Anti-inflammatory effects of Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae (Qinjiao), Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian) and Citri Unshiu Pericarpium (Wenzhou migan) in animal models

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>KHU14, an ethanolic extract of <it>Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae </it>(<it>Qinjiao</it>), <it>Rhizoma Coptidis </it>(<it>Huanglian</it>) and <it>Citri Unshiu Pericarpium </it>(<it>Wenzhou migan</it>) was tested for its anti-inflammatory effects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three out of 20 herbs were found to have anti-inflammatory effects. The formulation of these herbs, i.e. KHU14 was tested for croton oil-induced ear edema, carrageenan-induced paw edema, acetic acid-induced capillary permeability, cotton pellet and delayed type hypersensitivity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>KHU14 exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in animal models of acute and chronic inflammation. The anti-inflammatory activity of KHU14 observed was comparable to that of celecoxib. KHU14 inhibited the production of NO and PGE₂in LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, and reduced edema and the amount of infiltrated cells in animal models.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>KHU14 exhibited anti-inflammatory effects as demonstrated in typical immunological tests for anti-inflammation <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>.</p

Laparoscopic Renal Denervation System for Treating Resistant Hypertension: Overcoming Limitations of Catheter-Based Approaches

Goal: In a pivotal clinical trial, the percutaneous catheter-based renal denervation system developed to treat resistant hypertension did not show effectiveness in reducing blood pressure because of its fundamental limitation to ablate deeper nerves present around the renal artery. Methods: We propose a new renal denervation strategy called laparoscopicdenervation system (LDS) based-on laparoscopy procedure to ablate the renal nerves completely but inhibit the thermal arterial damage.The system has flexible electrodes to bend around the arterial wall to ablate nervesThe simulation study using validated in-silico models evaluated the heat distributionon the outer arterial wall,and an acute animal study (swine model) was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of LDS in vivo. Results: The simulation studyconfirmedthat LDS could localize the heat distributionbetween the electrode and the outer arterial wall. In the animal study, we could maximize nerve denervation by the localizing ablation energy within the renal nerves and achieve nerve denaturationand decrease in neural density by 20.78% (P < 0.001), while maintaining a constant tip temperature of 65 degrees C for the duration of 70 s treatment. The study confirmed intact lumen artery through histological analysis and acute reduction in systolic blood pressure by 9.55 mmHg (p < 0.001) Conclusion: The LDS presented here has potential to effectively and safely ablate the renal nerves, independent of anatomical variation and nerve distribution, to control hypertension in real clinical conditions. Significance: LDS approach is innovative, inventive, and presents a novel technique totreat hypertension.11Yscopu

Comparison of reducing sugar content, sensory traits, and fatty acids and volatile compound profiles of the among Korean cattle, Holsteins, and Angus steers

Objective This study was performed to compare fat content, reducing sugar contents, sensory traits, and fatty acid (FA) and volatile compound profiles in longissimus thoracis (LT) among Korean cattle (KC), Holstein (HO), and Angus (AN) steers. Methods Twelve LT samples (about 500 g each) of KC with an average age of 31±0.42 months, an average carcass weight of 431±12.5 kg, and a quality grade (QG) of 1+ were obtained from the joint livestock products market. Twelve LT samples of HO cattle with an average age of 24±0.54 months, an average carcass weight of 402±7.81 kg, and a QG of 2 were also obtained from the same market. Twelve LT samples of AN steers with an average age of about 20 months and a QG of choice were purchased from a beef delivery company. After slaughter, samples were kept at 4°C for 42 days and prepared for immediate analysis or stored at appropriate conditions. The chemical composition, color, pH, shear force, collagen content, reducing sugars, sensory evaluation, FA composition, and volatile compound content for each LT sample were analyzed. Results The LT of KC had the highest (p<0.05) fat content, the highest reducing sugar content, and the highest scores in the sensory evaluation (flavor, tenderness, juiciness, and overall acceptance). All the sensory traits were positively correlated (p<0.001) with intramuscular fat and reducing sugar content. Several FAs and volatile compound profiles varied among the breeds. KC LT had the highest (p<0.05) concentrations of acetaldehyde, 3-methyl butanal, and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, and these volatile compounds were positively correlated (p<0.05) with all the sensory traits. Conclusion Variations in fat content and reducing sugar contents and FA and volatile compound profiles may contribute to differences in the sensory quality of LT among breeds

Laparoscopic Ablation System for Complete Circumferential Renal Sympathetic Denervation

Goal: The catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) showed promising results for patients in lowering BP, but there were also many non-responders. One of the possible reasons was the incomplete neural ablation due to the ablation of renal nerves at random sites resulting in asymmetric innervation patterns along the renal artery. Methods: We developed a laparoscopic ablation system that is optimized for complete RDN regardless of renal arterial innervation and size. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we evaluated the system using computational simulation and 28-day survival model using pigs. Results: The ablations were focused around the tunica externa, and the ablation patterns could be predicted numerically during RDN treatment. In the animal study, the mean reduction of systolic BP and diastolic BP in the bilateral main renal arteries was 22.8 mmHg and 14.4 mmHg (P<0.001), respectively. The respond to immunostaining targeting tyrosine hydroxylase was significantly reduced at treatment site (108.2 +/- 7.5 (control) vs. 63.4 +/- 8.7 (treatment), P<0.001), and an increased degree of sympathetic signals interruption to kidneys was associated with the efficacy of RDN. Conclusion: The laparoscopic ablation system achieved complete circumferential RDN at the treatment site and could numerically predict the ablation patterns. Significance: These findings clearly suggest that the proposed system can significantly improve the RDN effectiveness by reducing the variation to the percentage of injured nerves and open up a new opportunity to treat uncontrolled hypertension.11Nsciescopu