Xiongzhi Dilong decoction interferes with calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)-induced migraine in rats through the CGRP/iNOS pathway

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Xiongzhi Dilong decoction(XZDLD) and its wind medicine on calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)-induced migraine and explore the mechanism through the CGRP/inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) pathway.Methods: Rats were divided into control, model, XZDLD, XZDLD(external wind), XZDLD(internal wind),and olcegepant groups. CGRP was injected into the dura mater to induce a migraine. The frequency of head scratching, cage climbing, and facial grooming was observed. The pain threshold, the levels of CGRP,pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide(PACAP), substance P(SP), and the plasma protein extravasation(PPE) ratio were measured. The phosphorylation levels of p38, extracellular signalregulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), and expression of iNOS were detected by western blot.Results: Compared with the model group, the three modified XZDLD groups showed reduced frequency of head scratching and cage climbing in the first 30 min(all P <.05). Facial grooming frequency was reduced in XZDLD and XZDLD(external wind) groups(P =.0003 and P =.0131, respectively). External wind medicine played a more important role in increasing mechanical pain threshold than internal wind medicine. Moreover, compared with the model group, the three modified XZDLD groups demonstrated reduced plasma levels of CGRP and PACAP(all P <.05). No difference in the SP level was observed among the six groups. XZDLD reduced PPE ratio. XZDLD and XZDLD(external wind) groups suppressed the CGRP/iNOS pathway by inhibiting the p-p38/p38 ratio and the expression of iNOS. No difference in pERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratio was detected among the six groups.Conclusion: XZDLD increases pain threshold, downregulates the expression of CGRP and PACAP, and reduces PPE ratio by inhibiting the CGRP/iNOS pathway. External wind medicine is more effective than internal one on improving facial grooming and head scratching, increasing the mechanical pain threshold, and inhibiting the expression of iNOS.

EXPRESSION OF CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE IN FACIAL NERVE OF HEMIFACIAL SPASM

Objective To study the immunoreactivity of Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the facial nerve when Hemifacial Spasm is occurring. Methods The electrophysiological technique was used to explore abnormal muscle response (AMR) which was characteristic of Hemifacial Spasm.The animal models of Hemifacial Spasm in New Zealand white rabbits were established by compressing the main trunk of artificial demyelinated facial nerve with the temporal superficial artery. At 6 weeks after surgery, the facial nerves were taken from the experimental group and control one, the immunohistochemistry for CGRP using polyclonal antibody with ABC kit was performed in the facial nerves; at the same time, the observation for the facial nerves of light and transmission electron microscope was performed. Results The facial nerve demyelinated and the axons retrogressively changed, CGRP immunoreactive positive fibers were significantly detected in experimental groups; whereas this phenomenon was not found in control group. Conclusion CGRP can nutrien the injured facial nerve and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Hemifacial Spasm.

Effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide and nerve growth factor on spatial learning and memory abilities of rats following focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

BACKGROUND: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and nerve growth actor (NGF) cam improve spatial learning and memory abilities of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion; however, the effect of combination of them on relieving learning and memory injury following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion should be further studied. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of exogenous CGRP and NGF on learning and memory abilities of rats with focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal study. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Hospital of Xiamen; Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University; Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical College of China Medical University. MATERIALS: A total of 30 healthy male SD rats, aged 8 weeks, of clean grade, weighing 250-300 g, were provided by Experimental Animal Department of China Medical University. All rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, ischemia/reperfusion group and treatment group with 10 in each group. The main reagents were detailed as the follows: 100 g/L chloral hydrate, 0.5 mL CGRP (2 mg/L, Sigma Company, USA), and NGF (1× 106 U/L, 0.5 mL, Siweite Company, Dalian). METHODS: The experiment was carried out in the Department of Neurobiology, Basic Medical College of China Medical University from February to July 2005. Rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were established by method of occlusion, 2 hours after that rats were anesthetized and the thread was slightly drawn out for 10 mm under direct staring to perform reperfusion. Rats in the ischemia/reperfusion group received intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL saline via the abdomen at two hours later, while rats in the treatment group at 2 hours later received intraperitoneal injection of 2 mg/L CGRP (0.5 mL) and 1×106 U/L NGF (0.5 mL) once a day for 10 successive days. First administration was accomplished within 15 minutes after ischemia/reperfusion. Rats in the sham-operation group were separated of the vessels without occlusion or administration. The neural function was evaluated with Zea Longa 5-grade scale. Animals with the score of one, two and three points received Morris water-maze test to measure searching time on platform (omitting platform-escaping latency). Meanwhile, leaning and memory abilities of animals were reflected through testing times of passing through platform per minute. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Experimental results of omitting platform-escaping latency and spatial probe. RESULTS: Three and two rats in the ischemia/reperfusion group and treatment group respectively were not in accordance with the criteria in the process, and the rest were involved in the final analysis. ① Comparisons of platform-escaping latency during Morris water-maze test in all the three groups: Ten days after modeling, the platform-escaping latency in the ischemia/reperfusion group was obviously longer than that in sham-operation group (P < 0.01), and was significantly shorter than that in the treatment group (P < 0.01). ② Comparisons of times of passing through platform in all the three groups: Times of passing through platform were remarkably less in the ischemia/reperfusion group than those in the sham-operation group [(1.79±0.39), (4.30±0.73) times/minute, P < 0.01], and those were markedly more in the treatment group than the ischemia/reperfusion group [(3.16±1.03), (1.79±0.39) times/minute, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: CGRP and NGF are capable of ameliorating the abilities of spatial learning and memory in MCAO rats, which indicates that CGRP and NGF can protect ischemic neurons.

