Effect of acupuncture on hippocampal mitochondrial proteome expression in SAMP8 mouse model with Alzheimer disease

Objective

To observe the effect of acupuncture on the expression of mitochondrial proteome in hippocampus of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice models with Alzheimer disease (AD), and to explore the possible protective mechanism of acupuncture on mitochondria.

Methods

Sixty 6-month-old male SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into an acupuncture at acupoint group, an acupuncture at non-acupoint group and a model group, 20 mice in each group. The 20 male senescence-accelerated mouse/resistance 1 (SAMR1) mice of the same age were used as a normal control group. Shenshu (BL 23), Baihui (GV 20), Xuehai (SP 10) and Geshu (BL 17) were selected for acupuncture intervention in acupuncture at acupoint group. After an 8-week intervention, mitochondrial tissues were extracted from the hippocampus. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by subcellular organelle proteomics. Western blot was used to verify the expressions of some related proteins in hippocampal mitochondria.

Results

Compared with the model group, there were 13 differentially expressed protein spots in the acupuncture at acupoint group, of which, 9 were up-regulated, including neurofilament light polypeptide (NFL), actin (cytoplasmic 1, database ID: ACTB), tubulin beta-2A chain (TBB2A), tropomodulin-2 (TMOD2), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component subunit beta (PDHE1-β), NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 75 kDa subunit (database ID: NDUS1), heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein (HSC71), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component subunit alpha (PDHE1-α) and ATP synthase beta subunit (ATP-β); 4 were down-regulated, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase 1 (PDP1), mitochondrial-processing peptidase subunit alpha (MMP-α) and adenosine kinase (ADK). According to the information provided in the protein database, most of the differentially expressed proteins involve the regulation of mitochondrial function and structure. The expression levels of NFL and TBB2A in the normal control group and the acupuncture at acupoint group were significantly higher than those in the acupuncture at non-acupoint group (P<0.05). ATP-β and NDUS1 expression levels were significantly higher in the acupuncture at acupoint group than those in the acupuncture at non-acupoint group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the acupuncture at non-acupoint group and the model group (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture may achieve the potential therapeutic effect on AD by regulating the structure and functional proteins of hippocampal mitochondria.

     

Treatment of Infantile Muscular Torticollis with Tuina： A Report of 22 Cases

以推、揉、拿、扳、拉等手法,治疗22例肌性斜颈患儿,治愈18例,显效3例,无效1例.总有效率95.4%.     

Stilbenes and oligostilbenes from leaf and stem of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis amurensis</Emphasis> and their cytotoxic activity

Chromatographic separation of the EtOAc fraction from the leaf and stem of Vitis amurensis led to the isolation of six oligostilbenoids (i.e., r-2-viniferin (1), trans-amurensin B (2), trans-ɛ-viniferin (3), gnetin H (4), amurensin G (5), (+)-ampelopsin A (8)) and four stilbenoids (i.e., trans-resveratrol (6), (+)-ampelopsin F (7), piceatannol (9), and trans-piceid (10)). The structures have been identified on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and physicochemical properties. The isolates were investigated for cytotoxic activity against three cancer cell lines in vitro using the MTT assay method. Amurensin G (5) and trans-resveratrol (6) showed significant cytotoxic activity against L1210, K562 and HTC116 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 15.7 ± 2.1 to 30.9 ± 1.8 μM. (+)-Ampelopsin A (8) and trans-piceid (10) exhibited considerable cytotoxic activity against L1210 (IC₅₀ values of 30.6 ± 4.1 and 28.7 ± 2.81 μM, respectively) and K562 (IC₅₀ values of 38.6 ± 0.82 and 24.6 ± 0.76 μM, respectively). Gnetin H (4) showed only weak cytotoxic activity against L1210 with an IC₅₀ value of 40.1 ± 4.23 μM. On the other hand, r-2-viniverin (1), trans-amurensin B (2), trans-ɛ-viniferin (3), (+)-ampelopsin F (7), and piceatannol (9) exhibited no activity on three cancer cell lines.     

Simple and rapid analysis of aristolochic acid contained in crude drugs and Kampo formulations with solid-phase extraction and HPLC photodiode-array detection

Simple and rapid analysis of aristolochic acid (AA) in crude drugs and Kampo extracts using a solid-phase extraction method and HPLC-PDA analysis was investigated. Extraction of AA from samples was accomplished by adding methanol containing 1% ammonia. The addition of ammonia ionized the AA of acidic substances so that they adhered to an acrylamide copolymer of a strong anion exchange resin (Sep-Pak QMA) coupled to diol silica easily. Furthermore, a mixture of acetonitrile–water–phosphoric acid (75:25:2, v/v) was effective in isolating AA from its carrier. Since almost all interfering peaks originating from contaminants in crude drugs and Kampo extract formulations could be removed, a satisfactory HPLC chromatogram of AA was obtained. A good result was also obtained when Aristolochiaceae and crude drugs containing AA were tested. Particularly in the case of the medicinal parts of Asarum, several interfering peaks and a ghost peak detected near the AA peak were eliminated. The AA contents of two Kampo extract formulations, tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto and ryutanshakanto, were calculated by HPLC analysis. The AA content (the sum of AA-I and AA-II) was 1.25–6.13 mg per daily dose. From an additional recovery experiment for Kampo formulations, high recovery rates of AA were obtained. Neither LC/MS nor special instrumentation was necessary. Our results suggest that this simple, quick, and sensitive analytical method to detect AA in crude drugs and Kampo extract formulations would be valuable in safety inspections of AA in crude drugs and their products.     

CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 genetic polymorphisms and uterine leiomyoma risk in Chinese women

Purpose  The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 polymorphisms with uterine leiomyoma in Chinese women. Methods  We investigated 100 women with clinically diagnosed uterine leiomyoma and 110 healthy normal subjects from Chinese women. The genetic distribution of two CYP1A1 polymorphisms at MspI, Ile462Val and four CYP1B1 polymorphisms at Arg48Gly, Ala119Ser, Leu432Val, Asp449Asp were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing method. Results  All the SNPs showed polymorphisms in Chinese women. The genotype A/G and the allele G on Ile462Val was significantly different between uterine leiomyoma patients and controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion  These results suggest that the genotype of CYP1A1 Ile462Val was associated with the increased risk of uterine leiomyomas in Chinese women. Capsule This is the first report that demonstrates the polymorphism at Ile462Val of CYP1A1 to be associated with uterine leiomyoma in Chinese women.     

Crohn’s disease,autoimmune thyroiditis,and beta-thalassemia trait in an adolescent: an unusual combination of diseases

An adolescent with complaints of fatigue, tachycardia, abdominal discomfort, and blood-stained diarrhea is presented. Clinical and laboratory evaluation revealed a microcytemic anemia with iron deficiency, beta thalassemia, and thyrotoxicosis with thyroid antibodies. Crohn’s disease was confirmed on endoscopy. A rapid normalization of clinical and laboratory parameters was observed following the initiation of therapy and further exacerbation of her illness was prevented. Although the simultaneous occurrence of Crohn’s disease, autoimmune thyroiditis, and a beta-thalassemia trait is likely to be coincidental, the combination of an autoimmune thyroid disease and Crohn’s disease is rare in pediatrics. Several issues of importance in the treatment of these conditions are discussed. Rectal blood loss associated with Crohn’s disease may lead to severe iron deficiency, especially in patients with preexistent beta-thalassemia trait, and those with thyroiditis are prone to developing hypothyroidism following treatment, requiring that they be monitored closely.     

Argon laser trabeculoplasty in black and white patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

The effect of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) was studied retrospectively in 68 black patients and 42 white patients with uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma on maximally tolerated medical therapy. Patients with the diagnosis of pigmentary or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and those having previous intraocular or laser surgery were excluded. While the mean age of the black patients (66.9 years) was lower than the white patients (72.2 years), the prelaser IOP was similar between the two groups: 26.2 mmHg for the black patients and 25.5 mmHg for the white patients. The mean IOP one year (18.4 mmHg for black patients and 18.4 mmHg for white patients) and two years (19.5 mmHg and 20.3 mmHg, respectively) after ALT was the same between the two groups of patients. A similar percentage of black (85%) and white (83%) patients showed more than a 15% decrease in IOP from their prelaser values one year after treatment. The IOP lowering effect of ALT decreased during the second post-operative year; but the diminished response was identical in patients of both races, with 71% of patients of both groups still showing greater than 15% reduction from their pre-laser IOP. We conclude that ALT is equally effective in lowering IOP for black and white patients with medically uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma.     

Multimodal Dispersion of Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Size Distribution with 9 Size Measurement Methods

Purpose

Evaluation of particle size distribution (PSD) of multimodal dispersion of nanoparticles is a difficult task due to inherent limitations of size measurement methods. The present work reports the evaluation of PSD of a dispersion of poly(isobutylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles decorated with dextran known as multimodal and developed as nanomedecine.

Methods

The nine methods used were classified as batch particle i.e. Static Light Scattering (SLS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), single particle i.e. Electron Microscopy (EM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing (TRPS) and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and separative particle i.e. Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation coupled with DLS (AsFlFFF) size measurement methods.

Results

The multimodal dispersion was identified using AFM, TRPS and NTA and results were consistent with those provided with the method based on a separation step prior to on-line size measurements. None of the light scattering batch methods could reveal the complexity of the PSD of the dispersion.

Conclusions

Difference between PSD obtained from all size measurement methods tested suggested that study of the PSD of multimodal dispersion required to analyze samples by at least one of the single size particle measurement method or a method that uses a separation step prior PSD measurement.

     

Clinical observation of warm acupuncture in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy

目的：观察温针治疗糖尿病周围神经病患者的临床疗效及对胫神经和腓总神经传导速度的影响。方法：把52例符合纳入标准的患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组26例．两组均在基础治疗上,治疗组采用温针疗法。每日1次,每星期治疗6次,共治疗4星期。对照组肌注弥可保（甲钴胺针）500μg,每日1次,共治疗4星期。检查并记录治疗前后两组患者临床症状及胫神经、腓总神经传导速度,并进行比较。结果：治疗4星期后,治疗组总有效率为88．5％,对照组为61．5％,两组,临床疗效比较治疗组优于对照组（P〈0．05）;神经传导速度比较两组治疗后均优于治疗前,差异有统计学意5Z．（P〈0．05）;治疗后比较治疗组胫神经感觉神经传导速度及腓总神经运动传导速度均优于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论：温针疗法治疗糖尿病周围神经病具有良好的临床疗效,且可以改善神经传导速度,是治疗糖尿病周围神经病变的有效方法之一。     

Clinical observation on Governor Vessel-unblocking and brain-refreshing scalp acupuncture for cerebral palsy complicated with intellectual disabilities

Objective

To observe the clinical efficacy of Governor Vessel-unblocking and brain-refreshing scalp acupuncture for cerebral palsy (CP) complicated with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

A total of 300 CP cases aged between 1 and 5 years were randomly allocated into a treatment group (n=150) and a control group (n=150). Patients in the treatment group were treated with Governor Vessel-unblocking and brainrefreshing scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training, whereas patients in the control group received rehabilitation training alone. The Beijing Gesell developmental (Gesell) scale and gross motor function measure (GMFM) scale were used to assess the motor and intellectual development before and 3 months after the treatment. In addition, the head CT/MRI examination was applied to assess the brain nerve repair before and after the treatment.

Results

After the treatment, the total effective rate in the treatment group was 78.0%, versus 42.7% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P<0.05). As for scores of five subscales in the Gesell scale, there were significant intra-group differences in the treatment group (all P<0.05); and the scores in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group (all P<0.05). As for scores of five dimensions in GMFM scale, there were significant intra-group differences in the treatment group (all P<0.05); and the scores in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group (all P<0.05). According to the head CT/MRI findings, the total effective rate was 73.3% in the treatment group, versus 62.0% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P<0.05).

Conclusion

When used in combination with rehabilitative training, Governor Vessel-unblocking and brain-refreshing scalp acupuncture can significantly improve the clinical efficacy for cerebral palsy complicated with intellectual disabilities. It can also improve the patients’ motor function, intelligence and language ability.