Objective:To explore the protective mechanisms of You-gui-wan on hydrocortisone-induced apoptosis of murine thymocytes.Methods:Annexin V/ PI double stain was applied to analyze the apoptotic states of thymocytes after injection with hydrocortisone coupled with or without administration You-gui-wan.The transcriptions of Bcl-2 and Bax were tested by RT-PCR.Results:The apoptotic rate of thymocytes was seriously increased in hydrocortisone-injected mice contrasted to matched control mice(P

Objective To investigate the effects of Stichopus variegatus mucopolysaccharide on plasma nitric oxide (NO) and serum endothelin(ET) after angioplasty in rabbits. Methods 50 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: Stichopus group, simvastatin group, model group and normal group. Endothelium of iliac arteries in Stichopus group, simvastatin group and model group were denuded by balloon catheter and the rabbits were fed with 2%cholesterol, 3%lard and 3%yolk mixed forage for six weeks, and then, atherosclerotic stenosis was showed by iliac angiography.When transluminal balloon angioplasty was done, from then on the feeds was changed from high cholesterol to ordinary forage. Stichopus (0.5g?kg -1?d -1) and simvastatin (0.5mg?kg -1?d -1) were given by gastric canal. While NaCl solution (0.9%) was given in model group. All rabbits were fed in separate cages and free drinking. After four weeks since transluminal balloon angioplasty, blood was collected from carotid artery to measure the changes of concentrations of endothelin(ET) and nitric oxide(NO). Examination of pathology by optical and electron microscope were done at same time. Results After four weeks since transluminal angioplasty, the concentration of plasm ET in model group increased significantly compared with the normal group(114.86?24.89 ng?L -1 vs 75.62?9.68 ng?L -1) and serum NO decreased significantly(37.50? 12.79?mol?L -1 vs 106.37?18.01 ?mol?L -1).The concentration of plasm ET in model group was higher than that in the simvastatin groups and Stichopus groups(114.86?24.89 ng?L -1 , 81.08?14.71 ng?L -1 and 83.34?11.41 ng?L -1 ,respectively),and the concentration of serum NO decreased obviously(95.63?8.62 ?mol?L -1,98.80?9.06 ?mol?L -1 and 37.50?12.79 ?mol?L -1,respectively). Conclusion After iliac arterial TA the concentrations of plasm ET were increased and the serum NO were decreased, the endothelial function fell into disorder. The Stichopus variegatus mucopolysaccharide had the effects of improving the endothelial function after angioplasty in rabbits by adjustment of plasm ET and serum NO.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of cinnamic aldehyde ( CA ) on hormone-induced osteo-clasts proliferation and bone resorption in vitro and its molecular mechanisms. Methods RAW264. 7 cells induced into osteoclast were treated with RANKL and M-CSF and then were divided into control group, dexa-methasone ( DEX ) group and different doses of CA (11. 6, 23. 2, 46. 4 μg·L-1 ) groups. OCs were ob-served after tartrate resistant acid phosphatase( TRAP) staining. The cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay at different time points. The expression levels of TRACP5 b in cell cultured supernatants were measured by ELISA. RT-PCR technique was applied to examine the transcriptional levels of RANK and NFATc1 . Re-sults In MTT assay, the proliferation of osteoclasts stimulated by dexamethasone was promoted seriously compared with negative control group ( P < 0. 05 ) . Meanwhile, DEX could strengthen the content of TRACP5 b and up-regulate the expressions of RANK and NFATc1 mRNA. After administration of CA, the proliferation was inhibited, while the enhanced expres-sion of TRAP5b was reversed,and the over-expressions of RANK and NFATc1 mRNA were obviously down-regulated in a time-and-dose-dependent manner ( P <0. 05 ) . Conclusion The results suggest that CA in-hibits proliferation and bone resorption of osteoclast in-duced by DEX, which may be mediated by down-regu-lation of RANK and NFATc1 mRNA.

Objective:To investigate the role of dendritic cells(DC) in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA) and to study the effect and molecular mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shou Tai Decoction ( STD ) on URSA treatment by regulating the function of DC.Methods:30 cases of normal pregnancy women and 30 cases of URSA patients were taken as control group and URSA group respectively.URSA patients were treated with Shou Tai Decoction.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were taken from both control group and URSA group before and after STD administration.The proportion of CD11c+HLA-DR+cells,CD11c+CD80+cells and CD11c+CD86+cells in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry.Moreover,the mRNA expression of HLA-DR,CD80,CD86 and Indoleamine2,3-dioxygenase( IDO) in venous blood were detected by RT-PCR assay.The protein expression of IDO was detected by Western blot.Furthermore, the cytokines, including IL-12p70 and IL-6, in the blood serum were measured by ELISA.Results:Compared with normal pregnancy women,the proportion of CD11c+HLA-DR+,CD11c+CD80+,CD11c+CD86+cells and the mRNA expression of HLA-DR,CD80,CD86 of URSA patients in peripheral blood were both increased significantly(P<0.05), while the mRNA and protein expression of IDO were decreased markedly(P<0.05).Additionally,the level of IL-12p70 and IL-6 in serum of URSA women were significantly increased ( P<0.01 ) .When compared with URSA patients before STD administration, the proportion of CD11c+HLA-DR+,CD11c+CD80+,CD11c+CD86+cells and the mRNA expression of HLA-DR,CD80,CD86 decreased significantly after STD administration ( P<0.05 ) , while the mRNA and protein expression of IDO increased markedly after STD administration(P<0.05).Meanwhile,compared with before STD administration,serum protein level of IL-12p70 and IL-6 of URSA patients decreased significantly after STD treatment ( P<0.01 ) .Conclusion: The changes of proportion and function of DC were involved in URSA.The regulatory effect of STD on DC proportion and function contribute to the treatment of URSA.

Objective:To investigate the key mechanism of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) inducing the expression of interleukin-17D (IL-17D) in lung cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) and promoting the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).Methods:C57BL/6 mice were established for B16 lung melanoma metastasis model (tumor model group), and control group was set up, 6 mice in each group. Flow cytometry (FACS) was used to detect the lung CAF and the changes of its ability to secrete IL-17D and the proportion of MDSCs in tumor mice. The changes of TGF-β level in lung tumor were examined by ELISA and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Lung fibroblasts were screened by FACS, and the effects of TGF-β on the secretion of IL-17D, C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)2 and CCL7 in fibroblasts were detected by RT-PCR. The migration of MDSCs under the condition of TGF-β stimulating fibroblasts was detected by Transwell.Results:The proportion of CAF (CD45 -CD326 -CD31 -) in the tumor model group was higher than that in the control group [(28.02±2.23)% vs. (7.35±2.14)%, t=9.956, P<0.001]. The ability of CAF to secrete IL-17D in the tumor model group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(38.27±2.93)% vs. (19.04±3.16)%, t=5.995, P=0.001]. The proportion of MDSCs in the tumor model group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(12.93±1.27)% vs. (8.21±1.40)%, t=4.804, P=0.009]. Compared with the control group, the protein and transcription levels of TGF-β in lung of the tumor model group were significantly increased [(1 685.07±135.61) ng/L vs. (1 047.98±68.50) ng/L, t=5.051, P=0.002; 2.17±0.03 vs. 1.00±0.05, t=51.237, P<0.001]. In vitro, lung fibroblasts were stimulated with different concentrations of TGF-β (0, 5 and 10 μg/L) for 24 hours, the relative expressions of IL-17D mRNA secreted by stimulated fibroblasts were 0.42±0.01, 0.67±0.01 and 0.84±0.04 respectively, the relative expressions of CCL2 mRNA in each group were 0.89±0.08, 1.08±0.04, 1.19±0.01 and CCL7 were 0.53±0.05, 0.65±0.04, 0.74±0.03 respectively. With the increase of TGF-β concentration, the expression levels of IL-17D, CCL2 and CCL7 in fibroblasts were significantly increased ( F=57.384, P<0.001; F=15.802, P=0.004; F=14.544, P=0.005). In addition, compared with the control group (0 μg/L TGF-β), fibroblasts treated with 10 μg/L TGF-β for 24 hours could promote the migration of MDSCs in spleen of tumor mice [(9.59±0.21)% vs. (2.14±0.24)%, t=6.585, P<0.001]. Conclusion:TGF-β can induce high expression of IL-17D in lung CAF, which is an important factor in promoting the expressions of CCL2 and CCL7 and the migration of MDSCs in tumor microenvironment.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of immunological reconstitution of T-cell subsets and the role of Cornus,a Chinese medicinal herb on T lymphocytes in mice after irradiation (IR). Methods:Irradiated model mice were exposed to a single dose of X-ray radiation (2. 6 Gy) with or without Cornus treatments. Bloodroutine was examined before or after irradiation. CD3+,CD4+, CD8+ T cells and Th1, Tc1, Th2, Th17, Treg from spleen or peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Total lymphocytes and CD3+T cells including CD4+T and CD8+T cells,were significantly reduced 3 days after irradiation (P<0. 05). The re-constitution of CD3+ T cells ( especially CD8+T cells ) started from 5 days post irradiation, CD4+T cells increased 8 days after irradiation. However,the production of IFN-γ by Th1 or Tc1 cells were evidently decreased compared with control group even 8 days post irradiation (P<0. 05). In contrast to Th1,Th2/Th17/Treg were observably increased in irradiation group (P<0. 05). But the percentage of Th1 was obviously increased, and Th2, Th17, Treg were markedly decreased in cornus treated mice compared with irradiated mice (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The immunological reconstitution of T lymphocytes started from 5 days after total irradiation with rapid recovery of CD8+ T cells but not CD4+T cells. Cornus effectively improved the imbalance of T cell subsets by promoting the proliferation of Th1 and suppressing Th17 and Treg.

Objective:To demonstrate the relationship between the Th 1/Th2/Th17/Treg paradigm and the bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and looking for potential target for clinical treatment.Methods:30 BALB/c mice were divided randomly into the normal control group , the sham operation group , and the ovariectomy group.The serum estradiol ( E2 ) was assessed by ELISA.Bone mineral density (BMD) of thigh bone was measured with dual energy X ray absorptiometry.Meanwhile,the T-cell subsets (Th1:CD4+TNFα+, Th2: CD4+IL-4+, Th17: CD4+IL-17 A+, Treg: CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) in spleen lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results:Compared with the normal group and the sham operation group , both E2 and BMD in the ovariectomy group decreased significantly ( P<0.05 ).The percentage of Th 1 and Th17 subset increased while the percentage of Th 2 and Treg decreased significantly in ovariectomy mice compared with sham operation mice.Correlation analysis showed that BMD was positively related to E 2 level and the percentage of Th 2 and Treg subset;however ,BMD was negatively related to the percentage of Th 1 and Th17 subset ( P<0.05 ).Conclusion: Conclusion: T-cell paradigm was involved in the bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency.Modifying T-cell paradigm may become a potential target for reducing bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency .

Objective:To investigate the role of Th1/Th2 shift in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) and to study the effect and molecular mechanism of Bushen Guchong decoction on URSA treatment by regulating Th 1/Th2 paradigm.Methods:30 cases of URSA patients were given Bushen Guchong decoction administration ; meanwhile,30 cases of normal pregnancy women were taken as control group.Th1/Th2 paradigm in peripheral blood monocytes of URSA patients before and after Bushen Guchong decoction administration was detected by flow cytometry.Moreover,the mRNA expression of the specific transcription factors for Th1 and Th2 subsets -T-bet and GATA-3 were detected by RT-PCR assay.Furthermore,the relationship between the Th1/Th2 paradigm and the uterine bleeding time after Bushen Guchong decoction administration was analyzed by Pearson correlation and re -gression tests.Results: Compared with normal pregnancy women , the proportion of Th1 subset of URSA patients was increased significantly (P<0.05),while the proportion of Th2 subset was decreased markedly (P<0.05).Additionally,the ration of Th1/Th2 subsets was increased in URSA women (P<0.05).After Bushen Guchong decoction treatment ,the proportion of Th1 subsets in URSA patients and T-bet mRNA expression were up-regulated significantly ( P<0.05 ) , whereas the Th2 proportion and GATA-3 mRNA expression were down-regulated obviously (P<0.05).Moreover,the ratio of Th1/Th2 was decreased significantly (P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the uterine bleeding time was positively related to both the proportion of Th 1 and the ratio of Th1/Th2, while negatively related to the proportion of Th 2 subsets.Conclusion:Th1/Th2 shift was involved in URSA.Bushen Guchong decoction up-regulated the transcription level of GATA-3 and down-regulated the transcription level of T-bet.Thereby, Bushen Guchong decoction exerted the curative effect on URSA by revising Th 1/Th2 shift.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of caffeine in premature infants receiving mechanical ventilation and related complications .Method From January 2014 to September 2016, preterm infants (28w≤GA<33w) treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) or conventional mechanical ventilation ( CMV ) in neonatal intensive care unit were studied .They were randomly assigned into the caffeine group and the control group .The caffeine group received caffeine when NCPAP ventilation was applied or adjusting to synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation ( SIMV) mode.The control group was injected with 5%glucose without caffeine .The t test andχ2 test were used to analyze the clinical efficacy and related complications .Result A total of 96 patients receiving NCPAP ventilation were collected ( birth weight between 1300~2100 g), including 51 cases in caffeine group and 45 cases in the control group. 84 cases received CMV ventilation (birth weight between 1000~1499 g), with 43 cases in the caffeine group and 41 cases the control group.Among the NCPAP infants, the incidence of failure to withdraw ventilator (0% vs.13.3%) and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (3.9% vs.17.8%) were lower in the caffeine group than the control group .The duration of assisted ventilation and hospital stay in the caffeine group were shorter than the control group [(6.2 ±3.1) d vs.(8.2 ±3.2) d, (16.3 ±8.7) d vs. (19.5 ±9.2) d], the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).Among the CMV infants, the incidence of failure of A/C to SIMV mode transition and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were lower in the caffeine group than the control group and the duration of assisted ventilation and hospital stay were shorter . The differences were statistically significant ( P <0.05 ) . No differences were found in the related complications in each group ( P>0.05) . Conclusion Caffeine can help reduce the incidences of withdrawal failure, bronchopulmonary dysplasia , ventilation duration and hospital stay when using NCPAP and CMV ventilation.