Efficacy of Chinese medicine Yi-gan-kang granule in prophylaxis and treatment of liver fibrosis in rats

AIM:To investigate the efficacy of a Chinese medicine, Yi-gan-kang granule (granules for benefiting the liver), in prophylaxis and treatment of liver fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanism. METHODS: One hundred and forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups (20 each): group 1, blank control group without any interference during the study; group 2, CCI4-induced liver fibrosis group; group 3, pig serum-induced liver fibrosis group; group 4, prophylaxis group of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 5, prophylaxis group of pig serum-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 6, treatment group of CCI4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 7, treatment group of CCI4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang. At wk 6,10,14 and 20 (baseline for CCl4., or big serum induction), five rats in each group were anesthetized and their livers were removed for pathological studies including immunohistochemical studies for α-SMA, type I collagen and In situ hybridization of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TTMP-1) mRNA of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Anti-lipid peroxidation in isolated mitochondria and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay for proliferation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-medicated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL), flow cytometry and electron microscopy for apoptosis in isolated HSCs were also studied. RESULTS: The mean number of pseudolobuli at wk 10, 14 and 20 in the prophylaxis group was significantly less than that in the control group (P<0.05 or 0.01). The effect of prophylaxis at wk 14 in CCI4 rats and at wk 10 in pig serum-induced rats was much better than that of treatment group (P<0.01). The thickness (in μm) of fibers both in pig serum-induced prophylaxis and in treatment groups at wk 14 and. 20 was significantly less than that in control group (P<0.05). The number of fibers both in prophylaxis and in treatment groups from wk 10 or 14 to 20 was significantly less than that in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The tissue HSC positive rates of type I collagen, α-SMA and TIMP-1 mRNA, which represented the active phenotype of HSCs in tissues, remained very high from wk 6 to the end of model making in control group. While in prophylaxis group, they were at a relatively low level. In treatment group, there was a gradual decreasing trend. Time- and dose-dependent effects of anti-lipid peroxidation on isolated mitochondria, cell proliferation and apoptosis in cultured HSCs were also observed during the study. CONCLUSION: Yi-gan-kang can effectively inhibit or inverse the course of liver fibrogenesis in CCI4- and pig serum-induced rat models.

PROPHYLAXIS OF INTERMITTENT DIAZEPAM IN CHILDREN WITH FEBRILE CONVULSIONS（FC）

The purpose of this study was to limit intermittent diazcpam prophyiaxis of children with FC to the patients who haye the second recurrence.A series of 156 children with FC received prophylactic treatment.During 1￣5 years for Follow-up (average,2 years and 10 months),28 cases of prophylactic group suffered recurrence of FC 48 times. 54 of 126 cases in control group suffered it 108 times. The difference in case number and recurrent rate between the prophylactic and control groups was highly significant (P<0. 01). Diazepam was found tO be considerably effective in reducing the risk of recurrence of FC.

Perioperative changes in lower gut microbiocenosis in patients with colon and rectum cancer

This clinical study was designed to determinate the value of colon microbiota microflora in colorectal cancer patients.We investigate pre-and post-operation stool samples in patients with different tumor localizations,trying to correlate those to postoperative complications.Our findings shows that if opportunistic pathogenic microflora levels are elevated before operations,it can lead to further microbiota disbalance in postoperative period,especially in cases of antibacterial prophylaxis or treatment.Further,this changes increase a chance of receiving some complications after surgery.So,we suggest an analysis of stool microbiota in patients with colorectal cancer to be performed prior and after the operation.Furthermore,aperioperative decontamination therapy should be performed in cases of pathogenic microflora levels elevation.Still,monitoring aperioperative microbiota changes is not a routine in most recommendations and we assume that including this relatively unencumbered patient testing in preoperative survey will help to reduce a number of postoperative complications.