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Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate antitumour effects of liquiritigenin ( LQ) on pituitary adenoma in in-vitro and in-vivo models. Methods The effects of LQ on cell viability, apoptosis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential ( MMP), intracellular reactive oxygen species ( ROS) level and various apoptosis-related mediators were examined in MMQ and GH3 cells that are derived from rat pituitary adenoma. Antitumour effect of LQ was also examined in the mouse model of GH3-xenografted tumour. Key findings LQ inhibited cell viability, caused G1 phase arrest and initiated apoptosis in both MMQ and GH3 cells. LQ dissipated MMP, increased intracellular ROS level and cytosol cytochrome C, and reduced the expression of Ras, B-cell lymphoma 2 and B-cell lymphoma-extra large. LQ also inhibited the activation of extracellular signalling-regulated kinases ( ERKs) and the translocation of from cytoplasm to nucleus. LQ markedly reduced tumour size without affecting bodyweight in mice with GH3 cells xenograft. Conclusions LQ effectively inhibits pituitary adenoma tumour growth and induces cell apoptotic death mainly via Ras/ ERKs and ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathways, suggesting that LQ is a potential suppressor of pituitary adenoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of an herbal preparation called Peony-Glycyrrhiza Decoction (PGD) in alleviating antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia (hyperPRL). In the present study, we further examined the pharmacological action of PGD on prolactin (PRL) secretion using in vitro and in vivo models, with specific attention to the role of dopaminergic mediators and other sex hormones. Treatment with PGD at 1–5mg/ml significantly suppressed PRL secretion and synthesis in MMQ cells, a model of hyperPRL derived from pituitary adenoma cells. The suppressive effects were completely abolished by pretreatment with 10μM haloperidol, a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. Consistent with a D2-action, PGD did not affect PRL in rat pituitary lactotropic tumor-derived GH3 cells that lack the D2 receptor expression but significantly increased the expression of D2 receptors and dopamine transporters (DAT) in PC12 cells. In a rat model of hyperPRL, produced by repeated injection of the dopamine blocker metoclopramide (MCP), chronic PGD (2.5–10g/kg daily) significantly reduced elevated serum PRL. The reduction in magnitude was similar to that elicited by bromocriptine (BMT), a dopamine D2 receptor agonist currently used for treatment of hyperPRL. Neither PGD nor BMT altered serum estradiol, but PGD reversed decreased serum progesterone to control level, whereas BMT did not. These results indicate that the anti-hyperPRL effects of PGD are associated not only with D2 receptor and DAT modulation, but also with a normalization of other sex hormone dysfunction. This experimental evidence supports clinical use of PGD as an effective treatment of antipsychotic-induced hyperPRL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of berberine as an adjuvant in treating antipsychotic‐associated weight gain and metabolic syndrome. Methods: One hundred thirteen participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who had developed metabolic syndrome were recruited. They were randomly assigned to berberine (600 mg/d, n = 58) or placebo (n = 55) groups for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to week 12 in net weight. Secondary outcomes included body mass index, waist circumference, serum glucose and lipid profiles, and the severity of psychotic symptoms. Results: Compared with the placebo group, the berberine group showed a significantly greater reduction in weight gain at 9 weeks (mean difference [MD], −0.75; 95% CI, −1.42 to −0.07 [P = 0.031, d = 0.41]) and 12 weeks (MD, –1.08; 95% CI, −1.76 to −0.40 [P = 0.002, d = 0.59]). Patients who received berberine also showed statistically significant improvements in end point in body mass index (MD, –0.41; 95% CI, −0.65 to −0.17 [P = 0.001, d = 0.64]), total cholesterol (MD, –0.58; 95% CI, −0.74 to −0.41 [P < 0.001, d = 1.31]), low‐density lipoprotein (MD, –0.52; 95% CI, −0.68 to −0.35 [P < 0.001, d = 1.19]), and glycated hemoglobin (MD, –0.09; 95% CI, −0.18 to 0 [P = 0.05, d = 0.37]). Berberine was well tolerated without serious adverse events and aggravation of psychotic symptoms compared with placebo. Conclusion: The findings suggest that berberine is effective in attenuating antipsychotic‐associated weight gain and metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is thought to have potential to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether adding TEAS to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and clomipramine would improve the efficacy of these conventional treatments in OCD. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 360 OCD patients were assigned to receive TEAS combined with CBT plus clomipramine (Group A, n = 120), TEAS combined with CBT plus placebo (Group B, n = 120), and simulated (placebo) TEAS combined with CBT plus clomipramine (Group C, n = 120) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Results OCD symptoms in all patients reduced over time, however Groups A and B had a significantly greater reduction in Y-BOCS total score and the subscale for obsession and compulsion between week 2 and week 12 compared to Group C. Groups A and B had similar scores on these measures. Both groups had significantly higher rates of clinical response than Group C (88.3% and 81.7% vs. 67.5%, respectively, p < 0.001); and higher rates of remission (30.0% and 22.5% vs. 9.2%, respectively, p < 0.001). Group B experienced fewer adverse events than the other two groups. Conclusions TEAS enhances the efficacy of conventional OCD interventions and avoids the adverse effects associated with conventional pharmacological treatment. It can be considered as an effective adjunct intervention for OCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical trials have demonstrated the beneficial effects of Peony-Glycyrrhiza Decoction (PGD) in alleviating antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia (hyperPRL) in schizophrenic patients. In previous experiment, PGD suppressed prolactin (PRL) level in MMQ cells, involving modulating the expression of D 2 receptor (DRD 2 ) and dopamine transporter (DAT). In the present study, hyperPRL female rat model induced by dopamine blocker metoclopramide (MCP) was applied to further confirm the anti-hyperpPRL activity of PGD and underlying mechanism. In MCP-induced hyperPRL rats, the elevated serum PRL level was significantly suppressed by either PGD (2.5–10 g/kg) or bromocriptine (BMT) (0.6 mg/kg) administration for 14 days. However, in MCP-induced rats, only PGD restored the under-expressed serum progesterone (P) to control level. Both PGD and BMT administration restore the under-expression of DRD 2 , DAT and TH resulted from MCP in pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Compared to untreated group, hyperPRL animals had a marked reduction on DRD 2 and DAT expression in the arcuate nucleus. PGD (10 g/kg) and BMT (0.6 mg/kg) treatment significant reversed the expression of DRD 2 and DAT. Collectively, the anti-hyperPRL activity of PGD associates with the modulation of dopaminergic neuronal system and the restoration of serum progesterone level. Our finding supports PGD as an effective agent against hyperPRL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To review and evaluate the efficacy and safety of tian jiu therapy on san fu tian for adults with asthma. Methods: A literature search through August 31, 2013, was done to identify comparative studies evaluating effective rate, pulmonary function, immune response, recurrence rate, quality of life, and adverse events. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched; only randomized controlled trials with treatment groups using tian jiu therapy were included. Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool and Review Manager software, version 5.2, were used for the data synthesis. Results: Six studies involving 657 patients were identified. tian jiu therapy was more effective than the control intervention (odds ratio [OR], 3.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05-6.00; p<0.00001; I2=18%). The treatment group had a bigger decrease in IgE level (standard mean difference [SMD], −1.40; 95% CI, −2.18 to −0.63; p=0.0004; I2=85%) and Eosinophil (Eos) level (SMD, −4.26; 95% CI, −6.28 to −2.23; p<0.00001; I2=91%) compared with the control group. Included studies had a high risk of bias. Few adverse effects were reported in the included studies, and no serious adverse responses occurred. Adverse effects did not result in any dropouts. Conclusions: All studies indicated that tian jiu therapy has a positive effect on adults with asthma and that it is relatively safe because of its noninvasive nature. However, the limitations of the research design of the existing studies resulted in high risk of bias. More randomized controlled trials of better methodologic quality are needed to further confirm efficacy and safety of this therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The platelet serotonergic system has potential biomarker utility for major depressive disorder (MDD). In the present study, platelet expression of 5-HT1A receptors and serotonin transporter (SERT) proteins, and serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were quantified in 53 patients with MDD and 22 unaffected controls. All were drug-free, non-smokers and had no other psychiatric and cardiovascular comorbidity. The severity of depression symptoms was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Patients with MDD had significantly higher expression of platelet 5-HT1A receptors but significantly lower contents of platelet 5-HT, platelet-poor plasma (PPP) 5-HT and PPP 5-HIAA compared to healthy controls, and this was correlated with the severity of depression. SERT expression did not differ between the two groups. Correlation analysis confirmed a strong, inverse relationship between the 5-HT1A receptor expression and the 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels. Thus overexpression of platelet 5-HT1A receptors and reduced 5-HT tone may function as a peripheral marker of depression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Acupuncture possesses the antidepressant potential. In this 6-week randomized controlled trial with 4-week follow-up, 160 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) were randomly assigned to paroxetine (PRX) alone (n = 48) or combined with 18 sessions of manual acupuncture (MA, n = 54) or electrical acupuncture (EA, n = 58). Treatment outcomes were measured mainly using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), clinical response and remission rates. Average PRX dose taken and proportion of patients who required an increased PRX dose due to symptom aggravation were also obtained. Both additional MA and EA produced a significantly greater reduction from baseline in score on HAMD-17 and SDS at most measure points from week 1 through week 6 compared to PRX alone. The clinical response was markedly greater in MA (69.8%) and EA (69.6%) groups than the group treated with PRX alone (41.7%, P = 0.004). The proportion of patients who required an increase dose of PRX due to symptom aggravation was significantly lower with MA (5.7%) and EA (8.9%) than PRX alone (22.9%, P = 0.019). At 4 weeks follow-up after completion of acupuncture treatment, patients with EA, but not MA, continued to show significantly greater clinical improvement. Incidence of adverse events was not different in the three groups. Our study indicates that acupuncture can accelerate the clinical response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and prevent the aggravation of depression. Electrical acupuncture may have a long-lasting enhancement of the antidepressant effects (Trial Registration: ChiCTR-TRC-08000278). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]