Mechanism of Qingfei Huatan Zhuyu Decoction in Treatment of COPD Based on "Lung and Intestinal Co-treatment" / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Qingfei Huatan Zhuyu decoction on the lung and intestinal function of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases （COPD） and explore the deep-seated mechanism of its embodiment of lung and intestinal co-treatment. MethodA total of 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups， with 10 rats in each group， and the groups were control group， model group， acute syrup group （10 g·kg-1·d-1）， and low， medium， and high-dose groups （10， 15， 20 g·kg-1·d-1） of Qingfei Huatan Zhuyu decoction. The COPD rat model was established by lipopolysaccharide tracheal drip combined with the smoke inhalation method， and the acute syrup group and the Qingfei Huatan Zhuyu decoction group were administered by gavage with corresponding dose concentrations respectively， while the rest groups were controlled by saline gavage， and the lung function and blood gas indexes of rats were monitored after the last administration. The histopathological changes in the lung and intestine were observed microscopically. The expression of serum interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and secretory immunoglobulin A （IgA） in colon tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The biochemical indexes such as serum diamine oxidase （DAO）， D-lactic acid， and malondialdehyde （MDA） were measured. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of tight junction protein （Occludin） in rat colon tissue. The expression of F4/80 positive alveolar macrophages in rat lung tissue， and the expression of α-actin （α-SMA） and colonic atresia small band protein-1 （ZO-1） were determined by immunofluorescence. The protein expression of p-NF-κB p65， NF-κB p65， p-p38 MAPK， and p-p38 MAPK and the expression of Occludin and ZO-1 in colon tissue were detected in rat lung tissue by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group had pulmonary dysfunction， reduced forced vital capacity （FVC）， arterial partial oxygen pressure （PaO2）， arterial oxygen saturation （SaO2）， and dynamic lung compliance （Cdyn） （P<0.01）， and the pathological changes in the lung and intestine were obvious. The expressions of IL-6， TNF-α， DAO， D-lactic acid， and MDA in serum were increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the protein expression ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in lung tissue was increased. The expression of F4/80 positive macrophages in lung tissue was enhanced. The expression of IgA， Occludin， and ZO-1 in colon tissue decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the pulmonary function of the rats in the acute syrup group and groups of Qingfei Huatan Zhuyu decoction was significantly improved， and the FVC， PaO2， SaO2， and Cdyn were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The pathological changes in the lung and intestine were significant. The expressions of IL-6， TNF-α， DAO， D-lactic acid， and MDA in serum were decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the expressions of F4/80 positive macrophages in lung tissue were decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in lung tissue decreased （P<0.01）， and the expression of IgA， Occludin， and ZO-1 in colon tissue increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionQingfei Huatan Zhuyu decoction can effectively reduce the symptoms of COPD rats， and its mechanism of action is related to inhibiting the inflammatory response of lung tissue and improving the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa.

Relationship between intestinal flora and intestinal barrier dysfunction in patients with sepsis / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To explore the relationship between intestinal flora disorder and intestinal barrier dysfunction in patients with sepsis.Methods:A prospective observational study was conducted to include 10 patients with sepsis (sepsis group) admitted to the ICU of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from February 2017 to June 2017, 10 normal postoperative patients (non-sepsis group) admitted to the ICU of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University in the same period, and 10 healthy persons (control group) were served as controls. General information was recorded. Fecal samples of the three groups of experimental subjects were detected and analyzed by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology. The venous blood of the sepsis and non-sepsis groups were collected and the levels of D-lactic acid and bacterial endotoxin in were measured by enzymatic method at the corresponding time points. The correlation between the levels of D-lactic acid and bacterial endotoxin and intestinal flora of patients with sepsis was analyzed.Results:The change consistency of pathogenic bacteria between clinical infection and intestinal pathogenic bacteria in patients with sepsis was observed and analyzed. Sputum culture of patients with sepsis was Acinetobacter baumannii (corresponding patient number: S5, S6, S8), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (corresponding patient number: S6, S7), and Enterococcus (corresponding patient number: S7). In the intestinal flora of corresponding patients, the OUT abundance were increased. Patients with sepsis (corresponding patient number S7) showed E. coli in blood culture, and in his intestinal flora the OUT abundance was increased. Correlation analysis showed that the serum D-lactic acid level was negatively correlated with the proportion of Firmicutes in intestinal flora in the non-sepsis and sepsis groups, while was positively correlated with the proportion of Firmicutes (r value: -0.532, 0.468, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions:The gut microbiota dysbiosis is correlated with intestinal barrier function in sepsis patients with sepsis. The spread of pathogenic bacteria between clinical infection and intestinal bacteria in sepsis patients has potential consistency.

Research progress on early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients / 中华临床营养杂志

Intestinal barrier function impairment can lead to bacterial and toxin translocation in critically ill patients and is an important factor in gut-derived infections and even multiple organ failure. Early enteral nutrition (EEN) can nourish the intestine, prevent bacterial translocation, effectively maintain intestinal barrier function and immune function and provide metabolic substrates for the body, bringing clinical benefits. For critically ill patients such as those with severe acute pancreatitis, severe burns and severe traumatic brain injury and those after major abdominal surgery, there is evidence-based proof supporting EEN while in patients with uncontrolled shock and severe hypoxemia and acidosis, the initiation of EEN should be delayed. EEN in critically ill patients can be applied orally or through nasogastric tube. Dietary fiber-free intact protein preparations are recommended at initiation and administration via continuous pumping can improve EEN gastrointestinal tolerability.

Pathophysiological pathogenesis of rosacea / 中华皮肤科杂志

The pathogenesis of rosacea has not been fully elucidated. It is currently believed that genetic factors, local skin immune imbalance, neuroimmune and neurovascular dysfunction, skin barrier function abnormalities, microbiota imbalance, etc., are all involved in the occurrence and development of rosacea. This review summarizes research progress in the pathophysiological pathogenesis of rosacea.

Transcriptome analysis of primary human oral keratinocytes stimulated with Prevotella melaninogenica / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@# To investigate the transcriptomic changes in primary human oral keratinocytes (pHOKs) after coculture with Prevotella melaninogenica (P.m) and to verify the changes in human oral keratinocyte (HOK) cell lines.@*Methods@# pHOK was isolated and cocultured with P.m for 0, 4 and 24 h. Total RNA was extracted, a gene library was constructed, transcriptional sequencing was performed, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed, gene ontology (GO) pathway analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed, and the validation of DEGs was performed by qRT-PCR and Western Blot in the HOK and P.m coculture cell model. @*Results @#1 788 DEGs were detected between the 4 h group and control group, including upregulated DEGs such as lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1(LCP1), keratin 7 (KRT7) and Cilia and flagella associated protein 251(CFAP251) and downregulated DEGs such as FERM, ARH/RhoGEF and Pleckstrin domain protein 1 (FARP1), WW domain containing transcription regulator 1(WWTR1) and Discoidin, CUB and LCCL domain-containing protein 2 (DCBLD2). 1 832 DEGs were detected between the 24 h group and control group, including upregulated DEGs such as LCP1, complement C1s(C1S), kynureninase (KYNU) and downregulated DEGs such as phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1), FARP1 and FKBP prolyl isomerase 10 (FKBP10). There were 1 090 common differentially expressed genes (cDEGs) in the 4 h and 24 h groups, including LCP1, KYNU and long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 958 (LINC00958). The GO pathways were mainly enriched in response to lipopolysaccharide and the molecules of bacterial origin and apical part of the cell. KEGG pathway analysis revealed enrichment in the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway, etc. We verified the expression of a cDEG, Myosin1B (MYO1B), and qRT-PCR and Western Blot analysis showed that MYO1B expression was significantly upregulated between the control group and the P.m cocultured group (P<0.001), and its expression followed a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. @*Conclusion@#P.m played an important role in the transcriptome of oral keratinocytes.

Regulatory Mechanism of Total Glucosides of Paeony on Gut Microenvironment in Non-obese Diabetic Mice with Sjogren's Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of total glucosides of paeony （TGPs） on intestinal motility， barrier function， and gut microbiota in non-obese diabetic （NOD） mice with Sjogren's syndrome （SS）. Method:Thirty NOD mice were randomly assigned into the model group （deionized water）， prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharide （FOS） group （700 mg∙kg^-1）， and the low- （160 mg∙kg^-1）， medium- （320 mg∙kg^-1）， and high-dose （640 mg∙kg^-1） TGP groups， with six mice in each group. Moreover， the BALB/c mice were employed as the normal control and administered with deionized water. The food and water intakes， number of discharged fecal particles， and fecal moisture content were observed to evaluate the effect of TGPs on intestinal motility in SS mice. The levels of <italic>D</italic>-lactate （<italic>D</italic>-Lac） content， diamine oxidase （DAO）， and junction-associated protein zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in mouse serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The fecal samples collected at different time points were determined by spread plate method and gas chromatography for uncovering the intestinal microbial communities and the content of short-chain fatty acids. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited decreased food and water intakes （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， weakened intestinal propulsion （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， elevated <italic>D</italic>-Lac and DAO （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， lowered ZO-1 and SCFAs （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and reduced number of intestinal bacteria （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The comparison with the model group revealed that TGPs significantly increased the number of discharged fecal particles and fecal moisture content （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， enhanced intestinal propulsion （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， decreased serum <italic>D</italic>-Lac and DAO levels （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and up-regulated ZO-1 expression （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Apart from increasing the proportions of <italic>Bifidobacterium</italic> and <italic>Lactobacillus</italic> and decreasing the proportion of<italic> Enterobacter </italic>in intestinal flora （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， TGPs also accelerated the production of acetic acid and butyric acid （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:TGPs attenuate SS-mediated constipation and restore the impaired intestinal barrier function in mice by increasing fecal moisture content， boosting intestinal motility， regulating intestinal microbial communities， elevating acetic acid and butyric acid levels， and up-regulating tight junction protein expression.

Effect of topical nitric oxide donors on epidermal hyperplasia in mice with impaired barrier function / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of nitric oxide on epidermal hyperplasia in mice with impaired barrier function.Methods:Fifteen SKH1 hairless mice were divided into 4 groups by using a random number table: normal control group (3 mice) , S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) group (4 mice) , barrier-impaired group (4 mice) , SNAP-treated barrier-impaired group (4 mice) . Fifteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups: normal control group, barrier-impaired group and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) -treated barrier-impaired group. Mice in the two normal control groups were both topically treated with propylene glycol-ethanol mixtures on the back; those in the SNAP group were topically treated with SNAP solution alone; those in the two barrier-impaired groups were both treated with repeated tape peeling followed by topical application of propylene glycol-ethanol mixtures on the back twice a day; those in the SNAP-or SNP-treated barrier-impaired group were treated with repeated tape peeling followed by topical application of 10-mmol/L SNAP or SNP solution on the back twice a day. After 4 consecutive days of treatment, all the mice were sacrificed on day 5, and skin tissues were resected from the back of mice followed by preparation of paraffin sections. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to measure the epidermal thickness, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining was conducted to detect proliferating cells in the epidermis. Two-way analysis of variance and one-way analysis of variance were used for comparisons among groups, and least significant difference- t test was used for multiple comparisons. Results:No significant difference in the epidermal thickness or number of PCNA-positive cells was observed between the SNAP group and normal control group ( t=0.33, 1.25, P=0.748, 0.246, respectively) . Compared with the corresponding normal control groups, the barrier-impaired groups showed significantly increased epidermal thickness and number of PCNA-positive cells (all P < 0.01) . Compared with the corresponding barrier-impaired groups, SNAP-treated barrier-impaired group and SNP-treated barrier-impaired group both showed significantly increased epidermal thickness (SKH1: 127.5 ± 12.0 μm vs. 50.4 ± 5.4 μm; C57BL/6J: 78.1 ± 7.6 μm vs. 45.9 ± 3.7 μm; both P < 0.001) and number of PCNA-positive cells (SKH1: 120.0 ± 5.0 cells/mm vs. 87.3 ± 3.8 cells/mm; C57BL/6J: 285.0 ± 15.0 cells/mm vs. 232.0 ± 19.3 cells/mm; both P < 0.01) . Conclusion:Topical nitric oxide donors did not affect normal epidermis, but could aggravate epidermal hyperplasia in barrier-impaired skin, suggesting that skin condition affects the effect of topical nitric oxide donors on epidermal hyperplasia.

Expert consensus on clinical application of intravenous alanyl-glutamine dipeptide / 中华临床营养杂志

Alanyl-glutamine dipeptide is an important component in parenteral nutrition, which can be decomposed into alanine and L-glutamine in vivo. It plays multiple functions including maintaining intestinal barrier, improving immunity, promoting protein synthesis, and regulating the production and release of inflammatory mediators. Substantial clinical evidences have demonstrated its favorable effectiveness and safety. Rational application of alanyl-glutamine dipeptide can reduce postoperative complications, shorten hospital stay and save medical costs. There are still controversies at home and abroad on the applicable population and dosage of alanyl-glutamine dipeptide. Chinese Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition organized China's experts of related disciplines to compile international standards in accordance with the latest guidelines and consensus, so as to achieve the goal of standardized application and patient benefits.

Effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine on levels of serum claudin-1 and diamine oxidase in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of gynecological malignant tumors / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To explore the effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on levels of tight-junction protein claudin-1 and diamine oxidase (DAO) in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of gynecological malignant tumors.Methods:A total of 60 patients with gynecological malignant tumors who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic radical resection under general anesthesia from January 2019 to January 2020 in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were selected, including 43 cases of cervical cancer (stageⅠ-Ⅱ A), 9 cases of ovarian cancer (stageⅠ A-Ⅲ C), and 8 cases of endometrial carcinoma (stageⅠ). Accroding to the random number table method, the patients were divided into control group (group C), low-dose Dex group (group D 1) and high-dose Dex group (group D 2), with 20 cases in each group. Patients in group D 1 were given Dex 0.5 μg·kg -1·h -1 by constant rate intravenous infusion pump after induction until 30 min before the end of operation. Patients in group D 2 were given Dex 1.0 μg·kg -1·h -1 by constant rate intravenous infusion pump after induction until 30 min before the end of operation. Group C adopted the same calculation method and received the same amount of 0.9% sodium chloride solution by infusion pump. At 10 min before induction (T 1), 1 hour after pneumoperitoneum (T 2) and 12 hours after pneumoperitoneum (T 3), 5 ml of brachial vein blood was collected from the patients, and the levels of claudin-1 protein, DAO and blood glucose were measured. Results:At T 1, T 2 and T 3, the expression levels of claudin-1 in group C were (77.05±17.61) pg/ml, (66.76±12.97) pg/ml and (55.93±12.71) pg/ml, and the difference was statistically significant ( F = 10.449, P<0.05); the expression levels of DAO in group C were (4.83±0.93) ng/ml, (5.62±1.01) ng/ml and (5.98±1.21) ng/ml, and the difference was statistically significant ( F = 6.139, P < 0.05); the levels of blood glucose in group C were (4.82±0.66) mmol/L, (7.55±0.94) mmol/L and (6.51±0.54) mmol/L, and the difference was statistically significant ( F = 70.197, P < 0.05). At T 2, the expression level of claudin-1 in group D 1 was (69.12±13.02) pg/ml, which was not significantly different from group C ( t = -0.575, P > 0.05); the expression level of claudin-1 in group D 2 was (76.36±14.89) pg/ml, which was higher than that in group C, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = -2.175, P < 0.05). At T 3, the expression levels of claudin-1 in group D 1 and group D 2 were (66.14±14.36) pg/ml and (73.37±16.93) pg/ml, which were higher than that in group C, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were -2.380 and -3.682, both P < 0.05). The expression levels of DAO in group D 1 and group D 2 were (5.02±0.84) ng/ml and (4.91±0.93) ng/ml at T 2, and (5.29±0.86) ng/ml and (5.20±0.98) ng/ml at T 3, which were lower than those in group C, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.051, 2.295, 2.079 and 2.285, all P < 0.05). The levels of blood glucose in group D 1 and group D 2 were (7.10±0.66) mmol/L and (6.77±0.97) mmol/L at T 2, and (5.95±0.94) mmol/L and (5.93±0.74) mmol/L at T 3, which were lower than those in group C, and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.565, 5.374, 2.293 and 2.765, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Continuous infusion of Dex can inhibit the stress response caused by long-term CO 2 pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic radical resection of gynecological malignant tumors, and adjust the changes of expression levels of claudin-1 protein and DAO, reduce the damage of intestinal mucosal cells, facilitate the recovery of intestinal function, and the effect of high-dose Dex is better than low-dose Dex.

Microneedles: An advancement to transdermal drug delivery system approach

Novel drug delivery system offers several advantages which could outweigh the benefits of other drug deliverysystems. The transdermal drug delivery system being one of them offers supremacy by by-passing the first passmetabolism which eventually helps in eradication of gastrointestinal irritation. However, the major drawback of thetransdermal drug delivery system is the hindrance created via the stratum corneum. This protective barrier of the skindoes not allow required penetration of the drug via skin into the systemic circulation. Thus, in order to overcome thishurdle, a replacement to this type of novel drug delivery system, namely, “microneedle drug delivery system” helpedto improve various pitfalls of transdermal drug delivery system, such as skin barrier function, restrictions towardusing of specific drugs only, bioavailability, patient compliance, diffusion rate, and plasma concentration level. Amicroneedle drug delivery system, thus, is advancement to transdermal drug delivery system which includes deliveryof drug via microneedle into systemic circulation, thus increasing patient compliance and avoiding problems renderedby transdermal drug delivery system.

Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells From Allergic and Non-allergic Individuals Show Comparable Barrier Function

Previous reports suggested that ex vivo cultured primary nasal epithelial cells from allergic patients differ from those from non-allergic individuals by genuinely reduced barrier function. By contrast, we found that primary nasal epithelial cells from allergic and non-allergic individuals showed comparable barrier function and secretion of cytokines.

Effects of cholesterol-lowering probiotics on intestinal barrier and gut microbiota in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the possible mechanisms / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of cholesterol-lowering probiotics, DM9054 com-bined with 86066, on the intestinal mucosal barrier and gut microbiota in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet and the possible mechanisms. Methods Twenty-four male mice deficient in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene ( Ldlr- / - mice ) were randomly divided into three groups including control, NAFLD model and probiotic intervention groups. Mice in the three groups were given normal chow diet+normal saline, high-fat diet ( HFD)+normal saline, and HFD+cholesterol-lowering probiotics, respectively. The mouse model of NAFLD was established by feeding mice with high-fat diet (45％ of calories derived from fat diet) for 12 weeks. qPCR was performed to measure the expression of liv-er and intestinal inflammatory genes and liver cholesterol synthesis genes. Western blot assay was used to de-tect the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins and HMG-CoA reductase ( HMGCR ) . Pathological changes in tissues were evaluated by HE staining. Features of gut microbiota were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results Cholesterol-lowering probiotics intervention attenuated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis, inflammatory responses and obesity and decreased the synthesis of liver cholesterol (P<0. 05). Moreover, inhibited gut inflammatory responses and improved intestinal barrier function were detected in the probiotic intervention group (P<0. 05). The composition of gut microbiota in mice of the probiotic intervention group was different from that of the model group, but similar to that of the control group. Con-clusions Cholesterol-lowering probiotics might attenuate NAFLD in mice through reducing liver cholesterol synthesis, alleviating liver and intestinal inflammation, improving intestinal mucosal barrier function and reg-ulating intestinal microbiota.

Research progress on the relationship between sepsis and intestinal barrier function / 国际儿科学杂志

Sepsis is attracting more attention recently, which endangering health of children. The gut, as the largest repository of bacteria, has long been hypothesized to be the motor of multiple organ dysfunc-tion syndrome. The changes are tightly associated with intestinal barrier function, epithelial cells and intestinal permeability. The intestinal commensal microflora is also altered in sepsis, with increases in microbial viru-lence and decreases in diversity, which leads to further pathologic responses within the host. This review focu-ses on the pathogenesis and the relation between sepsis and intestinal barrier function.

Clinical Efficacy of Modified Da Chengqitang by Enema on Treatment if Postoperative Inflammatory Intestinal Obstruction / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To discuss the clinical efficacy of modified Da Chengqitang by enema in treatment of postoperative inflammatory intestinal obstruction (EPISBO) after the operation and its effect on inflammatory factors, gastrointestinal motility and intestinal barrier function. Method: One hundred and six patients were randomly divided into control group (52 cases) and observation group (54 cases) by random number table. Patients in both groups were given fasting for solids and liquids, gastrointestinal decompression, maintaining water and electrolyte balance, nutritional support and other basic therapies. Patients in control group were given somatostatin for injection for continuous micro-pumping, 0.003 5 mg·h-1·kg-1, dexamethasone acetate tablets, 2.5-5 mg/time, 2 time/days. Patients with concurrent infection got ceftazidime for injection, 30-100 mg·kg-1, 2-3 intravenous drips. In addition to the therapy of control group, patients in observation group were also given modified Da Chengqitang, 125 mL/time, 2 times/days. A course of treatment was 5 days. Time of remission of abdominal distention, recovery of exhaust gas, bowel sounds and diet, defecation, hospitalization and transitional surgery were recorded. And main gastrointestinal symptoms and signs were scored. And levels of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), gastrin, motilin, diamine oxidase and D lactic acid were detected. Result: After treatment, according to rank sum test analysis, the clinical efficacy in observation group was better than that in control group (PPPPα, hs-CRP, VIP, DAO, D-lactic acid and scores of main gastrointestinal symptoms and signs were all lower than those in control group (PPConclusion: In addition of routine therapy of western medicine, modified Dachengqi Tang had effects in resisting inflammation, regulating gastrointestinal hormones, and protecting intestinal barrier function, so can improve gastrointestinal motility, alleviate symptoms, shorten the course of disease and improve the clinical efficacy.

Effect of comfrey cream combined with NB-UVB on skin barrier function and immune function in the patients with psoriasis vulgaris / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effects of comfrey cream combined with narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB) on skin barrier function and immune function in the patients with psoriasis vulgaris.@*Methods@#A total of 100 patients with psoriasis vulgaris admitted from March 2016 to June 2017 were enrolled in the study. They were randomly divided into observation group (Purple Cream + NB-UVB) and control group (NB- UVB), 50 cases in each group. Psoriasis lesion area and severity index (PASI) and degree of pruritus were evaluated before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment. The skin barrier function and immune related indicators were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment.@*Results@#After treatment, the PASI score and pruritus score of the observation group and the control group showed a decreasing trend, and the observation group decreased more significantly. The interaction between the two groups at different time points, and between groups and at different time points were statistically significant (t values were 3.462, 2.833, P<0.05). After treatment, the water content of the stratum corneum (54.34% ± 5.04% vs. 49.03% ± 5.26%, t=5.154) and the sebum content (143.03 ± 11.60 μg/cm2 vs. 130.79 ± 14.54 μg/cm2, t=4.653) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) [15.87 ± 4.22 g/(h•m2) vs. 19.87 ± 3.06 g/(h•m2), t=5.426] in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The CD4+ (42.06% ± 4.68% vs. 33.01% ± 3.07%, t=11.433), CD4+/CD8+ (20.89 ± 3.44 vs. 26.03 ± 3.44, t=8.209) in observation group and control group were increased after treament, while CD8+(1.89% ± 0.29% vs. 1.43% ± 0.27%, t=7.471) was decreased, the observation group was superior to the control group (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Treatment of vulgaris vulgaris with comfrey cream combined with NB-UVB can improve symptoms and improve skin barrier function and immune function.

Effect of comfrey cream combined with NB-UVB on skin barrier function and immune function in the patients with psoriasis vulgaris / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of comfrey cream combined with narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB) on skin barrier function and immune function in the patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Methods A total of 100 patients with psoriasis vulgaris admitted from March 2016 to June 2017 were enrolled in the study. They were randomly divided into observation group (Purple Cream + NB-UVB) and control group (NB- UVB), 50 cases in each group. Psoriasis lesion area and severity index (PASI) and degree of pruritus were evaluated before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment. The skin barrier function and immune related indicators were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment. Results After treatment, the PASI score and pruritus score of the observation group and the control group showed a decreasing trend, and the observation group decreased more significantly. The interaction between the two groups at different time points, and between groups and at different time points were statistically significant (t values were 3.462, 2.833, P<0.05). After treatment, the water content of the stratum corneum (54.34% ±5.04% vs. 49.03% ±5.26%, t=5.154) and the sebum content (143.03 ±11.60 μg/cm2 vs. 130.79 ±14.54 μg/cm2, t=4.653) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) [15.87 ± 4.22 g/(h?m2) vs. 19.87 ± 3.06 g/(h?m2), t=5.426] in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The CD4+(42.06% ±4.68% vs. 33.01% ±3.07%, t=11.433), CD4+/CD8+(20.89 ±3.44 vs. 26.03 ± 3.44, t=8.209) in observation group and control group were increased after treament, while CD8+(1.89% ± 0.29% vs. 1.43% ± 0.27%, t=7.471) was decreased, the observation group was superior to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Treatment of vulgaris vulgaris with comfrey cream combined with NB-UVB can improve symptoms and improve skin barrier function and immune function.

Tight junctions-associated proteins:a novel therapeutic target for cholestatic liver injury / 中国药科大学学报

@#The occurrence of cholestatic liver injury is accompanied by the alterations of hepatocyte polarization and bile acid homeostasis. Located in epithelial cells, tight junctions(TJs)are a special barrier structure which are important in maintaining permeability and bile acid homeostasis. Based on the fully analysis and discussion of TJs, the latest therapeutic drugs for cholestasis were summaried, which may provide new perspectives and potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of cholestatic liver injury.

Safety and efficacy of topical essential oil as steroid-sparing agent in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in a community outreach care program of New Era University second year medical students, randomized double blind placebo controlled trial

BACKGROUND@#The high rates of atopic dermatitis among children, treatment failures and treatment costs have created the search for new therapies to control flares of atopic dermatitis.@*OBJECTIVES@#We compared the efficacy and safety of topical essential oil (German Chamomile) versus topical steroids (hydrocortisone 1%) in controlling flares of atopic dermatitis.@*METHOD@#We randomly selected 60 children diagnosed of AD or children that qualified to the criteria of AD. They we’re randomly grouped into three. Twenty for Essential Oil (EO) group, twenty for Steroid group (SG) and Twenty for placebo (distilled water) group. They were advised to apply medicine kept in uniform brown plastic bottles 3x a day for 4 weeks. Data were recorded weekly using the EASI (Eczema Score Index) scoring. Other topical medications such as emollients and moisturizers were continued.@*RESULTS@#At week 4 control of flaring was achieved; 42% for EO group and 55% for steroid group. The differences in treatment effects were not statistically significant.@*CONCLUSION@#Essential oil was comparable in cure rate to mild topical steroid. Essential oil can be safe and affordable. However further study in a wider scale is recommended.

Effects of ulinastatin on rat postoperative ileus and intestinal barrier function / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effect of ulinastatin(UTI) on postoperative ileus(POI) and the intestinal barrier function in SD rats. Methods UTI was injected in three doses before, after and during abdominal surgery in SD rats. Evans blue was given by gavage 48 hours after the surgery and gastrointestinal propulsion rate was measured 30 minutes later. The end of ileum was collected for HE staining and AB/PAS staining to make tissue sections. The morphology of the intestinal villi and the number of goblet cells were observed under a light microscope. D-lactate and endotoxin kits were used to evaluate intestinal permeability. cDNA was extracted from the intestinal tissues to detect the levels of inflammatory factors and intestinal barrier-related genes by qPCR. Results In POI model group, the gastrointestinal propulsion rate decreased, and villi structure of small intestine was severely damaged; the levels of D-lactate, endotoxin and inflammatory factor mRNA increased; the number of goblet cells in crypt increased; the levels of MUC2 and MUC3 mRNA increased; the level of HD5 mRNA decreased. Pretreatment with medium dose UTI could significantly reverse the above situation. Conclusions Pretreatment with medium dose UTI can effectively reduce the intestinal inflammation and restore partially the intestinal barrier function in POI rats, thus preventing and treating the decrease of gastrointestinal propulsion rate caused by POI.

Enrichment of Short-Chain Ceramides and Free Fatty Acids in the Skin Epidermis, Liver, and Kidneys of db/db Mice, a Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Model

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) often suffer from diverse skin disorders, which might be attributable to skin barrier dysfunction. To explore the role of lipid alterations in the epidermis in DM skin disorders, we quantitated 49 lipids (34 ceramides, 14 free fatty acids (FFAs), and cholesterol) in the skin epidermis, liver, and kidneys of db/db mice, a Type 2 DM model, using UPLC-MS/MS. The expression of genes involved in lipid synthesis was also evaluated. With the full establishment of hyperglycemia at the age of 20 weeks, remarkable lipid enrichment was noted in the skin of the db/db mice, especially at the epidermis and subcutaneous fat bed. Prominent increases in the ceramides and FFAs (>3 fold) with short or medium chains (