Synergetic Effect of Yihuo Qingyi Decoction () and Recombinant Staphylokinase in Treatment of Severe Acute Pancreatitis of Rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of recombinant staphylokinase (r-Sak) and the Chinese medicine Yihuo Qingyi Decoction (Herbal decoction for severe acute pancreatitis) in the treatment of the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in rats, and to observe the synergistic effect of the two.MethodsOne hundred and sixty-two adult male SD rats with the body mass of 250–280 g were randomly divided into the following 5 groups: sham operation group (n=18), control group (n=36), Yihuo Qingyi Decoction treatment group (n=36), r-Sak treatment group (n=36), and Yihuo Qingyi Decoction plus r-Sak treatment group (n=36). The SAP ratmodel was prepared by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the cholangiopancreatic duct. Two days before modeling, Yihuo Qingyi Decoction was intragastrically administrated, and r-Sak was intraperitoneally injected. The survival rate within 18 h after modeling was determined. The pancreatic blood flow, the weight of ascites, and the serum amylase and lipase were investigated at 6 h, 12 h, and 18kh after modeling, and the pancreatic tissue was examined under light microscopy to see its pathological change.ResultsThe 18 h survival count of group A,B,C,D and E rats was 9,2,6,7 and 8 respectively. After r-Sak and Yihuo Qingyi Decoction intervention, the serum amylase and lipase and the weight of ascites were significantly decreased, especially in group E.18 h after modeling, the level of the serum amylase and lipase and the weight of ascites in group E was 1 100±118 U·L−1,1 000±150 U·L−1 and 13.40±1.80 g respectively, obviously lower than that of group B (P<0.05). After SAP was induced, the pancreatic blood flow showed a tendency to decrease, but the decrease extent in the treatment groups was smaller than that in the control group.18h after modeling, the pancreatic blood flow in group B and group E was 30.16±8.96 mL·100 g−1·min−1, and 129.10±42.58 mL·100 g−1·min−1 respectively, there was significant difference (P<0.05). The pathological change of the pancreatic tissue was alleviated in the treatment groups.ConclusionBoth r-Sak and Yihuo Qingyi Decoction play a beneficial role in the treatment of rat SAP and there is a synergistic effect between the two

Structure and Properties of Dense Silica Glass

The O K-edge x-ray Raman scattering (XRS), Brillouin scattering and diffraction studies on silica glass at high pressure have been elucidated in a unified manner using model structures obtained from First-Principles molecular dynamics calculations. This study provides a comprehensive understanding on how the structure is related to the physical and electronic properties. The origin of the "two peak" pattern in the XRS is found to be the result of increased packing of oxygen near the Si and is not a specific sign for sixfold coordination. The compression mechanism involving the presence of 5- and 6-fold coordinated silicon is confirmed. A slight increase in the silicon-oxygen coordination higher than six was found to accompany the increase in the acoustic wave velocity near 140 GPa

Inhibitory effects of total saponins from Ilex pubescens Hook against hydrogen peroxide-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis

Purpose: To study the protective effects of total saponins from Ilex pubescens Hook (IPTS) against cardiomyocyte apoptosis.Methods: Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box-Benhnken Design (BBD) was carried out to optimize the extraction of IPTS. Thereafter, H9c2 cell model prepared by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment was used to investigate the effects of IPTS on cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay, while the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), creatine kinase (CK) and catalase (CAT) were measured as indices of oxidative stress. Expressions of proteins related to apoptosis (caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2) were measured using Western blot assay.Results: Optimal IPTS extraction was achieved with extraction temperature of 86.6 °C, extraction time of 2.23 h and water: raw material ratio of 10.8 mL/g. IPTS extract, at doses of 200, 400, 600 and 800 μg/mL, significantly increased the viability of H2O2-treated H9c2 cells (p &lt; 0.05), but significantly decreased LDH and CK activities (p &lt; 0.01). It also led to significant increases in SOD and CAT activities, and significant decreases in the levels of MDA in these cells (p &lt; 0.01). There were significant down-regulation of the protein expressions of caspase-3 and Bax (p &lt; 0.01) in IPTS-treated H9c2 cells, as well as significant up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression (p &lt; 0.01).Conclusion: These results suggest that IPTS can protect cardiomyocytes against apoptosis via the inhibition of oxidative stress and mitochondria-induced intrinsic apoptosis.Keywords: Ilex pubescens, Total saponins, Cardiomyocytes, Apoptosis, H9c2 cell

Environmental economic impact assessment in China: Problems and prospects

The use of economic valuation methods to assess environmental impacts of projects and policies has grown considerably in recent years. However, environmental valuation appears to have developed independently of regulations and practice of environmental impact assessment (EIA), despite its potential benefits to the EIA process. Environmental valuation may be useful in judging significance of impacts, determining mitigation level, comparing alternatives and generally enabling a more objective analysis of tradeoffs. In China, laws and regulations require the use of environmental valuation in EIA, but current practice lags far behind. This paper assesses the problems and prospects of introducing environmental valuation into the EIA process in China. We conduct four case studies of environmental economic impact assessment (EEIA), three of which are based on environmental impact statements of construction projects (a power plant, a wastewater treatment plant and a road construction project) and one for a regional pollution problem (wastewater irrigation). The paper demonstrates the potential usefulness of environmental valuation but also discusses several challenges to the introduction and wider use of EEIA, many of which are likely to be of relevance far beyond the Chinese context. The paper closes with suggesting some initial core elements of an EEIA guidelineEnvironmental impact assessment; Environmental valuation; China; Economic analysis