This study determined the levels of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecular-1 (sVCAM-1) in patients with different types of Keshan disease (KD), examined the relationship between Coxsackie B virus-specific IgM antibody (CBV-IgM) and sICAM-1 or sVCAM-1 in KD patients, and investigated the role of these adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of KD and their clinical implications. The levels of serum sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and CBV-IgM were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 22 patients with chronic Keshan disease (CKD), 27 with latent Keshan disease (LKD) and 28 healthy controls. The subjects in different groups were adjusted for sex and age. Echocardiography was adopted to determine left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in 22 patients with CKD. The results showed that CKD patients had significantly higher levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 than LKD patients and healthy controls (P<0.01 for all). And there was significant difference in the levels of the 2 adhesion molecules between LKD patients and healthy controls (P<0.05). A negative correlation was found between LVEF and sICAM-1 or sVCAM-1 in CKD patients. The percentage of CBV-specific IgM positive individuals in KD patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls. In CVB-specific IgM positive patients, the levels of serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were significantly greater than those in CBV-specific IgM negative counterpart. It was concluded that the increase in the levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 suggests the progression of inflammation in KD. sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 can promote the development of myocardial pathology and lead to poor myocardial function. The increased serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in KD patients may be related to CBV infection.
Cardiomyopathies/*blood ; Cardiomyopathies/etiology ; Cardiomyopathies/*virology ; Coxsackievirus Infections/*complications ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/*blood ; Selenium/blood ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of compound Ginkgo biloba (CGB) preparations on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODThe C57BL/6 mouse NAFLD model was induced with high fat diets. Since the 2nd week after modeling, the mice were orally administered with 600 and 200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) CGB for eight weeks. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHOL) and LPS in serum, as well as pathological changes and expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in hepatic tissues were observed. Changes in intestinal tight junction proteins ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1 in intestinal tissues were determined under microscopy.

RESULTCompared with the normal group, the model group showed obvious fatty degeneration in rat livers, with notable increase in TNF-alpha expression (P < 0.01), significant increases in ALT, AST, TG, CHOL and LPS in serum (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), injury in intestinal tight junction proteins, and remarkable declines in ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1 (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, CGB high and low dose groups showed obvious relieves in fatty degeneration in rat livers and injury in intestinal tight junction proteins, significant reductions in TNF-alpha expression (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and AST, TG, CHOL and LPS in serum (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and remarkable increases in ZO-1 and Occludin expressions (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCGB can protect intestinal tight junction proteins, reduce intestinal leakage, relieve fatty degeneration and inflammations in livers and prevent NAFLD occurrence and development.

Alanine Transaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

ABSTRACT:Objective To observe the structural changes of dentin irradiated with Nd:YAG laser under dif-ferent parameters and the changes of calcium-phosphorus ration,and evaluate the optimal parameters of Nd:YAG laser in treating dentin hypersensitivity (DH).Methods The model of dentin hypersensitivity was established by acid etching method.Samples were irradiated with Nd:YAG laser under different parameters.The morphological alterations of the dentin surfaces and Ca-P ratio were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM)combined with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis.Results Compared with those in the control group,dentinal tubules could be blocked partially or totally with no cracks in A-C (30 mj,5 Hz),(30 mj,10 Hz)and (50 mj,5 Hz)groups. Dentinal tubules could be entirely blocked but with cracks in D (50 mj,10 Hz)and E (80 mj,5 Hz)groups.Dentin was carbonized in F (80 mj,10 Hz)group.Compared with that in the control group,Ca-P ratio was decreased sig-nificantly (P <0.05).Conclusion The suitable energy parameter of Nd:YAG laser in treating dentin hypersensi-tivity is (30 mj,10 Hz)and (50 mj,5 Hz).

Aim To investigate the inhibitory effect of schizandrin B( SchB) on ultraviolet radiation b ( UVB) radiation-induced apoptosis of HaCaT cells. Methods Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT ) assay was used to examine the effect of SchB on cell viability recovery. Cell apoptosis and necrosis were measured by Ho-chest33342 staining. The p53, p21 and Caspase-3 mRNA expressions were examined by RT-PCR. Results In this study, we found that Sch B attenuated UVB-in-duced toxicity in HaCaT cells. Through Hoechst 33342 stain, we visualized that SchB could inhibit UVB-in-duced HaCaT cell death. The result demonstrated that p53 , p21 and Caspase-3 mRNA levels decreased com-pared with the control group. Conclusions Sch B at-tenuates the UVB-induced toxicity of HaCaT by inhibi-ting apoptotic gene expression. It plays a role in anti-photoaging.

Objective To discuss the lung protective effect of Shenfu injection on the legs' ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods Sixty patients (6 males, 24 females, ASA grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ)with unilateral lower limb surgery, were randomly divided into Shenfu injection group (group SF, n=32) and control group (group C, n=28).All patients were treated by combined spinal epidural anesthesia, with the same dose of local anesthetic (0.75% bupivacaine 1.5 ml and the same pressure (300mm Hg) of tourniquet.Patients in group SF were given intravenous infusion of Shenfu injection with the dose of 1 ml/kg (added in normal saline 100 ml) 30 min before apply tourniquet and 1 ml/kg (added in nomal saline 50 ml) 5 min before tourniquet deflation.Patients in group C were injected with equal dose of compound sodium lactate at the same time.Recorded the hemodynamic changes before apply tourniquet (T0) and 5 min (T1), 15 min (T2) and 30 min (T3) after tourniquet deflation.Took venous blood to determine concentrations of plasma thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and malondialdehyde (MDA).Results Compared with T0, MAP in the two groups were significcantly lower at T1-T3 (P＜0.05).MAP in group SF at T2 and T3 were higher than those in group C (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in HR between the two groups.TXB2 and MDA in group SF at T2 and T3 were significantly lower than those in group C (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Shenfu injection with antioxidation has a protective effect on lower limb ischemia-reperfusion lung injury induced by tourniquet.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of podophyllotoxin derivative QW-83 on human cervical cancer HeLa cell apopto-sis and its mechanism. METHODS:After treated with 0(negative control),0.01,0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L QW-83 and positive drug etoposide(VP-16)for 48 h,proliferation inhibition rate and IC50 of HeLa cell were determined by MTT assay. The morphological changes of HeLa cell were observed by Hochest 33342 staining after treated with QW-83 [0(negative control),2.5,5,10μmol/L] for 48 h;flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis rate;semi quantitative RT-PCR was adopted to detect the expression of apop-tosis related gene P53,Bax,Casepase-3,Casepase-8,Casepase-9 and Bcl-2 mRNA. RESULTS:Compared with negative control, 1,10 μmol/L VP-16 and QW-83 had obvious proliferation inhibition effect on HeLa cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and IC50 were (5.11±0.43)μmol/L and(4.96±0.54)μmol/L. Hochest 33342 staining results showed QW-83 could obviously induce cells apopto-sis and nuclear pyknosis. Flow cytometry showed QW-83 could increase apoptosis rate in concentration-dependent manner,being 16.89%-62.56%. RT-PCR showed mRNA expression of P53,Bax,Caspase-3,Casepase-8 and Casepase-9,Bcl-2/Bax increased, while mRNA expression of Bcl-2 decreased after treated with QW-83(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Podophyllotoxin derivative QW-83 can induce HeLa cell apoptosis,and its mechanism may be associated with regulate mRNA expression of apoptosis related gene.

Objective To investigate whether alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) possesses neuroprotective effects against high glucose-induced damage in vitro.Methods The cultured human lens epithelial cells (HLEC-B3 cells) were divided into normal control group,high glucose group and ALA group.Normal control group left untreated,ALA group was pretreated with different concentrations of ALA (25 μmol · L-1,50 μmol · L-1,100 μmol · L-1) for 1h,and then ALA group and high glucose group were cultured under high glucose conditions for 48h.After above treatment,the activity of lens epithelial cells in each group was detected immediately by MTT,and the changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry.In addition,the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) was detected by Western blot and RT-PCR in all groups.Results The activity of HLEC-B3 cells in high glucose group was 53.60％ ±4.10％,which was significantly lower than that in normal control group (P ＜ 0.01).The cell viability in 25 μmol · L-1,50 μmol · L-1,100 μmol · L-1 ALA group was 65.30％ ± 3.70％,72.70％ ± 4.90％ and 83.40％ ± 3.60％,respectively,all which were higher than those in the high glucose group (all P ＜ 0.05).Flow cytometry showed that intracellular ROS level in the high glucose group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.01),but ROS levels were decreased to 14.70％ ±0.70％,8.70％ ±0.87％,5.20％ ±0.53％ after25 μmol· L-1,50 μmol· L-1,100 μmol · L-1 ALA treatment,respectively,with significant difference (all P ＜ 0.01).RT-PCR and Western blot results indicated that the relative expression of MnSOD mRNA and protein in the high glucose group was significantly lower than that in the normal control group (all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the high glucose group,MnSOD mRNA and protein relative expression levels were significantly increased to 0.63 ± 0.06,0.71 ± 0.06,0.84 ± 0.04,and 0.25 ± 0.03,0.31 ± 0.02,0.45 ± 0.04,respectively (all P ＜ 0.05).In addition,the protective effects of ALA (25-100 μmol · L-1) on HLEC-B3 cells induced by high glucose was in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion ALA has a protective effect on human lens epithelial cell line HLEC-B3 cultured in high glucose condition,and this protective effect may be achieved by increasing the expression level of intracellular MnSOD.

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect and quality of life (QOL) of patients with anastomotic stenosis after bougienage of esophagus following resection of esophagus with esophageal and of cardiac carcinoma.Methods A total of 135 patients suffering from anastomotie stenosis after resection operations were divided into a treatment group and a control group at random. All patients were given an esophageal dilator under gastroseope. In treatment group, deglutition training was given additionally, twice daily, 10 to 20 trials in each session. Therapeutic effect was evaluated according to patients' food intake and gastroscopy results of diameter of stenosis before treatment and 2,4,8 weeks after treatment. QOL was evaluated with Chinese version of SF-36 instrument. Results The food intake of all the patients improved. There was no difference of diameter of stenosis in degree Ⅰ stenosis patients be-tween two groups (P > 0.05 ) ; but the differences were statistically significant in degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ stenosis patients (P < 0.05). In treatment group, the degree and duration of improvement were more obvious. QOL of patients with degree Ⅱ and Ⅲ stenosis in both groups improved significantly after treatment ( P < 0.05 ), but compared with con-trol group the improvement was significantly greater in treatment group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The therapeutic effect of bougienage of esophagus can be strengthened with deglutition training. This combinative therapy is safe and effective.

Objective To study the effects of.breathing booster training and aerosol inhalation with terbutaline and ambroxol on pulmonary function in postoperative lung cancer patients. Methods A total of 84 patients requiring resection operations for lung cancer were randomly divided into treatment and control groups.In the peri-operative period,breathing booster training and terbutaline and ambroxol aerosol inhalation were given to the treatment group,while only aerosol inhalation was given to the control group.Therapeutic effects were evaluated according to patients pulmonary function and postoperative complications 2 weeks and 1 day before the operation,and again 2 weeks after the operation.Postoperative quality of life (QOL) was evaluated with St.George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) 1 month after the operation. Results There was no statistically significant difference in average pulmonary function between the two groups 2 weeks before the operation.Two weeks after the operation,pulmonary function had decreased in both groups,but it was significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group.The treatment group also had significantly fewer pulmonary complications.The QOL of patients in the treatment group had improved significantly 1 month after the operation. Conclusion Breathing booster training and inhalation of terbutaline and ambroxol aerosol during the peri-operative period can significantly improve pulmonary function,reduce respiratory complications and improve the QOL of patients requiring lung cancer resection operations.This is most important for promoting their early recovery.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To determine the role of transcription factor Bach1 in the functions of human microvascular en-dothelial cells ( HMVECs ) .METHODS: Bach1 siRNA was transfected into HMVECs to knock down the expression of Bach1.In vitro endothelial cell tube formation assay in Matrigel culture was used as a surrogate assay for angiogenic poten-tial.Migration of HMVECs was determined by using Transwell chambers.Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA were employed to determine mRNA expression and protein level.Reporter as-say was performed to determine vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) transcriptional activity.RESULTS:Knockdown of Bach1 expression in HMVECs led to an increase in the tube formation and increased endothelial cell migration ability, whereas it has little effect on cell proliferation.Bach1 silencing increased the mRNA and protein expression of heme oxygen-ase-1 (HO-1), and enhanced VEGF transcriptional activation, and mRNA and protein expression.CONCLUSION:Bach1 silencing increases HO-1 and VEGF expression, thus promoting the cell migration and tube formation of HMVECs, indicating that Bach1 is a repressor for angiogenesis.