Caprylic Acid Improves Lipid Metabolism, Suppresses the Inflammatory Response and Activates the ABCA1/p-JAK2/p-STAT3 Signaling Pathway in C57BL/6J Mice and RAW264.7 Cells / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to investigate the effects of caprylic acid (C8:0) on lipid metabolism and inflammation, and examine the mechanisms underlying these effects in mice and cells.@*METHODS@#Fifty-six 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to four groups fed a high-fat diet (HFD) without or with 2% C8:0, palmitic acid (C16:0) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). RAW246.7 cells were randomly divided into five groups: normal, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+C8:0, LPS+EPA and LPS+cAMP. The serum lipid profiles, inflammatory biomolecules, and ABCA1 and JAK2/STAT3 mRNA and protein expression were measured.@*RESULTS@#C8:0 decreased TC and LDL-C, and increased the HDL-C/LDL-C ratio after injection of LPS. Without LPS, it decreased TC in mice ( P < 0.05). Moreover, C8:0 decreased the inflammatory response after LPS treatment in both mice and cells ( P < 0.05). Mechanistic investigations in C57BL/6J mouse aortas after injection of LPS indicated that C8:0 resulted in higher ABCA1 and JAK2/STAT3 expression than that with HFD, C16:0 and EPA, and resulted in lower TNF-α, NF-κB mRNA expression than that with HFD ( P < 0.05). In RAW 264.7 cells, C8:0 resulted in lower expression of pNF-κBP65 than that in the LPS group, and higher protein expression of ABCA1, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 than that in the LPS and LPS+cAMP groups ( P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Our studies demonstrated that C8:0 may play an important role in lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response, and the mechanism may be associated with ABCA1 and the p-JAK2/p-STAT3 signaling pathway.

Analgesic effect of electroacupuncture on chronic pelvic pain in patients with sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on chronic pelvic pain in patients with sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease.@*METHODS@#A total of 144 patients with chronic pelvic pain were randomly divided into an observation group (72 cases, 10 cases dropped off) and a control group (72 cases, 9 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with ibuprofen sustained-release capsules 10 days before menstruation, 0.3 g each time, once a day. On the basis of the treatment of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with EA at Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao (ST 28), Guilai (ST 29), Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32), disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz of frequency, once a day. The patients in both groups were treated for 10 days per menstrual cycle for 3 menstrual cycles. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of lower abdomen and lumbosacral area, local sign score, quality of life scale score and pain disappearance rate were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#The VAS scores of lower abdomen and lumbosacral area as well as each item score and total score of local signs in the observation group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment and those in the control group (@*CONCLUSION@#EA can relieve the pain symptoms in patients with chronic pelvic pain and improve their quality of life.

Acupuncture combined with western medication on chronic pelvic pain after pelvic inflammatory disease: a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect between acupuncture combined with ibuprofen sustained-release capsule and simple ibuprofen sustained-release capsule on chronic pelvic pain (CPP) after pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).@*METHODS@#A total of 144 patients were randomized into an observation group (72 cases, 10 cases dropped off) and a control group (72 cases, 9 cases dropped off). Ibuprofen sustained-release capsule was given orally in the control group, one capsule a time. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, acupuncture was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao (ST 28), Guilai (ST 29), Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32), and Shuidao (ST 28), Guilai (ST 29), Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32) were connected to electroacupuncture in the observation group. The treatment was given 10 days before menstruation, once a day for 3 menstrual cycles in both groups, and the follow-up was adopted 3 menstrual cycles after treatment. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of hypogastrium and lumbosacral region before treatment, after treatment, and at the follow-up, the score of local signs and the score of World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire-brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) before and after treatment were observed in the both groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and at the follow-up, the VAS scores of hypogastrium and lumbosacral region were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with ibuprofen sustained-release capsule can effectively improve the symptoms, signs and quality of life in patients with CPP after PID, the therapeutic effect is superior to simple ibuprofen sustained-release capsule.

Textual research on traditional application of Moringa / 中国中药杂志

Moringa has a long history of edible and medicinal use in foreign countries, this paper collected and sorted out the traditional application of Moringa recorded in the ancient medical books and historical materials of countries and regions along the ancient Silk Road. According to preliminary research, the earliest record of Moringa in China can be traced back to The Bower Manuscript(volume Ⅱ)(about the 4 th-6 th century A.D.) unearthed in Kuqa, Xinjiang. Around the 8 th century, with the communication between countries along the ancient Silk Road becoming prosperous, more and more medical books containing Moringa and its prescriptions were introduced to Tibet, Xinjiang and other places in today's China. The leaves, root bark, seeds and stem bark of Moringa all can be used for medicinal purposes and are recorded in The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India(API). Among them, Moringa leaves have been approved as a new resource food in China. According to the API, it is of cold property and sweet taste, its post-digestive effect is sweet and has the functions of removing wind, bile and fat, relieving pain, killing abdominal worms, moistening skin, brightening eyes and clearing brain. It can be used to treat edema, parasitic diseases, spleen diseases, abscess, tumor, pharyngeal swelling and other diseases. This study explored and organized the historical evidence of communication through the Silk Road and traditional application records of Moringa, in order to provide the evidence of traditional medicine basis, medicine property and efficacy application reference for the realization of the introduction of Moringa as a new resource of traditional Chinese medicine.

Handgrip Strength as a Predictor of Nutritional Status in Chinese Elderly Inpatients at Hospital Admission / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess nutritional status and define gender- and age-specific handgrip strength (HGS) cut-point values for malnutrition or nutritional risk in elderly inpatients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study of 1,343 elderly inpatients was conducted in the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS 2002) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) were administered. Anthropometric measurements and blood biochemical indicators were obtained using standard techniques. The gender- and age-specific receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to evaluate the HGS for nutritional status by SGA and NRS 2002. Sensitivity, specificity, and areas under the curves (AUCs) were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to NRS 2002 and SGA, 63.81% of elderly inpatients were at nutritional risk and 28.22% were malnourished. Patients with higher HGS had an independently decreased risk of malnutrition and nutritional risk. The AUCs varied between 0.670 and 0.761. According to NRS 2002, the optimal HGS cut-points were 27.5 kg (65-74 years) and 21.0 kg (75-90 years) for men and 17.0 kg (65-74 years) and 14.6 kg (75-90 years) for women. According to SGA, the optimal HGS cut-points were 24.9 kg (65-74 years) and 20.8 kg (75-90 years) for men and 15.2 kg (65-74 years) and 13.5 kg (75-90 years) for women.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Elderly inpatients had increased incidence of malnutrition or nutritional risk. HGS cut-points can be used for assessing nutritional status in elderly inpatients at hospital admission in China.</p>

The Association of Maternal Body Composition and Dietary Intake with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus during the Second Trimester in a Cohort of Chinese Pregnant Women / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total 154 GDM subjects and 981 controls were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in 11 hospitals from May 20, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and dietary surveys were used to determine body composition and to evaluate the intake of nutrients in subjects at 21-24 weeks' gestation (WG). Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the relationships of maternal body composition and dietary intake with the risk of GDM morbidity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Age, pre-pregnant body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI) were associated with increased risk of GDM. Fat mass (FM), fat mass percentage (FMP), extracellular water (ECW), BMI, BW, energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrates at 21-24 WG were associated with an increased risk of GDM. In contrast, fat free mass (FFM), muscular mass (MM), and intracellular water (ICW) were associated with a decreased risk of GDM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Maternal body composition and dietary intake during the second trimester of pregnancy were associated with the risk of GDM morbidity.</p>

Medium-Chain Triglyceride Activated Brown Adipose Tissue and Induced Reduction of Fat Mass in C57BL/6J Mice Fed High-fat Diet / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) stimulated by medium-chain triglyceride (MCT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>30 Male C57BL/6J obese mice induced by fed high fat diet (HFD) were divided into 2 groups, and fed another HFD with 2% MCT or long-chain triglyceride (LCT) respectively for 12 weeks. Body weight, blood biochemical variables, interscapular brown fat tissue (IBAT) mass, expressions of mRNA and protein of beta 3-adrenergic receptors (β3-AR), uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), protein kinase A (PKA), and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) in IBAT were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant decrease in body weight and body fat mass was observed in MCT group as compared with LCT group (P<0.05) after 12 weeks. Greater increases in IBAT mass was observed in MCT group than in LCT group (P<0.05). Blood TG, TC, LDL-C in MCT group were decreased significantly, meanwhile blood HDL-C, ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C and norepinephrine were increased markedly. Expressions of mRNA and protein of β3-AR, UCP1, PKA, HSL, ATGL in BAT were greater in MCT group than in LCT group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggest that MCT stimulated the activation of BAT, possible via norepinephrine pathway, which might partially contribute to reduction of the body fat mass in obese mice fed high fat diet.</p>

