Adult ; Humans ; Lead Poisoning ; etiology ; Male

Objective To explore the influence of coal-arsenic exposure on human T cells proliferation and its mechanism.Methods Blood samples colleoted from individuals which lived in arsenism area of coal-burning type and non-arsenism area in Guizhou Province were divided into exposed group(17),mild(35),moderate(38) and severe arsenism group(19)and control group(35)according to Diagnosis Smndard for Endemic Arsenism (WS/T 211-2001).T cell stimulation index wag determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)colorimetric method.The intracellular Ca2+ exponential(IECa2+)in peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC)was analyzed by Fho-3/AM dye and flow cytometry.DNA binding activity of actively T cells nuclear factor(NF-AT)in PBMC was evaluated by electrophoretie mobility shift assay(EMSA).Results Concanavalin A(ConA)stimulation decreased the T cells stimulation indexes in exposed group,mild,moderate and severe arsenism groups(1.315±0.962, 1.611±1.224,1.114±0.545,1.289±0.875)compared with control group(2.322±1.241),all the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.01).After stimulated by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody(McAb),the T cells stimulation index in exposed group,mild,moderate and severe arsenism group(0.997±0.177,1.103±0.291,1.007±0.221, 0.957±0.205) were lower than that of control group(1.842±0.429,P ＜ 0.01 ). IECa2+ of PBMC after treated by anti-CD3 McAb in mild,moderate and severe arsenism group( 110.130±49.637,92.429±31.191,77.640± 35.372) were lower compared with control group(145.986±59.450,P ＜0.01 ). Moreover,IECa2+ in moderat and severe arsenism group were lower than exposed group(121.337±46.410,P ＜ 0.05). DNA binding activity of PBMC NF-AT in mild,moderate and severe arsenism group(1.354±0.446,1.290±0.291,1.159±0.411 ) were lowered than that of control group(1.722±0.291,P ＜ 0.01) and exposed group(1.611±0.294,P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions The coal-arsenic exposure can reduce the human T cells stimulation indexes,IECa2+ in PBMC and the DNA binding activity of NF-AT. It suggest that arsenic may suppress the proliferation ability of human T cells,which may be partly related to the influence of arsenic on T cell receptor(TCR)/CD3 signal transduetion pathway.

Objective To investigate the activation of T lymphocytes in human peripheral blood and the signaling molecules in protein kinase C/nuclear factor KB(PKC/NF-κB) pathway expressivity or activity changes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) exposed to coal-arsenic,to explore the role of PKC/NF-κB signal pathway in activation of T cells in human exposed to coal-arsenic. Methods Blood samples were collected from individuals who lived in arsenism area of coal-burning in Guizhou province, and were divided into asymptomatically exposed group (12),mild arsenism group (33),moderate arsenism group (34) and severe arscnism group (15) according to Diagnosis Standard for Endemic Arsenism (WS/T 211-2001). The individuals who lived in non-arsenism area were control group(27). The ratio of activated T ceils was analyzed by flow cytometry. DNA binding activity of NF-κB in PBMCs was evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA). The expression of PKCθ and phospho-PKCθ(pPKCθ) in PBMCs were detected with western blotting analysis. Results The ratio of activating T cells in asymptomatically exposed group[(21.76±15.31)%],mild arsenism group[(18.41±11.36)%],moderate arsenism group[(17.78±11.93)%]and severe arsenism group[(18.79±13.38)%]were all higher than that of control group[(3.19±2.12)%],the difference among all groups being statistically significant(F = 7.893,P < 0.05). DNA binding activity of PBMCs NF-κB in asymptomatically exposed group,mild arsenism group,moderate arsenism group and severe arsenism group(1.49±0.24,1.58±0.30,1.57±0.34,1.51±0.16) were higher than that of the control group(1.30±0.17),the difference being statistically sign/ficant(P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The expression of PBMCs pPKCθ in mild arsenism group,moderate arsenism group and severe arsenism group(0.64± 0.14,0.64±0.27,0.62±0.12) were all lower than that of the control group(0.93±0.20),the difference being statistically significant(P < 0.05). There were significant negative correlations between the expression of pPKCθ and the activity of NF-κB(r =-0.565,P < 0.01). There were significant positive correlations between the activity of NF-κB and the ratio of activating T cells(r = 0.546,P < 0.01). Conclusion Coal-arsenic enhances the DNA binding activity of NF-κB,reduces the expression of PBMCs pPKCθ in human PBMCs and up-regulates the activity of T cells. It suggests that the PKC/NF-κB signal might be one of transduction pathway via activating of T cells by coal-arsenic.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate clinical efficacy and adverse reactions(ADRs)of 4 kinds of the second-generation anti-psychotic drugs in the treatment of acute phase of schizophrenia. METHODS:159 patients with schizophrenia were randomly divid-ed into risperidone group(40 cases),olanzapine group(40 cases),aripiprazole group(39 cases)and ziprasidone group(40 cas-es). All groups were given routine dosage of relevant medicine by routine usage for 6 weeks. Mental status of patients were mea-sured by PANSS before treatment and after 2,4 and 6 weeks of treatment. At the same time,blood glucose,blood lipid,prolac-tion and other metabolic and biological indicators were all detected. RSESE,BARS and UKU were adopted to evaluate ADR. RE-SULTS:A total of 100 patients completed the study. Compared with aripiprazole group and ziprasidone group,risperidone and olan-zapine inhibited symptom more rapidly,with statistical significance (P<0.05). After treatment,body mass index and abdominal circumference of olanzapine group were significantly higher than those of other 3 groups,with statistical significance (P<0.05). Low density lipoprotein of olanzapine group was increased significantly,there was statistical significance compared to ziprasidone group and aripiprazole group(P<0.05). Prolactin level of risperidone group was significantly higher than those of other 3 groups, while that of aripiprazole group was significantly lower than those of other 3 groups,with statistical significance(P<0.05). ADRs of 4 drugs were mild or moderate,most of whom could be alleviated by symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSIONS:In the treatment of acute phase schizophrenia,4 drugs of the second-generation have similar curative effect in symptoms control,among which ris-peridone and olanzapine inhibit positive symptom more rapidly while more ADRs that related to lipid and glucose metabolism and prolactin also show. Aripiprazole and ziprasidone induce less ADRs relatively,and patients show better tolerability. Physicians should consider all kinds of factors in drugs selection,and make individualized treatment plan.

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of 8-hydroxyguanine glycosidase OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism with semen quality and the risk of male infertility.

METHODSThis case-control study included 620 idiopathic infertile patients and 385 normal fertile controls. We determined their genotypes by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and analyzed their semen quality by computer-aided semen analysis (CASA).

RESULTSThe individuals with OGG1 326 Cys/Cys showed significantly lower sperm motility and concentration ([52.1 +/- 26.7]% and (3.75 +/- 0.91) x 10(6)/ml, ln transformed value) than the Ser/Ser carriers ([59.0 +/- 21.8] % and (4.12 +/- 0.88) x 10(6)/ml, ln transformed value) (P < 0.05). The risk of male infertility increased 69% in the OGG1 326Cys allele carriers as compared with the Ser carriers (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.24 -2.31).

CONCLUSIONOGG1 326 Ser/Cys polymorphism might contribute to the risk of male infertility in the southern Chinese population.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Glycosylases ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Semen Analysis ; Young Adult

