OBJECTIVEQuercetin, a widely distributed natural flavonoid with a variety of biological functions, can reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in leukemia according to recent researches. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of reversal of multi-drug resistance by quercetin mainly in respect of membrane transporters.

METHODSMTT cell viability assay was used to verify the chemo-sensitization to daunorubicin (DNR) by quercetin in HL-60/ADM cell line and determine the effective reversal concentration, the expression of MRP(1) gene and its protein product, multidrug resistant associated protein 1 by RT-PCR and flow cytometry By confocal laser scanning microscopy, the subcellular distribution of DNR in HL-60/S and HL-60/ADM cells was examined before and after quercetin exposure.

RESULTSCompared with HL-60/S, 20-40 micromol/L quercetin in vitro remarkably enhanced the sensitivity of HL-60/ADM cells to daunorubicin, down-regulated the expression of MRP(1) gene and its protein product MRP(1), restored the abnormal subcellular distribution of daunorubicin, so as to reverse MDR. Moreover, such an effective concentration of quercetin was non-toxic to the cells.

CONCLUSIONQuercetin could be a candidate of effective multidrug resistance-reversing agent with low toxicity in leukemia chemotherapy.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; drug effects ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; drug effects ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Quercetin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact of heat-sensitive moxibustion on lung function in chronic persistent bronchial asthma and analyze its effect on the improvement of life quality as well as compare its efficacy with Seretide inhaler.

METHODSFifty-seven cases were divided into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (28 cases) and a Seretide group (29 cases) according to the random number table. In heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the therapy of heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied to the regions at the level of Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), or to the heat-sensitized points in the region 6 cun lateral from the 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces in the chest. The treatment was given continuously for 8 days, once per day, 12 treatments should be ensured in the later 22 days of the 1st month. In the later two months since then, 15 treatments should be ensured each month (< or = 1 treatment each day). In Seretide group, Seritide manufactured in GlaxoSmithKLine was used, one inhalation each time, twice per day. The cases in both groups were received treatment for 3 months. The changes in lung function such as forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1), TCM symptoms score, Asthma Control Test (ACT) and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were assessed and compared between two groups and within group separately.

RESULTSLung function as FEV1 was improved in either group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The terminal improvement effects on symptoms of Chinese medicine, life quality and others were same between two groups (all P > 0.05). But the improvements in general situation, chills, fever and sweating in heat-sensitive moxibustion group were superior to those in Seretide group (both P < 0.05). Concerning to the improvement in respiratory symptoms, the effect of Seretide was better than that of heat-sensitive moxibustion (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHeat-sensitive moxibustion improves lung function, relieves clinical symptoms and benefits life quality for patients with chronic persistent bronchial asthma. It's efficacy on the disease is equal to the internationally-recognized effect of Seretide.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of VEGF mRNA and secretion of VEGF protein in NB4 and HL-60 cells affected by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and daunorubincin (DNR) respectively.

METHODSSemi-quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA were used to study the expression of VEGF mRNA and secretion of VEGF protein in NB4 and HL-60 cell lines treated by ATRA and DNR respectively.

RESULTSVEGF was expressed in both NB4 and HL-60 cells. The expression of VEGF mRNA and secretion of VEGF protein could be down-regulated by ATRA and DNR respectively in a time and dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONBesides inducing apoptosis and restraining proliferation of leukemic cells, ATRA and DNR exerted their anti-leukemia effects by reducing angiogenesis via reduction of angiogenic reaction stimulating signals.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with the diagnosis of multiple myeloma(MM)and to analyse the outcome of difierent regimens for the treatment of MM.Methods The study reviewed 332 MM cases diagnosed within the period from January 1,2002 to December 31,2002.These patients were tracked via their records to a total period of three years.Results First-line treatment:Totally 332 patients were included,among them 325(97.9%)patients received chemotherapy and 7(2.1%)patients received stem cell transplantation(SCT);Second-line treatment:197 patients were included,among them 190(96.5%)patients received chemotherapy and 7(3.6%)patients received SCT;Third-line treatment:92 patients were included,among them 88(95.7%)patients received chemotherapy and 4(4.4%)patients received SCT.Major adverse effects were follows:severe infection 19.3%,severe anaemia 19.3%,phlebothrombosis 1.2%,thrombocytopenia 16.9%,fever associated with neutropenia 18.1%.Conclusions Some curative effects can be achieved by using traditional treatment plans to treat patients suffering from MM,but new methods are expected to improve the prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo probe into clinical value of comprehensive program of acupuncture, moxibustion and massage as main for treatment of cervical spondylopathy of the nerve root type.

METHODSFive centers, single blind, randomized controlled method were used, 660 cases were divided into a treatment group of 317 cases and a control group of 311 cases. They were treated respectively with comprehensive program of acupuncture, moxibustion and massage as main, and comprehensive program of physical therapy as main. Establish syndrome detection scale and multiply dimensional effect assessment indexes, and evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety.

RESULTSThe cured rate, the cured-markedly effective rate were 42.9%, 64.4% in the treatment group, respectively, better than 16.7%, 36.3% in the control group (P<0.01); after treatment of 2 weeks, clinical symptoms improved in the both groups, but the treatment group was better than the control group in the improvement degrees of neck-shoulder-limb pain, neck rigidity, abnormality of cervical anteflexion, etc. (P<0.01 or P<0.05); the treatment group was shorter than the control group in the time of producing the effect and therapeutic course (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONComprehensive program of acupuncture, moxibustion and massage as main is safe and effective for treatment of cervical spondylopathy, with a better therapeutic effect compared with the comprehensive program of physical therapy.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Massage ; Moxibustion ; Single-Blind Method ; Spinal Diseases

Eleven compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the stems of Dendrobium officinale after water extraction by various modern chromatographic techniques, such as silica gel column chromatography(CC), octadecyl-silica(ODS) CC, Sephadex LH-20 CC, preparative thin layer chromatography(PTLC) and preparative high performance liquid chromatography(PHPLC). According to spectroscopic analyses(MS, 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR) combined with optical rotation data and calculated electronic circular dichroism(ECD), their structures were identified as dendrocandin Y(1), 4,4'-dihydroxybibenzyl(2), 3-hydroxy-4',5-dimethoxybibenzyl(3), 3,3'-dihydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl(4), 3-hydroxy-3',4',5-trimethoxybibenzyl(5), crepidatin(6), alternariol(7), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxypropiophenone(8), 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxypropiophenone(9), auriculatum A(10) and hyperalcohol(11). Among them, compound 1 was a new bibenzyl derivative; compounds 2 and 7-11 have not been previously reported from Dendrobium plants; compound 6 was reported from D.officinale for the first time. Compounds 3-6 exhibited potent antioxidant activity with IC_(50) values of 3.11-9.05 μmol·L~(-1) in ABTS radical scavenging assay. Compound 4 showed significant inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase, with IC_(50) value of 17.42 μmol·L~(-1), indicating that it boasted hypoglycemic activity.
Dendrobium ; Biological Assay ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Bibenzyls

Eight heterocyclic compounds and twelve phenolic glycosides were separated from the water extract of Dendrobium officinale flowers through chromatographic techniques, such as Diaion HP-20 macroporous adsorption resin column chromatography(CC), silica gel CC, ODS CC, Sephadex LH-20 CC, and preparative high performance liquid chromatography(PHPLC). According to the spectroscopic analyses(MS, ~1H-NMR, and ~(13)C-NMR) and optical rotation data, the compounds were identified as dendrofurfural A(1), 2'-deoxyadenosine(2), 4-[2-formyl-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl] butanoic acid(3), 4-[2-formyl-5-(methoxymethyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl] butanoic acid(4), 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-(methoxymethyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde(5), 5-(methoxymethyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde(6), methyl 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furan-2-carboxylate(7),(S)-5-hydroxymethyl-5H-furan-2-one(8), 2-methoxyphenyl-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(9), arbutin(10), isotachioside(11), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(12), orcinol glucoside(13), tachioside(14), gastrodin(15), 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosylvanillyl alcohol(16), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxymethylphenol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(17), icariside D_2(18), 4-formylphenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside(19), and vanillin-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(20). Among them, compound 1 is a new furfural benzyl alcohol condensate, with the skeleton first found in Dendrobium. Compounds 2-9, 11, 13, and 19 are reported from Dendrobium for the first time, and compounds 14 and 18 are reported for the first time from D. officinale. Compounds 11 and 14 showed moderate DPPH radical scavenging capacity, and compounds 11-14 demonstrated potent ABTS radical scavenging capacity, possessing antioxidant activity.
Dendrobium ; Butyric Acid ; Glycosides/analysis* ; Phenols/analysis* ; Heterocyclic Compounds ; Flowers/chemistry*

Cilia are protruding cell structures on the cell surface and are found in almost every type of cell.According to the different structures and quantity of tubulins,cilia can be divided into two categories:motor cilia and sensory cilia.Sensory cilia are also called non-motor cilia and primary cilia,due to the composition and number of tubulins.They are closely related to the development of internal organs and many human physiological activities.Recent studies have demonstrated that cilia are involved in regulating the formation of left and right symmetry of the heart structure,and eventually the heart develops into the left-right asymmetry structures.Since congenital heart diseases(CHD)are characterized by abnormalities in the spatial structure of the heart chamber and outflow tract,cilia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CHD.Cilia,mainly through ciliary transduction signal pathways,regulate both the formation of left and right asymmetrical structures and the polarity and the migration of cells.Therefore,a clear understanding of the regulation mechanism of ciliary signaling pathway on heart development can provide new therapeutic targets and new ideas for the clinical treatment of CHD and may offer new target genes for prenatal screening of CHD.This article summarizes recent advances in the role of cilia in heart development and CHD pathogenesis and its mechanisms.

BACKGROUNDChromosomal abnormalities have been shown to play an important prognostic role in multiple myeloma (MM). Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (i-FISH) has been much more effective to identify cytogenetic aberrations in MM than conventional cytogenetic technique (CC). To clearly determine the cytogenetic features of Chinese MM patients and identify their prognostic implications, we designed a multicenter study based on i-FISH including 672 patients from 52 hospitals in China.

METHODSAll 672 patients were systematically screened for the following genomic aberrations: del(13q), IgH rearrangement, del(p53) and 1q21 amplifications.

RESULTSThe analysis showed that the chromosomal changes were detected in 22.1% patients by CC and in 82.3% patients by i-FISH. The most common abnormalities by CC were chromosome 1 aberrations (48.4%), -13/13q- (37.6%), hyperdiploidy (36.6%), hypodiploidy (30.1%) and IgH rearrangements (23.7%). The most frequent abnormalities by FISH was del(13q), which was found in 60.4% patients, whereas IgH rearrangement, 1q21 amplification and p53 deletions were detected in 57.6%, 49.0% and 34.7% cases, respectively. By statistical analysis, -13/13q- by CC was associated with low level of platelet (P = 0.015), hyperdiploidy was associated with low level of serum albumin (P = 0.028), and IgH rearrangement by FISH was associated with high level of β2 microglobulin (P = 0.019). Moreover, 1q21 amplification and del(p53) by FISH conferred a high incidence of progressive disease (PD) after initial therapy. Metaphase detection of IgH rearrangements and chromosome 1 aberrations concurrently was associated with a short progression free survival (PFS) (P = 0.036). No significant prognostic implications of other cytogenetic abnormalities were found associated with overall survival and PFS.

CONCLUSIONSChinese MM patients had similar cytogenetic abnormalities compared with the previous reported studies. However, the prognostic significance of FISH aberrations were not clearly determined and further study is required.

Adult ; China ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the underlying mechanisms of cyclovirobuxinum D (Cvb-D) on alleviating cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group; levothyroxine-induced cardiac hypertrophy group (model); levothyroxine-induced cardiac hypertrophy + Cvb-D group (Cvb-D); levothyroxine-induced cardiac hypertrophy + captopril group (captopril); levothyroxine-induced cardiac hypertrophy + SB203580 group (SB203580), n=10 for each group. Rats were daily administered the respective drugs continuously for14 days by gastric gavage. A rat model of cardiac hypertrophy was established by intraperitoneal injection of levothyroxine to investigate whether Cvb-D protects against cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and preventing apoptosis of cardiac cells.

RESULTSTreatment with Cvb-D significantly deceased left ventricle hypertrophy, improved the histopathology, hemodynamic conditions, and cardiac function in rats with cardiac hypertrophy. Compared with the normal control group, in rats with cardiac hypertrophy, expression of bax in the heart and phospho-p38 MAPK protein levels were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01 or 0.05), whereas the bcl-2 protein level was down-regulated (P<0.01). In contrast, Cvb-D treatment reversed the changes in bax and phospho-p38 MAPK protein levels but increased the bcl-2 protein level (P<0.01 or 0.05), and these effects were similar to those of captopril and SB203580 (a specific p38MAPK inhibitor) treatment. Furthermore, both Cvb-D, captopril and SB203580 reduced mRNA expression of p38α, p38β, c-fos, and c-jun mRNA, and Cvb-D had a stronger effect (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThese results demonstrate that Cvb-D protects against cardiac hypertrophy, which is possibly mediated by prevention of cardiac cell apoptosis and inhibition of the p38MAPK signaling pathway.