Objective To detect the expression of interleukin (IL)-18 of the peripheral blood cells and IL-18 receptor α chain(IL-18Rα) on the surface of CD_3~+ cells in patients newly diagnosed as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) before medication and to explore the roles of IL-18 and IL-18Rα in the development of ITP. Methods Eighteen out-patients or inpatients with acute ITP accepting treatment in Qilu Hospital were enrolled in this study and 15 matching healthy subjects were taken as control. Plasma IL-18 level was detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression of IL-18Rα on CD_3~+ lymphocytes and total lymphoeytes were measured with flow cytometry; T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA were measured with reverse transcriptase polymcrase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The expression of IL-18 in acute ITP plasma was (468. 57 ± 141.62) ng/L and IL-18Rα on the surface of CD_3~+ cells and lymphocytes were (8.50 ±3. 16)% and (9. 16±2.98)% respectively. The levels of IL-18 and IL-18Rα were increased in active ITP patients as compared with those in the controls (P <0. 05). The levels of IL-18 mRNA (0. 12 ±0. 02) and T-bet mRNA (0. 07 ±0. 02) were significantly increased in patients with active ITP as compared with those in the controls (P <0.05), while GATA-3 mRNA (0.0039±0.0014) were significantly decreased in patients with active ITP (P < 0. 05). The balance between T-bet and GATA-3 was significantly disturbed in ITP. Conclusions Through the variation of the levels of gene and protein, our study showed that IL-18 and IL-18Rα might upregulate the expression of Th1-cytokines in ITP patients. It is also suggested that IL-18 has potential association with the development of ITP. Especially, it may provide a new treatment method for ITP by regulating the ratio of T-bet and GATA-3 and resuming the balance of Th1/ Th2.

OBJECTIVE To study the quality difference of different specifications of Citri Grandis Exocarpium from different origins，and to provide reference for the orderly development of Citri Grandis Exocarpium industry. METHODS Different specifications [ Citrus grandis ‘Tomentos’young fruit ，Citrus grandis （L.）Osbeck young fruits ，exocarp] of 93 batches of Citri Grandis Exocarpium medicinal materials （decoction pieces ）from different origins [ Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’or Citrus grandis （L.）Osbeck] were taken as samples. The contents of naringin and rhoifolin in samples were determined by HPLC. Through pheatmap parameters of R language ，heatmap was drawn for the contents of naringin and rhoifolin according to origins and specifications （young fruit and exocarp ）. RESULTS Of 93 batches of samples ，the contents of naringin and rhoifolin were 16.52-214.64 and 1.03-10.96 mg/g，respectively. Among different specifications ，the contents of naringin and rhoifolin in the young fruit were the highest （their average contents were 108.96 and 6.30 mg/g respectively ）. Heatmap analysis of R language content showed that the contents of naringin and rhoifolin in Citri Grandis Exocarpium from origin of C. grandis ‘Tomentosa’were generally higher than those from origin of C. grandis （L.）Osbeck. Of different specifications of Citri Grandis Exocarpium from origins，the contents of naringin and rhoifolin were higher in KTP young fruit relatively. CONCLUSIONS The quality of Citri Grandis Exocarpium from origin of C. grandis ‘Tomentosa’with the young fruit as specification is the best.