The effect of maltol to prevent erythrocyte from auto-oxidation is presented. When erythrocytes were incubated at 37 ℃ for 24 h in vitro, oxyhemoglobin was decreased, methemoglobin, superoxide freeradical, lipofuscin and Heinz's body were increased as well as membrane proteins were changed. These reactions could be inhibited by maltol.

Maltol is a chemical derived from Chinese herb Panax Ginseng. The effect of maltol on hemolysis and hydroperoxidation of erythro-cytes induced by active oxygen radical is presented. Maltol could protect hemolysis induced by H2O2 in vitro. When erythrocyte membrane protein was exposed to butylhydroperoxide in vitro, membrane protein was polymerized, and membrane lipids were oxidized to hydroperoxide compound. These oxidative reactions could inhibited by maltol. The results showed that maltol might act as a scavenger of superoxide of hydroxy radical as demonstrated by biochemical method and ESR spin method。

According to our previous experimental results, maltol is a powerful antioxidant against autoxidation and oxidative stress of eryth-rocytes. In this report, the toxicity and antioxidative action of maltol in mice was investigated. The results indicated that maltol was not toxic in mice when fed in a dose of 50mg/kg?d-1 (body weight) for 1 month. The antioxidative enzymes ( SOD and Cat ) activities and GSH content of erythrocytes were significantly increased. In addition, the lifespan of houseflies fed with maltol was prolonged.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of low dose sodium selenite combined with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on apoptosis and differentiation of human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) NB4 cells.

METHODSApo-ptosis was detected by translocation of phosphatidylserine (PS) with a Annexin-V kit and DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis analysis, cell differentiation was studied by flow cytometry of CD(11b) expression and NBT reduction assay.

RESULTSFive micromol/L sodium selenite or 0.1 micromol/L ATRA alone could not induce apoptosis of NB4 cells within 48 hours. However, combination of the two drugs at the same doses as above could induce significant apoptosis in 48 hours characterized by increased PS translocation and DNA ladder. Sodium selenite at concentration of 2 micromol/L was not able to induce differentiation of NB4 cells, but when combined with 0.1 micromol/L ATRA, CD(11b) expression and NBT reduction were increased as compared with that of 0.1 micromol/L ATRA alone.

CONCLUSIONLow dose sodium selenite could enhance the effects of low dose ATRA in inducing apoptosis and differentiation of NB4 cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; CD11b Antigen ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Synergism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sodium Selenite ; pharmacology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

Objective To compare the efficacy of different models of attention rehabilitation on attention deficits after acquired brain injury. Methods According to the training models, 47 patients with attention deficits were randomly assigned to 3 groups: computer-assisted training group(n=16), face-to-face training group(n=21) and control group(n=10). The training groups were given attention training once a day which sustained 30 minutes for 6 weeks. All patients were tested with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment Battery (LOTCA) before and 6 weeks after the rehabilitation. Results The performance of both the computer-assisted training group and the face-to-face training group significantly improved (P<0.05). The various of the scores was the most in the computer-assisted training group among them (P<0.05). Conclusion The computer-assisted training is a high-effective method for attention deficits.

Objective To compare the efficacy of different rehabilitation models on acalculia after acquired brain injury. Methods 113 cases were randomly assigned to 3 groups: control group(n=37), computer-assisted training group(n=38) and face-to-face training group(n=38). The control group just received cognitive dysfunction evaluation. The training groups received cognitive rehabilitation training 5 days a week and 30 minutes a day which sustained for 6 weeks. And 33 patients were selected to prolong for 12 weeks. They were evaluated with Revised EC301Calculation and Number Processing Battery in Chinese version (EC301-CR) at the beginning, the 6th week point and the 12th week point respectively. Results 6-week after treatment, The performance of both the computer-assisted training group and face-to-face training group significantly improved(P<0.001); It showed that computer-assisted group>face-to-face group>control group(P<0.001) both 6 weeks and 12 weeks latter. Significant negative correlation was found between age and performance of EC301-CR(P<0.05).Conclusion The effect of computer-assisted training on acalculia is superior to face-to-face training; The first 6 weeks of training is the best period for rehabilitation; The younger the patient is, the better results are.