Electron spin resonance detection of oxygen-centred radicals in murine macrophages stimulated with bacterial endotoxin

Aconiti tuber (Bushi) improves microcirculatory disturbances induced by endotoxin in rats

The present study investigated the effects of processed Aconiti tuber (TJ-3022, Tsumura-shuchi-bushi), a traditional herbal medicine (Kampo), on microcirculatory disturbances induced by endotoxin in the rat mesentery. The changes in arteriolar diameter, the velocity of red blood cells in arterioles and the venular microcirculation after endotoxin injection (6 mg/kg, iv) were observed using videomicroscopy. The mean arterial pressure and heart rate were monitored continuously during the experiments. TJ-3022 prevented significantly the decrease of mean arterial pressure, controlled the reduced velocity and apparently also inhibited leukocyte extravasation across venules. However, there were no significant changes in the arteriolar diameter and the heart rate between the groups treated with and without TJ-3022. The results indicate that processed Aconiti tuber (TJ-3022) has protective effects in improving microcirculatory disturbances induced by endotoxin in rat mesentery.

Sinitang (Shigyaku-to), a traditional Chinese medicine improves microcirculatory disturbances induced by endotoxin in rats

The present study investigated the effects of Sinitang (Japanese name: Shigyaku-to--a traditional Chinese medicine), on microcirculatory disturbances induced by endotoxin in rat mesentery. The changes of arteriolar diameter, the velocity of red blood cells in arterioles and venular microcirculation after endotoxin injection (6 mg x kg(-1), i.v.) were observed by videomicroscopy. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were monitored continuously during the experiments. Sinitang significantly prevented the decrease of mean arterial pressure, controlled the reduced velocity and also, apparently inhibited the leukocyte extravasation across venules. However, there were no significant changes in the arteriolar diameter and the heart rate in all groups treated with or without Sinitang. The results indicate that Sinitang has protective effects to improve the microcirculatory disturbances induced by endotoxin in rat mesentery.