Objective:To investigate the protective effect of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on triptolide (TP)-induced immunological liver injuries, and explore the relevant mechanisms of action. Methods: A total of 40 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups:control group,EGCG group,TP group and TP+EGCG group. The ALT levels in serum was examined by Reitman Frankel method. The activity of hepatic MDA,SOD and GSH was examined by spectrophotometry. HE staining was used to observed the changes of the hepatic histopathology. The hepatic IL-17,IL-6 levels was examined by ELISA and the expression of hepatic TLR4 protein was examined by Western blot. Results:The results showed that serum alanine aminotransaminase ( ALT) levels of TP group were obviously elevated (P<0. 005,vs normal control group) and serum ALT levels were obviously reduced in EGCG treatment group(P<0. 005,vs normal TP group). There were no significantly differences between EGCG group and control group (P>0. 05). Meanwhile,EGCG could ameliorate hepatic pathological damage. Furthermore,in TP group,the activity of malondialdehyde ( MDA) ,the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) protein and the contentration of hepatic interleukin (IL)-17,IL-6 were higher than normal control group ( P<0. 005 ) . On the contrary, the activity of superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) and restored glutathione ( GSH ) were significantly lower than normal control group ( SOD, P<0. 05;GSH, P<0. 005 ) . In EGCG treatment group, the expression of TLR4 protein and the concentration of MDA,hepatic IL-17 and IL-6 were lower than TP group ( TLR4,P<0. 05;MDA,P<0. 005;IL-17,P<0. 005;IL-6,P<0. 005). On the contrary,SOD and GSH were significantly higher than TP group (SOD,P<0. 05;GSH,P<0. 005). Conclusion:This study suggests that EGCG possesses hepatoprotective effect against TP-induced immunological liver injury through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions.

Objective To understand the nucleotide and amino acid differences of glycoprotein gene (G gene) between isolated rabies viruses in Henan Province and rabies vaccine strains used for human and animals. Methods G gene sequences of nine rabies viruses isolated from dogs in Xinyang city of Henan Province in December 2006 were amplified by reverse transcriptase (RT)-heminestedpolymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then were cloned and sequenced. The phylogenetic trees were constructed for analyzing the genetic characteristics of these rabies viruses. Results The homology of G gene among the nine isolates from Henan Province was 97.6% - 98.9% at nucleotide level and 99.2%-99.8% at amino acid level. The similarities between these isolates and CTN vaccine strain were 85.6%-93.0% and 91.9%-92.9% at nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively, which were higher than those between these isolates and other vaccine strains (80.4% - 83.3% and 87.7% - 92.5% at nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively). The nine isolates had several amino acid substitutions when compared to other genotype 1 rabies virus strains. Conclusions The nine rabies viruses strains isolated from Henan Province all belong to genotype 1. CTN may be an effective vaccine for preventing rabies in Henan Province.

OBJECTIVETo assess the impact of stomach cancer on the Chinese population by epidemiological analysis of its mortality distribution.

METHODS1990-1992 data on stomach cancer mortality collected by sampling survey involved one tenth of the total Chinese population.

RESULTSThe crude mortality rate of stomach cancer in China was 25.2 per 10(5) (32.8 per 10(5) for males and 17.0 per 10(5) for females), which comprised 23.2% of the total cancer deaths from 1990 to 1992, making stomach cancer the leading cause of cancer death. The stomach cancer mortality rate of males was 1.9 times of that of females. The Chinese mortality rates of stomach cancer adjusted by the world population were 40.8 per 10(5) and 18.6 per 10(5) of males and females, which were 4.2-7.9 (of males) and 3.8-8.0 (of females) times of those in the developed countries. Age-adjusted mortality rates of stomach cancer in China have distinct geographical difference: form the lowest 2.5 per 10(5) to the highest 153.0 per 10(5) in the 263 surveyed localities, 15.3 per 10(5) in urban areas and 24.4 per 10(5) in rural areas giving a difference of 1.9 times.

CONCLUSIONThe prevention and treatment of stomach cancer in China, especially in the countryside and the under-developed areas in the northwest, should be a long-term focus in control of cancers of the digestive system. Urgent measures for prevention and early detection of stomach cancer should be taken.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Sex Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality