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OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tongxiening Granules (, TXNG) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D).@*METHODS@#A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, and positive parallel controlled clinical trial was conducted from October 2014 to March 2016. Totally 342 patients from 13 clinical centers were enrolled and randomly assigned (at the ratio of 1:1) to a treatment group (171 cases) and a control group (171 cases) by a random coding table. The patients in the treatment group were administered orally with TXNG (5 g per time) combined with pinaverium bromide Tablet simulator (50 mg per time), 3 times per day. The patients in the control group were given TXNG simulator (5 g per time) combined with pinaverium bromide Tablets (50 mg per time), 3 times per day. The treatment course lasted for 6 weeks. The improvement of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) was used to evaluate the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included adequate relief (AR) rate, Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBS-QOL), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and the recurrence rate at follow-ups. Safety indices including the adverse events (AEs) and related laboratory tests were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Primary outcome: IBS-SSS at baseline, weeks 2, 4, 6 showed no statistical significance in both full analysis set (FAS) and per protocol set (PPS, P>0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate of IBS-SSS scores in the treatment group (147/171,86.0%) was higher than the control group (143/171, 83.6%) by FAS (P>0.05). In regard to secondary outcomes, after 6-week treatment, there was no significant difference in AR rate, total score of IBS-QOL, improvement of HAMD and HAMA total scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The recurrence rate at 8-week follow-up was 12.35% (10/18) in treatment group and 15.79% (12/76) in control group, respectively (P>0.05). A total of 21 AEs occurred in 15 cases, of which 11 occurred in 8 cases in the treatment group and 10 AEs in 7 cases in the control group. The incidence of AEs had no statistical significance between the two goups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Tongxiening Granules could relieve the symptoms of patients with IBS-D and the treatment effect was comparable to pinaverium bromide. (No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006415).
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<p><b>Background</b>Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disorder worldwide, but the current treatments for FD are still unsatisfactory. The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy and safety of Qi-Zhi-Wei-Tong granules in patients with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS)-predominant FD.</p><p><b>Methods</b>The study was conducted as a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled design in 197 patients with PDS. All participants received placebo treatment for 1 week. Patients whose total symptom score decreased by <50% after the placebo treatment were recruited into the 4-week treatment period, in which they were randomly assigned to be treated with either Qi-Zhi-Wei-Tong granules or placebo. The patients were then followed for 2 weeks without any treatment. Dyspeptic symptoms were scored at weeks 2 and 4 during the random treatment period and 2 weeks after the treatment. Anxiety and depression symptoms were also scored and compared.</p><p><b>Results</b>(1) The total effective rates in the Qi-Zhi-Wei-Tong granules group at weeks 2 and 4 during the random treatment period and 2 weeks after treatment were all significantly higher than those in the placebo group (38.82% vs. 8.75%, P < 0.001; 69.14% vs. 16.25%, P < 0.001; 77.65% vs. 21.25%, P < 0.001). (2) The total dyspeptic symptoms scores in the Qi-Zhi-Wei-Tong granules group at weeks 2 and 4 and 2 weeks after treatment were significantly lower than those in the placebo group. (3) The severity and frequency of each dyspeptic symptom at weeks 2 and 4 and the follow-up period were all significantly lower than those in the placebo group. (4) The anxiety scores in the Qi-Zhi-Wei-Tong granules group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group. (5) Qi-Zhi-Wei-Tong granules did not have more adverse effects than the placebo.</p><p><b>Conclusion</b>Qi-Zhi-Wei-Tong granules offer significant symptomatic improvement in PDS with no more adverse effects than placebo.</p><p><b>Trial Registration</b>https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT02460601.</p>
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) frequently colonizes the stomach. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common and costly disease. But the relationship of H. pylori and GERD is still unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect of H. pylori and its eradication on reflux esophagitis therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients diagnosed with reflux esophagitis by endoscopy were enrolled; based on rapid urease test and Warth-Starry stain, they were divided into H. pylori positive and negative groups. H. pylori positive patients were randomly given H. pylori eradication treatment for 10 days, then esomeprazole 20 mg bid for 46 days. The other patients received esomeprazole 20 mg bid therapy for 8 weeks. After treatment, three patient groups were obtained: H. pylori positive eradicated, H. pylori positive uneradicated, and H. pylori negative. Before and after therapy, reflux symptoms were scored and compared. Healing rates were compared among groups. The χ2 test and t-test were used, respectively, for enumeration and measurement data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 176 H. pylori positive (with 92 eradication cases) and 180 negative cases. Healing rates in the H. pylori positive eradicated and H. pylori positive uneradicated groups reached 80.4% and 79.8% (P = 0.911), with reflux symptom scores of 0.22 and 0.14 (P = 0.588). Healing rates of esophagitis in the H. pylori positive uneradicated and H. pylori negative groups were, respectively, 79.8% and 82.2% (P = 0.848); reflux symptom scores were 0.14 and 0.21 (P = 0.546).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Based on esomeprazole therapy, H. pylori infection and eradication have no significant effect on reflux esophagitis therapy.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Amoxicillin , Therapeutic Uses , Esomeprazole , Therapeutic Uses , Esophagitis, Peptic , Drug Therapy , Microbiology , Gastroesophageal Reflux , Drug Therapy , Microbiology , Helicobacter Infections , Drug Therapy , Helicobacter pylori , Virulence , Tinidazole , Therapeutic UsesABSTRACT
This study tested the effects of the gastrointestinal pulse train electrical stimulation with different parameters and at different locations on the neuronal activities of the lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in obese rats in order to find the optimal stimulation parameter and location. Eight gastric electrical stimulations (GES) with different parameters were performed and the neuronal activities of gastric-distension responsive (GD-R) neurons in LHA were observed. The effects of stimulations with 8 parameters were compared to find the optimal parameter. Then the optimal parameter was used to perform electrical stimulation at duodenum and ileum, and the effects of the duodenal and ileac stimulation on the GD-R neurons in LHA were compared with the gastric stimulation of optimal parameter. The results showed that GES with the lowest energy parameter (0.3 ms, 3 mA, 20 Hz, 2 s on, 3 s off) activated the least neurons. The effects of GES with other parameters whose pulse width was 0.3 ms were not significantly different from those of the lowest energy parameter. Most gastric stimulations whose pulse width was 3 ms activated more LHA neurons than the smallest energy parameter stimulation, and the effects of those 3 ms gastric stimulations were similar. Accordingly, the lowest energy parameter was recognized as the optimal parameter. The effects of stimulations with the optimal parameter at stomach, duodenum and ileum on the LHA neuronal activities were not different. Collectively, gastrointestinal electrical stimulation (GIES) with relatively large pulse width might have stronger effects to the neuronal activities of GD-R neurons in LHA of obese rats. The effects of the GIES at different locations (stomach, duodenum and ileum) on those neurons are similar, and GES is preferential because of its easy clinical performance and safety.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Duodenum , Pathology , Electric Stimulation , Hypothalamus , Pathology , Ileum , Pathology , Neurons , Metabolism , Pathology , Obesity , Pathology , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Stomach , PathologyABSTRACT
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) family may play important roles in inflammatory bowel disease. This study examined the expression of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in the colonic tissues of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and explored their roles in the pathogenesis of UC. Colonic biopsies were taken from the colon of 30 patients with mild or moderate UC (at active phase) and 10 healthy controls during colonoscopy. TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 protein expression levels were immunohistochemically detected. The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The disease activity index (DAI), colonoscopic and histologic grades and fecal microbial flora were determined. Histological examination showed that the intestinal mucous membrane of UC patients underwent acute inflammation changes. Immunohistochemistry exhibited that the expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in colon epithelia and inflammatory cells were higher in UC patients than in control group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 were increased in UC patients but were not detected in the normal controls. Expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 were positively correlated, and bore close correlation with DAI, colonoscopic and histologic grades and fecal microbial flora. An important mechanism of UC might be that abnormal activation of mucosal immunity by intestinal dysbacteriosis caused dysregulation of TLRS that mediates innate immunity.
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This study tested the effects of the gastrointestinal pulse train electrical stimulation with different parameters and at different locations on the neuronal activities of the lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in obese rats in order to find the optimal stimulation parameter and location. Eight gastric electrical stimulations (GES) with different parameters were performed and the neuronal activities of gastric-distension responsive (GD-R) neurons in LHA were observed. The effects of stimulations with 8 parameters were compared to find the optimal parameter. Then the optimal parameter was used to perform electrical stimulation at duodenum and ileum, and the effects of the duodenal and ileac stimulation on the GD-R neurons in LHA were compared with the gastric stimulation of optimal parameter. The results showed that GES with the lowest energy parameter (0.3 ms, 3 mA, 20 Hz, 2 s on, 3 s off) activated the least neurons. The effects of GES with other parameters whose pulse width was 0.3 ms were not significantly different from those of the lowest energy parameter. Most gastric stimulations whose pulse width was 3 ms activated more LHA neurons than the smallest energy parameter stimulation, and the effects of those 3 ms gastric stimulations were similar. Accordingly, the lowest energy parameter was recognized as the optimal parameter. The effects of stimulations with the optimal parameter at stomach, duodenum and ileum on the LHA neuronal activities were not different. Collectively, gastrointestinal electrical stimulation (GIES) with relatively large pulse width might have stronger effects to the neuronal activities of GD-R neurons in LHA of obese rats. The effects of the GIES at different locations (stomach, duodenum and ileum) on those neurons are similar, and GES is preferential because of its easy clinical performance and safety.
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Toll-like receptors (TLRs) family may play important roles in inflammatory bowel disease. This study examined the expression of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in the colonic tissues of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and explored their roles in the pathogenesis of UC. Colonic biopsies were taken from the colon of 30 patients with mild or moderate UC (at active phase) and 10 healthy controls during colonoscopy. TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 protein expression levels were immunohistochemically detected. The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The disease activity index (DAI), colonoscopic and histologic grades and fecal microbial flora were determined. Histological examination showed that the intestinal mucous membrane of UC patients underwent acute inflammation changes. Immunohistochemistry exhibited that the expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in colon epithelia and inflammatory cells were higher in UC patients than in control group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 were increased in UC patients but were not detected in the normal controls. Expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 were positively correlated, and bore close correlation with DAI, colonoscopic and histologic grades and fecal microbial flora. An important mechanism of UC might be that abnormal activation of mucosal immunity by intestinal dysbacteriosis caused dysregulation of TLRS that mediates innate immunity.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Colitis, Ulcerative , Genetics , Metabolism , Pathology , Colon , Metabolism , Microbiology , Colonoscopy , Feces , Microbiology , Gene Expression , Immunohistochemistry , Intestinal Mucosa , Metabolism , Microbiology , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Severity of Illness Index , Toll-Like Receptor 2 , Genetics , Toll-Like Receptor 4 , Genetics , Toll-Like Receptor 9 , GeneticsABSTRACT
No direct comparison of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has yet been carried out in the treatment of liver cirrhosis in China. We designed a double-blind randomized trial to evaluate the potential therapeutic efficacy of TUDCA in liver cirrhosis, using UDCA as parallel control. The enrolled 23 patients with liver cirrhosis were randomly divided into TUDCA group (n=12) and UDCA group (n=11), and given TUDCA and UDCA respectively at the daily dose of 750 mg, in a randomly assigned sequence for a 6-month period. Clinical, biochemical and histological features, and liver ultrasonographic findings were evaluated before and after the study. According to the inclusion criteria, 18 patients were included in the final analysis, including 9 cases in both two groups. Serum ALT, AST and ALP levels in TUDCA group and AST levels in UDCA group were significantly reduced as compared with baseline (P<0.05). Serum albumin levels were significantly increased in both TUDCA and UDCA groups (P<0.05). Serum markers for liver fibrosis were slightly decreased with the difference being not significant in either group. Only one patient in TUDCA group had significantly histological relief. Both treatments were well tolerated and no patient complained of side effects. It is suggested that TUDCA therapy is safe and appears to be more effective than UDCA in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, particularly in the improvement of the biochemical expression. However, both drugs exert no effect on the serum markers for liver fibrosis during 6-month treatment.
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No direct comparison of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has yet been carried out in the treatment of liver cirrhosis in China. We designed a double-blind randomized trial to evaluate the potential therapeutic efficacy of TUDCA in liver cirrhosis, using UDCA as parallel control. The enrolled 23 patients with liver cirrhosis were randomly divided into TUDCA group (n=12) and UDCA group (n=11), and given TUDCA and UDCA respectively at the daily dose of 750 mg, in a randomly assigned sequence for a 6-month period. Clinical, biochemical and histological features, and liver ultrasonographic findings were evaluated before and after the study. According to the inclusion criteria, 18 patients were included in the final analysis, including 9 cases in both two groups. Serum ALT, AST and ALP levels in TUDCA group and AST levels in UDCA group were significantly reduced as compared with baseline (P<0.05). Serum albumin levels were significantly increased in both TUDCA and UDCA groups (P<0.05). Serum markers for liver fibrosis were slightly decreased with the difference being not significant in either group. Only one patient in TUDCA group had significantly histological relief. Both treatments were well tolerated and no patient complained of side effects. It is suggested that TUDCA therapy is safe and appears to be more effective than UDCA in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, particularly in the improvement of the biochemical expression. However, both drugs exert no effect on the serum markers for liver fibrosis during 6-month treatment.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cholagogues and Choleretics , Therapeutic Uses , Double-Blind Method , Liver Cirrhosis , Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid , Therapeutic Uses , Treatment Outcome , Ursodeoxycholic Acid , Therapeutic UsesABSTRACT
Chronic constipation (CC) may impact on quality of life. There is substantial patient dissatisfaction; possible reasons are failure to recognize underlying constipation, inappropriate dietary advice and inadequate treatment. The aim of these practical guidelines intended for primary care physicians, and which are based on Asian perspectives, is to provide an approach to CC that is relevant to the existing health-care infrastructure. Physicians should not rely on infrequent bowel movements to diagnose CC as many patients have one or more bowel movement a day. More commonly, patients present with hard stool, straining, incomplete feeling, bloating and other dyspeptic symptoms. Physicians should consider CC in these situations and when patients are found to use laxative containing supplements. In the absence of alarm features physicians may start with a 2-4 week therapeutic trial of available pharmacological agents including osmotic, stimulant and enterokinetic agents. Where safe to do so, physicians should consider regular (as opposed to on demand dosing), combination treatment and continuous treatment for at least 4 weeks. If patients do not achieve satisfactory response, they should be referred to tertiary centers for physiological evaluation of colonic transit and pelvic floor function. Surgical referral is a last resort, which should be considered only after a thorough physiological and psychological evaluation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Asia , Asian People , Colon , Constipation , Health Resorts , Pelvic Floor , Physicians, Primary Care , Primary Health Care , Quality of Life , Referral and Consultation , Sprains and StrainsABSTRACT
Objective To explore the relationship between elderly hip fracture and osteoporosis.Methods 85 elderly patients with hip fractures were admitted into our hospital from January 2009 to March 2012.Mineral density in bones and the concentration of biochemical markers Ⅰ collagen such as hydroxy terminal peptide (crosslaps) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) in urine sample of the patients were measured.Another 60 non-hip fracture patients were selected as controls.Results Bone mineral density from the non-hip-fractured group appeared significantly higher than the hip-fractured group (P＜0.05),while the concentration of crosslaps and DPD in the urine of patients were significantly higher than the normal control group (P＜0.05),suggesting that the patients suffered from osteoporosis were more prone to hip fracture.Conclusion Although the hip fracture in the elderly was generally caused by trauma while factors as bone mineral density,concentration of crosslaps and DPD showed that osteoporosis played an important ‘internal’ role on hip fractures in the elderly.Attention should be paid to the elderly people with symptoms of osteoporosis and early treatment provided,to prevent hip fracture in this populaton.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the characteristics and daily treatment compliance of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NAFLD adult patients from 21 clinics of 12 cities in China were enrolled in this registry. Physical examination such as demographic characteristics (height, weight, waist circumference measurement), blood pressure and clinical laboratory and ultrasonographic examination of liver were undertaken. Daily practice including life style and medication were recorded and assessed in accordance with 2006 Chinese NAFLD treatment guidelines.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 1656 patients were enrolled (1146 male and 510 female), mean of 45.8 ± 12.6 years old, mean duration of NAFLD history was (47.2 ± 47.7) months. 44.9% of NAFLD were suffering from metabolic syndromes. Patients with central obesity have higher incidence of hypertension and lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than those without central obesity, P < 0.05. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in ALT abnormal group were higher than those in ALT normal group (P < 0.05), HDL-C was lower in ALT abnormal group (P < 0.05). Significant differences existed between the BMI, female waist circumference, TG, fast insulin, HOMA index, ALT, AST and HDL-C among subgroups with mild, moderate and severe steatosis. Majority of the patients did not follow recommendations of NAFLD treatment guidelines. Among targeted population only 15.3% of patients used insulin sensitizers and 23.8% took lipid lowering medicine according to the guideline.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Data indicated that nearly half of NAFLD patients co-morbid with metabolic disorders. Therapy compliance was unsatisfactory and the gap between current practice and Chinese NAFLD treatment guidelines was not optimal.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Asian People , China , Epidemiology , Fatty Liver , Diagnosis , Epidemiology , Therapeutics , Metabolic Syndrome , Epidemiology , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease , Risk Factors , Waist CircumferenceABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the clinical features of a hereditary hemochromatosis pedigree and to explore preliminarily the genetic basis of this pedigree.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Survey was carried out among the family members, including history taking, physical examination, laboratory examination (such as iron-biochemistry indexes, liver function, blood sugar), multiple-organs MRI scan, iron staining of liver biopsy tissues and making the pedigree chart. The blood samples of the pedigree were collected, the genomic DNA was extracted, the PCR amplification was made and finally the sequence analysis for several mutations of common hereditary hemochromatosis genes was done.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In this pedigree, 7 members were found with iron overload and clinically diagnosed as hereditary hemochromatosis. The features are transmitted from generation to generation without gender difference and the gene penetrance is about 46%. The common mutations of SLC40A1 and HFE were not found in the family members.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cutaneous pigmentation and iron overload in liver and spleen are the most typical characters in this hereditary hemochromatosis pedigree, which corresponds with autosomal dominant inheritance. However, the genetic basis of this pedigree is unknown yet.</p>
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Adult , Aged , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Hemochromatosis , Diagnosis , Genetics , Mutation , PedigreeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was designed to investigate the possibility that the enhanced nociceptive responsiveness associated with canabonoid type 1 receptors (CB1Rs) and identify its role in mediating visceral hypersensitivity induced by chronic restraint stress. METHODS: Rats were exposed to daily partial restraint stress or sham partial restraint stress with intraperitoneal injection of the vehicle, CB1R agonist or antagonist for 4 consecutive days. We tested the visceromotor reflex to colorectal distention at day 0 and 5. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to assess the expression of CB1Rs. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal CB1 agonist (ACEA) injection significantly diminished (p < 0.05) the enhanced visceromotor reflex to colorectal distention at day 5 in stressed rats. Change in electromyogram response after ACEA over baseline, at pressure of 40 mmHg (+13.3 +/- 2.2), 60 mmHg (+15.3 +/- 2.8) and 80 mmHg (+17.0 +/- 4.0) were much lower than in the control animals, which were +35.9 +/- 5.1, +41.1 +/- 6.3 and +54.1 +/- 9.6, respectively. Whereas, CB1 antagonist (SR141716A) had an opposite effect. Compared with control group, the change in electromyogram response after SR141716A over baseline was significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) for the distending pressure of 40 mmHg (+56.0 +/- 10.3), 60 mmHg (+74.6 +/- 12.3) and 80 mmHg (+82.9 +/- 11.0), respectively. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting demonstrated the stress-induced up-regulation of colon CB1Rs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest there is a key contribution of peripheral CB1Rs involved in the maintenance of visceral hyperalgesia after repeated restraint stress, providing a novel mechanism for development of peripheral visceral sensitization.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Blotting, Western , Colon , Hyperalgesia , Hypersensitivity , Injections, Intraperitoneal , Irritable Bowel Syndrome , Negotiating , Piperidines , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Pyrazoles , Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 , Receptors, Cannabinoid , Reflex , Salicylamides , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the influence of beta-elemene on the proliferation, migration and RhoA expression of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) induced by angiotensin II (ANG II).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HSC were incubated in vitro. Proliferation and migration of the HSC were induced by ANG II. The effect on the proliferation of HSC was determined by MTT colorimetry. The migration ability was detected by transwell chamber cultures. Total RNA was extracted by TRizol reagent and gene levels were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Protein levels were determined by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Different concentrations (from 1 to 10 micromol/L) of ANG II markedly promoted the growth of the HSC in a concentration dependent way (0 micromol/L ANG II, F = 112.640, P less than 0.01). 10, 8, 4 micromol/L ANGII significantly induced HSC migration, F = 117.496, P less than 0.01. Compared with the 4 micromol/L ANG II group, 10 mg/L, 5 mg/L, 2.5 mg/L beta-elemene markedly inhibited HSC proliferation and migration induced by 4 micromol/L ANG II (F values were 95.706 and 55.600 and P less than 0.01). 4 micromol/L ANG II markedly promoted the protein and mRNA expressions of RhoA in HSC. 10 mg/L, 5 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L beta-elemene notably inhibited the expressions of RhoA protein and mRNA (F values were 217.119 and 18.010).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ANG II can significantly induce the proliferation and migration of HSC. Beta-elemene can inhibit the proliferation and migration of HSC induced by ANG II. The effects of beta-elemene are mediated through inhibiting the RhoA signal transduction pathway and are associated with RhoA.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Angiotensin II , Pharmacology , Cell Movement , Cell Proliferation , Cells, Cultured , Hepatic Stellate Cells , Cell Biology , Sesquiterpenes , Pharmacology , rhoA GTP-Binding Protein , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>We analysed and compared the aquaporin 8 (AQP8) expression in ascending and descending colon mucosa between patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) and healthy volunteers, in order to study the relationship between the clinical feature of IBS, the expression of AQP8 and the pathological mechanism of D-IBS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Specimens were taken from the proximal ascending colon or distal descending colon of D-IBS patients (n = 26) and healthy volunteers (n = 30), and AQP8 mRNA expression of each specimen was determined by fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (FQ-RT-PCR). In patients with D-IBS, the relationship was analysed between AQP8 expression in both ascending and descending colons and clinical features including gender, age of onset, duration of illness, frequency of defecation, and stool characteristics.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Although AQP8 was present in the epithelium of the ascending and descending colons in healthy persons and D-IBS patients, the AQP8 level of the D-IBS patients was significantly lower than that of the healthy persons (P < 0.01 in the ascending colon, P < 0.05 in the descending colon). AQP8 expression was not correlated with the age of patients with D-IBS (P > 0.05 both in the ascending and descending colons) or the age at the onset (P > 0.05 both in the ascending and descending colons), but closely with the duration of illness (P < 0.05 in the ascending colon, P < 0.01 in the descending colon), frequency of defecation (P < 0.01 in the ascending colon, P < 0.05 in the descending colon) and stool characteristics (P < 0.01 in the ascending colon, P > 0.05 in the descending colon).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The decreased AQP8 expression in D-IBS patients indicates that dysfunction of colonic absorption may cause reduced water absorption, loose stool and diarrhoea. The expression of AQP8 may be related to D-IBS.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Aquaporins , Genetics , Colon , Metabolism , Diarrhea , Metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa , Metabolism , Irritable Bowel Syndrome , Metabolism , RNA, MessengerABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the alteration of serotonin-producing gastric enterochromaffin (EC)cell in patients with functional dyspepsia(FD).Methods Fifteen healthy volunteers and 33 patients with FD were enrolled.Proximal gastric mucosal EC cells were countered after immunohisto- chemistry staining.The ultrastructure of EC cell was observed by electromicroscope.Results The EC cells in proximal gastric mucosa in patients with FD were significant higher than that in controls(12.5?2.1 vs 8.3?1.4,t=2.353,P＜0.05),and the staining intensity of EC cell in patients with FD was also stronger than that in controls(3.72?0.42 vs 2.61?0.57,t=2.078,P＜0.05).The more sever the gastric mucosal inflammation was,the more number of EC cells and the stronger staining intensity were.Under the electromicroscopy,more Golgi apparatus,mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum were found in EC cells.Special secreting particles were also found in cytoplasm.Conclusions EC cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of FD.The number of EC cell is related with the severity of gastric mucosal inflammation.
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The changes of interstitial cells of Cajal(ICC)distribution and connexin 43(Cx43)expression in gastric muscle layers were assayed in gastroparesis models of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.The results showed that gastric emptying was significantly delayed,the contraction frequency and amplitude of gastric muscle segments were greatly decreased,Cx43 gray values were significantly increased and Cx43 distributed homogeneously with ICC immunopositivity in the model rats.These changes appear to be related to the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis.