Objective To investigate the concentration of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the urinary of children with primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS) at different time points,and to explore their correlation with occurrence,development,progression,and prognosis of PNS.Methods A total of 65 pediatric cases from our hospital was enrolled in this study,and was divided into three groups based on the retrospective the follow-up results including steroid-sensitive NS (SSNS) (n =35),steroid-resistant NS (SRNS) (n =15),and frequent-relapse NS (FRNS) (n =15) groups.Another 20 healthy children served as normal controls.Peripheral blood samples and urine specimen were collected at three time points (without glucocorticoids,treatment after 8 weeks,and treatment after 16 weeks or recurrence).The levels of MCP-1 and IL-18 in the urine were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The levels of blood urea nitrogen,creatinine,and 24-hour urinary protein excretion were assayed by full-automatic biochemical study appliance.Results (1)In SSNS group,the levels of urinary IL-18 before treatment and treated for 8 weeks were higher than the normal control group [before treatment:(160.30 ±27.29) pg/ml; treated for 8 weeks:(157.62 ±26.85) pg/ml; normal control group:(70.88 ± 14.43) pg/ul].However,after treated for 16 weeks,the levels of urinary MCP-1 and IL-18 were markedly decreased compared with that of control group and those before treatment and treated for 8 weeks [treated for 16 weeks:(20.98 ±4.53) pg/ml,and (79.09 ±7.23) pg/ml,P ＜0.05].(2)In SRNS group,the levels of urinary MCP-1 and IL-18 before treatment were remarkably higher than that of control group and that of SSNS group before treatment[SSNS group before treatment:(76.84 ± 5.58) pg/ml,and (252.37 ± 25.34)pg/ml,P ＜0.05],but no significant difference was found when it was compared with that treated for 8 weeks [treated for 8 weeks:(72.32 ±4.30) pg/ml,and (243.70 ±35.43) pg/ml,P ＞0.05] ; However,its level was markedly decreased after treated with immunosuppressants of CTX for 16 weeks when it was compared with those before treatment and treated for 8 weeks[treated for 16 weeks:(34.03 ± 2.56) pg/ ml,and (114.42 ± 21.33)pg/ml,P ＜ 0.05].(3)In FRNS group,the levels of urinary MCP-1 and IL-18 were no remarkable difference between control and SSNS groups [before treatment:(30.43 ± 4.61) pg/ml,and (156.65 ± 34.39)pg/ml; treated for 8 weeks:(29.41 ± 4.76) pg/ml,and (152.21 ± 34.73) pg/ml,P ＞ 0.05],but its level was markedly lower than SRNS group (P ＜ 0.05).When it was recurred,the levels of urinary MCP-1 and IL-18 were significantly increased compared with before treatment and treated for 8 weeks[recurred:(72.92 ±3.01)pg/ml,and (224.33 ±26.07)pg/ml,P ＜0.05].(4)No correlation was found between the levels of MCP-1 and IL-18 and the levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (P ＞0.05).Positive correlation was found between the levels of MCP-1 and IL-18 and the 24-hour urinary protein excretion (r =0.706,0.556,P ＜0.01).There's a correlation between urinary MCP-1 and IL-18 (r =0.811,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions For children with PNS,the detection of urinary MCP-1 and IL-1 8 contributed to the early prediction of children'sensitivity on glucocorticoid.The elevated levels of urinary MCP-1 and IL-18 in combination with clinical symptoms and proteinuria can be used as an important noninvasive marker to monitor PNS recurrence.

OBJECTIVETo compare the contents and composition of volatile oil of Wenyujin (steamed root of Curcuma wenyujin) Wenezhu (steamed rhieome of Curcuma wenyujin) and Pianjianghuang (rhizome of Curcuma wenyujin).

METHODThe volatile oils of three herbal medicines obtained by steam distillation were determined according to the method described in the appendix XD in Chinese pharmacopoeia and identified by GC-MS.

RESULTThe average contents of volatile oil of Wenyujin, Wenezhu and Pianjianghuang were 0.56, 1.99 and 0.94 microL x g(-1), respectively. A total of 60 compounds were identified by GC-MS. The amounts of chemical components separated and identified in Wenyujin, Wenezhu and Pianjianghuang were 41, 41 and 40, respectively. Three medicines share a great deal of similarity, chemically and genetically. Low boiling point essential oil compositions Wenyujin and Wenezhu were similar. While the higher boiling point essential oil compositions of Wenyujin and Wenezhu were similar. And the essential oil compositions of Wenyujin and Pianjianghuang were distinct.

CONCLUSIONAlthough coming from the same origin, the composition of essential oil from different part of the plant or various process were discrepant, which lead to rather distinct clinical efficacy.

Curcuma ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Herbal Medicine ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry