Effects of Senegenin against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Injury in PC12 Cells

Objective:To investigate the effect and the potential mechanism of Senegenin(Sen) against injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R) in highly differentiated PC12 cells.Methods:The cultured PC12 cells were treated with H/R in the presence or absence of Sen(60 μmol/L).Four groups were included in the experiment:control group,H/R group,H/R+Sen group and Sen group.Cell viability of each group and the level of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) in culture medium were detected for the pharmacological effect of Sen.Hoechst 33258 staining and annexin V/propidium iodide double staining were used to analyze the apoptosis rate.Moreover,mitochondrial membrane potential(△Ψm),reactive oxygen species(ROS) and intracellular free calcium([Ca~(2+)]i) were measured by fluorescent staining and flow cytometry.Cleaved caspase-3and activity of NADPH oxidase(NOX) were determined by colorimetric protease assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,respectively.Results:Sen significantly elevated cell viability(P0.05),decreased the leakage of LDH(P0.05) and apoptosis rate(P0.05) in H/R-injured PC12 cells.Sen maintained the value of△Ψm(P0.05) and suppressed the activity of caspase-3(P0.05).Moreover,Sen reduced ROS accumulation(P0.05) and[Ca~(2+)]i increment(P0.05) by inhibiting the activity of NOX(P0.05).Conclusion:Sen may exert cytoprotection against H/R injury by decreasing the levels of intracellular ROS and[Ca~(2+)]_i,thereby suppressing the mitochondrial pathway of cellular apoptosis.     

Effects of Shenfu Injection (参附注射液) on Cerebral Metabolism in A Porcine Model of Cardiac Arrest

Objective:To investigate the effects of Shenfu Injection(参附注射液,SFI) on cerebral metabolism in a porcine model of cardiac arrest(CA).Methods:Thirty Wuzhishan minipigs were randomly assigned to the control group(n=6),epinephrine group(EP group,n=12) and SFI group(n=12).After8 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation(VF),pigs in the EP group or SFI group were administered with either EP(0.02 mg/kg) or SFI(1.0 mL/kg),respectively.After successful resuscitation,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) levels of glucose,pyruvate,lactate,glutamate and glycerol were measured at 1,6,12 and 24 h after recover from spontaneous circulation(ROSC).In addition,neurologic deficit score(NDS) was calculated at 24 h after ROSC.Surviving pigs were killed at 24 h after ROSC,and the brain tissue was obtained for ultra-microstructure examination.Results:Compared with the EP group,CSF glucose and pyruvate levels were higher(all P0.01),and lactate levels were lower in the SFI group(P0.01).Meanwhile,CSF glutamate and glycerol levels in the SFI group were lower in comparison to the EP group(all P0.05).In addition,SFI decreased NDS at 24 h after ROSC(P0.01),and alleviated the histopathological damage of the brain.Conclusions:SFI could alleviate brain injury after CA,which may be associated with improving cerebral metabolism.     

Synchronous Dynamic Research on Respiratory and Intestinal Microflora of Chronic Bronchitis Rat Model

Objectives

To investigate the mechanism of the Chinese medicine theory that Fei (Lung) and Dachang (Large Intestine) are exteriorly and interiorly related via synchronous observation on the dynamic changes of the respiratory and intestinal microflora.

Methods

Forty specific pathogen free Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into blank (10 rats) and chronic bronchitis model groups (30 rats). The blank group rats were put into the smoke-free environment and the model group rats were put into the smoke environment in order to establish pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis) model. Then the corresponding changes of the respiratory and intestinal microflflora of the model on 20th, 50th and 70th days were synchronously observed.

Results

The respiratory tract microflflora showed an increase in the total aerobic and Staphylococcus aureus and reduced anaerobic amount signifificantly on 20th day in the respiratory tract microflflora (P<0.05 or 0.01). On 50th day, total aerobic, total anaerobic amount and bififidobacterium signifificantly increased (P<0.05). On 70th day, Staphylococcus aureus reduced and lactobacillus increased signifificantly (P<0.01). The intestinal microflflora showed an increase in the total aerobic, Clostridium perfringens, enterobacter and enterococcus significantly increased on 20th day (P<0.05 or 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus on 50th day increased significantly (P<0.05). Total aerobic and enterococcus increased, total anaerobic and Clostridium perfringens reduced signifificantly on 70th day (P<0.05 or 0.01).

Conclusion

The microecosystem of respiratory tract and intestine of rat model during the pathological process showed a dynamic disorder, indicating an interaction between the lung and large intestine which may be one of the connotations as they exteriorly and interiorly related.

     

Efficacy and Safety of Qiaoshao Formula(翘芍方) on Patients with Lifelong Premature Ejaculation of Gan(Liver) Depression and Shen(Kidney) Deficiency Syndrome:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of Qiaoshao Formula(翘芍方, QSF) on patients with lifelong premature ejaculation(LPE) of Gan(Liver) depression and Shen(Kidney) deficiency syndrome. Methods: A total of 60 LPE patients were randomly divided into treatment(QSF) and control(dapoxetine) groups. The treatment group received QSF twice a day and the control group received dapoxetine 1 to 2 h prior to planned sexual intercourse for 4 weeks. The outcomes included intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time(IELT), premature ejaculation diagnostic tool(PEDT), clinical global impression of change(CGIC), scores of Chinese medicine symptoms(CMSS), sex life satisfaction(SLS) and adverse events(AEs). Results: In the treatment group, the median IELT was 3 min vs. 1.5 min before and after treatment(P0.05). PEDT in the treatment group was reduced to 11.76±1.68 from 15.83±2.30 after treatment(P0.05). Besides, patient's SLS was improved from 1.30±0.05 to 6.30±0.04(P0.05), and spouse's SLS was increased from 1.30±0.08 to 6.10±0.06(P0.05); CMSS was decrease from 14.86±3.02 to 9.62±2.87(P0.05). In addition, no significant AE was observed in both groups. Conclusion: QSF may be effective and safe on LPE patients with Gan depression and Shen deficiency syndrome.     

Jinmaitong(筋脉通)Alleviates the Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy by Inducing Autophagy

Objective:To observe the deregulation of autophagy in diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN) and investigate whether Jinmaitong(筋脉通i,JMT) alleviates DPN by inducing autophagy.Methods:DPN models were established by streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and Schwann cells(SCs) cultured in high glucose medium.The pathological morphology was observed by the improved Bielschowsky's nerve fiber axonal staining and the Luxol fast blue-neutral red myelin staining.The ultrastructure was observed by the transmission electron microscopy.Beclinl level was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.The proliferation of cultured SCs was detected by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide.Results:Diabetic peripheral nerve tissues demonstrated pathological morphology and reduced autophagic structure,accompanied with down-regulation of Beclinl.JMT apparently alleviated the pathological morphology change and increased the autophagy[in vivo,Beclinl integral optical density(IOD) value of the control group 86.6±17.7,DM 43.9±8.8,JMT 73.3 ±17.8,P0.01 or P0.05,in vitro Beclinl IOD value of the glucose group 0.4710.25 vs the control group 0.88 ±0.29,P0.05].Consequently,inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine resulted in a time- and concentrationdependent decrease of the proliferation of SCs(P0.05,P0.01).Conclusions:Down-regulation of autophagy in SCs might contribute to the pathogenesis of DPN.JMT alleviates diabetic peripheral nerve injury at least in part by inducing autophagy.     

Chinese Medicine for Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease: A Meta Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of Chinese medicine(CM) adjunct to conventional medications for idiopathic Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods:Electronic English and Chinese databases including PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,Chinese Medical Current Contents,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,China Science and Technology Journal Database,Wanfang Med Database,and Traditional Chinese Medical Database System were used for key words searching in a highly sensitive search strategy.The extracted data was analyzed by the Review Manager 5.0.Results:Twelve trials involving 869 participants were included in the meta-analysis.Unified PD Rating Scale(UPDRS) I,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ scores and UPDRS Ⅰ-Ⅳ total scores were used to be the primary outcomes,Parkinson Disease Question-39(PDQ-39) and Scores of Chinese Medical Symptoms were the secondary outcomes.CM adjunct therapy had greater improvement in UPDRS Ⅰ[2 trials;standardized mean difference(SMD)-0.40,95%confidence interval(CI)-0.71 to-0.09;Z=2.49(P=0.01)],Ⅱ[5 trials;SMD-0.47,95%CI-0.69 to-0.25;Z=4.20(P0.01)],Ⅲ[5 trials;SMD-0.35,95%CI-0.57 to-0.13;Z=3.16(P=0.002)],Ⅳ scores[3 trials;SMD-0.32,95%CI-0.60 to-0.03;Z=2.17(P=0.03)],UPDRS Ⅰ-Ⅳ total scores[7 trials;SMD-0.36,95%CI-0.53 to-0.20;Z=4.24(P0.05)].PDQ-39 and Chinese medical symptoms compared to the conventional medication only.Conclusion:CM adjunct therapy has potential therapeutic benefits by decreasing UPDRS scores and reducing adverse effect.     

Effect of Artemisia annua Extract on Treating Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To investigate the effect and safety of the complementary use of the extract of Artemisia annua L. (EAA) on treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed. All the 159 participates with active RA were randomly assigned to the control group (80 cases) and EAA group (79 cases) using concealed random allocation method. In the control group, patients were medicated with leflflunomide and methotrexate for 48 weeks; and patients in the EAA group were administrated with leflflunomide, methotrexate plus EAA (30 g/d). At the time points of 0, 12, 24 and 48 weeks, the clinical outcome measures, including objective pain score, tenderness score, number of painful joints, number of swollen joints, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score for quality of life, levels of serum rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated protein antibodies (CCP-Ab), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue score for pain (VAS), and the overall effificacy were detected and recorded.

Results

The objective pain score, number of painful joints and ESR at 12 weeks, tenderness score and HAQ at 24 weeks, and the tenderness score, number of painfull joints, number of swollen joints, HAQ, CRP, RF and CCP-Ab at 48 weeks were signifificantly improved in the EAA group compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At 24 and 48 weeks, the overall effificacy of the EAA group was signifificantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). There were signifificantly higher withdrawal rate of corticosteroids within 12 weeks post-treatment and lower incidence rate of adverse effects in the EAA group compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

Conclusion

EAA plus methotrexate and leflflunomide were more effective and safer than the routine use of methotrexate and leflflunomide in the treatment of active RA.

     

Hot Compress with Chinese Herbal Salt Packets Reducing PICC Catheter Complications: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To explore the preventive effect of applying hot compress with Chinese herbal salt packets(CHSP) to puncture vessels under aseptic conditions during peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC) on postoperative phlebitis. Methods: A total of 720 hospitalized patients undergoing first PICC were assigned to treatment and control groups(360 cases each group) according to a random number table. The control group received conventional catheterization and nursing care. The treatment group was first given hot compress with CHSP(which consisted of honeysuckle 30 g, Semen brassicae 30 g, Salvia miltiorrhiza 30 g, Angelica dahurica 30 g, Semen raphani 30 g, Evodia rutaecarpa 30 g, and coarse salt 20 g) on the punctured vessel under aseptic conditions for 5–10 min before conventional catheterization. The main efficacy indices were the vessel diameters before and during catheterization and the success rate of a single catheter, and the secondary efficacy indiex was the incidence of superficial phlebitis within 1 week after catheterization. Results: The vessel diameter during catheterization of the treatment group was remarkably increased compared with the control group [(7.96±0.42) mm vs.(4.39±0.54) mm, P0.01]. The success rate of the single catheter of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group [94.00%(329/350) vs. 73.72%(244/329), P0.01]. The incidence of superficial phlebitis within 1 week after catheterization in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P=0.007). There was no adverse event with CHSP. Conclusion: Hot compress with CHSP during PICC is applicable as it can effectively improve the success rate of a single catheter and reduce the incidence of superficial phlebitis after catheterization(Trial registration No. ChiCTR-ONC-17010498).     

Gefitinib plus Fuzheng Kang'ai Formula(扶正抗癌方) in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Fuzheng Kang'ai Formula(扶正抗癌方, FZKA) plus gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) mutations. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2009 to 2012 in South China. Seventy chemotherapynaive patients diagnosed with stage ⅢB/Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations were randomly assigned to GF group [gefitinib(250 mg/day orally) plus FZKA(250 m L, twice per day, orally); 35 cases] or G group(gefitinib 250 mg/day orally; 35 cases) according to the random number table and received treatment until progression of the disease, or development of unacceptable toxicities. The primary endpoint [progression-free survival(PFS)] and secondary endpoints [median survival time(MST), objective response rate(ORR), disease control rate(DCR) and safety] were observed. Results: No patient was excluded after randomization. GF group had significantly longer PFS and MST compared with the G group, with median PFS of 12.5 months(95% CI 3.30–21.69) vs. 8.4 months(95% CI 6.30–10.50; log-rank P0.01), MST of 21.5 months(95% CI 17.28–25.73) vs. 18.3 months(95% CI 17.97–18.63; log-rank P0.01). ORR and DCR in GF group and G group were 65.7% vs. 57.1%, 94.3% vs. 80.0%, respectively(P0.05). The most common toxic effects in the GF group and G group were rash or acne(42.8% vs. 57.1%, P0.05), diarrhea(11.5% vs. 31.4%, P0.05), and stomatitis(2.9% vs. 8.7%, P0.05). Conclusion: Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer selected by EGFR mutations have longer PFS, MST with less toxicity treated with gefitinib plus FZKA than gefitinib alone.     

Wet Cupping Therapy Improves Local Blood Perfusion and Analgesic Effects in Patients with Nerve-Root Type Cervical Spondylosis

Objective

To observe wet cupping therapy (WCT) on local blood perfusion and analgesic effects in patients with nerve-root type cervical spondylosis (NT-CS).

Methods

Fifty-seven NT-CS patients were randomly divided into WCT group and Jiaji acupoint-acupuncture (JA) group according a random number table. WCT group (30 cases) was treated with WCT for 10 min, and JA group (27 cases) was treated with acupuncture for 10 min. The treatment efficacies were evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Blood perfusion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Jianjing (GB 21) acupoints (affected side) was observed with a laser speckle flowmetry, and its variations before and after treatment in both groups were compared as well.

Results

In both groups, the VAS scores significantly decreased after the intervention (P<0.01), while the blood perfusion at the two acupoints significantly increased after intervention (P<0.05); however, the increasement magnitude caused by WCT was obvious compared with JA (P<0.05).

Conclusions

WCT could improve analgesic effects in patients with NT-CS, which might be related to increasing local blood perfusion of acupunct points.

     

Sodium Tanshinone ⅡA Sulfonate Injection as Adjuvant Treatment for Unstable Angina Pectoris: A Meta-Analysis of 17 Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Sodium Tanshinone ⅡA Sulfonate Injection(STS) as one adjuvant therapy for treating unstable angina pectoris(UAP). Methods: Randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of UAP treated by STS were searched in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database(CNKI), VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals(VIP), Wanfang Database, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(CBM), Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Pub Med, which from inception to January, 2016. The Cochrane Risk Assessment Tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the RCTs. The Review Manager 5.3 software was used to conduct the metaanalysis. Results: The results showed that 17 RCTs involving 1,372 patients were included. The meta-analysis indicated that the combined use of STS and Western medicine(WM) in the treatment of UAP can obviously improve the total effective rate [risk ratio(RR)=1.31, 95% confidence interval(CI)(1.24,1.39), P0.0001], and the total effective rate of electrocardiogram [RR=1.43, 95% CI(1.30,1.56), P0.0001], decrease the level of CRP [mean difference(MD)=–3.06, 95%CI(–3.85, –2.27), P0.00001], fibrinogen [MD=–1.03, 95% CI(–1.16, –0.89), P0.00001], and whole blood high shear viscosity [MD=–0.70, 95% CI(–0.92, –0.49), P0.00001]. Additionally, the occurrence of adverse drug reaction of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group [RR=3.57, 95% CI(1.28, 9.94), P0.05]. Conclusions: Compared with WM, the combined use of STS was more effective.     

Acupuncture Alters Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in the Plasma of Maternally Separated Rat Pups

Objective: To investigate the potential alleviating effects of acupuncture on maternal separation(MS)-induced changes in plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels of rat pups. Methods: On postnatal day 15, rat pups were randomly assigned to 4 groups(n=6 per group) using a random number table: normal, MS, MS with acupuncture stimulation at Shenmen(HT 7) acupoint(MS+HT 7), and MS with acupuncture stimulation at Chengshan(BL 57) acupoint(MS+BL 57) groups. Rat pups in the normal group were housed with their mothers under standard conditions; those in the MS, MS+HT 7 and MS+BL 57 groups were maternally separated and individually maintained. Acupuncture stimulation was performed at HT 7 or BL 57 acupoints once a day for 7 consecutive days. A tail suspension test was performed to measure immobility time of rats and the plasma was collected on postnatal day 21, then levels of corticosterone(CORT), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6 and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) in plasma were measured. Results: Compared with the normal group, the immobility time and the plasma levels of CORT, IL-1β, IL-6 and GDNF in the MS group were significantly increased(P0.05 or P0.01). Compared with the MS group, the immobility time and the plasma levels of CORT, IL-1β, IL-6 and GDNF were significantly reduced in the MS+HT 7 group(P0.05 or P0.01). Moreover, the immobility time and plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the MS+HT 7 group were significantly lower than those in the MS+BL 57 group(P0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture stimulation at HT 7 can alleviate the behavioral impairment and changes of the cytokines by MS, indicating that acupuncture can help to relieve MS-induced depression.     

Huoxue Anxin Recipe(活血安心方)Promotes Myocardium Angiogenesis of Acute Myocardial Infarction Rats by Up-Regulating miR-210 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Objective: To investigate the microR NAs(miR NAs) expression profile of acute myocardial infarction(AMI) rats and the regulating effects of Huoxue Anxin Recipe(活血安心方, HAR) on angiogenesis-related miR NAs and genes. Methods: Forty-five Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups according to a random number table: sham, AMI, and AMI+HAR groups(15 in each group). AMI rats were established by ligation of the left descending coronary artery. HAR was intragastrically administered to rats of the AMI+HAR group for successive 21 days since modeling, meanwhile the same volume of 0.9% normal saline was administered to rats of the sham and AMI groups. Doppler echocardiography was used for noninvasive cardiac function test. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the histopathological change. miR NAs expression profile was detected by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction(qR T-PCR). The mR NA and protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), and a target gene of miR-210 was further detected by qR T-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The microvessels density of myocardium was evaluated by CD31 immunostaining. Results: Compared with the sham group, ejection fraction(EF) and fractional shortening(FS) values were decreased significantly in the AMI group(P0.01), while the infarction area and the interstitial collagen deposition were increased obviously. As for the AMI+HAR group, EF and FS values were increased significantly(P0.05 vs. AMI group), and the infarction area was reduced and the interstitial collagen deposition were alleviated significantly. Total of 23 miR NAs in the AMI group expressed differently by at least 1.5 folds compared with those in the sham group; 5 miR NAs in the AMI+HAR group expressed differently by at least 1.5 folds compared with those in the AMI group. Among them, miR-210 was low in the AMI group and high in the AMI+HAR group. The relative mR NA and protein expressions of VEGF were decreased significantly in the AMI group(P0.05 vs. sham group), and increased significantly in the AMI+HAR group(P0.01 vs. AMI group). CD31 expression area and optical intensity were decreased significantly in the AMI group(P0.05 vs. sham group), and increased significantly in the AMI+HAR group(P0.01 vs. AMI group). Conclusions: HAR could reduce the infarction area, alleviate the interstitial fibrosis and improve the cardiac function of AMI rats. Those effects could be related to promoting myocardium angiogenesis of HAR by up-regulating miR-210 and VEGF.     

Effect of Bushen Yisui Capsule(补肾益髓胶囊) on Oligodendrocyte Lineage Genes 1 and 2 in Mice with Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Objective: To study the effects of Bushen Yisui Capsule(补肾益髓胶囊, BSYSC) on the oligodendrocyte lineage genes(Olig) 1 and Olig2 in C57BL/6 mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE) in order to explore the remyelination effect of BSYSC. Methods: The mice were randomly divided into normal control(NC), EAE model(EAE-M), prednisone acetate(PA, 6 mg/kg), BSYSC high-dose(3.02 g/kg) and BSYSC low-dose(1.51 g/kg) groups. The mice were induced by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein(MOG) 35-55. The neurological function scores were assessed once daily. The pathological changes in mice brains were observed with hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and transmission electron microscope(TEM). The protein expressions of myelin basic protein(MBP), Olig1 and Olig2 in brains were measured by immunohistochemistry. The m RNA expressions of Olig1 and Olig 2 was also determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Compared with the EAE-M mice,(1) the neurological function scores were significantly decreased in BSYSC-treated mice on days 22 to 40(P0.01);(2) the inflammatory cells and demyelination in brains were reduced in BSYSC-treated EAE mice;(3) the protein expression of MBP was markedly increased in BSYSC-treated groups on day 18 and 40 respectively(P0.05 or P0.01);(4) the protein expression of Olig1 was increased in BSYSC(3.02 g/kg)-treated EAE mice on day 40(P0.01). Protein and m RNA expression of Olig2 was increased in BSYSC-treated EAE mice on day 18 and 40(P0.01). Conclusion: The effects of BSYSC on reducing demyelination and promoting remyelination might be associated with the increase of Olig1 and Olig2.     

Protective Effects of Danlou Tablet (丹蒌片) against Murine Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury In Vivo

Objective: To observe the in vivo effect of Danlou Tablet (丹蒌片, DLT) on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods: DLT effects were evaluated in mouse heart preparation using 30-min coronary occlusion followed by 24-h reperfusion and compared among sham group (n=6), I/R group (n=8), IPC group (ischemia preconditioning, n=6) and DLT group (I/R with DLT pretreatment for 3 days, 750 mg?kg-1?day-1, n=8). The effects of DLT were characterized in infarction size (IS) compared with risk region (RR) and left ventricle using the Evans blue/triphenyltetrazolium chloride double dye staining method in vivo. Furthermore, the dose-dependent effect of DLT on I/R injury was evaluated by double staining method. Five different concentrations of DLT (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 g?kg-1?day-1) were chosen in this study, and dose-response curve of DLT was obtained on these data. Results: The ratio of IS to left ventricle was significantly smaller in the DLT and IPC groups than the I/R group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the ratio of IS to RR was also reduced in the DLT and IPC groups (P<0.01), while there were no differences in RR among the four groups (P>0.05). Experiments showed incidence of arrhythmias was reduced in the DLT group (P<0.01). Furthermore, DLT produced a dose-dependent inhibitory effect with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 1.225 g?kg-1?day-1. Conclusions: Our research concluded that DLT was effective in reducing I/R injury in mice, and provided experimental supports for the clinical use of DLT.     

Xinfeng Capsule(新风胶囊)for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Decreased Pulmonary Function—A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective:To determine the effectiveness and safety of Xinfeng Capsules(新风胶囊,XFC) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients with decreased pulmonary function.Methods:This was a randomized controlled clinical trial of 80 RA patients.Participants were assigned to the trial group(40 cases) and the control group(40 cases) by block randomization.The trial group was treated with XFC,three pills each time three times daily for 2 months.The control group was treated with tripterygium glycoside(TPT),two pills each time three times daily for 2 months.Both groups were followed up after 2 months.The clinical effects,changes in joint and pulmonary function,and quality of life before and after treatment were observed;safety indices were also evaluated.Results:Pain,swelling,tenderness,and duration of morning stiffness of joints were obviously decreased after treatment in both the trial and the control groups compared with baseline(P0.01).Compared with before treatment,hand grip strength increased significantly after treatment in the trial group(P=0.0000);pulmonary function parameters such as forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration/forced vital capacity(FEV_1/FVC),50%of the expiratory flow of forced vital capacity(FEF_(50)),carbon monoxide diffusing capacity(DLco) were increased(P0.01 or P0.05);measures of quality of life such as role-physical,body pain,vitality and mental health were also improved after treatment in the trial group(all P0.05).Joint swelling in the trial group decreased compared with the control group(P=0.0043),while hand grip strength was increased after treatment(P=0.0000).The increase in FEF_(50),DLco,and the dimensions of quality of life such as vitality and mental health were all significantly greater in the trial group than the control group(P0.05 or P0.01).Conclusions:XFC not only relieved joint pain in RA patients,but also significantly improved the ventilation and diffusion function of the lungs.Therefore,XFC could improve the whole body function and enhance the quality of life of RA patients.     

Prophylactic Herbal Therapy Prevents Experimental Ascending Urinary Tract Infection in Mice

Objective

To study the preventive effect of herbal formulation on experimental murine urinary tract infection (UTI) induced by Dr Escherichia coli 11128.

Methods

E. coli 11128 carrying Dr fimbriae was isolated from patients with chronic pyelonephritis. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of herbal solution for E. coli 11128 was determined for further studies. Forty C3H/HeJ mice were divided into the herb-treated group (n=20, given Chinese herbs by gavage at an average dose of 20 g/kg body weight daily 3 days before inoculation), and control group (n=20, given the same amount of distilled water by gavage). Three and 6 days after infection, bacteria were counted in the urine and the kidneys of the mice. Kidney histopathologic changes were evaluated. Neutrophils infiltration and accumulation were detected.

Results

The MIC value of herbal solution was 0.1 g/mL for the E. coli 11128. In herb-treated mice, there was a significant reduction in bacterial counts in urine and colonization densities of kidneys. Microscopic studies revealed signs of inflammation in kidneys. In herb-treated mice, herbal administration resulted in significantly reduced neutrophilic infiltrates (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative scores for renal lesions were significantly lower (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Prophylactic administration of herbal formulation potentiated the effect in partially preventing experimental murine ascending UTI.