AIM:To probe into the toxicological mechanism of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and its derivatives on cardiovascular system.METHODS: Effects of tea polyphenols (TP) on the increase in sodium current (INa) induced by SO2 derivatives in the cardiomyocytes were studied using the whole cell patch-clamp technique.RESULTS: ① The increase in INa induced by SO2 derivatives was inhibited by treating the cells with TP at different concentrations (10, 20 or 50 mg/L) in a dose dependent manner. At concentration of 50 mg/L, TP completely inhibited the increase in INa by SO2 derivatives. ② SO2 derivatives led to shift left of the activation curve. After application of TP at dose of 50 mg/L, the curve showed resumed significantly. ③ TP changed the inactivation process significantly. Before and after the application of SO2 derivatives, the half-inactivation voltage of INa was -(71.94?0.23) mV and -(65.79?0.69) mV (n=8, P0.05).CONCLUSION: TP inhibits the incremental effects of SO2 derivatives on INa, suggesting that the toxicity of SO2 on cardiomyocytes of rat is induced by free radical.

Objective:To investigate the effect of clinical pharmacists participating in the drug therapy for the patients with severe bronchial asthma complicated with diabetes. Methods:Clinical pharmacists participated in the treatment process for one patient with severe bronchial asthma complicated with diabetes. Pharmacists analyzed and intervened the therapeutic regimen, performed pharma-ceutical care and provided pharmacy education. Results:The suggestions of treatment and care proposed by clinical pharmacists were a-dopted by clinics. The pharmaceutical care performed by clinical pharmacists could contribute to the disease control and the reduction of the incidence of adverse reactions. Conclusion:Clinical pharmacists can use their pharmaceutical knowledge to provide individual-ized pharmaceutical care and play an important role in improving the safety and efficacy of medication.

[Objective]To study the therapeutic effect of recombinant erythropoietin for contusion injury of spinal cord.[Method]Contusion injury of spinal cord was caused by weight dropping in 24 New Zealand rabbits.Twelve hours after injury,the rabbits in control group were given natural saline intravenously and rabbits in low,mediate and large-dose group were given rh-EPO 100 IU/kg,500 IU/kg and 1000 IU/kg respectively.Neurological status of lower limbs were scored at 24 hours,48 hours and one week after spinal cord injury.All rabbits were killed one week after injury and spinal cords were stained by HE and caspase-3 method.Electronic microscopy was used to evaluate ultrastructural injury.[Result]The neurological scores of EPO treated groups were significantly higher than that of control group.HE and Caspase-3 immunohistochemistry showed that histological and ultrastructural damage of EPO treated groups were less severe than that of control group.The caspase-3 positive neurons were significantly fewer than that of saline treated group.There was no significant difference of therapeutic effect between mediate and large-dose EPO treated groups.[Conclusion]Rh-EPO administered 12 hours after contusion injury of spinal cord could lessen histological and ultrastructural damage,prevent apoptosis of neurons and promote neurological recovery of spinal cord.Mediate dose of rh-EPO is the appropriate treatment choice for spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE:To observe therapeutic efficacy of Compound Leonurus japonicus oral solution in the treatment of hemorrhage after artificial abortion and its effect and safety on normal menstruation recovery. METHODS:100 cases of artificial abortion selected and randomly divided into treatment group and control group,with 50 cases in each group. Control group re-ceived oxytocin intramuscularly after surgery,10 U/time,12 h/time,for 3 times;treatment group was additionally given Com-pound L. japonicus oral solution,2 piece/time,3 times/d,for 5 days,on the basis of control group. Metrorrhagia duration,hemor-rhage amount,normal menstruation recovery and duration of abdominal pain and ADR were all observed in 2 groups. RESULTS:The metrorrhagia duration [(5.38±0.95)d] of treatment group was significantly lower than that [(8.58±1.32)d] of control group, with statistical significance(P<0.05);hypomenorrhea cases(24 cases)of treatment group was higher than those(9 cases)of con-trol group;menorrhagia cases(8 cases)was lower than those(24 cases)of control group;with statistical significance(P<0.05). The normal menstruation recovery time [(27.34±3.87)d] of treatment group was significantly shorter than that [(40.13±2.58)d] of control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05);the duration of abdominal pain [(2.85±0.89)d] in treatment group was sig-nificantly shorter than [(5.02 ± 1.33)d] in control group,with statistical significance (P<0.05).Obvious ADR was not found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS:Compound L. japonicus oral solution is effective in the treatment of hemorrhage after artificial abor-tion,can significantl shorten metrorrhagia duration and hemorrhage amount,recover normal menstruation early,improve the symp-toms of abdominal pain after operation and is easy to take and good safety.

Objective To explore the relationship between serum Cystatin C (CysC) ,hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and the carotid intima-media thickness(IMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) .Methods 85 patients with T2DM were divided into two groups according to IM T level :Normal IM T group and IM T increased group .40 healthy people were chosen as control .The level of CysC and hs-CRP were measured and IMT of the carotid artery was determined by color Doppler ul-trasonography in 85 diabetics and 40 normal subjects .Results The CysC levels in IMT increased group was higher than normal IMT group and control group(P<0 .05) .The hs-CRP level in IMT increased group was higher than that in the normal IMT group and control group(P<0 .01) .The analysis of correlation indicated that the level of hs-CRP had positive correlation with IMT .And there was no association between serum CysC level and carotid IMT (r=0 .104 ,P>0 .05) .Conclusion There is no definite correla-tion between serum CysC level and carotid IMT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus .Serum CysC level is not predictive index in carotid intima-media thickness of T2DM .Inflammatory play an important role in early carotid atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM .

Non-contact vital sign detection technique provides an effective usage in health monitoring applications. A vital sign detector was designed based on microwave bio-radar technique. Using Doppler principle, continuous wave bioradar was designed for tiny body movement detection, short-time Fourier transform and interpolation algorithm were adopted for heart and respiration rate extraction, embedded system was used for system integration, real-time signal processing software was designed on it. Experiments were done by using simulation device and human body for research and performance evaluation. The result shows that the proposed prototype can be used for single target vital signs detection at the distance of 90 cm, and the heart rate result shows a 96% recognition rate.
Equipment Design ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; instrumentation ; methods ; Radar ; Vital Signs

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Pyrroloquinoline quinine (PQQ) on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of Schwann cells (SCs) and its mechanism.

METHODSSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro, and identified by S-100 immunofluorescence staining. The cultured SCs were divided into control group, hydrogen peroxide-treated group, hydrogen peroxide and PQQ treated groups. The intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected; the apoptotic rate of SCs induced by hydrogen peroxide was determined by flow cytometry assay. The Hoechst33342 staining was used to detect the nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic nuclear condensation of SCs; the Rhodamine123 staining was used to detect the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential in SCs, the Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2 in hydrogen peroxide induced SCs.

RESULTSThe SOD activity was significantly decreased and MDA level was increased in H2O2 induced SCs (P < 0.05), after addition of PQQ, the SOD content increased and MDA content decreased (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry results showed that the early apoptotic rate was 58.8% in H2O2 induced SCs, which has significant difference compared with the control group (P < 0.05), after addition of 10, 50, 100 nmol/L PQQ, the apoptotic rates were reduced to 33.7%, 18.7%, 3.9% respectively, showing significantly different with injured group (P < 0.05). Hoechst 33342 staining showed that H2O2 induced SCs had typical morphological characteristics, such as uptake of nuclear chromatin, nuclear shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation phenomenon. The proportion of apoptotic cells after PQQ treatment reduced. Rhodamine staining results showed that the H2O2 induced mitochondrial membrane potential reduction in SCs, which was reversed by addition of PQQ. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased in H2O2 induced SCs, while it increased significantly after addition of PQQ (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPQQ has a protective effect on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of SCs.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzimidazoles ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; DNA Fragmentation ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidants ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; Quinine ; pharmacology ; Quinolines ; pharmacology ; Schwann Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To establish the method for quality control of ethyl-acetate parts of Ferula sinkiangesis. Methods HPLC was used to detect the contents of ferulic acid, farnesiferol A and farnesiferol C. Waters XTerra RPC18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used; acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid was as mobile phase with gradient elution; flow rate was 1.0 mL/min; detective wavelength was 324 nm; temperature was 30℃; sample volume was 10 μL ResultsFerulic acid, farnesiferol A, and farnesiferol C showed a good linear relationship range from 0.05– 1.0 mg/mL, 0.132–2.64 mg/mL, and 0.118–2.36 mg/mL, respectively. The average recovery rates were 99.34%, 98.96% and 99.24% respectively. The contents of ferulic acid, farnesiferol A and farnesiferol C were 33.4, 76.5, 72.3 mg/g respectively.Conclusion The method was simple, accurate and repeatable, with good repeatability and stability, which can be used for the quality control of ethyl-acetate parts ofFerula sinkiangesis.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the mechanism of ischemic postconditioning-induced activation of nuclear factor-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).Methods Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 16-20 weeks, weighing 250-300 g, were heparinized and anesthetized with intraperitoneal 1％ pentobarbital sodium 40 mg/kg.Their hearts were excised and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus with K-H solution.Thirty-two isolated rat hearts were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table: control group (group C) , group I/R,ischemic postconditioning group (group IPO) , and N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (a ROS scavenger) + IPO group (group M + IPO).After 20 min of equilibration, group C was continuously perfused with K-H solution for 100 min, and the isolated hearts received the drugs via the perfusion system in the other groups.Group I/R was perfused with cardioplegic solution 4 ℃ St.Thomas, and then was subjected to 40 min of ischemia at 32 ℃ followed by 60 min of reperfusion.In group IPO, ischemic postconditioning was induced by 6 cycles of 10 s reperfusion followed by 10 s limb ischemia starting from the onset of reperfusion, and the hearts were then perfused for 58 min.In group M + IPO, the hearts were perfused with K-H solution containing N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine 2 m mol/L for 3 min starting from the onset of reperfusion,underwent 2 min of ischemic postconditioning, and then was perfused for 55 min.Heart rate (HR), left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP),and positive maximal pressure of left ventricular increase (+dp/dtmax) were recorded at the end of equilibration and of reperfusion.At 5 min of reperfusion and the end of reperfusion, myocardial specimens were obtained from the left ventricle for determination of ROS content by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.At the end of reperfusion, myocardial specimens were obtained from the left ventricle for examination of the ultrastructure of myocardial cells and for determination of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) , quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mRNA and protein expression (by using Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction).The damage to myocardial mitochondria was assessed using Flameng scoring.Results Compared with group C, HR, +dp/dtmax and LVDP were significantly decreased, and LVEDP was increased at the end of reperfusion in I/R and M+IPO groups, HR and LVDP were decreased, LVEDP was increased, and no significant changes were found in +dp/dtmax at the end of reperfusion in IPO group, Flameng score was increased in I/R, IPO and M+IPO groups , the ROS content was increased at the end of reperfusion in I/R, IPO and M+IPO groups, and Nrf2, HO-1,NQO1 and SOD1 mRNA and protein expression was down-regulated at the end of reperfusion in I/R, IPO and M+IPO groups.Compared with group I/R, HR, +dp/dtmax and LVDP were significantly increased, and LVEDP and ROS content were decreased at the end of reperfusion, Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 and SOD1 mRNA and protein expression was up-regulated at the end of reperfusion in IPO and M+IPO groups, Flameng score was decreased in IPO group, there was no significant change in Flameng score in M+IPO group.Compared with group IPO, HR, +dp/dtmax and LVDP were significantly decreased, LVEDP and ROS content were increased at the end of reperfusion, Flameng score was increased, and Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 and SOD1 mRNA and protein expression was down-regulated in M+IPO group.Conclusion Ischemic postconditioning can regulate ROS level and activate Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway, thus attenuating myocardial I/R injury in rats.

Objective To observe the activation mechanism of Nrf2-ARE pathway in protective effect of ischemia and pinacidil postconditioning on isolated rat hearts.Methods The hearts of adult male Sprague Dawley rats were established ischemia-reperfusion injury model,and devided into six groups(n =8,each group),i.e.Normal group(Group N),ischemiareperfusion group (Group Con,I/R),ischemic postconditioning group (Group IPO),pinacidil postconditioning group (Group P50),N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine(MPG,2mmol/L) + IPO group(Group M + IPO),MPG + P50 group(Group M + P50).Rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit(K-H) buffer for 20 minutes for equilibration.Subsequently,Group N was perfused with K-H buffer for 100 minutes after equilibration,Group Con was perfused with 4℃ ST.Thomas solution to stop the heart beating after equilibration,then the hearts were underwent 40 minutes global ischemia under 32℃,and followed by the K-H solution for 60 minutes.Group IPO after global ischemia period,the hearts were subjected to six 10-seconds cycles of ischemia/reperfusion at the beginning of reperfusion,then were reperfused for 58 minutes.Group P50 after global ischemia,rat hearts were perfused with K-H buffer containing pinacidil(50.μmol/L) for 2 minutes before reperfusion.Group M + IPO after global ischemia,the hearts were subjected to perfuse with K-H buffer containing MPG(2 mmol/L) for 3 minutes,and then underwent six 10-seconds cycles of ischemia/reperfusion before reperfusion.Group M + P50 after global ischemia,the hearts were perfused with K-H buffer containing MPG(2 mmol/L) for 3 minutes,and then subjected to perfuse with K-H buffer containing pinacidil(50 μmol/L) for 2 minutes before reperfusion.Cardiac function indexes(such as HR,LVDP,LVEDP,and the Max dp/dt) at the end point of equilibration and repeffusion were observed and recorded.The ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed by electron microscopy and the mitochondrial Flameng score was calculated.RT-PCR and western-blot were applied to detect the gene transcription and protein expression of HO-1,NQO1,SOD1,and Nrf2 in left ventricular myocardial tissue after reperfusion.Results The HR,LVDP and + dp/dtmax at the end of reperfusion:the cardiac function indexes are lower among each group compared with group N,group 1PO and group P50 are better than group Con (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group IPO,there is no significant difference in group group P50,but group M + IPO is obviously decreased(P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group P50,group M + P50 index is decreased significantly(P ＜ 0.05).The LVEDP at the end of reperfusion is lower than that among each group as compared with group Con,which is significantly increased in group Con (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group IPO,there is no significant difference in group P50,but group M + IPO is significantly increased(P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group P50,the group M + P50 is obviously decreased(P ＜ 0.05).The ultrastructure of myocardial tissue in group N is mostly normal,group Con presence serious damage.The ultrastructure damage of myocardial tissue is improved in group IPO and group P50 as compared with that in group Con,while group M + IPO is more serious than group IPO,group M + P50 is more serious group P50.The mitochondrial Flameng score is higher among each group as compared with group N (P ＜ 0.05),the score is lower in group IPO and group P50 as compared with group Con and corresponding nonblocking group (M + IPO,M + P50,P ＜0.05).The mRNA and the protein expressions of HO-1,NQO1,SOD1 and Nrf2 among each group are lower as compared with group N(P ＜0.05).Compared with those in group Con,the mRNA and the protein expressions in group IPO and group P50 are obviously increased(P ＜ 0.05),group IPO and group P50 are higher than those in group adding active oxygen scavenger(MPG) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Ischemic postconditioning and pinacidil postconditioning have protective effect of myocardial tissue from ischemia reperfusion injury,while improve the cardiac function index.The cardiac protective effect of Ischemic and Pinacidil postconditioning methods may be involved the ROS in early reperfusion,which activate the Nrf2-ARE pathway,and up-regulate the expression downstream antioxidant protein and phase Ⅱ detoxifying enzyme,ultimately improve the cardiac function index during the reperfusion period.