AIM: To explore the effect of Shenshuai Capsule on renal functio n, NO and TNF-? in CRF rat's blood. METHODS: Wister rats were fed with adenine to establish the chronic renal insufficiency anemia model, and then they were divided into three groups and fed with Shenshuai Capsule (high or low dosage) and Niaoduqing proup, respec tively. Kidney function index and the levels of NO and TNF-? in blood of CR F rats were measured. RESULTS: The comparison of renal function between the treatment gro up (high dosage) and the Niaoduqing group were significantly different respectiv ely. At the same time, Shenshuai Capsule can increase the NO of CRF rat's blood and reduce the TNF-?. CONCLUSION: Shenshuai Capsule can improve renal function of CRF rat , simultaneously raise the NO of CRF rat's blood and reduce the TNF-?. The lat ter may be one of the mechanism of action that Shunshuai Capsule can delay the r enal failure.

AIM: To investigate different intracellular concentration of Ca 2+ in uterine myometrial cells at term and non-term.METHODS: The living cells suspensions were made to measure intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations after stainned by calcium fluorescent indicator Fluo-3 AM, then examined by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM).RESULTS: Intracelluar Ca 2+ showed very stronger red positive signal in myometrial cells at term than that in non-term cells. [Ca 2+ ]i were (35?8.1) nmol/L at non term and (75?7.3) nmol/L at term, which had significant difference compared with each other ( P