Effect of Panaxtriol Saponins on synaptophysin and postsynaptic density-95 expression at different periods of cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND： The change in expression of synaptophysin （Syp） and postsynaptic density-95 （PSD-95） alters after cerebral infarction, and the plasticity of synapses contributes greatly to nerve function recovery. Chinese medicinal substances may play an important role in the expression of Syp and PSD-95. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of Panaxtriol Saponins （PTS）, an active component in Sanqi tongshu capsules, on the expression of Syp and PSD-95 after cerebral infarction at different time points in rats, so as to examine the cerebral function remodeling mechanism. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized and controlled observation which was performed in Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January to March, 2007. MATERIALS： Twenty-six healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were used to establish middle cerebral artery occlusion based on the Longa method. Sanqi tongshu capsules （containing 100 mg PTS per tablet） were provided by the Chengdu Huashen Group and nimodipine tablets （30 mg） by Tianjin Zhongyang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. METHODS： Twenty-six rats were randomly divided into an operation group （n = 21 ） and a control group （n = 5）. The operation group underwent the EZ Longa procedure to make the middle cerebral artery occlusion model. After surgery rats were randomly divided into a model group, a PTS group and a nimodipine group, with seven rats in each group. Rats were intragastrically administrated with saline （2 mL/d） in the model group, with Sanqi tongshu capsule （5.4 mg/100 g/d） in the PTS group, and with nimodipine （1.73 mg/100 g/d） in the nimodipine group. Rats in the control group did not undergo model establishment and drug administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The expressions of Syp and PSD-95 were measured by immunohistochemical and image analysis at days 3, 7 and 28 after the operation. RESULTS： The expression of Syp and PSD-95 in the operation group was significantly lower than in the control group at days 3, 7, 28 postoperatively （P 〈 0.05）. The expression of Syp and PSD-95 in the PTS group and nimodipine group was significantly higher than in the model group at day 28 postoperatively （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. Additionally, after PTS and nimodipine treatment at different intervals, the expression of Syp and PSD-95 at day 28 postoperatively was significantly higher than those at days 3 and 7 postoperatively, respectively （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： PTS can promote the expression of Syp and PSD-95, i.e. the remodeling process of synapses, after cerebral infarction at different time points in rats, which contributes to cerebral function remodeling.

Current trends in tai chi for stroke rehabilitation

Background:There are an increasing number of studies focusing on the effect of tai chi for different diseases.As a special form of physical activity,tai chi may be beneficial for the rehabilitation of stroke,a leading cause of disability worldwide.Objective:This review summarizes the existing literature on the potential benefits of tai chi for stroke rehabilitation and offers recommendations for future research.Methods:Studies on the biomechanics and physiology of tai chi for stroke rehabilitation are reviewed.Research on tai chi for stroke rehabilitation and related diseases are summarized.Finally,the shortcomings of existing studies and recommendations for future studies are discussed.Conclusions:Tai chi appears to be beneficial for stroke rehabilitation.But reporting quality of existing studies are sub-optimal.Future trials should define tai chi style,apply rigorous methodology to sample size calculation,randomization,recruiting criteria,and outcome measures.To avoid inadequacies during the research and reporting processes,investigators may wish to follow CONSORT guidelines and refer to well-conducted clinical studies on tai chi.

Clinical relevance of Chinese syndrome factors and thromboelastography levels in patients with phlegm-heat and fu-organ excess syndrome

Objective:Syndrome differentiation is a unique part of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Syndrome factors play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of TCM syndromes.Thromboelastography(TEG)intuitively reflects the blood status of patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS)and is important in the treatment and prognosis of AIS.To identify the relationship between TCM syndrome factors and TEG in AIS patients and standardize TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment objectives,we designed a prospective cohort study of 103 AIS patients.Methods:We used the diagnostic criteria for AIS in the Chinese Guideline for Diagnosis and Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke 2010.Diagnosis of phlegm-heat and fu-organ excess syndrome was based on the TCM Scale for the Syndrome of Phlegm-heat and fu-organ Excess.The ischemic Stroke TCM Syndrome Factor Diagnostic Scale was used to identify and diagnose syndrome factors.General information,scores of syndrome factors and values of TEG parameters of all enrolled patients were recorded.Results:There were significant differences in internal fire and phlegm-dampness scores between patients with and without phlegm-heat and fu-organ excess syndrome(P<.05).In patients with phlegm-heat and fu-organ excess syndrome,internal fire was negatively correlated with TEG parameters R and K(P<.05)and positively correlated with alpha Angle and coagulation index(P<.01).There were no significant correlations between the two syndrome factors and MA(P Z.058)and LY30(P>.05)or between both syndrome factors and TEG parameters in patients without phlegm-heat and fu-organ excess syndrome.Conclusion:The syndrome factor internal fire is a potential predictor of increased platelet function and fibrinogen activity in AIS patients with phlegm-heat and fu-organ excess,and a potentially important predictor of blood hypercoagulability in TCM.