To observe the effect of calycosin on the proliferation and activation of primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in rats, and prove calycosin shows the effects through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The results indicated that calycosin could inhibit HSC proliferation and expressions of activation marker smooth muscle actin-α and type I collagen. With the increase in HSC activation time, FXR expression reduced, but with no notable impact from calycosin. Calycosin could up-regulate PPARγ expression and its nuclear transition in a concentration-dependent manner. Its prohibitory effect on HSC activation could be blocked by PPARγ antagonist. In conclusion, calycosin could inhibit HSC activation and proliferation, which may be related with the up-regulation of PPARγ signal pathway.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yiguan Decoction (YGD) on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro.

METHODSRat BMSCs were isolated using whole bone marrow adherent method. The properties of BMSCs were identified by analyzing the expression of surface cytokines by flow cytometry. The third passage cells were differentiated into fat cells to identify their features. BMSCs were incubated with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plus fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) or YGD containing serum YGD for 21 days. The mRNA expression of alpha-fetoprotein (alphaAFP), albumin (Alb), and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) were detected by real time PCR. Expression of AFP and cytokeratin 18 (CK18) protein was detected by cell immunofluorescence. Glycogen synthesis was observed using periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS). CK18, Wnt 3alpha, and alphacatenin protein expressions were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSHigh expression of CD90, CD29, and CD44, and low expression of CD34 and CD11b were observed in BMSCs isolated by whole bone mar- row adherent method, and numerous lipid droplets were observed in BMSCs using oil red O staining. Both YGD containing serum and growth factor stimulated the expression levels of Alb, AFP, HNF4alpha mRNA and CK18 protein. The down-regulated expression of Wnt 3alpha and beta-catenin could be detected at 21 days after induction. The synthesized glycogen granule could be seen. Down-regulated Wnt 3alpha and beta-catenin expression could also be observed.

CONCLUSIONYGD could induce the differentiation of rat BMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells, which was related to down-regulating Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Signaling Pathway

Objective To study the immune responses of Th1 and Th2 subsets of T cells in 26 children with mycoplasma pneumo-niae pneumonia(MPP).Methods ELISA was used to detect the levels of interferon- ?( IFN- ?) and interleukin-4(IL-4) in the serum in 12 healthy children as normal controls and 26 patients of acute stage as acute stage MPP group, 9 of whom in recovery stage were as recovery stage MPP group. Results IFN - ? level in acute stage MPP group was significant higher than that in normal controls (P 0.05); and IFN - 7/IL - 4 ratio was significant higher than that in normal controls( P0.05).Conclusion Thl responses increase and Th2 responses decrease in children with MPP,and this kind of response persists during the recovery stage.

Objective To explore the changes of interleukin-10(IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-?1)in 26 children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP).Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of IL-10 and TGF-?1 in the serum of 12 healthy children as normal controls and 26 patients of acute stage as acute stage MPP group,9 of acute stage MPP group in recovery stage as recovery stage MPP group.The levels of IL-10 and TGF-?1 were compared between the three groups.Results IL-10 level in acute stage MPP group was significantly lower than that in normal controls(P

Objective To study the relationship between serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A(PAPP-A)and plaque stability of coronary lesion.Methods Levels of serum PAPP-A were measured among 230 patients seemed as coronary heart disease(CHD)including 50 cases with acute myocardial infraction(AMI),110 cases with unstable angina pectoris(UAP),40 cases with stable angina pectoris(SAP)and 30 cases without CHD as control by enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA).Anginographic morphology of the coronary lesion was assessed in patients with CHD.Then,the serum PAPP-A levels were compared among different types of CHD and plaque.Results Serum PAPP-A levels were significantly higher in the AMI group(26.13±4.65)mIU/L and UAP group(20.37±5.78)mIU/L than in the SAP group(12.82±3.94)mIU/L and without CHD group(10.70±2.86)mIU/L(P<0.01,UAP group vs AMI group,P<0.05).Serum PAPP-A levels were significantly higher in the type Ⅱ lesions(24.52±4.82)mIU/L than in the other type lesions group(16.82±5.37)mIU/L and in the control group(10.70±2.86)mIU/L(P<0.01).Conclusion Serum PAPP-A level was closely associated with plaque stability of coronary lesion.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Shenmai Injection(SI) on chronic systolic heart failure patients.Methods120 chronic heart failure patients were randomly divided into routine treatment and the routine treatment and SI group. The changes of angiotension Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ), aldosterone(Ald), endothelin-1 (ET-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), plasm rennin activity (PRA), cardionatrin(ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac function were observed.ResultsAfter treatment, LVEF,stage of NYHA increased in two groups,LVDs, LVDd and the level of Ang Ⅱ,Ald, ET-1, IL-6, TNF-α,PRA, ANP and BNP decreased in both groups(P<0.05). LVEF, stage of NYHA in the routine treatment and SI group incresed more significantly than those in routine treatment group(P<0.05). LVEDs, LVEDd and the level of Ang Ⅱ,Ald, ET-1, IL-6, TNF-α,PRA, ANP and BNP in the routine treatment and SI group were decreased more significantly than those in routine treatment group (P<0.05).ConclusionSI can improve not only the disturbed endocrine function and cytokines, but also left ventricular function.

Objective To explore the effects of lamotrigine on the cognitive function and the quality of life in epilepsy patients.Methods This was a prospective study and 91 newly diagnosed epilepsy patients were enrolled.The neuropsychological tests score and the quality of life in epilepsy inventory(QOLIE-31) were obtained before and after the treatment with lamotrigine.A battery of neuropsychological tests comprised the auditory verbal learning test(AVLT), the logical memory test(LMT), the digital symbol test(DST), the stroop color word test(SCWT), the trail making test(TMT), the verbal fluency test(VFT), the WAIS block design test(WBDT), the WAIS digital span test(WDST)and the Boston naming test(BNT). Results The repeated assessments in the patients taking lamotrigine were associated with significant improvements in many domains.The greatest changes were observed in the immediate and delayed recall of AVLT, DST, the time consuming of SCWT card C and TMT test A and B, the immediate and delayed recall of LMT, VFT, WBDT and BNT.For the quality of life, significant improvements were recorded in the fields of the seizure worry(38.81?16.06 vs 45.68?15.18), the overall quality of life(59.12?13.50 vs 64.99?13.33), the social function(64.59?25.14 vs 69.41?22.70)and the self-health evaluation (71.18?13.73 vs 76.75?11.30).Conclusion Improvements of the cognitive function and the quality of life can be observed in the initial period of medication with lamotrigine in epilepsy patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of Puerarin on expression of C-reactive protein(CRP)in iliac artery of atherosclerotic rabbits.Methods Twenty male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into the normal control group(n=6,fed on a normal diet),basic control group(n=8,fed on a cholesterol diet)and Puerarin group(n=8,fed on a cholesterol diet).The balloon injury of iliac arteries was performed in animals of the basic control group and Puerarin group,and the animals of the Puerarin group were injected with Puerarin(25 mg/kg/d per rabbit)after injury.Four weeks after balloon injury,untreated and balloon injury iliac arteries were harvested for immunocytochemical staining.The mRNA and protein expression of CRP were tested by RT-PCR and immunucytochemistry.Results The mRNA and expression of CRP in atheroseclerotic plaque of iliac artery in the Puerarin group was significantly lower than that in the basic control group(P<0.01).Conclusion Puerarin can make atheroseclerotic plaque stable by regulating of the expression of CRP in iliac artery of atherosclerotic rabbit.

To investigate the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) on the plasma concentrations of valproic acid (VPA) and its toxic metabolite 2-propyl-4-pentenoic acid (4-ene VPA) in epileptic patients, the plasma concentrations of VPA and 4-ene VPA were determined, and the effect of CBZ on pharmacokinetics of VPA was evaluated. All patients had been divided into two groups (VPA group, n = 87; and VPA+CBZ group, n = 19). As compared to VPA group, the combination of CBZ significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the trough concentration of VPA [VPA group, (69.5 +/- 28.8) microg x mL(-1); VPA+CBZ group, (46.3 +/- 25.6) microg x mL(-1)] and does-adjusted VPA trough concentration [VPA group, (4.89 +/- 2.21) microg x mL(-1) x mg(-1) x kg(-1); VPA+CBZ group, (3.14 +/- 1.74) microg x mL(-1) x mg(-1) x kg(-1)]. However, the addition of CBZ did not influence the concentration of 4-ene VPA. The present study revealed that coadministration of CBZ can reduce VPA plasma concentration and may impact VPA clinical effect, therefore therapeutic drug mornitoring of VPA should be used when combined use of CBZ and VPA.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anticonvulsants ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Carbamazepine ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Epilepsy ; blood ; drug therapy ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Valproic Acid ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To detect EIA factor expression in human rectal cancer and normal tissue and to determine whether it is correlated with invasion and metastasis of human rectal cancer. Methods Real- time RT-PCR was used to detect E1AF expression in matched rectal cancers and normal tissues from g6 in- patients.Results Among the 86 rectal cancer samples tested,55 cases E1AF mRNA overexpression was ob- served. The mRNA expression of E1AF in the sample group was remarkably different from that in the control group.In carcinomas,E1AF mRNA expression correlated significantly with histological type,depth of inva- sion,lymph node and distant metastasis and advanced Duke stage.Conclusion E1AF is correlated signifi- cantly with invasion and metastasis of human rectal cancer and may be an important factor in the invasion and metastasis.