BACKGROUND: Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) can induce endogenous protection mechanism, which effectively prevent ischemia/reperfusion injury following organ transplantation. Cold and warm ischemia may induce ischemia/reperfusion injury of pancreas transplantation, and apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells is one of the important reasons of pancreas graft functional defect after transplantation. Mitochondrial DNA has repair system, and its balance with mitochondrial DNA injury influences disease occurrence and outcome.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of IPC on apoptosis of transplanted pancreatic acinar cells, and the possible role of reactive oxygen (ROS) and mitochondrial DNA repair enzyme.METHODS: A total of 50 health, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operated (n = 10), donors (n = 20) and recipients (n = 20). The recipients were randomly divided into ischemia/reperfusion group (IR, n = 10) and IPC group (n = 10). The sham operated group was subjected to abdominal open and close operation. IR group and IPC group received establishment of diabetic model by streptozotocin injection. IR rats received whole pancreatic-duodenal transplantation alone. IPC rats received whole pancreatic-duodenal transplantation exposed ischemic preconditioning with 5 minutes ischemia and 5 minutes reperfusion twice. All grafts were keep with warm ischemia time 15 minutes and cold ischemia (in 4 ℃ UW preservation solution) time 180 minutes. Twelve hours after reperfusion, serum amylase, blood glucose, Caspase-3, -9 activity were detected. Pancreatic acinar cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial cross-membrane potential (Δψ) was measured by monitoring the fluorescence spectrum of rhodamine 123. Mitochondrial H2O2 generation was determined using dichlorofluorescein as a probe. 8-oxodG in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was measured with HPLC system. Release of cytochrome C, phosphorylation of Akt and mitochondrial OGG1 protein expression were determined by Western-blotting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The ischemia preconditioning can relieve the pancreatic acinar cell apoptosis in pancreas graft and relieve IR injury by decreasing mitochondrial oxidative stress, mtDNA injury, and increasing phosphorylation of Akt and mitochondrial OGG1 expression.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Ningdong Granule (NG) on serum levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) of children patients with Tourette's syndrome (TS).

METHODSTotally 90 TS children patients were randomly assigned to the NG group, the NG + Tiapride group (abbreviated as the combined treatment group), and the Tiapride group, 30 in each group. Besides,another 30 healthy children were recruited as the healthy control group. Patients in the NG group were treated with NG (consisting of all gastrodia rhizome, Codonopsis pilosula, Ophiopogon japonicus, white peony root, Rhinocerotidae, oyster, earthworm, licorice root, etc.), one dose daily, administered by dissolving it in boiled water, taken in two portions in the morning and in the evening respectively. Patients in the Tiapride group took Tiapride Tablet, 50 -100 mg each time, twice daily. The dosage was adjusted according to individual difference and changes of pathogenic conditions. The maximal dosage was 300 mg per day. Those in the combined treatment group were treated with equal dose of NG and Tiapride Tablet in combination. The treatment course was 3 months for all. Changes of pathogenic condition before and after treatment were assessed by Yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS). Serum levels of IL-12 and TNF-alpha were detected by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) The total effective rate of the NG group, the combined treatment group, and the Tiapride group was 79.3%, 83.3%, and 67.9%, respectively. It was the lowest in the Tiapride group (P < 0.05). It was significantly higher in the combined treatment group than in the NG group (P < 0.05). (2) The post-treatment YGTSS score was obviously lower in each group after treatment than before treatment (P < 0.05). The posttreatment YGTSS score was obviously lower in the NG group and the combined treatment group than in the Tiapride group (P < 0.05), but with no statistical difference between the fromer two groups (P > 0.05).(3) Compared with the healthy control group before treatment, serum levels of IL-12 and TNF-alpha (pg/mL) were 124.95 +/- 22.78 and 209.52 +/- 21.69 in the NG group, 126.14 +/- 25.65 and 208.97 +/- 22.46 in the combined treatment group, 123.00 +/- 24.26 and 205.10 +/- 26.16 in the Tiapride group, being higher than those in the healthy control group (64.56 +/- 27.59 and 78.13 +/- 33.42; P < 0.05). After treatment, serum levels of of IL-12 and TNF-alpha were 104.67 +/- 16.84 and 183.01 +/- 24.95 in the NG group, 109.04 +/- 16.81 and 179.87 +/- 23.45 in the combined treatment group, significantly lower than before treatment (P < 0.05). But there was no statistical difference in serum levels of IL-12 or TNF-alpha in the Tiapride group between before treatment (123.00 +/- 24.26 and 205.10 +/- 26.16) and after treatment (117.75 +/- 16.79 and 199.76 +/- 33.21; P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNG could modulate abnormal serum levels of IL-12 and TNF-alpha in TS children patients, which might be one of its pharmacodynamic mechanisms for treating TS.

Adolescent ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Tourette Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo determine the main factors which affect the percutaneous penetration of artesunate and provide efficient data for the artesunate transdermal delivery system.

METHODTransdermal speed constant and accumulative amount of 12 hours were used for the estimations of various reservior vehicles, and the supplement orthodox design was used to study the effect of pH, various proportion of IPA/Water/IPM, and drug concentration.

RESULTDrug concentration and pH were the main factors which affected the percutaneous penetration of artesunate.

CONCLUSIONThe suitable reservior vehicle can prompt the percutaneous penetration of artesunate, and artesunate TTS will be made with further studies.

2-Propanol ; pharmacology ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Antimalarials ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Artemisinins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Sesquiterpenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Skin Absorption ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of internal fixation with absorbable pins on treatment of displaced radial head fractures.

METHODSFrom May 1999 to May 2004, 16 patients with displaced radial head fractures (Mason types II and III) were treated with internal fixation by absorbable pins. The duration of follow-up averaged 22.6 months (12-58 months). The outcome was assessed on the basis of elbow motion, radiographic findings and the functional rating score delineated by Broberg and Morrey.

RESULTSAll fractures healed within 10 months without avascular necrosis of radial head. The mean elbow flexion loss was 15 degrees (0 degrees-35 degrees), and pronation and supination decreased by 10 degrees (0 degrees-30 degrees) on average compared with those of the contralateral elbow. Five patients had an excellent result, 6 a good result, and 3 a fair result according to the criteria of Borberg and Morrey.

CONCLUSIONSInternal fixation with absorbable pins is an effective method in treating displaced radial head fractures. It can maintain the biomechanical stability of forearm, improve the elbow function and avoid second operation.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Design ; Radius ; surgery ; Radius Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the in vivo gene expression of adenovirus-mediated human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (hTFPI) and its inhibition effects on intimal proliferation in rabbit carotid arteries after balloon injury.

METHODSRabbits underwent carotid artery balloon injuries were treated with Ad-TFPI (n = 25), Ad-LacZ (n = 25) or PBS (n = 10), respectively. Sham operated rabbits (n = 10) serve as normal controls. The expressions of human TFPI at mRNA and protein levels were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA respectively on the 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, 28th day after operation. Intimal proliferation was detected by angiograms and morphometric analysis.

RESULTSTFPI mRNA and protein expressions were detected at 3 days and peaked at the 10th and 14th day after TFPI gene transfer. The expressions were still detectable on the 28th day. There was no TFPI expression in Ad-LacZ group. The carotid angiogram results indicated that the minimal lumen diameter in TFPI group was significantly larger and the lumina stenosis percentage was significantly lower in TFPI group compared those in Ad-LacZ and PBS groups (all P < 0.05). The morphometric analysis showed that the intimal area, the ratio of the intimal/media area, the lumina stenosis percentage in TFPI group were all significantly reduced compared with those in Ad-LacZ and PBS groups (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe TFPI gene could be effectively transferred by adenovirus vector to injured carotid arteries and transferred Ad-TFPI could significantly attenuate intimal proliferation in balloon injured carotid arteries in rabbits.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Carotid Arteries ; metabolism ; Carotid Artery Injuries ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; genetics ; Male ; Rabbits ; Transfection ; Tunica Intima ; pathology

OBJECTIVEThe pathophysiology of beta-thalassemia is the imbalance of the alpha and non-alpha globin chain which leads to a series of clinical symptoms of hemolytic anemia. Scientists continuously try to explore gene-activated drugs to increase the level of non-alpha globin chain or decrease the level of alpha globin chain in the treatment of beta-thalassemia. To probe into the effects on globin-gene expression of meisoindigo (Me) in cultured erythroid cells derived from peripheral blood, so as to provide the theoretical basis for applying Me in the treatment of beta-thalassemia.

METHODSBy using the two-step liquid culture of erythroid progenitor cells and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and by using alpha mRNA as an inner control, the level of gamma mRNA and beta mRNA in cultured erythroid cells derived from peripheral blood of 11 patients with severe beta-thalassemia and 6 normal volunteers were measured under the effect of different concentration (2.5 micro mol/L, 5 micro mol/L and 10 micro mol/L) of Me.

RESULTS(1) No statistic significance was found in the ratio of beta/alpha mRNA by Me in cultured cells from both normal individuals and beta-thalassemia. (2) Me can significantly increase the ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA and (beta + gamma)/alpha mRNA (that is non-alpha/alpha mRNA) in cultured cells from normal individuals and beta-thalassemia. The ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA was increased 0.31 - 0.45 times and the ratio of non-alpha mRNA/alpha mRNA increased 0.21 - 0.32 times in Me induced cells from normal individuals. No significant result was observed among the different concentrations of Me (2.5 micro mol/L, 5 micro mol/L and 10 micro mol/L) in normal individuals. With the increasing of Me concentrations, the ratios of gamma/alpha mRNA and alpha/alpha mRNA were increased in cultured cells from beta-thalassemia. The ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA was increased 0.33 - 1.17 times and the ratio of non-alpha/alpha mRNA increased 0.25 - 0.89 times in Me induced cells from beta-thalassemia. There was no significant difference between the concentrations of 2.5 micro mol/L and 5 micro mol/L concentration in beta-thalassemia. However, there was significant difference between the concentrations of 10 micro mol/L and the concentrations of 2.5 micro mol/L and 5 micro mol/L in beta-thalassemia. (3) The increase of the ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA and non-alpha/alpha mRNA in beta-thalassemia was higher than that in normal individual with induction by Me with a higher concentration (10 micro mol/L).

CONCLUSIONMe can raise the ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA and non-alpha/alpha mRNA in cultured erythroid cells derived from peripheral blood of both normal individual and beta-thalassemia in the level of transcription, which can improve the imbalance of the alpha and non-alpha globin chain. So Me has a latent value in the therapy of beta-thalassemia.

Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Erythroid Precursor Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Globins ; genetics ; Humans ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Infant ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

PURPOSE: ORM1-like 3 (ORMDL3) belongs to a highly conserved protein family which is anchored as transmembrane protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. Gasdermin B (GSDMB) is adjacent to ORMDL3 on chromosome 17q21.2 and belongs to the gasdermin-domain containing the protein family (GSDM family). Recent reports suggest that GSDMB and ORMDL3 are associated with asthma in several populations. However, genetic association studies that examined the association of GSDMB and ORMDL3 gene variants with asthma showed conflicting results. To assess whether combined evidence shows the association between GSDMB/ORMDL3 polymorphism and asthma. METHODS: A bibliographic search from MEDLINE identified 13 original articles using the search keywords 'GSDMB', 'ORMDL3', and 'asthma'. An updated literature-based meta-analysis involving 6,691 subjects with asthma, 9,281 control individuals, and 1,360 families were conducted. Meta-odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on the fixed effects model or the random effects model depended on Cochran's Q-statistic and I2 values. Data from case-control and TDT studies were analyzed in an allelic model using the Catmap software. RESULTS: We selected and identified 3 SNPs of ORMDL3 associated with asthma (rs8076131: OR=1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20; P=0.012. rs12603332: OR=1.15; 95% CI, 1.05-1.25; P=0.002. rs3744246: OR=1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.17; P=0.008) and 1 SNP of GSDMB associated with asthma (rs7216389: OR=1.37; 95% CI, 1.27-1.47; P<0.01). Publication bias was estimated using modified Egger's linear regression test proposed by Harbordetal and revealed no evidence of biases. Furthermore, cumulative meta-analysis in chronological order showed the inclination toward significant association for rs7216389 and rs12603332 with continually adding studies, and the inclination toward null-significant association for rs3744246 and rs8076131. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate evidence exists for associations of the ORMDL3 rs8076131, rs12603332, and rs3744246 and GSDMB rs7216389 variants with asthma. Large sample size and representative population-based studies and TDT studies with homogeneous asthmatic patients and well-matched controls are warranted to confirm this finding.
Asthma* ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Case-Control Studies ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Genetic Association Studies ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Publication Bias ; Sample Size

Research on peripheral nervous injuries, especially the stretched injuries, is important to improve the clinical effectiveness and alleviate the patients's pain. In recent years, the biological changes and mechanics of stretched axons have been hot topics. This article reviews the recent advances in the morphological changes of axons as well as changes in cellular membrane, cytoskeleton, cellular metabolism, and action potential after axonal stretch.
Action Potentials ; Animals ; Axons ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Membrane ; pathology ; Cytoskeleton ; pathology ; Humans ; Stress, Mechanical

Decoction is one of the most commonly used dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicine. The stability of chemical constituents in decoction is closely related to the clinical efficacy and safety. There were few reports about the influence of metal ions in the stability of chemical constituents in traditional Chinese medicine. However, there is no evidence that metal ions in decoction water need to be controlled. In this study, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG), one of the main constituents in Polygoni Multiflori Radix was studied. Ordinary tap water, deionized water, and water containing different metal ions were used to investigate and compare the influence on THSG. The results showed that after storage in a dark place at the room temperature for 10 days, the degradation of THSG was 7% in deionized water, while undetectable in tap water. The content of THSG could be decreased by different kinds of metal ions, and the effect was concentration-dependent. Moreover, Fe3+ and Fe2+ showed the greatest influence at the same concentration; and our study has shown that THSG decreased more than 98% in Fe and Fe2+ solutions at 500 ppm concentration. In the same time we found out p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (molecular weight: 122.036 7) and 2,3,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde-2-O-glycoside (molecular weight: 316.079 4) were the main degradation products of THSG in tap water and water containing Cu2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Mg2+ and Al3+. The product of THSG dimer with a water molecule was found in water containing Fe3+ and Fe2+. The above results showed that the metal ions in water could significantly influence the stability of THSG in water, indicating that the clinical efficacy and safety of decoction would be affected if the metal ions in water were not under control. It's suggested that deionized water should be used in the preparation of decoction containing Polygoni Multiflori Radix in the clinic to avoid degradation of THSG. Meanwhile, decoction prepared by tap water should be taken by patients in a short time. Our investigation provides important information and reference about the influence of metal ions on the stability of decoctions in other traditional Chinese medicine that have unstable groups such as hydroxyls and unsaturated bonds, etc.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Ions ; chemistry ; Metals ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Polygonaceae ; chemistry ; Stilbenes ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo develop a primer-extension in combination with denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (PE-DHPLC)-based assay for prenatal diagnosis of the five most common beta-thalassemia mutations in Chinese.

METHODSThe human beta-globin gene fragment was amplified by PCR, followed by a multiple PE reaction specific for each five mutations. Then the PE product mixtures were separated for genotyping of beta-globin gene mutations using fully-denaturing DHPLC analysis.

RESULTSIn a blind study, prenatal diagnosis was performed on thirty-six at-risk families for beta-thalassemia major. Reverse dot blot (RDB) analysis was used to validate each result, showing an accuracy rate of 100% for PE-DHPLC in a total of 108 samples tested. Overall, by PE-DHPLC analysis, the authors could identify the genotypes involving the five mutations and normal alleles corresponding to 94.4% (102/108) and actually make final decision for prenatal diagnosis covering 97.2% (35/36).

CONCLUSIONThe PE-DHPLC protocol can be a simple, rapid, and highly accurate assay in the prenatal detection of common beta-thalassemia mutations.

Base Sequence ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; methods ; DNA Primers ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Genotype ; Globins ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Point Mutation ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; genetics