rates of the two groups were further compared. RESULTS: Compared with the data before treatment in the same one group, the clinical symptom scores and serum GAS contents of post-treatment as well as the follow-up symptom scores were all significantly decreased (P<0.05，P<0.01), while the plasma MTL levels and gastric emptying rates were obviously increased in both groups (P<0.01). Comparison between the two groups showed that the clinical symptom score, serum GAS content after the treatment and follow-up symptom score were considerably lower (P<0.01), but the total effective rate, plasma MTL, gastric emptying rate after the treatment and total effective rate of follow-up notably higher in the acupoint injection group than those in the medication group (P<0.01,P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Injection of vitamin B1 into ST36 and LI4 is effective in improving symptoms of PD patients, which may be related to its functions in regulating the levels of GAS and MTL in blood, and facilitating gastrointestinal motility.