Gottliebparker9912

OBJECTIVE To explore the underlying mechanism of action of Tongxieyaofang decoction in rats with visceral hypersensitivity using proteomics technology. METHODS Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups control group, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) group and Tongxieyaofang treatment group. An IBS model, characterized as visceral hypersensitivity, was established using the odour of mothballs as conditional stimulation and colorectal distension combined with classic physical restraint as non-conditional stimulation. Rats were intragastrically treated with Tongxieyaofang (2 or 4 mL·kg－1·d－1) for 4 weeks. On the 45th day, the rats were dissected and the colonic mucosal proteins were extracted. Differential protein spots were screened by fluorescent two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Western blotting experiments were performed to verify the changes observed in 2D-DIGE and MALDI-TOF-MS. RESULTS It was found that the visceral sensitivity of rats in the Tongxieyaofang treatment group (4 mL/kg) was lower than that in the IBS group (P less then 0.01). Sixty-one protein spots were differentially expressed between the IBS group and the Tongxieyaofang treatment group. Of these, 23 spots were upregulated in the Tongxieyaofang treatment group, while 38 spots were downregulated. Three specific proteins were successfully identified from the five protein spots with the most obvious changes. Topoisomerase inhibitor The two upregulated proteins were transgelin (TAGLN) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Aldh2) and the downregulated protein was cytokeratin 8 (CK8). CONCLUSION Tongxieyaofang can dose-dependently ameliorate visceral hypersensitivity in rats and the mechanism of action may involve the upregulation of TAGLN and Aldh2 and the downregulation of CK8.OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a decoction from Traditional Chinese Medicine, on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats, and to propose the possible underlying mechanism. METHODS Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, prednisone group and DBT group. Pulmonary fibrosis rat model was established by intratracheal injection with bleomycin. Body weight and lung index were monitored. Histopathologic examination and collagen deposition were determined using Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome staining. Immunohistochemistry staining was applied to observe the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). mRNA expression of α-SMA, collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β in serum were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Alkali hydrolysis method was conducted to investigate the content of hydroxyproline (HYP). Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad3 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) protein level were examined by Western blot assay. RESULTS DBT significantly reduced the severity of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation as indicated by minimizing the lost of weight, and by lowering the levels of lung index, inflammation score, Ashcroft score, collagen volume fraction (%), HYP, α-SMA, collagen Ⅰ, collagen Ⅲ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, TGF-β1, Smad3 and PAI-1, consistent with the effect of prednisone. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that DBT is able to ameliorate the pulmonary fibrosis, the possible mechanism may involve inhibition of pulmonary inflammation and collagen deposition, possibly via suppressing TGF-β1/Smad3/PAI-1 signaling pathway.OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Gubi prescription on the expression of caveolin-1, and the phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and Fas signal pathways in rats with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS Forty KOA model rats were established using a modification of Hulth's method. Rats were divided into five groups by the random number method model, positive drug (Vicolli group), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Gubi prescription groups (n = 8/group). In the sham surgery group (n = 8), only anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments of rats were exposed during surgery. A normal group (n = 8) consisted of rats with no treatment. Rats were intragastrically administered corresponding drugs once every day for eight consecutive weeks. Then, rat synovial membranes were extracted and histomorphological changes were recorded. mRNA expression was measured by q-PCR. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels were measured. Western bl and Bcl-2 (P less then 0.01) and lower expressions of caveolin-1 and Fas (P less then 0.05) compared with the model group. Compared with the model group, Bax and caspase-3 expressions were reduced in the chondrocytes of all three Gubi prescription groups (P less then 0.05) whereas Bcl-2 expression was increased (P less then 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of caveolin-1 and Fas (P less then 0.05) were reduced in groups that received high- and medium-doses of Gubi prescription. Gubi prescription increased the serum level of SOD and significantly reduced those of MDA, NO and IL-1β (P less then 0.05). CONCLUSION Gubi prescription suppressed the chondrocyte-related PI3K/Akt and Fas signal pathways and inhibited the overexpression of caveolin-1 in rat chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between symptom patterns of cold coagulation and blood stasis (CCBS) and microcirculation disturbance. In addition, we determined the efficacy of modified Wenjing decoction (WJD) for the treatment of CCBS. METHODS CCBS was induced in rats with an ice-water bath treatment. The ovarian function, microvascular and circulatory status of reproductive organs, and function of local microvascular endothelial cells (VECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were evaluated. RESULTS Ovarian dysfunction was observed in the rats with CCBS. It was characterized by the presence of an estrous cycle disorder and a decrease in reproductive hormone levels. Microvascular circulation disorders were associated with an imbalance in vasoconstriction, relaxation substances, nitric oxide, abnormal blood flow in whole blood, and decreased blood flow in the auricle and uterus. VECs were damaged, and VSMCs contracted and proliferated in ovarian and uterine tissues. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the dysfunctional reproductive organs observed in gynecological CCBS may be closely related to the microcirculation disturbance of local tissues, microvascular contraction, and vascular remodeling.