AIM AND METHODSIn the present study, we investigated the TH immunoreactivity and the expression of angiotensin AT1 receptor in locus coeruleus after intracerebroventricular (i. c. v.) injection of carbachol in conscious SD rats with immunohistochemistry. Meanwhile the effects of blocking AT1 receptor were also observed.

RESULTSBoth mean optical density and number of TH and AT1 immunoreactive positive neurons were markedly increased in locus coeruleus after 40 minutes of i.c.v. injection of carbachol (0.5 microg). The enhancement was significantly reduced by i. c. v. injection of losartan.

CONCLUSIONThe results above suggest that i. c. v. injection of cholinergic agonist carbachol can enhance the activity of adrenergic neurons and the expression of AT1 receptor in locus coeruleus. The blockade of AT1 receptor may down regulate the above action induced by carbachol in locus coeruleus.

Animals ; Brain ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Cholinergic Agents ; pharmacology ; Injections, Intraventricular ; Locus Coeruleus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; metabolism ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Qizhi Jiangtang Capsule (QJC) in treating stage 3b diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients with macroalbuminuria.

METHODSPatients who conformed to the diagnostic criteria of stage 3b DKD were randomly assigned to two groups according to random digital table, the experiment group and the control group, 84 in each group. All patients received a two-week elution period, and then were treated with basic Western therapy. Patients in the experiment group took QJC, 5 pills per time, 3 times a day, while those in the control group took Valsartan Capsule 160 mg each time, once daily. The observation period of follow-ups was limited within 6 months, and the time points were set as the baseline, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBS), 24 h urine protein quantitative (24 h UPQ), plasma albumin (ALB), and serum creatinine (SCr) were detected and recorded, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. The occurrence of hypoglycemic reaction, coagulation disorder, gastrointestinal tract reaction, allergy, hyperkalemia, doubling of creatinine, and overall adverse events were observed and recorded at same time.

RESULTSFinally 81 patients in the experiment group and 80 patients in the control group were effectively included. Compared with the baseline level, SBP and DBS obviously decreased in the control group at month 1 of treatment (P < 0.05), and more significantly decreased at month 6 of treatment (P < 0.01). SBP at month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups; DBS at month 6 of follow-ups was lower in the control group than in the experiment group (P < 0.05). At month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups, 24 h UPQ of the experiment group was significantly lower than the baseline level (P < 0.01). It was also significantly lower than the level of the control group at the same time point (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in 24 h UPQ at month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups between the control group and the baseline level (P > 0.05). ALB of the experiment group showed an increasing trend. It was significantly higher than the baseline level at month 6 (P < 0.05), which was also higher than that of the control group at same period (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the ALB level in the control group (P > 0.05). SCr of two groups showed an increasing trend. SCr of the experiment group was significantly higher at month 1, 3, and 6 follow-ups than the baseline level (P < 0.05). But the increment of SCr was higher in the control group than in the experimental group, and obviously higher than the baseline levels (P < 0.05). eGFR of both groups showed a decreasing trend. The decrement was higher in the control group than in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The proportion of progression of renal functions at month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups in the experimental group was 0.0% (0 case), 9.55% (8 cases), and 21.4% (18 cases), while they were 8.3% (7 cases), 21.4% (18 cases), and 40.5% (34 cases) in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of progression of renal functions between the two groups at month 3 and 6 of follow-ups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQJC could effectively reduce urinary protein of patients with stage 3b DKD, and delay the progression of renal functions.

Adult ; Albumins ; analysis ; Albuminuria ; drug therapy ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Creatinine ; blood ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan

·AIM: To improve our understanding of retinoschisis at the macular area.·METHODS: From January 2003 to January 2005, the patients whose macular retinoschisis was confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) were included in the study. Their data and other results were further analyzed.·RESULTS: During that period, macular retinoschisis was found in 116 eyes which fit the including criteria. Among these, 94 eyes were pathological myopia; 17 were X-linked congenital retinoschisis; and 5 had excavation of optic disk.By analyzing the OCT figures, it was found that retinoschisis could happen at many locations within retinal neural epithelium, including inner, middle and outer part. The retinoschisis caused by different reasons differs in OCT results.·CONCLUSION: Retinoschisis at the macular area was not rare at the clinic, and the retinoschisis may be located at different parts of the retina. OCT was useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of macular retinoschisis.

Animals ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats

Objective To explore the effects of thiamine and riboflavin on H2O2-induced DNA oxidative damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cell line ECV304.Methods ECV304 cells were incubated with 10,100,500,1000 mg/L of thiamine or 20,100,300,500 nmol/L of riboflavin for 24 h,and then oxidative damage of cells were induced by 25 mol/L H2O2 for 30 min.DNA damage was detected with single cell gel electrophoresis(SCGE)assay.ECV304 cells incubated without H2O2,thiamine and riboflavin were served as negative controls,and those incubated with H2O2 and without thiamine and riboflavin were served as positive controls.Results H2O2 induced DNA damage,and the indices of percent of DNA damage cells,percent of tail DNA,tail length and Olive tail moment were increased.The indices of cells pretreated with 10,100,500 mg/L of thiamine or 20,100,300 nmol/L riboflavin were significantly decreased(P0.05).Conclusion Proper supplementation of thiamine and riboflavin may decrease H2O2-induced DNA oxidative damage,while excess thiamine and riboflavin supplementation may be harmful to DNA and enhance the susceptibility to H2O2 potentially.

Objective To determine the effect of iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2(HbA2) expression in patients with β-thalassemia.Methods The participants were recruited from the out-patient clinics of the Pediatrics Department and Obstetrics Department of Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College and from some β-thalassemia major families.Blood samples from the participants were used for blood smear tests and hemoglobin electrophoresis and to analyze serum ferritin (SF),3 alpha-globin gene deletions,and 17 beta-globin point mutations.Results Of the 408 individuals,304 were assigned to group A (normal controls),26 to group B (iron deficiency),56 to group C (β-thalassemia),and 22 to group D (β-thalassemia combined with iron deficiency). The results for the comparison of the mean HbA2 values among pairs of groups were as follows: group A vs group B,q=5.074 7,P<0.05; group A vs group C,q=37.650 8,P<0.05; group A vs group D,q=16.043 0,P<0.05;group C vs group D,q=7.682 9,P<0.05; Group B vs group D,q=15.806 6,P<0.05. There were no significant correlation between SF and HbA2 in all 4 groups.Conclusions Iron deficiency decreased the HbA2 level in both controls and individuals with β-thalassemia. HbA2 levels decreased significantly in individuals with both β-thalassemia and iron deficiency as compared with β-thalassemia group alone. However,they remained significantly higher than both the control and iron-deficient groups. Therefore,the elevation of HbA2 could be used to diagnose β-thalassemia reliably even in the presence of iron deficiency.

AIMTo investigate the role of motilin in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of hypothalamus on the regulation of gastric motility and the mechanism.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry and microinjection of motilin into PVN were used to observe motilin neural cells in PVN, the neural path between PVN and dorsal vagal complex (DVC) and the changes of gastric motility in conscious rats.

RESULTS(1) There were motilin immunoreactive-cells in PVN and a significant increase was found in groups of fasting and HCL-perfusion into duodenum. (2) HRP-positive cells were found in PVN after microinjection HRP into dorsal nucleus of vagal nerve. It proved that there was neural relationship between PVN and DVC. (3) The amplitude and frequency of gastric motility increased significantly by microinjection motilin into PVN in conscious rats. The effects produced by motilin could be abolished by vagotomy.

CONCLUSIONAll these results presented imply that motilin in PVN may increase gastric motility through PVN-DVC-Vagal nerve axis.

Animals ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; physiology ; Hypothalamus ; physiology ; Male ; Motilin ; physiology ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVEIn aid of MR imaging diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), MRI findings of sacroiliac (SI) joints in volunteers were compared with those in patients with AS, with special reference to the fat findings.

METHODS18 normal volunteers and 52 AS patients underwent the MRI examinations with the same protocols, i.e., SE T1WI, FSE T2WI, GE T2*WI sequences were taken using a 0.3T imager. All the images were observed and analyzed by two radiologists.

RESULTSSymmetric or patchy distribution fat component either in sacrum and/or ilium was detected in 52.8% of SI joints of volunteers. Thin zone distribution of fat was seen in 35.6% of SI joints of AS patients, which was adjacent to the erosion and sclerosis. In another 25.0% of SI joints of AS patients, the distribution of fat component was found similar to that of the normal volunteers. Cartilage changes were detected in 85.6% of the SI joints of AS patients. In addition, bone erosion, sclerosis and subchondral bone marrow edema were also detected.

CONCLUSIONSubchondral fat infiltration associated with erosion and sclerosis should be considered as sacroiliitis. The knowledge of the characteristics of fat component could be helpful for evaluating sacroiliac joints.

Adipose Tissue ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacroiliac Joint ; pathology ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; diagnosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effects of OMT on TGF-β1-induced CFBs proliferation, and then explore the mechanism.

METHODThe experiment was randomly divided into 6 groups as following: control group (serum free DMEM), model group (20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), OMT low dose group (1.89 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), OMT medium dose group (3.78 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), OMT high dose group (7.56 x 10(-4) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1), SB203580 group (p38MAPK blocking agent, 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) + 20 μg x L(-1) TGF-β1). Vimentin of CFBs was identified by immunocytochemical methods, α-SMA of myFBs as well. Inhibitory effects of OMT on CFBs proliferation was detected by the MTT assay. Picric acid Sirius red staining was analyzed collagen type I and collagen type III deposition. Western blot was determined the expression of p38MAPK, p-p38MAPK, collagen type I and collagen type III.

RESULTMTT results showed that OMT significantly inhibited CFBs proliferation induced by TGF-β1 (P < 0.01) α-SMA immunocytochemical experiments suggested that OMT could protect against the CFBs proliferation. OMT could significantly decrease the deposition of collagen type I and collagen type III by Western bloting and picric acid Sirius red staining. Western blot results showed that TGF-β1 enhanced p38MAPK phosphorylation, however OMT attenuated the phosphorylation of p38MAPK induced by TGF-β1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOMT can inhibit the CFBs proliferation induced by TGF-β1, and its mechanism may be involved in inhibiting p38MAPK phosphorylation.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Heart ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare MR imaging with radiographs in detection of the erosions of the wrists in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSIn 50 wrists of 25 patients with RA, radiographs of AP projection and MR imaging examination were performed within 1 week. The MRI sequences were SE T1-weighted image, FSE T2-weighted image, and GE T2* weighted image in coronal plane. Gd-DTPA enhanced SE T1-weighted image with same parameters of pre-contrast administration SE T1WI was performed in 25 wrists, which showed prominent lesions in each 25 patients.

RESULTSIn 50 wrists of 25 patients with RA, bone erosions were found by MR images compared to radiographs in 46 versus 14 wrists, respectively. There were 170 sites of carpal erosions found by MR images, while radiographs found only 23 sites of carpal erosions. Among them triquetrum and lunate were the most frequently involved sites. Significant difference (P < 0.001) was statistically found between conventional radiography and MR imaging in detection of erosions of the wrists of RA. MR imaging also permitted demonstrating synovitis and joint effusion in the wrists. Gd-DTPA-enhanced images allowed distinguishing pannus changes from joint effusion.

CONCLUSIONMRI is superior to conventional radiography with respect to detection of bone erosion in wrists. For those whose conventional radiographs show suspected RA, MRI examination should be advised for the early diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Wrist Joint ; pathology