Effects and mechanism of Morus alba L. (Sangzhi) alkaloids combined with metformin on glucose metabolism in diabetic KKAy mice / 药学学报

To investigate the effects and mechanism of the combination of Morus alba L. (Sangzhi) alkaloids(SZ-A) and metformin (Met) on glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice, KKAy mice were divided into four groups according to the glucose and lipid indexes: control group (control), Morus alba L. (Sangzhi) alkaloids group (SZ-A, 100 mg·kg-1), metformin group (Met, 100 mg·kg-1) and combined administration group (combination, Comb, 100 mg·kg-1 SZ-A + 100 mg·kg-1 Met). All groups were administered by gavage once daily for 7 weeks accompanied with monitoring food intake, water intake, body weight as well as glycemia. Additionally, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT) and oral sodium pyruvate tolerance test (OPTT) were performed at week 2, week 5, week 6, respectively. The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (00004332). We determined the weight and lipid content of liver, and then performed the histopathological analysis after sacrificed. Furthermore, Western blot assay was used to detect the protein levels of key molecules of PI3K/PDK1/Akt/GLUT signaling pathway in liver, muscle and adipose tissue. Compared to the SZ-A or Met monotherapy group, SZ-A + Met significantly improved the glucose metabolism disorder, which was showed in reduced food intake, water intake, the level of fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of KKAy mice, as well as improved glucose tolerance, enhanced insulin sensitivity and inhibited gluconeogenesis. In addition, SZ-A + Met obviously up-regulated the protein expression levels in PI3K/PDK1/Akt/GLUT signaling pathway in liver, muscle and adipose tissue of KKAy mice. Moreover, the liver lipid accumulation and blood aminotransferase level of KKAy mice in the combined administration group were significantly reduced. Therefore, we concluded that the combination of SZ-A and Met improved glucose metabolism and inhibited the occurrence and development of T2DM via promoting glucose uptake and utilization, suggesting that the combination of SZ-A and Met is a more useful treatment for T2DM.

The function and drug development progress of free fatty acid receptor 1 in chronic inflammatory diseases / 药学学报

As a member of G protein coupled-receptors superfamily, free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1), is also known as GPR40, has been shown to regulate numerous pathophysiological processes in a variety of tissues and organs. The activated FFAR1 has a variety of biological functions. For instance, it can not only regulate metabolism of fatty acids and glucose, but also play an important role in immune inflammatory response, it may be a potential drug target for the treatment of various chronic inflammatory diseases. In this review, we focus on the recent researches of FFAR1's action in the regulation of pathophysiological processes, its molecular mechanism and new agonists development. At the same time, this review will take the discovery of series FFAR1 agonists as examples, and display the applied prospects of FFAR1.

Relationship Between Peripheral Blood Eosinophil Level and Acute Myocardial Infarction Combining Helicobacter Pylori Infection / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To study the relationship betweenperipheral blood eosinophil(EOS) level and acute myocardial infarction(AMI) combining helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, to compare EOS level in Hp(+) and Hp(-) AMI patients with the possible mechanism. Methods: A total of 662 patients with coronary heart disease(CHD) admitted in our hospital from 2015-09 to 2016-05 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups: AMI group, n=269 and Stable angina pectoris(SAP) group, n=393; according to 13C breath test, the patients were divided into another set of 2 groups: Hp(+) group, Hp infection value≥4.0, n=276 and Hp(-) group, Hp infection value<4.0, n=386. Clinical data was collected, EOS levels were compared between Hp(+) and Hp(-) AMI patients; relationship between EOS level and high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) level was analyzed in Hp(+) AMI patients. Results: Compared with SAP group, AMI group had the higher rate of Hp(+) as 46.5%vs38.4%, P=0.024. In Hp(+) group, compared with SAP patients, AMI patients had the lower EOS level and higher hs-CRP level, all P<0.000. In Hp(+) AMI patients, EOS level was negatively related to hs-CRP(r=-0.202, P<0.05). Conclusion:Hp(+) AMI patients had decreased peripheral blood EOS and increased hs-CRP, it implied that Hp(+) may aggravate the inflammatory response in AMI patients and therefore, affect EOS which could play an important role in thrombus formation.

Impacts of acupuncture at twelve meridians acupoints on brain waves of patients with general anxiety disorder / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at twelve meridians acupoints on general anxiety disorder and explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty patients were randomized into an acupuncture group and a clonazepam group, 40 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture at twelve meridians acupoints was applied, meaning quick needling at the specific acupoints of each meridian, such as Lieque (LU 7) of the Lung Meridian, Hegu (LI 4) of the Large Intestine Meridian and Shenmen (HT 7) of the Heart Meridian. After arrival of qi, the reinforcing or reducing technique was applied accordingly and the needles were not retained. In the clonazepam group, clonazepam was prescribed for oral administration. The course of treatment was 6 weeks. Before treatment and in 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, respectively, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) was evaluated in two groups and the changes in the basic electrical activity of brain waves before and after treatment were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HAMA score was reduced apparently after treatment as compared with that before treatment in two groups (all P < 0.01). The improvements of the total HAMA scores in 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment in the acupuncture group were superior obviously to those in the clonazepam group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, the activity of brain waves was improved remarkably, manifested as reducing of wave a frequency, increasing of wave alpha rhythm and reducing of wave theta (all P < 0.05). The efficacy was similar in comparison between the two groups (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at the twelve meridians acupoints achieves the superior and quick effect on general anxiety disorder as compared with clonazepam and the efficacy mechanism is related to the improvements of brain waves in the patients.</p>

Initial experience of percutaneous coronary intervention guided by computed tomography coronary angiography derived roadmap and magnetic navigation system / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)guided by computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography derived roadmap and magnetic navigation system (MNS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>During June 2011 and May 2012, thirty consecutive patients receiving elective PCI were enrolled, coronary artery disease was primarily diagnosed by dual-source CT coronary angiography (DSCT-CA) at outpatient clinic and successively proved by coronary artery angiography in the hospital. Target vessels from pre-procedure DSCT-CA were transferred to the magnetic navigation system, and consequently edited, reconstructed, and projected onto the live fluoroscopic screen as roadmap. Parameters including characters of the target lesions, time, contrast volume, radiation dosage for guidewire crossing, and complications of the procedure were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty patients with 36 lesions were recruited and intervened by PCI. Among the target lesions, sixteen were classified as type A, 11 as type B1, 8 as type B2, 1 as type C. The average length of the target lesions was (22.0 ± 9.8) mm, and the average stenosis of the target lesions was (81.3 ± 10.3)%. Under the guidance of CT roadmap and MNS, 36 target lesions were crossed by the magnetic guidewires, with a lesion crossing ratio of 100%. The time of placement of the magnetic guidewires was 92.5 (56.6 - 131.3) seconds. The contrast volume and the radiation dosage for guidewire placement were 0.0 (0.0 - 3.0) ml and 235.0 (123.5 - 395.1) µGym(2)/36.5 (21.3 - 67.8) mGy, respectively. Guidewires were successfully placed in 21 (58.3%) lesions without contrast agent. All enrolled vessels were successfully treated, and there were no MNS associated complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is feasible, effective and safe to initiate PCI under the guidance of CT derived roadmap and MNS. This method might be helpful for the guidewire placement in the treatment of total occlusions.</p>

Changes in tight junction protein expression and permeability of colon mucosa in rats with dextran sulfate sodium-induced inflammatory bowel disease / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop an experimental rat model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and to observe changes in the tight junction protein expression and permeability of colon mucosa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control (n=27) and IBD model groups (n=27). In the IBD model group, IBD was induced by 6-day administration of 3% DSS in water followed by 14-day administration of water only. The control group was fed with water only. Pathological changes in colon mucosae were observed on days 7, 14 and 21 after DSS administration. Colon tissue specimens were collected on day 21 for measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The transepithelial electric resistance (TEER), transepithelial potential difference (TEPD) and short circuit current (Isc) of the specimens were measured by Ussing chamber. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression of tight junction proteins in colon epithelia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the IBD model group, diarrhea, hemafecia and weight loss were seen. Inflammation occurred mainly in the distal colon and was characterized by crypt abscess and inflammatory cell infiltration. The IBD model group showed significantly increased MPO activity (P<0.01), significantly decreased TEER (P<0.01) and TEPD (P<0.01), and significantly increased Isc (P<0.01) compared with the control group. No claudin 2 expression of mRNA and protein was detected in the control group, and they were expressed in the IBD model group. The expression levels of claudin 3, occludin and ZO-1 in the IBD model group were significantly decreased compared with in the control group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>IBD rats show colonic barrier dysfunction and changes in the expression of tight junction proteins. The changes in the expression of tight junction proteins may contribute to colonic barrier dysfunction in cases of IBD in the chronic recovery stage.</p>

Advances in biomechanical studies on osteonecrosis of the femoral head / 中国骨伤

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a common clinical orthopedic disease. The progression of the disease is rapid and the prognosis is poor. All the medical profession recognize it as one of the unresolved medical problems. Biomechanical factors play an important role in the course of progression and treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. In this paper, we review the literature and introduce the advanced biomechanical studies on the symptoms, image, collapse, collapse prediction, preserving femoral head surgery of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Endothelial progenitor cell mediates transport of hepatitis B / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication has been reported to be involved in many extrahepatic viral disorders; however, the mechanism by which HBV is transinfected into extrahepatic tissues such as myocardium and causes HBV associated myocarditis remains largely unknown.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were infected by HBV and then transfused into ischemic model of mice. HBV surface and core antigen as well as mutation of HBV particles were detected by immunohistochemistry, fluorescent activated cell sorter and transmission electron microscopy in vitro and in vivo.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Human cord blood EPCs, but not human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) could be effectively infected by taking up HBV in vitro. HBV envelope surface and core antigen expressions were first detectable in EPCs at day 3 after virus challenge, sustained for up to 11 days, and decreased thereafter. Similarly, the virus particles were the most abundant in EPCs in the first week observed by a transmission electron microscope, and declined in 3 weeks after HBV infection. HBV DNA but not HBV cccDNA in EPCs were detectable even 3 weeks after virus challenge, as shown by PCR analysis. Furthermore, intravenous transplantation of HBV-treated EPCs into myocardial infarction Sprague & Dawley rats model resulted in incorporation of both EPCs and HBV into injured endothelial tissues of capillaries in the ischemic border zone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results strongly support that EPCs serve as virus carrier mediating HBV trans-infection into the injured myocardial tissues. The findings might suggest a novel mechanism for HBV-associated myocarditis.</p>