AIM: To investigate the effect of Astragalus membranaceus on the balance of oxidation and antioxidation in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and the possible anti-fibrosis mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus.METHODS: Female KM mice (n=36) were randomly divided into 3 groups.The mice in control group were administered with saline aerosol intratracheally.The mice in fibrosis group were administered with bleomycin at dose of 3 mg/kg aerosol intratracheally.The mice in Astragalus membranaceus group were administered with bleomycin at dose of 3 mg/kg aerosol intratracheally and then intraperitoneal injected with Astragalus membranaceus parenteral solution at daily dose of 1.7 g/kg.All mice were sacrificed 14 d after the treatment, and the lungs and serum were collected for detection.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed in the lung tissue.The mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase 1/2/3 (SOD1/2/3), catalase (CAT), NADPH oxidase 2/4 (NOX2/4) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected by RT-PCR, and the protein expression of α-SMA and NOX2/4 was determined by Western blot.The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the serum were measured by a colorimetric method.RESULTS: The pathological injury was obviously observed in bleomycin group compared with control group, but was attenuated in Astragalus membranaceus group.The α-SMA mRNA and protein expression, MDA/T-AOC, NOX2, NOX4 and SOD3 mRNA expression, and NOX2 protein expression in bleomycin group were significantly higher than those in control group, while those in Astragalus membranaceus group were significantly lower than those in bleomycin group.The protein expression of NOX4 in bleomycin group was significantly lower than that in control group, while that in Astragalus membranaceus group was higher than that in bleomycin group.The mRNA expression of SOD1 and CAT in Astragalus membranaceus group and bleomycin group were decreased compared with control group.No significant difference of SOD2 mRNA expression among the 3 groups was observed.CONCLUSION: Astragalus membranaceus inhibits bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by maintaining the balance of oxidation and antioxidation.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Bawei Xilei San (BWXLS), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on mice with oxazolone-induced colitis and to explore the mechanisms. Methods: Thirty-two BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (8 for each): normal control group, untreated group, hydrocortisone group and BWXLS group. Except for the mice in the normal control group, all mice were intrarectally administered with 3.0% oxazolone to induce colitis. Then the mice in the normal control group and untreated group were administered with 0.9% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium solution. Mice in the BWXLS group were intrarectally administered with 0.2 mg/g BWXLS and hydrocortisone group with 0.02 mg/g respectively for 5 days. The body weight and stool consistency and occult or gross blood were recorded to calculate the disease activity index (DAI). The mice were sacrificed at the 6th day. The macroscopic and histological changes of the colon were evaluated. The expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and epithelial tight junction protein occludin were assessed by immunohistochemical method. The level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in colonic mucosa was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The DAI, and macroscopic and histological changes in the BWXLS group were improved as compared with those in the untreated group (P<0.05) but were similar to those in the hydrocortisone group. The expression of occludin was significantly increased (P<0.05) while the expressions of TLR4, NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha were significantly decreased in the BWXLS group as compared with the untreated group, and were similar to those in the hydrocortisone group (P>0.05). Conclusion: Up-regulating the expression of occludin and down-regulating the expressions of TLR4 and NF-kappaB, and hence inhibiting TNF-alpha expression and improving the mucosa barrier function may be part of the mechanisms of BWXLS in treating oxazolone-induced colitis in mice.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of nimesulide in the treatment of chronic periodontitis patients,and analyze the effect of IL-8 and TNF-αlevels in the gingival sulcus fluid.Methods 88 patients with chronic periodontitis in our hospital between June 2014 to December 2015 were divided into control group and observation group by the random number method, 44 cases in each group, the control group patients were given metronidazole treatment, observation group patients were given nimesulide treatment,two groups therapeutic effect and the incidence of adverse reactions were observed, compared two groups of patients before and after treatment in gingival sulcus fluid IL-8 and TNF-αlevel, compared sulcus bleeding index (SBI), plaque index (PLI) and clinical attachment level (CAL),before and after treatment two weeks and four weeks of probing depth (PD) of two groups.Results The total effective rate of observation group patients was 95.55%, significantly higher than the control group patients’total efficiency (81.82%) (χ2 =4.06, P=0.04), after treatment in the observation group gingival sulcus fluid IL-8 factor and TNF-αlevels were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05), After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, PD, SBI and CAL indicators observation group were significantly lower than the control group ( P <0.05 ) , the incidence of adverse reactions of observation group patients was 4.55%, significantly lower than the incidence of adverse reactions in control group patients(22.73%)(χ2 =6.18, P=0.01).Conclusion Nimesulide in the treatment of chronic periodontitis with a highly efficient clinical efficacy, while reducing gastrointestinal side effects, etc., can effectively reduce the gingival sulcus fluid IL-8 and TNF-αlevels, ease clinical symptoms, is a highly effective treatment.

Objective To Investigate the disorder of colonic epithelium apoptosis and proliferation as well as its role of the epithelial barrier break down in ulcerative colitis(UC). Methods Fifty biopsy specimens were obtained endoscopically from 35 patients of UC and 15 controls respectively.The specimens were used for diagnosis of UC and investigation of epithelium proliferation an d apoptosis by IHC with markers of ki－ 67 and M30 respectively. Results Apopto sis index(marked by M30) and ratio of apoptosis to proliferation increased obvio usly in UC compared with the controls(P0.05);Disorder of epithelium apoptosis an d proliferation take place in UC.Apoptosis cells were found not only at luminal surface but also at the base of crypt;however,proliferation cells may extend to superior part of the crypt. Conclusion Unlimited and premature apoptosis as wel l as disorder of apoptosis to proliferation is maybe one of the causes which lea ding to breakdown of the epithelial barrier function i n UC.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and tolerability of 0 75% ropivacaine(8～10ml) versus 1% lidocaine plus 0 2% dicaine in epidural anesthesia cesarean section.Method Parturients for elective cesarean were randomly designed to receive 0 75% ropivacaine(groupⅠ,n=15) or 1%lidocaine plus 0 2% dicaine(groupⅡ,n=15) epidural anesthesia. Sensory block,intraoperative pain(VAS score) and abdominal wall relaxation were assessed together with adverse reaction. Results The percentage of sensory block to reach T6 level was higher in groupⅠ than that in groupⅡ(P

Objective Wnt signal is very important to control the gastrointestinal mucosal proliferation, but its role in the gastric mucosal proliferation after acidified ethanol injury is not clear yet,neither is the relationship with cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Methods X-gal staining was used to measure the expression of Wnt signaling; Western blot and RT-PCR were used to measure the expression of TCF4 and P-Catenin in the gastric mucosa before and after acidified ethanol injury. We also used TOP/flash plasmid to further indentify the relationship between COX-2 and Wnt signal pathway. Results After acidified ethanol injury, the expression of LacZ signal, β-Catenin and TCF4 increased only in the wild type mouse. The expression of β-Catenin and TCF4 protein increased about (3.52 ±0.52) times and (3.02 ±0.62) times separately, and the expression of β-Catenin and TCF4 mRNA increased about (19. 85 ±3.63) times and (17.82 ±4.82) times separately. Without ethanol injury, the expression of TOP/flash plasmid was inhibited by COX-2 inhibitor (NS398) about 80% and promoted by prostaglandin E2(PGE2) about 50%.After 1% ethanol injury, the expression of plasmid was inhibited by NS398 about 25% ; on the contrary,PGE2 promoted the expression about 10%. Conclusion Wnt signal in gastric mucosa is activated after acidified ethanol injury. COX-2 may work through modulating Wnt signal to control the proliferation of gastric mucosa.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the distribution and drug resistance of the bacteria encountered from the(clinical) infection,and provide reference for the rational use of agents in clinics.METHODS To culture the(specimens) from inpatient and outpatient clinic from Dec 2004 to Mar 2005,and perform the drug (sensitivity) test.RESULTS In 1584 isolated strains,the first four were coagulase negative Staphylococcus((15.6%),) Klebsiella(13.0%),Escherichia coli(10.0%),and Candida albicans(9.9%).The highest resistance of Gram(-negative) bacilli was to ampicillin(86.7%),then to cephalothin(79.5%),and mezlocillin(75.7%);G~-bacilli were(sensitive) to meropenem(2.3%),piperacillin/tazobactam(19.0%),and fosfomycin(29.1%).Gram~+ cocci had drug(resistance) to 18 antibacterials except vancomycin,MRSA was higher than MSSA;(Enterococcus) faecium showed poor sensitive rate to penicillin and erythromycin.CONCLUSIONS We should give more attantion to the Rules on Antibacterials in Clinical Application and use drugs reasonably.

Objective To examine the expression of PPAR-? in the biopsy of colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis(UC) and assess its relationship with the seriousness of disease .Methods The biopsy specimens were taken endoscopically from 31 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and from 12 IBS control separately. The expression of PPAR-? antigen in colonic mucosa was detected by immunohistochemisty(IHC) of the labeled-avidin-biotin method .The first antibody was mouse to human monoclonal IgG antibody against PPAR-?.Results The percentages of positive cells in the lesion of UC its juxta mucosa and control were 24.7%?1.4 9%,43.8%?2.03% and 70.2%?3.75%(P

Objective To evaluate the effects of a novel inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor (FR260330) in prevention of chronic rejection in a model of rat aortic allograft and to investigate the mechanism of the arterial wall lesion of chronically rejecting solid organ grafts. Methods Male Lewis (LEW, RT1~ l) rats received male ACI (RT1~ a) aorta allografts or LEW aorta isografts. Seven groups (n≥12) were involved in this study. FR260330 and/or tacrolimus were administered orally for 14 or 90 days according to protocol. The degree of intimal proliferation of graft aorta was determined by a computerized image system.Results Both low and high doses of FR260330 or tacrolimus treated grafts showed significantly decreased intima/(intima+media) ratios at day 90 compared with placebo controls. Combined therapy of low-dose of FR260330 with low-dose of tacrolimus produced a significant decrease of intima/(intima+media) ratios with intact endothelium as compared with placebo controls. Anti-?-actin immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that one of the mechanisms of intimal proliferation was related to migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. The intima in iNOS inhibition groups was more smooth than in placebo control group and low-dose FK506 treated groups.Conclusions A selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, FR260330 plays a protective role in chronic aortic allograft rejection in the rat. Combined therapy of low-dose of FR260330 with tacrolimus produces significant protection of immune injury and may serve to improve long-term graft survival and function.

Objective To investigate the present situation of living and living quality of the elderly living in communities of Xi'an City.Methods By using quality of life(QOL) questionnaire,the elders living in two communities in Xi'an were investigated regarding their physical,psychological,social and material functions as well as overall living quality.Results Psychological and social functions scored significantly higher in both male and higher-income groups than those in the others.The scores of physical and social functions in the lower-income elderly were significantly higher than those in high-income ones.The scores of overall living quality of those elderly having spouses,living with their family members,taking an active part in social activities,having hobbies and enjoying medical insurance were significantly higher than those of the others.The well-educated elderly scored significantly higher in social function than those with lower education level;adverse events prominently decreased the quality of life of the elderly.More than 80% of the elderly were satisfied with their living environment.The highest incidence of chronic diseases in the communities was hypertension.Conclusion The quality of life of the elderly living in communities of Xi'an City is good.Health status,family environment,educational level,income and marital status are the main factors that affect the quality of life of the elderly.