ObjectiveTo compare the effects of normal saline (NS), 10% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and hypertonic-hyperoncotic solution (HHS,7.5% NaCl/10% HES) on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), brain edema and blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a rat model of traumatic head injury (THI) complicate with hemorrhagic shock. Methods60 SD rats were randomized into 5 groups: sham group (n=12), model group (n=12), NS group (n=12), HES group (n=12) and HHS group (n=12). rCBF and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were determined before and after THI, hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Cerebral water content and Evans Blue (EB) content were assessed 3 h after resuscitation.ResultsMAP and rCBF were restored to baseline values immediately after resuscitation in all resuscitated group and began to decrease 15 min, 30 min or 45 min later, respectively(P<0.05). 3 h after resuscitation, the brain water content was higher in NS group than those in sham or HHS group(P<0.05). EB contents of injured hemispheres were higher in model and NS group than those in HES or HHS group(P<0.05). ConclusionSmall-volume resuscitation with HHS can restore MAP and rCBF, decrease brain edema and improve BBB in a rat model of THI complicate with hemorrhagic shock.

To construct, express and purify fusion protein containing HBcAg and HBsAg preS1 epitope peptide for the purpose of investigating a novel HBV vaccine with both prophylactic and therapeutic functions. Using DNA recombinant technology, prokaryotic expression plasmid pBTcs1 expressing HBcAg and HBsAg pre-S1 epitope peptide fusion protein was constructed. After expressed in E.coli. HB101, the production BTcs1 was purified by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and identified by SDS-PAGE, SEC, Western-blot and electron microscope. The results indicated that expression plasmid pBTcs1 was constructed successfully, and 20~25 mg purified BTcs1 fusion protein was obtained from 1L LB culture. Result of DOT-BLOT indicated that the distribution of BTcs1 was mainly in 30~50% sucrose, the purity of BTcs1 was greater than 95% by SDS-PAGE and SEC analysis. BTcs1 could probe with specific antibodies at 28 kDa by Western-blot, BTcs1 could also self assemble VLP by electron microscope analysis, its diameter was 30~34 nm approximately. The present study lay a foundation for further research functions and applications of BTcs1.

OBJECTIVETo observe effect of formula of removing both phlegm and blood stasis (TYTZ) in improving hemorheology and blood fat of mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome.

METHODThirty-six Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided to six groups: the normal control group, the model group, the Shujiangzhi group and TYTZ groups with doses of 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5 g x kg(-1), with six mice in each group. Except for the normal control group, all of other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 2 weeks. Interventional balloons are adopted to injure their left anterior descending artery endothelium. After the operation, they were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to prepare the coronary heart disease model of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome. In the 8th week after the operation and administration, the changes in hemorheological parameters, serum lipid level, myocardial ischemia level and range were observed.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed significant increase in serum TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels (P < 0.01), whole blood viscosity under the shear rate of 5 s (-1) and 60 s (-1) (P < 0.01), and myocardial ischemia degree and range (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, TYTZ groups revealed significant decrease in myocardial ischemia degree and range (P < 0.01), serum TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and whole blood viscosity under the shear rate of 5 s(-1) and 60 s(-1) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTYTZ could improve the abnormal hemorheology in Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome, and regulate serum lipid, with a certain efficacy for coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome.

Animals ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Hemorheology ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mucous Membrane ; secretion ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of formula of removing both phlegm and blood stasis (TYTZ) in inhibiting the inflammatory reaction in Chinese mini-swine with coronary atherosclerosis.

METHODTotally 36 Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided to six groups: the normal control group, the model group, the Shujiangzhi group and TYTZ groups with does of 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5 g x kg(-1), and six each in every group. Except for the normal control group, all of other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 2 weeks. Interventional balloons are adopted to injure their left anterior descending artery endothelium. After the operation, they were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to prepare the coronary atherosclerosis model. In the 8th week after the operation and administration, the intravascular ultrasound was adopted to observe the coronary artery plaque burden of each group and the pathological morphology of coronary artery. Such inflammatory factors as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 were detected by ELISA. The expression of NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation was observed by the immunohistochemical method.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed significant increase in the coronary artery plaque burden at the end of the experiment (P < 0.01), notably abnormal structural changes in atherosclerotic vascular tissues, luminal stenosis, a large number of foam cells and inflammatory cell infiltration, remarkable growth of hs-CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels (P < 0.01). The immunohistochemical staining also showed the significant increase in the NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation of coronary artery of Chinese mini-swine in the model group. Compared with the model group, TYTZ could significantly attenuate atherosclerotic plaque burden (P < 0.01), inhibit the coronary luminal stenosis, reduce inflammatory cell infiltration, decrease such inflammatory cell factors as hs-CRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in serum, and inhibit the NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation of coronary artery (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTYTZ can reduce the downstream inflammatory reaction by controlling NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation, so as to inhibit the occurrence and development of coronary atherosclerotic plaque in Chinese mini-swine.

Animals ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Inflammation ; complications ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mucous Membrane ; drug effects ; secretion ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo analyze and summarize changes of syndrome-related biological indices in acute lacuna encephalon infarction patients of upper hyperactivity of Gan yang syndrome (UHGYS), thus providing objective evidence for syndrome typing and disease identification.

METHODSRecruited were 50 patients at Department of Encephalopathy, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, who were in line with diagnostic criteria of UHGYS as the experimental group in this study. Another 40 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group from May 2010 to July 2012. Blood routines (including WBC, RBC, Hb, NEUT%, and LY%), hepatic and renal functions tests (including ALT, AST, TBIL, TP, ALB, Cr, and BUN) were performed by automatic whole blood analyzer and colorimetric technique. The levels of fasting blood glucose, HbAlc, blood lipids (including TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL-C), and coagulation functions (including AT-III, PT, PTA, INR, TT, APTT, and FBG, reaction time), renin, angiotensin II, hs-CRP, and Hcy were also measured. The thyroid functions (including FT3, FT4, T3, T4, and TSH) were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6 and IL-1 in serum were measured by ELISA and radioimmunoassay respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, RBC, LY%, ALT, TP, ALB, HDL-C, AT-III activities, contents of PTA and FT4 obviously decreased, TBIL, BUN, Glu, HbAlc, TSH, hs-CRP, renin, Ang II, TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6 significantly increased in the experimental group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe pathological process of acute lacuna encephalon infarction patients of UHGYS was closely correlated with thyroid functions, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, the extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation systems, as well as inflammation reaction.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Infarction ; blood ; diagnosis ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Stroke, Lacunar ; blood ; diagnosis

Peripheral nerve impairment is a common complication in surgery, which repair relates directly to the recovery of motor function and sensory function. Clinical researchers always do nerve sutrure using microsurgical technique and adjuvant treatment to improve peripheral nerve regeneration. Western medicine used usually of adjuvant drugs, such as neurotrophic factors, are limited by their defects in clinical application. Traditional Chinese medicine classifies peripheral nerve impair as paralysis and arthromyodynia, considers that it is the result of defects of meridian and vessels, QI and blood, bones and muscles. So, drugs used usually are QI invigorating herbs, blood circulation promoting herbs for unblocking collaterals, and nourishing herbs, including astragali, hedysari, ginkgo leaf, angelica, danshen root, paeoniae radix, epimedium, chuanxiong, and common basic formulas, such as Buyang Huanwu decoction, Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction, Huoxue Kangyuan decoction, compound radix hedysari, etc. To be ready for further study and development, we review the traditional Chinese medicine and formulas in this article.
Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

In this study, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to determine the location and relative quantity of flavonoids in the leaves of Apocynum venetum L. from the top, middle and basal parts of the branch. The leaves of the plants of one, two and three years old, separately, were collected in July. ANOVA and LSD test were employed in the statistical analysis. The results indicated that flavonoids located mainly in xylem conduit of vein, collenchyma, epidermic cells and cuticle. The data of flavonoids contents under statistical analysis showed that difference existed in the leaves of different parts and different ages. This study provided the reliable scientific material about the analysis of the ecological and the exploitation of the leaves of Apocynum venetom L.
Apocynum ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDMarked interindividual variation exists in blood pressure response to benazepril, which is considered to have genetic basis. Our objectives were to evaluate whether the E112D polymorphism in the prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) gene has impact on blood pressure response to benazepril.

