Enhancing effect and mechanism of muscone on transdermal penetration of traditional Chinese medicine ingredients with different log P value / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the enhancing effect of muscone on the transdermal penetration of traditional Chinese medicine ingredients and explore its possible mechanism of action. The Franz diffusion cells were employed to investigate the effect of muscone on the transdermal permeation of a series of model drugs with a wide range of log P values. The solubilities at saturation and the stratum corneum(SC)/vehicle partition coefficients of model drugs were measured to evaluate the effect of muscone on drug thermodynamic activities and partition of drugs into SC. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR) was employed to explore the effect of muscone on the molecular structure of SC. The results showed that muscone significantly promoted the transdermal penetration of hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, and the enhancement ratio(ER) increased with the decrease in the log P. Muscone could interact with the SC lipids to increase the disorder and fluidity of lipid bilayer packing, which improved skin permeability and promoted transdermal absorption of drugs. This study provides a scientific basis for the application of muscone in traditional Chinese medicine topical preparations.

Effect of Tongxie Yaofang on p38 MAPK Pathway Associated Protein and Its Target Gene Expression in Colon Tissues of D-IBS Rats with Liver-stagnation and Spleen-deficiency / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To explore the effect of Tongxie Yaofang on p38 mitogen activated protease(p38 MAPK), mitogen and stress protein kinase 1(MSK1), cyclic adenosine effector response element binding protein(CREB)mRNA and protein expression in colon tissue of diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) rat model with liver depression and spleen deficiency(GYPX), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and the content of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum. Method::The 60 SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except the normal group, rats in the other groups were given by gavage with folium sennae and chronic bondage to establish D-IBS with GYPX for 14 days. The low, medium, and high doses Tongxie Yaofang were administered to Tongxie Yaofang(2.25, 4.5, 9 g·kg-1)gavage respectively. The piveronium bromide group was given piveronium bromide tablets suspension(0.02 g·kg-1)gavage.The normal group group and model group were given the same volume normal saline for 21 days. After the last gavage for 18 hours, the heart blood was collected and the colon tissue was dissected. Real-time PCR was used to observe the expression of p38 MAPK, MSK1 and CREB mRNA in rat colon. Western blot was used to observe the expression of p38 MAPK, MSK1 and CREB protein. ELISA was used to observe the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in colon. Hydroxylamine was used to observe the T-SOD level in serum, thiobarbituric acid(TBA)was used to observe the MDA content in serum. hematoxyl in-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of colon tissues. Result::Compared with normal group, the expression of p38 MAPK, MSK1, CREB mRNA and the protein content of p38 MAPK, MSK1 and CREB in the colon tissue of model group rats increased significantly, while the content of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α increased significantly(P<0.05). The level of serum T-SOD decreased significantly, and the content of MDA increased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the medium and high dose group of Tongxie Yaofang significantly decreased the expression of p38 MAPK mRNA, content of p38 MAPK, CREB protein and IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α in colon tissue(P<0.05). The level of serum T-SOD increased significantly, and the content of MDA decreased significantly(P<0.05). High dose group of Tongxie Yaofang can significantly decreased the expression of MSK1, CREB mRNA, content of MSK1 protein(P<0.05). Histopathological observation showed that no significant organic lesions were observed in the colonic morphology of each group of rats, which was consistent with the morphological characteristics of IBS. Conclusion::Tongxie Yaofang has a significant dose-effect relationship in the treatment of D-IBS rats with GYPX in a certain range, which may be related to its increases antioxidant stress and inhibit activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway and reducing the level of downstream inflammatory factors.

Preparation of compound liquorice microemulsion gel and its pharmacodynamics evaluation / 中国中药杂志

Based on the previous study of compound liquorice microemulsion, this paper aims to prepare the compound liquorice microemulsion gel and investigate its pharmacodynamics of chronic eczema. The type, dosage and adding method of gel matrix, and formula dosage of humectant were optimized by single factor method to obtain the formula and preparation technique of the gel. With glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhetin and oxymatrine used as evaluation indexes, the Franz diffusion cell method was adopted to monitor the in vitro release profile of the gel. Eczema model of delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice was chosen to detect the ear swelling rate, degree of inflammatory cell infiltration of ear pieces, and pathological changes of ear pieces, so as to investigate the therapeutic effect of the microemulsion gel. The preparation process of the compound liquorice microemulsion gel was stable. The release of glycyrrhizin and oxymatrine was most consistent with the Hixcon-Crowell kinetic model, while the release of glycyrrhizic acid was most consistent with the Ritger-Peppas kinetic model. The pharmacodynamics studies proved that compound liquorice microemulsion gel could significantly reduce the ear swelling rate in mice, with good anti-inflammatory effect as well as the ability to resist the pathological changes of chronic eczema and inhibit the infiltration of dermal inflammatory cells. Therefore, the preparation process of compound liquorice microemulsion gel is feasible, with stable drug release and a significant therapeutic effect on chronic eczema.

Bone mineral density of the spine and femur in healthy Chinese men / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To establish bone mineral density (BMD) reference database in healthy Chinese men of Han ethnicity, and to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis in the population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The BMD in the lumbar spine 1-4 (L1-4) and proximal femur was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in a total of 1 385 healthy Chinese men of Han ethnicity aged 20-89 years old in Shanghai.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The highly significant negative correlation between age and BMD at any sites of proximal femur was found in the studied population, wheras no correlation between age and BMD at lumbar spine was observed. The peak BMD of the lumbar spine and any sites of hip in Chinese men was defined as the mean BMD for the subjects aged 20-89 years. According to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, the BMD cut-off values for osteoporosis of the L1-4, total hip, femoral neck, trochanter and intertrochanter in Chinese men are 0.719, 0.638, 0.575, 0.437 and 0.725 g/cm(2), respectively. Using the current Chinese reference data, the prevalence of osteoporosis at the L1-4, total hip, femoral neck, trochanter and intertrochanter is 5.4%, 3.8%, 6.3%, 1.8% and 2.8% in 1 084 men aged 50 years or older, respectively. However, using a database for US non-Hispanic white men (NHANES III), the prevalence of osteoporosis or osteopenia at any sites of the hip was significantly higher than that while using the current Chinese reference data.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The BMD reference database was established in healthy Chinese men of Han ethnicity, and will facilitate more accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis in Chinese men.</p>

Association of bone metabolism related genes polymorphisms with the effect of raloxifene hydrochloride on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of bone metabolism related genes polymorphisms with the effect of raloxifene hydrochloride(RLX) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 68 unrelated postmenopausal women with osteoporosis of Han ethnicity aged 47-74 years were randomly divided into 2 groups of 34 women: RLX group (60 mg were given daily for 12 months) and placebo group. BMD and bone turnover markers were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months after treatment. The polymorphisms of Xba I and Pvu II sites in estrogen receptor 1 gene(ESR1), Ras I site in ESR2 gene, and start codon (Fok I) and CDX2 binding sites in vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 58 patients completed 12 months of study period. By the end of study, the increased percentage of BMD in lumbar spine 2-4 (L2-4), total hip, and trochanter were found significantly different between RLX group and placebo group(P<0.05), and the decreased percentage of C-telopeptide and osteocalcin were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.01). The BMD of total hip and trochanter of women with FF genotypes of VDR Fok I site were decreased by 1.98%+/-4.86% and 2.26%+/-4.73% respectively in the RLX group, but those of women with Ff/ff genotypes were increased by 2.52%+/-2.75% and 2.74 %+/-2.97%, respectively(P<0.05). Moreover, the total hip BMD of women with PP/Pp genotypes of ESR1 Pvu II site was increased by 2.12%+/-2.78%, and of women with pp genotype it was decreased by 1.34%+/-3.73%(P<0.05). However, no significant association was observed of the polymorphisms of five sites with the changes of BMD and bone turnover markers in the placebo group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The effect of RLX on BMD in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis is regulated by the polymorphisms of Fok I of VDR gene and Pvu II of ESR1 gene. The study is valuable to select this drug according to genotype of patients in clinical.</p>

Relationship between the polymorphism of start codon and CDX2 site in vitamin D receptor gene and the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density of postmenopausal women / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of polymorphisms of start codon (Fok I site) and CDX2 binding site in vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) concerned with the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers of postmenopausal women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundreds unrelated postmenopausal women of Han ethnicity in Shanghai were randomly divided into 2 groups of 100 women: high calcium group (1000 mg element calcium and 400 units of vitamin D were given daily for 12 months) and low calcium group (300 mg element calcium and 300 units of vitamin D were given daily for 12 months). BMD and bone turnover markers were measured at baseline and 12 months after calcium supplementation. VDR gene Fok I and CDX2 polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and allele-specific multiplex PCR, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred and seventy-one women completed 12-month study period. The frequency of VDR Fok I genotypes was 48.0 % for Ff, 31.0 % for FF, and 21.0 % for ff, and the frequency of CDX2 genotypes was 56.7 % for AG, 25.7% for GG, and 17.6% for AA. The frequencies distribution of Fok I and CDX2 alleles in the entire population or in two subgroups all followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant difference of baseline BMD and bone turnover markers in Fok I genotypes or CDX2 genotypes was observed in the entire population or in two subgroups. Moreover, regardless of calcium supplementation given for 12 months, no significant association was found between Fok I or CDX2 polymorphisms and the endpoint values or percentage changes of any BMD and bone turnover markers in either high calcium group or low calcium group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no significant relationship between VDR gene Fok I or CDX2 polymorphisms and the effect of high or low doses calcium supplementation on BMD and bone turnover markers in Shanghai postmenopausal women of Han ethnicity.</p>

