OBJECTIVEThe aim of the present study was to prepare uniform-sized silybin loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres in study of silybin with stainless steel membrane.

METHODSilybin PLGA microspheres were prepared by stainless steel membrane emulsification. The preparation conditions were optimized by single-factor test and orthogonal experiment, and evaluating the mean diameters, the particle size distribution, drug loading, entrapment efficiency and morphology of microsphere.

RESULTPrepared microspheres were round and surface was smooth. The mean diameter was (4.961 +/- 0.56) microm. The span was (1.75 +/- 0.18). The entrapment efficiency was (54.997 +/- 4.05)% and the average drug loading was (23.6 +/- 1.70)%.

CONCLUSIONThe stainless steel membrane emulsification can be used to prepare the silybin PLGA microspheres. The mean diameters of the silybin PLGA microspheres can be controlled in certain level. Stainless steel membrane emulsification has great potentiality exploitation and utilization.

Drug Compounding ; methods ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Silymarin ; chemistry ; Stainless Steel ; chemistry

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Avastin on aquaporin4 (AQP4) expression in human retinal Müller cells in vitro under hypoxia, so as to explore the mechanism of Avastin treating retinal edema. The human Müller cells were cultured using the enzymatic digestion method. Müller cells were identified under the transmission electron microscopy and by using immunofluorescence staining. By using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the expression of AQP4 mRNA and VEGF mRNA in Müller cells cultured with 500 μmol/L CoCl(2) for 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h, and with 0, 100, 300, 500 and 700 μmol/L CoCl(2) for 24 h was detected. The expression of AQP4 mRNA in Müller cells cultured with 50 ng/mL exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h, and with 0, 25, 50 and 75 ng/mL VEGF for 24 h was detected. Amplified cDNA products of AQP4 mRNA in Müller cells cultured with 500 μmol/L CoCl(2) and 200 μg/mL Avastin for 24 h were detected. The results showed that more than 95% cells displayed positive immunofluorescence reaction. Characteristic 8-10 nm intracellular filaments could be seen in the cytoplasm under the transmission electron microscopy. In the CoCl(2) experimental groups, the expression of AQP4 mRNA and VEGF mRNA in Müller cells was increased as compared with the control group. Alteration of AQP4 mRNA and VEGF mRNA levels showed a significantly positive correlation (r (2)=0.822, P<0.05). The expression of AQP4 mRNA in Müller cells was increased by VEGF. The expression of AQP4 mRNA was significantly decreased by Avastin as compared with the control group. It is suggested that Avastin can decrease the expression of AQP4 mRNA in human Müller cells under chemical hypoxic conditions partially via VEGF path, which may be one of the mechanisms of Avastin treating retinal edema.

Background Intravitreal injection with triamcinolone acetonide (TA) may cause complications,including increase of intraoculapressure (IOP),cataracand endophthalmitis.Ketorolatromethamine (Ketorolac) inew,lesadverse reactionof non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.The action mechanism of Ketorolaisimilato TA.Therefore,Ketorolamay be completely opartly replace Tin the treatmenof retinal edema.Objective The purpose of thistudy wato investigate the effectof Tand Ketorolaon the expressionof aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and vasculaendothelial growth facto(VEGF) in hypoxiretinal Müllecellin vitro and to explore the mechanism of treating retinal edemwith Tand Ketorolac.MethodThe propose of research and use of the animalwere approved by Animal ExperimenResearch Review Committee of Hubei University of Medicine.Twenty eyeof New Zealand albino rabbitwere extracted and the retinal tissue waisolated.The Müllecellwere cultured and passaged using the enzymatidigestion method and Müllecellwere identified using glial fibrillary acidiprotein (GFAP),vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by immunofluorescence staining.The hypoxicell modelwere established by culturing the cellin DMEM with 500 μmol/L CoCl2 fo0,6,12,24 hours.The cellof hypoxifo24 hourwere divided into normal control group,hypoxicontrol group,hypoxia+50,100,200 mg/L To50,100,200 mg/L Ketorolagroups.Corresponding drugwere added into the medium in the differengroups.The expressionof AQP4 mRNand VEGF mRNin Müllecellwere detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PC(RT-PCR).ResultThe cellgrew well and reached 80％ confluence with the irregulashape and ovoid nuclei 14-15 dayaftecultured.More than 95％ primary cellshowed positive reaction to GFAP,vimentin and α-SMA.The expressing levelof AQP4 mRNand VEGF mRNin Müllecell(values) were significantly differenin varioutime point(AQP4 mRNA:F=18.70,P＜0.01 ; VEGF mRNA:F =53.20,P＜0.01),and those of 6,12 and 24 houraftecultured with CoCl2were increased than those withouCoCl2 (P＜0.05).The expressing levelof AQP4 mRNand VEGF mRNin Müllecell(values) were significandifferenamong the normal control group,hypoxicontrol group,hypoxia+50,100,200 mg/L ToKetorolagroup(AQP4 mRNA:F =27.98,P ＜ 0.01 ; VEGF mRNA:F =10.03,P ＜0.01).Compared with the hypoxicontrol group,the expressing levelof AQP4 mRNand VEGF mRNin the Müllecellwere declined in the hypoxia+ 100,200 mg/L Tgroup and the hypoxia+100,200 mg/L Ketorolagroup (P＜0.05).The expressing levelof AQP4 mRNand VEGF mRNwere found statistically insignificandifference between hypoxia+ 100 mg/L Tgroup and hypoxia+ 100 mg/L Ketorolagroup,obetween hypoxia+ 200 mg/L Tgroup and hypoxi+200 mg/L Ketorolagroup (P＞ 0.05).ConclusionTand Ketorolacan downregulate the expressionof AQP4 and VEGF in Müllecellundehypoxiconditions,inferring thathey have similamechanism in the impacon AQP4 function in retinal edematoueye.

To investigate the cellular immunity abnormalities of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA), peripheral blood lymphocytes subpopulations, interleukin 2 (IL-2) production and natural killer (NK) cell activity were determined in 9 patients with RA. The results showed that there were a remarkable decrease in NK cell activity and poor response to IL-2 stimlulation. IL-2 production and.the expression of membrane-bound IL-2 receptor were increased in RA patients. The percentage of T4 positive cells and the ratio of T4/T8 were also increased in patients with RA. The results indicate that there are severe cellular immunity abnormalities in patients with RA.

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a process by which aggressive tumor cells generate non-endothelial cell-lined channels in malignant tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).It has provided new insights into tumor behavior and has surfaced as a potential target for drug therapy.The molecular events underlying the process of VM formation are still poorly understood.In this study,we attempted to elucidate the relationship between Notch4 and VM formation in HCC.An effective siRNA lentiviral vector targeting Notch4 was constructed and transfected into Be17402,a HCC cell line.VM networks were observed with a microscope in a 3 dimensional cell culture system.Cell migration and invasion were evaluated using wound healing and transwell assays.Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity was detected by gelatin zymography.Furthermore,the role of Notch4 inhibition in Be17402 cells in vivo was examined in subcutaneous xenograft tumor model of mice.The results showed that downregulation of Notch4 destroyed VM network formation and inhibited migration and invasion of tumor cells in vitro (P＜0.05).In vivo,tumor growth was also inhibited in subcutaneous xenograft model (P＜0.05).The potential mechanisms might be related with down-regulation of MT1-MMP,MMP-2,MMP-9 expression and inhibition of the activation of MMP2 and MMP9.These results indicated that Notch4 may play an important role in VM formation and tumor invasion in HCC.Related molecular pathways may be used as novel therapeutic targets for HCC antiangiogenesis therapy.

Objective　To study the occurence, development and regulation of reactive gliosis with astrocyte (Ast) in vitro. Methods　Ast was isolated and cultured in vitro and its model of reactive gliosis was established by scratching the cultured astrocytes. The reactivity and rules of Ast to injury was studied by morphological changes, RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and imaging analysis. Results　After scratching, the astrocytes showed typical features of reactive gliosis, with the hypertrophic cell body, thickened and lengtheded processes, and enhanced glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining. In situ hybridization and RT-PCR analysis confirmed that the expression of GFAP mRNA was markedly increased. These changes occurred 1 d after scratching and reached the peak 5 to 7 d after injuring. Conclusion　A model of reactive astrogliosis was successfully established in vitro which showed an active reaction to injury. The characteristics of reactive gliosis parallel that seen in vivo.

Objective　To explore the role of tyrosine hydroxy lase (TH) gene in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) by using ex vivo gene transfer. Methods　After the construction of TH gene in a retroviral vector, the astrocytes were cultured with the supernatant containing the recombinant DNA and then grafted into the cerebrum of PD rats. The reduction of the rat rotation beharior was evaluated. Results　The rotati on of PD rats was markedly improved in the rats with ex vivo gene transfer. Conclusion　TH has an obvious efficiency on the treatment of PD and the astrocytes can be used as effective gene transfer cells.

This research is to study the relationship between HPLC fingerprints of Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba and their activity on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. HPLC fingerprints of each extract of Moutan Cortex,Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba were established by an optimized HPLC-MS method. The activities of all samples against protein and tumor necrosis a factor were tested by the model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. The possible relationship between HPLC-MS fingerprints and the activitieswere deduced by the Partial least squares regression analysis method. Samples were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS to identify the major peaks. The results showed that each sample had some effect on acute lung injury. Four components with a lager contribution rate of efficacy were calculated by the research of spectrum-effect relationship. Moutan Cortex exhibited good activity on acute lung injury, and gallic acid, paeoniflorin, galloylpaeoniflorin and paeonol were the main effective components.
Acetophenones ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gallic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Monoterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (tadalafil) on the testis following testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODSEighty-four healthy adult male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into groups A (sham operation), B (testicular torsion + low-dose tadalafil), C (testicular torsion + high-dose tadalafil), and D (testicular torsion + placebo). Models were established in the latter three groups by 7200 torsion of the right testis for 2 hours. The animals in groups A and B were treated by gavage with tadalafil at the dose of 0. 5 mg per kg per day, those in group C at 2 mg per kg per day, and those in group D with saline at the same dose. After 3, 7, and 14 days of treatment, the torsioned testes were harvested for evaluation of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the testis tissue. The pathological changes in the testis were observed under the light microscope.

RESULTSAt 3, 7, and 14 days, the SOD activity was (254.46 +/- 7.43), (278.49 +/- 8.33), and (317.99 +/- 3.31) nU/mg prot in group B, and (277.12 +/- 8.80), (309.40 +/- 2.14), and (320.39 +/- 4.72) nU/mg prot in group C, all obviously higher than in D ([223.21 +/- 4.65], [231.45 +/- 4.16] and [248.28 +/- 5.74] nU/mg prot), while the MDA content was lower in the former two groups than in the latter. At 3 and 7 days, the SOD activity was significantly higher and the MDA level significantly lower in group C than in B (both P < 0.01) , while at 14 days, neither showed any remarkable differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). No obvious histopathological change was observed in the testis tissue of group A. At 3 and 7 days, pathological examination of the testis tissue revealed significant differences in the number of seminiferous epithelial layers, testicular histological score, and seminiferous tubule diameter in group B (P < 0.01), but the three indexes at 14 days in group B and at 7 days in group C exhibited no remarkable differences from those at 14 days in group A.

CONCLUSIONTadalafil can alleviate testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury following testis torsion/detorsion in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Seminiferous Tubules ; pathology ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; complications ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tadalafil ; Testis ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Time Factors

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of NOTCH4 expression on vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsTumor tissues were collected from 85 patients diagnosed with HCC. The relationship between NOTCH4 expression and VM was examined using immunohistochemical staining and PAS/CD31 double staining. The influence of siRNA-mediated NOTCH4 silencing on VM network formation in HCC was observed in the 3D cell culture system in vitro. Experimental data were assessed with Mann-Whitney U test and one-way analysis of variance. ResultsNOTCH4 had significantly higher expression in VM-positive HCC tissues than in VM-negative HCC tissues (P=0.019). In siRNA-treated cells, NOTCH4 mRNA and protein expression was significantly down-regulated compared with those in mock-treated cells (P=0.007; P=0.003) and untreated cells (P=0.000; P=0.000). VM network formation was impaired by inhibition of NOTCH4 expression in the 3D cell culture system. ConclusionNOTCH4 plays an important role in VM formation in HCC and may provide a novel molecular target for anti-angiogenesis therapy for HCC.