Aim To investigate the combined effect of mangiferin and ephedrine as well as explore its underlying mechanism in mouse model of allergic asthma.Methods The mouse model of asthma was sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin(OVA).The behaviors of mice during the challenging period were observed.Continuous autonomic activities of mice after 1 h of drug treatment were monitored with the autonomic activity recorder for 14 days.The total and differential cells in peripheral blood were counted.Histological study of lung sections on airway inflammation was carried out with haematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining.The levels of ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E(OVA-sIgE) and(Cyclic Adenosine monophosphate) cAMP in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The mRNA expression of cytokines mainly produced by Th1/Th2 lymphocytes such as IFN-γ and IL-4, IL-5 were semi-quantitatively analyzed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Combination treatment and mangiferin could reduce the aberrantly autonomic activity caused by ephedrine in mice.Compared with the model group, asthmatic symptoms in all treatment groups could be significantly relieved, the pathological changes of lung tissue were improved and airway inflammation was reduced.The effect of combined treatment was better than that of mangiferin treatment alone.Compared with the model group, the total number of white blood cells(WBC) and the eosinophils(EOS) ratio in peripheral blood in all treatment groups decreased, the level of OVA-sIgE declined and the level of cAMP increased in serum.Combination treatment could lower mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IL-5 from Th2 lymphocytes and increase the mRNA expressions of IFN-γ released by Th1 lymphocytes.Conclusions The effect of combined therapy of mangiferin and ephedrine is better than that of mangiferin treated alone, meanwhile it can reduce the side effects caused by ephedrine.The underlying mechanism is mainly associated with attenuating Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance and increasing the level of cAMP.

BACKGROUND:Mangiferin is a biphenylpyridone compound extracted from mango leaves,bark and roots.Previous studies have shown that mangiferin can exert anti-systemic inflammatory effects through the activation of transcription factors such as NF-κB and JAK/STAT. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of mangiferin on proliferation,migration and inflammatory factor release of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synovial cells(RA-FLS). METHODS:RA-FLS were divided into blank group,R848(TLR7/8 agonists)stimulated group,mangiferin low-,medium-,high-dose groups(2,4 and 8 μg/mL)and positive control group(Cu-CPT8,TLR8 pathway inhibitor).The cytotoxic effect of different mass concentrations of mangiferin was detected using cell counting kit-8 method and the final cellular dosing mass concentration was screened.The proliferation ability of RA-FLS was detected by cell clone formation assay,the migration ability of RA-FLS was detected by scratch assay and Transwell migration assay,and the expression of interleukin 1β,interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α mRNA in RA-FLS was detected by qRT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank group,the viability of RA-FLS was inhibited after treatment with mangiferin at 2-10 μg/mL,but there was no significant difference among groups(P>0.05),indicating that the toxic effect on RA-FLS was minimal.Compared with the R848-stimulated group,mangiferin decreased the number of cell clones,the scratch healing rate and the number of migrating cells in all dosing groups(P<0.01);and the expression of interleukin 1β,interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α mRNA was also reduced in the mangostin medium-and high-dose groups(P<0.01).Compared with the R848-stimulated group,the number of cell clones,the scratch healing rate and the number of migrating cells as well as the expression levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α mRNA were significantly reduced in the positive control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).But there was no significant difference in the expression level of interleukin 1β.To conclude,mangiferin may exert its anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects through the TLR7/8 signaling pathway by inhibiting RA-FLS proliferation,migration,and inflammatory factor release.

Objective By analysis of the key performance indexes of the clinical laboratory automation system, to clarify the advantage and optimize the comprehensive performance of the laboratory automation system.Methods Key performance indexes were Collected from January 2017 to April 2017 in biochemistry and immunoassay group of Clinical Laboratory of Shanghai Tong Ren Hospital.(1)The data were collected and compared by the before-and-after method,the starting time of the automation system and initial sample test were analyzed.(2)Key performance indexes were analyzed for the time of specimen registration,inspection,and reporting.(3)The specimen turnaround time(TAT)was analyzed based on two months operation of the laboratory automation system.In view of disadvantage of infectious assays, setting up priority sample absorption, then TAT performance was re-evaluated.(4)By the assessment of total serum dosage required in the automation system, the number of blood vacuum tubes were reduced reasonably.The pros and cons of laboratory automation system were analyzed and the potential improvement were proposed.Results (1)According to the sample peak shift forward,the system start time could move forward 30 minutes earlier.(2)With the adopting of railway logistics,the specimens were sent to the lab and the registration time was at 7:25 am,and the time required for specimen delivery was greatly reduced which made specimen test,report and audit time all moved forward accordingly.(3)Data has shown that specimen TAT declined dramatically based on the performance of the first two month operation of the automation system,biochemical items were shortened 2 h,and the immunoassay shortened 4 h,respectively.Moreover the trend keeps better gradually.With setting up priority absorption infectious tests,the TAT was improved greatly,TAT reduced the average by 40 min.(4)500 μl(including the sample in dead space of vacuum tube)were needed for all the 65 biochemical items included in the system, and 1 495 μl serum were used for the 28 immunoassay.As a result, a total of 2 000 μl serum will be enough for sample analysis by the system, which provided the feasibility to reduce 3 vacuum tubes averagely.Considering the current automation system does not include all the analysis items in our lab directory, a few tests remain to be performed on offline instruments respectively.The methodology for some infectious agents are different from previous method, therefore some test results may need a period of time for comprehensive clinical appreciation.Furthermore,due to the parallel connection of multiple instruments included in the system, more rigorous and frequent quality control becomes a necessity,which may rely on more strict quality control procedure to guarantee the quality.Conclusions The application of the automation system significantly enhanced the efficiency of clinical laboratory all round.In addition, by the quantitative indicators, it is possible to monitor the system operation performance real time, which may feedback and facilitate the improvement constantly,and result in auto confirmation the majority results,eventually.