Historical Evolution and Modern Research of the Processing of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma / 中国中医药信息杂志

This article is based on the Li Dai Zhong Yao Pao Zhi Zi Liao Ji Yao as a clue to review the historical literature and modern data on processing Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma in China, and summarized the relevant contents. Processing methods of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma have history on the net system, cutting system, heating processing and various accessories processing records, but now the processing methods of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma are relatively simple, only the methods of net production, ultra-micro-decoction, charcoal, and wine frying are included in the historical "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China" and local processing specifications. In modern times, the processing methods of wine, licorice gentian, ginger, charcoal, vinegar, and salt for Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma have rationality and quality controllability. Through combing the historical evolution and research progress of processing of Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, this article provided references for study on modern processing.

History and Research Progress of Asari Radix et Rhizoma Processing / 中国中医药信息杂志

Setting Li Dai Zhong Yao Pao Zhi Zi Liao Ji Yao as clue, this article searched each edition of China Pharmacopoeia, National Processing Standard of Traditional Chinese Medicine issued in 1988, and relevant materials of local processing standards and modern processing study, and concluded and combed the contents about Asari Radix et Rhizoma processing in ancient and modern literature. There are records about Asari Radix et Rhizoma processing methods in history, including net processing, cutting processing, heating processing and processing excipient. However, Asari Radix et Rhizoma processing methods in modern time are relatively simple. In addition to the version of the Processing Standard of Traditional Chinese Medicines in Shanghai issued in 2008, containing the honey Asari Radix et Rhizoma, other editions of China Pharmacopoeia and processing standards only recorded net processing and cutting processing. Recent research showed that processing methods of modern stir frying processing, alkali processing, wine processing, low temperature ultrafine comminution processing and so on, can effectively reduce the toxicity of Asari Radix et Rhizoma and enhance the safety of clinical application. This article summarized the history and research progress of Asari Radix et Rhizoma processing, and provided a reference for the study on modern processing.

Effect of valsartan on vasoconstriction induced by the chronic injury of the adventitia in the rat collared carotid artery / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Vasoconstriction and vascular hypersensitivity to serotonin were previously shown in animal models of adventitia injury. We investigated the contribution of angiotensin II (AngII)/AngII receptors and oxidative stress to vascular contractility and reactivity in this model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar Kyoto rats were divided into 3 groups: normal (n = 6, no any intervention, only for measuring the serum AngII concentration), vehicle (n = 12, collared), and valsartan (n = 12, collared + valsartan 30 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)). After one week of treatment, adventitia injury was induced by positioning a silicone collar around the right carotid artery for one week. Blood flow and vascular reactivity to serotonin were determined one week after injury, the blood from left ventricle was taken to measure the serum AngII concentration by ELISA, and carotids were harvested for morphometry and Western blot analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Adventitia injury induced lumen cross-sectional area reduction (-44% vs. -5%), media diameter increase (62% vs. 10%), blood flow reduction [(2.79 ± 0.22) vs. (4.33 ± 0.84) ml/min] were significantly attenuated by valsartan. The increased vascular reactivity sensitivity to serotonin in vehicle group was also significantly reduced in valsartan group. Serum AngII concentration was significantly increased in vehicle group [(45.21 ± 4.52) pg/ml vs. (19.83 ± 0.5) pg/ml in normal rats, P = 0.0148] and the expression of AngII type 1 (AT(1)) receptor, AngII type 2 (AT(2)) receptor, as well as p22(phox) in collared arteries were significantly upregulated. Valsartan did not affect the AT(1) receptor expression but further increased serum AngII concentration [(89.73 ± 20.44) pg/ml vs. (45.21 ± 4.52) pg/ml, P = 0.001], and AT(2) receptor expression, while downregulated p22(phox) expressions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Collar-induced adventitia injury resulted in chronic vasoconstriction and vascular hypersensitivity to serotonin via increased serum AngII level, upregulated AngII receptors expression in the vascular well, and activated local oxidative stress. These changes could be blocked by valsartan suggesting a crucial role of AngII/AngII receptors on vascular contractility and reactivity changes in this model.</p>

Inflammation inhibitory effects of sirolimus and paclitaxel-eluting stents on interleukin-1β-induced coronary artery in-stent restenosis in pigs / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Coronary artery in-stent restenosis (ISR) and late stent thrombosis remain as important complications of stenting. The inflammation reactions to sirolimus and paclitaxel-eluting stents were investigated in a swine stenosis model induced by interleukin (IL)-1β.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mini pigs (n = 12; 2-3 months old and weighing 25-30 kg) were subjected to thoracotomy. Segments (10 mm) of the mid left anterior descending coronary artery and left circumflex coronary artery were exposed and aseptically wrapped with a cotton mesh soaked with IL-1β (5 µg). After 2 weeks, the animals were anesthetized and quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) was performed. The stenosis sites were randomized into three groups for stent insertion: a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) group (Firebird(TM), n = 7), a paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) group (TAXUS(TM), n = 9), and a bare-metal stent (BMS) group (YINYITM, Dalian Yinyi Biomaterials Development Co., Ltd, China, n = 8). The three different stents were randomly implanted into stenosis segments. Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), P-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was determined by reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>QCA showed severe stenosis in IL-1β treated segments. The SES and PES groups showed lower 1-month angiographic late lumen loss (LLL) within the stent and the lesion compared with BMS (P < 0.05) by follow-up QCA. The SES showed lower LLL than that of PES in reducing 1-month inflammation lesions in pigs by follow-up QCA ((0.15 ± 0.06) mm vs. (0.33 ± 0.01) mm, P < 0.0001). The neointimal hyperplasia areas in SES and PES showed lower than those of BMS (SES (11.6 ± 1.7) mm(2), PES (27.2 ± 1.6) mm(2) vs. BMS (76.2 ± 1.3) mm(2), P < 0.0001). The mRNA expression of MCP-1 by RT-PCR in SES and PES showed lower than that of BMS at 30 days after stenting (SES 0.20 ± 0.03, PES 0.48 ± 0.49 vs. BMS 0.58 ± 0.07, P < 0.05). Levels of VCAM-1 in SES were significantly lower than those of PES and BMS (SES 0.35 ± 0.08 vs. PES 0.65 ± 0.13, BMS 0.70 ± 0.06, P < 0.05). Histochemical immunostaining of vessel walls showed lower inflammatory chemokine MCP-1 expression in the SES and PES groups compared with BMS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SESs were superior in reducing 1-month angiographic LLL in inflammation lesions in pigs, strongly suggesting that SESs can suppress inflammatory reactions in ISR at multiple points.</p>

Thorombolytic therapy with rescue percutaneous coronary intervention versus primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a multicenter randomized clinical trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Although thrombolytic therapy with rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common treatment strategy for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), scant data are available on its efficacy relative to primary PCI, and comparison was therefore the aim of this study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel trial was conducted in 12 hospitals on patients (age < or = 70 years) with STEMI who presented within 12 hours of symptom onset (mean interval > 3 hours). Patients were randomized to three groups: primary PCI group (n = 101); recombinant staphylokinase (r-Sak) group (n = 104); and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) group (n = 106). For all patients allocated to the thrombolytic therapy arm, coronary angiography was performed at 90 minutes after drug therapy to confirm infarct-related artery (IRA) patency; rescue PCI was performed in cases with TIMI flow grade < or = 2. Bare-metal stent implantation was planned for all patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After randomization it required an average of 113.4 minutes to start thrombolytic therapy (door-to-needle time) and 141.2 minutes to perform first balloon inflation in the IRA (door to balloon time). Rates of IRA patency (TIMI flow grade 2 or 3) and TIMI flow grade 3 were significantly lower in the thrombolysis group at 90 minutes after drug therapy than in the primary PCI group at the end of the procedure (70.5% vs. 98.0%, P < 0.0001, and 53.0% vs. 85.9%, P < 0.0001, respectively). Rescue PCI with stenting was performed in 117 patients (55.7%) in the thrombolytic therapy arm. Rates of patency and TIMI flow grade 3 were still significantly lower in the rescue PCI than in the primary PCI group (88.9% vs. 97.9%, P = 0.0222, and 68.4% vs. 85.0%, P = 0.0190, respectively). At 30 days post-therapy, mortality rate was significantly higher in the thrombolysis combined with rescue PCI group than in primary PCI group (7.1% vs. 0, P = 0.0034). Rates of death/MI and bleeding complications were significantly higher in the thrombolysis with rescue PCI group than in the primary PCI group (10.0% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.0380, and 28.10% vs. 8.91%, P = 0.0001, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Thrombolytic therapy with rescue PCI was associated with significantly lower rates of coronary patency and TIMI flow grade 3, but with significantly higher rates of mortality, death/MI and hemorrhagic complications at 30 days, as compared with primary PCI in this group of Chinese STEMI patients with late presentation and delayed treatments.</p>

Inhibitory effect and acting mechanism of Tongxinluo on IL-1beta-mediated coronary intimal hyperplasia and 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced coronary vasospasm in small swine / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the inhibitory effect of Tongxinluo (TXL) on coronary vaso spasm in small swine in vivo, and to investigate its possible acting mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The model of coronary atherosclerosis in 16 male small swines was established by left thoracotomy after anesthesia, isolated the sections of left anterio-descending branch and proximal end of rotator branch with similar outer diameter, and encapsulated them with paper-towel holding 2.5 microg interleukin-1beta. Two weeks later, the condition of coronary vasospasm induced by catheter intra-coronary injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 10 microg/kg) was observed through coronary artery contrast examination. The 12 swines with successfully formed coronary vaso spasm were randomly divided into 2 groups, the TXL group and the control group. They were fed with special diet, but TXL 1 g/(kg d) was administered additionally to the TXL group for 4 weeks. The observation on coronary vasospasm was repeated 1 week after discontinuation of TXL treatment, then the animals were sacrificed, their vascular sections enclosed with IL-1beta was taken to conduct the pathologic examination and to detect the expressions of Rho kinase mRNA and its substrate myosin- binding subunit phosphorylation (MBS-P) by RT-PCR and Western blot method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Coronary artery contrast showed that local coronary stenosis occurred in the 12 model swines to different extents (20% - 30%, and vascular spasm on them could be induced by 5-HT. At the time of repeating examination, 11 vascular sections in the control group still maintain their positive spasm reaction to 5-HT, but only 2 in the TXL group did so, the reaction turned to negative in 1 and 10 in the two groups respectively. Pathological examination showed that different degrees of macrophage aggregation could be found in both groups. The degree of lumen stricture and endometrial hyperplasia in the TXL group was obviously attenuated than those in the control group. The expressions of Rho kinase mRNA and MBS-P in the control group were up-regulated obviously. As compared with those in the control group, they were inhibited significantly in the TXL group, as (71.5 +/- 2.4) vs (98.2 +/- 7.7)% and 16,633 +/- 1,390 vs 25,818 +/- 4,745, respectively (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TXL could obviously inhibit the coronary intimal hyperplasia mediated by IL-1beta and coronary vasospasm induced by 5-HT, one of its mechanisms is possibly the inhibition on the intracellular Rho kinase mRNA expression in the IL-1beta enclosed vascular section to decrease the level of MBS-P.</p>

The pro-angiogenesis effect of Pitavastatin in the Klotho gene-knockout mice / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To discuss the effect of Pitavastatin on angiogenesis in vivo and its mechanism in Klotho heterozygous deficient mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The heterozygous deficient Klotho mice (kl +/-) and wild mice (kl +/+) from the same litter were used to establish the animal model of hind-limb ischemia and grouped into control and Pitavastatin group, respectively. Hind-limb blood flow was evaluated using Laser Doppler perfusion imager (LDPI) before treatment and after operation of hind-limbs. The capillaries in muscle of limbs were counted by means of CD-31 labeled immuno-fluorescence. The phosphorylation of Akt (Protein kinase B) in cells was measured by direct immunohistochemical technique. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) in muscle of limbs was assessed using Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment of Pitavastatin, the blood flow in ischemic limbs of the Kl +/- and wild mice improved obviously, the ratio of blood flow area in ischemic limb to that in non-ischemic limb increased and the density of capillaries increased in ischemic limbs of the Kl +/- and wild mice. Pitavastatin enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt and the expression of VEGF in ischemic limbs of the Kl +/- and wild mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pitavastatin has the pro-angiogenesis effect in vivo and the VEGF-p-Akt-NO pathway may be involved in the mechanism of the effect of Pitavastatin.</p>

Pitavastatin enhances angiogenesis and perfusion in a murine mode of limb ischemia / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>We investigated the effects of pitavastatin on angiogenesis and perfusion in C3H/He mice with unilateral hind limb ischemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>C3H/He mice treated with saline (n = 15) or pitavastatin (1 mg.kg(-1).d(-1), n = 15) per gavage for 1 week underwent unilateral hind limb ischemia surgery and were treated for another 5 weeks. Hind-limb blood flow was measured by Laser Doppler perfusion imager (LDPI, ischemic/nonischemic limb, %) at baseline, immediately after ischemia and weekly thereafter for 5 weeks. Endpoints included local vessel counts by immunofluorescence, phospho-Akt positive cell counts by immunoenzyme histochemical technique, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) expression in ischemic limbs by Western blot and serum nitric oxide metabolite (NOx) by chrome dioxide Griess method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Lower extremity perfusion was significantly improved in pitavastatin treated mice vs. controls as measured by LDPI% at 1 week post ischemia and thereafter (P < 0.05). Pitavastatin treatment was associated with significantly increased capillary count [(47 +/- 11) vs. (26 +/- 14)/per high-power field (x 200), P < 0.05] and greater percentage of phospho-Akt positive cells [(6 +/- 1) vs. (2 +/- 0)/per high-power field (x 200), P < 0.05] in ischemic limbs. Serum NOx [(77.3 +/- 21.8) vs. (52.1 +/- 11.2) mol/L, P < 0.05) and VEGF protein expression in ischemic limbs were also significantly increased in pitavastatin group than those in control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pitavastatin enhances angiogenesis and perfusion in CsH/He mice with limb ischemia.</p>

Effects of rapamycin on Rho-kinase and p27 mRNA expressions in a porcine coronary intimal proliferation model induced by interleukin-1beta / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of rapamycin on the expressions of Rho-kinase and p27 mRNA during vascular intimal proliferation in a porcine model of coronary stenosis induced by interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The proximal segments of LAD and LCX were wrapped with cotton mesh that had absorbed sepharose bead solution with or without IL-1beta. Selective coronary angiography was performed two weeks later and the animals were killed for collecting the samples for histopathology and RT-PCR analyzing of Rho-kinase and p27 mRNA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of Rho-kinase and p27 mRNA could be visualized in normal coronary wall. The expression of Rho-kinase mRNA was significantly enhanced and the expression of p27 mRNA was significantly decreased during the process of intimal proliferation induced by IL-1beta. Rapamycin significantly inhibited the intimal proliferation, reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells, reduced the expression of Rho-kinase mRNA and increased the expression of p27 mRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of Rho-kinase mRNA is upregulated and p27 mRNA downregulated in coronary artery stenosis induced by IL-1beta and these effects could be abolished by cotreatment with rapamycin.</p>

Upregulated Rho-kinase and increased phosphorylation of myosin-binding subunit of myosin phosphates are key players in a porcine coronary artery spasm model with interleukin-1beta / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) is one of the most important steps for vascular smooth muscle contraction and Rho-kinase is involved in this process. We investigated the role of Rho-kinase in a porcine coronary artery spasm model with interleukin-1beta.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Segments of left coronary artery adventitia were surrounded by normal saline (n = 8) or IL-1beta agarose microne (n = 8) for 2 weeks. Vasospastic responses to intracoronary serotonin or histamine then studied at the saline or IL-1beta-treated site. The Rho-kinase mRNA expression in the treated site was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR). The extent of phosphorylation of myosin-binding subunit of myosin phosphates (MBS, one of the major substrates of Rho-kinase) were quantified by Western blot analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Intracoronary serotonin or histamine repeatedly induced coronary artery spasm and coronary arterial stenosis was evidenced at IL-1beta-treated site. Expression of Rho-kinase mRNA in IL-1beta-treated site was significantly increased compared to saline treated site (98.20% +/- 7.66% vs. 63.70% +/- 4.26%, P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that during the serotonin-induced contractions the extent of phosphorylation of MBS was also significantly increased in the spastic site (25,485 +/- 4745 vs. 6510 +/- 779, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rho-kinase upregulation at the spastic site and increased phosphorylation of myosin-binding subunit of myosin phosphates are key players in inducing vascular smooth muscle hypercontraction in this porcine model.</p>

The expression of Rho/Rho kinase of cardiac muscle in heart failure rats caused by pressure overload and the intervention of fasudil / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of Rho/Rho kinase of cardiac muscle in heart failure rats caused by pressure overload and the effects of fasudil on heart failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The heart failure models were successfully induced by coarctation of ascending aorta after 20 weeks in this study. Thirty female Wistar operated rats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 10) for 4 week treatment. (1) Sham operation group: normal saline, 0.1 ml, i.p,Bid. (2) Heart failure group: normal saline, 0.1 ml,i.p,Bid. (3) Fasudil group: fasudil 5 mg/kg, i.p, Bid. The hemodynamic parameters, the ratio of LV weight to body weight, the expressions of RhoA and Rho kinase mRNA, and the concentration of calcium ion same as [Ca(2+)](i) were investigated in the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hemodynamic parameters were significantly changed in heart failure group than those in sham operation group, such as left ventricular diastolic end pressure increased [(13.00 +/- 0.30) mm Hg vs (3.78 +/- 0.31) mm Hg, P < 0.01], left ventricular systolic pressure decreased [(97.20 +/- 7.21) mm Hg vs (129.45 +/- 7.52) mm Hg, P < 0.01]. Those results could be significantly changed by use of fasudil, P < 0.01. The ratio of LV weight to body weight was significantly increased in heart failure group than that in sham operation group [(4.77 +/- 0.08) mg/g vs (2.51 +/- 0.12) mg/g, P < 0.01]. Fasudil could significantly decrease the ratio of LV weight to body weight compared with that in heart failure group [(4.05 +/- 0.08) mg/g vs (4.77 +/- 0.08) mg/g, P < 0.01]. Cardiac muscle RhoA, Rho kinase mRNA level and [Ca(2+)](i) were higher in heart failure group than those in sham operation group [Ca(2+)](i) (475.93 +/- 28.22) nmol/L vs (79.25 +/- 3.33) nmol/L, P < 0.01. Compared with those in heart failure group, the expressions of RhoA, Rho kinase mRNA level decreased significantly, P < 0.01, and the levels of cardiomyocyte [Ca(2+)](i) had no change in fasudil group [(462.78 +/- 16.72) nmol/L vs (475.93 +/- 28.22) nmol/L, P > 0.05].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results indicated that heart failure was probably related to activating of RhoA, Rho kinase. Fasudil may contribute to the observed beneficial effects on heart failure such as the decrease of RhoA, Rho kinase mRNA expression and not increase of [Ca(2+)](i) level. Rho/Rho kinase may be a novel, potent signaling of heart failure.</p>

Relation of condylar morphology with different vertical facial types in the development of patients with skeletal Ⅲ malocclusions / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective: To study the relation of condylar morphology with different vertical facial types in the development of patients with skeletal Ⅲ malocclusions. Methods:180 cases with skeletal Ⅲ malocclusion were divided into children(5-11 years old), adolescence(12-17 years old) and adult(18-30 years old) groups with 60 cases in each group. Orthopantomograms of the patients with different vertical facial types were retrospectively investigated by computerized cephalometric analysis. Condylar morphology were compared among different age groups of the same vertical facial type. Results:In patients with high angle, ramus height(RH) was getting bigger with ageing(P0.05). In patients with low angle h and RH in adult group were bigger than those in adolescence or in children(P

Comparison of tooth profile in Chinese, Caucasian and Japanese with normal occlusion / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective: To study the difference in tooth profile among Chinese,Caucasian and Japanese with normal occlusion.Methods: The data of the measurments of Chinese,Caucasian and Japanese with normal occlusion were collected from published studies.Crown angulation,crown inclination and crown convex were used in the comparation among the peoples. Results: Tooth profile in Chinese was significantly different from that of Caucasian but was similar to that of Japanese. Conclusion: The orthodontic appliances should be modified when we use the straight wire appliances that is suitable for Caucasian and Japanese.