The challenge of the emergence of drug-resistant influenza strains, which is caused by wide spread utilization of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), accelerates the research and exploration towards host targeted agents. In contrast to DAAs targeting viral replication components, host targeted agents, which regulate host factors and pathways linked to viral replication, can interfere the replication of influenza. Additionally, the innate immune system is activated by influenza during the early stage of infection, so manipulating the innate immune response may prevent the viral infection. However, the excessive inflammatory response induced at the late phase of influenza infection would lead to severe tissue injures. Thus, it is very important to explore drugs with anti-inflammatory actions to suppress these immune imbalances and tissue injures. Here we overview the current progresses about host targets related to anti-influenza drugs.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Influenza, Human ; drug therapy ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenshuaining Granule (SG) combined telmisartan on serum creatinine (SCr) levels and urinary albumin contents in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients, and to explore its efficacy.

METHODSTotally 204 DN patients were recruited, and further assigned to 3 groups, i.e., the early DN group, the clinical stage of DN with normal renal function group, the clinical stage of DN with insufficient renal function group. Patients in the same group were randomly allocated to the telmisartan treatment group, the SG treatment group, and the combination of SG and telmisartan treatment group, 68 in each group. Patients in the telmisartan treatment group took telmisartan tablet, 80 mg per day, once daily. Those in the SG treatment group took SG, 5 g each time, 3 times per day. Those in the combination of SG and telmisartan treatment group took telmisartan tablet (80 mg per day, once daily) and SG (5 g each time, 3 times per day). The therapeutic course for all was 3 successive months. SCr levels, serum urea nitrogen (BUN),24 h urine microalbumin (24 h U-MA) were detected before and after treatment. Results In three different treatment groups, 24 h U-MA decreased after treatment in the telmisartan treatment group; SCr and BUN decreased after treatment in the SG treatment group; and 24 h U-MA, SCr and BUN decreased after treatment in the combination of SG and telmisartan treatment group (P<0.05). In the clinical stage of DN with insufficient renal function group, SCr obviously increased after treatment in the telmisartan treatment group (P <0. 05). In the 3 DN stages, SCr and 24 h U-MA obviously decreased in the combination of SG and telmisartan treatment group, when compared with the telmisartan treatment group and the SG treatment group (P<0.05). Compared with the telmisartan treatment group, SCr and BUN obviously decreased in the SG treatment group, but 24 h U-MA quantitation obviously increased (P<0.05). BUN obviously decreased in the combination of SG and telmisartan treatment group (P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of SG and telmisartan could decrease urinary albumin, and stabilize SCr levels.

Adult ; Albumins ; metabolism ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzimidazoles ; therapeutic use ; Benzoates ; therapeutic use ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Tablets

Objective To investigate the effects of growth differentiation factor 11 ( GDF11 ) on β-cell function in db/db mice and its possible mechanism. Methods Twenty eight-week-old male db/db mice were randomizedtoi.p. administration of GDF11(0.3mg·kg-1·day-1)or equivalent PBS(n=10)for 6 weeks.10age-matched male db/m were used as normal control, received equivalent PBS injection for 6 weeks. Blood glucose levels, body weights and food intake were monitored weekly. IPGTT and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion ( GSIS) were analyzed. After 6 weeks of intervention, serum HbA1C , TG, TC, and FFA were measured respectively. The concentrations of hormones in serum and pancreas were evaluated. The mRNA expression of Pdx-1, MafA, Nkx6. 1, and insulin2 were determined by RT-PCR. The expression of phosphorylated Smd2 (P-Smad2), Smad2 in islet were examined by western blot. Results Compared with NC group, GDF11 administration decreased FBG, HbA1C , modified lipid profiles. GDF11 improved glucose tolerance and augmented GSIS. Moreover, GDF11 increased serum insulin and pancreatic insulin content, while decreased serum glucagon concentration. The expression of Pdx-1, MafA, Nkx6. 1, and Insulin2 were significantly increased in GDF11 group. GDF11 elevated the expression of P-Smad2 in islets. Conclusion s GDF11 may preserve β-cell function and facilitate the secretion and production of insulin. Diminishing the metabolic abnormalities, alleviating the secretion of glucagon, as well as maintaining the key transcript factor activation may contribute to the amelioration of β-cell function after GDF11 administration. Smad2 pathway may be related to the protective effects of GDF11.

Objective To investigate the effect of growth differentiation factor 11 ( GDF11 ) on aorta in apolipoprotein E-Null( ApoE-/-) mice and its possible mechanisms. Methods Four-week-old healthy male ApoE-/-mice were fed with high-fat diet for 1 week and were then divided into 4 groups:vehicle group(n=10), GDF11 group (n=10),adeno-associated virus-green fluorescent protein group(AAV-GFP group, n=10), and AAV-GDF11 group ( n=10 ) . The mice received intraperitoneal injection with phosphate buffered saline, GDF11 protein, a single injection of purified AAV-GDF11 or AAV-GFP through the tail vein, respectively. After 4 weeks, serum GDF11/8 level and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation were detected. After 12 weeks, serum GDF11/8, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α), total cholesterol ( TC), triglycerides ( TG), oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL), and free fatty acids(FFA)levels were measured, the plaque areas in aortic enface and cross sections were measured by oil red O or HE staining, the macrophages/T lymphocytes infiltration in plaques were detected with immunohistochemistry, and the mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were determined by real-time PCR. Results Compared with vehicle or AAV-GFP groups, GDF11 and AAV-GDF11 groups presented improved endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, decreased levels of blood inflammatory factors, blood lipid, reduced plaque on face area sections[Vehicle group : GDF11 group:(31. 23 ± 3. 12)% vs (17. 18 ± 2. 17) %;AAV-GFP group : AAV-GDF11 group:(38.01±4.43)% vs(14.54±2.86)%,P<0.05]andcrosssections[Vehiclegroup :GDF11 group:(19. 87 ± 2. 11)% vs (10. 32 ± 1. 47)%;AAV-GFP group : AAV-GDF11 group:(23. 02 ± 2. 76)%vs (9.06±1.63)%, P<0. 05]. There were less macrophages and T lymphocytes infiltration in plaques and lower mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors at aortic wall. Conclusion GDF11 reduces the area of atherosclerotic lesion in ApoE-/-mice, which may be involved in endothelial protection, such as to reduce inflammatory reaction, and to change cellular composition in plaques.

Objective To observe the difference in treament of thoracolumbar vertebral bodies fractures be- tween AF nail and Dick nail.Methods From March 1998 to March 2007,85 cases of thoracolumbar vertebral bod- ies fractures were followed up.20 cases were fixed with Dick nail,and 65 cases with AF nail.Results The mean,fol- low-up period was 12 months.By comparison of the operating rime,bleeding amount,the recovery rate of vertebral height,the reduction of Cobb angle and capacity of vertebral canal,AF nail was much better than Dick nail.But there was no marked difference in the recover of nerve function.Conclusion AF nail has more power to reduce vertebral height and is easier to set than Dick nail.It will be worthy of more and wider application in basic level hospitals.

This study is to investigate the effect of recombinant human interferon alpha 2b against broad-spectrum respiratory viruses in vitro. At the cellular level, the effect of the recombinant human interferon alpha 2b on influenza A virus was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. The effects of the recombinant human interferon alpha 2b on influenza B virus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coronavirus were detected using cytopathic effect (CPE) method. In this study, the therapeutic index of recombinant human interferon alpha 2b anti-HPIV was 1476.63, the therapeutic index of recombinant human interferon alpha 2b anti-RSV was 141.37, the therapeutic index of recombinant human interferon alpha 2b anti-coronavirus was more than 2820.76, and the antiviral effect of recombinant human interferon alpha 2b was better than ribavirin (RBV). Recombinant human interferon alpha 2b has a stronger inhibitory effect on different influenza A virus RNA than drug control. The therapeutic index of recombinant human interferon alpha 2b anti-influenza B virus was 2.74, with modest effect. Recombinant human interferon alpha 2b in vitro has broad spectrum antiviral activities, low toxicity and high therapeutic index. Recombinant human interferon alpha 2b is expected to become the efficient medicine in clinical against respiratory viruses, as well as provide better services for prevention and treatment of respiratory viruses' infections.
Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; drug effects ; Influenza B virus ; drug effects ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human ; drug effects ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Ribavirin

Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; drug therapy ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Mice ; Silymarin ; pharmacology ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy and repeatability of alveolar bone height measurement in vitro by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to provide theoretical application of CBCT in periodontal clinic.

METHODSEight dry mandibles with 236 selected markers were scanned by CBCT scanner, and the distance from alveolar ridge crest to cemento-enamel junction were measured on every marker by the images of CBCT. Meanwhile the distances on the dry mandibles were measured directly by vernier caliper. All the data were analyzed by SPSS 13.0 statistics software.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between the two repeated measurements by the CBCT images (P >0.05), and no significant difference were found between the measurement by the CBCT images and by vernier caliperas well (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe CBCT images could demonstrate the three-dimensional relationships between tooth and alveolar bone accurately. As far as the height of alveolar bone measurement was concerned, CBCT show good accuracy and repeatability in vitro.

Alveolar Process ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mandible ; Software ; Tooth

Objective To compare the clinical effects between sodium hyaluronate injection and absorbable medical film implantation with arthroscopic release in treatment of frozen shoulder. Methods 40 cases of frozen shoulder patients from September 2015 to December 2016, 20 cases of sodium hyaluronate injection with arthroscopic release (SH group), 20 cases of absorbable medical film implantation with arthroscopic release (Medical Film group), the visual analogue scale (VAS), the shoulder joint function scores of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) between the two groups were compared. Results After 6 months follow-up, the VAS score, ASES score and UCLA score of the two groups were significantly improved (P < 0.05), the difference of VAS score, ASES score and UCLA score between the two groups were not statistically significant. Conclusion The sodium hyaluronate injection and absorbable medical film implantation with arthroscopic release can improve the shoulder function, and there is no significant difference between them.

AIM: To investigate the antitumor activity and mechanism of Paecilomyces tenuipes polysaccharide(PTPS).METHODS: PTPS-I was obtained by water extraction and alcohol precipitation,and purified by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography.Human erythroleukemia cell line K562,laryngocarcinoma cell line Hep2 and hepatic carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721were co-cultured with PTPS-I or the conditioned medium which prepared with PTPS-I-stimulated human mononuclear cells(PTPS-I-MNC-CM),and the proliferation of tumor cells was determined.The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) was used to determine the proliferation of MNCs.The FQ-RT-PCR was applied to investigate the expression of TNF-? and IL-6 mRNA in MNCs.RESULTS: PTPS-I-MNC-CM inhibited the proliferation of K562,Hep2 and SMMC-7721 cells in vitro(P