Efficacy and Mechanism of a Chinese Classic Prescription of Yueju in Treating Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Protecting Hepatocytes from Apoptosis.

Yueju, a famous classic Chinese prescription, has been extensively used in treating depression syndromes for hundreds of years. Recent studies have reported that Yueju showed good effects in treating metabolic diseases, such as obesity and hyperlipidemia. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which leads to cirrhosis and severe cardiovascular diseases, is closely linked to obesity and abnormal lipid metabolism.

Inhibition of glycolysis by targeting lactate dehydrogenase A facilitates hyaluronan synthase 2 synthesis in synovial fibroblasts of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.

Objective: Although associations between dysregulated glucose metabolism and human rheumatoid arthritis have been reported, the disturbance and influence of glycolytic metabolism on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression level and metabolite profile of the critical glycolytic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) in synovial fibroblasts (SFs) of TMJOA, assess the effect of glycolytic inhibition on synthesis of hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) and inflammation progression in these cells.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were performed to detect the expression of LDHA in the lining and sub-lining layers of synovial tissue and SFs.

Protective effects of a G. lucidum proteoglycan on INS-1 cells against IAPP-induced apoptosis via attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress and modulating CHOP/JNK pathways.

Fudan-Yueyang-G. lucidum (FYGL) is a water-soluble macromolecular proteoglycan extracted from Ganoderma lucidum which has been used for health promotion for a long time in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of FYGL on INS-1 rat insulinoma beta cells against IAPP-induced cell apoptosis, as well as the underlying mechanisms.

Inhibitory Mechanism of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Fibrillation and Aggregation of Amidated Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide.

The abnormal fibrillation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) is associated with development of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can bind amyloid proteins to inhibit the fibrillation of these proteins. However, the mechanic detail of EGCG inhibiting amyloid formation is still unclear at the molecular level.

Influence of Aluminium and EGCG on Fibrillation and Aggregation of Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide.

The abnormal fibrillation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) has been implicated in the development of type II diabetes. Aluminum is known to trigger the structural transformation of many amyloid proteins and induce the formation of toxic aggregate species. The (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is considered capable of binding both metal ions and amyloid proteins with inhibitory effect on the fibrillation of amyloid proteins.

[Treating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Complicated with Metabolic Syndrome by Benefiting Qi Dissolving Method].

Objective To observe clinical efficacy of Yiqi Huaju Recipe (YHR) combined routine Western medical treatment on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients complicated metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods Totally 96 T2DM patients complicated MetS were assigned to the treatment group (YHR +routine Western drugs) and the control group (placebo +routine Western drugs) according to random digit table, 48 cases in each group. The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks.

Yiqi Huaju formula, a Chinese herbal medicine, reduces arterial pressure in salt‑sensitive hypertension by inhibiting renin‑angiotensin system activation.

Hypertension is a chronic disease with a high prevalence, and is associated with a high risk of vascular disease and premature death. Traditional Chinese medicine has been administered to treat hypertension for many years. In the present study, the effects of Yiqi Huaju formula (YQ; a compound used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine) were observed in salt‑sensitive hypertension, which was induced by a high‑salt and high‑fat (HSF) diet and the potential mechanism was investigated.

[Effect of yiqi huaju recipe combined with routine therapy in treating hypertension patients with metabolic syndrome: a clinical study].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Yiqi Huaju Recipe (YHR) combined with routine therapy on the blood pressure, the blood pressure variability and other cardiovascular risk factors in hypertension patients complicated with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: Totally 43 hypertension patients complicated with MetS were recruited in this study and randomly assigned to the treatment group (22 cases, treated with basic routine treatment +YHR) and the control group (21 cases, treated with basic routine treatment + placebo). The treatment course was 12 weeks.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Formula on hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Patients with hypertension coupled with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are among the high risk population in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. To reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is essential to appropriately control blood pressure together with other cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective: The current study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects on blood pressure, blood pressure variability and other cardiovascular risk factors by giving Yiqi Huaju Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in addition to routine treatment to hypertensive patients coupled with MetS.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Qingli Formula in metabolic syndrome patients with microalbuminuria: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Microalbuminuria (MAU) is a key component of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and is an early sign of diabetic nephropathy as well. Although routine Western medicine treatments are given to MetS patients to control high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, some patients still experience progressive renal lesions and it is necessary to modify and improve the treatment strategy for MetS patients.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of Yiqi Huaju Qingli Herb Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in MetS patients with MAU when it is combined with routine Western medicine treatment.

Marrow adiposity recovery after early zoledronic acid treatment of glucocorticoid-induced bone loss in rabbits assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Background: Although there is an inverse relationship between bone mass and marrow adiposity, the reversal function of zoledronic acid (ZOL) on increased marrow fat has not been studied. The aim of our study is to use the 3T magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to characterize the dynamical change process of the marrow fat responding to early ZOL treatment in the rabbit model with glucocorticoid-induced bone loss.

Methods: Fifteen 20-week-old female New Zealand White rabbits were randomized to control group, methylprednisolone (MPS) group, and MPS+ZOL group equally.

Effect of a novel proteoglycan PTP1B inhibitor from Ganoderma lucidum on the amelioration of hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia in db/db mice.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is implicated in the negative regulation of the insulin signalling pathway by dephosphorylating the insulin receptor (IR) and IR substrates. Ganoderma lucidum has traditionally been used for the treatment of diabetes in Chinese medicine; however, its anti-diabetic potency and mechanism in vivo is still unclear. Our previously published study reported a novel proteoglycan PTP1B inhibitor, named Fudan-Yueyang-Ganoderma lucidum (FYGL) from G.

MpAsr encodes an intrinsically unstructured protein and enhances osmotic tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Abscisic acid-, stress- and ripening (ASR) -induced proteins are plant-specific proteins whose expression is up-regulated under abiotic stresses or during fruit ripening. In this study, we characterized an ASR protein from plantain to explore its physiological roles under osmotic stress. The expression pattern of MpAsr gene shows that MpAsr gene changed little at the mRNA level, while the MpASR protein accumulates under osmotic treatment.

[Molecular basis of a new O61 allele in ABO blood group].

Objective of this study was to explore the molecular basis of a new O61 allele in ABO blood group. The ABO group antigens on red cells of the blood samples were identified by monoclonal antibodies and the ABO antibody in serum was detected by the standard A, B, O red cells. The coding region sequences of exon 5 to exon 7 in ABO gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the amplification products were purified with double enzyme digestion and directly sequenced for exon 6 and 7.

[Cloning and expression of MHC class I chain-related gene A in E. coli].

In order to construct prokaryotic expression system of MHC classI chain-related gene A (mica) and purify MICA protein, RNAs were extracted from the peripheral blood samples and mica cDNA fragments were obtained by RT-PCR method. The cDNA for mica was ligated with cloning vector by TOPO method. The recombinant cloning vector and prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a were digested by two restriction enzymes and ligated to construct pET-28a-MICA recombinant expression vector, then the pET-28a-MICA vector was transformed and expressed in E.

[Study on relationship between hepatitis B virus DNA load and genotype with large envelope protein].

Objective: To explore the relation between hepatitis B virus DNA load and genotype with the level of large envelope protein.

Methods: Serum HBV DNA was quantitively detected by using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The LHBs were detected by using enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and HBV markers were detected by time differentiate immunofluorescence assay in 140 serum samples collected from chronic hepatitis B patients.

[Effects of berberine on cell proliferation, peroxisome proliferation activated receptor gamma, CAAT/enhancer binding protein mRNA and protein expression in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes].

Objective: To study the effect and mechanism of berberine (BER) on the proliferation and differentiation of adipocytes.

Methods: The proliferation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes was detected by XTT method. Lipid droplets accumulated in the cytoplasm of adipocytes in the differentiating process were observed by oil red O staining and quantified by colorimetry.

