Endostatin(ES), the C-terminal fragment of collagen XVIII, is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. At present, there are a large number of research papers on ES. It has already been on clinical stage Ⅱ and been widely used in inhibition of neovascularization(NV). However, how to improve the bioactivity of ES is still a matter of ongoing discussion. The objective of this review is to elucidate the relationship between the modified ES and ocular neovascualrization, and to discuss the superiority based on the structure modification. The structure can be changed either by covalent modification or by genetical mutation. It is proposed that the secondary structral ES enhance the anti-angiogenic activity. Studies on modified ES also shed light on our understanding of the molecular action mechanisms of ES. Modified ES may be exploited as a new angiogenesis inhibitor for therapeutic applica-tions, in substitution of the native ES. Activity

Objective To analyze the nontubercutous mycobaeterium (NTM) identification data of two groups of sputum sam- ples during the periods of 1986 to 1997 and 2000 to 2005 so as to figure out the identification of NTM.Methods A total of 222 strains of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria were included for strain identification and sensitivity test with traditional methods.Re- suits According to Runyon classification, during the period of 1986-1997 there were 15 strains (15.5%) in GroupⅠ, 4 (4.2%) in GroupⅡ, 23 (24.0%)in GroupⅢand 54 (56.3%) in GroupⅣ;during the period of 2000—2005 there were 30 strains (16.1%) in GroupⅠ, 11(5.9%) in GroupⅡ, 51 (27.4%) in GroupⅢand 94 (50.6%) in GroupⅣ.The number of NTM types increased by 133.3%.The absolute number of NTM isolates in the first five years of this century increased by 93.89% compared with the numbers in the 11 years of last century.Conclusions The number of types and absolute number of i- solates of NTM have increased in the first live years of this century compared with the numbers in the 11 years of last century. We should enhance the epidemiological research on pulmonary NTM in order to provide scientific evidence for comprehensive prevention and treatment.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infant ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; pathology ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Nose Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the role of nerve growth factor(NGF)in asthmatic rats by observing the expression of NGF and effects of corticosteroid on the expression of NGF in lungs of asthmatic rats.Methods Forty-five rats were randomly devided into 3 groups:control group,asthmatic group,therapeutic group with corticosteroid.The thickness of airway smooth musle(ASM)was measured by HE staining,and the expression of NGF was observed by immunohistochemical staining.Results 1.The thickness of ASM,the expression of NGF and were significantly higher in asthmatic group than those of control group and therapeutic group(Pa

Background Researches demonstrated that the long-term application of glucocorticoids can induce cataract. However, its molecular mechanism is unclear. Objective Present study was to investigate the effects of dexamethasone on the regulation of nuclear factor kappa B( NF-κB)/ inhibitor kappa B alpha( IκBα) line on human lens epithelial cells (LECs) and the LECs apoptosis. Methods Human LECs line(HLE2B3) were cultured and passaged in DMEM containing 20% fetal bovine serum and treated by different concentrations of dexamethasone(0. 01,0. 1,1,10,100 μmol/L) for 24,36 and 48 hours respectively. The LECs cultured in free-serum DMEM without dexamethasone were as blank control group. The expressions of IκBo: in the LECs were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT-PCR) and Western blot, and the expressions of NF-κB neucleoprotein in LECs were detected by Western blot after exposure to dexamethasone. The apoptosis rate of LECs was determined by flow cytometer. Results Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the amplified gene fragment was coincident to designed one. The expressing level of NF-κB neucleoprotein in LECs was significantly lowed with the increase of dexamethasone concentration ( F = 36. 077 , P = 0. 004 ) , and that of IkBo: was evidently ascended ( F = 35. 741 ,P = 0. 002). In the same concentration of dexamethasone group,the expression of NF-κB in LECs showed the considerable alteration in different duration after treated of dexamethasone with the lowest expressing level in 36 hours, and significant differences were found in the expressing level between 24 hours and 36 hours ( P = 0. 002) and between 24 hours and 48 hours (P = 0. 01). The differences of expression of IκBá in LECs appeared the same pattern to NF-κB neucleoprotein. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate of LECs was obviously enhanced after action of dexamethasone in a dose-dependent manner, showing a significant difference among different groups ( F = 73. 261, P = 0.001). Conclusion It is implied that dexamethasone results in the pathogenesis and development of glucocorticoid cataract by up-regulating the expression of IκBα in LECs and suppressing the activity of NF-κB and herein induce the apoptosis of LECs at concentration-and time-dependent manner. This might be one of cellular and biological mechanisms of glucocorticoid cataract formation.

Objective To explore the effects of exercise training(ET)on the functional recovery of nerves (NFR)in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH).Methods Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into an ET group,a control group and a sham operation group(SO group).An ICH model was established with colla- genase in the ET and control groups,while sodium chloride was used with the SO group.The ET group exercised for 40 min a day from 24 h to 30 d after the operation.Attitudinal reflexes,balance function and muscle strength were assessed at 24 h,3 d,7 d,14 d,21 d and 28 d after the operation.Results Compared with the control group, NFR values were increased significantly in the ET group,and there was no obvious dysfunction in the SO group. Conclusion Early ET can contribute to functional recovery after ICH.

Background RGD is a small molecular multiple peptide containing Arg-Gly-Asp with an important role in inhibiting the adhesion,migration and neovascularization of tumor.Our previous study determined that RGD can suppress the adhesion and proliferation of lens epithelial cells(LECs),and RGDRGD may be of a stronger effect. Objective Present study was to investigate and compare the effect of RGDRGD peptide on the proliferation and adhesion of immortalized human LECs(HLEB-3)in vitro. Methods Human LECs harvested by trpsin-EDTA were suspended in DMEM medium with serial dilutions of RGD peptide and RGDRGD peptide(from 1000 mg/L to 250 mg/L)at 37℃ for 15 minutes as experimental group,and the HLECs cultured by common culture medium were used as the control group.The cells were then seeded into the 96-well plates with precoated fibmnectin (FN)and I collagen at the density of 2×104/ml.MTT stainingcolorimetry was used to measure the adhesion rates of lens epithelial cells cultured in different concentrations RGDRGD and RGD peptides after 1 hour.Cells were seeded into the 96-well plates for 24 hours at 37℃ in 5% CO2.Medium was then replaced with DMEM overnight.Subsequently,the cells were treated with serial dilutions of RGD and RGDRGD(from 2000 mg/L to 250 ms/L)dissolved in DMEM medium plus 20% fetal bovine serum.The inhibition of RGDRGD and RGD on the adhesion and proliferation of Human LECs was analyzed by MTT aher 24,48 and 72 hours. Results The inhibition rate of RGD peptide on the adhesion of LECs was gradually enhanced with the increase of concentration with the significant difference among the different concentrations groups(F=1089.56,P＜0.01),and the statistically significant elevation in inhibitory rate was found in RGDRGD peptide compared with RGD peptide(P＜0.01).The inhibition rate of RGDRGD peptide on the proliferation of LECs wag gradually increased with the increase of concentration with the significant difference among the different concentrations groups with a strongest effect in 1000 ms/L group(F=127.31,P＜0.01),and the much stronger inhibition Wag Been in RGDRGD peptide(F=1589.85,P＜0.01).The suppression rate of RGDRGD on LECs proliferation Wag much stronger with the prolong of time(F=1606.43,P＜0.01). Conclusion RGDRGD peptide and RGD peptide have inhibitory effect on adhesion and proliferation of human LECs in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Effect of RGDRGD peptide is much stronger than RGD peptide.These results imply that RGDRGD peptide and RGD peptide have the important role for prevention of PCO.

Coptidis Rhizoma-Euodiae Fructus has been widely used for the treatment of digestive diseases since Song Dynasty, and therapeutic efficacy is very obvious. Modern research found that alkaloids are the main bio-active constituents, and some of their contents have striking difference after compatibility of the two herbs. The Chinese medicine pair (CMP) has extensive biological activities, such as the effect of gastrointestinal effect, anti-tumor, lowering the blood pressure and blood fat and so on. And some action mechanism of CMP also got partial demonstration. This paper mainly summarized the bio-active constituents, compatibility effects, action mechanism and clinical applications of the CMP, which can provide a basis for further research and development of the CMP.
Animals ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

BackgroundEndostatin (ES) is currently the strongest endogenous angiognesis inhibitor,and it can inhibit the occurrence of neovascularization.Various studies demonstrated that the poly RGD sequence can enhance the function of the ES gene.ObjectiveThis study was to evaluate the use of gene therapy of modified ES for alkaline burn-induced corneal neovascularization (CNV).MethodsOne hundred and two clean SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group,the pCI empty vector group,the pCI-ES group,and the pCI-RGDRGDES group.Corneal neovascularization models were established by placing a piece of 3 mm filter paper with 1 mol/L NaOH at the central cornea for 40 seconds.3 μg of the pCI blank vector,ES-tranfected pCI blank vector,or RGDRGD-ES-transfected pCI vector was injected into the superior bulbar conjunctiva after the alkali burn twice at 1-week intervals.Area of CNV and edema of the cornea in the various groups of rats were examined daily under the slit lamp biomicroscope.1,4,7 and 14 days after operation,the rats were sacrificed by the excessive anesthesia method and corneal tissues were obtained to evaluate pathological changes.The expression of CD34 in vascular endothelial cells was detected by immunochemistry to calculate the corneal neovascular density.The expressions of VEGF mRNA and Flk-1 protein in the corneas were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis.The use and maintenance of animals followed the Statement of ARVO.Results Seven to fourteen days after corneal alkali-burning,the corneal neovascular area was smaller in the pCI-ES group and pCI-RGDRGD-ES group compared with the normal control group and pCI blank vector group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01 ),and nevascular area in the pCI-RGDRGD-ES group was smaller than that in the pCI-ES group (P＜0.05).The expression level of CD34 was significantly lower in the pCI-ES group and pCI-RGDRGD-ES group than that in the normal control group and pCI blank vector group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01 ),and the expression level of CD34 was further declined in the pCI-RGDRGD-ES group compared with the pCI-ES group (P＜0.05 ).Compared with the normal control group and pCI vector group,the expressions of the Flk-1 protein and VEGF mRNA were decreased in the pCI-ES group and pCI-RGDRGD-ES group on the fourth day after corneal alkali-burning (P＜0.01,P＜0.05 ),and those in the pCI-RGDRGD-ES group were less than the pCI-ES group (P＜ 0.05,P＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Subconjunctival injection of both ES and modified RGDRGD-ES genes result in significant suppression of CNV in vivo,and modified RGDRGD-ES appears to be more effective than native ES.The main mechanism of ES in inhibiting neovascularization is to downregulate the expression of VEGF and Flk-1.

Background Oxidative stress is thought to be responsible to diabetes-complicated cataract.Our previous study demonstrated that as an iron chelator,deferiprone can protect lens from oxidative damage.Objective This further study aimed to investigate the role of deferiprone on the formation of diabetic-complicated cataract.Methods Forty 6-week-old Wistar rats were included in the study and randomized into 4 groups.Eight of them were used as the normal control group.Diabetes mellitus animal models were established in 22 rats by the carbonhydratediet and fat diet and the intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg streptozocin (STZ).The deferiprone of 50 mg and 100 mg were intragastrically given in 8 model rats respectively after 3 days once a day for 8 weeks.The opacification of lenses was examined under the slit lamp weekly after treatment.The animals were sacrificed and the lenses were obtained at the eighth week of deferiprone injection.The concentrations of water-soluble protein ( WSP),urine-soluble protein (USP) and alkali-soluble protein (ASP) in rat lens suspension were detected by Bradford method.The super oxide dimutese (SOD),malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were determined spectrometically using xanthine oxidase,thiobarbituric acid,dithio bis-nitrobenzoic acid.Results No evidently differences were found in the content of the WSP,USP and ASP among the these groups( F=1.73,0.18,0.09,P＞0.05).The contents of MDA in 50 mg deferiprone group and 100 mg deferiprone group were ( 1.05 ± 0.10 ) mmol/g and ( 1.05 ± 0.22 ) mmol/g respectively,showing a significant decline in comparison with diabetic model group (P＜0.05).The SOD and GSH contents in lens were (321.29±16.57) U/mg,(322.07±22.16) U/mg and (7.83±0.65 ) mg/g,(7.70±0.77 ) mg/g respectively in 50 mg deferiprone group and 100 mg deferiprone group and were considerably elevated in comparison with ( 298.70± 14.69 ) U/mg and ( 5.47 ± 1.01 ) mg/g of diabetic model groups ( P＜0.05 ).No significant differences were found in the indexes mentioned above between 50 mg and 100 mg deferiprone groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions Deferiprone can reduce oxidative stress and improve the energy metabolism of the lens in diabetic rats.