Objective: To clarify the effect of astragalus polysaccharide （AP） on insulin resistance model of HepG2 cells induced by hyperinsulinemia and its underlying molecular mechanism in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. Methods: HepG2 cells were divided into three groups： the control group was treated without any intervention; the model group was treated with 200 μL cell culture medium containing 10-6 mol/L insulin for 48 hours to build an insulin resistance model; the AP group was treated with optimal concentration of AP based on an insulin resistance model. After 24 hours, the concentration of H2O2 and the expression of PPARγ in each group were detected. Results: AP could improve the survival rate of insulin-resistant HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The highest survival rate of the cells was （118.26±1.17）% with 10 μM AP. The concentration of H2O2 in the AP group was （0.82±0.09） μM, which was lower than （1.30±0.16） μM in the model group （P<0.05）, but was close to （0.78±0.09） μM in the control group （P>0.05）. The relative mRNA expression of PPARγ in the AP group was 0.96±0.04, which was higher than 0.51±0.05 in the model group （P<0.05）, but was close to 1.00±0.11 in the control group （P>0.05）. Conclusions In the insulin resistance model in vitro, AP can significantly increase the cell survival rate, reduce intracellular H2O2 concentration, and promote the expression of PPARγ. The mechanism may be related to lipid metabolism.

Adult ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fourth Ventricle ; Ganglioglioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2 ; Rosette Formation ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the combined poisonous effects of fluoride and aluminum on sex hormone of male rats.Methods Sixteen weaned SD healthy male rats aged two week were selected and divided into control group,aluminum group,fluoride group,fluorine-aluminum group,four rats in each group.All rats in the experimental groups were fed with corn collected from the prevailng areas containing different fluorine contents respectively for 90 days.Serum testosterone(T)and estradiol(E2)were detected.Results Compared separatelv with the control group[(3.317±0.635)μg/L],serum T level of fluorine-aluminum group[(15.994±6.558)μg/L]was higher(P＜0.05),but aluminum[(8.134±3.134)μg/L]and fluorine[(1.868±0.367)μg/L]groups had no significant differences(P＞0.05).Compared separately with the control group[(0.319±0.072)nmol/L],E2 level of the fluorine group[(0.172±0.030)nmol/L]being lower(P＜0.05),and it was not significant differences(P＞0.05)in the control group when compared with aluminum group[(0.282±0.012)nmol/L],and fluorine-aluminum group[(0.265±0.047)nmol/L].Fluorine and aluminum interacted with each other(F=9.82,P＜0.05).Conclusion The combined poisonous effects of fluorine and aluminum may influence sex hormone levels of male rats.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Yishen Tiaojing Recipe (YSTJR) on sex gland and kidney in nephropathy patients with hypogonadism induced by Tripterygium glycosides (TG).

METHODSFifty-eight women patients with chronic glomerular disease were assigned to two groups, the 34 patients in the treated group were given TP 20 mg three times a day plus YSTJR, one dose daily, while the 24 in the control group were given TP 20 mg three times a day alone. The course of treatment lasted for 3 months. Serum levels of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteotrophic hormone (LH), as well as urinary protein and red blood cell (RBC) count in urine were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTSLevel of E2 decreased, FSH and LH increased in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05), while those indexes unchanged in the treated group. Quantity of urinary protein decreased in both two groups after treatment (P < 0.05), but the decrement was more significant in the treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Differences of all the above-mentioned indexes between the two groups after treatment were significant (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYSTJR could prevent the injury of TP on sex gland in women patients with nephropathy, and is benificial for the treatment of primary chronic renal glomerular diseases.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Glomerulonephritis ; drug therapy ; Glycosides ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; blood ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is defined as residual tobacco components that remain on indoor surfaces after tobacco has been smoked, such as walls furniture,and dust particles, which are re-emitted into the air. THS also includes secondary pollutants generated from the reaction of surface residual smoke compounds with reactive indoor air pollutants. THS is a new hidden health hazard, with infants and children being most at risk of higher exposure. This article summarized the aging process of secondhand smoke and the mechanism of generation of THS;reviewed the current status of research on THS regarding its chemical constituents, physical and chemical properties, biological toxicity, as well as degree of pollution in China and other countries;and finally provided the perspectives on the future study of THS.

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is defined as residual tobacco components that remain on indoor surfaces after tobacco has been smoked, such as walls furniture,and dust particles, which are re-emitted into the air. THS also includes secondary pollutants generated from the reaction of surface residual smoke compounds with reactive indoor air pollutants. THS is a new hidden health hazard, with infants and children being most at risk of higher exposure. This article summarized the aging process of secondhand smoke and the mechanism of generation of THS;reviewed the current status of research on THS regarding its chemical constituents, physical and chemical properties, biological toxicity, as well as degree of pollution in China and other countries;and finally provided the perspectives on the future study of THS.