Effects of Guasha on histomorphology of scraped skins and on expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P in rats

OBJECTIVE:To reveal the effects of Guasha(scraping therapy) on the histomorphology of scraped skins and on the expressions of calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) and substance P(SP).METHODS:50 rats,as experimental subjects,were randomly divided into 5 groups according to different observation time points.Dorsal setae were shaved for the exposure of skin on both sides of the spine.Even reinforcing and reducing method was applied to the rats in Guasha groups on the site equivalent to bladder meridian of human body on one side of the spine,and the skin was scraped from top to bottom until rash of measles occurred.The skin tissues with rash of measles were taken down after perfusion.The corresponding sites of rats in group A were also taken down as control.The tissues were made to sections and used for immunofluorescence histochemical staining and HE staining of antibodies such as SP and CGRP.RESULTS:After Guasha,there were significant differences in appearance,hair follicle and blood vessel on local skin scraped on the back of rats when compared with control;In different time points,the differences reduced.There was no significant difference in expression of CGRP and SP when compared local skin scraped on the back of rats in different time points.CONCLUSION:Guasha didn't significantly change the morphology of nerve fibers inside local skin,and the histomorphology of hair follicle,blood vessel and etc.However,after Guasha they basically returned to normal level within five days.

AN IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDERGIC NERVE FIBERS IN RAT NASAL MUCOSA

The distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptidergic(CGRP) nerve endings in rat rat nasal mucosa was investigated with immunocytochemical technique (ABC method).The results showed that CGRP endings had a robust localization

Electroacupuncture for functional dyspepsia and the influence on serum Ghrelin, CGRP and GLP-1 levels

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture for functional dyspepsia（FD）, and explore the corresponding mechanism.Methods： Sixty-four FD patients were randomly divided into electroacupuncture group and western medicine group, with 32 cases in each group. In electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture at Zusanli（足三里ST 36）,Sanyinjiao（三阴交SP 6）,Gongsun（公孙SP 4） and Neiguan（内关PC 6） was performed for once a day, and the needles were retained for 30 min. In western medicine group, oral administration of mosapride citrate dispersible tablets in a dosage of 5 mg/time was carried out for 3 times a day. Treatment was conducted for 30 consecutive days in both groups. The scores of Leeds dyspepsia questionnaire（LDQ） and functional digestive disorder quality of life（FDDQL） of patients in both groups were recorded before and after treatment. Serum Ghrelin, CGRP and GLP-1 levels of patients were tested before and after treatment respectively, and the clinical efficacy of patients in both groups was evaluated after treatment.Results： In western medicine group, LDQ score after treatment was lower than that before treatment（P 0.05）, FDDQL score after treatment was higher than that before treatment, while the differences were not statistically significant（P0.05）. LDQ score in electroacupuncture group after treatment was lower than that before treatment（P0.05）, and also lower than that in western medicine group at the same time point（P 0.05）. FDDQL score in electroacupuncture group after treatment was higher than that before treatment（P0.05）, and also higher than that in western medicine group at the same time point（P0.05）. In western medicine group, Ghrelin level after treatment was higher than that before treatment（P 0.05）, CGRP level reduced, and the differences were not statistically significant（P 0.05）. GLP-1 level after treatment was also higher than that before treatment（P0.05）. In electroacupuncture group,Ghrelin level after treatment was higher than that before treatment, CGRP level reduced, and GLP-1 level after treatment was also higher than that before treatment（both P 0.05）. According to the comparison of values of each index between electroacupuncture group and western medicine group after treatment,the differences were all statistically significant（all P 0.05）. The total effective rate in electroacupuncture group was 90.63%（29/32） which was higher than that in western medicine group 68.75%（22/32）, and the differences were statistically significant（P0.05）.Conclusion： Electroacupuncture at ST 36, SP 6, SP 4 and PC 6 can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of FD patients, and the mechanism might be related with the increase of serum Ghrelin and GLP-1 levels and the decrease of serum CGRP level.