Danshen is one of the traditional Chinese herbal medicines and nas a long history or being used clinically in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions such as coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Tanshinone IIA is a derivative of phenanthrene-quinone isolated from Danshen. It has been reported to be the major bioactive compound of Danshen and has diverse biological effects. Recent studies demonstrated that tanshinone IIA had neuroprotective effects on experimental ischemic stroke through its antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis effects and its inhibitory effect on excitatory amino acid toxicity. In this review, we summarized all the recent progresses on the protective effect of tanshinone IIA on cerebral ischemic stroke. Hopefully, this article will throw some light on further study and application of tanshinone IIA.
Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Stroke ; drug therapy

Objective To compare the safety of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-Fc (rhTNFR:Fc) and other DMARDs,in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),ankylosing spondylitis (AS),juvenile idiopathetic arthritis (JIA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Methods Patients who received rhTNFR:Fc 25 mg twice weekly from May 2006 to March 2009 were involved in this open-lable study.Safety assessments were carried out at regular intervals.Results Of the 2014 patients enrolled in the open-label trial,1388,421 and 232 were RA,AS or other diseases,such as JIA and P.sA respectively.Frequent adverse events included injection-site reactions (2.67％),rash (1.87％) and hyperamino transferase (1.80％) in RA patients.Similarly,injection-site reactions (5.23％),hyperaminotransferase (2.38％) and rash (0.71％) were frequent in AS patients.Upper respiratory infection was most frequent among infectious adverse events.There were no reports of patients with serious adverse events,dead case,TB infection and malignancies.Conclusion rhTNFR:Fc has shown a favourable safety profile in Chinese rheumatic disease patients.

Streptococcus pneumoniae(S.pn) is an opportunity pathogenic bacteria,environmental factors play a key role in the pathogenicity of S.pn. It is important to study virulent gene in vivo. The S.pn suicide plasmid containing gfp reporter was constructed by fusing the genes pneumolysin and gfp,in which gfp is an excellent molecule probe in vivo. The plasmid was integrated to No.22 S.pn by homologous recombination. The recombinant S.pn was gained and evaluated in aspects of fluorescence excitation, biological character and physio-activity. The results showed it is efficient and available to report the expression of virulent genes in vivo and in vitro, which will provide a new easy method for evaluating and screening the virulent genes of S.pn in vivo.

Calycosin, which is a kind of typical phytoestrogen, can bind with estrogen receptor and produce estrogen-like effects. Calycosin were reported to have antioxidant, anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor and immunomodulating activities. This review covers biological activities and its mechanism of calycosin. It will provide a useful reference for clinical research and rational utilization of monomericompound.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Phytoestrogens ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the relationship of the changes of bone density and biochemical marker of bone turnover with osteoporosis in the elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). Methods A total of 102 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and 42 healthy subjects (normal controls) were included in this study.The bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebrae and femur were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).The T2 DM subjects were divided into two groups:osteoporosis group (56 cases) and non-osteoporosis group (46 cases).The levels of total procollagen type Ⅰ amino-terminal propeptide (TP Ⅰ NP),β-isomerized carboxyterminal propeptide (β-CTx),parathyroid hormone (PTH),serum calcium (Ca2+),serum phosphorus (P),alkaline phosphatase (ALP),fasting blood glucose(FBG),glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) and body mass index (BMI) were detected. The correlations between BMD of the osteoporosis group and other related factors were analyzed. Results The BMD values of lumbar vertebrae and femur neck,troch,ward's triangle in the osteoporosis group were decreased as compared with control(t=9.006,6.347,7.387,5.321,P＜ 0.01) and the serum TP Ⅰ NP,β-CTx,PTH,ALP,FBG,HbAlc,Creatinine and albumin/Cr in the osteoporosis group were significantly higher than controls(t=2.212,4.431,2.215,3.544,0.433,1.629,0.365,5.436,P＜0.01 or P＜0.05),the 25-(OH)VD3 in the osteoporosis group was lower than in controls(t=2.700,P＜0.01).Correlation analysis showed TP Ⅰ NP was negatively correlated with the BMD of femoral Troch and Ward's triangle (r=-0.413,-0.375,P＜0.01),and β CTx was negatively correlated with the BMD of femoral Troch (r=-0.301,P＜0.05).The TP Ⅰ NP,β-CTx in the overweight group and obesity group were higher than in normal group(F=50.59,51.28; F =96.20,95.71,all P＜0.01);the melbine group had higher TP Ⅰ NP,β-CTx than the thiazolidinedione and sulfonylurea group(F=32.33,33.35,F=31.07,39.18,P＜0.01);the TP Ⅰ NP,β-CTx in the better blood glucose control group were lower than in the bad control group(F=11.32,13.69,P＜0.01);the TP Ⅰ NP,β-CTx in the group with complication were increased as compared with no complication group(F=52.75,70.34,P＜0.01).Conclusions The spine BMD in elderly T2DM patients is decreased to some degree.The combined application of TP Ⅰ NP and β-CTx is helpful for the early diagnosis of osteoporosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of mefformin on the levels of serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP-4),high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α) in patients with impaired glucose tolerance(IGT) and metabolic syndrome(MS). MethodsSixty patients with IGT and MS were divided into mefformin treatment group (30 cases) and life-style intervention group (30 cases) by random digits table. Body mass index (BMI),the levels of HbAic, HOMA-IR, blood fat, RBP-4,hs-CRP, TNF- α were measured both before and 16 weeks after treatment in the two groups and compared.ResultsThe levels of HbA1c, HOMA-IR, RBP-4, hs-CRP and TNF- α were significantly lower in mefformin treatment group than those in life-style intervention group [(5.09 + 0.26 )％ vs. (5.69 ± 0.49 )％, 2.95 ± 0.63vs. 3.49 ± 0.78, ( 18.69 ± 6.50) mg/L vs.(26.20 ± 6.97) mg/L, (2.37 ± 0.53) mg/L vs.(2.99 ± 0.57) mg/L,(9.49 ± 2.37) μ g/L vs. ( 14.33 ± 2.62) μ g/L] (P ＜ 0.01 ). The results of multiple linear regression showed that correlations were found between the changes of RBP-4 and BMI,HOMA-IR,hs-CRP,TNF-α(β =0.284,0.506,0.274,0.230,P ＜0.01 ),and HOMA-IR was the most important limiting factor. Conclusions Mefformin can improve insulin sensitivity of the patients with IGT and MS, and depress the levels of RBP-4,hs-CRP and TNF- α. Meanwhile mefformin has anti-inflammatory effect.

Objective To investigate the effects of high spermatic vessel dissection on testicular morphological alteration of SD rats in prepuberty,puberty and sexual maturity phases.Methods Thirty-day-old SD rats were divided into 2 groups underwent sham operation and left high spermatic vessel dissection as a simulation of Palomo′s maneuver.Detailed morphological investigations were made at 3 different postoperative intervals among the 3rd day,30th day and 56th day.Results High spermatic vessel dissection in prepubertal rats induced acute testicular ischemia in the operated testes on the 3rd day.Most of the operated testes on the 30th day showed testicular atrophy.And all the operated testes showed testicular atrophy and sperm disappearance in epididymis on the 56th day.Conclusion High dissection of spermatic vessel in prepubertal rats induced testicular ischemia in prepuberty and testicular growth failure in puberty,testicular atrophy completely and sperm production losing in sexual maturity phase.

To investigate the absorption kinetics of Cu B-SDC/PLC-MMs in rat different intestinal segments and compared with the absorption of Cu B suspension. The in vitro everted gut sacs model was established to study the absorption characteristics of Cu B-SDC/ PLC-MMs in rat duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon, and the content of cucurbitacin B was detected by HPLC method, and the effects of concentrations on intestinal absorption were evaluated as well. The results showed that the absorption of Cu B-SDC/PLC-MMs was linearity at different intestine segment and different concentrations (R2 > 0.9), which was consistent with zero order rate process. The Ka of different intestine segments showed a concentration-dependent increasing along with the raised concentration of Cu B-SDC/ PLC-MMs, indicating that it was likely to be a mechanism of passive absorption. The best absorption site of Cu B-SDC/PLC-MMs was ileum, and its absorptions in different intestinal segments were superior to cucurbitacin B suspension. SDC/PLC-MMs could significantly enhance the intestinal absorption of cucurbitacin B, and the study of intestinal absorption kinetics of Cu B-SDC/PLC-MMs had gave a support to its further reasonable solidfication.
Animals ; Deoxycholic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Intestinal Absorption ; Kinetics ; Male ; Micelles ; Nanoparticles ; Phospholipids ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Triterpenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To establish the normal parameters of psychometric measures such as the number connection tests A(NCT-A)and digit symbol tests(DST)in assessment of minimal hepatic en- cephalopathy(MHE).Methods One hundred and sixty healthy volunteers(aged 25 to 64 years;educa- tional level＞9 years)were divided into＜35 ys,35～44 ys,45～54 ys and 55～64 ys groups.All of the healthy volunteers were assessed with NCT-A and DST to establish the normal value of age-related parameters,which can be used for diagnosis of MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis.Two standard devi- ation of the normal mean was used as a diagnostic criterion for MHE.One hundred and six cirrhotic patients were assessed with these parameters.Results The parameters of NCT-A were(25.1?4.6) sec in＜35 ys group,(32.1?6.8) sec in 35～44 ys group,(38.6?7.1)sec in 45～54 ys group or (49.3?6.3)sec in 55～64 ys group.The scores of DST were 49.9?4.7 in＜35 ys group,44.6?4.8 in 35～44 ys group,38.5?5.0 in 45～54 ys group or 35.4?4.7 in 55～64 ys group.Thirty one out of 106 cirrhotic patients were diagnosed as MHE based on these parameters.Conclusion The NCT- A and DST are psychometric assessments for diagnosis of MHE.Age-based normal paramerters of NCT- A and DST are needed to be established.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab plus methotrexate combination therpy in Chinese with rheumatoid arthritis patients.Methods This was a double-blind placebo-controlled phaseⅢclinical trial,173 patients who had active rheumatoid arthritis were randomised to placebo(n=86)or infliximab(n=87)group on a background of a stable dosage of methotrexate.Patients were assessed at weeks 0,2,6,14 and 18.Results At week 2,the American College of Rheumatology(20)response criteria,which represent a 20% improvement from baseline,the same results with swollen joint count,tender joint count,du- ration of morning stiffness,VAS score,CRP,ESR were achieved in 52.9% of patients,compared with 14.0% of patients receiving placebo plus methotrexate.A 20% improvement was achieved in 75.9% of infliximab plus methotrexate at week 18,compared with 48.8% of patients on placebo plus methotrexate(P=0.0003).A 50% improvement was achieved in 43.7% of infliximab plus methotrexate at week 18,compared with 25.6% of pa- tients on placebo plus methotrexate(P=0.011).Infliximab was well-tolerated;withdrawals for adverse events as well as the occurrence of serious adverse events or serious infections were similar to those in the placebo group.There was only one case of tuberculosis in the treatment group.Conclusion Treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate is more effective than methotrexate alone in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.It has rapid onset of effect and the efficacy is persistent.