OBJECTIVES: To establish the GC-MS qualitative and quantitative analysis methods for the synthetic cannabinoids, its main matrix and additives in suspicious electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) oil samples. METHODS: The e-cigarette oil samples were analyzed by GC-MS after diluted with methanol. Synthetic cannabinoids, its main matrix and additives in e-cigarette oil samples were qualitatively analyzed by the characteristic fragment ions and retention time. The synthetic cannabinoids were quantitatively analyzed by using the selective ion monitoring mode. RESULTS: The linear range of each compound in GC-MS quantitative method was 0.025-1 mg/mL, the matrix recovery rate was 94%-103%, the intra-day precision relative standard deviations (RSD) was less than 2.5%, and inter-day precision RSD was less than 4.0%. Five indoles or indazole amide synthetic cannabinoids were detected in 25 e-cigarette samples. The main matrixes of e-cigarette samples were propylene glycol and glycerol. Additives such as N,2,3-trimethyl-2-isopropyl butanamide (WS-23), glycerol triacetate and nicotine were detected in some samples. The content range of synthetic cannabinoids in 25 e-cigarette samples was 0.05%-2.74%. CONCLUSIONS The GC-MS method for synthesizing cannabinoid, matrix and additive in e-cigarette oil samples has good selectivity, high resolution, low detection limit, and can be used for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple components; The explored fragment ion fragmentation mechanism of the electron bombardment ion source of indole or indoxamide compounds helps to identify such substances or other compounds with similar structures in cases.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems ; Illicit Drugs/analysis* ; Indazoles/chemistry* ; Glycerol/analysis* ; Cannabinoids ; Indoles/chemistry* ; Ions

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of H3K27 methylation inhibitor EPZ005687 on the apoptosis, proliferation and cell cycle of U937 cells and normal CD34⁺ cells. The U937 cells and normal CD34⁺ cells were treated with different concentration of EPZ005687 at different time points. The apoptosis rate was determined by Annexin V/PI staining. The cell proliferation and cell cycle was determined using WST-1 assay and 7-AAD assay, respectively. The activity of H3K27 methylation was detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay. The results showed that the EPZ005687 induced an obvious apoptosis of U937 cells. The apoptotic rate was 3.96% ± 0.79%,5.74% ± 0.73%,13.34% ± 1.77% and 25.24% ± 2.55% in U937 cells treated with 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 µmol/L EPZ005687 for 48 hours, respectively. However, EPZ005687 had rare effect on normal bone marrow(NBM) CD34⁺ cells. The apoptotic rate was 3.64% ± 0.62%,4.28% ± 0.99%,6.18% ± 1.19% and 7.56% ± 1.34% after U937 cells were treated with 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 µmol/L EPZ005687 for 48 hours, respectively. EPZ005687 inhibited obviously the proliferation of U937 cells but had weak effect on the proliferation of NBMCD34⁺ cells. The inhibitory effect of EPZ005687 on U937 cells was time-dependent after treated with 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 µmol/L EPZ005687 from 12 to 96 hours. EPZ005687 induced G1 phase blocking (G1%, 64.18% ± 13.27% vs 49.43% ± 12.54%) and decreased the percentage of cells in S phase (9.67% ± 2.61% vs15.26% ± 5.58%) in U937 cells. However, EPZ005687 had no effect on the cell cycle of NBMCD34⁺ cells. In addition, EPZ005687 produced obviously depletion of H3K27 methylation in U937 cells (P < 0.05), but hardly had effect on the H3K27 methylation of NBMCD34⁺ cells. It is concluded that the EPZ005687 inhibites proliferation, induces apoptosis and cell cycle blocking in G1 phase in leukemia cells. This agent may have potential value in clinical application.
Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Indazoles ; pharmacology ; Methylation ; Pyridones ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), as a transcription factor, plays an important role in the adaptation to hypoxic microenvironment within tumors. It can induce a series of genes transcription that participate in angiogenesis, glucose metabolism, cell proliferation, and cell migration/invasion. Thus HIF-1 not only allows cancer cells to survive in hypoxic microenvironment, but also makes the tumor more aggressive. Moreover, HIF-1 also induces tumors to acquire resistance to chemo-/radio-therapy, and is related to poor prognosis. HIF-1 emerges gradually as a potential target to develop new antitumor drugs. This paper reviews recent progress in this field.
Amphotericin B ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Echinomycin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Indazoles ; pharmacology ; Sirolimus ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Topotecan ; pharmacology ; Transcription, Genetic

No abstract available.
Benzydamine* ; Hallucinations*

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is constitutively expressed in neurons of the central nervous system, where it plays a physiological role in neurotransmission. In this study, we examined the functional role of nNOS in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE). The effects of the specific nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole on normal and EAE rats were studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. We found that nNOS is constitutively expressed in the spinal cords of normal rats, whilst in the spinal cords of EAE rats, nNOS expression slightly increased, concomitant with the infiltration of T cells and macrophages. Immunohistochemical studies showed that nNOS expression in macrophages and astrocytes increased at the peak stage of EAE and declined thereafter. Treatment with 7-nitroindazole (30 mg/kg) significantly delayed the onset of EAE paralysis, but had no effect on either the incidence or the severity of the paralysis. These findings suggest that nNOs inhibition has a limited role in the induction of rat EAE, and that constitutive nNOS in the spinal cord functions as a novel neurotransmitter, rather than a pro-inflammatory agent.
Animals ; Astrocytes/*enzymology ; Blotting, Western ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/drug therapy/*enzymology ; Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Immunohistochemistry ; Indazoles/therapeutic use ; Macrophages/*enzymology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase/antagonists&inhibitors/*metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Spinal Cord/cytology/*enzymology

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of a hypoxia-inducible factor inhibitor (YC-1) on expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as induction of apoptosis in leukemic cell lines. RT-PCR was used to determine the levels of HIF-1alpha mRNA and VEGF mRNA in K562, U937 and Jurkat cells. After treatment of U937 cell with 4 micromol/L YC-1, cell apoptosis was assayed by DAPI staining under fluorescent microscope and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining; the expression levels of HIF-1alpha mRNA and VEGF mRNA were measured with RT-PCR; the expression levels of HIF-1alpha, VEGF, BAX, BCL-2 and caspase-3 proteins were measured by Western blot. The results showed that HIF-1alpha mRNA and VEGF mRNA were expressed in all three leukemia cell lines. After treatment of U937 cell with 4 micromol/L YC-1 for 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours, the changes of morphologic features of U937 cells could be observed under fluorescent microscope and the apoptotic rates significantly increased in time-dependent manner, they were (4.87 +/- 0.70)%, (27.27 +/- 2.00)%, (51.53 +/- 2.81) and (60.5 +/- 3.20)% respectively, the expression levels of VEGF mRNA reduced, while the expression levels of HIF-1alpha mRNA had no obviously changes.Furthermore, the expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and BCL-2 decreased, while the expression of BAX and caspase-3 increased, the ratio of BAX/BCL-2 increased in time-dependent manner (r = 0.973, p < 0.01). It is concluded that HIF-1alpha mRNA and VEGF mRNA are all expressed in in K562, U937 and Jurkat cells, YC-1 has significant effect on down-regulating the protein expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF, and induces the apoptosis in U937. The mechanism of apoptosis in leukemic cells may involve in up-regulating BAX/BCL-2 ratio and expression of protein caspase-3.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Indazoles ; pharmacology ; Jurkat Cells ; K562 Cells ; U937 Cells ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the effect of three types of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on the changes of hemodynamic parameters and thoracic aorta tension induced by septic shock in rats.

