This study was aimed to diffuse the lung and promote urination for the observation of cardiopulmonary re-lated index change of cor pulmonale rats to further explore the treatment effect on the pulmonary function, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and the influence of right heart hypertrophy of rats, in order to further illustrate the ef-fect of diffusing the lung and promoting urination for cor pulmonale. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group and Xiao-Qing-Long decoction (XQLD) group with 20 rats in each group. The AniRes2003 animal lung function analysis system was applied to measure the pulmonary function of rats. And the multi-guide physiological recorder was used in the recording of the pulmonary artery pressure of rats. The conven-tional weighing method was applied to calculate and obtain the change of right heart hypertrophy. The results showed that compared to the control group, symptoms in the model group became severe obviously, which include reduced activity, slow movement and occasional airway sputum sound, and the right heart hypertrophy index of the model group increased obviously (P < 0.01). Compared to the model group, the pulmonary function and pulmonary artery pressure of the XQLD group have obvious difference (P< 0.05). It was concluded that to diffuse the lung and pro-mote urination can effectively improve the pulmonary function, PAH and the right heart hypertrophy index of rats with cor pulmonale (fluid retention). The effect of this method is definite in the treatment of cor pulmonale.

To explore the effect of different processing methods and conditions of coumarin and volatile compounds in Angelica Dahuricae Radix and their change regularity, in order to optimize and establish appropriate drying methods and conditions. After being cleaned, fresh Angelica Dahuricae Radix herbs were baked, sun-dried, shade-dried, sun-dried after sulfur-fumigation, dried by quick-lime embedding, freeze-dried, microwave-dried. Finally, 24 groups of samples were obtained after being mashed and passing through the 60-mesh screen. The HPLC-PDA method was adopted to simultaneously determine the content of coumarin compounds. The GC-MS method was used to determine the content of volatile compounds. The principal component analysis (PCA) was made on the standardized analysis results for the 24 groups of samples processed with different drying methods. According to the PCA results, the comprehensive scores of coumarin and volatile compounds in Angelica Dahuricae Radix herbs processed with different methods in the order from high to low were that unpeeled and dried by quicklime embedding > unpeeled and dried with hot-air at 100 degrees C > unpeeled and dried with hot-air at 40 degrees C > peeled and infrared-dried > peeled and dried with hot-air at 60 degrees C > peeled and dried with hot-air at 40 degrees C > peeled and sun-dried > peeled and dried with hot-air at 60 degrees C > peeled and dried with hot-air at 100 degrees C > peeled and microwave-dried > peeled and dried with hot-air at 80 degrees C > unpeeled and sun-dried > unpeeled and dried with sulfur-fumigation > peeled and dried with sulfur-fumigation > unpeeled and dried with hot-air at 120 degrees C > unpeeled and freeze-dried > unpeeled and infrared-dried > peeled and dried with hot-air at 120 degrees C > peeled and freeze-dried > peeled and dried by quicklime embedding > unpeeled and dried with hot-air at 80 degrees C > peeled and shade-dried > unpeeled and shade-dried > unpeeled and microwave-dried. According to the findings, different drying processing methods have certain impacts on the content coumarin and volatile compounds in Angelica Dahuricae Radix herbs. The traditional method of drying by quicklime embedding is recommended as the optimum origin processing method of Angelica Dahuricae Radix, which is followed by the method for being peeled and dried with hot-air at 100 degrees C.
Angelica ; chemistry ; Coumarins ; analysis ; Desiccation ; methods ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Hot Temperature ; Principal Component Analysis ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; analysis

Male sterility affects human reproduction seriously. Modern medicine has not yet fully understood the reasons for abnormal sperm, so clinical treatment is mainly based on experience, but the effect is inaccurate. According to "kidney controls reproduction" and "chronic illness causes blood stasis" theory, Professor JIN Bao-fang treats abnormol speerm sterility by tonifying kidney and activating blood circulation to remove obstruction with modified Yangjing Decoction, which has achieved good efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ureteral Obstruction ; surgery ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo identify the anatomical variability of the left spermatic vein (LSV) and determine its effect on the induction of experimental left varicocele (ELV) in adolescent rats.

METHODSWe equally randomized 30 adolescent male SD rats to groups A (LSV collaterals fully ligated and the left renal vein constricted), B (only the left renal vein constricted), and C (sham operation), observed the courses of the LSVs and measured their diameters. At 30 days after operation, we analyzed the changes in the left kidneys and the diameters of the LSVs.

