AIM:To study the mechanisms of effects of the ?-opioid receptor(?-OR) on neonatal rat hypertrophic myocardial cells induced by isoproterenol(ISO).METHODS:Myocardial cells of neonatal rats were cultured in vitro.The total protein content was detected by the Lowry's assay.The volume of myocardial cell was measured by computer photogragh analysis system and the protein synthesis was assayed with[3H] leucine intake method.The degree of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) phosphorylation was determined by western-blotting.RESULTS:U0126(an inhibitor of ERK) decreased the total protein content,the cell size,the[3H]leucine incorporation and the ERK phosphorylation degree in hypertrophic myocardial cells induced by ISO.1 ?mol/L U50,488H(a ?-opioid receptor antagonist) could decrease the total protein content,the cell size,the[3H]leucine incorporation and the degree of ERK phosphorylation.But these effects could be diminished when incubated with U0126.CONCLUSION:?-opioid can abolish the hypertrophic response induced by ISO of cardiac myocytes,which was associate with ERK pathway.The inhibitor of ERK significantly inhibits the ISO-induced hypertrophied effect.

This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Tiao-Bu Fei-Shen therapies (i.e., Bu-Fei Jian-Pi, Bu-Fei Y i-Shen, Y i-Qi Zi-Shen) on cardiac remodeling of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rats and its mechanisms according to the R-value comprehensive evaluation method. Based on the database of previous experiment of COPD rats, R-value comprehensive evaluation method was used to evaluate the indexes as fellows to discuss efficacy of Tiao-Bu Fei-Shen therapies on cardiac remodeling of COPD rats. ① Indicators of right ventricular morphologic indexes: right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), cardiac muscle sarcomere lengths, bulk density of myocardial mitochondria (Vv), surface area (δ), membrane surface (δm), Vv, δ, δm of heart mitochondria;② Indicators of mechanisms: right ventricular endothelin-1 (ET-1), transforming growth factor-beta ( TGF-β) , vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF ) , basic fibroblast growth factor ( bFGF ) , matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). The results showed that the sequence of improving effect of right ventricular remodeling at week 20 was Bu-Fei Jian-Pi, Bu-Fei Y i-Shen, aminophylline, and Y i-Qi Zi-Shen; at week 32 and the integrated week 20 and week 32, the sequence of effect was Bu-Fei Jian-Pi, Bu-Fei Y i-Shen, Y i-Qi Zi-Shen, and aminophylline. At integrated week 20 and week 32, Bu-Fei Jian-Pi had significant better intensity correcting effect than aminophylline (P< 0.01). There was no difference between week 20 and week 32. It showed that each treatment group had good long-term effect. For the mechanism of correcting effect on right ventricular remodeling, at week 20, the sequence of comprehensive effect was Bu-Fei Jian-Pi, Bu-Fei Y i-Shen, aminophylline, and Y i-Qi Zi-Shen. And Bu-Fei Jian-Pi had better effect compared with aminophylline and Y i-Qi Zi-Shen (P< 0.01); Bu-Fei Y i-Shen had better effect than Y i-Qi Zi-Shen (P< 0.05). At week 32, the sequence of effect was Y i-Qi Zi-Shen, aminophylline, Bu-Fei Jian-Pi, and Bu-Fei Y i-Shen. At the integrated week 20 and week 32, the sequence of effect was Bu-Fei Jian-Pi, and Bu-Fei Y i-Shen, Y i-Qi Zi-Shen, and aminophylline. Until week 32, the correcting effect of Tiao-Bu Fei-Shen therapies and aminophylline still maintained the same level as at week 20. It indicated that each treatment plan had good long-term effect. It was concluded that Tiao-Bu Fei-Shen therapies can improve the cardiac remodeling of COPD rats and expression of related factors in the cardiac remodeling through the R-value comprehensive evaluation method. And the effect of Bu-Fei Jian-Pi was obvious with good long-term effect.

Objective:To further explore the relationship between Type Ⅰ hypersensitivity reaction and the mechanism of the viral hepatitis B through the research of soluble intercellular adhesion molecular-1(sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecular-1(sVCAM-1) levels in serum in patients with viral hepatitis B related to Type Ⅰ hypersensitivity reaction and the damage of liver cells, and therefore, provide new theory for the perfection of the immunological mechanism of hepatitis B, especially acute hepatitis B.Methods:Serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were measured in 45 patients with viral hepatitis B and 15 normal cases using double antibody sandwich ELISA method. ALT and AST levels were studied using omni automatic biochemistry analyzer and its correlation with sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were observed.Results:The sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels of 7 acute hepatitis B were significantly higher than that of the normal cases. ②The sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels of 38 chronic hepatitis B were also significantly higher than that of the normal cases. ③The sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels of 13 cases moderate chronic hepatitis B were significantly higher than that of 16 cases mild chronic hepatitis B. ④The sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels of 9 serious chronic hepatitis B were significantly higher than that of the group of mild chronic hepatitis B. ⑤Levels of sICAM-1 were significantly positively correlated with serum ALT and AST. ⑥sVACM-1 levels were significantly positively correlated with serum ALT and AST. In conclusion, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels in patients with acute hepatitis B were most remarkably increased, and then serious chronic hepatitis B, moderate chronic hepatitis B, light chronic hepatitis B in sequence.Conclusion:Serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels in patients with viral hepatitis B may reflect the damage of liver. ②Examination of serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels in patients with hepatitis B can be used to judge the patient’s condition and to diagnose. ③As an important indication of the inflammatory in Type Ⅰ hypersensitivity reaction, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 may interfere the appearence of hepatitis B and the procedure of immunological damage of liver cells.

Objective:To explore the relationship between type I hypersensitivity reaction and the mechanism of the viral hepatitis B through the research of interleukin(IL-13 ) and prostaglandin(PGE1) levels in serum of patients with viral hepatitis B, and therefore, to provide new theory for the perfection of the immunological mechanism of hepatitis B, especially acute hepatitis B.Methods:Serum IL-13 and PGE1 levels were measured in 50 patients with viral hepatitis B and 35 normal cases using double antibody sandwich ELISA method. AST and ALT levels were studied using omni automatic biochemistry analyzer and those correlation with IL-13 and PGE1 were observed.Results:①The IL-13 and PGE1 levels of 10 acute hepatitis B were significantly higher than those of the normal cases; ②The IL-13 and PGE1 levels of 35 chronic hepatitis B were also significantly higher than those of the normal cases; ③The levels of IL-13 and PGE1 were significantly positively correlated with serum ALT and AST.Conclusion:IL-13 and PGE1 levels in patients with acute hepatitis B are most remarkably increased, and correlate with the damage of liver.

Objective:To present evidence for the pathogenetic role of allergic factor,histamine,in type I allergy for induction of liver damage.Methods:Three groups of rabbits were fed normally and injected (iv) daily with 0, 0.04 or 0.08 ?g/kg phosphohistamine, respectively, for days. The serum level of ALT and AST in each group rabbits was assayed dynamically during the treatment. After treatment for days, the tested rabbits were sacrificed for pathological examination of the liver tissues.Results:The serum level of both ALT and AST in rabbits treated with phosphohistamine increased significantly during the tested periods, compared to that of the control group. However, both ALT and AST levels showed no significant difference between 0.04 ?g/kg and 0.08 ?g/kg groups. Liver microscopic examination, pathological damage could be observed in the tested groups in a time-and dose-dependent manner under microscopic examination. No evident pathological change appeared in the control group.Conclusion:Liver damage could be induced by histamine dosage-and time-dependently. This pathological action of histamine, a type I allergic factor, presents further evidence for a direct role of type I allergy in the pathogenesis hepatic injury.