[Effects of Pollen Typhae total flavones on mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in 3T3-L1 adipocytes].

Objective: To explore the effects of Pollen Typhae total flavones (PTF) on the mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) alpha,gamma, beta/delta so as to analyze its possible mechanism in improving the insulin sensitivity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Methods: Adipocytes were treated with PTF, and expressions of PPARalpha, PPARgamma, PPARbeta/delta mRNAs relating to the adipocyte glucose and lipid metabolism were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results: PTF obviously up-regulated the expressions of PPARalpha and PPARgamma mRNAs, all showing significant differences as compared with those in the normal control group (P<0.

[Effects of Yiqi Sanju Formula on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effects of Yiqi Sanju Formula (YQSJF), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: Sixty-seven patients diagnosed with NAFLD were randomly divided into two groups: YQSJF-treated group (39 cases) and placebo group (28 cases). The NAFLD patients in the two groups were treated with YQSJF and placebo respectively for 3 months.

[Pollen Typhae total flavones inhibit expression of interleukin-6 in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells cultured with palmitate].

Objective: To observe the effects of Pollen Typhae total flavones (PTF) on expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA and protein secretion in C2C12 cell strain of skeletal muscle cells cultured with palmitate, and to explore the mechanism of PTF in relieving insulin resistance (IR).

Methods: The IR of C2C12 cells was induced by co-culturing with palmitate. The C2C12 cells were divided into normal control group, untreated group, PDTC (a nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor) treated group, rosiglitazone (ROS)-treated group, ROS+ PDTC-treated group, PTF-treated group and PTF+PDTC-treated group.

[Clinical research of Yiqi Sanju Formula in treating central obese men at high risk of metabolic syndrome].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effects of Yiqi Sanju Formula (YQSJF), a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on central obese men at high risk of metabolic syndrome (MS).

Methods: Compared with 30 healthy male volunteers, 45 central obese men were separated randomly into two groups and received the interventions with YQSJF and placebo respectively for 10 weeks. Baseline characteristics, insulin resistance, inflammation cytokines and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) were evaluated before and after treatment.

Carrot antifreeze protein does not exhibit the polygalacturonase-inhibiting activity of PGIP family.

The carrot (Daucus carota) antifreeze protein (DcAFP) has a strong antifreeze activity and identified as belonging to the plant polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP) family based on its sequence similarities, including the presence of a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) motif. In this study, yeast two-hybrid technology was used to analyze whether the carrot AFP could act as a PGIP. The complete DcAFP and polygalacturonase (PGase; obtained from fungus Alternaria alternata by RT-PCR) coding sequences were cloned into the bait and capture vectors, respectively, and yeast two-hybrid assays were performed.

[Effects of Pollen Typhae total flavone on glucose and lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes].

Objective: To observe the effects of Pollen Typhae total flavone (PTF) on glucose and lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Methods: The content of glucose which disappeared from the culture medium after incubation with drugs for 24 hours was determined as glucose consumption of the cells. The activity of cells was detected by XTT method.

Effects of Pinus massoniana bark extract on cell proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma BEL-7402 cells.

Aim: To study the effects of Pinus massoniana bark extract (PMBE) on cell proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma BEL-7402 cells and to elucidate its molecular mechanism.

Methods: BEL-7402 cells were incubated with various concentrations (20-200 microg/mL) of PMBE for different periods of time. After 48 h, cell proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

[Diagnosis of thalassemia by using genechips].

Objective: The new technology of genechip is exerting a significant impact on the identification of thalassemia, and allows to rapidly and efficiently detect a number of molecular disorders. The aim of the present study was to explore the application value of the diagnostic genechip in determining thalassemia.

Methods: The subjects group consisted of 62 children with alpha thalassemia and 93 children with beta thalassemia (60 with thalassemia trait, 33 with thalassemia major) from Guangdong province were tested from July 2002 to July 2003; 115 were males and 40 were females, the age ranged from 1 day to 11 years.