The studies of animal models have shown that the expression of matrix metalloprotease (MMP) is abnormal during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion,which indicating that it is associated with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury,especially MMP-2,MMP-3 and MMP-9 play the important roles in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Understanding of the roles and expressions of MMP,the factors affecting its expression,and the studies and application of the related antibodies in cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury may provide a new alternative for the early diagnosis,prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction.

Functional dizziness is one of the most frequent functional disorders in adult patients.The termfunctional dizziness is not a nosological entity,but comprises several diagnoses.This study is aim to summarize the typical symptoms of functional dizziness and signs and symptoms of non-functional dizziness.

BACKGROUND: Studies of umbilical cord blood stem cells transplantation for liver function failure have demonstrated that Astragalus membranaceus preparation can stimulate hemopoietic stem/progenitor cell proliferation.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Astragalus membranaceus injection on the differentiation of umbilical cord blood stem cell into hepatocyte in vitro and in vivo for the treatment of liver failure. METHODS: The third and fourth passage of human umbilical cord blood stem cells (HUCBSCs) were collected. In drug screening test, there were 4 groups: cells were separately cultured with 0, 40, 200, and 400 mg/L Astragalus membranaceus injection to screen the appropriate for cell growth. In cell differentiation test, there were 2 groups: HUCBSCs were respectively cultured with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF, 10 μg/L), and HGF (10 μg/L) plus 200 mg/L Astragalus membranaceus injection. D-aminogalactose was intraperitoneally injected to establish a model of acute liver failure. Surviving model rats (48 hours) were randomly divided into six groups: model control, Astragalus membranaceus injection, rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells, combination, combination+Cytoxan, and combination+dexamethasone groups. The alpha fetoprotein mRNA and albumin mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR, and liver function indexes were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Different mass concentration of Astragalus membranaceus injection displayed varied influence on HUCBSC proliferation: 200 mg/L was the best for HUCBSC proliferation. Compared with HUCBSC cultured with HGF alone, the number of albumen-positive cells in HUCBSCs cultured with 200 mg/L Astragalus membranaceus injection and HGF was greater (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of albumen mRNA in combination, combination+Cytoxan, and combination+dexamethasone groups was greater than rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells group, while alpha fetoprotein mRNA expression was only greater than rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells group in early stage. At 7 days of treatment, the values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate amino transferase and total bilirubin were significantly greater in combination, combination+Cytoxan, and combination+dexamethasone groups compared with model control, Astragalus membranaceus alone and rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells groups (P < 0.05), but no differences were observed among model control, Astragalus membranaceus alone and rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells groups (P > 0.05). Results indicate that Astragalus membranaceus injection at 200 mg/L can promote the proliferation and differentiation of HUCBSCs into hepatocyte in vitro and in vivo, ameliorate liver function and improve treatment effect of HUCBSC transplantation for liver failure.

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) neuroprotection by studying the effect of rhEPO on expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and BCL-2 following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Methods A rat middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was induced by the intraluminal filament method, and intraperitoneal injection of rhEPO was used for intervention. Histopathological changes were observed by HE staining, and the expressions of MMP-9 and BCL-2 in the cerebral cortex of ischemic side were detected with immunohisto-chemistry. Results HE staining: At all time points, the numbers of surviving nerve cells were significantly higher in the rhEPO group, and their injury degree was significantly lower. MMP-9 immunohistochemistry staining: The positive cells were observed occasionally in the normal control group and the sham-operation group; the MMP-9 positive cells at the ischemic side of brain tissue in a normal saline control group began to appear at 6 hours after reperfusion, it reached the peak at 24 hours and began to decrease at 72 hours; the change trend of MMP-9 positive cells in the rhEPO group was similar to that in the normal saline control group, but it was significantly lower than that in the normal saline control group at the same time points (t were 12. 023 6, 12. 635 0, 12. 779 6, respectively, all P <0. 01). BCL-2 immunohistochemistry staining: No positive cells were found in the normal control group and sham-operation group. The numbers of BCL-2 positive cells reached the peak at the ischemic side of brain tissue in the normal saline control group at 6 hours after reperfusion, it reached the peak at 24 hours and further decreased at 72 hours; the change trend of BCL-2 positive cells in the rhEPO group was similar to that in the normal saline control group, but it was significantly higher than that in the normal saline control group at the same time points (t were 5. 763 1,8. 110 1, and 5. 798 7, respectively, all P <0. 01). Conclusions rhEPO may inhibit cortical neuronal apop-tosis at the ischemic side by inhibiting MMP-9 expression and up-regulating BCL-2 expression so as to play a neuroprotective effect.

0.05),which led to an important difference in the levels of hsCRP between the groups (P

Objective To explore the protective effect of erythropoietin(EPO)on inflammatory injury induced by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats.Methods 54 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham operation group,normal saline control group and EPO group.The focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was made by suture-occluded method.The content of interleukin-1 β(IL-1β)and the activity of myeloperoxidease(MPO)were measured by radioimmunoassay and chromatoptometry at 6 h,24 h and 48 h reperfusion following ischemia 2 h.The scores of behavior obstacle in rats were assessed at 24 h.Results Compared with the normal saline control group,EPO group got better score of behavior obstacle(all P<0.05).The content of IL-1β and the activity of MPO in brain in the EPO group were significantly lower than those in the normal saline control group(all P<0.01).Compared with two reperfusion groups,the sham operation group had no obvious abnormal change in each measurement item.Conclusion EPO can reduce the content of IL-1β and inhibit the infiltration of leukoeyte,which can provide protective effect on cerebral ischemic-repefusion injury in rats.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of CT in the spondylolysis of lumbar spine and improve the technique of CT scan.Methods The CT appearances of the spondylolysis of lumbar spine were analyzed in 20 cases.Results CT could demonstrate the spondylolysis and its abnormal features that led to compress nerve root.Conclusion CT scan plays an important role in the diagnosis of the spondylolysis of lumbar spine and in selecting treat methods.Technique of CT scan improved can depict the specific feature of spondylolysis truely.

Objective To observe the effect of three different methods for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures on bone density.Methods Fifty-three patients with osteoporotic vertebral compressive fractures were retrospectively analyzed.These patients were divided into conservative treatment group,vertebroplasty(PVP)group and balloon kyphoplasty(PKP)group.Quantitative computed tomography measurement of bone density(L2-4)was performed before treatment,after treatment for 3 months,half a year,1 year,1 and half a year.Results Before and after treatment,no significant changes was found in bone density during follow-up in PVP group and PKP group.Bone density was decreased after treatment for 3 months compared with that before treatment,from(86.12 ± 8.21)mg/cm3 to (85.23 ± 8.31)mg/cm3 in PVP group,from(86.32 ± 8.38)mg/cm3 to(84.98 ± 8.26)mg/cm3 in PKP group,but there was no significant difference(P ＞ 0.05),bone density returned to pre-injury level after treatment for half a year.Bone loss was found significantly after treatment for 3 months and half a year follow-up in conservative treatment group,bone density decreased significantly[(74.42 ± 8.36),(76.10 ± 8.31)mg/cm3 vs.(86.87 ±8.27)mg/cm3],and there was significant difference(P ＜0.05),and there was no significant difference between after treatment for 1 year and before treatment(P＞ 0.05).Bone density after treatment for 3 months and half a year in PVP group and PKP group was higher than that in conservative treatment group [(85.23 ±8.31),(84.98 ± 8.26)mg/cm3 vs.(74.42 ± 8.36)mg/cm3 and(86.23 ± 8.05),(86.41 ± 8.17)mg/cm3 vs.(76.10 ± 8.31)mg/cm3],and there was significant difference(P＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference among three groups after treatment for 1 year and 1 and half a year(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions PVP and PKP are positive treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures,which could reduce the loss of bone mass and do function exercise early.It could prevent brittle fracture and vertebral compression fracture further aggravated,which are a better clinical treatment methods.

BACKGROUND: At present, osteoarthritis of knee is mainly treated with non-steroid drug in medication, but resulting in the side effects on gastrointestinal tract. The research indicates that bushen yiqi huoxue formula, with litter side effect, improves remarkably pain and motor function of patients with osteoarthritis of knee.OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effect of bushen yiqi huoxue formula on pathological process of the cartilage of knee joint by setting up ostoarthritis of knee in rabbt.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study by observation in which the experimental animals were taken as the objects.SETTING: Animal experimental center of a university.MATERIALS: Totally 36 New Zealand normal male rabbits, weighted varied from 2.0 to 3.0 kg.METHODS: The experiment was performed in Animal Experimental Center of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2002 to January 2003. Thirty-six New Zealand rabbits were involved to set up Hulth knee osteoarthritis model. After operation, they were randomized into 3 groups,named as model group, acetaminophen group and bushen yiqi huoxue formula group (formula group). Adopted corresponding managements in each group,the materials were collected at the 4th, 8th and 12th week after operation for histological pathological assess.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary results: integrals of pathological changes in cartilage of joint in every group. Secondary results: ①Naked-eye observation of cartilage of joint in every group. ② Optic microscopic observation of cartilage of joint in every group.RESULTS: The total integrals of pathological changes in cartilage of joint in model group, acetaminophen group and bushen yiqi huoxue formula grcup (formula group) at the 4th week were 18.50±1.00, 14.25±1.26,11.75±2.22 respectively, and 30.75±1.26, 22.00±3.16, 17.75±2. 21 at the 12th week respectively. The total integrals of pathological changes in cartilage of joint, in chondrocyte and in cartilage surface layer are in the sequence of model group ＞ acetaminophen group ＞ formula group successively. The significant or very significant differences present in the comparisons between groups.CONCLUSION: Bushen yiqi huoxue formula delays pathological progression of osteoarthritis of knee so that it can treat and prevent the disease.

Objective To explorer the therapeutic effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture.Methods Thirty patients with vertebral diseases were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty;the therapeutic effects were analyzed statistically and retrospectively.Results The vertebral heights,Cobb angles and VAS scores were improved after operation,and 13 cases had marginal cement leakage; 30cases were followed-up for 2 to 24 months with an average of 8 months; patients with thoracolumbar lesions had obvious pain relief during follow-up.Conclu sions Percutaneous vertebroplasty has exact clinical curative effect in the treatment of elderly osteoporotic vertebral fracture.