Study progress on association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism in genetic susceptibility of preterm birth / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Etiology and mechanism of preterm birth are very complicated.Genetic susceptibility is a key factor which shouldn't be ignored.The genetics studies carried on preterm birth are mostly based on association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism markers to study the susceptibility of preterm birth.Inflammation genes(INF-γ gene,IL-1A gene,IL-1B gene,IL-6 gene,IL-10 gene,IL-12 gene,TNF-α gene),folic acid utilization capacity related genes (MTHFR gene,DHFR gene,MTR gene,MTRR gene,SHMT1 gene),vitamin C transportation and toxicant metabolism related genes(CYP1A1 gene,CYP2A6 gene,CYP2D6 gene,CYP2E1 gene,SLC23A1 gene,SLC23A2 gene) and coagulation related genes (coagulation factor,prothrombin,vascular endothelial growth factor,angiotensin-converting enzyme,angiotensinogen,paraoxonase) are associated with risk of preterm birth.A part of the cases with preterm delivery were the result of synergistic effect of both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors.SNP polymorphism decides the capacity of metabolism of poisonous substances and inflammation susceptibility,which in turn has influence on the reprodutive risk and delivery outcome after exposed by environmental toxicants and pathogenic organisms.The polymorphism is different among different regions and different races,so different population may have different risk markers for preterm birth.Genotyping of susceptibility genes may be helpful for reducing the preterm birth,so it's an urgent necessity to lead a population-based genetics study on preterm birth.

Prosapogenin A inhibits cell growth of MCF7 via downregulating STAT3 and glycometabolism-related gene / 药学学报

This study is to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of prosapogenin A (PSA) on MCF7. MTT assay was performed to determine the inhibitory effect of PSA on MCF7 cells. PI/Hoechst 33342 double staining was used to detect cell apoptosis. RT-PCR was used to test the mRNA levels of STAT3, GLUT1, HK and PFKL. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression of STAT3 and pSTAT3 protein in MCF7 cells. The results showed that PSA could dose-dependently inhibit cell growth of MCF7 followed by IC50 of 9.65 micrmol x L(-1) and promote cell apoptosis of MCF7. Reduced mRNA levels of STAT3, HK and PFKL were observed in MCF7 cells treated with 5 micromol x L(-1) of PSA. PSA also decreased the level of pSTAT3 protein. STAT3 siRNA caused decrease of mRNA of GLUT1, HK and PFKL which indicated STAT3 could regulate the expressions of GLUT1, HK and PFKL. The results suggested that PSA could inhibit cell growth and promote cell apoptosis of MCF7 via inhibition of STAT3 and glycometabolism-related gene.

Endogenous cystathionine-gamma-lyase/hydrogen sulfide pathway regulates apoptosis of HepG2 cells / 药学学报

This study is to investigate the role of endogenous CSE/H2S in regulating apoptosis of HepG2 cells. MTT and Trypan blue assay were performed to determine the effect of CSE inhibitor PAG and CSE siRNA on proliferation of HepG2. Production of H2S from HepG2 cells was assessed spectrophotometrically using N, N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine-dihydrochloride. Cells apoptosis was detected by means of double staining of Hoechst 33342 and PI with Array Scan V(TI)HCS600 High-Contents. Dihydroethidine (DHE) and 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay was used to determine intracellular superoxide anion and ROS level. Reduced glutathione (GSH) was determined by OxiSelect Total Glutathione Assay Kit. Recombinant plasmid pcDNA 3.1/myc-His(-)-CSE was constructed and transfected into 293T cells to rescue the ROS and GSH level to further investigate the effect of CSE/H2S on ROS and GSH. Western blotting was performed to test the effect of CSE siRNA on expression of activated caspase 3 and p-AKT and Nrf2 protein. The results showed that PAG and CSE siRNA could significantly decrease the production of H2S in HepG2 cells and inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells at a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, respectively. PAG and CSE siRNA could promote the cell apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Moreover, PAG and CSE siRNA induced increased ROS generation and depletion of the critical antioxidant GSH and recombinant plasmid pcDNA 3.1/myc-His(-)-CSE rescued the level of ROS and GSH. Meanwhile, CSE siRNA increased the expression of activated caspase 3, but CSE siRNA did not affect the expression of p-AKT and Nrf2. These results suggested that the CSE/H2S pathway was involved in suppression of HepG2 cell growth and promoted apoptosis of HepG2 cells in an oxidative stress-dependent manner.

Medium- and long-chain fatty acid triacylglycerol reduce body fat and serum triglyceride in overweight and hypertriglyceridemic subjects / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate effects of medium- and long-chain fatty acid triacylglycerols (MLCT) on body fat and serum lipid in overweight and hypertriglyceridemic subjects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A double-blind, controlled clinical trial was carried out, in which 112 subjects with hypertriglyceridemia were enrolled and divided into two groups, there were 56 subjects in each group. One group was randomized to consume long-chain fatty acid triacylglycerol (LCT), and the other to MLCT. All volunteers were asked to consume 25 - 30 g test oil daily for consecutive 8 weeks. Anthropometric measurements of body weight, body fat weight, waist circumference(WC), hip circumference(HC), WHR (ratio of WC/HC), total fat weight, subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, and serum biochemical variables of glucose, total cholesterols(TC), triglycerides(TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)were measured at the initial and final time of the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>11 subjects were excluded from the study because of various reasons. Of the 101 included cases, there were 50 (male subject 34, 68.0%) and 51 (male subject 33, 64.7%) subjects left in LCT and MLCT group respectively. The proportion of men in MLCT (64.7%, 33/51) was not significantly different (chi(2) = 0.1227, P > 0.05) compared to those in LCT (68.0%, 34/50). The average age of MLCT was (54.2 +/- 12.5) which was not significantly different (t = 0.39, P > 0.05) compared to those in LCT (53.2 +/- 13.0); Body mass index (BMI) of MLCT was (25.9 +/- 3.3) kg/m(2), which was not significantly different (t = 0.08, P > 0.05) compared to those of LCT (25.9 +/- 2.4) kg/m(2). After consumption of test oil for 8 weeks, extent of decrease in BMI, percent of body fat, subcutaneous fat, serum TG and serum LDL-C in overweight subjects of MLCT were (-0.73 +/- 0.61) kg/m(2), (-1.53 +/- 1.32)%, (-16.29 +/- 19.25) cm(2), (-0.57 +/- 0.86) mmol/L and (-0.05 +/- 0.64) mmol/L respectively, those in overweight subjects of LCT were (-0.19 +/- 0.61) kg/m(2), (-0.58 +/- 1.02)%, (4.69 +/- 19.06) cm(2), (0.65 +/- 1.10) mmol/L and (0.38 +/- 0.58) mmol/L respectively, all of them were significantly different (the value of t were -2.70, -2.43, -3.20, -3.81 and -2.09 respectively, all of P value were less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Consumption of MLCT can reduce body fat weight and serum triacylglycerol and LDL-C in overweight hypertriglyceridemic subjects under an appropriate dietary regime.</p>

Chronic toxicity of 97% isopropyl thioxanthone in rat by oral administration for 2 years / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the oral chronic toxicity of 97% isopropyl thioxanthone (97% ITX) in rats, determine the no-observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four groups of rats were fed with foodstuff containing 97% ITX in the dosage of 1000.0, 250.0, 62.5 mg/kg respectively for 2 years. The general behavior, body weight, food availability ect. were observed during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, blood and urine samples were collected for routine and biochemical assays. The internal organs were taken for calculating their organ coefficients and histopathological examinations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the experimental period, no obvious abnormality were found in the experimental animals. The body weight and the total food availability rate in the high dosage group of male were lower than that of control (P < 0.05). Hematology examination showed that the quantity of Hb and RBC in high dosage groups of both the male and female and Hb in the male middle group were all lower than the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Analysis of correlation indicated that r = -0.433, P < 0.01 in male, r = -0.337, P < 0.01 in female of Hb; r = -0.266, P < 0.05 in male, r = -0.317, P < 0.01 in female of RBC. There were obviously negative correlation. Serum biochemistry examination showed the concentration of CHO in the high and middle dosage treated rats of male and female were higher than that of the control (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Analysis of correlation indicated that r = 0.497, P < 0.01 in male, r = 0.417, P < 0.01 in female. No abnormality were found in urine examination. The organ weight and organ coefficient such as liver, were higher than control group (P < 0.01). The result of histopathological examinations displayed that the renal tubule Cast and the tubulointerstitial nephritis in the treated groups were higher than that of control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>97% ITX could obviously interfere with the animals' physical condition, and reduce the number of RBC and the concentration of Hb in the blood, interact metabolism of lipoid and induce the concentration of CHO in the serum. The livers of the treated rats are compensatory enlarged. And kidneys of the poisoning animals are damaged. The 2 years oral NOAEL of 97% ITX in rats are more than 4.63 mg/kg for female rats, and larger than 4.06 mg/kg for male rats.</p>

Study on improvement of islet beta cell function in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes mellitus in adults by integrative Chinese and Western medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM) on improvement of the islet beta cell function in treating patients with latent autoimmune diabetes mellitus in adults (LADA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-four patients of LADA were randomly divided into 3 groups (20 in A, 33 in B and 31 in C), they were treated respectively with sulfonylurea, insulin and combination of insulin and Chinese medicine. The changes before and after treatment in blood glucose, glycohemoglobin and islet beta cell function were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the damaged islet beta cell function in Group A was not improved, the secrete peak value of C-peptide was still low and delayed in Group A, but in Group B and C, it shifted earlier, suggesting that a certain degree of improvement and recovery of islet beta cell function. The improving effect in Group C was better.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chinese herbal medicine had effect in lowering blood glucose and improving islet beta cell function in patients with diabetes mellitus, and showed a synergistic and enhancing action when combined use with insulin. Early treatment of insulin or combination of insulin and Chinese medicine should be applied to patients with LADA.</p>