Aim To investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B)on c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)ac-tivation and apoptosis of INS-1 cells induced by inter-mittent high glucose.Methods INS-1 cells were pre-incubated with Sal B for 24 h,followed by exposure to intermittent high glucose (IHG,11.1 mmol·L-1 12 h,33. 3 mmol·L-1 12 h)for 72 h.Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and cell apoptosis was evalua-ted by flow cytometry.Glucose induced insulin secre-tion capacity and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)contents were measured by enzyme linked im-munosorbent assay (ELISA)and a fluorescent probe DCFH-DA,respectively.Levels of JNK activation and PDX-1 protein expression were determined by Western blot analysis.Results Sal B significantly alleviated IHG-induced cell injury and apoptosis,with glucose induced insulin secretion capacity improved evidently (P<0.05 or P<0.01).Preincubation with Sal B no-tably decreased intracellular ROS and JNK activation in INS-1 cells,while the level of PDX-1 protein was in-creased markedly (P<0.05 or P<0.01 ).Conclu-sion Sal B is capable of ameliorating IHG-induced cell injury and apoptosis in INS-1 cells,which might be derived from suppression of JNK activation and up-regulation of PDX-1 protein expression.

From November 2003 to May 2010, intrathecal drug delivery system (IDDS) was implanted in 18 patients with chronic intractable pain. Analgesia was provided with morphine. Thirteen patients suffered from late stage cancer and 5 from diseases other than cancer. VAS score was used to measure intensity of pain in all 18patients. QLQ-C30 score was used to evaluate quality of life in cancer patients. The patients were followed up for 3-62 months in 5 non-cancer patients. All 13 cancer patients died at 57 days-10 months after operation. VAS scores were significantly decreased and QLQ-C30 scores increased by intrathecal administration of morphine. Side effects developed in all patients to some extent including nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, pruritus and over-sedation and vanished in a week. Intrathecal catheter was cut while being pulled out of the needle in 1 patient. Two patients developed low intracranial pressure after operation. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 1 patient. One patient developed neuropathic pain in the posterolateral side of right leg.

Seventy-four patients aged 26-63 yr who had suffered cervicogenic headache for 3 months-21 yr were treated with puked radiofrequency applied to C2 dorsal root ganglion, which is located in the middle of the posterior side of lateral atlantoaxial joint. A trochar was introduced percutaneously under the guidance of X-ray aiming at the target point. As it was inserted through the deep fascia, the stylet was withdrawn and a 10 cm long 22 gauge curved blunt electrode was inserted into the trochar and advanced until the patients felt radiating pain from the point of puncture to occiput. Lateral radiograph was obtained to verify the placement of electrode. The tip of the electrode was usually located in front of spinal canal at the atlantoaxial joint level. Sensory stimulation was performed with 50 Hz and 0.1-0.5 V and the patients could feel radiating pain at occiput. Motor stimulation was performed with 2 Hz and 0.4-1.0 V and regular pulsation of the patient's muscle of occiput could occur. Pulsed radiofrequency was applied at 42 ℃7 for 240 s and was performed twice on each side. VAS scores and disturbances of daily activity, mood and sleep were recorded before operation and at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after pulsed radiofrequency treatment. Complications and recurrence within 12 and 18 months were recorded. Follow-up was lost in 22 patients. VAS scores and disturbances of daily activity, mood and sleep significantly decreased after procedure. All of the patients responded without complications like infection, spinal cord and vertebral artery injury. Some patients had transient occipital neuralgia which was usually relieved within 24 h. The recurrence rate in 12 and 18 months after operation was 19% and 31% respectively.