The purpose of this study is to explore depression metabolic markers in rat hippocampus and to investigate the anti-depressant effect of genipin and its mechanisms using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was conducted to establish the depressive rat model. At the beginning of the third week, genipin low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)), middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)), high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)), and venlafaxine (50 mg x kg(-1)) were given to the CUMS rats separately once daily for two weeks except control and model groups. Rat hippocampus was analyzed by 1H NMR based metabonomics after drug administration for 2 weeks. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of rat hippocampus of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed with metabolic effects of CUMS including decreasing in glycine and N-acetylaspartate, increasing in inositol, glutamate, lactate, glutamine, taurine and alanine. Genipin showed ideal antidepressive effects at a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1) in rats, decrease of inositol, glutamate, lactate, alanine were observed, while glycine and N-acetylaspartate were increased. Important influence has been found on normal nervous system function of these significant changed metabolites, which suggests that the antidepressant effect of genipin may be played by enhancing the activity of neurons in hippocampus, repairing and improving the function of the neuron. The metabonomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the anti-depressant effect and pharmacologic mechanisms of genipin.
Alanine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Aspartic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Glycine ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Inositol ; metabolism ; Iridoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of the reference values for semen analysis proposed in the 5th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen on the indication spectrum for intrauterine insemination (IUI).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 111 cycles of IUI by the reference values for semen analysis in the 4th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual (group A) and 84 cycles by the 5th edition (group B). We recorded and compared the percentages of various indications for IUI between the two groups.

RESULTSThe complications for IUI in groups A and B were as follows: asthenospermia (87.4% [97/111] vs 55.9% [47/84], P < 0.05), oligospermia (0 vs 0), teratospermia (51.4% [57/111] vs 35.7% [30/84]) , abnormal liquefaction (0.9% [1/111] vs O) , sexual dysfunction and genital malformation (0 vs 3.6% [3/84] , immune infertility (0.9% [ 1/111] vs O), and unexplained infertility (3.6% [4/111] vs 2. 4% [2/84 ] ). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the percentages of all the indications except that of asthenospermia.

CONCLUSIONThe reference values for semen analysis proposed in the 5th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen have an evident influence on the indication spectrum for IUI by largely reducing the cases of IUI for male factors, prolonging the cycles of some patients, causing excessive diagnosis and treatment for females, and increasing their mental and economic burdens.

Adult ; Contraindications ; Female ; Humans ; Insemination, Artificial ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; World Health Organization

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Controversy on whether patients should receive radical surgery after pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has remained since pCR patients have shown favorable long-term outcome. Progress in multidisciplinary modalities has been made, including MRI, PET/CT imaging studies, genetic expression profiling, etc. The methods of predicting pCR response are inspiring. In this article, we review the methods for prediction and prognostic effect of pCR response when patients with locally advanced rectal cancer are treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.
Chemoradiotherapy ; Humans ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Rectal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Remission Induction ; Treatment Outcome

Effects of six kinds of Chinese herb extracts, including Folium Crataegi extract, Herba Epimedii extract, Folium Acanthopanacis Senticosi extract, Trifolium pratense L. extract, Folium Ginkgo extract and Radix Puerariae extract, on the activities of CYP450 isozymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C, CYP2E1, CYP2D, CYP3A) in rat hepatic microsomals were studied by using a UPLC-MS/MS (MRM) and cocktail probe substrates method. The results showed that effects of six kinds of Chinese herb extracts on each CYP450 isozyme activity were inhibitory. The IC50 of Folium Crataegi extract for the inhibition of rat microsomal CYP2D activity was only for 4.04 microg x mL(-1), which showed the highest inhibition; Trifolium pratense L. extract had strong inhibitory action to CYP2D, the IC50 value was 5.73 microg x mL(-1); Folium Crataegi extract also had strong inhibitory action on CYP2E1, the IC50 value was 10.91 microg x mL(-1). Furthermore, the IC50 of Folium Ginkgo extract for the inhibition of rat microsomal CYP3A, 2D, 2E1 activities were 45.12, 35.45 and 22.41 microg x mL(-1), respectively, and the IC50 of Folium Acanthopanacis Senticosi extract on the inhibition of rat microsomal CYP2E1 activity was 32.89 microg x mL(-1). In addition, mechanism of inhibition experimental results showed that the inhibiting abilities of Folium Crataegi extract and Radix Puerariae extract on each CYP450 isozyme increased with the increasing of the preincubation time, therefore, the inhibitory effects were a mechanism-based inhibition.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Crataegus ; chemistry ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Eleutherococcus ; chemistry ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Male ; Microsomes, Liver ; enzymology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Trifolium ; chemistry

In recent years, the interaction between HLA class I alleles and receptors of NK cells have been paid more attention in HLA-identical sibling hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HLA-identical sibling HSCT). NK cells mediate alloreactions when the allogeneic targets do not express HLA class I alleles that block inhibitory receptors of NK cells. Alloreactive donor-derived NK cells reduce GVHD by eliminating host-type antigen-presenting cells, but favor engraftment by killing host lymphocyte cells and reduce the risk of relapse by eradicating leukemia cells. Moreover, activating receptors also influence the outcome of HLA-identical sibling HSCT. In this review, the advance of the impact of both inhibitory and activating KIR (killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor, KIR) on the outcome of HLA-identical sibling HSCT is briefly summarized.
HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Prognosis ; Receptors, KIR ; immunology ; Siblings ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo determine whether cysteinyl leukotriene receptor agonist LTD(4) and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT(1)) antagonist pranlukast affect the differentiation of human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells.

METHODSSK-N-SH cell morphological changes induced by LTD(4), pranlukast and LTD(4) + pranlukast were observed with retinoid acid (RA) as the positive control. The expressions of CysLT(1) and CysLT(2) receptors were detected by immunoblotting analysis, and the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2), a neuron marker, was detected by fluorescent immunostaining.

RESULTThe immunoblotting results showed that SK-N-SH cells expressed CysLT(1) receptor moderately, and CysLT(2) receptor highly. The morphological results showed that RA, pranlukast and LTD(4) + pranlukast induced the compaction of the cell bodies and the outgrowth of neurites, while LTD(4) had no significant effect. The immunostaining results showed that MAP-2 was distributed in the cell bodies in control or pranlukast-treated cells; it was distributed in cell bodies and neuritis in RA-treated cells. Pranlukast increased the numbers of MAP-2-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONThe CysLT(1)receptor antagonist pranlukast modulates the differentiation of SK-N-SH cells.

Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukotriene Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Leukotriene D4 ; pharmacology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Leukotriene ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo prepare and purify recombinant human NAMPT and NAMPT (H247A) proteins and to detect their enzymatic activity.

METHODSUsing pcDNA3.1-hnampt as template, full-length hnampt was sub-cloned into pET-11a(+) plasmid. The hnampt (H247A) mutant was obtained by site-directed mutagenesis. The plasmids were introduced in Escherichia coli BL21star for protein expression. The recombined NAMPT and NAMPT (H247A) proteins were purified by flowing through nickel column and size-exclusion column. The target proteins were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry detection. The enzymatic activities of recombinant proteins were assessed by solution NMR.

RESULTThe DNA sequences showed that hnampt (wild type) and hnampt (H247A) (mutation) were cloned into pET-11a(+). The recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli BL21star in soluble form. The purified protein was confirmed to be NAMPT with a molecular weight of 56 KD. The enzyme activity of NAMPT (H247A) was dramatically decreased compared to wild-type NAMPT.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant hNAMPT and hNAMPT (H247A) proteins have been successful prepared and purified. The H247A mutation dramatically decreases the enzymatic activity of NAMPT.

Base Sequence ; Cytokines ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Mutation ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transformation, Bacterial

Objective At present, modern medicine cannot yet clarifythe mechanism of radiation-induceddamage (RID) to salivary glands and its treatment and protective measures remain in the exploration stage .This study was to explore the mechanism of RIDto the submandibular gland and observe the effect of Dark Plum Spray ( DPS) on the submandibular gland after RID in order to provide some evidence for its further application . Methods Using the random number table , 84 healthy Wistar male rats were divid-ed into a normal, an RID model, and an experimental group ,all fed normally.The rats of the RID model groupwere left untreated , while those of the experimental group were intervened with DPS , tid, after RID.On the 1st, 7th, 14th, and 28th day after irradiation, 7 rats were taken from each group for measurement of the body weight, collection of the saliva , and calculation of the salivary flow rate.The submandibular glands were harvested for determination of the mRNA and protein expressions of autophagy-related Atg5 by RT-PCR and Western blot . Results In the 7th day after irradiation , the average body weight in NG[(239.87±16.50)g] was significantly higher (P<0.05) than UG[(213.84±14.42)g] and EG[(222.71±11.14)g].In the 14th ,28th day after irradiation, the average body weight in UG and EG were significantly lower ( P<0.05) than NG;the average body weight in EG was significantly higher ( P<0.05) than UG.In the 1st , 14th day after irradiation , the salivary flow rate in UG and EG were lower than NG but there were no significantly difference(P>0.05).In the 7th day after irradiation, the salivary flow rate in NG[(49.29±16.90)μL/min] and EG[(50.99±6.79)μL/min] were significantly higher (P<0.05) than UG[(30.13±13.19)μL/min].In the 28th day after irradiation, the salivary flow rate in NG[(69.29±11.32)μL/min] were significantly higher (P<0.05) than UG[(49.26±14.13)μL/min] and EG[(46.56±13.60)μL/min] .In the 1st , 7th and 14th day after irradiation , RT-PCR showed that the expressions of Atg 5 in UG and EG were significantly higher(P<0.05) than NG.In the 1st , 7th and 14th day after irradiation, Western blot showed that the expressions of Atg 5 in UG and EG is on the upper trend than NG;In the 1st , 7th day after irradiation , there were no significantly difference between UG and EG .In the 28th day after irradiation , Western blot showed that the expressions of Atg 5 in UG is on the declining trend than NG . Conclusion The autophagic activity of submandibular gland cells may associated with early radiation -induced injury , and Dark Plum Spray may en-hance the action of theanti-apoptosis cytokine in repairingradiation-induceddamageto the submandibular gland .

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of herbal cake moxibustion plus acupuncture in treating post-stroke urinary incontinence.Methods Fifty patients with post-stroke urinary incontinence were randomized to a treatment group (26 cases) and a control groups (24 cases). The treatment group received herbal cake moxibustion plus acupuncture and the control group, acupuncture alone. Twenty-four-hour urine void number, incontinence severity and the clinical symptom score were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment.Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in twenty-four-hour urine void number and the clinical symptom score in the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in pre-/post-treatment twenty-four- hour urine void number difference value and clinical symptom score difference value between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in incontinence severity in the two groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in incontinence severity between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Herbal cake moxibustion plus acupuncture is an effective way to treat post-stroke urinary incontinence.

Based on the literatures about the optimized effectiveness of the acupoint sticking therapy for diseases which are attacked in winter but are treated in summer, the main constituent elements of plaster, acupoints, the dose and the application time are reviewed and analyzed. It is suggested that the stepwise procedures are adoped to accumulate clinical evidence, standardize the technique instructions based on the clinical evidences, and perform high quality clinical trials.
Acupuncture Points ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Drug Therapy ; methods ; standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Seasons ; Treatment Outcome