OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Dioscornin Tablet (DT) containing serum on nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expressions in rats' synovial cell strain 364 (RSC-364) induced by interleukin-17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and to investigate the underlying mechanisms for DT to inhibit angiogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSIn this experiment, the vehicle control group, the cell model group, the DT containing serum group, and the positive control group (Tripterygium containing serum) were set up. The DT containing serum and the Tripterygium containing serum were prepared. The RA cell model was established by IL-17 combined TNF-alpha induced injury in RSC-364. The RA cells were intervened by DT containing serum and Tripterygium containing serum respectively. The DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB p65 was detected using TransAM NF-kappaB p65. The expression of STAT3 was observed using Western blot. The VEGF mRNA expressions were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the vehicle control group, the NF-kappaB p65 activity, the expressions of STAT3 and VEGF mRNA increased significantly in RSC-364 induced by IL-17 +TNF-alpha (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the NF-kappaB p65 activity, the expressions of STAT3 and VEGF mRNA decreased significantly in the DT containing serum group and the positive control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDT inhibited the VEGF mRNA expression through inhibiting the NF-kappaB p65 activity and the STAT3 protein expression in the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activating transcription factor pathway, thus inhibiting the angiogenesis of RA.

Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; pathology ; Cells, Cultured ; Diosgenin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-17 ; adverse effects ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Serum ; Signal Transduction ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; adverse effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the mortality of the patients with severe burns.

METHODSIn a prospective multi-center randomized clinical trial, 207 adult patients with severe burns were enrolled in the study, and they were randomly divided into treatment (T, with subcutaneous injection of rhGH) and placebo control (C, with subcutaneous injection of same amount of isotonic saline) groups. The mortality, incidence of hyperglycemia and sepsis in the two groups were observed.

RESULTSThe mortality rate in T group was 0.89% as compared with 5.26% in the C group (P >0.05). Hyperglycemia (blood glucose level over 10 mmol/L) was present in 36.61% of patients in T group but 18.95% in C group (P <0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of sepsis between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of rhGH in appropriate dosage in adult patients with severe burns could be safe, but blood glucose level should be monitored during the administration.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Burns ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the changes in serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and blood sugar in severely burned patients, so as to validate the optimal time of rhGH administration.

METHODSForty severely burned patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into control (C), treatment 1 (rhGH given from 7 - 9 PBD, T1) and treatment 2 (rhGH from 10 - 14 PBD, T2) groups. The dynamic changes in serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and blood sugar on the 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 PBDs in all 3 groups of burn patients were determined, analyzed and compared with one another.

RESULTSThe serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and blood sugar levels in T1 and T2 groups were higher than those in C group after the use of rhGH, especially the IGFBP-3 and blood sugar (P < 0.05). There was no difference of all the indices between T1 and T2 groups.

CONCLUSIONIt might be optimal to give rhGH to severely burned patients during 7-9 PBDs.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Burns ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of compound qingqin liquid (CQL) on Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in rats with urate nephropathy, and to explore its renal protection mechanism.

METHODSTotally 55 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group (n =5), the model group (n =10), the positive drug group (n=10), and the high-, medium-, low-dose CQL groups (n=10) respectively. The urate nephropathy model was induced by intragastrically administering adenine and feeding yeast. Distilled water was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 10 mL/kg to rats in the normal control group and the model group. Allopurinol was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 9.33 mg/kg to rats in the positive control group. CQL was intragastrically administered at the daily dose of 3.77, 1.89, 0.94 g/kg to rats in the high-, medium-, and low-dose CQL groups. Rats of each group were executed in batches at the 4th and 6th week respectively. Their kidney tissues were taken out to determine the mRNA transcription level of TLR2 and TLR4 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression level of TLR2 and TLR4 were determined by Western blot. The protein expression level of TLR4 was also detected by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSAt week 4 and 6, the protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 as well as the mRNA transcription of TLR4 increased in the model group, when compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, there was no statistical difference in the transcription level of TLR2 mRNA or TLR4 mRNA among the 3 CQL groups (P > 0.05) at week 4 and 6. Additionally, at week 6, the protein expression of TLR4 and TLR2 could be reduced by CQL (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCQL might protect kidney tissue against inflammatory injury by inhibiting the protein expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uric Acid

OBJECTIVETo establish an HPLC fingerprint of ethyl acetate extraction of Saxifraga stolonifera.

METHODThe HPLC analysis was performed on a Diamonsil C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with isocratic elution of acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was set at 256 nm and the column temperature was set at 30 degrees C.

RESULTThe HPLC fingerprint of ethyl acetate extraction of S. stolonifera has been established. There were fifteen common peaks, seven of which were identified by reference substances. The RSD of relative retention time was less than 3% in the precision and repeated tests. Eleven samples from different area can be distinguished from their fingerprints.

CONCLUSIONThis method is reasonable and reliable and can be used for quality control of S. stolonifera.

Acetates ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; standards ; Quality Control ; Saxifragaceae ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDConnective tissue growth factor (CTGF) contributes greatly to renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which is the final event leading to end-stage renal failure. This study was designed to investigate the effects of CTGF antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on the expressions of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibronectin in renal tubular cells induced by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in addition to the role of CTGF in the accumulation and degradation of renal extracellular matrix (ECM).

METHODSA human proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HKC) was cultured in vitro. Cationic lipid-mediated CTGF antisense ODNs were transfected into HKC cells. After HKC cells were stimulated with TGF-beta1 (5 microg/L), the mRNA levels of PAI-1 and fibronectin were measured by RT-PCR. Intracellular PAI-1 protein synthesis was assessed by flow cytometry. The secreted PAI-1 and fibronectin in the medium were determined by Western blot and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTSTGF-beta1 was found to induce tubular CTGF, PAI-1, and fibronectin mRNA expression. PAI-1 and fibronectin mRNA expression induced by TGF-beta1 was significantly inhibited by CTGF antisense ODNs. CTGF antisense ODNs also inhibited intracellular PAI-1 protein synthesis and lowered the levels of PAI-1 and fibronectin protein secreted into the medium.

CONCLUSIONSCTGF may play a crucial role in the accumulation and degradation of excessive ECM during tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and transfecting CTGF antisense ODNs may be an effective way to prevent renal fibrosis.

Cells, Cultured ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; genetics ; secretion ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Kidney Tubules ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; secretion ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family G, Member 2 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Mitoxantrone ; pharmacokinetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo establish a novel Myc gene transgenic mouse model for spontaneously forming B-lymphoma and assessing its tumorigenesis potential.

METHODSFreshly isolated hematopoietic progenitor cells served as the target for Myc gene transfer mediated by a retrovirus vector. These cells were engrafted into C57BL/6 mice with (60)Co-gamma ray radiation in advance. Tumor latency was measured and the tumor loaded mice were followed for survival time. Tumor was identified with histology and immunostaining. The exogenous Myc gene was detected by Western blot (in liver, spleen, tumor tissue) and flow cytometry (FCM) \[in bone marrow (BM)\].

RESULTSMice BM-infected with mutant Myc gene more readily gave rise to B-cell lymphomas than those infected with wild type Myc gene did Myc gene was expressed highly in BM and tumor tissues but not in liver and spleen.

CONCLUSIONOur model will be a tool in assessing the transforming potential of Myc mutants and in studying cooperation between Myc and other oncogenes. Mutant Myc is more effective than wild-type Myc in promoting B cell lymphomagenesis in mice.

Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Flow Cytometry ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Retroviridae Infections

OBJECTIVETo investigate the status of nutritional support therapy in moderate and severe burn patients.

METHODSThe burn patients with age over 16 y and burn area larger than 20% TBSA were enrolled in the retrospective study. According to length of stay, all patients were divided into the first period (271 cases, was from 1994 to 2001 year), and second period (273 cases, from 2002 to 2007 year), and they were subdivided into a (20% - 30% TBSA), b (31% - 50% TBSA), c (51% - 70% TBSA), d (larger than 70% TBSA) groups. The death rate and ratio of nutritional support therapy were compared. The change in albumin and other indices (including side-effects, complication, etc) were analyzed in each group in second period.

RESULTSThere were similar in general conditions in both groups, however, some were obvious difference in two periods between nutritional support therapy rate (74.17% in first period vs 85.35% in second period, P < 0.01), and the ratio of parenteral nutrition to enteral nutrition (1.5:1.0 in first period, 1.0:1.5 in second period, P < 0.01). There were also significant differences in albumin levels among each group in second period on 4, 7, 14 days after burn (P < 0.05). In the second period, parenteral nutrition preparation was mostly delivered through central vein in the form of "all-in-one", among them 62 cases of positive catheter cultures were found. Enteral nutrition was delivered by oral route in 108 cases, naso-gastric or naso-enteric tubes with pump in 165 cases. 27 cases with severe gastrointestinal complications and 2 cases with inhalation pneumonia occurred.

CONCLUSIONThe ratio of parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition in burn patients was higher in our ward than average level in China. There is still a long way ahead to optimize nutritional therapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; therapy ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on body fluid compartments and water-sodium retention in severe burn patients.

METHODSThirty adult patients with severe burn were divided into treatment (T) and control (C) groups by block randomized design. Patients in both groups were subcutaneously injected with same amount of rhGH (12 IU/d) or isotonic saline during 7 - 21 post burn day (PBD). The total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW) were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) on 7, 14, 21 PBD. The 24 h urinary output of Na+ was determined by ion selective electrode method (ISE).

RESULTSThere were no significant difference in levels of TBW, ICW, ECW and 24 h urinary output of Na+ between two groups on 7, 14, 21 PBD (P > 0.05). No difference in results was found between groups at different time points (P > 0.05). After the data were analyzed, the level of TBW (36 +/- 6 L), ICW (21 +/- 4 L) on 21 PBD were evidently lower than those on 7 PBD (38 +/- 6 L, 23 +/- 7 L, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe level of ICW and TBW in severe burn patients decreased along with the time. Proper dosage of rhGH has no significant effect on body fluid compartments and water-sodium retention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Body Fluid Compartments ; Body Water ; Burns ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Edema ; etiology ; Electric Impedance ; Extracellular Space ; Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sodium ; metabolism ; Young Adult