Objective To observe the effects of the compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in different proportion on hemodynamic and balance of Th1/Th2 cells of Qi deficiency and blood stasis rat model. Methods Qi deficiency and blood stasis rats were caused by restricted diet, forced swimming and norepinephrine subcutaneous injecting, and treated by compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in different proportion of 5∶1, 3∶1, 1∶1 and 1∶2 for 21 days. The indexes of hemorheology were detected with hemorheological analyser, and the level of IFN-γand IL-4 in serum were tested by ELISA. Results Compared with model group, the compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in proportion of 1∶1, 3∶1 and 5∶1 groups reduced the low shear blood viscosity. The spleen index of model group decreased, and compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in 5∶1 proportion group increased spleen index. The level of IL-4 increased and IFN-γ decreased in the serum of model group, the compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis in proportion of 3∶1 group increased the level of IFN-γ. Astragalus angelica 5∶1 group decreased the level of IL-4 and increased the level of IFN-γ. Conclusion The compatibility of Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis can improve hemorheology, adjust the balance of Th1/Th2 cells of Qi deficiency and blood stasis rats. The effects were better when Radix Astragali’s dosage greater than that of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and the group of 5∶1 proportion was the best.

The angiotensinogen(AGT) expression and angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ ) secretion levels in cultured SD rat mesangial cells were determined. High glucose up-regulated AGT mRNA(0. 29±0.07 vs 0. 20±0. 05,P< 0.05)and protein(0.66±0.23 vs 0.37±0. 15,P<0.05) expression and Ang Ⅱ secretion [(9.85±2.08 vs 7.50± 1. 51) pg/ml,P<0. 05]levels, which were down-regulated by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate( PDTC) treatment via inhibiting NF-κB activity.

Adolescent ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; complications ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; complications ; Scimitar Syndrome ; complications ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

AIM: To investigate the effect of Gengnianle Granule on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian(HPO) axis in climacteric rats.METHODS: 12-15 months SD female rats were randomized into climacteric group and young control group was selected additionally.After being administrated for thirty days,the level of E_2、P、Te、FSH、LH in serum were examined by the radio-immunity method,the expression of GnRH in hypothalame,the expression of ER in hypothalame and pituitary appendage were examined by the immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Compared with climacteric group,Gengnianle Granule could increase the level of E_2、P in serum(P

Aim: To study the effects of Clostridium difficile toxin A on the cytotoxity and apoptosis of human hep-atoma cell line SMMC-7721. Methods: Clone inhibiting experiment and MTT calorimetric assay were used to assay SMMC-7721 proliferation. Morphological changes relevant to the apoptosis and the DNA damage were analyzed by transmission electron microscope and single cell gel assay. The number of apoptosis cells and the expression of Bcl-2 and p53 protein were detected by the flow cytometry. Results: 0. 018- 4. 690 mg/L toxin A significantly decreased the colony information of SMMC-7721 cells, and greatly inhibited SMMC-7721 proliferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Morphological changes related to apoptosis were evident under transmission electron microscope and DNA damage was detected by single cell gel assay when SMMC-7721 cultured with 4. 690 mg/L toxin A for 48 h. Toxin A 0. 0734. 690 mg/L induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells from 6. 8% to 41. 8%. In addition, Toxin A 0. 293-4. 690 mg/L significant decreased Bcl-2 protein expression and increased p53 protein expression in SMMC-7721. Conclusion: These results showed that clostridium difficile toxin A had a significantly cytotoxicity in human SMMC-7721 which was attributed to toxin A induced apoptosis.

Objective To study the rational daily administration times of Yinchenhao Decoction (YCHD) when it was used to treat experimental jaundice in rats based on pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics model.MethodsRats were modeled by 4％ 1-naphthylisothiocyanate (75 mg/kg) for 48 h,then YCHD was drenched with doses of 0.324 g/kg (extract,calculated with the clinical dosage) once,0.162 g/kg twice,and 0.108 g/kg thrice a day,respectively.The total bile and the flow rate of bile were observed after the first administration; Blood samples collected from the orbital sinus at different intervals were used to investigate the levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and bilimbins (TBIL and DBIL),and determine the concentration of 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin (DME) in the plasma using UPLC at the same time,then we obtained the time-effect and time-dose curves.The rational daily administration times of YCHD when treating experimental jaundice were determined based on the comprehensive analysis of time-effect and time-concentration relationships.ResultsWithin 10 h the total bile of rats which were administered once daily (G1) was I.65 and 1.33 times higher than that of twice and thrice (G2 and G3) a day,respectively,and the four biochemical indexes (TBIL,ALT,DBIL,and AST) of Gl decreased faster than those of G2 and G3 (P ＜ 0.05).On the other hand,the blood drug level of DME when administrated once daily could maintain at a higher level for a longer time,and its Cmax and AUC0→t were higher than those of G2 and G3,which might be the main reason why its effect was the most significant.ConclusionIt is more appropriate to administrate once daily when YCHD is used to treat jaundice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between serum C-reactive protein(CRP),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) and atherosclerosis in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.Methods Seventy-five patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were divided into two groups according to the level of TSH:mild group (42 cases) with TSH between 5.5 and 10.0 mU/L and severe group (33 cases) with TSH ＞10.0 mU/L.Thirty healthy physical examinees or volunteers were selected as control group.TG,LDL-C,HDL-C,TSH,FT4,FT3,CRP,TNF-α and carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT) of all cases were detected and measured.ResultsCIMT of mild,severe and control groups were(0.88 ± 0.20),( 1.12 ±0.21 ),(0.62 ±0.21 ) mm,respectively.CIMT of mild and severe groups were both significantly higher than that of control group,CIMT of severe group was significantly higher than that of mild group (P ＜ 0.01 ).There were no significant differences of CRP and TNF- α among three groups (P ＞ 0.05 ).LDL-C of mild and severe groups were significantly higher than that of control group [ (3.22 ± 0.37),(3.49 ± 0.38 ) mmol/L vs.(2.48 ±0.41 )mmol/L,P ＜0.01 ].HDL-C and TG between mild and control groups had no statistical significance (P ＞0.05).Compared with control and mild groups,HDL-C of severe group decreased [(0.92 ±0.10)mmol/L vs.( 1.21 ± 0.14),( 1.17 ± 0.11 ) mmol/L] and TG increased [ ( 1.50 ± 0.49) mmol/L vs.( 1.11 ±0.53),(1.27 ±0.47) mmol/L](P＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).The levels of TG,LDL-C,TSH,CRP and TNF-α had positive correlation with CIMT (r =0.52,0.37,0.48,0.39,0.45;P ＜0.05 or ＜0.01 ).FT4 was negatively correlated with CIMT (r=-0.24,P＜0.05).HDL-C had no relation with CIMT (r =0.06,P ＞0.05).ConclusionsThere are many abnormalities such as metabolism disorder of blood lipid in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.The risk of atherosclerosis increases in these patients and inflammatory reaction may not be an important factor of subclinical hypothyroidism complicated with atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the executive function features of different subtypes of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Methods Sixty-four subjects with subcortical ischaemic vascular disease (SIVD) presumed by medical history and neuroimaging (cranial MRI) were recruited. The clinical and neuropsychological features of the 4 groups were compared: cognitive normal control (n=25), simple executive impairment of VCI-ND (s-VCI-ND, n=16), multi-domain impairment of VCI-ND (m-VCI-ND, n=26) and vascular dementia (VaD) patients (n=22). All participants underwent neuropsychological tests covering global cognitive function, executive function, memory function, language function and visual spatial skills. The executive tests included 15 independent subtest reflect set shifting, inhibition of prepotent responses, working memory, concept formation and fluency. Results Tower of Hanoi, self ordered pointing test and paced auditory serial addition test were not suitable for identification of VCI-ND because their finish rates were less 50%. Performance of trail making test (216.5±69.3 vs 137.4±37.9), Stroop color words test (115.4±30.1 vs 72.9±17.5), California cards sorting test-Chinese version (1.9±1.4 vs 2.7±1.2)and animal category fluency test(14.2±2.3 vs 17.7±4.4) had significant difference between s-VCI-ND group and cognitive normal control group (t=4.73, 5.72, 2.04 and 3.53, all P<0.05) and these tests were applicable and sensitive assessment tools in all executive tests. Time-consuming index showed more sensitivity than correct index in executive function. Neuropsychological deficits of m-VCI-ND patients showed lower than that of s-VCI-ND group and better than that of VaD patients. It was likely that the m-VCI-ND was a transition state between normal aging and VaD. Conclusion Executive dysfunction of VCI caused by SIVD is short of specificity. Some tests may appear earlier in screening of VCI-ND.

One new neolignan identified as 2, 3-( trans) -dihydro-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -3-[(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy) methyl]-7-methoxybenzofuran-5-propenoic acid (1) and five known steroidal glycosides namely torvoside A(2), torvoside C(3), torvoside H(4), solanolactoside A (5), (25S)-6alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-spirostan-3-one-6-0-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3-beta3)-beta-D-D-quinovopyr-anoside] (6) were isolated from the fruits of Solanum torvum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D, 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis.
Fruit ; chemistry ; Isomerism ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Solanum ; chemistry

A cDNA sequence of Arnebia euchroma AP2/ERF named AeAP2/ERF was cloned by in silico cloning in this study, using ACX71873 sequence from Lithospermum erythrorhizon as the probe sequence. Some characters of the AP2/ERF gene and encoded protein sequences were predicted and analyzed by the bioinformatics methods, including general physical and chemical properties, hydrophobieity, signal peptide, secondary structure, localization sites in cells. Results showed that the 876 bp long gene included a 1 077 bp ORF and encoding 205 amino acid. The AeAP2/ERF protein had no signal peptide, it was a hydrophilic proteins located in nucleus. The function of the AP2/ERF protein was mainly involved with metabolism controlling and signal transduction.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Boraginaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Computational Biology ; Computer Simulation ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Transcription Factors ; chemistry ; genetics