Relationship between traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and imaging characterization to the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background and Objective: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a well established and time-honored practice in China, employing syndrome differentiation as a basis for the treatment of disease. According to different TCM syndrome typing findings, combining modern medical methods with TCM approaches can improve the quality of life and comprehensive effect on patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study investigated the relationship between TCM syndrome typing and imaging characterization to radiosensitivity as to provide objective evidence for the integration of Chinese and modern medical approaches in the treatment of NPC. Methods: Prior to treatment, TCM syndrome typing, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed on 147 patients pathologically classified with NPC. The status of tumor remission was radiologically evaluated at accumulated doses of 20 Gy, 40 Gy and 60 Gy, and at 3 months after completion of radiotherapy. Statistical results were analyzed by the Friedman and K-W test procedures. Results: Prior to treatment, TCM syndrome typing of NPC included Lung Heat, Blood Stasis, Phlegm Congealment and Blood Stasis-Phlegm Congealment. Lung Heat typing accounted for the highest proportion at 34.7% (51/147), followed by Phlegm Congealment at 32.7% (48/147), Blood Stasis at 17.0% (25/147) and Blood Stasis-Phlegm Congealment at 15.7% (23/147). Radiological imaging demonstrated a higher incidence of cervical lymph node metastases in Phlegm Congealment and Blood Stasis-Phlegm Congealment types (P < 0.05), while Blood Stasis and Blood Stasis-Phlegm Congealment types were more prone to skull base invasion (P < 0.05). Residual tumor size was larger in Blood Stasis and Blood Stasis-Phlegm Congealment types than in Lung Heat and Phlegm Congealment types after 3 months of treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Different radiological manifestations were observed in TCM syndrome typed NPC patients, with lesser radiosensitivity demonstrated in the Blood Stasis and the Blood Stasis-Phlegm Congealment types relative to the Lung Heat and Phlegm Congealment types.

Effect of Yizhitongxuan decoction on learning and memory ability,Gαq/11 expression and Na^+-K^+-ATP enzyme activity in rat models of Alzheimer's Disease

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Yizhitongxuan decoction on learning and memory abilities, Gαq/11expression and Na+-K+-ATPenzymeactivityin rat models of Alzheimer's disease(AD) caused by injecting Aβ25-35 into the hippocampus.METHODS: Ninety male Wistar rats(age ≥10 months)were selected and injected with Aβ25-35 into their hippocampi to establish model animals,which were randomly divided into six groups including a sham-operated group(blank group), a model group, a donepezil HCL group(Western Medicinegroup),and ahigh/general/dilute concentrations of Yizhitongxuan decoction groups(TCMⅠⅡⅢgroup).The Morris watermaze was used to examine the learning and memory abilities of rats in each group by place navigation and spatial probe tests.Then, the rats were sacrificed to collect the hippocampi for biochemical tests, using western blotting to detect the expression of Gαq/11 and an ultramicro Na+-K+-ATP enzyme kit to measure Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity.RESULTS:Yizhitongxuan decoction improved model rats' learning and memory abilities, and increased the expression of Gαq/11 in the hippocampus and the level of Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity in braintissue.CONCLUSION: Yizhitongxuan decoction could improve model rats' learning and memory abilities,and had a regulating effect on the expression of Gαq/11and Na+-K+-ATP enzyme activity.

Effect of Kangquan Recipe(康泉方)on BAMBI Expression in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Prostate in Rats with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Objective:To investigate the effect of Kangquan Recipe(康泉方,KQR)on bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor(BAMBI)expression and its mechanism in rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods:Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups using a random number table,with 8 in each group:the normal group(normal saline 10 m L/kg),the model group(normal saline 10 m L/kg),the finasteride group(0.5 mg/kg),the low-dose KQR group(3.5 g/kg),the middle-dose KQR group(7 g/kg),and the high-dose KQR group(14 g/kg).The 40 rats were subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate after castration for 30 days to establish the BPH rat model except for those in the normal group.At the same time,the corresponding drugs were administered by gavage for 30 consecutive days.The effects of different doses of KQR on the protate wet weight,prostate volume and prostate index(PI)were observed.The changes in histopathology were monitored with hematoxylin-eosin staining.BAMBI protein and m RNA expression contents were determined by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,respectively.Results:All doses of KQR could decrease prostatic epithelial tissue proliferation.Compared to the model group,the high and middle-dose KQR significantly reduced prostate wet weight,prostate volume and PI;increased BAMBI protein expression in the hypothalamus,pituitary and prostate tissue;all doses of KQR up-regulated BAMBI m RNA expression in serum,prostatic fluid and prostate tissue(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusions:KQR could inhibit the proliferation of rat prostatic tissue,promote BAMBI protein expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-prostate of rats with BPH;and increase BAMBI m RNA expression in the blood,prostatic fluid and prostate tissue of rats with BPH,showing a dose-effect relationship.KQR can be used as a potential drug for the treatment of BPH.