The association between pulmonary function impairment and colon inflammation in ulcerative colitis patients: A scientific basis for exterior-interior correlation between lung and large intestine / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigated the involvement of pulmonary function impairment in ulcerative colitis (UC), to explore a scientific basis for the Chinese medicine (CM) theory of exterior-interior correlation between Lung (Fei) and Large intestine (Dachang).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 120 patients with a diagnosis of UC were recruited and the demographics, clinical data, and blood samples were collected. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) concentrations were measured. Every patient accepted pulmonary function test and took chest radiograph (CXR).> RESULTS: Pulmonary function abnormalities were present in 72 of 120 patients. The median (interquartile range) vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV), carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DL) of lung, total lung capacity (TLC) and functional residual volume (FRV) were decreased in distal UC and pancolitis compared with ulcerative prochitis (P <0.0005). Male patients had increased VC, FEV/FVC, and residual volume (RV)/TLC compared with female (P <0.0005), but decreased DLand carbon monoxide iffusion capacity (K) of lung/alveolar ventilation (P <0.0005). Age was strongly correlated with RV (Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rs)=-0.57,P <0.0001), and RV/TLC (rs=0.48,P<0.0001). Age was also correlated with FEV/FVC (rs=-0.29, P=0.001), forced expiratory flow in 75% vital capacity (FEF75%, rs=-0.20, P=0.03), DL(rs=-0.21, P=0.02), TLC (rs=-0.25, P=0.006), and FRV (rs=-0.28, P=0.002). The course of disease was correlated with FEF75% (rs=-0.18, P=0.049) and K(rs=-0.19, P=0.036). Chest radiograph abnormalities were presented in 38 of 120. Pulmonary symptoms were presented in 10 of 120. Other extraintestinal complications were presented in 21 of 120.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pulmonary function impairment was more frequently than other extraintestinal complications in UC patients, which may be affected by sex, age, extent and course of disease. These results may be a scientific basis for the theory of exterior-interior correlation between Lung and Large intestine.</p>

Effects of ligustrazine on the mitochondrial structure and functions in the process myocardial hypertrophy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore changes of mitochondrial structure and functions, as well as the protection of ligustrazine in the process of myocardial hypertrophy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Neonatal myocardial cells were isolated and cultured with angiotensin II (Ang II) for 72 or 96 h. The total protein content was detected using BCA method. The cell diameter was measured by inverted microscope, by which to reflect the proliferation situation of cardiomyocytes. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured by fluorescence microscope. The mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was detected by spectrophotometer. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COX) activity and the mitochondrial damage percentage were detected by microplate reader, by which to reflect the damage of mitochondrial outer membrane's structure and the membranes' function. Also, cells were treated with ligustrazine and losartan and then the pharmacological effects on the mitochondrial structure and functions in the myocardial cells treated with Ang II were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 72 h and 96 h, when compared with the blank group, cells treated with Ang II had increased total protein content (P < 0.01) and enlarged diameter (P < 0.01). Treated with Ang II, the MAO activity and the outer membrane damage percentage of myocardial cells significantly increased (P < 0.01), and mitochondrial COX activity and the mitochondrial MMP significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group at the same time period, ligustrazine significantly reduced myocardial cells' total protein content and myocardial cell diameter, and significantly decreased myocardial cells' MAO activity, increased mitochondrial COX activity, improved the outer membrane damage percentage and inner membrane MMP at 72 and 96 h, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>During the process of myocardial hypertrophy existed the damage to the mitochondrial structure and functions. Ligustrazine protected the mitochondrial structure and functions of the myocardial cells in reversing Ang II induced myocardial cell hypertrophy.</p>

Effects of huoxue injection on the adherence of human monocytes to endothelial cells and expression of vascular cell adhesion molecules / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Huoxue Injection (HXI, a Chinese herbal preparation consisted of red sage, chuanxiong, safflower and red peony root) on the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and the adherence of monocytes to endothelial cells in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injured by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Model of injured cell was established by adding ox-LDL into the culture of HUVECs, and the model cells were intervened with HXI. The adhesive percentage of the model cells to monocytes was determined by protein quantification; mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After HUVEC being treated with ox-LDL for 12 h and 24 h, its adhesion rate to monocytes increased, with the mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVEC enhanced significantly, showing significant differences as compared with those in the normal control (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). HXI could significantly reverse the above-mentioned changes dose-dependently, showing that these parameters in the HXI intervened cells significantly different to those in the untreated model cells respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HXI could inhibit the adherence of endothelial cells to monocytes by way of down-regulating the endothelial superficial adhesion molecules, so as to display its protection on endothelial cells, which should be helpful for reducing or suppressing the formation of atherosclerosis.</p>

