PURPOSE: Most of the atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and their parents refuse topical treatment because of concern about generalized side effect due to systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids. Therefore, a large number of studies reported difficulty in properly controlling in AD. However, investigations of the percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids are still insufficient. METHODS: One hundred nine patients who visited our atopy clinic and diagnosed as AD by a physician from January 2005 to January 2012 were enrolled. We examined serum corticosteroid (clobetasol propionate, hydrocortisone) level by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with a tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) method. RESULTS: We developed the LC-MS/MS method to determine corticosteroids (clobetasol propionate, hydrocortisone) in sera of AD patients. Also, we confirmed precision, accuracy, limit of detection, limit of quantification, absolute recovery, and relative recovery of the experimental methods. We could not detect clobetasol propionate or hydrocortisone in sera of 109 AD patients using the newly developed LC-MS/MS method. CONCLUSION: Regardless of age, the severity and illness duration of AD, clobetasol and hydrocortisone were not detected in sera. Although there are many other factors of determining systemic absorption of topical medications, our results showed that topical corticosteroids applied for several years in AD patients may be under the limit of detection in their sera by the LC-MS/MS method.
Absorption, Physiological ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Clobetasol ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Diethylpropion ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Limit of Detection ; Methods ; Parents ; Skin Absorption

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of infant formula containing palm oil on the nutrient absorption and defecation in infants.

METHODSA search in Cochrane Library, PubMed, OVID, Springer, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Vip Chinese Periodical Database, Wanfang Chinese Periodical Database and Chinese Bio-medicine Database was performed to identify relevant English and Chinese language articles between January 1990 and March 2009. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and appraised using Jadad instrument. Double data were input and analyzed by software of Review Manager 4.2 recommended by Cochrane Collaboration. Intestinal nutrient absorption, electrolyte content of fecal excretion, in vivo calcium deposition, and defecation were included as the target outcomes. These outcomes were evaluated as the combined standardized mean difference (SMD) and relative risk (RR) value and 95% CI of them.

RESULTSThirteen articles were included. Three articles meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed for the effects between infant formula containing palmitic acid at the Sn-2 positions and palmitic acid at the Sn-1, 3 positions; five articles were analyzed for the effects between infant formula containing palmitic acid at the Sn-1, 3 and without palmitic acid; another five articles were analyzed for the effects between infant formula containing palmitic acid at the Sn-2 positions and without palmitic acid. Absorption of fat and calcium was higher, the Ca(2+) of fecal excretion was lower when the infant formula provided palmitic acid at the Sn-2 positions or without palmitic acid than that determined when formula containing palmitic acid at the Sn-1 and Sn-3 positions was given (P < 0.01). The bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) increased at 3, 6 months when the infant formula without palmitic acid as compared with using the formula containing palmitic acid at the Sn-1 and Sn-3 positions (P < 0.01). The formation of calcium soaps in stool was reduced, the BMC increased when the infant formula provided palmitic acid at the Sn-2 positions as compared with using the infant formula without palmitic acid (P < 0.01). The incidence of soft stools was higher, and the incidence of hard stools was lower when the infant formula provided palmitic acid at the Sn-2 positions or without palmitic acid than that when formula containing palmitic acid at the Sn-1 and Sn-3 positions was used (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAbsorption of fat and calcium was lower, the Ca(2+) of fecal excretion was higher, the BMC was reduced, the incidence of hard stools increased when the infant formula provided the palmitic acid at the Sn-1 and Sn-3 positions as compared with using formula contained palmitic acid at the Sn-2 positions or without palmitic acid. However, this conclusion should be used cautiously because of the limited quality of studies included into the analysis.

Defecation ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; chemistry ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Intestinal Absorption ; Palm Oil ; Palmitic Acid ; Plant Oils

OBJECTIVETo determine the dietary zinc absorption in a Chinese elderly population and provide the basic data for the setting of zinc (Zn) recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) for Chinese elderly people.

METHODSA total of 24 elderly people were recruited for this study and were administered oral doses of 3 mg 67Zn and 1.2 mg dysprosium on the fourth day. The primary macronutrients, energy, and phytic acid in the representative diet were examined based on the Chinese National Standard Methods. Fecal samples were collected during the experimental period and analyzed for zinc content, 67Zn isotope ratio, and dysprosium content.

