Objective: To observe the changes of serum adiponectin level in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD),and to study the correlation between the serum level of adiponectin and NAFLD. Methods: A total of 110 patients with NAFLD who were hospitalized from Feb. 2006 to Mar. 2008 were included in this study. The patients were divided into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) group (n=52,group 1) and simple fatty liver group (n=58,group 2). Fifty-four healthy volunteers were taken as normal control (group 3). The height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were measured in all groups. The fasting blood samples were obtained to examine serum adiponectin, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C. Stepwise regression method was used to analyze relationship between the serum level of adiponectin and NAFLD. Results: The serum adiponectin and HDL-C levels in group 1 and group 2 were significantly lower than those in group 3 (P<0.01); the levels of TC,TG,and LDL-C were significantly higher than those of group 3 (P < 0.01). The serum adiponectin in group 2 was significantly lower than that in group 1 (P<0.05). Lower serum adiponectin and HDL-C levels (P<0.05) and higher AST level (P<0.01) were found in group 2 than those in simple fatty liver patients. In non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients,serum adiponectin level was negatively correlated with the levels of TC, TG (r = - 0.436, P < 0.05; r = - 0.567, P < 0.01, respectively) and positively correlated with the level of HDL-C (r=0.524,P<0.01). Conclusion: The serum adiponectin level is correlated with the severity of NAFLD patients, and examination of serum adiponectin may be helpful in understanding the status of NAFLD patients.

Syndrome and formulae (or prescription) are two key issues in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the premise research for material basis of TCM. However, vagueness of syndromes and complexity of formulae greatly limited the evaluation to syndromes and effective substance basis of prescription. Therefore, how to solve the evaluation of syndromes, confirming the efficacy material basis in prescription are the current hot issues of international concern. To solve these problems, establishing chinmedomics by integrated serum pharmacochemistry of TCM with metabolomics technology, that is a unique method of TCM research, made outstanding contributions in solving international concerns such as the effectiveness and security aspects of TCM. On the basis of the biological characterization of syndrome, the metabolic profiling of animal models of TCM syndrome, and related metabolic fingerprints as well as metabolic biomarkers were established to evaluate the overall effects of TCM formulae and corresponding relationship of syndrome-formulae. The active constituents were screened using the plotting of correlation between (endogenous) marker metabolites and (exogenous) serum constituents (PCMS), and is ongoing verification by further biological experiments. Correlation analysis between the ingredients in the body after oral formulae and endogenous markers in vivo can be used to clarify the active ingredients and synergistic properties. This method was successfully applied for rapid discovery of potentially bioactive components and metabolites from TCM, and through a series of studies on the chinmedomics, it proved that the established method could help to explore the effective substance for further research of TCM. As a new research approach, Chinmedomics is the best method to fit the holistic concept of TCM, and it can not only interpret the essence of syndrome but also elucidate the scientific connotation of Chinese medical formulae.
Animals ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To explore the effects of recombinant human hormone(rhGH) on the plasma total protein,plasma albmin,healing of Wound surfaces in patients with the second degree burns wound.Methods 38 pa- tients with the second degree burns wound were divided into treatment group and control group randomly.All the patients were subject general.19 patients in the treatment group were given rhGH in a dose of 0.2U/kg for 14 days beginning from postoperative 5 days.The plasma total protein concentration,plasma albumin concentration,healing rat of wound surface and scar of patients of the two group were compared.Results The plasma total protein concen- tration plasma albumin concentration of the treatment group were significantly in creased,the scar hyperplasia of the treatment group were significantly mitigated and the healing time of wound surfaces of the treatment group were sig- nificantly shortened.Conclusion rhGH is found to promote protein anabotism and shorten the healing time of wound surfaces and mitigate the scar hyperplasia patients with the second degree burns wound.

We compared the predictive ability of the 2014 and 2005 Gleason grading systems in 568 patients initially diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer (PCA). Outcomes included the duration of castration-resistant prostate cancer-free survival (CFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariate analyses and log-rank tests were used to identify prognosis indicators and assess univariable differences in CFS and OS in Gleason score (GS) groups. Cox proportional hazards and area under the curves of receiver operator characteristics methods were used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the 2005 and 2014 ISUP grading systems. Univariate analyses showed that the 2005 and 2014 grading systems were prognosticators for CFS and OS; both systems could distinguish the clinical outcome of patients with GS 6, GS 7, and GS 8-10. Using the 2014 criteria, no statistical differences in patient survival were observed between GS 3 + 4 and GS 4 + 3 or GS 8 and GS 9-10. The predictive ability of the 2014 and 2005 grading systems was comparable for CFS and OS (P = 0.321). However, the 2014 grading system did not exhibit superior predictive efficacy in patients initially diagnosed with PCA and bone metastasis; trials using larger cohorts are required to confirm its predictive value. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study to compare the 2005 and 2014 grading systems in initially diagnosed PCA with bone metastasis. At present, we recommend that both systems should be used to predict the prognosis of patients with metastatic PCA.

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of memantine on the regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in dichlorvos-poisoned rat brain, and to understand the mechanism of its role in organophosphate poisoning.

METHODSSD rats were administrated dichlorvos (25 mg/kg, ip) then three groups were treated with memantine at doses of 5, 15 and 45 mg/kg respectively. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and binding capacity of NMDA receptor with [(3)H]MK-801 were determined 16 h after dichlorvos injection.

RESULTSThe time of onset of toxic symptoms in 15, 45 mg memantine treated groups [(18.40 +/- 1.14) and (21.40 +/- 1.52) min respectively] was higher than that in dichlorvos alone group [(16.75 +/- 1.62) min]; the intensity of muscle fasciculation (1.60 +/- 1.14 and 0.80 +/- 0.84, respectively) was less than that in control group (2.85 +/- 0.37); the total score of poisoning symptoms (8.80 +/- 1.79 and 9.00 +/- 2.24 respectively) was also less than that in dichlorvos group (14.60 +/- 1.70). The AChE activities both in blood and brain of memantine treated groups were not significantly different from those in dichlorvos alone group. The affinity (Kd value) and density (Bmax value) of brain NMDA receptor in dichlorvos exposed rats [(75.55 +/- 7.87) nmol/L, (0.46 +/- 0.06) pmol/mg pro respectively] were higher and lower respectively than those in control group [(37.37 +/- 4.17) nmol/L, (0.62 +/- 0.04) pmol/mg pro respectively]. Lower level of memantine (5 and 25 mg/kg) could antagonize the dichlorvos-evoked down-regulation of [(3)H]MK-801 binding to NMDA receptor in rat brain [Bmax value: (0.55 +/- 0.07) and (0.64 +/- 0.07) pmol/mg pro; Kd value: (38.68 +/- 4.54) and (32.58 +/- 3.90) nmol/L respectively] while higher dose of memantine (45 mg/kg), the Bmax (0.45 +/- 0.06) pmol/mg pro and Kd (22.88 +/- 4.42) nmol/L of NMDA receptor were significantly decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMemantine in certain dose range could protect against the down-regulation of NMDA receptor in rat brain, and alleviate organophosphorus poisoning symptoms to some extent. The recovery of AChE activity inhibition wasn't involved in the treatment with memantine on dichlorvos poisoning, therefore, atropine and a proper AChE reactivator (an oxime) should be used clinically.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dichlorvos ; toxicity ; Dopamine Agents ; pharmacology ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Male ; Memantine ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism

Drug metabolism studies, including in vivo and in vitro metabolism studies, are significant in the design of candidate compounds and screening of lead compounds at drug discovery/development stages. Compared with in vivo metabolism studies, in vitro metabolism studies have the advantages of rapidity, simplicity, without consumption of large amounts of samples and animals. Moreover, it is convenient for researchers to observe the selective interaction between compound and target. Therefore, in vitro metabolism studies are appropriate for high throughput screening of compounds which are lack of metabolism information and have been widely used during drug discovery stages. This article briefly introduced the application of in vitro drug metabolism studies based on the metabolic stability, reaction phenotyping and metabolic drug-drug interactions, aiming to raise valuable evaluation strategies for innovative drug discovery in China.
Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Drug Design ; Drug Discovery ; methods ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drug Interactions ; Drug Stability ; Glucuronosyltransferase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; metabolism ; Phenotype

Serum pharmacochemistry of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is designed to screen the efficacy material base of TCMs from the constituents absorbed into the blood after oral administration. The theory and method is in accordance with the effect characteristics of TCMs, and reflects the interaction between the body and the drugs, has become an effective pathway for researching the efficacy material base of TCMs which has been recognized and used widely. In the paper, the previous research contents and methods of the serum pharmacochemistry of TCM were reviewed, and on the basis of the further validity of the special administration form of the TCM formula and the corresponding property to TCM syndrome, the new strategy of serum pharmacochemistry of TCM integrating the metabonomics technologies was put forward. According to the strategy, we take the biological characters of TCM syndrome as a research starting point, taking TCM formula as object, using the metabolic biomarkers of syndromes or disease to evaluate the therapeutic effect of formula and screen the compounds of TCMs in serum which are highly correlated with the metabolic biomarkers through the correlation analysis, and by further biological validation to finally confirm the efficacy material basis of TCMs. Integrating with the systems biology technologies, the theory and method of serum pharmacochemistry of TCM will further develop, and open a new chapter in the interpretation of the theory of TCM.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; trends ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Metabolomics ; Serum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo describe the satisfactory intra-iliac paths in Galveston fixation combined with adult human cadaver and radiology study.

METHODSFive adult cadavers with 10 hemisected pelvises were harvested. Parallelly to the Chiotic line, the bone every other 5 mm till the superior rim of the acetabulum (SRA) observing the morphologic characteristics of each cross-sections of the iliac columns was cut. Fifty consecutive and randomly selected patients were measured using three-dimensional computed tomographic reformations. Three paths' valid bony canal lengths (LVBC), contractions' inner widths and positions were evaluated.

RESULTSThe Path A with the longest LVBC (137 +/- 8) mm in male, (130 +/- 11) mm in female was the most satisfactory intra-iliac path according to both adult cadaver and radiographic measurement Path A and B allowed placement of 100 mm and 8 mm implants in male, 80 mm and 6 to 7 mm implants in female patients.

CONCLUSIONThe Path A, passing from the Click point towards the bottom of the anterior inferior iliac spine provides a longer and potentially safer anchor site compared with the traditional path.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Ilium ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Radiography

OBJECTIVETo establish transgenic mouse models of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) and identify the genotype of the first filial generation.

METHODSSix male B6SJL SOD1G93A/+ hemizygote mice were mated with 6 female B6SJLF1/J+/+ mice to produce the filial generation. The genomic DNA was extracted from the tail vein blood of the first filial generation mice and PCR was performed to amplify the hmSOD1 gene fragment. The genotype of the mice was determined by electrophoresis, and the PCR product was purified for further gene sequence analysis and detection of mutation loci.

RESULTSFifty-three progeny mice were born and the survival rate before ALS onset was 98% (52/53), and among the survived mice, the positivity rate for hmSOD1 gene was 44.2% (23/52). Electrophoresis result showed that the PCR product of 236 bp was consistent with the hmSOD1 gene fragment, and the sequence of the PCR product was identical with hmSOD1 gene sequence of G93A mutant.

CONCLUSIONTransgenic mouse models of ALS can be established in the first filial generation of male B6SJL SOD1G93A/+ mice mated with female B6SJLF1/J+/+. PCR technique can precisely identify the genotype of the filial generation.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Base Sequence ; Breeding ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Female ; Genotype ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Mice, Transgenic ; Point Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; Superoxide Dismutase-1

OBJECTIVETo study the tolerance of rats induced by 28 day pretreatment with low dosage of dimthoate and the toxic effects challenged by higher dosage of dimethoate, and to investigate the change of M receptor and the mechanism of tolerance formation.

METHODSSD rats were given 25 mg/kg dimethoate daily(sc) while control group was given saline daily instead for 28 days. The activity of whole blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was examined. On the 29th day three groups of administrated rats were challenged by saline solution, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg dimethoate, respectively. The density and mRNA level of brain M(1), M(2) receptor were determined. Lymphocytes of peripheral blood were isolated, and basal, inducible M(3) gene expression were measured by RT-PCR.

RESULTSDuring pretreatment, blood AChE activity decreased continually, it reached the lowest on the 13th day. And it decreased more after exposed to higher dosage of dimethoate. Brain AChE activity in the pretreated groups was lower than that in control group and decreased with the increase in challenging dosage. The density of M(1) receptor in negative control, pretreated, and 50, 100 mg/kg challenging groups were 979.15, 856.54, 539.46, 539.14 fmol/mg pro respectively. The change in relative levels of mRNA of M(1) receptor (2.59, 2.47, 2.20, 1.81) were consistent with the density of receptor but the level declined continually as the challenging dosage increased. The density of M(2) receptor were 507.38, 611.11, 548.42, 337.47 fmol/mg pro respectively, which were not obviously affected by pretreatment but decreased as the challenging dosage increased. The change in levels of M(2) receptor mRNA was not obvious. The basal gene expression of M(3) receptor mRNA was not different among all experimental groups while the inducible gene expression decreased with the increase in challenging dosage.

CONCLUSIONLow level dosage of dimethoate could induce animals to tolerate dimethoate toxicity. Reduction of M(1) receptor density which may be induced by the decrease in its gene expression may be the mechanism of tolerance. The change of M(3) receptor mRNA inducible expression in lymphocyte accorded with M(1) receptor mRNA expression in the brain.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Dimethoate ; toxicity ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Maximum Tolerated Dose ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors