Physical Activity and Functional Rehabilitation for Aging People Based on ICF: A Scoping Review / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To review the categories of physical activities and rehabilitation exercise for aging people based on the theory and method of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Methods:From the framework and coding of ICF, physical activities, rehabilitation exercise and functional improvement for the aging people were reviewed. Results:There were three typical physical activities: physical fitness, skills and sports, mainly including regular exercises, cognitive amusements, leisure sports activities, recreational sports activities, rehabilitation exercises, etc. Physical activities promoted the functioning of the aging people, including mental function (b1), pain and sensory dysfunction (b2), cardiovascular, blood, the function of the immune system and respiratory system (b4), digestion, metabolism and function of the endocrine system (b5), nerve musculoskeletal function related to movement (b7), the function of skin and related structures (b8), activity (d4), and community, social and civic life (d9), etc., especially body mass index, cardiovascular, physical fitness (muscular strength and endurance, aerobic endurance), balance, flexibility, upper and lower extremities strength, sleep, metabolic capability, cognitive function and anti-aging ability. There were more gains at individual levels, including promotion of subjective happiness, quality of life, reducing depression, risk of sarcopenia, dementia and falling, etc. The environmental and personal factors related to activity and participation in physical activities included the products and technologies (e1), natural environment and man-made changes to the environment (e3), support and interpersonal relationships (e3), attitude, service system and policy (e5), such as urban environment, building environment, street pavement behavior, weather, caregivers, accompany of family and friends, etc. Conclusion:The physical activities and rehabilitation exercise the aged joined include physical fitness activities, skills activities, and sports activities. The physical activities had effects on the rehabilitation of the aged including the function of the body(mental function, pain and sensory dysfunction, cardiovascular, blood, the function of the immune system and respiratory system, digestion, metabolism, and function of the endocrine system, nerve musculoskeletal function related to movement, the function of skin and related structures) and the participation in activities (activities, community, society and civic life). The function of the body works for the health of the aged to promote physical health, mental health, functional health, social adjustment and social well-being.

Aspartate-ornithine granules in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a multiple-dose parallel controlled clinical trial / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of aspartate-ornithine granules in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two patients with NASH were included in this multiple-dose parallel controlled clinical trial and received a 12-week course of aspartate-ornithine granule treatment at either high-dose (6 g bid po; n = 38) or low-dose (3 g bid po; n = 34). Clinical efficacy was assessed by monitoring data from urinalysis, serologic tests (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and triglyceride (TG)), and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. Safety was assessed by occurrence of adverse events (fatigue, anorexia, abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting). Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the significance of differences between parameters before (baseline) and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 12 weeks of treatment, the liver and spleen CT ratios in both the high-dose group (0.89 +/- 0.19) and the low-dose group (0.80 +/- 0.15) were significantly higher than at baseline (S = 329, P less than 0.0001 and S = 246, P less than 0.0001); the overall improvement was more robust in the high-dose group (52.63%) than in the low-dose group (38.23%) (Z = -2.1042, P less than 0.05). After 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, the serum ALT levels in both the high-dose group and the low-dose group were significantly lower than at baseline (6 weeks: S = 324.5, P less than 0.0001 and S = 223, P less than 0.0001; 12 weeks: S = 370.5, P less than 0.0001 and S = 297.5, P less than 0.0001); the overall improvement was more robust in the high-dose group (79.0%) than in the low-dose group (53.0%) (Z = -2.0533, P less than 0.05). Similar trends were seen for the serum levels of AST and GGT after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment (all P less than 0.01) and serum levels of TG after 12 weeks of treatment. The rate of adverse reactions was low and similar between the two groups (high-dose: 4.8% and low-dose: 4.4%; all gastrointestinal).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aspartate-ornithine granule therapy was an effective and safe treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, with the higher dose of 6 g bid po providing more robust clinical benefit without affecting the safety profile.</p>

Uncoupling protein and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the current advances on the role of uncoupling protein (UCP) in the pathogenesis and progress of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>A comprehensive search of the PubMed literature without restriction on the publication date was carried out using keywords such as UCP and NAFLD.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articles containing information related to NAFLD and UCP were selected and carefully analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The typical concepts, up-to-date findings, and existing controversies of UCP2 in NAFLD were summarized. Besides, the effect of a novel subtype of UCP (hepatocellular down regulated mitochondrial carrier protein, HDMCP) in NAFLD was also analyzed. Finally, the concept that any mitochondrial inner membrane carrier protein may have, more or less, the uncoupling ability was reinforced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Considering the importance of NAFLD in clinics and UCP in energy metabolism, we believe that this review may raise research enthusiasm on the effect of UCP in NAFLD and provide a novel mechanism and therapeutic target for NAFLD.</p>

Double balloon endoscopy in diagnosis of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the diagnostic value of double balloon endoscopy (DBE) for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) METHODS: The data of 103 OGIB patients who underwent DBE from January 2007 to September 2010 in the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DBE was successfully performed in all 103 patients without complications. Of 103 patients, 66(64.1 %) had positive DBE findings and 28 had surgery procedures(27.2 %). Ninety-four patients finally acquired positive diagnosis, including small intestine tumor(31.1 %), angiodysplasia(22.3 %), exulceratio simplex(9.7 %), Crohn's disease(6.8 %), diverticulum(4.9 %), abdominal purpure(4.9 %), etc. Lesions occurred more frequently in proximal small intestine than in distal small intestine (56.3 % Compared with 30.1 %, P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DBE is a safe, effective and reliable procedure for the diagnosis of OGIB.</p>

Changes of CD8⁺ T cells in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice pretreated with oral immune regulation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It has been reported that CD8(+) regulatory cells could be induced upon oral tolerance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of CD8α(+) T cells in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice pretreated by oral immune regulation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of five low oral doses of colitis-extracted proteins (CEP) on colitis were evaluated by clinical manifestation and histological lesions. The percentages of CD8α(+) T cells gating on CD3(+) T cells were evaluated in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) and the spleens by flow cytometry. Differences between the two groups were compared by Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to bovine serum albumin (BSA)-fed control mice, administration of CEP resulted in marked alleviation of colitis. The proportion of CD8α(+) T cells, not only in intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs) of the large intestine (LI) but also in spleen from CEP-fed colitis mice, was significantly higher than that from BSA-fed colitis mice (LI-IELs: (71.5 ± 5.4)% vs. (60.1 ± 4.3)%, P < 0.01; LI-LPLs: (60.7 ± 5.2)% vs. (51.9 ± 4.7)%, P < 0.01; spleen: (24.1 ± 3.6)% vs. (20.3 ± 4.1)%, P < 0.05; n = 8). Mucosal repair in repair-period mice five days after termination of DSS treatment was also accompanied by an increase of CD8α(+) T cells in large intestinal mucosal lymphocytes (LI-IELs: (72.1 ± 3.7)% vs. (61.5 ± 4.5)%, P < 0.01; LI-LPLs: (62.1 ± 5.7)% vs. (52.7 ± 3.6)%, P < 0.01; n = 8). The proportion of CD3(+) T cells increased in Peyer's patches (PPs) and decreased in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) from colitis mice compared to untreated mice, whereas the change pattern of CD3(+) T cells in PPs and MLNs from CEP-fed colitis mice was just on the contrary.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Improvement of DSS-induced colitis resulted from oral immune regulation is associated with an increase in CD8α(+) T cells in spleen and large intestinal mucosa.</p>

Gastro-protecting effect of gefarnate on chronic erosive gastritis with dyspeptic symptoms / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The role of gastro-protecting agents on symptomatic chronic gastritis is unclear. This multicenter, open, randomized trial was designed to compare the comprehensive effects of gefarnate with sucralfate on erosive gastritis with dyspeptic symptoms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 253 dyspepsia patients confirmed with erosive gastritis were enrolled from six centers in China. They randomly received either daily 300 mg gefarnate or 3 g sucralfate for six weeks. The primary endpoint was the effective rate of both treatments on endoscopic erosion at week six.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gefarnate showed an effective rate of 72% and 67% on endoscopic score and dyspeptic symptom release, which is statistically higher than sucralfate (40.1% and 39.3%, P < 0.001, intension-to-treat). For histological improvement, gefarnate showed both effective in decreasing mucosal chronic inflammation (57.7% vs. 24.8%, P < 0.001, intension-to-treat) and active inflammation (36.4% vs. 23.1%, P < 0.05, intension-to-treat) than the control. A significant increase of prostaglandins and decrease of myeloperoxidase in mucosa were observed in gefarnate group. Severity of erosion is non-relevant to symptoms but Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status does affect the outcome of therapy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gefarnate demonstrates an effective outcome on the mucosal inflammation in patients with chronic erosive gastritis. Endoscopic and inflammation score should be the major indexes used in gastritis-related trials.</p>

General characteristics and clinical practices of Chinese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the characteristics and daily treatment compliance of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NAFLD adult patients from 21 clinics of 12 cities in China were enrolled in this registry. Physical examination such as demographic characteristics (height, weight, waist circumference measurement), blood pressure and clinical laboratory and ultrasonographic examination of liver were undertaken. Daily practice including life style and medication were recorded and assessed in accordance with 2006 Chinese NAFLD treatment guidelines.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 1656 patients were enrolled (1146 male and 510 female), mean of 45.8 ± 12.6 years old, mean duration of NAFLD history was (47.2 ± 47.7) months. 44.9% of NAFLD were suffering from metabolic syndromes. Patients with central obesity have higher incidence of hypertension and lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than those without central obesity, P < 0.05. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in ALT abnormal group were higher than those in ALT normal group (P < 0.05), HDL-C was lower in ALT abnormal group (P < 0.05). Significant differences existed between the BMI, female waist circumference, TG, fast insulin, HOMA index, ALT, AST and HDL-C among subgroups with mild, moderate and severe steatosis. Majority of the patients did not follow recommendations of NAFLD treatment guidelines. Among targeted population only 15.3% of patients used insulin sensitizers and 23.8% took lipid lowering medicine according to the guideline.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Data indicated that nearly half of NAFLD patients co-morbid with metabolic disorders. Therapy compliance was unsatisfactory and the gap between current practice and Chinese NAFLD treatment guidelines was not optimal.</p>

Comparison of two nonalcoholic hepatocellular steatosis models / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare two models of nonalcoholic hepatocellular steatosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HL-7702 cells were incubated with a mixture of of unsaturated oleate acid or 50% fetal bovine serum to induce fat-overloading. Significant fat accumulation was documented by Oil Red O staining , and intracellular triglyceride levels was detected by triglyceride enzymatic assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that both 0.5 mmol/ml oleate acid and 50% FBS were able to induce nonalcoholic hepatocellular steatosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A nonalcoholic hepatocellular steatosis was induced by 0.5 mmol/ml oleate acid.</p>

An in vitro hepatic steatosis cell model for study of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an in vitro cell model to investigate hepatic steatosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HepG2 cells cultured in MEM containing 10 % fetal bovine serum were divided into control group and model group. At 7 0%-80 % confluency, HepG2 cells in model group were exposed to a long-chain mixture of free fatty acids (oleate and palmitate) for 24 h, cells in control group were subject to fresh medium. Lipid droplets were observed with oil red O stain and electron microscope, triglyceride and malonaldehyde were detected by respective assay kits.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A large number of lipid droplet were detected in model HepG2 cells; the level of triglyceride increased. However,malonaldehyde did not increase significantly compared with control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A large number of lipid droplet were detected in model HepG2 cells; the level of triglyceride increased. However, malonaldehyde did not increase significantly compared with control group.</p>

Capsule metadoxine in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Capsule metadoxine in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized double blind multicenter placebo-controlled clinical study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of capsule metadoxine. Patients in metadoxine group received capsule metadoxine 500mg tid po. Patients in placebo group received placebo 2 pillows tid po. The treatment duration was 6 weeks. Patients were followed up 2 weeks after the treatment. Patients were visited once every 3 weeks during the treatment period. Clinical symptoms and liver function were evaluated in all the patients before treatment, at week 3, week 6 and 2 weeks after therapy. CT scan was done in some patients before treatment and at the end point of therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>254 patients were recruited in the study, 126 in metadoxine group and 128 in placebo group. Median ALT, AST, GGT level in metadoxine group were decreased from 80.0 U/L, 59.2 U/L, 123.0 U/L (before treatment) to 41.1 U/L, 36.0 U/L, 57.0 U/L (after 6 weeks therapy). The improvement in liver function was more significant in metadoxine group than in placebo group (P less than 0.05). For the patients who stopped drinking during the study, the total effective rate of improvement in liver function was 82.8% in metadoxine group, much higher than that in placebo group (55.7% , P=0.0000). For the patients who did not stop drinking during the study, the total effective rate of improvement in liver function was 65.4% in metadoxine group, which is not significantly higher than that in placebo group (44.8%, P=0.1767). The CT value ratio of liver to spleen was significantly improved in metadoxine group (P=0.0023), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.6293). The rate of adverse was 1.6% in both of groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Capsule metadoxine is an effective and safe treatment for alcoholic liver disease.</p>

T lymphocyte subgroups and serum levels of trace elements in patients with diarrhea type of irritable bowel syndrome / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the T lymphocyte subgroups and the levels of serum zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) in patients with diarrhea type of irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 30 D-IBS patients and 30 control subjects were enrolled in this study, and their peripheral blood samples were collected. The percentage of peripheral CD3, CD4, CD8 T lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the ratio of CD4/CD8 was calculated. Serum Zn, Fe and Cu levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry(AAS), and the Se level by atomic fluorometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with control group,the percentage of CD4 T lymphocyte and the ratio of CD4/CD8 in D-IBS group were significantly lower (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in serum Zn, Se, Fe, Cu levels between two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The declines of peripheral blood CD4 T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4/CD8 may suggest a cellular immune abnormality in D-IBS patients. There was no significant difference in trace elements levels between the two groups.</p>

OMOM capsule endoscopy in diagnosis of small bowel disease / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the diagnostic efficiency of OMOM capsule endoscopy (CE) in a group of patients with different indications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data from 89 consecutive patients (49 males, 40 females) with suspected small bowel disease who underwent OMOM CE (Jinshan Science and Technology Company, Chongqing, China) examination were obtained by retrospective review. The patients' indications of the disease consisted of the following: obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), abdominal pain or diarrhea, partial intestinal obstruction, suspected inflammatory bowel disease, tumor of unknown origin, hypoproteinemia, constipation, weight loss, and elevated tumor markers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CE failed in one patient. Visualization of the entire small bowel was achieved in 75.0%. Capsules were naturally excreted by all patients. The detection rate of abnormalities was 70.5% for patients with suspected small bowel disease, and the diagnostic yield for patients with OGIB was higher than that for patients with abdominal pain or diarrhea (85.7% vs 53.3%, P<0.005). Angiodysplasia was the most common small bowel finding. Active bleeding sites were noted in the small intestine in 11 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>OMOM CE is a useful diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of variably suspected small bowel disease, whose diagnostic efficiency is similar to that of the Pillcam SB (small bowel) CE (Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel).</p>

The expression of human macrophage metalloelastase mRNA in gastric cancer cell lines and tissues and its clinical significance / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To make measurement of the expression of HME mRNA in both gastric cancer cell lines and tissues and evaluate its role in development of gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HME mRNA expression in 3 gastric cancer cell lines and tissues was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All three gastric cancer cell lines expressed HME mRNA, and the HME mRNA expression level in gastric cancer tissues was higher than that in normal tissues (P <0.05). The rate of lymph node metastasis of HME mRNA positive cases was lower than that of HME mRNA negative ones (P < 0.05). Expression of drug resistance gene GST of HME mRNA positive cases was lower than that of HME mRNA negative ones (P <0.05). The two-year survival rate of HME mRNA positive cases was higher than that of HME mRNA negative ones (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between the expression of HME gene and the tumor location, size, depth of invasion, degree of malignancy, expression of drug resistance gene top II and PG.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of HME gene in gastric cancers may be related with lower possibility of metastasis and predict a better prognosis.</p>

Successful tubes treatment of esophageal fistula / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>AIM</b>To discuss the merits of "tubes treatment" for esophageal fistula (EF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A 66-year-old female who suffered from a bronchoesophageal and esophagothoratic fistula underwent a successful "three tubes treatment" (close chest drainage, negative pressure suction at the leak, and nasojejunal feeding tube), combination of antibiotics, antacid drugs and nutritional support. Another 55-year-old male patient developed an esophagopleural fistula (EPF) after esophageal carcinoma operation. He too was treated conservatively with the three tubes strategy as mentioned above towards a favorable outcome.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The two patients recovered with the tubes treatment, felt well and became able to eat and drink, presenting no complaint.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tubes treatment is an effective basic way for EF. It may be an alternative treatment option.</p>

Evaluation of leptin receptor Lys109Arg polymorphism in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether leptin receptor Lys109Arg polymorphism influences non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic DNA samples were extracted from blood of subjects who had received a physical examination. Genotyping was performed using oligonucleotide microarray and these fluorescence labeled PCR-amplified fragments were hybridized to allele-specific oligonucleotide probes. The relevant mutation was confirmed by sequencing analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 180 subjects (109 males and 71 females) were included in the study, 117 of them had fatty liver disease and the other 63 had no liver problems and served as healthy controls. There were 144 (80%) subjects with GG genotype (Arg109Arg), 33 (18.3%) with GA genotype (Lys109Arg) and 3 (1.7%) with AA genotype (Lys109Lys). The distribution of leptin receptor Lys109Arg polymorphism had no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the fatty liver disease patients (95GG, 21GA and 1AA) and the healthy control subjects (49GG, 12GA and 2AA). The abdominal wall fat was significantly thicker in AA genotype subjects (4.1+/-0.4) cm than that in GA (2.8+/-0.6) cm and GG genotype subjects (2.7+/-0.7) cm (F = 5.197, P = 0.006). The serum cholesterol levels in AA genotype subjects (5.1+/-0.4) mmol/L was significantly lower than that in AG (25.5+/-6.9) mmol/L and GG genotype (27.2+/-8.4) mmol/L subjects (F = 8.164, P = 0.005). There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, hip circumference, waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), percentage of body fat, blood protein, triglyceride, HDL and fasting blood glucose between AA, GG and GA genotype subjects.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Leptin receptor Lys109Arg polymorphism may be involved in the regulation of distribution of abdominal wall fat thickness and cholesterol metabolism. Whether leptin receptor Lys109Arg polymorphism is in any way related to fatty liver disease is still not known.</p>

Clinical value of capsule endoscopy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate clinical diagnostic value of capsule endoscopy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Capsule endoscopy were performed in 90 patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, which was defined as negative finding by gastroscopy and colonoscopy in our hospital.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In 90 patients, 2 of them accepted second examination. Eighty-seven of 92 (94.57%) patients accepted of capsule endoscopy successfully including 21 of 25 (84.0%) in group of acute massive bleeding and 66 of 67 (98.51%) in recurrent melena (P <0.05). In above patients, 74 of 87 (85.06%) had positive findings and the false negative rate was 17.24%. The detectable rate in acute massive bleeding and recurrent melena was 80.95% and 86.36%, respectively (P >0.05), and the false negative rate of that was 23.81% and 15.15%, respectively (P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Capsule endoscopy can be performed safely and well-toleratedly for visualizing the small bowel in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, which induces a highly detectable rate compared with other methods for detecting obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.</p>

Research on the protection effect of pioglitazone for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has markedly increased. Insulin resistance has been implicated in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. This study was aimed at observing the relationship between insulin resistance and NAFLD, and evaluating the role of pioglitazone (PGZ) acting as insulin-sensitizing agents in the prevention and treatment of rat fatty liver induced by high fat feeding.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rats were separated randomly into 6 groups: model group I were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks, PGZ prevention group were given PGZ 4 mg/(kg.d) simultaneously, while control group I were fed normal food for 8 weeks; model group II were fed high fat diet for 16 weeks, PGZ treatment group were given PGZ 4 mg/(kg.d) orally simultaneous with high fat diet for 8 weeks after high fat feeding for 8 weeks, control group II were fed normal food for 16 weeks. The rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks and 16 weeks respectively. Liver weight, body weight, serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting plasma insulin (FINS), HOMA (homeostasis model assessment) insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and the liver histology of rats of all groups were assayed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 8 weeks, the liver in model group I showed typical steatosis, accompanied with mild to moderate lobular inflammatory cell infiltration, liver indexes and serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TNF-alpha were significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with control group I. Whereas, the degree of hepatic injury was attenuated in PGZ prevention group, liver indexes and serum levels of ALT, ALP were significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with model group I. After 16 weeks, notable steatosis, and lobular inflammation were observed in model group II rat liver, while the degree of hepatic injury was attenuated in the PGZ treatment group. Liver index, serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, FINS and HOMA-IR were significantly increased (P<0.05) in model group II compared with control group II. Whereas, in PGZ treatment group, serum levels of AST and FINS showed decreasing tendency, liver indexes, serum levels of ALT, ALP, TNF-alpha and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased compared with model group II.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Insulin resistance plays a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in rats. Pioglitazone can attenuate insulin resistance and biochemical and histological injury in high fat-induced fatty liver in rats.</p>

Effect of tea polyphenols on alcoholic liver injury / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reproduce an experimental model of alcoholic liver disease in rats and to investigate the preventive and treatment effects of tea polyphenols on alcoholic liver disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>68 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: alcohol group (gastrically infused with 56% of ethanol once a day with a dose of 7 g/kg body weight for 4, 12 and 24 weeks), tea polyphenols group (gastric infusion with alcohol same as in the alcohol group and with tea polyphenols at 0.25 g/kg bw) and control group (gastric infusion with normal saline). At the end of 4, 12 and 24 weeks, blood samples were collected and then the rats were sacrificed. Liver samples were obtained for routine histological examination and the degree of hepatic steatosis and alcoholic hepatitis were examined. Blood specimens were used for evaluation of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The levels of the two transaminases were elevated with the increase of the duration of ethanol feeding and the difference is significant. TP significantly mitigated the increase of ALT and AST activities induced by the alcohol. (2) Histological changes of the liver injury indicated that piecemeal or focal necrosis of hepatocytes was present in the centrilobular area. As fibrosis advanced, broader septa were formed with central-central and centra-portal bridging necrosis. In the TP infusion group, the severity of the pathological changes was significantly milder.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results of this study revealed that TP mitigated the development of alcoholic liver disease, and TP may be a potential drug for treatment of alcoholic liver disease.</p>

Hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha mRNA expression in alcoholic liver disease / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of hypoxia on chronic alcoholic liver disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly into two groups. The alcohol group (n=12) was fed 56% (v/v) of ethanol once per day by gastric infusion at 8 g/kg body weight for 24 weeks. The control group (n=12) was gastrically infused with normal saline with the same dose. At the end of 24 weeks, a blood sample was collected for determination of hepatic enzymes and then the rat was killed. Liver specimens were obtained for immunohistochemical staining and frozen at -80 degrees C used for RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity increased significantly compared to the control group. A significant elevation in the expression of HIF1-alpha in liver of alcohol group was found compared to the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha expression was activated by ethanol-induced injury. This information suggested that hypoxia was involved in mechanism of alcoholic liver disease.</p>

Effect of tea polyphenol on liver fibrosis in rats and related mechanism / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of tea polyphenol (TP)'s on liver fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats were divided into 5 groups, 4 groups of which were stomach perfused with alcohol resulting in alcoholic liver fibrosis, and 3 groups of which were stomach perfused with TP simultaneously. Another group was normal control one. Histological change of rat liver was investigated and quantitative analysis was made in 24 weeks, and rat liver anti-oxidation index and serum endotoxin were determined at the same time.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Liver fibrosis in TP group was slight, and anti-oxidize index and endotoxin level were markedly improved in comparison with those of alcohol groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tea polyphenol can protect hepatocytes from fibrosis. Its mechanism is possibly due to cleaning up overfull lipid per-oxidation and reducing the level of endotoxin.</p>