RESULTSThe mean (± SD) zinc intake from the representative Chinese diet was 10.6 ± 1.5 mg/d. The phytic acid-to-zinc molar ratio in the diet was 6.4. The absorption rate of 67Zn was 27.9% ± 9.2%. The RNI of zinc, which were calculated by the absorption rate in elderly men and women, were 10.4 and 9.2 mg/d, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThis study got the dietary Zn absorption in a Chinese elderly population. We found that Zn absorption was higher in elderly men than in elderly women. The current RNI in elderly female is lower than our finding, which indicates that more attention is needed regarding elderly females' zinc status and health.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biological Availability ; China ; Diet ; Dysprosium ; Elements ; Feces ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; Male ; Meals ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Zinc ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Zinc Isotopes

A set of L-band electron spin resonance imaging (ESRI) equipment suitable for biological species was developed and an ESRI experiment model for viable skin samples was established. The mechanic process of nitroxide free radical TEMPO (2,2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) penetrating through skin sample and the spin density distribution of TEMPO after it interacted with skin sample were detected by the developed ESRI method. Skin samples were extracted from mice back. The experimental samples were prepared by cutting the skin pieces into square shape of 2 x 2 cm2 and then the samples were divided into three groups by treating them with three different methods: Method A, simple treatment by simply cutting the hair; method B, 8% Na2S depilation treatment for 10 min; method C, 8% Na2S depilation and then 5% pancreatic digestion treatment for 2 hours. The liposoluble solvent DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and distilled water were used as two kinds of solvent for the TEMPO liquor. The results indicated that the skin-penetration properties of TEMPO were significantly different among samples treated with different methods and the surface cornifin of skin offered remarkable resistance to TEMPO. The TEMPO liquor of water could hardly penetrate through skins, whereas about 20%-30% of the original TEMPO compounds that solved in liposoluble solvent DMSO could penetrate through the skin sample treated with method C after 16 hours of interaction. Furthermore, the penetration rate of TEMPO through the skin tissue was a strong time dependent process. The preliminary application results suggested that ESRI technique could provide an effective and applicable method for dynamically researching skin-penetration properties of some special kinds of materials such as paramagnetic compounds.
Animals ; Cyclic N-Oxides ; pharmacokinetics ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; chemistry ; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacokinetics ; Mice ; Piperidines ; pharmacokinetics ; Skin Absorption ; physiology ; Skin Physiological Phenomena ; drug effects ; Spin Labels

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of treatment for clearing heat, detoxicating and nourishing Yin (abbr. as CHM) on glucocorticosteroid (GCS) induced facial dermatitis, and its effect in repairing skin barrier function.

METHODSOne hundred and fifteen patients were randomly assigned into two groups, 68 in the treated group treated with CHM and 47 in the control group treated by oral administration of loratadine 10 mg once a day and ketotifen 1 mg once every night. The volume of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of patients was measured before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 77.9% (53/68) and 14.9% (7/47) in the treated group and the control group respectively, showing significant difference between the two groups, and it was better in the treated group than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The decrease of TEWL in the treated group was also superior to that in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONChinese herbal treatment for clearing heat, detoxicating and nourishing Yin has significant clinical efficiency on GCS induced facial dermatitis and in repairing the skin barrier function.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Facial Dermatoses ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Skin Absorption ; Skin Physiological Phenomena ; drug effects ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the plasma glutamine (Gln) level and relationships between the intestinal mucosal permeability and bacterial translocation and between bacterial translocation and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after abdominal operation.

METHODSThe peripheral blood was collected from 42 patients before and 2 and 7 days after elective abdominal operation. The plasma Gln concentration and lactulose/mannitol (L/M) ratio were measured and the whole blood bacterial DNA concentration was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The relationship between intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction and the occurrence of postoperative SIRS was analyzed.

RESULTSThe plasma Gln level was significantly lowered (P<0.01) and L/M ratio increased (P<0.01) in these patients 2 and 7 days after the operation in comparison with the preoperative level. No bacterial DNA was detected before surgery, but PCR yielded positive results in 4 patients (9.5%, 4/42) at 2 days and in another patient at 7 days (2.4%, 1/42) after the operation. The 4 patients with positive PCR results 2 days after the operation showed significantly lower plasma Gln concentration (P<0.01) and higher L/M ratio (P<0.01) than those with negative results. SIRS occurred in 24 patients after surgery, whose plasma Gln level was significantly lower (P<0.01) and L/M ratio significantly higher (P<0.01) than that in the SIRS-free patients 2 days after the operation. Five of the 26 SIRS patients showed positive PCR results, while none of the 16 non-SIRS patients were positive, but this difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONDecreased plasma Gln and increased intestinal mucosal permeability are closely related to postoperative bacterial translocation and the intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction, which may contribute to the occurrence of postoperative infection.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bacterial Translocation ; physiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; blood ; Female ; Glutamine ; blood ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Permeability ; Postoperative Complications ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

We are presenting the first documented case of lithium toxicity after vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery in an 18 year-old female with psychiatric history of bipolar disorder who was treated with lithium. This case illustrates the need for closer monitoring of lithium levels following bariatric surgery. Both psychiatrists and surgeons should be aware of the potential risk of lithium toxicity following bariatric surgery, as well as the need to judiciously monitor lithium level and possibly adjust the dose of some medications.
Bariatric Surgery ; Bipolar Disorder ; Female ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastric Bypass ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; Lithium* ; Psychiatry ; Surgeons

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of continuous cropping obstacles on growth of Rehmannia glutinosa.

METHODThe growth indexes, activity of root ATPase, root activity and mineral nutritional absorption were determined.

RESULTContinuous copping decreased growth rate and declined the size of leaves. Activity of root ATPase and root activity were also inhibited.

CONCLUSIONThe deficiency of source capacity is an important factor to restrain the root development of R. glutinosa with continuous cropping, the decrease of root activity and ATPase activity as well as nutritional stress of potassium and nitrogen are the reasons for the effects of continuous cropping on the growth and development of R. glutinosa.

Absorption ; Adenosine Triphosphatases ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Rehmannia ; enzymology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological

There are many factors that can influence the pharmacokinetics (PK) of a mAb or Fc-fusion molecule with the primary determinant being FcRn-mediated recycling. Through Fab or Fc engineering, IgG-FcRn interaction can be used to generate a variety of therapeutic antibodies with significantly enhanced half-life or ability to remove unwanted antigen from circulation. Glycosylation of a mAb or Fc-fusion protein can have a significant impact on the PK of these molecules. mAb charge can be important and variants with pI values of 1-2 unit difference are likely to impact PK with lower pI values being favorable for a longer half-life. Most mAbs display target mediated drug disposition (TMDD), which can have significant consequences on the study designs of preclinical and clinical studies. The PK of mAb can also be influenced by anti-drug antibody (ADA) response and off-target binding, which require careful consideration during the discovery stage. mAbs are primarily absorbed through the lymphatics via convection and can be conveniently administered by the subcutaneous (sc) route in large doses/volumes with co-formulation of hyaluronidase. The human PK of a mAb can be reasonably estimated using cynomolgus monkey data and allometric scaling methods.
Absorption, Physiological ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacokinetics ; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic ; Humans ; Receptors, Fc ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Tissue Distribution

Pernicious anemia is the frequent cause of megaloblastic anemia, and it is the result of a vitamin B12 deficiency due to the decrease or absence of intrinsic factor (IF) because of gastric mucosa atrophy or autoimmune destruction of IF-producing parietal cells. With the existence of a severe gastric atrophy, there is a decreased in acid and IF production and a further change in vitamin B12 absorption. Mercury is ubiquitous in nature and exists in 3 forms, elemental mercury, inorganic salts and organic compounds. Organic forms, specifically methyl mercury, are the most toxic of the 3 classes of mercurials. Methyl mercury exerts its most devastating effect on the central nervous system by causing psychiatric disturbances, ataxia, visual loss, hearing loss, and neuropathy. We report a case of mercury intoxication associated with pernicious anemia. The 77 years old patient was referred to Yeungnam University Hospital for tongue pain, somatitis, headache and aggressive behavior. He had taken an unevaluated medicine for a long time. After clinical evaluation, this case was diagnosed as a pernicious anemia and the unevaluated medicine was made up of mercury. After the administration of D-penicillamine and intramuscular injection of BAL and cobalamine, clinical symptoms and aggressive behavior were improved as well as laboratory findings.
Absorption ; Aged ; Anemia, Megaloblastic ; Anemia, Pernicious* ; Ataxia ; Atrophy ; Central Nervous System ; Gastric Mucosa ; Headache ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Intrinsic Factor ; Penicillamine ; Rabeprazole ; Salts ; Tongue ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency