Cardiovascular effects of phytoestrogens / 中国医学科学院学报

Phytoestrogens are bioactive substances existing in natural plants. They have similar molecular structure to those of estrogens. In this article we introduced their classification and sources, and elucidated their effects on heart from aspects involving cardiac function and myocardial electrophysiology. By regulating serum lipid metabolism, arterial vessels, cytokine levels, and coagulation/fibrinolysis system, phytoestrogens possess the effects of anti-atherosclerosis and may be used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.

Effect of Jiuqiang Naoliqing-containing serum on secretion of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Jiuqiang Naoliqing(JNQ)-containing serum on secretion of nitric oxide(NO) and endothelin-1(ET-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs), in order to explore the effect of JNQ on regulation of vascular active factors in HUVECs.MethodsThe HUVECs were explored to different volume fractions of JNQ containing serum after being isolated and cultured. The levels of cultured medium of NO and ET-1 were measured.ResultsThe cultured medium content of NO and ET-1 in different volume fractions of JNQ containing serum was significantly increased compared with normal serum control (P<0.05), while the ratio of NO to ET-1 were increased in comparison with normal control (P<0.05).Conclusion JNQ can be promoted secretion of NO and ET-1 in HUVECs, preserving endothelial function, and maintaining the balance of NO/E-1.

Effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol on normal human breast / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of phytoestrogen alpha-zearalanol (alpha-ZAL) on normal human breast.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten specimens of normal human breast tissues were subcutaneously implanted into 30 athymic nude mice aged 9-10 weeks, one for 3 mice. These mice were then randomly divided into three groups: control group (without hormone treatment, n = 10), 1 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10), and 5 mg/kg alpha-ZAL group (n = 10). All breast tissues were taken out 6 weeks later. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), inhibiting apoptosis gene Bcl-2, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) mRNA and bridging integrator protein-1 (BIN1) mRNA. Morphological features of grafts before and after treatment were also observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Alpha-ZAL had no significant effects on Bcl-2, PCNA, ER, and PR expression of mammary epithelial cells in graft specimens. Alpha-ZAL upregulated BIN1 mRNA expression in grafts, but had no significant effect on ESTmRNA expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Alpha-ZAL does not affect the morphology, proliferating, and apoptosis of epithelial cells in normal human breast tissues implanted into nude mice, but it may increase the gene expression of tumor-inhibiting BIN1, suggesting that alpha-ZAL may have potential proteotive effect on normal human breast.</p>