Correlation Analysis Between Disease Severity and Inflammation-related Parameters in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia

AimThe new coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia outbreaking at the end of 2019 is highly contagious. Crude mortality rate reached 49% in critical patients. Inflammation matters on disease progression. This study analyzed blood inflammation indicators among mild, severe and critical patients, helping to identify severe or critical patients early. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 100 patients were included and divided to mild, severe or critical groups. Correlation of peripheral blood inflammation-related indicators with disease criticality was analyzed. Cut-off values for critically ill patients were speculated through the ROC curve. ResultsSignificantly, disease severity was associated with age (R=-0.564, P<0.001), interleukin-2 receptor (IL2R) (R=-0.534, P<0.001), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (R=-0.535, P<0.001), interleukin-8 (IL-8) (R=-0.308, P<0.001), interleukin-10 (IL-10) (R=-0.422, P<0.001), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (R=-0.322, P<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (R=-0.604, P<0.001), ferroprotein (R=-0.508, P<0.001), procalcitonin (R=-0.650, P<0.001), white cell counts (WBC) (R=-0.54, P<0.001), lymphocyte counts (LC) (R=0.56, P<0.001), neutrophil count (NC) (R=-0.585, P<0.001) and eosinophil counts (EC) (R=0.299, P=0.01). ConclusionWith following parameters such as age >67.5 years, IL2R >793.5U/mL, CRP >30.7ng/mL, ferroprotein >2252g/L, WBC>9.5*10^9/L or NC >7.305*10^9/L, the progress of COVID-19 to critical stage should be closely observed and possibly prevented. Inflammation is closely related to severity of COVID-19, and IL-6, TNF and IL-8 might be promising therapeutic targets.

HepG2 cell IR:Establishment of model and improvement by berberine / 中国药理学通报

Aim To establish insulin resistance cell model on HepG2 cells (human embryonic liver tumor cells )and investigate the effect of berberine hydro-chloride on insulin-resistant HepG2 (IR-HepG2 ) cells.Methods ① IR model was induced by respec-tively using 10 -9 ,10 -8 ,10 -7 ,10 -6 ,10 -5 ,10 -4 mol ·L-1 insulin with 25 mmol · L-1 glucose in HepG2 cells.② HepG2 cells were incubated with 2-NBDG (fluorescent labeled glucose)in a series of concentra-tion:50,100,200,400,600,800 μmol·L-1 and a series of incubation time:20,40,60,80,100 min, to select the optimum concentration of insulin and the optimum incubation concentration and time of 2-NBDG in HepG2 cells.The success of the model was deter-mined by detecting the consumption of glucose in the cell supernatant and the uptake of glucose in HepG2 cells.③To study the effect of berberine hydrochloride on improving insulin resistance on the cell level,met-formin and berberine hydrochloride were used in the IR cells.Results Six concentrations of insulin induced the IR model in different degrees.Although 10 -4, 10 -5 mol·L-1 insulin was significant,a large amount of cells died.10 -6 mol·L-1 insulin was effective and had high survival rate of HepG2 cells,which had sta-tistical significance compared with the normal group. When the incubation concentration of 2-NBDG was more than 100 mol·L-1 ,the fluorescence intensity of the cells was significantly different from the normal group.When the incubation time of 2-NBDG was more than 20 min,fluorescence intensity was significantly different from the normal group.When the incubation time of 2-NBDG was more than 100 min,the fluores-cence quenching phenomenon was obvious in the cells. Berberine hydrochloride and metformin significantly in-creased the glucose consumption and glucose uptake in cell supernatant, which had statistical significance compared with the model group.Conclusions Using 10 -6 mol · L-1 insulin induced IR model in HepG2 cells,the optimum incubation concentration and incu-bation time of 2-NBDG is 200 μmol·L-1 and 80 min, respectively.Berberine hydrochloride and metformin have obvious effect on improving IR in HepG2 cells.

Relationship between intestinal dysbacteriosis and circadian clock disturbance / 中国病理生理杂志

The human gut harbours a certain quantity and variety of microbes called intestinal flora, which is in a state of balance under normal circumstances, and dysbacteriosis occurs when the balance of the intestinal flora is dis-turbed by the host and the changes of the external environment.Circadian clock is the biological regulation system to adapt to natural circadian rhythm, including central clock and peripheral clock.Circadian clock disturbance, particularly rotating shift-workers with irregular light-night schedules, is associated with an increased risk of immune-related diseases.The de-velopment of these diseases is closely related to intestinal dysbacteriosis.Therefore, the correlation between intestinal dys-bacteriosis and circadian clock disturbance has attracted much attention.This review aims to explore the pathophysiological basis of the development in some immune-related diseases based on the latest scientific findings about the relationship be-tween intestinal microbial flora and circadian clock.

Nonoxynol-9 berberine plural gel has little effect on expression of SLPI, SP-D and lactoferrin in mice's vagina.

BACKGROUND: The most frequently used spermicide Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) in the clinic alters the vaginal flora, which will result in an increased risk of opportunistic infection. So development of a novel spermicidal and microbicidal drug appears to be inevitable. Vaginal local immune is an important part of vaginal flora. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), surfactant proteins D (SP-D), and lactoferrin (LF) are anti-microbial molecules with important roles in immune system of female vaginas. OBJECTIVE: To observe effect of a vaginal spermicide nonoxynol-9 (N-9) berberine plural gel on the expression of SLPI SP-D and LF in mice's vaginas. Materials and Methods : Female BABL/C mice were randomly divided into following 5 groups: normal control group, blank gel group, berberine gel group, 12% N-9 gel group and N-9 berberine plural gel group. Estradiol benzoate at physiological dose was done by hypodermic injection to every group's mice. After 72h, drug gels were separately injected into the mice's vaginas, while immunohistochemistry and Western blot were taken to detect the expression of the 3 indexes in mice's vaginas respectively after 24h and 72h of gel injection. RESULTS: The differences in the three indexes between normal control group and blank gel group were not significant statistically (p>0.05). The expression of the three indexes in 12% N-9 gel group was decreased compared to that in blank gel group (p<0.05). The differences in the three indexes between N-9 berberine plural gel group and blank gel group were not significant statistically (p>0.05). Also, the three index's level of 24h and 72h in sub observation groups after treatment were without statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Application of N-9 berberine plural gel had little impact on antimicrobial peptides in normal mice's vaginas.

Effects of Panax notoginoside on the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad-7 in renal tissues of diabetic rats / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to explore the effects of Panax notoginoside (PNS) on the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad-7 in renal tissues of diabetes, a rat model of diabetic nephropathy was set up by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, diabetic control group, group treated by PNS at low-dosage (PL), group treated by PNS at high-dosage (PH) and group treated by catopril (C), respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), renal index, endogenous creatinine clearance rate (C(Cr)) and urinary albumin (UAlb) in 24 h were examined after 6 weeks. Meanwhile, the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad7 in renal tissues were immunohistochemically dectected. At the end of the sixth week, FBG, renal index, C(cr), UAlb were all elevated significantly in control group (P<0.01). The expression of TGF-β1 protein was increased while Smad7 protein decreased in renal tissue (P<0.01). However, the treatment with PNS reversed the aforementioned changes in renal tissues of diabetic rats. These results indicate that PNS possess a protective effect on the kidney of diabetic rats and it might protect kidney by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 protein and enhancing the expression of Smad7 protein.

Effects of different compatibility proportion of jiaotai pills on treating type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of different compatibility proportion of Jiaotai pills on treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The model of type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats was established by injecting streptozotocin from tail vein and feeding with high fat and high caloric diet. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into model group, Jiaotai pill 1 group (Coptidis Rhizoma-cinnamon 2: 1), Jiaotai pill 2 group (Coptidis Rhizoma-cinnamon 4: 1), Jiaotai pill 3 group (Coptidis Rhizoma-cinnamon 10: 1) and metformin group. Rats in different treatment groups were given by corresponding therapy from gastric tube. Meanwhile normal control group was another set. Body weight, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood lipid level including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), plasma levels of free fatty acid (FFA) and adiponectin, plasma liver enzymes activity(ALT, AST, AKP, gamma-GT) and pathological results of liver tissue were determined after eight weeks.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Body weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postpradial plasma glucose at one hour (PG-1 h), postpradial blood glucose at two hour (PG-2 h), plasma levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, FFA and liver enzymes activity were all increased in rats of model group compared with those in normal control group. Plasma levels of HDL-C and adiponectin were decreased in model group (P < 0.01). Fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was apparent in liver tissues in rats of model group. Compared with model group results of OGTT, blood lipid levels and liver enzymes activity were improved while levels of HDL-C and adiponectin were increased in rats of different treatment groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Meanwhile fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was improved in liver tissues in rats of different treatment groups. Compared with metformin group, plasma level of HDL-C was elevated while AKP and gamma-GT were decreased significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 1 group (P < 0.05), gamma-GT level was decreased significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 2 group (P < 0.05), AST, AKP and gamma-GT levels were decreased significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 3 group (P < 0.05). Compared with Jiaotai Pill 1 group, plasma levels of HDL-C was decreased while AKP levels was elevated significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 2 group, but HDL-C was decreased in rats of Jiaotai pill 3 group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is suggested that different compatibility proportion of Jiaotai pills are effective on treating type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats. The effect of Jiaotai pill 1 group is better than that of other therapy groups.</p>

Effects of bushen tongmai recipe on expression of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase in PCOS rats accompanying with insulin resistance / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of bushen tongmai recipe (BSTMR) on mRNA and protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3K) p85alpha in hepatic, adipose, muscular and ovarian tissues in PCOS rats with insulin resistance (IR).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Twenty-three-day-old female SD rats were injected subcutaneously with sodium prasterone sulfate (90 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 20 days, and fed with high-fat forage for 80 days to induce PCOS rats with IR Then the rats were randomly divided into the model group and the treated group. Meanwhile, a group of fifteen rats of the same age was considered as the normal control group. The treated group were administered with BSTMR. The ovulation condition was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was determined using glucose oxidase method. Serum fasting insulin (Fins) was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The mRNA level of PI-3K p85alpha was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry staining was wtilised to detect protein expression of PI-3K p85alpha in ovary.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the model group, the mean number of corpus luteum and the rate of ovulation in the treated group increased significantly (P <0. 01). The level of Fins in the treated group was much lower than that in the model group (P < 0.01). Both mRNA and protein expressions of PI-3K p85alpha in target tissues were up-regulated significantly in the treated group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BSTMR could improve IR and ovulation dysfunction in PCOS rats accompanying with IR and its molecular mechanisms might be closely related with the elevation of mRNA and protein levels of PI-3K p85alpha in target tissues of the model rats.</p>

Effects of Bushen Tongmai recipe on expression of IRS-1 Ser307 in polycystic ovarian syndrome rats accompanying with insulin resistance / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Bushen Tongmai recipe on the phospharylation expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 Ser307 (IRS-1 Ser307) in insulin target tissues of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rats accompanying with insulin resistance (IR).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats of model of PCOS accompanying with IR were randomly divided into the model group and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group. Meanwhile, a group of 13 rats of the same age was considered as the normal control group. The TCM group was administered with BSTMR. Half of each group was given insulin injection through portal vein in late estrus. Another half didnt receive insulin injection. The phospharylation levels of IRS-1 Ser307 in liver and fatty tissues were measured by Western blot. The phospharylation level of IRS-1 Ser307 in ovary tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The phospharylation expressions of IRS-1 Ser307 in liver, fat and ovary in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05, P<0.01); those criteria in the TCM group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). After insulin stimulation, the phospharylation expressions of IRS-1 Ser307 were higher than those before insulin stimulation (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Bushen Tongmai recipe could attenuate the phospharylation expression of IRS-1 Ser307 and then enhance insulin signal transduction, which may be one of the mechanisms of Bushen Tongmai recipe in improving PCOS accompanying with IR.</p>

Association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene of G-308A genotype and mRNA expression with serum uric acid in hyperuricemic patients / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia (HUA), serving as a component of metabolic syndromes (MS), has a major regulatory role in inflammatory responses. However, the correlation between G-308A tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and MS is still controversial.OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation among G-308A TNF-α genotype distribution, TNF-α mRNA expression and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with HUA.DESrGN: Patients with HUA were selected as the subjects, while normal peoplewere taken as the controls.SETTING: Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.PARTICIPANTS: Subjects were selected from 5 003 people, including 188 patients with HUA and 51 healthy people.Patients with HUA included 40 patients with simple HUA, 42 patients with HUA and dyslipidemia, 80 patients with HUA and dyslipidemia and hypertension, and 26 patients with gout (administration of allopurinol was stopped at one week before the experiment).METHODS: TNF-α gene promoter G-308A genotype was determined by using PCR application followed by Nco/digestion.TNF-α mRNA expression was studied by RT-PCR with semi-quantitative analysis. Antibody sandwich method and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were adopted to determine the CRP concentration. And the serum uric acid was measured by uricase method, while the insulin resistance index (IRI) was evaluated with homeostasis model.MArN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test of genotypic frequency. ② Changes in distribution of G-308A TNF-α genotypes and TNF-α mRNA expression in patients with HUA. ③ Changes in TNF-α mRNA expression and other parameters in G-308A TNF-α AA+GA and GG groups. ④ Multiple stepwise regression analysis.RESULTS: A total of 188 patients and 51 normal people were involved in the analysis of results. ① G-308A TNF-α genotypes distribution in 239 enrolled subjects accorded with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. ② AA+GA was compared with GG due to lower frequency of AA in population. The results revealed the HUA with dyslipidemia and hypertension group displayed a greater prevalence in G-308A TNF-α AA+GA genotype (30%) than that in the control group (12%) (P ＜ 0.05),while there were no significant differences among other groups. ③ TNF-α mRNA expression and CRP concentration were the highest in the gout group, and HUA accompanied by dyslipidemia and hypertension group listed the second,and then was the HUA and dyslipidemia group, while simple HUA group listed the last, all of which were higher than those in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). TNF-α mRNA expression in HUA accompanied by dyslipidemia and hypertension group, gout group was higher than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). The WHR, SBP, DBP,serum uric acid, triglycerides, TNF-α mRNA expression and CRP concentration in AA+GA group were remarkably higher than those in the GG group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). ④ After adjustment of age, gender, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure,fasting blood glucose, and multiple variable linear stepwise regression showed that triglycerides, uric acid, TNF-α 308 A carrier were related with quantityof TNF-α mRNA expression. Meanwhile, the uric acid concentration, WHR and the quantity expression of TNF-α were significantly in positive association with CRP concentration.CONCLUSTON:The genotype of TNF-α 308 A carriers is associated with TNF-α expression and plasma CRP levels in HUA patients.

Effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase expression in target tissues of type 2 diabetic rats / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HLJDD), a traditional Chinese compound herbal medicine, on p85 mRNA and protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3K) in target tissues (skeletal muscular and adipose tissues) in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to investigate the molecular mechanism of HLJDD in treating T2DM. METHODS: The male Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) 30 mg/kg through tail vein, and fed with high-fat and high-caloric diets to induce T2DM. Then the rats were randomly divided into untreated group, aspirin-treated group and HLJDD group, and treated correspondingly. Meanwhile, a group of normal animals without any treatment was set up for normal control group. Ten weeks later, serum fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum fasting insulin (FINS) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were routinely determined. The expressions of PI-3K p85 mRNA and protein in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue were determined with RT-PCR and Western blotting before and after insulin treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated group, the FBG and OGTT levels in T2DM rats treated with HLJDD decreased significantly (P<0.05). The FINS in HLJDD group was lower than that in the normal control group (P<0.05), but was not significantly different from that in the untreated group. The PI-3K p85 mRNA and protein expressions in HLJDD group obviously increased, as compared with those in the untreated group. CONCLUSION: The effect of HLJDD in treating T2DM was probably associated with its improvement of PI-3K p85 mRNA and protein expressions in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of the T2DM rats.

Effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on glucose transporter 4 in target tissues of type 2 diabetic rats / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanism of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HLJDD), a traditional Chinese compound herbal medicine, in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by observing its effects on glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein expression and translocation in adipose and skeletal muscle tissues of rats with T2DM. METHODS: T2DM was induced in rats by intravenous injection of a small dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg) plus high fat and high caloric laboratory chow. Then animals were divided into untreated group, aspirin-treated group and HLJDD-treated group. Normal rats fed with common chow were designated as normal control group. Ten weeks later, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in all animals, and the changes of murine body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FINS) and the expression of GLUT4 protein in skeletal muscle and adipose tissues before and after insulin treatment were routinely determined. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated group, the result of OGTT of HLJDD-treated group was improved. The levels of the body weight and FBG were decreased, while the GLUT4 protein expression and translocation were elevated obviously. CONCLUSION: It is suggested by the present results that the therapeutic effects of HLJDD on T2DM might be related to its ability of increasing GLUT4 protein expression and translocation in adipose and skeletal muscle tissues of T2DM rats.

Triptolide induces apoptosis of rat synoviocytes in collagen- induced arthritis / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To determine whether triptolide induce apoptosis of synovial cells in collagen - induced arthritis(CIA) in rats. METHODS: The male Wistar rats were used to make CIA models by immunized with Bovine collagen Ⅱ ( BC Ⅱ )in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). A total of 20 CIA rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, triptolide group (10 rats) and CIA control group (10 rats). Triptolide group were administered with triptolide at 40 μg/kg body weight intramuscularly every three days. CIA control group andanother 10 age - matched normal rats were given normal saline instead. The rats were sacrificed on the 31st day after the triptolide administration. The pieces of synovium of the rat knee joints were harvested. The synovium was examined by HE staining and electron microscope. The apoptosis was tested by TUNEL and flow cytometer. RESULTS: The earlier phase of apoptotic synoviocytes were observed under the electron microscope. The flow cytometry showed that the percentage of the apoptotic cells was (3.98 ± 1.16)% in the triptolide group, (1.83 ± 0.82)% in the CIA control group, and (0.87 ±0.24)% in the normal group (P＜0.01: triptolide vs control group). While the percentage of the cells in DNA synthesis phase was (3.3± 1.2)% in the triptolide goup, (8.0± 1.4)% in the CIA control group, and (3.4 ± 0.7)% in the normal group.There is significantly different in the apoptosis changes between the triptolide group and the CIA control group ( P ＜ 0.01: triptolide vs CIA control group). The TUNEL labeling demonstrated that the percentage of the apoptotic cells was (4.5 ± 1.0)% in the triptolide group, (2.2 ± 1.0) % in the CIA control group, and ( 1.0 ± 0.4) % in the normal group. The difference of apoptotic rate between the triptolide group and the CIA control group is significant ( P ＜ 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that triptolide can induce apoptosis in CIA rats, which may be one of the mechanisms that triptolide treats the rheumatoid arthritis.

Experimental study on anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Yitieling Paste / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To observe the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Yitieling Paste (YTLP). METHODS: YTLP and aspirin (as a control drug) were introduced to treat the edematous ears of mice induced by xylene and swollen toes of mice induced by carrageenin, and to relieve the pain in mice induced by heat and acetic acid. The swelling degree, pain threshold and body distortions were measured. RESULTS: The repression rates of the ear edema in groups of YTLP of high and low dosages and the aspirin group were 67.92%, 52.52% and 58.28%, respectively. The repression rate of the toe swelling in YTLP high dosage group was higher than that of the aspirin group, which was higher than that of the YTLP low dosage group. The results of analgesic effect of the three YTLP-treated groups showed that with the increase of dosage, the pain thresholds were higher and higher, and the body distortions were lower and lower. The pain thresholds of high and medium dosage YTLP groups were near to the aspirin group. CONCLUSION: YTLP possesses a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

Spermicidal effect of Jieze No. 1 in combination with nonoxynol-9 in vitro / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Spermicidal effect of Jieze No. 1 (JZ1) in combination with nonoxynol-9 (N-9) was examined in vitro. The minimum spermicidal concentration of JZ1 decoction, N-9 and their mixture solution in 20 s and 3 min were examined by improved spermicidal test of Sander-cramer in vitro. The percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa and viable spermatozoa were also observed 20 s, 3 min and 30 min after the addition of the liquid medicine. Our results showed that sperms did not recover their activities in a revival test when the minimum spermicidal concentration of either JZ1 decoction, or N-9, or the mixed solution of the two agents, was used. N-9 (JZ1 in the mixed group) showed significant differences in the percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa, and visible spermatozoa in 20 s, 3 min, and 30 min, when compared with N-9 alone (P < 0.01). We are led to conclude that JZ1 decoction can improve N-9 spermicidal action in vitro, and when used in combination with N-9, it has synergic effect.

Spermicidal Effect of Jieze No. 1 in Combination with Nonoxynol-9 In Vitro / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Spermicidal effect of Jieze No. 1 (JZ1) in combination with nonoxynol-9 (N-9) was examined in vitro. The minimum spermicidal concentration of JZ1 decoction, N-9 and their mixture solution in 20 s and 3 min were examined by improved spermicidal test of Sander-cramer in vitro.The percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa and viable spermatozoa were also observed 20 s, 3 min and 30 min after the addition of the liquid medicine. Our results showed that sperms did not recover their activities in a revival test when the minimum spermicidal concentration of either JZ1 decoction, or N-9, or the mixed solution of the two agents, was used.N-9 (JZ1 in the mixed group) showed significant differences in the percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa, and visible spermatozoa in 20 s, 3 min, and 30 min,when compared with N-9 alone (P＜0.01). We are led to conclude that JZ1 decoction can improve N-9 spermicidal action in vitro, and when used in combination with N-9, it has synergic effect.

Effects of bushen tongmai recipe on insulin signaling in insulin resistant rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Bushen Tongmai recipe (BSTMR) on the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor (InsR) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) after insulin stimulation in muscle and fat tissues of insulin resistant (IR) rats induced by high-fat forage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group (normal forage), model group (high fat forage, in which 61% calories were supplied by fat) and treated group (same forage as model group and treated with BSTMR). All animals were fed for 8 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood glucose (BG) levels 1- and 2-hrs after glucose loading were determined routinely, serum fasting insulin (Ins) was determined with radioimmunoassay (RIA) and tyrosine phosphorylation level of InsR and IRS-1 in fatty and muscular tissues was measured by immunoprecipitation and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, FBG in the treated group changed insignificantly, but level of Fins decreased markedly (P < 0.01), so the insulin sensitivity index was significantly elevated in the treated group (P < 0.01), levels of BG 1- and 2-hrs after glucose loading in the treated group were greatly improved in comparison with those in the model group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). Meanwhile, the density of electrophoresis bands of tyrosine phosphorylated InsR and IRS-1 proteins in muscular and fatty tissues in the treated group increased obviously.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BSTMR could attenuate the insulin resistance in rats, its pharmaceutical mechanisms might be closely related with the elevation of the tyrosine phosphorylation levels of InsR and IRS-1 in muscular and fatty tissues after insulin stimulation, and improvement of insulin signal transduction in target tissues.</p>

Influence of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in assisted reproductive technology / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The clinical effects of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in sperm parameter and on therapeutic results in assisted reproductive technology were investigated. 22 patients failed in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with idiopathic male infertility were treated with acupuncture twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by ICSI treatment again. The sperm concentration, motility, morphology, fertilization rates and embryo quality were observed. Quick sperm motility after acupuncture (18.3% +/- 9.6%) was significantly improved as compared with that before treatment (11.0% +/- 7.5%, P 0.05). Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and fertilization rates in assisted reproductive technology.

Influence of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in assisted reproductive technology / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The clinical effects of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in sperm parameter and on therapeutic results in assisted reproductive technology were investigated. 22 patients failed in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with idiopathic male infertility were treated with acupuncture twice weekly for 8 weeks, followed by ICSI treatment again. The sperm concentration, motility, morphology, fertilization rates and embryo quality were observed. Quick sperm motility after acupuncture (18.3% +/- 9.6%) was significantly improved as compared with that before treatment (11.0% +/- 7.5%, P < 0.01). The normal sperm ratio was increased after acupuncture (21.1% +/- 10.4% vs 16.2% +/- 8.2%, P < 0.05). The fertilization rates after acupuncture (66.2%) were obviously higher than that before treatment (40.2%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in sperm concentration and general sperm motility between before and after acupuncture. The embryo quality after acupuncture was improved, but the difference between them was not significant (P > 0.05). Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and fertilization rates in assisted reproductive technology.

Effect of Bushen Yiqi Hexue Recipe on the Endometrial Gland Apoptosis in Blastocyst Implantation Dysfunctional Mice / 中医杂志

Objective To observe the effect of Bushen Yiqi Hexue Recipe(Recipe to reinforce kidney,replenish qi and harmonize blood)on the endometrial gland apoptosis in blastocyst implantation dysfunctional mice.Methods The mice models of blastocyst implantation dysfunction were made and divided into control,model and treated groups with 30 in each.Pregnancy rate,number of implantation blastocysts,the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),bax,bcl-2 and activated Caspase-3 were observed.Results Compared with the control group,pregnancy rate and mean implanted blastocysts in the model group were remarkably reduced.Compared with the model group,pregnancy rate and mean implanted blastocysts in the treated group were significantly improved(P

Effects of Jiantai Liquid on Progesterone Receptor(PR)and PRmRNA in the Endometrium of Mice at Nidation Stage / 中医杂志

Objective:To study on effect of Jiantai Liquid on progesterone receptor(PR)in the uterus at the nidation stage in the mouse with disturbance of blastocyst nidation.Methods:The gestational mice were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group and a Chinese drug group.Mifepristone was used for inducing disturbance of blastocyst nidation in the mice,which were interfered with Jiantai Liquid.At the eighth week of pregnancy,the mice were killed and morphological changes of the endometrium were observed,and PR expression in the uterus was detected with immunohistochemical method and PR and PRmRNA expressions were detected with Western blot and PT-PCR methods.Results:The endometrium showed maldevelopment in the model group and normal development in the Chinese drug group,similar to the normal group;the gland,the PR expression range and intensity of PR expression in the interstitial substance in the Chinese drug group increased as compared with the model group(P0.05);expressions of PR protein and gene in the Chinese drug group were significantly higher than those in the model group(P0.05).Conclusion:Jiantai Liquid can promote development of the endometrium and improves blastocyst nidation via regulating expressions of PR and PRmRNA in the uterus in the mice with disturbance of blastocyst nidation.