Objective To investigate the correlation of plasma heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) level and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods The outpatient with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing oral glucose tolerance test and healthy individuals with physical examination were divided into T2DM group and healthy control group, the differences between the two groups in HO-1 and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were comparatively analysed , and analyzed the correlations between HO-1 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) MFI, MDA, HOMA-IR and FBG. Results The type 2 diabetes group in MDA and MFI, the expression rate of HO-1 were higher than those of control group (P<0.05), correlation analysis of expression of HO-1 was positively correlated with MFI, MDA (r=0.489, 0.763, P<0.05) in the T2DM group, HO-1, HOMA-IR and FBG were significantly higher than the healthy control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The expression of HO-1 and HOMA-IR and FPG levels were positively correlated in the T2DM group (r=0.271, 0.426, P <0.05). Conclusion T2DM patients with hyperglycemia and oxidative stress, plasma HO-1 expression is significantly increased, HO-1 is related to oxidative stress, insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia, which has certain value on clinical assessment of T2DM and therapeutic efficacy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors 1-3 (S1P1- 3) in the corpus cavernosum of castrated male rats and its relationship with the NOS/NO/cGMP and RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathways.

METHODSWe equally randomized 18 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into a sham-operation control, a castration, and a testosterone replacement (TR) group and harvested the bilateral testes and epididymides from the rats in the latter two groups, followed by 4 weeks of subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 3 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for those in the TR group and that of plant oil for those in the control and castration groups. At the age of 12 weeks, we measured the serum testosterone (T) level and maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) of the animals and determined the expressions of SlP1-3, eNOS, P-eNOS, ROCK1, and ROCK2 in the corpus cavernosum by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly decreased in the rats of the castration group as compared with those of the control and TR groups ([0.41 ± 0.04] vs [16.01 ± 1.02] and [15.84 ± 1.32] nmol/L, P < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference between the latter two groups. The ICPmax/MAP at 0 V, 3 V, and 5 V electric stimulation was remarkably lower in the rats of the castration group (0.088 ± 0.014, 0.323 ± 0.014, and 0.432 ± 0.012) than in those of the control group (0.155 ± 0.011, 0.711 ± 0. 010, and 0.819 ± 0.024) and TR group (0.153 ± 0.012, 0.696 ± 0.017, and 0.763 ± 0.027) (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the latter two groups. With GAPDH as internal control, the animals of the castration group showed markedly reduced expressions of S1P1 ([49.99 ± 3.39]%), eNOS ([46.82 ± 3.81]%) , and P-eNOS ([45.42 ± 4.35]%) in comparison with those in the control group ([72.57 ± 3.06], [89.76 ± 3.98], and [82.53 ± 8.92] and TR group ([71.77 ± 4.43], [87.19 ± 4.23], and [79.82 ± 7.38]%) (P < 0.01) , while the expressions of S1P2, S1P3, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated in the castration group ([82.35 ± 4.13], [61.03 ± 5.14], [74.50 ± 4.02], and [69.83 ± 5.75]%) as compared with those in the control group ([41.67 ± 1.68], [31.66 ± 2.67], [35.69 ± 5.56], and [39.85 ± 7.17]%) and TR group ([42.80 ± 3.87], [32.25 ± 4.22], 38.06 ± 5.21], and [42.36 ± 4.44]%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAndrogen deficiency induces significant reduction of ICPmax/ MAP in male rats, which is possibly associated with the decline of S1P1 in the corpus cavernosum, inhibition of the eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling pathway, increased expressions of S1P2 and S1P3, and activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway.

Animals ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; pharmacology ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility,the safety and the effect of early postoperative enteral nutrition in patients with esophageal cancer.Methods: On the first postoperative day,40 patients were randomly divided into two groups.One group was given isocaloric total parenteral nutrition through central vein(TPN group) and the other group was fed with enteral nutrition through nasoenteric tubes or jejunostomy tubes which were inserted during the operation(EEN group).All variables were measured before operation and on postoperative day 1 and 8.Blood was drawn at different time points to assess albumin,prealbumin and transferrin.Immune response was determined by immunoglobins,total lymphocytes,T-lymphocyte subsets and NK cells. Inflammatory response were determined by C-reactive protein,IL-6 and TNF-?.Morbidity,mortality and length of hospital stay were also evaluated. Results: Tolerance of enteral nutrition was excellent.Neither mortality nor serious morbidity occurred in all patients during the period of study.After the study,the levels of serum prealbumin,total lymphocytes,CD3,CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio in the EEN group were significantly higher than the levels in the TPN group.The concentrations of IL-6 and the length of hospital stay in the EEN group were significantly lower than in the TPN group.Conclusion: Early postoperative enteral nutrition in patients with esophageal cancer is safe,and also has the benefit effects of enhancing the body status of nutrition and immune function,and reducing the inflammatory response and the length of hospital stay.

PEG-modified magnetic Fe3O4 (Fe3O4-PEG) nanoparticles were sythesized using a solvothermal reaction and characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The photothermal effect and photothermal destruction of cancer cells were evaluated. Then the doxorubicin loaded Fe3O4-PEG (DOX-Fe3O4-PEG) nanoparticles were prepared. The cytotoxicity and combined chemotherapy/photothermal therapy (PTT) effect were investigated. Uniform PEG coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles with particle size of 155 nm were obtained in the experiment. The loading and release of doxorubicin on Fe3O4-PEG were pH-dependent. The drug loading capacity in water was 21%. The results of MTT indicated a good biocompatiblity of Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles and high cytotoxicity of DOX-Fe3O4-PEG. In combined therapy experiment, photothermal therapy demonstrated unambiguously enhanced chemotherapy efficacy. In conclusion, the obtained Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles which exhibit good photothermal effect and drug loading capacity can be used for chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. The synergetic anti-tumor activity indicates the potential for the combined application of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy in cancer treatment.
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; Ferrosoferric Oxide ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; MCF-7 Cells ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry

Nanocarriers generally made of natural or artificial polymers ranging in size from about 10-1 000 nm, possess versatile properties suitable for drug delivery, including good biocompatibility and biodegradability, potential capability of targeted delivery and controlled release of incorporated drugs, and have been extensively used in the development of new drug delivery systems (DDS). These types of nano-DDS have considerable potential to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and recently have attracted increasing efforts on the TCM research and development. In this review, the recently published literature worldwide is covered to describe the latest advances in the applications as TCM delivery carriers, and to highlight the characteristics and preparation methods of some selected examples of promising nanocarriers such as nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanomicelles and nanoliposomes.
Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; methods

BACKGROUND:Previous tudies have shown that the anti-aging effects of stem cel s with lycopene are more significant, and can also significantly improve the aging body immune function.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the anti-aging effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s combined with lycopene on the aging beagles.
METHODS:Sixteen aging beagles (6-7 years old) were randomly divided into two groups:aging control group and aging treatment group;young beagles (3-4 years old) were chosen as young control group. In the aging treatment group, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s combined with lycopene was given;while in the other two group, an equal amount of DMEM/F12 cel culture medium and sunflower oil was given. Each dog's general conditions were observed regularly during the whole progress. The changes of superoxide dismutase,
malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase in the serum were detected at regular time of the whole process, and the structure changes of each organ were observed at 24 weeks of treatment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Before treatment, the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the aging control and treatment groups were lower than those in the young control group (P<0.05), while the malondialdehyde content was higher than that in the young control group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant statistical difference between aging control and treatment groups (P>0.05). (2) For the aging treatment group at 24 weeks of treatment:the beagle fur became clearer and smoother, motility was strengthened, appetite became better;and the activity of superoxide dismutase in serum at 8 to 24 weeks of treatment increased significantly compared with before treatment (P<0.05), the activity of glutathione peroxidase significantly increased from 6 weeks (compared with treatment before, P<0.05), the malondialdehyde content decreased significantly from 4 weeks of treatment to the completion of the experiment (compared with before treatment, P<0.05). (3) After the experiment, the microscopic observation showed that compared with the aging control group, the tissues and organ structures of the aging treatment group were al clear, had no inflammatory infiltrates, no obvious necrosis and fibrosis lesions. These results were mainly consistent with the observations of young control group. The above results show that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s combined with lycopene therapy on the natural aging beagles may enhance the activities of antioxidant enzymes, reduce malondialdehyde content, and their combination also can repair tissue structures and promote the functions, which has obvious anti-aging effects.

Objective To investigate the relations between serum adiponectin and coronary artery calcification score (CACS) and to find the risk factors for coronary artery calcification in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) patients.Methods Twenty-seven MHD patients(MHD group) and 13 healthy persons (control group) were enrolled in this study.The serum adiponectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.CACS was calculated by multi-row spiral CT.The circulating parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb),calcium,phosphate,calcium-phosphate product,intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH),total cholesterol (TC),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),albumin (Alb),high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),and so on were detected.Results The level of serum adiponectin in MHD group [(15.00 ± 7.47) mg/L] was significantly higher than that in control group [(2.07 ± 0.83) mg/L],and there was significant difference (P＜ 0.01).Coronary artery calcification(CACS ＞ 0 score) was observed in 88.9％ (24/27) in MHD group and 10/13 in control group.The mean CACS in MHD group was significantly higher than that in control group [655 (0-3 570) scores vs.126 (0-731)scores],and there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).Eleven MHD patients and 1 healthy person had severe coronary artery calcifications,(CACS ≥ 400 scores).There was significan t difference in dialysis duration,diastolic pressure,phosphate calcium-phosphate product and adiponectin (P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01).Spearman analysis showed that CACS of MHD patients was positively correlated with dialysis duration,phosphate,calcium-phosphate product,serum creatinine and adiponectin (P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).Only calcium-phosphate product remained as independent predictor of CACS in multivariate analysis (P ＜0.01).Conclusion Coronary artery calcification is common in MHD patients and which is correlated with dialysis duration,serum phosphate,calcium-phosphate product,serum creatinine and adiponectin.

Objective To compare the protective effect of different dose of penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC) in rats with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.Methods Forty-eight healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n =8 each):sham group,sham + 1.0 mg/kg PHC group (sham + H-PHC group),I/R group,I/R + 0.1 mg/kg PHC preconditioning group (I/R + L-PHC group),I/R + 0.3 mg/kg PHC preconditioning group (I/R + M-PHC group),and I/R + 1.0 mg/kg PHC preconditioning group (I/R + H-PHC group).I/R injury model was reproduced by ligation followed by release of the coronary artery,and PHC in different dosages was given at 30 minutes before model reproduction.At 3 hours after reperfusion,the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP),left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVESP),ejection fraction (EF),and fractional shortening (FS) were recorded.The levels of aspertate aminotransferase (AST),MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB),and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined.The myocardial tissues were harvested for the determination of the area at risk (AAR) and the infarct area (AI),and the percentage of AI/AAR was calculated.The examination of myocardial fiber was performed with electron microscopy.Results Compared with sham and sham + H-PHC groups,LVEDP was increased in I/R groups,LVESP,EF and FS were decreased,and the levels of AST,CK-MB and LDH,as well as the AI/AAR were increased.Compared with I/R group,in pretreatment groups with different doses of PHC,LVEDP was decreased,LVESP,EF and FS were increased,the levels of AST,CK-MB,LDH,and AI/AAR were also decreased,especially in I/R+M-PHC and I/R+H-PHC groups [LVEDP (mmHg,I mmHg =0.133 kPa):11.33± 1.17,9.85± 1.09 vs.15.82 ± 1.79,LVESP (mmHg):98.9 ± 10.6,112.8 ± 10.0 vs.87.8 ± 9.2,EF:0.681 ± 0.074,0.741 ± 0.070 vs.0.569 ± 0.072,FS:(42.4 ± 4.6)％,(46.0 ± 5.1)％ vs.(36.8 ± 3.9)％,AST (U/L):386.97 ± 80.65,298.31 ± 54.88 vs.603.47 ± 173.66,CK-MB (U/L):3.12 ± 0.84,2.88 ± 0.72 vs.7.14 ± 1.54,LDH (U/L):1 784.23 ± 488.49,1 629.37 ± 436.34 vs.2 489.14 ± 460.80,AI/AAR:0.284 ± 0.014,0.223 ± 0.008 vs.0.377 ± 0.011,all P ＜ 0.05].There was significant difference in LVEDP,LVESP,and AI/AAR between I/R + M-PHC group and I/R + H-PHC group (all P ＜ 0.05),and no significant difference in other parameters (all P ＞ 0.05).It was showed by electron microscopic examination that after I/R injury,the myocyte mitochondria membranes were broken,mitochondria were markedly swollen,mitochondrial cristae disappeared;however in I/R+M-PHC and I/R+H-PHC groups,mitochondrial swelling was mild,the capsule was more or less intact,mitochondrial cristae were partly visible,the structure was complete,especially in the group I/R+H-PHC,and the mitochondrial structure was close to normal.Conclusions PHC could protect myocardial from I/R injury.Mid dose of PHC (0.3 mg/kg) and high dose of PHC (1.0 mg/kg) could provide better protective effect than low dose of PHC (0.1 mg/kg),and high dose of PHC is better in effect than the middle dose.

Objective To study the clinicopathologieal features and expression of cyclin D1 and p53 in epithelial ovarian tumors,and to investigate the correlation between pathogenesis of ovarian cancer and epithelial borderline tumors.Methods Fifty four cases of ovarian borderline tumors and 45 cases of ovarian carcinomas from the People's Hospital,Peking University were reviewed retrospectively.The clinical data and pathological findings were analyzed.Immunohistochemical study of cyclin D1 and p53 was performed in all 99 cases.Results(1)In borderline tumors,the age of patients ranged from 14-82 (mean age=42.5)years.International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO)stage of borderline tumors was stage Ⅰ in 48 cases,stage Ⅱ in 3 cases,and stage Ⅲ in 3 cases.In ovarian carcinomas,the age of patients ranged from 26-80(mean age=53.5)years.FIGO stage of carcinoma was stage Ⅰ in 6 cases, stage Ⅱ in 8 cases,stage Ⅲ in 26 cases,and stage Ⅳ in 5 cases.In follow-up of 54 cases with borderline tumors the 5-year survival rate was 98% and of 45 cases with carcinomas a 5-year survival rate of 51% was noted.(2)In 54 cases of borderline tumors,mucinous types accounted for 56%(30/54)and serous types accounted for 30%(16/54).There were 5 cases with micropapillary pattern,3 cases with peritoneal implants,3 cases with lymph node involvement,6 cases with microinvasion,one case with intraepithelial carcinoma,and one case with mural nodules.In 45 cases of carcinomas,serous carcinoma was the most (49%,22/45).The remainder included 3 cases of mucinous types,8 cases of endometrioid types,6 cases of transitional cell types,3 cases of mixed phenotype and 3 cases of undifferentiated types.(3) Overexpression of cyclin D1 and p53 was observed in 31%(14/45)and 56%(25/45)of ovarian carcinomas, respectively.There was a significant association between p53 overexpression and tumor grade.In the borderline tumor group,69%(37/54)had overexpression of cyelin D1 and 6%(3/54)had overexpression of p53.There were significant differences in expression of cyclin D1 and p53 between conventional serous borderline tumors and high-grade serous carcinomas(cyclin D1:91% vs 26%;p53:0 vs 58%).However, micropapillary serous borderline tumors and low-grade serous carcinomas showed remarkably similar expression of cyelin D1 and p53.Conclusions Epithelial ovarian borderline tumors are distinct from ovarian cancer in clinical progress and prognosis,and histological types.Overexpression of cyclin D1 is common in ovarian borderline tumors and low grade carcinomas.And overexpression of p53 is more common in high grade ovarian carcinomas.Conventional serous borderline tumors are distinct from high-grade serous carcinomas in pathogenesis.Micropapillary serous borderline ovarian tumors may be closely related to low grade serous carcinomas.

Objective: To screen candidate antigen for therapeutic HBV vaccine with a novel adjuvant DC-Chol. Methods: BALB/c mice were injected with DC-Chol liposome and HBsAg prepared from CHO and Yeast respectively. One week later, IL-4, IL-2, IFN-?were measured by ELISA or ELISPOT. Results: The levels of IL-2, IFN-?of HBsAg from Yeast with DC-Chol liposome were 20 and 119 times higher respectively than those of HBsAg from CHO with DC-Chol liposome. ELISPOT assay showed that the counts of spot-forming cells of IL-4 and IFN-?of HBsAg from Yeast with DC-Chol liposome were 2.8 and 46.3 times higher respectively than those of HBsAg from Yeast with Al(OH)3. Conclusion: HBsAg prepared from Yeast together with DC-Chol liposome may be an appropriate candidate for therapeutic HBV vaccine .