Effects of Different Processed Products of Radix Codonopsis on Intestinal Flora of Rats with Spleen Deficiency

[Objectives]This study aimed to observe the effects of different processed products of Radix Codonopsis on intestinal flora in rats with spleen deficiency.[Methods]Rat models with spleen deficiency were established by bitter-cold purgation method with Radix et Rhizoma Rhei.Normal group,model group,Radix Codonopsis group,fried Radix Codonopsis group,rice-fried Radix Codonopsis group,honey-fried Radix Codonopsis group and bran-fired Radix Codonopsis group were designed.After subjecting to corresponding treatments,the changes in the quantity of intestinal microorganisms of the rats were detected.[Results]There was no significant change in the quantity of intestinal microorganisms of the rats in the normal group and model group.The rats in the rice-fried Radix Codonopsis group were administered after successful modeling,and the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the intestines of the rats increased,and the quantity of Escherichia coli and Staphylococci reduced.The rats in the Radix Codonopsis group,fried Radix Codonopsis groups,honey-fried Radix Codonopsis group and bran-fried Radix Codonopsis group were administered after successful modeling,and the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the intestines of the rats increased(the increases were smaller than those in the rice-fried Radix Codonopsis group),and the abundance of E.coli and Staphylococci reduced,close to normal levels.[Conclusions]Different processed products of Radix Codonopsis have obvious regulation effect on intestinal flora of rats with spleen deficiency,and the regulation effect of rice-fried Radix Codonopsis on rats with spleen deficiency is better than that of Radix Codonopsis,fried Radix Codonopsis,honey-fried Radix Codonopsis and bran-fried Radix Codonopsis.

Effects of Lycii Fructus and Salviae Miltiorrhizae on the Syndrome of Deficiency with Blood Stasis in RCS(rdy-/-, p-/-) Rats with Retinitis Pigmentosa: An Intervention Study

Objective To investigate the effects of Lycii Fructus(LF,Gou Qi Zi,枸杞子)and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Ex Rhizoma(SM,Dan Shen,丹参)on the syndrome of deficiency with blood stasis in the RCS(rdy-/-,p-/-)rats with retinitis pigmentosa(RP).Methods A total of 32 RCS(rdy-/-,p-/-)rats were divided into 4 groups(equal amounts of female and male rats in each group):model group treated with 0.9%normal saline,LF group treated with LF formula granules,SM group treated with SM formula granules,and LF and SM(L·S)group treated with LF and SM formula granules.Eight RCS(rdy+/+,p+/+)rats(4 males and 4 females)were treated with 0.9%normal saline to serve as blank group.The contents of E2,PG,P-Selectin,plasma viscosity,whole blood relative index of the high shear rate and fibrinogen content in plasma,and the content of cAMP and cGMP in retinal homogenate were detected.The retina was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Results The contents of E2,PG,P-Selectin,plasma viscosity,whole blood relative index of the high shear rate,and fibrinogen content in the plasma of L·S group significantly differed from those of model group(P<0.01),but were similar to those of blank group.The contents of cAMP and cGMP in the retinal homogenate of L·S group significantly differed from those in model group(P<0.01)but were similar to those in blank group(P>0.05).Conclusions LF and SM can effectively treat retinitis pigmentosa by ameliorating the syndrome of deficiency with blood stasis.

Effects of zinc deficiency on the brain development in rats

The zinc effects on the learning and memory ability were investigated in the zinc-deficient(ZD)and pair-fed(PF) rats and it was found that(1 ) The rate of body weight gaining and the feed-efficiency ratio were significantly lower in ZD group than in PF gr

Effects of Lujingyiqishengxue Pill on Iron Metabolism in Rats with Iron Deficiency Anemia

[Objectives]This study was conducted to observe the effect of Lujingyiqishengxue Pill on iron metabolism in rats with iron deficiency anemia. [Methods] The iron-deficiency anemia rat model was established by feeding low-iron diet. Meanwhile, the rats were given oral gavage of ferrous succinate(0.036 g/kg, positive drug group) and Lujingyiqishengxue Pill(4.4, 2.2, 1.1 g/kg, high, middle and low dose groups), once daily for 42 consecutive days. The body weight of the rats was observed every week, and the peripheral blood[red blood cells(RBC), hemoglobin(HGB), and hematocrit(HCT)]and the iron contents in tissues(the liver, spleen, small intestine, kidney) of the rats were detected after modeling;and serum iron(SI), serum total iron binding capacity(TIBC), transferrin saturation(TSAT), serum ferritin(SF) and serum transferrin receptor 1(TFR1) and other iron metabolism indexes were determined. [Results] Compared with the model group, the high-dose Lujingyiqishengxue Pill significantly reversed the peripheral blood(HGB, HCT) and iron contents of various tissues(the liver, spleen, small intestine, kidney) in rats(P<0.01), and significantly increased SI, TSAT, SF(P<0.01), while the contents of TIBC and TFR1 were significantly decreased(P<0.01). [Conclusions] Lujingyiqishengxue Pill can significantly improve anemia and regulate iron metabolism in rats with iron-deficiency anemia, which provides a pharmacological reference for the clinical application of Lujingyiqishengxue Pill.

Seasonal climate effect on organ proportion and morbidity in 'Bi-zheng' rats with kidney deficiency syndrome

Objective:Using the traditional Chinese medicine theory of 'Bi-zheng' caused by kidney deficiency,combined with modern medical science and technology,this study assessed the relationships among organ weight,cytokines,pathological manifestations,and traditional Chinese medicine kidney deficiency syndrome in rats with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal,collagen-induced arthritis (ClA) model,and kidney deficiency arthralgia model groups.Rats in the kidney deficiency arthritis group underwent removal of the testis or ovary and administration of an inflammatory agent.Rats in the control group solely received an inflammatory agent.Type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis was induced within 1 week of the winter solstice or summer solstice,in order to sample organs and observe the mental state,posture,fur color,activity level,excrement,body weight,and organ weight of the rats.Results:Compared with the normal and CIA model groups,the kidney deficiency arthralgia model group showed fast and acute onset,prominent symptoms,most obvious potential joint swelling,worst general state,and least amount of weight gain.Compared with the normal group,the proportion of thymus,spleen,and adrenal glands of model rats were larger in winter,with varying degrees of hyperplasia and hypertrophy;these differences were statistically significant (P <.05).In summer,model coefficients were greater than normal in the spleen,while the thymus and adrenal gland coefficients were significantly different between the normal and kidney deficiency arthralgia groups.In summer,the thymus in the kidney deficiency arthralgia group exhibited hypertrophy and hyperplasia,whereas the thymus in the control group did not;this difference was statistically significant (P =.015).Thymus and adrenal gland proportions exhibited seasonal differences in CIA model rats;these were statistically significant (P <.05),with high performance in winter and low performance in summer.The spleen proportion exhibited a trend of high performance in winter and low performance in summer in the kidney deficiency arthralgia model rats.Conclusion:Kidney deficiency is an internal condition linked with the occurrence of arthralgia,and seasonal factors exhibit an impact on the morbidity of arthritis in rats.

Zinc-deficient diet aggravates ventilation-induced lung injury in rats

We investigated the effects of zinc deficiency on acute lung injury （ALI） induced by mechanical ventilation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a zinc-deficient or zinc-proficient diet for 4 weeks, and then received mechanical ventilation at normal frequency and pressure for 30 min. Total protein, cell count, the number of poly- morphonuclear neutrophil （PMN） in the bronchoalveolar lavage （BAL）, and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） expression in the lung were determined. Activation of nuclear factor-t^B （NF-~cB） was detected by exam- ining the phosphorylation of NF-kB （pNF-kB p65） and the expression of inhibitor of NF-kB （pI-kBa）. Compared to the controls, total cell count and the number of PMNs were significantly increased to 160% and 140%, respec- tively, in zinc-deficient rats treated with ventilation. Activation of NF-kB was significantly increased and VEGF was also increased to three-folds. Zinc deficiency aggravated the inflammatory response in rats and was associated with the overexpression of VEGF in response to mechanical ventilation. Zinc supplementation may be beneficial to zinc-deficient patients during mechanical ventilation.

