Objective To assess the effect of rhein on diabetic nephropathy in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Diabetes was induced by high-lipids and high-sucrose diets (20% sucrose, 10% lard, 2.5% cholesterol, 1% cholic acid and 66.5 % regular chow, w/w) for 1 month and then intraperitoneal injection with 25 mg/kg streptozoticin(STZ) in female inbred Wistar rats. Rhein was continuously given 100 mg?kg-1?day-1 for 6 months 1 week after STZ injection in rhein-prevented group, and 1 month after STZ injection in rhein-treated group. Blood and urinary biochemistry and renal morphology were evaluated at divers times. Results Rhein ameliorated hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, but had few effect on the level of plasma glucose in both rhein-prevented group and rhein-treated group. Excretion of urinary protein reduced markedly and stable-state plasma glucose (SSPG) level decreased in both groups as compared with diabetic group. Examination of kidney sections from both rhein-prevented group and rhein-treated group showed that the structural lesions of glomeruli including mesangial expansion, diffuse glomerulosclersis and thickening of glomerular basement membrane, as well as artery injury such as arteriolar hyalinosis, atherosclerosis were markedly improved as compared with diabetic group. Morphometry of glomeruli from both rhein-prevented group and rhein-treated group showed that glomerular grow and mesangial hypertrophy occurred in diabetic group were ameliorated. The accumulation of fibronectin examined by immunostaining in glomeruli was reduced in both groups. Conclusion Therapeutic intervention with rhein can halt the progression of diabetic nephropathy and prevent the development of glomerulosclerosis and vascular injuries in this animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in 5/6 renal ablation model. MethodsAtRA was administered to 5/6 renal ablation rats by three dosages: 5 mg·kg-1·d-1 (n=8), 10 mg·kg-1d-1 (n=8) and 20 mg·kg-1 d-1 (n=8) and vehicle (vehicle group, n=8) for 10 weeks. Healthy rats consisted of shamoperation group (n =8). The level of renin and angiotensin Ⅱ in renal tissues were measured by radioimmunoassary. The level of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) in remnant renal cortex was measured by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of two subunits of activative protein 1(AP-1),c-jun and c-fos was quantitated by real-time PCR. ResultsAfter 10 weeks of atRA treatment by gavarge, artery blood pressure decreased (P＜0.05). AtRA reduced the levels of renin (P＜0.05) and angiotensin Ⅱ (P＜0.05) in kidney and down-regulated the expression of AT1R protein in renal cortex. Larger dose of atRA (20 mg·kg-1·d-1) performed higher activity in inhibiting renin and AT1R. Compared with vehicle group, atRA could significantly inhibit the expression of renal c-jun and c-fos mRNA (P＜0.05). Conclusion atRA can decrease the over-expression of main components of RAS.

Objective:To compare the quality differences in benzalkonium chloride samples from domestic and abroad to provide references for the quality standard revision for benzalkonium chloride in Chinese pharmacopoeia. Methods: The ratio of alkyl compo-nents was determined according to the method described in USP 38, and the total content of benzalkonium chloride was determined ac-cording to the method recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition) and USP 38, respectively. Results:According to the results of composition ratio of alkyl, the fraction defective of domestic samples and imported samples was 100% and 50%, respectively. The content difference between the values calculated by the methods in the two pharmacopoeias showed that the total content of domestic samples changed from 3. 86% to 4. 15%, and that of imported samples changed from 1. 15% to 3. 90%. Conclusion:There are sig-nificant differences in the quality of benzalkonium chloride between domestic samples and imported samples. It is recommended that the ratio of alkyl components should be supplemented in our pharmacopoeia referring to the method in USP 38 and the total content calcula-tion formula for benzalkonium chloride should be revised to improve the quality standard for benzalkonium chloride.

Objective:To observe the influence of isehemia-reperfusion(I/R)on hepatoma growth and on the expression of genes associated with tumor metastasis and recurrence(VEGF and MMP-9)in the adjacent tissues of cancer in nude mice. Methods:BALB/c nude mouse model bearing Hep3B-tumor in the liver was established and the model mice were evenly randomly into 5 groups:sham group and ischemia/reperfusion 1 h,6 h,5 d,and 7 d groups(n=8).I/R models were established by blocking porta hepatic;the sham group underwent the same treatment as the I/R model group except for blocking of porta hepatic.ALT and AST were detected in I/R 1 h and 6 h groups.Real-time-PCR was employed to detect the change of VEGF and MMP-9 in the adjacent tissues of cancer and the results were compared with that of the control group(n=6). Histopathological changes of liver were studied by H-E staining and necrotic areas were calculated in I/R 5 d and 7 d groups (n=6).The remnant tumor bearing mice were sacrificed 2 weeks after I/R to measure the volume and mass of the tumors. Results:Two weeks later,the tumor volume and mass in I/R group were increased compared with those in the sham group ([209.6?25.74]mm~3 vs[330.6?32.01]mm~3,[0.214?0.036]g vs[0.374?0.045]g,P

AIM: To explore if all trans retinoic acid (atRA) retards glomerulosclerosis of rats with 5/6 nephrectomy. METHODS: Wistar male rats were operated by subtotal nephrectomy and were randomly divided into A1 (5 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) atRA), A2 (10 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) atRA), A3 (20 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) atRA) and NX (vehicle) groups. Each group included 8 rats. 8 health rats were assigned as sham-operation group (sham group). Animals were sacrificed 10 weeks after treatment. The concentrations of plasma atRA were measured by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Glomerulosclerosis was evaluated by glomerulosclerosis index system. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF?1) was measured by renal immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS: The concentrations of atRA in atRA groups were much higher than that in NX and sham groups. Compared to NX, the remnant kidney sclerosis was ameliorated significantly in A1, A2 and A3 groups. The expressions of TGF?1 decreased parallelized to the levels of glomerulosclerosis. CONCLUSION: atRA has a beneficial effect on retarding the progression of renal fibrosis in the 5/6 nephrectomic rats, possibly through downregulating the glomerular TGF?1 expression.

Objective To establish sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) animal models by using neurobiology score,electroencephalography (EEG),somatosensory evoked potentials in order to provide evidence for early clinical diagnosis of SAE.Methods A total of 30 rats were weighted,numbered,and monitored with EEG electrodes 10 days before modeling.Ten days later,rats were weighted,numbered,and divided randomly (random number) into groups.Rat models of sepsis were made by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).The changes of their neurological behaviors were observed and EEG was used to monitor at 4,6,8,12 and 24 hours after CLP.The changes of EEG waveform and somatosensory evoked potentials were analyzed and recorded.Rat models of sepsis were divided into sepsis + non-SAE group and SAE group based on the presence or absence of EEG or somatosensory evoked potentials changes ~thin 24 hours.Rats were sacrificed 24 hours later,and histopathological changes of brain tissue were observed under electronic microscopy.Thus,the feasibility of establishing early SAE animal model by monitoring the changes of neurological behaviors,EEG and somatosensory evoked potentials was evaluated.Results SAE could be early diagnosed by using neurobiology score,reduced α wave and markedly increased δ wave on EEG,reduced amplitudes of evoked potentials P1,and significantly prolonged latency of S-P1 and NI-P1.In survived septic rats,6 had changes on neurological behaviors,EEG and somatosensory evoked potentials,and thus were diagnosed as SAE.The incidence of SAE was 46％.Conclusions SAE can be diagnosed in early stage by using neurobiology score,EEG and somatosensory evoked potentials,confirming the SAE rat models to be successfully established.

Objective To investigate the role of neuroglobin ( NGB) in oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation ( OGD/R ) induced mitochondrial depolarization and reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) production in a human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y).Methods SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with lentivirus to establish a stable cell line of NGB knockdown ( KD).After treated with OGD/R, cells were collected at different time points to analyze NGB mRNA and protein levels.Furthermore, cells were stained with JC-1 and DCFH-DA to evaluate mitochondrial depolarization and ROS production by inverted fluorescence microscope.Also, to determine the neurotoxicity , we measured the lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) level in the cell culture medium.Results After the treatment of OGD/R, the NGB mRNA and protein started to elevate and peak at 4 h and 8 h (2.04 ±0.35 fold,1.69 ±0.18 fold).Compared with the vector group , NGB KD group had much more mitochondrial depolarization [ JC-1 red/green ( 1.10 ±0.10 ) vs (1.46 ±0.11),P<0.05] and ROS production [DCFH-DA fluorescence (36.30 ±5.32) vs (16.26 ± 2.97),P<0.05].Furthermore, NGB KD groups had a higher level of LDH release [(63.42 ±6.14)%vs (49.65 ±5.09 )%, P <0.05 ].Conclusions NGB plays an important role in the homeostasis of mitochondria.Knockdown of NGB results in increased mitochondrial depolarization , ROS production and neurotoxicity under hypoxia circumstances.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the protein and gene expressions of Bax, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 in cerebral cortex of type 2 diabetic rats with cognitive impairment (CI), and to explore the mechanism of EA in improving the learning and memory abilities. Methods: A total of 100 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into a normal group (n=10) and a model group (n=90) by random number table method. Rats in the model group were intraperitoneally injected with a small dose of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish the type 2 diabetic models, after being fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet for 1 month. Twenty CI rats were selected from the 50 successful model rats by the Morris water maze (MWM) test and randomly divided into a model group and an EA group according to the blood glucose level and MWM data (n=10). Rats in the EA group received acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36), Neiting (ST 44) and Yishu (Extra), of which Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiting (ST 44) were stimulated by EA apparatus, 20 min/time, once a day for 6 d a week and 4 consecutive weeks. The rats in the model and the normal groups were fixed without treatment. After 4-week treatment, the random blood glucose level of the rats was measured; the learning and memory abilities of rats were measured by MWM; terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect apoptotic cells; Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the protein and gene expressions of Bax, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 in cerebral cortex. Results: After modeling, the random blood glucose level and the escape latency tested by MWM were significantly increased, and the number of crossing the platform tested by the MWM was decreased in the EA and model groups, and were significantly different from those in the normal group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the differences between the model group and the EA group were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). After 4-week treatment, the random glucose level and the escape latency tested by MWM were significantly increased (both P<0.05), and the number of crossing the original platform tested by the MWM was significantly reduced (P<0.01), the protein and gene expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly increased (all P<0.001), the protein and gene expressions of Bcl-2 were significantly reduced (both P<0.001), and the number of neuron apoptosis was significantly increased (P<0.001) in the model group than in the normal group; the random blood glucose level was significantly reduced (P<0.05), the escape latency tested by MWM was significantly shortened (P<0.05), and the number of crossing the original platform tested by MWM was significantly increased (P<0.05), the protein and gene expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly reduced (all P<0.001), the protein and gene expressions of Bcl-2 were significantly increased (both P<0.001), and the number of neuron apoptosis was significantly reduced (P<0.001) in the EA group than in the model group. Conclusion: EA can improve the learning and memory damages induced by type 2 diabetic model rats with CI; the action mechanism may be achieved via anti-apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the value of the imaging findings of soft tissue abnormality in the differential diagnosis between osteomyelitis and malignant bone tumor.Methods The CT and MRI findings of soft tissue changes in 57 cases of osteomyelitis and 70 cases of malignant bone tumor were retrospectively defined,observed,recorded and statistically analyzed.Results In 57 cases of osteomyelitis, 54 cases were examined with CT,and soft tissue swelling was presented in 52 cases (degree Ⅰin 19 cases, degreeⅡin 16 cases,degree Ⅲin 17 cases).Abscess-like cysts in soft tissue occurred in 6 cases,masses in 5,air in 1,fat-fluid level in 1 and sinus tract in 1.Among 14 cases examined with MR imaging,soft tissue swelling was presented in all cases (degreeⅠin 2 cases,degree Ⅱin 6 cases and degree Ⅲin 6 cases). Abscess-like cysts appeared in 3 cases and showed high signal in diffusion weighted imaging, mass in Ⅰand fat-fluid level in 1.Among 54 cases examined with CT in 70 cases of malignant bone tumor, soft tissue swelling was presented in 44 cases (degreeⅠin 29 cases,degreeⅡin 12 cases,degreeⅢin 3 cases).Soft tissue masses appeared in 49 cases,bone shell and shell-like calcification in 16 cases and neoplastic bone and neoplastic calcified cartilage within soft tissue mass in 25 cases.Among 49 cases examined with MR imaging,soft tissue swelling was presented in 46 cases (degree Ⅰin 21 cases,degreeⅡin 17 cases and degree Ⅲin 8 cases),and soft tissue masses appeared in 43 cases.The degree of soft tissue swelling and the occurrence of abscess-like cyst,mass,bone shell or shell-liked calcification in the rim of mass,neoplastic bone or neoplastic calcified cartilage in masses showed significant difference(P

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical features and diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

METHODSDuring the last 10 years 1241 cases of ICP stayed in our hospital. Their clinical data were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS5.2% of all the maternity patients had ICP. It occurred more in winter and 3.5% of ICP occurred in multiple pregnancies. The recurrence rate of ICP was 30.2%. On the average, it occurred at gestational week 32.6. Skin pruritus was the characteristic manifestation and the presenting symptom in 1201 patients (96.8%). The other presenting features included elevated serum ALT and AST (2.3%), jaundice (8 patients), diarrhea (3 patients), deep yellow urine (2 patients) and right upper abdominal pain (1 patient). The serum transaminases levels were elevated, of which 60% were between 50-200 IU/L. Serum total bile acid (TBA) levels were elevated in 82.4% of the patients and bilirubin levels in 33.4%. The elevated bilirubin levels were 30 to 90 micromol/L in 85% of those patients with this condition, and it was never higher than 170 micromol/L.

CONCLUSIONThe basic diagnostic points of ICP are pruritus and abnormal liver function characterized by increased transaminases and TBA. Therefore paying attention to typical pruritus and other atypical features such as elevated serum transaminases, jaundice, diarrhea, deep yellow urine and right upper abdominal pain during antenatal care is important for an early diagnosis of ICP.