Study on preventive and therapeutic effects of Erzhi Pills on mice with Parkinson's disease induced by MPTP / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Erzhi Pills on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine( MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease( PD) in mice,and explore its possible mechanism of action. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with MPTP( 30 mg·kg-1,0. 01 m L·g-1) once daily to induce PD for 8 days. In the treatment group,Erzhi Pills were given by intragastric administration( 2. 5 g·kg-1,once daily for 30 days). The normal group received an equal volume of normalsaline. In terms of behavior,the limb movement coordination ability of the mice was detected by climbing,hanging and swimming experiments. The spatial learning and memory ability of the mice was detected by Morris water maze test. The content of MDA,as well as the activity of GSH-PX and SOD were determined in mice serum. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of TH,MAOB and apoptosis-related factors CHOP and caspase-12 in brain tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TH in section of brain tissues in mice. The results showed that in behavioral aspects,as compared with the model group,the scores of limb movement ability as well as scores of spatial learning and memory ability were significantly improved in the treatment groups( P<0. 05). In terms of serological indicators,as compared with the model group,the activities of SOD and GSH-PX were significantly increased in the serum of treatment groups,and the content of MDA was significantly decreased( P<0. 05). The results of Western blot showed that as compared with the model group,the protein levels of TH in the brain tissues of the mice in treatment group were significantly up-regulated,while the protein levels of MAOB and apoptosis-related factors CHOP and caspase-12 were significantly down-regulated( P<0. 05). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the number of TH positive cells in the brain tissues of the mice in the treatment group was significantly increased as compared with the model group( P<0. 05). In summary,Erzhi Pills have a certain preventive and therapeutic effect on MPTP-induced PD mice,which can significantly improve the limb motor coordination ability and spatial learning and memory ability of PD mice. Its mechanism may be related to down-regulating the expression of apoptosis-related factors CHOP and caspase-12,reducing the dopaminergic neuron damage and inhibiting dopaminergic neuronal apoptosis.

Protective effect of earthworm active ingredients against endoplasmic reticulum stress induced L-02 hepatocyte apoptosis / 中国中药杂志

This study focused on the protective effect of earthworm active ingredients (EWAs) on hepatocyte apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in L-02 cells. The L-02 cells were cultured in vitro. The cell viability was measured with CCK-8, the apoptosis of L-02 cells was detected by flow cytometry, and the relevant protein and mRNA expressions were detected by Western blot and qPCR. According to the findings, tunicamycin (TM) could obviously reduce the survival rate of L-02 cells in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Compared with normal group, the apoptosis rate in model group was significantly increased (<0.05 or <0.01). The protein and mRNA expressions of ERS-related signal molecules, such as GRP78, PERK, eLF2α, ATF4, CHOP and Bax, were significantly up-regulated (<0.05 or <0.01), while Bcl-2 was significantly down-regulated (<0.05 or <0.01). After the administration with different concentrations of EWAs, compared with model group, EWAs could significantly increase the survival rate ofL-02 hepatocyte and decrease the cell apoptosis rates. It could also reduce the protein and mRNA expressions of ERS-related signal molecules, such as GRP78, PERK, eLF2α, ATF4, CHOP and Bax, in a dose-dependent manner (<0.05 or <0.01) and increased the protein and mRNA expressions of Bcl-2(<0.05 or <0.01). These results showed that EWAs had a significantly protective effect on hepatocyte apoptosis induced by ERS in L-02 cells. Its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, PERK, ATF4, eLF2α, CHOP and Bax, and the up-regulation, the relief of ERS and the promotion of the proliferation of impaired L-02 cells.

Protective effect of earthworm active ingredients against endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced acute liver injury in mice / 中国中药杂志

To study the protective effect of earthworm active ingredients(EWAs) against endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-induced acute liver injury in mice. The model of liver injury was induced through intraperitoneal injection of 10%CCl4. Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(ALT), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(AST), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) concentration were detected by colorimetric method. Histological examination was performed through hematoxylin-eosin staining and light microscopy, and apoptosis was detected using terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling. The expressions of ERS related proteins, including glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78), protein kinase R-like ER kinase(PERK), eukaryotic transcription initiation factor 2α(eIF2α), active transcription factor-4(ATF4) and CCAAT/enhancer binding homologous protein(CHOP), were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. According to the results, compared with the model group,serological indexes in the high, middle and low doses of EWAs were significantly improved (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the extent of liver lesion was decreased and the degree of injury was significantly reduced, and that the liver index and the spleen index of mice were significantly changed(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In liver tissue, the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP and its upstream signaling pathway PERK-eIF2-ATF4 were significantly decreased in each dose group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In summary, EWAs has a significant protective effect on ERS-induced acute liver injury, and its mechanism may be correlated with the inhibition of oxidative stress and ERS, and down-regulation of ERS marker protein CHOP expression, andinhibition of apoptosis.

Effect of Immune No. 2 on the immune reconstitution in patients with HIV/AIDS after highly active antiretroviral treatment: a randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the Immune No. 2 (2) on the immune reconstitution in patients with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed. 233 patients failing immune reconstitution after HAART were randomly divided into treatment group (116 cases) and control group (117 cases), respectively using Immune No. 2 plus HAART and placebo combined with HAART for 6 months. CD4, CD45RA, CD45RO cell numbers, as well as the symptoms, signs and integral improvement rates were observed in order to evaluate the immune reconstitution efficiency.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>after the intervention for 1 month, the effective rate of the treatment group (18.97%, 22/116) was significantly higher than that of the control group (9.40%, 11/117) (P=0.02); 3 months after treatment, the effective rate of the treatment group (27.59%, 32/116) was no difference from that of the control group (22.22%, 26/117) (P=0.31); 6 months after treatment, the effective rate of the treatment group (34.48%, 40/116) was significantly superior to the control group (21.37%, 25/117) (P=0.02). CD4, CD45RA, CD45RO count of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The total score of symptoms and signs in the treatment group was significantly lowered compared with the control group (P=0.02), and the improvement of fatigue, muscle and joint pain, pruritus and shortness of breath in the treatment group was better than the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Immune No. 2 can effectively improve the numbers of CD4 cells and its subgroups, as well as the main clinical symptoms and signs of patients after HAART, thereby promoting the immune reconstitution.</p>

Correlation study of HIV/AIDS abnormal immune activation and disease progression / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To learn the levels of immune function and immune activation of HIV/AIDS patients in China and find the correlation between the immune activation and CD4+ T lymphocyte and disease progression. And discuss the relevance of immune activation with HIV/AIDS pathogenesis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Two hundred and eighty seven cases of HIV/AIDS patients in different disease stages who never accept HAART before and 40 healthy HIV negative donors have been involved in the research. Their immune function and abnormal immune activation markers are detected by flow cytometry counts, and the immune activation markers include CD8 CD38+ T cells and CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cell. Compare the difference of abnormal immune activation between patients of various disease stages. And by Pearson correlation test analysis, the correlation between the immune activation levels and abnormal CD4+ T lymphocyte count and disease progression will be found.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The immune abnormal activation levels were significantly different between patients of different disease stages (P < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant negative correlation between peripheral blood CD4+ T cell counts and immune activation markers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Immune activation induced by HIV infection may lead to decreased CD4+ T cell count and disease progression.</p>

Intervention of immune 1 combined HAART on immune function in patients with HIV/AIDS reconstruction / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of combination of Immune 1 and HAART on the CD4+ T cell count and its immune reconstitution rate.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Two hundred and twenty eight HIV/AIDS patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, patients from treatment group received Immune 1 combined HAART therapy, patients from control group was given placebo combined HAART and evaluate the change of CD4+ T cell count and its immune reconstitution rate.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In patients with CD4+ T cells baseline level (200-350 cell x microL(-1)), Immune reconstitution rate of treatment group is significantly higher than the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Immune 1 combined HAART can effectively promote the immune reconstitution of patients with high CD4+ T cells baseline level(200-350 cell x microL(-1)) and show little side effect and is safe to treat HIV/AIDS disease.</p>

Applications of acupuncture in relieving AIDS-related symptoms / 中国中药杂志

AIDS is a serious threat to human health and has become a global public health problem. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can effectively reduce AIDS mortality rate, but has limitations in improving the patient's symptoms and improve quality of life. The literatures about the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on HIV/AIDS were reviewed. The symptoms of HIV/AIDS and the procedures of treatments were analyzed. The acupuncture intervention on HIV/AIDS was investigated. It showed that the acupuncture intervention may markedly improve the condition of HIV/AIDS. From a clinical point of view, we discussed the acupuncture treatment of AIDS-related symptoms, effectiveness and safety evaluation. It may contribute to build a comprehensive treatment system in which acupuncture is dominated for HIV/AIDS.