BACKGROUND:Neural stem cel (NSC) transplantation is a common method for various ischemicencephalopathies, but inability to survive in the transplantation region limits its further use in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of vascular endothelial progenitor cel s (VEPCs) on the proliferation and apoptosis of co-cultured NSCs as wel as vascular remodeling in rats with ischemia reperfusion injury. METHODS:125 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, 25 rats in each group, including sham operation, ischemia, NSCs, co-culture, and VEPCs groups. Rat models of ischemia reperfusion injury were made in al groups except for the sham operation group, fol owed by corresponding interventions. The proliferation and apoptosis of neural stem cel s were detected, and vascular remolding in the ischemic region was observed in each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At different time points after transplantation, BrdU positive cel s were not observed in VEPCs, ischemia and sham operation groups;the number of BrdU positive cel s in the co-culture group was significantly higher than that in the NSCs group (P<0.05);BrdU+/Caspase-3+cel were observed in both co-culture and NSCs groups, and the apoptosis rate of the co-culture group was significantly lower than that in the NSCs group (P<0.05);there were new blood vessels in al the groups except for the sham operation group, and the number of new bone vessels was highest in the co-culture group. To conclude, our experimental results show that VEPCs promotes the proliferation of co-cultured NSCs, inhibits cel apoptosis and and promote angiogenesis in the ischemic penumbra of rats with ischemia reperfusion injury.

Objective To explore the value of intelligent optimum tube voltage technology at dual-source CT coronary angiography.Methods One hundred and fifty patients with normal body mass index (＜25 kg/m2) with clinically suspected coronary heart disease requiring coronary artery CTA examination were collected.According to the different scanning method,patients were randomly divided into 5 groups,30 cases of each group were tested by coronary artery CTA examination.The intelligent optimum tube vohage scanning technology was set to Semi,the tube voltage of A,B,C group were 120,100 and 80 kV (Ref 120 kV,400 mAs),respectively.D and E group were set to on,the reference voltage of group D was 120 kV,and reference current was 400 mAs.The reference voltage of group E was 100 kV,reference current was 400 mAs.Using the 15 section improved segment method for evaluation of coronary artery (lumen diameter＞ 2 mm and no severe calcification).They were assessed by subjective evaluation (image quality score) and objective evaluation (including vascular CT value,signal-to-noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio).Analyses of the differences between groups were compared with image quality,objective evaluation index and radiation dose by single factor variance.Results The image quality scores in patients scanned with five groups were (3.42±0.63),(3.41±0.54),(3.49±0.33),(3.45±0.43) and (3.48±0.81),there was no statistical difference between the five groups (F=0.634,P=0.105).Each image quality was good,all could clearly show thewhole range of vessels.The CT values of the coronary artery with above groups respectively were (486±82),(554±71),(742±90),(506±81),(561±81) HU.The image noises were (25±12),(32±12),(46±14),(28± 11),(34±12) HU (F=3.430 and 4.332,P＜0.05).And the SNR and CNR was no statistic difference between the five groups (P＞0.05).The effective radiation dose of five groups are (9.3± 1.3),(6.3± 1.4),(2.8±1.5),(5.7 ± 1.2),(3.9 ± 1.3) mSv,which the difference was statistically significant (F=2.332,P＜0.05).Conclusions Intelligent optimum tube voltage technology (Ref.100 kV,400 mAs) at dual-source CT coronary angiography may be feasible in patients with normal BMI.To ensure the quality of the image at the same time,it can effectively reduce the radiation dose.

Objective To further explore the pathogenesis of disturbed adaptive immune response in infants with sepsis. Methods Forty-eight infants with sepsis and 26 age-matched healthy infants were enrolled in this study. The HLA-DR expression of CD14~+ monocyte, the proportion of CD4~+ CD25~+ Foxp3~(high) Tr cells and the proportion of Thl7 cells were measured by flow cytometry. Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, TGF-β and IL-17A) were measured by ELISA. Real-time PCR were used to evaluate the mRNA levels of Foxp3, ROR-γt in CD4-positive cells and IL-17A. Forty-eight infants with sepsis were divided into two groups according to HLA-DR expression of CD14~+ monocyte: DR-H group ( ＞ 30% ) and DR-L group ( ＜ 30% ). Results The ratio of IL-10/TNF-α in DR-L group was higher than that in healthy control or DR-H group(P ＜0.05). The proportion of CD4~+ CD25~+ Foxp3~(high) Tr cells and mRNA expression of transcription factor Foxp3 in DR-L group was found to be significantly higher than that in healthy control or DR-H group(P＜0.05). The proportion of Thl7 cells, Serum concentration of IL-17A, the mRNA expression of IL-17A and transcription factor ROR-γt were significantly increased in DR-H group and DR-L group (P ＜ 0.05) , while there is no significant difference between DR-H and DR-L group( P ＞0.05). Serum levels of Th17-inducing cytokine such as IL-1β, IL-6 were significantly elevated in DR-H group and DR-L group (P＜0.05), while there is no significant difference between DR-H and DR-L group( P＞0.05). Serum level of CD4~+ CD25~+ Foxp3~(high) Tr-inducing cytokine TGF-p in DR-L group was higher than that in DR-H or healthy control group(P＜0. 05). Conclusion Over-activation of Th17 cells may be one of the factors causing aberrant increase of pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemotatic factor in infant with sepsis. The imbalance of CD4~+ CD25~+ Foxp3~(high) Tr cells/Th17 cells may be contributed to the pathogenic mechanism of mixed antagonist response syndrome ( MARS) in infant with sepsis. The changes of cytokine environment in infants with sepsis may be one of the factors causing the imbalance of CD4~+ CD25~+ Foxp3~(high) Tr cells/Th17 cells.

Objective The purpose of this study was to prepare RGD4C modified ferritin nanocages (RGD4C-FRT) for targeted drug delivery to rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6). Methods RGD4C modified human H-chain ferritin was expressed and purified. Doxorubicin (Dox) was encapsulated into the cavity of RGD4C-FRT through ion channels, which resulted in RGD4C-FRT-Dox. The target of RGD4C-FRT-Dox to HSC-T6 was detected using fluorescence microscopy. Results Transmission electron microscopy showed that RGD4C-FRT was hollow spherical-structured with uniform size and good dispersion. The average particle diameters of RGD4C-FRT and RGD4C-FRT-Dox were 12.57 nm and 20.13 nm , respectively. The drug encapsulation efficiency and loading percentage of RGD4C-FRT-Dox were 77.32% and 15.88% respectively. RGD4C-FRT-Dox was significantly uptaken by HSC-T6, and the uptake could be blocked by the empty carrier RGD4C-FRT. Conclusion RGD4C-FRT-Dox can specifically target HSC-T6. Further animal experiments are needed to inspect its therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis.

Objective To determine the global incidence and risk factors of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Methods Meta-analysis was performed to systematically and quantitatively review all the original research papers and reports that were published in 1990-2010 on the global incidence of HSV-2. Pooled incidence, pooled hazard ratios, publication bias, heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis for those studies were calculated or conducted using Stata 10.0. Results HSV-2incidence varied considerably across different countries, regions and/or populations, with a range from 1.0 to 23.1/100 person-years (PYs). Africa and United States were highly epidemic with HSV-2 while females and HIV-infected people were at higher risk of HSV-2 infection, whereas HSV-1 infection status was not significantly associated with acquisition of HSV-2 infection. Conclusion HSV-2incidence varied considerably among countries, regions and populations, which called for different and tailored control strategies. More research was also needed in China to examine the HSV-2 incidence and risk factors in different regions and populations.

OBJECTIVETo compare the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of alpha-asarone in lipid emulsion and aqueous solution for injection and study the feasibility of lipid emulsion of alpha-asarone as the parenteral drug delivery system.

METHODHPLC was used to determine the drug concentration in rat plasma and mice tissues after intravenous (i.v.) administration of lipid emulsion and aqueous solution of alpha-asarone at a single dose (40 mg x kg(-1)), respectively.

RESULTThe plasma concentration-time profiles of lipid emulsion and aqueous solution of alpha-asarone after intravenous administration of them are similar and the drug concentration-time data were fitted to a two-compartment open model. The results of tissues distribution showed that distribution contents of alpha-asarone from lipid emulsion and aqueous solution in vivo are similar in lungs but lipid emulsion increased the uptake in livers and spleens, and decreased the uptake in hearts and kidneys for alpha-asarone.

CONCLUSIONThe plasma concentration-time profiles of alpha-asarone in lipid emulsion and aqueous solution are similar, but lipid emulsion significantly altered the tissue distribution of alpha-asarone, which may be beneficial to decrease its potential toxicity to heart and kidney.

Animals ; Anisoles ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Female ; Injections, Intravenous ; Kinetics ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Distribution

Vincristine (VCR) is mainly used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in clinic with definite therapeutic effect. But the obvious neurotoxicity and local stimulation of which limit its clinic use. In order to increase the lymph targeting to enhance the curative effect and to lower the adverse reaction of VCR, the VCR loaded transfersomes (VCR-T) were prepared with dry-film and ultrasonic dispersing methods, and the corresponding pharmaceutical properties, pharmacokinetical characteristics and the targeting ability were studied. The average particle size of VCR-T prepared was 63 nm with an entrapment ratio of 59%. The in vitro transdermal research with modified Franz cell showed that VCR-T permeated through the skin in accordance with polynomial equation, and with an accumulation permeation percentage of 67.4% up to 12 h. An HPLC method was utilized to determine the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of VCR. Compared with the iv injection of VCR solution, the retention time of VCR in blood was extended by 12 times with VCR-T, and the targeting index in rat lymph was increased by 2.75 times. As a result, transfersomes could penetrate the skin and enter into the systemic circulation carrying VCR with good lymph targeting ability, which makes it probably a new lymphtic targeting drug delivery system.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; metabolism ; Male ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin Absorption ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Surface-Active Agents ; chemistry ; Tissue Distribution ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Shenqi Compound on diabetic angiopathy modeled rats.

METHODSTotally 18 SD rats were randomized into 3 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the diabetic mellitus (DM) group, and Shenqi Compound group, 6 in each group. The DM rat model was established by feeding high-fat diet (to induce hyperlipidemia) +intraperitoneal injection of small dose streptozotocin (STZ). Shenqi Compound was given to rats in the Shenqi Compound group at the daily dose of 2 g/kg. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the model group and the normal control group by gastrogavage. All treatment was lasted for 12 weeks. Then 2-D and ultrasonic integrated backscatter technique were used to evaluate structural and functional changes of abdominal aorta in the progression of diabetic macroangiopathy. The fibrosis degree of the aorta vessel and myocardium capillaries were observed by using HE and Masson trichrome staining. The tension of the aortic vascular ring was determined. The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) mRNA expression was detected by real time PCR (RT-PCR). The protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, collagen III, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and phosphorylation P38 MAPK were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, abdominal aortic systolic inner diameter, diastolic inner diameter, Peterson elastic modulus, stiffness index, and backscatter integral significantly increased; the rangeability of integral backscatter and the extension coefficient of cross section significantly decreased in the DM group (all P < 0.05). After 12 weeks aforesaid indices were obviously improved in the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Results of HE and Masson staining showed that the fibrosis degree of the aorta vessel and myocardium capillaries was obviously alleviated in rats of the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Results of the aortic vascular ring tension showed that acetylcholine induced vasodilatation and maximum diastolic percent were obviously elevated in the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta, and the protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK all significantly increased in the DM group (P < 0.05). Compared with the DM group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta, and the protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK all decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSShenqi Compound could effectively improve the arterial function in diabetic marcoangiopathy and microvascular dysfunction. The mechanism might be due to the down-regulating the expression of TGF-beta, and further suppressing the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK, reducing the synthesis of collagen I and collagen III, therefore, ameliorating arterial and myocardial interstitial fibrosis.

Animals ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate penetration characteristics of artemether and the effect of different permeation enhancer on transdermal permeation of artemether through rat skin.

METHODThe permeation experiments were performed using rat skin on modified Franz diffusion cells in vitro. The concentrations of artemether in receptor compartment at specified time points were determined by HPLC.

RESULTThe permeating ratio through human skin of artemether solution was Js (2.78 +/- 0.78) microg x cm(-2) x h(-1), the quantity of drug penetrated through and accumulated in the skin by the end of the experiment were (69.07 +/- 3.01) microg x cm(-2), (58.93 +/- 3.56) microg x cm(-2) respectively. Four different permeation enhancers can improve the transdermal permeation of artemether.

CONCLUSIONArtemether have the potential to be developed to new transdermal preparation.

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; chemistry ; Animals ; Artemisinins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Permeability ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; drug effects ; metabolism

How to identify active constituents of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and study their interactions are key problems in the development of TCMs. The inhibitory effect of six alkaloids from Rhizoma Coptidis (RC) on Shigella dysenteriae (S. dysenteria) growth had been investigated by microcalorimetry in this study. Main active constituents of RC were confirmed by comparing their contributions to the bacteriostatic effect, and the interactions among active constituents were further researched. According to the result, in 0.8 mg-mL-1 extract of RC, the contributions of six active alkaloids including berberine, coptisine, epiberberine, palmatine and the combination of jatrorrhizine and columbamine were 52.83%, 36.31%, 2.49%, 4.27% and 3.21%, respectively. Therefore, berberine and coptisine were the main active constituents of RC that inhibited the growth of S. dysenteria. The study of interactions among the six alkaloids indicated that, 1 there were some contstituents antagonizing the inhibitory effect of RC, 2 there was a synergy effect between berberine and coptisine, 3 there were additive effects between other four alkaloids and the main active constituents. These results may provide some useful references for the establishment of the quality standard for RC and the development of multi-component TCMs.
Alkaloids ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Synergism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Shigella dysenteriae ; drug effects ; growth & development