Background:Acute hepatic failure( AHF)is a common pathophysiological process of end-stage liver disease with complex etiology,difficulty in diagnosis and high mortality rate. Aims:To investigate the protective effect of nicotinamide on AHF in mice. Methods:AHF model in mice was established by intraperitoneal injection with D-galactosamine 700 mg/kg and lipopolysaccharide 10 μg/kg. Fifty-four mice were divided into blank control group,nicotinamide control group, AHF model group and low,moderate,high dose(400,800,1 000 mg/kg)nicotinamide groups,levels of ALT,AST, TNF-α and IL-6 were determined,HE staining was used to examine hepatic histological injury,liver cell apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay,and protein expression of Caspase-3 was detected by Western blotting. Another 40 mice were divided into AHF model group,saline group and low,moderate,high dose(400,800,1 000 mg/kg)nicotinamide groups,mortality rate was observed dynamically. Results:Compared with blank control group and nicotinamide control group,levels of ALT and AST were significantly increased(P<0. 05),infiltration of inflammatory cells and necrosis of cells and levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased( P <0. 05 ),and apoptosis of liver cells and protein expression of Caspase-3 were significantly increased in AHF model group(P <0. 05). In groups pretreated with low, moderate and high dose nicotinamide,all the above-mentioned indices were significantly improved in a dose-dependent manner(P<0. 05). Survival rate in low,moderate,high dose nicotinamide groups was significantly higher than that in AHF model group(37. 5%,62. 5%,100% vs. 0%,P all <0. 05). Conclusions:Nicotinamide could protect mice from AHF via inhibiting inflammatory response and hepatocyte apoptosis,thereby increase the survival rate.

OBJECTIVE:To study the antioxidant effects of Scutellaria baicalensis(SBE)on the model mice with Alzheimer’s disease. METHODS:All mice were treated by D-gal (150 mg/kg) and NaNO2 (100 mg/kg) for 60 d to reproduce the AD model mice,ip,once a day. Totally 60 mice were randomly divided into normal control group(isovolumetric sodium chloride injection), model group (isovolumetric sodium chloride injection),estradiol (0.4 mg/kg) group,and SBE high,medium and low doses (500,250 and 125 mg/kg). The mice were intragastrically administrated while modeling except normal control group,once a day, for continuous 60 d. The superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)activities and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in brain tis-sue ,and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in serum of mice were determined. RESULTS:Compared with normal control group,the SOD,CAT activities in brain tissue,and GSH-Px activity in serum of mice in model group were decreased,MDA con-tent in brain tissue were increased,with significant difference(P<0.01 or P<0.05);compared with model group,the SOD,CAT activities in brain tissue and GSH-Px activity in serum of mice in SBE high and medium dose groups were increased,MDA content was decrease,with significant difference (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:SBE can enhance the antioxidant capacity in AD model mice by a mechanism that may be related to the improvement of related oxidation indicators’levels.

Aim To investigate the effect of simvastatin on the FKN expression in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells(HUVEC)up-regulated by interleukine-18(IL-18),and the effect on adhesion of FKN to monocyte THP-1.Methods FKN expression in HUVEC was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the adhesion was checked by in vitro Flow chamber.Results Incubation of HUVECs with IL-18 upregulated FKN mRNA expression(P

BACKGROUND:Domestic and international studies have confirmed that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s could be induced to differentiate into islet-like cel s, but little is reported about the changes of insulin and nestin expressions during the differentiation phase. OBJECTIVE:To observe the changes of insulin and nestin expressions during the differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s into islet-like cel s. METHODS:Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s were cultured using UltraCULTURE medium in vitro. Stem cel s were cultured for three generations to observe cel morphological changes under an inverted microscope, to test immunophenotype by flow cytometry, and to identify the capacity of osteogenesis and adipogenic differentiation. Induction protocol was divided into two stages. In stage 1, stem cel s were induced for 14 days in the UltraCULTURE medium with 4 nmol/L activin A, 25μg/L epidermal growth factor, 100μg/Lβ-nerve growth factor, 10 mmol/L nicotinamide. In stage 2, the cel s were cultured in the UltraCULTURE medium with 1%insulin-transferin-selenium, 10 mmol/L nicotinamide, 10μg/L basic fibroblast growth factor for an additional 14 days. The expressions of nestin and insulin in those differentiated cel s were tested by flow cytometry, and zinc ion expression in the islet-like cel clusters was identified by dithizone staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:During the differentiation process, the insulin level was increased gradual y in the induction group and reached a higher level on day 28, but the insulin expression showed negative in the control group. In addition, on day 14 of induced differentiation, the nestin expression reached the peak and then gradual y reduced along with the prolonged inductive time. On day 28 of induction, islet-like cel clusters formed and were positive for dithizone staining. In this experiment, the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s were successful y induced and differentiated into islet-like cel s, accompanied with the variation of insulin and nestin expression.

OBJECTIVE:To summarize the effects of compound glycyrrhizin injection(GL)on hormone withdrawal syndrome(HWS)in SARS patients.METHODS:Using contrast design,the HWS of 134 cases of SARS who had received hormone theropy was retrospectively analysed.RESULTS:Administration of GL could descend the incidence rate of symptoms of HWS,of which the incidence rates of short breath and chest distress,the main symptoms of SARS patients,dropped from 24.5%and 22.6%to 3.6%(P≤0.01)and 7.1%(P≤0.05)and the incidence of asthenia,musculoarthragia and headache decreased from 13.2%,15.1%and 10.4%to 7.2%,14.3%and 0%respectively.The number of patients with elevated ALT reduced(P≤0.01).CONCLUSION:GL can decrease the incidence of HWS.

In order to discover the mechanism of Xuebijing oral effervescent tablet (XBJOET) to treat infectious diseases, the effect of XBJOET on endotoxin induced rabbit fever and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was investigated. Auricle microcirculation in rabbit was detected by laser speckle blood perfusion imager system; coagulation function was measured by coagulation analyzer, fibrinolytic system was quantified by Elisa assay and micro thrombosis in tissues was observed with HE staining under light microscope. The results demonstrated that the body temperature of rabbit decreased significantly at 1-3 h after administration with 4.8, 2.4 and 1.2 g x kg(-1) XBJOET to endotoxin induced DIC rabbit model, the auricle microcirculation blood flow in model group (54.45 +/- 14.53) PU was lower than that in control group (77.18 +/- 12.32) PU. The auricle microcirculation blood flow increased markedly and there was significant difference between model group and 1.2 g x kg(-1) XBJOET group. There was significant difference between model group and control group in the content of PAI1 and FIB. The PAI1 levels in model and control groups were (30.48 +/- 2.46) ng x mL(-1) and (20.93 +/- 3.25) ng x mL(-1), respectively. The FIB levels in model and control group were (3.34 +/- 1.09) g x L(-1) and (4.84 +/- 1.10) g x L(-1), respectively. The content of PAI1 in rabbit plasma decreased notably, there were significant differences between model group and 4.8, 2.4 g x kg(-1) XBJOET groups. On the contrary the content of FIB increased. XBJOET possessed pharmacological activities of curing infectious fever and DIC, the mechanism of which is related to amelioration of microcirculation disturbance, inhibition of fibrinolytic system activation and coagulation and micro thrombosis elimination.

Objective To observe the influence on the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC-3 to gemcitabine of silencing PAUF gene.Methods BxPC-3 cells,which overexpress PAUF,was stably transfected with PAUF-shCtrl and PAUF-shRNA to establish BxPC-3_shCtrl and BxPC-3_shPAUF cells as control and experiment group.Then the mRNA and protein expression level of PAUF in these two cell lines were detected by RT-PCR and western blot,respectively.The growth inhibition rates of these two cell lines treated with different concentrations of gemcitabine (0,3.1,6.25,12.5,25,50,100,200 nmol/L) were detected by MTT.Apoptosis rates in the cells treated with different concentrations of gemcitabine (0,75,100 nmol/L) were then observed by flow cytometry.Results The relative PAUF mRNA expression level in BxPC-3_shCtrl and BxPC-3 cells were 1.00 ± 0.06 and 0.83 ± 0.07,which were significantly high er than that in BxPC-3_shPAUF cells (0.25 ± 0.02;both P ＜ 0.05).The relative PAUF protein expression level in BxPC-3_shCtrl and BxPC-3 cells were 0.89 ± 0.07 and 0.95 ± 0.04,which were significantly high er than that in BxPC-3_shPAUF cells (0.31 ± 0.03;both P ＜ 0.05).The IC50 value of gemcitabine to BxPC-3_shCtrl cell was (22.88 ± 2.43) nmol/L,which was significantly higher than that of BxPC-3_shPAUF cells [(1.06 ± 0.02) nmol/L;P ＜ 0.05];apoptosis rate of BxPC-3_shPAUF cells treated by gemcitabine increased faster than that of BxPC-3_shCtrl cells.Conclusion PAUF silencing could greatly enhance the sensitivity of BxPC-3 cells to gemcitabine.

BACKGROUND:At present, a great quantity of research has shown the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s for vascular restenosis. However, studies concerning their combined application to restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with diabetes mel itus are presently lacking.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of combined application of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s and benefiting-Qi nourishing-Yin and dissolving-congestion prescription on restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in dogs with diabetes mel itus.
METHODS:A dog model of vascular restenosis with diabetes mel itus was established by bal oon injury of femoral artery and intravenous injection of al oxan. After successful model induction, 22 dog models were randomly divided into three groups:model group (n=6), treatment with Chinese medicine (n=8), and combined treatment with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s and Chinese medicine (n=8). Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay preoperatively and at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks postoperation. Samples of vessels were taken to conduct pathomorphological observation and quantitative analysis of proliferation degree. Tissues, including heart, liver, kidney and pancreatic gland, were col ected to evaluate the safety of stem cel transplantation using hematoxylin-eosin staining at 8 weeks postoperation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels began to increase at 1 week postoperation in the Chinese medicine group and combined treatment group, at 4 weeks postoperation in the model group compared with preoperation (P<0.05). At al time points, serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels were highest in the combined treatment group, but lowest in the model group (P<0.05). Quantitative analysis of vascular proliferation demonstrated that at 8 weeks postoperation, new intimal area, new intimal/medial areas and stenosis rate were highest in the model group, but lowest in the combined treatment group at 8 weeks postoperation (P<0.05). Safety assessment of stem cel transplantation showed morphological structures of the heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas were normal, no necrosis. In a word, the effects of the combined application of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s and benefiting-Qi nourishing-Yin and dissolving-congestion prescription were much pronounced in preventing restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in dogs with diabetes mel itus rather than single therapy of Chinese medicine. It is a safe and effective treatment to prevent vascular restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in dogs with diabetes mel itus.

BACKGROUND:Previous tudies have shown that the anti-aging effects of stem cel s with lycopene are more significant, and can also significantly improve the aging body immune function.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the anti-aging effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s combined with lycopene on the aging beagles.
METHODS:Sixteen aging beagles (6-7 years old) were randomly divided into two groups:aging control group and aging treatment group;young beagles (3-4 years old) were chosen as young control group. In the aging treatment group, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s combined with lycopene was given;while in the other two group, an equal amount of DMEM/F12 cel culture medium and sunflower oil was given. Each dog's general conditions were observed regularly during the whole progress. The changes of superoxide dismutase,
malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase in the serum were detected at regular time of the whole process, and the structure changes of each organ were observed at 24 weeks of treatment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Before treatment, the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the aging control and treatment groups were lower than those in the young control group (P<0.05), while the malondialdehyde content was higher than that in the young control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant statistical difference between aging control and treatment groups (P>0.05). (2) For the aging treatment group at 24 weeks of treatment:the beagle fur became clearer and smoother, motility was strengthened, appetite became better;and the activity of superoxide dismutase in serum at 8 to 24 weeks of treatment increased significantly compared with before treatment (P<0.05), the activity of glutathione peroxidase significantly increased from 6 weeks (compared with treatment before, P<0.05), the malondialdehyde content decreased significantly from 4 weeks of treatment to the completion of the experiment (compared with before treatment, P<0.05). (3) After the experiment, the microscopic observation showed that compared with the aging control group, the tissues and organ structures of the aging treatment group were al clear, had no inflammatory infiltrates, no obvious necrosis and fibrosis lesions. These results were mainly consistent with the observations of young control group. The above results show that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s combined with lycopene therapy on the natural aging beagles may enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes, reduce malondialdehyde content, and their combination also can repair tissue structures and promote the functions, which has obvious anti-aging effects.

Abstract] Objective To investigate the in vivo therapeutic effects of an extract of herb medi-cines, YiGanQingDuKeLi, in combination with adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) on the rebound of duck hepatitis B virus ( DHBV) multiplication after withdrawal of ADV treatment.Methods Peking ducks were infected with DHBV positive serum samples for 7 days and then screened by SYBR Green real-time PCR.The ducks positive for DHBV were randomly divided into five groups including the model control group, the ADV treat-ment group, the herb treatment group, the high-dose combination therapy group and the low-dose combina-tion therapy group.The ducks in the ADV treatment and the herb treatment groups were respectively treated with distilled water and YiGanQingDuKeLi (1.2 g/ml) for 14 days after the treatment of ADV (0.25 mg/ml) for 21 days.The ducks in the high-dose group were treated with YiGanQingDuKeLi (1.2 g/ml) for 14 days after the combined treatment with high-dose YiGanQingDuKeLi (1.2 g/ml) and ADV (0.25 mg/ml) for 21 days.The ducks in the low-dose group were treated with YiGanQingDuKeLi (0.6 g/ml) for 14 days after the combined treatment with YiGanQingDuKeLi (0.6 g/ml) and ADV (0.125 mg/ml) for 21 days.Blood samples were collected from each duck via leg vein after 0, 7, 14 and 21 days of drug adminis-tration and after 7 and 14 days of drug withdrawal.The levels of DHBV-DNA, alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase ( AST) in blood serum samples were detected.Results Compared with the model group, the levels of DHBV-DNA, ALT and AST in ducks from the herb treatment group and combined treatment groups were decreased before the discontinuation of ADV treatment ( P<0.05 or P<0.01).Moreover, the titers of DHBV-DNA in ducks treated with high doses of drugs were much lower than those from ADV treatment group.The levels of DHBV-DNA, ALT and AST in ducks treated with herb medi-cine and high doses of drugs remained at relatively low levels after the cessation of ADV treatment, but re-bounded significantly in ducks with ADV treatment.The levels of DHBV-DNA and ALT rebounded slightly in ducks treated with low doses of drugs as compared with those of ADV treatment group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusion The treatment of YiGanQingDuKeLi in combination with ADV could inhibit not only the in vivo replication of DHBV, but also the rebound of DHBV multiplication after ADV withdrawal.