Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; urine

Objective To explorethe effect of Bailingcapsule on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) inrats withadenine-in-duced tubulointerstitial fibrosis .Methods Tubulointerstitial fibrosis ani mal models were established and SDrats were dividedinto mo-del group (n=30) ,treatment group (n=30) andcontrol group(n=30) ,randomly .Experi mental rats were harvested at 7 w,12 w,17 wafter onset of experi ment and functional evaluations were performed. Histology ,i mmunohistology were examined to investigateboth histolopathology changes and the expression of bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) ,transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1)and a-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) in kidneys at three ti me points mentioned above ,respectively .Results Compared with controlgroup ,24 h urinary proteinin model grouplost increasingly and significantly difference appeared at three ti me points relative to controlgroup(P0 .05) rel-ative to control group.There was significant difference at 12 wand 17 w(P

Objective To explore the effect of Bailing capsule on epithelial-mesenchymal transition( EMT) in rats with adenine-in-duced tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Methods Tubulointerstitial fibrosis animal models were established and SD rats were divided into mo-del group ( n = 30), treatment group ( n = 30) and control group( n = 30), randomly. Experimental rats were harvested at 7 w, 12 w,17 w after onset of experiment and functional evaluations were performed. Histology, immunohistology were examined to investigateboth histolopathology changes and the expression of bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1 )and a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in kidneys at three time points mentioned above, respectively. Results Compared with controlgroup, 24 h urinary protein in model group lost increasingly and significantly difference appeared at three time points relative to controlgroup ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Urinary NAG in model group was markedly higher than that in control group from 7 w after onset (P ＜ 0.01 ) andwas increasingly raised at 12 w and 17 w (P＜0.01). The value of blood BUN and Cr in model group increased at 7 w (P＞0.05) rel-ative to control group. There was significant difference at 12 w and 17.w (P ＜ 0.01 ). Histologically, kidneys in model group, at 7 w,exhibited tubular casts and gently tubular dilation, granuloma in cortex, mononuclear cells infiltration in tubulointerstitial areas, andmild interstitial fibrosis. At 12 w, the degree of tubular injury and tubulointerstitial fibrosis gradually aggravated. Up to 17 w, diffusetubular dilation or atrophy was observed and focal tubules disappear. Diffuse interstitial fibrosis was exhibited. In normal kidneys, im-munohistochemistry suggested that the light expression of BMP-7 was detected in proximal renal tubular epithelial cells and marked ex-pression was identified in distal tubule, collecting duct, and renal tubular epithelial in junction area between cortex and medulla. How-ever, the expression of BMP-7 in kidneys of model group significantly decreased with increasing tubulointerstitial fibrosis and was nega-tive correlation with the expression of TGF-β1(r = -0. 981 P＜0.01) and α-SMA (r= -0.975 P＜0.01). Bailing capsule ad-ministration protected the expression of BMP-7 and reduced TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression before 12 w(P＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Ourstudy shows an anti-fibrotic reno-protective function of Bailing capsule in rats with tubulointerstitial fibrosis via prevention of epithelial-mesenchymal transition at early stage. However, the beneficial effect lost with increasing tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of air pollution on stroke mortality in Tianjin, China, and to provide basis for stroke control and prevention.

METHODSTotal data of mortality surveillance were collected by Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meteorological data and atmospheric pollution data were from Tianjin Meteorological Bureau and Tianjin Environmental Monitoring Center, respectively. Generalized additive Poisson regression model was used in time-series analysis on the relationship between air pollution and stroke mortality in Tianjin. Single-pollutant analysis and multi-pollutant analysis were performed after adjustment for confounding factors such as meteorological factors, long-term trend of death, "days of the week" effect and population.

RESULTSThe crude death rates of stroke in Tianjin were from 136.67 in 2001 to 160.01/100000 in 2009, with an escalating trend (P = 0.000), while the standardized mortality ratios of stroke in Tianjin were from 138.36 to 99.14/100000, with a declining trend (P = 0.000). An increase of 10 µg/m³ in daily average concentrations of atmospheric SO₂, NO₂ and PM₁₀ led to 1.0105 (95%CI: 1.0060 ∼ 1.0153), 1.0197 (95%CI: 1.0149 ∼ 1.0246) and 1.0064 (95%CI: 1.0052 ∼ 1.0077), respectively, in relative risks of stroke mortality. SO₂ effect peaked after 1-day exposure, while NO₂ and PM₁₀ effects did within 1 day.

CONCLUSIONAir pollution in Tianjin may increase the risk of stroke mortality in the population and induce acute onset of stroke. It is necessary to carry out air pollution control and allocate health resources rationally to reduce the hazard of stroke mortality.

Air Pollutants ; analysis ; Air Pollution ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Particulate Matter ; analysis ; Poisson Distribution ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Survival Rate ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo analyze the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in Chinese patients.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the MRI films of 61 patients with NMO (including 57 female and 4 male patients) admitted in our department.

RESULTSOf these patients, 39 (79.6%) showed positivity for serum aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody. On MRI, 18 patients showed involvement of the cervical cord alone, 27 had both cervical and thoracic segment involvement, and 16 displayed thoracic segment involvement. The lesions appeared linear (9 cases), diffuse (23 cases), or both (29 cases), mostly located axially with occasional lateral distribution. Thirty-nine of the 61 patients (63.9%) had brain abnormalities, 31 presented with supratentorial lesions (mostly in the juxtacortical, subcortical, deep white matter and lateral ventricle-adjacent regions, n=27), 15 showed infratentorial lesions (mostly in the preiaqueduct-fourth ventricular-central canal, n=13), and 7 had supra- and infratentorial lesions simultaneously.

CONCLUSIONNMO has complex MRI presentation, and linear lesions in the spinal cord and preiaqueduct-fourth ventricular-central canal lesions, where AQP4 is high expressed, can be characteristic for NMO. MRI and AQP4 antibody detection are suggested for suspected cases for early diagnosis.

Adult ; Aquaporin 4 ; immunology ; Brain ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neuromyelitis Optica ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord ; pathology

Objective To study the changes of anorectal motility and rectal sensation in the elderly patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods The anorectal motility and rectal sensation were investigated by Medtronic PC-Polygraf HR made by Sweden in 35 non-elderly patients versus 19 elderly patients with UC, and 20 non-elderly healthy subjects (HS) and 28 elderly HS were as control group. Results (1) The static pressure, pressure of anal sphincter and the maximal squeeze pressure of anal sphincter in non-elderly patients and elderly patients with UC showed no significant differences compared with those in non-elderly HS and elderly HS group (elderly patients with uc vs. ederly HA:t= 1.311,1.298,1.401;nonederly patients with uc vs. nonederly HS: t=1.294,1.299,1.322all P＞0.05). When abdominal pressure was increased, the net increased pressure of anal sphincter was (2.8±1.1) kPa in the elderly patients with UC, (2.9±1.3) kPa in the non-elderly patients with UC. The pressures were lower in two UC groups than in HS groups [elderly HS group:(3.8±1.2) kPa; non-elderly HS group:(3.9±1.2) kPa,elderly patients with uc vs. ederly HS:t=2.238,nonelderly patients with us vs. nonederly HS:t=2.243 all P＜0.05]. (2)The rectal lowest volume of sensory threshold, the maximal volume of tolerance and the maximal compliance were (85±30) ml, (180±69) ml, (26. 5±8.8) ml/kpa in elderly patients with UC and (65±15) ml, (170±58) ml, (22.6± 10. 3) ml/kPa in non-elderly patients with UC. They were lower than in each HS group [elderly HS group (95±31) ml, (205±78) ml, (32.9±12.9) ml/kPa; non-elderly HS group:(78±38) ml, (190±50) ml, (30.8± 15.2) ml/kpa, all P＜0. 01]. (3)The rectal lowest volume of sensory threshold, the maximal volume of tolerance and the maximal compliance in elderly patients with UC were higher than in non-elderly patients with UC (elderly patients with uc vs. elderly HS:t=3. 121,3. 135,3.146,nonederly patients with uc vs. non elderly HS: t= 3.162, 3.141, 3.188 elderly patients with uc vs. nonelderly patients with uc: t = 2. 246,2. 239,2. 240 all P＜ 0. 05). The rectal lowest volume of sensory threshold, the maximal volume of tolerance in elderly HS group were higher than in non-elderly HS group (ederly HS vs. t = 2. 328,2. 301 all P＜0. 05). Conclusions There are some anorectal motility disturbances in UC. Higher sensitivity, lower tolerance, lower compliance of rectum and weakened anal automatic control function in UC may be associated with diarrhea and frequent defecation. The rectal sensation threshold to volume stimulus is higher in elderly HS than in non-elderly HS group. The sensibility to volume ectasis of rectum is weakened and the survivability of rectum is increased in elderly patients with UC.

Objective To study the effect of flupentioxl melitracen and pinaverium bromide treatment on the changes of anorectal motility and rectal sensation in the patients of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) accompanying with depression and/or anxiety status. Methods Forty-four patients with IBS-D accompanying with depression and/or anxiety status were divided into group A (flupentioxl melitracen and pinaverium bromide) and group B (pinaverium bromide) by random digits table,and treated for 4 weeks. Twenty-five healthy subjects were included as control group. The anorectal motility and rectal sensation before and after taking medicines were compared. Results When abdominal pressure was increased, the net increased pressure of anal sphincter was (3.0 ± 1.2 ) kPa in group A and (2.9 ± 1.2)kPa in group B. They were lower than that in control group [(3.6 ± 1.6) kPa](P＜ 0.05). The rectal lowest volume of sensory threshold, the maximal volume of tolerance and maximal compliance were (55 ± 20) ml,( 145 ± 78 ) ml, ( 21.9 ± 12.9 ) ml/kPa in group A, ( 56 ± 38 ) ml, ( 150 ± 50 ) ml, (20.8 ± 11.2) ml/kPa in group B. They were lower than those in control group [(80 ± 38 ) ml, ( 190 ± 50 ) ml, (30.8 ± 15.2 ) ml/kPa](P ＜ 0.01 ). The rectal lowest volume of sensory threshold, the maximal volume of tolerance and maximal compliance were higher than those before taking medicines. Only the rectal lowest volume of sensory threshold in group B was higher than that before taking medicines. The rectal lowest volume of sensory threshold, the maximal volume of tolerance and maximal compliance in group A after taking medicines were higher than those in group B (P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Higher sensitivity, lower tolerance,lower compliance of rectum and weakened anal automatic control function in IBS-D may be associated with diarrhea and frequent defecation. Treatment combining flupentioxl melitracen with pinaverium bromide may preferably improve the aperception functions of rectum in the patients of IBS-D accompanying with depression and/or anxiety status.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of oligochitosan in promoting intestinal absorption of protoberberine alkaloids in extracts from Corydalis saxicola total alkaloids.

METHODThe in vitro single-pass intestinal perfusion model in rats was established to study the changes in absorption kinetic parameters of dehydrocavidine, berberine hydrochloride and palmatine chloride in C. saxicola total alkaloids after the addition of different concentrations oligochitosan and evaluate the effect of oligochitosan in promoting intestinal absorption of the drugs.

RESULTThe concentration of oligochitosan had different effects on the absorption rate constant (Ka) and apparent permeability coefficient (Peff) of the three active component in rat intestines. Ka and Peff in 0.5% oligochitosan group significantly increased, indicating a stronger effect in promoting the absorption.

CONCLUSIONOligochitosan has a certain effect in promoting the intestinal absorptions of protoberberine alkaloids in C. saxicola total alkaloids.

Animals ; Berberine Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Chitin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To observe the expression of synaptotagmin I(syt I)protein in the prefrontal cortex of adult-onset hypothyroidism rats and the effects of replicated therapy in different doses of thyroid hormone on the syt I protein.Methods All 44 aduh male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups randomly according to their body mass:hypothyroidism group,routine dosage thyroxine treatment group,high dosage thyroxine treatment group and control group.The adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were replicated to the adult-onset hypothyroidism and treatment models with propyhhiouracil(PTU).The levels of serum T3,T4 were assayed by the radioimmunoassay method and the level of the syt I protein in the molecular layer,external granular layer,external pyramidal layer,internal granular layer and internal pyramidal layer in prefrontal cortex was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.Results In the hypothyroidism group,the levels of serum T3 and T4[(0.34±0.04),(43.01±2.95)nmol/L]were significantly lower than those in the control group[(0.65±0.15), (55.20±3.56)nmol/L, F value: 6.026,5.940,4.503,P<0.05 or <0.01 ], the levels of the syt I protein in the molecular layer(0.018±0.010), external granular layer (0.020±0.007), external pyramidal layer(0.013±0.008), internal granular layer(0.011±0.005), internal pyramidal layer(0.024±0.013) of prefrontal lobe were significantly lower compared to the control group[(0.028±0.010,0.031 ± 0.010,0.028 ± 0.010,0.022 ± 0.008,0.038 ± 0.013), F value: 5.697,8.965,14.668,13.597,6.807,P<0.05 or <0.01 ]. In the routine dosage of the thyroxine treatment group, the levels of serum T3,T4 [(0.63 ±0.05), (55.04 ± 3.77)nmol/L] were not significantly different compared to the control group(F value: 3.162,0.367,all P>0.05), and the level of the syt I protein in the molecular layer, external granular layer, external pyramidal layer, internal granular layer and internal pyramidal layer in prefrontal cortex showed a significant improvement of the syt I protein(0.027 ± 0.013,0.025 ± 0.009,0.022 ± 0.008,0.020 ± 0.010,0.033 ± 0.010), which were similar to that of the control group(F value: 0.094,2.208,2.467,0.350,0.693, all P>0.05). In the high dosage thyroxine thyroid hormone treatment group, the levels of serum T3 and T4[ (1.11 ± 0.10), (96.68 ± 6.42)nmoL/L] were higher than the control group(F value: 6.291,12.031, all P<0.01), the expression of the syt I protein(0.028 ± 0.008,0.031 ±0.011,0.026 ± 0.012,0.023 ± 0.011,0.038 ± 0.010) were not significantly different compare to the control group (F value: 0.001,0.019,0.111,0.061,0.001, all P>0.05). Conclusions The expression of the syt I protein in the prefrontal cortex of adult-onset hypothyroidism can be decreased, which can be reversed by routine dosage of thyroxine treatment.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of the unsaturated disaccharides derived from chondroitin sulfate(CS)in urine using post column derivation fluorometric method of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Methods Urine samples were prepared with the centrifugal flirtation and the routine precipitation methods separately,then digest the sample with CS lyses,use the post column derivation method of HPLC to fluorometric determine the unsaturated disaecharides(△Di-0S,△Di-4S and △Di-6S),compare the recovery differences of the CS standard in the urine pretreated by the two methods.Results The HPLC system ran well,the lowest detection limit of the method was 10 ng.When the urine was pretreated by the centrifugal flirtation method,the recovery of △Di-0S,△Di-4S and △Di-6S produced from the CS standard were 86.93%,87.28%and 85.03%,respectively,while the recovery of the three disaccharides in routine precipitation method were 75.09%,72.96%and 77.70%merely.Conclusions The HPLC post column derivatization fluorometric method is comparatively sensitive,it can be used to determine unsaturated disaccharides decomposed by CS.In the pretreatment procedure of the urine,the centrifugal flirtation method was superior to the routine precipitation method,it can be used as microdetermination for the unsaturated disaccharides.