RESULTSIrregular collaterals were observed in 90% of the LSVs and no abnormal changes were found in the left kidneys after surgery. The postoperative LSV diameter was remarkably increased in group A as compared with the baseline ([1.47 +/- 0.15 ] vs [0.16 +/- 0.08] mm, P < 0.01), but showed no significant difference in group B ([0.31 +/- 0.49] vs [0.15 +/- 0.07] mm, P > 0.05) and C ([0.17 +/- 0.07] vs [0.16 +/- 0.06] mm, P > 0.05), and it was significantly longer in A than in B (P < 0.01). The success rate of ELV induction was 100% in group A and 10% in group B, but no varicocele was observed in group C.

CONCLUSIONCorrect identification of the anatomical course of the LSV and ligation of its irregular collaterals are essential for the establishment of a stable and consistent ELV model.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Kidney ; pathology ; Ligation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord ; blood supply ; Varicocele ; Veins ; abnormalities

Objective of this study was to investigate the changes of cyclooxygenase-2 expression and mitochondrial membrane potential in apoptotic NB4 cells induced by arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)). The morphological changes in apoptosis process of NB4 cells treated by arsenic trioxide were observed under immunofluorescence microscope and DNA electrophoresis method, and the apoptosis rate of NB4 cells and the variations of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the variations of expression level of cyclooxygenase-2 protein were analyzed by using Western blot method. The results indicated that after NB4 cells were treated with 2 µmol/L As(2)O(3) for 48 hours, some variations of NB4 cells were observed, such as pyknosis, chromatin segmentation, even fragmentation. Meanwhile, the typical DNA Ladder phenomenon was observed. The apoptosis rate of NB4 cells treated with 3 µmol/L As(2)O(3) for 48 hours was 33.34%, Furthermore the apoptosis rate of NB4 cells was enhanced along with the increase of concentration of As(2)O(3). After NB4 cells were treated with 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 µmol/L As(2)O(3) for 48 hours, the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased by 12.8%, 21.6%, 66.9%, 83.7% and 83.8% respectively. The Western blot detection results showed that the expression level of cyclooxygenase-2 protein in NB4 cells was lower than that in control cells and decreased along with the rise of As(2)O(3) concentration, then the negative dose-dependent manner was observed between these 2 groups. It is concluded that As(2)O(3) can effectively induce NB4 cell apoptosis, and the dose-dependent manner existed in certain extent of concentrations. The decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential may be related with NB4 cell apoptosis induced by As(2)O(3). Cyclooxygenase-2 participates in the process of NB4 cell apoptosis induced by As(2)O(3).
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Oxides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the expressions of VEGF/VEGFRs and activation of STATs in ovarian epithelial carcinoma, and to elucidate direct effect of VEGF on ovarian carcinoma cells.

METHODSTissue samples from 42 women with primary ovarian epithelial carcinoma (OVCA), 29 with begnin ovarian tumor (OVBT) and 11 with normal ovarian tissue (NOV) were collected. LSAB immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and activated STATS (P-STAT1, P-STAT3, P-STAT5, P-STAT6) proteins.

RESULTS(1) Semi-quantitative scoring showed that VEGF expression in OVCA was significantly higher than that in OVBT and NOV (P < 0.01). Expressions of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were significantly elevated in OVCA, including tumor cells and stromal vascular endothelial cells (P < 0.01, compared with OVBT and NOV). There was no difference in VEGFRs expressions between OVBT and NOV. (2) In OVCA, tumor cells and endothelial cells expressed P-STAT3 and P-STAT5 at significantly higher levels than those in OVBT and NOV (P = 0.000). The staining of P-STAT1 and P-STAT6 was weak with no significant differences among OVCA, OVBT and NOV. (3) Expressions of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in endothelial cells were significantly correlated with P-STAT5 and P-STAT3, respectively (P = 0.006 and 0.001). In cancer cells, VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were all significantly correlated with P-STAT3 and P-STAT5 (P = 0.000), but not with P-STAT1 or P-STAT6.

CONCLUSIONVEGF affects ovarian carcinoma cells via VEGFRs, and STATs probably participate in intracellular signaling of VEGF.

Adult ; Aged ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Milk Proteins ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovary ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; STAT5 Transcription Factor ; Signal Transduction ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection into the masseter muscle on mandibular development in rats.

METHODS12 28-day-old Wistar rats were divided into two groups as Botox group (n= 6) and control group (n = 6) which received anesthesia only. In Botox group, Botox was injected into the right masseter muscle, while only sterile saline into the left muscle. When the rats were 75-day-old, CT scan and 3D reconstruction were performed for cephalometry. The masseter muscles at both sides were weighed. Histologic study of masseter muscle and mandible was also performed.

RESULTSThe weight of right masseter muscle was (0.4575 +/- 0.0940) g in Botox group, and (0.8899 +/- 0.1030) g in control group (< 0.05). The mandibular height II and III was (10.8 +/- 0.8) mm and (9.5 +/- 0.6) mm in Botox group and (12.5 +/- 0.6) mm and (10.7 +/- 0.4) mm in control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The intergonial distance was (11.6 +/- 0.6) mm and (12.4 +/- 0. 6) mm in Botox and control group, respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWhen the rats receive Botox injection into the masseter muscle at young age, the grown-up rats have a decreased mandibular height, but the mandibular length and intergonial distance are not affected.

Animals ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Male ; Mandible ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Masseter Muscle ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMTo prepare long-circulating solid lipid nanoparticles containing paclitaxel with stearic acid, and investigate the in vitro and in vivo characterization of nanoparticles.

METHODSThe method of "emulsion evaporation-solidification at low temperature" was used to prepare the stearic acid solid lipid nanoparticles containing paclitaxel. Its morphology was examined by transmission electron microscope. The HPLC method for determination of paclitaxel in nanoparticles or serum samples was established. The release of paclitaxel in vitro and the pharmacokinetics after i.v. bolus injection to mice were studied.

RESULTSThe mean diameter of Brij78-SLN and F68-SLN is (103.5 +/- 29.2) nm and (220 +/- 98) nm, respectively. The nanoparticles release paclitaxel slowly and linearly, within 24 h, Brij78-SLN and F68-SLN release 8% and 20% of total drug, respectively. Long-circulation nanoparticles was found to stay in the blood circulation, with T 1/2 beta 10.1 h of F68-SLN, and T 1/2 beta 4.88 h of Brij78-SLN more than one commercialized paclitaxel injection, T 1/2 beta 1.3 h.

CONCLUSIONStearic acid might be a new drug carrier material in the future.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Mice ; Nanotechnology ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Particle Size ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Random Allocation ; Stearic Acids ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of DNA vaccine transdermal delivery with microneedle array.

METHODSThe pcDNA3.1-HPV16E7 recombinant vector acting as gene vaccine was established. The infiltration quantity of pcDNA3.1-HPV16E7 getting across the microchannels generated by microneedle arrays in vitro was observed. 30 BALB/c mice were divided into 3 groups (experimental group, in vain plasmid group, negative control). Each group had 10 mice. Then immunized BALB/c mice with a dose of 200 microg with microneedle array every two weeks. The control groups did the same as that as the study groups. Two weeks after the third immunization, the serum and lymphocytes were separated to detect the functions of humoral immunity with indirect immunofluorescence test, while, the functions of cellular immunity with lymphocyte transformation test was also detected.

RESULTSThe DNA vaccine could easily get across the microchannels generated by microneedle arrays in vitro. Moreover, the course was permanent and the whole infiltration quantity was comparatively high, reaching 0.73819 mg/cm2 at the 30th hour. And among immunized BALB/c mouse, DNA vaccine transdermal delivery with microneedle array could induce specific antibodies. Lymphocyte transformation test showed that there was significant difference for the lymphocyte transformation rate between experiment (the average of lymphocyte transformation rate was 47.25%) and control group (the average of lymphocyte transformation rate was 30.00%) (chi2 = 12.903, P < 0.001). Also, the difference was found between in vain plasmid group (the average of lymphocyte transformation rate was 43.00%) and negative control(chi2 = 7.292, P = 0.007). While, no difference was observed in the experimental group and in vain plasmid group (chi2 = 0.817, P = 0.366).

CONCLUSIONThe DNA vaccine combined administering with microneedle array might get across the microchannels generated by microneedle arrays in vitro and induce humoral and cellular immune response in vivo.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; genetics ; immunology ; Injections ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Skin Absorption ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; immunology