Advances of Angiopoietin-Tie axis in vascular and lymphatic system-related diseases / 生物工程学报

Endothelial cells that form the inner layers of both blood and lymphatic vessels are important components of the vascular system and are involved in the pathogenesis of vascular and lymphatic diseases. Angiopoietin (Ang)-Tie axis in endothelial cells is the second endothelium-specific ligand-receptor signaling system necessary for embryonic cardiovascular and lymphatic development in addition to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor pathway. The Ang-Tie axis also maintains vascular homeostasis by regulating postnatal angiogenesis, vessel remodeling, vascular permeability, and inflammation. Therefore, the dysfunction of this system leads to many vascular and lymphatic diseases. In light of the recent advances on the role of the Ang-Tie axis in vascular and lymphatic system-related diseases, this review summarizes the functions of the Ang-Tie axis in inflammation-induced vascular permeability, vascular remodeling, ocular angiogenesis, shear stress response, atherosclerosis, tumor angiogenesis, and metastasis. Moreover, this review summarizes the relevant therapeutic antibodies, recombinant proteins, and small molecular drugs associated with the Ang-Tie axis.

Therapeutic application of adipose stem cell-free liquid extracts: Skin aging, wound healing, scar recovery and nerve regeneration / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Adipose stem cell-free liquid extracts include adipose stem cell conditioned medium, adipose stem cell exosomes, because they do not contain cells and have the advantages of being easy to carry, store, and transport, which has gradually become one of the most promising therapies currently. OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress in the therapeutic application of adipose stem cell-free liquid extracts. METHODS: The first author searched the CNKI, Wanfang and PubMed databases for relevant articles published from January 2005 to March 2020. The key words were “adipose stem cell, stromal cell and conditioned medium”, “adipose stem cell, stromal cell and exosomes” in Chinese, and “adipose stem cell, adipose stromal cell and conditioned medium” and “adipose stem cell, adipose stromal cell and exosomes” in English. Repetitive articles and those lacking of originality were eliminated. Totally 123 articles were searched initially, and 62 articles were included in result analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Adipose stem cell-free liquid extracts have broad therapeutic potential in a variety of disease areas, such as anti-aging, wound healing, scar recovery, and nerve regeneration. However, the specific mechanism of action is not very clear, and further research is needed.

Recent progress in developing of thrombolytic agents for ischemic stroke / 生物工程学报

Ischemic stroke is a major health crisis causing high mortality and morbidity. The key treatment relies on the rapid intervention to dissolve thrombus, to reduce bleeding side effect and re-canalize clotted blood vessels using clot lysis drugs. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only FDA-approved drug for ischemic stroke, but it has many limitations in clinical use. In recent years, the development of thrombolytic drugs and treatment strategies based on tPA has been progressed rapidly. Here we review the recent progress in this field, including the contributions from us and others, to promote the future development of novel thrombolytic drugs.

Colonization of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 In Mice Intestinal Tract / 肠外与肠内营养

Objective:Effect of gut microbiota on human health has become a hotspot in recent years with the emergence of new microbial technology.B.bifidum is a traditional probiotics and has been widely used in food and medicine.But the metabolism and function of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 has not been well documented.To investigate colonization and growth of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 in mice intestine,fecal B.bifidum concentrations were analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.Methods:Female C57BL/6 mice were orally gavaged with eigher a single dose of 1 × 109 CFU B.bifidum ATCC 29521 or continuous doses of 1 × 109/day for 3 weeks.Feces were collected at 0,2,4,6,8,10,12,16,20,24 h and at 10,7,14,21,24,28 d,respectively.Total DNA was isolated from the feces using the Qiagen DNA stool extraction kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.The linear standard curve was established by each dilution degrees of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 and their corresponding CT values.The curve equation was y =0.1835x + 9.0628 and R2 was 0.9994.The concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 in mice feces were calculated by substituted CT values obtained by RT-PCR into the curve equation.Results:The curves of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 concentration rose at first and then reduced gradually.In single dose group,the concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 began to increase at 4h after oral gavage,reaching its peak 6.0 × 107 CFU/g at 10h and then decreased gradually.The biggest drop occurred at the period between 12 h and 16 h after B.bifidum treatment.In successive administration group,the concentration rose at the highest rate in the first week when it achieved 2.0 × 107CFU/g and kept on inceasing to 1.0 × 108CFU/g in the next week.However,the concentration did not rose up significantly in the third week.It means that the concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 in mice intestine reached platform in the second week after oral gavage.The concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 significantly decreased at 24h and one week after B.bifidum treatment course in two group repectively and was still higher than baseline before oral gavage.Conclusion:Once the B.bifidum ATCC 29521 supplement was discontinued,the concentration fell down in short time.B.bifidum ATCC 29521 could not sustain colonization and growth in mice intestine without external supplement.It is necessary to provide daily supplemention for at least two weeks and to keep on in order to maintain sufficient concentration.

Evaluation of Protective Immune Response Induced by a DNA Vaccine Encoding GRA8 against Acute Toxoplasmosis in a Murine Model

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects most species of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The heavy incidence and severe or lethal damage caused by T. gondii infection clearly indicate a need for the development of an effective vaccine. T. gondii GRA8 is a member of the dense granules protein family and is used as a marker of acute infection. In the present study, we evaluated the protective immunity induced by DNA vaccination based on a recombinant eukaryotic plasmid, pDsRed2-GRA8, against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly immunized with the pDsRed2-GRA8 plasmid and then challenged by infection with the highly virulent GFP-RH strain of T. gondii. The specific immune responses and protective efficacy against T. gondii of this vaccine were analyzed by measuring cytokine and serum antibody titers, splenocyte proliferation assays, and the survival times of mice after challenge. Our results showed that mice immunized with pDsRed2-GRA8 demonstrated specific humoral and cellular responses, induced higher IgG antibody titers with predominant IgG2a production; increased levels of IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IFN-γ, TNF-α, and splenocyte proliferation; and prolonged survival times compared to those of control mice. The present study showed that DNA immunization with pDsRed2-GRA8 induced humoral and cellular immune responses, and all immunized mice showed greater Th1-type immune responses and longer survival times than those of control mice. These results indicated that T. gondii GRA8 DNA immunization induces a partial protective effect against acute toxoplasmosis.

Research on regulation mechanism of osteoclast differentiation / 中国骨伤

Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cell, which derived from mononuclear myeloid hematopoietic stem cells with the function of bone absorption. Osteoclasts plays a key role in bone metabolism, therefore the body is very strict to regulation of osteoclastogenesis. Mobilization and differentiation of osteoclast maturation is a complex and sophisticated multi-level regulatory processes. In the relevant regulatory mechanisms, OPG/RANKL/RANK system plays a pivotal role in the process of osteoclast differentiation and maturation. Recent studies revealed that immune cells and osteoclasts were closely connect with each other in the field of bone metabolism, also provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of bone diseases. The apoptosis of osteoclasts in bone metabolism have been payed more attention,while its mechanism is still not clear, which need further research.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic osteomyelitis / 中国骨伤

Chronic osteomyelitis is one of the most common disorder in clinic. In recent years due to diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and trauma induced disease increased, the prevalence rate increased. With the development of magnetic resonance imaging and CT imaging technology, it greatly improved the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of chronic osteomyclitis and ability to describe the infection characteristics, and provide a reliable basis for clinical treatment. The current research on chronic osteomyelitis mainly concentrated on the aspects of imaging applications and ways of using antibiotic optimization control inflammation, defect restoration and reconstruction of blood supply and treatment. But the best time to the antibiotic therapy and the use of program is still uncertain, for after debridement, bone grafting time and defect repair function of fast recovery still need further research.

Experimental study on preventive effect of Yougui drink on femoral head necrosis in rats under micro CT / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the preventive effect of Yougui drink on femoral head necrosis in rats under micro CT.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five SD rats were divided into steroid hormone group (group A, 10 rats ), Yougui drink group (group B,10 rats) and normal group (group C,5 rats)with random number table. Endotoxin were injected into abdominal cavity of rats in group A and B for 2 days, methylprednisolone sodium succinate were injected by gluteus for twice a week continued for 6 weeks; group B were gavaged by Yougui drink (veryday for 8 weeks; group C did not do any processing. All rats were killed on the 10th weeks,m icro CT were used to scan femoral head in vitro and preventive effect of Yougui drink (n femoral head necrosis in rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was statistical significance in BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb, Th, Thb, Sp, BS/TV and DA but no significance in SMI between group A and B. Comparison between A and C, there was significant meaning in BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb, Th, Tb, Sp, BS/TV, DA and SMI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yougui drink on femoral head necrosis in rats under micro CT has preventive effect from BMD BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb, Th, Tb, Sp, BS/TV and DA.</p>

Research on Safety of Hospital Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to provide a reference for the development, registration, and clinical use of hospital traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations, in order to analyze and assess their safety and risk. It also provided a reference for the technical review and supervision of hospital TCM preparations. Through collecting review materials of hospital TCM preparations from 2012 to 2014 in the Sichuan Food and Drug Administration, 21 preparations developed by clinical experiences were screened out. Analysis was made on their ingredients, preparation process and acute toxicity data. The results showed that 98 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines were contained in 21 preparations. The dosages of herbs were in compliance with theChina Pharmacopoeia2010 Edition. Preparation processes of 16 preparations were made by water extraction, grinding and other traditional techniques. The preparation processes of the remaining 5 preparations were involved with alcohol extraction or alcohol precipitation. Acute toxicity test data were obtained with experimental data in mice. Clinical usages of preparation were much lower than MTD or LD50. It was concluded that these hospital TCM preparations developed by clinical experiences were with high safety.

Farnesoid-X-receptor blockade reduces myocardial reperfusion injury in cholesterol-fed apolipoprotein E knockout mice / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) antagonist Z-guggulsterone in an in vivo high-fat fed apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male ApoE(-/-) mice were randomly divided into three groups: standard ApoE(-/-) group (fed with standard mouse diet for 12 weeks before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 18), high-fat ApoE(-/-) group (fed with high-fat mouse diet for 12 weeks before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 22), and high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group(fed with high-fat mouse diet for 12 weeks and received FXR antagonist Z-Guggulsterone 30 minutes before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 17). The expression of FXR was detected by real-time quantitative-PCR. Myocardial infarct size was determined by Evans blue/TTC double staining methods. Myocardial apoptosis was determined by in situ TUNEL technique. Markers of the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway (cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activity, and BAX and BCL-2 levels), endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptotic pathway (caspase-12 activity and CHOP level), and death receptor apoptotic pathway (caspase-8 activity, and Fas and FasL levels) were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>FXR expression (3.7-fold higher, P < 0.01), myocardial infarct size [(62.1 ± 7.0)% vs. (33.8 ± 5.8)%, P < 0.01] and myocardial apoptosis index[ (36.8 ± 5.7)% vs. (17.2 ± 3.8)%, P < 0.01]were all significantly higher in high-fat ApoE(-/-) group than those in standard ApoE(-/-) group. Compared with high-fat ApoE(-/-) group, myocardial infarct size [(24.4 ± 4.7)% vs. (62.1 ± 7.0)%, P < 0.01] and myocardial apoptosis index [(13.8 ± 2.7)% vs. (36.8 ± 5.7)%, P < 0.01] were significantly reduced in high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group. Moreover, levels of mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway markers (cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activity, and BAX/BCL-2 levels) and endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptotic pathway markers (caspase-12 activity and CHOP level) were significantly lower in high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group than those in high-fat ApoE(-/-) group (all P < 0.01). Levels of death receptor apoptotic pathway markers (caspase-8 activity, and Fas and FasL levels) were similar between high-fat ApoE(-/-) group and high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FXR antagonist alleviates myocardial reperfusion injury in cholesterol-fed ApoE(-/-) mice via inhibition of the mitochondrial-mediated and endoplasmic-reticulum stress pathway.</p>

Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on hippocampal p-Akt and caspase-9 expressions in rats with status epilepticus and the mechanism / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhuEPO) on p-Akt and caspase-9 expressions in the hippocampus of rats with status epilepticus (SE) and explore the neuroprotective mechanism of rhuEPO.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adult male SD rats were randomized into control, PTZ, rHuEPO, LY294002 group, and DMSO groups and treated with normal saline (NS), PTZ, PTZ+rHuEPO, PTZ+LY294002+rHuEPO, and PTZ+DMSO+rHuEPO, respectively. The behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes of the rats were recorded, and the expressions of p-Akt and caspase-9 were detected using immunohistochemistry. The hippocampal expression of caspase-9 mRNA was detected using RT-PCR, and the expressions of Akt and p-Akt proteins were determined with Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The p-Akt-positive cell and p-Akt protein expression increased significantly while the caspase-9-positive cell and caspase-9 mRNA expression decreased in rHuEPO group as compared with those in PTZ group (P<0.05). LY294002 treatment prior to rHuEPO injection significantly abolished the effects of rHuEPO on caspase-9 and p-Akt immunohistochemical positivity and caspase-9 mRNA and p-Akt protein expressions (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Administration of rHuEPO activates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in SE rats and increases the expression of p-Akt protein to regulate the expression of caspase-9, a regulatory factor of the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway, and therefore provides anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects.</p>

Research of PSC (Phenomenon of the Propagated Sensation along Channels), Locations and Clinical Effects of the Meridian Point in Japan and China / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The Research Committee for the Meridian Point held its third workshop at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Kyoto. Evaluations and reports were presented on two topics.<BR><BR>The first topic:Study of PSC in Japan and China.<BR> 1) Literature search on PSC in China (Wang):A literature search on major studies on PSC in China since 1979 was conducted. The report introduces the definition, characteristics and the mechanism of PSC development together with meridian phenomena.<BR><BR> 2) PSC in reference to the ryodoraku (Morikawa):Development of the reactive ryodo point in patients under hemodialysis or those who have had a total gastrectomy and the cases in which reactive ryodo points or needle sensation developed when specific regions were stimulated were reported. The relationship between reactive ryodo points and PSC was examined. <BR><BR> 3) The mechanism by which PSC develops (Yamada):Neurotransmitter substances are released from sensory nerve endings during acupuncture stimulation. Absorbed by lymphatic vessels, these substances stimulate the smooth muscle of these vessels, thus causing the PSC. Based on factors such as transmission velocity and inhibitory factors, the mechanism by which PSC develops was investigated.<BR><BR>The second topic:Specific locations of meridian points and clinical effects of the meridian point.<BR> 1) Anatomical regions for GB 30 huantiao (Ozaki and Matsuoka):In establishing the international standard for the meridian points under the guidance of WHO, both Chinese and Japanese proposals were listed for GB 30. The clinical effects-presumably emanating from the subcutaneous structure when acupuncture stimuli are applied to these points in a direction perpendicular to the body surface-were comparatively evaluated. <BR><BR> 2) Transition in the regions and main effects of GB 30 (Sakaguchi):As stated above, both Japanese and Chinese definitions were cited in establishing the international standard for GB 30 under the guidance of WHO. By quoting the classic literature from China and Japan, changes in the regions and main effects of GB 30 were comparatively evaluated.

An Anatomical and Clinical Examination of Meridian and Meridian Point / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Six members of the Research Committee for the Meridian Point (former Committee for the Meridian Point) reported on three themes regarding meridian and acupuncture point at Workshop II of the 54th Science Rally of The Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion held in Fukuoka.<BR>1st theme : Anatomical examination of the meridian and meridian point.<BR>1) Anatomic structure showing path and meridian running. (Kenji Matsuoka) : Similarity of meridian pathway and course of nerve and blood vessels in cadaver.<BR>2) Gross anatomical study of meridian and acupuncture point in upper limbs (Kansho Yamada) : Doctoral study of Katsuyosi Toyoda, former Nagoya City University School of Medicine researcher and Yamada's study (Relation between running of meridian & acupuncture point and subdermal nerve & blood vessels) were reported.<BR>2nd theme : Study of acupuncture safety depth in Japan and China.<BR>1) Research and progress situation of acupuncture safety depth in China. (WANG Cai Yuan) : Data of Yan Zhenguo, professor of anatomy at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, an authority on the study of acupuncture safety depth and progress situation of recent study of acupuncture safety depth in China.<BR>2) Retrospective study of acupuncture safety depth (Tomofumi Ozaki) : Study of acupuncture safety depth published by Ozaki to date and comparative study alongside Prof. Yan Zhenguo data.<BR>3rd theme : Examination of clinical effect of a few meridian points.<BR>1) Acupuncture clinical effect using a few meridian points (Syunji Sakaguchi) : Paper research and analysis of acupuncture clinical effects using 1-4 meridian points of Japana Centra Revuo Medicina.<BR>2) Inflence on skin energizing current by various acupuncture stimulation of LI4 (Gokoku) (Kazuhiro Morikawa) : Influence on the amount of skin energizing current by acupuncture stimulation, direct current electricity stimulation and stimulation of electroacupuncture to LI4.

Protective effect of a bacterial extract against acute exacerbation in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Immunostimulating agents made from bacterial extracts represent a class of medications that contains antigens derived from several bacterial strains and their potential ability to prevent bacterial infections results from the stimulation of the nonspecific component of the immune system. The present study investigated the effect of the oral immunostimulant Broncho-Vaxom, which includes material from eight different species of bacteria that are frequently present in the lower respiratory tract, on the frequency and severity of acute exacerbation in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety patients with chronic bronchitis complicated with COPD were randomly divided into groups A and B. Forty-nine subjects in group A received oral capsules containing 7 mg Broncho-Vaxom, while 41 patients in group B received similar placebo capsules. Both groups took one capsule daily for the first 10 days of each month for 3 consecutive months. The frequency of acute exacerbation, symptom scores, and lung function were recorded for the following one year period.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant decrease in the incidence, duration, and severity of acute exacerbation, as well as a reduction in the course of antibiotics administered and in the dosage of bronchodilator and mucolytic agent in group A, as compared to group B (P < 0.05, respectively). Symptom scores for cough, sputum, dyspnea, as well as symptoms observed upon auscultation of the chest also improved significantly in group A as compared to group B (P < 0.05, respectively). The bacterial clearance rate in sputum cultures from patients who received no antibiotics for the first 3 months was also significantly higher in group A compared to group B (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Orally administered Broncho-Vaxom is associated with a decrease in the incidence of acute exacerbation and a decrease in the need for antibiotics and symptomatic relief medications in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by COPD. Broncho-Vaxom is also associated with a decrease in symptom scores. Without causing any apparent adverse effects, this drug may also help to eradicate pathogenic bacteria in the airways.</p>

Overexpression of Penicillium expansum lipase gene in Pichia pastoris / 生物工程学报

The alkaline lipase gene of Penicillium expansum (PEL) was coloned into the yeast integrative plasmid pPIC3.5K, which was then transformed into His4 mutant yeast GS115. Recombinant Pichia strains were obtained by minimal olive oil-methanol plates screening and confirmed by PCR. The expression producus of PEL gene was analysis by SDS-PAGE and olive oil plate, the result indicated that PEL gene was functionally overexpressed in Pichia pastoris and up to 95% of the secreted protein. Recombinant lipase had a molecular mass of 28kD, showing a range similar to that of PEL, could hydrolyze olive oil and formed clear halos in the olive oil plates. Four different strategies (different media, pH, glycerol and methanol concentration) were applied to optimize the cultivation conditions, the activity of lipase was up to 260 u/mL under the optimal cultivation conditions. It is pointed out that the absence of the expensive biotin and yeast nitrogen base in the medium increased the lipase production. The possible reason of this result is absence of yeast nitrogen base increased the medium pH during cultivation, and PEL shows a higher stability at this condition. The lipase activity of the supernatant from the culture grown at pH 7 was higher than the one from the culture in the same medium at pH 6.0 is due to the pH stability of PEL too. The results also showed that the methanol and glycerol concentration had a marked effect on the production of lipase.

Measuring the length of the proportional units(PU) of lower limb and analyzing the relationship / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Measuring the length of the proportional units of the lower limb and analyzing their interrelations showed that between genders there were significant differences in a length of one can of perpendicular proportional unit for various regions of the lower limb; within the same gender, there were different results in comparing the lengths of one of perpendicular proportional unit among various regions of the lower limb.

Measuring the length of the proportional units of different truncal parts and analyzing the relationship / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Measuring the length of the proportional units (PU) of different truncal parts in males and females and analyzing the relationship between these measurements showed that there was nosignificant gender difference in the length of one cun respectively for the perpendicular proportional units (PPU) of prothorax, epigastrium and flank but there were significant differences in the PPU of the hypogastrium, lateral thorax and hypochondrium and the horizontal proportional unit (HPU) of the back; within the same gender, there was no significant difference in the length ofone cun between the PPU of the prothorax and that of epigastrium and no significant difference betweenthe PPU of the flank and the HPU of the intermammillary region in males but there was a significant difference between PU of other parts.

Expermental study on regulation of phagocytosis of the neutrophil by applying acupuncture and ginger-seperated-moxibustion on Zusanli (St-36)) in the aged rats / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

In this study, chemiluminescence technique was employed to compare the effect of tonifilyneedling and ginger-seperated moxibustion on Zusanli in regulating the phagocytosis of the neutrophil in the aged rats. As a result, both methods were proved to be able to elevate the phagocytosis and anti-bacteria effect of the neutrophil, and the later method was found more remarkable. So it concluded that acupuncture and moxibustion are both the effective ways in anti-aging and health-protection.

Safe Needling Depth for Potentially Dangerous Acupoints in the Head and Neck / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Fifty-one fresh adult cadavers (male 21, female 30) were randomly selected. The required acupoints were localized and then the cadavers were frozen for anatomical dissection. Distance between the shallow point on the skin and the dangerous zones were measured after the cavaders were unfrozen. Data were analyzed statistically. The results showed that safe needling depths for Fengfu, Yamen, Fengchi and Jingming were 40.08mm, 38.10mm, 39.70mm and 34.25mm, respectively

Effect of Tonifying Kidney using Chinese Medicine(Guzhen Recipe) to Retard Aging of the Hippocampus and Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal-Thymic(HPAT) Axis in Senile Rat / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

According to the TCM theory, human growth, development and aging are closely related to kidney function and the main cause of human senility is deficiency of “kidney essence”. Recent studies showed that the “kidney” in TOM include the regulatory function of the neuroendocrine and immune systems.<BR>In this paper, the effect of Guzhen Recipe (_??__??__??_), an aging retarding prescription composed of kidney tonifying herbs such as Radix Polygoni Multiflori (_??__??_), Herba Cistanchis (_??__??_) Rubus Chiagii (_??__??__??_) etc. on the hippocampus and HPAT axis in senile rats were observed. The results showed : (1) With age the number of glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) in the hippocampus, the concentrations of NE, DA, 5-HT in the hypothalamus were markedly decreased, while the plasma corticosterone concentration in senile rats was obviously increased. (2) The thymocyte GCR nuclear transition rate was increased significantly ; (3) The contents of cytoplasmic protein, nuclear RNA and DNA, the thymus weight/body weight ratio, the serum thymic factors as well asthe rate of lymphocyte transformation, the activity of IL-2 and NK cells in senile rats were obviously decreased compared to those of young control rats. Guzhen recipe however, was capable of improving these changes in the neuroendocrine-thymic net work in senile rats to varying degrees, suggesting that the kidney with Chinese Medicine might retard the functional degeneration of thymic endocrine partly by improving the feedback regulation of the hippocampal GCR and increasing the concentrations of NE and 5-HT of hypothalamus, thus decreasing the plasma corticosterone ; Simultaneously weakening the nuclear transition rate of thymocyte GCR, which in turn improving the immune function of the senile animal.<BR>We concluded that Guzhen Recipe may retard the functional degeneration of both the hypo-thalamuspituitary-gornadal-thymic and hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroidal-thymic axis. All the above results revealed that retarding the aging effect using TCM in volves multiple-leves, multiple-systems and links. Using holistic regulation, imbalance links in aging process are modulated and the equilibrium of Yin and Yang are maintained. This is an important characteristic of the TCM to retard aging.<BR>This research was supported by funds from National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 38970908.