Therapeutic Effect of Modified Yinchenhao Tang on Cholestatic Liver Disease in Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To investigate the protective effect of modified Yinchenhao Tang on α-isothiocyanate(ANIT)-induced cholestatic liver disease (CSLD). Method::Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: blank control group, model control group, compound Glycyrrhizin capsules group(22.5, 45 mg·kg-1), modified Yinchenhao Tang low, middle and high dose groups(4.1, 8.1, 16.2 g·kg-1). A model of cholestatic liver injury was prepared by intragastric administration of ANIT (100 mg·kg-1). Glycyrrhizin capsules and modified Yinchenhao Tang were administered intragastrically on the second day of modeling for 4 consecutive days. And bile duct intubation was performed on the fifth day to measure the bile flow rate of the rats, and serum was taken to test the total bilirubin(TBIL), direct bilirubin(DBIL), indirect bilirubin(IBIL), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and total bile acid(TBA) serological indicators of each group. Pathological changes of liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression levels of G protein-coupled bile acid receptor(TGR5), nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3(NLRP3) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1) proteins in the iver tissues were detected by Western blot. Result::Compared with the blank control group, bile flow rate in the model group decreased significantly(P<0.01). TBIL, DBIL, IBIL, ALT and TBA level in serum were significantly increased(P<0.01), liver tissue lesions were severe, and significantly increased the expression of liver tissue TGR5 and Caspase-1.Compare with model group, the compound Glycyrrhizin capsules group had no significant effect on bile flow rate and TBIL, DBIL, IBIL, ALT and TBA level in serum. Bile flow rate increased and TBIL, DBIL, IBIL, ALT and TBA level in serum decreased significantly in modified Yinchenhao Tang high dose group. The compound Glycyrrhizin capsules group and modified Yinchenhao Tang group have different extents of improvement the pathological changes of the lung tissues, and the protein expression of TGR5 and Caspase-1 were significantly decreased in the liver tissue(P<0.01). Conclusion::Modified Yinchenhao Tang can effectively treat CSLD in rats, and its mechanism may be related to bile acid and bile acid receptor TGR5-mediated inflammatory factors.

Study on HPLC Fingerprint of Different Proportions of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix in Angelicae Sinensis Radix / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To establish HPLC analysis methods and fingerprint of different proportions of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix in Angelicae Sinensis Radix; To use HPLC fingerprint method to identify the adulteration of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix in Angelicae Sinensis Radix. Methods Agilent TC-C18 column (5 μm, 4.6 mm × 250 mm) was adopted. Acetonitrile (A) - 0.05% phosphoric acid (B) was the mobile phase, and the gradient elution (0–20 min, 95%–75%B; 20–60 min, 75%–65%B; 60–80 min, 65%–5%B) was used; The flowrate was 1 mL/min; Detection wavelength was 254 nm; Column temperature was 30 ℃. The HPLC spectra of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Angelicae Pubescentis Radix and adulterated samples were compared and analyzed by using TCM chromatogram fingerprint similarity evaluation system. Results Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Angelicae Pubescentis Radix showed good chromatographic peaks in chromatogram separation. 11 peaks in HPLC fingerprint could be used as the mark, including 7th peak for ferulic acid, 32th peak for osthole, and 34th peak for columbianadin. Conclusion This method is rapid, simple and feasible, can fully reflect the quality of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and clearly identify whether Angelicae Pubescentis Radix is adulterated in Angelicae Sinensis Radix.

Coronary microembolization induced myocardial contractile dysfunction and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expression partly inhibited by SB203580 through a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The microemboli produced during spontaneous plaque rupture and ulceration and during coronary intervention will reduce coronary reserve and cause cardiac dysfunction. It is though that inflammation caused by the microinfarction induced by the microembolization may play an essential role. It is known that the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in both infected and non-infected inflammation in myocardium may cause a contractile dysfunction. But the relation between the activation of p38 MAPK and microembolization is still unknown.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham group, coronary microembolization (CME) group and SB203580 group (n = 10 per group). CME rats were produced by injection of 42 µm microspheres into the left ventricle with occlusion of the ascending aorta. SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, was injected into the femoral vein after the injection of microspheres to make the SB203580 group. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined by echocardiography. The protein concentration of P38 MAPK in the myocardium was assessed by Western blotting. The relative expression of mRNA for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was assessed by the technique of semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction amplification.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>LVEF was depressed at three hours up to 12 hours in the CME group. Increased p38 MAPK activity and TNF-α mRNA expression were observed in the CME group. The administration of SB203580 partly inhibited p38 MAPK activity, but did not fully depress the TNF-α expression, and partly preserved cardiac contractile function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>p38 MAPK is significantly activated by CME and the inhibition of p38 MAPK can partly depress the TNF-α expression and preserve cardiac contractile function.</p>

Value of ligating the middle colic artery from the root in radical surgical treatment of right hemicolon cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the long-term outcome of ligating the middle colic artery in radical surgical treatment of right hemicolon cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The operation safety, complications and short-term outcome between two groups of patients undergone either ligating the middle colic artery from its root (A group) or ligating the middle colic artery from its right branch (B group) in right hemicolectomy for colon cancer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Between January 1981 and December 2004, 308 patients underwent radical right hemicolectomy in which 103 patients were treated by ligating the middle colic artery from its roots(Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2004, A group), and 205 patients via ligating the middle colic artery from the roots of its right branch(Jan. 1981 to Dec. 1995, B group). The complications were compared between the two groups(P>0.05). The mean follow-up time of A and B group were(50.1+/-7.2) months and(49.1+/-7.2) months respectively. Local recurrences of 1-year, 3-year and cumulative survival probability at the 60th month in group A were 1.9%, 13.6% and(78.3+/-3.4)% respectively, which were significantly better than 19.0%, 24.9% and(64.8+/-2.8)% in group B(P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ligating the middle colic artery from its root in right hemicolectomy can be performed safely and effectively, which is to be highly recommended in curative resection of right colon.</p>

Effect of clearing heat and removing dampness method on formation of pigment gallstones in rabbits / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe dynamically the effect of drugs for clearing heat and removing dampness (CHRD) on biliary components in rabbits with pigment gallstones (PGS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty rabbits were established into PGS model and randomly divided into 3 groups, the bacterial infection group, the CHRD low-dose group and the CHRD high-dose group. Besides, a normal group was set up with healthy rabbits for control. Changes of total bilirubin (TB), unconjugated bilirubin (UCB), total bile acid (TBA), Ca2+, bacterial and endogenous beta-glucuronidase (beta-Gase) in bile were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CHRD drugs significantly decreased the contents of UCB, Ca2+, bacterial and endogenous beta-Gase (P < 0.05), and increased TBA in bile (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CHRD drugs have good effect in reducing the lithogenesis of the pigment gallstones.</p>

Effects of choleretics on bile compositions drained from patients with pigment gallstone / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide evidence for three-level prevention of cholelithiasis by means of observing the effects of some choleretics on bile compositions drained from patients with pigment gallstone.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-seven patients suffering from primary pigment gallstones and having received treatment of choledochostomies plus T-tube or endoscopic nasal bile drainage (ENBD) were divided equally into three groups, and administered respectively with Lidanling (the LDL group), ursodesoxycholic acid (the UDA group) and combination of LDL and UDA (the LDL + UDA group) through oral intake (7 patients in each group). Besides, 6 post-operational patients got no treatment with any drug were allocated in the control group. Bile of all the patients was collected before treatment and on the 1, 3, 5, 7 th day after the treatment started to detect levels of total bile acid (TBA), glycocholic acid (GCA), taurocholic acid (TCA), glycocholic cheno-desoxycholic acid (GCDCA), total bilirubin (TBIL), uncombined bilirubin (UCB), concentration of calcium ion (Ca(2+)) as well as the bacterio-genetic and endogenous beta-glucuronidase activity for comparing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Levels of TBA, GCA, TCA and GCDCA got gradually increased in the UDA group and the LDL + UDA group after treatment (P < 0.05), while those in the LDL group remained unchanged, showing an insignificant difference as compared with those in the control group. In the LDL group and the LDL + UDA group, TBIL gradually increased while UCB gradually decreased in the course of treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, levels of Ca(2+) and endogenous beta-glucuronidase activity got significantly lowered (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined use of LDL and UDA could elevate levels of TBA, GCA, TCA, GCDCA, enhance the excretion of TBIL in patients with pigment gallstone after bile drainage, lower levels of UCB and Ca(2+) and the activity of endogenous beta-glucuronidase in the bile, so as to reduce the possibility of stone formation of bile, and therefore, it could be used to prevent the production of pigment gallstone, especially to prevent post-operative recurrence of stones.</p>

HBx gene facilitates the proliferation activity of hepatoma cells in vitro and in vivo / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of HBx gene on proliferation activity of hepatoma cells in vitro and in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The plasmid pHA-HBx carrying HBx gene was transfected into HepG(2) cells, and the positive clones were screened and identified with G418 and RT-PCR, respectively. The growth curve and population doubling time were calculated, and the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). The proliferation activity of transformed cells was measured with (3)H-TdR incorporation rate and nude mice model in vitro and in vivo.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The result of RT-PCR indicated that HBx gene was integrated into the genome DNA of HepG(2) cells and transcripted. The growth curve and population doubling time showed a high proliferation activity of transformed cells. The amount of cells at stage S and G(2)/M were significantly higher, and cells at stage G(0)/G(1) were lower than those in control group. The tumors developed from transfected cells grew much quicker than those developed from HepG(2) cells in nude mice model.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBx gene can facilitate the proliferation of hepatoma cells both in vitro and in vivo.</p>

Hepatitis B x protein activated vascular endothelial growth factor expression through hypoxia inducible factor-1 pathway / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether hepatitis B x protein (HBx) stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) through hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1 alpha) pathway.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two plasmids including pIRES-EGFP-HBx and pTK-Hyg were co-transfected to a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721. With fluorescence-positive and fluorescence-negative hygromycin-resistant colonies selected, expressions of VEGF and HIF-1 alpha in protein or/and mRNA level were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fluorescence-positive cells were stably integrated with HBx, in which expression of HIF-1 alpha and VEGF were upregulated. Fluorescence-negative cells did not express HBx, VEGF or HIF-1 alpha.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBx can activate VEGF through HIF-1 alpha pathway.</p>