Acupuncture ; Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Research Design

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is one of thiol-disulfide oxidoreductases that mainly located in the endo?plasmic reticulum (ER). It is generally known that PDI caralyzes the formation,rearrangement,breakage of disulfide bonds, and this enzyme is effective in regulation of protein folding. Now it is also known as a biomarker of cardiovascular disease. Protein disulfide isomerase can reduce infarct size and myocardial apoptosis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). PDI can also improve changes of cardiac vulnerability in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Further more, it is also shown that PDI play an important role in hypertension and thrombosis. Therefore, this paper review the effects of protein disulfide isomerase in cardiovascular diseases.

To offer the reference and method for salt damage in the cultivation of Marsdenia tenacissima, the seeds of M. tenacissima collected from Maguan city ( Yunnan province) were taken as the test materials to study the effects of different priming materials on improving germination and growth under high-level salt stress condition. Four different treatments, which were GA3, KNO3-KH2PO4, PEG-6000, NaCl, combined with ANOVA were applied to test the performance of germination energy, germination percentage, germination index, MDA, SOD, and CAT. The results showed that the seed germination was obviously inhibited under salt stress and the soaked seeds with different priming materials could alleviate the damage of salt stress. Under these treatments, the activities of SOD, CAT the content of soluble protein significantly increased. While the content of MDA significantly decreased. The maximum index was obtained when treated with 1.20% KNO3-KH2PO4, the germination percentage increased from 52.67% to 87.33% and the activity of SOD increased from 138.01 to 219.44 respectively. Comparing with the treatment of 1.20% KNO3-KH2PO4, the germination percentage of treating with 300 mg x L(-1) GA3 increased from 52.67% to 80.67%, while the activity of SOD increased from 138.01 to 444.61.
Germination ; drug effects ; physiology ; Marsdenia ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Nitrates ; pharmacology ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Potassium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Seeds ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Sodium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Stress, Physiological ; Xanthones ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the modulation effect of Naomaitong on gelatinase system after cerebral ische-Focal cerebral I/R rat model was duplicated by method of the intralumimia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats.

METHODnal filament technique. Rats were randomly divided into the sham-operative group, the model group, the Naomaitong group and the Nimodipine group, the latter three groups were also divided into the 3 hrs after ischemia group, and 6 hrs, 12 hrs, 24 hrs, 3 d, 6 d after IR groups. Immunohistochemical method and zymogram analysis method, etc. were adopted to observe the change of microvessel structure, gelatinase and its inhibitor expression.

RESULTSMMP-2 (IR 24 h-6 d)and MMP-9 (I/R 12 h-3 d) expression levels could be lowered and TIMP-1 expression level (IR 24 h-6 d) improved by Naomaitong. Besides, comparison of MMP-2 and MMP-9 content in zymogram analysis in each group showed that changes of its quantity were in accordance with the laws of immune expression.

CONCLUSIONThe protective effect of Naomaitong on cerebromicrovessel basement membrane injury in rats is related to its modulation on gelatinase system.

Animals ; Basement Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; enzymology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gelatinases ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Microvessels ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; enzymology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism

Thermogravimetry (TG), TG-MS, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM)-energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS) were adopted to investigate the pyrolysis characteristics of calamina. According to the findings of the qualitative and quantitative studies on the changes in the content of relevant elements, the whole shape, the functional groups, and the volatile components of calamina before and after being pyrolyzed, the 200-360, 580-750 degrees C were two sensitive temperature ranges related to the changes in effective component during calamina processing. Thermal weight loss was observed for ZnCO3, Zn(OH)2 and ZnCO3-2Zn(OH)2-H2O under 200-360 degrees C and for CaCO3 under 580-750 degrees C. The results of studies on chemical reaction kinetics showed good linear relations. This experiment integrated relevant methods and theories of physical chemistry and science of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and interpretes calamina processing techniques and mechanism, in order to provide a good example for modem studies on other traditional Chinese medicine processing.
Drug Combinations ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Ferric Compounds ; chemistry ; Kinetics ; Temperature ; Zinc Oxide ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo test whether Shenfu Injection (, SFI) might attenuate the impact of cerebral energy dysfunction after resuscitation in a pig model of cardiac arrest (CA).

METHODSThirty-four Wuzhishan miniature inbred pigs were randomly divided into three groups: the SFI group (n=12), the saline group (SA group, n=12), and the sham-operated group (sham group, n=10). Following successful return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) from 8-min untreated ventricular fibrillation, animals received a continuous infusion of either SFI (0.2 mL/min) or saline for 6 h. Cerebral performance category score was evaluated at 24 and 48 h after ROSC, followed by positron emission tomography and computed tomography scans of cerebral glucose uptake. Surviving pigs were euthanized 48 h after ROSC, and the brains were removed for detecting mitochondrial function.

RESULTSCompared with the SA group, SFI treatment produced a better neurologic outcome 48 h after ROSC (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of survival rate between the SA and SFI groups (83.3% vs. 81.8%, P>0.05). After ROSC, the SA group showed a decrease in the maximum standardized uptake value of different regions in the brain tissue, where SFI treatment can ameliorate these decreases (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Improved mitochondrial respiratory properties and higher mitochondrial membrane potential were also found following SFI treatment compared with the SA group at 48 h after ROSC (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSFI treatment after resuscitation has significant neuroprotective effects against disruption of cerebral energy metabolism from CA by improving glucose uptake and by normalizing mitochondrial function.

Animals ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Heart Arrest ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mitochondria ; physiology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo examine the abilities of theanine and houpu extracts (HE) to reverse behavioral indexes (separation vocalization, stress-induced analgesia and activity).

METHOD7-day-old chicks received IP injection of theanine and HE 30 min before being tested in the presence of three social companions or in isolation for 3-min observation period. Dependent measures were: a) Chicks were placed into an infrared ray device to calculate their spontaneous activities by a computer program b) record the separation vocalizations for every chick. c) In the experiment of stress-induced analgesia, 50 uL of formalin (0.1%) was injected into the plantar of the animal foot to index stress-induced analgesia (i. e. foot-lift frequency, foot-lift duration and peck frequency).

RESULTIn the experiments, isolated chicks exhibited more vocalizations (P < 0.01) and fewer pain-related behaviors than non-isolated chicks (P < 0.01). Theanine (12.5, 25, 50 mg x kg(-1)) and HE (25 mg x kg(-1)) decrease separately the tendency (dB) of the principal frequency (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); The stress induced analgesia can be reversed by theanine in 25, 50 mg x kg(-1). Both of the materials do not affect the spontaneous activities in this chick model without causing sedation.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that theanine and HE in the dosages may be useful in modulating anxiety states. They are seems no synergism in the chick model.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Chickens ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Glutamates ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Magnolia ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Social Isolation ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo develop an HPLC method to determine vitexin-rhamnoside in plasma of Beagle dogs and study the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of Yixintong sustained release tablets in Beagle dogs.

METHODA newly-developed HPLC method using C18 column and methanol-acetonitrile-tetrahydrogenfuran-0.5% acetic acid (1:1:19.4:78.6) as mobile phase was validated, and then was employed to determine vitexin-rhamnoside in plasma of Beagle dogs after oral administration of Yixintong sustained release tablets and general tablets. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by pharmacokinetic program 3p87. The non-compartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were also calculated on basis of the statistic moment theory.

RESULTThe pharmacokinetic profiles of Yixintong sustained release tablets and the general tablets were fitted to a one-and two-compartment open model, respectively. The T1/2, Tmax, AUC0-infinity and MRT for Yixintong sustained release tablets were 5.22 h, 4.0 h, 6,792.75 ng x h x mL(-1) and 8.4 h, respectively, compared with 8.94 h, 1.0 h, 5,880.4 ng x h x mL(-1) and 6.1 h for the general tablets. The relative bioavailability of the Yixintong sustained release tablets was 115.5% in Beagle dogs.

CONCLUSIONThe sustained-release characteristic of Yixintong sustained release tablets were confirmed by pharmacokinetic study.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Apigenin ; chemistry ; Biological Availability ; Dogs ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Male ; Plasma ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Tablets ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and influence factors on knee joint peripheral fractures and/or dislocations with an associated vascular injury through retrospectively study.

METHODSFrom March 2002 to November 2007 31 patients with knee joint peripheral fractures and/or dislocations with an associated vascular injury were treated, including 24 males and 7 females with a mean age of 41 years (range from 21 to 62 years). Definite diagnosis of vascular injury by combining colored ultrasonic, CTA, operative exploration with clinical signs, fixing fractures and/or dislocations with fixators, plates and screws, reconstructing blood circulation based on the condition of the vascular injury by vascular repair, homograft vein or artificial vascular grafting separately and analysing the effects of PSI, diagnosis and treatment methods on salvage lower extremities.

RESULTSSuccessful reconstruction was carried out in 31 cases, however there were 1 death because of mult-fractures and brain injury and 6 amputation, 24 cases successful salvage followed up mean 24.2 months, 6 cases bone nonunion and infected bone defect were cured by delayed bone planting or bone transportation. Ligaments repair reconstruction of 7 cases knee joint dislocation were done in delayed 3 or 4 weeks after first operation, the good functional rate was 71.4%.

CONCLUSIONSThe patients of PSI under 10 grades in knee joint peripheral fractures and/or dislocations with an associated vascular injury should been carried out treatment, early definite diagnosis and blood circulation reconstruction are the key factors of successful salvage treatment.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee Dislocation ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Knee Injuries ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Popliteal Artery ; injuries ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Grafting ; Vascular System Injuries ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThis study investigates the efficacy and tolerability of capecitabine plus thalidomide in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who previously underwent gemcitabine-based therapy.

METHODSSixty-one patients with unresectable or metastatic PC who had progressed on single-agent Gem or a Gem-containing regimen were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group (31 patients) was treated with capecitabine alone, and another group was treated with capecitabine plus thalidomide. Capecitabine was administered orally twice a day at a dose of 1, 250 mg/m(2) for 14-day followed by 7-day rest and oral thalidomide 100 mg was given daily without interruption until disease progression or occurrence of unacceptable toxicity.

RESULTSThe PFS was 2.8 months (95%CI 2.4 - 3.2) vs. 3.1 months (95%CI 2.6-3.6, P < 0.05) and the OS was 6.1 months (95%CI 5.3 - 6.9) vs. 6.3 months (95%CI 5.2 - 7.4, P = 0.426). In the capecitabine alone group, one patient experienced a partial response (PR), 10 patients showed stable disease (SD) and 20 patients had progressive disease (PD). The another group, two patients experienced a partial response (PR), 11 patients SD, and 17 patients PD. The disease control rates were 35.5% and 43.3%, respectively. The major adverse reaction in the two groups was grade 3 diarrhea.

CONCLUSIONCapecitabine plus thalidomide regimen is marginally effective and well tolerated in the second-line setting in patients with gemcitabine-refractory advanced pancreatic cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate ; Thalidomide ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects