OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism that the formulas for activating blood and resolving stasis can regulate hemopoietic stem cell to produce new blood.

METHODRats were established animal model of acute cerebral infarction by referencing Olivette' method. They were randomly divided into model group, the group of the high, middle, low dose of the formulas for activating blood and resolving stasis. Each group and then wasrandomly divided into subgroups by 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 d. Xuesaitong capsule was formulated into 20, 40, 60 g x L(-1) with normal saline. The rats were given gavage drugs once a day until the experient ended, and the model group was administrated by intragastrical perfusion of normal saline. ELISA was used to detect the expression of SCF in peripheral blood and bone marrow among different groups at different time points. Flow cytometry was used to observe the changes of CD117 in blood and bone marrow.

RESULTThe CD117+ HSC and SCF concentration in peripheral blood and bone marrow of model group were increasing during 1-14 d,there was a peak on the 14th day, then the expression was reducing. CD117+ HSC and SCF concentration rising trend in the group of the high, middle dose of the formulas for activating blood and resolving stasis was preceded model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONActivating blood and resolving stasis can regulate hemopoietic stem cell to produce new blood, and it is through the regulation of CD117+ HSC number to achieve the purpose.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Capsules ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cell Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the respiratory mechanics and inflammatory status in elderly patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).Methods The arterial blood gases (ABGs),respiratory drive and its derivatives,mechanics of respiratory muscles,resistance and compliance of airway,interleukin-8 (IL-8)and interferon-?(IFN-?)were measured in 42 cases withstable COPD and 40 subjects of normal control.Results The elderly patients with stable COPD had great changes in the following parameters while compared with the control group:peak inspiratory pressure(PIMAX) [(4.48?2.11)vs(6.10?2.91)kPa],maximum expiratory pressure (PEMAX)[(6.30?3.20)vs(9.15?93.30)kPa],0.1s mouth occlusion pressure(P_(0.1)) with its correction index,airway resistance,compliance,ABGs,the levels of IL-8[(218.46?91.14) vs (161.84?14.40)ng/L]and IFN-?[(2435.82?639.92)vs(1652.40?95.08)ng/L],which might aggravate the progress of COPD consistently.Conclusions The elderly patiends with stable COPD has marked changes in respiratory drive,airway resistance,and airway compliance,respiratory mechanic and inflammatory status.The intervention should be performed in the elderly stable COPD patients.

GJ-4 is crocin enrichments extracted from Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis, and our previous studies have shown that GJ-4 significantly improved learning and memory impairment induced by Aβ in mice. Herein, a memory deficit model was developed by injecting okadaic acid (OA) into the lateral ventricle of mice, and the neuroprotection and underlying mechanism of GJ-4 on neuronal injury caused by Tau hyperphosphorylation were investigated. The Animal Care & Welfare Committee, Institute of Materia Medica, CAMS & PUMC has approved all procedures (No.00000318). GJ-4 at different doses was intragastric administration to mice for 16 days. Step-down test and Morris water maze test showed that GJ-4 could significantly improve OA-induced memory impairment in mice, and reduced the loss of Nissl bodies in the hippocampus of mice. GJ-4 could also decrease the phosphorylation level of Tau protein at Ser396, Thr231 and Ser404 via increasing protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity and inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity. Besides, further researches indicated that GJ-4 could inhibit the level of oxidative stress in the brain of OA mice, reduce neuronal apoptosis and inhibit the neuroinflammation mediated by activation of astrocytes in the hippocampus of mice, and eventually achieve its effects in improving learning and memory impairment in mice. According to these findings, we anticipated that GJ-4 might be a potential therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between the genetic polymorphisms of mannose-binding protein (MBP) alleles and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis.

METHODS125 pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 198 healthy controls were collected. A case-control study was conducted. Three structural gene mutations in exon 1 of MBP gene (codon 52, codon 54 and codon 57) were studied. Polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) was carried out in the polymorphism in MBP alleles. Information on related risk factors of tuberculosis was collected, using a pre-tested questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted with SPSS software package.

RESULTSThe frequencies of mutant heterozygote or homozygote of MBP-52, 54, 57 were 8.0%, 7.2% and 0.4% for cases and 5.3%, 4.3%, 0.5% for controls, respectively. The distribution of mutant genotypes of MBP did not show significant difference between tuberculosis patients and control by Mantel-Haenszel chi2 on sex. The univariate analysis demonstrated that body mass index, marital status, vaccinal vestige, bacillus of Calmette-Guerin vaccine immunization, contacted with pulmonary tuberculosis patients, familial traits were the risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis. After adjusting those related environmental factors in the multivariate logistic analyses, the total MBP (MBP-52, MBP-54 and MBP-57) and MBP-52 heterozygote genotypes were significantly overrepresented in cases, with adjusted OR (95% CI) being 2.182 (1.058-4.499) and 2.574 (1.028-6.446).

CONCLUSIONTotal MBP and MBP-52 mutant genotypes might be associated with the susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis.

Case-Control Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Mannose-Binding Lectin ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the neuroprotective effect, effective dose and time window of ginseng total saponins (GTS) treatment in rat after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODSThe modified Feeney's method was used to establish TBI model in rat. GTS was treated intraperitoneally. The neurological function and histological morphology of brain tissue were observed.

RESULTSDifferent doses of GTS were used 6 h after TBI. The neurological and histological results showed that: compared with the TBI group, significant efficacy was observed 2 - 14 days after injury with GTS treatment at 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/kg (P < 0.05); The effects of GTS at 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg were better than those of GTS at 10 and 80 mg/kg. During the research on the time window of GTS intervention, GTS (20 mg/kg) showed significant effect when used at 3 h and 6 h after TBI; however 12 h, 24 h after TBI, application of GTS did not exert any significant effect.

CONCLUSIONGTS intervention after TBI could reduce brain damage and promote recovery of the neurological function. Among doses of GTS 5 - 80 mg/kg, 20 - 60 mg/kg is the best dose limit. The effective time window of GTS is 6 h after TBI.

Animals ; Brain Injuries ; drug therapy ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Panax ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDIncreased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been reported in patients with venous thromboembolisms (VTE). However, prospective studies did not confirm an association between IL-6, CRP and their polymorphism with the risk of VTE.

METHODSOne hundred and forty patients (including 66 males and 74 females, mean age (55.55 ± 17.11) years) and one hundred and sixty controls (including 74 males and 86 females, mean age (56.58 ± 12.24) years) were involved. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used for detecting the serum levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and CRP in both groups. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used for analyzing the distribution of polymorphisms at the -572C/G and -597G/A sites of the promoter of the IL-6 gene and at 1059G/C of the CRP gene.

RESULTSSerum levels of IL-6 and CRP were significantly higher in the VTE group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The frequencies of -572C/G promoter polymorphisms CC, CG, and GG in the IL-6 gene were found to be 34%, 48%, and 18%, respectively, and the derived allele frequencies for the C and G alleles were 58% and 42%. There was a significant difference in the -572C/G promoter polymorphisms between the VTE group and control group (P < 0.05). For the -597G/A polymorphism, individuals all carried the GG and GA type; AA genotypes were not detected. The frequency of the GG, GC, and CC genotypes at the CRP1059G/C promoter was 87.57%, 7.86% and 3.57% in VTE group, while 86.25%, 10%, and 3.75% in control group, respectively. The frequency of G and C alleles at CRP 1059G/C was 91.43% and 8.57% in VTE group and 91.56% and 8.44% in the control group. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference of 1059G/C genotype and mutation frequency of the allele between the VTE group and control group (P > 0.05). Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed CC homozygotes of the IL-6 -572G/C, body mass index (BMI), and CRP, IL-6, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were independent risk factors for VTE (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWe found that VTE was associated with IL-6 and CRP levels, and there was an association of IL-6 and its promoter polymorphism at -572G/C with the risk of VTE. Thus far, a causal relationship between inflammation and VTE remains to be clarified and more prospective data are required.

Adult ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Venous Thromboembolism ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo establish a mice model of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, and to investigate the effect of cisplatin on apoptosis of spiral ganglion cell and expression of caspase-3 in mouse cochlea.

METHODSTerminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling method (TUNEL) was used to monitor the apoptosis of spiral ganglion cell. Envision method of immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of caspase-3 in cochlea. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was measured to observe the change of hearing.

RESULTSThe weight and hearing of mice in different dose of cisplatin groups were declined significantly as compared with those of control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the TUNEL positive cell number and expression of caspase-3 were greater remarkably with the more cisplatin injected.

CONCLUSIONA mouse model of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity can be established. Cisplatin can lead to the apoptosis of spiral ganglion cells, and caspase-3 has participated in this apoptosis process, which approves further that apoptosis might be one of the mechanisms of cisplatin ototoxicity.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Cochlea ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Spiral Ganglion ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

To investigate the influence of sodium valproate (VPA) on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of HL-60 cell line, effect of VPA in various concentrations on proliferation of HL-60 cells was detected by MMT; Wright-Giemsa staining was performed to observe the morphologic changes of HL-60 cells; NBT experiment was used to test the differentiation of HL-60 cells; flow cytometry was used to observe cell cycles and analyze the apoptosis. The results indicated that the changes of the growth curve showed inhibition of proliferation of HL-60 cells. After a 24-48 hours culture with 2 mmol/L VPA, the cells exhibited nuclear shrinkage, pyknosis fragmentation and appearance of apoptosis bodies. The percentage of the annexin V(+)/PI(-) cells which were apoptotic increased from 2.9% to 17.1%; hypodiploid peak was observed; the percentage of HL-60 cells in G(1) phase increased from 51.1% to 84.6% and the cells in S phase decreased from 37.9% to 14.4%. After a week culture with 0.25 mmol/L VPA, the cells exhibited characteristics of differentiation. The percentage of NBT positive cells was (47 +/- 2)%. It is concluded that VPA can inhibit the proliferation of HL-60 cells while inducing differentiation and apoptosis of these cells. The mechanism needs to be further studied.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo detect the mRNA and protein expression of interferon-inducible transmembrane protein-1 (IFITM1) in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) and investigate the role of IFITM1 in the occurrence, development and carcinogenesis of PJS polyps.

METHODSReverse transcription-PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expression of IFITM1 in 16 PJS polyp samples, adenomatous polyp tissues, colon adenocarcinoma samples, and normal intestinal mucosal tissues. The protein expression and localization of IFITM1 in these tissues (32 cases for each) were detected with immunohistochemical (IHC) staining.

RESULTSThe IFITM1 mRNA expression was detected in all these tissues, and the expression intensity increased in the order of normal intestinal mucosa, PJS polyp, adenomatous polyp, and colon adenocarcinoma (F=92.704, P=0.000). IHC revealed that IFITM1 protein was localized mainly on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm, with increased expression intensity in the same order as its mRNA and showing significant differences between the tissues by several rank-sum test (Kruskal-Wallis H, chi(2)=37.036, p=0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe expression level of IFITM1 is associated with the progression of the carcinogenetic process in PJS polyp, and can be used as a sensitive biomarker for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of PJS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, Differentiation ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; metabolism ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

The resistance effect on Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Infectious Bursal Disease Virus(IBDV) in vitro of a new antimicrobial substance (AS), which produced by a Bacillus subtilis strain named B. subtilis fmbJ. Results showed that the TD50 and TD0 value of this AS on Chicken Embryo Fibroblasts cell (CEF) were 128.95mg/L and 25.79mg/L, respectively. This AS could strongly inhibit the cytopathic effects of cell induced by NDV as well as IBDV, and increase the survival rate of cell remarkably. This AS could inhibit the function of NDV and IBDV, and it could defend against the infection and inhibit multiplication of NDV and IBDV, and the effect was the same as the antiviral medicine Ribavirin. It had lower toxicity to CEF cell, therefore we would study it further that it was as antiviral medicine.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Bacillus subtilis ; metabolism ; Chick Embryo ; cytology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Infectious bursal disease virus ; drug effects ; Newcastle disease virus ; drug effects