AIM: To establish the quality standard for Gubiling Capsules (Penis Et Testis Canis, Radix Noto ginseng, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, Herba Epimedii, Radix Aucklandiae, etc.). METHODS: Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, Herba Epimedii, Radix Aucklandiae were identified by TLC, and the ginsenoside Rg 1 content was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: Ginsenoside Rg 1 showed a good linear relationship in the range of 1.2-6.0 ?g ( r = 1.00 0 ) and average recovery was 96.9%. RSD was 0.4%. CONCLUSION: These methods are simple, accurate and specific and can be used for the quality control for Gubiling Capsules.

Objective To investigate the effects of CYP3A5~* 3 genetic polymorphism on analgesia with fentanyl. Methods One hundred and eighty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients, aged 20-50 yr, Hart nationality, Henan province, scheduled for elective abdominal total hysterectomy or myomectomy under general anesthesia, were enrolled in this study. The polymorphic sites of the CYP3A5~* 3 allele were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The patients were assigned to one of 3 groups according to their genotypes: wild homozygote group, mutation heterozygote group and mutation homozygote group. Midazolam, remifentanyl, propofol and succinylcholine were used for induction of anesthesia. The patients were mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation. Remifentanyl, propofol and atracurium were given iv for maintenance of anesthesia. The pain was assessed with visual analog scale (VAS) after consciousness was regained. When VAS score > 3, the patients were given fentanyl 20 μg every 5 min until VAS score was decreased to ≤3 and then patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with fentanyl was started. The background infusion rate of fentanyl 1.0 mg and droperidol 5 mg (in 100 ml normal saline) was 0.5 ml/h. The PCIA pump was programmed to give a 2 ml bolus of fentanyl solution with a 5 min lockout interval, 7 time successful delivery per hour and maximum dosage 145 μg/h, and VAS score was maintained less than 3. The amount of fentanyl used within 24 h after surgery was recorded. Results No significant difference was detected in the fentanyl consumption in the 24 h during PCIA among the 3 groups (P> 0.05). Conclusion The genetic polymorphism CYP3 A5~* 3 is not the factor contributing to the individual variation in the patient's response to analgesia with fentanyl.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) associated hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP).Methods Clinical data of 4 casesdiagnosed with MPO-ANCA vasculitis complicated with HP in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively and the related literaturewere reviewed.Results Four male patients with an age range from 44 to 66 years were diagnosed with ANCA-associated HP.The main clinical manifestations included headache and withvarious degree ofmultiple cranial paralysis.During active phase of the disease,all patients showed perinuclear(p)-ANCA positive,elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers and titers of MPO-ANCA,whereas renal function,cytoplasmic (c)-ANCA and protease 3 (PR3)-ANCA were negative.Contrast-enhanced cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed obviously thickened dura mater and sinusitis or mass in paranasal sinus.Four patients were sensitive to glucocorticoid.Three patients had a relapse during glucocorticoid tapering and were undercontrol when the dosage of glucocorticoid was increased and immunosuppressive agents were added.Levels of inflammatory biomarkers,titers of MPO-ANCA and p-ANCA recovered to normal,and the dural thickness on MRI was reduced in the remission stage.Conclusion MPO-ANCA associated HP is a type of central nervous system involvement in ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV).It involves the upper respiratory tract more frequently,and less frequently progresses to systemic AAV.This should be taken into consideration when middle-aged and elderly patients presented with headache and multiple cranial neuropathies.Enhanced MRI is the preferred examination for diagnosis,and dural biopsy should be done when necessary.

BACKGROUNDEpidermal burn injury may trigger significant apoptosis of the spleen cells, which might be caused by a burn-induced systemic inflammatory reaction. Heparin has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is centrally important among pro-inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that heparin might inhibit burn-induced apoptosis in the spleen via suppression of the IL-1 pathway.

METHODSBurn injury was performed on IL-1 R+/+ ( IL-1 receptor wild-type mouse) and IL-1 R-/- (IL-1 receptor knock-out mouse) mice, and they were then treated with heparin, saline or IL-1 receptor antagonist IL-Ra. Apoptosis, IL-1α and IL-1β expression were assessed in the spleens and serum. Survival curve analysis was further applied to elucidate the mechanism of heparin's protective properties.

RESULTSBurn induced significant apoptosis (sham: 3.6%± 2.1% vs. burn: 28.8%± 5.9%; P < 0.001) and remarkable expression o IL-1α and IL-1β in the mouse spleens and serum. Heparin reduced the burn-induced apoptosis in the spleens (heparin treated: 8.6%± 3.4%, P < 0.005), which could be blocked by IL-1Ra. Heparin markedly decreased both IL-1α and IL-1β expression in the spleens and serum of burned mice. IL-1 R-/- mice demonstrated considerably less apoptosis in the spleens and had a higher survival rate after burns. Heparin did not significantly decrease apoptosis in the spleen and the mortality rate in IL-1 R-/- mice after burns.

CONCLUSIONHeparin inhibits burn-induced apoptosis of the spleen cells by suppressing IL-1 expression in mice.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Burns ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Heparin ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; metabolism ; Spleen ; drug effects ; metabolism