Association of Xba I, Pvu II, and Bst U I polymorphisms of estrogen receptor-alpha gene with bone mass in men / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of polymorphism in estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha ) gene with bone mineral density(BMD) in men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The ER-alpha Xba I, Pvu II and Bst UI genotypes were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in 388 unrelated healthy men who were 46-80 years old and were of Han nationalities in Shanghai city. Bone mineral densities (BMD, g/cm(2)) at lumbar spines 1-4 (L(1-4)) and at any sites of proximal femur, including femoral neck (Neck), trochanter (Troch) and Ward's triangle (Ward's) were measured by duel-energy X-ray absorptiometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies distribution of Xba I and Pvu II alleles and genotypes in this cohort all followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No Bst UI polymorphic site in ER-alpha gene was found in total samples. All subjects were of BB genotype. No significant association was found between Xba I genotype and BMD at any skeleton sites. The significant association was found between Pvu II genotype and BMD at L(1-4) and Ward's triangle site (P< 0.05). Compared against men with PP and pp genotype, men with Pp genotype had significantly higher mean BMD at L(1-4) and Ward's triangle site (P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study suggests that Bst UI polymorphism in ER-alpha gene may be absent or rare in Chinese Han population. Pvu II polymorphism possibly influences the loss of trabecular bone mass in old men.</p>

Relationship of msp AI polymorphism in cytochrome P450c 17alpha gene with bone mass and bone size in Shanghai men of Han nationality / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship of Msp AI polymorphism in the promoter region of cytochrome P450c 17alpha (CYP17) gene with bone mass and bone size in Shanghai men of Han nationality.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The CYP17 Msp AI genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 397 unrelated men (324 healthy men, 73 osteoporosis patients) aged 46-80 years of Han nationality in Shanghai. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone cross-section area (CSA) at lumber spine 1-4 and at any sites of proximal femur, including femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle were measured by duel-energy X-ray absorptiometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Frequency distributions of CYP17 genotype were TC (51.1%), CC (33.8%), and TT (15.1%). The allele frequencies T and C were 40.7% and 59.3%, respectively. Allele frequencies did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequencies of CYP17 Msp AI genotype did not show difference between osteoporosis cases and healthy controls. In group of all population, or in subgroups of osteoporosis patients and healthy men, CYP17 Msp AI genotype was not significantly associated with BMD, BMC, and CSA at lumber spine 1-4 and at any sites of proximal femur after having been adjusted for age, weight, and height with analysis of covariance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Msp AI polymorphism of CYP17 gene is not a genetic factor that influence the variation of bone mass and bone size in Shanghai men of Han nationality.</p>

Effects of raloxifene hydrochloride on bone mineral density, bone metabolism and serum lipids in Chinese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Raloxifene has been approved for prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Caucasian women. It also has some positive effects on serum lipids in Caucasians. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of raloxifene hydrochloride on lumbar spine and total hip bone mineral density (BMD), bone metabolism, and serum lipids in Chinese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 204 postmenopausal Chinese women with osteoporosis were assigned to receive raloxifene (60 mg) or placebo treatment daily for 12 months. BMD, serum bone metabolism markers, and serum lipids were measured before and after drug administration. BMD was measured by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and bone metabolism markers were analyzed by one-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum lipids were measured by enzymatic analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the end of the 12-month study, lumbar spine BMD increased in both groups with a mean increase of (3.3 +/- 4.8)% in the raloxifene group and (1.0 +/- 4.9)% in the placebo group (P < 0.001). There was a mean increase in total hip BMD of (1.4 +/- 4.8)% in the raloxifene group and a mean decrease of (0.9 +/- 5.0)% in the placebo group (P < 0.001). No subject in the raloxifene group had a new vertebral fracture and 5 placebo subjects had new fractures (P > 0.05). In the raloxifene group, the median decreases in the biochemical markers of bone metabolism serum osteocalcin and C-telopeptide were 41.7% and 61.5%, respectively. These changes were statistically significant compared with those in the placebo group (10.6% and 35.6%, P < 0.001, respectively). Both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly in the raloxifene group compared with those in the placebo group (P < 0.001, respectively) and there was no significant effect of raloxifene on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides compared with placebo.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Raloxifene 60 mg/d for 12 months significantly increases lumbar spine and total hip BMD, significantly decreases bone turnover, and has favourable effects on serum lipids in Chinese postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.</p>

Association of Apa I polymorphism of vitamin D receptor gene with bone mass in men / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of Apa I polymorphism in vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene with bone mass in men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The VDR Apa I genotype was determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in 388 unrelated healthy men aged 46-80 years of Han nationality in Shanghai city. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) at lumber spine 1-4 (L1-4) and at any sites of proximal femur including to femoral neck (Neck), trochanter (Troch) and Ward's striangle (Ward's) were measured by duel-energy X-ray absorptiometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Frequencies distribution of VDR Apa I genotype were aa for 48.1%, Aa for 44.2% and AA 7.7%. The allele frequencies of Apa I polymorphism were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant association was found between Apa I genotype and BMD or BMC in group of all population or in subgroup of men below 60 years. In men above 60 years, the significant association was found between VDR Apa I genotype and BMD or BMC at L1-4, Neck and Ward's (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and compared with Aa and aa genotype, AA genotype had significantly higher mean BMD and BMC at L1-4, Neck and Ward's (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). But Apa I genotype is not associated with BMD and BMC at Troch.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Apa I polymorphism is associated with bone mass in men above 60 years, and AA genotype has higher bone mass. Apa I polymorphism in VDR gene possibly influence loss of trabecular and cortical bone mass in old men.</p>