AIM: To investigate the effects of Rhodiola sachalinensis on ocular blood flow in diabetic retinopathy rats. METHODS:A total of 90 SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=30), model group (n= 30) and intervention group (n=30). Rats in the model group and intervention group were fed with high glucose and high fat diet and injected with streptozotocin (40mg/kg) in order to construct DR model rats,while rats in the control group were fed with basic diet and injected with the same amount of normal saline. After 4wk, the rats in the intervention group were injected with Rhodiola sachalinensis injection(10mL,one per day),while rats in the control group and the model group were injected with normal saline. The course of intervention treatment was 4wk. The ocular blood flow in rats was detected by laser doppler flowmetry, the apoptosis of retinal cells in rats was detected by TUNEL method, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glial fibrillary acidic protein ( GFAP ) and glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) in retina of rats was detected by RT-PCR method and Western blot method. RESULTS:The whole blood viscosity,whole blood high shear viscosity,low shear blood viscosity and erythrocyte sedimentation of rats in the model group and intervention group were higher than those in the control group (P<0 01),while the indexes of intervention group were lower than that of model group (P<0.01). The PSV and EDC of rats in the model group and intervention group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01), and the Rl was higher than that in control group (P<0.01). The PSV and EDC in the intervention group were higher than those in the model group (P<0.01), and Rl was lower than that in the model group (P<0.01). The apoptosis rate of retinal cells of model group and intervention group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.01), that in the intervention group was lower than that in the model group (P<0.01). The expression of VEGF and GFAP in retina tissue of model group and intervention group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.01), and the expression of GLAST was lower than that in the control group(P<0 01). The expression of VEGF and GFAP in the intervention group was lower than that in the model group(P<0.01),and the expression of GLAST was higher than that in the model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Rhodiola sachalinensis injection can significantly improve the ocular blood flow in diabetic retinopathy rats, reduce the apoptosis of retinal cells in rats, down regulate the expression of VEGF and GFAP, and up regulate the expression of GLAST.

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; Child, Preschool ; Favism ; complications ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Equiguard in old patients with Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSTwenty old patients with diagnosis matching the criteria of SYDS selected from out-patients were administered with Equiguard capsule 3 times per day, 0.70 g each time for 3 successive months. The changes in general condition, peripheral blood picture, function of the liver and kidney, and sex hormones before and after treatment were observed. The changes in the American Urinary Surgery Association (AUA) score of prostatism, urosis and residue urine in the urinary bladder were also estimated.

RESULTSAfter the 3-month treatment, no significant change was found in the patients' general condition, peripheral blood picture, liver and kidney function and sex hormones, while the symptoms of prostatism and urosis were markedly improved (P<0.01), and the volume of residue urine in the urinary bladder was obviously reduced.

CONCLUSIONEquiguard shows a significant therapeutic effect in treating old patients with SYDS, which could effectively improve the symptoms of prostatism and urosis in patients and is highly safe.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the direct effects of fenvalerate (Fen) on sperm motility in SD rats.

METHODSSperm were isolated from caudal epididymides of healthy adult male rats with the diffusion method. The motility parameters of the isolated sperm, such as VCL, VSL, VAP, BCF, STR and LIN, were monitored by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system after 1, 2 and 4 h Fen-exposure in vitro at concentrations of 0, 1, 4, 16 and 64 micromol/L respectively.

RESULTSAfter 1 and 2 h Fen-exposure, VSL, BCF, STR and LIN decreased significantly at 64 micromol/L compared with the control group. After 4 h Fen-exposure, the motility parameters VCL, VSL, BCF, STR and LIN dropped progressively at 64 micromol/L, and VCL declined markedly at 16 micromol/L. However, only VCL and STR showed alterations in a time-response manner.

CONCLUSIONFen may affect the caudal epididymal sperm and produce a direct toxic effect on sperm motility in SD rats.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Male ; Nitriles ; toxicity ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between differential expression of VEGF and its receptors and clinical characteristics of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODSExpressions of VEGF and its receptors (Flt-1, KDR) were assayed by ELISA and RT-PCR in healthy donors(20 cases), ALL patients in remission (20 cases), with low risk (29 cases) and with high risk (10 cases). The clinical data of all the patients and volunteers enrolled in this study were collected and analyzed according to the expression of VEGF and its receptors.

RESULTSThe expressions of VEGF were (574.37 +/- 208.45) ng/L, (387.93 +/- 175.86) ng/L, (135.80 +/- 111.28) ng/L and (91.16 +/- 41.34) ng/L in patients with high risk, standard risk, in remission and healthy donors, respectively. Expression levels of VEGF receptors were downwards with risk grades. The clinical manifestations were also in accord with the expression levels of VEGF and its receptors.

CONCLUSIONALL patients with highly expressed VEGF and its receptors are usually with higher tumor burden, and refractory treatment. Detection of VEGF and its receptors might be one of prognostic marker for ALL treatment.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism