Experimental Study on Inhibitory Effect of Niacinamide on Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha-induced Matrix Degradation of Annulus Fibrous Tissue in vitro

The inhibitory effect of niacinamide on tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） induced annulus fibrous （AF） degradation was assessed, and the mechanism of the inhibition was investigated. Chiba＇s intervertebral disc （IVD） culture model was established. Forty-eight IVDs from 12 adult Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups （12 IVDs in each group）, and various concentrations of niacinamide and TNF-α were added to the medium for intervention： negative control group, niacinamide control group （0.5 mg/mL niacinamide）, degeneration group （10 ng/mL TNF-α）, and treatment group （0.5 mg/mL niacinamide and 10 ng/mL TNF-α）. After one week＇s culture, AFs were collected for glycosaminoglycan （GS） content measurement, safranin O-fast green staining, and immunohistochemical staining for type Ⅰ , Ⅱ collagen and cysteine containing aspartate specific prote- ase-3 （Caspase-3）. It was found that the GS content in treatment group was increased by about 48% as compared with degeneration group （t=16.93, P〈0.001）, and close to that in niacinamide control group （t=0.71, P=0.667）. Safranine O-fast green staining exhibited higher staining density and better histological structure of AF in the treatment group as compared with the degeneration group. Immunohistochemical staining for both TypeⅠ and Ⅱ collagen demonstrated that lamellar structure and continuity of collagen in treatment group were better reserved than in degeneration group. Positive staining rate of Caspase-3 in AFs of negative control group, niacinamide control group, degeneration group and treatment group was 3.4%, 4.3%, 17.9% and 10.3% respectively. The positive rate in treatment group was significantly lower than in degeneration group （P〈0.01）. It was concluded that niacinamide could effectively alleviate TNF-α induced destruction and synthesis inhibition of matrix ingredients in AFs. The inhibition may be related with reduction of expression of Caspase-3. Thus, niacinamide is of potential f     

Up-regulation of Niacinamide in Intervertebral Disc Aggrecan in vitro

The regulatory effects of niacinamide （Nia） on intervertebral disc （IVD） aggrecan in vitro was investigated. Chiba＇s 10 ng/mL interleukin-1 （IL-1）-induced rabbit IVD degeneration model in vitro was established. 0.5, 0. 25 and 0.05 mg/mL Nia was added to normal and degenerated IVDs for intervention. On the first and second week after intervention, safranin O-fast green staining intensity and glycosaminoglycan （GS） content were measured. The expression of aggrecan core protein was detected by RT-PCR. The results showed： （1） After treatment with 0. 5 mg/mL Nia for one week, the GS content in nucleus pulposus （NP） was increased by 44.80% as compared with control group （P〈0. 01） ; The GS content in IL-1 induction groups was increased with the increase of Nia concentrations： After treatment with 0. 5 mg/mL for one week, the GS content in NP was increased by 68.30% as compared with control group （P〈0. 01）. After two weeks, GS content in NP and fibrous rings was still higher than in control group at the same period （P〈0. 01） and untreated group （P〈0.01）. （2） Safranin O-fast green staining revealed that with the increase of Nia concentrations, staining density in NP and fibrous rings was increased and histological structure damage to IVDs by IL-1β was alleviated. （3） RT-PCR showed that the expression of core protein gene in IL-1β-induced degenerated IVDS was increased with the increase of Nia concentrations. It was concluded that under conditions in vitro, Nia could up-regulate the expression of aggrecan in IVDs and protect IVDs from IL-1β-induced degeneration at least partially, which offers a potential choice for IVD degeneration clinical therapy.     

Differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells towards nucleus pulposus-like cells induced by hypoxia and three-dimensional chitosan-alginate gel scaffold in vitro

Background Injectable three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds have the advantages of fluidity and moldability to fill irregular-shaped defects, simple incorporation of bioactive factors, and limited surgical invasiveness. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are multipotent and can be differentiated towards nucleus pulposus (NP)-like cells. A hypoxic environment may be important for differentiation to NP-like cells because the intervertebral disc is an avascular tissue. Hence, we investigated the induction effects of hypoxia and an injectable 3D chitosan-alginate (C/A) gel scaffold on ADSCs. Methods The C/A gel scaffold consisted of medical-grade chitosan and alginate. Gel porosity was calculated by the liquid displacement method. The pore microstructure was analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. ADSCs were isolated and cultured by conventional methods. Passage 2 BrdU-labeled ADSCs were co-cultured with the C/A gel. ADSCs were divided into three groups (control, normoxia-induced, and hypoxia-induced groups). In the control group, cells were cultured in 10% FBS/DMEM. Hypoxia-induced and normoxia-induced groups were induced by adding TGF-β1, dexamethasone, vitamin C, sodium pyruvate, proline, bone morphogenetic protein-7, and 1% ITS-plus to the culture medium and maintained in 2% or 20% O2, respectively. Histological and morphological changes were observed by light and electron microscopy. ADSCs were characterized by flow cytometry. Cell viability was investigated by BrdU incorporation. Proteoglycan and type II collagen were measured by safranin O staining and the Sircol method, respectively. mRNA expression of hypoxia inducing factor-1α (HIF-1α), aggrecan, and type II collagen was determined by RT-PCR. Results C/A gels had porous exterior surfaces with 80.57% porosity and 50–200 μm pore sizes. Flow cytometric analysis of passage 2 rabbit ADSCs showed high CD90 expression, while CD45 expression was very low. The morphology of induced ADSCs resembled that of NP cells. BrdU immunofluorescence showed that most ADSCs survived and proliferated in the C/A gel scaffold. Scanning electron microscopy showed that ADSCs grew well in the C/A gel scaffold. ADSCs in the C/A gel scaffold were positive for safranin O staining. Hypoxia-induced and normoxia-induced groups produced more proteoglycan and type II collagen than that in the control group (P <0.05). Proteoglycan and type II collagen levels in the hypoxia-induced group were higher than those in the normoxia-induced group (P <0.05). Compared with the control group, higher mRNA expression of HIF-1α, aggrecan, and type II collagen was detected in hypoxia-induced and normoxia-induced groups (P <0.05). Expression of these genes in the hypoxia-induced group was significantly higher than that in the normoxia-induced group (P <0.05). Conclusions ADSCs grow well in C/A gel scaffolds and differentiate towards NP-like cells that produce the same extracellular matrix as that of NP cells under certain induction conditions, which is promoted in a hypoxic state.     

Pathological study on right atrium myocardium in rheumatic heart dis-ease patients with atrial fibrillation

Objective: To study the pathological basis of right atrial fibrillation in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Twenty-nine patients with mitral valve replacement of RHD were divided into AF group (n=13) and sinus rhythm group (SN group) (n=16). There was no significant statistical difference in clinical factors between the 2 groups. During the operation of valve replace-ment, the samples of right atrial appendages were taken and the qualitative and quantitative study were made by light microscopy and electron microscopy. Results: (1) Light microscope: The interstitial fibrosis and the arrangement of myocardium was more disordered in AF group than that in SN group. However, no statistic difference was found in interstitial fibrosis and cellar hypertrophy degree between the 2 groups. (2) Electron microscope: Mitochondrial crosta broke and dissolved obviously in AF group. The mitochondrial volume in AF group was smaller than that in SN group. Volume density, average area and average perimeter in AF group were less than that in SN group ; specific surface in AF group was bigger than that in SN group. There was significant difference of above factors between the 2 groups; but there was no significant difference of surface density and numerical density on area in the 2 groups. Volume density of myofibril in AF group and SN group were less than that in SN group. (3)Split of Intercalated disc(ID) gap was found in AF group, and there was marrowing and floccular substance in ID gap. Conclusion : There were significant differences in the pathological changes of right atrial myocardium between AF and SN with RHD, these changes may be the im-portant pathological basis for RA fibrillation of AF patients with RHD.     

