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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the major cause of death in fast growing meat-type chickens (broiler chickens). At present, the underlying mechanisms that give rise to PAH are not fully understood. To identify the metabonomics profiles characterizing the process, we conducted a comprehensive gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS)-based metabolic profiling of lung tissues from PAH broilers and age-matched controls. PAH was induced by excess salt in drinking water. Medial hypertrophy of pulmonary arteries was present in PAH birds as compared with controls. The metabonomics profiles of lung tissues well distinguished PAH broilers from control subjects. Significant changes in the levels of 41 metabolites were detected in PAH vs normal birds. Aside from the metabolic alterations indicating a status of oxidative stress and inflammation, evidence of reduced cellular uptake of arginine due to increased lysine biosynthesis and of a shift of arginine metabolism to arginase pathway were observed. In addition, PAH birds showed increased biosynthesis of fatty acids, which may be associated with excessive proliferation of vascular cells during pulmonary vascular remodeling. Furthermore, we observed significant changes in pentose phosphate pathway and increased aminomalonic acid in PAH broilers. These results provide additional biochemical insights into the pathogenesis of the PAH. Our data may lead to the development of new strategies to control PAH in broilers.

To identify the coumarins constituents in Cnidium monnieriand classify ten samples into three groups and this helpful chemical information could be used for the further pharmacological and clinical study on C. monnieri.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a theoretical based system and is completely different from western medicine and states that numerous diseases, especially chronic diseases, are cured or relieved. “Zheng” (syndrome) is a summarization of the pathological changes which take place during the different stages of the development of a disease, including its location, cause and nature as well as the state of both Xie-qi (pathogenic factors) and Zheng-qi (healthy energy). Compared to a single symptom, syndrome can demonstrate the nature of a disease more extensively, completely and correctly. However, it is difficult to compare “Zheng” to the western medicine theory, which is based on scientific evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of a specific disease. Estrogen deficiency is a major pathogenetic factor in bone loss after menopause and oophorectomy with the subsequent risk of developing osteoporosis. According to TCM theory, the kidney stores essence and this can transform into bone marrow to nourish the bones, strenghthen the skeleton by promoting growth and repair. The kidney deficiency can decrease the estrogen level adjusted by the gonadal axis, causing osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medicines tonifying the kidney can significantly enhance the level of estrogen to alleviate osteoporosis. In combination with other evidence, we further deduce that the syndrome as defined within TCM has a similar pathological mechanism to that defined by western medicine. If TCM theory is to be understood and accepted, and further fused with the western medicine theory, the micro pathological basis of TCM syndrome must be investigated extensively, which will lead to bridging the two theories together. The fusion of TCM with western medicine will pay more attention to analyzing the common nature and difference of disease and syndrome. This paper reviews the way forward for new translational advances.

A new phenyldihydronaphthalene-type lignan, vitexdoin A (1), a new phenylnaphthalene-type lignan alkaloid, vitedoamine B (2), four new phenylnaphthalene-type lignans, vitexdoins B−E (3−6), and four known lignan derivatives (7−10) were isolated from Vitex negundoseeds. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analyses of NMR, IR, and MS data. The ability of the isolates to prevent nitric oxide (NO) production by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner was also studied. Compounds 5, 6, and 9were among the most potent NO production inhibitors, with IC50values of 0.13, 0.15, and 0.11 μM, respectively. The introduction of free hydroxy groups plays a vital role in the potency of these compounds.