This study is to investigate the treatment of Jin Chai antiviral capsule for influenza virus FM1/47 (H1N1) infection. The model of pneumonia was established by dropping influenza virus into the nose of normal mice, real-time PCR and Western blot technique were used to detect the virus load and the interferoninducible transmembrane protein3 (IFITM3) in lung of mice at the 1st day, 3rd day, 5th day and 7th day after affected. The results showed that Jin Chai antiviral capsule in large, middle, small dose groups can decrease virus load significantly at each time point, after being affected (P<0.05, P<0.01), Jin Chai antiviral capsule can increase the interferoninducible transmembrane protein3 in lung of mice, large dose groups are significantly higher in expression of IFITM3 compared with model group at each time point (P<0.05, P<0.01). Middle dose groups are significantly higher in expression of IFITM3 compared with model group at the 3th day and the 5th day (P<0.05), small dose groups are significantly higher in expression of IFITM3 compared with model group at the 3th day (P<0.05). It can be concluded that Jin Chai antiviral capsule exerts antiviral effects against influenzavirus by raised expression of IFITM3.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation of quality of life (QOL) with aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and histopathology after entecavir antiviral therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis. MethodsA total of 95 patients who were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and liver fibrosis in The Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University from October 2013 to March 2015 were enrolled, and all patients underwent entecavir antiviral therapy. Before treatment and at weeks 26, 52, and 78 of treatment, SF-36 scale was used to assess QOL, transient elastography was used to measure LSM, and serum APRI was measured. Among these patients, 31 underwent liver biopsy before treatment and at week 78 of treatment to observe the degree of inflammation and fibrosis, and QOL, APRI, LSM, and histopathology were analyzed before and after antiviral therapy. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data at different time points, and a Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsThere was a tendency of increase in QOL after antiviral treatment, and there were significant differences in general health, role-physical, role-motional, bodily pain, social functioning, and vitality at different time points (H=25.084, 8.699, 12.293, 22.874, 12.079, and 10.403, all P＜0.05). There was a tendency of reduction in APRI, with a significant change after treatment (H=60.030, P＜0.01), and there was also a significant reduction in LSM after treatment (H=35.744, P＜0.01). APRI and LSM were negatively correlated with QOL (all P＜0.05). Among the patients who underwent liver biopsy, 22 achieved the improvement in histological inflammation after antiviral therapy, 15 achieved the improvement in fibrosis, 14 achieved the improvement in both inflammation and QOL, and 8 achieved the improvement in both fibrosis and QOL. ConclusionEntecavir antiviral therapy can improve the QOL of patients with chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis, and reductions in APRI and LSM can predict the improvement in QOL in patients with chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis. Improvement in histological inflammation and fibrosis have a certain effect on the improvement in QOL in patients with chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis.

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural constitutional monarchy and federal system located in Southeast Asia. The top three diseases that cause deaths are ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory tract infections and stroke. Lower respiratory tract infections, colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease have been the fastest growing diseases in recent years. The health insurance system complements public and private health care system. Traditional medicine in Malaysia includes Malaysian Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Indian Medicine, Islamic Medicine and homeopathy. Although TCM, such as acupuncture, has not been covered by health insurance, it is widely used under the impetus of the local Chinese people. At present, in Malaysia, the TCM public acceptance and education need promotion, and scientific researches need to be improved. It is hoped that in the future, the development of TCM in Malaysia will be better developed and disseminated by promoting TCM relevant legislation, increasing public awareness, focusing on education and training, and carrying out international scientific research cooperation.

A DNA fragment encoding human interleukin 4 was obtained by PCR from pORF-hIL4 plasmid. The amplified fragment was inserted into prokaryotic expression vector PQE60 and recombinant protein was expressed in E. Coli M15 by adding isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG). The hIL-4 protein was present as insoluble inclusion bodies in the bacterial extract. After denaturation of inclusion bodies with 5 mol/L guanidine hydrochloride, the supernate was diluted to get renaturized. Then dialysis and Ni chelating chromatography were used for purification. TF-1 proliferation assay of recombinant human interleukin 4 was performed, and then rhIL-4 was fit to be used for proliferation of human dendritic cells from monocyte in vitro.
Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Protein Folding ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification

As a carbon-storage compound and osmoprotectant in brown algae, mannitol is synthe-sized and then accumulated at high levels in Saccharina japonica (Sja);however, the underlying con-trol mechanisms have not been studied. Our analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data from Sja shows that mannitol metabolism is a cyclic pathway composed of four distinct steps. A mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (M1PDH2) and two mannitol-1-phosphatases (M1Pase1 and MIPase2) work together or in combination to exhibit full enzymatic properties. Based on comprehensive tran-scriptomic data from different tissues, generations, and sexes as well as under different stress con-ditions, coupled with droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and proteomic confirmation, we suggest that SjaM1Pase1 plays a major role in mannitol biosynthesis and that the basic mannitol anabolism and the carbohydrate pool dynamics are responsible for carbon storage and anti-stress mechanism. Our proteomic data indicate that mannitol metabolism remains constant during diurnal cycle in Sja. In addition, we discover that mannitol-metabolism-associated (MMA) genes show differential expression between the multicellular filamentous (gametophyte) and large parenchymal thallus (sporophyte) generations and respond differentially to environmental stresses, such as hyposalineand hyperthermia conditions. Our results indicate that the ecophysiological significance of such dif-ferentially expressed genes may be attributable to the evolution of heteromorphic generations (fil-amentous and thallus) and environmental adaptation of Laminariales.