OBJECTIVEThis study is to establish the fingerprint and find out the common chromatographic peaks of Inula cappa by HPLC.

METHODThe HPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column (2.1 mm x 150 mm, 1.8 μm) with 0.1% fomic acid aqueous solution-0.1% fomic acid acetonitrile solution as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 · mL(-1) · min(-1); The detective wavelength is 325 nm; The column temperature is 45 °C.

RESULTThe results indicated that 5 of 17 common peaks were identified . The similarity about 10 groups of Inulacappais is over 0.95.

CONCLUSIONThis method is able to be a scientific basis of quality assessment according to its convenient and reliable.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Inula ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis.

METHODSForty cases of gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis were randomized into an acupuncture group and a motilium group, 20 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, electroacupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) for 30 min, once a day. In the motilium group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, motilium was taken orally 30 min before meals, 10 mg each time, three times a day. The treatment was required for 2 weeks in both groups. The changes in the digestive tract symptom score and liver function Child-Pugh score were observed and the efficacy was assessed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of digestive tract symptoms was 85.0% (17/20) in the acupuncture group and 70.0% (14/20) in the motilium group. The score improvements in abdominal distention, belching and vomiting in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the motilium group (all P < 0.05). In the acupuncture group, the liver function Child-Pugh total score was 8.40 +/- 0.22 before treatment and reduced to 5.36 +/- 0.17 after treatment, in which the scores for ascites, serum bilirubin and albumin were all reduced (all P < 0.05) and the reducing range was increased in tendency with the improvements in digestive tract symptoms. In the motilium group, Child-Pugh score was not changed obviously as compared with that before treatment. CONCLUSION Acupuncture effectively alleviates digestive tract symptoms and improves liver function for the patients of liver cirrhosis, its efficacy on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis is superior to motilium.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Domperidone ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the curative effects of Xianling Qianggu koufuye (XLQG) on postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized female rats.

METHODSixty female Sprague-dawley rats aged 12-months were used, 50 of them were ovariectomized and randomly divided into 5 groups: ovariectomized (OVX), OVX + Nylestriol, OVX + XLQG (high dose, middle dose, low dose), and the others were sham-operated group. Rats were treated with drugs starting at the 45 day after the operation for 90 days. Double in vivo fluorochrome labeling was administered to all rats. At the end-point of study, the blood was collected to detecte the contents of ALP and StrACP in serum, and the fourth lumar vertebra (LV4) and femur bone sections were cut and stained for bone histomorphometric analyses, biomechanical analyses and BMP analyses.

RESULTXLQGKFY decreased greatly the StrACP content, increased BMP and bone stiffness, and improved the bone biomechanical property.

CONCLUSIONXianling Qianggu koufuye has a curative effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis, which provides for clinical use.

Acid Phosphatase ; blood ; Administration, Oral ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Cockroaches ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; Materia Medica ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on apoptosis of hepatic stellate cell line LX2.

METHODSAfter adenovirus infection of the LX2 cells, the exogenous gene expression was detected by Western blotting, and cell apoptosis evaluated by flow cytometry with PI staining. Agarose gel electrophoresis was performed to detect the DNA ladder, and the expressions of caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax are detected by Western blotting.

RESULTWith AMPK overexpression, apoptotic peak and DNA ladder of the infected cells appeared, and pro-caspase-3 was activated to transform into caspase-3 accompanied by up-regulated Bax expression, whereas Bcl-2 expression was hardly detectable by Western blotting.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of AMPK mediated by the adenovirus can induce LX2 cell apoptosis, possible as a result of up-regulated Bax expression with low Bcl-2 expression.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Transduction, Genetic ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Ligularia dictyoneura.

METHODSVarious chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the compounds. Their spectral data (MS, IR, NMR) were measured for structure elucidation.

RESULTSFour sesquiterpenes were isolated from Ligularia dictyoneura and their structures were identified as ligudicin A (1), ligudicin C (2), ligudicin D (3) and isopetasin (4).

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 is a new compound, compound 2 is a new natural product, and compounds 3 and 4 are obtained from Ligularia dictyoneura for the first time.

Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of anluohuaqianwan on experimental hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN) in rats.

METHODS36 male SD rats were randomly dividied into three groups: model group, normal group, anluohuaqianwan group. The rats in the three groups were treated with DMN daily for 4 weeks. The liver function was detected using auto biochemistry analyzer, the serum HA, LN, IV-C, PIIIP were detected by immunoradiometry, the histopathology was observed in the left liver lobe after HE staining, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TP, ALB and the contents of HA, LN, IV-C in model group were significantly increased compared to these in the normal group (P less than 0.01). The serum levels of ALT, AST and the contents of HA in anluohuaqianwan group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P less than 0.01). The liver MMP-2 in the model group was significantly increased compared to that in the normal group (P less than 0.05). The expression of MMP-2 in liver tissue of model group was lower than that in the anluohuaqianwan group (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnluohuaqianwan can inhibit liver fibrosis in rats induced by DMN.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Dimethylnitrosamine ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of Tanreqing injection(TRQ) on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatic injury in rats.

METHODRats were randomly divided into the normal group and the model group, and injected subcutaneously with 100% CCl4 5 mL x kg(-1) to establish the single CCl4 infection model, in order to observe the changes in rat liver injury after 3 h and 6 h. Subsequently, the multiple CCl4 infection liver injury model was reproduced by subcutaneously injecting 100% CCl4 (5 mL x kg(-1)), 50% CCl4 olive oil solution (2 mL x kg(-1)) and then 20% CCl4 olive oil solution (2 mL x kg(-1)). At 6 h after the first CCl4 injection, the rats were divided into six groups: the model group, the control group, the diammonium glycyrrhizinate-treated group, and TRQ high, middle and low dose groups. They were injected through caudal veins, while a normal control group was set up. Their weight and liver-body ratio were observed. Hepatic inflammation was observed with HE staining. Assay kits were adopted to detect ALT, AST, T. Bil, D. Bil, CHE, TBA, gamma-GT and Alb.

RESULTAccording to the single injection model, serum AST and T. Bil of model rats were obviously increased at 6 h after single subcutaneous injection of CCl4, with disordered lobular structure in liver tissues, notable swollen liver cells and remarkable liver injury. According to the results of the multiple injection pharmacological experiment, compared with the normal group, the model group had higher serum ALT, AST, and gamma-GT activities (P < 0. 05), TBA and T. Bil contents (P < 0.05) and lower CHE activity (P < 0.05). HE staining showed disorganized lobular structure in liver tissues and notable ballooning degeneration in liver cells. Compared with the model group, TRQ high and middle dose groups and the diammonium glycyrrhizinate-treated group showed significant charges in serum liver function and inflammation in liver cells. Specifically, TRQ high and middle dose groups were superior to the diammonium glycyrrhizinate-treated group.

CONCLUSIONTanreqing injection has significant protective effect on CCl4-induced acute hepatic injury in rats.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; adverse effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Injections ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Rats

BACKGROUNDIn most colorectal carcinomas, the level of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma 1 expression is greatly elevated. Increased expression of PLC-gamma 1 may play an important role in colon carcinogenesis, but the mechanism is not well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of PLC-gamma 1 in colon carcinogenesis by using recombinant lentivirus that stably suppressed the PLC-gamma 1 expression in human colorectal carcinoma LoVo cells.

METHODSRecombinant lentivirus producing PLC-gamma 1 siRNA were prepared. After LoVo cells were transduced by each lentivirus, stably transduced cells were selected by Blasticidin. The protein and mRNA expression of PLC-gamma 1 were examined by Western-blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, and the effects of the lentivirus on the cell adhesion, migration and apoptosis were analyzed.

RESULTSStable LoVo cell line deficient in PLC-gamma 1, was established. Notably, PLC-gamma 1 was silenced without affecting the levels of other subtypes of PLC so that the role of PLC-gamma 1 in colon carcinogenesis could be examined. Silencing of endogenous PLC-gamma 1 resulted in efficient inhibition of the adhesion and migration of LoVo cells in vitro and a great increase of 5-fluorouracil induced apoptosis (30%-40%) of LoVo cells.

CONCLUSIONSPLC-gamma 1 may play an important role in metastasis and anti-apoptosis in human colorectal carcinomas.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Laminin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Phospholipase C gamma ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; therapeutic use

Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of the retrosigmoid suprameatal approach (RSSMA) for petrous apex resection. Methods Ten human dry skull and 18 cadaverie skull specimens were collected and 3-dimensional CT scanning was performed with slice thickness of 1 mm. Craniotomy was performed on the specimens through a modified retrosigmoid approach, and the suprameatal tubercle (ST) and petrous apex (PA) were removed without damaging the trigerninal and facial nerves. The petrous bone was resected to the farthest lateral margin (FLM) that the approach could allow. CT-based and manual measurements were used to determine the lateral-middle line, superior-inferior, anterior-posterior lengths of the ST and PA. The superolateral lip of the internal auditory meatus (SLIAM) was defined as the landmarks for the measurement, and the distances from the SLIAM to the fundus, the common crus, and vestibule was determined. Results From thesuperior-inferior to the anterior-posterior and median-lateral directions, the resection rate of the PA increased to (26.6±6)%, (45±5)%, and (72±6)%, and the rate for the ST to (69±10)%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The resection rate of the PA at the siphonal portion was (44±7)%. In the RSSMA, the distance from the SLIAM to the FLM (17.6±2.0 mm) was greater than the distances from the SLIAM to the vestibule (10.1±1.4 mm), the fundus (10.4±1.5 mm), and the common crus (10.6±1.1 mm). Conclusions The RSSMA may well protect the siphonal portion of the internal carotid artery from damages in PA resection. The FLM of the RSSMA is always lateral to the vestibule and the fundus of the internal auditory canal and the common crus, and therefore injuries to the vestibule, the semicircular canal and the common crus should be avoided.

OBJECTIVETo study the immediate and long-term effects of disasters caused by floods on residents health status.

METHODSStratified sampling by ranks of flood disaster occurred in 1996 and 1998, flood disaster areas and control areas were carried out. A retrospective study was also carried out to study all diseases involved during 1996 - 1999.

RESULTSThe incident rates of acute infectious disease in flooding areas in 1996 and 1998 were both higher than those of non-flooding areas (863.181/100 000 and 736.591/100 000, respectively). But there was no different between the incident rate of the first years in flooding areas and that of non-flooding areas. The prevalence rates of 8 kinds of chronic diseases related to circulatory system, nervous system, digestive system, injury and poisonous diseases in flooding areas were also higher than that in the non-flooding areas. The highest incidence rates of most diseases were in the mountainous flooding areas, followed by areas collapsed by flooding, and the lowest were seen in soakedareas by floods. The incidence rates of intestinal infectious diseases and respiratory infectious diseases were lower in areas where prevention and control measures were weak.

CONCLUSIONFlood could lead to the increase of incidence rates both on acute infectious diseases and non-infectious diseases. Interventions on non-infectious diseases should also be enforced to stop the epidemics when preventing and controlling acute infectious disease.

Acute Disease ; China ; epidemiology ; Chronic Disease ; Communicable Diseases ; epidemiology ; Disasters ; Health Status ; Humans ; Residence Characteristics ; statistics & numerical data ; Retrospective Studies