EFFECT OF CURCUMIN AS AN ADJUNCT TO SCALING AND ROOT PLANING, AND ITS THERAPEUTIC EFFECT ON SALIVARY NITRIC OXIDE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS - A CLINICO - BIOCHEMICAL STUDY.

Context (Background): Periodontitis is an infectious inflammatory disease with increase in salivary Nitric oxide levels and Curcumin is known to inhibit inflammatory mediators and neutralize nitric oxide which is expressed in salivary glands. To evaluate and compare the possible improvement in parameters of periodontal disease and salivaryAim: nitric oxide levels in patients undergoing scaling and root planing (SRP) alone and scaling and root planing (SRP) with systemic curcumin administration. In one group, systemic curcumin will be administered along withSettings & Design: SRP & in another group only SRP will be performed. In Group A, SRP along with systemicMethods & Materials: curcumin was administered, and in Group B only SRP was performed. In both the groups, periodontal parameters such as the plaque Index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), presence or absence of bleeding on probing (BOP) and salivary nitric oxide (NO) levels by spectrophotometer were assessed at baseline and after three month. Chi-Square-test was used so as to evaluate and compare theStatistical Analysis used: possible improvement in parameters of periodontal disease and salivary nitric oxide levels in patients undergoing scaling and root planing (SRP) alone and scaling and root planing (SRP) with systemic curcumin administration. Results & Conclusions: Clinically significant results with improvement in clinical parameters and reduction in salivary NO levels were noticed in both the groups, although test group showed more reduction in the salivary NO levels when compared to the control group thus concluding that administration of systemic curcumin is effective against salivary NO levels and can be used as an adjunct to SRP.

Effect of acupuncture on vascular endothelial function in patients of polycystic ovary syndrome with different glucose tolerance status / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupuncture on vascular endothelial function in patients of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT).@*METHODS@#A total of 140 patients with PCOS were divided into an IGT group (70 cases, 11 dropped off) and a NGT group (70 cases, 9 cases dropped off). The patients in the two groups were treated with full-cycle acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Tianshu (ST 25), etc. once every other day, 3 times a week, for 3 months. Before and after treatment, TCM symptom score, insulin resistance index [including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour blood glucose (2hPG), fasting serum insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)] and vascular endothelial related factors [including asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMD), endothelin-1 (ET-1), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO)] were compared between the two groups; in addition, the obese subgroup and non-obese subgroup of the two groups were further compared.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the TCM symptom scores, ADMD, ET-1 and MDA after treatment were decreased (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture could improve vascular endothelial function in PCOS patients, IGT patients have better efficacy than NGT patients, and obese patients have better efficacy than non-obese patients.

Effect of Danggui Buxuetang on Functional Activity of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Exposed to Shear Stress / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Danggui Buxuetang（DGBX）on the functional activity of rat endothelial progenitor cells（EPCs）exposed to different luminar shear stress （SS）. Method:EPCs isolated from rat bone marrow were incubated on a parallel plate flow chamber at a steady SS of 0， 0.12， 1.2， 2.4 Pa for 6 h，then the cells exposed to different SS were randomly divided into 8 groups： control group （perfused with serum free medium），simvastatin group（0.1 μmol·L^-1simvastatin），3 DGBX groups（low，medium，high-dose DGBX）and 3 inhibitor groups（3 DGBX groups with LY294002）. After 12 h，the samples were collected for the detection of cell proliferation ，migration，tubule formation ，the secretion of nitric oxide （NO） ，and the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase（eNOS） mRNA and protein kinase B（Akt），respectively. Result:Compared with the control group，simvastatin and DGBX（high-dose）could both promote the functional activities and NO secretion，and up-regulate the expressions of eNOS mRNA and Akt protein in EPCs exposed to different SS（<italic>P</italic><0.05），while DGBX（mid-dose）could do these only at 0 Pa. However，LY294002 could inhibit all effects of DGBX on EPCs. Conclusion:SS seems to play an important role in the effect of DGBX on EPCs，and DGBX could promote the functional activity of EPCs exposed to SS by up-regulating the expressions of NO/eNOS/Akt.

Nesiritide protects endothelial function after balloon-induced trauma in the iliac artery in rabbits

To assess the effect of nesiritide on the endothelial function of iliac arteries following endothelia trauma. Right iliac artery trauma was created with a balloon catheter. Ten rabbits were treated with a 4-week subcutaneous injection of nesiritide at a fixed daily dose of 0.1mg/kg. Ten rabbits received daily normal saline injection. Plasma endothelin 1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), and Von Willebrand Factor (vWF) were measured before and after the therapies. Tissue proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was measured after the treatment. After the treatment, in the therapeutic group, the area under internal elastic membrane and the residual lumen area were higher than in the normal saline group (P <0.05). The plasma levels of ET-1 (91.6±6.8 vs 114.9±6.3 ng/L, P =0.001), vWF (134.6±10.8% vs 188.8±10.4%, P =0.001) and the ratio of PCNA positive expression (11.7±4.2% vs 36.2±11.4%, P =0.005) in the therapeutic group was lower than in the normal saline group, while the plasma levels of NO was higher (89.7±9.3 vs 43.5±5.3 µmol/L, P =0.001). Nesiritide inhibited remodeling of rabbit iliac artery following endothelial trauma. The inhibition of vascular remodeling may be related to the alleviated endothelial dysfunction and reduced expression of tissue proliferating cell nuclear antigen

Effect of Huoxue Ointment on Osteoarthritis Caused by Knee Joint Injury in Rabbits / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of Huoxue ointment on osteoarthritis of the knee caused by knee joint injury in rabbits. Method:A total of 60 big ear white rabbits were selected, with half male and half female. Ten rabbits were randomly selected by weight and set as normal control group. For the remaining rabbits, the injury of articular cartilage and anterior cruciate ligament were caused in the femoral ankle joint surface of the right hind knee joint, so as to establish an animal model of knee osteoarthritis in rabbits. For the normal control group, the skin was cut open and immediately sutured. Two weeks after the operation, rabbits were randomly divided into model control group according to body weight，positive voltaren group (1 cm·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (6 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose (3 g·kg-1·d-1) and low-dose(1.5 g·kg-1·d-1) Huoxue ointment groups, with 10 animals in each group. Interleukinin-1β （IL-1β） in rabbit articular cavity fluid and peripheral blood were measured, contents of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and free radical nitric oxide（NO）, rabbit articular cartilage was examined by histopathology, in order to study the efficacy of Huoxue ointment on rabbit knee arthritis. The model of increased permeability of capillaries in abdominal cavity of mice induced by acetic acid and the model of foot swelling of rats induced by carrageenan were used to determine the absorbance of mice peritoneal fluid and the rat foot swelling value, and study the anti-inflammatory effect of huoxue ointment. A total of 120 SPF ICR mice and 60 SD rats were selected, with half male and half female. The mice were randomly divided according to body weight into model control groups, positive Voltaren group (3 cm·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (16 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose (8 g·kg-1·d-1), low-dose (4 g·kg-1·d-1) Huoxue ointment groups，with 12 animals in each group. The rats were randomly divided into the model control group, positive voltaren group (2 cm·kg-1·d-1), and high-dose (8 g·kg-1·d-1), medium-dose (4 g·kg-1·d-1), low-dose (2 g·kg-1·d-1) Huoxue ointment groups，with 10 animals in each group. Result:The tested dose of Huoxue ointment，the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and NO in rabbit serum and joint fluid were decreased to varying degrees, and the effect was significant in the high-dose group (P<0.05). According to the pathological examination, the tested dose of Huoxue ointment, knee cartilage and synovial tissue lesions were significantly lower than those of the model control group (P<0.05)，the value of peritoneal fluid concentration and the foot swelling in medium and high-dose Huoxue ointment groups were significantly lower than those in the model control group (P<0.05). The analgesic effect of tail shaking in mice, and the pain threshold rate of the high-dose Huoxue ointment group were significantly higher than those of the model control group (P<0.05)， the analgesic effect lasted for 4 hours, the foot tenderness of rats in the large and medium-dose Huoxue ointment groups was significantly higher than that in the model control group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Huoxue ointment has obvious joint repair and anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on osteoarthritis of knee caused by knee joint injury in rabbits.

Effect of Modified Liu Junzitang and Erchentang on Hcy， NO， hs-CRP in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the relationship between serum homocysteine (Hcy), nitric oxide (NO), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as well as the number and degree of coronary lesions, and the effect of Liu Junzitang combined with Erchentang on Hcy, NO, hs-CRP in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), so as to explore the protector effect of Liu Junzitang combined with Erchentang on CHD patients. Method:A total of 76 inpatients with phlegm turbidity and internal resistance (CHD) from the Cardiovascular Department of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM） from November 2016 to April 2019 were selected to analyze the relationship between Hcy, NO, hs-CRP as well as the number and degree of coronary lesions. By lottery, the 76 patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 38 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were given conventional therapy, while patients in the observation group were given Liu Junzitang combined with Erchentang in addition to conventional therapy. The experimental period was 3 months. TCM symptom scores of the two groups before and after administration were evaluated. Hcy, NO, hs-CRP, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) indicators of the two groups were measured before and after administration. Result:The levels of Hcy and hs-CRP were positively correlated with the number and degree of coronary lesions. The level of NO was negatively correlated with the number and degree of coronary lesions. TCM symptom scores were different between the two groups after treatment. Compared with the control group, the TCM symptom score in the observation group was decreased more significantly (P<0.05). The two groups could reduce Hcy, hs-CRP and increase in NO to a certain extent (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed reduction in Hcy, hs-CRP and increase in NO more significantly (P<0.05). After treatment in both groups, TG, LDL, TC, Apo A1, Apo B and HDL were reduced (P<0.05) compared with before treatment. Compared with the control group, the observation group showed decrease in TG, LDL, TC, Apo A1, Apo B and increase in HDL more significantly (P<0.05). Both groups could increase LVEF and decrease NT-proBNP after treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group increased LVEF and decreased NT-proBNP more significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion:The levels of Hcy and hs-CRP were positively correlated with coronary lesions, while the level of NO was negatively correlated with coronary lesions. Modified Liu Junzitang and Erchentang may be correlated with inhibition of Hcy, hs-CRP and CHD and increase of patient's NO level, thereby reducing the patient's blood lipids, improving the patient's heart function, and improving the patient's clinical symptoms.

Participation of NO in the vasodilatory action of isoespintanol / Participación de NO en la acción vasodilatadora del isoespintanol

Background: accumulating evidence suggests that natural compounds and specifically monoterpenes exert a vasodilator action. Objetive: to investigate the vascular effects of isoespintanol (2-isopropil-3,6-dimetoxi-5-metilfenol, ISO) monoterpene isolated from the leaves of Oxandra cf xylopioides. Methods: thoracic aortic rings isolated from Wistar rats were contracted with KCl 80 mM and then relaxed by exposure to Ca2+-free solution in absence and in presence of ISO 0.6 mg/mL. The force/tissue ratio (F/W) and the time to obtain 50% of relaxation (T-50) were used to assess the maximal contractile response and the relaxation, respectively. To examine the participation of NO additional experiments were performed under inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with L-NAME (L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester). Results: ISO significantly decreased the F/W ratio (257 ± 19 vs. 360 ± 18) and did not change T-50. In presence of L-NAME the effects of ISO on contractile response was abolished. Conclusions: these results demonstrate that ISO exerts a vasodilator effect through NO-dependent pathways and suggest that an inhibition of calcium influx could be the involved mechanism

Antecedentes: la evidencia acumulada sugiere que los compuestos naturales, especialmente monoterpenos, ejercen una acción vasodilatadora. Objetivo: investigar los efectos vasculares del monoterpeno isoespintanol (2-isopropil-3,6-dimetoxi-5-metilfenol, ISO) aislado de hojas de Oxandra cf xylopioides. Métodos: anillos de aorta torácica aislados de ratas Wistar fueron contraídas con cloruro de potasio 80 mM y luego relajadas por exposición a una solución libre de Ca2+ en ausencia y presencia de isoespintanol 0,6 µg/mL. El radio fuerza/tejido (F/T) y el tiempo para obtener 50% de relajación (T50) se usaron para lograr la máxima respuesta contráctil y de relajación, respectivamente. Para evaluar la participación del óxido nítrico, se realizaron experimentos adicionales bajo la inhibición de la óxido nítrico sintetasa con L-NAME (L-NG-éster metílico de nitroarginina). Resultados: Isoespintanol disminuyó el radio F/W significativamente (257 ± 19 vs. 360 ± 18) y no cambió T-50. En presencia de L-NAME, los efectos del isoespintanol en la respuesta contráctil fueron suprimidos. Conclusiones: Estos resultados demuestran que el isoespintanol ejerce un efecto vasodilatador a través de vías NO dependientes y sugiere que la inhibición de la entrada de calcio puede ser el mecanismo involucrado.

Periodic Assessment of Antenatal and Post Natal Serum Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and Nitric Oxide (NO) Levels in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP)

@#Introduction: Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular (CVS) disease with endothelial dysfunction postulated to be the pathophysiology. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, has been identified as a pivotal mediator in HDP. Disturbances in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability found in endothelial dysfunction may increase susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. The study aims to determine serial ET-1 and NO levels in patients with HDP and its role in persistent endothelial dysfunction. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six pregnant women from the following categories (i) normal pregnant women (Control) (ii) chronic hypertension during pregnancy (CH) and (iii) pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) participated in this study. Blood pressure indices measurements and sample collection were done at antepartum (32 weeks) and postpartum (8 weeks and 12 weeks). ET-1 and serum NO were measured using the Human ET-1 (Endothelin-1) ELISA Kit and Nitric Oxide (total) detection kit respectively. Results: Serum ET-1 was significantly higher in patients with CH (55.3 pg/ml) and PIH (35.6 pg/ml) compared to Control (11.8 pg/ml) during antenatal until 3 months postpartum (CH 38.3 pg/ml, PIH 29.5 pg/ml, Control 1.9 pg/ml). This was accompanied by significantly lower levels of serum NO in HDP patients. Conclusion: Persistently higher than normal levels of ET-1 and lower than normal levels of NO up to 3 months postpartum in patients with history of HDP indicate presence of persistent endothelial dysfunction despite BP normalisation in PIH patients. Long term NO/ET-1 imbalance may account for the increased CVS disease risk.

Effects of moxibustion at 45 ℃ on blood lipoids and serum level of ox-LDL and NO in rats with hyperlipidemia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of moxibustion at different temperatures (38 ℃ and 45 ℃) on blood lipoids and serum level of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and nitric oxide (NO) in rats with hyperlipidemia, and to explore the correlation between regulating blood fat and anti-oxidative stress and protection of vascular endothelium of moxibustion at 45 ℃.@*METHODS@#According to random number table, 60 SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion at 38 ℃ group and a moxibustion at 45 ℃ group, 15 rats in each group. The rats in the normal group received no treatment; the rats in the remaining three groups were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to prepare rat models of hyperlipidemia. After successful modeling, the rats in the model group received no treatment; the rats in the moxibustion at 38 ℃ group and moxibustion at 45 ℃ group were treated with moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV 8) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), and the temperature was controlled at (38±1) ℃ and (45±1) ℃, respectively. The moxibustion was given for 10 min at each acupoint, once every two days, and totally 4-week treatment was given. After treatment, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured by using biochemical colorimetric method; the levels of ox-LDL and NO were measured by using ELISA method.@*RESULTS@#① Compared with the normal group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group (all 0.05). ② Compared with the normal group, the level of ox-LDL was increased but that of NO was decreased in the model group (both <0.01); compared with the model group and moxibustion at 38 ℃ group, the level of ox-LDL was decreased but that of NO was increased in the moxibustion at 45 ℃ group (<0.01, <0.05); compared with the model group, the level of ox-LDL was decreased but that of NO was increased in the moxibustion at 38 ℃ group (both <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion at 45 ℃ has regulating effects on blood lipid in rats with hyperlipidemia, which can regulate blood lipid through various ways, such as anti-oxidative stress and protection of vascular endothelium.

Influences of Chinese herbal compound Qinghuayin on serum IL-10 ,NO , GAS and plasma MTL in animal model of chronic atrophic gastritis in rats / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the effects of Chinese herbal compound Qinghuayin on the pathological changes of gastric mucosa and interleukin-10 (IL-10) ,nitric oxide (NO) ,gasmn (GAS) and motilin (MTL) in the serum in the animal model of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG ) in rats .Methods We divided 53 Wistar rats randomly into blank control group (n=8) and CAG model group (n=45) ,and the animal model of CAG in rats was replicated by combination of disease and syndrome .After confirming the sampled rat model was successful built , the other 40 CAG rats in CAG model group were divided into model group ,vitacoenzyme tablet group ,low-dosage TMC group ,medium-dosage TMC group ,and high-dosage TMC group (each group n=8) .With the corresponding drug intervention to different rats for 30 days , the rats were executed . Then their blood was drawn from the abdominal aorta and the gastric tissue was taken to analyze the changes of serum IL-10 ,NO ,GAS and MTL concentrations and gastric mucosa pathology . Results Compared with blank control group , model group had various degrees of gastric mucosa atrophy ; decreased concentrations of serum IL-10 and GAS ; increased NO and MTL ( P<0 .01 ) .Compared with model group,Qinghuayin could improve gastric mucosa pathology in different degrees and increase the concentrations of IL-10 and GAS . Decrease the concentrations of NO and MTL( P<0 .05 or P<0 .01 ) . What's more. The curative effect in high-dosage TMC group was better( P<0. 01 ). Conclusion Chinese herbal compound Qinghuayin can effectively regulate the lopsided expressions of serum IL-10 . NO .GAS and MTL and reverse the pathological and histological changes in the gastric mucosa of CAG rats .

Acupuncture Alleviated Depressive-like Behavior by Down-regulating NF-κB, iNOS and NO Levels in Prefrontal Cortex of Depression Rats / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture intervention on depressive-like behavior and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the prefrontal cortex in chronic stress induced depression rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying antidepressant effect. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, acupuncture and medication (Fluoxetine) groups (8 rats/group). The depression model was established by chro-nic unpredictable stress stimulation (fasting, water deprivation, cold water swimming, tail clamping, constraining, etc., and solitary raising) for 28 days. Acupuncture treatment was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and unilateral "Neiguan"(PC 6) once every other day for 14 days. Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) was given to rats of the medication group by gavage (p.o.) before every stress stimulation, once every day for 28 days. The animals' behavior was tested by using sucrose intake and open field tests (number of crossings and rearings in 5 min). The expression of NF-κB in the prefrontal cortex was detected by Western blot, and the contents of prefrontal iNOS and NO were detected by ELISA and nitric reductases, respectively. RESULTS: After modeling, the sucrose intake and the numbers of crossing and rearing times were significantly decreased (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture treatment can improve the depressive-like behavior of depression rats, which is closely related to its effects in down-regulating the levels of NF-κB protein, iNOS and NO in the prefrontal cortex to reduce brain inflammatory damage.

Numerical Study on the Effect from Nitric Oxide on Regulation of Pulmonary Vascular in Different Pulmonary Ventilation Conditions / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the changes of nitric oxide (NO) concentration in arterial-capillary-venous vessels and the dynamic regulation mechanism of NO on the vessels during ventilation changes. Method The pulmonary vascular network model was established by using the COMSOL Multiphysics software, the dynamic regulation of NO on blood vessels was introduced, the flow-multiphysics coupling simulation was conducted to explore the effect of oxygen and blood flow on NO concentration and its distribution in pulmonary vascular network, and the dynamic regulation of NO on pulmonary vascular function in the case of ventilation lacking. Results Oxygen concentration and blood flow would jointly affect the NO distribution in the pulmonary vascular network. When lung ventilation was insufficient, the amount of oxygen entering the pulmonary capillaries decreased, and the NO concentration in pulmonary vein walls under static conditions was significantly reduced. The reduction of NO concentration under dynamic conditions led to vasoconstriction and decrease of blood vessel radius, resulting a dynamic compensation. Regulation of vascular tension regulation coefficient α would directly affect the regulation of NO. When α worked within a certain range, a higher value of α meant a larger change in vascular radius and a smaller change in NO concentration, and its effective value was greater than 1. Conclusions The research findings revealed the change of NO concentration in arterial-capillary-venous vessels due to the change of ventilation as well as the dynamic regulation mechanism of NO in blood vessels, and predicted the effective value range of α，thus providing theoretical basis for further research on the mechanism of blood flow, ventilation perfusion ratio affected by vasoconstriction and vascular resistance changes due to ventilation insufficiency.

Adjuvant treatment of acupoint catgut embedding for essential hypertension and its effects on vascular endothelial function / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding assisting western medication and simple western medication on blood pressure and vascular endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension (EH), and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 125 cases were randomly assigned into an observation group (62 cases, 2 dropping) and a control group (63 cases, 3 dropping). Oral administration of lotensin (10 mg, once a day) was applied in the control group. Based on the treatment as the control group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) in the observation group, once every two weeks, and six treatments was taken as one session. All the patients were treated for 3 months. The blood pressure and the vascular endothelial injury markers, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) were recorded before and after treatment in the two groups. In addition, the ET-1, NO and hsCRP were collected from 60 cases of healthy participants.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure reduced after treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (<0.01, <0.05). Before treatment, compared with those of the healthy participants, ET-1 and hsCRP were higher but NO was lower in the observation group and the control group (all <0.05); after treatment, ET-1 and hsCRP were reduced and NO increased in the two groups (all <0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (all <0.05). After treatment, the differences of NO and hsCRP between the observation group and healthy participants were not significant (both >0.05). The marked effective rate was 70.0% (42/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 33.3% (20/60) in the control group (<0.05); the total effective rate was 96.7% (58/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 85.0% (51/60) in the control group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The vascular endothelial function is injured in EH patients. Based on lotensin treatment, acupoint catgut embedding could significantly improve blood pressure and vascular endothelial function.</p>

Mechanism of thermosensitive moxibustion on knee osteoarthritis in rabbit models / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the impacts of thermosensitive moxibustion (TSM) on the expressions of nitric oxide (NO), typeⅠdisintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), typeⅡcollagen and proteoglycan (PG) in the rabbit models of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and explore the mechanism of TSM on KOA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 42 Japanese long-eared male rabbits were divided into a blank group (6 rabbits), a model group (6 rabbits), a moxibustion group (24 rabbits) and a sham-operation group (6 rabbits) according to the random number table. In the blank group, the rabbits were fed normally. In the model and moxibustion groups, the papain injection was given to establish KOA models. The rabbits in the sham-operation group were treated with the intracavity injection of 0.9% NaCl solution. The rabbits were forced to move for 30 min every day, continuously for 15 days during modeling. At the end of modeling, in the moxibustion group, moxibusiton was applied at "Dubi" (ST 35), once a day, 40 min each time, for 14 days totally. According to the temperature changes during moxibustion, the rabbits were divided into a TSM group and a non-TSM group. 6 rabbits were collected randomly from the two groups. The usual feeding was given in the blank group, the model group and the sham-operation group, without any intervention. The body mass and behavioristics changes were observed in each group. At the end of treatment, the nitrate reduction method was adopted to determine NO expression in the serum. The real-time PCR was adopted to determine the expressions of ADAMTS-4, typeⅡcollagen and PG in the cartilage.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>① After modeling, compared with the blank group, the body mass was all reduced and the Lequesne MG score was increased in the model group, TSM group, non-TSM group and sham-operation group (<0.05, <0.01). After intervention, compared with the blank group, the body mass was decreased and the Lequesne MG score was increased in the model and sham-operation groups (<0.05, <0.01). Compared with the model group, the body mass was increased and the lequesne MG score was decreased in the TSM, non-TSM, and sham-operation groups (<0.05, <0.01). Compared with the non-TSM group, the body mass in the TSM group was increased remarkably (<0.05), but the difference in Lequesne MG score was not statistically significant (>0.05). ② After intervention, compared with the blank group, the expressions of NO and ADAMTS-4 were all increased and the expressions of typeⅡcollagen and PG were decreased in the model group, TSM group, non-TSM group and sham-operation group (<0.05, <0.01). Compared with the model group, the expressions of NO and ADAMTS-4 were all remarkably lower and the expressions of typeⅡcollagen and PG were increased in the TSM group, non-TSM group and sham-operation group (<0.05, <0.01). Compared with the non-TSM group, the expressions of NO and ADAMTS-4 were all remarkably lower and the expressions of typeⅡcollagen and PG were increased in the TSM group after intervention (all <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The thermosensitive moxibustion alleviates the inflammatory reactions and protects the joint cartilage through inhibiting the expressions of NO and ADAMTS-4 to achieve the effects in the treatment of KOA.</p>

Arginine and Citrulline for the Treatment of MELAS Syndrome

Abstract Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a maternally inherited mitochondrial disease with a broad spectrum of manifestations. In addition to impaired energy production, nitric oxide (NO) deficiency occurs in MELAS syndrome and leads to impaired blood perfusion in microvasculature that can contribute to several complications including stroke-like episodes, myopathy, and lactic acidosis. The supplementation of NO precursors, L-arginine and L-citrulline, increases NO production and hence can potentially have therapeutic utility in MELAS syndrome. L-citrulline raises NO production to a greater extent than L-arginine; therefore, L-citrulline may have a better therapeutic effect. The clinical effect of L-citrulline has not yet been studied and clinical studies on L-arginine, which are limited, only evaluated the stroke-like episodes' aspects of the disease. Controlled studies are still needed to assess the clinical effects of L-arginine and L-citrulline on different aspects of MELAS syndrome.

Comparative Analysis of Inflammatory Markers Produced by Macrophages Inoculated with Invasive and Colonizing Strains of Streptococcus Agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus) and Evaluation of Patients’ Clinical Data

Introduction: Group B Streptococcus (GBS), infection and recurrence in newborns and pregnant women can lead to chronic medical illness resulting in significant morbidity, and mortality. Pathogenesis of GBS may be due to reasons such as activation of the immune system, followed by the production of inflammatory markers and toxic components by immune cells including macrophages. Methods: The studies on invasive and colonizing GBS strains inoculated either with peripheral or brain macrophages, the expression of nitric oxide (NO), cell viability, and CD40 were also measured by Griess assay, methyl tetrazolium assay (MTT), and flow cytometry, respectively. Furthermore, the clinical manifestations of the selected patients were also assessed for this study. Results: Outcome of inflammatory markers studies, after GBS inoculation indicated that, invasive GBS strains induced higher inflammatory markers in comparison to colonizing GBS strains. Furthermore, patients’ clinical data showed that patients with invasive GBS infections had severe condition unlike among patients with colonizing GBS strains. The fatality rate in patients with invasive GBS strain were 30.8% while there was no death among carriers. Conclusion: This study, aimed to understand the immune response to GBS, and strengthen the knowledge on GBS pathogenesis. It was concluded that invasive GBS strains not only showed higher expression of inflammatory markers on immune cells but also had higher pathogenesis effect in comparison to colonizing GBS strains.

Correlation between plasma nitric oxide and atherosclerotic lesion in rabbits / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT:Objective To analyze the correlation between plasma nitric oxide (NO)level and atherosclerotic lesion in high cholesterol-fed (HCD ) rabbits.Methods Twenty male Japanese white rabbits were divided randomly into two groups,which were fed with normal diet (control group,n =10)or HCD (experimental group, n =10 )for 1 6 weeks.At the end of the experiment,plasma lipid and NO levels were measured.The gross atherosclerotic lesions in each group were detected by Sudan IV staining while intimal lesion area was measured by hematoxylin/eosin (HE)and elastica van gieson (EVG).Moreover,the macrophages (MΦ)and smooth muscle cells (SMC)were detected by immunohistochemical staining.The correlation analysis was made to reveal the relationship between atherosclerotic lesions and plasma NO level.Results Compared with those in control group, the total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)and NO levels all increased significantly in experimental group.Atherosclerotic lesions appeared on the vascular wall in the latter group.The area of atherosclerotic lesions and MΦ in the plaque had a positive association with plasma NO level. Conclusion There is a relationship between plasma NO level and the size of HCD-induced atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits.Meanwhile,the MΦ positive area in the atherosclerotic plaque is also associated with plasma NO level in cholesterol-fed rabbits,suggesting that plasma NO level may be associated with the occurrence and progress of early atherosclerosis.

The changes of serum sialic acid in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease and its relation with vascular endothelial function / 中国糖尿病杂志

Objective To observe the changes of serum sialic acid(SA)and in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD) and its relation with vascular endothelial function. Methods 97 T2DM patients were divided into <30 mg/24 h group(n=31) ,30~299 mg/24 h group(n=34) and ≥300 mg/24 h group(n=32) according to the level of UAlb/Cr ,meanwhile 30 healthy subjects were selected as normal control(NC) group. The level of serum SA ,nitric oxide (NO) ,endothelin‐1(ET‐1) in four groups were detected. Results Compared with the NC group ,the level of SA and ET‐1 were increased gradually in <30 mg/24 h ,30 ~ 299 mg/24 h and ≥ 300 mg/24 h group ,and the NO were decreased gradually ( P<0.05) .Pearson correlation analysis showed that the SA level was positively related with ET‐1 and negatively with NO(P<0.05). Conclusion The level of SA is increased gradually in the development of CKD ,and the SA level is correlated with NO and ET‐1.

Expression of nitric oxide synthase in esophageal mucosa of patients with gastroesophageal reflex disease / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To compare the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS ) in patients with gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD)and healthy controls.Methods The distribution and relative protein amount of two NOS subtypes (nNOS and iNOS)were determined with immunohistological method,and their mRNA levels were measured with real-time PCR method.Results The nNOS and iNOS were mostly distributed in the cytoplasm in epithelia of esophageal mucosa.The nNOS and iNOS in reflux esophagitis (RE)were significantly higher than in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD)patients and healthy controls (P <0.05 ).The mRNA levels of nNOS and iNOS were also significantly higher in RE patients than in NERD patients and healthy controls (P <0.05).Conclusion The expressions of nNOS and iNOS were increased in the esophagus of RE patients,which may be related to the effects of NO on the onset of GERD.

Níveis de óxido nítrico mais elevados estão associados à atividade da doença em pacientes egípcios com artrite reumatoide / Higher nitric oxide levels are associated with disease activity in Egyptian rheumatoid arthritis patients

Introdução O estresse oxidativo produzido no interior de articulações inflamadas pode produzir fenômenos autoimunes e destruição articular. As espécies radicais com atividade oxidativa, incluindo espécies reativas de nitrogênio, representam mediadores de inflamação e de lesão cartilaginosa. Objetivos Avaliar o óxido nítrico sérico como marcador de estresse oxidativo em pacientes egípcios com artrite reumatoide e sua relação com a atividade da doença. Métodos 80 com artrite reumatoide foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com a pontuação DAS28: Grupo I: 42 pacientes com doença ativa, e Grupo II: 38 pacientes com doença inativa. Quarenta indivíduos equiparados por idade e gênero foram incluídos como grupo controle (Grupo III). Foram realizados exames laboratoriais de rotina e o óxido nítrico foi medido usando Elisa. Radiografias simples das mãos foram feitas para a pontuação do estado radiológico utilizando o método de Sharpe. Resultados A comparação do nível sérico de óxido nítrico entre os três grupos mostrou uma diferença altamente significativa (p < 0,001). Obtiveram-se níveis significativamente mais elevados entre os pacientes com artrite reumatoide em comparação com os controles. Os níveis mais elevados foram obtidos em pacientes com a doença ativa (média±DP 82,38±20,46) em comparação com aqueles com a doença inativa (35,53±7,15). O óxido nítrico no Grupo I exibiu uma correlação positiva significativa com a rigidez matinal (r=0,45), artrite (r=0,43), contagem de plaquetas (r=0,46), velocidade de hemossedimentação (r=0,83), proteína C-reativa (r=0,76) e Índice de Atividade de Doença (r=0,85). O óxido ...

Background Oxidative stress generated within inflammatory joints can produce autoimmune phenomena and joint destruction. Radical species with oxidative activity, including reactive nitrogen species, represent mediators of inflammation and cartilage damage. Objectives To assess serum nitric oxide as a marker of oxidative stress in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its relation to disease activity. Methods Eighty patients with rheumatoid arthritis were divided into 2 groups, according to the DAS-28 score: Group I: 42 patients with disease activity, and Group II: 38 patients with no disease activity. Forty age- and sex-matched individuals were included as control group (Group III). Routine laboratory investigations were done, and nitric oxide was measured using Elisa. Hand plain radiographies were done for radiological status scoring using the Sharp method. Results A comparison between nitric oxide in all three groups showed a highly significant difference (p < 0.001), significantly higher levels were obtained among rheumatoid arthritis patients in comparison to controls, and higher levels were obtained in patients with active disease (mean±SD 82.38±20.46) in comparison to patients without active disease (35.53±7.15). Nitric oxide in Group I showed a significant positive correlation with morning stiffness (r=0.45), arthritis (r=0.43), platelet count (r=0.46), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.83), C-reactive protein (r=0.76) and Disease Activity Score (r=0.85). Nitric oxide showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.43) with hand radiographies (Sharp score) in Group I. Conclusion There are increased levels of nitric oxide in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nitric oxide correlates significantly with disease activity, inflammatory markers and radiological joint status. .