Effect of effective components of huanglian jiedu decoction on hypoxia, reoxygenation injury and the expression of VCAM in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective mechanism of geniposide, baicalin and berberine on hypoxia and reoxygenation injury in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A model of four hours hypoxia and twelve hours reoxygenation injury in rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells in vitro was established. The injured cells were treated with geniposide (0.128, 0.064, 0.032 mmol x L(-1)), baicalin (0.028, 0.014, 0.007 mmol L(-1)) and berberine (0.024, 0.012, 0.006 mmol L(-1)), respectively. The immunocytochemical method and techniques of image quantitative analysis were used to detect the mean optical density and mean area in order to match the protein expression of VCAM-1. The method of RT-PCR was adopted to observe and match the mRNA expression of VCAM-1.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>As compared with the normal group, the mean optical density, the mean area and the mRNA expression of VCAM-1 of model group were significant increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). As compared with the model group, both the mean optical density and the mean area of all treated groups were decreased, and there was significant difference between them (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). As compared with normal group, the mean optical density of baicalin (0.007 mmol x L(-1)) and berberine (0.012, 0.006 mmol x L(-1)) were significant decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the other groups and the normal group. As compared with normal group, the mean area of baicalin (0.0014 mmol x L(-1)) was significant decreased (P < 0.05), but there was significant difference between the other groups and the normal group. The mRNA expression of all treated groups was not only lower than that of the model group but also higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that geniposide, baicalin and berberine, which are effective compositions of huanglian jiedu decoting, can protect hypoxia-reoxygenation injuried rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. One of the protected mechanisms is that they can inhibit the expression of VCAM-1.</p>

Study on establishing animal model of myocardial infarction of blood-stasis and Xin-qi deficiency syndrome or blood-stasis and Xin-yang deficiency syndrome type / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the method for establishing animal model of integrative medical disease/ syndrome and its evaluation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat myocardial (heart failure) model was established by anterio-descending coronary arterial ligation, and treated by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 9-12 weeks after operation to induce hypertension and aggravate heart failure. The model rat was observed 12 weeks to collect the information of four-diagnosis, for visceral qi-blood and excess-deficiency syndrome differentiation in combining with the eight-principal syndrome differentiation according to the standard of deficiency syndrome and blood-stasis syndrom issued by Chinese Association of integrative medicine.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After modeling, the model rats revealed ascended ST segment and abnormal Q-wave in ECG, with the visceral ratio, left ventricular area and myocardial collagen content significantly more than those in the sham-operative group (P < 0.01), showing a blood-stasis syndrome. Besides, Xin-qi deficiency syndrome, exhibiting as quickened heart rate, shortened swimming time and lowered cardiac function, appeared in the model rats (P < 0.01), which was aggravated in the late stage due to the increased blood pressure and deteriorated cardiac function, even revealed the manifestation of Yang-deficiency syndrome as low body temperature and polyuria.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The basic thinking path of TCM animal disease/syndrome model establishment and evaluation should adopt the normative, mature and unified standard and methods formed in clinical and experimental study of integrative medicine.</p>

Effect of effective components of Huanglian Jiedu decocting on NF-kappaB in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells injury induced by hypoxia and reoxygenation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective mechanism of geniposide, baicalin and berberine on hypoxia and reoxygenation injury in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>To establish a model of hypoxia four hours and reoxygenation twelve hours injury in rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. The injured cells were treated with geniposide (0. 128, 0.064, 0.032 micromol mL(-1), baicalin (0.028, 0.014, 0.007 micromol mL(- 1)) and berberine (0.024, 0.012, 0.006 micromol mL(-1)). The expression of p65 subunit of NF-kappaB was detected by immunocytochemical assay and techniques of image quantitative analysis. The protein expression of NF-kappaB was calculated with the mean optical density and mean area. The nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB was calculated with the percentage of positive cells and ratios of light transmittance of cytoplasm and cell nucleus.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the normal group, both the protein expression and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB of model group were significant increased (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, the mean optical density of all treated groups was decreased ,but these was no significant difference between them. As compared with model group, the mean area of all treated groups was significant decreased (P < 0.01). The percentage of nuclear translocation of all treated groups is not only lower than that of the model group but higher than that of the normal group (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, the ratios of light transmittance of cytoplasm and cell nucleus of all treated groups was significantly elevated (P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggesed that geniposide, baicalin and berberine could protect hypoxia/reoxygenation injuried rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells injury. One of the mechanism may lie in inhibiting both the protein expression and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB.</p>

Effect of Huoxue injection on oxidized low-density lipoprotein induced activation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe effect of Huoxue injection on the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), the adherence of monocytes to endothelial cells, and the regulation role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injury induced by the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The ox-LDL (100 mg x L(-1)) was added to the cultured HUVEC to prepare the injury model of HUVEC. The adhesive percentage between HUVEC treated with ox-LDL and monocytes was determined by protein quantification. Expression of mRNA and protein of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry respectively. The percentage of positive cells and the ratio of nuclei and cytoplasm of NF-kappaB p65 staining in HUVEC the were examined by cell immunochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Treatment of HUVEC with ox-LDL for 12, 24 hours significantly increased adhesion of monocytes to HUVEC and enhanced the expressions of mRNA and protein of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The percentage of positive cells and the ratio of nuclei and cytoplasm of NF-kappaB p65 staining in HUVEC were significantly increased after treatment with ox-LDL for 24 hours. Huo Xue Injection could significantly inhibit the adhesion between monocyte and HUVEC, the expression of mRNA and protein of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and declined the percentage of positive cells and the ratio of nuclei and cytoplasm of NF-kappaB p65 staining in HUVEC. The effects were strengthened with increasing the deal of Huoxue injection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Huoxue injection has an inhibitory effect on the adherence of monocytes to HUVEC, probably by way of down-regulating the expression of mRNA and protein of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVEC. The mechanism is probably associated with inhibiting the activation of NF-kappaB p65 of HUVEC. The effects of Huoxue injection can bring about the protective effect to endothelial cells injury induced by ox-LDL.</p>

Protective action of effective components of Huanglian Jiedu decoction on hypoxia and reoxygenation injury in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of geniposide, baicalin and berberine for the rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cell.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The model of hypoxia and reoxygenation injury in rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells in vitro was established. Both normal and model cells were treated with geniposide (1.024, 0.512, 0.256, 0.128, 0.064, 0.032, 0.016, 0.008 micromol x mL(-1)), baicalin (0.224, 0.112, 0.056, 0.028, 0.014, 0.007, 0.003 micromol x mL(-1)) and berberine (0.192, 0.096, 0.048, 0.024, 0.012, 0.006, 0.003 micromol x mL(-1)). Cell activity was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) test.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After hypoxia/hypoglycemia cultures for 4 hour and reoxygenation for 12 hour, geniposide (0.128, 0.064, 0.032 micromol x mL(-1)), baicalin (0.028, 0.014, 0.007 micromol x mL(-1)) and berberine (0.024, 0.012, 0.006 micromol x microL(-1) could protect the injuried cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Appropriate concentration of geniposide, baicalin and berberine, which are effective components of Huanglian Jiedu decoction, could protect the injuried cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.</p>

Comparative study on early application of the recipe for activating blood circulation and the recipe for supplementing qi for inhibiting left ventricular remodeling and apoptosis in rats with heart failure / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the characteristics of early application of the recipe for activating blood circulation and the recipe for supplementing qi for inhibiting left ventricular remodeling and apoptosis in rats with heart failure.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The left coronary artery occlusion was conducted to establish the rat model of heart failure after myocardial infarction. The model rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including model group, activating blood circulation group (8 g x kg(-1)), supplementing qi group (8 g x kg(-1)), activating blood circulation plus supplementing qi group (16 g x kg(-1)), and captopril group (10.125 g x kg(-1)), and a sham operation group was set up as negative control group. The drugs were administrated on the second day after myocardial infarction with a therapeutic course of 4 weeks or 8 weeks. The heart function was detected by impedance method; Pathological staining and image analysis were used to determine the perimeter and the area of left ventricular cavity, and myocardial nuclei number and collagen content per unit area; Apoptosis percentage of the myocardial cell was detected by TUNEL and the content of Ang II in the cardiac muscle was measured by radioimmunoassay.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In comparison with the model group, the function of left ventricular contraction function improved, the area of left ventricular cavity diminished, and proliferation of collagen, content of Ang II and apoptosis percentage of the myocardial cell reduced in all of the treatment groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). After treatment of 8 weeks, the activating blood circulation group was similar to the sham operation group in improvement of cardiac index, and decreases of the area of left ventricular cavity and the content of Ang II; Apoptosis percentage of the myocardial cell in the activating blood circulation group was significantly lower than that in the supplementing qi group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both the recipes for activating blood circulation and for supplementing qi can inhibit left ventricular remodeling and myocardial apoptosis, and delay development of heart failure, with the best effect in the activating blood circulation group after treatment of 8 weeks.</p>

Study on the therapeutic status of 1242 hospitalized acute myocardial infarction patients in Beijing / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate and analyze the therapeutic level and the existing problems on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) management in Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected clinic data of 1242 AMI patients from 12 hospitals in Beijing, from January 2000 to March 2001, using a uniformed questionnaire, and evaluated the status of the diagnosis and treatment of AMI according to the Chinese guidelines issued on Decmeber 2001. Corresponding factors which influencing the mortality were also analyzed by one-way factor and multiple factors analysis methodologies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of the 1242 AMI patients was 63.0 years old and about one third of them were under 55 years old. In hospitals, the total mortality was 9.10%. 37.9% of the patients had received therapy of the intravenous thrombolysis and emergency PCI with a total rate of reperfusion therapy as 56.0%. The in-hospital rates of drug use were as follows: Nitrates 90.0%, Aspirin 87.8%, heparin 88.7%, beta-blockers 73.4%, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEI) 77.6%, lipid regulating agents 43.6%. The rate of intravenous therapy of TCM by promoting the blood circulation and supplementing the vital energy was 30.5%. Results from multiple factors analysis showed that the compositive factors which could lower the mortality were reperfusion therapy,lipid regulating agents, intravenous therapy of TCM, beta-blockers, ACEI, lower molecule heparin and digitalis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Data from this study showed that there still existed a gap between clinical management on AMI and the guideline in Beijing. To set up a straightway passage of reperfusion therapy, to become more standardized to follow the guideline in undertaking the medical treatment practice, and to go deep into discuss the status of TCM on AMI management seemed the important tasks we are facing.</p>

The protective effect of cholic acid on an in vitro injury model of ischemia-reperfusion in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an in vitro injury model of ischemia-reperfusion in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells of rats and observe the protective effect of cholic acid.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Cultured rat microvascular endothelial cells were subjected to the oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) (Krebs solution) and recovery of oxygen-glucose, which simulated in vitro ischemia and reperfusion injury, and treated with cholic acid. The A value was measured with MIT chromatometry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Cultured cells were impaired after OGD for 4 hours and recovery of oxygen-glucose for 12 hours, the A value of the cells treated with cholic acid was significantly higher than that of the cells without treatment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cholic acid could obviously protect rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells from injury induced by an in vitro ischemia-reperfusion.</p>

Study on cardiac gene expression microarray and recipe for activating blood circulation and supplementing qi on heart of rats with post-infarction heart failure / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of recipe for activating blood circulation and supplementing Qi (RAS) on cardiac functional structure in rats with post-infarction heart failure (PIHF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat model of PIHF was established by left coronary artery ligation. Left ventricular samples of model rats from infarcted or peri-infarcted area were obtained at PIHF formation stage and stable stage (10 days and 8 weeks respectively after operation), the total RNA extracted and detected using 6 pieces of rat's 40s gene microarray (4096 genes/microarray), the data were analyzed using software as Genespring, Treeview, Clustering and SOM. Besides, RAS was used to treat the model rats beginning from 4 weeks after modeling and lasted for 4 weeks, changes of heart function and cardiac coefficient before and after treatment were observed by impedance method with Captopril as positive control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Genespring analysis showed thousands of genes differential expression (upper or down regulated), including 13 kinds of gene involving energy metabolism, myocardial cytoskeleton, fibrosis, etc. which, in the infarcted area at heart formation stage were 1086 genes and at the stable stage, 724 genes, while in the peri-infarcted area, formation stage 196 genes and stable stage 97 genes. (2) After RAS or Captopril treatment, the heart function improved significantly, with the stroke volume, cardiac output and cardiac index increased significantly (P < 0.01). RAS could also improve the cardiac coefficient of model rats, as compared with that in untreated model, P < 0.01, compared with that in the sham-operated rats, P < 0.05.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PIHF is a kind of overload heart disease with multiple genes abnormality. RAS could improve the heart function and histologic indexes, so as to treat the heart failure.</p>

Time-phase changed character of cardiac muscle cell apoptosis and proliferation induced by angiotensin II and influences of TCM herbs for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation on it / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the dynamic change of apoptosis and proliferation of cardiac muscle cells (CMC) after being induced by Angiotensin II (Ang I), and the effect of TCM herbs for supplementing qi and/ or activating blood circulation on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cultured CMC of SD suckling rat were treated by Ang II, and the amplitude, rhythm and frequency of cell pulsation, the protein content, area size and apoptosis of cells at various phases as well as the influence of TCM herbs afterwards were determined by image pattern analysis system, flow cytometry and biochemical assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the model group, cell pulsation showed quickened frequency from the 24th to 48th hr after Ang II treatment with the highest amplitude at the 24th hr; the cell area enlarged at the 24th hr, the enlargement became evident at the 48hr. Cell content of protein increased at the 24th hr, which reached to its peak at the 48th hr; an increasing trend of cell number was shown from the 12th to 48th hr; cell apoptosis started to appear at the 24th hr, it increased gradually from the 48th to 72th hr, and reached to the peak at the 72th hr (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). All the Chinese herbs, both for supplementing qi and/or activating blood circulation, especially when they were used in combination, showed favourable preventive and therapeutic effect on CMC (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), either at the early phase (24-48th hrs) mainly manifesting hypertrophy and proliferation or the late phase (48-96th hrs) mainly manifesting apoptosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There exist characterized phasic windows of CMC after being treated by Ang II, the window of hypertrophy-proliferation phase and the window of cell apoptosis phase. When CMC were mainly in hypertrophic manner, myocardial hypertrophy may appear. Cell apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms for turning myocardial hypertrophy to heart failure, and it could be improved by Chinese herbs for supplementing qi and/or activating blood circulation.</p>

Effect of danshensu and ligustrazine on related genes of myocardial hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Danshensu (DSS) and Ligustrazine (TMZ), the extracts of Chinese herbs for promoting blood circulation, on angiotensin II (Ang II) induced myocardial hypertrophy and its related genes, and to explore the mechanisms of inhibitory effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adopting one-step method, the total RNA of myocardial cells was extracted by TRIzol reagent. Then the expression of ANP and beta-actin mRNA, as symbol of myocardial cells, were detected by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Molecular biological research showed that Ang II could significantly increase the expression of ANP mRNA in myocardial cells (P < 0.01), which could be significantly inhibited by Losartan (P < 0.01), both DSS and TMZ had the inhibitory effect (P < 0.05). Ang II could increase beta-actin mRNA expression in myocardial cells simultaneously, Losartan, DSS and TMZ could also significantly inhibit it (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effective ingredients of Chinese herbs for promoting blood circulation, DSS and TMZ, have the effect of inhibiting the hyper-expression of ANP and beta-actin induced by Ang II, and preventing myocardial hypertrophy, therefore, it could be used to prevent and treat cardiomegaly.</p>

An investigation on clinical studies of TCM in preventing and treating angina pectoris of coronary heart disease / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the current status of clinical studies of TCM in preventing and treating angina pectoris of coronary heart disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A statistical analysis of articles regarding the use of TCM in preventing and treating angina pectoris, published in TCM core journals or journals of TCM university (college) from January 2001 to June 2002 was conducted, the items analyzed included the differentiation of stable angina (SA) and unstable angina (UA), the grading or stratifying, standard for therapeutic efficacy evaluation, standardized drug therapy of UA (according to the "Suggestion on the diagnosis and treatment of UA" formulated by Society of Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Medical Association, etc.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From the 44 articles that retrieved, UA and SA was not differed in 29 articles (65.9%), among which 11 articles came from provincial, national TCM institute or hospital affiliated to TCM university (college). In the 34 articles dealing with UA, only 3 articles mentioned the standardized drug therapy. Standard of therapeutic efficacy evaluation announced in 1979 was used in 35 articles (79.5%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Most articles dealing with clinical study on TCM prevention and treatment of angina pectoris, UA and SA, have the flaws of un-standardized, lacking in compact and insufficient science. Improvement of related standard for clinical therapeutic efficacy evaluation needs to be further perfected.</p>

Screening of traditional Chinese remedies for SARS treatment / 中国中药杂志

The SARS epidemic is breaking out worldwide. To select suitable herbal drugs for clinical uses is important and urgent amongst the controversial treatment proposals. Nine pharmacological experimental models were used to evaluate the comprehensive efficacy of traditional Chinese remedies by cross validation in different institutes. Eight drugs were optimized for controlling different symptoms of SARS.

Effect of different drug dosage to activate blood circulation and to nourish qi on cardiac function and structure of congestive heart failure rats after acute myocardial infarction / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of different drug dosage to activate blood circulation and to nourish Qi on cardiac function and structure of heart failure rats after acute myocardial infarction.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The congestive heart failure post cardiac infarction rats models subjected to left coronary occlusion were made and given different dosage of drug of Huoxue Yiqi and captopril (positive control) from 4 weeks to 8 weeks after operation. The cardiac function before and after using drugs were observed by impedance methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Treated by different dosage of drug of Huoxue Yiqi and captopil, cardiac function of heart failure rats after acute myocardial infarction improved, SV, CO, CI(P < 0.01); at the same time, prescription of Huoxue Yiqi and Qixue could improve the model rats' heart coefficient, VS SHAM(P > 0.05), but prescription of Yiqi Huoxue and captopril could not improve it.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Drug to activate blood circulation and to increase qi can treat heart failure rats after acute myocardial infarction, through improving their function and structure. At the same time, more dosage of drug to activate blood circulation and to increase qi(Huoxue/Yiqi drug) may improve the model rats' heart coefficient.</p>

Study on effect of jiangya tongmai recipe on vascular activating substances in patients of hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Jiangya Tongmai Recipe (JYTMR), a Chinese herbal medicine preparation for activating blood circulation to remove stasis, on vascular activating substances in treating patients of hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 37 patients with hypertension were randomly divided into two groups, the treated group (n = 21) and the control group (n = 16). They were treated with JYTMR and captopril respectively for 8 weeks. Left ventricular mass weight (LVMI), peak flow velocity of early diastole (Emax), peak flow velocity of atrial contraction (Amax), Emax/Amax, ejection fraction (EF), as well as levels of plasma endothelin (ET), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and angiotensin II (Ang II) were measured before and after treatment and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>JYTMR could enhance the left ventricular dilation and contractile functions, lower the levels of plasma ET and Ang II and increase the level of plasma CGRP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JYTMR shows good effect in improving left ventricular function and regulating vascular activating substances, it could prevent and treat hypertension and its complications for prolonged treatment via multiple paths and links.</p>

Comparative study on effect of recipe for activating blood circulation and replenishing Qi on left ventricular remodeling in rats with left heart failure after myocardial infarction / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Comparative study to the effect of Chinese herbal medicine on left ventricular remodeling in rats with left heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat's model of left heart failure after myocardial infarction was treated with injection for activating blood circulation (ABCI, consisted of R. Salviae miltiorrhizea; Rh. Ligusticum wallichii and F1. Carthamus tinctorius) and injection for replenishing Qi (RQI, consisted of R. Codonopsis Pilosulae and R. Astragalus membranaceus) respectively. The effect of treatment were evaluated by observing and comparing the changes of heart morphological structure, collagen element, heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW), left intraventricular area (LVA), ratio of ventricular wall thinning in MI area and myocardial nuclei number (MNN) per square area.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In comparison with the model group, the reduction of collagen tissue around myocardial cells in living area of MI, HW/BW and LVA of ABCI and RQI group were lower, and MNN per square area was higher significantly (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both ABCI and RQI, though without positive myodynamia, showed certain inhibitory effect of left ventricular remodeling in rats with left heart failure after MI.</p>