ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the action mechanism of medicinal pair Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix against diabetic cardiomyopathy （DCM） based on network pharmacology and<italic> in vivo </italic>animal experiment. Method:The active ingredients and targets of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine （BATMAN-TCM）， and the relevant targets of DCM from the disease database. The common specific targets between the medicinal pair and DCM obtained via comparison were used for constructing the main active ingredients of Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix-DCM-target network， followed by protein-protein interaction （PPI） analysis of compound-DCM common targets and the screening of important modules using Molecular Complex Detection （MCODE） plugin. The gene ontology （GO） and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis was carried out based on DAVID for exploring the possible molecular mechanisms， which were then subjected to experimental verification. Result:A total of 126 core targets of Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix for treating DCM were screened out based on network pharmacology. As indicated by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis， the above-mentioned key targets might be related to such pathways as inflammatory response， oxidative stress， insulin resistance， and apoptosis. The findings of <italic>in vivo</italic> animal experiments demonstrated that Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix delayed high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte injury of DCM rats， suggesting that this medicinal pair intervened in the pathological process to a certain extent. Conclusion:Astragali Radix-Angelicae Sinensis Radix alleviates DCM possibly by acting on multiple targets including interleukin-6， vascular endothelial growth factor A， tumor necrosis factor， TP53 gene， and nuclear transcription factor， regulating apoptosis and glucolipid metabolism， and improving oxidative stress and inflammatory response. The research based on network pharmacology and experimental verification has provided new ideas for investigating the pathogenesis of DCM and its clinical treatment.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical data of an imported case of visceral leishmaniasis in Henan Province, and explore the method of laboratory diagnosis of kala-azar. Methods The epidemiological and clinical data of an imported visceral leishmaniasis patient were analyzed. Leishmania donovani bodies in bone marrow smears were observed microscopically. The antibody was detected by using rK39 dipstick test strips. Two pairs of specific primers, K13A-K13B and LITSR-L5.8S, were used to amplify kinetoplast DNA and internal transcribed spacer of rDNA of the parasite, respectively. Results The patient had been in the epidemic area of visceral leishmaniasis, and had symptoms such as irregular fever, splenomegaly, pancytopenia, and inversed ratio of albumin and globulin. The amastigotes of L. donovani were found in the bone marrow smears, and rK39 test strip was positive, and the PCR products of K13A-K13B and LITSR-L5.8S were 87 bp and 285 bp respectively. The similarities of the two fragment sequences to the corresponding sequences of L. donovani were 94% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion The case is diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis according to the epidemiological data, clinical manifestations and laboratory test results of the patient, and the pathogen is L. donovani.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical data of an imported case of visceral leishmaniasis in Henan Province, and explore the method of laboratory diagnosis of kala-azar. Methods The epidemiological and clinical data of an imported visceral leishmaniasis patient were analyzed. Leishmania donovani bodies in bone marrow smears were observed microscopically. The antibody was detected by using rK39 dipstick test strips. Two pairs of specific primers, K13A-K13B and LITSR-L5.8S, were used to amplify kinetoplast DNA and internal transcribed spacer of rDNA of the parasite, respectively. Results The patient had been in the epidemic area of visceral leishmaniasis, and had symptoms such as irregular fever, splenomegaly, pancytopenia, and inversed ratio of albumin and globulin. The amastigotes of L. donovani were found in the bone marrow smears, and rK39 test strip was positive, and the PCR products of K13A-K13B and LITSR-L5.8S were 87 bp and 285 bp respectively. The similarities of the two fragment sequences to the corresponding sequences of L. donovani were 94% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion The case is diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis according to the epidemiological data, clinical manifestations and laboratory test results of the patient, and the pathogen is L. donovani.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects of intracoronary infusion of mononuclear stem cells (MNCs) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DCM patients with left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) < 40% were randomized to intracoronary infusion of MNCs [(5.1 ± 2.0) × 10(8), n = 16] or MSCs [(4.9 ± 1.7) × 10(8), n = 17] or equal volume normal saline (n = 20) through the guiding catheter. Changes of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), LVEF and myocardium perfusion defects were assessed before and at (30 ± 3) days and (90 ± 7) days after the procedure. Malignant cardiovascular events were also recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) One month after the procedure, LVEF in transplantation groups significantly increased compared to before procedure (all P < 0.05), and significant increase of LVEF was observed only in MSCs transplantation group compared to control group (P < 0.05). However, absolute changes of LVEDd and perfusion defects of myocardium were similar among and within groups (P > 0.05). (2) Comparing with before procedure and control group, LVEF in transplantation groups increased significantly in three months after the procedure (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between transplantation groups (P > 0.05). LVEDd and myocardium perfusion defects in transplantation groups improved significantly compared with that of before procedure (P < 0.05), while significant decrease of myocardium perfusion defects was only observed in patients treated with MSCs compared with control group at three months after procedure (P < 0.05). (3) There were no significant differences in major cardiovascular events between transplantation group and control during follow-up (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intracoronary bone marrow stem cells transplantation is safe and effective for DCM patients while the efficacy of MSCs and MNCs transplantation is comparable.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Bone Marrow Transplantation , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated , General Surgery , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of PRCB1a (one component of polysaccharides from Radix Cynanchi Bungei) on transformation of T lymphocytes of rabbit in vitro and immune function in mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Three doses of PRCB1a (2,4,6 g x L(-1)) were respectively put in bottle with PHA and blood of rabbit. The effect of PRCB1a on immunity in vitro was studied by observing transformation of T lymphocytes; The dosage of PRCB1a (50,100,150 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was given orally for seven days. The effects on immune function were investigated in mice.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Three doses of PRCB1a could significantly promote (P < 0.01) the ability of T lymphocytes proliferation; PRCB1a could improve the mouse thymus and spleen index, the celiac macrophage ability of engulfing CRBC, the delayed type hypersensitivity ability and the macrophage engulfing carbon granula ability.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results indicate PRCB1a can enhance nonspectific and specific cellular immune function.</p>