Icariin promotes self-renewal of neural stem cells: an involvement of extracellular regulated kinase signaling pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of icariin (ICA) on self-renewal and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NSCs were derived from forebrains of mice embryos by mechanical dissociation into single cell suspension. The self-renewal of NSCs was measured by neurosphere formation assay. The proliferation of NSCs was detected by water-soluble tetrazolium (WST) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay. Protein expression of neuron-specific marker tubulin-βIII(TuJ1) and astrocyte-specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Using microarray, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between NSCs with or without ICA treatment. The signaling pathways enriched by these DEGs and their role in mediating effects of ICA were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ICA significantly promoted neurosphere formation of NSCs cultured in growth protocol in a dose-dependent manner and achieved the maximum effects at 100 nmol/L. ICA also increased optical absorbance value and EdU incorporation into nuclei of NSCs. ICA had no significant effects on the percentage of TuJ1 or GFAP-positive cells, and TuJ1 or GFAP protein expression in NSCs cultured in differentiation protocol. A total of 478 genes were found to be differentially regulated. Among signaling pathways significantly enriched by DEGs, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was of interest. Blockade of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/MAPK, other than p38/MAPK subfamily pathway partially abolished effects of ICA on neurosphere formation and EdU incorporation of NSCs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICA can promote the selfrenewal of NSCs at least partially through ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.</p>

Effect of compound bushen recipe on chronic fatigue syndrome in C. elegans: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of compound bushen recipe (CBR) in improving the survival state of stress and the overall life span in C. elegans by simulating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) under various stress states.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The tolerance and the average survival time of adult larvae against heat stress (35 degrees C), oxidative stress (250 microg/mL juglone), and in vivo Abeta protein toxicity (Abeta(1-42) transgenic mutant CL4176) under the intervention of the high (500 mg/L), middle (250 mg/L), and low (100 mg/L) dose CBR were observed. The effect of CBR on the average live time (at 25 degrees C), movement distance in 20 seconds, the frequency of pharyngeal pump in 30 seconds, and the reproductive capability were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the survival time of heat stressed C. elegans could be significantly increased in each CBR group (P < 0.01). The survival time of heat stressed C. elegans could be elongated, the protein toxicity be attenuated, and the live time prolonged in the high and middle dose CBR groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).The movement distance and the frequency of pharyngeal pump could also be increased in the high dose CBR group (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the reproductive capability among all groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CBR could significantly enhance the stress capacity of C. elegans against internal and external environment, and prolong their lifespan. It did not interfere their normal production, and also could improve the quality of life, thus laying a foundation for further mechanism studies and pharmacological researches on CBR in preventing and treating CFS.</p>

Establishment of a quantitative mathematical model of Shen-deficiency syndrome based on whole-genome transcriptional profiles / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a quantitative mathematical model of Shen-deficiency syndrome of TCM by utilizing whole-genome transcriptional profiles.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 4, 10, 18, 24 months old SD rats were used, 24-months aged rats intervened by Epimedium Flavonoids (EF) were adopted in the experiment. Rats' hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, lymphocytes, bone, liver, and kidney, and spleen were taken for determining whole-genome mRNA expression with gene chip, and a quantitative nerve network model was established by utilizing the gene expression profile of different aged rats, then the model was used to evaluate the effects of EF on Shen-deficiency syndrome.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 199 genes showing age-dependent characteristics were screened out from the 7 kinds of tissue, most of them were neuro-endocrine immune related genes. Evaluation based on the mathematical model showed the age of hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, liver, kidney, bone, and spleen in the 24-months rats after EF intervention was 12.64, 10.87, 8.10, 12.70, 11.93, 13.14, and 10.13 months, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A quantitative mathematical model can be established based on the gene expression profile, it is suitable for estimating the efficacy of Shen-tonifying drugs. EF can make the gene expression of elder close to the young state, suggesting that EF has action in improving Shen-deficiency syndrome and delaying senescence.</p>

Effect of Epimedium flavonoids in retarding aging of C. elegans / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate effect of Epimedium flavonoids (EF), positively controlled by caloric restriction (CR) method, in retarding aging of the model organism C. elegans, in order to establish a basis for studying its action mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Experiment for life-time analysis was conducted on animals grouped into the blank group, the CR group, and the high and low dose EF groups to observe their mean lifespan, maximum lifespan and age-dependent mortality. And the reproductive capacity test and acute heat-stress analysis were carried out in the blank group and the high dose EF group to observe the subalgebra and the mean survival time under acute heat-stress at 35 degrees C.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with the blank group, the mean lifespan in the two EF group and the maximum lifespan in the high dose EF group were higher, and the age-dependent mortality in the high dose EF group was lower significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01); as compared with the CR group, the mean lifespan and maximum lifespan in the high dose EF group were higher (P<0.01); but no significant difference of the subalgebra between the blank group and the high dose EF group was shown (P>0.05). Compared with the blank group, the mean lifespan in the high dose EF group was significantly prolonged under acute heat-stress at 35 degrees C (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EF can retard the aging of C. elegans without damage on the reproductive capacity, and significantly improve its capacity against acute heat-stress.</p>

Study on mechanism of biminne in treating allergic rhinitis / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect and mechanism of Biminne, a Chinese herbal compound preparation, for treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>AR model of mouse was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA), and the changes in behavior, proliferative activity of splenic lymphocyte, serum levels of total IgE and OVA specific IgE were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Biminne showed effects in reducing the frequency of sneezing and nasal rubbing, inhibiting the proliferation of splenic lymphocyte stimulated by phyto-hemagglutinin (PHA) and OVA, and lowering the levels of serum total IgE and OVA specific IgE.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Biminne could inhibit the proliferation of splenic lymphocyte and reduce serum level of IgE in mice with AR.</p>

Effect of biminne on vascular permeability of nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether the effect of Biminne on allergic rhinitis (AR) was through improving vascular permeability of nasal mucosa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat's model in Biminne-treated group and model group was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum hydroxide gel suspension Biminne-treated rats were orally given Biminne suspension from the 8th day to the 17th day. On the 18th day, Evan's blue dye (EBD) in the nasal perfusate was detected to assess the vascular permeability.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EBD concentration was higher in the model rats than that in the normal rats, and lower in the Biminne-treated rats than that in the model rats (both P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Biminne could improve vascular permeability of nasal mucosa in sensitized rats, which may be the mechanism of its clinical effect on AR.</p>

Study on the differentially expressed genes in bone tissue of ovariectomized rats after intervention with Chinese herbs / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of jiangu granule (JGG) on postmenopausal osteoporosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Differential display reverse transcription PCR (DDRT-PCR) was used to detect the differentially expressed genes in bone tissues associated with therapeutic effect of JGG.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten differentially expressed gene fragments were found, 9 of them, after cloning, sequencing and BLAST searching, were proved to be matched with highly homologous sequences in Genebank. Among them, two were known proteins: hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (RHAMM) and ATPase, Na+, K+ transporting beta 3 polypeptide (ATP1b3). It was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR that these two gene fragments could be down- and up-regulated by JGG respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect of JGG in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis might be related with its regulation on the two kinds of protein, RHAMM and ATP1b3.</p>

Clinical analysis of juvenile ovary granulose cell tumor / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To explore clinicopathological features and prognosis of juvenile granulosa cell tumor (JGCT).Methods Patients were divided into JGCT group (n=10) and the adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) group (n=10).The tumor samples were examined by HE and immunohistochemical methods.Results Age of JGCT group ranged from 7-31 years (average 20.5 years);90% occurred before 30 years old.Diameter of the tumors ranged from 5.5 cm to 15.0 cm,average 9.8 cm.Characteristic features included nodular arrangement,irregular formation of follicles containing muein and luteinization, atypical hyperplasia of ceils and high mitotic activity.Nuclei grooved and Call-Exner bodies were absent or rare.Survival rate was 90% in 5 years.Age of AGCT group ranged from 14-74 years (average 45.1 years);AGCT occurred mostly in over 40 years old.Atypical hyperplasia of cell,mitotic activity and luteinization were absent or rare.Nuclei grooved and eall-Exner bodies were common.Survival rate was 100% in 5 years.Immunohistochemical staining were positive for p53 at 70%,PCNA at 90% in 10 cases of JGCT and p53 at 10%,PCNA at 20% in 10 cases of AGCT(P