Effects of taurine on the ultrastructure and P2X7 receptor expression in brain following traumatic brain injury in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of taurine on the ultrastructure and P2X7 receptor protein expression in brain following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male SD rats, were divided randomly into four groups that were sham-operated group, TBI group, TBI plus low-dose taurine group and TBI plus high-dose taurine group. The TBI model was established by Marmarou's method, the expression of P2X7 receptor protein in parietal cortex and hippocampus was detected by the immunohistochemical method, the ultrastructure of parietal cortex were observed by transmission electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with sham-operated group, the positive expression cells of P2X7 receptor protein in parietal cortex and hippocampus of TBI group were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with TBI group, the positive expression cells of P2X7 receptor protein in parietal cortex and hippocampus of TBI plus low-dose taurine group and TBI plus high-dose taurine group were significantly decreased (P <0.01 or P <0.05). Compared with TBI plus low-dose taurine group, the positive expression cells of P2X7 receptor protein in parietal cortex and hippocampus of TBI plus high-dose taurine group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The pathological damage of parietal cortex in the TBI plus high-dose taurine group was obviously lightened.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Taurine exerts the neuroprotective effect on TBI in rats, the protective mechanism might be associated with down-regulating the expression of P2X7 receptor protein in parietal cortex and hippocampus.</p>

Effect of progesterone on MMP-3 expression in neonatal rat brain after hypoxic-ischemia / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of progesterone on matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) expression in neonatal rat brain after hypoxic-ischemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Followed the hypoxic-ischemia of neonatal rat brain, Evans blue (EB) staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect the blood-brain barrier pathological changes on permeability. MMP-3 protein expression in cerebral cortex was measured with Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Transmission electron microscopy results showed that the blood brain barrier in hypoxic-ischemic group changed significantly compare to progesterone group. EB staining results suggested that the blood-brain barrier permeability of hypoxic-ischemic group was significantly increased compared to sham-operated group (P < 0.01). The blood-brain barrier permeability in progesterone group was also decreased in comparison to that of hypoxic-ischemic group (P < 0.05). Western blot image analysis results indicated that MMP-3 protein expression in the hypoxic-ischemic group increased significantly than that in sham-operated group (P < 0.01), and the progesterone group was decreased significantly than that in hypoxic-ischemic group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Progesterone may reduce the blood-brain barrier damage by reducing MMP-3 expression. This might be one of the protective mechanisms in the hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.</p>

Effect of tiaozhi yanggan decoction in treating patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tiaozhi Yanggan Decoction (TZYGD) in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty-eight patients were enrolled and randomized into two groups according to the random number table in a ratio of 3:1, with 8 cases eventually dropping out. The symptoms, signs, liver function markers, blood lipids, iconographic indices and clinical comprehensive efficacy after a 12-week treatment course were assessed in 101 patients treated with TZYGD in the treated group and 29 patients treated with Thiola in the control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate in the treated group and the control group was 81.19% and 68.97%, respectively, showing a significant difference between the two groups with the former being significantly higher than the latter (P<0.05). Moreover, the improvements in the symptoms, signs, liver function, blood lipids and iconographic indices in the treated group were favorable with no serious adverse reactions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TZYGD is effective and highly safe in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver.</p>

Observation of the effect of the mixed composite skin graft on deep partial thickness burn wounds / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of mixed composite skin graft on the deep partial thickness burn wounds after tangential excision in burn patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Tangential excision was performed in 30 extremities of 23 burn patients within 3 postburn days (PBDs). Then large pieces of homologous acellular dermal matrix were grafted onto the superficial fascia with razor thin autoskin on top of them. The survival rate of skin grafts, the appearance and the functional recovery of the extremities were observed on 10 to 12 post operative day (POD). Skin samples from a healed wound of a patient were harvested three months after the injury for pathologic examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The survival rate of the composite skin grafts was 93%. Necrosis was encountered in 7% of the grafts in the lower extremities due to the poor fixation of the grafts leading to separation of autologous skin and the dermal template, and also due to infection resulting in lysis of the grafts. The grafted skin was excellent in the appearance and elasticity, and function of the injured extremities recovered well after grafting after 3 - 6 months of follow-up. Epidermal and dermal texture was also good as shown by pathologic examination.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mixed composite skin grafting after early tangential excision might be an ideal and effective method in the management of deep partial thickness burn wounds.</p>