BACKGROUNDExhaled nitric oxide (NO) is a noninvasive biomarker of airway inflammation in pulmonary diseases. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as the third member of the gasotransmitter family, is involved in the pathophysiological process in lung diseases. H2S also exists in exhaled breath and can be sampled non-invasively. The study investigated the level of exhaled H2S in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its correlation with exhaled NO.

METHODSLevels of exhaled NO and H2S, lung function, and cell differential counts in induced sputum were studied in 19 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), 19 patients with stable COPD and seven healthy smoke controls.

RESULTSExhaled H2S levels were similar in patients with AECOPD (10.0 parts per billion (ppb), 8.0-13.0 ppb), stable COPD (10.0 ppb, 9.0-12.0 ppb), and healthy controls (9.0 ppb, 8.0-16.0 ppb) (P > 0.05). Exhaled NO levels were similar in patients with AECOPD (155.0 ppb, 129.0-190.0 ppb), stable COPD (154.0 ppb, 133.0-175.0 ppb) and healthy controls (165.0 ppb, 112.0-188.0 ppb) (P > 0.05). Exhaled H2S levels correlated positively with exhaled NO in all healthy controls and patients with COPD (r=0.467, P < 0.01). No significant correlation was found between the exhaled H2S level and percentage of predicted FEV1 (P > 0.05) and proportion of different cell types in induced sputum (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere is a correlation between exhaled H2S and exhaled NO. The role of exhaled H2S in airway inflammation in COPD still needs further investigation.

Aged ; Breath Tests ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; physiology ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; metabolism ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo develop an objective bioassay for quantitative detection of HIV-induced cell-cell fusion for screening HIV entry inhibitors.

METHODSHL2/3 cells expressing HIV envelope proteins gp120/gp41, Tat, and other HIV proteins were co-cultured with HeLa-CD4-LTR-beta-gal cells expressing CD4 receptor and HIV LTR triggered reporter gene beta-galactosidase. The enzyme activities of beta-galactosidase were detected by a chromogenic substrate, chlorophenol red-beta-galactopyranoside (CPRG). Specific HIV entry inhibitors were used to validate the established detecting method.

RESULTSNo syncytium was formed by mixing HL2/3 and HeLa-CD4-LTR-beta-gal cells. However, the membrane could be fused and the Tat expressed by HL2/3 cells could bind to HIV LTR on HeLa-CD4-LTR-beta-gal cells and trigger the expression of beta-galactosidase. CPRG allowed quantitative and sensitive detection of the activity of beta-galactosidase. Further studies showed that HIV entry inhibitors could inhibit the activity of beta-galactosidase in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONWe have developed a simple, cheap, objective and quantitative non-infectious cell-cell fusion bioassay that can be used to screen for anti-HIV agents targeting the virus entry from natural and synthetic compound libraries.

Biological Assay ; Cell Fusion ; Cell Line ; Coculture Techniques ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; metabolism ; HIV Envelope Protein gp41 ; metabolism ; HIV Fusion Inhibitors ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; beta-Galactosidase ; metabolism

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is defined as residual tobacco components that remain on indoor surfaces after tobacco has been smoked, such as walls furniture, and dust particles, which are re-emitted into the air. THS also includes secondary pollutants generated from the reaction of surface residual smoke compounds with reactive indoor air pollutants. THS is a new hidden health hazard, with infants and children being most at risk of higher exposure. This article summarized the aging process of secondhand smoke and the mechanism of generation of THS; reviewed the current status of research on THS regarding its chemical constituents, physical and chemical properties, biological toxicity, as well as degree of pollution in China and other countries; and finally provided the perspectives on the future study of THS.
Adolescent ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Dust ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Research ; Smoke ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

OBJECTIVETo investigate the classification criterion and surgical treatment strategy of intrathoracic esophageal injury caused by foreign body.

METHODSEighty-four patients with intrathoracic esophageal injury caused by foreign body in our department from January 1980 to April 2004 were divided into 4 grade: grade I was non-penetrated injury of esophagus (18 cases); grade II was esophageal perforation with mild mediastinitis (39 cases); grade III was esophageal perforation with severe intrathoracic infection (17 cases); grade IV was aortoesophageal fistula (10 cases). Based on the degree of esophageal injury and the extension of inflammation, operative procedures were selected including esophagotomy, esophageal reparation, esophagectomy, mediastinal drainage, reparation of fistula and replacement of aorta.

RESULTSPatients in grade I and II were all cured . One death occurred in grade III (1/17), the same in Grade IV was 9 (9/10).

CONCLUSIONSClassification of esophageal injury caused by foreign body is helpful to the decision of surgical treatment strategy. The prevention of aortoesophageal fistula is the key point of reducing of mortality.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Esophageal Perforation ; classification ; etiology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; complications ; Humans ; Infant ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome