OBJECTIVETo compare the regulatory effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) at acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Hegu (LI4) on the visceral hyper-sensitivity in the rat model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to explore the acting targets and specialty of acupoints.

METHODSExcept 8 rats of the normal control group, the rest 32 rats were prepared to set up the IBS models. IBS animal model was prepared by enema with acetic acid. Model rats were divided into three groups. Except for rats in the model group for control, those in the other two groups were treated 20 min by EA on ST36 (EA-ST36) and LI4 (EA-LI4) respectively for 2 weeks to observe the effect on behavior response of viscera sensitivity. The changes of neuropeptide (NPY), the somatostatin (SS) levels in blood and tissues of brain and intestine were monitored as well.

RESULTSThe volume thresholds for abdomen uplifting and back hunching were obviously increased after EA-ST36 (P<0.05), but showed insignificant change after EA-LI4. NPY contents lowered and SS contents increased in model rats; both EA-ST36 and EA-LI4 could raise the level of thalamic NPY (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), but showed insignificant effects on NPY in colonic tissue. As for SS content, its colonic level could be reduced by EA-S36 and EA-LI4 (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), however, its blood level was affected only by EA-ST36 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEA-ST36 or EA-LI4 could regulate the NPY in thalamus and SS in colonic tissue, the former could affect blood level of SS as well. It is deemed that NPY and SS may be the key substances for regulating the action of acupuncture in the brain-intestinal axis; their different levels could be regarded as an indicator for the functional difference between the acupoints.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Neuropeptide Y ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Somatostatin ; metabolism ; Viscera ; physiopathology

This paper is aimed to report the development of a method for the determination of the binding rate of plasma protein with salvianolic acid B. In vitro, equilibrium dialysis method was used to imitate the binding process between salvianolic acid B and plasma protein, in vivo, ultrafiltration method was used and the binding rate with HPLC was determined. Plasma samples were treated with methanol to precipitate the protein, and the buffer solution was directly determined after filtering. The calibration curve of the buffer solution was linear in the range of 0.5-20 microg mL(-1). The calibration curve of the plasma was linear in the range of 2-200 microg mL(-1). The extract recovery was 68.6%-81.9%. RSDs of intra- and inter-day precisions were all less than 8.5%. The binding rates of plasma protein with salvianolic acid B in vitro was 75.2% and in vivo was 92.1%. This paper shows the high binding power of salvianolic acid B to plasma protein with high sensitivity, good reproduction, simple management and fulfilling the requirement.
Animals ; Benzofurans ; blood ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Blood Proteins ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Male ; Protein Binding ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproducibility of Results ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrafiltration ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analysis the clinical and pathological characteristics of children with dense deposit disease (DDD).

METHODS12 Children diagnosed as DDD by electron microscope were enrolled in this study. The clinical and pathological data were analyzed.

RESULTSOf the 12 cases, 7 were males and 5 females, mean age 9.1 +/- 3.9 (5-13) years at onset, the duration from onset to renal biopsy was 1 month to 5 years and the follow-up period was 1-9 years. All cases had heavy proteinuria >50 mg/(kg x d), and persistent microscopic hematuria with recurrent gross hematuria during the course. Seven cases had hypertension (> or = 140/100 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg =0. 133 kPa), 5 cases had transient or recurrent abnormal renal function, and mild to severe anemia were observed in 8 cases respectively. All the cases had lower serum C3 (0.15-0.55 g/L). Clinically, 10 cases were diagnosed as nephritic syndrome (one case had partial lipodystrophy at the same time), and 2 cases were diagnosed as acute nephritic syndrome. Immunofluorescence study showed intense deposition of C3 along GBM, TBM and the wall of Bowman's capsule in a ribbon-like pattern and in the mesangial regions as coarse granules in all the cases. Under light microscopy, 9 cases showed the feature of membrane proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), 1 case with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), 1 case with endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis (EnPGN) and 1 case with proliferative sclerosis (PSGN). Crescents were seen in 3 cases. Under electron microscopy, ribbon-like or linear electron-dense intramembranous deposits were identified in the lamina dense of GBM, and often along TBM and the wall of Bowman's capsule. All patients showed steroid resistance. After methylprednisone treatment, some patients showed transient remission. During the follow- up stage of 1-9 years, 3 cases showed normal urinalysis, 5 cases showed partial remission, 2 cases progressed to end stage renal disease (ESRD) and 2 cases were lost.

CONCLUSIONDDD is an in dependently rare disease with pathological-clinical varieties. Children with DDD presented with persistently lower C3, heavy proteinuria, recurrent gross hematuria and anemia. The characteristic immunopathologic finding is intense deposition of C3 along the GBM. Under electron microscopy, ribbon-like or linear electron-dense deposits in the lamina dense of the GBM, TBM and the wall of Bowman's capsule. Electron microscopic examination to demonstrate the intramembranous dense deposits is definitive diagnosis, regardless of the finding of light microscopy. All of them showed steroid resistant. Patients with steroid and CTX treatment showed some clinical improvement of their urinalysis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glomerular Basement Membrane ; pathology ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo observe the suppressive effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in liver from brain dead (BD) rats through inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway by SB203580.

METHODSA total of 30 male Wistar rats weighing from 180 to 200 g were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: (1) BD group (n = 10): brain death was induced in rats; (2) BD+SB203580 group (n = 10): brain death was successfully induced and SB203580 (10 mg/kg) was given through dorsal vein of penis. After brain death artificial ventilation was maintained for 6 hours and only those with mean arterial blood pressure more than 80 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) were accepted as BD donors. (3) Control group (n = 10): living healthy rats. The expressions of TNFalpha and IL-1beta mRNA in liver tissues were analyzed by RT-PCR and the protein expressions of TNFalpha, IL-1beta and phosphorylated p38MAPK were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe phosphorylated p38MAPK detected in the liver in BD group was significantly increased compared with the control group (q = 172.53, P < 0.01), and the expressions of TNFalpha and IL-1beta mRNA and proteins in liver were also significantly increased in BD group compared with the control group (q = 123.99, 135.35, 243.09 and 192.23, respectively, P < 0.01). The phosphorylated p38MAPK was decreased in BD+SB203580 group and significantly decreased compared with the BD group (q = 63.90, P is less than 0.05), but higher than that in control group (q = 108.63, P < 0.01). The expressions of TNFalpha and IL-1beta mRNA and proteins in liver were significantly decreased in BD+SB203580 group compared with the BD group (q = 55.11, 98.13, 61.03 and 50.85, respectively, P < 0.01), but higher than that in control group (q = 68.89, 37.22, 182.06 and 141.38, respectively, P < 0.01). SB203580 can suppress the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver of brain dead rats through the inhibition of p38MAPK signaling pathway which may reduce the immunogenicity of donor livers.

Animals ; Brain Death ; metabolism ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

Objective To explore the effect of magnesium isoglycyrrhi-zinate on clinical curative effect in patients with severe acute pancreatitis ( SAP ) .Methods Ninety -two SAP patients were randomly divided into the treatment group(n=46)and the control group(n=46).They all accepted the conventional treatment, but the patients in the treatment group were given the treatment of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate 150 mg? d-1 for 2 weeks.The difference of C reactive protein ( CRP) , tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF -α) , interleukin -6 ( IL -6 ) , intercellular adhesion molecule -1 ( ICAM -1 ) , oxygenation index, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood creatinine, urea nitrogen and the incidence rate of adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate in the treatment group ( 89.13%) was significantly higher than that in control group (69.57%) .After 7 d and 14 d of treatment, the CRP, TNF-α, IL -6 , ICAM -1 in the treatment group were significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05 ) .After 7 d and 14 d of treatment, oxygenation index in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P <0.05 ) , and alanine
aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood creatinine, urea nitrogen in the treatment group were significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate could improve the clinical efficacy by improving inflammation and protecting organ function in SAP patients.

Objective To investigate the importance of health education on extending use of arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis. Methods A total of 160 cases of hemodialysis with arteriovenous fistula as vascular access in hemodialysis room were selected and randomly divided into two groups: experimental group and control group. The control group performed routine nursing while the experimental group conducted individualized health education on the basis of usual nursing. The knowledge and behavior in self care of arteriovenous fistula were compared between two groups. Results The knowledge and behavior in self care of arteriovenous fistula in the experimental group were better than that in the control group. Conclusions Individualized health education on hemodialysis patients can reduce the complications of arteriovenous fistula and extend the use life of it.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of lead exposure on copper and copper metalloenzyme and the intervention effect of quercetin.

METHODSTwenty-four specific pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats of good health were randomly divided into control group (n = 8), lead acetate group (n = 8), and lead acetate + quercetin group (n = 8). The rats in lead acetate group were poisoned by drinking water with 1 g/L lead acetate for 8 weeks, while the rats in control group were fed by drinking water with sodium acetate of the same volume for 8 weeks; the rats in lead acetate+quercetin group were intraperitoneally injected with quercetin (30 mg × kg-1 × d-1) for 8 weeks while drinking water with lead acetate. The Morris water maze was used to test the learning and memory abilities of rats. The lead and copper levels in the serum, hippocampus, cortex, and bone were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The level of advanced glycation end products, activity of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), and content and activity of ceruloplasmin (CP) in the hippocampus and serum were measured using a test kit. HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the hippocampus.

RESULTSThe Morris water maze test showed that the latency in lead acetate group (52.50±12.04 s) was significantly longer than that in control group (28.08±7.31 s) (P<0.05), and the number of platform crossings was significantly lower in the lead acetate group than in the control group. Compared with those in the control group, the lead levels in the cortex and hippocampus in lead acetate group increased 2.72-fold and 3.79-fold, and the copper in the cortex and hippocampus, and serum free copper levels in lead acetate group increased 1.15-fold, 1.48-fold, and 6.44-fold. Compared with the control group, the lead acetate group had a lower content of CP in the hippocampus (1.23±0.40 U/mg provs0.78±0.08 U/mg pro) and 31.81%and 19.49%decreases in CP content and Cu/Zn SOD activity. Free copper level in serum was positively correlated with the latency and lead levels in the serum, cortex, and hippocampus. The escape latency of rats in lead acetate + quercetin group was decreased by 42.15% (P<0.05). The lead levels in the cortex and hippocampus in lead acetate + quercetin group (0.246 ± 0.58 µg/g and 0.202±0.049 µg/g) were significantly lower than those in lead acetate group (0.391±0.49 µg/g and 0.546±0.120 µg/g), but the free copper and copper levels in the hippocampus and cortex were not significantly reduced. The lead acetate + quercetin group had higher Cu/Zn SOD activity and CP content in the hippocampus than the lead acetate group (P < 0.05). The light microscope observation showed that the number of cells in the hippocampus was reduced with disordered arrangement in the lead acetate group; with quercetin intervention, the hippocampus damage was reduced.

CONCLUSIONLead exposure results in disorder of copper homeostasis, while quercetin may alleviate the damage induced by lead to some extent.

Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; chemistry ; Copper ; blood ; Hippocampus ; chemistry ; Homeostasis ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Organometallic Compounds ; toxicity ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of deep sarcoma of the penis.

METHODSThe pathological and clinical data of 2 cases of deep sarcoma of the penis were analyzed retrospectively and the literature reviewed.

RESULTSBoth of the cases were treated by total penectomy. Epithelioid angiosarcoma of the penis was confirmed by postoperative pathology in one patient, who died of pulmonary metastasis in the eighth month after the operation; and epithelioid sarcoma of the penis was confirmed in the other, who died of brain metastasis in the second month after the operation.

CONCLUSIONDeep sarcoma of the penis is rare but can be diagnosed pathologically. Total penectomy is the main option for its treatment. Node dissection, with poor prognosis, is not recommended unless adenopathy is palpable.

Fatal Outcome ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoma ; diagnosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the in vitro effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on hepcidin of monocytes and its molecular mechanisms.

METHODSHepcidin and signaling molecules including C/EBPalpha, Smad1/5/8, p-Smad1/5/8 and p-STAT3 were detected by real time PCR and Western blot. THP-1 monocytes were stimulated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). EPO receptor (EPOR) antibody was added to observe its antagonistic effect on EPO and impact on the signaling proteins.

RESULTSEPO suppressed mRNA expression of THP-1 hepcidin of monocytes induced by 20 ng/ml IL-6 or 1 microg/ml LPS in both dose and time dependent manner. The most decrease of hepcidin expression was observed at 2 IU/ml EPO for 6 hours. EPO also down-regulated hepcidin protein induced by 20 ng/ml IL-6. At 2 IU/ml EPO for 6 hours hepcidin protein was down-regulated, as was C/EBPalpha, p-Smad1/5/8 and p-STAT3. Antibody to EPOR antagonized the down-regulation of EPO on hepcidin and signaling proteins.

CONCLUSIONSMonocytes hepcidin can be reduced by EPO when stimulated by IL-6 or LPS. The mechanism of which may be at least in part, via suppression of C/EBPalpha, p-Smad1/5/8 and p-STAT3 signaling.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; Hepcidins ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of multiple myeloma patients' sera on hepcidin mRNA expression of Hep-3b hepatoma cell line and effect of human interleukin-6 (IL-6) antibody or recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on hepcidin mRNA expression. The clinical information and serum of multiple myeloma patients were collected. Their sera of a final concentration of 10% were added into Hep-3b cell medium. The mRNA from Hep-3b cells was extracted, and hepcidin mRNA expression was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A final concentration of 10 ng/ml human IL-6 antibody and 2 U/ml rhEPO were added into the medium respectively. The results showed that the sera of untreated multiple myeloma patients elevated hepcidin mRNA expression of Hep-3b cells, compared with healthy controls and iron deficiency anemia patients. This effect was fully neutralized by human IL-6 antibody or rhEPO. The hemoglobin (Hb) level was stable during the follow up of regularly treated multiple myeloma patients and the effect of MM patient serum on Hep-3b cell hepcidin mRNA expression was reduced. It is concluded that the hepcidin mRNA expression of Hep-3b cell can be increased by untreated multiple myeloma patient serum. This promotive effect can be antagonised by IL-6, which suggests that IL-6 may be possible to elevate expression level of hepcidin in Hep-3b cells and results in anemia of chronic disease (ACD). The above mentioned promotive effects also can be suppressed by rhEPO, which indicates that the rhEPO may possess curative effect for ACD disease. During short-term follow-up of treated patients with multiple myeloma the Hb level is stable, the influence of patients serum on hepcidin mRNA of Hep-3b cells decreases, which shows the stabilization of disease and amelioration of ACD patient status.
Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Erythropoietin ; blood ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hepcidins ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics