AIM: To observe the effects of puerarin on blood pressure(BP),serum lipid in a rat model of insulin resistance and the mechanism.METHODS: Adult SD rats were maintained on high-fat-sugar-salt diet for 12 weeks.Puerarin was administered to the rats from 9th week for 4 weeks by intramuscular injection.BP was measured at the end of 0,8th,12th week.The levels of serum glucose,serum lipid,fasting serum insulin and the levels of MDA,TNF-?,plasma rennin,angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ) and the activity of SOD were measured and the insulin-sensitivity index was also calculated at the end of the experiment.RESULTS: High and middle dosage of puerarin significantly decreased blood pressure,reduced the levels of serum lipid and AngⅡ,and also increased insulin-sensitivity index.The levels of MDA and TNF-? were significantly decreased by high dosage of puerarin.The activity of SOD was increased significantly.CONCLUSIONS: Puerarin possesses the effects of decreasing the blood pressure and serum lipid in a rat model of insulin resistance,which may be concerned with the changes of rennin-angiotensin system,the levels of oxygen-derived free radicals and TNF-?.

Objective To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen decoction (ZGJTYS) on the expression of nephrin and podocin in podocyte of MKR mice with diabetic nephropathy (DN), and explore its mechanism. Methods Forty MKR mice (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups as follows:negative control group (group A), DN model group (group B), ZGJTYS group (group C) and positive control group (group D, Gliquidone and benazepri). All mice from group B, C and D were received high-fat diet feed and unilateral nephrectomy. Four weeks after operation, all mice were received drug intervention, and four weeks later, all mice were put to death. The levels of UmAlb were observed by ELISA, the serum BUN and Cr by biochemical, and the FBG by electrochemical detection method. The nephrin and podocin mRNA expression were measured by RT-PCR and the protein expression by western blotting. The morphological structure changes of the podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopes. Results As compared with group A, FBG, BUN, SCr and urine UmAlb in the mice of group B increased significantly (P<0.01), the expression level of nephrin and podocin mRNA and protein were markedly decreased (P<0.01). After intervention of drugs, all biochemical indicators above in the mice of group C and D significantly decreased (P<0.01), the expression level of nephrin and podocin mRNA and protein were markedly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), compared with group B. The renal pathological lesions of group C and D were significantly improved compared with group B. Conclusion ZGJTYS decoction exerts reno-protective effect via reinstating nephrin and podocin expression to repair the damaged podocyte.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between arachidonic acid (AA) and acute red blood cells damage in rats, and to build a model with hidden blood loss in vivo, and to explore the pathological mechenism of hidden blood loss.

METHODSA total of 50 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats weighing (200 ± 20) g were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10): control group and four experimental groups. The rats in the experimental groups were given 0.5 ml different concentrations of AA dilu- ents, 5, 10, 20, 40 mmol/L respectively. The blood samples were collected from orbital venous at the beginning and 24, 48, 72 hours after administration. Then the changes of hemoglobin (Hb) ,red blood cell count (RBC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH- PX) activity, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and hydrogen peroxide (H202) in the blood samples were tested.

RESULTSSignificant hidden blood loss occurred when the concentration was 10 mmol/L in the experimental group, with the RBC and Hb sharply reduced in blood samples. The Hb and RBC were reduced in all the experimental groups and control group at 24 hours after administration, while in the experimental groups they changed more obviously. The GSH-PX activity, T-SOD activity and H₂O₂were also significantly reduced in all groups, and the changes showed significant differences. The Hb and RBC were relatively stable in the control group and the experimental groups at 48 hours after administration; while GSH-PX activity, T-SOD activity and H₂O₂were all significantly decreased, and the changes in the experimental groups were more notable.

CONCLUSIONElevated levels of AA in the blood causes oxidative stress in the red blood cells, leading to the damage of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which is responsible for hidden blood loss.

Animals ; Arachidonic Acid ; toxicity ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

Aminoacyl-tRNA syntheses (AARS) can catalyze the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent acylation of their cognate tRNA(s) with a specific amino acid. They can be seen as an index to reflect the energy metabolic rate of ischemic brain cells in ischemic penumbra. This study examined the relationship between arginyl-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS), one of the AARS, and cerebral ischemia in rats. The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established in rats. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA were detected in rat brain tissues at different time points following MCAO by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The results showed that the MCAO model was successfully established. Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis revealed that the ArgRS protein and mRNA were expressed in brain cells in both ischemic and normal penumbra tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS protein and mRNA peaked at 6 h after MCAO and decreased gradually. At 24 h, the expression levels of ArgRs protein and mRNA in ischemic penumbral tissues were lower than those in normal tissues. The expression levels of ArgRS mRNA and protein in ischemic penumbra varied with ischemic time, suggesting that the energy metabolism of brain cells in penumbra changed dynamically after ischemia to ensure the endogenous self-protection of the body. The brain oxygen supply should be improved as soon as possible, especially within 6-12 h after ischemia, so as to meet the demand for energy metabolism in ischemic penumbra and make sure the cell structure remains stable.

Objective To establish quality standards for stem leaf ofAstragali Radix.Methods A method of TLC identification was used for qualitative discrimination. The moisture, total ash and extracts contents of the stem leaf of Astragali Radix were determined by pharmacopoeia method. Total contents of astragaloside and astragalus polysaccharide were measured by colorimetry. The astragalosideⅣ and calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside contents were detected by HPLC.Results The spots of TLC were round and clear with good repeatability. The moisture contents of the stem leaf ofAstragali Radix were between 6.24%–12.24%; the total ash was between 8.21%–10.55%; the water- solubility extracts were between 12.12%–27.30%; alcohol-solubility extracts were between 6.89%–10.28%; the total contents of astragaloside were between 23.74–26.52 mg/g; astragalus polysaccharide were between 23.31–45.70 mg/g; the astragalosideⅣ contents were between 0.047%–0.18%; the calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside were 0.21%–0.26%. Conclusion The method is convenient, fast and repeatable, and the results are accurate and reliable, which can be used to control the quality of the stem leaf ofAstragali Radix effectively, and as the main index of the quality standard.

Objective To investigate the specific expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related GRP78 and CHOP in podocyte of MKR mice with diabetic nephropathy (DN);To discuss the intervention effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Yishen Decoction (ZGJTYS). Methods 8-week old MKR mice were randomly divided into five groups:blank group, model group, ZGJTYS group, 4-Phenylbutyric acid group, gliquidone+benazepril group, and normal control group consisting of wild type C57BC/6 mice, 10 mice per group. All mice from model group and each treatment group received high-fat diet feed and unilateral nephrectomy to make the DN model. Mice from treatment groups received medicine intervention for four weeks. The levels of FBG were detected by electrochemical detection method, and the UmAlb was detected by ELISA. The expressions of GRP78, CHOP mRNA, and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The morphological structure changes of the podocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopes. Results Compared with blank group, FBG and UmAlb in the model group increased significantly (P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78 mRNA and protein markedly decreased (P<0.01);the expressions of CHOP mRNA and protein increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, FBG and UmAlb in each treatment group significantly decreased (P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78 mRNA and protein in the ZGJTYS group and 4-Phenylbutyric acid group increased (P<0.01), the expressions of CHOP mRNA and protein decreased (P<0.01). The renal pathological lesions of each treatment group were significantly improved compared with model group. Conclusion ZGJTYS Decoction can effectively improve the damaged podocyte induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress, delay DN progress.

AIM:To investigate the effects of high plasma triglyceride (TG) caused by apolipoprotein C Ⅲ( ApoC Ⅲ) transgene on the occurrence and development of abdominal aortic aneurysm ( AAA) .METHODS:The animal models of hypercholesterolemia and hypercholesterolemia combined with hypertriglyceridemia were established by feeding high-fat diet to LDLR-/-and ApoC Ⅲ+LDLR-/-mice, respectively.AAA was induced in these mice by pancreatic elastase. By evaluating the incidence of AAA, relative maximal abdominal aortic diameter, disruption of the elastic lamellar structure and expression of matrix metalloproteinases ( MMPs) in the aorta walls of the AAA, the occurrence and development of AAA were compared in LDLR-/-and ApoC Ⅲ+LDLR-/-mice fed with either chow diet or high-fat diet.In addition, an in vitro TNF-α-induced aneurysmal microenvironment model on vascular smooth muscle cells ( VSMC) was used to study the impact of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins ( TRLs) from mice with normal or high contents of ApoCⅢon elastin protein expres-sion.RESULTS:Feeding the high-fat diet aggravated the severity of AAA in the LDLR-/-mice.ApoC Ⅲ+LDLR-/-mice fed with high-fat diet had less severe AAA than LDLR-/-mice fed with high-fat diet.TRLs inhibited degradation of VSMC elas-tin protein induced by TNF-α, and in vitro TRLs from the mice with high content of ApoC Ⅲ, compared to those with nor-mal content of ApoC Ⅲ, had better inhibitory effect on the degradation of elastin.CONCLUSION:High plasma TG caused by ApoC Ⅲtransgene alleviates AAA of the LDLR-/-mice induced by elastase and high-fat diet.The effect is probably attrib-uted to the hypertriglyceridemia caused by ApoC Ⅲtransgene.

Objective To discuss a optimal culture method of primary hippocampal neurons and a more suitable method of mor-phological observation ,and provide basis to the study of synapse in Alzheimer′s Disease .Methods Postnatal 0 -1 days (P0 -1 ) C57BL/6J mice were decollated and bilateral hippocampus were separated .Low level concentration of trypsin and mechanical disso-ciation were adopted .And culture medium without serum was used to culture neurons .After 17 days culturing ,transfected neurons with Green Fluorescent Protein(GFP) by calcium phosphate precipitation ,and then observed neurons and spines by fluorescence mi-croscope .Results The neurons looked good and healthy by using this method .And the axons ,dendrites and spines which were typ-ical structure of neurons were observed clearly after transfected with GFP .Conclusion The cultured hippocampal neurons look good by this method .And the morphological characteristics of neurons and spines are observed much more clearly after transfected GFP by calcium phosphate precipitation .

To exert pharmacological effects, no matter therapeutic effect or toxic/side effect, it's necessary to achieve enough plasma concentration. Chinese medical compounds, which contain various ingredients, influence the metabolism of some active ingredients through the interaction of ingredients to improve curative effects or reduce toxic/side effects. Pharmacokinetics can be used to explore how Chinese medical compounds influence the in vivo metabolism of some active ingredients to achieve better curative effects.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Humans

Objective To summarize the ultrasonographic features and differential diagnosis of uterine cornual pregnancy.Methods Trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal ultrasound were performed in 93 uterine cornual pregnancy patients before surgery,ultrasonographic findings of uterine cornual pregnancy through different two approaches were analyzed and compared with surgical and pathologic findings.ResultsIn contrast with surgical and pathological diagnosis,66 cases(82.5%,66/80) of uterine cornual pregnancy were accurately diagnosed by ultrasonography before surgery,these cases were divided into gestational sac pattern (55 cases) and mixed mass pattern(11 cases); 11 cases were misdiagnosed as interstitial tubal pregnancy,2 cases were misdiagnosed as pregnancy in rudimentary horn,1 case was misdiagnosed as choriocarcinoma,misdiagnosed rate were 17.5%(14/80); uterine cornual pregnancy presented as adnexal mass in ultrasound in 13 cases,while ruptured uterine cornual mass were found in surgery,in which location and type of the masses couldn't be accurately diagnosed by ultrasound.Ultrasonographic features of uterine cornual pregnancy presented as a gestational sac located in extended cornual of uterus,surrounded by thin myometrium,and connected with endometrium.The misdiagnosed causes were: (1) Uterine cornual mass was not connected with endometrium or surrounded by thin myometrium,which were misdiagnosed as interstitial tubal pregnancy.(2) Uterine cornual pregnancy with thick lateral myometrium were misdiagnosed as pregnancy in rudimentary horn.(3)Uterine cornual pregnancy presented as cornual mass with abundant blood flow was misdiagnosed as choriocarcinoma.Conclusions Uterine cornual pregnancy can be accurately diagnosed by trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal ultrasound.Ultrasonographic features are helpful in differential diagnosis of uterine cornual pregnancy.