METHODSHypertensive patients from Huoqiu County and Yuexi County of Anhui Province received daily treatment with an oral dosage of 10 mg benazepril for 15 days. Genotypes of the E112D polymorphism in the PRCP gene were determined by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Multivariate linear and Logistic regressions using generalized estimating equation model were performed in a total of 1092 patients to evaluate the association of PRCP genotypes and blood pressure response to benazepril.

RESULTSPatients carrying ED or DD genotype had a less systolic blood pressure reduction (adjusted beta = -3.7 + or - 1.1, P < 0.001), a less diastolic blood pressure reduction (adjusted beta = -3.1 + or - 0.8, P < 0.001) and a lower percentage of reaching target blood pressure defined as SBP lower than 140 mmHg and DBP lower than 90 mmHg (adjusted OR = 0.6, P = 0.005) than those patients carrying EE genotype. In addition, the results from stratified analysis by county (Huoqiu or Yuexi) were similar to those observed in the pooled population.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that the E112D polymorphism in the PRCP gene may be a useful genetic marker to predict the antihypertensive effect of short-term benazepril treatment in hypertensive patients of Anhui Province, China.

Adult ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzazepines ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Carboxypeptidases ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; physiology ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF) on murine thymocyte emigration and cell cycle alteration after a sublethal dose of gamma-irradiation. Female BALB/c mice were given 6.0 Gy γ-ray total body irradiation and then randomly divided into G-CSF and control groups. Mice in the G-CSF group were injected recombinant human G-CSF 100 µg/(kg·d) subcutaneously once daily for 14 consecutive days and mice in the control group were given the same volume of phosphate buffered solution. Thymocyte cycle alteration and the proportion of apoptosis cells were detected by flow cytometry within 72 hours after irradiation. Real-time PCR was used for detection and quantitation of murine T cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (sjTREC) of the thymic cells at 30 and 60 day after the irradiation. The results showed that at 6 hour after irradiation G-CSF could significantly increase the thymic cells in G(0)/G(1) phase, G-CSF vs control: (82.0 ± 5.0)% vs (75.9 ± 2.8)% (p < 0.05), and decrease the thymic cells in S phase, G-CSF vs control: (10.2 ± 4.8)% vs (15.7 ± 2.3)% (p < 0.05), but G-CSF seemed have no evident effects on the percentage of thymic cells in G(2)/M phase. G-CSF could also protect thymocytes from apoptosis at 6 hour and 12 hour after irradiation the percentages of apoptosis cells in G-CSF group were (11.5 ± 2.4)% and (15.5 ± 3.3)%, respectively, which were significantly lower than that of the control group (16.5 ± 2.2)% and (22.6 ± 0.7)%, respectively (p < 0.05). The sjTREC copy amount was conspicuously higher in G-CSF group than that in the control at 30 day after irradiation (p < 0.01), but the preponderance disappeared 60 days later. It is concluded that G-CSF has a positive effect on the thymic cell cycle alteration to protect thymocytes from apoptosis and enhance the recent thymocyte emigration, which may contribute to the central immune reconstitution after irradiation.
Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Female ; Gamma Rays ; adverse effects ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Thymocytes ; drug effects ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo modify a percutaneous transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus for better surgical performance in transpedical interbody bone grafting.

METHODSThe puncture needle, guide pin and expander were removed from the original design of interbody bone grafting apparatus, with also modification of the bone grafting funnel, obturator, wick and bone harvesting device. Percutaneous puncture and transpedical interbody bone grafting were performed using the modified apparatus on two cadavers, and the operative procedures, bone grafting scope and surgical trauma were observed.

RESULTSThis modified apparatus allowed increased bone grafting scope with shortened operative time, simplified operation procedures, and reduced surgical trauma.

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous puncture and transpedical interbody bone grafting can be easily and safely performed with the modified apparatus.

Bone Transplantation ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cadaver ; Female ; Humans ; Skin ; Time Factors