Dendrobium huoshanense Polysaccharide Improves High-Fat Diet Induced Liver Injury by Regulating the Gut-Liver Axis

Dendrobium huoshanense is an important Traditional Chinese medicine that thickens the stomach and intestines. Its active ingredient Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide (DHP), was revealed to relieve the symptoms of liver injury. However, its mechanism of action remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of DHP in protecting the liver. The effects of DHP on lipid levels, liver function, and intestinal barrier function were investigated in mice with high-fat diet-induced liver damage. Changes in the gut flora and their metabolites were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics. The results showed that DHP reduced lipid levels, liver injury, and intestinal permeability. DHP altered the intestinal flora structure and increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium animalis and Clostridium disporicum. Furthermore, fecal metabolomics revealed that DHP altered fecal metabolites and significantly increased levels of gut-derived metabolites, spermidine, and indole, which have been reported to inhibit liver injury and improve lipid metabolism and the intestinal barrier. Correlation analysis showed that spermidine and indole levels were significantly negatively correlated with liver injury-related parameters and positively correlated with the intestinal species B. animalis enriched by DHP. Overall, this study confirmed that DHP prevented liver injury by regulating intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and fecal metabolites.

Dendrobium huoshanense Polysaccharides Prevent Inflammatory Response of Ulcerative Colitis Rat through Inhibiting the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

The polysaccharides of the Chinese herbal medicine Dendrobium huoshanense exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in multiple organs through regulating the immune responses. In the present study, we constructed ulcerative colitis (UC) model rats using dextran sulfate sodium to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of D. huoshanense polysaccharides (DHP). After oral administration of DHP for two weeks, the indices of UC symptoms, including the ratio of colon weight to length, Disease Activity Index (DAI), and Colon Mucosal Damage Index (CMDI), all decreased significantly compared with the UC model group. The histological sections also revealed better cell orders in DHP treatments than in the UC model rats. Moreover, in treatment with high dose of DHP (200 mg/kg), the treatment efficacy arrived the similar levels to those in the treatment with 300 mg/kg sulfasalazine, which is a typical medicine to treat UC. These results indicated that DHP has a high efficacy to treat UC in model rats. Furthermore, serum levels of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-17, and transforming growth factor-β were assessed using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and the levels of nuclear factor-κB in colon tissue sections were determined using the immunohistochemical method. The results showed that all these indices decreased significantly after administration of DHP in UC model rats, which might be the mechanisms underlying the DHP-suppressed UC inflammation. Overall, this study indicated that DHP might be directly used to treat UC and is a promising source to develop novel drugs against UC.

Skin Antiaging Attributes of the Dendrobium Huoshanense Polysaccharides

Skin aging is a normal process that can only be slowed down by the use of effective cosmetics. The aging of the skin involves structural and compositional changes in the skin cells as well as darkening. This process largely involves loss of hygroscopicity and moisture and increases in tyrosinase activity that catalyzes melanin synthesis. Herein, we have investigated the effect of the polysaccharides from Dendrobium huoshanense on hygroscopicity, moisturizing, and tyrosinase inhibition activity in in vitro and in vivo models. The results show increase in hygroscopicity, moisturizing effect, and inhibitory effects on tyrosinase. In conclusion, the polysaccharides from D. huoshanense may be excellent raw materials for the development of antiaging cosmetics.

The impact of LH, E2, and P level of HCG administration day on outcomes of in vitro fertilization in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration on outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective study, 129 infertile women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments were included; these cycles were stratified according to LH levels of ≥ 1.12 IU/L or < 1.12 U/L and according to E2 levels of ≥ 1,005.89 pmol/L or < 1,005.89 pmol/L. The main outcome measure was the clinical pregnancy rate.

RESULTS

The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the group with LH ≥ 1.12 IU/L than in the group with LH < 1.12 U/L (43.28% vs. 30.65%, p < 0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate was also higher in the group with E2 ≥ 1,005.89 pmol/L than in the group with average E2 < 1,005.89 pmol/L (42.86% vs. 30.51%, p < 0.05). Among the LH, E2, and P levels on the day of HCG administration, LH level was the most important predictor of outcomes of IVF in COH. The present data showed an adverse effect of low serum LH level (LH < 1.12 IU/L) on the day of HCG administration on clinical pregnancy rate. E2 level can also predict the outcomes of IVF in COH.

CONCLUSIONS

Low serum LH level (LH < 1.12 IU/L) and low serum E2 level (average E2 < 1,005.89 pmol/L) on the day of HCG administration led to low clinical pregnancy rates, while the P level on the day of HCG administration may have had little effect on clinical pregnancy.

Clinical comparison of selective and non-selective alpha 1A-adrenoceptor antagonists for bladder outlet obstruction associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: studies on tamsulosin and terazosin in Chinese patients. The Chinese Tamsulosin Study Group

To examine the clinical usefulness of selective and non-selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists, we compared a selective (tamsulosin) and non-selective (terazosin) alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists in the treatment of Chinese patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study was a single-blind, randomized, multicenter design to compare a fixed dose of tamsulosin (0.2 mg) or terazosin (2 mg) given once daily after breakfast for four weeks. A total of 212 patients were enrolled with 201 patients included in the analysis. The primary variables assessed were changes in total International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and average urinary flow rate (AFR) four weeks after dosing. Adverse events were recorded through the treatment period. Both tamsulosin and terazosin produced significant improvements in total IPSS (total score of 11.8 +/- 4.5; decrease in 45.1% and total score of 13.3 +/- 5.3; decrease in 39.0%, respectively) (p < 0.001), Qmax (13.2 +/- 4.1 mL/s, 37.5% increase and 13.6 +/- 3.6 mL/s, 30.8% increase, respectively) (p < 0.001) and AFR (7.7 +/- 3.3 mL/s, 37.5% increase and 7.8 +/- 3.1 mL/s, 25.8% increase, respectively) (p < 0.001) at endpoint. Tamsulosin was superior to terazosin in improvement of total IPSS (p < 0.05) and AFR (p < 0.05). The incidence of adverse events by administration of tamsulosin was less than that by terazosin (13 and 50, respectively; p < 0.01). Among the adverse event, incidence of dizziness (p < 0.001) and hypotension (p < 0.01) by administration of terazosin were significantly greater than that by tamsulosin. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure of sitting position decreased significantly in patients treated with terazosin (p < 0.01). These results suggest that tamsulosin, a selective alpha 1A-adrenoceptor antagonist, was superior to terazosin, a non-selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, in efficacy and adverse events in patients with symptomatic BPH.

Targeted diagnosis of bladder and ureteral carcinoma using radiolabelled BDI-1

The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of radioimmunoimaging (RII) by radiolabelled anti-bladder carcinoma monoclonal antibody BDI-1 applied to diagnosis of bladder cancer and ureteral cancer. BDI-1 was labelled with 131I and 99mTc. The immunoreactivity, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in mice were studied. RII was performed in 46 patients. The results showed that 131I, 99mTc-BDI-1 have satisfactory immunoreactivity and excellent tumor-locating properties. The blood clearance half-life T1/2alpha and T1/2beta were 35 h in the first phase and 151 h in the second phase, respectively. Thirty-nine patients were studied by an intravesical administration method; the sensitivity was 90.5%. Seven patients were studied by an intravenous administration method. The RII results of three cases with primary or recurrent bladder cancer and three cases with ureteral cancer were confirmed histologically. RII was negative in one patient with suspected lung metastasis that was shown on radiography. The investigation revealed that RII can be used as an auxiliary method for the detection of bladder cancer and may be valuable for the diagnosis of ureteral cancer.

Case-control study of diet and prostate cancer in China

INTRODUCTION

A higher incidence of prostate cancer is observed in the Western world than in Asian countries. Although it is relatively rare in China, an increased incidence has been reported in recent years. Studies in high-risk populations have suggested that dietary fat may play a role in enhancing the risk of developing prostate cancer. However, limited epidemiologic study has never examined the role of diet in low risk populations.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted in 12 cities in China to evaluate the relationship between dietary factors and prostate cancer risk. We conducted personal interviews with 133 histopathologically confirmed prostate cancer cases diagnosed between 1989 to 1992 and 265 neighborhood controls of similar age.

RESULTS

Cases were more likely than controls to consume food with high fat and from animal sources (p < 0.01). The daily fat intake and the percentage of energy from fat were statistically significantly higher among cases than among controls (p < 0.01). The adjusted odds ratio for total fat between lowest quartiles and highest quartiles was OR = 3.6 (95 percent C.I. 1.8-7.2); for saturated fat, OR = 2.9 (95 percent C.I. 1.5-5.7); and for unsaturated fat, OR = 3.3 (95 percent C.I. 1.7-6.3).

DISCUSSION

The data suggest that dietary fat, both saturated and unsaturated, are associated with an increased risk for prostate cancer in a low risk population.

A multicentre prospective study of prostatic volume in asymptomatic men in various continents

Objective: To compare prostatic volumes in asymptomatic Asian men with similar controls in Europe. Patients and methods: Six centres (Beijing, Hong Kong, Jinan, Lisbon, Palermo and Stirling) independently selected asymptomatic men aged 55 y or more for assessment of prostatic volume using transrectal ultrasound (total=320 men) between 1992 and 1993. Results: Prostatic volumes in asymptomatic men were greater in Beijing than Hong Kong, Stirling and Palermo (P<0.05) and were smaller in Stirling than Beijing and Jinan (P<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that men from Stirling are less likely to have large prostates, but there is no evidence that men from any of the six cities are more likely to have small prostates. This small series may suggest that benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is as common in China as in European cities. The differences may be due to some cities (Beijing, Jinan and Lisbon) having a greater proportion of high values, perhaps suggesting looser selection criteria. This may indicate an abandonment of traditional Asian foods with their presumptive beneficial effect in favour of a Western dietary style.

Epidemiologic survey of lower urinary tract symptoms in Asia and Australia using the international prostate symptom score

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms was determined by survey as an initial step in estimating the significance of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Asia and Australia.

METHODS

The symptom index (0 to 35) and quality-of-life (QOL) index (0 to 6) of the international prostate symptom score were measured in 7588 men in 9 Asian countries and 146 men in Australia.

RESULTS

The percentages of Asian men considered to be symptomatic (symptom index > or = 8) were 18%, 29%, 40%, and 56% in the age groups of 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70 to 79 years, respectively. For Australian men, these figures were 36%, 33%, and 37% in the 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70 to 79 year age groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our estimates indicate that the prevalences of symptomatic men in Asia and Australia are similar to or greater than those in Europe and America, and suggest BPH is similarly common in these areas.

Construction and expression of single-chain Fv antibody against human bladder carcinoma

We designed two sets of oligonucleotide primers to amplify the immunoglobulin heavy- and light-chain variable-region genes from genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The genomic DNA was extracted from hybridoma BDI-1 cells, which secreted a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against human bladder carcinoma. The primers contained special restriction sites that allowed the variable-region genes to be easily cloned for sequencing and expression. The recombinants were sequenced by Sanger's method. It was proved that the full lengths of the VH and VK genes were 366 and 324 bp, respectively. Compared with other published sequences, the VH gene was a member of mouse heavy-chain VH subgroup II and originated from the rearrangement of VH, Dsp2.2 and JH4. The VK gene was VK subgroup IV and from VK and JK4. The VH and VK genes was inserted expression vector pWAI80. By inducement, the ScFv antibodies were expressed and secreted from Escherichia coli. Binding activities against the bladder carcinoma cells were detected. We suggest that ScFv antibody recognized the antigen specifically.

Introduction of wild-type p53 gene downregulates the expression of H-ras gene and suppresses the growth of bladder cancer cells

Retroviral vectors were used to introduce the wild-type p53 gene into human bladder cancer cell lines BIU-87 and EJ, which express endogenous wt-p53 gene and have a mutation in H-ras gene. The expression of the exogenous wt-p53 gene in cells suppresses the growth of the bladder cancer cells in standard culture and in soft agar and blocks the cell cycle progression in G1. The BIU-87 and EJ cells developed tumors with average volumes of 6.53 cm3 and 6.61 cm3 in nude mice in 9 weeks after inoculation, while the cells transduced with wt-p53 gene failed to form tumors. The expression of H-ras gene in bladder cancer cells was reduced at mRNA level. These results suggest that the overexpression of the wt-p53 gene suppresses the expression of mutant H-ras gene and inhibits the tumor cell growth in vivo and in vitro.

Preliminary study of the frequency of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer in China

OBJECTIVES

This study determined the frequency of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cancer of the prostate (CaP) in China.

METHODS

Prostate specimens from 321 unselected autopsies were collected from 1989 to 1992. Slices were cut vertically every 0.5 cm from apex to base. Five to 12 slices were obtained from each prostate. Specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome. Sixty surgical specimens obtained from cystoprostatectomies with intact prostate were included to determine the frequency of latent CaP.

RESULTS

The frequency of BPH, by age, was as follows: 41 to 50 years, 13.2%; 51 to 60 years, 20%; 61 to 70 years, 50%; 71 to 80 years, 57.1%; 81 to 90 years, 83.3%. The frequency of latent CaP, by age, was as follows: 41 to 50 years, 2.2%; 51 to 60 years, 9.3%; 61 to 70 years, 5.9%; 70 years or older, 25%. Incidental CaP was found in 4.9% (33 of 676) of BPH surgical specimens. The incidence of and mortality from CaP in Beijing were 2.41 per 100,000 men and 1.19 per 100,000 men, respectively, between 1985 and 1987.

CONCLUSIONS

BPH was rare in China in the early years of this century, but it has become a common disease in recent decades. The histologic frequency of BPH in China was similar to that in Western countries, but the histologic frequency of latent CaP was less than half that in Western countries. The incidence of and mortality from CaP in China are about 20 times less than those in Western countries. Histologic CaP in a Chinese man is not as likely to evolve into clinical CaP as in a Western man.

[Abnormalities of anti-oncogene p53 in renal cell carcinoma]

Mutant forms of p53 gene are found in numerous human malignancies. Studies of the p53 mRNA showed different levels of expression in many tumours. But the relationship between the p53 gene and the renal cell carcinoma is less elucidated than the other. In this report we examined p53 gene at mRNA level by Northern blot on the tissues from 21 patients with renal cell carcinoma. Abnormalities of the p53 were found in 12(57%) tumors, in which seven had elevated level of p53 mRNA, and five lacked p53 mRNA. p53 gene alteration occurred in a high percentage in high-grade and advanced tumors. These results suggest that inactivation of p53 gene is common in renal cell carcinoma and may be involved in the progression of this malignancy.

Vasectomy and prostate cancer risk in China

Vasectomy has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in western countries. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in 12 cities in China to evaluate the relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer risk in China, a low-risk country with rising incidence and increasing use of vasectomy. Interviews were conducted with 138 histologically confirmed prostate cancer cases diagnosed during 1989-1992 and 638 controls (158 hospital cancer, 158 hospital noncancer, and 322 neighborhood controls) of similar ages. Vasectomy at least 10 years prior to interview was reported by 10% of the cases versus 3% of the controls. Odds ratios for prostate cancer associated with vasectomy were 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.7-6.1), 3.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.0-11.3), and 6.7 (95% confidence interval, 2.1-21.6), respectively, when hospital cancer, hospital noncancer, and neighborhood controls were used for comparison. Although detection bias is of concern, the data suggest that in China, men with a history of vasectomy may experience an increased risk of prostate cancer.

[The incidences of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer in China]

Step-sections of 321 prostatic specimens from unselected autopsies were examined in order to understand the incidences of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic cancer (CaP) in China. The results showed that the incidence of BPH in patients of 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, and 81-90 years old was 20%, 50%, 57.1% and 33.3% respectively. The incidence of latent CaP in the above-mentioned age series, including 60 prostatic specimens from cystoprostatectomies was 9.3%, 5.7%, 26.9% and 16.7% respectively. The Incidence of CaP in BPH surgical specimens was 33/676 (4.9%). The histological incidences of BPH and CaP in China were similar to or half of that of western world. But the epidemiological incidence of CaP in China was only 1/20-1/30. Further investigation about this condition is necessary.

Multi-organ involvement in urothelial malignancies

The present study covers 1213 patients with urothelial tumours, of whom 113 have been affected by multi-organ malignancies. The disease was found to spread mostly in direction of the urine flow. Bladder was the most frequently affected organ. The incidence of pelvic cancer in China is higher than in Western countries.

[Clinical significance of random mucosal biopsies in patients with bladder cancer: analysis of 117 cases]

The results of multiple random biopsies from apparently non-tumor bearing mucosa were analyzed in 117 cases with bladder cancer. Of the 687 evaluable specimens, 26.5% showed abnormalities including hyperplasia (12.4%), atypical hyperplasia (5.8%), flat carcinoma in situ (6.0%) and even occult carcinoma (2.3%). The frequency of mucosal lesions increased with advancing histologic grade of visible tumors. The frequency of occult cancerous or precancerous lesions in cases with visible tumors was significantly higher than that of cases with invisible tumors. Undoubtedly the existing of occult cancerous or precancerous lesions is one of the important factors of high recurrence rate after local resection of the bladder tumors. Patients with occult cancerous or precancerous lesions should be given intensive follow-up and intravesical prophylactic therapy.

Vicissitude of management of ureteral stones

Following the use of rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) in 1984 and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in 1987, the treatment for ureteral stones has undergone significant changes. Our experience showed that the successful rate of URS for 132 patients was 89.4% and for the upper third was rather low, percutaneous antegrade URS should be considered. 376 patients treated with ESWL in prone position with a successful rate of 96.8%. The applicability of open surgery was reduced to 17.8% in 1987 and 14.5% in 1988.

[The incidence of multi-organ involvement in urothelial malignancies]

Attention has long been drawn on the multi-organ involvement of urothelial malignancies both by urologists and pathologists. Urothelial malignancies did occur occasionally in several urinary organs within the same patient. From 1951 to 1986, 12,553 patients were admitted to our urological department, among them 1,213 had urothelial tumors. There were renal pelvic tumors in 130, ureteral in 93, bladder in 925 and urethral in 65. We measured any single individual of the paired-organ, the pelvis or ureter as a single organ. Thus, of the total 1,213 tumors 113 were found to have multi-organ involvement. Long term follow-up rate was 93.6%. In the present study, we noted that the malignant appearance of urothelium involving in multi-organ has generally been with a trend toward urinary flow. i.e. from the proximal to the distal site of urinary tract. One hundred and four patients (92%) had tumors developed the urinary flow direction while only 9 patients (8%) were of refluent direction. Renal pelvis, ureter and urethra showed to be at high preference of multi-organ involvement, accounting for 53.8%, 58.1% and 46.2% respectively, whereas bladder tumor only showing 10.5%, predominated in single organ involvement.

Age factor in post-nephrectomy compensatory renal growth

In a retrospective investigation we found that the endogenous creatinine clearance (Ccr) of 35 nephrectomized patients was lower than that of normal people of comparable age with two intact kidneys. The Ccr level in the post-nephrectomy patients appeared to correlate with the age of the patients at the time of nephrectomy. The average Ccr value was 99.2 ml/min in the younger group, and 54.9 ml/min in the older group. Furthermore, we also found that the measurement of the remaining kidney in the younger group was larger than that of the matched control group, but no difference was found between the measurement of the remaining kidney in the older group and that of the matched control group. Therefore, we suggest that the remaining kidney in patients over 50 years of age may be described as "a low compensatory kidney". The results from an experimental study of Wistar rats indicated that the dry and wet weights of the remaining kidneys of the younger rats which had undergone neptrectomy were 1.53 X 10(-3) g/gwt, and 5.89 X 10(-3) g/gwt respectively, vs 1.05 X 10 g/gwt and 3.82 X 10(-3) g/gwt in older ones. In tissue culture using serum of younger nephrectomized rats, the amount of 3H-TdR incorporation into the monolayer cells of renal cortex was 1,405.4 CPM, whereas it was 1,025.4 CPM by using serum of older nephrectomized rats. In addition, the cells of renal cortices from both younger and older rats had a similar response to the same serum from nephrectomized rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Treatment of urgency and urge incontinence with flavoxate in the People's Republic of China

Flavoxate is a smooth muscle relaxant widely used to treat urgency and urge incontinence. It has been used in an unblinded, uncontrolled clinical trial in 14 urology departments in universities and major hospitals in the People's Republic of China involving 361 patients with urgency/incontinence of various types. Patients were given 200 mg three times daily, orally, for 2 weeks, although 33 patients received a daily dosage of 1200 mg. Frequency, urgency, dysuria, nocturia and incontinence were assessed and scored clinically prior to and after treatment. Three departments also included urodynamic investigations, e.g. monitoring of the end-residual volume. Results from 336 evaluable patients indicate that 228 (67%) were completely cured of urgency/incontinence symptoms, 66 (20%) were improved and 42 (13%) patients were unchanged. Flavoxate was also effective in 77.4% of patients refractory to previous anti-cholinergic treatment. Treatment did not increase the end-residual volume and adverse events occurred only in four (1.3%) patients, two (0.6%) of which discontinued the therapy. The 1200 mg dose produced a complete cure in 82% of patients and improvement in the remaining 18%, with no side-effects. In conclusion, flavoxate is an effective and well tolerated treatment for urgency/incontinence of various causes.