OBJECTIVE:To apply the kinetic turbidimetric Limulus test to the endotoxin assay of Levocarnitine sodium chloride injection.METHODS:The16-fold dilution of Levocarnitine sodium chloride injection was prepared.The content of bacterial endotoxin in Levocarnitine sodium chloride injection was determined with kinetic turbidimetric Limulus test after screen test and validation test.RESULTS:The16-fold dilution of Levocarnitine sodium chloride injection was effective to e?liminate the interference in Limulus test.The average recovery was in the range of50%～200%.CONCLUSION:The kinetic turbidimetric Limulus test provides a new and quick method for the quantitative determination of bacterial endotoxin in Levo?carnitine sodium chloride injection.

Objective To evaluate the effects of total glucosides of paeony (TCP) on cell proliferation of and expression of VECF and IL-23 in human HaCaT keratinocytes and their potential mechanisms. Methods MTT assay was performed to detect the cell proliferation of HaCaT cells incubated with various concentrations (0.5 to 312.5 mg/L) of TGP. HaCaT cells were classified into 8 groups, control group without any treatment, TGP groups treated with 6 different concentrations of TGP, SB203580 group treated with TGP of 125 mg/L after 2-hour pretreatment with SB203580 of 10 μmol/L After additional culture, reverse transcription (RT)- PCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were conducted to determine the expression levels of VEGF and IL-23 mRNA and protein, Western blot to test the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in these cells. Results The proliferation of HaCaT cells was promoted by TGP of low concentrations (0.5 and 2.5 mg/L), but inhibited by TGP of equal to or more than 12.5 mg/L, and peaked at the concentration of 125 mg/L. TGP of 0.5 and 2.5 mg/L enhanced the mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF and IL-23, while TGP of 12.5 to 125 mg/L suppressed the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein, and TGP of 62.5 to 125 mg/L downregulated the expression of IL-23 mRNA and protein. The phosphorylation of p38 protein kinase in HaCaT cells was induced by TGP of 125 mg/L in a time-dependant manner. Concretely, the level of phosphorylated p38 kinase in HaCaT cells was 0.3314 ± 0.0245 (peak) at 5 minutes, decreased to 0.2173 ± 0.0189 at 10 minutes (still statistically higher than untreated HaCaT cells) and 0.1664 ± 0.0201 at 30 minutes after treatment with TGP of 125 mg/L. SB203580 attenuated the effect of TGP on p38 phosphorylation, and the level of phosphorylated p38 kinase was 0.1529 ±0.0147 in HaCaT cells pretreated with SB203580 prior to the treatment with TGP. Conclusion TGP can inhibit the cell proliferation of and expressions of VEGF and IL-23 mRNA and protein in HaCaT cells, likely mediated by the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

The paper carries out statistical analysis on medical source journals of CJCR ( Chinese S&T Journal Citation Reports), in order to evaluate the changing trends of academic influence of medical journals form the view of impact factor. The results show that the overall influence of medical core journals assume trend of escalation during the Tenth Five-year, but the growth rate is relatively slowed down. There arc extremely differences in influence levels of medical journals between in China and international, but the overall superiority of medical journals as well as the increasing impact could be continued.

Objective To investigate the effects of octreotide on the apoptosis of human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and expression of Bcl-2/Bax in HSCs,and to reveal the mechanism underlying octreotide against hepatic fibrosis. Methods HSCs lines (HSC-LX2) were incubated with different concentrations of octreotide for 24 and 48 hours. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Fitc-tunel fluorescence staining. Bcl-2 and Bax protein exoression in HSC-LX2 was detected by immunocytochemistry. Meanwhile, Bcl-2 protein of HSC-LX2 were detected by Western blot assay. Results Octreotide could promote the apoptosis of HSC-LX2, and the apoptosis rate was significantly increased with the concentration of octreotide(P < 0.05). The HSC-LX2 were incubated with the same concentration of octreotide for 24 and 48 hours, the cell apoptosis rate of 48-hour octreotide treatment was significantly higher than that of 24-hour octreotide treatment (P < 0.05). The immunocytochemistry result indicated that octreotide could significantly decrease Bcl-2 expression and increase Bax expression in HSC-LX2 (P<0.05); Western blot assay showed that octreotide could also significantly inhibit Bcl-2 expression in HSC-LX2 (P<0.05). Conclusions Octreotide could induce the apoptosis of HSCs in a dose-and time-dependent manner, the mechanism of octreotide inducing HSCs apoptosis might be associated with down-regulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax in HSC.

The effect and mechanism of α-lipoic acid(ALA)on the injury of kidneys in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin were investigated.Results showed that ALA decreased the level of oxidative stress,the production of advanced glycation end products(AGE)[(0.087±0.003 vs 0.103 4±0.014)pg/mg protein,P<0.05],and the expression of AGE receptor protein(1.8I±0.04 vs 2.67±0.01,P<0.01)and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)mRNA(1.51 4±0.20 vs 2.04±0.08,P<0.05)in renal cortex of diabetie rats,resulting in reduced kidney injury and improved renal function in diabetic rats.

Objective To investigate the effect of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1)on expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)in human glomerular mesangial cells (HMCs) under high concentration of glucose. Methods Stable transfections of HMC with pCR3.1 vector and pCR3. 1-SOCS-1 were performed with hpofectamine 2000, and cells were selected with geneticin. Cells were stimulated with low glucose (LG, 5.5 mmol/L), high glucose (HG, 30 mmol/L), LG plus mannitol (24.5 mmol/L) and AG490 (10 μmol/L). The protein expression levels of SOCS-1, signal transducer and activators of transcription 1,3 (STAT1, STAT3),p-STAT1 and p-STAT3 were observed by Western blotting. The protein synthesis of MCP-1, FN and type Ⅳ collagen in the supernatants of the HMCs were detected by ELISA and radioimmunoassay. The expression level of SOCS-1 and MCP-1 mRNA was measured by BT-PCR.Results HG induced the expression of SOCS-1 protein and mRNA in HMCs in time-dependant manner, peaked at 4 h, and gradually decreased to baseline at 24 h. Compared with low glucose control group, the phosphorylation levels of STAT1 and STAT3 and the expression of MCP-1 mRNA [(0.39±0.05) vs (0.16±0.02)]were significantly increased in HMCs under high glucose medium (P ＜0.01 ). Exposure of HMCs to high glucose conditions showed high concentration of MCP-1 [(459±67) ng/L vs (241±19) ng/L], fibronectin [(5.84±0.61) mg/L vs (3.41±0.31) mg/L]and type Ⅳ collagen [(16.45±2.30) μg/L vs (9.56±1.52) μg/L]in the supernatants (all P＜0.01).Overexpression of SOCS-1 inhibited the phosphorylation levels of STAT1 and STAT3 and the expression of MCP-1 mRNA [(0.34±0.04) vs (0.42±0.05)]in HMCs under high glucose condition (all P＜0.05). Compared with vector control group, the concentration of MCP-1 [(387±47) ng/L vs (463±56) ng/L], fibronectin [(4.61±0.57) mg/L vs (5.76±0.74) mg/L]and type Ⅳ collagen [(13.4±2.32) μg/L vs (17.1±2.57) μg/L]was decreased in supernatants of HMCs with SOCS-1 overexpression (all P＜0.05). Compared with HG group, the expression of MCP-1 mRNA (0.31±0.04) and the concentration of MCP-1 [(361±53) ng/L], FN [(5.46±0.71) mg/L]and type Ⅳ collagen [(15.2±1.97) μg/L]in supernatants were decreased in HMCs treated with AG490.Conclusion Overexpression of SOCS-1 inhibits overproduction of MCP-1 and ECM proteins in HMCs under high glucose conditions, which may be partly by regulating the phosphoryhtion of STAT1 and STAT3.

Objective To establish HPLC determination method and impurity profile of the related substances in metronidazole.Methods A Welch Ultimate(R)XB-C1s (4.6 mm× 250 mm,5 μm)was used with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-1.36 g· L-1 solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (20∶ 80).The detection wavelength was 315 nm and the flow rate was 1 mL· min-1.Its related substances were determined by principal component self-contrast method.Results Good separation of metronidazole and the impurities could be achieved.Twenty batches of samples in the past six years were determined which meet quality standards.The study of impurity profiles could effectively monitor the synthetic process and the change of impurities in metronidazole.Conclusion The method is simple,quick and sensitive,which can be used to control the related substances in metronidazole.Meanwhile,the impurity profiles ensure the quality stability of metronidazole.

