Effect of Huqian Wan on liver-Yin and kidney-Yin deficiency patterns in patients with knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect of Huqian Wan on liver and kidney-Yin deficiency knee osteoarthritis(KOA).METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly divided into a treatment(50 patients) and control group(50 patients). In the treatment group, patients orally took the Chinese medicine Huqian Wan. Control group patients orally took Votalin, 75 mg, once a day, for 8 weeks. The visual analog scale(VAS), Western Ontario and Mc Master University Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC), and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-Item Health Survey(SF36) were used to evaluate the curative effect before treatment and after 8 and 16 weeks of treatment.RESULTS: VAS and WOMAC scores significantly decreased and SF 36 scores significantly increased after treatment in both groups compared with before treatment(P < 0.05). There were significant differences in VAS, WOMAC, and SF 36 score changes between the two groups at week 16(P < 0.05).There was a significant increase in VAS and WOMAC scores in the control groups(P < 0.05) between weeks 8 and 16, but no significant difference was found in the treatment group(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Huqian Wan could effectively improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with KOA. It could also have a better and longer lasting curative effect without obvious adverse events compared with Votalin.

Protective effect of Yiguanjian decoction against DNA damage on concanavalin A-induced liver injury mice model

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the inhibitory effect of Yiguanjian decoction(YD) on DNA damage in Concanavalin A(Con A)-induced liver injury mice model and to explain the possible mechanism.METHODS:Totally 120 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups,20 mice each:normal group,model group,Bifendate group,YD low dose group,YD middle dose group and YD high dose group.Except normal group,liver injury model induced by Con A was established.While modeling,each mouse in YD group was given YD(0.4 m L/20 g per day) by intragastric administration(0.13 g YD for YD low dose group;0.26 g for YD middle dose group;0.52 g for YD high dose group).Bifendate group was given Bifendate(0.2 gnd model·kg-1 grou·d-1) by gavage.Normal group ap were fed with same volume of physiological saline daily.After 8 weeks,the serum alanine transaminase(ALT)and aspartate transaminase(AST) were tested.The hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the grade of liver inflammation and liver fibrosis stage.Hepatocellular DNA damage was detected by single cell gel electrophoresis technology.The protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),Bax and Mut T Homolog 1(MTH1) was detected by western blotting and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Bax m RNA and MTH1 m RNA were detected by Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR).RESULTS:YD can improve the degree of liver inflammation and fibrosis in the liver of chronic hepatitis mice,the dose effect relationship is remarkable(P < 0.05).YD can reduce liver cell DNA damage.The difference between YD middle dose group and model group was statistically significant(P < 0.05).YD middle dose group had decreased the protein expression of TNF-α in the mice liver of immunological liver injury(P < 0.05).YD can increase the protein expression of Bax(P < 0.05).Compared with normal group,the protein expression of MTH1 was decreased(P < 0.05),but there was no statistical significance between YD group and model group(P >0.05).YD can increase the m RNA expression of Bax and MTH1(both P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:YD can effectively inhibit the DNA damage in immunological liver injury mice,the mechanism may be that it can decrease the TNF-αand increase the Bax and MTH1 expression.

Study on Molecular Mechanism of Liver Yang Ascending Syndrome in Hypertension

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of Liver Yang Ascending Syndrome (LYAS) in hypertension. Methods: The plasma norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) contents in patients with LYAS or Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome (LKYDS) of hypertension and normal controls were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD). The polymorphism of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene in the three groups were analysed by Southern Blot assay. The polymorphism of TH and monoamine oxidation A(MAO-A), monoamine oxidation B(MAO-B) gene microsatellite in these groups were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-SSCP. At the same time, the LYAS model was established by administering Aconitum preparation (AP) to spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR). The adrenal gland medulla of the experimental animal was examined for their TH expression at the protein level after ABC immuno-histochemical staining with the TH monoclonal antibody (McAb). The adrenal TH gene mRNA expression was demonstrated by in situ hybridization with the synthetized TH oligonucleic acid probe. The results of immuno-histochemistry and in situ hybridization were analyzed with the image analysis system (IAS). Results: The plasma NE and E contents in patients with LYAS were more obviously increased than those in LKYDS and normal controls. The TH gene amplified and the type A1 TH microsatellite D11S4046 was markedly higher in the LYAS group than those in the other groups. The TH mRNA protein expression in the adrenal tissue of the AP induced LYAS model in SHR elevated. Conclusion: The LYAS of hypertension has the characters as amplified TH gene and increased TH mRNA and protein expression, which suggested that the overexpression of TH is probably the mechanism of LYAS in hypertension.

Combined acupuncture and Chinese herb decoction for 5 cases with graphospasm

Combined acupuncture and Chinese herb decoction were applied for 5 cases with graphospasm.Acupuncture included scalp acupuncture and body acupuncture.Using transcranial repeated needling,Baihui(百会GV20),Chorea-trembling controlled area,Emotional area,as well as Dazhui(大椎GV14),Fengchi(风池GB20),and Yingxiang(迎香EX-HN8)etc.were stimulated by proposed by Sun Shentian.Meanwhile,the patients took orally Chinese herb decoction,on the basis of the Siwu decoction(四物汤four substances decoction)addition and subtraction,relieve symptoms under syndrome differentiation.The treatment was carried out for 4 courses in total.One course consisted of 5 days,with an interval of 2 days between two courses.After treatment of 5 patients,2 patients were cured,2 patients achieved markedly effective response,and 1 patient achieved effective response.