To study the preventive effect of sophocarpine (Soc) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, in order to analyze the influence of Soc on toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and janus tyrosine kinase 2 signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signal pathways in mice intestinal tissues. The mice was given 2.5% DSS for 6 days to induce the acute colitis model. The Soc-treated group was intraperitoneally injected with sophocarpine 30 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) since the day before the experiment to the end. The disease activity index (DAI) was assessed everyday, and the colonic morphology and histological damage were observed with HE staining. The mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by real-time RT-PCR. The changes in key protein kinase p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase1/2 (JNK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), JAK2, STAT3 in TLR4/MAPKs and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways were detected by western blot. The result showed that the model group showed statistical significance in body weight, DAI, colon length and histopathological changes compared with the normal group (P <0.05); however, the Soc-treated group showed significant improvements in the above indexes compared with the model group (P <0.05). TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P <0.05), but lowered in the Soc-treated group to varying degrees (P <0.05). In the normal group, the expressions of TLR4 and the phosphorylation of P38, JNK1/2, JAK2, STAT3 were at low levels; in the model group, the phosphorylation of P38, JNK1/2, JAK2, STAT3 increased; the Soc-treated group showed a decrease in TLR4 expression compared with the model group, with notable declines in the phosphorylation of TLR4, P38, JNK1/2, JAK2, STAT3. These findings indicate that Soc can inhibit TLR4/MAPKs, K2/STAT3 signaling pathway activation, reduce the expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and relieve inflammatory reactions, so as to effectively prevent experimental colitis.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Colitis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Cytokines ; genetics ; Janus Kinase 2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phosphorylation ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) have received considerable attention because of their propellant-free composition and stability. DPIs include the DPI devices and inhalation powders. The purpose of this review is to address the development of the DPIs, including the mechanisms of absorption, the products, the devices, the preparation technology, and the characteristics.
Administration, Topical ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Dry Powder Inhalers ; Lung ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

AIMTo determine insulin and its related substances in insulin powder for inhalation by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography method.

METHODSThe initial mobile phase was solution A (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid-acetonitril 70:30) and changed to solution B (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid-acetonitril 60:40) in 30 minutes. The flow rate was 2.0 mL.min-1, the column temperature was 30 degrees C, the wave length was 280 nm, the injected volume was 20 microL.

RESULTSInsulin was well separated from other peaks induced in different conditions. There was good linear relationship between the amount of insulin and its peak area, the RSD was 1.1%, the insulin solution for determination was stable in 12 hours, and the quantity detected was near the added.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple and accurate to detect insulin and its related substances in insulin and its preparations.

Administration, Inhalation ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; Powders ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo develop a UPLC method for the simultaneous determination of liquiritin, narirutin, hesperidin, ammonium glycyrrhetate, honokiol and magnolol in Huoxiang Zhengqi oral liquid.

METHODA Zorbax Eclipse C18 column was used with the mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0. 05% phosphate acid by gradient elution at the detection wavelength of 220 nm. The flow rate was 0.42 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was 30 degrees C.

RESULTThe calibration curves were linear in the ranges of 0.001 7-0.034, 0.003 4-0.068, 0.006 4-0.128, 0.012 8-0.256, 0.003 2-0.064, 0.006 4-0.128 microg, respectively. The average recoveries were 103.3%, 98.39%, 98.29%, 102.1%, 98.45%, 102.2% with RSDs of 2.1%,1.0%, 0.50%, 2.3%, 0.9%, 2.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe UPLC method was simple, rapid and accurate, it could be used for quality control of Huoxiang Zhengqi oral liquid.

Administration, Oral ; Biphenyl Compounds ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Disaccharides ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavanones ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Hesperidin ; chemistry ; Lignans ; chemistry ; Pharmaceutical Solutions ; chemistry

AIMTo determine the protective effect of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) in inhalant form on experimental respiratory tract infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae in mice.

METHODSMice were infected with the method of nasal intubation drip. During infection, mice were given rhIL-2 by sc injection and the method of nasal intubation drip. There were normal group, vehicle group, model group, rhIL-2 groups and gentamicin group. In the end, the pathological changes in the lung were observed. The survival time and the mortality within a week of each group were recorded. The total protein content, the albumin content, the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the activity of lactic dehydrogenase of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were dertermined and compared.

RESULTSSymptoms of Klebsiella pneumoniae were remarkably relieved because of rhIL-2 administration. The total protein content, the albumin content, the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the activity of lactic dehydrogenase of BALF were less than those in the vehicle group and the model group.

CONCLUSIONInhalation of rhIL-2 can alleviate the pathological changes in the lung after infection. At the same dose, it could be seen that the effect of rhIL-2 in inhalant form was better than that of the injection.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Female ; Interleukin-2 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Klebsiella Infections ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Lung ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEStudy the characteristics of absorption and separation of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription using macroporous resin.

METHODStudy the techniquecs and characteristics of absorption and separation of a sample by macroporous resin, which is composed of coptis root, rhubarb and common anemarrhena rhizome, containing alkaloid, anthraquinone and saponin.

RESULTIt is proved by qualitative and quantitative researches studies that after absorbed and separated by optimized technics process, most prime effective components or section fractions in traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription can be reserved maintained.

CONCLUSIONIf the techniquecs of separation is properly designed, the same kind of macropore resin can absorbd and separate various effective components or section in traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription which have with different chemical structures efficiently.

Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; Anthraquinones ; isolation & purification ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Resins, Synthetic ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To investigate the management of nursing instruments in hospital. Methods A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the management of nursing instruments in 16 Grade Three Class A and Grade Three Class B army hospitals. Results The purchase of nursing instruments Was increasing， but there were some management deficiencies. Conclusions It is suggested to strengthen the management of nursing instruments.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ursolic acid on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in vitro and explore the mechanisms of apoptosis of HSC induced by ursolic acid by studying the expressions of apoptosis-regulating proteins Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase 3 in HSC.

METHODSHepatic stellate cells HSC-T6 and hepatocytes L02 were incubated with different concentrations of ursolic acid (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 micromol/L) for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The effect of ursolic acid on the cell proliferation was studied by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. The rate of HSC-T6 apoptosis was identified by flow cytometry (FCM) and the morphological change of apoptosis was observed with light microscopy. The expressions of apoptosis-regulating protein Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase 3 in HSC-T6 after apoptosis induced by ursolic acid were examined by immunocytochemical staining assay.

RESULTSMTT analysis indicated administration of 25-150 micromol/L ursolic acid incubated with HSC-T6 for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h significantly inhibited HSC-T6 proliferation in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner compared with the control group. Promotive effect of ursolic acid on proliferation of hepatocyte L02 was observed in the 25, 50, 75 micromol/L concentration groups. Ursolic acid inhibited L02 proliferation when its concentration was higher than 100 micromol/L and for 72 hours or longer. HE stained histological slides demonstrated morphologic changes of HSC-T6, including karyorrhexis and cytoplasm vacuolization, when they were treated with ursolic acid at 75 micromol/L concentrations for 48 h. FCM showed the apoptosis ratios of HSC-T6 were 10.30%+/-3.85%, 21.87%+/-4.46% and 31.33%+/-6.18% after treating HSC-T6 with ursolic acid at concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 micromol/L for 48 h. They were significantly higher than that of the control group 2.93%+/-1.60%. Immunocytochemistry also indicated the expressions of Bax and caspase 3 protein in HSC-T6 cells were up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner, but expressions of Bcl-2 protein were not significantly different from that of the blank control group (P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUrsolic acid could significantly inhibit HSC proliferation and induce apoptosis in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Ursolic acid in low concentration promotes proliferation of L02 cells, but in high concentrations (more than 100 micromol/L) it inhibits the growth of hepatocytes. Expressions of Bax and Caspase 3 in apoptotic HSC were increased; expressions of Bcl-2 protein were not significantly different from that of the control group, while Bcl-2/Bax ratio was reduced. Our results suggest that HSC-T6 cell apoptosis induced by ursolic acid occurs through mechanisms involving mitochondrial pathways and Bcl-2 family proteins.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for anastomotic infectious complications after bowel resection in patients with Crohn disease.

METHODSClinical data of 124 patients with Crohn disease undergoing bowel resection between January 1990 and October 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The risk factors were identified by χ(2) test and Logistic regression.

RESULTSFourteen patients (12.3%, 14/114) developed anastomotic infectious complications in the postoperative period, including anastomotic leak (n=7), intra-abdominal abscess (n=6), and enterocutaneous fistula (n=1). Crohn disease activity index (CDAI)>150 (OR=2.185, 95%CI:1.098-6.256, P=0.040), steroid usage (OR=2.674, 95%CI:1.118-8.786, P=0.027), and the presence of preoperative abscess/fistula (OR=3.447, 95%CI:1.254-10.462, P=0.014) were identified as independent risk factors of anastomotic infectious complications. In the absence of these 3 risk factors, the rate of anastomotic infectious complication was 5.7% (3/53), which increased to 11.4% (4/35) when one risk factor was present, 21.1% (4/19) when two risk factors were present, and 42.9% (3/7) when all the 3 risk factors were present.

CONCLUSIONSCDAI>150, steroid usage and preoperative abscess/fistula are associated with higher rates of anastomotic infectious complications following bowel resection for Crohn disease. A prudent management should be carried out if risk factors can not be eliminated preoperatively.

Abdominal Abscess ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; adverse effects ; Anastomotic Leak ; pathology ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Colectomy ; adverse effects ; Crohn Disease ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula ; pathology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Steroids ; therapeutic use ; Surgical Wound Infection ; etiology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Zhikuofang, a TCM prescription, and Ofloxacin on the inflammation and cytostatics of the airway model of bronchiectasis.

METHODThe airway model of bronchiectasis (AMB) was set up and infused with Ps. Aeruginosa. A comparison between the effects of Zhikuofang and Of loxacin on the AMB was made.

RESULTZhikuofang is better than Ofloxacin in following aspects: lowering the density of inflammation cells in blood, decreasing the volume of tracheal secretion and inhibiting the cytostatics (IL-8 and TNF-alpha) of the trachea tissue, but Ofloxacin is more effective in diminishing the amount of bacteria in trachea flushing liquor. There was no marked difference between them in their histopathy effects on the trachea.

CONCLUSIONZhikuofang probably plays antiphlogistic and bacteriostatic effects by inhibiting the IL-8 and TNF-alpha, resisting secretion, decreasing the inflammation cells and resisting inflammation of trachea.

Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; Bronchiectasis ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Bronchitis ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Male ; Ofloxacin ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pseudomonas Infections ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism