Surface Electromyographic Features of Lower Limb Muscles during Different Phases of Gait Cycle in Stroke Patients / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the changes of surface electromyography (sEMG) signal during gait cycle and its various phases of the lower limbs of stroke patients, to guide targeted gait rehabilitation training for stroke patients. Methods:From January to June, 2018, 20 stroke patients and 20 healthy subjects were involved in this study. All the subjects were asked to walk naturally. At the same time, the sEMG signals of bilateral tibialis anterior (TA), rectus femoris (RF), gastrocnemius medial (GM) and biceps femoris (BF) were recorded by Noraxon wireless surface electromyography acquisition system. Results:The electromyographic activities of TA, RF, GM and BF of healthy subjects changed with the activity and static periodicity during gait cycle, and the muscles of the same name alternated, and they were disturbed in stroke patients. Conclusion:The surface electromyography can reflect the gait-related muscle damage in stroke patients and can be used to guide gait rehabilitation training.

Experimental study on effect of model on hepatic fibrosis with Aralia chinesis / 中国中药杂志

Hepatic fibrosis models were induced by CCl4 in rats. To explore vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFβ1) mRNA expression and bcl-2, Bax protein expression levels of intervention and explore the mechanism of the Aralia chinesis anti-hepatic fibrosis. Sixty male Sprague-Dawlley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups: nomal group, model group, high-dose (10 mL x kg(-1)), medium-dose (7.5 mL x kg(-1)), low-dose (5.0 mL x kg(-1)) of A. chinesis treated group and colchicine treated group. The change of liver histopathology was observed by HE and Masson staining. The mRNA of VEGF, TGF-β1 were detected by RT-PCR. The protein of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blot. In the model group liver cell obvious degeneration, necrosis, a large number of collagen fibers of the cable hyperplasia, part visible pseudolobule formation. A. chinesis large, medium, low-dose group and colchicine group liver cell degeneration and necrosis reduced A. chinesis small, medium, and high-dose group was gradually reduced trend and A. chinesis large, middle dose group degree of reduction is particularly significant. Compared with model group, A. chinesis of large, medium and small dose group and colchicine group VEGF mRNA expression, A. chinesis of large, medium-dose group TGF-β1 mRNA expression reduce (P < 0.05); compared with colchicine group, A. chinesis of large, middle dose group of VEGF mRNA expression decreased (P < 0.05); A. chinesis of large, middle dose group of TGF-β1 mRNA expression decreased (P < 0.01), and compared with colchicine group, large dose group of of TGF-β1 mRNA expression decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with model group, A. chinesis of large, medium and small dose group and colchicine group Bcl-2 protein expression reduce (all is P < 0.05). But A. chinesis of large, medium and small dose group and colchicine group of Bax protein expression were increased (P < 0.05). A. chinesis regulation of VEGF, TGF-β1 may prevent the activation of hepatic stellate cells, liver tissue by up regulating the anti-apoptotic protein Bax and down pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression, thereby to improve the degree of liver fibrosis.

Effect of alcohol extract of Plumula Nelumbini on carbon tetrachloride induced rat liver fibrosis: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of alcohol extract of Plumula Nelumbini (AEPN) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic fibrosis rats and to explore its possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 32 male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the high dose AEPN group, and the low dose AEPN group, 8 in each group. 1,000 mg/kg AEPN was given to rats in the high dose AEPN group by gastrogavage at 10 mL/kg, once daily, while 500 mg/kg AEPN was given to rats in the low dose AEPN group by gastrogavage at 10 mL/kg, once daily. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and albumin (ALB) were examined using automatic biochemical analyzer. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the hepatic tissue were determined using colorimetry. The degree of liver fibrosis was observed by HE staining and Masson staining. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected using immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with the normal control group, serum levels of ALT and AST obviously increased and the serum ALB level obviously decreased in the model group (all P < 0.05). After treated by AEPN, serum levels of ALT and AST were lowered. and the serum ALB level was higher (all P < 0.05). (2) Compared with the normal control group, collagen deposition was obviously seen in rats' livers of the model group, and pseudolobule had formed; inflammatory activities and fibrosis degrees were serious; contents of Hyp also increased (P < 0.05).After treated by AEPN, collagen deposition was obviously reduced with no obvious pseudolobule; inflammatory activities and fibrosis degrees were alleviated; contents of Hyp were also lowered (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the normal control group, contents of MDA in the liver tissue obviously increased, while activities of SOD obviously decreased (P < 0.05) in the model group. After treated by AEPN, contents of MDA in the liver tissue decreased and the serum SOD level significantly increased (all P < 0.05). (4) Compared with the normal control group, the expression of α-SMA was obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.05). After treated by AEPN, its expression was obviously lowered (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>AEPN could fight against CCl4 induced liver fibrosis in rats. Fighting against lipid peroxidation and inhibi- ting activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells might be possibly main mechanism.</p>

Effect of neferine on hepatic stellate cells in collagen-I, TIMP-1 and MMP-2 / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of neferine on Collagen-I, TIMP-1 and MMP-2 expressions and protein secretion of hepatic stellate cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 was cultured in vitro, and then randomly divided into 5 groups: the control group, the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) group and PDGF + neferine (2, 6, 10 micromol x L(-1)) groups. All of the groups were cultured for 48 h, and their cells were collected to extract mRNA and detect Collagen-I, TIMP-1 and MMP-2 expressions with RT-PCR. Their cell supernatants were also collected to determine the protein content of three factors with ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the control group, PDGF could remarkably increase the Collagen-I, TIMP-1 and MMP-2 expressions and protein secretion of hepatic stellate cells. Compared with the PDGF group, PDGF + neferine (6, 10 micromol x L(-1)) groups showed a notable decrease in the Collagen-I and mRNA expression and protein secretion along with the increase in the concentration, whereas the PDGF + neferine (2 micromol x L(-1)) group showed no significant change in the Collagen-I and mRNA expression and protein secretion. Compared with the PDGF group, three PDGF + neferine groups showed no notable change in MMP-2 expression and protein secretion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Neferine can inhibit the Collagen-I, TIMP-1 and mRNA protein expression and protein secretion of PDGF-induced HSCs along with the increase in the concentration, but with not remarkable effect on the MMP-2 expression and secretion.</p>

Effects of serum containing Chinese medicine Sanpi Pingwei () formula on proliferation and apoptosis of human SGC-7901 cells / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of serum containing Chinese medicine (CM) Sanpi Pingwei (, SPPW) formula on the proliferation and apoptosis of human SGC-7901 cells and the possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum containing CM SPPW formula (SPPW serum) was prepared by a serum pharmacology method. Human SGC-7901 cells were incubated with SPPW serum at three different concentrations and with the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), respectively. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assay were employed to confirm the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and p53 in SGC-7901 cells at mRNA and protein levels, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SPPW serum suppressed the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The colony forming rate of negative control was 48.2%, while those in the three SPPW serum groups and the 5-FU group decreased significantly (P<0.01). The number of colony forming units in the SPPW high dosage group was significantly smaller than that in the 5-FU group (P<0.01). MTT assay showed that SPPW serum restrained the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells, and the inhibition rate increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Annexin V/PI Assay suggested that SPPW serum induced the apoptosis of SGC-7901 cells significantly. RT-PCR and western blot assay indicated that SPPW serum upregulated the protein and mRNA expression levels of Bax and p53 in SGC-7901 cells, but downregulated the protein and mRNA expressions of Bcl-2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SPPW formula inhibits the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells in vitro and induces the cell apoptosis. It plays an anticancer role by regulating the expressions of Bax, p53 and Bcl-2 in SGC-7901 cells.</p>

Effects of Busui Shengxue Granule on bFGF and bFGFR in bone marrow derived stroma cells of chronic aplastic anemia patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effects of Busui Shengxue Granule (BSSXG) on chronic aplastic anemia (CAA) patients and its effects on bone marrow derived stroma cells (BMDSCs) correlated cytokines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty-four patients with CAA were randomly assigned to two groups according to the random digit table. Patients in the test group (61 cases) were treated with BSSXG, while those in the control group (63 cases) were treated with Zaizao Shengxue Tablet (ZST). The therapeutic course was 6 months for all. Besides, 10 healthy subjects were recruited as the normal control group. Changes of the symptom integral, therapeutic efficacy judgment, and changes of peripheral hemogram of patients were observed. The mRNA expression of b-fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) and b-fibroblast growth factors receptor (bFGFR) were detected by reverse transcription PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of the test group was 75.0% (45/61), higher than that of the control group (58.7%, 37/63). Its symptom integral and peripheral hemogram were obviously improved, better than those of the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The mRNA expressions of bFGF and bFGFR of the test group were obviously lower than those of the normal control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). They were somewhat improved after treatment in the two groups, with better results obtained in the test group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BSSXG showed better clinical effects. It could improve the symptom integral and peripheral hemogram of CAA patients, improve the clinical efficacy, and regulate the expression levels of bFGF and bFGFR. It improved the hematopoietic microenvironment and promoted the hematopoiesis of the bone marrow through regulating the proliferation and oriental differentiation of stroma cells, and promoting the bone marrow angiogenesis.</p>

Changes in the intestinal microenvironment during development of alcoholic fatty liver disease and related effects of probiotic therapy / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the initial changes in the gut microenvironment that accompany intestinal endotoxemia related to alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD) in order to explore the potential initiating factors and to observe the effect of probiotic therapy on these factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into an ALD model group (alcoholic intragastric administration), an intervention group (ALD with probiotic intragastric administration), and a control group (physiological saline intragastric administration). Histological changes of the liver were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin staining and light microscopy. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglycerides (TG), and plasma endotoxin and coli bacillus were determined. The structural integrity of intestinal mucosa and tight junctions were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Occludin protein expression in intestinal epithelial cells was detected by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After four weeks, the three groups showed significant differences in the plasma endotoxin levels [control: (0.67+/-0.14) pg/ml, model: (4.42+/-1.28) pg/ml, and intervention: (2.88+/-0.83) pg/ml; F = 27.288, P = 0.000] and numbers of Escherichia coli [control: (2.31+/-0.39) lg3/ml, model: (3.23+/-0.41) lg3/ml, and intervention: (2.24+/-0.44) lg3/ml; F = 10.692, P = 0.001]. The plasma endotoxin level and E. coli number were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group and the intervention group (all P less than 0.05). The three groups showed no significant differences in the levels of ALT, AST, and TG at four weeks. After eight weeks, however, all three serum markers were significantly different between the three groups [ALT: control: (62.33+/-7.12) U/L, model: (95.50+/-8.73) U/L, and intervention: (81.33+/-6.19) U/L; F = 18.051, P = 0.000]; [AST: control: (90.50+/-10.67) U/L, model: (130.00+/-14.91) U/L, and intervention: (110.33+/-7.26) U/L; F = 30.170, P = 0.000]; [TG: control: (0.84+/-0.84) mmol/L, model: (1.40+/-0.17) mmol/L, and intervention: (1.10+/-0.17) mmol/L; F = 10.592, P = 0.001]. In addition, the three groups showed significant differences in E. coli number [control: (2.23+/-0.46) lg3/ml, model: (4.81+/-0.29) lg3/ml, and intervention: (3.61+/-0.50) lg3/ml; F = 23.579, P = 0.000] and plasma endotoxin level [control: (0.52+/-0.21) pg/ml, model: (12.46+/-2.61) pg/ml, intervention: (6.83+/-1.74) pg/ml; F = 30.731, P = 0.000]. The levels of ALT, AST, TG and endotoxin, and the number of E. coli were all significantly higher in the model group than in the control group and the intervention group (all P less than 0.05). Small intestinal epithelial cell structural failure was more apparent and intercellular gaps more broad after eight weeks than after four weeks for all three groups. However, the intervention group showed clearer cell connection structures and less extensive cell gap broadening than the model group at eight weeks. After eight weeks, the occludin protein had become significantly down-regulated and distributed in a non-continuous pattern in the model group, as compared with the control group. However, the occludin protein expression was higher in intervention group than in the model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intestinal endotoxemia related to perturbations in the microenvironment occurs in the early phase of ALD, and the increased intestinal permeability appears to be the initial factor of elevated plasma endotoxin, which may lead to liver damage. Probiotic therapy can reduced plasma endotoxin levels and postpone ALD progression by altering the composition of the gut microbiota and up-regulating expression of the occludin protein in intestinal epithelial cells.</p>

Effect of SPPW on the invasive and metastatic capacities of human gastric cancer cells / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To clarify the action and possible mechanisms of SPPW, a Chinese herbal preparation consisting of Herba Scutellariae Barbatae, Radix Astragalus, Radix Glycyrrhizae, etc., in suppressing the metastasis of human gastric cancer, by way of observing its effect on the invasive and metastatic capacities of gastric cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vitro serial sub-cultured human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 at the logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e. the negative control group, the 4 treatment groups intervened respectively with SPPW at three different doses (high, middle, and low), and 5-FU. The adhesion capacities of gastric cancer cells to matrigel were detected by MTT assay 48 h after intervention. The invasive and migratory capacities of gastric cancer cells were determined by Transwell assay. The mRNA and protein expressions of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in gastric cancer cells were detected by Western blot and Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the negative control group, the adhesive, invasive and migratory capacities of gastric cancer cells were all significantly inhibited in the four treatment groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the protein and mRNA expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF were down-regulated (P<0.01). Significant dose-dependent relation existed in the three SPPW treatment groups (P<0.01). Compared with the 5-FU treatment group, the high dose SPPW treatment group showed significant difference in inhibiting the adhesive and metastatic capacities of gastric cancer cells, lowering VEGF protein expression, and mRNA expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SPPW could lower the adhesion of gastric cancer cells to matrigel, and lower the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells. Meanwhile, it could down-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF, which may possibly be one of its mechanisms for influencing the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells.</p>