Effects of Yishenjiangzhuo granules on immunity and bone metabolism in patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease

Objective

To determine the effects of Yishenjiangzhuo granules (YJG) on bone metabolism and to explore the changes in levels of bone Gla protein (BGP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), as well as their relationships with levels of B cells, regulatory T cells (Treg) and interleukin (IL)-17 in patients with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) before and after treatment.

Methods

Fifty-three stage 3-4 CKD patients were divided randomly into two groups: YJG treatment and control. Peripheral blood was taken from two groups of CKD patients and 21 healthy subjects in the normal group. The parameters determined were the levels of CD4 +, CD19 +, CD19 + CD69 +, CD19 + AV, Treg (CD4 + CD25 + CD127^l°), BGP, TRAP, IL-17, calcium, phosphate, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine (SCr), hemoglobin (Hb) in peripheral blood, and urinary creatinine. Calcium-phosphate products and endogenous creatinine clearance rate (CCr) were calculated according to standard protocols.

Results

In YJG and control groups, SCr levels were lowered (P<0.01) after treatment, whereas CCr (P<0.05) as well as Hb and albumin levels (P< 0.01) were increased. The changes in levels of CCr and SCr in the YJG group were more significant. After treatment, CD19+CD69+ and Treg levels in the two groups varied (P<0.01) compared with those of the normal group; the level of CD19+ increased but the levels of CD4 + and CD19 + AV decreased (P< 0.01) in both groups. Compared with the control group, the changes of CD19+ and CD19+AV in the YJG group were more apparent (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, levels of IL-17 in both groups increased significantly (P<0.01), and the difference in the control group was more significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the TRAP level increased (P<0.05), but the difference in BGP level (P>0.05) was not significant.

Conclusion

In stage 3-4 CKD patients, B cells and IL-17 participated in the induction of osteoclast activation. YJG could also elevate the level of B cells and decrease their apoptosis, but showed no significant effects on active B cells, IL-17 or osteoclast activity.     

Curative effect of Xuebijing injection on severe pulmonary contusion

Objective

To investigate the curative effects of Xuebijing (XBJ) injection, a Chinese patent medicine, on severe pulmonary contusion (PC).

Methods

Sixty-three patients with PC were randomized to conventional therapy plus XBJ injection (n=33) or conventional therapy alone (n=30). Between groups differences in corticosteroid treatment, immune regulation therapy, hemofiltration, infusion volume, transfusion volume and antibiotic period were measured, as were intensive care unit (ICU)-free time, ventilation time, 28-day mortality rate and incidence of ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP). Serum concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10, white blood cell (WBC) counts and percentages of human leukocyte antigen DR/CD14+ (HLA-DR/CD14+) peripheral blood mononuclear cells were compared. Markers of ventilation were determined by blood gas analysis and ventilator parameters.

Results

WBC counts and serum concentrations of PCT, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were reduced significantly more quickly, and CD14+ percentage was increased significantly earlier, in the XBJ group than in the control group (P<0.05 each). The level of ventilation and oxygenation index were ameliorated earlier in the XBJ than in the control group (P< 0.05). XBJ treatment significantly reduced ICU-stay time, ventilation time and incidence of VAP (P<0.05 each), but had no effect on 28-day mortality rate (P>0.05).

Conclusion

XBJ treatment can shorten ICU-free and ventilation times and reduce the incidence of VAP, improving outcomes in patients with severe PC. XBJ may act by regulating inflammation and immunity, alleviating systemic inflammatory response syndrome induced by trauma.     

Biological indicators of sub-optimal health status

Objective

To investigate biological indicators of sub-optimal health status and provide means of objective assessment of sub-optimal health status.

Methods

We set the unified standards for diagnosing a SHS. We tested various laboratory indicators in 407 cases that we selected randomly from 2807 subjects and collected 15 mL of fasting venous blood from each case. We measured serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, serum beta endorphins (β-EP), cortisol (C), testosterone (T), plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum T lymphocyte subsets CD3+ and CD4+.

Results

Mean serum testosterone concentrations and their ratio to cortisol (C) concentrations were significantly higher in the healthy group than in those with sub-optimal health status (P<0.01). Mean serum CD3+ concentrations were significantly higher in those with sub-optimal health status than in the healthy group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Decreased serum testosterone/cortisol ratio may be an objective indication of sub-optimal health status. Changes in neuroendocrine and immunological indicators may explain some of the symptoms, including malaise and poor work performance, attributable to persistent or relapsing fatigue in subjects with sub-optimal health status.     

Effect of electroacupuncture on expressions of acetylcholine and mucin 5AC in the lungs of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expressions of acetylcholine (ACh) and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in the lungs of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and explore the mechanism of EA in treating COPD.

Methods

Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group, a COPD group, and an EA group, with 10 rats in each group. The control group was a group of normal rats. The COPD rat model was induced by cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The COPD rats were treated with EA at bilateral Feishu (BL 13) and Zusanli (ST 36) in the EA group, 30 min each time, once a day, successively for 14 d. The lung function was tested. The contents of ACh and MUC5AC in lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between pulmonary function and the content of MUC5AC in lungs. The mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC in lung tissues were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. The immune response of MUC5AC was observed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Eight rats were left in each group, and the other two died. Compared with the control group, the total airway resistance (Raw) increased significantly and dynamic compliance (Cdyn) decreased significantly in the COPD group (P<0.01); compared with the COPD group, the Raw level declined significantly and Cdyn increased significantly in the EA group (P<0.01). The contents of ACh and MUC5AC in the lungs and BALF were remarkably higher in the COPD group compared with those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.001); compared with the COPD group, the contents of ACh and MUC5AC were significantly lower in the EA group (P<0.05, P<0.001). There was a negative correlation between MUC5AC content and lung function (P<0.001). The mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC in the lungs were significantly higher in the COPD group than in the control group (P<0.001); compared with the COPD group, the expressions were significantly lower in the EA group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the immune response of MUC5AC in the airway epithelium significantly increased in the COPD group (P<0.001); the immune response of MUC5AC was significantly lower in the EA group compared with that in the COPD group (P<0.001).

Conclusion

EA treatment can improve the lung function of COPD rats, which may be related to its effect in the down-regulation of ACh and MUC5AC contents in the lungs as well as the inhibition of mucus hypersecretion.

     

A clinical trial of acupuncture about time-varying treatment and points selection in primary dysmenorrhea

Objective

To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture at single point Shiqizhui (EX-B8) and multi-points in time-varying treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods

600 patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly assigned to the single point group (n=200) including group A (treating before the menstruation, n=100) and group B (immediately treating as soon as pain occurrence, n=100), the multi-points group (n=200) including group C (treating before the menstruation, n=100) and group D (immediately treating as soon as pain occurrence, n=100), or the control group, group E (n=200, no treatment). The therapeutic effects were analyzed after treatment for three menstrual cycles and interviewed for three follow-up periods.

Results

Acupuncture could effectively relieve menstrual pain for primary dysmenorrhea compared with the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Immediate pain relief occurred following acupuncture within 5 min in group B (P<0.01) and group D (P<0.01), and the two groups obviously relieved menstrual pain for VAS scores. Both group A and group C obviously relieved menstrual pain (P<0.01), and group C was better than group A (P<0.05). Compared with group D, Group C was much better for CMSS scores in cycle 1.

Conclusion

Treating before the menstruation is better than immediately treating as soon as pain occurrence at the improvement in symptoms of dysmenorrheal at multi-points. And single point is better than multi-points when immediately treating as soon as pain occurrence. The present trial suggest Shiqizhui (EX-B8) should be chosen as a convenient point.     

Polysaccharides from Tricholoma matsutake and Lentinus edodes enhance 5-fluorouracil-mediated H22 cell growth inhibition

Objective

Few studies have investigated the effects produced by combinations of polysaccharides and chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer treatment. We hypothesized that a combination of polysaccharides (COP) from Lentinus edodes and Tricholoma matsutake would improve the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-mediated inhibition of H22 cell growth.

Methods

Mice were injected H22 cells and then treated with either 5-FU, polysaccharides from Tricholoma matsutake (PTM), polysaccharides from Lentinus edodes (PL), PTM + PL, 5-FU + PTM, 5-FU + PL, or 5-FU + COP. The tumor weight and volume, and splenic CD4 + and CD8 + T cell frequencies, were determined. Additionally, splenic natural killer (NK) cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activities were assessed and the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), and Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were measured.

Results

Compared with mice from the control, 5-FU, PL, PTM, PTM + PL, 5-FU + PL, and 5-FU + PTM groups, mice treated with 5-FU + COP showed: (a) significantly reduced tumor weight and volume (P< 0.05); (b) significantly higher serum levels of TNF-α, IL-2, and IFN-γ (P<0.05); (c) significantly increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell frequencies in the spleen (P< 0.05); and (d) significantly increased splenic NK cell and CTL activities (P<0.05). The tumor weight and volume in mice treated with 5-FU+PL or 5-FU+PTM were significantly reduced compared with mice treated with 5-FU alone (P<0.05). Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-2, and IFN-γ, frequencies of CD4 + and CD8+ T cells in the spleen, and splenic NK and CTL activities were also significantly increased in mice treated with 5-FU+PL or 5-FU+PTM compared with mice treated with 5-FU alone (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Polysaccharides from Lentinus edodes and Tricholoma matsutake could enhance the efficacy of 5-FU-mediated H22 cell growth inhibition.     

Role of Combining Spreading Moxibustion and Point Injection in Reducing ECP and LPO Levels and Improving Lung Function简

Objective： To observe the effect of combining spreading moxibustion and point injection on serum eosinophil cationic protein（ECP）, lipid peroxidase（LPO） and cellular immunity in patients with cough-variant asthma. Methods： A total of 150 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into three groups, 50 in each group. Spreading moxibustion and point injection were employed in the observation group, spreading moxibustion alone in the spreading moxibustion group and point injection alone in the point injection group. Then the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated after one course of treatment. Results： The recovery rate and total effective rate were 50.0% and 98.0% respectively in the observation group, versus 18.0% and 86.0% in the spreading moxibustion group and 14.0% and 82.0% in the point injection group, showing a statistically significant difference（P 〈 0.01）. Before treatment, there were no inter-group statistically significant differences in levels of ECP, LPO, CD3＋,CD4＋, CD4＋/CD8＋ and CD8＋, forced vital capacity（FCV）, forced expiratory volume 1（FEV1）, and peak expiratory flow（PEF）（P〉0.05）. After treatment, the ECP and LPO levels in the observation group were more significantly reduced than those in the other two groups, showing statistically significant difference（P〈0.01）; the levels of CD3＋, CD4＋ and CD4＋/CD8＋ in the observation group were significantly elevated but CD8＋ was significantly reduced, showing statistically significant differences compared with those in the other two groups（P〈0.01）; and the lung function indexes（FVC, FEV1 and PEF） in the observation group were more significantly elevated than those in the other two groups（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Combining spreading moxibustion and point injection could remarkably reduce the contents of ECP and LPO in patients with cough-variant asthma, improve cellular immunity, increase the contents of CD3＋, CD4＋ and CD4＋/CD8＋, reduce the content of CD8＋ and improve the lung function.     

Effect of hypoglycemic anti-deafness capsules in diabetic patients with deafness and toxicological assessment in rats

Objective

Through experiment on animals and clinical trials to explore the safety and efficacy of hypoglycemic anti-deafness capsules on diabetic patients with deafness.

Methods

Total 296 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were randomly divided into two groups. A treatment group of 164 patients (208 ears) was treated with hypoglycemic anti-deafness capsules based on TCM syndrome differentiation. A control group of 132 patients (184 ears) was treated with glibenclamide and conventional drug treatment for deafness. The following were observed: hearing, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h postprandial plasma glucose (2hPG), 24 h urine glucose (24hUG), improvement of main symptoms, platelet function, and changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxide (LPO) levels. In animal studies, Kunming mice, weighing 18-22 g were used. Half of the mice were males and half were females. Wistar rats, weighing 80-120 g were used. Half of the rats were males and half were females. Male Wistar rats, weighing 200-220 g, were also used. Their acute and chronic toxicity was studied.

Results

The hearing improvement was 56.7% in the treatment group and 26.6% in the control group. FPG, 2hPG, and 24hUG were improved significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively) in the treatment group and 2hPG and 24hUG improved significantly in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.05). The improvement in 2hPG and 24hUG in the treatment group was significantly greater than that in the control group P<0.01). There was no significant difference in FPG between the two groups (P<0.05). Main symptoms in the treatment group were significantly more improved than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the treatment group, platelet adhesion and aggregation, SOD, and LPO were all significantly improved from before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). However, in the control group, except LOP (P<0.05), there were no significant differences from before treatment to after (P<0.05). In animal studies, no obvious acute or long-term toxicity was observed from capsule administration.

Conclusion

Through experiment on animals and clinical trials, we can found that hypoglycemic anti-deafness capsules could decrease blood glucose and serum triglycerides of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. This herbal capsule is effective for safely treating diabetic patients with deafness.     

Effect of polypeptide 2B1 on condition of dampness pattern in rats in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Objective

This study investigated how polypeptide 2B1 is involved in regulating and governing dampness in rat models with dampness pattern defined in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Methods

We randomly divided 48 SPF 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats into a normal group, normal + Aristolochic acid I (AA-I) for 5 min group, normal + AA-I for 60 min group, dampness pattern group (DS-Group), dampness pattern + AA-I for 5 min group, and dampness pattern + AA-I for 60 min group. Groups were then treated accordingly. We took out the lung, stomach, liver, spleen, kidney, large intestine, and small intestine tissues to detect gene and protein expression of organic anion transporter polypeptide 2B1 (OATP2B1).

Results

Gene expression of OATP2B1 in spleen, kidney, and small intestine of rats with dampness pattern was lower than that in normal rats (P<0.05). The gene expressions of OATP2B1 in liver, stomach, large intestine, and small intestine were lower than that in control rats at different time points after being stimulated by AA-I (P<0.05).

Conclusion

There is coordination among multiple viscera in handling the condition of dampness, and the mechanism underlying the action may rely on regulating the expression of OATP2B1.