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Objective To discuss the adjustment effects of kidney reinforcing medicine on growth and development and the content of choline acetyl transferase (CHAc) in rats with kidney-deficiency constitution. Methods The method of cats scare rats was used to build composite offspring rat models with deficiency and acquired dystrophy, and then the models were divided into model group, Zuogui Pill group and Yougui Pill group. The rats in blank group came from normal pregnant rats. Baby rats were scared and received gavage at the same time. All administration groups received suspension of Zuigui Pills or Yougui Pills. Blank group and model group received the same amount of normal saline, once a day, for 3 months. Growth and development of rats were observed. Weight and food utilization of rats aged 5–8 weeks in each group were recorded. The content of brain CHAc was detected by ELISA. Results When offspring were 5–8 weeks old, weights of rats in the model group were lower than blank group (P<0.01); while weights of rats in Zuogui Pill group and Yougui Pill group increased significantly (P<0.05) and the food utilization was positively correlated with weight; the CHAc content in the model group decreased significantly compared with blank group (P<0.05, P<0.01); while the CHAc content in Zuogui Pill group and Yougui Pill group increased significantly compared with the model group (P<0.01). Conclusion Kidney reinforcing medicine can improve backward growth and development of rats with kidney-deficiency constitution and adjust CHAc in the brain, so as to promote the learning and memory ability of rats with kidney-deficiency constitution.
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Objective · To investigate the effects of growth arrest and DNA damage 45 alpha (Gadd45α) on the migration and invasion function of human extravillous trophoblast cells under hypoxia/re-oxygenation (H/R). Methods · Human extravillous trophoblast cells were infected by shRNA lentivirus targeting Gadd45α gene, to knock down Gadd45α gene expression. Then the oxidative stress model of preeclampsia was used in vitro to observe the changes of cell biological functions. The experiments were divided into 4 groups, nontreated group, hypoxia/re-oxygenation group, shRNA Gadd45α+H/R group and shRNA negative control+H/R group. Human villous explant experiments were used to determine the effects of silencing Gadd45α on human extravillous trophoblast cell under oxidative stress. Protein expression of Gadd45α was identified by Western blotting. Changes of cell migration and invasion were detected by transwell migration and Matrigel invasion assay. Gelatin zymography was used to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2/9 in culture medium. Results · Hypoxia/re-oxygenation can increase the expression of Gadd45α in HTR8/SVneo cells and damage the trophoblast cell migration and invasion. Knocking down Gadd45α can increase the activities of MMP2/9, which can increase the cell migration and invasion. Conclusion · Knockdown of Gadd45α gene has promoted cell migration and invasion function of human extravillous trophobalst cells under oxidative stress.
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Objective To explore the optimal acupuncture scheme in intervening hypermyotonia of the affected limbs in stroke.Method Eighty eligible stroke patients were randomly grouped by using the orthogonal experimental design, by adopting electroacupuncture (A), daily acupuncture frequency (B), and acupoint (C) as three factors, and two levels. A total of 20 treatment sessions were conducted. Each group was scored by using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) before and after the treatment, and the safety was also evaluated.Result There was a significant difference in comparing the MAS score between the two different levels of factor A (P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in comparing the MAS scores between different levels of factor B and factor C (P<0.05). Concerning the improvement of the MAS scores of wrist, elbow, knee, and ankle joints, A2B1C1(i.e. electroacupuncture twice a day with acupoints from yin meridians) was the optimal treatment scheme.Conclusion Electroacupuncture twice a day is the optimal treatment scheme for hypermyotonia of the affected limbs in stroke, as it can effectively ease the hypermyotonia, improve the function and symptoms of the limbs, and has a satisfactory security evaluation.
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Objective · To investigate the effects of a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 on biological function changes of human extravillous trophoblast cells induced by hypoxia/re-oxygenation (H/R). Methods · In-vitro cultured early pregnancy villus explants and human extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo were assigned to 4 groups according to different interventions, i.e. control group, SB203580 group (p38 MAPK inhibition), H/R group (simulation of preeclampsia by the oxidative stress model), and SB203580+H/R group. The effects of SB203580 on biological functions of human extravillous trophoblast cells under oxidative stress in early pregnancy villus explants were observed. Protein expression and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in HTR8/SVneo cells were measured with Western blotting. Cell migration and invasion were observed with Transwell migration and Matrigel invasion assay, respectively. Gelatin zymography was used to measure the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2/9 in supernatant. ELISA was used to detect the levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin (sEng). Results · SB203580 could promote the exogenous migration of human extravillous trophoblast cells in early pregnancy villus explants under oxidative stress. H/R could decrease the migration and invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells , and increase the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK in HTR8/SVneo cells and the secretion of sFlt-1 and sEng. SB203580 could increase the activity of MMP2/9 in supernatant and cell migration and invasion, decrease the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK in HTR8/SVneo cells under oxidative stress and the secretion of sFlt-1 and sEng. Conclusion · SB203580 can protect biological functions of human extravillous trophobalst cells under oxidative stress.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy of YANG's pricking-cupping therapy for knee osteoar thritis (KOA). Methods This was a multi-center randomized parallel controlled trial. One hundred and seventy one patients with KOA were randomly allocated to a pricking-cupping group (89 cases) and a conventional acu puncture group (82 cases). Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35) and ashi points were selected in the two groups. Patients in the pricking-cupping group were treated with YANG's pricking-cupping therapy; the seven-star needles were used to perform pricking at acupoints, then cupping was used until slight bleeding was observed. Patients in the conventional acupuncture group were treated with semi-standardized filiform needle therapy. The treatment was given for 4 weeks (from a minimum of 5 times to a maximum of 10 times). The follow-up visit was 4 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were adopted for the efficacy assessments.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pain score, stiffness score, physical function score and total score of WOMAC were all reduced after 4-week treatment and during follow-up visit in the two groups (all P<0. 0001). Except that the difference of stiffness score between the two groups was not significant after 4-week treatment (P>0. 05), each score and total score of WOMAC in the pricking-cupping group were lower than those in the conventional acupuncture group after 4-week treatment and during follow-up visit (P<0. 0001, P<0. 01). After 2-week treatment, 4-week treatment and during follow-up visit, the VAS was all reduced compared with that before treatment (all P<0. 0001) ; with the increase of the treatment, the reducing trend of VAS was more significant (P<0. 0001). The scores of VAS in the pricking-cupping group were lower than those in the conventional acupuncture group after 4-week treatment and during follow-up visit (P < 0. 01, P <0. 0001). CONCLUSION The YANG's pricking-cupping and conventional acupuncture therapy can both significantly improve knee joint pain and function in patients with KOA, which are relatively safe. The pricking cupping therapy is superior to conventional acupuncture with the identical selection of acupoints.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Acupuncture Therapy , Arthralgia , Therapeutics , Combined Modality Therapy , Knee Joint , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Methods , Osteoarthritis, Knee , Therapeutics , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the clinical effect and syndrome scores improvements of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) and ginger-partitioned moxibustion (GPM) in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods:A total of 65 eligible cases were randomly divided into a HPM group (n=32) and a GPM group (n=33) according to their visiting order. Bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Dachangshu (BL 25) were selected for the HPM or the GPM treatment once daily, 12 d as a treatment course with a 3-day interval, 6 courses in all. The clinical effect, syndrome scale and Mayo scale were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results:Of the 65 cases enrolled, 2 cases dropped out in the HPM group and 3 cases dropped out in the GPM group, 30 cases of each group finished the treatment courses. The total effective rate is 93.3% in HPM group and 86.7% in the GPM group, there was no statistically significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups (P>0.05); there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in score evaluation of lasting time of abdominal pain and frequency of diarrhea, HPM is prior to GPM (P=0.032,P=0.044). There are no statistical significant differences between the two groups in scores evaluation of general symptom, three main symptoms, quality of life (QOL), frequency and severity of abdominal pain, times, and pattern of diarrhea (allP>0.05). There was a statistical significant difference in the improvement of Mayo score between the two groups, and HPM was superior to GPM (P=0.048). Conclusion:HPM and GPM are both promising ways to treat UC, and the total effect is quite similar. HPM is superior to GPM in the improvement of lasting time of abdominal pain and frequency of diarrhea, and also the Mayo score.
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Objective To explore the role of specific AT rich sequence binding protein 1(SATB1) and wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in the regulation of trophoblast invasion and its effect in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Methods From March 2013 to March 2014, 20 cases of human villous tissues (early pregnancy group) from women of 8-10 gestational weeks who received artificial abortion at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 18 cases of placental tissues (mid-pregnancy group) from women of 18-20 gestational weeks who had labor induction by water bag, 20 cases of placental tissues (normal full-term group) from healthy full-term pregnancy women and 20 cases of placental tissues (preeclamptic group) from women with preeclampsia who received elective c-section in were collected. Immunohistochemical SP method was utilized to determine the position of SATB1 and beta-catenin in villous tissues or placental tissues. Western blot was performed to analyze the expression level of SATB1 and beta-catenin in villous tissues or placental tissues. Immunofluorescence assay was used to determine the location of SATB1 andβ-catenin in HTR8/SVneo cells. Western blot was performed to detect the expression level of SATB1 and beta-catenin in HTR8/SVneo cells cultured in normoxia and hypoxia reoxygenation(H/R) condition. Co-Immunoprecipitation detection was used to evaluate the interaction between SATB1 andβ-catenin in placental tissues in preeclamptic group and HTR8/SVneo cells in H/R group. Gelatin zymography analysis was used to measure the activity of matrix metalloproteinases(MMP)-2 and 9 in placental tissues from preeclamptic group and HTR8/SVneo cells in H/R group. Results (1) In the normal full-term group, rare syncytiotrophoblastic nodule, less fibrinoid necrosis and abundant numbers of capillary could be observed in placental tissues. In comparison, there were obvious vacuolation in the cytoblast of syncytiotrophoblast, rich fibrinoid necrosis and poor numbers of villous capillary in placental tissues from preeclamptic group. (2) SATB1 could be found by immunochemical staining in placenta or villous tissues from all the groups. The staining intensity of SATB1 were more weakening in preeclamptic group than in the normal full-term group. (3) β-catenin could be found by immunochemical staining in placenta or villous tissues from all the groups. The staining intensity of β-catenin were more weakening in preeclamptic group than in the normal full-term group. (4) The protein expression levels of SATB1 in early pregnancy group, mid-pregnancy group, normal full-term group and preeclamptic group were 0.300 ± 0.009, 0.271 ± 0.015, 0.238 ± 0.018 and 0.153 ± 0.007, respectively. The protein levels of β-catenin among the above groups were 0.743±0.041, 0.648±0.021, 0.549±0.069 and 0.269±0.047, respectively. Both the expression of SATB1 andβ-catenin protein were significant decreased in placental tissues from preeclamptic group compared with the other three groups. (5) The SATB1 andβ-catenin protein was located in nucleus of trophoblast and a small amount was in the cytoplasm. The fluorescence intensity of both SATB1 and β-catenin in the H/R group were significantly decreasing when compared to the normoxia group. (6) HTR8/SVneo cells in H/R group showed a significant decrease in both SATB1 andβ-catenin protein levels when compared to the normoxia group. The protein level of SATB1 in the normoxia group was 0.213 ± 0.005, while was 0.083 ± 0.021 in the H/R group. The protein level ofβ-catenin in the normoxia group was 0.797±0.081, and was 0.543±0.131 in the H/R group. (7) There was an interaction between SATB1 and β-catenin in placental tissues from the preeclamptic group and HTR8/SVneo cells exposed by H/R. (8) The enzymatic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein were decreased significantly in placental tissues from the preeclamptic group (2.251±0.310, 1.447 ± 0.102, respectively) when compared to the normal full-term group (7.098 ± 0.451, 5.502 ± 0.197, respectively). MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly decreased in the H/R group (0.471 ± 0.104, 0.297 ± 0.103, respectively) when compared to the normoxia group (0.842 ± 0.209, 0.595 ± 0.100, respectively). Conclusion The expression of SATB1 decreased in the placenta of preeclampsia. This may influence the activity of MMP-2 and 9 by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, affect trophoblast invasion and eventually result in preeclampsia.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of anti-CTLA4 antibody on Th1/Th2 shift in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. Methods:The levels of IL-2,IFN-?and IL-4 were assessed by ELISA in the supernatant of cultured maternal peripheral blood mnnonuclear cells(PBMC) from 30 patients of Unexplained RSA. Cytokine synthesis was induced by activation with antigens from a chnriocarcinoma cell line of JEG-3,with anti-CTLA4 antibodv or IgG. Results:We detected significantly greater levels of the Th1 cytokines IL-2、IFN-?(P0.05). Conclusion:Anti-CTLA4 antibody can up-regulate Th1-type cytokines and down-regulate Th2-type cytokines, which indicates that in URSA anti-CTLA4 antibody could swith T cell responses to Thl,and is harmful to URSA.