Recently many researches have demonstrated that insulin resistant (IR), as an important pathologic process, is increasingly involved with a series of diseases such as central obesity and diabetes. Hypertension is highly associated with IR. The relationships between IR and glucose or lipid metabolism disorders are well established. However, association of IR with hypertension is less covered. Current researches on insulin resistance and pathogenesis of hypertension are reviewed in this paper, which holds that traditional Chinese medicine treatment on IR in patients with hypertension has a good prospect.

To evaluate the effects of Shenmai Huoxue Decoction (SMHXD) on early diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in rats.

Objective To study the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on free radical metabolism of different fiber types of quadriceps in exercised rats and its mechanism. Method Increasing load exercised rat model was selected. The test rats were orally given GBE aqueous suspension (100 mg/ kg?d), and the controls with water. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of red muscle, white muscle and whole quadriceps of exercised rats were examined before exhaustive exercise, at instant,24h and 48h after strenuous exhaustive exercise. Results Compared with the controls,MDA contents were 49.69% higher in white muscle (P

BACKGROUND:Labeling was commonly used to further trace bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).OBJECTIVE:To label rabbit BMSCs by green fluorescent protein,and then to observe the potency of multi-directional differentiation by osteoblast and lipoblast formation induction.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Cell observational study was performed at the Laboratory of the Department of Orthopaedics,Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology from December 2007 to October 2008.MATERIALS:Totally 6 healthy New Zealand rabbits aged 4 months were purchased from the Animal Experimental Center,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology.METHODS:BMSCs were isolated from the femurs of rabbits,purified and cultured in vitro by density gradient centrifugation and adherent culture.BMSCs at the third passage were obtained.Green fluorescent protein plasmid was transfected into BMSCs using Lipofectamine.The stable transfection cells were obtained using G418 selection after transfection.The stable transfected BMSCs were induced to osteoblasts and lipoblasts by osteogenic inductor and adipogenic inductor.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The following parameters were measured:BMSC morphology,surface marker expression,green fluorescent protein labeling,the differentiation potential of BMSCs into osteoblasts and lipoblasts.RESULTS:The BMSCs were mostly fusiform in shape,to be similar to fibroblast cell after cultivation of primary and subculture.The flow cytometer analysis showed that the membrane mark CD44 was positive,CD34 was negative.Following G418 screening,BMSCs labeled by green fluorescent protein were apparent calcium mineralization after 21 days osteogenic induction.Alizarin red staining showed positive with red.Intra-cellular lipid droplet appeared after 3 days adipogenic induction.2 weeks later,oil red O staining showed a great quantity lipid deposition.CONCLUSION:Rabbit BMSCs labeled by green fluorescent protein using Upofectamine have the potency of multi-directional differentiation after induction.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the nerve function and the sorbitol concentrations of erythrocyte and sciatic nerve, and to evaluate the effects and mechanism of a formulae of Chinese medicine, Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin (a decoction, it ingredients including ginseng, tuber of dwarf lilyturf and safflower) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods The rats were divided into 3 groups: normal rats, diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin. The diabetes of rats was induced by streptozotocin intraperitoneally. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of sciatic, sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of caudal nerve and the H reflex were detected with evoked electromyogram; The sorbitol concentrations of erythrocyte and sciatic nerve was measured by spectrophotography. Results The sorbitol concentration of erythrocyte was positively correlated with that in the sciatic nerve, and the sorbitol concentration of erythocyte and sciatic nerve were negatively correlated with SNCV and positively with H reflex. The SNCV reduced significantly and the sorbitol concentration of both erythrocyte and sciatic nerve increased significantly in diabetic group as compared with those in normal group. The SNCV and sorbitol concentrations of sorbitol both erythrocyte and sciatic nerve in diabetic group were significantly improved after treated with Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin. Conclusion The sorbitol concentration in erythrocyte reflects the level of that in sciatic nerve and the lesion degrees of DPN. Shen Mai Huo Xue Yin alleviates the lesion of DPN in the early stage.

Objective: To investigate the curative effects of Shuanghongtong Decoction (Flos carthami, Radix Ginseng Rubra and Radix Ophiopogonis) diabetic neuropathy peripheral (DPN) and its mechanism.Methods:28 DPN patients were treated with Shuanghongtong Decoction for 3 weeks. The symptom and the peroneal nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) were observed before and after the experiments respectively. The diabetic rats reduced by STZ were treated with the same decoction for 4 weeks, at the end of the experiments the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and the activity of aldose reductase (AR) were measured.Results: Some symptoms such as acra pain, numbness, asthenia and the peroneal SNCV were significantly improved after treatment with decoction. The animal experiments showed that the NCV were significantly increased and the activity of AR significantly decreased in diabetic rats as compared with the normal rats.Conclusion: Shuanghongtong Decoction could improve the symptom and increase the NCV of DPN. It's mechanism may be through inhibiting the activity of AR then improving the diabetic metabolism disorder.

BACKGROUND: In the field of intervertebral disc tissue engineering, seed cells primarily consist of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). NPCs have been known to have several shortcomings: limited source, inconvenient collection, poor proliferative capacity, and difficult in vitro culture.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proliferation of MSCs after co-culture with NPCs in alginate beads-simulated three-dimensional environment.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A cell observation was performed at the Laboratory of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology between December 2007 and October 2008.MATERIALS: Six healthy New Zealand rabbits of 4 months old were provided by the Laboratory Animal Center, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and were used for the present study.METHODS: Rabbit MSCs were isolated and purified using density gradient centrifugation and adherence methods. Rabbit NPCs were isolated and purified using collagenase Ⅱ digestion and adherence methods. Following liposome-mediated green fluorescent protein tranfection and G418 screening, MSCs of passage 3 were cultured either alone (control group) or with NPCs at a ratio of 1:1 (co-culture group) in alginate beads. After 14 days of culture, alginate beads were dissolved and MSCs were collected by flow cytometry sorting.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expression of collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan in MSCs was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot techniques.RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression of collagen Ⅱ and aggrecan was observed in the co-culture group, but not in the control group, after 14 days of culture.CONCLUSION: MSC differentiation towards nucleus pulposus-like cells can be induced by co-culture with NPCs in a three-dimensional environment.

Objective To study AngⅡ induced apoptosis of HUVECs and to observe the protective effect of serum contained huangqi on endothelial cell.Methods ECV-304 cells were randomly divided into control group,AngⅡgroup and huangqi group.In the control group,cells were cultured for 18 h,and the concentration of AngⅡ were 0 mol/L,1×10-6 mol/L,1×10-5 mol/L and 1×10-4 mol/L.The cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay.Electron microscope was used to observe the change of HU-VECs.Ultrastructure of HUVECs induced by AngⅡ was observed by electron microscope.In the huangqi group,serum contained huangqi of different concentration were added into the medium and cultured for 24 h,then AngⅡ of 1×10-4 mol/L was included and cultured for 18 h,and the apoptosis ratio induced by AngⅡwas measured by flow cytometry.Results AngⅡof different con-centration could all significantly inhibit HUVECs proliferation.AngⅡof different concentration could all induce endothelial cell ap-optosis.HUVECs apoptosis was observed by electron microscope.HUVECs apoptosis induced by AngⅡcould be inhibited by ser-um contained huangqi.Conclusion Serum contained huangqi could protect endothelial cells.

Objective To explore the imaging features of bone marrow edema(BME)and soft tissue edema(STE)caused by bone tumors and tumor-like lesions.Methods Ninety nine patients with bone tumors and tumor-like lesions which were proved by surgical pathology were reviewed.The patients were divided into benign and malignant groups.Evaluation parameters included the size and signal intensity of BME and STE,the features of enhancement,the bone sclerosis and its relation with BME,and joint effusion,et al.The data of two groups were analyzed by X2 test.Results There were 40 patients in benign group and 59 patients belonged to malignant group.BME and STE demonstrated low signal on T1-weighted images and high signal on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images.Some BMEs demonstrated low signal on T2weighted images,which corresponded to sclerosis on X-ray film and(or)CT.Both BME and STE demonstrated uniform enhancement.There were statistically significant differences between benign and malignant groups including the frequency of BME.sclerosis.the median of the size of the BME and STE (P<0.05),which were 57.5%(23/40),25.0%(10/40),2.7 cm,1.3 cm,and 32.2%(19/59).3.4%(2/59),1.6 cm,1.7 cm respectively.No significant differences between the frequency of STE,joint effusion in 2 groups(P>0.05).Conclusions Both benign bone tumors and tumor-like lesions and malignant bone tumors can be accompanied by BME and STE.The size of BME in the benign bone tumors and tumor-like lesions is bigger than those in malignant ones,and the size of STE in malignant bone tumors is bigger than benign ones.

ObjectiveTo explore the radiological features of hypophosphatasia.MethodsFive cases of hypophosphatasia were definitely diagnosed,which included 3 males and 2 females aged from 5 months to 23 years.The laboratory assays were analyzed,radiological appearances of bone were determined and differential diagnoses were made.ResultsThe alkaline phosphatase in blood serum of five patients decreased,which were 8,20,13,21,and 18 U/L respectively.Phosphoethanolamine increased in blood serum of the five patients,which were 16.5,13.5,21.6,18.7,and 28.9 μmol/L respectively.Phosphoethanolamine also increased in urine,which were 2350,9120,3520,5280,and 1820 μmol/L respectively.Calcium in blood serum increased,which were 4.2,5.6,4.9,6.1,and 3.5 mmol/L respectively.X-ray images displayed that the density of bone decreased in 5 cases,the metaphyses exhibited widening and cupping in 4 cases,the provisional calcification zone of the metaphysis became thinning or disappearing in 4 cases,long bone bended in 4 cases and pathologically fractured in 1 case.Conclusion Hypophosphatasia can be indicated by its relatively special radiological appearance,and it can be diagnosed and differentiated from rickets,osteomalacia and osteogenesis imperfect by the laboratory examination combined with its clinical presentation.