Aim To investigate the effects of fluvastatin on epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and activation of ERK1/2 in HKC cells stimulated by AGEs. Methods HKC are divided into four groups: control group, AGEs group, AGEs plus fluvastatin group and AGEs plus ERK1/2 MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059 group. Immunocytochemistry staining was used to detect expression of ?-SMA. The protein expressions of ?-SMA, E-cadherin, Col I, ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were observed by Western blot. The protein synthesis of TGF-?1 in the supernatants of the HKC was detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA).?-SMA and E-cadherin mRNA were measured by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Compared with those of control group,the expressions of ?-SMA protein and mRNA,and Col I were significantly increased in HKC cells with AGEs stimulation and there was high concentration of TGF-?1 in the supernatants. However, the expressions of E-cadherin protein and mRNA were decreased with AGEs stimulation. AGEs induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in HKC in a time-dependent manner, being significant at 15 minutes and peak occured at 1 h. PD98059 and fluvastatin inhibited AGEs-induced activation of ERK1/2 and high expression of Col I and ?-SMA protein and mRNA, and reversed the expression of E-cadherin protein and mRNA induced by AGEs. Meanwhile, fluvastatin and PD98059 reduced the concentration of TGF-?1 in the supernatants of HKC with AGEs stimulation. Conclusions Fluvastatin inhibited AGEs-induced HKC epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and collagen I synthesis might be partly through blocking activation of ERK1/2.

Objective To compare the dissolution curves of metronidazole tablets from 38 national manufactures and original drugs of Britain in four dissolution mediums,and provide the reference for the quality and clinical effect consistency evaluation of metronidazole tablets.Methods Paddle method was adopted at 50 r · min-1 in four dissolution mediums with the volume of 900 mL.The dissolution profiles were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.The cumulative dissolution percentages were calculated and the dissolution curves were drawn.Similarity factor (f2)was used for comparing of the differences between dissolution curves.Results The dissolution profiles of 4 manufactures in pH 1.2 and 9 manufactures in pH 4.5 were similar (f2 ≥ 50)to that of original drugs,only 1 and 3 were similar to original drugs in water and pH 6.8,respectively.There are no companies whose dissolution curve were similar to that of original drugs in 4 dissolution mediums.Conclusion Great difference exists between domestic manufactures and pharmaceutical enterprises of origin in dissolution behaviors of metronidazole tablets.In order to ensure the consistency between the metronidazole tablets generics and original drugs of Britain in quality and clinical effect.It is advisable for the relevant companies to improve their product quality by improving the formulation and preparation.

Objective To explore the effects of volatile oil and 2-undecanone from Houttuynia Cordata Thunb. (H. cordata) on LPS-TLR4 / MD-2-TNF-α signaling pathway. Methods TLR4 / MD-2 blocking agent was used to mask the TLR4 /MD-2 site,then protein expression levels of TLR4 in cells treated with volatile oil and 2-undecanone were analyzed by western blot. ELISA was used to detect the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-10. Comparison analysis was then performed from the results of cell experiments in vitro and anti-inflammatory effects through xylene-induced ear edema test in vivo. Results In concentrations between 1 to 10 μg · mL-1 ,Houttuynia volatile oil showed better effect than 2-undecanone on inhibition of TLR4 protein in LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and had some differences in the effects on inflammatory factors. Compared with the LPS+TLR4 / MD-2 group,the LPS+TLR4 / MD-2 + volatile oil group had no significant difference in the expression of TLR4 protein (P>0. 05),but the LPS+TLR4 / MD-2 +2-undecanone group reduced the expression of TLR4 protein obviously. It appeared that volatile oil exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through LPS-TLR4 / MD-2-TNF-αpathway,but 2-undecanone may exert its anti-inflammatory effect by other means. Houttuynia volatile oil showed better anti-inflammatory activity than 2-undecanone in vivo at the same dose. Conclusion There are some differences in anti-inflammatory effects and related mechanisms between volatile oil and 2-undecanone, probably owing to the synergistic effects of multi-ingredients in the volatile oil.