Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common disease in males, which is characterized by persistent discomfort or pain in the pelvic region. As currently used drug therapies fail to produce satisfactory results, it is an urgent task to find new and effective methods for the treatment of CP/CPPS. In recent years, many reports are seen on the extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for CP/CPPS. ESWT can significantly improve the symptoms of pelvic pain and urination disorders in CPPS patients, and its therapeutic effect is attributed to the improvement of angiogenesis and block of pain nerves.
Chronic Pain ; therapy ; High-Energy Shock Waves ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; therapy ; Prostatitis ; therapy

To study the effect of sodium aescinate in inducing human breast cancer MCF-7 cells apoptosis and its possible mechanism. MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of sodium aescinate on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The morphological changes were observed under inverted microscope. DAPI nuclear staining was used to detect the changes in cell nucleus. Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry was adopted to test the apoptosis rate. Changes in apoptosis-related proteins (PARP, cleaved caspase-8 and pro-caspase-3), cell survival-associated signal molecules (AKT and ERK) and their common upstream kinase SRC was detected by Western blotting. The result showed that after different concentrations of sodium aescinate were used to treat breast cancer MCF-7 cells, they inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, induced cell apoptosis (typical morphological changes in nucleus, significant increase in cell apoptosis rate). The expressions of cleaved PARP and caspase-8 increased, while the expression of pro-caspase-3 decreased, which further verified sodium aescinate's effect in inducing cell apoptosis. Sodium aescinate significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of cell survival-related signal molecules (AKT, ERK) and down-regulate the activation of their common up-stream kinase SRC. The findings indicated that sodium aescinate can block signals transiting to downstream molecules AKT, ERK, inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cell MCF-7 cell apoptosis and induced cell apoptosis by suppressing the activation of SRC.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; src-Family Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a simple biological labora-tory animal, with similar biological structure and physiological functions to mammals. Almost transparent embryos, in vitro de-velopment of embryos and up to 87% of human genetic similari- ties enable a wide application of zebrafish in the field of pharma-ceutical research. In this paper, we have studied the application of zebrafish in drug metabolism, the research of Chinese medi-cine, the evaluation of drug toxicology and safety, the screening of drugs and the discovery of new drugs, the research of regener- ative drugs, so as to provide new ideas of zebrafish in the field of pharmacy.

Objective: To investigate the effect of RNA interference (RNAi) targeting AKT1 and PI3K P85 on the proliferation and invasion of breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells. Methods: The recombinant adenovirus expression vector, which contained short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting open reading frames of AKT1 and PI3K P85 (rAd5-siAKT1-siPI3K), was transfected into human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells. AKT1 and PI3K P85 mRNA and protein expressions were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis. The expressions of PCNA, cyclinD1, and P53 were also detected by Western blotting analysis. The proliferation and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells were measured by MTT, flow cytometry and 2-dementinal and 3-dementional matrigel assay. Results: Recombinant adenovirus vector rAd5-siAKT1-siPI3K dramatically down-regulated AKT1 and PI3K P85 mRNA and protein expressions in MCF-7 cells; the downstream factors PCNA and cyclin D1 were also down-regulated, while P53 was up-regulated. Growth of MCF-7 cells was inhibited by over 50% in rAd5-siAKT1-siPI3K group as measured by MTT assay, and cell cycle was arrested in G_1/G_0 phase compared with untransfected and rAd5-siCtrl transfected groups. Cell growth on matrigel matrix showed normal cell shapes, while the cells in rAd5-siAKT1-siPI3K transfected group were detached from the matrix or grew in scattered clustering patterns, forming only small aggregates. Conclusion: shRNA targeting AKT1 and PI3K P85 can significantly down-regulate the expression of AKT1 and PI3K P85 in breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells, and inhibit the growth of MCF-7 cells in vitro.

Objective: To study the effect of and possible mechanism of knockinng down PI3Kp85α using siRNA in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. Methods: Oligofectamine was used to transfect PI3Kp85α siRNA to knock down the PI3Kp85α expression level in MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line in vitro. Real-time PCR was conducted to detect the expression of PI3Kp85α. The effect of PI3Kp85αsiRNA on the growth of MCF-7 cells was measured by MTT. The cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were detected by cell flow cytometry. Protein expression was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. Results: The expression of PI3Kp85 α was knocked down with PI3Kp85α siRNA in MCF-7 cells. Cell growth was delayed in PI3Kp85αsiRNA-treated group. Conclusion: The suppressive effect of PI3Kp85αsiRNA on the growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line is significant and PI3Kp85α could be a candidate for gene therapy for breast cancer.

Objective To analyze plague epidemic tendency in the Three-River Region of Qinghai.Methods Using retrospective study,the Three-River Region during 1954-2006 year pestis epidemic focus were investigated and analyzed.Result Pestis prevailed mainly in Yushu,Chindu,Qumalai,Nangqian,Zhiduo and the Geermu.Tanghla Township.It was first found that the nature plague focus of miefitus existed in Chengduo County.There are 1 5 kinds of 12 branches in 8 trees infected plague animals were founded,336 Yersinia pestis were separated from the driven objects.Among them there were 291 Himalayas marmot body,account for 86.60%of the total,13 of Tibet sheep,accounts for 3.87%.10 of Qinghai field-mouse,accounts for 2.98%,Also there were 114 Yersinia pestis which were separated from each kind of vector insect in vivo.And,46 pestis strains came from the axe shape of flea in vivo account for 40.35%(46/114),38 pestis strains separated from Xie mountain flea,account for 33.33% (38/114).During 1960-2006 years there were 85 human plague cases were founded,238 occurred,134 died,the case fatality rate wero 56.30%(134/238),the popular seasons were started from May to November,the peak season happened in Aug and Sep.After Oct mainly due to Tibet sheep pestis which will cause as the origin of infection.The majority of sickness was pulmonary plague,account for 49.58%(117/238),whereas the first round case caused by the gland bubonic plague,account for 77.12%(91/118).Conclusions There are two pestis strains natural epidemic focus places in Three-River Source Region of Qinghai including the Himalayas marmot pestis strain and the Qinghai field-mouse pestis strain.The case of human pestis strain causes by the marmot strain,the fiehl-mouse mold mushroom spawn causes human pestis strain has not yet discovered,Three-River Source Region of Qinghai is a pestis strain key popular area in Qinghai Province.

Objective To analyze the relation between ~(99)Tc~m-DTPA renal dynamic imaging and pathological changes in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).Methods Ten normal control and 29 patients with LN underwent ~(99)Tc~m-DTPA renal dynamic imaging.The LN patients were divided into two groups:silent LN (SLN) group,18 patients;and obvious LN (OLN) group,11 patients.For each case,glomerular filtration rate (GFR),peak time (t_p),half excretion time (t_(1/2)) and the excretion rate at 20 min (R_(20)) were calculated.Assessment of renal function on the scintigraphic images was evaluated by nuclear medicine physicians.The t-test,Fisher'exact probability and R×C association were used for data analysis.Results There were significant differences between normal people and two goups of LN in tp(t=5.3,9.3,both P＜0.05),t_(1/2)(t=6.9,12.0,both P＜0.05)and R_(20)(t=10.1,12.1,both P＜0.05).As to GFR,there was significant decrease in OLN patients(t=4.1,P＜0.05),but not in SLN patients(t=1.7,P＞0.05).Diagnoses of renal function by renal dynamic imaging were compared with the renal pathological changes (r=0.2273,P＜0.05).Conclusions ~(99)Tc~m-DTPA renal dynamic imaging is useful for evaluation of the early stage renal function for LN patients and to diagnose LN patients with no symptom of renal impairment.It may help to assess the degree of renal parenchymal damage while obviating the need for renal biopsy in these patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of chrysin in regulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells.

METHODSRAW264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 150, and 200 µg/mL) of chrysin for 24 h, and the cell viability was measured using CCK-8. RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with 10, 30, or 60 µg/mL chrysin for 2 h before stimulation with LPS for different times. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 were detected by ELISA, and Western blotting was used to detect the phosphorylation of JAK- 1, JAK-2, STAT-1 and STAT-3. The level of reactive oxygen species in RAW264.7 cells was detected by CM-H2DCFDA fluorescence probe. The effect of ROS on LPS-induced JAK-STATs signal and the inflammatory response of RAW264.7 cells was detected by ROS scavenger NAC. The transcription factors STAT-1 and STAT-3 nuclear translocation were observed by laser confocal microscopy.

RESULTSChrysin below 60 µg/mL did not significantly affect the viability of RAW264.7 cells. At 10, 30, and 60 µg/mL, chrysin dose-dependently inhibited the expression of iNOS induced by LPS. Chrysin treatment also inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of JAK-STATs, nuclear translocation of STAT1 and STAT3, release of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1, and the production of ROS in RAW264.7 cells; ROS acted as an upstream signal to mediate the activation of JAK-STATs signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONChrysin blocks the activity of JAK-STATs mediated by ROS to inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells.

AIMTo study the preparation of silymarin proliposomes. To study its physicochemic properties, its pharmacokinetical characteristics and bioavailability in rats after oral administration.

METHODSSilymarin proliposomes were prepared by film-deposition on carriers. When the proliposomes were contacted with water to form liposome suspensions, the tests of physicochemical properties including encapsulation efficiency, particle size and stability of the formed liposome suspensions were determined by HPLC, laser-particle-sizer and etc. The concentrations of non-conjugated and overall silymarin in plasma of rats and their pharmacokinetic behaviors after oral administration were studied by RP-HPLC. The pharmacokinetic parameters were computed by software program 3P97.

RESULTSThe encapsulation efficiency of silymarin liposomes could be more than 90%, with an average particle size of about 238.8 nm and a very good stability. The high bioavailability of silymarin proliposomes could be gotten by oral administration.

CONCLUSIONCompared with silymarin, silymarin proliposome is a stable and easily industrialized preparation and did enchance the gastrointestinal absorption of silymarin.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Biological Availability ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Stability ; Liposomes ; Male ; Milk Thistle ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silymarin ; administration & dosage ; blood ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Adolescent ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; microbiology