[Performance of FibroScan in evaluating the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine on liver fibrosis].

Objective: To assess the performance of FibroScan in evaluating the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on liver fibrosis, and to analyze factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy.

Methods: Data of FibroScan values, types of disease, use of drug, liver function indexes, prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) were collected at both pre- (1 month prior) and post-FibroScan for 102 patients who underwent at least two FibroScan procedures. Patients were subgrouped according to presence of fibrosis, presence of cirrhosis, and TCM formulation and statistically analyzed.

[Biochemical characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and their elements in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes and their elements in patients with post hepatitic cirrhosis by analyzing the relationships between signs and symptoms and biochemical parameters.

Methods: A total of 440 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis treated in Shanghai Public Health Center and Shuguang Hospital, Longhua Hospital and Central Hospital of Putuo District Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine during January 2002 to January 2006 were enrolled in this study. Signs and symptoms and biochemical information of patients were collected by using a self-designed questionnaire regarding the four examinations of TCM.

Effects of vitamin E on mercuric chloride-induced renal interstitial fibrosis in rats and the antioxidative mechanism.

Objective: To observe the effects of vitamin E (Vit E) on mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) in rats and discuss its antioxidative mechanism.

Methods: A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: normal group, model group and Vit E group. RIF was induced by oral administration of HgCl(2) at a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight once a day for 9 weeks.

Salvianolic acid B prevents epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through the TGF-beta1 signal transduction pathway in vivo and in vitro.

Background: Salvianolic Acid B (Sal B) is a water-soluble component from Danshen (a traditional Chinese herb widely used for chronic renal diseases) with anti-oxidative and cell protective properties. Sal B also has potential protective effects on renal diseases. Tubular epithelial cells can undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and is mainly regulated by TGF-beta1/Smads pathway.

[Effects of fuzheng huayu recipe in antagonizing rat's renal interstitial fibrosis].

Objective: To observe the effects of Fuzheng Huayu Recipe (FHR) on rat's renal interstitial fibrosis induced by mercuric chloride (HgCl2), and to explore preliminarily its mechanism of action.

Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups: the normal group, the model group, the FHR group and the vitamin E group, the latter two were treated respectively by FHR 4.6 g/kg and vitamin E 100 mg/kg.

Fuzheng Huayu recipe and vitamin E reverse renal interstitial fibrosis through counteracting TGF-beta1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Aim: To investigate the mechanism of action of Fuzheng Huayu recipe (FZHY) and vitamin E (Vit E) against renal interstitial fibrosis related to transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mediated tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Materials And Methods: Renal interstitial fibrosis was induced by administration of HgCl(2) at a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight once a day for 9 weeks. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal, model, FZHY, and Vit E group.

[Effects of Fuzheng Huayu recipe on renal toxic interstitial fibrosis in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Fuzheng Huayu Recipe on renal interstitial fibrosis in rats induced by the toxic substances.

Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups, including the normal group, model control and Fuzheng Huayu Recipe treated group. The renal fibrotic model was induced with intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) for 4 weeks and oral administration of food containing heavy metals such as Hg, etc for 8 weeks.