Impact of Herbal Preparations on Outcomes of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A One-Year Prospective Cohort Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the impacts of two herbal preparations for human immunodeficiency virus/aquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients, Shenling Fuzheng Capsule (, SLFZC) and Qingdu Capsule (, QDC), on the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).@*METHODS@#HIV/AIDS patients met the criteria were all enrolled in a 1-year cohort study, in which patients receiving HAART alone were designated as Group A, those receiving HAART in combination with SLFZC were designated as Group B, and those receiving HAART in combination with QDC were designated as Group C, 100 cases in each group. The dose of SLFZC was 1.48 g (4 capsules), 3 times daily, and QDC 1.56 g (4 capsules), 3 times daily. T cell subsets, HIV RNA and HIV-1 drug resistance were detected at enrollment and 1 year after treatment. Patients were followed up every 3 months, during which side-effects and other clinical data were recorded.@*RESULTS@#After 1-year treatment, the median increment in CD counts was 165.0, 178.0 and 145.0 cells/μL for Group A, B and C, respectively. HIV RNA was undetectable in 94% of patients in Group A, 96% in Group B and 92% in Group C. There were no differences regarding the increment in CD counts, HIV RNA and frequency of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations. Two of the 14 suspected side-effect symptoms, i.e. fatigue and dizziness, were lower in Groups B and C than in Group A (P<0.05, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: SLFZC and QDC do not have a negative impact on immunological and virological response to HAART; however, these preparations are not as potent in reducing HAART-associated side-effects as anticipated.

Treatment of posthepatitic cirrhosis by Fuzheng Huayu Tablet for reinforcing qi and resolving stasis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy and safety of the Fuzheng Huayu Tablet FZHYT), which is used to reinforce qi and resolve stasis in patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis (PHC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 180 patients with PHC. The patients were randomly assigned using random numbers to a treatment group treated with FZHYT and a placebo group; the treatment course was 6 months for both groups. Overall response, adverse events (AEs), and the 2-year survival rate were assessed after treatment. Evaluations were made on changes in liver function, liver fibrosis, coagulation, hemodynamics, degrees of esophagogastric varices, ascites, quality of life (QOL), and scores of main symptoms.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall response was significantly higher in the treatment group than the placebo group (86.7% vs. 62.2%, P<0.01). Patients in both groups had significant improvements in liver function [total bilirubin (TBIL), albumin (ALB)], liver fibrosis [hyaluronic acid (HA), type IV collagen (CIV)], coagulation [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), and thrombin time (TT)], hemodynamics portal venous flow (PVF), and splenic vein flow (SVF) after treatment. Between-group comparisons showed that compared with the placebo group patients in the treatment group achieved significantly greater improvements in TBIL, ALB, HA, C IV, PT, APTT, PVF, SVF, time to ascites resolution, 2-year survival, QOL, and symptom scores (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There were no significant AEs during the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FZHYT is effective and safe for the treatment of hepatic cirrhosis as it is associated with improved liver function, liver fibrosis, coagulation, portal hypertension state, QOL, 2-year survival rate, and fewer AEs.</p>

Thread-moxa in Zhuang folk medicine combined with acupuncture and external application drugs on AIDS patients with herpes zoster: a clinical observation / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of thread-moxa in Zhuang folk medicine (TM) combined with acupuncture and external application drugs for AIDS patients with herpes zoster (AHZ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 60 patients with AHZ. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (treated with TM combined with acupuncture and Jingwanhong Scald Ointment) and the control group (treated with Famciclovir Tablet, nimesulide dispersible tablet, vitamin B1, ribavirin ointment). The treatment course was 14 days for both groups.The clinical efficacy, significant efficiency visual analog scale score (VAS), sleep quality score (QS), the postherpetic neuralgia rate in 1 year after treatment were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (86.7% vs. 53.3%, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the total effective rate between the two groups (96.7% vs. 80.0%, P > 0.05). The post-treatment VAS, QS, the time for pain disappearance, skin repair, crusting, and 1-year postherpetic neuralgia incidence rate were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TM combined with acupuncture and Jingwanhong Scald Ointment was effective for treating AHZ patients. It relieved pain quickly, shortened their course of disease, and improved their quality of sleep.</p>

Treating HIV/AIDS patients by shenlin fuzheng capsule and qingdu capsule: an analysis of clinical effectiveness / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the clinical effectiveness of Shenling Fuzheng Capsule (SFC) and Qingdu Capsule (QC) in treating HIV/AIDS patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 220 patients with complete clinical data, who received consecutive treatment for 6 months were selected from the database. They were assigned to two groups whether they would rather receive antiretroviral drugs, the Chinese medicine (CM) treatment group and the integrative medicine (IM) group. The 129 patients in the CM group were treated with SFC or QC, while the 91 patients in the IM group were treated with SFC or QC combined highly active antiretroviral agents. Total score and single score of clinical symptoms and signs, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), and changes of body weight before treatment, 3 and 6 months after treatment were compared. CD4+ cell counts were compared between before treatment and 6 months after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total score of clinical symptoms and signs were lower at 3 and 6 months of treatment than before treatment respectively (P < 0.01). The single score of clinical symptoms and signs such as cough, weakness, shortness of breath, vomit, spontaneous perspiration, hair loss,and chest pain were also lowered at 3 and 6 months of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the KPS increased (P < 0.05). The body weight increased (P < 0.05) and CD4 cell counts decreased (P < 0.05) in the CM group. There was no statistical difference in body weight or CD4 cell counts in the IM group between before and after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SFC and QC could improve clinical symptoms and signs of HIV/ AIDS patients, but failed to deter the decrease of CD4+ cell counts.</p>

Randomized controlled trial on effect of Tuina for treatment of sub-health people of somatic pain / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of Tuina for treatment of somatic pain of sub-health.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, double-blind and blank parallel controlled trial was done. The experiment group was treated with Tuina and the control group lied down for rest, 45 minutes each time, twice each week for three weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tuina treatment could improve more on sensory, affective, evaluation, pain rating index and extant pain intensity of the pain index, and score of subjective sensation of life quality and health status together with physiology and psychology field of life quality.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Massage is an effective therapy for treatment of somatic pain of sub-health without adverse reactions and it should be generalized to application.</p>

Methods for time trend analysis of cancer incidence rates / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce statistical methods of time trend analysis on cancer rates.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cancer incidence data collected by the Shanghai Cancer Registry during 1991 to 1999 was used in the analysis to calculate the crude and age-adjusted rates, percent changes (PCs) and annual percent changes (APCs). APCs were estimated by a linear regression of the logarithm on the incidence rates during the nine years. It also introduced a method for partitioning a linear trend in age-adjusted rates into site-specific contributions to the overall floating trend. 95% confidence intervals for the APCs and contributions were described in the paper.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A decreasing rates were observed for cancers of stomach and esophagus among both men and women in urban Shanghai from 1991 to 1999. The increasing rates among men would include cancers of colon, rectum, gall bladder, pancreas, prostate, urinary bladder, kidney and leukemia. The rates of cancers among women increased for colon, rectum, lung, breast, gall bladder, endometrium, ovary, urinary bladder and kidney. The changes of above cancers over time were statistically significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but rates for other cancer sites changed little. The APCs (weighted method) and contributions for the cancers of stomach, esophagus, colon, rectum and prostate were -2.99% and -65.72%, -2.90% and -17.07%, 12.30% and 21.46%, 2.94% and 18.62%, and 3.11% and 15.09% among men, and -6.05% and -39.55%, -1.08% and -35.19%, 2.81% and 28.64%, and 3.69% and 15.70% for the cancers of stomach, esophagus, breast and colon in women, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>APC, and related statistics could be used to describe and analyze the time trend of cancer rates rather than PC or/and graphical method alone.</p>

Changes of ion channel in rat hippocampal neurons during primary culture / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM AND METHODS</b>Whole-cell recording technique was used to observe the changes of voltage-dependent ion channels and NMDA receptor currents of rat hippocampal neurons during primary culture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference of voltage-dependent Na+ current (I(Na)) at 7 d, 14 d and 21 d in culture. It's the same for delayed rectifier K+ current (Ik). However, voltage-dependent Ca2+ current (I(Ca)) and its density were continuously and markedly increased. Further studies showed that the increase of I(Ca) was resulted from the increase of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (L-VDCC). NMDA receptor current was also significantly increased with time of culture.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ca2+ influx through VDCC and NMIDA receptor is the fatal factor in the aging and death of hippocampal neurons.</p>

Presynaptic alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulate excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal neurons / 生理学报

The effects of presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on excitatory synaptic transmission in CA1 pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus were examined by blind whole-cell patch clamp recording from hippocampal slice preparations. Local application of the nAChRs agonist dimethylphenyl-piperazinium iodide (DMPP) did not induce a postsynaptic current response in CA1 pyramidal cells. However, DMPP enhanced the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) in these cells in a dose-dependent manner. This enhancement was blocked by the selective nicotinic alpha-7 receptor antagonist alpha-bungarotoxin, but not by the antagonist mecamylamine, hexamethonium or dihydro-beta-erythroidine. The frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) in CA1 pyramidal neurons was also increased by application of DMPP, indicating a presynaptic site of action of the agonist. Taken together, these results suggest that activation of presynaptic nAChRs in CA1 pyramidal neurons, which contain alpha-7 subunits, potentiates presynaptic glutamate release and consequently modulate excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus.

Protective effect of GABA against hypoxic injury in rat hippocampal slices / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To study the mechanism of protective effect of GABA against hypoxic injury in rat hippocampal slices.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The hippocampal slices from adult rats and extracellular recording technique were used to observe the effect of GABA on the evoked population spikes in rat hippocampal slices after hypoxia in vitro.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>GABA can significantly delay the disappearance of PV, but have no effect on PS. When the receptor antagonist of GABA (bicuculline) and the inhibitor of Cl- channel (NPPB) were given, the protect effect could be suppressed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GABA increases hypoxic tolerance of hippocampal slices. The mechanism of the effect of GABA may be involved in the elevation of chloride influx through GABA receptor.</p>

Leak subtraction analysis of Axon patch clamp system / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM AND METHODS</b>Using blind whole-cell recording techniques on rat hippocampal slices, the function and mechanisms of several leak subtraction methods of Axon patch clamp system (Axopatch amplifier and pClamp software) were analyzed. That how to select and use scaled P/N leak subtraction, patch clamp amplifier leak subtraction and Clampfit leak subtraction were emphasized in our present study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The noise induced by scaled P/N leak subtraction of Clampex soft ware was smaller than that of P/N leak subtraction. Axon patch clamp amplifier leak subtraction could subtract the leak current produced by single depolarizing pulse but not the leak current produced by a series of different step depolarizing pulses. Due to its assumption that leak current would be produced if only potential difference arises across membrane, Clampfit leak subtraction was not suitable to subtracting the steady-state leak current while recording voltage-gated channel currents.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>P/N- and scaled P/N leak subtraction, but not Clampfit leak subtraction, cad be used to subtract steady-state leak current while recording voltage-gated channel currents.</p>

Blind patch clamp studying on the properties of calcium channel of pyramidal neurons in the rat hippocampal slices / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM AND METHODS</b>By using blind whole-cell recording techniques, the dynamic properties of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel of CA1 pyramidal neuron in rat hippocampal slices were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The voltage-gated Ca2+ channel of CA1 pyramidal neuron in rat hippocampal slices has following features: (1) The threshold potential of activation is relatively lower. The mean value is -49.3 +/- 8.6 mV with range from -65 to -30 mV (n = 23). (2) Current decay is Ca(2+) -dependent and its time constant (tau) is longer with a wide range from 100 to 700 ms (n = 12). (3) The steady-state inactivation is voltage-dependent and the half inactivation potential (V1/2) is -55.4 +/- 9.7 mV, slope factor (k) is 5.3 +/- 0.9 (n = 10). (4) The reversal potential (E(rev)) of Ca2+ channel is 55 +/- 13 mV (n = 10) when extracellular Ca2+ concentration is 2.5 mmol/L. (5) Tail current, which is voltage-independent, primarily has only one component. In addition, Ca2+ channel is insensitive to verapamil and nifedipine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>N-type Ca2+ channel is strongly suggested in CA1 pyramidal neuron in rat hippocampal slices.</p>

Difference in action sites between mecamylamine and hexamethonium on nicotinic receptors of sympathetic neurons / 生理学报

To compare the difference in action sites between mecamylamine (MEC) and hexamethonium (HEX) on nicotinic receptors of sympathetic neurons, we investigated the effects of MEC and HEX on the nicotine-induced currents in cultured superior cervical ganglion neurons by whole-cell patch clamp technique. The IC(50) of MEC and HEX for antagonizing the effect of 0.08 mmol/L nicotine was 0.0012 and 0.0095 mmol/L, respectively. Both MEC and HEX accelerated the desensitization of nicotinic receptors. Furthermore, by comparing their effects at holding potentials 30, 70 and 110 mV, it was indicated that their suppressing effect on the nicotine-induced currents was voltage-dependent. However, different from that of HEX, the inhibitory effect of MEC increased with administering the mixture of MEC and nicotine at intervals of 3 min, indicating a use-dependent effect of MEC. It is concluded that the action site of MEC on nicotinic receptors of sympathetic neurons is different from that of HEX.