Metabolomic study on vitamins B1, B2, and PP supplementation to improve serum metabolic profiles in mice under acute hypoxia based on ¹H NMR analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore metabolic changes after acute hypoxia and modulating effect of vitamins B1, B2, and PP supplementation in mice exposed to acute hypoxia. METHODS: Fifty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal, acute hypoxia, acute hypoxia with 2, 4 and 8 time-vitamins B1, B2, and PP supplementation. All mice were fed with corresponding diets for two weeks and then were exposed to a simulated altitude of 6,000 meters for 8 h, except for the normal group. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis was used to identify the changes of serum metabolic profiles. RESULTS: There were significant changes in some serum metabolites under induced acute hypoxia, essentially relative increase in the concentrations of lactate, sugar and lipids and decrease in ethanol. The serum levels of choline, succinate, taurine, alanine, and glutamine also increased and phosphocholine decreased in the acute hypoxia group. After vitamins B1, B2, and PP supplementation, all these metabolic changes gradually recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes in serum metabolic profile were observed by metabolomics in mice exposed to acute hypoxia, and vitamins B1, B2, and PP supplementation proved to be beneficial to improving some metabolic pathways. It is suggested that the dietary intakes of vitamins B1, B2, and PP should be increased under hypoxia condition.

[Intervention of antioxidant system function of aged rats by giving fruit juices with different antioxidant capacities].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of fruit juices with different antioxidant capacity on antioxidant system function of aged rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: pomegranate juice and apple juice as two experimental groups, while distilled water as normal control group. They were administrated fruit juices or distilled water respectively by gavage daily for 4 weeks. At the end of experiment, the antioxidant system function was assessed. RESULTS: The aged rats in pomegranate juice group showed significantly higher serum antioxidant capacity (0.90 +/- 0.13) mmol/L than that in control group (0.79 +/- 0.10) mmol/L (P < 0.05). The concentrations of serum carbonyl and oxLDL were decreased significantly in pomegranate juice group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The percentage of injured blood lymphocyte DNA and the ratio of tail length/total length were declined significantly in pomegranate juice group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). The apple juice showed no effects except decreased ratio of tail length/total length of injured lymphocyte DNA. There were no changes in concentrations of serum vitamin C, vitamin E, urinary 8-OH-dG excretion and the activities of serum SOD, GSH-Px, CAT among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The pomegranate juice should possess higher antioxidant capacity and might improve the antioxidant system function of aged rats, while the apple juice is relatively lower in antioxidant capacity and not very effective. The polyphenols in pomegranate juice might be the important functional components.

Protection against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by oral pretreatment with quercetin.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible protection provided by oral quercetin pretreatment against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: The quercetin (0.13 mmol/kg) was orally administrated in 50 min prior to hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Ascorbic acid was also similarly administered. The hepatic content of quercetin was assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were measured as markers of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Meanwhile, hepatic content of glutathione (GSH), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and xanthine oxidase (XO), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA, DNA fragmentation were also determined. RESULTS: Hepatic content of quercetin after intragastric administration of quercetin was increased significantly. The increases in plasma GPT, GOT activities and MDA concentration after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury were reduced significantly by pretreatment with quercetin. Hepatic content of GSH and activities of SOD, GSH-Px and TAOC were restored remarkably while the ROS and MDA contents were significantly diminished by quercetin pretreatment after ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, quercetin pretreatment did not reduce significantly hepatic XO activity and DNA fragmentation. Ascorbic acid pretreatment had also protective effects against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by restoring hepatic content of GSH, TAOC and diminishing ROS and MDA formation and DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSION: It is indicated that quercetin can protect the liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury after oral pretreatment and the underlying mechanism is associated with improved hepatic antioxidant capacity.

[Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on levels of SOD, GSH, GSH-Px, MDA, and apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in substantia Nigra in rats with Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on superoxide (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, contents of glutathione (GSH) and malondiadehyde (MDA), and expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and apoptosis of Dopaminergic (DA) neurons in Substantia Nigra of rats with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal (10 rats), model (11 rats), EA (11 rats) and medication (11 rats) groups. The PD model was established by i.h. of Rotenone (0.8 mg/kg) for 28 days. EA stimulation (2 Hz/80 Hz, 2 mA) was applied at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Taichong" (LR 3) acupoints for 10 min, once per day for 14 times. For rats in the medication group, Madopar suspension fluid (1.67 mg/kg) was given by gavage for 14 days. Xanthine oxidase method and colorimetric ana- lysis method were used to examine the SOD, GSH-Px activity and contents of GSH and MDA in the Substantia Nigra tissue of the right brain, respectively. Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the TH positive neurons and TUNEL method was used to examine the apoptosis of DA neurons of the Substantia Nigra in the left brain. RESULTS: Following the intervention, the decreased SOD and GSH-Px activity, GSH contents, and the increased MDA content of the Substantia Nigra in PD rats were obviously reversed by EA intervention (P < 0.05) but not by medication except MDA content (P > 0.05). In comparison with the model group, the decreased TH immunoactivity, and the increased numbers of apoptotic cells of DA neurons were apparently suppressed in both EA and medication groups (P < 0.05), but without significant differences between the EA and the medication groups (P > 0.05). In addition, HE stain showed that EA intervention could improve PD-induced impairment of Substantia Nigra neurons (mild swelling of neurons with large nucleus and deranged fibers). CONCLUSION: EA intervention can reduce pathological changes of Substantial Nigra in PD rats, which is probably associated with its effects in up-regulating the SOD and GSH-Px activity, GSH contents, and down-regulating MDA level, and reducing the apoptosis of DA neurons of the Substantia Nigra, suggesting an anti-oxidative stress effect of EA therapy.

[Controlled observation of clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis of neck type treated with scraping and acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy difference between segmentation scraping and conventional acupuncture for cervical spondylosis (CS) so as to provide effective treatment method. METHODS: Eighty-five cases of cervical type of CS were randomly divided into a scraping group (44 cases) and an acupuncture group (41 cases). The segmentation scraping therapy was used in the scraping group. The scraping group was treated with focusing on scraping the head and joint part of neck and occiput in the upper cervical spine injury, and focusing on scraping the lower section of cervical and shoulder in the lower cervical spine injury, once every seven days, totally for 3 times. In the acupuncture group, Fengchi (GB 20),Wangu (TE 5), Tianzhu (BL 10),Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2), etc. were selected,once daily,for 15 days. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the immediate analgesic effect after the first treatment and the clinical efficacy was observed after the end of treatment. RESULTS: After the first treatment, the score of VAS was decreased significantly in the scaping group (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the acupuncture group compared with those before treatment (P > 0.05); the score of VAS in the scaping group after the first treatment was lower than that in the acupuncture group (3.66 +/- 0.74 vs 5.43 +/- 0.35, P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment, the scores of VAS were decreased significantly after treatment in two groups (both P < 0.01), but without significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05); the effective rate was 95.5% (42/44) in the scaping group and 87.8% (36/41) in the acupuncture group, the curative effects were similar (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both of scraping and acupuncture therapies have good analgesic effect for cervical spondylosis, and overall effects are similar, but the immediate analgesic effect of scraping thrapy is better than that of conventional acupuncture.

[Effect of BYDV-MP nuclear localization signal on the movement of PVX].

Abstract:By using PVX derived vector pGR107, the effect of BYDV-MP nuclear localization signal on the movement of PVX was studied. BYDV-MP was cloned into pGR107 using GFP as an indicator. BYDV-MP was then shown to induce the systemic infection and exacerbate the symptom of PVX through infecting Nicotiana benthamiana. When the PVX gene encoding 25kD protein, which functioned as a systematic movemnet protein,was deleted and the above experiment was repeated, the result showed that BYDV-MP could compensate the systemic movement of PVX. A serial mutants with substitutions on the fifth, sixth and seventh amino acids of BYDV-MP nuclear localization signal was further constructed. It was found that the mutants at the fifth, sixth amino acids in BYDV-MP nuclear localization signal could only delay or weaken systemic movement of PVX whereas the mutant at seventh amino acid could entirely inhibit systemic movement of PVX.

[Effects of encircled needling plus electroacupuncture on hyperplastic mammary glands and serum sex hormones in the rat].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of encircled needling plus electroacupuncture (EA) of the second pair of nipples on hyperplastic mammary glands, serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T) contents, estrogen receptor (ER) expression of the mammary glands in mammary hyperplasia rats. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were equally randomized into normal control, model, acupuncture and medication groups. Mammary gland hyperplasia model was established by intramuscular injection of diethylstilbestrol (0.5 mg/kg, once daily for 25 days) and progesterone (4 mg/kg, once daily for 5 days). For rats of the acupuncture group, 4 filiform needles were inserted into the surrounding tissues of the second pair of breasts, respectively, followed by giving the animal with EA stimulation for 30 min. Another one acupuncture needle was inserted into "Danzhong" (CV 17) and retained for 30 min. For rats of the medication group, tamoxifen solution (1.8 mg/kg) was given by gavage. Both medication and EA intervention were given once daily for 30 days. The diameter and height of the second pair of nipples were measured before and on the 10th, 20th and 30th days of the treatment. Serum E2, P, PRL and T levels were assayed by radioimmunoassay, and the tissues of the second pair of nipples were stained with H. E. method. Estrogen receptor immunoactivity of the breast tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The diameter and height of the second pair of nipples, serum E2, PRL and T contents, and breast ER protein expression level were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal control group (P<0.05), while serum P content was remarkably lower in the model group than in the normal control group (P<0.05). In comparison with the model group, the diameter and height of the second pair of nipples, serum E2, PRL and T contents, and breast ER protein expression level were considerably lower in both acupuncture and medication groups (P<0.05), and serum P contents were significantly higher in the latter two groups (P<0.05). In addition, H.E. staining showed that the numbers of the lobule, alveolus and ducts of mammary glands were significantly increased, and the expansion of the acinar lumina and ducts was found in the model group. These pathological changes were relatively milder in both acupuncture and medication groups. CONCLUSION: Encircled needling plus EA stimulation of the surrounding tissues of the nipples can improve the hyperplasic nipples and pathological changes of the breast tissue in mammary gland hyperplasia rats, which is closely associated with its functions in lowering serum estradiol, prolactin, testosterone contents and estrogen receptor protein expression of the breast, and in increasing serum progesterone level.

[Improvement effect of vitamins B1, B2 and PP supplementation on substance metabolism of mice exposed to acute hypoxia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the improvement effect of vitamins B1, B2, PP supplementation to the metabolism changes of carbohydrates, lipids, protein and energy in mice exposed to acute hypoxia. METHODS: Fifty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal, acute hypoxia, acute hypoxia plus 2 times, 4 times and 8 times vitamins B1, B2, PP supplemented groups. All mice were fed corresponding diets for two weeks and then except the normal group were exposed to a simulated altitude of 6 000 meters for 8 hours. The changes of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, urea nitrogen, free fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyric acid from serum, liver glycogen and blood adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration were measured. RESULTS: After being exposed to acute hypoxia, the mice glucose, liver glycogen, pyruvate, lactate, free fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyric acid and urea nitrogen level were increased significantly (P < 0.05), while blood ATP concentration was decreased. In the vitamins B1, B2 and PP supplemented groups, these changes were improved. CONCLUSION: The significant changes in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism were observed in mice exposed to acute hypoxia, and the supplementation of vitamins B1, B2 and PP was proved to be beneficial in improving some metabolic pathways. It is suggested that the supplemented dose of four times was good.

[The metabolic changes of mice serum after loaded swimming].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the metabolic changes of mice serum after loaded swimming and to provide a basis for the study of anti-fatigue functional food. METHODS: The male Kunming mice were randomly divided into four group, fed an AIN-93 diet for 14 days, and forced to swim for 30, 60 or 120 min, respectively, with a load on their tails. The mice were executed after swimming immediately and the changes of serum metabolic profiles were analyzed using metabolomic approach. The spectrum was acquired by using Carr Purcell Meiboom Gill (CPMG) or Longitudinal Eddy Current Delay (LED) sequence, and transformed into 1H NMR spectrogram via Fourier transformation. All the data were analyzed by principal component analysis by using the SIMCA-P+ software. RESULTS: The serum metabolic profiles changed significantly after loaded swimming. Serum beta-hydroxybutyric acid, acetate, lactate, lipid were increased and glucose, choline, phosphorylcholine, alanine and phosphatidylcholine decreased. These changes were time dependent. CONCLUSION: The changes of serum metabolic profiles after loaded swimming were time dependent, especially for lipid metabolite.Further study based on the interaction of choline and lipid metabolism may contribute to understand the mechanism of fatigue.

[Effects of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise on body weight, body mass index and serum leptin level in simple obesity patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise on the body weight, body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin content of patients with simple obesity, so as to evaluate the efficacy of the present therapy in the treatment of simple obesity. METHODS: A total of 61 cases of out-patients were randomly divided into control (n=30) and treatment (n=31) groups. Patients in the control group were treated with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise everyday (30 min/d), continuously for 51 days, and those of the treatment group were treated with acupuncture [Zhong-wan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), etc.] plus dietary adjustment and aerobic exercise everyday, with 15 days being a course of treatment, 3 days' interval between every two courses, and 3 courses altogether. Serum leptin content was detected by using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Compared with pre-treatment, the body weight and BMI and serum leptin levels in the control and treatment groups were all decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Comparison between the two groups showed that the body weight at the end of the 1st and 3rd course of treatment, the BMI at the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd course of treatment, and serum leptin level after the treatment in the treatment group were all significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The difference values of body weight and BMI between pre-treatment and post-treatment of the treatment group were obviously higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01), suggesting a better therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise in the treatment of simple obesity. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with dietary adjustments and aerobic exercise can reduce the body weight, BMI and serum leptin level, which is better than dietary adjustments plus aerobic exercise.

[Effects of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise on weight and waist-hip ratio in simple obesity patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise and simple diet adjustment combined with aerobic exercise for treatment of simple obesity, in order to scientifically evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise for simple obesity. METHODS: Sixty-one cases were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The control group was treated with diet adjustment combined with aerobic exercise, on the basis of this, the observation group was treated with acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) etc., once a day, 15 days constituting one course. After three course of treatment, the changes of body weight and waist-hip ratio (WHR) in both groups were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After one course of treatment, both the body weight and WHR in the observation group were obviously lower than those of control group (both P < 0.05); after two courses of treatment, there were no significant differences of body weight and WHR between two groups (both P > 0.05); after three courses of treatment, the body weight of observation group was obviously lower than that of control group (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference of WHR between two groups (P > 0.05); the body weight and WHR of both groups were obviously decreased after treatment (both P < 0.01); the difference comparison of the body weight in observation group was obviously higher than that of control group before and after treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Both two treatments can decrease the body weight and WHR of patients with simple obesity, while the effect of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise is more obvious in the early stage of the treatment for body weight and WHR.

[Effects of acute hypoxia on plasma metabolome in mice].

AIM: To explore the metabolic effects of acute hypoxia on mice plasma. METHODS: Fourteen mice were randomly divided into two groups: control and hypoxia group. The mice of hypoxia group were exposed to a simulated altitude of 6000 meters for 8 hours. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer was used to identify the metabolic changes after acute hypoxia. RESULTS: Compared with control, the most notable significantly after acute hypoxia exposure. remarkably and lactate increased metabolic changes in plasma were as follows: camrnitine decreased levels of lipids and pyruvate, alanine, taurine, Decreases in levels of beta-HB, ethanol glycerol, glutamate, glycine and serine, and increased choline, glucose, and glutamine were also observed in hypoxia group. CONCLUSION: Significant changes in the plasma carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid profiles were observed following acute hypoxia, suggesting a hypoxia-induced alteration in energy and related substances metabolism.

[Randomized controlled clinical study on ginger-partitioned moxibustion for patients with cold-damp stagnation type primary dysmenorrhea].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion in the treatment of patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) of cold-damp stagnation type. METHODS: A total of 209 PD patients were randomized into moxibustion group (n=105) and control group (medication group, n=104). Patients of the former group were treated with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4), once daily for 3 days in the first menstrual cycle, and 3 days before menstruation and once daily for 6 days in the 2nd and 3rd menstrual cycles, and those of control group were asked to take Yueyueshu Granules (a Chinese herbal patent drug for relieving PD). Clinical symptom scores were assessed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, of the 105 and 104 cases in the moxibustion and control groups, the cured, markedly effective, effective and failed cases were 58 (55.24%) and 32 (30.77%), 37 (35.24%) and 33 (31.73%), 5 (4.76%) and 24 (23.08%), and 5 (4.76%) and 15 (14.42%), respectively. The total therapeutic effect of moxibustion group wassignificantly better than that of control group (P<0.01). The effects of moxibustion for relieving mild, moderate and severe dysmenorrhea were evidently superior to those of medication (P<0.01). The symptom scores after the treatment and 3 months of post-treatment in moxibustion group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Ginger-partitioned moxibustion therapy was effective for PD of cold-damp stagnation type.

[Influence of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on serum NO and plasma endothelin-1 contents in patients with primary dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of ginger-partitioned moxibustion in the treatment of cold-damp stagnation type primary dysmenorrhea (PD) patients. METHODS: A total of 209 PD outpatients of cold-damp stagnation type from 3 hospitals were randomized into moxibustion group (n = 105) who were treated with ginger-partitioned moxibustion, and control group (n = 104) who were asked to take Yueyue Shu Granules (an effective patent drug for PD). Ginger-partitioned moxibustion was applied to Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4) from the menstrual onset on for the first course and 3 days before the onset for the second and third course, continuously for 3 days. Before and after the treatment, plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and serum nitric oxide (NO) contents in those patients (n = 40/group) and normal women (n = 20) experiencing menstrual period were determined by radioimmunoassay and nitrate reductase method. RESULTS: After the treatment, of the 105 and 104 cases in moxibustion and control groups, 58 and 32 cured, 37 and 33 markedly effective, 5 and 24 effective, 5 and 15 failed, with the effective rates being 95.24% and 85.58% respectively. The therapeutic effect of moxibustion group was significantly better than that of control group (P<0.05). Before treatment, in comparison with normal group, plasma ET-1 contents in both moxibustion and control groups were significantly higher (P<0.01), while serum NO contents in these two groups markedly lower (P<0.01). After the treatment, self-comparison of both moxibustion and control groups showed that plasma ET-1 decreased significantly and serum NO levels in increased considerably (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the therapeutic effect of moxibustion group was markedly superior than that of control group in lowering plasma ET-1 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Ginger-partitioned moxibustion is effective in relieving primary dysmenorrhea patients' abdominal pain, which may be closely associated with its actions in lowering plasma ET-1 level and raising serum NO contents.

[Effects of substance-partitioned moxibustion on plasma beta-EP content in the patient with primary dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type in the menstrual period].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the mechanism of substance-partitioned moxibustion in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) of cold-damp stagnation type. METHODS: The treatment group (105 cases of PD) were treated with substance-partitioned moxibustion and the control group (104 cases) were treated with Chinese drug Yueyue-shu. Their therapeutic effects were observed. Plasma beta-endorphin contents in menstrual period were determined before and after treatment in 40 patients of each group. RESULTS: The total effective rate of 95.2% in the substance partitioned moxibustion group was better than 85.6% in the control group (P < 0.05); after treatment, plasma beta-endorphin content significantly increased in the substance-partitioned moxibustion group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Substance-partitioned moxibustion has obvious therapeutic effect on primary dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type, which is carried out possibly through regulating the plasma beta-endorphin content as one of the mechanisms.

[Intervention of nutritional status and hypoxia endurance by a nutritional supplement in young adults living at high altitude].

AIM: To investigate the effects of a nutritional supplement on nutritional status and hypoxia endurance in young adults living at high altitude. METHODS: Forty healthy male young adults were recruited and randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The nutrition survey was carried out using weighing method. The intervention group was given a nutritional supplement specifically designed for use at high altitude, while the control group was treated with a supplement made of stir-fried flour. After 20 days of supplementation, they marched from the altitude of 3700 m to 5100 m. The changes in HR, SaO2, serum concentrations of VA and VB2 and some minerals were measured. RESULTS: The results of nutrition survey showed that the ratio of three macronutrients was not adequate and the intakes of calcium, VA and VB2 were below Chinese RNI. The serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium and VA were below normal references. The serum VB2 concentration was at the low level o f normal reference. The nutritional supplement could increase the serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, VA and VB2, indicating an improved nutritional status. The changes in HR and SaO2 were diminished in intervention group compared with control group. CONCLUSION: The nutritional supplement can improve nutritional status and increase the hypoxia endurance in young adults living at high altitude.

[The regulatory effects of arginine on hepatic insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion in rats and its implication].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory effect of arginine on the secretion of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), and the mechanism of enhancing the immune function by arginine. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC), wound control (WC), and wound with arginine (Arg) groups, with 8 rats in each group. The rats in WC and Arg groups were inflicted with soft tissue trauma on the back. The rats in Arg group were fed a diet supplemented with 5% arginine for one week, while those in NC and WC groups were fed with glycine. The serum contents of arginine, ornithine, growth factor (GH), NO and IGF-I were determined 7 days after feeding. T cell proliferation and IGF-I mRNA expression in hepatic tissue were also measured. Meanwhile, the rat hepatocytes were cultured in serum-free medium containing different concentrations of arginine. The supernatant was collected for the determination of IGF-I level. RESULTS: 1). There was no obvious difference of the serum level of arginine and ornithine between NC and WC groups (P > 0.05), but the contents of them were obviously higher in the Arg group compared with other two groups (P < 0.01). 2). No difference in the serum GH level was found among all the groups (P > 0.05), but the serum NO content in WC and Arg groups was significantly lower than that in NC group (P < 0.01), and the serum IGF-I content in WC group decreased obviously compared with that in NC group (P < 0.01). 3). The thymocyte proliferation rate in WC group was also markedly lower than that in NC group (P < 0.01), but that in Arg group was improved compared with WC group (P < 0.01). 4). The expression of hepatic IGF-I mRNA: The relative value of IGF-I mRNA was 1.19 +/- 0.06, 1.08 +/- 0.06 and 1.29 +/- 0.06 in NC, WC and Arg, respectively, while the value in WC was lower than that in NC (P < 0.05) group, and that in Arg group was much higher than that in WC group (P < 0.01). 5). The IGF-I level in the supernatant of cultured hepatocytes: When Arg concentration was 0.0750, 0.7500, 7.5000 mmol/L in the culture medium, the IGF-I level in the supernatant of hepatic cell medi-um was obviously higher than that in the medium without arginine (P < 0.01). Although IGF-I level decreased in the culture medium with arginine in the dose of 37.5000 mmol/L, it was still obviously higher than that in the medium without arginine (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Arginine could also produce the immune enhancing effect by stimulating hepatic IGF-I secretion.