BACKGROUND:As the potent, specific immunosuppressants emerge, the survival rate after intestinal transplantation is improved to some extent. However, the adverse effects of immunosuppressants and expensive treatment costs are not tolerable for many patients. Therefore, it is clinical y meaningful to choose traditional Chinese medicine which presents immunosuppressive effects. Artesunate has immune suppression effect, reduces acute rejection fol owing smal intestine transplantation, and improves the success rate of smal intestine transplantation.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect and action mechanism of artesunate in acute rejection after smal intestine transplantation in rats.
METHODS:Al ogeneic smal intestine transplantation models were established in the closed group of
Sprague-Dawley rats and Wistar rats, and then were randomly divided into three groups, syngenic transplantation group (SD→SD), al ogeneic transplantation group (Wistar→SD), and artesunate treatment group (Wistar→SD+artesunate 60 mg/kg per day, intraperitoneal injection).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Rats in syngenic transplantation group survived for more than 10 days and they were al kil ed on day 10. The average survival of rats in al ogeneic transplantation group and artesunate treatment group was respectively (6.73±0.58) days and (8.50±0.74) days, with significant differences between the two groups (P<0.01). Histopathological examination showed that, there was no apparent rejection in syngenic transplantation group specimens, but mild, moderate and severe rejections in al ogeneic transplantation group on days 3, 5, 7. In treatment group, some specimens had mild rejection, but appeared relatively late to a low degree. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay results revealed that, serum interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma expression levels in al ogeneic transplantation group were significantly higher than other two groups after surgery (P<0.01), serum interleukin-2 gene expression level in treatment group was also higher than syngenic transplantation group, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05), serum interferon-gamma expression level in treatment group was higher than syngenic transplantation group (P<0.05). Artesunate can inhibit acute rejection after rat smal intestine transplantation, and its mechanism may be related to inhibition effect on the secretion and expression of interleukin-2, interferon-gamma and other cytokines.

OBJECTIVE:To study the antioxidant activity in vitro of neutral polysaccharides and its graded component from 3samples of white ginseng and red ginseng. METHODS:The decoction method was used to extract the crude polysaccharides fromwhite ginseng,100 ℃ and 120 ℃ processed red ginseng;the crude polysaccharides were further separated through ion exchangecolumn to extract neutral polysaccharides;Sephadex G-75 gels filter column was used to grade the neutral polysaccharides accordingto the molecular weight,antioxidant activity in vitro of 9 samples in 3 neutral polysaccharides and were detected by DPPH andOH free radical scavenging test and reduction capacity test(FRAP value),and vitamin C was used as positive control. RESULTS:The 3 neutral polysaccharides all obtained component Ⅰ and component Ⅱ after grading. Neutral polysaccharides and its gradedcomponent showed certain antioxidant activity in vitro in a certain concentration range,and increased by concentration increasing.The activity of neutral polysaccharides and component Ⅱ from 120 ℃ processed red ginseng was the strongest,of which 50% inhibitoryconcentration(IC50)on DPPH free radical was 0.258 g/L and 0.253 g/L,on OH free radical was 7.157 g/L and 6.845g/L,FRAP values were 2.8 and 3.0 mmol/L(when concentration was 1.2 g/L),respectively. CONCLUSIONS:The antioxidant activityin vitro from 120 ℃ processed red ginseng is higher than that of 100 ℃ processed red ginseng and white ginseng,in whichcomponent Ⅱ makes important contribution to the antioxidant activity.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of statin in reduction of my ocardial injury in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).MethodsTotal of 185 patients undergoing PCI were included,140 patients were received atorvastatin before PCI,while 145 were not given statins at the time of PCI.Creatine kinase-MB and troponin Ⅰ were measured at baseline and at 8 and 24 hours after the procedure.ResultsPost procedurul peak levels of troponin Ⅰ and creatine kinase-MB were(0.12 ±0.26) μg/L and(2.61 ± 3.07) μg/L in the observation group,which were significantly lower than(0.51 ± 1.14) μg/L and( 6.85 ± 14.38 ) μg/L in the control group( t =3.951,3.414,P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionPretreatment with atorvastatin for 7 days could significantly reduces procedural myocardial injury in elective PCI.

Objective To investigate the effect of hydrogen on endoplasmic reticulum stress during hypoxiareoxygeuation(H/R)in PC12 cells.Methods PC12 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group(group NC),positive control group(group PC),H/R group and hydrogen group(group H).In group NC.the cells were cuhnred routinely for 25 h.In group PC,the cells were cultured routinely for 1 h and then in RPM1-1640 culture medium saturated with hydrogen for 24 h.In H/R group,the cells were exposed to 1 h of hypoxia followed by 24 h of reoxygenation.In group H,the cells were exposed to 1 h of hypoxia and then reoxygenated in RPMI-1640 culture medium saturated with hydrogen for 24 h.Hypoxia-reperfusion was produced by 1 h exposure of cells to 5％ CO2 in an incubator at 37 ℃ in RPMI-1640 culture medium containing Na2S2O4 with the final concentration of 5.0 mmoI/L,followed by 24 h reoxygenation in the normal RPMI-1640 culture medium.The relative rate of cell proliferation was detected by WST-1,The concentration of MDA was determined by thiobarbituric acid method.The expression of caspase-3 was determined by immuno-histochemistry.The expression of activating transcription factor-4(ATF4)mRNA and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)mRNA was determined by RTPCR.Results Compared with groups NC and PC,the relative rate of cell proliferation was significantly decreased,MDA concentration was significantly increased,and the expression of caspase-3,ATF4 mRNA and CHOP mRNA was up-regulated in group H/R,and the expression of ATF4 mRNA and CHOP mRNA was up-regulated in group H(P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the relative rate of cell proliferation,MDA concentration,and the expression of caspase-3,ATF4 mRNA and CHOP mRNA between groups NC and PC(P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group H/R,the relative rate of cell proliferation was significantly increased,MDA concentration was significantly decreased,and the expression of caspase-3,ATF4 mRNA and CHOP mRNA was down-regulated in group H(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Hydrogen can decrease cell apoptosis and attenuate H/R injury to PC12 cells through inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Objective To compare the efficacies of early intensive and moderate insulin therapy on the prognosis of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods The clinical data of 78 patients with SAP complicated by hyperglycemia who were admitted to the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2005 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were divided into the intensive insulin therapy (IIT)group (31 patients) and moderate insulin therapy (MIT) group (47 patients).The target levels of blood glucose were 0.80-1.10 g/L(4.4-6.1 mmol/L) in the IIT group and 1.44-1.80 g/L(8.0-10.0 mmol/L) in the MIT group,respectively.The effects of the 2 therapies on the prognosis of the patients were compared.All data were analyzed by the t test or chi-square test.Results The daily intravenous insulin dosage,fasting glucose level and incidence of severe hypoglycemia were ( 35 ± 11 ) u,( 1.02 ± 0.13 ) g/L[ (5.7 ± 0.7 ) mmol/L] and 10％ (3/31 )in the IIT group,and ( 24 ± 15 ) u,( 1.58 ± 0.21 ) g/L[ ( 8.8 ± 1.2 ) mmol/L] and 2％ ( 1/47 ) in the MIT group.A significant difference was detected in the daily intravenous insulin dosage between the 2 groups( t =12.76,P ＜=0.05),but no significant difference was detected in the incidence of severe hypoglycemia between the 2 groups (x2 =0.91,P ＞ 0.05 ).The levels of albumin and prealbumin on the 14th day were ( 34 ± 6) g/L and (231 ± 31 ) mg/L in the IIT group,and (35 ± 5)g/L and (241 ± 29)mg/L in the MIT group,respectively,with no significant difference between the 2 groups( t =-1.94,-1.68,P ＞ 0.05).The incidences of abdominal infection,circulatory dysfunction,respiratory dysfunction and acquired kidney injury were 23％ (7/31),32％ (10/31),26％ (8/31)and 13％ (4/31) in the lIT group,and 26％ (12/47),36％ ( 17/47),30％ (14/47) and 23％ (11/47) in the MIT group,with no significant difference between the 2 groups(x2 =0.09,0.13,0.15,1.33,P ＞ 0.05).The scores of APPACHE Ⅱ on the 14th day were 9 ± 4 in the IIT group and 9 ± 3 in the MIT group,respectively,with no significant difference between the 2 groups ( t =- 0.60,P ＞ 0.05 ).There were 4 ( 13％ ) patients in the IIT group and 7( 15％ ) patients in the MIT group died of multi-organ dysfunction syndrome,including 2 patients in the IIT group and 6 patients in the MIT group complicated with sepsis.There was no significant difference in the mortality between the 2 groups ( x2 =0,P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Compared with MIT,early IIT could not improve the prognosis of the patients with SAP.MIT is appropriate for SAP patients complicated with hyperglycemia.

Puerariae Lobatae Radix, also known as Gegen, is a root derived from Pueraria lobata. Based on field investigation and the developmental anatomy of root tuber, we have elucidated the relationship between the growth of root tuber and the anomalous structure. The results of analysis showed that the root system of P. lobata was developed from seed and adventitious root and there existed root tuber, adventitious root and conductive root according to morphology and function. The root tuber was developed from adventitious root, its secondary structure conformed to the secondary structure of dicotyledon's root. With the development of root, the secondary phloem of root tuber appeared abnormal vascular tissue, which was distributed like ring in the outside of secondary vascular tissue. The root tuber might have 4-6 concentric circular permutation abnormal vascular tissuelobate, and was formed by the internal development of abnormal vascular tissue. The xylem and phloem of abnormal vascular tissue were the main body of the root tuber. The results reveal the abnormal anatomical structure development of P. lobata, also provides the theoretical basis for reasonable harvest medicinal parts and promoting sustainable utilization of resources of P. lobata.
Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Tubers ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Pueraria ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of electrocardiogram (ECG) and pregnancy outcome of the late pregnancy women.

METHODSLate pregnancy women were divided into two groups by age: over 35 group and under 35 group. The incidence of abnormal electrocardiogram was recorded when the patients were subjected to routine ECG examination. Then the pregnancy, delivery outcome and if there's low birth weight newborn were recorded later.

RESULTSThe incidence of abnormal ECG in over 35 group was significantly higher than that in under 35 group (P < 0.05). And the incidence of ST segment changes, arrhythmia in the group of former was higher than that in the group of latter (P < 0.05). Among the different type of arrhythmia, the incidence of sinus bradycardia and ventricular premature beat in the group of former were higher than those in the group of latter (P < 0.05). But the incidence of sinus tachycardia in the former group was obviously lower than that in the latter group (P < 0.05). The incidence of pregnancy loss in over 35 with abnormal ECG group was significantly higher than that in under 35 with normal or abnormal ECG groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of premature birth in over 35 with abnormal ECG group was significantly higher than that in over 35 with normal ECG group (P < 0.05). The incidence of low body weight in over 35 with abnormal ECG group was significantly higher than that in under 35 with normal ECG group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe late pregnancy women with the age of over 35 are more likely to have ECG abnormalities, such as arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia and so on. The older pregnant women with abnormal ECG easily suffer from pregnancy losing, premature birth and having a low birth weight baby.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; epidemiology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) for the determination of three atractylenolides in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. METHODS: UPLC method was applied to determine atractylenolide Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ by external standard method (ESM) first. With this established UPLC method, atractylenolide Ⅲ was used as the internal standard (IS) to determine the correction factors (RCFs) of the two other atractylenolides, and their contents in all the samples were calculated by their RCFs at the same time. By comparing the contents determined by the ESM and QAMS methods, the feasibility and accuracy of QAMS method were verified. RESULTS: Within a certain range(atractylenolideⅠ: 3.7 - 59.3 μg•mL-1, atractylenolide Ⅱ: 3.9 - 63.5 μg•mL-1, atractylenolide Ⅲ: 7.3 - 116.1 μg•mL-1), the RCFs of atractylenolide Ⅰ, Ⅱ to atractylenolide Ⅲ were 0.633 and 1.895, respectively, which had good repeatability in different experimental conditions. There was no significant difference between the QAMS method and ESM method(P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The QAMS method is feasible and accurate for the determination of the three atractylenolides and is beneficial to the quality control of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz..

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. is a commonly used Chinese materia medica in clinical treatment, and its chemical constituents mainly include volatile oil, lactones, glycosides, atractylodes polysaccharide, and amino acids. In addition to the pharmacological effects of anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, regulating gastrointestinal function, and liver protection, A. macrocephala also has the function of treating and improving many kinds of diseases in nervous-mental system. In this paper, the role of A. macrocephala in nervous-mental system and its research mechanisms were summarized by literature analysis, in order to provide a reference for further explaining the mechanism and clinical medication of A. macrocephala in nervous-mental system.

Objective • To investigate the effects of estrogen on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of bone marrow macrophage (BMM) and the mechanism. Methods • BMMs were isolated from normal C57BL/6J mice and induced to differentiate to osteoclasts in vitro. BMMs in experimental group were administered with 10-8 mol/L exogenous estrogen and antagonist group with both estrogen and 1 μmol/L ICI-182780, an antagonist of estrogen receptor, and control group was designed as well. Five 12-week-old C57BL/6J mice underwent ovariectomy (OVX group) and sham group (n=5) underwent sham surgery. All mice were sacrificed after 3 months to isolate BMM. Proliferation ability of BMM was assessed using Prestoblue, TUNEL assay was performed to detect apoptosis in each group. Caspase 3 and caspase 8 were detected by Western blotting. Quantitative real time PCR was used to detect tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (Trap) and cathepsin K (Ctsk) mRNA levels during osteoclastogenesis. TRAP staining of osteoclasts showed osteoclastogenesis ability. In addition, the downstream moleculars activated by receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in BMM were detected by Western blotting. Results • BMM multiplication ability was attenuated in experiment group compared with control group and it was stronger in OVX group than that in sham group. TUNEL assay showed that the apoptotic BMM in experimental group were more than those in control group and caspase 3 and caspase 8 expression were consisted with the results of TUNEL assay. PCR analysis showed that Trap and Ctsk mRNA levels significantly decreased in experiment group compared with control group. The mRNAs increased in OVX group in contrast to sham group. TRAP staining of osteoclasts and quantitative analysis showed that osteoclasts in experiment group were less than those in control group and osteoclasts in OVX group were more than those in sham group. The effects of estrogen on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of BMM were blocked by antagonist of estrogen receptor. Western blotting showed that the phosphorylation of IκKα/β, p65 and JNK activated by RANKL were attenuated in experimental group compared with that in control group. Conclusion • Estrogen inhibits proliferation and osteoclastogenesis of BMM, and aggravates their apoptosis through estrogen receptor.