Yuan-Hu Zhi Tong Prescription Mitigates Tau Pathology and Alleviates Memory Deficiency in the Preclinical Models of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by memory dysfunction, Aβ plaques together with phosphorylated tau-associated neurofibrillary tangles. Unfortunately, the present existing drugs for AD only offer mild symptomatic cure and have more side effects. As such, developments of effective, nontoxic drugs are immediately required for AD therapy. Present study demonstrates a novel role of Chinese medicine prescription Yuan-Hu Zhi Tong (YZT) in treating AD, and it has substantiated the in vivo effectiveness of YZT in two different transgenic mice models of AD, namely P301S tau and 3XTg-AD mice. Oral treatment of YZT significantly ameliorates motor dysfunction as well as promotes the clearance of aggregated tau in P301S tau mice. YZT improves the cognitive function and reduces the insoluble tau aggregates in 3XTg-AD mice model. Furthermore, YZT decreases the insoluble AT8 positive neuron load in both P301S tau and 3XTg-AD mice. Using microarray and the "Connectivity Map" analysis, we determined the YZT-induced changes in expression of signaling molecules and revealed the potential mechanism of action of YZT. YZT might regulate ubiquitin proteasomal system for the degradation of tau aggregates. The research results show that YZT is a potential drug candidate for the therapy of tau pathogenesis and memory decline in AD.

[Value of anti-Müllerian hormone in predicting pregnant outcomes of polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergone assisted reproductive technology]

Objective: Explore the value of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in predicting pregnant outcomes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients undergone assisted reproductive technology. Methods: The study totally recruited 1 697 patients who underwent the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from the January 2014 to December 2015. The patients were divided into two groups based on the age<35 (n=758) and ≥35 years old (n=939) , compare the basic data and pregnant outcomes of controlled ovarian hyerstimulation. Spearman correlation method was conducted to analyze the relations between AMH and clinical outcomes. The logistic regression method and partial correlation analysis were used to judge the main factors which determine pregnancy outcomes by controlled the confounding factors. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the predictive sensitivity and specificity of AMH. Results: In the group of PCOS patient younger than 35 years, AMH were correlated with the number of antral follicles (r=0.388) and retrieved oocytes (r=0.235) . When the effect of total dosage and starting dosage of gonadotropin were controlled, AMH was still significantly associated with the number of retrieved oocytes (P<0.05) . AMH had no predictive value for the clinical pregnancy of PCOS patient younger than 35 years (area under ROC curve=0.481, P=0.768) . In the group of PCOS patient≥35 years old, AMH were correlated with the number of antral follicles (r=0.450) , retrieved oocytes (r=0.399) , available embryo (r=0.336) and high quality embryo (r=0.235) . When the effect of total dosage and starting dosage of gonadotropin were controlled, the correlations were still significant between those indexes (all P<0.05) . AMH had no predictive value for the clinical pregnancy of PCOS patient ≥35 years old (area under ROC curve=0.535, P=0.560) . However, the clinical pregnancy rate of the group of PCOS patient ≥35 years old was slightly higher than the control group (P=0.062) . Conclusions: AMH has no predictive value for the pregnancy outcome of PCOS patient. The pregnancy rate of PCOS patient ≥35 years old is slightly higher than the younger group, because the PCOS patient may have better ovarian reserve.

[Effect of Panax notoginseng saponins combined isovolumic haemodilution on the retinal microcirculation of patients with retinal vein occlusion]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) or isovolumic haemodilution (IHD) and combination of PNS with IHD on retinal microcirculation of patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

METHOD

Seventy three patients with RVO were allocated at random to three groups which were treated with PNS, IHD, or PNS + IHD respectively. The retinal circulation time (RCT) and retinal hemorrhage, edema, leakage of capillary, cystoid macular edema (CME), and nonperfusion area of capillary in retina were observed before and after treatment.

RESULT

RCT of patients with RVO was shortened by three treating methods. RCT in the patients who treated by PNS + IHD was the shortest, especially in the patients with nonischemic RVO and branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO). The retinal hemorrhage, edema, leakage of capillary, and CME in the patients treated by PNS + IHD disappeared quicker than those treated by PNS or IHD. At the same time, the incidence of nonperfusion area in patients whose course of disease was shorter than fourteen days was decreased. The perfusion of capillaries was increased at the edge of nonperfusion area which existed before the treatment. But the effect for nonperfusion area which existed before the treatment in the type of ischemic RVO was not obvious.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of PNS + IHD can both shorten RCT of patients with RVO, and promote absorption of retinal hemorrhage, edema, leakage of capillary, and CME. It is possible that PNS + IHD treatment also has an effect to decrease the forming of nonperfusion area in patients whose course of disease is at early stage.

Effects of Coriolus versicolor polysaccharides on superoxide dismutase activities in mice

AIM

To study if Coriolus versicolor polysaccharides (CVP) influence the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in mice.

METHODS

Normal, tumor-bearing, and radiated ICR mice were injected ip with CVP daily for 3-15 d. The SOD activity was assayed by epinephrine autoxidation test.

RESULTS

The SOD activities in lymphocytes and thymus were increased by CVP in both the normal mice with or without delayed hypersensitivity (DH). In tumor-bearing mice, CVP exerted not only inhibitory effects on tumor, growth and SOD activity in tumor tissue but also complete or partial restorative effects on the suppressed DH and on the declined SOD activities in lymphocytes, spleen, and thymus. The total SOD and manganese-containing SOD (MnSOD) activities in lymphocytes and thymus were dose-dependently enhanced by CVP (5-20 mg.kg-1) on d 3 after the tumor transplantation. In the mice exposed to 60Co (3 or 6 Gy), DH and SOD activities were dose-dependently decreased. These changes were completely or partly prevented by CVP.

CONCLUSION

CVP exerted the favorable effects on SOD activities in mice. Coriolus versicolor polysaccharides (CVP) exert inhibitory effects on experimental and clinical tumors. These effects are presumed to be mediated mainly by host-defence mechanism, especially immunological responeses. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role in protecting cells against superoxide radical (O2-.) damages and over-production of O2-. or SOD abnormities exist in many diseases. The present study was to investigate if the CVP could exert some favorable effects on SOD activities in vivo.

[Patterns of arteriovenous crossings in branch retinal vein occlusion]

The fundus color and fluorescein angiographic photographs of 82 eyes in 76 cases with recent branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) were compared with those of 82 eyes in 82 cases without BRVO in the age-sex-matched control group to determine the relationship between the arteriovenous crossing and BRVO. It was found that 90.3% of the crossings at the obstructive sites were located at the temporal quadrant, especially the superior temporal quadrant, and the artery lay anterior to the vein at the crossing in all of the eyes with BRVO (100%). In the 3 subgroups of the control group, the rates of the crossing at the obstructive site with the artery lying anterior to the vein were 67.1%, 70.0% and 74.4% in the B, C and D subgroups, respectively. Each of the rate of the 3 subgroups was compared with that of the BRVO group, statistically. There were significant differences (P < 0.001). The results suggest that a crossing with artery lying anterior to the vein possibly be one of the risk factors of BRVO and the artery exerting mechanical pressure upon the vein be the main cause in the pathogenesis of BRVO.

[Effects of Coriolus versicolor polysaccharides on productivity and longevity in Drosophila melanogaster]

Coriolus versicolor polysaccharides (CVP), extracted from Coriolus versicolor (L) Fr, were composed of 67.53% beta-D-glucose, 12.49% D-mannose, 11.49% L-abequose, 8.21% D-galactose, and trace L-acofriose. On Oregon K stock of Drosophila melanogaster, 0.5%-5% of CVP increased the number of taking food. CVP 2%, 3%, and 5% increased the frequency of mating and 0.5%-3% increased the number of flies in first filial generation (F1). CVP (2% and 3% in mated test; 1% and 2% in unmated test) prolonged the mean lifespan, the maximal lifespan, and median lethal time (LT50) of female flies, but not male flies.

[Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of two morphologically homogenous forms of famotidine per os in Chinese healthy volunteers]

The lg C of famotidine (Fam) A and B forms in plasma vs time curve following a single oral dose of 40 mg showed an one-compartment open model in 5 healthy volunteers. The T1/2Ke of Fam A and B forms = 3.06 and 3.48 h, Tmax = 2.96 and 2.68 h, The Cmax = 115 and 145 ng.ml-1, AUC = 811 and 1190 h.ng.ml-1, respectively. No significant difference was found in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties between Fam A and B forms. The mathematical model describing the whole course of blood concentration of Fam A and B forms in relation to inhibiting effects on gastric acid were: E (A) = 100.C2.04/(C2.04 + 15.0(2.04)) and E (B) = 100.C1.67/(C1.67 + 14.0(1.67)). Predication of blood drug concentration from pharmacodynamics or vice versa became possible using the mathematical equations.

[Effects of trilobine on platelet aggregation, thromboxane A2, and prostacyclin formation in rats]

Using turbidimetry we found that trilobine inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation both in vitro and in vivo. Incubated with TrL 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mg.ml-1, platelet aggregation was inhibited by 38.2%, 68.2%, and 94.0% respectively. The inhibitory rates were 47.6% and 84.0% with TrL 20 and 40 mg.kg-1 ip respectively in vivo. The formation of platelet TXB2 was inhibited by 40% with TrL 20 mg.kg-1 ip in vivo, while the formation of carotid artery wall PGI2 was not affected. The production of TXA2-like substance was inhibited by 37%, 53%, and 78% with TrL 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg.ml-1 respectively.

[Analgesic and antipyretic effects of cyproheptadine]

Cyproheptadine-HCl raised the pain thresholds during hot plat test and writhing test in mice and tail flick test in rats, strengthened the hypnotic action by subthreshold dosage of sodium pentobarbital and chloral hydrate. The ED50 were 4.4 (3.2-5.7) and 12.4 (8.4-18.2) mg/kg 30 min after ip cyproheptadine in mice and rats, respectively. The ED50 was 0.14 (0.12-0.18) mg/kg 90 min after icv cyproheptadine in mice. Cyproheptadine po 20, 40 mg/kg and ip 10, 20 mg/kg showed significant antipyretic effects on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats.

[Anti-inflammatory effect of cyproheptadine]

Cyproheptadine, an anti-5-hydroxytryptamine drug, 20 mg/kg ip or 20-40 mg/kg ig markedly inhibited hind paw edema induced by injection of fresh egg white 0.1 ml or 2.5% formaldehyde 0.1 ml in rats. Cyproheptadine 20 mg/kg ip or 40-60 mg/kg ig inhibited hind paw edema produced by local injection of 0.15 ml 1% carrageenin in normal or adrenalectomized rats. It inhibited the proliferation of granuloma induced by cotton pellet after sc 20 mg/kg qd x 7d, the swelling of mouse ear induced by xylene, and the increased vascular permeability induced by 0.7% HAc in mice. Cyproheptadine did not prolong the survival time in adrenalectomized rats and there were no marked effects on adrenal weight or the plasma concentration of cortisol in rats. It decreased the weight of the thymus and the content of prostaglandin E in the inflammatory tissue of rats. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of cyproheptadine is presumably due to its anti-5-hydroxytryptamine effect and the inhibition of synthesis or release of prostaglandin E.