Objective:To examine the effects of modified Shenmai Yin on invigorating vital energy, promoting blood flow, and protection against neural impairment in an endotoxin-induced shock rat model. Methods: Ninety-six SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation (saline 20 ml/kg), shock model (lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 8 mg/kg), Reformed Shengmai Yin (加味生脉饮 Pulse-activating Decoction) (LPS 8 mg/kg + reformed Shengmai Yin Injection 10 ml/kg), and dexamethasone (LPS 8 mg/kg + dexamethasone 5 mg/kg) groups. Each group was subdivided into 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, and 6 h time points for observation. The carotid artery was separated and connected with a biological functional system to monitor mean arterial pressure (MAP). Brain water levels, malonaldehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were also determined. Results: In the shock model group, MAP was progressively decreased after injection of LPS, brain water and MDA contents were increased, brain SOD activity was decreased, and capillary vessel edema in brain tissue was also observed. All these parameters were improved significantly in both treatment groups, although the effects were more marked with Shengmai Yin than with dexamethasone. Conclusion: Modified Shengmai Yin exhibits strong anti-shock and neuroprotective effects against Endotoxininduced shock.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dynamic changes and relationship of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and apoptosis in endotoxin shock rats, as well as the effects of Sini injection. METHODS: In total, 102 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=6, NG), sham operation group (n=24, OG), model group (n=24, MG), dexamethasone group (n=24, DG), and Sini group (n=24, SG). The endotoxin shock model was induced by an intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (8 mg/kg). Rats in the OG, MG, DG, and SG groups were further divided into 4 groups: 1, 2, 3 and 6 h after shock groups (n=6 per group). iNOS expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Mediated Deoxyuridine Triphosphate-biotin Nick End Labeling was employed to measure apoptosis. RESULTS: No iNOS expression was found in the OG group. Compared with the OG group, iNOS expres-sion in the MG group was markedly elevated, reached a peak at 1 h (P<0.01), decreased at 2 and 3 h, and rebounded at 6 h. Compared with the MG group, iNOS expression decreased significantly in both the DG (P<0.05) and SG (P<0.01) groups at 6 h. Thenumberofapoptoticcellsin the MG group was markedly increased than that in the NG and OG (P<0.01) groups, and reached a peak at 6 h. The number of apoptotic cells in the DG group at 1 and 2 h (P<0.01) and SG group at 2, 3 and 6 h (P<0.01) decreased when compared with the MG group. CONCLUSION: Sini injection can significantly inhibit NO generation, which decreases apoptosis and subsequently protects the brain from endotoxic shock.
