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Objective:To investigate the mechanism of Shugan Wendan decoction in treating atherosclerosis based on liver X receptor α(LXRα)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) signal. Method:A New Zealand rabbit model of atherosclerosis with liver-Qi stagnation was established by using calf serum albumin immune injury, high fat feeding and bondage emotional stress method. Theses rabbits are randomly divided into 6 groups, control group,model group, atorvastatin group, Shugan Wendan decoction low, medium and high dose group(2.18,6.54,19.62 g·kg-1·d-1). After successful modeling, the rabbits were treated by injecting drugs with Atorvastatin and low, middle and high dose Shugan Wendan decoction to gastric.The control group and the model group were given intragastric administration of saline in the same volume. The period of gavage is 6 weeks. The pathological changes of the rabbits were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining.Serum levels of totalcholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG),low density extremityprotein(LDL-C), high density extremity protein(HDL-C), nitric oxide(NO), and endothelin-1(ET-1) of the rabbits were detected by enzyme method, nitrate reductase method, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), respectively.The gene expression of CRP, IL-1β, IL-6 and MMP-9 in the aorta was detected by Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) method.The protein expression of LXRα/NF-κB signaling pathway wasdetected by Western blot. Result:Compared with normal control group, in model group, the lumen of the blood vessels was significantly narrowed, atheromatous plaques were formed, and a large number of intracellular foam-like changes were seen. In atorvastatin group and Shugan Wendan decoction group, the blood vessels in high, middle, and low concentration groups were narrowed. Atherosclerotic plaques and foam-like changes were all lower than the model group.Compared with the normal control group, the TG, TC, and LDL-C levels in the model groupincreased(PPPPβ, IL-6 and MMP-9 all increased(Pα protein in the model group was decreased(PκB was increased(PPPβ, IL-6 and MMP-9 in the atorvastatin group,the low, middle and high dose Shugan Wendan decoction groups all decreased(Pα protein in the group was increased(PκB was decreased(PConclusion:Shugan Wendan decoction can inhance the function of vascular endothelial cells and the stability of atherosclerotic plaque by regulating LXRα/NF-κB signaling pathway.
RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of needling at Baihui(DU20), Shuigou(DU26) and Shenmen(HT7) on glucose metabolism in different regions of the brain in vascular dementia patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten patients with vascular dementia were randomized into 2 groups, and the patients in the control group received the treatment with needling in the routine acupoints for hemiplegia (chosen from 6 Yang meridians of the hand and foot), while those in treatment group received needling at 3 additional acupoints, namely Baihui(DU20), Shuigou(DU26) and Shenmen(HT7), which were specific for dementia treatment. All the patients were examined by positron-emission tomography(PET) to detect the glucose metabolism in different brain regions before and after acupuncture treatment by means of semiquantitative analysis of the average values of radioactive count in the brain regions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Needling at the additional 3 acupoints could obviously enhance glucose metabolism in the bilateral frontal lobes, bilateral thalamus, temporal lobe and lentiform nucleus on the uncompromised side.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effect of needling at Baihui(DU20), Shuigou(DU26) and Shenmen(HT7) on vascular dementia is closely related to improved cerebral glucose metabolism.</p>