A systematic review was undertaken, including studies that evaluated the incidence of the blood system adverse events of Tripterygium wilfordii (TWP). Medline, Embase and the Cochrane library were searched for relevant studies, including RCT, cohort studies and case series, of patients treated with TWP published in English and Chinese from inception up until May 25th, 2013 with the keywords including "Tripterygium wilfordii", "toxicity", "reproductive", "side effect", "adverse", "safety" and "tolerability". Relevant information was extracted and the incidence of the blood system adverse events was pooled with MetaAnalyst software. Besides, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed based on age, mode of medicine, observation time and disease system. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 49 articles were included in the meta-analysis, they were split into 54 researches incorporated in the analysis. There is a large degree of heterogeneity among the studies, so data was analyzed using random-effects model and the summary estimates of incidence of the blood system adverse events was 6.1%. The weighted combined incidence of three major blood system adverse events were white-blood cells decreasing 5.6% (95% CI, 4.3% - 7.3%), hemoglobin decreasing 1.7% (95% CI, 0.5% - 5.0%) and platelet decreasing 1.8% (95% CI, 1.0% - 3.1%), respectively . Sensitivity analyses based on 45 studies with high quality showed the combined value was close to the summary estimate of total 54 studies. The current evidence indicates that the incidence of the blood system adverse events induced by TWP was high; attentions should be paid on to the prevention and treatment of the blood system adverse events.
Blood Cells ; drug effects ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Tripterygium ; adverse effects

The aim of this study was to explore the cytotoxicity of fresh cord blood(CB) NK cells and the influence of IL-12 and IL-15 on activity of the NK cells killing K562 and Jurkat cells lines. The NK cells were isolated from cord blood by depleting CD3(+) cells and then enriching CD56(+) cells using sorting with immunomagnetic beads. The experiment was divided into 3 groups: group A (fresh CB-NK cells without cytokines), group B (CB-NK cells cultured by IL-2) and group C (CB-NK cells cultured by IL-2 and IL-15). The purity of NK cells was determined by flow cytometry; the cytotoxity of fresh and different cytokine-treated CB-NK cells on K562 and Jurkat cell lines was detected by LDH release test. The results showed that the purity of NK cells before and after sorting was 14.88 ± 9.2% and 92.39 ± 0.8% respectively. After culture for 3 days, NK-forming colony amounts in group B and group C were 148.60 ± 13.0 and 831.80 ± 23.0 respectively, the comparison between group B and group C showed the significant difference (p < 0.05). The cytotoxicities of NK cells in group A, B and C on K562 and Jurkat cell lines were 27.76 ± 8.8%, 61.90 ± 9.1% and 87.62 ± 3.7%; 29.32 ± 2.5%, 69.43 ± 4.4% and 92.95 ± 3.2% respectively, the difference was significant (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the fresh isolated CB-NK cells show low cytotoxic activity. After stimulated with IL-2 or IL-2 plus IL15, cytotoxicity of CB-NK cells increases obviously, the effect of IL-2 plus IL-15 is much better than IL-2 alone for promoting the growth and enhancing the cytotoxicity of CB-NK cells.
Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; drug effects ; immunology ; Fetal Blood ; drug effects ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-15 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Jurkat Cells ; K562 Cells ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; immunology

This study was aimed to investigate whether aspirin has effect on function of late endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Cord blood CD34(+) cells were purified using the ficoll density gradient centrifugation and human CD34 positive selection kit, then the cells were inoculated on fibronectin-coated culture plate. After culture for 2 weeks, adherent cells were identified as EPC by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, uptake of Dil-Ac-LDL and matrigel tube formation assay. EPC were treated with different concentrations of aspirin (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1 000, 10 000 µmol/L) for 24 h, then the proliferation, adhesion and migration ability of these cells were analyzed by CCK-8 assay and transwell methods. The results indicated that the low concentrations of aspirin (0.1 and 1 000 µmol/L) promoted late EPC adhesive and migratory capacity, but no obvious effect on proliferation of late EPC were observed. On the other hand, the high concentrations of aspirin (10 000 µmol/L) inhibited proliferation and migratory capacity of EPC, but had no obvious effect on adhesive ability of EPC. It is concluded that low concentration of aspirin promotes migration and adhesion of late EPC, while the high concentration of aspirin decreases EPC proliferation and migratory capacity of EPC.
Aspirin ; pharmacology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects

Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of serum containing Tengcha total flavonoid and dihydromyricetin on proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

METHODSerum containing respectively Tengcha total flavonid, dihydromyricetins and CTX and control serum were prepared by serological pharmacology method. MTT assay was used to observe the proliferation inhibition rate of HepG2 cells after incubated with different kinds of serum. Inverted microscope was utilized to observe the morphological changes after HepG2 cells were treated with different serum. AnnexinV/7AAD double label method was used to detect earlier period apoptosis cells.

RESULTBoth serum containing 20% Tengcha total flavonid and serum containing 20% dihydromyricetin could restrain the HepG2 cells proliferation at different levels and the morpholological changes of apoptosis were observed. AnnexinV/7AAD double label method showed that the earlier period apoptosis cells rates were increased by serum containing 20% Tengcha total flavonoid, but serum containing 20% dihydromyricetin did not show influence on the earlier period apoptosis cells.

CONCLUSIONTengcha total flavonoid can restrain the HepG2 cells proliferation and induce earlier period apoptosis cells.

Ampelopsis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; blood ; pharmacology ; Flavonols ; blood ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMto investigate the effects of crude garlic on adult male rat reproductive functions.

METHODSThirty male rats were divided into five groups: group 1 (untreated) and groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed for 30 days with 5%, 10%, 15% and 30% crude garlic, respectively. Testes and accessory organs were weighed and some markers were assessed. Light and electron microscopy observations were also performed.

RESULTSA significant decrease was observed in the body weight of groups 4 (14%; P < 0.01) and 5 (20%; P < 0.01); of the prostate weight in group 5 (29.1%; P < 0.05) and of seminal vesicle weight in groups 3 (14.4%; P < 0.01), 4 (18.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (27.3%; P < 0.01). In contrast, testis and epididymis weights were unchanged. In epididymis tissue, the alpha glucosidase activity and the spermatozoa density were unchanged. The treatment resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone serum levels in groups 3 (77.3%; P < 0.01), 4 (77.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (90.9%; P < 0.01), associated with a significant increase in LH serum levels (P < 0.01). Testicular histology showed a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of empty seminiferous tubules. Moreover, testicular function was affected; a significant decrease in phosphatase acid activity (P < 0.01) and testosterone (P < 0.05) contents were observed.

CONCLUSIONCrude garlic consumption during 1 month reduced testosterone secretion and altered spermatogenesis at 10%, 15% and 30% doses.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Garlic ; adverse effects ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Prostate ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; physiology ; Seminal Vesicles ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Testis ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo throw a light on the possible factors which might induce resistance of vascular targeting treatment in tumors by reviewing the recent publications in the field of tumor angiogenesis and vascular targeting treatment. Data sources The data used in this review were mainly from Medline and PubMed for relevant English language articles published from 1971 to January 2008. The search terms were "angiogenesis", "vascular targeting treatment" and "endothelial progenitor cells". Study selection Articles involved in the possible influence factors during angiogenesis and vascular targeting treatment were selected, including angiogenic or anti-angiogenic mechanism, tumor vasculature, tumor cells, cancer stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells.

RESULTSAs a promising strategy vascular targeting treatment still has experimental and clinical setbacks which may term tumor vasculature's resistance to anti-angiogenesis agents. There are several possible explanations for such a resistance that might account for clinical and preclinical failures of anti-angiogenic treatment against tumor. Proangiogenic effect of hypoxia, normal tumor vasculature, escape of tumor cells and tumor vasculogenesis are included. This review reveals some clues which might be helpful to direct future research in order to remove obstacles to vascular targeting treatment.

CONCLUSIONSGenerally and undoubtedly vascular targeting treatment remains a promising strategy. But we still have to realize the existence of a challenging future. Further research is required to enhance our knowledge of vascular targeting treatment strategy before it could make a more substantial success.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Vessels ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Phenotype ; Stem Cells ; cytology

AIMTo evaluate the key lesions in spermatogenesis suppressed partially by testosterone undecanoate (TU) treatment.

METHODSAdult male SD rats were treated with vehicle or TU (19 mg/kg) injection (i.m.) every 15 days for 130 days. The numbers of all types of cells (nuclei) in the seminiferous tubules and the interstitial tissue were estimated using a contemporary stereological tool, the optical disector.

RESULTSIn response to TU treatment, the numbers of non-type B spermatogonia, type B spermatogonia and late elongated spermatids per testis were reduced to 51 %, 66 % and 14 % of the controls, respectively. The conversion ratios from type B spermatogonia to early spermatocytes and pachytene spermatocytes were not significantly affected and the ratios to the later germ cell types fell to 51 % - 65 % of the controls. Less than 1.0 % of immature round spermatids were seen sloughing into the tubule lumen, 4.0 % of elongated spermatids retained in the seminiferous epithelium, and about half of the elongated spermatid nuclei appreciably malformed. Leydig cells were atrophied but their number and the peritubular myoid cell number per testis were unchanged.

CONCLUSIONDouble inhibition of spermatogenesis (i.e. inhibition at spermiation and spermatogonial conversion to type B spermatogonia), a scenario seen in the monkey and human following gonadotrophin withdrawal, was not sufficiently effective for a complete spermatogenic suppression in the rat after TU treatment, probably due to ineffective inhibition of the Leydig cell population and therefore the intra-testicular testosterone levels.

Animals ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Depression, Chemical ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; Sperm Count ; Spermatids ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; pharmacology

The study was aimed to investigate the hematopoietic function of placenta tissue and clarify the effect of human placental chorionic tissue in different periods on proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells in vitro, in order to further understand the changes of the hematopoietic function of placenta with the time prolonging. The experiments were divided into four groups: early placenta (group B), mid-term placenta (group C), full-term placenta (group D), and blank group (group A). The hematopoietic stem cells were amplified in co-culture way, and the colony formation ability after the expansion was observed. The results showed that compared to initial concentration, the CD34(+) cells cultured with full-term placenta were amplified by (2.60 ± 0.20) times, which was significantly higher than those CD34(+) cells cultured with mid-term placenta (1.74 ± 0.24) and early placenta (1.14 ± 0.12), but that in blank group was reduced without amplification. After culture for 14 days, the colony number of group C and group D were significantly higher than that of group A and group B. Among them the number of CFU-GM, CFU-GEMM, BFU-E of group C all were a little higher than that of group D. It is concluded that human placental extract in different period without any exogenous cell factors all can support the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells, this ability is getting stronger with time increasing. The colony formation ability of the amplified cells shows weakened after the first increase, this colony formation ability of the amplified cells in group C is strongest, slightly stronger than that of group D.
Antigens, CD34 ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Placental Extracts ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ) on growth of myeloid progenitor cells with IFN-gamma different genotypes and to compare its differences. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the polymorphism gene segment of IFN-gamma +874 A/T in 36 cord blood (CB) specimens. The specimens were divided into three groups (AA, AT and TT group). MNCs were planted on complete methylcellulose medium containing different concentrations of 1,4-BQ. The colony-forming units (CFU) were assayed, the differences of colony growth in specimens with different genotypes (AA, AT and TT) under 1,4-BQ exposure were analyzed. The results showed that frequencies of AA, AT and TT genotypes were 5.56%, 88.89% and 5.56% in the 36 CB samples respectively. Comparing colony numbers of IFN-gamma +874 AA, AT and TT genotype indicated that there was significant difference (p(AA) = 0.033, p(AT) = 0.009, p(TT) = 0.001, < 0.05). Significant cytotoxicity was observed after exposure to concentrations of 1,4-BQ > or = 5 micromol/L. Cytotoxic response of 1,4-BQ was dose-dependent. Under the same concentration of 1,4-BQ, there were no significant differences in capacity of cell colony growth between 3 groups (AA, AT and TT). Colony numbers of specimen No 3 in AT group and specimen No 2 in TT group were less than those of other specimens significantly. It is concluded that the hematopoietic myeloid progenitor cells cultured in the presence of 1,4-BQ show a dose-dependent cytotoxic response, but there are no significant differences in colony growth of IFN-gamma different genotypes (AA, AT and TT) under the same concentration of 1,4-BQ.
Benzoquinones ; pharmacology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Genotype ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; Stem Cells