Biochemical and Morphological Changes in the Lenses of Selenium and/or Vitamin E Deficient Rats

The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R),superoalde dismutase (SOD) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and free radicals were measured, and the morphological changes were observed in the lens of control rats, selenium-deficient (SeD) and/or vitamin E deficient (VED) rats. The activities of GSH-Px in the lens of SeD rats decreased significantly. The GSH-Px activities of lens were positively related to erythrocytes selenium level. There was a free radical at g = 2.0015 in the rat lens of all groupe, but the content of free radicals in the lens of SeD group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The free radical content of lens was negatively related to erythrocytes selenium level, as well as the GSH-Px activities in the lens. In vitro, ultraviolet radiation caused the generation of another kind of free radical (g = 2.0097) in the lens of all groups, but the amount of the free radical in the lens of the SeD group was also significantly higher than that of the control group. The activities of SoD and GSSG-R in VED rat lens were significantly decreased. The amount of MDA in the lens of SeD and/or VED rats were significantly increased. The results showed that the decrease of antioaldative capability in the lenses of SeD and/or VED rats accelerated the lipid peroxidation and generation of free radicals. Although only early morphological changes in SeD and/or VED rat lens were observed, it is considered that selenium and vitamin E deficiency may be involved in the occurrence of cataract

Effect of Dietary EGCG on Normal and Vitamin E and Selenium Deficient Rats

The tea catechin EGCG has been postulated to provide health benefits in humans, to some extent, as an antioxidant. The dose-response effect of dietary EGCG (0, 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg diet) was tested in rats under high versus low oxidative stress conditions that were created by feeding diets adequate in vitamin E and Se (Lox), or deficient in both (Hox) for six weeks. Effects on growth, quinone reductase (NQO1) activity, F2-isoprostanes and nutrient antioxidant amounts in the liver were evaluated as markers of nutrient deficiency and oxidative status. Under Hox conditions consumption of EGCG only at the lowest dose was partially associated with a protection against oxidative stress, reflected by a delay in growth deceleration, but no protection against lipid oxidation. Elevated liver NQO1 activity was observed in this group (>4-fold) increasing with the dose;but it was not associated with antioxidant protection. In contrast, under Lox conditions consumption of EGCG was associated with antioxidant activity reflected in a reduction (>30%) in F2-isoprostanes and protection of CoQ reduced status in the liver. Overall these results suggest that the antioxidant effect of EGCG in vivo depends on the level of oxidative stress and the presence of other nutrient antioxidants.

Novel translational rat models of dopamine transporter deficiency

Dopamine （DA） is one of the brain＇s fundamental neurotransmitters. Despite the fact that the dopaminergic synapses constitute less than 1% of all brain synapses, DA is implicated in a number of critical physiological functions and in the pathogenesis of important psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder （ADHD）, Parkinson＇s disease （PD） and others.

MECHANISM OF PROMOTING EFFECTS OF RIBOFLAVIN DEFICIENCY ON CARCINOGENESIS OF NITROSAMINES (EFFECTS ON RAT LIVER GLUTATHIONE CONTENT)

The effects of riboflavin deficiency and simultaneously nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) given by gastric intubation on the hepatic glutathione (GSH) content were examined in rats. On different days of the experiment, hepatic GSH content of the riboflavin deficient rats decreased to 55-61% of the control rats. When NDMA was given 6 mg kg by gastric intubation to riboflavin deficient rats, hepatic GSH content decreased markedly to 39-43% of the control rats. After supplying riboflavin, hepatie GSH content of the deficient rats recovered to the level of the control rats. These results suggest that alterations of rat hepatic GSH content during riboflavin deficiency may imply as one of the promoting effects of riboflavin deficiency on the carcinogenesis of nitrosamines.

Rat Models of Fatty Liver due to Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency

[Objectives] To establish animal models of fatty liver due to liver depression and spleen deficiency that were suitable for activity discovery of traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) compounds,efficacy evaluation,new drug research and development and correspondence between prescription and syndrome of TCM. [Methods] A syndrome score scale that was suitable for evaluating the rat models was established according to the evolvement rules of etiology and pathogenesis of TCM and the modern clinical pathological mechanism. At the same time,bifendate pills and Sanqi Zhigan pills were selected as drug counterevidence for the models. Rats in model groups were given different proportions of high-fat and low-protein fodder and different concentrations of alcohol every day,and intraperitoneally injected with porcine serum twice a week. Drug groups were given with bifendate pills and Sanqi Zhigan pills( 8. 1 mg/kg,and 2. 7 g/kg) respectively for 14 consecutive days.During the experiment,general status,weight,daily fodder intake and daily water intake of the animals were observed,and TCM syndromes were scored. After the experiment,the levels of alanine aminotransferase( ALT),aspartate aminotransferase( AST),γ-glutamine transpeptidase( γ-GT),total cholesterol( TC),triglycerides( TG),low density lipoprotein-cholesterol( LDL-C),and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol( HDL-C) in serum were detected,and the pathological changes in liver tissue were observed. [Results] Compared with the control group,body weight,daily fodder and water intake of rats increased slowly in the model group,and the levels of ALT,AST,γ-GT,TC,TG and LDL-C increased significantly,while the level of HDL-C dropped. Pathological examination showed that steatosis and fat granule were observed in hepatocytes of rats in the model group. Behavioral observation found that main symptoms and minor symptoms of rats in the model group conformed to the syndrome manifestation of liver depression and spleen deficiency,which suggested that the three model groups were established successfully. Among them,three rats died in model group 1,and one rat died in model group 2. The manifestation of all the above lesions can be alleviated by drug counterevidence. [Conclusions]The animal model of fatty liver due to liver depression and spleen deficiency shows an obviously lower mortality and shorter duration and can be used for research of correlation between prescription and syndrome and its mechanism.

Apoptosis Induced by Zinc Deficiency in Rat Osteoblast:Possible Involvement of Protein Kinase C

Ra ostcobasts were isolated from the 21-day fetal rat calvchas. The cells were grown in DMEM Plus 10% FBS, and were treated for 24 h. with 10 μmol/L TPEN or 10 μmol/L TPEN supplemented with 10 μmol/L Zn2+. Apoptosis of osteoblasts were measured by fiow cytometry, electron microscopy and DNA fragmentation analyzed by gel elecmphoresis. In addition, IP3 production and PKC activity were measmed in ordr to show whether they are involved in apoptosis in osteoblast induced by alnc deficiency. The results showed that 10 μmol/L TPEN could induce apoptosis in osteoblast in 24 h. But cells ed with 10μmol/L TPEN supplemented with 10 μmol/L Zn2+ showed no apoptotic changs in 24 h. TPEN significantly reduced the formation of IP3 and PKC activity after 24 h incubation. No differences were observed between the cells treated with TPEN supPlemented with Zn2+ simulaneosly and the untreated cells. It can be inferred that apoptosis induced by ainc deficiency may be due to the decreased activity of PKC which is impaired by reduced formation of IP3.

Changes of free radicals and digestive enzymes in saliva in cases with deficiency inspleen-yin syndrome

Objective：To explore the nature of deficiency in spleen-yin syndrome,which could provide scientific theoretical support and practical guidance for clinical Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）syndrome differentiation based on biology,and had a strong clinical significance.Methods：Serum Cu and Zn were detected by atomic absorption spectrophotometer,serum vitamin E by high performance liquid chromatography,serum vitamin C by 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine Colorimetry,total superoxide dismutase（SOD）and Cu and Zn- SOD by the xanthine oxidase method,and malondialdehyde（MDA）by the 2-thiobarbituric acid method（TBA）.Total antioxidant capacity was detected by a colorimetry kit.Amylase Activity was detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer.Lysozyme was detected by lysozyme detection plate,the diameter of bacteriolysis circle was measured and the corresponding content of lysozyme was obtained from a table of standard curve values.Results： No significant difference in total SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD was found between deficiency in spleen-yin group and normal group.However,such factors in deficiency in kidney-yin group were significantly lower than the other groups（P〈0.05）.The MDA content in both deficiency in spleen-yin group and deficiency in kidney-yin group were significantly higher than that of normal group（P〈0.05）,while the total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower than normal group（P〈0.05）.The vitamin E content in deficiency in kidney-yin group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups（P〈0.05）.No significant difference in the contents of vitamin C,Cu and Zn were observed in these groups.The Zn/Cu level in deficiency in kidney-yin group and the vitamin E level in deficiency in spleen-yin group decreased,but with no significant difference.Amylase activity in unit time in cases with deficiency in spleen-yin was lower than and had significant differences with that in normal cases,and higher than that in cases with deficiency in kidney-yin.The sectional velocity of saliva and the ratio of lysozyme in normal case group were significantly higher than other two groups,while deficiency in the spleen-yin group was significantly higher than the deficiency in kidney-yin group.Conclusion：All the results indicated that the objective pathological mechanism between the deficiency in spleen-yin and deficiency in kidney-yin was different.

Effects of High Fluoride and Low Iodine on Thyroid Function in Offspring Rats

Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight with six females and two males in each group. The rats were exposed to high fluoride drinking water （45 mg F-L^-1 from 100 mg NaF L-1）, low dietary iodine （0.0855 mg kg-1）, or both together in order to assess the effects of these three regimens on the thyroid function of the offspring rats. After the animal model was established, the offspring rats were bred and 10-, 20-, 30-, 60-, and 90-d-old rats were used for the experiment. The treatments for the offspring rats were the same as those of their parents. In comparison with control rats, the relative thyroid glands were changed by three regimens, but the mean values of thyroid weight in the experimental groups saw no marked difference. Serum TT3 levels were increased in all stages in the low iodine （LI） group. In the high fluoride （HiF） group, increase in TT3 levels was observed except in 20-d-old rats. Decrease in TT3 at 20- and 90-d and increase in TT3 at 30- and 60-d were found in HiF＋LI group. Serum TT4 levels first saw an increase, and then dropped in the LI and HiF＋LI group. However, an increase in TT4 was found in the HiF group. The levels of TSH in serum rocketed at d 20, and then dropped in the next stages in experimental groups. The results suggested that thyroid disorder could be induced by high flroride in drinking water, low iodine diet, or both of them. Exposure time to fluoride or low iodine diet was one of the important factors that fluoride can induce the development of thyroid dyfunction.

Beneficial effects of AOS-iron supplementation on intestinal structure and microbiota in IDA rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of agar oligosaccharide-iron(AOS-iron)on intestinal tissue pathology and microbiota in IDA rats induced by a low-iron diet,further to find the relationship between intestinal microbiota and iron metabolic disorders.After 4 weeks of AOS-iron supplementation,the fecal iron content of IDA rats markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner,only the damaged cecum and colon tissues in medium-dose(MD)and high-dose(HD)groups were repaired to the baseline,while the diversity of gut microbiota was improved even at low dose(LD).Furthermore,the supplementation of AOS-iron altered the composition of gut microbiota.At the genus level,the beneficial microbiota was enriched in AOS-iron groups,but the relative abundance of potential opportunistic pathogens obviously reduced compared to that in the anemia model(AM)group.Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that biochemical parameters,including blood metabolic parameters,iron contents,body weight,GSH-PX and T-AOC activity,were positively correlated with SMB53,Anaerotruncus,Anaerostipes and Coprobacillus but negatively correlated with Morganella,Fusobacterium and Serratia.These findings indicated that AOS-iron effectively repaired the damaged intestinal tissue and ameliorated iron metabolic disorders by regulating gut microbiota desirably,which could provide references for the treatment of IDA.

孕期边缘性维生素A缺乏对新生大鼠VA营养及LRAT的影响

目的:探讨孕期边缘性维生素A缺乏(Marginalvitamin Adeficiency,MVAD)对胎鼠维生素A(VitaminA,VA)营养及VA储存关键酶:卵磷脂视黄醇酰基转移酶(Lecithin retinol acyltransferase,LRAT)的影响。方法:16只健康成年雌性Wistar大鼠(260～300g)随机分为正常对照(Control)组和MVAD组,每组8只,成功制备上述模型后,与正常雄性Wistar大鼠合笼。收集孕鼠和胎鼠血清、肝脏组织。采用高效液相色谱法测定VA含量;分别采用RT-PCR和Western blot技术检测肝脏LRAT在mRNA水平和蛋白水平上的变化。结果:MVAD组孕鼠,胎鼠血清VA,肝脏VA明显低于正常对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);同时,相对于Control组,MVAD组LRATmRNA和蛋白水平明显下调(P<0.001)。结论:孕期MVAD,胎鼠的血清维生素A水平明显下降,不能满足肝脏VA储存。血清VA水平不能很好地反映机体VA营养的真实水平,肝脏VA含量更能准确反映机体VA含量。LRAT在维生素A储存过程中起着关键作用。

Effects of different doses of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on trefoil factor 1,mucin 5AC and epidermal growth factor receptor in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome

To observe the effects of different doses of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on serum trefoil factor 1 （TFF1） and mucin 5AC （MUCSAC） levels, as well as the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） in gastric mucosa of rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, therefore, to explore the possible mechanism and the dose-effect characteristics of ginger-partitioned moxibustion in spleen deficiency syndrome. Methods： Seventy-five SPF grade Sprague-Dawley （SO） rats were randomly divided into a blank control group （group A）, a model group （group B）, a 3 moxa-cone ginger-partitioned moxibustion group （group C1）, a 6 moxa-cone ginger-partitioned moxibustion group （group C2） and a 9 moxa-cone ginger-partitioned moxibustion group （group C3） using random number table method, 15 rats in each group. Except group A, rats in the other groups received intragastric administration of 4 ~C 200% concentrated Da Huang （Radix et RhizomaRhei） to prepare spleen deficiency syndrome model. After successful modeling, rats in group B received no treatment; rats in group C1, C2 and C3 were treated with 3, 6 and 9 moxa-cone ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Zusanli （ST 36）and Zhongwan （CV 12） respectively for 8 continuous days. The general symptom score of rats was observed. The serum levels of TFF1 and MUC5AC were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of EGFR protein in gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results： After the treatment, compared with group A, the spleen deficiency symptom score was increased in group B, the levels of serum TFF1 and MUC5AC, the EGFR protein expression in gastric tissues of group C1, C2 and C3 were significantly increased （all P〈0.01）; compared with group B, the spleen deficiency scores were decreased in group C1, C2 and C3, and the serum levels of TFF1 and MUC5AC, as well as EGFR protein expression in gastric tissues were increased （all P〈0.01）. Compared with group C1, the spleen deficiency scores were decreased in group C2 and C3, the serum levels of TFF1 and MUC5AC, and the expression of EGFR protein in gastric tissues were increased （all P〈0.01）, however, there was no significant difference between group C2 and C3 （all P〉0.05）. The mechanism may be related to the increase of serum TFF2 and MUC5AC levels and activation of EGFR protein. Conclusion： Ginger-partitioned moxibustion can improve the symptoms, as well as promote the proliferation and repair of gastric mucosa in rats with spleen deficiency. The therapeutic efficacy of 6 or 9 moxa-cone ginger-partitioned moxibustion is better than that of 3 moxa-cone ginger-partitioned moxibustion, while the efficacies are equivalent between 6 and 9 moxa-cone Ringer-Dartitioned moxibustion groups.

Studies of the effects of dietary zinc on the immune organs and cellular immunity in the rat

The effects of dietary zinc on the immune organs and cellular immunity were investigated in the rats of zinc-deficient(ZD), zinc-excessive(ZE), paired feeding(PF) and ad libitus(AL) groups. The findings were as follows: (1) The weight of the thymus and spleen and the ratio with the body weight, the size of the cells,the production of thymic peptides and thymin activity were significantly lower in ZD and ZE groups than in PF and AL groups. (2) The total number of the cells in G_0/G_1 phase of T-and B-cells and bone marrow cells were significantly higher in ZD and ZF groups than in PF and AL groups while that of the cells in S and G_2/M phases were significantly lower in ZD and ZE groups than in PF and AL groups. (3) The cellular DNA, RNA and protein content in the thymus, spleen and bone marrow were significantly lower in ZD and ZE groups than in PF and AL groups.(4) The ￣3H-TdR incorporation rate of splenic T-and B-cells , IL-2 activity, plasma level of TNF and nitrogen oxide(NO) were significantly lower in ZD group than in PF group. (5) The leucocyte count of the perpheral blood,the percentage of lymphocytes, the bacteriocidal activity of phagocytes, and the phagocytic rate and index of abdominal phagocytes were significantly lower in ZD and ZE groups than in PF and AL groups. These findings indicate that an adequate amount of dietary zinc is essential for the development of immune organs and the promotion of cellular immunity while deficiency or excess of zinc is able to damage the immune function.

Effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 expressions of gastric tissues in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome

Objective： To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase （MEK：1/2） and extracellular regulatory protein kinase （ERK：1/2） in gastric tissues of rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, and to explore the possible mechanisms of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in treating spleen deficiency syndrome. Methods： Sixty Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a blank control group （group A）, a model group （group B）, a ranitidine group （group C）, and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group （group D） by random digit, 15 rats in each group. Rat models of spleen deficiency syndrome were made by intragastric administration of 4℃ 200% concentrated Da Huang （Radix et Rhizoma Rhei）. After successful modeling, the rats in group C were treated with 25 mg/（kg.bw） ranitidine by intragastric adminstration and rats in group D were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at Zusanli （ST 36） and Zhongwan （CV 12）, for 8 d. Excepted for rats in group A, all the other rats were treated with indomethacin at 5 mg/（kg.bw） at 8：00 a.m. on the second day after finishing all the intervention and sacrificed 7 h later to isolate the stomach. Histopathological changes of the gastric tissues were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The protein expressions of MEK：1/2 and ERK：1/2 in the gastric tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results： After intervention, the gastric mucosal injury in group B was significantly severer than that in group A, with large breakage and ablating; the damage of gastric mucosa was decreased in group C compared with group B; the gastric mucosal surface remained relatively complete, and the status of breakage and ablating was significantly improved. After intervention, compared with group A, the protein expressions of MEK：1/2 and ERK：12 in gastric tissues of the other groups were significantly higher （P〈0.01）. Compared with group B, the protein expressions of MEK：1/2 and ERK：1/2 in group C and D were significantly higher （all P〈0.01）. Compared with group C, the protein expressions of MEK：1/2 and ERK：1/2 in group D were significantly higher （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion promotes the repair of gastric mucosa in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, via improving protein expressions of MEK：1/2 and ERK：1/2 in gastric tissues, as well as activating MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Effects and related mechanisms of Huang's SiYu pills on Leydig cell function in kidney-yin deficiency rat models

The prescription“Huang's SiYu Pill”(HSYP)was founded by professor Huang Haibo,a famous traditional Chinese medicine in Inner Mongolia,based on long-term clinical experience.In this study we observed the effects of HYSP on sperm quality,hormone level and the expression level of reproductive related genes and proteins in testicular stromal cells of rats with kidney-yin deficiency to explore the therapeutic mechanism of HSYP in the treatment of infertility with kidney-yin deficiency,Liuwei Dihuang Pill group(LDP)and Tamoxifen Citrate Tablets combined with Pancreatic Kallidinogenase Enteric Coated Tablets were used to be the positive control drug.After 25 days of medicine administration,the animals were anesthetized and killed,the serum and testicular tissues were retained for further experiments.The ELISA results showed that HSYP had a better effect on increasing serum FSH level than the conventional Chinese medicine or western medicine,while there was no remarkable difference in the regulation of serum LH in each administration group.The results of RT-qPCR showed that the transcription levels of Cyp11a1,Hsd3b1,Lhcgr and Star genes in the medium and high dose groups of HSYP were significantly upregulated compared with the model group of kidney-yin deficiency,while the expression of Nr5a1 gene was not significantly affected.The results of HE and immunohistochemistry showed that HSYP significantly improved the development level of testicular stromal cells and promoted the expression levels of CYP11A1 and HSD11B1 in testicular stromal cells,compared with the model group of kidney-yin deficiency.Together,our results showed that Huang's SiYu Pills can significantly improve the development and function of Leydig cells in SD rats with kidney-yin deficiency model,which provided a good research basis for deep research on relevant pharmacological mechanisms of the medicine.