Aim To study inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil encapsulated by galactosylceramide liposomes (5-Fu-GCL)on 5-Fu-resistent HepG_2 cells and its mechanisms. Methods Inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL on established model of 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells was assessed with MTT assay in vitro. The concentration-time course of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid was detected with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thymidylic acid synthase (TS) expression was observed with immunohistochemical method,and NO content was determined with chemical method. Results Obvious inhibitory effects of 5-Fu-GCL (75,150,300,600,1200?mol?L-1) on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells were observed with IC_ 50 of 158.6 ?mol?L-1,far lower than that of free 5-Fu (400.9 ?mol?L-1). 5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) inhibited 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells in a time-dependent manner,and the inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL was stronger than that of free 5-Fu during 12～48 h. Compared with free 5-Fu,5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) increased the content of intracellular fluid in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. 5-Fu-GCL(62.5,300,1200 ?mol?L-1) not only inhibited the expression of TS,but also increased the production of NO in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells,and these effects of 5-Fu-GCL(300,1200 ?mol?L-1) were stronger than those of free 5-Fu. Conclusion 5-Fu-GCL has inhibitory effect on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. The effect may be related to the increased concentration of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid,inhibited expression of TS and increased production of NO.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of serotonin (5-HTIA) receptors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) on active avoidance learning in rats.

METHODSTotally 36 SD rats were randomly divided into control group, antagonist group and agonist group(n = 12). Active avoidance learning ability of rats was assessed by the shuttle box. The extracellular concentrations of 5-HT in the DG during active avoidance conditioned reflex were measured by microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. Then the antagonist (WAY-100635) or agonist (8-OH-DPAT) of the 5-HT1A receptors were microinjected into the DG region, and the active avoidance learning was measured.

RESULTS(1) During the active avoidance learning, the concentration of 5-HT in the hippocampal DG was significantly increased in the extinction but not establishment in the conditioned reflex, which reached 164.90% ± 26.07% (P <0.05) of basal level. (2) The microinjection of WAY-100635 (an antagonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG did not significantly affect the active avoidance learning. (3) The microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT(an agonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG significantly facilitated the establishment process and inhibited the extinction process during active avoidance conditioned reflex.

CONCLUSIONThe data suggest that activation of 5-HT1A receptors in hipocampal DG may facilitate active avoidance learning and memory in rats.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Avoidance Learning ; Dentate Gyrus ; physiology ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A ; physiology ; Serotonin ; physiology ; Serotonin Receptor Agonists ; pharmacology

Objective To study the cytotoxicity against brain microvessel endothelial cells and blood compatibility in rats of OX26 conjugated endomorphin (EM) loaded hyperbranched polyglycerols-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(HBPG-PLGA) nanoparticles.Methods Prepared nanoparticles were divided into group B (HBPG-PLGA nanoparticles),group EP (EM-HBPG-PLGA nanoparticles) and group OEP (OX26-EM-HBPG-PLGA nanoparticles).The cytotoxicity against brain microvessel endothelial cells (BMECs) of nanoparticles of different groups were measured by MTT test,haemolysis test,normal haemotological parameter and several primary items of coagulation system were tested after nanoparticles of different groups and different dosages injection on rats.Results ①All the three groups of nanoparticles induced decreased cell viability in a dose dependent manner in MTT test,whereas all groups of nanoparticles showed low cytotoxicity against the BMECs during 30 to 600 μg/ml.②There was no significant difference in haemolysis ratio (P＞0.05) and normal haemotological parameter (P＞0.05).③There was no significant difference between the low dosage of all the three groups of nanoparticles and the control group on the function of coagulation system in rats (P＞0.05).④Compared with C group,high dose groups demonstrated longer prothrombin time (PT),activeated partial thromboplasting time (APTT) and lower fibrinogen (Fbg) (P＜0.05).At the same time,compared with the low dose subgroups,PT and APTT were prolonged,Fbg significantly decreased in the high dose subgroups (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion OX26 coupled with EM-HBPG-PLGA nanoparticles showed low cytotoxicity against BMECs and had no significant effect on the coagulation system in rats with low concentration and low dosage.

To establish the online two-dimensional liquid chromatography by using double gradient liquid chromatography system and UV detector, in order to simultaneously determine the content of paeoniflorin, paenol, amygdaloside and cinnamic acid. A pump of the two-dimensional liquid chromatography was adopted as the one-dimensional separation pump. C18 (3.0 mm x 150 mm, 3 microm) was used as the analytical column, with acetonitrile as the organic phase and 0.08% phosphoric acid + 0.08% triethylamine as the aqueous phase for gradient elution at the flow rate of 0.5 mL x min(-1). Another pump of the two-dimensional liquid chromatography was adopted as the two-dimensional separation pump. PAII C18 was used as the analytical column, with acetonitrile as the organic phase and 20 mmol, pH 3.0 monopotassium phosphate as the aqueous phase for gradient elution at the flow rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelengths were set at 218, 230, 275 nm by using wavelength time-switching program. The linearity range of paeoniflorin, amygdaloside, paeonol and cinnamic acid were 5.55-222 (r = 0.999 7), 6.6-264 (r = 0.999 8), 3.3-132 (r = 0.999 5) and 0.315-12.6 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.999 7), respectively. The average recoveries of the four components were between 96.12% and 103.9%. The experiment proved that this method was so rapid and accurate in determination results that it could be used for evaluating drug quality.
Capsules ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Online Systems ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for organotypic slice culture of neonatal rat cortex in a modified condition and investigate the effect of spatial signals on neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation.

METHODSThe brain slices (200 µm in thickness) of neonatal SD rats (3 to 5 days old) were prepared and cultured in modified serum-free DMEM/F12 medium at 37 degrees celsius; with 95% O(2) and 5% CO(2). The organotypic slice cultures were observed regularly. NSCs isolated from the cortex of rat embryos (14-15 embryonic days) were cultured in serum-free DMEM/F12 supplemented with B27 and N2, and the passage 3 NSCs were labeled by CM-DiI before transplanted onto the organotypic slices cultured for 2 weeks. The survival of transplanted NSCs was assessed, and the cell differentiation was identified by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSThe organotypic slice cultures were well maintained for at least 4 weeks in the modified medium. The thickness of the organotypic slices reduced from 200 µm to 130 µm after 2-week culture in vitro due to the migration of the cells on the edge of the slices. CM-DiI-labeled NSCs survived well and differentiated into GFAP(+) glia and β-tubullin III(+) neurons.

CONCLUSIONNeonatal rat organotypic brain slice can be successfully cultured in a modified condition to serve as a model for studying NSC differentiation induced by spatial signals.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; Coculture Techniques ; methods ; Fetus ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; transplantation ; Organ Culture Techniques ; methods ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical indications of asthma control test (ACT).

METHODSA total of 120 asthmatic patients with a diagnosis in line with the American Thoracic Society criteria and treated for over a month were enrolled in this study. The patients were asked to complete a survey to assess their symptoms and asthma attacks, and ACT evaluation was conducted by physicians familiar with ACT evaluation. The patients were classified into two groups based on the pulmonary function test (positive for bronchodilator test and provocation test) or based on disease severity (mild and moderate-to-severe asthma groups). The effect of ACT evaluation was graded as good (no less than 4 item available for evaluation), fair (2-3 items available) and poor (no more than 1 item). To further analyze the ACT sensitivity in relation to different disease severity, 29 asthmatic patients with an initial diagnosis and BDT positivity were included, and the ACT score of the patients with mild, moderate and severe asthma based on FEV1% were compared.

RESULTSIn patients positive for bronchodilator test, good, fair and poor evaluation effects were found in 48, 15, and 5 cases, as compared to 10, 15, and 27 in those positive for provocation test, respectively, showing significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.001). In mild asthma group, good, fair and poor evaluation effects were found in 12, 15, and 18 cases, respectively, significantly different from those in moderate-to- severe asthma group (50, 21, and 4 cases, P < 0.001). ACT scores showed a positive correlation to FEV1% in 29 patients with positive BDT (r = 0.55, P = 0.003). ACT scores had no significant difference between mild and moderate asthma groups (P > 0.05), but showed significant differences between mild and severe groups (P = 0.009) and between moderate and severe groups (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONACT is more suitable for evaluating patients positive for bronchodilator test or with moderate to severe asthma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severity of Illness Index ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop an approach to the determination of saponins in Radix Cynanchi Atrati, and to optimize the parameters for purified the preparation of total saponins by macroporous resin column chromatography.

METHODUsing cynanversicoside A as a reference, the determination of saponins was performed; according to the elution rate and the purity of the products, the preparation performance of total saponins by macroporous resin was investigated, and its parameters were optimized.

RESULTThe saponins in Radix Cynanchi Atrati were successfully determined at 518 nm by vanillin-perchloric acid as spray reagent. The macroporous resin HP-20 showed static absorption ratio of 59. 3 mg x g(-1); the 70% ethanol extraction of Radix Cynanchi Atrati was eluted from column of macroporous resin HP-20 by water and 30% ethanol, and the saponins were concentrated in 90% ethanol solution. The content of saponin part eluted from HP-20 column was 77.62%.

CONCLUSIONThe proposed approach allows convenient and efficient preparation and purification of saponin in Radix Cynanchi Atrati.

Absorption ; Benzaldehydes ; chemistry ; Calibration ; Cynanchum ; chemistry ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Perchlorates ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Reproducibility of Results ; Resins, Plant ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo elvaulate the antioxidant activity of the pigment of Lycium ruthenicum.

METHODThe antioxidant activities were measured by the effects of the reducing ability, scavenging DPPH. H2O2-induced hemolysis of mice erythrocyte, serum resistance of reactive oxygen species, content of MDA in liver tissue, and swelling effect of mitochondria in liver tissue.

RESULTThe pigment of L. ruthenicum could scaveng DPPH* remarkably with IC50 0.164 mg x mL(-1), inhibitte hemolysis of mice erythrocyte evidently with IC50 0.112 mg x mL(-1). The resistant of reactive oxygen species was enhanced by the tested substances, simultanously. The concentration of MDA of peroxidation of lipid in mice liver could be reduced, and the swelling of mice liver mitochondria alse be restrained.

CONCLUSIONThe pigment of L. ruthenicum has antioxidant activity in tested concentration.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Hemolysis ; drug effects ; Hydrazines ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; Lycium ; chemistry ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mitochondria, Liver ; pathology ; Mitochondrial Swelling ; drug effects ; Phenols ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Picrates ; Pigments, Biological ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Reactive Oxygen Species

Objective To investigate the prognostic sequelae in neontes with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and ven-tricnlar dilatation.Methods Seventy-six full term newborns infants with HIE were followed up at the age from 3 to 19 months after therapy. Twenty-five infants among them were followed up by telephone in the epidemic period of SARS.Results Among 76 infants of 88 newborn infants with HIE(84.6%), 73 infants were normal (96.1% ). 1 infant had cerebral palsy (1.3%), 2 infants died (2.6 %).Among 39 cases with mild HIE, none of them had cerebral sequelae; among moderate HIE. 1 infant had cerebral palsy (2.9%) 1 infant died (2. 9 %), interlenkin-4 among severe HIE 50 % died (P00.5 The poor outcome of HIE in those infants were related to intrauterine growth retardation,severe birth asphyxia;and inadequate treatment.Cranial ultra-sonography of 49 infants were done on follow-up,and 12 of them (24.5 % ) had ventricular dilatations, which appeared after birth with 6 infants. Others occurred on follow-up with 1 infant had cerobral palsy,all ventricular dilatations recovered to normal at 12- 19 months except the cerebral palsy.Conclusions The poor outcome of HIE depends on the infants with intranterine growth relarda-tion,severe birth asphyxia and inadequate treatment.The prognosis of transient ventrealar ddatation are good except cerebral palsy.J Appl Clin pediatr,2004,19(12) : 1045- 1047

OBJECTIVETo prepare baicalin nanocrystal (BC-NC) and evaluate its pharmacokinetics in rats.

METHODBaicalin nanosuspensions (BC-NS) were prepared by the high pressure homogenization technology combined with ultrasonic, and then BC-NS were solidificated into BC-NC pellets by removing the water through fluid-bed drying. Its morphology, mean diameter and Zeta-potential were determined. An HPLC method was employed to determine the concentration of baicalin in plasma, and the bioavailability of the nanocrystal was compared with the reference group by oral administration in Wistar rats.

RESULTThe nanocrystals observed by scanning electron microscopy were irregular granulated, and the mean particle sizes of BC-NC were (248 +/- 6) nm. Its polydispersity index (PI) and zeta-potential were (0.181 +/- 0.065), (-32.3 +/- 1.8) mV, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed that the C(max) was (16.54 +/- 1.73) mg x L(-1) and the AUC(0-24 h) was (206.96 +/- 21.23) mg x L(-1) x h, which were significantly enhanced compared with the baicalin bulk and baicalin physical mixture (BC-PM) formulation, respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBaicalin nanocrystal can significantly improve the bioavailability of baicalin.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Biological Availability ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Particle Size ; Rats