Objective To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor β1,transforming growth factor beta receptor(TBR)Ⅰ,TβR Ⅱ,Smad4 and C-Jun in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and to find out the mechanisms of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.Methods A total of 18 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n=9)and model group(n=9).The rats in control group were fed with normal diet,and those in model group were fed with fat-rich diet(consisted of 10%lard oil+2%cholesterol).An rats were sacrificed at the 20th week.The levels of TGFβ1,TβR Ⅰ and TβR Ⅱ mRNA were examined by RT-PCR.The expressions of TGFβ1 and Smad4 in liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression of C-Jun protein was detected by Western blotting.Results The NAFLD model was successfully established.The immunohistochemistry examination revealed that TGFβ1 and Smad4 were expressed weekly in control group,but strongly expressed in model group.RT-PCR showed that A values of TGFβ1,TβR Ⅰ and TβR Ⅱ mRNA were 0.46±0.12,5.z4±2.70 and 3.35±1.95,respectively,in model group,which were higher than those in control group(0.21±0.09,1.36±0.77 and 0.52±0.19,all P values＜0.01).The Western blotting results demonstrated that the expression of C-Jun protein in model group(0.93±0.41)was higher than that in control group (0.32±0.25,P=0.001).Conclusion TGFβ1/Smad4 signal pathway might be involved in the development of hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD.Blocking TGFβ1/Smad4 signal pathway will be helpful in treatment of NAFLD.

To investigate the influence of Anxin granules combined with tirofiban on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) Patients after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). One hundred and twenty AMI patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The patients in the two groups were all given Tirofiban 30mins before PCI . The treatment group was added Anxin granules 30 mins before and after PCI. Tissue factor (TF) and von willebrand factor (vWF) were tested at 6 hours after operation. Syndromatology alteration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and bleeding complications were observed at 4 weeks after operation. Both TF and vWF at 6 hours after operation of the treatment group was lower than the control group significantly (P < 0.01), while the condition of myocardial ischemia at 90 mins after operation of the treatment group was better than control group with significance. The syndromatology alteration of TCM especially spontaneous perspiration and hypodynamia of the treatment group were improved significantly compared to control group 4 weeks after operation. All patients in both groups had no bleeding complications and thrombopenia. The study suggests that Anxin granules combined with tirofiba can improve the clinical efficacy and the endothelial function of AMI patients after PCI with no increase in bleeding events.
Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; metabolism ; surgery ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism

This study was purposed to construct three siRNA eukaryotic expression vector specific to mouse Qa-1 gene, to investigate its silencing effect on Qa-1 gene and to select the most efficient siRNA plasmid specific to mouse Qa-1 gene. Three siRNA peptides specific to mouse Qa-1 through siRNA Web design tools of Ambion company were chosed. Jingsai Company helped to complete the siRNA eukaryotic expression vector. The mouse NIH3T3 cells cultured in RPMI 1640 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum were divided into four groups: three groups of the cells were transfected with lipofectamine 2000 reagent and three different siRNA eukaryotic expression vectors, while one group cells were transfected with lipofectamine 2000 reagent alone as negative control. Cells were collected at 24, 48, 72 hours after transfection; the RNA level of Qa-1 was detected by RT-PCR, and the expression position was examined with flow cytometry analysis by using anti-Qa-1 monoclonal antibody. The results indicated that the constructed three siRNA eukaryotic expression vectors were found to be specific to mouse Qa-1 gene. The sequence analysis showed that the sequence was identical to what chosed from web tools. NIH3T3 cells in vitro were adhered in culture that cell shape appeared to change after transfection. RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis by using anti-Qa-1 monoclonal antibody approved that both Qa-1 RNA and the expression of Qa-1 on cell surface decreased. The decreased levels in the three groups were different. At 24, 48 and 72 hours, the expression of Qa-1 on NIH3T3 cells decreased as in the following: H2-T231: 60.9%, 81.9%, 43.6%; H2-T232: 64.5%, 73.9%, 61.1%; H2-T233: 61.9%, 71.2%, 47.5%. H2-T232 was most efficient one in all three time points. It is concluded that all three siRNA eukaryotic expression vectors selected can successfully suppress the expression of the Qa-1, and from them H2-T232 is most efficient.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Vectors ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; genetics ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Plasmids ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo screen the optimum formulation and prepare O/W sinomenine microemulsion and investigate its in vitro transdermal delivery ability.

METHODThe microemulsions were prepared with the formulation containing oleic acid-tween 80-dehydrated alcohol-water by the pseudo-ternary phase diagram. The permeation flux of sinomenine was determined in vitro by Franz diffusion cell fitted with rat skin. The sinomenine was determined by HPLC. The transdermal characteristics of sinomenine microemulsion were compared with that of sinomenine gels.

RESULTThe steady state flux of sinomenine microemulsion was significantly higher than that of sinomenine gels. The average permeation rate of sinomenine microemulsion was 116. 44 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1) in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicated that the studied microemulsion system with high permeation rate may be a potential vehicle for the transdermal delivery of sinomenine.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Emulsions ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Male ; Morphinans ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Oleic Acid ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysorbates ; chemistry ; Rats ; Sinomenium ; chemistry ; Skin ; metabolism ; Skin Absorption ; Surface-Active Agents ; chemistry

AIMTo investigate the effects of total lactones of ginkgo on aging by using D-galactose induced aging mice and natural aging mice.

METHODSBy using D-galactose induced aging mice, to detect the LF content in heart and liver, the Hyp content in liver, the MAO, GSH-Px activities and the NO content in cerebrum. The apoptosis of cerebral cell was determined by terminal deoxy-nucleotidyl transforase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labeling (Tunel) in natural aging mice.

RESULTSTLG was shown to increase the GSH-Px activities, reduce the NO content and decrease the MAO activity in cerebrum. Meanwhile, TLG was found to reduce the LF content in liver and heart and raise the Hyp content in liver. TLG was shown to inhibit apoptosis of cerebral cell and decrease the number of apoptotic cells in the brain.

CONCLUSIONTLG possesses effect on antiaging via attenuating lipid peroxidation and NO and apoptosis of cerebral cells.

Aging ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Female ; Galactose ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Lactones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lipofuscin ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Monoamine Oxidase ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Telencephalon ; enzymology ; metabolism

Objective To explore the efficacy of HAART for AIDS combined of oral fungal infection. Methods 60 AIDS patients combined with fungal infection were selected and divided into therapy group (n =30) and control group (n = 30) by HAART criteria. Individuals in control group were treated with routine care, including washing mouth by 2％ sodium bicarbonate, Smearing glycerol reducing mold on local skin, and taking fluconazole or itraconazole capsules 100 mg orally, and all above were taken twice a day, meanwhile nutrition therapy and oral nursing were strengthened. Therapy group were treated with HAART on the base of routine care. Results Effect rate between the two groups was significantly different (X2 = 6. 667, P ＜ 0. 05). Cure rate and recurrence rate were also different (X2 = 4. 286,4. 356; P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusions Application of HAART on the basis of routine care for AIDS combined of oral fungal infections has better efficacy and lower recurrence rate and improve the clinical symptom and raise the life quality of the patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism and effect of maternal high-fat diet before and during pregnancy on bone growth of neonatal offspring rats.

METHODSForty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into high-fat diet and control groups (n=20) that were fed with 35% high-fat diet and standard chow, respectively. After 8 weeks, 8 female rats from each group were sacrificed for liver pathological examinations and the other female rats were mated with male rats and fed continuously with 35% high-fat diet and standard chow throughout gestation, respectively. The body lengths (from apex nasi to end of tail) of the offspring rats from both groups were measured within 24 hours after birth. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum insulin-like growth factor (IFG-I) levels. Liver pathological changes were observed under a light microscope. The expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and phosphorylation IRS-1 (Phospho-IRS-1) in tibia and femur samples were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphorylation MAPK (Phospho-MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphorylation PI3K (Phospho-PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT1) and phosphorylation AKT1 (Phospho-AKT1) in tibia and femur samples were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe offspring rats from the high-fat diet group showed a significant shorter body length compared with those from the control group (P<0.05). The level of serum IGF-I in offspring rats from the high-fat diet group decreased by 20.1% in comparison to those from the control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Fatty degeneration was found in livers of both high-fat diet-fed maternal rats and their offspring rats under a light microscope. There were no significant differences in IRS-1 and Phospho-IRS-1 expression in chondrocytes of tibia and femur samples between the offspring rats of the two groups (P>0.05). The protein expression of MAPK in chondrocytes of tibia and femur samples of offspring rats from the high-fat diet group was higher than that from the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences of PI3K and AKT1/Phospho-AKT1 between the offspring rats of the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA maternal high-fat diet before and during pregnancy may affect the bone growth of offspring rats in utero, which is possibly associated with the decreased IGF-I level. However, further study on the exact mechanism of IGF-I on the bone growth is needed.

Animals ; Bone Development ; Diet, High-Fat ; Female ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; analysis ; Liver ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

This study is designed to evaluate antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of corn tassel extracts (CTTs). The major bioactive components of CTTs include flavonoid, saponin and polysaccharide. The antioxidant properties of the three bioactive components of CTTs were investigated by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Property (FRAP) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The activities of the extracts were determined by assessing the inhibition of mutagenicity of the direct-acting mutagen fenaminosulf, sodium azide, and indirect-acting mutagen 2-aminofluorene using the Ames test (strains TA98 and TA100). The results showed that the extraction rates of flavonoid, saponin, and polysaccharide from the dried corn tassels were 1.67%, 2.41% and 4.76% respectively. DPPH and FRAP assay strongly demonstrated that CTTs had antioxidant properties. CTTs at doses of 625, 1250 and 2500 μg per plate reduced 2-aminofluorene mutagenicity by 12.52%, 28.76% and 36.49% in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 strain assay respectively and by 10.98%, 25.27% and 37.83%, at the same doses in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 assay system, respectively. 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that the different concentrations of CTTs inhibited the proliferation of MGC80-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). It is concluded that these integrated approaches to antioxidant and antigenotoxicity assessment may be useful to study corn tassel as a natural herbal material.
Antimutagenic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Fluorenes ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflorescence ; chemistry ; Mutagens ; pharmacology ; Picrates ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Salmonella typhimurium ; drug effects ; genetics ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Zea mays ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of allergic diseases in children aged 0-24 months in the Wuhu urban area of Anhui Province and risk factors for allergic diseases.

METHODSCluster random sampling was performed to select 600 children aged 0-24 months and their mothers from the Wuhu urban area, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the data of disease history, family history, mothers' conditions during pregnancy, and child-rearing situation. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed for such data.

RESULTSAmong the 597 children included in the analysis, 56 (9.4%) were diagnosed with allergic diseases in the past. The univariate analysis showed that the age, use of antipyretic and analgesic drugs, a history of allergy in the father or grandparents, and the consumption of fish, shrimps, crabs, and shellfish during pregnancy were significantly associated with past allergic diseases (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age and a history of allergy in the father or grandparents were positively associated with past allergic diseases (OR=4.0-4.9, 2.7, and 2.4 respectively; P<0.05), while frequent consumption of fish, shrimps, crabs, and shellfish during pregnancy was negatively associated with past allergic diseases (OR=0.3; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA family history of allergy is an independent risk factor for allergic diseases in children aged 0-24 months in the Wuhu urban area of Anhui Province, while frequent consumption of fish, shrimps, crabs, and shellfish during pregnancy is a protective factor.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; etiology ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDEstrogen might play an important role in type 2 diabetes mellitus pathogenesis. A number of polymorphisms have been reported in the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) gene (also named ESR1), including the XbaI and PvuII restriction enzyme polymorphisms of ESR1, which may be involved in disease pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether ERX gene polymorphisms are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and serum lipid level.

METHODSTwo hundred and ninety-nine patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were compared with three hundred and forty-one health controls of Guangzhou in China, both were male and postmenopausal female residents at 51 - 70 years. ESR1 genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PvuII and XbaI restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

RESULTSESR1 allelic frequencies of P, p and X, x alleles were 0.408, 0.592; 0.360, 0.640 in the type 2 diabetes mellitus group and 0.318, 0.682; 0.328, 0.672 in the control group, respectively. In case-control study, there was significant difference in PvuII, but not XbaI, allele frequency between the type 2 diabetes mellitus and control groups (P = 0.001 and P = 0.122). When the group was separated into men and women, the difference was significant in women (P < 0.001) but not in men (P = 0.854) with the PvuII genotype, and the effect of PvuII variant on the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus was improved with aging. In addition, PvuII genotype was associated with blood glucose [fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG)] and serum lipid [total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-c] concentration in healthy women.

CONCLUSIONSPvuII polymorphism of ESR1 increases susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese Guangzhou women. ESR1 variants may also impact serum lipid metabolism, which might provide a mechanism connecting ESR1 to type 2 diabetes.

Aged ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; genetics ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic