AIM: To evaluate the effect of probing of lacrimal passage combining injecting of US-produced TobraDex eye ointment for the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis.METHODS: For 127 cases (129 eyes) of chronic dacryocystitis, first the pyoid secretion gathered in the lacrimal sac was dashed out, and some TobraDex was injected in the middle of the lacrimal passage once per day, repeated for several times. The lacrimal passage was probed when the secretion of lacrimal sac disappeared essentially. The lacrimal passage and immit TobraDex eye ointment was used once every two days, repeated for 3-4 times.RESULTS: In 126 cases (128 eyes) the lacrimal passage was dredged. Only one case (1 eye) the youthful patient did not recover for the opening ectopia of lacrimonasal duct.During the 3mo-1a random visit the chronic dacryocystitis did not recrudesce in the cases of lacrimal passage dredging.CONCLUSION: It is simple and safe to use the probing of lacrimal passage combining injecting of US-produced TobraDex eye ointment to treat the chronic dacryocystitis. This method has good curative effects and can keep the normal physiological structure of lacrimal passage. It does not need any expensive medical equipment and cost less, therefore is advisable for patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of testosterone with varied concentrations on the tPA and PAI-1 mRNA levels of Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

METHODSHUVEC within 2 - 3 passages were cultured with testosterone (3, 30, 3 x 10(3), 3 x 10(4) nmol/L) , and the control confluent cells were cultured in the same medium without steroid for 48 hours. RT-PCR was carried out to detect tPA and PAI-1 mRNA levels.

RESULTStPA mRNA level increased, while PAI-1 mRNA levels decreased significantly, at the testosterone concentrations ranging from 3 to 3 x 10(3) nmol/L (P < 0.05). Both tPA and PAI-1 mRNA level decreased obviously of 3 x 10(4) nmol/L group.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that testosterone could stimulate tPA gene expression, while decreased PAI-1 mRNA level of HUVEC, which suggested that testosterone might have beneficial effects on preventing male's thrombotic diseases.

Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Testosterone ; pharmacology ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Siwu decoction on protein expression of blood deficiency mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CIX) and discuss the possible molecular mechanism on blood enriching function of Siwu decoction.

METHODBlood deficiency mice were established by injecting ip with 250 mg x kg(-1) CTX. Proteomic technologies were applied to identify the different protein.

RESULTSiwu decoction could restore the changes of 12 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated proteins in bone marrow of blood deficiency mice induced by cyclosphosphamide.

CONCLUSIONSiwu decoction could effect expression of proteins which functions including apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation of the haematopoietic stem/progenitor cell. The regulation in the molecular level might be the mechanism of stimulating hematopoiesis in bone marrow fo siwu decocetion.

Actin Depolymerizing Factors ; metabolism ; Anemia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Annexin A1 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fatigue ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Peroxidases ; metabolism ; Peroxiredoxins ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proteome ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods

Dioscin has a wide range of biological effects and broad application prospects. However the studies concerning the toxicology and mechanism of dioscin is small. This article is to study the hepatotoxicity of dioscin and the effect of dioscin treatment on expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mRNA and CYP1A mRNA and protein in HepG2 cells in vitro. Dioscin 0.5-32 µmol · L(-1) exposed to HepG2 cells for 12 h, cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay and the release rate of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was to evaluate cell membrane damage. HepG2 cells morphologic changes were quantified by inverted Microscope, and the effect on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of CYP1A and AhR was evaluated by RT-RCR. The protein expression of CYP1A1 was detected by western blot. The cell viability was significantly inhibited after HepG2 cells were exposed to dioscin 0.5-32 µmol · L(-1). Compared with the control, the LDH release rate and ROS were significantly increased. The expression of CYPlA and AhR mRNA was increased. The expression of CYP1Al protein was increased after dioscin treatment, and resveratrol, an AhR antagonist, could downregulate the expression of CYP1A1. It follows that large doses dioscin has potential hepatotoxicity. The possible mechanism may be dioscin can active aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and induce the expression of CYP1A.
Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Diosgenin ; analogs & derivatives ; toxicity ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; secretion ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon ; genetics

Chitosan microsphere has been wildly researched in controlled release of protein and peptide drug because of its excellent mucoadhesive and permeation enhancing effect across the biological surfaces. The control of the size and size distribution of microspheres is necessary in order to improve reproducibility, bioavailability, and repeatable release behavior. In this work, uniform-sized chitosan microspheres containing insulin were prepared by a novel membrane emulsification technique combined with glutaraldehyde crosslinking method. In order to prepare uniform-sized chitosn microspheres, it is necessary to modify hydrophilic membrane into hydrophobicity. It is found that there exists a linear relationship between the size of chitosan microspheres and pore size of the membrane used, so it is easy to control the size of microspheres by using membranes with different pore size. In this study, the effect of different amount of crosslinker and crosslinking time on microspheres' morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE) and release profile of drug in vitro were investigated. It is shown that the morphology of microspheres is more smooth and spherical, and the release rate is slower with the increase of amount of glutaraldehyde and prolongation of crosslinking time. When the molar ratio of amino group of chitosan to aldehyde group of glutaraldehyde is 1:0.7, and crosslinking time is 1 h, the highest EE was obtained (about 65%). Date obtained suggest that chitosan microspheres prepared by this new method would be a promising system for controlled release of protein drugs.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Cross-Linking Reagents ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemical synthesis ; Drug Carriers ; chemical synthesis ; Emulsions ; Glutaral ; chemistry ; Humans ; Insulin ; pharmacokinetics ; Microspheres ; Particle Size

OBJECTIVEto measure the dose distribution (tissue absorbed dose) of palatal denture applicator containing (125)I.

METHODSsimulated model of head and neck was used to wear the palatal dental applicator containing (125)I for the postoperative brachytherapy of a simulated tumor at a diameter of 2 cm in the palate. The denture contained 11 (125)I seed with radioactivity of 29.6 MBq per seed. The prescribed dose (edge matched dose) was 80 Gy. The absorbed dose in the simulated target and its adjacent area was measured by thermoluminescence dosimeters.

RESULTSthe dose in the target area reached the value of treatment needs, and the dose absorbed by tissue around the target was lower except tongue.

CONCLUSIONSusing palatal denture applicator containing (125)I for postoperative brachytherapy of malignant tumors of palate can get satisfied dose distribution, but the tongue needs to be protected.

Brachytherapy ; instrumentation ; Dentures ; Jaw Neoplasms ; radiotherapy

The crude extracts of the fermentation broth from a marine sediment-derived actinomycete strain, Saccharothrix sp. 10-10, showed significant antibacterial activities against drug-resistant pathogens. A genome-mining PCR-based experiment targeting the genes encoding key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites indicated that the strain 10-10 showed the potential to produce tetracenomycin-like compounds. Further chemical investigation of the cultures of this strain led to the identification of two antibiotics, including a tetracenomycin (Tcm) analogs, Tcm X (1), and a tomaymycin derivative, oxotomaymycin (2). Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis, including UV, 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR and MS spectra. Tcm X (1) showed moderate antibacterial activities against a number of drug-resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) pathogens, with the MIC values in the range of 32-64 microg x mL(-1). In addition, 1 also displayed significant cytotoxic activities against human cancer cell lines, including HL60 (leukemia), HepG2 (liver), and MCF-7 (breast) with the IC 50 values of 5.1, 9.7 and 18.0 micromol x L(-1), respectively. Guided by the PCR-based gene sequence analysis, Tcm X (1) and oxotomaymycin (2) were identified from the genus of Saccharothrix and their 13C NMR data were correctly assigned on the basis of 2D NMR spectroscopic data analysis for the first time.
Actinomycetales ; chemistry ; genetics ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Benzodiazepinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Data Mining ; methods ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Enterococcus faecalis ; drug effects ; Fermentation ; Genomics ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Marine Biology ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Structure ; Naphthacenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Phylogeny ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; drug effects

This study is to elucidate the immunoregulation mechanisms of artesunate (AST) on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Pharmacodynamics analyses, HE staining, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to explore the effects of AST on the related cytokines, transcription factor and signaling molecule of ACD respectively. The results indicated that topical administration of AST not only reduced the increase of ear swelling, spleen index and inflammatory cells infiltration in ACD mice, but also inhibited remarkably the expression of IFN-gamma, T-bet and NF-kappaB p65. It's suggested that AST could exhibit suppressive effects on inflammatory response and immune function of ACD, which indicates the possibility of developing AST as a novel immunoregulatory agent in the treatment of ACD and other immune-related diseases.
Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Artemisinins ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ear ; pathology ; Female ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; drug therapy ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Molecular Structure ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the cure effects of Jiangu Fufang on osteoporotic model induced by ovariectomy.

METHODRats were ovariectomized and administered drugs for 3 monthes. Bone mineral density and biomechanics properties, histomorphometric analysis and biochemical index such as calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase were detected.

RESULTJiangu Fufang could significantly increase bone density and biomechanics properties. The level of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were restored by Jiangu Fufang. Jiangu Fufang could significantly increase area of bone trabecula, thickness of cortical bone and bone trabecula.

CONCLUSIONJiangu Fufang could cure osteoporosis through increasing bone mineral density, improving bone biomechanics properties, and effecting bone metabolism.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcium ; blood ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Femur ; physiopathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Phosphorus ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo explore the culture method of rat hepatocyte between two collagen gel layers on a sandwich configuration and observe the function and morphological characteristics of the hepatocyte, which will be used in evaluation the effect of traditional Chinese Medicine on cytochrome P450.

METHODSRat hepatocyte were isolated by two-step in situ collagenase perfusion method; the hepatocyte were seeded in dishes coated with type I rat tail collagen, culture medium was added and changed daily after gelation. The morphological characteristics of the hepatocyte were observed and biochemical index were tested. The drug effect on the expression of CYP3A was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSRat hepatocytes were successfully attached in gel. BUN and Alb excretion from cell could be tested in the culture period, however, the release of LDH content were lower than the culture system without collagen gel. The typical cellular morphological characteristics of cultured hepatocytes could be observed. PCN increased CYP3A mRNA expression in dose-dependent manner, while the expression of GAPDH wasn't affected.

CONCLUSIONRat hepatocyte sandwich culture can maintenance the cell function and activity, which simulate the environment that more closely in vivo, especially the activity of drug metabolism enzymes.

Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley