Forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii), a rare wild medicinal animal, is listed under the category of the state key protected wildlife list of China. Musk, secreted by the musk glands, is with high economic and medicinal value and used as precious traditional medicine in China. In order to meet the needs of musk in Chinese traditional medicine, forest musk deer farming was conducted in 1950s, but the research progress on musk secretion mechanism was slow. Therefore, by reviewing the histological and anatomical structure of forest musk deer musk gland, the relationship between sex hormones and the musk secretion process, and the molecular mechanism of the musk secretion, the existing problems in investigating the musk secretion mechanism were analyzed and the development trends in this field were also discussed, in order to provide a reference for further studies on the musk secretion mechanism and improve musk production of forest musk deer.
Animals ; Deer ; metabolism ; Exocrine Glands ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; secretion ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Male

To analyze the composition regularity of prescriptions containing Scutellaria baicalensis in Drug Standard of Ministry of Public Health of the Peoples Republic of China--Chinese Patent Medicines and Preparations on the basis of the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TCMISS), in order to provide reference for new drug R&D. the platform's software V2.0 was applied to establish a database of prescriptions containing S. baicalensis. The software's statistical statement module, association rules and improved mutual information method and other data mining technologies were adopted to analyze commonly used drugs, combination rules and core combination of S. baicalensis prescriptions. Having analyzed 477 prescriptions containing S. baicalensis, the researchers summarized 45 most commonly used drug combinations, whose ingredients mostly had functions of heat-clearing and damp-drying, purging fire for removing toxin and hemostasis. Drugs adopted in core combinations were relatively concentrated and selected according to definite composition methods. There were 23 diseases that S. baicalensis were most frequently applied in the treatment. Having compared three highly frequent diseases--cold, cough and dizziness, the researchers concluded that S. baicalensis could show different therapeutic effects through different combination ratios. Therefore, TCMISS (V2.0) is an important tool in analyzing the composition regularity of traditional Chinese medicines. The longitudinal and parallel comparison method is an effective method for studying the clinical composition regularity of S. baicalensis, while providing reference for new drug R&D.
China ; Drug Compounding ; statistics & numerical data ; Drug Therapy ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; therapeutic use ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo examine the effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on the apoptosis of human tongue squamous cancer cell line and expression of p21 and survivin genes.

METHODSThe inhibition effects of sodium phenylbutyrate on Tca8113 and human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TCSSA) cell lines were detected by methyl thiazoly terazolium (MTT) and the apoptosis of the cancer cells after being induced by sodium phenylbutyrate examined by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of p21 and survivin genes were observed with Western blotting and RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the level of p21 mRNA and protein of Tca8113 cellline increased to 0.09 ± 0.08 and increased 0.72 ± 0.10, that of TCSSA cellline increased 1.34 ± 0.12 and 1.56 ± 0.09 (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the level of surrive mRNA and protein of Tca8113 cellline decreased to 1.10 ± 0.05 and 1.14 ± 1.10, that of TCSSA cellline decreased to 0.12 ± 0.08 and 0.94 ± 0.09 (P < 0.05). Sodium phenylbutyrate inhibited the cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis and arrested the cells in G₁/G₀ phase. The amount of p21 mRNA and protein were increased, and the expression of survivin gene was decreased.

CONCLUSIONSSodium phenylbutyrate exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on human tongue squamous cancer cell proliferation and induced cancer cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be due to up-regulation of p21 gene and down-regulation of survivin gene. The mRNA level of p21 gene and survivin gene showed a strong correlation.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Phenylbutyrates ; pharmacology ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of lymphatics in bacterial translocation from intestine of rats with burn.

METHODSEscherichia coli (E. coli) labeled with chloromethylbenzamidodialkylcarbocyanine (CM-DIL) were prepared. Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into scald group and sham injury group according to the envelope method, with 30 rats in each group. Rats in both groups were gavaged with 0.5 mL fluid containing CM-DIL-labeled E. coli. Rats in scald group were inflicted with 30% TBSA deep partial-thickness scald (verified by pathological section) and resuscitated with fluid. Rats in sham injury group were sham injured by bathing in 25 degrees C water for 10 s (verified by pathological section) and also received with fluid infusion. Mesenteric lymph node (MLN), liver, mesenteric lymph fluid (MLF), and liver vein blood (LVB) were harvested at post injury hour (PIH) 2, 24, and 72. Bacteria translocation was detected with fluorescent tracing technique and bacteria culture. The endotoxin content in above-mentioned four kinds of specimens was quantitatively determined with chromogenic substrate limulus amebocyte lysate. The carrying capacity of endotoxin in MLF and LVB was calculated. Data were processed with t test or one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS(1) Living bacteria were in short-stick form, and they were seen moving in single or in doubles or triples in sample fluid. Dead bacteria were in irregular aggregates. Labeled bacteria in small amount were detected in sham injury group, their number peaked at PIH 24. A large amount of labeled bacteria were detected in scald group at PIH 2, which peaked at PIH 24 and decreased at PIH 72. The largest amount of labeled bacteria were found in MLN in scald group as compared to those in the other samples, and the number peaked at PIH 24 [(5872 +/- 1976) x 10(3) CFU/g], which was obviously higher than that [(216 +/- 110) x 10(3) CFU/g, t = 30.129, P = 0.000] in sham injury group. The number of bacteria decreased at PIH 72, but it was still significantly different from that in sham injury group ( t = 4.323, P = 0.000). The number of bacteria in LVB was the smallest. (2) 29 (24.2%) samples out of the 120 samples in sham injury group were positive for bacteria. 72 (60.0%) samples out of the 120 samples in scald group were positive for bacteria. No alive bacterium was detected at any time point in LVB sample in both group; the other three samples were detected with alive bacteria since PIH 2. There were more alive bacteria detected in MLN and liver as compared with the other two kinds of samples in scald group. The amount of bacteria in MLN, liver, and MLF in scald group were higher than those in sham injury group (with t value respectively 4.353, 4.354, 4.965, P values all equal to 0.000). (3) The endotoxin level in each kind of sample at each time point was obviously higher in scald group than that in sham injury group, and it peaked at PIH 2 in liver and MLF. The difference of endotoxin level among 4 kinds of samples in scald group at PIH 2 was statistically significant ( F = 258.47, P = 0.000), and the endotoxin level was higher in liver, MLN, and MLF. They were obviously higher than those in sham injury group (with t value respectively 43.378, 43.123, 22.423, P values all equal to 0.000). The endotoxin level in MLF was 9 times of that in LVB. (4) The carrying capacity of endotoxin in LVB and MLF at each time point in scald group was higher than that in sham injury group.

CONCLUSIONSCM-DIL marked bacteria can reflect the microbial translocation condition. The lymphatic route is an important pathway for bacteria translocation.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; Burns ; microbiology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; microbiology ; Lymph Nodes ; microbiology ; Lymphatic System ; microbiology ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo discuss the mechanism of scar hypertrophy in adenosine receptor A(2A) (A(2A) R) knockout mice.

METHODSAnimal models of hypertrophic scar were established in 12 A(2A) R knockout mice and 12 wild-type mice as control. The thickness and the size of transverse section of the hypertrophic scar were observed by H-E staining. The hydroxyproline (HYP) in the scar was measured colorimetrically. The TGF-beta expression was tested by Western blotting method.

RESULTSThe hypertrophic scar in wild-type mice was more severe than that in knockout mice. Compared with self-control, the increase of the thickness and the size of transverse section of hypertrophic scar was markedly higher in wild-type group than in the knockout group (P < 0.01). There was significant difference in HYP content between the two groups (P < 0.01). Compared with self-control, the increase of TGF-beta expression in wild-type group was much more than that in knockout group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe TGF-beta expression decreases in the A(2A) R knockout mice. The scar hypertrophy is also much less in the A(2A) R knockout mice.

Animals ; Cicatrix ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Receptor, Adenosine A2A ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of garlic oil (GO), age and sex on n-hexane metabolism in rats.

