OBJECTIVETo investigate the salvage therapy for a child with refractory and ( or) repeatedly-relapsed Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

METHODData of a patient with Langerhans cell histiocytosis whose disease relapsed repeatedly treated with cladribine was collected and analyzed and the related literature was reviewed.

RESULTThe initial symptoms developed 3 months after his birth, multiple systems (skin, skeleton, lung, liver) were involved; he was sequentially treated with LCH-III-Group I, JLSG-96, DAL-HX90 chemotherapeutic regimens. The patient got relapses for more than 3 times, but the disease got completely controlled after being treated with cladribine when the patient was 6 years old. The dosage was 10 mg/(m2 · d) for 4 days, and one course lasted for 28 days, the third to fifth courses of treatment used Arac in combination, the whole treating time lasted for 5 months. The patient remained in persistent remission for 8 months since discontinuation of treatment. "Langerhans cell histiocytosis" "refractory" "cladribine" were used as the key words to search in the data bases CNKI, Wanfangdata and Pubmed, 11 articles were picked. According to the literature, the effective rate of cladribine in treatment of repeatedly relapsing Langerhans cell histiocytosis was 44%-100%, with a good response of 22%-86%, the dose was 5-13 mg/(m2 · d). The main side effects were hematological system damages and infection.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of commonly used chemotherapeutic regimens is limited for children with refractory and (or) repeatedly-relapsed Langerhans cell histiocytosis and cladribine can be used as an alternative therapeutic option of the salvage therapy.

Child ; Cladribine ; therapeutic use ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Recurrence ; Skin

Objective To investigate the expression of aquaporins-3 (AQP3) in amniotic epithelial cells regulated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA) signal pathway and to explore the mechanisms of its expression.Methods The amniotic epithelial cells were collected from 30 patients who underwent elective caesarean sections at term with normal amniotic fluid volume and primarily cultured.The cultured cells were treated with (1) forskolin groups: different concentration (0,2.5,5,50 or 100 μmol/L) of forskolin treated cells for 2 hours,and the optimal concentration of forskolin treated cells with different time (0,1,2,10 or 20 hours) ; (2)SP-cAMP groups: different concentration (0,2.5,5,50 or 100 μmol/L) of SP-cAMP treated cells for 2 hours,and the optimal concentration of SP-cAMP treated cells with different time (0,1,2,10 or 20 hours); (3)H-89 groups: different concentration (0,5,10,50 or 100 μmol/L) of H-89 treated cells for 2 hours,and the optimal concentration of H-89 treated cells with different time (0,1,2,10 or 20 hours).The level of intracellular cAMP and activity of PKA were detected by using ELISA,and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization of AQP3,the protein expression of total cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and phospho-CREB (p-CREB) and AQP3 were assessed by western blot analysis.Cell proliferation was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8)assay.Results (1) The brown staining of AQP3 was detected in both cell membrane and cytoplasm in each group.(2) There was no significant change of the cell proliferation rate among groups with different concentration of forskolin,SP-cAMP and H-89 treatment (P ＞ 0.05).(3) After different concentration of forskolin treated 2 hours,the expression of total CREB had no significant difference among them(P ＞ 0.05).While the expression of cAMP level,PKA activity,p-CREB and AQP3 protein were significantly changed,which were higher in 2.5 μmol/L,5 μmol/L,50 μmol/L forskolin group when compared with 0 μmol/L (P ＜ 0.05).Their expressions in 5 μmol/L forskolin group were higher than that in 2.5 μmol/L and 50 μmol/L (P ＜ 0.05).The optimal forskolin concentration was 5 μmol/L.(4) After different concentration of SP-cAMP treated 2 hours,the expression of total CREB and cAMP level had no significant difference among them (P ＞ 0.05),while the expression of PKA activity,p-CREB and AQP3 protein were significantly changed,which were higher in 5 μμmol/L,50 μmol/L SP-cAMP group when compared with 0 μmol/L (P ＜ 0.05).Their expressions in 50 μmol/L SP-cAMP group were higher than that in 5 μmol/L (P ＜0.05).The optimal SP-cAMP concentration was 50 μmol/L (5) After different concentration of H-89 treated 2 hours,the expression of total CREB and cAMP level had no significant difference among them (P ＞ 0.05),while the expression of PKA activity,p-CREB and AQP3 protein were significantly changed,which were lower in 10 μmol/L,50 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L H-89 group when compared with 0 μmol/L (P ＜ 0.05).Their expressions in 10 μmol/L H-89 group were lower than that in 50 μmol/L,100 μmol/L (P ＜ 0.05).The optimal H-89 concentration was 10 μmol/L.(6) p-CREB and AQP3 protein expression were significantly lower in 5 μmol/L forskolin combined 10 μmol/L H-89 incubating 2 hours group when compared with 5 μmol/L forskolin,but higher than that in 10 μmol/L H-89 treated group (P ＜ 0.05).Total CREB was no significant difference among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion cAMP-PKA signal transduction pathway may regulate AQP3 protein expression in human amniotic epithelial cells.

Objective To explore the prenatal genetic diagnosis for classic phenylketonuria (PKU) families.Methods Probands and their family members from three classic PKU families were analyzed by combining linkage analysis through short tandem repeats (STR) polymorphism and PCR-sequencing for the exons within mutation hot spot of phenylalanine hydroxylase gene.Results Linkage analysis found uninformative for Family 1,while 100 % confirmative information was obtained from Family 2 and 3.Sequencing showed compound heterozygous mutations of phenylalanine hydroxylase gene for all of the three probands.Five mutations were detected,namely Y166X,R243Q,R413P,EX6-96A ＞ G and IVS11-1G＞ C,and IVS11-1G ＞ C was a novel identified muntation.Information from linkage analysis and mutation screening showed clearly that the fetus of Family 1 and 2 were affected,while normal for Family 3.Conclusions For those PKU families,reliable service of prenatal genetic diagnosis could be provided by combining linkage analysis with mutation screening of phenylalanine hydroxylase gene.

Salvianolic acid A (Sal A) is one of the most effective compounds isolated from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Up to now, several studies regarding the pharmacokinetic profiles of Sal A have been reported, however there is no such study reported in monkeys, the species which is more similar to human. The aim of this study is to develop a LC-MS method for the determination of Sal A in monkey plasma and apply it to the pharmacokinetic studies of monkeys. After single intravenous administration of Sal A, the plasma concentration-time curves were observed and the main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The plasma concentration at 2 min (C2 (min)) values were (28.343 ± 6.426), (45.679 ± 12.301) and (113.293 ± 24.360) mg x L(-1) for Rhesus monkeys treated with Sal A at 2.5, 5 and 10 mg x kg(-1). The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-∞)) values were (3.316 ± 0.871), (5.754 ± 2.150) and (13.761 ± 2.825) μg x L(-1) x h, respectively. Furthermore, this method was improved and applied to the simultaneous determination of Sal A, Sal B and Sal C, which provided useful information for preclinical studies and clinical trials of Sal A, Sal B and Sal C.
Administration, Intravenous ; Animals ; Caffeic Acids ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Lactates ; pharmacokinetics ; Macaca mulatta ; Mass Spectrometry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

A double targets of high throughput screening model for xanthine oxidase inhibitors and superoxide anion scavengers was established. In the reaction system of xanthine oxidase, WST-1 works as the probe for the ultra oxygen anion generation, and product uric acid works as xanthine oxidase activity indicator. By using SpectraMax M5 continuous spectrum enzyme sign reflectoscope reflector, the changes of these indicators' concentration were observed and the influence factors of this reaction system to establish the high throughput screening model were studied. And the model is confirmed by positive drugs. In the reaction system, the final volume of reaction system is 50 μL and the concentrations of xanthine oxidase is 4 mU x mL(-1), xanthine 250 μmol x L(-1) and WST-1 100 μmol x L(-1), separately. The Z'-factor of model for xanthine oxidase inhibitors is 0.537 4, S/N is 47.519 9; the Z'-factor of model for superoxide anion scavengers is 0.507 4, S/N is 5.388 9. This model for xanthine oxidase inhibitors and superoxide anion scavengers has more common characteristics of the good stability, the fewer reagent types and quantity, the good repeatability, and so on. And it can be widely applied in high-throughput screening research.
Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; Superoxides ; Uric Acid ; Xanthine ; Xanthine Oxidase ; antagonists & inhibitors

Objective:To study the pharmacokinetics of propranolol in Wistar rats after acute exposure to high altitude.
Methods:Fourteen male Wistar rats (200±20) g were selected. After administration of propranolol tablets (0.05 g/kg, i.g.), blood samples (3 mL) were collected at 0, 20, 40 min,1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by LC-MS/MS and DAS 2.0 software.
Results:The main pharmacokinetic area under concentration-time curve (AUC), mean retention time (MRT), half-life (t1/2) and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of propranolol were increased by 442.61%, 47.45%, 73.13%and 352.97%, respectively, whereas Tmax and clearance (CL) were decreased by 80.87%and 68.94%, respectively.
Conclusion:This study displays significant changes in the pharmacokinetics of propranolol under high altitude, which may provide evidence for clinical rational application of propranolol at high altitude.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of Compound Danshen Injection (CDI) in regulating the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) in human amnion epithelium cells (hAECs), and to study the relation between c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal pathway and AQP3.

METHODShAECs were isolated and primarily cultured from term pregnancy with normal amniotic fluid volume and from term pregnancy with oligohydramnios, and then hAECs were further divided into four groups, i.e., the blank control group (A), the SP600125 group (B), the CDI group (C), and the SP600125 +CDI group (D). The cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8). The expression of total JNK, phosphorylated JNK, and AQP3 were determined by Western blot.

RESULTS(1) In hAECs with normal AFV or with oligohydramnios: There was no statistical difference in the cell viability or the expression of total JNK among the 4 groups (P > 0.05). But there was statistical difference in the expression of p-JNK (P < 0.05). Compared with A group, the expression of p-JNK was obviously down-regulated in B group, but obviously up-regulated in C group (P < 0.05). The expression of p-JNK was significantly lower in D group than in C group, but higher than that in A group or B group (P < 0.05).The AQP3 expression in the hAECs with normal amniotic fluid volume of C group and D group were higher than that in the A group (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the AQP3 expression between C group and D group (P > 0.05). In hAECs with oligohydramnios, the expression of AQP3 obviously decreased in B group, but up-regulated in C group (both P < 0.05). The expression of AQP3 was lower in D group than in C group, but higher than in B group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCDI could regulate the AQP3 expression in hAECs with oligohydramnios via activating the JNK signal pathway.

Amnion ; cytology ; drug effects ; Aquaporin 3 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; physiology

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; genetics ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; pharmacology ; Electroporation ; methods ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 ; Transfection

Objective: To investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and 5-fluorouracil(5-Fu) on human colon carcinoma LOVO cells in vitro. Methods: The LOVO cells during exponential growth stage were harvested and divided into control group,GH group, 5-Fu group and GH + 5-Fu group. According to the dose of GH, the GH group was separated into two sub-groups(50 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL) and the GH +5-Fu group was separated into two sub-groups. With different concentrations of rhGH and/or 5-Fu , the cell survive rates were analyzed by MTT assay after 24 h , 48 h and 72 h and cell cycle and proliferation index (PI) were analyzed by flow cytometry after 24 h. Results: Compared with the control group, the survive rates in 5-Fu and GH +5-Fu groups were decreased significantly (P <0. 05). The significant effects of rhGH on cell cycle kinetics were found in the cell line. Compared with the control group, percentage of S phase and proliferation index (PI) significantly increased (P <0.05)and percentage of G_0/G_1 phase decreased (P <0. 05) in GH groups. Percentages of cells of S phase and PI significantly decreased in GH + 5-Fu groups (P < 0. 05). Rate of apoptosis increased in 5-Fu and GH +5-Fu groups (P <0.05). Compared with the 5-Fu group, there were no statistically significant differences in percentages of cells of S phase and PI and rate of apoptosis between two GH+5-Fu groups(P >0. 05). Conclusion-. rhGH does not stimulate the LOVO cells proliferation in vitro, and its use is safe when combined with 5-fluorouracil.

Objective To evaluate the safety limits of amygdalin in the Chinese patent medicines and Chinese herbal medi-cines,so as to provide reference for establishing the standard in the safety limits of endogenous cyanide glycosides as toxic ingredients. Methods The toxicity differences between D-amygdalin and L-amygdalin were explored by CCK-8 assay. The daily safe dose of amyg-dalin was deduced by the no-observed-adverse-effect level(NOAEL)of cyanide. Based on the deduced results,the safety limits of amygdalin in thirty-six Chinese patent medicines and three different kinds of Chinese herbal medicine were calculated. Results The half maximal inhibitory concentration of D-amygdalin and L-amygdalin was(3.5±2.0)and(6.6±0.4)mmol/L,respectively,and the daily safe dose of amygdalin was 104.30 mg. Conclusion The toxicity of D-amygdalin was approximately two times that of L-amygda-lin. To establish the safety limits of amygdalin,the sum content of the epimer could be regarded as the D-amygdalin itself to enlarge the safety scope. The content of amygdalin of three Chinese patent medicines was determined to exceed the maximum safety limit for all measured batches,indicating some kind of safety risk. Moreover,in the researches on safety limit establishment,the toxicity-alleviat-ed processing effect should be included.