AIMTo study the antidiabetic effects of cortex Moutan polysaccharide-2b (CMP-2b) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats.

METHODSThe T2DM model rats were induced by a single intravenous injection of low dose streptozotocin (STZ) and intake of high sucrose-fat diet. CMP-2b was given to T2DM rats daily through gavage for 4-5 weeks. The body weight, water and food intake, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glucose tolerance, plasma lipids, serum insulin, and insulin receptor (Ins R) were determined.

RESULTSOral administration of CMP-2b significantly decreased water and food intake, FBG, total cholesterol (Tch), and triglyceride (TG), improved the impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and remarkably raised the number of low affinity InsR and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) in T2DM rats.

CONCLUSIONCMP-2b may be useful for treating T2DM and its complications.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucose Intolerance ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Insulin ; blood ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Insulin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of the chloride channel dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) on the cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells in the mouse.

METHODSTM4 Sertoli cells were cultured and treated with CFTR(inh)-172 at the concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L for 48 hours. Then the cytotoxicity of CFT(inh)-172 was assessed by CCK-8 assay, the expressions of F-actin and Ac-tub in the TM4 Sertoli cells detected by immunofluorescence assay, and those of N-cadherin, vimentin and vinculin determined by qPCR.

RESULTSCFTR(inh)-172 produced cytotoxicity to the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration of 20 μmol/L. The expressions of F-actin and Ac-tub were decreased gradually in the TM4 Sertoli cells with the prolonging of treatment time and increasing concentration of CFTR(inh)-172 (P < 0.05). The results of qPCR showed that different concentrations of CFTR(inh)-172 worked no significant influence on the mRNA expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin and vinculin in the Sertoli cells.

CONCLUSIONThe CFTR chloride channel plays an important role in maintaining the normal cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells. The reduced function and expression of the CFTR chloride channel may affect the function of Sertoli cells and consequently spermatogenesis of the testis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Chloride Channels ; physiology ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cytoskeleton ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Spermatogenesis ; Thiazolidines ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

Aged ; Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; Scrub Typhus ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo determine the content of isopimpinellin in root of Toddalia asiatica.

METHODSA HPLC method was set up. Using Hypersil C18 column and methanol-water (70:30) as mobile phase, with the detection wavelength at 306 nm.

RESULTThe linear range of isopimpinellin was 0.004 20 approximately 0.420 microg. The average recovery was 99.7% and the RSD 2.8%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple and accurate, with good reproducibility, and can be used as a quantitative analysis method for isopimpinellin.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Furocoumarins ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rutaceae ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and effect of transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of refractory or recurrent hemospermia.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 162 cases of refractory or recurrent hemospermia examined and treated by transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy. The patients ranged in age from 19 to 76 years and had a hemospermia history of 3 months to 11 years, admitted due to poor therapeutic results or recurrence after 4 weeks of antibiotic medication. All the patients underwent serum PSA examination, transrectal ultrasonography, seminal vesicle ultrasonography and pelvis CT or MRI before surgery.

RESULTSWine- or magenta-colored colloid and inflammation were found in one or both sides of the seminal vesicle in all the cases. Pathological biopsy revealed chronic inflammatory mucosa of the seminal vesicle in all the patients, and even calculi in the ejaculatory duct or seminal vesicle in 15 cases. Postoperative follow-up averaged 21.7 (12 -29) months. Hemospermia disappeared or was alleviated in 150 (92.64%) of the cases after 1-15 ejaculations, in which 7 experienced recurrence 3 months later. Four cases failed to respond, and 1 developed acute bilateral epididymitis after surgery. No such complications as retrograde ejaculation, urinary incontinence or rectal injury were observed postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONTransurethral seminal vesiculoscopy is a safe, effective and feasible new method for the treatment of refractory or recrudescent hemospermia.

Adult ; Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Hemospermia ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminal Vesicles ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureteroscopy ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G) mediated antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV).

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), RT-PCR product was cloned into the EcoR I/Hind III restriction sites of the CMV-driven expression vector fused with a hemagglutinin fusion epitope tag at its carboxyl terminal. Replication competent 1.3 fold over-length HBV was constructed with full-length HBV of ayw subtype. The mammalian hepatoma cell HepG2 was cotransfected with the replication competent 1.3 fold over-length HBV and various amounts of CMV-driven expression vector encoding APOBEC3G-HA. Levels of HBsAg and HBeAg in the media of the transfected cells were determined by ELISA, HBV DNA. RNA from intracellular core particles was examined using Northern and Southern blot analyses. Chicken hepatoma cell LMH was cotransfected with head-to-tail dimer of an EcoR I monomer of DHBV and various amounts of CMV-driven expression vector encoding APOBEC3G-HA. DHBV DNA from intracellular core particles was examined using Southern blot analysis.

RESULTSCMV-driven expression vector encoding APOBEC3G-HA and replication competent 1.3 fold over-length HBV were constructed. There was a dose dependent decrease in the levels of intracellular core-associated viral (HBV and DHBV) DNA and extracellular production of HBsAg and HBeAg. Levels of intracellular core-associated viral RNA were also decreased, but the expression of HBcAg remained almost unchanged.

CONCLUSIONAPOBEC3G suppresses HBV and DHBV replication and also suppresses HBsAg and HBeAg expression.

APOBEC-3G Deaminase ; Cytidine Deaminase ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B Virus, Duck ; physiology ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; physiology ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVESTo study the effects of tumor suppressor in lung cancer-1 (TSLC1) on human hepatocyte carcinoma cell line HepG2.

METHODSA full length of TSLC1 cDNA was amplified from RNA of normal human liver cells by RT-PCR, and it was cloned into a pCI-neo expression vector and transfected into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. The HepG2 cells transfected with this plasmid (experimental group) and those treated with pCI-neo vector (control group) and without any treatment (blank group) were compared. Cell morphology was studied microscopically and cell growth was analyzed with MTT assay. FACSort flow cytometry analysis was performed to assess the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis.

RESULTSA stable cell line expressing TSLC1 protein was successfully established. Morphologically, cells of the experimental group were tightly aggregated when compared with those of the control and blank groups. The growth of TSLC1-transfected cells was significantly suppressed in vitro compared with those of the control and blank groups. The amount of G0-G1 cells was 63.66%+/-3.83% (P less than 0.01) in the experimental group, while those of the control and blank groups were 47.45%+/-0.91% and 54.47%+/-0.96% respectively. The amount of S phase cells in the experimental group, 22.90%+/-6.04%, was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than that of the control group (36.58%+/-0.61%) and the blank group (33.61%+/-2.99%), which suggested a G0-G1 cell cycle arresting. The number of cells in early and late phase apoptosis (17.09%+/-0.20% and 16.11%+/-0.40% respectively) were significantly higher than those of the control and blank groups (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTSLC1 strongly inhibits the growth of HepG2 cells in vitro and induces apoptosis of the cells, suggesting that TSLC1 may have a tumor suppressor function in HCC.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Cell Proliferation ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; genetics ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination chemotherapy of capecitabine (X) with fractionated administration of cisplatin (C) in Chinese patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

METHODS141 patients with AGC were enrolled between July 2002 and August 2004. All patients had measurable tumor according to the criteria of RECIST, Karnofsky performance status > or = 60, adequate bone marrow, renal and hepatic functions. Prior radiotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy was not permitted. Patients received oral administration of capecitabine at a dose of 1000 mg/m(2) twice a day on D1-D14, and intravenous infusion of fractionated cisplatin at a dose of 20 mg/m(2)/day on D1-D5. The regimen was repeated every 3 weeks, totally for 6 cycles.

RESULTSOf the 141 evaluable patients, there were 104 men and 37 women, with a median age of 54 years (range, 23 - 80 years). Metastases before chemotherapy were detected in lymph nodes (46.8%), liver (40.4%), lung (5.7%) and other area (10.6%). The median treatment duration was 6 cycles (range, 3 - 6 cycles). The objective response rate (RR) was 36.2% (51/141). The median follow-up period was 17.5 months. The median time to progress (TTP) was 9.0 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 12.0 months. The most common treatment-related adverse events (grade 3/4) were: hand-foot syndrome (HFS) (2.1%), leucopenia (0.7%), abnormal alanine transaminase elevation (2.8%). There was no treatment-related death.

CONCLUSIONCapecitabine combined with fractionated cisplatin is highly effective and well tolerated as a first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer, with comparable results to 5-Fu plus cisplatin combination therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot Dermatoses ; chemically induced ; Hand Dermatoses ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Remission Induction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Vomiting ; chemically induced ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDBivalirudin was widely used as an anticoagulant during coronary interventional procedure in western countries. However, it was not available in China before this clinical trial was designed. This randomized, single-blind and multicenter clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of domestic bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSA randomized, single-blind, multicenter trial was designed. Elective PCI candidates in five centers were randomized into a bivalirudin group and a heparin group, which were treated with domestic bivalirudin and non-fractional heparin during the PCI procedure. The efficacy was evaluated by comparing the activated coagulation time (ACT), the procedural success rate (residual stenosis < 20% in target lesions without any coronary artery related adverse events within 24 hours after PCI), and the survival rate without major adverse cardiac events at 30 days after PCI between the two groups. Safety was evaluated by the major/minor bleeding rate.

RESULTSA total of 218 elective PCI patients were randomized into a bivalirudin group (n = 110) and heparin group (n = 108). Except for two patients needing additional dosing in the heparin group, the ACT values of all other patients in both groups were longer than 225 seconds at 5 minutes after the first intravenous bolus. Procedural success rates were respectively 100.0% and 98.2% in the bivalirudin group and heparin group (P > 0.05). Survival rates without major adverse cardiac events at 30 days after PCI were 100.0% in the bivalirudin group and 98.2% in the heparin group (P > 0.05). Mild bleeding rates were 0.9% and 6.9% (P < 0.05) at 24 hours, and 1.9% and 8.8% (P < 0.05) at 30 days after PCI in the bivalirudin group and heparin group respectively. There was one severe gastrointestinal bleeding case in the heparin group.

CONCLUSIONSDomestic bivalirudin is an effective and safe anticoagulant during elective PCI procedures. The efficacy is not inferior to heparin, but the safety is superior to heparin.

Aged ; Antithrombins ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heparin ; therapeutic use ; Hirudins ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptide Fragments ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Recombinant Proteins ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Single-Blind Method ; Survival Rate ; Whole Blood Coagulation Time

OBJECTIVETo detect absorbed bioactive compounds of the water extract whose pharmacodynamic effect was craniocerebral protection for quality control assessment.

METHODSAnthraquinones in water extract of rhubarb (WER), in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in ipsilateral cortex of TBI rats following oral WER were respectively explored by ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) method developed in the present study. The effects of anthraquinones absorbed into injured cortex on superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity in TBI rats were detected. The antioxidative anthraquinones absorbed into target organ were evaluated for quality control of WER.

RESULTSAnthraquinones in WER were aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion. Only the last anthraquinone was found in CSF and in ipsilateral cortex under this chromatographic condition. Physcion increased SOD activity in TBI rats significantly.

CONCLUSIONSPhyscion was the main active compound of rhubarb against craniocerebral injury via antioxidant pathway. According to our strategy, the exploration of physcion suggested the possibility of a novel quality control of WER in treating TBI injury.

Absorption ; drug effects ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; cerebrospinal fluid ; chemistry ; Biological Products ; analysis ; cerebrospinal fluid ; chemistry ; Brain Injuries ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Chromatography, Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Emodin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Limit of Detection ; Linear Models ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reference Standards ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry