Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; Humans

Three sesquiterpenoids and nine iridoids were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana jatamansi by various chromatographic methods. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties, NMR and MS data. Among them, valeriananoid G (1) was a new patchoulol-type sesquiterpenoid, and compound 3 was isolated from the genus Valeriana for the first time. Compounds 3 and 10 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide in RAW 264.7 macrophages, with IC₅₀ values of 19.00 and 3.66 μmol·L^-1, respectively. In addition, compounds 4, 6 and 12 showed anti-influenza virus activity with IC₅₀ values of 51.75, 51.40 and 102.08 μmol·L^-1, respectively.

Seven meroterpenoids and five small-molecular precursors were isolated from Penicillium sp., an endophytic fungus from Dysosma versipellis. The structures of new compounds, 11beta-acetoxyisoaustinone (1) and isoberkedienolactone (2) were elucidated based on analysis of the spectral data, and the absolute configuration of 2 was established by TDDFT ECD calculation with satisfactory match to its experimental ECD data. Meroterpenoids originated tetraketide and pentaketide precursors, resepectively, were found to be simultaneously produced in specific fungus of Penicillium species. These compounds showed weak cytotoxicity in vitro against HCT-116, HepG2, BGC-823, NCI-H1650, and A2780 cell lines with IC 50 > 10 micromol x L(-1).
Berberidaceae ; microbiology ; Cell Line ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Lactones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Monoterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Penicillium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of large dose compound Sophora flavescens Ait injection in the treatment of advanced malignant tumors.

METHODSA non-randomized case control trial was conducted. Ninety six patients with pathologically confirmed advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer were divided into traditional Chinese medicine group and chemotherapy group, 48 cases each. Patients of the traditional Chinese medicine group received treatment with large dose of compound Sophora flavescens Ait injection (20 ml/d), and 21 days as a cycle.

RESULTSForty-seven patients of the traditional Chinese medicine group and 46 patients of the chemotherapy group completed their treatment, respectively. The clinical benefit rate (CBR) in the traditional Chinese medicine group was 83.0%, significantly higher than that in the chemotherapy group (69.6%) (P < 0.01). The Karnofsky performance status and weight improvement in the traditional Chinese medicine group was superior to that in the chemotherapy group (P < 0.05). Except the skin irritation in one patient in the traditional Chinese medicine group, there were no other clinical adverse effects related with the large dose compound Sophora flavescens Ait injection.

CONCLUSIONSLarge dose compound Sophora flavescens Ait injection in the treatment of advanced malignant tumors is safe and effective. The recommended dose is 20 ml/d.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shenqi-fuzheng injection combined with chemotherapy on the quality of life in lung cancer patient.

METHODS232 pathologically confirmed nonsmall cell lung cancer patients were enrolled into this multi-center randomized trial. Of these 232 patients, 116 cases were treated with chemotherapy alone (chemotherapy group), another 116 with chemotherapy combined with Shenqi-fuzheng injection produced by Lizhu Company (Shenqi-fuzheng group). Life quality of these patients were evaluated using the QOL scale of European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (QLQ-C30) and the functional living index-cancer.

RESULTSCompared with chemotherapy group, Life quality and symptoms were improved in the Shenqi-fuzheng group, which including lassitude, deficient in breath, pain, fullness in chest and hypochondrium, excessive phlegm, cough, complexion whiteness. Response rate to chemotherapy was also improved. No AE and SAE were observed in the Shenqi-fuzheng group.

CONCLUSIONShenqi-fuzheng injection combined with chemotherapy is safe and effective in the treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Paclitaxel ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the acting mechanism of viscera purging method (VP) in purging Fu-organs and benefiting Fei from integral, cellular and molecular levels.

METHODSForty SD rats were equally divided into four groups randomly: the normal group, the model group, the unhitch group and the VP group. Except those in the normal group were untreated, rats were established to intestinal obstruction model by incomplete ligation of the rectum in vitro. The ligation was relieved 48 h after operation in the unhitch group and the VP group, and the animals were fed continuously on routine. Meanwhile, Dachengqi Decoction (DD) 2 ml was given twice a day to the VP group for 2 days. Finally, the serum interleukin 8 (IL-8) and mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the lung tissue were detected by radioimmunoassay and RT-PCR respectively. Besides, the number of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) in the bronchial alveolus lavage fluid (BALF) was counted and their death rate calculated.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control, the serum IL-8 content in lung tissue in the model rats were remarkably higher (P < 0.01); however, the VP group showed the lowest level of IL-8 content and the highest was shown in the model group. Number of PAM in BALF was higher and its death rate was lower in the VP group than that in the unhitch groups (both P< 0.05). The expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was sinificantly higher as compared with that in the normal group, and lowered after administration of DD.

CONCLUSIONViscera purging method could protect the injured lung tissue to some extent.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Intestinal Obstruction ; complications ; drug therapy ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVECytokine mediated cell immunity is the main mode of anti-tumor immunity in organism, and the disequilibrium of cytokine network is the main cause of tumor cells escaping immunologic surveillance. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a nuclear protein, has recently been identified as an important mediator of local and systemic inflammatory diseases when released into the extracellular milieu. In the present study, the investigators explored the clinical significance of alteration in the serum levels of HMGB1 in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and the mechanism of HMGB1-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secretion in leukemic cells.

METHODSThe serum levels of HMGB1 in healthy children and childhood ALL were assayed by Western blotting. K562 leukemic cells were stimulated with recombinant HMGB1 protein in vitro, and the secretion of TNF-alpha was determined by using ELISA. The effects of HMGB1 on activation of p38, c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in K562 cells were assayed by using Western blotting. The effects of inhibitors specific for the MAPK on HMGB1-induced TNF-alpha secretion were assayed by using ELISA.

RESULTSThe serum levels of HMGB1 were significantly higher in ALL initial treatment group (n = 15, 43.78 +/- 4.62 microg/ml) than those in healthy control group (n = 15, 0.60 +/- 0.48 microg/ml, P < 0.01) and ALL complete remission group (n = 15, 0.89 +/- 0.62 microg/ml, P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between the healthy control group and ALL complete remission group in HMGB1 levels (P > 0.05). TNF-alpha started to become detectable at 2 h and was still increasing at 16 h after HMGB1 (1 microg/ml) treatment in K562 cell culture. TNF-alpha was also secreted from K562 cells in a dose-dependent manner after HMGB1 (1 ng/ml-1 microg/ml) exposure. HMGB1 induced the phosphorylation of p38, JNK and ERK in k562 cells. Inhibitors specific for the JNK (SP600125), MEK (PD98059), and p38 MAPK (SB203580), abrogated HMGB1-induced TNF-alpha secretion.

CONCLUSIONSThe measurement of serum HMGB1 is helpful to evaluate the prognosis of the childhood ALL. HMGB1 stimulates leukemic cells to secrete TNF-alpha through a MAPK-dependent mechanism.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Child ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; HMGB1 Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Adipose tissue is not simply a depot of energy, but is an active endocrine organ. The adipokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. The proinflammatory adipokines secreted from expanded visceral adipose tissue directly induce insulin resistance and vascular injuries. A better understanding of the endocrine function of adipose tissue may lead to more rational therapy for metabolic syndrome.
Adiponectin ; physiology ; Adipose Tissue ; physiopathology ; Drug Design ; Leptin ; physiology ; Metabolic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Resistin ; physiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of salvaged allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for refractory/recurrent acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSA total of 45 patients with refractory/recurrent AML were enrolled from September 2006 to April 2010. The median blasts in bone marrow (BM) were 36% (20% to 92%) before conditioning. The donors were identical siblings (6) or unrelated ones (9) or haploidentical family members (30). Conditioning regiments were individualized according to patients' status, the regimen with high-dose cytarabine plus BuCy/CY was mostly used (20). The patients with impaired organ function received above regimen except using fludarabine instead of cyclophosphamide (16). FLAG followed by reduced-intensified BuCy was employed for the recipients with more than 40% blasts in BM (6) to reduce leukemia burden. TBI/CY or TBI/Fludarabine was used for the recipients with extramedullary infiltration of leukemia or multidrug resistant leukemia. G-CSF, MTX, NVT, Vm26, Acla or Thaltipa was added into conditioning regiments according to leukemia character.

RESULTSAll but 2 patients attained durable engraftment. The incidence of grade II to IV aGVHD and cGVHD were 34%, 59.1%, respectively. With median follow-up 30 (0.5 - 57) months, the relapse rate was 29.2%. Twenty-nine of 45 (60.2%) patients remained in complete remission since salvaged HSCT. Three-years disease-free survival and overall survival were 60.2% and 62.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONOur results indicated that the combination of salvaged HSCT with prophylactic immunotherapy might be a promising modality for treatment of refractory/recurrent AML, even with high leukemia burden.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; mortality ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate ; Transplantation Conditioning ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the significance of flow cytometric monitoring minimal residual diseases (MRD) in patients with acute leukemia (AL) after allogeneic hemapoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

METHODSFrom January 2007 and January 2008 MRD were detected by flow cytometry (FCM) in 402 bone marrow (BM) in 102 AL patients without leukemic gene and chromosomal changes at first diagnosis after HSCT (1, 2, 3, 6,12 months after HSCT; adding detection frequency in part of high risk patients), The relationship between the MRD results and clinical prognosis were observed. Patients with significantly higher MRD were treated and the effectiveness was monitored by FCM (MRD > 0.01% considered as positive).

RESULTS(1) 71 cases were persistently negative for MRD after HSCT and all them were in hematologic complete remission (CR). Only 3 cases had extramedullary relapse. The disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 66.2% and 90.1%, respectively. (2) Of 27 MRD(+) cases 11 converted to MRD negativity after chemotherapy plus donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), CIK, NK cells. The DFS and OS were 63.6% and 72.7%, respectively. Other 16 cases had hematologic relapse. The DFS and OS were 11.1% and 25.0%, respectively. The median time from MRD increasing to hematologic relapse was 48 days (7-69 day). (3) Four cases had hematologic relapse after HSCT and died in the end.

CONCLUSIONS(1) The DFS and the OS in MRD(-) cases are significantly higher than those of MRD(+) cases. (2)MRD(+) patients after HSCT coveted to MRD(-) after intervention. Therapy, whose DFS and the OS are still significantly higher than those of MRD(+) cases. (3) Patients with hematologic relapse after HSCT have the worst prognosis and the DFS and OS are significantly low. FCM monitoring of MRD in patients after HSCT is a sensitive, specific, quick and simple method. It can indicate recurrent state in time, facilitates early intervention, reduces the hematologic relapse risk and improves DFS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Leukemia ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult