OBJECTIVETo observe the toxicity of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel saponins (PRS) against Oncomelania hupensis (O. hupensis).

METHODSO. hupensis snails were exposed to 40% and 80% of 24 h LC50 of PRS for 24 h, and then choline esterase (CHE), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in cephalopodium and liver of snails were determined. Niclosamide (NIC) was used as the reference molluscicide. Zebra fish lethality test was evaluated to non-target aquatic species of PRS.

RESULTSThe molluscicidal activity of PRS (LC50 at 24 h: 0.48 mg/L) was similar to that of NIC (LC50 at 24 h: 0.16 mg/L). Significant alterations about CHE, ALP, and ALT activities both in the cephalopodium and the liver of snails were observed when O. hupensis was exposed to 40% and 80% LC50 of PRS or NIC for 24 h. PRS and NIC could not affect LDH activity in the cephalopodium and the liver. Lower toxicity to fish of PRS was observed up to the highest concentration tested than NIC.

CONCLUSIONPRS, as compared with the reference molluscicide NIC, is thought to be used for the control of harmful vector snails safely.

Animals ; Molluscacides ; pharmacology ; Pulsatilla ; chemistry ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Snails ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the efficacy of interferon-alpha and the variation of perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 35 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSThe perforin protein in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by immunocytochemistry technique.

RESULTSThe level of the perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly higher in the post-treatment group with interferon-alpha than in the pre-treatment group. At the end of the treatment with interferon-alpha, there were 12 cases of complete responders, 14 cases of partial responders, and 9 cases of non-responders. After interferon-alpha treatment, the mean level of the perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was 12.1%, 6.9% and 3.9% respectively, and there existed significant differences among the three groups. Moreover, before treatment, the level of the perforin protein expression in the complete responder group was significantly higher compared to the partial responder group or the non-responder group.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with interferon-alpha can increase the perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with CHB. The variation of perforin protein expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be closely related to the efficacy of interferon-alpha treatment against hepatitis B virus.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perforin ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of CD4+CD25+high regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis.

METHODSCD4+CD25+ high regulatory T cells and CD4+ T cells were measured by using flow cytometry in 16 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, 22 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 20 healthy blood donors. Foxp3 protein was detected by immunohistochemical assay in liver tissues from the patients with autoimmune hepatitis or chronic hepatitis B.

RESULTSThe percentage of CD4+CD25+high/CD4+ in patients with autoimmune hepatitis was significantly lower than that in healthy controls and patients with chronic hepatitis B. Meanwhile, the percentage of CD4+CD25+high/CD4+ highly increased in patients with chronic hepatitis B, compared with healthy controls; Foxp3 positive cells were mostly located in the hepatic lobular perisinusoidal spaces and the portal tract, and there was a significant difference in the quantity of Foxp3 positive cells between patients with autoimmune hepatitis and chronic hepatitis B.

CONCLUSIONPatients with autoimmune hepatitis harbor a decreased percentage of CD4+CD25+ high regulatory T cells, which may be associated with development of autoimmunity.

Adult ; Female ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; analysis ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver ; chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology