Effects of Soothing Liver and Invigorating Spleen Recipe on Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Kupffer Cells of NAFLD Rats by LXRα/SREBP-1c Signal Pathway

Objective To investigate the mechanism of lipid metabolism disorders in Kupffer cells （KCs） of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） rats mediated by LXRα-SREBP-lc pathway and the interference of soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipe （SLISR） on it. Methods SD male rats were randomly divided into five groups： normal, model, soothing liver recipe （SLR）, invigorating spleen recipe （ISR）, and soothing liver and invigorating spleen recipe （SLISR） groups. The rats in treatment groups were administered for 8 weeks. The liver tissue was stained with H＆E and oil red O. The levels of hepatic lipid and blood lipid were measured by biochemical analyzer. KCs were isolated from the livers of rats to evaluate the expression of LXRα, SREBP-1 C, and FAS mRNA by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR tests; LXRα, SREBP-1C, and FAS proteins were measured by Western blotting. Results The H＆E and oil red O staining results showed that the model rats successfully reproduced typical pathogenetic and histopathological features of NAFLD. The levels of hepatic lipid and blood lipid in the model rats were dramatically increased. Compared with the model group, the values of hepatic lipid and blood lipid in the treatment groups were significantly ameliorated （P〈 0.05, 0.01 ）. The yields of purified KCs from each rat were 2×10^7-3×10^7. The viability of KCs was higher than 95%, with the purity over 90.18%. Compared with the model group, the expression of LXRα, SREBP-1C, and FAS mRNA and proteins was decreased in all treatment groups, especially in the SLR group （P〈 0.05）. Conclusion SLISR may protect liver against injury included by lipid metabolism disorders in KCs through LXRα/ SREBP-1 c signaling pathway, which may be an important mechanism for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Theoretical Discussion on Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Based on Theory of Liver,Spleen and Kidney

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a disease in which ulnar nerve is compressed by its surrounding tissues,and its main clinical manifestations are pain,sensory disturbance and dyskinesia.Its incidence rate is the second highest among peripheral nerve entrapment diseases,and it is one of the common clinical diseases.The theory of liver,spleen and kidney can guide the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.By discussing the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pathogenesis and treatment principles of cubital tunnel syndrome,it provides modern medical theoretical support for TCM treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.

疏肝调神针法结合择时耳穴压豆治疗阈下抑郁

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical therapeutic effect on subthreshold depression of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency treated with acupuncture therapy for soothing the liver and regulating the mind combined with the well-timed auricular acupressure.MethodsA total of 34 patients were treated with acupuncture therapy for soothing the liver and regulating the mind combined with well-timed auricular acupressure.In acupuncture therapy for soothing the liver and regulating the mind,main acupoints included Baihui(BL20),Neiguan(PC6)and Taichong(LR3),and supplementary acupoints included Sishencong(EX-HN1),Shenting(GV24),Benshen(GB13),Zusanli(ST36),Ganshu(BL18)and Pishu(BL20).Acupuncture was given three times a week as one course and 4 courses of treatment were required.In well-timed auricular acupressure,auricular points included Xin(CO15),Pizhixia(AT4),Shenmen(TF4),Gan(CO12)and Pi(CO13).Acupressure with herbal seeds at those auricular points was applied at three time divisions,i.e.9:00 to 11:00,11:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 17:00 successively.The auricular acupressure with herbal seeds was given once every 3 days,the treatment for 1 week was 1 course and 4 courses were required.At the end of treatment and in 3 months of follow-up,the score of Hamilton depression scale-24(HAMD-24),syndrome score of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the score of Center for epidemiologic studies depression scale(CES-D)and the score of Short-form 36 item health survey(SF-36)were adopted to evaluate clinical therapeutic effect.ResultsAfter treatment and in three months of follow-up,HAMD-24 score,TCM syndrome score and CES-D score were all reduced as compared with the scores before treatment(all P<0.05)and SF-36 score was higher than the score before treatment,respectively(both P<0.05).In comparison of the scores after treatment with those in 3 months of follow-up,differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05).Of 34 patients with subthreshold depression,8 cases were cured,15 cases effective remarkably,9 cases improved and 2 cases no effect.The total effective rate was 94.12%.ConclusionThe combined treatment of acupuncture therapy for soothing the liver and regulating the mind with the well-timed auricular acupressure can be benefit for relieving the symptoms and improves the quality of life in the patients with subthreshold depression of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency.