Neotuberostemonine and tuberostemonine ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis through suppressing TGF-β and SDF-1 secreted by macrophages and fibroblasts via the PI3K-dependent AKT and ERK pathways / 中国天然药物

Activated fibroblasts and M2-polarized macrophages may contribute to the progression of pulmonary fibrosis by forming a positive feedback loop. This study was aimed to investigate whether fibroblasts and macrophages form this loop by secreting SDF-1 and TGF-β and the impacts of neotuberostemonine (NTS) and tuberostemonine (TS). Mice were intratracheally injected with 3 U·kg-1 bleomycin and orally administered with 30 mg·kg-1 NTS or TS. Primary pulmonary fibroblasts (PFBs) and MH-S cells (alveolar macrophages) were used in vitro. The animal experiments showed that NTS and TS improved fibrosis related indicators, inhibited fibroblast activation and macrophage M2 polarization, and reduced the levels of TGF-β and SDF-1 in alveolar lavage fluid. Cell experiments showed that TGF-β1 may activated fibroblasts into myofibroblasts secreting SDF-1 by activating the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α and PI3K/PAK/RAF/ERK/HIF-1α pathways. It was also found for the first time that SDF-1 was able to directly polarize macrophages into M2 phenotype secreting TGF-β through the same pathways as mentioned above. Moreover, the results of the cell coculture confirmed that fibroblasts and macrophages actually developed a feedback loop to promote fibrosis, and the secretion of TGF-β and SDF-1 was crucial for maintaining this loop. NTS and TS may disturb this loop through inhibiting both the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α and PI3K/PAK/RAF/ERK/HIF-1α pathways to improve pulmonary fibrosis. NTS and TS are stereoisomeric alkaloids with pyrrole[1,2-a]azapine skeleton, and their effect on improving pulmonary fibrosis may be largely attributed to their parent nucleus. Moreover, this study found that inhibition of both the AKT and ERK pathways is essential for maximizing the improvement of pulmonary fibrosis.

Study on the constitution theory ofPang Anshi inShanghan-Zongbing Lun / 国际中医中药杂志

There were a lot of general researches and applications about constitution in Shanghan-Zongbing Lun ofPang Anshi. It is found that the constitution idea ofPang Anshi originated from Huangdi-Neijing. His constitution idea included that: the constitution formation was related to living environment and diet; the constitution factors should be considered in the clinical practice; the constitution factors should be considered when applicating Yang-preserving in spring and summer, Yin-preserving in autumn and winter; the constitution factors should be considered in the process of the choice of dosage, the method of decoction and the principle of medication. Pang Anshi constitution idea is of great important guidance for the later medical practice.

Autologous hamstring Rigidfix and Intrafix fixation for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Autologous hamstring Rigidfix and Intrafix has been frequently used to fix and reconstruct anterior cruciate ligament. However, it lacks of evaluation of middle and long period of clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVE:To retrospectively evaluate the medium term clinical outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft by Rigidfix and Intrafix. METHODS:The 39 cases of anterior cruciate ligament injury were subjected to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft by Rigidfix and Intrafix under arthroscope. They were fol owed up for 2 years or more. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using Lyshlom score scale, IKDC2000 and Tegner score scale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the fol ow-up, IKDC2000 score and Lyshlom score were significantly increased fol owing Rigidfix and Intrafix fixation than before treatment (P<0.01). Results indicate satisfactory clinical outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft by Rigidfix and Intrafix. However, long-term fol ow up is needed to verify the feasibility of extensive application.