Objective To study the (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) function on the proliferation of T cells derived from the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and RA-related cytokine levels and the role of EGCG on RA synovial fibroblasts (FLS) proliferation was investigated. Methods ① Mononuclear cells from RA peripheral blood (30 cases) and synovial fluid (23 cases)were isolated. Blank group, negative control group, positive control methotrexate (MTX) group and therapeutic group with three different concentrations of EGCG were set up. Incorporated isotope 3H was used to test T cell proliferation from RA-PBMC and SFMC. ELISA assay was used to test cytokine (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-17A) levels. ② MTT assay was used to test FLS proliferation from RA synovial tissue (8 cases).Results ① The CPM value of the high-dose group of EGCG in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of RA patients was [ ( 15 136±2910), ( 11 587±3135 ) ], which was declined significantly than the control group (42856±2127) (P＜0.01). The levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-17A in the high-dose group of EGCG in the peripheral blood were [(321±13), (298±20), (132±12), (197±7), (59±8) pg/ml], which were decreased significantly than those of the control group [ (458±28), (505±26), (346±28), (405±25),(109±13) pg/ml ] (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ). The levels of TNF-o, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-17A in the highdose group of EGCG in the synovial fluid were [(41.4±2.9), (182±16), (56.3±11.0), (34.2±1.9), (44±8)pg/ml ], which was decre-ased significantly than the control group [ ( 388.3± 19.3 ), (469±20), ( 104.2±17.8 ),( 114.5±4.8), ( 104±11 ) pg/ml] (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 ). ② The level (A) of the high-dose group of EGCG in the FLS was (0.08±0.02), which was declined significantly than the blank group (0.27±0.04) (P＜0.05).Conclusion ① In vitro EGCG can inhibit T cell proliferation from peripheral blood and synovial fluid of RA patients and the TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-17A secretion are decreased. ② In vitro EGCG can inhibit the proliferation of RA FLS.

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation method(益气活血法) for critically ill patients.Methods: Ninety critically ill patients with(Qi-deficiency)(气虚) and blood stasis(血瘀) syndromes who diagnosed according to standard in a book named clinical diagnosis and treatment nomenclature of traditional Chinese medicine were randomly divided into the the treatment group(n=60) and the control group(n=30).The general therapy of the two groups was the same.Additionlly,the treatment group was administered Shenmai injection(丹参注射液) and Danshen power(丹参粉针剂),15 days were as one therapeutic course.Results: In the treatment group,the total effective rate of clinical therapeutic effects was 85.00 %;before and after treatment,traditional Chinese medical scores was 38.63?9.08 vs.24.27?7.43,acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) 18.11?4.54 vs.12.47?1.64,platelet(PLT) count(198.00?54.16)?10~9/L vs.(174.00?40.82)?10~9/L,(haematocrit)(HCT) 0.340?0.049 vs.0.440?0.057,mean cell hemoglobin(MCH)(34.00?3.10)pg(vs.(31.00?1.83) pg).The differences of above parameters were significant between the two groups,and they were superior in the treatment group to those in the control group(all P

Resveratrol, as a natural polyphenolic compound, has a wide range of beneficial effects, which includes anti-tumor, cardiovascular protection, anti-oxidant and estrogen-like effects, and so on. Its various physiological properties are closely related to the therapeutic principle for prevention and treatment of high altitude hypoxia injury. Resveratrol may play an important role in relieving or curing high altitude diseases, especially high altitude polycythemia(HAPC). However, the literature about study and application of resveratrol in plateau medicine field is rarely reported up to now. In this review, we summarized the physiological effects of resveratrol, discussed the possible main principle of resveratrol for HAPC therapy, and looked forward to resveratrol's perspective or potential application in high altitude medicine.
Altitude ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; Polycythemia ; drug therapy ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of allitridin injection on the expression of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) immediate-early antigens (IEAs including IE72 and IE86) in human embryonic lung cells.

METHODHCMV AD 169 Virus strain infected cell model (MOI = 2.5 and 0.25, respectively) were established, and then treated with ICm5 and MTC doses of allitridin. Western blot was used to analyze the of IE72 and IE86 expression after the treatment, ganciclovir(GCV, IC50 and 2.3 x IC50) treatment as control.

RESULTNo matter what kind of MOI was used, both IE86 and IE72 antigens' expression was effectively suppressed by allitridin treatment, and the inhibitory rate of IE86 was almost twice of IE72's. Compared with GCV, allitridin had stronger inhibitory effect on IE86 expressing, although its efficacy on IE72 was weaker than GCV.

CONCLUSIONAllitridin could suppress the expression of IE72 and IE86, especially for IE86 expressing, maybe it is ore of key role in the mechanism of allitridin against HCMV.

Allyl Compounds ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytomegalovirus ; genetics ; physiology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Garlic ; chemistry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; drug effects ; Humans ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; metabolism ; Injections ; Lung ; cytology ; Sulfides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Viral Proteins ; metabolism

The present study aimed to find out dynamic changes of apoptosis in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infected cells and the influence of HCMV infection on activation of caspase3 and the expression of apoptosis-regulating genes, bcl-2 and fas mRNA. The sequential changes of apoptotic cell rate in high and low MOI (MOI= 2.5 and 0.25 respectively) of HCMV infected human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs) at 1 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h post-infection were measured by flow cytometry. The expression levels of caspase-3 protein and bcl-2 and fas mRNA in HCMV infected cells (MOI=0.25) at 72 h post-infection were detected by Western blot and in situ hybridization methods, respectively. It was found that the ratio of apoptotic cells in normal controls was consistently lower, but the rates in low and high MOI infected cells were gradually increased with time prolonged, reached peak at 96 h (8.85 %) and 72 h (25.63 %), respectively. By Western blot analysis, only a narrow band of 32 kD (1 kD=0. 992 1 ku) procaspase-3 was found in normal cells, but a wider procaspase-3 band and a much wider band of 17 kD proteins (p17) appeared in the infected cells. Meanwhile, the expression of bcl-2 mRNA was higher and that of fas mRNA was lower in the normal HELF cells, whereas there were significantly lower bcl-2 mRNA and higher fas mRNA expression levels in HCMV infected cells. It was concluded that HCMV was a stronger inducer of apoptosis in HELF cells. Caspase-3, as the marker of undergoing apoptosis,was expressed increasingly and activated in the infected cells, indicating its action in HCMV-inducing apoptosis. Down-regulating bcl-2 mRNA expression and up-regulating fas mRNA expression were also involved in the mechanism of HCMV-induced apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different concentration extract from Shenghua decoction on contractile activity of the uterine smooth muscle isolated from normal, estrogen-treated and postpartum mice.

METHODMedlab/4 s vital signal recorder was used to measure the effects of extract from Shenghua decoction (3-12 mg x mL(-1)) on contractile amplitude and frequency of the isolated uterus from normal, estrogen-treated and postpartum mice.

RESULTShenghua decoction extract (3-12 mg x mL(-1)) significantly decreased the contractile activity of the mouse isolated uterus in normal non-pregnancy and postpartum, but significantly increased that of the mouse isolated uterus treated with estrogen, and didn't show significant concentration-response relationship.

CONCLUSIONThe effects of Shenghua decoction extract on contractile activity of mouse-isolated uterus treated with estrogen cannot represent the pharmacological effects on that of in normal non-pregnancy and postpartum uterus.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Female ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Postpartum Period ; Uterine Contraction ; drug effects ; Uterus ; drug effects

Adolescent ; Altitude ; Brain ; drug effects ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of simple hypobaric hypoxia on parameters of hematology and blood rheology in order to establish a rat model of simulated high altitude polycythemia (HAPC) for the study of pathophysiologic mechanisms and medical prevention and treatment of HAPC.

METHODSForty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three normal control groups and three hypoxia model groups. Normal control group rats were bred in normoxia conditions, and hypoxia group rats were subjected to hypoxic exposure for 8 hours per day at simulated 5 500 m high altitude in a hypobaric chamber. After hypoxic exposure for 2, 4, 12 weeks, one group of normal control and hypoxia model rats were killed and blood was collected, respectively. Then parameters of erythrocyte and blood rheology were examined.

RESULTSMucous membrane of hypoxia model rats showed obviously cyanosis after 2 weeks hypoxic exposure. Hemoglobin concentration of hypoxia model rats were beyond 210 g/L after 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks hypoxia exposure and significantly increased than that of normal control rats respectively. Besides, RBC counts, hematocrit, whole blood viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation index of hypoxia model rats were all notably higher than those of normal control rats respectively.

CONCLUSIONA rat model of high altitude polycythemia can be rapidly established by hypobaric hypoxia exposure at simulated 5 500 m high altitude for 8 hours daily.

Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Erythrocyte Count ; Hematocrit ; Hypoxia ; Male ; Polycythemia ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Altitude ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Oxygen Consumption

OBJECTIVETo introduce the double scanning for producing computer aided design and computer aided manufacture (CAD-CAM) zirconia crowns, and to compare Procera with Everest CAD-CAM system by observing clinical effects of the crowns.

METHODSForty CAD-CAM zirconia crowns (10 crowns by Procera, and 30 crowns by Everest) were evaluated, and the examination criteria included: marginal fit, aesthetics, gingival health, retention, and fracture. All of the zirconia copings were produced using double scanning. Procera system and Everest system use contact scanner and optical scanner respectively.

RESULTSThe observation time for the crowns ranged from 6 to 24 months. The results of clinic evaluation were acceptable in all restorations.

CONCLUSIONSDouble scanning could be used to produce complicated zirconia copings by CAD-CAM in order to get proper symmetrical porcelain length. It was easier to make complicated coping with contact scanner than with optical scanner.

Adult ; Aged ; Computer-Aided Design ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Restoration Wear ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Photometry ; Surface Properties ; Zirconium