Ginseng saponins are a type of important active substances in the ginseng genus plants. They have notable pharmacological activities of antineoplastic, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities, which have been drawn more attention to obtain minor ginsenosides by all kinds of methods. In this review, we discussed the latest progress for enrichment of minor ginsenosides by biological transformation of major ginsenosides. At the same time, we have a brief outlook of the research at bioconversion of ginseng saponins.
Bacteria ; metabolism ; Biotransformation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Ginsenosides ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Panax ; chemistry ; metabolism

Objective To study the effect of fluorine on the bone histomorphometry of humbar in rats.Methods Ninety 2-month-old SPF Sparague-Dawley rats,half male and female,were randomly divided into 9 groups:control[(childhood(CS),adult(AS),long-time(NS)]group and drug group[childhood high-fluoride and low-fluoride group(CHS,CLS),adult high-fluoride and low-fluoride(AHS,ALS),long-term high-fluoride and low-fluoride(CLHS,CLLS)].The control group was administered orally with solution of 0.9%NaCl,while the drug group was given orally with different dose of NaF at the same time. Sections of the fifth lumbar were made which was undecalicified for bone histomorphometric analysis, including the percentage of trabecular bone area (% Tb.Ar),trabecular thickness(Tb.Th), trabecular number(Tb.N), trabecular separation(Th.Sp) ; broken trabecular bone area cells (Oc.N), osteoclast perimeter percentage (% Oc.Pm), the percentage of labeled perimeter (% L.Pm), bone mineral apposition rate(MAR), osteoblast perimeter(Ob.PM), trabecular bone perimeter formation rate (BFR/BS),trabecular bone area formation rate (BFR/BV), the total area of bone formation rate (BFR/TV). Results [1]The percentage of Tb.Ar, Tb.Th, Tb.N,%L.Pm, MAR, BFR/BS, BFR/BV and BFR/TV of CHS group [(50.63 ±7.44)%, (150.26 ± 27.51 )μm, (3.44 ± 0.47)N/mm, (50.63 ± 7.44)%, (0.85 ± 0.03)μm/d, (8.45 ± 2.36)μm/d ×100, (381.16 ± 41.62)%/year, (75.07 ± 4.81)%/year] was higher than that of CS group [(29.71 + 9.32)%,(110.93 ± 28.19)μm, (2.68 ± 0.34)N/mm, (24.00 ± 1.22)%, (0.65 ± 0.03)μm/d, (5.43 ± 0.18)μm/d × 100,(141.32 ± 9.29)%/year, (58.14 ± 2.3)%/year, all P < 0.05)]. The %Tb.Ar, Tb.Th, %L.Pm, MAR, BFR/BS,BFR/BV, BFR/TV and Ob.PM of CLS group [(40.76 ± 6.43)%, (164.25 ± 45.65)μm, (42.02 ± 6.12)%, (0.85 ±0.04)μm/d, (8.95 ± 3.73)μm/d × 100, (378.73 ± 35.39)%/year, (73.52 ± 8.71)%/year, (1.41 ± 0.05)μm] were increased (all P < 0.05). [2]Compared with AS group, the %Tb.Ar,Oc.N, %Oc.Pm, %L.Pm, MAR, BFR/BS,BFR/BV and BFR/TV of AHS group[ (50.62 ± 5.76)%, (0.51 ± 0.05)N/mm, (1.13 ± 0.05)%, (42.3 ± 7.02)%,(1.28 ± 0.09)μm/d, (12.91 ± 1.52)μm/d × 100, (390.12 ± 43.56)%/year, (65.21 ± 22.13)%/year] was higher than that of AS group[ (42.73 ± 5.22)%, (0.41 ± 0.17)N/ram, (0.77 ± 0.52)%, (28.43 ± 6.93)%, (0.80 ± 0.03)μm/d, (9.83 ± 1.44)μm/d × 100, (324.43±53.44)%/year and(48.35 ± 9.36)%/year, all P < 0.05)] . The %Tb.At, Oc.N, %Oc.Pm, %L.Pm, MAR, BFR/BS, BFR/BV and BFR/TV of ALS group [(51.14 ± 6.22)%, (0.49 ±0.61)N/mm, (1.17 ± 0.11)%, (45.06 ± 6.92)%, (1.39 ± 0.08)μm/d, (12.87 ± 1.35)μm/d × 100, (394.6 ±50.23)%/year and(66.31 ± 18.93)%/year] were higher than that of AS group(P < 0.05) .[3] The Ob.PM ,Oc.N and %Oc.Pm of CLHS group[ (1.47 ± 0.27)μm, (0.58 ± 0.13)N/mm, (1.14 ± 0.07)%] were obviously increased(P <0.05), as compared with NS group [ (0.82 ± 1.20)μm, (0.42 ± 0.25)N/mm and (0.75 ± 0.64)%, all P < 0.05].Conclusions The short-term administration of NaF on rats in the growing period increases the bone formation and osteoblast activities of young rats and adult rats. The long-term administration of NaF on rats does not increase the bone formation of rats in growth period. The osteoblast activities as well as the bone absorption of lumbar vertebra were strengthened. The likelihood of bone fracture became larger. The negative effects on bone metabolism and bone quality of rats were gradually displayed along with the prolongation of sodium fluoride usage.

To decrease the oxygen content in the cell is a key method to improve hydrogen production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.A new approach was developed by transforming the leghemoglobin gene lba,which has high affinity to oxygen,into the chloroplast of C.reinhardtii to get a low dissolved oxygen in the cell and result into improvement of H2 ase activity and H2 yield. The results showed that lba was successfully transformed into the chloroplast of C.reinahrdtii strain 849 and did not affect its growth significantly. The work paved the road for further regulation of lba expression in the chloroplast to improve of hydrogen production of C.reinahrdtii.

Twenty Newcastle disease virus(NDV)strains were isolated from diseased chicken and geese in field outbreaks during 2005 and 2006 in some regions of Jiangsu and Guangxi,and the antigenic analysis of the all NDV isolates had been done based on the reaction spectrum with a panel of monoclonal antibodies to the HN glycoprotein.The entire ORFs encoding HN protein of these NDV isolates were amplified by RT-PCR successfully,cloned and sequenced.The resultant sequences of HN genes of 13 isolates of chicken origin and 7 isolates of goose origin were gained and analyzed.The results of reaction spectrum showed that there were some distinct differences in the antigenic epitopes among the 20 NDV isolates.And the sequences revealed that the coding regions of the HN genes of these isolates all consisted of 1716 nt characteristic of virulent strains of NDV,coding for 571 amino acids.Neucleotides sequence homology were found to be from 94.8%to 100%among 18 NDV isolates of genotypeⅦ,and the neucleotides sequence homology between all the isolates and the other genotypeⅦstrains of recent years in China ranged from 92.1%to 99.6%.The deduced amino acid sequences and the receptor-binding regions of HN proteins between the NDV isolates of chicken origin and of goose origin were compared and analyzed.The results showed that some unique amino acid substitutions were found in the genome of the NDV isolates,and the close genetic similarity provided evidence for epidemiological linkage between the NDV isolates of chicken origin and of goose origin in the same period.

OBJECTIVETo study the status and influencing factors on sleep quality in some medical college students.

METHODSStratified sampling, pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), self-evaluation depression scale (SDS), self-evaluation anxiety scale (SAS) and self-developed questionnaire of influencing factors on the quality of sleep in medical college students were used. Cumulative odds logistic model was performed to analyze the related factors on the quality of sleep.

RESULTS19.17 percent of the medical college students showed poor quality of sleep and the difference between genders was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference was seen among different years of students and correlation was found between sleep quality and depression or anxiety (P < 0.0001). Factors influencing on the quality of sleep in medical college students would include: worry of sleep, irregular work/rest, worry on examination, stress, relationship with classmates, self-evaluated health condition, environments of the dormitory and late to bed.

CONCLUSIONInfluencing factors were identified and comprehensive measures should be taken to improve the quality of sleep.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sleep ; physiology ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; epidemiology ; Students, Medical ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Long-tem culture initiating cells(LTC-IC), and in vitro assay of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, still represent a heterogeneous population in terms of proliferative capacity and sensitivity to different growth factors. Human umbilical cord (CB) is rich of hematopoietic progenitor cells measured by clonogenic assays and stem cells capable of reconstituting the marrow after transplantation. The influence of culture conditions on the in vitro behavior of LTC-IC from CB was evaluated. First, by using IRES sequence, FL and TPO cDNA were recombined with retroviral vector pLXSN by gene recombination technology. The recombinant plasmid pLFSN, pLTSN, pLFTSN were transfected into human stromal cell line HFCL. Then, LTC-IC were evaluated in long term cultures, comparing five types of stromal feeder layers: human bone marrow stromal cell, human stromal cell line HFCL, and stromal cell lines HDF tranfected with FL gene, HLT transfected with TPO gene or HFT co-transfected with FL and TPO genes. The results were demonstrated that after 8 weeks of coculture, three types of stromal cell lines that supported the maintenance of CFU-C for up to 3 weeks in vitro were identified. However, cocultivation of human bone marrow stromal cell and CB CD34(+) cells on HFT, CFU-C production continued up to 6 weeks or longer on these stroma. The absolute LTC-IC frequency in CD34(+) cells on human bone marrow stromal cell (2.65 +/- 0.76/1 000 cells) was no significant difference with on HFT (3.65 +/- 0.58/1 000 cells). Thus, HFT acts by direct contact to maintain the phenotype and function of the most primitive and quiescent human progenitors. Furthermore, HFT cell line was selected as the optimal one for supporting long-term culture feeder. It was concluded that LTC-IC progenitors from cord blood maintain growing upon the FL/TPO gene-modified stromal feeder layers in vitro.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in estimating risk stratification in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to determine the relationship between BNP and adverse cardiac events after AMI.

METHODSThe 135 subjects were selected into the study, including 25 healthy subjects and 110 patients with a first AMI. The plasma concentrations of BNP were measured at two to four days after infarction in patients and healthy controls. Left ventricular function was evaluated by echocardiography with the parameters of left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) after 3 months. Patients were followed up at 12 months. The main outcome measures were heart failure, left remodeling, mortality and other adverse cardiac events at one year.

RESULTSPlasma BNP concentrations in patients with AMI were much higher than those in the health control people (416.7 +/- 208.0 ng/L versus 61.8 +/- 34.1 ng/L, P < 0.01). The BNP count ranged from 5 to 2500 ng/L in AMI patients. There was no association between the BNP count and mortality rate. The development of new congestive heart failure (CHF) was associated with a higher BNP count (P = 0.02). The development of any of the clinical end points (death/CHF/shock) occurred more frequently in patients with a higher BNP count (13.8% for BNP count of < 100 ng/L, 39.1% for BNP count of 100 - 200 ng/L, 43.3% for BNP count of 200 - 400 ng/L, 46.4% for BNP count of > 400 ng/L; P = 0.019). Plasma BNP concentrations remained independently associated with the development of clinical end points in multivariable model that adjusted for potential confounding variables.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study confirm that the elevated BNP count related to the risk stratification and prognosis in patients with AMI. Elevations in BNP count are associated with a higher incidence of new CHF and adverse clinical outcomes after AMI. It could serve as a strong predictor for the subsequent development of poor outcomes in AMI patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; diagnosis ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of Qiangxin Fumai granule (QFG, an effective Chinese composite drug) in preventing and treating sick sinus syndrome (SSS).

METHODRabbit model of sinoatrial ischemia/reperfusion was established by occluding and loosening the root of right coronary artery. Effect of QFG on cell apoptosis was observed by TUNEL method, and its effect on apoptotic related gene Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas-L gene protein expression was observed by immunohistochemical method. Average light density values of the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas-L of SAN cells was determined by Imagepro Plus image analysis system.

RESULTSinoatrial injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion could cause evident sinoatrial cell apoptosis, enhance Fas-L gene protein expression and obviously enhance Bax gene protein expression, reduce Bcl-2/Bax ratio. QFG could significantly down-regulate Fas-L and Bax gene protein expression, up-regulate Bcl-2/Bax ratio, significantly inhibit and block the sinoatrial cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONTo inhibit and block the event of cell apoptosis through regulating Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas-L gene protein expression in sinoatrial node after ischemia/reperfusion might be one of the mechanisms of QFG in preventing and treating sinoatrial ischemia/reperfusion injury of SSS.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Muscle Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the metabolism of total terpene ketones from Swertia mussotii with human intestinal bacteria.

METHODTotal terpene ketones were incubated with human intestinal bacteria under an anaerobic environment and at 37 degrees C. The metabolites were extracted by ethyl acetate processing, detected by HPLC-DAD method. A qualitative analysis was made for its metabolites by HPLC-MS.

RESULTEight metabolites were detected from total terpene ketones from S. mussotii with human intestinal bacteria, and two of them were preliminarily identified as gentianine and mangiferin aglycon.

CONCLUSIONTotal terpene ketones can be metabolized with human intestinal bacteria, which provides basis for experiments on the metabolism process total terpene ketones from S. mussotii with human intestinal bacteria.

Alkaloids ; metabolism ; Anaerobiosis ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Intestines ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Ketones ; metabolism ; Mass Spectrometry ; Swertia ; metabolism ; Terpenes ; metabolism ; Xanthones ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of combined beta(1) adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonist with beta(2)AR agonist therapy on cardiac function and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in heart failure rats.

METHODSHeart failure was induced by isoproterenol and rats were randomly divided into metoprolol group (50 mg/kg twice daily/gavage, n = 11), combined treatment group (fenoterol 125 microg/kg and metoprolol 50 mg/kg twice daily/gavage, n = 11) and placebo group (saline, n = 10), another normal 9 male Wistar rats served as control group. After 8 weeks' treatment, cardiac function, apoptosis index (AI), Caspase-3 activity, expression levels of bcl-2 and bax protein, organ weight/body weight and collagen volume fraction (CVF) were evaluated.

RESULTS(1) Left ventricular end diastolic dimension, left ventricular end systolic dimension and E/A ratio were significantly increased and fractional shortening, ejection fraction significantly reduced post isoproterenol (all P < 0.05 vs. control) and these changes were significantly attenuated by metoprolol alone (all P < 0.05 vs. placebo) and further attenuated by the metoprolol and fenoterol combination therapy (all P < 0.05 vs. placebo and metoprolol). (2) Left ventricular weight to body weight ratio, lung weight to body weight ratio and CVF were also significantly reduced in metoprolol and combined treatment group than those in placebo group (all P < 0.01). (3) Compared with placebo group, AI and Caspase-3 activity were significantly lower in metoprolol group (all P < 0.01 vs. placebo) and further reduced in combined treatment group (all P < 0.01 vs. metoprolol). (4) The expression level of bax protein was significantly lower in metoprolol group while bcl-2/bax significantly higher than those in placebo group. These changes were more significant in combined treatment group (all P < 0.01 vs. metoprolol).

CONCLUSIONSbeta(1)AR antagonist in combination with beta(2)AR agonist further improved the cardiac function and prevented cardiac remodeling compared with using beta(1)AR antagonist alone in heart failure rats. Downregulated bax and upregulated bcl-2/bax expressions might contribute to the observed beneficial therapy effects by reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis in these animals.

Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists ; Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists ; Adrenergic beta-Agonists ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Ventricular Remodeling