Objective To explore the protective mechanism of tea polyphenols (TPs) ion oxidative stress damage of the rat articular cartilage tissue caused by brick-tea fluorosis. Methods One hundred and twenty wistar male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups according to body mass: fluoride group with drinking water containing 100.00 mg/L F-, fluoride plus TPs group treated with 100.00 mg/L F- and 10.0 g/L TPs, fluoride plus aluminum group fed with 100.00 mg/L F- and 200.00 mg/L Al3+, fluoride plus aluminium and TPs group treated with 100.00 mg/L F-,200.O0 mg/L Al3+ and 10.0 g/L TPs;brick-tea group treated with drinking water containing 100.00 mg/L F-,215.00 mg/L Al3+ and 9.2 g/L TPs, which was steeped by the brick-tea;control group treated with tap water. The animals were bred for three months and then sacrificed. The level of SOD,T-AOC and MDA in blood serum were detected,also the level of NO and cytokine IL-1β and IL-6, the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein in articular cartilage were respectively analyzed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results Blood serum SOD level in the fluoride plus aluminum and TPs group[(664.009 ± 29.589)kU/L] was higher compared with that in the fluoride group[(625.328 ± 27.199)kU/L], fluoride plus aluminum group[(652.282±13.926)kU/L], although no statistically significant differences was found(P > 0.05) ;blood serum T-AOC level of the fluoride plus TPs, fluoride plus aluminum and TPs group, brick tea group[(10.874 ± 0.721), (11.871 ± 0.941), (10.380 ± 2.747)kU/L] was higher compared with fluoride group, fluoride plus aluminum group [(8.849 ± 1.887), (8.210 ± 1.740)kU/L], the differences all being statistically significant(P < 0.05) ;blood serum MDA level in the fluoride plus aluminum and TPs group[(3.235 ± 0.446)μmol/L] had significances compared with fluoride group, fluoride plus aluminum group [(3.889 ± 0.387), (4.580 ± 0.474)μmol/L, all P < 0.05)];blood serum NO level in fluoride plus Tps group, fluoride plus aluminum and TPs group, brick-tea group[(23.278 ± 2.386), (20.643 ± 2.623), (24.367 ± 6.072) μmol/L] had tatistical differences compared with fluoride group, fluoride plus aluminum group[(32.962 ± 8.268), (34.909 ± 6.288)μmol/L, all P < 0.05];blood serum IL-1β level of fluoride group, fluoride plus aluminum, fluoride plus Tps, fluoride plus aluminum and TPs group and brick-tea group [(4.728 ± 0.297), (4.412 ± 0.229), (4.432 ± 0.285), (4.516 ± 0.351), (4.614 ±0.2270)n/L] did not have inter-group differences (F = 2.314,P > 0.05);the blood serum IL-6 level of fluoride plus aluminum and TPs group, brick-tea group[(7.231 ± 0.596), (7.325 ± 0.290)ng/L] had statistical differences compared with fluoride plus aluminum[(8.256 ± 0.635)ng/L, P < 0.05]. The iNOS mRNA correspondent expression content of fluoride plus Tps group, fluoride plus aluminum and TPs group, brick-tea group(0.482 ± 0.021,0.447±0.021,0.491 ± 0.022) had statistical differences compared with fluoride group, fluoride plus aluminum group (0.562 ± 0.025,0.591 ± 0.020, all P < 0.05). Cells with positive iNOS protein expression of control group were mainly distributed at the surface layer of joint, while the cells of experiment groups were distributed both at the surface layer and the intermediate layer. Conclusions Tea polyphenols could alleviate oxidative stress damage on the articular cartilage, exerting protection against brick-tea fluorosis on rats through cleaning up free radicals, elevating total anti-oxidation capability, diminishing the generation of lipid peroxide.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the level of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and idiopathic oligoasthenospermia by measuring the content of DEHP in the semen samples of different subjects.

METHODSWe obtained semen samples from 100 infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia, 50 working all the year round in the plastic greenhouse (group A) and the other 50 constantly dining from plastic meal boxes (group B). We also enrolled 50 normal male volunteers as controls (group C). We conducted semen analyses using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer, measured the DEHP concentration by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography, and subjected the data to statistic processing by t-test and correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe mean concentrations of DEHP in the seminal plasma were (0.72 +/- 0.48), (0.71 +/- 0.49) and (0.21 +/- 0.18) mg/L in groups A, B and C, respectively, significantly higher in A and B than in C (both P < 0.05). The DEHP concentration was negatively correlated with sperm motility (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe DEHP level in the seminal plasma is higher in infertile men frequently exposed to plastic products than in normal males and excessive DEHP may be one of the important factors of idiopathic male infertility.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; etiology ; Plastics ; adverse effects ; Semen ; chemistry

Objective To observe the influence of fluoride and aluminum on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13(MMP-13) in rat articular chondrocytes. Methods Original generation chondrocytes of rats was cultured and divided into fluoride group, aluminum group, fluoride plus aluminum group and control group. NaF and A1C13 at concentrations of 1 mmol/L and 2 mmol/L were administered to intoxicate the cells for 24, 48, 72 h respectively. Cells were extracted to undergo reverse transcription the polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) at different times to observe mRNA expression of MMP-13, and protein expression was detected by Western-blot. Results In 24 h, the content of MMP-13 mRNA in fluoride group(0.830±0.043), aluminum group(1.279±0.060) and fluoride plus aluminum group(0.983±0.028) was higher than that in the control group(0.707±0.026, P<0.05), and relative expression of MMP-13 mRNA in aluminum group was the highest. In 48 h, the content of MMP-13 mRNA in fluoride group (0.964±0.180), aluminum group (1.333±0.105) and fluoride plus aluminum group (0.915±0.137) was higher than that in the control group(0.660±0.055, P<0.05), and the relative expression in aluminum group was the highest. In 72 h, the content of MMP-13 mRNA in fluoride group(0.866±0.115), aluminum group(0.846±0.089) and fluoride plus aluminum group(0.967±0.196) had no statistical significance(P>0.05) compared with the control group(0.809±0.179). In 24 h, the content of MMP-13 protein in fluoride group(1.050±0.084), aluminum group(1.010±0.113) and fluoride plus aluminum group(0.977±0.202) had no statistical significance(P>0.05) compared with the control group(0.860±0.038). In 48 h, the content of MMP-13 protein in fluoride group(0.671±0.020), aluminum group(1.134±0.094) and fluoride plus aluminum group (0.923±0.087) was higher than that in the control group (0.647±0.025, P<0.05), but no significant difference being observed between groups (P>0.05). In 72 h, the content of MMP-13 protein in fluoride group(0.672±0.022), aluminum group(1.088±0.072) and fluoride plus aluminum group(0.772±0.030) was higher than that in the control group(0.577±0.026, P<0.05). It was the highest in the aluminum group, the intra-group difference had statistical significance(P<0.05). Conclusions Fluoride and aluminum damage chondrocytes to some extent, toxicity of aluminum itself is greater than fluoride and fluoride plus aluminum. Abnormal expression of MMP-13 can be observed in the chondrocyte damage process induced by fluoride and aluminum.

Objective To provide a basis for preventive strategies to national drinking-water-borne endemic arsenicosis through mastering the implementing progress of preventive measures and observing the dynamic changes.Methods Surveillances were carried out according to the provisions and requirements of The Surveillance Project for National Drinking-Water-Borne Endemic Arsenicosis(Trial).Total of 11 provinces(autonomous regions) and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps were selected as the surveillance provinces (autonomous regions).Endemic arsenicosis villages with exposed population over 100 persons were chosen as monitoring villages in each province,81 villages in 2010 and 89 villages in 2011 were selected.Potential endemic arsenicosis villages with exposed population over 100 persons were included; 26 villages in 2010 and 19 villages in 2011 were selected.The operation of water-improving projects was investigated,the arsenic content in water from resident house was tested in potential endemic arsenicosis villages and the prevalence of endemic arsenicosis based on the residents who lived in monitoring villages was surveyed:Results ①Total of 225 water-improving projects in 45 counties were monitored,1349 villages were covered and 72.66 million persons were benefited in 2010.Total of 233 waterimproving projects in 48 counties were monitored,1576 villages were covered and 84.61 million persons were benefited in 2011.②)Total of 107 villages with high level of water arsenic were investigated and 81 villages had improved the water quality in these villages in 2010.The water-improving projects running normally reached 90.12％(73/81),intermittent operation rate was 9.88％ (8/81) and without abandoned projects.The projects with qualified water reached 86.42％ (70/81).Total of 108 villages with high level of water arsenic were investigated and 89 villages with water improved in 2011.Normally operated projects reached 86.52％ (77/89),intermittent operation rate was 11.24％ (10/89)and abandoned projects was 2.25％ (2/89).The projects with qualified water arsenic level reached 82.02％(73/89).In addition,26 villages without water-improvement were investigated in 2010,and the families with high level of water arsenic reached 66.01％(371/562).Total of 19 villages were surveyed in 2011,and the families with high level of arsenic reached 54.99％(204/371).③Total of 23 964 persons were examined in villages with improved water in 2010,the detection rate of patients with endemic arsenicosis was 4.43％ (1061/23 964),3964 persons were examined in the villages without water-improvement and the detection rate was 5.98％(237/3964),two new cases were diagnosed.Total of 25 225 persons were examined in villages with waterimproved,the detection rate was 4.68％(1181/25 225),3145 persons were examined in the villages without waterimprovement,and the detection rate was 2.26％(71/3145) in 2011,none new case was detected.Conclusions It is not optimistic about the operating status and quality of water-improving projects.The prevalence in water-improved villages remains higher than that in water-unimproved villages.The long-term mechanism of surveillance should be established and perfected as soon as possible,and the management and maintenance of water-improving projects also should be strengthened.

Objective To observe the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) in the progress of rat subchronic fluorosis,and analyse the mechanism of nitric oxide(NO) free radical injnry in bone.Methods Male wistar rats were divided randomly by body weight into two groups.i.e.sodium fluoride group and control group.Sodium fluoride group was given drinking water with 150 mg/L sodium fluoride,and control group was given tap water only.The animals were bred for 24 weeks.Every four weeks some rats were killed.The contents of serum and bone fluoride were examined and analyzed.The levels of serum NO were determined by Griess Reagent.The expressions of iNOS mRNA and protein were analyzed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.Results The serum NO contents significantly increased(t=9.36,P＜0.01) in NaF-treated rats after 8 weeks[(19.94±3.04)nmol/L],but significantly decreased(t=10.47,4.46,P＜0.01) after 20 weeks[(11.55±3.54)nmol/L]and 24 weeks[(20.83±2.49)nmol/L],compared with control group[(9.11±1.21,31.13±3.93,33.10±7.37)nmol/L].The expression of iNOS mRNA significantly increased(t=13.09,4.82,14.23,4.64,7.82,5.29,P＜0.01)in rats treated with sodium fluoride[(1.87±0.11),(1.87±0.78),(1.90±0.29),(1.93±0.67),(1.88±0.38),(1.84±0.03)],compared with control group[(0.41±0.25),(0.30±0.17),(0.18±0.06),(0.63±0.15),(0.66±0.04),(0.65±0.55)],and these proteins mainly appeared in hyperplasie zone and hypertrophic zone cells of epiphyseal plate,cartilages,articular cartilage cells,osteoblasts and ligament cells.Conclusions High dose fluoride might persistentlv induce the expressions of iNOS and catalyze synthesis of NO,then regulates osteoblast and osteoclast activitv and finally influences bone turnover.

Objective To observe the expressions of matrix metal proteinases-13(MMP-13) mRNA and tissue inhibitor of metal protease- 1 (TIMP- 1) mRNA and analyse the molecular mechanism of bone matrix degradation in the progress of rat subchronic fluorosis. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups according to body weight, i.e. sodium floride group and control group. Rats in the sodium fluoride group were given drinking water containing 150 mg/L F-, and the animals in the control group were given tap water. The animals were bred for 24 weeks. Every 4 weeks some rats were killed. The change of obsteoclst was observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of MMP-13 mRNA and TIMP-I mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results The number of lysesome and the synthesis of lysosoma enzyme in osteeclast were decreased. The expression of MMP-13 mRNA was significantly increased(t=2.29,2.41,3.07,2.52, 3.15,2.22, P<0.05) in rats treated with sodium fluoride (1.87±0.67,1.87±0.75,1.90±0.73,1.93±0.86,1.88±0.61,1.84±0.53), compared with control group(1.24±0.39, 1.19±0.27,1.07±0.22, I. 15 ~ 0.17, 1.17±0.18, 1.20±0.62). The expression of TIMP-1 mRNA was significantly increased (t=2.69,2.19,2.68,2.46,2.43,2.96, P<0.05) in rats treated with sodium fluoride(1.89±0.77,1.70±0.85,1.61±0.82,1.81±0.84,1.70±0.74, 2.06±0.96), compared with control group (1.07±0.39,0.87±0.49,0.71±0.48,0.99±0.43,0.95±0.46,0.89±0.57). Conclusion High dose fluoride might persistently induce the expressions of MMP-13 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA and may be involved in bone turnover.

Objective To investigate the effect of aluminum on hair loss induc ed by fluoride in fluorosis mice.Methods Sixty male C57BL mice were divided into four groups according to body mass:control group,fluoride (F) group (F-100 mg/L),aluminum(Al) group(Al3+ 270 mg/L) and F + Al group(F-100 mg/L + Al3+270 mg/L).Mice were killed 1 month and 3 months after the experiment,respectively.Bone F content was detected by ion-selective electrode method.The level of bone Al was measured through inductively coupled plasma emission spectrum.Dental fluorosis and hair loss of mice were evaluated by visual method.Results One month after the experiment,no dental fluorosis and hair loss was found in all four groups.The content of bone F was the highest in F group [(2401.649 + 86.835) mg/kg],and the lowest in A1 group [(427.006 + 11.878) mg/kg].The levels of bone F in F + Al group and control group were (1210.332 + 19.531)mg/kg and (538.001 + 33.337)mg/kg,respectively.The difference was statistically significant between any two groups (all P ＜ 0.05).Three month after the experiment,all mice of F treatment group had dental fluorosis and hair loss(10/10).Alopecia areas were found in the neck and back regions only.There was no hair loss in control group,Al group and F + Al group.No dental fluorosis was found in both control and Al groups.Only 2 mice were found with dental fluorosis in F + Al group.The levels of bone F in F group,F + Al group,control group and Al group were (4098.645 + 58.842),(1888.165 ± 12.187),(876.258 + 14.462) and (662.385 ± 8.966) mg/kg,respectively.The difference was statistically significant between any two groups (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The hair loss is found in fluorosis mice.Hair loss of mice is closely associated with the level of F exposure.Al can prevent the occurrence of hair loss induced by F in mice through reducing the accumulation of F.

Objective To grasp the operation quality of the water-improving projects for lowing fluoride level and to grasp the prevalence trend of fluorosis in drinking-water-borne fluorosis affected areas in China.Methods According to theSurveillance Scheme of Drinking-Water-Borne Endemic Fluorosis(Trial),314 counties were selected as monitoring counties in 2010 and 2011,respectively.Ten water-improving projects were randomly selected in each monitoring county every year.For each project,the operating condition was investigated and the fluoride level of tap water was determined.For each village,the fluoride level in drinking water was determined and the prevalence of dental fluorosis of all pupils aged 8-12 were surveyed.Dental fluorosis was diagnosed according to Dean method.Results ①A total of 1381 water-improving projects were monitored in 2010,among which normal operating projects accounted for 93.19％ (1287/1381) and those with qualified fluoride level accounted for 76.32％ (1054/1398).A total of 1408 water-improving projects were monitored in 2011.Normal operating projects accounted for 94.74％(1334/1408) and those with qualified fluoride level accounted for 79.26％ (1116/1408).②Total 319 villages with water-improving projects were monitored in 2010,and the number in 2011 was 327.The qualification rate of water fluoride content for 2010 and 2011 were 73.35％ (234/319) and 73.70％ (241/327),respectively.Total 84 villages without water-improving projects were monitored in 2010,and the number in 2011 was 88.Villages with fluoride level ＞ 1.2-2.0 mg/L,＞ 2.0-4.0 mg/L,and ＞ 4.0 mg/L in 2010 accounted for 47.62％ (40/84),42.86％ (36/84),and 9.52％ (8/84),respectively.The proportion in 2011 was 52.27％(46/88),38.64％(34/88),and 9.09％(8/88),respectively.③The detectable rates of dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12 in 2010 and 2011 were 26.97％(4347/16 119) and 24.98％(4027/16 123),respectively.In the monitored villages,the water-improving projects were under normal operation and fluoride content in water was qualified.And the rates for villages with water-improving projects under abnormal operation or fluoride content in water unqualified in 2010 and 2011 were 44.09％ (1721/3903) and 41.86％ (2188/5227),respectively.While the rates for villages without water-improving projects in 2010 and 2011 were 46.08％ (2802/6081) and 45.51％ (2804/6161),respectively.Conclusions The national normal operation rates of water-improving projects for lowing fluoride level are between 93％ and 95％.The qualification rate of fluoride content in drinking water is lower than 80％.The operation condition and water quality of the water-improving projects in China need to be improved.The prevalence of children dental fluorosis of affected villages has dropped significantly after low fluoride water is provided continuously.

Integrins are a family of cell surface glycoproteins that contribute to a variety of biological functions, including cell growth, migration, proliferation and morphology. In addition, integrins also play the important roles in pathological process. Several viruses have been showed to use integrins as receptors or co-receptors to infect host cells.This article mainly reviews the progress on integrins and their roles in FMDV infection.

Receptors are primary determinant of viral tropism and disease pathogenesis.Heparan sulfates (HS)are ubiquitous,polyanionic carbohydrate chains linked to core proteins in cell membranes and ex- tracellular matrices of all eukaryotes.HS have also been demonstrated to function as receptors or co-receptors for a number of different viruses.To date,HS and four RGD-dependent integrins,?v?3,?v?6, ?v?1,and?v?8 have been reported to serve as receptors for Foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV).Different receptors may be used to interact with host cells during FMDV infection.Studies on the structure and function of receptors are very important for understanding the interaction between host cells and FMDV. Here,We mainly reviews the progress on the biological characteristics of HS and its roles in FMDV infection.