METHODSThe Wistar rats were used as experimental animals. (1) Intragastric administration: n-hexane group (3000 mg/kg n-hexane), GO treated group (80 mg/kg GO ig. an hour earlier than 3000 mg/kg n-hexane), then blood was taken from tails of rats at 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 h points after n-hexane administration. (2) Intraperitoneal injection: n-hexane group (1000 mg/kg n-hexane), GO treated group (80 mg/kg GO ig. an hour earlier than 1000 mg/kg n-hexane), then took blood was taken from tails of rats at 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 h points after n-hexane injection. (3) 7 rats each group of 6, 8, 10 weeks age were administrated by 3000 mg/kg n-hexane intragastrically, then were taken blood from tails at 16, 20, 24 h points after administration. (4) 7 male and 7 female rats of 8 weeks age were administrated by 3000 mg/kg n-hexane intragastrically, then were taken blood from tails at 16, 20, 24, 28 h points after administration. The gas chromatography was used to determine the metabolite 2, 5-hexanedione concentration of n-hexane in serum and 2, 5-hexanedione concentration was compared between GO and no GO treated rats, different ages and different sexes.

RESULTS(1) Intragastric administration: 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations in serum of n-hexane group and GO treated group had the peak 19.2 and 12.3 µg/ml at 20h and 24 h points. Compared with n-hexane group, the serum 2, 5-hexanedione concentration of GO treated group was lower at time points prior to peak and 2, 5-hexanedione eliminating process was slower after peak. (2) Intraperitoneal injection: effects of GO on the serum 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations was very similar to intragastric administration, 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations in serum of n-hexane group and GO treated group had the peak 15.0 and 6.7 µg/ml at 12 h and 16 h points. (3) Comparison of the serum 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations of different weeks age rats: The serum 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations of 6, 8, 10 weeks age rats were 25.5, 15.0, 12.8 µg/ml each (8, 10 weeks age significantly lower than 6 weeks age) at 16 h point; at 20 h point, they were 24.7, 18.3, 15.0 µg/ml each (10 weeks age significantly lower than 6 weeks age); at 24 h point, they were 11.0, 14.7, 8.1 µg/ml each (10 weeks age significantly lower than 8 weeks age). (4) Comparisons of the serum 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations of different sex rats: the serum 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations of male and female rats were 22.5, 17.2 µg/ml each at 16 h point (different significantly); at 20, 24, 28 h points, they were 27.6, 22.9 µg/ml, 24.6, 19.1 µg/ml, 19.1, 13.8 µg/ml each (different non-significantly).

CONCLUSIONGO reduces production of 2, 5-hexanedione in serum generated by n-hexane in rats; the metabolic capacity of low age rats on n-hexane is stronger than high age ones.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Female ; Garlic ; Hexanes ; metabolism ; Hexanones ; blood ; Male ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the dynamic changes in the lymphokines and the changes in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in the lymph during shock stage of rats with major burns.

METHODSForty-two male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into burn resuscitation group (A, n = 18), burn non-resuscitation (B, n = 18) and the control (C, n = 6) groups. The TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 levels in the lymph were determined with radioimmunoassay at 6, 24, 48 postburn hours (PBH). The lymphokines in the mesenteric lymphatic vessels was observed at 6, 24 and 48 PBH with inverted microscopy and digital image processing, and the contraction frequency of the lymphatic was calculated. The lymph was collected by cannulation of the chylous cistern, and its speed of flow was calculated.

RESULTSThe lymphatic contents of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in both A and B groups began to increase at 6PBH, reaching the peak values at 24 PBH (TNF-alpha in A and B groups were 1.61 +/- 0.27 ug/L and 1.86 +/- 0.34 ug/L, respectively; IL-6 in A and B groups were 398 +/- 67 ng/L and 572 +/- 97 ng/L, respectively), and they were significantly higher than those in C group at each time points (P < 0.01), meanwhile there was also obvious difference in them between A and B groups (P < 0.01). The lymphatic contents of IL-8 in A and B groups began to increase at 24 PBH, and continued to increase till 48PBH (540.29 +/- 0.32 ng/L in A group, 863.48 +/- 105.16 ng/L in B group), which were evidently higher than those in C group (P < 0.01). There was significant difference in IL-8 contents between A and B groups (P < 0.01). The contraction frequency of the mesenteric lymphatic vessels in A and B groups were decreased, especially so at 24 PBH (P < 0.01). The speed of lymphatic flow in A and B groups was increased at each time points (P < 0.01). The central chylous vessels in the villi of the small intestine were extremely dilated as seen under microscope.

CONCLUSIONAfter burn injury, the lymphatic vessels dilated, with its motility decreased and speed of flow increased, and the contents of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 in lymph were increased during the shock stage of burn rats. Fluid resuscitation could improve the lymph circulation.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Lymph ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Shock, Traumatic ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of seafood intake on the urinary iodine level in women for exploring an alternative to iodine supplementation.Methods Healthy pregnant women and non-pregnant women, aged 20～40 years,were selected during their health examination in local women'S health care in 2006.The types of seafood and its intake frequency were recorded from these women.and urine and kitchen salt samples were collected for iodine determination.Results A total of 198 women including 148 pregnant and 50 non-pregnant women were recmitod for this study;they had a median level of urine iodine of 87.51 mg/L.The median levels of urine iodine of83.49,91.52,166.45μg/L in three group women classified as hardly,seldom and often intake of see food showed significant difference(X2=6.202,P<0.05).Urine iodine level in non-pregnant women taking seafood (90.94μg/L)was higher than that in pregnant women(84.79μg/L),the difference being statistically significant (U=3318.00,P<0.05).The urine iodine in pregnant women with seldom intake of seafood(94.46 μg/L)was significantly higher than that in the hardly intake women(83.28 μg/L),the difference being statistically significant (U=1257.5,P<0.05).During late period of gestation,the urinary iodine in the women ofthree statUS of hardly. Seldom and often intake of seafood were 81.93,97.97 and 140.18 μg/L,respective,with significant differences among them.Conclusions A certain amount of seafood taken every week Can increase urine iodine levels,and a direct relationship Was observed.Therefore,we suggest that it is necessary to advocate taking seafood to pregnant women for prevention of cretinism,particularly in the air.as where iodized salt was difficult to implement.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ideal method for correction of vermilion deformity in congenital cleft lip.

METHODSFrom Mar. 2010 to Jan. 2013, 68 cases with congenital cleft lip underwent vermilion deformities correction with composite skin-vermilion triangle fap and functional reposition of orbicularis oris muscle.

RESULTSPrimary healing was achieved in all the patients. 46 cases were followed up for 3 months to one year. Asymmetric thickness of vermilion and tubercle malposition happened in 8 cases. All the other patients had a satisfactory result with symmetric and fluent cupid' s bow and everting tubercle.

CONCLUSIONWell reposition of orbicularis oris muscle is key for correction of vermilion deformity and tubercle reconstruction. This technique is very simple and practical.

Cleft Lip ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lip ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of serum levels of chitinase-3-like-1 protein (YKL-40) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS), to explore its correlation with its severity, and to observe the effects of Guizhi Fuling Decoction (GFD) on levels of blood lipids, YKL-40, and hs-CRP.

METHODSRecruited were 72 patients with unstable angina (UA) or non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) at Department of Integrative Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College from August 2010 to June 2011. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (36 cases) and the control group (36 cases). All patients were treated by routine treatment, but patients in the treatment group took GFD additionally. The course of treatment was four weeks. According to the severity degree, all patients were graded to four ranks: low-risk group of UA, medium-risk group of UA, high-risk group of UA, and NSTEMI. The levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP, and the correlation of severity degree were analyzed. Before and after treatment levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured. Before treatment, at two weeks, and after treatment the serum levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP were detected. The relationship of YKL-40, hs-CRP and the severity of the disease were analyzed.

RESULTSLevels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP were positively correlated with the severity of the disease respectively (r = 0.729, P < 0.05; r = 0.655, P < 0.05). The positive correlation also existed between YKL-40 and hs-CRP (r = 0.848, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the levels of blood lipids, YKL-40, or hs-CRP between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). Compared with before treatment, the levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP significantly decreased in both groups after two weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). The levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, YKL-40, and hs-CRP significantly decreased, while the HDL-C level increased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05). The level of HDL-C in the treatment group was higher, while levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP were lower after treatment, when compared with the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of anti-inflammation and adjusting blood lipids by Western medicine, GFD could further reduce the serum levels of YKL-40 and hs-CRP of ACS patients, elevate the HDL-C level, and play anti-atherosclerosis effects.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Adipokines ; blood ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lectins ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Triglycerides ; blood