Inhibitory effect of dehydroevodiamine and evodiamine on nitric oxide production in cultured murine macrophages

Possible antiinflammatory effects of dehydroevodiamine (1) and evodiamine (2) were examined by assessing their effects on NO production in the murine macrophage-like cell line RAW 264.7. The results indicated that both 1 and 2 inhibited the IFN-gamma/LPS-stimulated NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. However, 1 appeared to inhibit NO production by interfering not only with the priming signal initiated by IFN-gamma but also with iNOS protein synthesis, while 2 affected the former only.

Renal R2 chemoreceptor activity is attenuated after back heating in the rat

Recent study in our laboratory has found that renal afferent nervous activity (RANA) was decreased during and after 42 degrees C back heating (BH). To investigate which renal sensory receptor is influenced during and after BH, a C-shaped glass heating pad (42 degrees C) was used on the skin of the back overlying the kidneys. A single-unit recording was used to identify four types of renal sensory receptors, the R2 chemoreceptor (CR2), arterial mechanoreceptor (MRa), ureteropelvic mechanoreceptor (MRu) and venous mechanoreceptor (MRv) in anesthetized female Wistar rats. Renal cortical microvascular blood flow (CMBF) and urinary water, potassium and sodium output were measured. It was found that CR2 activity was significantly decreased during and after BH, but three types of MRs were not altered. CMBF and urine output were significantly increased during and after BH. It is concluded that the increase in renal hemodynamics by BH may dilute some chemicals in the kidney and decrease the firing rate of R2 chemoreceptors.

Metabolic regulation of lrp gene expression in Escherichia coli K-12

Expression of the lrp gene is regulated in part by the nutrients available to the cell, and is decreased in rich medium, in glucose minimal media enriched with amino acids, and in minimal medium with alternative carbon sources, such as acetate and succinate. When Lrp production is increased in a given medium, expression of its target genes is also increased. However, when the medium is changed from glucose to acetate, the response of the target genes is governed by many factors.

Spasmolytic effect of water extract of Stemonae radix on the guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle in vitro

The present study examined the relaxing effect of a water extract of Baibu (Stemonae radix, the root tuber of Semona sessilifolia (Miq.) Franch. et Sav.) on carbachol-, histamine- and KCl-induced contractions of the guinea-pig isolated tracheal preparations. The results showed that Baibu (1-50 mg/ml) concentration-dependently relaxed the tracheal preparations contracted by these spasmogens with an IC50 value (mg/ml) of 2.0 +/- 0.1 for carbachol, 41.2 +/- 0.8 for histamine and 18.6 +/- 0.9 for KCl. The effect of Baibu was not affected by the pretreatment with a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (10(-6) M), indicating that Baibu's effect was not due to an activation on beta-adrenoceptors. Baibu shifted the concentration-response curve of carbachol to the right in a parallel manner without changing the maximal response, having a pA2 value of 0.16 +/- 0.07 mg/ml (equivalent to a KB = 0.70 +/- 0.11 mg/ml). This indicates a competitive antagonism at the muscarinic receptors. Receptor binding assay indicated that Baibu interacted with the muscarinic receptors (Ki = 0.51 +/- 0.12 mg/ml) and the dihydropyridine (DHP) binding site of L-type Ca2+ channels (Ki = 8.0 +/- 1.9 mg/ml), but not with the histamine H1 receptors. Therefore, the present study demonstrates that Baibu contains the principle(s) acting on the muscarinic receptors and DHP binding sites, which contribute its relaxation effect on the airway smooth muscles.

Studies of the cellular mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant effects of rutaecarpine, a bioactive component extracted from an herbal drug

We conducted studies to investigate the nature and underlying mechanisms of the vascular effects of rutaecarpine (Rut), an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese herbal drug Evodia rutaecarpa. By using largely the effects on phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction in the isolated rat aorta as the experimental index and by comparison with several known vascular muscle relaxants such as acetylcholine (ACh), histamine, and A23187, Rut relaxed PE-precontracted aorta in concentration-(10(-7)-10(-4) M) and endothelium-dependent manners. Studies with appropriate antagonists indicated that this was coupled to nitric oxide (NO) and guanylyl cyclase. Extracellular Ca2+ removal and treatment with the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist, 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), suggested that influx of extracellular Ca2+ was the major factor contributing to the action of Rut. Pertussis toxin suppressed the relaxation potency of histamine but had no effects on the actions of Rut. NaF, the G proteins activator, attenuated the actions of ACh, but only minimally affected Na-NP, A23187, and Rut. 1-[6-{[17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,2,3(10)-trien-17-yl]amino} hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122), the phospholipase C inhibitor, again suppressed the actions of ACh but had few effects on A23187 and Rut. Taken together, these results suggest that these vasorelaxants had different cellular mechanisms and that neither pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi protein, other G proteins, nor phospholipase C activation was involved in the cellular response to rutaecarpine.

Gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol facilitate memory consolidation and retrieval, but not acquisition, on the passive avoidance task in rats

Gastrodin (GAS) and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) which is an aglycone of gastrodin, are active ingredients of Gastrodia elata Blume. In this study, we attempted to investigate the effects of acute administration of GAS and HBA on learning and memory processes such as acquisition, consolidation and retrieval, on the passive avoidance task in rats; piracetam was used as a positive control. Scopolamine, impairing learning acquisition, shortened the step-through latency in the retention test in rats. GAS and HBA did not prolong the step-through latency induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance task, but piracetam could prolong the step-through latency induced by scopolamine. Cycloheximide, impairing memory consolidation, shortened the step-through latency in the retention test in rats. GAS at 50 mg/kg, HBA at 5 mg/kg and piracetam at 100 mg/kg could prolong the step-through latency induced by cycloheximide in the passive avoidance task. Apomorphine, impairing memory retrieval, shortened the step-through latency in the retention test in rats. GAS at 5 mg/kg, HBA at 1 mg/kg and piracetam at 300 mg/kg could prolong the step-through latency induced by apomorphine in the passive avoidance task. From the above results, we concluded that the facilitating effects of HBA on learning and memory are better than those of GAS. In conclusion, GAS and HBA can improve cycloheximide- and apomorphine-induced amnesia, but not scopolamine-induced acquisition impairment in rats. Thus, GAS and HBA can facilitate memory consolidation and retrieval, but not acquisition. The facilitating effects of GAS and HBA are different from those of piracetam.

Measurement and pharmacokinetic analysis of buspirone by means of brain microdialysis coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

The feasibility of an electrochemical detection system with on-line microdialysis coupled with sensitive microbore high-performance liquid chromatography for the measurement and brain pharmacokinetic analysis of buspirone was investigated. A microdialysis probe was inserted into the right striatum of male Sprague-Dawley rats, which had been administered buspirone 10 mg/kg. i.v.). Dialysates were automatically injected through an on-line injector into a cyano microbore column coupled to an electrochemical detector. Samples were eluted with a mobile phase containing 0.1 M monosodium dihydrogenphosphate acetonitrile-diethylamine (85:15:0.1, v/v/v). pH 3.0, adjusted with orthophosphoric acids at a flow-rate of 0.06 ml/min. A biphasic phenomenon with a rapid distribution phase followed by a slower elimination phase was observed from the brain buspirone concentration-time curve. The results indicate that the brain pharmacokinetics of buspirone appear to conform to a two-compartment model.

Zhankuic acid F: a new metabolite from a formosan fungus Antrodia cinnamomea

Zhankuic acid F (1), a new steroid acid, was isolated from the fruit bodies of Antrodia cinnamomea Chang & Chou, sp. nov. (Polyporaceae). The structure of 1 was elucidated by detailed analysis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra. Compound 1 appeared as a major product from the microbial transformation (Mucor racemosus) of zhankuic acid A (2).

Auditory P300, CT scans and cognitive state in Binswanger's disease

The P300 component of evoked potential can reflect cognitive state in dementia patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of P300 as an indicator of cognition in Binswanger's disease (BD) and to explore the possible causes of dementia in BD patients. P300 was measured at Cz site in 21 patients with BD and 21 controls matched with age, sex, handedness, and education. This measurement included P300 latency and amplitude. All patients were also given WAIS-RC test and scanned with computerized tomography (CT), and were treated with hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO). The relationships among P300, CT and WAIS-RC score were studied. BD patients had significantly prolonged P300 latency and a tendency of low amplitude P300, but the amplitude difference was not significant compared with controls. P300 latency was found to be negatively correlated with WARS-RC scale, and positively correlated with the change of white matter low attenuation (WMLA). WMLA was also correlated with WAIS-RC score. Treatment with HBO reduced P300 latency and had effect on the cognitive part of P300 but had no effect on CT changes. The significant association between neurophysiological and neuropsychological measurement suggests that P300 measurement reflects a disrupted aspect of cognitive function in BD patients, and it may be a useful means to assess the degree of subcortical cognitive deterioration and the effect of therapy. White matter lesion in BD is concerned to the occurrence of dementia by disturbing axonal conduction.

The nuclear localization sequences of the BRCA1 protein interact with the importin-alpha subunit of the nuclear transport signal receptor

The BRCA1 gene product is a nuclear phosphoprotein that is aberrantly localized in the cytoplasm of most breast cancer cells. In an attempt to elucidate the potential mechanism for the nuclear transport of BRCA1 protein, three regions of highly charged, basic residues, 503KRKRRP508, 606PKKNRLRRKS615, and 651KKKKYN656, were identified as potential nuclear localization signals (NLSs). These three regions were subsequently mutated to 503KLP508, 607KLS615, and 651KLN656, respectively. Wild-type and mutated proteins were tagged with the flag epitope, expressed in human DU145 cells, and detected with the M2 monoclonal antibody. In DU145 cells, the KLP mutant completely fails to localize in nuclei, whereas the KLS mutant is mostly cytoplasmic with occasional nuclear localization. The KLN protein is always located in nuclei. Consistently, hSRP1alpha (importin-alpha), a component of the NLS receptor complex, was identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen using BRCA1 as the bait. The specificity of the interaction between BRCA1 and importin-alpha was further demonstrated by showing that the 503KRKRRP508 and 606PKKNRLRRKS615 regions, but not 651KKKKYN656, are critical for this interaction. To determine if the cytoplasmic mislocation of endogenous BRCA1 in breast cancer cells is due to a deficiency of the cells, wild-type BRCA1 protein tagged with the flag epitope was ectopically expressed in six breast cancer cell lines. The analysis demonstrated that, in all six, this protein localized in the cytoplasm of these cells. In contrast, expression of the construct in four non-breast cancer cell lines resulted in nuclear localization. These data support the possibility that the mislocation of the BRCA1 protein in breast cancer cells may be due to a defect in the cellular machinery involved in the NLS receptor-mediated pathway of nuclear import.

[3.3-style nurses' training goal made by the ABC analytical method]

Statistics of the structure of educational level and worked years of 140 occupied nurses, analysed by ABC curvegram, showed that the key training objects are class A (1 to 10 years at work) and class B nurses. Then the goal of nurses' training at work during 3 years for class A and B was made according to the difference of their classes and need of knowledge. In order to improve the effect of 3.3 style nurse training goal a method of two-direction teaching and assessing were applied, actual effect was achieved during a three-year conduction.

Identification and characterization of metallothionein III (growth inhibitory factor) from porcine brain

Porcine metallothionein III (MTIII) was isolated from brain tissue by the combination of gel filtration and anion-exchange chromatographies. The identity of MTIII was confirmed by comparing the chromatographic characteristics to other MT isoforms isolated from porcine liver. Porcine MTIII has a low molecular weight and a pl of 4.1. This protein contains both zinc and copper, and the zinc can be replaced by cadmium. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, a 0.2 kb DNA fragment can be amplified from the porcine brain mRNA. This DNA fragment was demonstrated to contain MTIII coding region after cloning and sequencing. The revealed DNA sequence can be translated into 68 amino acids and shows a common structural characteristic of MTIII from other species. Northern blot analysis indicated that MTIII and mRNA is expressed in every specified region of the porcine brain examined here.

A new member of the hsp90 family of molecular chaperones interacts with the retinoblastoma protein during mitosis and after heat shock

A gene encoding a new heat shock protein that may function as a molecular chaperone for the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) was characterized. The cDNA fragment was isolated by using the yeast two-hybrid system and Rb as bait. The open reading frame of the longest cDNA codes for a protein with substantial sequence homology to members of the hsp90 family. Antibodies prepared against fusions between glutathione S-transferase and portions of this new heat shock protein specifically recognized a 75-kDa cellular protein, hereafter designated hsp75, which is expressed ubiquitously and located in the cytoplasm. A unique LxCxE motif in hsp75, but not in other hsp90 family members, appears to be important for binding to the simian virus 40 T-antigen-binding domain of hypophosphorylated Rb, since a single mutation changing the cysteine to methionine abolishes the binding. In mammalian cells, Rb formed complexes with hsp75 under two special physiological conditions: (i) during M phase, when the envelope that separates the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments broke down, and (ii) after heat shock, when hsp75 moved from its normal cytoplasmic location into the nucleus. In vitro, hsp75 had a biochemical activity to refold denatured Rb into its native conformation. Taken together, these results suggest that Rb may be a physiological substrate for the hsp75 chaperone molecule. The discovery of a heat shock protein that chaperones Rb identifies a mechanism, in addition to phosphorylation, by which Rb is regulated in response to progression of the cell cycle and to external stimuli.

Osthole increases glycosylation of hepatitis B surface antigen and suppresses the secretion of hepatitis B virus in vitro

During screening of Chinese herbal medicines for the activities against hepatitis B virus (HBV), a known pure compound, osthole, was found to inhibit the secretion of HBV surface antigens in vitro. The secretion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in culture medium of MS-G2 and HuH-7 cells transfected with HBV DNA decreased by 60% to 70% after osthole treatment, without any detectable cytotoxic effects. Both 42-nm Dane particles and 22-nm subviral HBsAg particles were significantly reduced as revealed by density gradient analysis of viral particles and the endogenous; HBV DNA polymerase assay. The production of naked HBcAg particles was not changed by osthole treatment. The steady-state level of HBV-specific messenger RNA (mRNA) was not altered by osthole treatment, as revealed by Northern blot analysis, Immunoprecipitation of culture medium showed that the ratio of glycosylated versus nonglycosylated HBsAg increased after osthole treatment. Kinetic studies revealed that osthole increased the glycosylation rate of HBsAg, thus altering the ratio of glycosylated to unglycosylated HBsAg. The increase of glycosylation of HBsAg by osthole was blocked by tunicamycin, an inhibitor of protein glycosylation. We conclude that osthole suppresses the secretion of HBV in cell culture probably because of its novel function in increasing the glycosylation of HBsAg.

Renal kallikrein in chronic hypoxic rats

1. We have studied the role of kallikrein (KK) in the maintenance of renal function in chronic hypoxic rats (high altitude; HA), compared with control rats kept at sea level (SL). Hypoxia was induced by placing female Wistar rats (198-290 g) in an altitude chamber (5500 m) 15 h/day for 4 weeks. Experiments were also conducted to study the interaction of KK with renal nerve activity and endothelin (ET), two parameters previously shown to be altered in this model. 2. It was found that renal cortex tissue KK activity (TKA) was not significantly different in 10 SL and 10 HA rats. However, the urinary KK activity (UKA) was reduced nearly to half (from 35.2 +/- 4.6 to 18.5 +/- 1.7 pkat/min) in HA rats after 4 weeks of chronic hypoxia. 3. Acute renal denervated diuresis was accompanied by a significant increase in UKA (from 9 +/- 2 to 14 +/- 2 pkat/min in HA and denervated HA rats, respectively; P < 0.05) in HA rats. Intrarenal arterial pretreatment of aprotinin reduced the denervated diuresis. 4. Endothelin (600 ng/kg per h) reduced urine flow, sodium and potassium excretion in the ipsilateral kidney in another 10 SL and 10 HA rats. The extent of the drop of these parameters was significantly less in HA rats. Urinary KK activity was correlated significantly with the measured renal functional parameters (r ranging from 0.472 to 0.612) in SL rats, but was insignificant in HA rats (r ranging from 0.032 to 0.192). 5. We have demonstrated that chronic exposure to hypoxia decreases urinary KK excretion and that KK is involved in acute renal denervated diuresis generated in these animals. The present study suggests that KK plays a partial role in the maintenance of renal function in chronic hypoxic rats.

The role of endothelin-1 in Binswanger's disease

BACKGROUND

Endothelin-1 is known to exist in the nervous system. A notable increase of plasma endothelin-1 is associated with acute stroke. This study was designed to measure plasma endothelin-1 levels in Binswanger's disease and explore the relationship between endothelin-1 and this disorder.

METHODS

Plasma levels of endothelin-1 were-examined by radioimmunoassay in 31 patients with Binswanger's disease and in three groups of control subjects. The ratio of the plasma concentration of endothelin-1 in the internal jugular vein to that in the antecubital vein was calculated as an indicator of endothelin-1 level in cerebral circulation.

RESULTS

Endothelin-1 ratio devation was seen more often in patients with Binswanger's disease than in acute stroke patients. Endithelin-1 ratios were significantly negatively correlated with Hasegawa's Dementia Scale scores is subjects with Binswanger's disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormalities is vasoactive factors may make an important contribution to the pathophysiology of Binswanger's disease. Endothelin-1 might be involved in the pathogenesis of this illness.

Body size and risk of pre- and post-menopausal breast cancer in Taiwan

The incidence of breast cancer is increasing rapidly in Taiwan but is still low compared with western countries. The impact of body size factors in western countries inspired us to have a case-control study. A matched case-control study was done on 122 pairs of incident cases of female breast cancer and community controls. Body height and weight were collected from a questionnaire interview and used to derive the body mass index (kg/m2). Demographic and reproductive characteristics were collected and controlled as potential confounders. Conditional multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for each risk factor regarding body size. After adjustment for age, schooling years, age at menarche and parity; body weight and height were positively related to postmenopausal breast cancer but not significantly related to the risk of premenopausal breast cancer. The odds ratios for body mass index were less prominent. Women with a higher breast stem cell mass resulting from better adolescent nutrition had a higher risk for breast cancer; and postmenopausal obesity may increase the breast cancer risk through the increased conversion of adrenal androstenedione to estrogen in adipose tissue after menopause.

Effects of Gastrodia elata and its active constituents on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats

The effects of the rhizome of Gastrodia elata Blume (Orchidaceae) (abbreviated as GE) and its active constituents on learning and memory by using the one-trial passive avoidance task were studied in rats. At the 1.0 g/kg dose administered for one week, the methanol extract of GE significantly prolonged the shortened step-through latency induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance task. Furthermore, at the 50.0 mg/kg dose administered for one week, the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of the methanol extract prolonged the shortened step-through latency induced by scopolamine in rats. Gastrodin, isolated from the n-butanol fraction of the methanol extract, and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract, also significantly prolonged the shortened step-through latency induced by scopolamine on the passive avoidance task. These results suggested that gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol may be the active constituents of GE.

Antihypertensive effects of DL-tetrahydropalmatine: an active principle isolated from Corydalis

1. The effects of DL-tetrahydropalmatine (DL-THP) on cardio-vascular function and hypothalamic release of monoamines were assessed in rats under urethane anaesthesia. 2. Intravenous administration of DL-THP (1-10 mg/kg) produced hypotension, bradycardia, a decrease in hypothalamic serotonin and noradrenaline release and an increase in hypothalamic dopamine release in rats. 3. Intrahypothalamic administration of DOI (a serotonergic 5-HT2 receptor antagonist) or apomorphine (a dopamine D2-receptor agonist) produced the opposite effects and reversed DL-THP-induced hypotension and bradycardia. 4. The data suggest that DL-THP acts through the 5-HT2 and/or D2-receptor antagonism in the hypothalamus to induce hypotension and bradycardia in rats.

BRCA1 is a 220-kDa nuclear phosphoprotein that is expressed and phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner

Mouse polyclonal antibodies, raised against three regions of the human BRCA1 protein, were characterized and revealed BRCA1 as a 220-kDa nuclear phosphoprotein in normal cells. All three antisera recognize both in vitro-translated and recombinant, baculovirus-derived BRCA1, which co-migrate with BRCA1 from the human breast epithelia cell line, HBL100. BRCA1 expression and phosphorylation are shown to be cell cycle dependent, with greatest expression and phosphorylation occurring in S and M phases. Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and other kinases associated with cyclins D and A are shown to bind to and phosphorylate BRCA1, suggesting that the biological activity of BRCA1 may be regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases.

Determination of dicentrine in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography and its application to pharmacokinetics

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed to study the pharmacokinetics of dicentrine in rat plasma after 10 mg/kg intravenous administration. After addition of an internal standard (coumarin), plasma was deproteinized by acetonitrile for sample clean-up. The drugs were separated on a reversed-phase Nucleosil C18 column (250 x 4 mm I.D., particle size 5 microns) and detected by photodiode-array detection at a wavelength of 308 nm. Acetonitrile-water (35:65, v/v, pH 2.5-2.8, adjusted with orthophosphoric acid) was used as the mobile phase. A biphasic phenomenon with a rapid distribution followed by a slower elimination phase was observed from the plasma concentration-time curve.

Determination of wogonin in rat plasma by liquid chromatography and its pharmacokinetic application

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of wogonin in the rat plasma. After addition of an internal standard (clomipramine), plasma was deproteinized by acetonitrile and centrifuged for sample clean-up. The supernatant was separated by a reversed-phase column chromatography, identified by a photodiode-array detector, and quantified by ultraviolet detection at a wavelength of 275 nm. Acetonitrile-water-diethylamine (50:50:0.1, v/v/v, pH 3.0 adjusted by orthophosphoric acid) was used as the mobile phase. The method was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of wogonin in rats after a dose of mg/kg by intravenous administration. A biphasic phenomenon with a rapid distribution followed by a slower elimination phase was observed from the plasma concentration time profile.

Mechanisms of vasorelaxant effect of dehydroevodiamine: a bioactive isoquinazolinocarboline alkaloid of plant origin

We examined the mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant effect of dehydroevodiamine (DeHE), one of the bioactive components of the Chinese herbal drug Evodia rutaecarpa that has been shown to produce vasorelaxant and hypotension. DeHE (10(-7)-10(-4) M) concentration-dependently relaxed isolated rat mesenteric arteries precontracted with phenylephrine (PE). This vasorelaxant potency was diminished by 15% by endothelial removal, L-NG-nitro arginine, or methylene blue (MB), but not indomethacin treatment, indicating that the vasorelaxant effect of DeHE was partially endothelium dependent and mediated by nitric oxide (NO) and the cyclic GMP pathway. In endothelium-denuded preparations, DeHE caused a rightward shift of the contractile concentration-response curve (CRC) to PE in a dose-dependent manner with a pA2 value of 6.15. Maximal response was unaffected. Receptor binding assay indicated that DeHE competed with alpha 1-adrenoceptor ligand prazosin with a Ki value of 3.57 microM. Potassium channel activity-attenuating conditions such as increased level of extracellular K+ (20 mM) and treatment with the antagonist tetraethylammonium (TEA) significantly inhibited DeHE's effect, suggesting a mode of action similar to that of a potassium channel activator. In addition, high concentrations of DeHE (3 x 10(-5) and 10(-4) M) relaxed high K+ (80 mM)-evoked contraction, indicating that DeHE might possess K+ channel blocking properties. Multiple-action mechanisms, including endothelium dependence, alpha 1-adrenoceptor blockade, K+ channel activation, and Ca2+ channel blockade were probably involved in the vasorelaxant effects of DeHE.

Factors related to the choice between traditional Chinese medicine and modern Western medicine among patients with two-method treatment

BACKGROUND

The aim of this paper is to investigate the different factors influencing patients' choice of traditional Chinese medicine or modern western medicine, applying Andersen's health-service utilization model to analyze the basic demographic, enabling and need factors related to the choice of clinics by patients who use two-method treatment (i.e. both Chinese medicine and western medicine).

METHODS

Systemic sampling was done and a structured questionnaire survey was carried out among patients from the outpatient departments of 13 teaching hospitals accepting reimbursement by Labor Medical Insurance in Taiwan.

RESULTS

The total number of valid respondents was 549. Of them 181 (33%) were visiting western medicine clinics and 368 (67%) visiting Chinese medicine clinics. There were 279 (51%) males and 270 (49%) females, whose age distribution was in the range from 16 to 87 years old, with a mean of 42.7 years. Under univariate analysis, the significant variables (p < 0.05) related to visiting the two types of clinics were: applicability of medical insurance, bed rest from discomfort in recent years, the amount of discomfort from this disease episode, respiratory disease, circulatory disease, endocrine or metabolic disease, and sense organ and skin disorders. By logistic regression analysis, the significant variables (p < 0.05) related to visiting the two types of clinics were religion, bed rest during the past year, discomfort associated with the episode, respiratory disease, and endocrine or metabolic diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with folk-religion beliefs or respiratory diseases favored Chinese medicine; patients with illness requiring bed rest in the past year, who experienced discomfort in this episode, or who suffered from endocrine or metabolic diseases were likely to visit western medicine clinics.

Effects of Hemerocallis flava on motor activity and the concentration of central monoamines and its metabolites in rats

In this study, we used behavioral and biochemical methods to investigate the effects of Hemerocallis flava (Liliaceae) (abbreviated as HF) on motor activity and the concentration of monoamines in rats. The water fraction of the resuspended HF extract was most active in reducing the motility in rats. The water fraction of the HF extract enhanced the reduction of locomotor activity produced by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine and 5-hydroxytryptophan, but it reduced the increase of locomotor activity produced by L-dopa plus benserazide and p-chlorophenylalanine. Furthermore, the water fraction of the HF extract significantly decreased the concentration of norepinepherine in the cortex and the concentration of dopamine and serotonin in the brain stem. It also increased the concentration of vanilylmandelic acid in the cortex, homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid in the brain stem. These results suggest that the reduction of locomotor activity produced by the water fraction of HF extract may be related to the decrease in the concentration of norepinepherine in the cortex and the concentration of dopamine and serotonin in brain stem.