Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on the changes of bone mineral density of perimenopausal women / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: There are few reports about the effects of Tai Chi Chuan on perimenopausal syndrome and bone mineral density. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of regular Tai Chi Chuan exercise on symptoms, plasma dopamine, plasma beta-endorphin and bone mineral density in perimenopausal women. METHODS: The study was in accordance with the ethical requirements of Southwest University of Science and Technology, and all participants signed the informed consents. Totally 74 perimenopausal women aged 45-55 years were randomly divided into two groups: Tai Chi group (n=36) and control group (n=38). Taichi group took Tai Chi Chuan for 48 weeks (thrice a week, 60 minutes/times). The control group went on previous habits only. The scores of Kupperman scale, dopamine, beta-endorphin, and bone mineral density of lumbar spine and proximal femur were measured before and after 48 weeks. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After 48 weeks, the total scores of hot flashes, sweating, dysesthesia, insomnia, restlessness, vertigo, depression, fatigue, muscular and articular pain and Kupperman scale cores in the Tai Chi group were decreased significantly (P 0.05). (2) Dopamine concentration was negatively correlated with insomnia, depression and Kupperman total score (P < 0.05), while beta-endorphin concentration was negatively correlated with insomnia, anxiety and Kupperman total score (P < 0.05). (3) In summary, 48-week Tai Chi Chuan exercise can significantly improve the symptoms of perimenopausal women, suggesting that the changes of plasma dopamine and beta-endorphin levels are one of the factors to alleviate the symptoms of perimenopause. However, there is no significant effect on bone mineral density of lumbar spine and proximal femur.

Clinical trials of acupuncture treatment of post-stroke shoulder pain / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of "Tiaoshen Zhitong" (mental regulating and pain relieving) needling and its influence on serological indicators in the treatment of post-stroke shoulder pain, so as to provide new therapeutic thoughts and approach for post-stroke shoulder pain. METHODS: A total of 80 inpatients with post-stroke shoulder pain were randomly divided into a control group (routine needling, 39 cases) and an observation group ("Tiaoshen Zhitong" needling, 41 cases) according to the random number table. Patients of the two groups accepted basic medication treatment including anticoagulants, hypotensive drugs, hypoglycermic drugs, lipid-lowering drugs, etc. In addition, patients of the control group were also treated by routine acupuncture stimulation (uniform reinforcing-reducing stimulation) of Jianyu (LI15), Jianqian (EX-UE12), Jianhou (Extra), Jianliao (TE14), Waiguan (TE5) and Hegu (LI4) on the affected side, and those of the observation group also treated by "Tiaoshen Zhitong" needling of Ear-Shenmen (MA-TF1), bilateral Neiguan (PC6, lifting-thrusting-reducing method), Shuigou (GV26, lifting-thrusting-reducing method), and Jianyu (LI15), Jianliao(TE14), Jianzhen (SI9) and Yanglingquan (GB34, the latter 4 points were stimulated with uniform reinforcing-reducing method) on the affected side. The treatment was given once every day, 6 days a week for 4 weeks. The pain severity was assessed by using visual analogue scale (VAS), the upper limb function evaluated by using Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) scale, the shoulder-joint function evaluated by using Constant-Murley score (CMS) questionnaire, and the daily living ability assessed by using Barthel index (BI) scale. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the contents of serum beta-endorphin (β-EP), enkephalin (ENK) and dynorphin (Dyn). The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated by using Nimodipine scale method. RESULTS: Of the 39 and 41 cases in the control and observation groups, 7(17.95%) and 12(29.27%) were basically cured, 12(30.77%) and 13(31.71%) experienced marked improvement, 8(20.51%) and 11(26.83%) were effective, 12(30.77%) and 5 (12.19%) failed, with the total effective rate being 69.23% and 87.80%, respectively. The effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After the treatment, the VAS score was obviously reduced (P<0.01), and the scores of FMA scale, CMS questionnaire and BI scale, and contents of serum β-EP, ENK and Dyn were all increased obviously in the two groups compared with their own pre-treatment (P<0.01). The therapeutic effect of "Tiaoshen Zhitong" needling was significantly superior to that of the routine needling in lowering VAS, and in raising scores of FMA scale, CMS questionnaire and BI scale and in up-regulating serum β-EP, ENK and Dyn levels (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: "Tiaoshen Zhitong" needling is effective in reducing post-stroke shoulder pain and improving the motor function of the upper limb and shoulder-joint as well as the quality of daily life in stroke patients with shoulder pain. Its analgesic effect is probably related to the increase of the levels of serum β-EP, ENK and Dyn.

Effect of flurbiprofen axetil pretreatment on level of central β-endorphin in a rat model of incisional pain / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of flurbiprofen axetil pretreatment on the level of central β-endorphin in a rat model of incisional pain.Methods Fifty-four SPF male healthy Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 6-7 weeks,weighing 180-230 g,were divided into 3 groups (n=18 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),incisional pain group (group Ⅰ) and flurbiprofen axetil pretreatnent group (group FA).At 30 min before the model of incisional pain was established,fat emulsion 1 ml was injected via the caudal vein in group Ⅰ,and flurbiprofen axetil 6 mg/kg (diluted to 1 ml in fat emulsion) was injected via the caudal vein in group FA.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured at 1 day before establishment of the model and 1,6 and 12 h after establishment of the model (T1-3).The rats were sacrificed after measurement of pain threshold at T1-3,and the lumbar enlargement segment of the spinal cord and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus specimens were obtained for determination of β-endorphin content (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and β-endorphin expression (by immunohistochemistry).Results Compared with group C,the MWT was significantly decreased at T1-3 in I and FA groups,the content and expression of β-endorphin in the spinal cord were significantly decreased at T2,3,and the content and expression of β-endorphin in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus were increased at T1 in group Ⅰ,and the content and expression of β-endorphin in the spinal cord and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus were significantly increased at T1-3 in group FA (P＜0.05).Compared with group Ⅰ,the MWT was significantly increased,and the content and expression of β-endorphin in the spinal cord and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus were increased at T1-3 in group FA (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which flurbiprofen axetil pretreatment produces analgesic effect may be related to the increased level of central β-endorphine in a rat modal of incisional pain.

The acute effect of maximal exercise on plasma beta-endorphin levels in fibromyalgia patients

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of strenuous exercise on β-endorphine (β-END) level in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to healthy subjects. METHODS: We enrolled 30 FM patients and 15 healthy individuals. All study participants underwent a treadmill exercise test using modified Bruce protocol (M.Bruce). The goal of the test was achieving at least 70% of the predicted maximal heart rate (HRMax). The serum levels of β-END were measured before and after the exercise program. Measurements were done while heart rate was at least 70% of its predicted maximum. RESULTS: The mean ± the standard deviation (SD) of exercise duration in the FM and control groups were 24.26 ± 5.29 and 29.06 ± 3.26 minutes, respectively, indicating a shorter time to achieve the goal heart rate in FM patients (P < 0.003). Most FM patients attained 70% HRMax at lower stages (stage 2 and 3) of M.Bruce compared to the control group (70% versus 6.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Compared to healthy subjects, FM patients had lower serum β-END levels both in baseline and post-exercise status (Mean ± SD: 122.07 ± 28.56 µg/ml and 246.55 ± 29.57 µg/ml in the control group versus 90.12 ± 20.91 µg/ml and 179.80 ± 28.57 µg/ml in FM patients, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that FM patients had lower levels of β-END in both basal and post-exercise status. Exercise increased serum the β-END level in both groups but the average increase in β-END in FM patients was significantly lower than in the control group.

The acute effect of maximal exercise on plasma beta-endorphin levels in fibromyalgia patients

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of strenuous exercise on β-endorphine (β-END) level in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to healthy subjects. METHODS: We enrolled 30 FM patients and 15 healthy individuals. All study participants underwent a treadmill exercise test using modified Bruce protocol (M.Bruce). The goal of the test was achieving at least 70% of the predicted maximal heart rate (HRMax). The serum levels of β-END were measured before and after the exercise program. Measurements were done while heart rate was at least 70% of its predicted maximum. RESULTS: The mean ± the standard deviation (SD) of exercise duration in the FM and control groups were 24.26 ± 5.29 and 29.06 ± 3.26 minutes, respectively, indicating a shorter time to achieve the goal heart rate in FM patients (P < 0.003). Most FM patients attained 70% HRMax at lower stages (stage 2 and 3) of M.Bruce compared to the control group (70% versus 6.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Compared to healthy subjects, FM patients had lower serum β-END levels both in baseline and post-exercise status (Mean ± SD: 122.07 ± 28.56 µg/ml and 246.55 ± 29.57 µg/ml in the control group versus 90.12 ± 20.91 µg/ml and 179.80 ± 28.57 µg/ml in FM patients, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that FM patients had lower levels of β-END in both basal and post-exercise status. Exercise increased serum the β-END level in both groups but the average increase in β-END in FM patients was significantly lower than in the control group.

Uso do exercício resistido antagonizado por naloxone como fator de analgesia em sinovite aguda de joelho de ratos Wistar / Use of resistance exercise as a factor antagonized by naloxone of analgesia in acute knee synovitis in Wistar rats

A analgesia advinda do exercício físico pode ocorrer via liberação de opioides endógenos, no sistema nervoso central e na periferia. Contudo, a literatura ainda é controversa sobre vias e ações do exercício na dor. Assim, o objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar se o exercício resistido produz alterações sobre o quadro nociceptivo e se sofre interferências pela aplicação de um inibidor de opioides. Foram utilizados 18 ratos, divididos em três grupos: G1 - hiperalgesia no joelho direito e não tratados; G2 - hiperalgesia e tratados com saltos em meio aquático; G3 - hiperalgesia, com prévia injeção de naloxone e posterior saltos. Para produzir a hiperalgesia, foi injetado no espaço articular tibiofemoral 100µl de formalina 5%. Para avaliação da dor foi utilizado o filamento de Von Frey digital na face medial da articulação tibiofemoral direita. Os momentos de avaliação foram: pré-lesão (AV1), após 15 (AV2) e 30 (AV3) minutos e uma hora (AV4). O exercício foi saltos em meio aquático e ocorreu após AV2. Com sobrecarga de 50% do peso, o animal realizou quatro séries de cinco saltos, com intervalo de três minutos. Para G1, houve aumento nociceptivo, com redução significativa e volta dos valores iniciais em AV4; G2 mostrou, após o exercício físico, restauração do limiar, com retorno aos valores basais; para G3, houve diminuição do limiar, sem restauração ou aumento significativo do mesmo. Conclui-se que houve analgesia com uso do exercício físico e que a mesma foi alterada por bloqueador de betaendorfina.

Analgesia arising from exercising can occur via release of endogenous opioids in the central nervous system and periphery. However, the literature remains controversial about exercise ways and actions in pain. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether resistance exercise produces changes on the nociception and suffers interference by applying an opioid inhibitor. 18 rats divided into three groups were used: G1 - hyperalgesia on right knee and untreated; G2 - hyperalgesia and treated with jumps in water; G3 - hyperalgesia with previous injection of naloxone and subsequent jumps. To produce hyperalgesia,100 ul of 5% formalin was injected in the tibiofemoral joint space. Pain was assessed using a digital von Frey filament on the right medial tibiofemoral joint. The evaluation periods were: pre-injury (EV1) after 15 minutes (EV2) and 30 minutes (EV3) and one hour (EV4). The applied exercise was jumping in water and it occurred after EV2. The animal performed 4 sets of 5 jumps, with an interval of 3 minutes and overload of 50% of body weight. In G1, nociceptive increase was observed, with significant decrease and return to initial baseline values in AV4; G2 showed threshold restoration after exercise and return to baseline; G3 reduced thresholds, without restoration or significant increase in them. We concluded that there was analgesia with use of exercise and that it was altered by blocking beta-endorphin.

Effect of flurbiprofen axetil on perioperative plasma levels of prostaglandin E2 and β-endorphine in patients after remifentanil-based anesthesia / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of flurbiprofen axetil on perioperative plasma levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and β-endorphine (β-EP) in patients after remifentanil-based anesthesia.Methods Sixty ASA Ⅱ patients of both sexes,aged 40-64 yr,weighing 50-75 kg,undergoing resection of esophageal cancer,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =20 each):intralipid group (group A),flurbiprofen axetil pretreatment + postoperative analgesia with flurbiprofen axetil group (group B) and flurbiprofen axetil pretreatment group (group C).Anesthesia was induced with propofol,remifentanil and rocuronium and maintained with propofol,remifentanil and intermittent iv boluses of rocuronium.In group A,intralipid 0.2 ml/kg was injected intravenously at 30 min before operation and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with fentanyl 15μg/kg + intralipid 0.2 ml/kg was used for postoperative analgesia.In group B,flurbiprofen axetil 2 mg/kg was injected intravenously at 30 min before operation and PCIA with fentanyl 15 μg/kg + flurbiprofen axetil 2 mg/kg was used for postoperative analgesia.In group C,flurbiprofen axetil 2 mg/kg was injected intravenously at 30 min before operation and PCIA with fentanyl 15 μg/kg + intralipid 0.2 ml/kg was used for postoperative analgesia.PCIA solution contained fentanyl 15 μg/kg,flurbiprofen axetil 2 mg/kg and intralipid 0.2 ml/kg in 100 ml of normal saline.The PCA pump was set up with a 0.5 ml bolus dose,a 10 min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 2 ml/h after a loading dose of 5 ml starting from 30 min before the end of operation.VAS score was maintained ＜ 3 after operation,and tramadol 50 mg was injected intravenously when VAS ≥ 4 after operation.The amount of remifentanil used during operation and the number of successfully delivered doses and the number of attempts,requirement for tramadol,apnea and severer hypotension were recorded within 48 h after operation.Blood samples were taken immediately before induction of anesthesia,at the end of operation,24 and 48 h after operation (T1-4) for determination of plasma β-EP and PGE2 concentrations.Results There was no significant difference in the amount of remifentanil used among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group A,the number of successfully delivered doses,the number of attempts and the requirement for tramadol were decreased,and the concentration of plasma PGE2 at T2,3 were significantly decreased in groups B and C,and the concentrations of plasma β-EP at T3,4 in group B and at T4 in group C were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group B,the number of successfully delivered doses,the number of attempts and requirement for tramadol were significantly increased,and the concentration of plasma β-EP at T3,4 wassignificantly decreased in group C (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the baseline value at T1,the concentrations of PGE2 were significantly increased at T2,3,and the concentration of plasma β-EP was significantly increased at T2,but decreased at T4 in group A,and the concentrations of β-EP at T3,4 were significantly increased in group B (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the concentrations of PGE2 and β-EP between the four time points in group C (P ＞ 0.05).Apnea and severer hypotension were not found in the three groups.Conclusion The mechanism by which flurbiprofen axetil reduces postoperative opioid tolerance in patients after remifentanil-based anesthesia may be related to the decrease in PGE2 levels and increase in β-EP levels.

Effect of naloxone hydrochloride on c-fos protein expression in brain and plasma beta-endorphin level in rats with diffuse brain injury and secondary brain insult / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To observe the changes of c-fos protein expression in brain and beta-endorphin (β-EP) level in blood plasma in rats with diffuse brain injury (DBI) and secondary brain insult (SBI) after intraperitoneal injection of naloxone hydrochloride, and explore the role of c-fos and β-EP in development of SBI in rats. Methods Seventy health male SD rats were enrolled in the present study and randomly divided into group A (intraperitoneally injected with 0.9% saline after DBI and SBI model was reproduced), group B (injected intraperitoneally with 1.0mg/kg naloxone hydrochloride after DBI and SBI model was reproduced), and group C (intraperitoneally injected with 1.0mg/kg naloxone hydrochloride after DBI and before SBI model was reproduced). The animals were sacrificed 3, 24 and 48 hours after injury, and the number of c-fos positive cells in brain and content of β-EP in blood plasma were determined by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay respectively, the water content and number of injured neurons in brain tissue were measured by pathomorphological observation of the brain tissue. Results No significant difference was observed between group B and C for all the detection parameters. In group B and C, the water content in brain tissue at 3h and 24h was found to be decreased, while the number of injured neurons at 24h and 48h increased, number of c-fos positive cells in brain at 3h, 24h and 48h decreased, and content of β-EP in blood plasma at 3h and 24h decreased when compared with group A(P<0.05). Conclusion Naloxone hydrochloride could decrease the c-fos expression in brain and β-EP level in blood plasma, alleviate the nerve injury, and protect neural function. The therapeutic effect of naloxone administered either after DBI and SBI or after DBI and before SBI was similar.

Effect of naloxone hydrochloride on c-fos protein expression in brain and plasma beta-endorphin level in rats with diffuse brain injury and secondary brain insult / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To observe the changes of c-fos protein expression in brain and beta-endorphin (β-EP) level in blood plasma in rats with diffuse brain injury (DBI) and secondary brain insult (SBI) after intraperitoneal injection of naloxone hydrochloride, and explore the role of c-fos and β-EP in development of SBI in rats. Methods Seventy health male SD rats were enrolled in the present study and randomly divided into group A (intraperitoneally injected with 0.9% saline after DBI and SBI model was reproduced), group B (injected intraperitoneally with 1.0mg/kg naloxone hydrochloride after DBI and SBI model was reproduced), and group C (intraperitoneally injected with 1.0mg/kg naloxone hydrochloride after DBI and before SBI model was reproduced). The animals were sacrificed 3, 24 and 48 hours after injury, and the number of c-fos positive cells in brain and content of β-EP in blood plasma were determined by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay respectively, the water content and number of injured neurons in brain tissue were measured by pathomorphological observation of the brain tissue. Results No significant difference was observed between group B and C for all the detection parameters. In group B and C, the water content in brain tissue at 3h and 24h was found to be decreased, while the number of injured neurons at 24h and 48h increased, number of c-fos positive cells in brain at 3h, 24h and 48h decreased, and content of β-EP in blood plasma at 3h and 24h decreased when compared with group A(P<0.05). Conclusion Naloxone hydrochloride could decrease the c-fos expression in brain and β-EP level in blood plasma, alleviate the nerve injury, and protect neural function. The therapeutic effect of naloxone administered either after DBI and SBI or after DBI and before SBI was similar.

Acute Effects of Capsaicin on Proopioimelanocortin mRNA Levels in the Arcuate Nucleus of Sprague-Dawley Rats

OBJECTIVE: Capsaicin, a noxious stimulant and main component of the hot flavor of red peppers, has an analgesic effect when administered to humans. We investigated the expression of proopioimelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in the arcuate nucleus of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after administering capsaicin, hypothesizing that administering capsaicin activates the central opioid system. METHODS: SD rats were divided randomly into two groups; one group received a saline injection and the other received a capsaicin injection. The POMC mRNA level in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus was measured by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 120 minutes after capsaicin administration. RESULTS: Capsaicin administration resulted in a significantly increased POMC mRNA level, compared to that in saline-treated rats at the 20-minute time point (t=-4.445, p=0.001). However, no significant group differences were observed at other times (t=-1.886, p=0.089; t= -0.973, p=0.353; t=-2.193, p=0.053 for 40, 60, and 120 minutes, respectively). CONCLUSION: The analgesic effect of capsaicin might be associated with increased activity of the cerebral opioid system. This finding suggests that capsaicin acted for nociception and analgesia and could affect alcohol-intake behavior, which might further imply that a food culture could affect drinking behavior.

Effects of Whole Body Irradiation on Morphine, DAMGO, DPDPE, U50,488H and beta-endorphin-Induced Antinociception

Opioid receptors have been pharmacologically classified as micro, delta, kappa and epsilon. We have recently reported that the antinociceptive effect of morphine (a micro-opioid receptor agonist), but not that of beta-endorphin (a novel micro/epsilon-opioid receptor agonist), is attenuated by whole body irradiation (WBI). It is unclear at present whether WBI has differential effects on the antinociceptive effects of micro-, delta-, kappa- and epsilon-opioid receptor agonists. In our current experiments, male ICR mice were exposed to WBI (5Gy) from a 60Co gamma-source and the antinociceptive effects of opioid receptor agonists were assessed two hours later using the hot water (52degrees C) tail-immersion test. Morphine and D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly-olenkephalin(DAMGO), [D-Pen2-D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE), trans-3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide (U50,488H), and beta-endorphin were tested as agonists for micro, delta, kappa, and epsilon-opioid receptors, respectively. WBI significantly attenuated the antinociceptive effects of morphine and DAMGO, but increased those of beta-endorphin. The antinociceptive effects of DPDPE and U50,488H were not affected by WBI. In addition, to more preciously understand the differential effects of WBI on micro- and epsilon-opioid receptor agonists, we assessed pretreatment effects of beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA, a micro-opioid receptor antagonist) or beta-endorphin1-27 (beta-EP1-27, an epsilon-opioid receptor antagonist), and found that pretreatment with beta-FNA significantly attenuated the antinociceptive effects of morphine and beta-endorphin by WBI. beta-EP1-27 significantly reversed the attenuation of morphine by WBI and significantly attenuated the increased effects of beta-endorphin by WBI. The results demonstrate differential sensitivities of opioid receptors to WBI, especially for micro- and epsilon-opioid receptors.

Effect of Preoperative Acupuncture on Peri-operative Pain in Patients Following a Thoracotomy / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effect of preoperative effect on peri-operative pain in patients following a thoracotomy. Methods: 120 cases following lung-cancer thoracotomy were randomly allocated into four groups, 30 in each group. Cases in group A and B were treated with acupuncture analgesia 3 d before operation; cases in group A and C were treated with acupuncture analgesia after operation; and cases in group D were treated with general anesthesia. The pain management indexes in four groups were all controlled below 3. After that, analgesia-related β-endorphin and stress-related cortisol were observed before and after operation. In addition, the specific doses of postoperative analgesic-Fentanyl in four groups were compared. Results: The comparison of β-endorphin between group A, C and D showed P<0.05 one day before operation, so did group B, C and D 1 day before operation. The intra-group comparison of cortisol between the day of admission and 1 day after extubation and between 1 day before operation and one day after extubation in group A, B and D showed P<0.05, so did group C between the day of admission and 1 day after extubation. In addition, the contents of Fentanyl in postoperative analgesic pump in four groups showed P<0.05 through one-factor analysis of variance, showing a significant difference. Conclusion: Preemptive analgesia could increase the β-endorphin in patients following a thoracotomy and showed remarkable advantage when compared with the conventional postoperative analgesia. It did not cause significant difference regarding stress index cortisol. Acupuncture has no remarkable advantage when compared with operation and extubation for the major immediate stress. Additionally, postoperative acupuncture could be a substitute for the dose of pain killers and the match can be reduced by 20%.

Signal peptide of human nerve growth factor is better than signal peptide of mouse nerve factor in mediating secretory expression of beta-endorphin / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To clarify whether the signal peptide of human nerve growth factor can mediate secretory expression of beta-endorphin and whether there is difference between the efficiency of signal peptides from human and mouse nerve growth factor. Methods: Two kinds of eukaryotic vectors containing human or mouse signal sequence-mediated secretory expression of beta-endorphin were constructed. The culture supernatant and cells were collected 48 h after NIH3T3 cells were transfected by the two kinds of vectors, and the cover slips with single-layer cells was prepared. The concentration of beta-endorphin in the culture was determined by radio-immunoassay. The total RNA was extracted from cells and mRNA from fusion genes was assayed by RT-PCR. Cells on cover slips were subjected to immunofluorescence staining. Results: RT-PCR showed that the fusion genes were expressed in NIH3T3 cells; the expression of beta-endorphin was mainly in the cytoplasm of NIH3T3 cells. The concentrations of beta-endorphin in the supernatants 48 h after transfection with pcDNA3. 1-hEP and pcDNA3. 1-mEP were (280.33±24.16) pg/ml and (191.04±7.96) pg/ml (P<0.05), respectively, and they were significantly different from that of the blank control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The signal sequence of human nerve growth factor can mediate the secretory expression of protein and the efficacy of human signal peptide is higher than that of mouse signal peptide.

Clinical observation of naloxone treatment in drowing children / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To investigate the clinical effects and mechanism of naloxone treatment in drowing children.Methods A total of 97 drowing children were divided into treatment group(n=45)and control group(n=52)depending on whether the naloxone was administrated.General treatment was adopted in two groups.Treatment group Was given naloxone.The clinical effects were observed and the levels of betaendorphin(β-EP)in blood plasma were measured with radioimmunoassay(RIA)before and after treatment respectively.Results The total effective rate of treatment group(93.3%,42/45)Was significantly higher than that of control group(76.9%,40/52)(P＜0.05).As compared with that of control group(65.0%,26/40),nervous system disability rate in treatment group(33.3%,14/42)decreased significantly(P＜0.01).Continuous days of poor blood circulation,abnormal respiratory rhythm,convulsion and coma in treatment group were significantly shorter than those of control group respectively(P＜0.01).The level of β-EP was significantly lower in treatment group than that of control group(t=17.1,P＜0.01).Conclusion Clinical use of naloxone in the drowing children has curative result by reducing the level of blood plasma β-EP.

Clinical Study on Anti-aging Action of Herbal Cake-partition Moxibustion / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and immunological mechanism of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion for aging process.Method:The herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion was adopted for 223 cases to observe the aging scores before and after the treatment.Apart from that,the T-lymphocyte subsets and changes of IL-2 and 3-EP were also detected.Results:After treatment,the aging scores of 223 cases were all substantially reduced,along with an improvement of clinical symptoms,a strengthened cellular immune function,and an increase of total T-lymphocyte count.In addition,the CD4+/CD8+ ratio Was restored normal,the synthesis or secretion of IL-2 was increased and the β-EP(as the neurotransmitter to modulate immune function)was substantially improved.Conclusion:The aging process is closely associated with the immune function.Moxibustion Can modulate abnormal immune function and stabilize homeostasis and thus delay the aging process.

Construction and identification of adenovirus carrying human β-endorphin genes regulable by mifepristone-inducible system / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To construct and identify adenovirag (Ad-RUNEP) carrying human B-endorphin(B-EP) genes which can be regulated by mifepfistone (RU486)-inducible system and to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of RU486 on the transgene expression in adenovirus in vitro.Methods The shuttle plagmid pDC312一RUNEP carrying B-EP genes which can be regulated by RU486-inducible system was constructed and was combined with adenovims to form a recombinant Ad-RUNEP using AdMAXTM system.The recombinant Ad.RUNEP was then amplified and purified.The titers of the adenovirus were determined and the adenovirus vector was checked.After being infected by Ad-RUNEP for 24 h,A431 cell line was incubated in liquid culture media containing RU4860,10-10,10-9,10-8,10-7,and 10-6 mol/L respectively(group R0-5) for 48h,and Was then transferred to liquid culture media containing no RU486.The liquid culture media were obtained on 1st.2nd and 4th day of incubation and centrifuged.The supematant Was collected for determination of B-EP concentration by ELISA.Results The analysis of enzyme-incision demonstrated that RU486 regulating system and B-EP were cloned directly into pDC312-RUNEP.The titer of Ad-RUNEP was 2.25×1010 pfuml.The expression of B-EP was significantly higher in group R1-s than in group R0 and was significantly lower in group R1-3 than in group R4 (P<O.05).The expression of B-EP wag significantly higher on 2nd than on 1st and 4th day.Conclusion The adenovims carrying B-EP genes which can be regulated by RU486 (Ad-RUNEP) Wag successfully constructed.

Effect of Dressing and Moxibustion-pretreatment on Local Feet Swelling and Stress Hormone in Hypothalami of Rats with Adjuvant Arthritis at Early and Secondary Stages / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo observe the effect of dressing and moxibustion-pretreatment on the local joint swelling and stress hormone in hypothalami of rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA) at early and secondary stages.MethodsForty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal group, early and secondary model groups, early and secondary pre-dressing and moxibustion (PDM) groups. The dressing with Chinese herb and moxibustion was stuck on Dazhui point (GV14) before the AA model established. The effects of dressing and moxibustion-pretreatment on the feet swelling and corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CRH), beta-endorphin (β-EP) and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) in hypothalami were observed.ResultsThe right feet swelling rate at early and secondary stages obviously increased after modeling ( P<0.01), and it became lower in early and secondary PDM groups than in model groups at the same phases ( P<0.05～0.01). The level of hypothalamic CRH was higher after modeling ( P<0.05～0.01), compared with early model group, it had a tendency to going down in early PDM group, moreover, in secondary PDM group the level was similar with the normal group. The level of hypothalamic β-EP increased significantly in early model group ( P<0.01), and lightly changed in secondary model group, it decreased in early PDM group but increased in secondary PDM group, compared with model groups at the same stages ( P<0.05). The level of hypothalamic NPY increased significantly after modeling, and it declined in the secondary PDM group ( P<0.05).ConclusionDressing and moxibustion-pretreatment can relief feet swelling of AA rats, which may be related with its regulative effect on the level of hypothalamic CRH, β-EP and NPY.

The Effects of Exercise Therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for the Alleviation of Low Back Pain After Coronary Angiography / 성인간호학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: After the coronary angiography procedure, patients are required to remain on bed rest to reduce the risk of bleeding and hematoma formation at the puncture site. This prolonged bed rest in the supine position is difficult for many patients, who frequently complain of low back pain. The purpose of the study was to determine whether a specially designed exercise therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) had an effect on the alleviation of low back pain. METHOD: Sixty-two patients were assigned to one of three groups: specially designed exercise therapy plus TENS plus general nursing care (exercise group N=21), general nursing care plus TENS (TENS group, N=23) or general nursing care (control group, N=18). The exercise therapy consisted of five movements including stretching, pelvic tilting, knee to chest, modified situps and trunk rotation with minimizing the motion of the puncture site. The severity of low back pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale(VAS) every two hours. The use of analgesic and any development of bleeding or other complications were monitored as well. The level of serum beta-endorphin was determined before and after the three interventions. RESULT: The pain score of the exercise group was significantly lowered compared to that of the other groups. There was no difference in the serum beta-endorphin level among three groups. Analgesic were less frequently taken by the exercise group. However the incidence of bleeding complications was not significantly different among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Exercise therapy is more effective than general care or TENS in alleviating low back pain of the patients with coronary angiography.

The influence of psychological simulation training on counter stress ability of rats / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To reproduce an animal model of psychological simulation training,and to investigate the influence of psychological training on the ability of counter physical stress.Methods Thirty-two Wister rats were assigned to four groups,8 for each,namely control group(group A),psychological training group(group B),stress group(group C)and psychological training prior to stress(group D).Rats in group A received neither psychological training nor stress,group B received psychological training without stress,group C received stimulation including stress of strong noise and strong light,but without psychological training,and group D,after psychologically training for 4 weeks,received the same stress stimulation as group C.Twenty-four hours after stress,open-field experiment was done on group C and D.At last,rats in all the 4 groups were anesthetized by ether and 5ml of blood was drawn from each rat in order to detect the content of beta-endorphin(?-EP),corticosterone and IL-1?.Results In the open-field experiments,the psychologically trained groups(B and D)showed remarkably lower scores than the un-trained groups(A and C).The levels of ?-EP and corticosterone were significantly elevated in rats after receiving stress stimulation,while that of IL-1? lowered dramatically.The level of ?-EP and corticosterone in psychological training group(group D)was remarkably lower,while that of IL-1? was higher,than the stress group(group C)during the stress.Conclusion Psychological training can lessen the inhibitory effects of harmful stress on endocrine and immunologic functions,and enhance the physical ability to confront stress.

Alcohol Urge and Plasma beta-endorphin Change after Alcohol Challenge in Naltrexone Pretreated Social Drinker / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The present study was performed to evaluate whether naltrexone treatment are effectively lowering the urge of alcohol drinking, and to investigate the its mechanism of action. METHODS: 15 healthy male social drinkers were voluntarily participated. The experimental method was double-blind placebo-controlled cross over design. Subjects ingested a naltrexone (50mg)/day or placebo for 1 week. Plasma beta-endorphin, plasma ACTH and serum cortisol levels were measured before, at 20 minutes and at 60 minutes after alcohol exposure. Subjects completed self-report questionnaires such as the visual analog scales of drink urge and the alcohol sensation scales at regular intervals. RESULTS: 1) During naltrexone pretreatment period, subjects reported more headache, dizziness, nervousness, fatigue, day somnolence, nausea, and decreased appetite than placebo pretreatment period. But serum GOT/GPT levels were not significantly different between two pretreatment periods. 2) In case of naltrexone pretreatment, subjects reported significantly less urge to alcohol drink on the self-reporting urge scales, especially at post-drinking 20 minutes and 60 minutes than placebo pretreatment. 3) After alcohol challenge, subjects reported significantly more dizziness on the alcohol sensation scales in case of naltrexone pretreatment, and reported less mood elevation trend though it was not statistically significant. Other scores were not significantly different between two pretreatments. 4) Plasma beta-endorphin levels were significantly different when treated with naltrexone. In case of naltrexone-pretreatment, the increasing degree of plasma beta-endorphin during 20 minutes after alcohol challenge was significantly higher than placebo pretreatment. 5) Basal plasma ACTH level and basal serum cortisol level were not significantly different between two pretreatments. After alcohol challenge, only the decreasing degree of plasma ACTH levels during 20 minutes was significantly lowered in the naltrexone pretreatment than placebo pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Naltrexone reduced urge to alcohol drinking in social drinker. The action mechanism of naltrexone may be partially blocking opioid positive reward system and partially alcohol mimicking its property.