OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of using iron oxide nanoparticles as gene vector and the effect of magnetic field on efficiency of transfection.

METHODSIron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by alkaline precipitation of divalent and trivalent iron chloride. The surface of iron oxide nanoparticles was modified by self-assembled poly-L-lysine to form particle complexes (IONP-PLL). Transfection was determined by delivering reporter gene, PGL2-control encoding luciferase, to different cell lines using IONP-PLL as vector. The effect of magnetic field on efficiency of transfection was determined using Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet.

RESULTSForeign gene could be delivered to various cell lines by IONP-PLL and expressed with high efficiency, but the transfection efficiency and time course varied in the different cell lines studied. Magnetic field could enhance the efficiency of transfection by 5 - 10 fold.

CONCLUSIONIONP-PLL can be used as a novel non-viral gene vector in vitro, which offers a basis for gene delivery in vivo.

Animals ; COS Cells ; Ferric Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Genetic Vectors ; Magnetics ; Polylysine ; administration & dosage ; Transfection ; methods

Erythropoietin combined with parenteral iron sucrose therapy is an alternative to blood transfusion in anemic patients. It was shown to be effective in surgical patients in several previous studies when used in conjunction with other methods. However, there are no guidelines about safety limits in dosage amounts or intervals. In this study, we report a case of significant postoperative hemorrhage managed with high dose parenteral iron sucrose, low dose erythropoietin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and folic acid. An 80-year-old female patient presented for severe anemia after a total hip arthroplasty and refused an allogenic blood transfusion as treatment. The preoperative hemoglobin of 12.2 g/dL decreased to 5.3 g/dL postoperatively. She received the aforementioned combination of iron sucrose, erythropoietin, and vitamins. A total of 1,500 mg of intravenous iron sucrose was given postoperatively for 6 consecutive days. Erythropoietin was also administered at 2,000 IU every other day for a total of 12,000 IU. The patient was discharged in good condition on the twelfth postoperative day with a hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL. Her hemoglobin was at 11.2 g/dL on the twentieth postoperative day.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia/*drug therapy ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/*adverse effects ; Blood Transfusion ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Erythropoietin/*administration & dosage ; Female ; Ferric Compounds/*administration & dosage ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of oral ferric ammonium citrate solution as a gastrointestinal contrast agent in diagnosing low-level obstructive jaundice. METHODS: Thirty-six patients who were suspected of low-level obstructive jaundice were performed with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and conventional MRI before and after the administration of oral ferric ammonium citrate solution. The diagnostic accuracy for evaluating the site and the cause of obstruction was compared with other diagnostic modalities. RESULTS: The image qualities of single-slice and multi-slice MRCP were improved markedly. The accuracy of MRCP for evaluating the site of obstruction was 97.22%, which was superior to US (P<0.05). There were no significant differences among the MRCP, CT, and ERCP. CONCLUSION Oral ferric ammonium citrate solution can significantly improve the image quality of MRCP. FAC-MRCP is a simple, safe, and noninvasive technique with excellent accuracy in the diagnosis of low-level obstructive jaundice.
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Aged ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; methods ; Choledocholithiasis ; diagnosis ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Ferric Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) frequently occurs in infants and adolescents. IDA is the result of an interplay between increased host requirements, limited external supply, and increased blood loss. In outpatient clinics, we often see children with iron deficiency anemia. Most cases in children are caused by incomplete nutrient supplements and growth spurts. However, we can occasionally see patients with poor response despite iron supplementation. Failure of iron therapy occurs when a child does not receive the prescribed medication, when iron is given in a form that is poorly absorbed, or when there is a continuing unrecognized blood loss such as intestinal or pulmonary loss, or loss with menstrual periods. In addition, the therapeutic failure of iron medication may indicate that the original diagnosis of nutritional iron deficiency was incorrect. In this situation, we have to evaluate other etiologies of anemia. Recently, many cases relating H.pylori infection to iron deficiency anemia have been described in the literature and H.pylori infection has emerged as a cause of refractory iron deficiency anemia that is unresponsive to oral iron therapy. Also, iron deficiency anemia induced by athletics in adolescent females has been reported several times. In this article, the author reviews various etiologies of childhood iron deficiency anemia. The most important consideration in treatment of iron deficiency anemia is disclosure of the underlying cause and its recovery. Dietary habits should also be corrected. To supplement iron, 6 mg/kg of oral iron supplements (elemental iron) is recommended in ferrous salt form. If oral administration is not feasible, intravenous supplementation is recommended using forms such as iron dextran, iron gluconate, or iron sucrose.
Administration, Oral ; Adolescent ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Anemia ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Child ; Dextrans ; Disclosure ; Female ; Ferric Compounds ; Food Habits ; Glucaric Acid ; Gluconates ; Humans ; Infant ; Iron ; Sports ; Sucrose

This study was purposed to evaluate whether the safe concentration of magnetic nanoparticles of Fe₃O₄(MNPs-Fe₃O₄) for monocytes could induce the SKM-1 cell apoptosis. The average size and Zeta potential of MNPs-Fe₃O₄were determined by transmission electron microscopy and the Malvern Zetasizer 3000 HS, respectively. The cell viability after being exposed to MNPs-Fe₃O₄for 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours was detected by using cell count Kit-8. The cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double staining and Wright-Giemsa staining. The cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. The levels of active caspase-3, survivin and bcl-rambo in cells treated with MNPs-Fe₃O₄and/or trolox for 48 hours were detected with Western blot. The results showed that the cell viability decreased in SKM-1 cells after exposure to 50 µmol/L and 100 µmol/L MNPs-Fe₃O₄(P < 0.05), but did not in monocytes (P > 0.05), compared with that of each non-MNPs-Fe₃O₄-treated group. This exposure also induced the SKM-1 cells to be arrested in G0/G1. Annexin V/PI staining assay showed that cell apoptotic rate induced by 100 µmol/L MNPs-Fe₃O₄was significantly high in SKM-1 cells while not so high in monocytes, and the pretreatment with trolox could attenuate the apoptosis. Moreover, the active caspase-3 increased in SKM-1 cells after the exposure to MNPs-Fe₃O₄, while that was not in monocytes, and the increased expression of BCL-rambo and the decreased expression of survivin involved in the process were also observed. It is concluded that MNPs-Fe₃O₄can induce the caspase 3-dependent SKM-1 cell apoptosis by increasing the BCL-rambo expression and decreasing the survivin expression, but this cytotoxic effect can not be observed in monocyte's.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Ferric Compounds ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Metal Nanoparticles ; administration & dosage

Recently, nanometer-sized magnetic particles have been intensively concerned and investigated due to their particularly large surface-to-volume ratio, quantum-size effect, magnetic character as well as their potential application in the area of bioscience and medicine. The most promising nanoparticles are magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with appropriate surface modification, which have been widely used experimentally for numerous in vivo applications such as magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement, tissue repair, immunoassay, detoxification of biological fluids, drug delivery, hyperthermia and cell separation. To focus on one of the most important and fascinating subjects in nanobiotechnology, this review describes the current situation and development of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and their applications in drug delivery and hyperthermia in tumor-targeted therapy. The possible perspectives and some challenges to further development of these nanoparticles are also analyzed and discussed.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Ferric Compounds ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; methods ; Magnetics ; Nanoconjugates ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Particle Size

OBJECTIVETo study some physicochemical properties of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide-iron complex (APC).

METHODBased on the qualitatively identified reactions of iron (III), the qualitatively identified reactions of APC were found out by comparing hydroxide. The content of iron (III) in APC was determined with iodometry. The stability of APC under physiological pH conditions was judged by titrating APC with sodium hydroxide. The deoxidization of APC was tested with colorimetric analysis.

RESULTAPC showed the qualitatively identified reactions of iron (III). The content of iron (III) in APC ranged from 10% to 40%, and the water-solubility of APC was related to the content of iron (III). The complex was stable at physiological pH from 3 to 12, without precipitation and dissociation. At 37 degrees C, Fe (III) in the complex was completely reduced to Fe (III) by ascorbic acid in about 6 hours.

CONCLUSIONAPC can be qualitatively identified by using the qualitatively identified reactions of iron (III). When its iron (III) content is within 20%-25%, APC has a better ability to dissolve in water. And the complex is stable under physiological pH conditions.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Chemical Phenomena ; Chemistry, Physical ; Drug Stability ; Ferric Compounds ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Iron ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; Solubility

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefit of combination therapy with magnetic nanoparticle of Fe(3)O(4) and 5-Bromotetrandrine (5-BrTet) on chronic leukemia. The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry (FCM), Wright staining and light microscope; the expressions of BAX and BCL-2 were measured by Western blot. The results showed that combination of daunorubicin (DNR) with either MNP (Fe(3)O(4)) or 5-BrTet exerted a potent cytotoxic effect on K562/A02 cells, while MNP (Fe(3)O(4)) and 5-BrTet co-treatment could synergistically enhance DNR-induced apoptosis. After treated with this regimen, the typical apoptotic morphological features were found in K562/A02 cells; the expression level of BCL-2 decreased and BAX increased markedly. It is concluded that MNP (Fe(3)O(4)) or 5-BrTet with DNR can induce apoptosis in K562/A02 cells, and they show distinct synergism when used together. The down-regulation of BCL-2 and the up-regulation of BAX may play important roles.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Down-Regulation ; Ferric Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Nanoparticles ; administration & dosage ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different intravenous iron treatment regimens on anemia and oxidative stress in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. METHODS: A total of 58 MHD patients were randomly divided into a multi-frequency low-dose intravenous iron group (iron sucrose 25 mg, twice a week for 8 weeks, n=19), a less-frequency regular-dose intravenous iron group (iron sucrose 100 mg, once every two weeks for 8 weeks, n=19), and a non-iron group (n=20). Another 20 healthy people served as a control group (n=20). The changes of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), serum ferritin (SF) and transferrin saturation (TSAT), as well as the oxidative stress parameters of malon-dialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were detected before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, compared with the non-iron group, the levels of Hb, HCT, SF and TSAT in the two iron groups were significantly elevated (P<0.01), but there was no difference between the two iron groups (P>0.05). After the single dialysis, the two iron groups had higher level of serum MDA, MPO and lower level of serum SOD than that of the non-iron supplementation group (P<0.01). The multi-frequency low-dose intravenous iron group had lower level of serum MDA [(5.37 ± 0.73) nmol/mL vs (6.37±1.67) nmol/mL], MPO [(81.41±7.60) U/L vs (96.75±16.97) U/L] and higher level of serum SOD [(84.77 ± 14.02) U/mL vs (68.23 ± 4.90) U/mL] than that of the less-frequency regular-dose intravenous iron group. After 8 weeks, there was no significant difference between the two iron groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Multi-frequency low-dose intravenous iron can effectively improve anemia in MHD patients, whose acute oxidative stress is lower than that of less-frequency regular-dose intravenous iron, and is a relatively safe and effective intravenous iron treatment regimen.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Ferric Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Ferric Oxide, Saccharated ; Glucaric Acid ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Renal Dialysis ; Sucrose ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo understand iron nutritional status in school-age children, incidence of the sub-clinical iron deficiency (SID) and effect of iron supplementation on SID in the rural school-age children from mountainous areas of Beijing.

METHODSThe dietary survey and food frequency questionnaire survey were conducted in 1,012 school children aged 7 - 13 at rural mountainous areas of Fangshan District, Beijing, and their blood samples were collected for analyzing biochemical indicators for iron nutrition. Two hundred and sixty-seven children with IDs (iron deficiency store) and IDE (iron deficiency erythropoiesis), based on screening criteria for iron-deficiency anemia, received an iron supplementation (NaFeEDTA) capsule (containing 60 mg iron element) weekly, and those with IDA (iron deficiency anemia) received NaFeEDTA capsule thrice weekly for nine weeks. Blood biochemical indicators for iron nutrition were determined repeatedly and compared with those before and after the intervention.

RESULTSThe daily average intakes of energy, protein, iron and vitamin C in school children of all age groups reached the daily recommended criteria (> 85% of the RNIs), but the proportion of heme in dietary iron constitution was lower. The average blood biochemical indicators for iron nutrition were as follows: serum ferritin (SF) (50.83 +/- 33.09) micro g/L, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) (489.44 +/- 219.61) micro g/L, hemoglobin (Hb) (130.57 +/- 10.82) g/L, and the ratio of FEP/Hb (3.83 +/- 1.96), respectively. Incidence of total iron deficiency in rural children was 26.5%, with proportions of iron deficiency (IDs), iron deficiency erythropoiesis (IDE), and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) of 15.5%, 7.1%, and 3.9% respectively. SID accounted for 85.4% of the total iron deficiency, which was 5.8 times as much as IDA. With iron supplementation for 9 weeks, the hematdogical index of iron increased significantly and returned to the normal level.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of subclinical iron deficiency in the rural school-age children was insidious and should be attached more importance, which was helpful to its early recognition and intervention. Iron supplementation is important for children with SID to prevent and decrease the occurrence of IDA.

Adolescent ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Child ; Diet Surveys ; Dietary Supplements ; Edetic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Ferric Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Ferritins ; blood ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iron, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Nutritional Status ; Protoporphyrins ; blood ; Rural Health