Apoptosis, myocardial fibrosis and angiotensin Ⅱ in the left ventricle of hyp ertensive rats treated with fosinopril or losartan

Objective To investigate the different effects of an angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonist, losartan, and an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, fosinopril, on cardiomyocyte apoptosis, myocardial fibrosis, and angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) in the left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods SHRs of 16-week-old were randomly divided into 3 groups: SHR-L (treated with losartan, 30 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)), SHR-F (treated with fosinopril, 10 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)), and SHR-C (treated with placebo). Each group consisted of 10 rats. Five rats, randomly selected from each group, were killed at the 8th and 16th week after treatment. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis, collagen volume fraction (CVF), perivascular collagen area (PVCA) and AngⅡ concentrations of plasma and myocardium were examined. Results Compared with the controls at the 8th and 16th week, systolic blood pressures were similarly decreased in both treatment groups. Left ventricular weight and left ventricular mass indexes were significantly lower in both treatment groups. However, the latter parameter at the 16th week was reduced to a less extent in the fosinopril group than that in the losartan group. Compared with the controls, cardiomycyte apoptotic index was significantly reduced at the 8th week only in the fosinopril group, and at the 16th week in both treatment groups. The index of the fosinopril group was lower than that of the losartan group at the latter endpoint examined. Compared with the controls, the left ventricular collagen volume fraction and perivascular collagen area at the 8th and 16th weeks were significantly reduced in the SHRs treated with either fosinopril or losartan. However, the collagen volume fraction at the latter endpoint in the fosinopril group was lower than that in the losartan group. Compared with the controls at endpoints, plasma and myocardium Ang Ⅱ levels were significantly increased in the losartan group. However, plasma Ang Ⅱ concentrations were not altered, and myocardium AngⅡ concentrations at the 8th and 16th weeks were significantly reduced in the fosinopril group. Conclusions Both losartan and fosinopril could effectively inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis and reverse heart hypertrophy. Fosinopril may be more effective in these cardioprotective effects, suggesting that the effects of both drugs are related to the inhibition of myocardium renin-angiotension-aldsterone system.     

Chinese Herbal Formula Ermiao Powder (二妙散) Regulates Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathway in Rats with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To investigate the effect of Chinese herbal formula Ermiao Powder (二妙散, EMP) on the expression of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Seventy two rats were randomly ivided into 6 groups according to body weight, including normal control group, collagen induced arthritis (CIA) group, three doses EMP groups, and methotrexate (MTX) group (n=12 per group). All of the rats except for those in the normal control group were given multipoint subcutaneous injection of bovine type Ⅱ collagen to establish a CIA model. Three EMP groups received a high- (4.5 g/kg), medium- (3.0 g/kg), and low- (1.5 g/kg) doses of EMP by intragavage, respectively. MTX group was injected intraperitoneally MTX at 0.9 mg/kg once a week as the positive control. The administration was 3 consecutive weeks. Joint swelling, arthritis index, and body weight changes in different experimental groups of rats were tested. The joint damage was evaluated by masson staining. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to evaluate the expression of CHRNA7, encoding α 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, in different tissues and their localization in the spleen and joints. Results: CHRNA7 expression levels were significantly higher in the joints and spleens of CIA group than those in normal control group (both P<0.05). Moreover, the CHRNA7 mRNA and protein levels in the spleen and joints of MTX and three doses of EMP groups were significantly lower than CIA group (all P<0.05). Compared with the MTX group, treatment with low-dose EMP resulted in significant reduction of CHRNA7 mRNA and protein expression levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). IHC showed positive signals of CHRNA7 in the white pulp and red pulp of the spleens of rats; CHRNA7 was expressed on fibroblast-like synoviocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells in the joints of rats, and the expression in the joints of low-dose EMP group was significantly lower than that in the CIA group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway was involved in the generation of the inflammatory reaction in CIA rats, and EMP exerted therapeutic effect on RA through cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.     

The remedial effect of soluble interleukin-1 receptor type II on endometriosis in the nude mouse model

Objective: Recent studies have shown that the local expression of soluble interleukin (IL) -1 receptor type Ⅱ (sIL-1 RⅡ) in endometrial tissue of women with endometriosis is decreased, and the depression of IL-1 RⅡ was more significant in infertile women than that in fertile women with endometriosis. In this research, we investigated the remedial effect of sIL-1-RⅡ administration on endometriosis in the nude mouse model. Methods: Nineteen nude model mice with endometriosis were randomly divided into three groups: group A was treated by intraperitoneal administration with only sIL-1 RⅡ for two weeks, group B was similarly treated with only IL-1, and group C (control) was administered saline . After 2 weeks, the size of the ectopic endometrial lesions was calculated, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and B-cell lymphoma leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The IL-8 and VEGF levels in the peritoneal fluid (PF) and serum were also measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean size of ectopic endometrial lesion did not differ between the three groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the control, the expression of VEGF and Bcl-2 was significantly lower in group A, and higher in group B. In the three groups, the levels of IL-8 in the PF and serum were highest in group A, and lowest in group B. Conclusion: sIL-1 RⅡ may suppresse hyperplasia of ectopic endometriosis, perhaps by reducing the expression of certain cytokines, such as VEGF, IL-8, and Bcl-2, which could provide a new clinical strategy for the treatment of endometriosis.     

Effects of Calcium Dobesilate on Glomerulus TIMP1 and Collagen Ⅳ of Diabetic Rats

Summary ： To observe the effects of calcium dobesilate on the expression of glomerular tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （TIMP1）, collagen Ⅳ , and ultrastrueture of glomerular basement mem- brane in diabetic rats, rats model of diabetes was established by unilateral nephreetomy and intraperitoneal injection of 1% STZ （55 mg/kg）, and rats were administered calcium dobesilate 100 mg/ kg （DD group） or distilled water （DM group） respectively. 12 weeks later, the changes in the renal uhrastrueture and ereatinine clearance rate （Cer） were examined in each group. The expression of glomerular TIMP1 and collagen Ⅳ were studied by immunohistoehemieal staining. Our results showed that after 12 weeks, the Cer in DD group increased and was significantly higher than that in DM group. Electron microscopy showed that thickness of glomerular capillary basement membrane （GBM） in Group DD was less than that of DM group. No hyperplasia of collagen fibers was found, and the distance betweeh the holes of endothelial cells in DD group was not as even as that in the normal group, but more even than that of DM group, and podocyte processes was still in order. Immunohistochemical staining of glomeruli showed that expression of TIMP1 and collagen Ⅳ in DD group were significantly less than those of DM group DM. It is concluded that calcium dobesilate can improve diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting the overaccumulation of collagen Ⅳ and calcium dobesilate may also contribute to diabetes by inhibiting the expression of TIMP1.     

Clinical Observation on Cervical Spondylopathy of the Vertebroarterial Type Treated by Electro-acupuncture

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of electro-acupuncture in the treatment of cervical spondylopathy of the vertebroarterial type. Methods: According to the consulting order, the patients were randomly divided into a treatment group (29 cases treated with electro-acupuncture), and a control group (28 cases treated with simple acupuncture). 20 treatments were given to patients in both groups. Results: The markedly effective rate of the treatment group was 75% and that of the control group was 61.54% (P<0.05). Conclusion: Electro-acupuncture has a better therapeutic effect than the simple acupuncture in the treatment of cervical spondylopathy of the vertebroarterial type.     

Glucan HBP-A Increase Type Ⅱ Collagen Expression of Chondrocytes in Vitro and Tissue Engineered Cartilage in Vivo

Objective:Although chondroprotective activities have been documented for polysaccharides,the potential target of different polysaccharide may differ.The study was aimed to explore the effect of glucan HBP-A in chondrocyte monolayer culture and chondrocytes-alginate hydrogel constructs in vivo,especially on the expression of type Ⅱ collagen.Methods:Chondrocytes isolated from rabbit articular cartilage were cultured and verified by immunocytochemical staining of type Ⅱ collagen.Chondrocyte viability was assessed after being treated with HBP-A in different concentrations.Morphological status of chondrocytes-alginate hydrogel constructs in vitro was observed by scanning electron microscope(SEM).The constructs were treated with HBP-A and then injected to nude mice subcutaneously.Six weeks after transplantation,the specimens were observed through transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The mRNA expressions of disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5(ADAMTs-5),aggrecan and type Ⅱ collagen in both monolayer culture and constructs were determined by real time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The expression of typeⅡ collagen and matrix metalloproteinases-3(MMP-3) in chondrocyte monolayer culture was also tested through Western blot and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),respectively.Results:MMP-3 secretion and ADAMTs-5 mRNA expression in vitro were inhibited by HBP-A at 0.3 mg/mL concentration.In morphological study,there were significant appearance of collagen in those constructs treated by HBP-A.Accordingly,in both chondrocyte monolayer culture and chondrocytes-alginate hydrogel constructs,the expression of type Ⅱcollagen was increased significantly in HBP-A group when compared with control group(P0.001).Conclusions:The study documented that the potential pharmacological target of glucan HBP-A in chondrocytes monolayer culture and tissue engineered cartilage in vivo may be concerned with the inhibition of catabolic enzymes MMP-3,ADAMTs-5,and increasing of type Ⅱ collagen expression.     

Clinical study on treatment of liver fibrosis of chronic hepatitis B patients with Ginkgo leaf

Objective: To study the anti-liver fibrosis effect of Ginkgo leaf in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods: Eighty-six patients with chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into two groups with similar general condition. The 42 patients in the treated group were treated with Ginkgo leaf tablet (GLT), and the 44 patients in the control group were treated with Yiganling tablet (益肝灵片). The treatment was conducted for 3 successive months in both groups. Changes in the histo-pathology of liver, serum levels of platelet activating factor (PAF), hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen type Ⅳ (C-Ⅳ), laminin (LN) and pro-collagen peptide type Ⅲ (PCⅢ)were observed before and after treatment. Results: The markedly effective rate and the total effective rate in the treated group were 45.1% and 76.2% respectively, while in the control group the corresponding rates were 18.2% and 43.2%. Comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P<0.01). Serum levels of PAF, HA, C-Ⅳ, LN and PCⅢ were lowered significantly in the treated group after treatment. Compared with the corresponding parameters in the control group after treatment, the differences were all significant (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The pathological examination of liver showed improvement in both groups, the inflammation grade lowered in 10 patients (55.6%) of the treated group and in 5 patients (35.7%) of the control group, insignificant difference was shown between them. But in comparing the fibrosis staging lowering patients between the two groups, 12 patients (66.7%) vs 3 patients (21.4%), the difference was significant (P<0.05). Moreover, there were 4 patients in the control group with their fibrosis aggravated, while in the treated group, none was aggravated (P<0.05).Conclusion: Ginkgo leaf tablet has some liver protective and anti-liver fibrosis benefits.     

Protective effect of periplaneta americana extract on intestinal mucosal barrier function in patients with sepsis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the periplaneta americana extract on the intestinal mucosal barrier and prognostic implications in patients with sepsis. METHODS: Sixty and six patients with sepsis were assigned randomly to treatment group (32 cases) and control group (32 cases). The extractfrom periplaneta americana plus conventional medication for sepsis was administered to the treatment group, while the control group only received conventional treatment. The gastrointestinal function scores and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEⅡ) scores of all subjects were documented at baseline, at days 1, 3 and 7 after treatment respectively and their blood endotoxin was tested at the same time points as well.The incidence of death was recorded for both groups throughout the trial. RESULTS: At days 3 and 7 after treatment, gastroin-testinal function score, APACHE II, and endotoxin level in treatment group wasbetter than that in control group and the difference between them was significant (both P<0.05). Although the incidence of death in treatment group was less than that in control group, the difference between the two groups was not significant (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The extract of periplaneta americana had protective effect on intestinal mucosal barrier and could improve the condition and prognosis in patients with sepsis.     

Contribution of Borneolum syntheticum to the Intervention Effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pill (六味地黄丸) on Experimental Retinal Degeneration

Objective: To observe the contribution of Borneolum syntheticum to the intervention effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pill(六味地黄丸, LDP) on experimental retinal degeneration, and initially investigate the mechanism of Borneolum syntheticum as meridian-lead-in drug. Methods: A total of 180 sodium iodateinduced retinital degeneration rats were randomly divided into three groups, including distilled water group, LDP group, and LDP+Borneolum syntheticum(LDP+BS) group. Twenty normal rats were fed regularly without any treatment as normal control. On day 7 and 14 after treatment, histopathological study and transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL) test were performed to evaluate the retinopathy. Claudin-5 expression at blood-retina barrier(BRB) was detected by Western blot at different time points from 0.5 to 8 h after gavage. Results: On day 7 and 14 after treatment, the retinal lesion grades were significantly different among the three groups(P0.05). The grade in the LDP+BS group was significantly less than the LDP and distilled water groups(both P0.05), no significant difference was observed between the LDP and distilled water groups(P0.05). The apoptosis rates in the LDP+BS group was significantly less than the distilled water and LDP groups(both P0.05), while there was no significant difference between LDP and distilled water groups(P0.05). Expression of claudin-5 in LDP+BS group was significantly less than the other two groups at 0.5, 1 and 2 h after gavage(P0.05). There was no apparent difference among the three groups at 4 and 8 h after gavage(P0.05). Conclusion: Borneolum syntheticum could strengthen the effect of LDP on experimental retinal degeneration, indicated that Borneolum syntheticum might play the role of meridian-lead-in drug in the formula. The mechanism may be due to Borneolum syntheticum could promote the physiologically openness of bloodretina barrier through transiently affecting the expression of claudin-5.     

Contribution of Borneolum syntheticum to the Intervention Effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pill (六味地黄丸) on Experimental Retinal Degeneration

Objective: To observe the contribution of Borneolum syntheticum to the intervention effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pill (六味地黄丸, LDP) on experimental retinal degeneration, and initially investigate the mechanism of Borneolum syntheticum as meridian-lead-in drug. Methods: A total of 180 sodium iodate-induced retinital degeneration rats were randomly divided into three groups, including distilled water group, LDP group, and LDP+Borneolum syntheticum (LDP+BS) group. Twenty normal rats were fed regularly without any treatment as normal control. On day 7 and 14 after treatment, histopathological study and transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) test were performed to evaluate the retinopathy. Claudin-5 expression at blood-retina barrier (BRB) was detected by Western blot at different time points from 0.5 to 8 h after gavage. Results: On day 7 and 14 after treatment, the retinal lesion grades were significantly different among the three groups (P<0.05). The grade in the LDP+BS group was significantly less than the LDP and distilled water groups (both P<0.05), no significant difference was observed between the LDP and distilled water groups (P>0.05). The apoptosis rates in the LDP+BS group was significantly less than the distilled water and LDP groups (both P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between LDP and distilled water groups (P>0.05). Expression of claudin-5 in LDP+BS group was significantly less than the other two groups at 0.5, 1 and 2 h after gavage (P<0.05). There was no apparent difference among the three groups at 4 and 8 h after gavage (P>0.05). Conclusion: Borneolum syntheticum could strengthen the effect of LDP on experimental retinal degeneration, indicated that Borneolum syntheticum might play the role of meridian-lead-in drug in the formula. The mechanism may be due to Borneolum syntheticum could promote the physiologically openness of blood-retina barrier through transiently affecting the expression of claudin-5.     

Antifibrotic Effect of Total Flavonoids of Astmgali Radix on Dimethylnitrosamine-Induced Liver Cirrhosis in Rats

Objective: To study the effect of total flavonoids of Astmgali Radix (TFA) on liver cirrhosis induced with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in rats, and the effect on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Methods: Fifty-three Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group (10 rats) and a DMN group (43 rats). Rats in the DMN group were given DMN for 4 weeks and divided randomly into a model group (14 rats), a low-dosage TFA group (14 rats) and a high-dosage TFA group (15 rats) in the 3rd week. Rats were given TFA for 4 weeks at the dosage of 15 and 30 mg/kg in the low- and high-TFA groups, respectively. At the end of the experiment blood and liver samples were collected. Serum liver function and liver tissue hydroxyproline content were determined. hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Sirus red and immunohistochemical stainings of collagen Ⅰ, smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was conducted in paraffinembedded liver tissue slices. Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was adopted to determine PPARγ, UCP2 and FXR mRNA levels. Western blot was adopted to determine protein levels of collagen Ⅰ, α-SMA, PPARγ, UCP2 and FXR. Results: Compared with the model group, TFA increased the ratio of liver/body weight (low-TFA group P<0.05, high-TFA group P<0.01), improved liver biochemical indices (P<0.01 for ALT, AST, GGT in both groups, P<0.05 for albumin and TBil in the high-TFA group) and reduced liver tissue hydroxproline content (P<0.01 in both groups) in treatment groups significantly. HE staining showed that TFA alleviated liver pathological changes markedly and Sirus red staining showed that TFA reduced collagen deposition, alleviated formation and extent of liver pseudolobule. Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA immunohistochemical staining showed that staining area and extent markedly decreased in TFA groups compared with the model group. TFA could increase PPARγ, it regulated target UCP2, and FXR levels significantly compared with the model group (in the low-TFA group all P<0.05, in the high group all P<0.01). Conclusions: TFA could improve liver function, alleviate liver pathological changes, and reduce collagen deposition and formation of liver pseudolobule in rats with liver cirrhosis. The antifibrotic effect of TFA was through regulating PPARγ signal pathway and the interaction with FXR.     

Changes in myocardial collagen content before and after left ventricular assist device application in dilated cardiomyopathy

Background The purposes of this study were to confirm the changes in myocardial collagen level after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), find the relation between these changes and prognosis, and test a practical method to assess the level of myocardial collagen.Methods Left ventricular samples were collected from DCM patients with different prognosis (transplanted group n=8, weaning group n=10) at the time when the LVADs were implanted and again during cardiac transplantation (n=8). The level of neutral salt soluble collagen (NSC) and acid soluble collagen (ASC) was measured by Sircol collagen assay, and that of total collagen and insoluble collagen (ISC) by quantification of hydroxyproline (Hyp). Serum samples were collected from a portion of these patients (transplanted group, n=6; weaning group n=7) at the time the LVADs were implanted, 1 month after implantation and on explantation. Circulating concentration of carboxy-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen (PⅠCP), amino-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen (PⅠNP), amino-terminal propeptide of type Ⅲ procollagen (PⅢNP) and type Ⅰ collagen telopeptide (ⅠCTP) were measured by the equilibrium type radioimmunoassay. Results Before LVAD implantation the level of NSC and ISC in the weaning group was higher but ASC in the transplanted group was lower than in the controls (P&lt;0.05). After LVAD support, the level of total collagen was higher, but ASC was also lower in the transplanted group than in the controls (P&lt;0.05). In comparison of the pre- and post-LVAD subgroups of the transplanted and weaning groups, all collagen fraction levels before LVAD implantation were lower in the transplanted group than in the weaning group (P&lt;0.05); but this difference disappeared after LVAD support. Comparison of the pre- and post-LVAD subgroups of the transplanted group showed increased level of NSC and total collagen after LVAD support. The changes of serum peptide concentration showed that PⅢNP increased constantly in the transplanted group, but PⅠCP and PⅠNP increased in the weaning group after LVAD implantation. Conclusions The changes in myocardial collagen level as a sign of myocardial interstitial remodeling in DCM are not involved with total collagen but invalved with collagen fractions, and they are related to prognosis. The changes of myocardial collagen content and serum procollagen peptide after LVAD support can be regarded as an expression of the reverse of maladaptive myocardial interstitial remodeling.     

Correlation between osteoporosis and degeneration of intervertebral discs in aging rats

This study examined the correlation between osteoporosis and the degeneration of in-tervertebral discs. Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained up to 22 or 28 months. The femoral bone, tibial bone and lumbar vertebra were histologically studied and the expression of collagen type Ⅱ and Ⅹ in intervertebral discs was immunohistochemiscally determined. Several indices for the de-generation of intervertebral discs and osteoporosis and the correlation among them were then ana-lyzed. Close correlations were found among the indices for the degeneration of intervertebral discs, including the relative area of the vascular bud, the ratio of the uncalcified and the calcified layers, the expression of collagen type Ⅱ and Ⅹ. The correlation with collagen type Ⅹ was negative. There existed positive correlations among the indices for osteoporosis, including the thickness ratio of cor-tical bone, the relative area of bone trabecula, the density of femoral and vertebral body bones, and the maximum stress and strain on bone. Analysis on the relationship of osteoporosis and the disease on disc showed that the indices of osteoporosis were negatively correlated with the indices of the de-generation of intervertebral discs but the expression of collagen type Ⅹ was positively correlated, with the density of vertebral body bones having the strongest dependence on collagen type Ⅹ. The maximum stress and strain bore no correlation with the degeneration of intervertebral discs. These results suggest that osteoporosis was negatively correlated with the degeneration of intervertebral discs.