Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of panaxadiol saponins for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) with chemotherapy-induced leukopenia.Methods 92 NSCLC patients with leukopenia after chemotherapy were selected and divided into the observation group (46 cases) and the control group (46 cases) by random number table method.On the second day after the chemotherapy,the observation group was given panaxadiol saponins capsules,3 tablets/time,2 times/day.The control group was orally given placebo or reserpine,4 weeks for one course of treatment,the two groups were continuously treated for two courses.The clinical efficacy,number of leukocytes,improvement of TCM symptoms and adverse reactions were evaluated.Results After treatment for 4 weeks and 8 weeks,the WBC counts of the observation group were (4.48 ±0.77) × 109/L and (4.92 ± 0.89) × 109/L,respectively,which were significantly higher than those of the control group[(4.02 ± O.93) × 109/L and (4.57 ± 0.86) × 109/L],the differences were statistically significant(t =8.24,8.41,all P ＜ 0.05).After treatment for 4 weeks and 8 weeks,the TCM syndrome scores of the observation group were (24.02 ± 5.91)points and (21.73 ± 4.14) points,respectively,which were lower than those of the control group [(26.33 ± 5.08) points and (23.14 ± 3.90) points],the differences were statistically significant (t =9.68,9.63,all P ＜ 0.05).After treatment for 4 weeks and 8 weeks,the total effective rates of TCM were 76.09％ (35/46) and 82.61％ (38/46),respectively,which were significantly higher than those of the control group [63.04％ (29/46) and 63.04％ (29/46)],the differences were statistically significant(x2 =10.32,8.61,all P ＜ 0.05).The effective rates of leukopenia improvement of the observation group after treatment for 4 weeks and 8 weeks were 69.57％ (32/46) and 78.26％ (36/46),respectively,which were higher than those of the control group [56.52％ (26/46) and 65.22％ (30/46)],the differences were statistically significant(t =9.38,9.51,all P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in adverse reactions between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Panaxadiol saponins in the treatment of NSCLC chemotherapy-induced leukopenia can significantly improve the number of white blood cells,improve the clinical symptoms,and it has good safety.

To investigate the seropharmacological action of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) on hypoxia induced apoptosis of cultured cortical neurons. Models of hypoxia induced neuron apoptosis were established by Daniel method. Neuron apoptotic rate was examined by propidium iodide staining method and flow cytometry, nitric oxide (NO) and malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) contents by spectrophotometer and bcl 2 gene expression by immunohistochemical method. Effects of BHD on neuron apoptotic rate, NO and MDA contents and bcl 2 gene expression were observed in normal group (Group A), model group (Group B), normal saline group (Group C) and high dosage, moderate dosage and low dosage BHD groups (Group D, Group E and Group F). BHD could inhibit the apoptosis of cultured cortical neurons, reduce the production of NO and MDA and promote the expression of bcl 2 gene.[Conclusion]BHD has an inhibitory effect on hypoxia induced apoptosis of cultured cortical neurons and its mechanism may be concerned with the reduction of NO and MDA production and the increase of bcl 2 gene expression.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the efficacy of autologous epidermal grafting and the levels of epidermal cytokines in vitiligo. Methods A total of 57 patients with stable vitiligo receiving autologous epidermal grafting were included in this study. Before grafting, 17 patients were irradiated with narrow-band UVB on vitiliginous sites. Suction blister fluid was collected from the recipient site (vitiligous lesions) and donor site (normal skin) in these patients (including the 17 patients irradiated with NB-UVB). ELISA was used to detect the levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1 ) and stem cell factors (SCF) in suction blister fluid. Clinical efficacy was evaluated through a 3-month follow-up. Resttlts Among these 57 patients, 45 successfully responded to autologous epidermal grafting. In these 45 patients, the levels of ET-1 and SCF in vitiligous lesions were 728.97±286.12 ng/L and 329.97±114.13 ng/L respectively, significantly higher than those in nomal skin (503.16±251.44 ng/L, 224.73±107.91 ng/L, t = 5.443, 5.897, respectively, both P < 0.05 ). In those who responded poorly, significant difference was also observed in the level of SCF between the normal skin and vitiligous lesions (309.00±163.89 ng/L vs 204.22±83.25 ng/L, t = 3.03, P < 0.05), but not in the level of ET-1. Increased level of ET-1 was observed in both vitiligous lesions and normal skin of patients who responded well compared to those who responded poorly, while no difference was noticed in the level of SCF between these two groups of patients. The level of ET-1 was statistically higher in vitiligous lesions in patients exposed to NB-UVB than in those without exposure (t = 1.44, P > 0.05). In those patients who responded successfully, the level of ET-1 was lower in the 15 patients exposed to NB-UVB compared to the other 30 patients without exposure (548.48±230.22 ng/L vs 794.60±278.72 ng/L, P<0.05); no significant difference in the level of SCF was noted. Conclusions ET-1 and SCF may both play important roles in the repigmentation of vitiligo, with ET-1 exerting a more important role.

Objective To investigate the relationship between plasma docetaxel concentration and the efficacy as well as toxic and side effects in patients with breast cancer after chemotherapy.Methods Seventy -one patients with breast cancer who accepted AC sequential T chemotherapy regimen as first line treatment were selected from April 2015 to September 2015 in Hubei Provicial Tumor Hospital.The plasma concentration of docetaxel was detected by latex immunoturdidimetry after the docetaxel continuous infusion in each cycle.The three groups were assigned according to the concentration distribution of docetaxel:group A (plasma concentration docetaxel ≤ 2.0mg·h -1 · L -1 ),group B (2.1 -2.5mg·h -1 ·L -1 )and group C (≥2.6 mg·h -1 ·L -1 ).The relationship between the drug plasma concentration,therapeutic efficacy and adverse reactions in different docetaxel plasma concentration was analyzed retrospectively by Chi -square tests.Results The average plasma concentrations of docetaxel of the three groups were (1.55 ±0.36)mg·h -1 ·L -1 ,(2.28 ±0.13)mg·h -1 ·L -1 ,(2.87 ±0.38)mg· h -1 · L -1 respectively.The adverse reactions were enhanced with the increasing of docetaxel plasma concentration (χ2 =5.169, 4.463,3.630,P =0.023,0.035,0.047).The therapeutic efficacy of group C and group B was same(95.8%),which was higher than 87.0% of group A,but there was no statistically significant difference (χ2 =1.559,P =0.24). Conclusion Breast cancer patients whose plasma concentration of docetaxel is between 2.1 ~2.5mg·h -1 ·L -1 has a better prognosis,and its adverse reactions are controlled in a certain extent.

Objective To explore the variation and clinical significance of growth hormone(GH) and insulin like growth factor-Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ) in children with critical disease.Methods One hundred and twenty-two cases were recruited into the study,among which 42 cases were sepsis in paediatric intensive care unit (sepsis group),20 cases had finished the cardiopulmonary bypass surgery without infection (surgery group).Sixty healthy children served as control group.Serum levels of GH and IGF-Ⅰ were deteced with immunochemiluminometric assay.Results The serum levels of GH were (6.71 ± 6.62) ng/ml in sepsis group,(8.86 ±8.06) ng/ml in surgery group,(3.87 ± 3.31) ng/ml in control group.Compared with the control group,the serum levels of GH in sepsis group and surgery group were increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between sepsis group and surgery group.The serum IGF-Ⅰ levels were (63.72 ±54.17) ng/ml in sepsis group,(119.06 ± 102.12) ng/ml in surgery group and(154.22 ± 107.10) ng/ml in control group separately.The serum IGF-Ⅰ level of sepsis group was significantly decreased compared to the other two groups (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between surgery group and control group (P ＞0.05).In sepsis group,compared with those who died,the GH of the survival showed no significant difference,IGF-Ⅰ was significantly increased.(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion GH playes a positive effect in patients with critical disease.IGF-Ⅰ decreases greatly in patients with serious infection.It suggests that IGF-Ⅰ could be a sensitive marker for reflecting whether there is serious infection.The sharply decreasing of IGF-Ⅰ may predict a bad outcome.

Objective To explore the differences of the life styles and their influencing factors among students who came from city,countryside or migrant families.Methods The stratified cluster random sampling method was conducted to recruit 1980 college students from 4 colleges of Huainan,Anhui.Results The study showed that under the ternary social structure college students from city preferred to the higher degree of T1,T2 or T3 dietary patterns,of which the OR (95％ CI) were 0.432 (0.255-0.730),0.140 (0.073-0.267) and 0.402 (0.236-0.683),respectively.They chose to exercise in middle-intensity physical activity for 30 minutes,of which OR (95％CI) was 0.524(0.352-0.779).Also there were much more drinkers in this group,of which the OR (95％ CI) was 0.564(0.325-0.981).Secondly,college students from migrant families in city preferred to T2 and T4 dietary pattern in low degree,of which OR (95％ CI) were 1.714(1.165-2.519) and 1.592(1.100-2.305),respectively.And they exercise 5 times or less per week in middle-intensity physical activity and the OR (95％ CI) was 0.699(0.535-0.912).Thirdly,college students from countryside preferred to T1,T2 and T3 dietary pattern in low degree and the OR (95％ CI) were 1.548 (1.083-2.213),1.498 (1.048-2.141) and 1.740(1.216-2.491),respectively.However,they preferred T4 dietary pattern in high degree rather than in low degree,in which the OR (95％ CI) was 0.624(0.436-0.893).They exercise more than 5 times and more than 30 minutes per time in middle-intensity physical activity,of which OR (95 ％ CI) were 1.314 (1.022-1.688) and 1.472 (1.071-2.022).Conclusion College students from three groups lived in different life styles and much more attention should be paid to them.

Objective To investigate whether fasting obestatin level is different in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes, and to explore the association between obestatin and lipid metabolism. Methods Eighty-four subjects without known diabetes were divided into three groups: normal glucose tolerance(NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (DM) Plasma obestatin levels were measured with a radioimmunoassay. The relationship between fasting obestatin levels and metabolic parameters was also analyzed. Results Fasting obestatin levels were lower in DM group [(2.82±0.78)ng/ml] and IGT group [(3.25±0.29)ng/ml] than in NGT group[(3.55±0.57) ng/ml, P＜0.01]. Triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels gradually increased among the three groups (P＜0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed fasting obestatin level was independently associated with waist-to-hip ratio, triglyeride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The regression equation was obestatin=6.953-3.412×W/H-0.175×TG-0.123×LDL-C. Conclusions The decreased obestatin may be associated with IGR and T2DM, and obestatin level may be associated with lipid metabolism.

Objective To investigate the relationship between apoptosis in epidermal keratinocytes and efficacy of epidermal grafting. Methods Epidermal specimens were obtained from donor sites and depigmented area of 44 patients with vitiligo receiving epidermal grafting. The apoptosis in keratinocytes was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, and the expressions of caspase 3, 8, 9 as well as bcl-2 and P53 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results As TUNEL assay showed, the number of apoptotic keratinocytes in epidermis from depigmented area differed significantly from that from donor sites.The expressions of caspase 3, 8 and 9 were mainly located in the membrane and cytoplasm of keratinocytes,and positive keratinocytes were predominately distributed in the middle and lower layer of the epidermis. Of the 44 patients, 19, 15 and 16 were positive for the expressions of caspase 3, 8 and 9 in the depigmented epidermis,respectively, and 9, 5 and 4 for those in the donor epidermis, respectively. P53 was expressed in neither donor epidermis nor depigmented epidermis, while Bcl-2 was weakly positive in donor epidermis and negative in depigmented epidermis. The number of apoptotic keratinocytes was higher in donor epidermis from patients failing to respond to the transplantation than in that from patients successfully treated by transplantation (15.83 ± 2.69 vs.9.24 ± 1.80, t = 10.96, P < 0.01 ). Conclusions There is an obvious apoptosis in keratinocytes from depigmented epidermis of patients with vitiligo, together with an increase in the expression of caspase 3, 8 and 9. The apoptosis in keratinocytes may be related to the efficacy of epidermal transplantation.

This study sought to assess the effects of serum containing Guilu-Erxian (GLEX) on treating osteoporosis at the cellular level. First, Enzyme-digestion was used to obtain osteoblasts from newborn SD rats. Alkaline phosphatase staining was used to identify osteoblasts. The proliferation and the secretion of Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) of osteoblasts were examined. Second, osteoclasts were generated by inducing bone marrow cells of SD male rat (6-9 weeks) with 1,25(OH)2D3. The osteoclasts were identified through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Bone pits of osteoclasts were observed through Electron Scanning Microscope. At the same time, TRAP(+) cells with more than two nuclei and TRAP activity of osteoclasts were examined. Last, serum containing Guilu-Erxian was made through serum pharmacology. And we observed the effects of serum containing Guilu-Erxian on the function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. We found that high doses of serum containing Guilu-Erxian had obvious effects on stimulating the multiplication and capability of secreting IGF-1 of osteoblasts cultured in vitro. Middle doses obviously inhibited the formation of osteoclasts and bone pits; TRAP activity of osteoclasts was also lowered clearly. This study indicated that Guilu-Erxian has positive effects on treating osteoporosis.
Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Osteoclasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism underlying the effect of the SOCS3 rs4969170 A/G alleles on the occurrence of insulin resistance (IR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

METHODSThe promoter region of the SOCS3 gene was amplified by PCR,and luciferase expression vectors were constructed and transfected into HepG2,Huh7 cell lines.The relative luciferase activity of each expression vector was assessed by the dual luciferase reporter gene assay system.Western blotting was used to detect SOCS3 protein expression in PBMCs from groups of patients with the rs4969170 AA and AG genotypes.The state of IR in eight patients was evaluated by determining their HOMA-IR.

RESULTSThe pGL3-A, PGL3-G and pGL3-control vectors showed significantly different luciferase expression in the HepG2 cells (0.121 00 ± 0.022 07,0.027 00+/-0.012 49 and 0.043 33 ± 0.005 51; F =48.068, P=0.001) and in the Huh7 cell lines (0.164 70 ± 0.007 10,0.027 33 ± 0.017 04 and 0.033 67 ± 0.014 98; F =115.137, P=0.001). The expression of SOCS3 protein was significantly higher in the rs4969170 AA genotype group than in the AG genotype group (1.22 ± 0.40 vs. 0.30 ± 0.19; t =4.149, P=0.006).The IR index of patients with the rs4969170 AA genotype and the AG genotype was 4.11 ± 2.62 and 1.47 ± 1.01 respectively.There were three patients with IR in the rs4969170 AA genotype group and one in the rs4969170 AG group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two genotype groups (t=1.881, P=0.109).

CONCLUSIONSThe SOCS3 rs4969170 A haplotype may enhance transcriptional activity of the gene promoter to regulate gene expression, thereby increasing intracellular SOCS3 protein level and ultimately interfering with insulin signaling and causing IR in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Genes, Reporter ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Luciferases ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins