OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of cysteinyl receptor agonist leukotriene D(4) (LTD(4)) and its antagonists on rat primary neurons.

METHODSIn the primarily cultured rat cortical neurons, the neuron injury was evaluated by measuring intracellular calcium, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction, and propidium iodide (PI) and Hoechst 33258 staining. The in vitro ischemic injury was induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 1.5 h and reperfusion for 24 h.

RESULTLTD(4) (0.01-1 micromol/L) did not induce the elevation of intracellular calcium, neuron viability changes and neuron death. OGD-induced injury was not significantly ameliorated by the CysLT(1) receptor antagonists, pranlukast (0.2-10 micromol/L) and montelukast (0.2-10 micromol/L), as well as by the CysLT(1)/CysLT(2) receptor non-selective antagonist, BAY u9773 (0.02-1 micromol/L).

CONCLUSIONNeither agonist nor antagonists of cysteinyl receptors have the effects on the viability and ischemic-like injury in rat primary neurons.

Acetates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Leukotriene Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Leukotriene D4 ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Quinolines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Receptors, Leukotriene ; agonists

OBJECTIVETo determine whether homeostatic conditions (pH, glycine or ion concentration) affect the protective effects of edaravone on ischemic injury in rat cortical neurons.

METHODSIn cultured rat cortical neurons, the compositions in the experimental solutions were changed to mimic the disturbance of homeostasis after cerebral ischemia. In vitro ischemic injury was induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 3 h and reperfusion for 12 h, and the neuron injury was evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Effect of edaravone on OGD injury was observed in different experimental solutions.

RESULTIn weak alkalified solution (pH 7.8) or the solution containing glycine (10 micromol/L), OGD injury became more serious; but in weak acidic (pH 6.5) or higher Mg(2+) (1.8 mmol/L) solutions, OGD injury was attenuated. Edaravone (1 micromol/L) reversed the injury in the solutions with pH 6.1,7.4 and 7.8 or the solution containing glycine, but did not show protective effect in the solution with pH 6.5 and the higher Mg(2+) or lower Ca(2+) solution.

CONCLUSIONThe changes of homeostatic conditions affect the severity of ischemic injury of neurons and the protective effect of edaravone.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Antipyrine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; Glycine ; pharmacology ; Homeostasis ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Magnesium ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of histamine on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) induced neuron death and to elucidate its mechanism.

METHODSThe primary cortical cell culture was adopted. Neuron morphology and MTT assay were used to evaluate the drugs effects.

RESULTHistamine at doses of 10(-4) 10(-6) 10(-7) 10(-8) mol/L reversed the neuron death induced by NMDA (50 micromol/L) for 3 h. The protection of histamine peaked at doses of 10(-4) mol/L and 10(-7)mol/L. The effect of histamine of 10(-7) mol/L was reversed only by cimetidine an H(2)receptor antagonist. However, the effect of histamine of 10(-4) mol/L was reversed only by pyrilamine but not cimetidine.

CONCLUSIONHistamine could reduce neuron death induced by NMDA; its protection at a low dose might be mediated by H(2)receptor, and at a high dose by H(1)receptor.

Animals ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Histamine ; pharmacology ; N-Methylaspartate ; toxicity ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Histamine H1 ; physiology ; Receptors, Histamine H2 ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether acute dipterex poisoning (ADP) may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage in the bodies of acute dipterex poisoning patients (ADPPs), and to explore the mechanisms by which ADP may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage.

METHODSFifty ADPPs and fifty healthy adult volunteers (HAVs) whose ages, gender and others were matched with the ADPPs were enrolled in a randomized controlled study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) in plasma as well as concentration of lipoperoxide (LPO), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric analytical methods.

RESULTSCompared with the average values of experimental parameters in the HAVs group, the average values of plasma NO and erythrocyte LPO in the ADPPs group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of plasma VC, VE and beta-CAR as well as erythrocyte SOD, CAT, GPX and AChE in the ADPPs group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Bivariate correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis suggested that when NO and LPO values were increased, and VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX values were decreased in the ADPPs, AChE value was decreased gradually in the ADPPs (P<0.001-0.0001). Reliability analysis of experimental parameters reflecting oxidative stress and free radical damage in the ADPPs showed that the reliability coefficient (8 items) alpha=0.6909, and the standardized item alpha=0.8574.

CONCLUSIONThe findings in the present study suggest that ADP can cause oxidative stress and free radical damage, and inhibit markedly erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity in ADPPs.

Acetylcholinesterase ; blood ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Ascorbic Acid ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Catalase ; blood ; China ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors ; poisoning ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Female ; Free Radicals ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Insecticides ; poisoning ; Lipid Peroxides ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Oxidative Stress ; Poisoning ; blood ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Trichlorfon ; poisoning ; Vitamin E ; blood ; beta Carotene ; blood

The pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy is influenced by multiple factors, among them, the pivotal action of inflammation on the development process of diabetic nephropathy has been proven with more and more evidences. In this article, the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, the progress on researches of anti-inflammation and immune regulation, as well as the Chinese medicine therapy against diabetic nephropathy are introduced.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans

This study aims to explore the effect and mechanism of Jiao-tai-wan (JTW) on systemic and tissue-specific inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity-resistant (OR)rats with chronic partial sleep deprivation (PSD).OR rats with PSD were orally given JTW and Estazolam for 4 weeks.The amount of food intake and metabolic parameters such as body weight increase rate,fasting plasma glucose (FPG),fasting insulin (FINS),homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and plasma inflammatory markers were measured.The expression levels of circadian proteins cryptochrome 1 (Cry1)and cryptochrome 2 (Cry2) in hypothalamus,adipose and liver tissues were also determined.Meanwhile,the mRNA expression of inflammatory markers,activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 protein,as well as the expression levels of insulin signaling pathway proteins in hypothalamus,adipose and liver tissues were measured.Additionally,cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and activity of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP)in hypothalamus tissue were measured.JTW significantly decreased the body weight increase rate and food intake,ameliorated systemic inflammation and insulin resistance.JTW effectively ameliorated inflammation and increased PI3K/AKT signaling activation in hypothalamus,adipose and liver.Interestingly,all these changes were associated with the up-regulation of circadian gene Cryl and Cry2 protein expression.We also found that in hypothalamus tissue of P SD rats,down-regulation of Cry 1 and Cry2 activated cAMP/PKA signaling and then led to inflammation,while JTW inhibited this signaling.These results suggested that JTW has the beneficial effect on ameliorating inflammation and insulin resistance in partially sleep-deprived rats by up-regulating Cry expression.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the impacts of moxibustion for regulating spleen and stomach function on the survival quality of the patients of end stage renal disease (ESRD) with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).

METHODSOne hundred and nine cases of uremia with MHD from 3 hemodialysis centers were randomized into an observation group (58 cases) and a control group (51 cases). The regular hemodialysis and conventional medication were used in the two groups. In the observation group, on the basis of the common treatment, moxibustion was applied to Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), 2-3 times a day, the treatment of 4 weeks made one session. Totally, 3 sessions were required and the follow-up lasted for 3 months. KDQOL-SF (kidney disease quality of life short form,KDQOL-SFTM 1. 3) was adopted for the questionnaire investigation on survival quality before treatment, after treatment and at the end of follow-up separately in the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the survival quality scores in terms of physical functioning (83.62+/-13.27 vs 79.32+/- 22. 17), general health (58. 88+/- 20.24 vs 48.82+/-20.89) and vitality (77.07+/-15.56 vs 70. 59+/-22.61) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0. 05). In comparison before and after treatment in the same group, the survival quality scores in terms of physical functioning, general health, vitality and symptoms/problems were all improved in the observation group (all P<0. 05). At the end of follow-up, the survival quality scores in terms of physical functioning, general health, mental health, social functioning, vitality, effects of kidney disease and cognitive function were higher in the observation group as compared with those in the control group (all P<0. 05). In comparison of the results at the end of follow-up with those before treatment, the survival quality scores in terms of vitality, symptoms/problems and cognitive function in the observation group were improved (all P< 0. 05). The differences were not significant in all of the 19 fields of survival quality evaluation before and after treatment, and after follow-up in the control group (all P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion for regulating spleen and stomach function improves the survival quality of the patients with hemodialysis in terms of physical functioning, general health and vitality, which benefits the psychological condition of the patients, resulting in the improvements of the survival quality in the fields of mental health, social functioning, effects of kidney disease and cognitive function.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life ; Renal Dialysis ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Stomach ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Jiantaiye (JTY) on the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and ER mRNA in uterus of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction.

METHODSEmbryo implantation dysfunction mouse models were induced with mifepristone and treated with JTY. All animals were sacrificed on day 8 of pregnancy. The endometrial ER and ER mRNA expressions were assessed by immunnohistochemical SP method and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSArea ratio and absorbency of ER in the JTY treated group's gland and stroma were higher than those of the model group, quite similar to those of the normal control's, and ER mRNA expression in treated group's uterus was significantly higher than that in the models, but it was not significantly different from the normal control.

CONCLUSIONJTY improves the endometrial development by increasing ER and ER mRNA expressions of uterus of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Implantation ; Endometrium ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Staining and Labeling ; Tissue Distribution ; Uterine Diseases ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Uterus ; drug effects ; immunology

OBJECTIVESTo elucidate the treatment of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infectious chronic prostatitis.

METHODSForty-eight cases of chronic prostatitis patients with UU and CT infections were treated with minocycline, Chinese medicine "Qianlieshulekeli" and alpha 1A adrenoceptorblocker (tamsulosin) for 6 weeks. The change of symptoms, expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) routine, and UU and CT detection results were observed before and after the treatment. The efficacy of treatment were evaluated by CPSI score.

RESULTSRemarkably effective-41 cases (85.4%), effective-5 cases (10.4%), noneffective-2 cases (4.2%). CPSI score reduced from (22 +/- 8) before treatment to (7 +/- 3) after treatment (P < 0.01). UU in 20 of 24 cases (83%) and CT in 25 of 28 cases (89%) turned negative after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe therapy combining Chinese medicine with western medicine for the treatment of UU and CT infectious chronic prostatitis is successful.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chlamydia Infections ; drug therapy ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Minocycline ; therapeutic use ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Ureaplasma Infections ; drug therapy ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with 2% to 3% prevalence worldwide and a heavy social-psychological burden for patients and their families. As the exact pathogenesis of psoriasis is still unknown, the current treatment is far from satisfactory. Thus, there is an urgent need to find a more effective therapy for this disease. Keratin 17 (K17), a type I intermediate filament, is overexpressed in the psoriatic epidermis and plays a critical pathogenic role by stimulating T cells in psoriasis. Therefore, we hypothesized that inhibiting K17 may be a potential therapeutic approach for psoriasis. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of K17-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) on mice with imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis. METHODS: Eight-week-old female BALB/c mice were administered a 5% IMQ cream on both ears to produce psoriatic dermatitis. On day 3, K17 siRNA was mixed with an emulsion matrix and applied topically to the left ears of the mice after IMQ application every day for 7 days. The right ears of the mice were treated in parallel with negative control (NC) siRNA. Inflammation was evaluated by gross ear thickness, histopathology, the infiltration of inflammatory cells (CD3+ T cells and neutrophils) using immunofluorescence, and the expression of cytokine production using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The obtained data were statistically evaluated by unpaired t-tests and a one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The severity of IMQ-induced dermatitis on K17 siRNA-treated mice ears was significantly lower than that on NC siRNA-treated mice ears, as evidenced by the alleviated ear inflammation phenotype, including decreased ear thickness, infiltration of inflammatory cells (CD3+ T cells and neutrophils), and inflammatory cytokine/chemokine expression levels (interleukin 17 [IL-17], IL-22, IL-23, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 20) (P < 0.05 vs. the Blank or NC siRNA groups). Compared to the NC siRNA treatment, the K17 siRNA treatment resulted in increased K1 and K10 expression, which are characteristic of keratinocyte differentiation (vs. NC siRNA, K17 siRNA1 group: K1, t = 4.782, P = 0.0050; K10, t = 3.365, P = 0.0120; K17 siRNA2 group: K1, t = 4.104, P = 0.0093; K10, t = 4.168, P = 0.0042; siRNA Mix group: K1, t = 3.065, P = 0.0221; K10, t = 10.83, P < 0.0001), and decreased K16 expression, which is characteristic of keratinocyte proliferation (vs. NC siRNA, K17 siRNA1 group: t = 4.156, P = 0.0043; K17 siRNA2 group: t = 2.834, P = 0.0253; siRNA Mix group: t = 2.734, P = 0.0250). CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of K17 expression by its specific siRNA significantly alleviated inflammation in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis. Thus, gene therapy targeting K17 may be a potential treatment approach for psoriasis.
Animals ; Dermatitis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Imiquimod ; Inflammation ; Keratin-17/genetics* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Psoriasis/genetics* ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics* ; Skin