OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanism of exercise to improve cardiovascular health, and exploring the effect of different intensity exercise on AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein expression and phosphorylation of vascular endothelial cells in rat.

METHODSForty-eight Wistar rats were divided into control group (group C), model group (group AS), low intensity exercise model group (ASL) and high intensity exercise model group (ASH). The serum inflammatory factor concentrations such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP were studied, and the endothelial cell total AMPK and p-AMPK protein were checked by means of Western blot.

RESULTS(1) The level of IL-6 between AS group and control group had no significant difference, the value of ASH group was markedly increased and had significant difference compared with that of the control group or AS group. The serum TNF-alpha levels of AS group and ASL group were significantly higher than those in control group, but the value of ASH and ASL was significantly lower than that in AS group. The serum concentration of CRP after the AS molding was significantly higher than that of the control group, there was no statistical difference between that of ASL and ASH groups. (2) The total AMPK protein content of ASL and ASH groups was significantly higher than that in control group. When compared between the two groups, there was statistical significance. (3) The value of p-AMPK protein of ASL and ASH groups was significantly higher than that of AS group, the value of p-AMPK protein of ASH group was significantly higher than that of the control group at the same time.

CONCLUSIONExercise can reduce the serum levels of inflammatory factors in atherosclerosis rat, and increase AMPK protein expression and phosphorylation level in endothelial cell.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To summarize the clinical experience in the replacement of the damaged sec- ond metacarpophalangeal joint with the second metatarsophalangeal joint with a pedicle of dorsal pedis artery and great saphcnous vein.Methods The damaged second metacarpophalangeal joint,distal part of the sec- ond metacarpal and proximal part of the proximal phalanx were dissected.The metatarsophalangeal joint was transferred to the region of metacarpophalangeal joint of hand.The dorsal pedis artery was anastomosed to the radial artery,and the great saphenous vein was anastomosed to the cephalic vein at anatomical snuff-box.The dissected bones of the hand removed of the cartilage of joint and soft tissue were grafted back to the donor site of the foot.Results A 5～30 month follow-up study in 8 out of 11 cases showed that satisfactory functional recovery was achieved in clinical practice.The movement of second metacarpophalangeal joint was excellent. Conclusion The function of the second metacarpophalangeal joint can be effectively recovered by the trans- fer of the vascularized second metatarsophalangeal joint.

BACKGROUNDUlcerative colitis (UC) is associated with differential expression of genes involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling. MicroRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of UC by regulating the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and control crucial physiological processes. This study aimed to identify aquaporin 8 (AQP8) expression and its relationship with miRNA in UC patients.

METHODSHuman colon samples, in this study, were obtained from 20 patients with UC and 16 healthy subjects undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between December 2009 and June 2010. We screened different genes from UC tissues and healthy subjects using genome-wide microarray, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Regulation of gene expression by miRNAs was assessed by luciferase reporter construct assays and transfection of specific miRNA mimics and inhibitor.

RESULTSWe identified that 1596 genes were increased and 1301 genes were decreased in UC patients compared to healthy subjects. Among them, we focused on the analysis of AQP8 which was decreased three folds in UC tissues (P < 0.01). The expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein were decreased in UC tissue and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α treated HT29 cells compared with controls (P < 0.05). We searched candidate target miRNAs of AQP8 through bioformatics and the luciferase report assay analysis indicated that miR-424, miR-195, miR-330, miR-612, and miR-16 which has complementary site in the 3-untranslated region (3'UTR) of AQP8 could decrease the relative luciferase activities by 10% - 45%.

CONCLUSIONAQP8 and its relationship with miRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of UC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aquaporins ; genetics ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the effect of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) activated natural killer cells (rhIL-2-NK) on angiogenesis and cardiac function of rats with myocardial infarction (MI).Methods Natural killer cells (NKs) were isolated and activated by rhIL-2 in vitro.Untreated NKs were used as the control,the killing capacity of rhIL-2-NK were evaluated with cytotoxicity assay.Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were cocultured with rhIL-2-NK.One hour after MI,rats were randomly divided into rhIL-2-NK group,NK group and blank control group and NK,rhIL-2-NK and PBS were injected directly in the infracted myocardium.At the 0,1st,3rd,5th,7th and 20th day after MI,the mRNA expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1),Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were was detected by q-PCR essay.At the end of the therapy,the platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated through immunohistochemical assay,and the cardiac function observed with echocardiography,homodynamic measurements.Results The NKs were isolated successfully and the CMEC were proliferated remarkably by coculturing with rhIL-2-NK (P ＜0.01).The mRNA expression of MCP-1,TNF-α,CD31 and rhIL-2,VEGF were significantly upregulated in rhIL-2-NK group than in the PBS control group (P ＜0.01).Four weeks after operation,LVEF was significantly higher in rhIL-2-NK group than in the PBS control group [(77.56 ± 15.67) ％ vs.(41.47 ± 12.21) ％,P ＜ 0.05)] and histomorphology assay revealed that the density of microvascular endothelial (MVD) of rhIL-2-NK group was significantly higher than that of PBS control group (17.35 ± 1.82 vs.4.76 ± 0.92,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Myocardial injection of rhIL-2-NK could promote angiogenesis and improve cardiac function in MI rats.

OBJECTIVETo optimize the animal model of liver injury that can properly represent the pathological characteristics of dampness-heat jaundice syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODSThe liver injury in the model rat was induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ) respectively, and the effects of Yinchenhao Decoction (, YCHD), a proved effective Chinese medical formula for treating the dampness-heat jaundice syndrome in clinic, on the two liver injury models were evaluated by analyzing the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), asparate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialchehyche (MDA), total bilirubin (T-BIL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) as well as the ratio of liver weight to body weight. The experimental data were analyzed by principal component analytical method of pattern recognition.

RESULTSThe ratio of liver weight to body weight was significantly elevated in the ANIT and CCl(4) groups when compared with that in the normal control (P<0.01). The contents of ALT and T-BIL were significantly higher in the ANIT group than in the normal control (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the levels of AST, ALT and ALP were significantly elevated in CCl(4) group relative to those in the normal control P<0.01). In the YCHD group, the increase in AST, ALT and ALP levels was significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), but with no significant increase in serum T-BIL. In the CCl(4) intoxicated group, the MDA content was significantly increased and SOD, GSH-PX activities decreased significantly compared with those in the normal control group, respectively (P<0.01). The increase in MDA induced by CCl(4) was significantly reduced by YCHD P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONYCHD showed significant effects on preventing liver injury progression induced by CCl(4), and the closest or most suitable animal model for damp-heat jaundice syndrome may be the one induced by CCl(4).

1-Naphthylisothiocyanate ; toxicity ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Annonaceae ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Body Weight ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Jaundice ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Liver Diseases ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of polydatin on the expression level of miR-214 and liver function in atherosclerotic mice.

METHODSForty male ApoE(-/-) mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=10), namely the model group, low- and high-dose polydatin groups, and simvastin group, with 10 male C57BL/6J mice serving as the normal control group. Mouse models of atherosclerosis were established by feeding the ApoE(-/-) mice with a high-fat diet. After 12 weeks of treatment, blood levels of glucose, lipids, AST, and ALT and the contents of T-SOD and MDA in the liver tissue were detected. The pathologies of the liver were examined with HE staining, and miR-214 expression in the liver was detected using quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control mice, the mice in the model group showed significantly increased blood glucose, serum TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, and AST levels, and MDA contents in the liver (P<0.01), with significantly decreased serum HDL-C level and SOD and miR-214 levels in liver (P<0.01). Polydatin treatment significantly ameliorated such changes in blood glucose, serum ALT, AST, TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels, and MDA, SOD, and miR-214 contents in liver tissue (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONs Polydatin can reduce blood glucose and lipid levels and protect the liver function in atherosclerotic mice possibly by up-regulating the expression of miR-214 and T-SOD and down-regulating MDA in the liver.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diet, High-Fat ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effects of curcumin on exaggerated extracellular matrix accumulation of pulmonary fibrosis rats.

METHODOne hundred and forty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (24 rats in each group). Rats in the model control group, positive medicine group, and high, moderate and low curcumin groups were injected with a single dose of bleomycin by trachea, and rats in sham-model control group with same volume normal saline. One day after the injection, curcumin solution of different dosages (200, 100, 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was respectively given to rats in the high, moderate and low curcumin group daily by gastrogavage, while equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the sham-model control group and model control group, and an equal volume of prednisone (0.56 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was given to those in positive medicine control group. On the 7, 14, 28 days, 8 rats per treatment group were randomly killed, the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum were determined, the determination of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates was analyzed, and the lung was incised to make pathological sections which were stained with HE and Mallory.

RESULTCurcumin could decreas the levels of III-collagen, IV-collagen, laminin and hyaluronic acid in the serum, and inhihit the proliferation of fibrous tissue.

CONCLUSIONCurcumin may play its therapetuic role by leveling down the content of extracellular matrix in rats with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.

Animals ; Bleomycin ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Collagen Type III ; blood ; Collagen Type IV ; blood ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Curcumin ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; blood ; metabolism ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Hydroxyproline ; blood ; metabolism ; Laminin ; blood ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the antiangiogenetic and tumor inhibitory effects of endostatin (Es) by intratumoral versus intravenous administration combined with adriamycin (Adm) for treatment of transplanted tumor in mice.

METHODSForty mice were subjected to subcutaneous implantation of H22 cells and randomly divided into 4 groups by the body weight when the tumor diameter reached 1 cm, namely the control group (with intratumoral and intravenous injection of normal saline), Es intratumoral group (with intratumoral injection Es and intraperitoneal Adm injection), Es vein group (with intravenous Es injection and intraperitoneal Adm injection), and Adm group (with intratumoral saline injection and intraperitoneal Adm injection). The tumor volumes and tumor inhibition rates were calculated, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the microvessel density (MVD) of the tumors were examined, with the survival time of the mice also observed.

RESULTSThe tumor volume was smaller in Es intratumoral group than in the other groups (P<0.05). The expression of VEGF and M VD in Es intratumoral group was significantly decreased as compared with that in the other groups (P<0.05). The survival time was significantly longer in Es intratumoral group and Es vein group than in the other groups (P<0.05), but showed no significant difference between Es intratumoral group and Es vein group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn combination with Adm regimen, Es given intratumoral injection produces better effect than intravenous Es injection against angiogenesis and tumor growth, no significant difference can be found in the survival time between them.

Administration, Intravenous ; Animals ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Endostatins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Injections, Intralesional ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Objective To investigate the effects of drug selection com-ments proposed by the clinical pharmacists during the consultation of stroke patients with multi-drug and pan-drug resistant bacterial infec-tion on the infection control and clinical efficiency.Methods Eleven stroke patients with multi-drug and pan-drug resistant bacterial infec-tion received consultation from October 2011 to June 2014 in our hospital were included in this retrospective analysis.The clinical pharmacists in-volved in the analysis of pathogenic bacteria distribution, drug resist-ance, establishing of treatment strategy, and evaluation of the clinical ef-ficiencies.Results Clinical pharmacists opinions medication acceptance rate was 90.91%.Infection in patients with the total effective rate was 100%.The bacterial eradication rate was 87.50%.Conclusion The drug selection comments proposed by the clinical pharmacists during the consultation were prime importance to the infection control and clinical efficiency of stroke patients with multi -drug and pan -drug resistant bacterial infection.

During the progression of heart failure(HF),abnormal transduction of the transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)/Smads signaling pathway is important mechanism of myocardial fibrosis(MF)in HF.TGF-β,a key factor in MF,is in an overexpression state in the process of MF in HF,and Smads is a major effector downstream of TGF-β.The TGF-β/Smads pathway induces abnormal proliferation of myofibroblasts,aggravates myocardial extracellular matrix deposition,and reduces the ability of the cardiac tissues to resist fibrosis,which plays a complex role in the pathogenesis of MF in HF.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has the efficacy of unequivocal inhibiting myocardial collagen deposition,anti-MF,protecting the myocardium and improving cardiac function in the prevention and treatment of MF in HF and so on,and the TGF-β/Smads pathway is one of the key pathways through which TCM monomers,TCM combinations,and proprietary medicines can exert their cardioprotective effects on the HF.This paper reviews the existing experimental research results of TCM intervening in the TGF-β/Smads pathway for the treatment of MF in HF over the past 10 years,with a view to providing theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of HF MF well as the development and of new drugs.