The diabetic patients died of cardiovascular disease mainly. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of diabetes complicated with atherosclerosis were still unclear. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may play a vital intermediate role in the progression of diabetic atherosclerosis. Both of diabetic hyperglycemia induced hexosamine pathway and diabetes induced macrophage insulin resistance can lead to ER stress. The unfolded protein response (UPR) produced by ER stress can be observed throughout the whole development course of atherosclerosis. In addition, ER stress also induced lipid deposition, cell apoptosis and inflammatory response, all of which was important for the progression of atherosclerosis. Though ER stress may be key for diabetes induced atherosclerosis, which pathway played the central role and the interaction between cytokines still need to be investigated. So that we could provide individual therapeutic scheme for treatment as well as prevention of diabetic complication.

In order to have a better understanding of the species diversity of medical plants in Enshi, Hubei of China, extensive field investigations and specimen collections were conducted in Enshi and adjacent regions. Based on field observations of plants in their living habitats and comparative morphological studies on specimens in herbarium of Hubei minzu University and other available herbaria as well, three new records of medical plants in Hubei, Scutellaria yunnanensis, Alangium faberi var. heterophyllum, and Drymaria diandra, were reported in this paper.
China ; Plants, Medicinal ; Records as Topic

Objective To compare two different revascularization methods in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with multivessel coronary artery disease treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft ( CABG) .Methods T2DM patients with multivessel disease undergoing success-ful PCI or CABG were enrolled in the study .They were diagnosed by coronary angiography ( CAG) in Tianjin Chest Hospital from May 2009 to May 2010 whose.The patients were followed up for 3 years.The information of patients including physical performance , clinical features , and laboratory examination results were collected .The major ad-verse cardio cerebral events(MACCE)including death, myocardial infarction(MI), revascularization, angina pecto-ris, heart failure, and stroke were collected.Results During the 3 years of follow-up, MACCE(31.58% vs 17.68%, P<0.01), death(4.82%vs 1.10%, P<0.05), MI(4.39%vs 1.10%, P<0.05), angina pectoris (17.27%vs 10.50%, P<0.05)occurred more frequently in PCI group than in CABG group .Conclusion Evi-dences now tend to support CABG for revascularization in T 2DM patients with multivessel disease .

The chemical constituents isolated from the plants of Euchresta J. Benn (Fabaceae) included flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids compounds. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the species in Euchresta J. Benn have antitumor, anti-HIV, antiplatelet aggregation, central inhibition, anti-oxidant, reducing blood lipid, and antibacterial activities. This article mainly reviewed the research advances in the chemical constituents and their biological activities of the plants in Euchresta J. Benn.

Electromyography-triggered stimulation is being used as a method of combined therapy to improve upper extremity function for hemiplegia patients. It can induce voluntary motion and reduce muscular tone of affected extremity, enlarge range of motion, relieve shoulder pain, and reduce shoulder joint subluxation.

Objective: To investigate the effects of steroidal alkaloids and sarcovagine D isolated from Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna on cell-proliferation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in TNF-α-induced human RA-FLS MH7A in vitro, and against complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis rats in vivo. Methods: CCK-8 assay was utilized to evaluate the anti-proliferation activity in vitro. In in-vivo study, rats were randomly divided into control group, model group (CFA), steroidal alkaloids (STA) groups (5.0, 2.5 and 1.25 g/kg BW), and sarcovagine D (SD) groups (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg BW), 10 rats for each group. To evaluate the anti-inflammation effect, the histology, biochemical parameters and expression of inflammatory cytokines were detected. Results: Steroidal alkaloids and sarcovagine D showed strong anti-proliferative activity during MH7A cell culture proliferation and downregulated NO levels, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE

This study is to evaluate the effects of the metformin (Met) on β cell function of diabetic KKAy mice. Female diabetic KKAy mice selected by insulin tolerance test (ITT) were divided randomly into two groups. Con group was orally administered by gavage with water, Met group with metformin hydrochloride at a dose of 0.2 g x kg(-1) for about 12 weeks. ITT and glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were determined. Beta cell function was assessed by hyperglycemic clamp. Pancreatic biochemical indicators were tested. The changes of gene and protein expression in the pancreas and islets were also analyzed by Real-Time-PCR and immunostaining. Met significantly improved glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in KKAy mice. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were also decreased. In addition, Met markedly increased glucose infusion rate (GIR) and elevated the Ist phase and maximum insulin secretion during clamp. It showed that Met decreased TG content and iNOS activities and increased Ca(2+) -Mg(2+)-ATPase activity in pancreas. Islets periphery was improved, and down-regulation of glucagon and up-regulated insulin protein expressions were found after Met treatment. Pancreatic mRNA expressions of inflammation factors including TLR4, NF-κB, JNK, IL-6 and TNF-α were down-regulated, p-NF-κB p65 protein levels also down-regulated by Met. And mRNA expressions of ion homeostasis involved in insulin secretion including SERCA2 and Kir6.2 were up-regulated by Met. Met increased SIRT5 expression level in pancreas of KKAy mice under the hyperglycemic clamp. These results indicated that chronic administration of Met regulated pancreatic inflammation generation, ion and hormone homeostasis and improved β cell function of diabetic KKAy mice.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Homeostasis ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Insulin ; secretion ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Metformin ; pharmacology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Pancreas ; drug effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Mudan Granule (MD) on the glucose metabolism and beta cell function in monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced obese mice with insulin resistance (IR).

METHODSMSG obese mice were induced by subcutaneous injecting MSG (4 g/kg for 7 successive days in neonatal ICR mice). Forty MSG mice with IR features were recruited and divided into four groups according to body weight, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and the percentage of blood glucose decreased within 40 min in the IR test, i.e., the model group (Con), the low dose MD group, the high dose MD group, and the Metformin group (Met). Besides, another 10 ICR mice were recruited as the normal control group (Nor). The water solvent of 2.5 g/kg MD or 5 g/kg MD was respectively administered to mice in the low dose MD group and the high dose MD group. Metformin hydrochloride was given to mice in the Met group at 0.2 g/kg body weight. Equal dose solvent distilled water was administered to mice in the Nor group and the Con group by gastrogavage, once per day. All medication was lasted for 15 weeks. Insulin tolerance test (ITT) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed after 6 weeks of treatment. Beta cell function was assessed by hyperglycemic clamp technique. The morphological changes in the pancreas were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Changes of iNOS, NF-kappaB p65, and p-NF-kappaB p65 in the pancreas were tested.

RESULTSCompared with the Nor group, the blood glucose level, AUC, and fasting blood insulin, ONOO-contents, iNOS activities, and the expression of iNOS, NF-kappaB p65 subunit, pNF-kappaB p65 subunit obviously increased; decreased percentage of blood glucose within 40 min in ITT, glucose infusion rate (GIR), Clamp 1 min insulin, and Max-Insulin obviously decreased in the Con group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Con group, the aforesaid indices could be improved in the Met group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the low dose MD group, AUC, iNOS activities, and the expression of iNOS and p-NF-kappaB p65 subunit obviously decreased; percentage of blood glucose within 40 min in ITT and GIR obviously increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the high dose MD group, AUC, ONOO-contents, iNOS activities, and the expression of iNOS, NF-kappaB p65 subunit, and p-NF-KB p65 subunit obviously decreased; percentage of blood glucose within 40 min in ITT, Max-Insulin, and GIR obviously increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMD could significantly improve IR and functional disorder of 3 cells in MSG obese mice, which might be associated with lowering inflammatory reaction in the pancreas.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Metformin ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Mice, Obese ; Obesity ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Pancreas ; cytology ; drug effects ; Sodium Glutamate

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the inhibitory effects mechanism of scallop skirt glycosaminoglycan(SS-GAG)on inju-ry in human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVEC). METHODS:In the test,there was a negative control group,a model group and the groups of SS-GAG at high,middle and low concentrations(mass concentrations of 200,100 and 50 mg/L respective-ly). The cells in latter 3 groups were cultured in SS-GAG at different mass concentrations for 12 h,and then in 50 μmol/L oxidized low-density lipoprotein(OX-LDL)for 24 h. MTT method was used to detect cell viability and the activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH),the flow cytometer to determine the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS),real-time fluorescence quantitative poly-merase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect mRNA expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1), and Western blot to detect NOX4 protein expression. RESULTS:Compared to the cells in the negative control group,those in the model group demonstrated lower viability,higher activity of LDH,higher level of ROS,and stronger expressions of LOX-1 mRNA and NOX4 protein. There was statistical significance (P<0.01). Compared to the cells in the model group,those in the groups of SS-GAG at high,middle and low concentrations showed higher viability,lower activity of LDH,lower level of ROS and weaker expressions of LOX-1 mRNA and NOX4 protein. There was statistical significance (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:SS-GAG can protect HUVEC to some degree by a mechanism which may be related to inhibiting ROS production via LOX-1/NOX4 pathway and relieving oxidative stress injury.

Objective To explore the clinical features,diagnosi s and prognosis of incontinentia pigmenti.Methods Analyzing and summarizing the clinical characteristic, diagnosis and prognosis of neonatal incontinentia pigmenti in 6 neonatal infants that were hospita- lized in our department during the period from January 1 998 to December 2003 were studied,and some relevant literature were reviewed. Results 1.Three of 6 infants were male which was unusual;2.Four infants had typical skin lesions at birth and 1 case at 6 days old.Four cases had typical 3 stages o f skin lesions including the erythematous and vesicular inflammatory stage,verr ucous lesions and hyperkeratosis stage,macular hyperpigmentation stage,but the re was overlap;3.Four infants were complicated by central nervous system involv ement (two cases presented mental retardation,2 infants were temporary damage). Two cases were complicated by ocular manifestations ( one case had optical nerve atrophy and blind in left eye,the other had severe bilateral retinal lesions); 4.On specific examination 5 infants were diagnosed by skin biopsy.Gene analysis was made in 1 case,but we didn′t find the mutations of NEMO. Conclusions Incontinentia pigmenti is a rare X-linked dominant multisystem disease.It may be misdiagnosed in the initial stages.Except typical clinical features,skin biops y and gene analysis are main evidence for diagnosis.Early detection and interven tion are important for prognosis. J Appl Clin Pediatr,2005,20(2):123-125