Human proximal tubule epithelial cell line,HK-2 cells,were cultured with various concentrations of insulin for 48 h.Human urate transporter (hUAT) mRNA was detected by realtime quantitative PCR.hUAT mRNA levels were down-regulated by insulin (5,25,125,500 μIU/ml)in a dose-dependent manner (relative expression median were 0.95,0.40,0.24,and 0.23).In vitro,the expression of hUAT mRNA in HK-2 cells is associated with the concentration of insulin.

Objective To compare the level of Annexin Ⅱ in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),diabetic nephropathy(DN),chronic glomerulonephritis and normal controls,and explorle the significance of the annexin Ⅱ in SLE.Methods Thirty-five cases of patients with SLE,ten cases of patients with DN,ten cases of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis were enrolled in this study,twenty cases of healthy controls were also enrolled.Circulating annexin Ⅱ in white blood cells was detected bv flow cytometry.Student's t test,variance analysis and Lineat correlation analysis were used for statistial analysis.Resuits Compared with healthy controls,the level of annexin Ⅱ in white blood cells in SLE patients (7.1±2.9)%and DN patients(8.0±3.7)%were significantly lower than that of the healthy controls(P<0.01,p<0.05).In the SLE group,the level of annexin Ⅱ of patients who had more active disease(SLEDAI≥9)decreased more thall those with less active disease(SLEDAI<9),(P<0.05).A positive correlation was found between annexin Ⅱ and serum albumin level(r:0.439,P<0.01),but negative correlation was found between annexin and urine protein/urine creatinine(r=-0.382,P<0.05),SLEDAI(r=-0.417,P<0.05),D-dimer(r=-0.336.p＜0.05) levels.Conclusion The level of annexin Ⅱ is decreased in patients with SLE,so it can renectthe abnormality of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems,and it may be used as a good indicator for prothrombotic status in SLE patients.It can be helpful to evaluatethe activity of the disease and the therapeutic efficacy.

According to bias in codon choice of Pichia pastoris, The phytase phyA gene from Aspergillus niger N25 was mutated without changing its amino acid sequence. The expression plasmid pPIC9k-phyAm was constructed and transformed into GS115 strain. Positive clones,of which the chromosomes were integrated with phyA gene,were identified by the phenotype and PCR. SDS-PAGE analysis suggust that the size of enzyme protein of the expression product was about 70.15kDa.Southern blotting analysis to the yeast transformants showed that phyA gene was intergrated into the chromosome genome. The phytase activity of PP-NP m-4-4 with codons optimized reached 136 000U/ml in malt wort culture medium after being induced with 36h, which was the 2.8 times of the original strain PP-NPm-8.

Background and purpose:Myelosuppression is the most common dose-limiting toxicity of tumor chemotherapy in which leukocytopenia and neutropenia are the most common conditions. Not only are up-titrations of the doses of chemotherapeutic drugs limited, but also normal process of the chemotherapy is affected. Filgrastim-Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (rhG-CSF) has the activity of stimulating the formation of granulocyte colony and promoting the growth, proliferation and differentiation of granulocytes which can be signiifcantly effective on leukocytopenia and neutropenia induced by chemotherapy. In this study, we observed the leukogenic effects, toxic and side effects of low, medium, and high doses of rhG-CSF used prophylactically after chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), to explore a rational application strategy for rhG-CSF..Methods:One hundred and twenty six patients with pathologically proved advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) under chemotherapy were digitally randomized to A, B and C groups. Filgrastim was given to patients of the three groups 24h after the end of chemotherapy. The dosages are: Group A (low dose): 300 μg of Filgrastim, s.c., qd × 1 day; Group B (medium dose): 300 μg of Filgrastim, s.c., qd × 2 days; Group C (high dose): 300 μg of Filgrastim, s.c., qd × 3 days. Then the signs and symptoms as well as toxic and side effects of Filgrastim after medication were observed.Results:Prophylactic usage of medium and high dosages of rhG-CSF could maintain WBC count at no less than 4.0×109/L in nearly 60% of patients. In patients with Grade III leukopenia, more days were needed for recovery of white blood cell (WBC) count with the low dose, while signiifcantly (P<0.05) less days were needed with the high dose. In view of the dynamic changes of neutrophil(ANC), additioning of the high dose of rhG-CSF after chemotherapy could increase the average level ofANC, notably shortening the duration of lowANC caused by chemotherapy. The incidence of infections was 4.76% for the 126 patients as a whole, 9.52% for the low dose group, and 4.76% for the middle dose group. The patients could tolerate the slight side effects incurred during treatment with Filgrastim.Conclusion:All of the three doses (low, medium, and high) of prophylactic administration of Filgrastim after chemotherapy can promote recoveries of WBCs and neutrophil granulocytes and reduce opportunities of infections. High doses of rhG-CSF can be faster and safer in increasing WBCs and neutrophil granulocytes.

As a kind of commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng has a high reputation at home and abroad. The research of ginseng has been expanded to medicine, pharmacy, biology, food science and other fields, with great achievements in recent years. Ginseng contains ginsenosides, volatile oil, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, inorganic elements and othser chemical constituents. Each component has extensive physiological activity, and is the base of ginseng's effect. After processing, the complicated changes are taken place in the constituents of ginseng, and some new substances produced. This paper aims to review the studies on chemical constituents and their mechanisms during ginseng processing, and the ideas, methods and the direction of the development of traditional Chinese medicine processing in the future.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Many studies indicated that with the rise of cardiac function class in patients with heart failure (HF), serum CA125 concentration gradually rose, and it's significant positively correlated with BNP level and NYHA class. It 's reported that in HF patients with pleural effusion, serum CA125 level significantly increases, and rehospitalization rate and mortality of HF patients rise along with CA125 level. Therefore, the present article made a discussion on relationship between serum CA125 level and HF.

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of TIEG1 on apoptosis of HL-60 cells and the expression of Bcl-2/Bax. Different concentration of TIEG1 were used to treat HL-60 cells, the cell growth inhibition rate was detected by MTT method. After treating HL-60 cells with 12.03 ng/ml TIEG1, cell apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry. Bcl-2 and Bax was detected with RT-PCR. The results showed that TIEG1 had inhibitory effect on HL-60 cell proliferation, and in time-and dose-dependent manners. The more obvious inhibitory effect was observed in HL-60 cells treated with TIEG1 of 12.03 ng/ml. During the course of cell apoptosis, Bax expression increased, but Bcl-2 expression decreased (P < 0.05). It is concluded that TIEG1 inhibits HL-60 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in time and dose-dependent manners. During the course of HL-60 cells apoptosis induced by TIEG1, Bcl-2/Bax are associated with HL-60 cell apoptosis induced by TIEG1.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Early Growth Response Transcription Factors ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

This study was designed to investigate the expression of aminopeptidase N (APN)/CD13 on intraembryonic AGM stromal cells, and the change of its enzymatic activity after irradiation injury. The expression of APN/CD13 on AGM stromal cells was assayed by RT-PCR and immunihistochemistry. After the stromal cells in AGM region were irradiated with 8.0 Gy of (60)Co gamma-rays, APN/CD13 enzymatic activity was measured by spectrophotometer at different time points. The result showed that AGM stromal cells strongly expressed APN/CD13. The enzymatic activity of APN/CD13 decreased temporarily after irradiation injury, then increased to higher level 4 h after irradiation, and it returned to the pre-irradiation level 24 to 48 h after the irradiation. The enzymatic activity of APN/CD13 was temporarily enhanced after irradiation injury, which might be one of the compensatory mechanisms that promote the hematopoietic recovery after irradiation.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on cell apoptosis during lung is-chemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury in a rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB).Methods Ninety-six SPF healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 350-500 g,were divided into 4 groups(n＝24 each)using a random number table method: sham operation group(group S),CPB group(group C),CPB plus left lung I/R group(group IR),and CPB plus left lung I/R plus dexmedetomidine group(group D).The chest was only opened,and the rats underwent no CPB in group S.Only the CPB model was es-tablished in group C.The model of left lung I/R injury was established based on the CPB model in group IR.In group D,the model of CPB plus left pulmonary I/R injury was established,dexmedetomidine was intrave-nously infused in a dose of 3 μg/kg through the tail vein,followed by a continuous infusion of 1.5 μg?kg-1?h-1 until the end of surgery.Eight rats were selected in each group before operation(T0),at 10 min after opening the left hilum(T1),and at the end of operation(T2),the left lung tissues were taken for examination of pathological changes(with a light microscope)which were scored and for determination of cell apoptosis,and immunohistochemistry score(IHS)was assessed.The apoptosis index was calculated.Results Compared with group S,the pathological changes of lung tissues,IHS and apoptosis index were significantly increased at T1,2 in the other three groups(P＜0.05).Compared with group C,the pathologi-cal changes of lung tissues,IHS and apoptosis index were significantly increased at T1,2 in IR and D groups(P＜0.05).Compared with group IR,the pathological changes of lung tissues,IHS and apoptosis index were significantly decreased at T2 in group D(P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which dexme-detomidine reduces lung I/R injury during CPB is related to inhibiting cell apoptosis in rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Ganfukang (GFK) on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/protein kinase B (PKB or Akt) signal pathway in a hepatic fibrosis rat model and to explore the underlying therapeutic molecular mechanisms of GFK.

METHODSFifty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: the control group, the model group (repeated subcutaneous injection of CCl4), and the three GFK treatment groups (31.25, 312.5, and 3125 mg/kg, intragastric administration). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the expression of CTGF, integrin α5, integrin β1, FAK/Akt signal pathway, cyclinD1, and collagen in the different-treated rats.

RESULTSGFK attenuated the up-regulation of CTGF, integrin α5, and integrin β1 in hepatic fibrosis rats and suppressed both the phosphorylation of FAK and the phosphorylation of Akt simultaneously (P<0.01). At the same time, the expression of cyclinD1, collagen I, and collagen III was decreased by GFK significantly (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCTGF and FAK/Akt signal pathway were activated in the CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis rats, which contribute to increased expression of cyclinD1 and collagen genes. The mechanisms of the anti-fibrosis activity of GFK may be due to its effects against CTGF and FAk/Akt signal pathway.

Animals ; Collagen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Integrin alpha5 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Integrin beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects