Effect of different parts of Pinelliae Rhizoma Decoction against airway inflammation and analysis of effective components / 中国中药杂志

This study investigated the material basis and mechanism of Pinelliae Rhizoma Decoction in the treatment of airway inflammation. The cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was used to induce an airway inflammation model in mice. The expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) and the phosphorylation levels of p38 and IκB in the lungs of mice were taken as indexes to screen the effective extracts by system solvent extraction from Pinelliae Rhizoma Decoction(dichloromethane extract, ethyl acetate extract, n-butanol extract, etc.). Meanwhile, the human bronchial epithelial(16-HBE) cell model of cigarette smoke extract(CSE)-induced injury was established, and the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 and the phosphorylation levels of p38 and IκB proteins were also taken as indexes to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of different extracts of Pinelliae Rhizoma Decoction. The results showed that Pinelliae Rhizoma Decoction significantly antagonized airway inflammation in mice by down-regulating the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in mice with airway inflammation and 16-HBE cells with CSE-induced injury and inhibiting the phosphorylation levels of p38 and IκB. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of Pinelliae Rhizoma Decoction showed significant anti-inflammatory effects, while such effects of other extracts were not prominent. Furthermore, the database of Pinelliae Rhizoma composition was constructed, and the components in effective extracts were analyzed by HPLC-TOF-MS and Nano-LC-MS/MS. As revealed by the results, the compositions of the two effective extracts were similar with 36 common components. They were combined and then divided into Pinelliae Rhizoma alkaloids(PTAs) and Pinelliae Rhizoma non-alkaloids(PTNAs) by 732 cation-exchange resin. Further in vitro investigation confirmed the significant anti-inflammatory effect of PTNAs, while such effect of PTAs was not manifest. The MS analysis showed 172 peptides and 7 organic acids in PTNAs. The peptide content in PTNAs was 63.5% measured by quantitative analysis of BCA assay, and the organic acid content was 9.92% by potentiometric titration method. The findings of this study suggested that Pinelliae Rhizoma Decoction could antagonize airway inflammation in mice by inhibiting phosphorylation of p38 and IκB and blocking the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, and the effective components were related to the peptides and organic acids in PTNAs. The above results lay a foundation for the research on the mechanism and material basis of Pinelliae Rhizoma in antagonizing airway inflammation.

Efficacy and safety of alirocumab versus ezetimibe in high cardiovascular risk Chinese patients with hyperlipidemia: ODYSSEY EAST Study-Chinese sub-population analysis / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety profile of alirocumab (PCSK9 inhibitor) versus ezetimibe on top of maximally tolerated statin dose in high cardiovascular risk Chinese patients with hyperlipidemia. Methods: The ODYSSEY EAST study was a randomized, double-blinded, double dummy, active-control, parallel group, multi-centers clinical trial, the Chinese sub-population included 456 patients with hyperlipidemia and high cardiovascular risk on maximally tolerated statin dose. Patients were randomized (2∶1) to receive the subcutaneous injection of alirocumab (75 mg Q2W; with dose up titration to 150 mg Q2W at week 12 if low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was ≥1.81 mmol/L at week 8) or the oral administration of ezetimibe (10 mg daily) for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was percentage change in calculated LDL-C from baseline to week 24. Key secondary efficacy endpoints included percentage change from baseline to week 12 or 24 in LDL-C (week 12) and other lipid parameters, including apolipoprotein (Apo) B, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), TC, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), HDL-C, fasting triglycerides (TG), and Apo A1, and the proportion of patients reaching LDL-C<1.81 mmol/L at week 24. Safety profile of therapeutic drugs was also assessed during the treatment period. Results: The mean age of 456 Chinese patients was (59.5±10.9) years, 341(74.8%) patients were male, 303 patients (66.4%) in alirocumab group and 153 patients (33.5%) in ezetimibe group. Demographic characteristics, disease characteristics, and lipid parameters at baseline were similar between the two groups. LDL-C was reduced more from baseline to week 12 and 24 in alirocumab group versus ezetimibe group, the difference of their least-squares mean (standard error) percent change were(-35.2±2.2)% and (-36.9±2.5)% (both P<0.001). At 12 weeks, alirocumab had significant reduction on Lp(a), Apo B, total cholesterol and non HDL-C, the difference of their least-squares mean (standard error) percent change were (-40.3±2.8)%, (-27.7±1.8)%, (-19.6±1.5)% and (-27.7±1.9)%, respectively (all P<0.001). At 24 weeks, the percent of patients who reached LDL-C<1.81 mmol/L and LDL-C<1.42 mmol/L was significantly higher in alirocumab group (85.3% and 70.5%) than in ezetimibe group (42.2% and 17.0%, both P<0.001), and alirocumab use was also associated with significant reduction on Lp(a), Apo B, total cholesterol and non HDL-C, the difference of their least-squares mean (standard error) percent change were (-37.2±2.8)%, (-29.1±2.0)%, (-21.6±1.6)% and (-29.6±2.2)%, respectively (all P<0.001). The incidence of treatment related adverse events was similar between the two treatment groups (223/302 patients (73.8%) in alirocumab group and 109/153 patients (71.2%) in ezetimibe group). Respiratory infection, urinary infection, dizziness and local injection-site reactions were the most frequently reported adverse events. Conclusions: In high cardiovascular risk patients with hyperlipidemia from China on maximally tolerated statin dose, the reduction of LDL-C induced by alirocumab is more significant than that induced by ezetimibe. Both treatments were generally safe during the observation period of study.

NumericaI simuIation anaIysis of the internaI fIow fieId of a 3D bioIogicaI printhead based on FLUENT / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: With the development of 3D printing technology, organ and tissue construction can be achieved by constructing a three-dimensional scaffold that is conducive to cell growth. OBJECTIVE: To solve the scaffold over-accumulation during 3D printing.METHODS: Fluent, a finite element analysis software developed by ANSYS Company in the United States, was used to analyze the extrusion process of print heads and to obtain suitable viscosity and extrusion pressure of materials for the 3D printing of cellulose gel composites. We then compared simulation results with experimental results. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The error between simulation results and experimental results was less than 5%. The simulated values at a kinetic viscosity of 45 and a pressure of 0.10-0.12 MPa solved the phenomenon of over-accumulation of cellulose gel composites during the 3D printing process, ensuring enough space for the 3D printed scaffold.

Research progress and application in fingerprint technology on Chinese materia medica / 中草药

Chinese materia medica (CMM) fingerprint technology is an effective method to evaluate pros and cons, identify the authenticity, distinguish species, and ensure consistency and stability of CMM. With the development of modern analytical technology, CMM fingerprint technology is widely used and approved in the study of effective component, quality control, and identification of Chinese medicine. The related references of biological fingerprint of CMM and chemical fingerprint of CMM (including IR, UV, NMR, electro-chemical method, TLC, HPLC, GC, and CEP) and data calculation methods in the three years has been summarized in this article. Meanwhile, the direction and prospect of the CMM fingerprint technology are discussed.

Effects of Radix Astragali on IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and antigen expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with Graves disease / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Radix Astragali on serum cytokines IL-1beta, TNFalpha and antigen expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with Graves disease (GD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty GD patients at their first visit were randomly assigned to the methimazole (MMI) group (Group A) and the MMI combined Radix Astragali group (Group B), 40 in each. The improvement of clinical symptoms and thyroid functions were observed after one-month treatment. The serum IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in the peripheral blood were determined using radioimmunoassay. The expression levels of surface antigen CD80, CD54, and HLA-DR of PBMCs were detected using flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The improvement of the thyroid gland function was similar in the two groups. There was no obvious change in the levels of autoantibody TGAb or TPOAb of the two groups. Symptoms such as fear of heat, hidrosis, palpitation, and so on were more obviously improved in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.05). The serum IL-betaP, TNFalphaa, CD00 levels in the peripheral blood were all improved in the two groups after treatment when compared with before treatment ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). But the serum levels of IL-beta and TNFalpha decreased more obviously in Group B than in Group A ( P < 0.05). The expression of CD54 decreased more obviously in Group B (P < 0.01), showing statistical difference when compared with Group A at the same time point (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radix Astragali could significantly relieve the clinical symptoms such as hidrosis and palpitation, regulate the immune function of GD patients, playing an important role in the adjuvant therapy for GD.</p>

Study on the effect and mechanism of ascorbic acid on renal podocytes in diabetes / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect and mechanism of ascorbic acid on podocyte, last barrier of glomerular filtration, in diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin injection intraperitoneally were treated by ascorbic acid for 5 weeks. The levels of blood glucose (BG), HbA1c, urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and superoxide diamutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal cortex were measured. The podocyte ultrastructure was observed while the expression of desmin protein, a marker of podocyte injury, was examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control group, BG and HbA1c were increased markedly in diabetic group. The activities of SOD and CAT were decreased and the concentrations of MDA were increased significantly in diabetic renal cortex. There were the increased proteinic expression of desmin, foot process effacement in podocytes and UAER markedly in diabetic rats. Compared with diabetic rats, foot process effacement and the changes of UAER were ameliorated markedly while the activities of SOD were increased, the levels of MDA and proteinic expression of desmin were decreased markedly although BG, HbA1c and the activities of CAT were no significant difference in the diabetic rats by ascorbic acid treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The findings suggest that there are marked injury in podocyte, last barrier of glomerular filtration, in diabetic rats and administration of ascorbic acid can protect podocyte by increasing antioxidative capacity and ameliorating the renal oxidative stress.</p>