3'-Methoxydaidzein exerts analgesic activity by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels / 中国天然药物

Isoflavones are widely consumed by people around the world in the form of soy products, dietary supplements and drugs. Many isoflavones or related crude extracts have been reported to exert pain-relief activities, but the mechanism remains unclear. Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play important roles in excitability of pain sensing neurons and many of them are important nociceptors. Here, we report that several isoflavones including 3'-methoxydaidzein (3MOD), genistein (GEN) and daidzein (DAI) show abilities to block VGSCs and thus to attenuate chemicals and heat induced acute pain or chronic constriction injury (CCI) induced pain hypersensitivity in mice. Especially, 3MOD shows strong analgesic potential without inducing addiction through inhibiting subtypes Na1.7, Na1.8 and Na1.3 with the IC of 181 ± 14, 397 ± 26, and 505 ± 46 nmol·L, respectively, providing a promising compound or parent structure for the treatment of pain pathologies. This study reveals a pain-alleviating mechanism of dietary isoflavones and may provide a convenient avenue to alleviate pain.

Research progress of pesticide residues in traditional Chinese medicines / 中国中药杂志

The residue of the pesticides is closely related to the quality and safety of traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs) and has attracted widespread attention at home and abroad.This article analyzed the current status of pesticide residues in TCMs by summarizing the research results of recent years.At the same time,the methods for the detection of pesticide residues in TCMs were summarized,and the domestic and foreign pesticide residue limit standards for TCMs were compared,intending to provide reference and basis for the detection and control of pesticide residues in TCMs.

Study on chemical components distribution in Paeoniae Radix Alba and its processing methods / 中国中药杂志

After studying the discipline of chemical components distribution in peony root, it was found that the content distribution of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol was inhomogeneous in different parts of peony root, as same as in different roots belonging to a same plant. Therefore, in order to minimize the effects of different qualities of materials on experimental result, the content changing percentages of four chemical components was chosen as indicators to study processing method of Paeoniae Radix Alba. The processing technique of Paeoniae Radix Alba was put peony roots in the boiled water for at most ten minutes, and cut them into 2-3 mm slices after peeling the root bark, finally dry them in a oven under 55 degrees C, which was similar to the traditional processing method used in Bozhou. And the peeling, boiling and drying methods would affect the contents of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol on several levels.

Determination of chemical components of Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces and its quality evaluation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>An UPLC method was developed to evaluate the quality of Paeoniae Radix by simultaneously determining four components, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol in Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The UPLC chromatographic column was ACQUITY UPLC® HSS T3. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid water with gradient elution. The column temperature was 30 °C and detection wavelength was 230 nm with a flow rate of 0.4 mL · min(-1). A linear model was obtained through principal component analysis (PCA), and PCA scores were used to evaluate the quality of Radix Paeoniae Alba decoction pieces comprehensively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol could be well separated from other components, and the results of specificity, precision, repeatability, linearity, recovery rate and stability reached the standards, respectively. The content of paeoniflorin in 9 batches of Paeoniae Radix Alba decoction pieces was below the standard given by Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition). Using the comprehensive scoring method with principal component analysis, the results showed that the samples from Zhejiang province have better quality than those from Anhui and Shandong provinces.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method established in this study can effectively determine the content of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin and paeonol, which could be used for quality control of Paeoniae Radix Alba.</p>

Optimization of extraction technology from Paeoniae Radix Alba using response surface methodology / 中国中药杂志

To ensure the stability of chemistry components and the convenience of operation, ultrasound method was chosen to study in this investigation. As the total common peaks area in chromatograms was set to be evaluation index, the influence on the technology caused by extraction time, ethanol concentration and liquid-to-solid ratio was studied by using single factor methodology, and the extraction technology of Paeoniae Radix Alba was optimized by using response surface methodology. The results showed that the extracting results were most affected by ethanol concentration; liquid-to-solid ratio came the second and extraction time thirdly. The optimum ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were as follow: the ultrasonic extraction time was 20.06 min, the ethanol concentration in solvent was 72.04%, and the liquid-to-solid ratio was 53.38 mL · g(-1), the predicted value of total common peaks area was 2.1608 x 10(8). Under the extraction conditions after optimization, the total common peaks area was 2.1422 x 10(8), and the relative deviation between the measured and predicted value was 0.86%, so the optimized extraction technology for Paeoniae Radix Alba is suitable and feasible. Besides, for the purpose of extracting more sufficiently and completely, the optimized extraction technology had more advantages than the extraction method recorded in the monogragh of Paeoniae Radix Alba in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which will come true the assessment and utilization comprehensively.

Protective effects of notoginsenoside R1 against amyloid-β (1-42) induced mitochondrial apopototic death in SH-SY5Y cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of notoginsenoside R1 on amyloid-β (1-42) (Aβ(1-42)) induced mitochondrial apoptotic death in SH-SY5Y cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Cell viability was assayed by MTT, apoptotic rates were analyzed with PI/Annexin V flow cytometry, Bax and Bcl-2 expression were detected with Western blotting, enzymatic activity of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 were measured by ELISA assay.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The 6.25-100 nmol x L(-1) of notoginsenoside R1 attenuate Aβ(1-42) induced apoptotic death of SH-SY5Y in dose dependent manner. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was elevated in SH-SY5Y with notoginsenoside R1 treatment. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 were activated with notoginsenoside R1 treatment while caspase-8 was not affected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Notoginsenoside R1 could protect SH-SY5Y cells from Aβ(1-42) induced apoptosis via mitochondria related apoptotic pathway.</p>

Advance in studies on TRPV1 and analgesic effect of traditional Chinese medicines / 中国中药杂志

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective positive ion channel that is mainly expressed in sensory neurons and a member of transient receptor potential (TRP) family. The receptor could be activated by mechanical irritation, chemical irritation or endogenous ligand to mediate pains and cause injury to body functions. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the mechanism of pain is that "stagnation leads to pain". Specifically, both of the contracture and tautness caused by cold and the blood stasis could result in blood impassability and pain. Most of traditional Chinese medicines for clearing heat and removing toxicity have the anti-inflammatory effect, while those for warming interior, and promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis have the effect in smoothening blood vessels. Therefore, either with the anti-inflammatory effect or the effect in smoothening blood vessels, traditional Chinese medicines for clearing heat and removing toxicity, warming interior, and promoting blood circulation have the analgesic effect In this paper, the authors summarize the analgesic effect of the above three traditional Chinese medicines, with TRPV1 as the target.

Advance in studies of Panax notoginseng saponins on pharmacological mechanism of nervous system disease / 中国中药杂志

The pharmacological mechaisms of Panax notoginseng saponins on nervous system diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ischermic cerebral apoplexy and depressive disorder) , including panax notoginseng saponins, protoparaxotriol saponins, panasadiol saponins, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Re and notoginsenoside R1 were summarized to analyze the study hotspots and potential advantages (such as estrogen-like effect) of notoginsenoside's pharmacological actions, provide reference for further pharmacological studies and new ideas for clinical treatment of nervous system diseases and drug studies and development.

Protective effect of jiedu tongluo injection on cerebral edema in rats with lesion of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of Jiedu Tongluo injection on cerebral edema induced by focal lesion of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, the hydrous content of brain and the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin and MMP-9 in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The model of brain middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion was established by the thread approach. After 24 hours of reperfusion, cerebral edema formation was determined by the hydrous content of brain. The permeability of blood brain barrier was evaluated based on the leakage of Evans blue. Enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA)was used to examine the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin. The expression of MMP-9 was measured by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>JDTL, in the dose of 2 mL x kg(-1) and 4 mL x kg(-1), relieved cerebral edema (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), reduced the expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-land E-selectin and decreased MMP-9 activity (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01) in model rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jiedu Tongluo injection has a protective effect on rat brain from cerebral edema induced by the injury of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The mechanism is related to that Jiedu Tongluo injection can reduce the expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin and inhibit of MMP-9 activation in rat brain.</p>

Pharmacokinetics and brain distribution differences of baicalin in rat underlying the effect of Panax notoginsenosides after intravenous administration / 中国天然药物

Baicalin (BA) is the most well-known flavonoid present in Radix Scutellariae. The aim of this study was to explore whether the pharmacokinetic behavior of BA in rat brain can be affected by Panax notoginsenosides (PNS), and to assess the possible mechanism for the observed effects. Specific HPLC and HPLC/MS/MS methods were developed and validated for the determination of BA in the rat plasma and brain using carbamazepine as an internal standard. BA was found to enter rat brain quickly after a single intravenous dose. When co-administered with PNS, clearance (CL) of BA from rat plasma decreased by 50.00%, while the area under the curve AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ increased 94.69% and 87.68%, respectively. On the other hand, some pharmacokinetic parameters of BA in rat brain had obvious differences after PNS was administered, such as an increase in Tmax from 5 min to 15 min, an increase in AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ by 42.75% and 29.39%, respectively, as well as a decrease in CL by 27.95%. Together, these results indicate that PNS can decrease the elimination rate of BA from rat plasma, promote the penetration of BA into rat brain, increase the concentration and slow down the elimination of BA from rat brain. The data provide important information that compatibility with PNS can promote the consequent effects of BA for the treatment of encephalopathy.

Effect of glutathione on blood coagulation function / 中国实验血液学杂志

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of glutathione (GSH) on blood coagulation. The normal plasma samples and mixed plasma samples were taken randomly, and into which the normal dose and different concentration of GSH were added. The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB) and thrombin time (TT) were detected by using coagulation method before and after treatment with GSH. The detection results of normal plasma and mixed plasma containing GSH of different concentration were compared and analyzed with linear regression. The results showed that the APTT and FIB values of the plasma containing 2.5 mg/L glutathione or more, PT values of the plasma containing 10 mg/L glutathione or more, and TT values of the plasma containing 1250 mg/L glutathione or more were significantly different from those results of normal plasma or mixed plasma (P < 0.01) . There was a linear relation between all of the detection results of PT,APTT, FIB, TT and glutathione concentrations. The results of TT, APTT, PT and FIB detection in patient plasma were statistically different (P < 0.01) before and after treatment with normal concentration GSH. It is concluded that glutathione can influence detection results of coagulation function.

Growth status of children under 7 years in Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China and its influential factors / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the growth status of children under 7 years in Wuzhong City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China and its influential factors, and to provide a basis for related intervention measures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Children under 7 years were selected from two county-level districts in Wuzhong by stratified cluster sampling, and their growth status were evaluated by the Z score method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence rates of growth retardation, underweight, and wasting were 12.58%, 5.71%, and 5.55% respectively. The height-for-age Z score, weight-for-age Z score, and weight-for-height Z scores were -0.26±2.50, 0.29±4.54. and 0.65±3.02 respectively. There were significant differences in the prevalence rate of wasting among children of different ethnic groups (P<0.05); also, there were significant differences in the prevalence rates of growth retardation and underweight among children from different regions and with different age (P<0.05). The main influential factors for growth retardation were region (OR=0.369, P<0.001), ethnic groups (OR=1.694, P=0.027), and age (OR=1.143, P=0.002). The main influential factors for underweight were region (OR=0.453, P=0.001) and age (OR=1.204，P=0.002). The main influential factor for wasting was nation (OR=1.735, P=0.024).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In Wuzhong, children under 7 years have poor growth status, which are related to ethnic groups, region, and age.</p>

Correlation between the spontaneous clearance of HBV DNA and the levels of alanine aminotransferase in chronic hepatitis B / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation between spontaneous clearance of HBV DNA and the levels of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrospective review analysis was used in this research. A total of 177 CHB patients with HBV DNA>1x10(4) copies/ml and ALT>800 U/L were recruited in this study and were divided randomly into two groups, 84 patients in control group (received lamivudine therapy) while 96 cases in study group (without anti-viral therapy), the dynamic changes of HBV DNA and HBV markers in these two groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical data of CHB patients were retrospected and followed up in 24 weeks. The negative conversion cases of HBV DNA are 62 (87.3%) in study group and 56 cases (78.87%) in control group at week 24, the negative conversion cases of HBV DNA are 56 (78.9%) in study group and 60 (92.3%) cases in control at week 8. No significant difference (x2=0.058, P>0.05) existed between these two groups. Among 43 patients with HBV DNA is less than or equal to 6 log10 copies/ml, 41 (95.3%) patients converted negatively, while in 28 patients with HBV DNA is more than 6 log10 copies/ml, 21 (75.0%) patients converted negatively. The negative conversion rate of HBV DNA is more than 6 log10 copies/ml was lower than the other group at week 24. The difference between the two groups was significant (x2=0.024, P<0.05). 41 patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negative and 30 patients with HBeAg positive were included in antiviral group. The negative conversion cases of HBV DNA of the former are 36 (87.8%) and the latter are 26 (86.7%). No significant difference found between them (x2=1, P>0.05). HBeAg loss found in 10 patients of 30 HBeAg positive patients with 4 patients occurred as early as at the fourth week. A total of 62 patients HBV DNA converted negatively in antiviral group, but 5 patients were found HBV DNA rebounded (occurred in 24 to 72 weeks) with ALT rebound (47 to 140 U/L).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The tendency of spontaneous clearance of HBV DNA when ALT is more than 800 U/L is obvious, so anti-viral therapy should be administrated strictly. The negative conversion rate of HBV DNA has no relation with HBeAg but with the copies of HBV DNA replication.</p>

Protective effects of emulsified isoflurane after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and its mechanism in rabbits / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the protective effects of 8% emulsified isoflurane after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and its mechanism in rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four male adult New Zealand white rabbits were anesthetized with intravenous injection of 30 mg/kg pentobarbital followed by 5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) infusion. All rabbits were subjected to 30 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion and 3 hours of subsequent reperfusion. Before LAD occlusion, the rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups for preconditioning treatment (eight for each group). The control group (C group) received intravenously 0.9% NaCl for 30 minutes. The emulsified isoflurane group (EI group) received 8% emulsified isoflurane intravenously till 0.64% end-tidal concentration for 30 minutes that was followed by a 15-minute washout period. The Intralipid group (IN group) received 30% Intralipid for 30 minutes. The infarcted area, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and nitrite concentration after 3-hour myocardial perfusion were recorded simultaneously.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury animals, the infarcted size in the EI group was significantly reduced (91.9% +/- 8%) as compared with control group (39% +/- 6%, t=5.19, P<0.01). The plasma SOD activity and nitrite concentration in EI group were significantly higher than those in control group (t=2.82, t=8.46, P<0.05), but MDA content was lower in EI group than that in control group (t=2.56, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results indicate that emulsified isoflurane has a cardioprotection effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury. This beneficial effect of emulsified isoflurane is probably through NO release and consequently by increase in antioxidation of myocardium.</p>

Regulatory effect of anthraquinone derivatives from rhubarb on aquaporin 4 expression in colon of rats and in LoVo cell line / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the cathartic effect of total anthraquinone (AQ) from rhubarb on SD rats and its regulatory effect on aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression in rat colon and in vitro cultured LoVo cell line.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group treated with distilled water, and the two AQ groups administered with AQ suspension in cathartic and high dose (AQcd and AQhd) respectively via gastrogavage for 5 days. Water content in colonic stool was detected and the expression of AQP4 in rat's proximal colon was measured using Western blot and RT-PCR. LoVo cells cultured in vitro were used in the experimental study. The AQP4 protein and mRNA expressions in the cells were detected by Western blot and semiquantitative RT-PCR after they were cultured for 24 h with RPMI-1640 medium containing rhein/emodin in different concentrations, and those cultured with RPMI-1640 containing 20 mg/L rhein/emodin for different time points.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the stool water content in the AQcd and AQhd groups was higher than that in the control group and the AQP4 expression in rats treated with AQ decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The study showed that rhein/emodin could significantly down-regulate the protein and mRNA expressions of AQP4 in cultured LoVo cells, with the effectiveness related with dose and acting time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>At the same time of playing cathartic action, total AQ of rhubarb can effectively down-regulate the expression of AQP4 in rat's proximal colon; rhein/emodin can suppress the AQP4 expression in LoVo cells in vitro. One mechanism of cathartic effect of rhubarb AQ is possibly its down-regulation on AQP4 expression.</p>

Taking ilium inner table to repair the articular surface defects of complex fracture of tibial plateau / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the feasibility of application of ilium inner table to repair the articular surface defects of tibial plateau complex fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-three patients with tibial plateau complex fractures included 17 males and 6 females with an average age of 28.3 years old ranging from 18 to 51 years. The area of the articular surface defects ranged from 1 cmx2 cm to 3 cmx3 cm, averaged 6.7 cm2. Taking ilium inner table with periosteum after trimmed and implanting into the articular surface defect area with the concavity upward and drilled with diameter 1.5 mm Kirschner pin interval 3 to 4 mm. Bone grafting were placed under the ilium inner table and were fixed by T-shaped or L-shaped plate. The wounded limb were braked by plaster for 4 weeks after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-three patients were followed-up for 8 months to 3 years, averaged 13.6 months. X-ray film showed solid union and the smooth articular surface in all cases. According to the Rasmussen evaluation system, the results were excellent in 11 cases, good in 8 cases,fair in 3 cases, poor in 1 case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Taking ilium inner table to repair the articular surface defects of tibial plateau complex fractures is a good resolving measures. It can repaire major area of articular surface defects, restore the smooth articular surface and acquire good function of knee joint with easy to operate, less complications at donor area.</p>

Preliminary analysis of ginseng industry in Wisconsin / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the case of Wisconsin as the top ginseng state in United States which has come through four developing steps: beginning, stagnating, flourishing and now, downturn.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The current situation of the ginseng industry in Wisconsin was briefly introduced, the federal and state management on ginseng cultivation and export, the organization of Ginseng Board of Wisconsin and their marketing style based on the field investigation and data collected from USDA and Wisconsin state.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The advantages and disadvantages of Wisconsin ginseng industry were analyzed in order to provide some suggestions for Chinese medicine industry.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese ginseng industry should learn the organization system from Wisconsin.</p>

Effect of total anthraquinone in rheum on aquaporin 2 expression in rat distal colon / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate effect of total anthraquinone in rheum on aquaporin 2 expression in rat distal colon.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>SD rats were randomly divided into control group, low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group. Gavaged to control group, and treated group were administered saline and total anthraquinone in rheum with dosage of 0.14, 2.5, 4.5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), respectively. All rats were put sacrificed after 5 days and stool in full length colon was gently collected to detect water content stool. Distal colon was removed to detect AQP2 expression with immunohistochemistry, western blot and RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>No diarrhea was found in low dose group and control group, there were not significant difference water content of stool and AQP2 expression between low dose group and control group. However, soft feces and loose stools occurred in diarrheic dose group, loose stools and watery stool appeared in high dose group. Stool water content increased in diarrheic dose group and High dose group, expression of AQP2 decreased evidently in these two groups (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Total anthraquinone in rheum can reduce the transcription and translation of AQP2 in rats' distal colon, increase fecal water content, which probably is one of the mechanisms of diarrhea caused by total anthraquinone in rheum.</p>

Effect of rhubarb on expressions of aquaporin-2 and -4 in rat's kidney / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of rhubarb on expressions of aquaporin-2 and 4 (AQP2 and AQP4) in rat's kidney.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, the normal control group, and the three rhubarb groups medicated via gastrogavage with low, mid and high dose of rhubarb extract (total anthraquinone) respectively. The 6 h and 24 h urine volume were measured, and the protein and mRNA expressions of AQP2 and AQP4 in renal tissue were determined with immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference between the control group and the low dose rhubarb treated group was found in urine volume, as well as in AQP2 and AQP4 protein and mRNA expressions. But the urine volume was obviously higher, the protein and mRNA expressions of AQP2 and AQP4 were markedly lower in rats after mid/high dose rhubarb medication respectively when compared with those in the normal controls (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rhubarb can inhibit the protein and mRNA expressions of AQP2 and AQP4 in rats' kidney, which probably is one of the mechanisms of rhubarb for diuresis.</p>

An ultrasonic scoring system for assessing the severity of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the diagnostic value of an ultrasonic assessing system for detecting the severity of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ultrasonographic variables were analyzed in 110 CHB patients. An ultrasonic semi-quantitative scoring system using seven ultrasonic morphologic parameters, a Fisher discriminating function and three quantitative ultrasonic parameters was developed. The performance of these methods was also studied and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The areas under the curve of the scoring system for different liver fibrosis stages were >or= S2: 0.946, >or= S3: 0.914, and S4: 0.915. The total score was well correlated with the histological stage of fibrosis (r=0.824, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the stages of fibrosis. The accuracy of the Fisher discriminating function for identifying three study endpoints was 76.5%, 78.2% and 67.3%. Combining the ultrasonic scoring system and the discriminating function, the specificity was 85%-90% and the accuracy was 77%-84%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our ultrasonic semi-quantitative scoring system is a noninvasive method for quantitating liver fibrosis. If it is used together with a discriminating function, the accuracy of diagnosing liver fibrosis can be significantly increased.</p>