Moxibustion Activates Mast Cell Degranulation at the
ST25 in Rats with Colitis
Shi Y, et al. Yin Shi, Li Qi, Ming-Shu Xu, Dan Zhang, Lu-Yi
Wu, Huan-Gan Wu, Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Meridians, Shanghai University of
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
To investigate the effects of moxibustion on the morphology
and function of mast cells (MC) at Tianshu (ST25) in rats with trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced
colitis. METHODS: A total of 53 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and
experimental group. In the experimental group, a rat model of TNBS-induced colitis was established, and
the rats were then randomly divided into a model group, moxibustion group, moxibustion plus disodium
cromoglycate (M + DC) group and moxibustion plus normal saline (M + NS) group. Rats in the moxibustion
group received suspended moxibustion at bilateral ST25 for 10 min, once a day for 7 d. Rats in the M + DC
and M + NS groups were pretreated with disodium cromoglycate and normal saline at bilateral ST25,
respectively, and were then concurrently subjected to the same treatment as rats in the moxibustion group.
The hematoxylin-eosin staining method was used to observe histology of the colon and the toluidine
blue-improved method was used to observe mast cells at ST25 acupoint areas. RESULTS: An improvement in
colonic injury in the moxibustion group was observed and the degranulation ratio of MC at ST25 acupoint
was markedly higher in the moxibustion group than in the model group (45.91 ± 11.41 vs 32.58 ± 8.28, P
< 0.05). After inhibition of degranulation of MC at ST25 by disodium cromoglycate, no improvement in colon
tissue injury was observed. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion exerted its effect on healing impaired colonic mucosa
in rats with TNBS-induced colitis by increasing the degranulation ratio of local MC, but had little effect
on the morphology of MC at ST25 acupoint.
World J Gastroenterol.2011 Aug 28;17(32):3733-8.
Source: PubMed
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Adult Neurogenesis and Acupuncture Stimulation at ST36
Nam MH, et al. Department of Pathology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee
University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Nano Primo Research Center, Advanced Institute of Convergence
Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
Although it was believed that the brain was incapable of regeneration after embryonic
development, neurogenesis is now known to occur into adulthood. Adult neurogenesis has been demonstrated
in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of the
hippocampus. Acupuncture has long been used to treat neurologic conditions, and recent reports suggest
that neurogenesis may account for its beneficial effects. ST36 was the most often used acupoint in
previous reports and was shown to enhance cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation. This acupoint
may be linked to the brain through the primo vascular system, an anatomic structure thought to correspond
to acupuncture meridians. This primitive vascular-like system appears to be involved in physiologic and
pathologic processes by circulating substances throughout the body. The role of the primo vascular system
as the link between the skin and brain underlying the beneficial effects of acupuncture requires further
investigation.
J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2011 Sep;4(3):153-8. Epub 2011 Oct 1.
Source: PubMed
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Salvianolic Acid B Modulates the Expression of Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes
in HepG2 Cells
Wang QL, et al Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. Chenghai_liu@yahoo.com.cn.
Enzymes involved in drug and xenobiotic metabolism have been considered to exist in two
groups: phase I and phase II enzymes. Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes (CYPs) are the most important phase I
enzymes in the metabolism of xenobiotics. The products of phase I metabolism are then acted upon by phase
II enzymes, including glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Herbs that inhibit CYPs such as CYP3A4 or that
induce GSTs may have the potential to protect against chemical carcinogenesis since the mutagenic effects
of carcinogens are often mediated through an excess of CYP-generated reactive intermediates. This study
was designed to investigate the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), a pure compound extracted from
Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, a Chinese herb, on cell proliferation and CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 mRNA expression
in the presence or absence of rifampicin, a potent inducer of CYPs and GST protein expression in HepG2
cells. METHODS: HepG2 cells were incubated with different concentrations of Sal B. Cell proliferation was
determined by SYTOX-Green nucleic acid staining. CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 mRNA expression was assayed by
real-time PCR. GST protein expression was analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Low concentrations of
Sal B (0-20 μmol/L) had no significant effects on cell proliferation, while higher concentrations
(100-250 μmol/L) significantly inhibited proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Ten μmol/L Sal
B, but not 1 μmol/L, down-regulated CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 mRNA expression after 24 hours of incubation,
whereas both 1 and 10 μmol/L Sal B down-regulated CYP3A4 mRNA expression after 96 hours of incubation;
moreover, 1 and 10 μmol/L Sal B inhibited CYP3A4 mRNA expression induced by rifampicin. Both 1 μmol/L and
10 μmol/L Sal B increased GST expression. CONCLUSION: Sal B inhibits CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 mRNA expression and
induces GST expression in HepG2 cells.
Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int. 2011 Oct;10(5):502-8.
Source: PubMed
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