METHODSWe used cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method to establish septic shock in rats, and the three types of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors were injected after CLP. The carotid artery was cannulated and connected to a pressure transducer to determine mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). Ventricular dynamic parameters were determined following intraventricular cannulation via the carotid artery, including heart rate (HR), left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), maximal rise/fall velocity of ventricular pressure (+/- dP/dt(max)). Isolated thoracic rings were mounted on an organ bath and the tension of the vessel was recorded.

RESULTS(1) After using L-NAME, AMG and 7-NI the mortality decreased to 50.0%, 37.5%, and 42.1%, respectively (from 65.2% in septic shock rats); (2) The MABP in septic shock rats partly recovered after using the NOS inhibitors, all ventricular dynamic parameters partly recovered after using the inhibitors; (3) The hyporeactivity of endothelium-denuded aortic rings to vasoconstrictors induced by septic shock was partly recovered by pretreatment with the inhibitors. However, only L-NAME or 7-NI could inhibit the decrease of vasoconstriction induced by septic shock in endothelium-intact aortic rings.

CONCLUSIONThe three types of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors can improve the hemodynamic parameters and vasoconstriction responsiveness of endothelium-denuded aorta of septic shock rats. Furthermore, L-NAME and 7-NI improve the responsiveness of endothelium-intact aorta.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; physiopathology ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Indazoles ; pharmacology ; Male ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shock, Septic ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of L-arginine pretreatment on cerebral metabolism for cerebral protection during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).

METHODSFifteen healthy adult canines of either sex weighing 14.7-/+2.4 kg were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=5), namely the normal saline group, L-arginine pretreatment group (pretreated with 100 mg/kg L-arginine 60 min before DHCA), and L-arginine combined with 7- nitroindazole treatment group (pretreated with 100 mg/kg L-arginine and 25 mg/kg7-Ni 60 min before DHCA). For all the canines, extracorporeal circulation was established routinely to allow nasopharyngeal temperature reduction to 18 degrees celsius;, at which point DHCA commenced followed 90 min later by reperfusion. At 30 min before DHCA and 0, 45 and 90 min after DHCA as well as at 60 min after reperfusion initiation, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and arterial to measure the plasma lactic acid, and the cerebral cortex of the parietal lobe was sampled determine the activity of Na(+)-K(+)ATPase. The cerebral water content was also determined after execution of the canines.

RESULTSIn the two pretreatment groups, the level of lactic acid production (shown by the difference in lactic acid levels between the jugular venous and arterial blood) and the cerebral ATP consumption were similar (P>0.05), but both were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The cerebral water content was the lowest in the combined treatment group, followed by exclusive L-arginine group, and the highest in the control group (P<0.05), with significant difference between the 3 groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONL-arginine pretreatment can lower cerebral metabolism during DHCA to offer protective effect on the brain.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; etiology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Circulatory Arrest, Deep Hypothermia Induced ; adverse effects ; methods ; Dogs ; Female ; Indazoles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male

AIMTo investigate the causative role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitric oxide (NO) in neurotoxicity of beta-amyloid (Abeta) and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSUsing behavioral and neuropathological methods, we observed the effects of Abeta(1-40) injection into hippocampi on rats learning and memory in Y maze and on the neuropathology in hippocampi. The intervention by intraperitoneal administration of aminoguanidine (AG), a selective inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor, and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a selective neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor, in the neurotoxicity of Abeta(1-40) was studied then.

RESULTSThe capability of acquisition and retrieval in Y maze and local neurons in hippocampus of the rats were impaired significantly after Abeta(1-40) injection. Intraperitoneal administration of AG, but not 7-NI, could prevent the damages caused by Abeta(1-40) injection above-mentioned.

CONCLUSIONiNOS/NO participates in the mechanisms of Abeta-induced neurotoxicity and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; pathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Animals ; Guanidines ; pharmacology ; Indazoles ; pharmacology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

This experiment was expected to test whether nitric oxide (NO) exerted significant effect on the central respiratory rhythm. Experiments were performed on in vitro brainstem slice preparations from neonatal rats. These preparations include the medial region of the nucleus retrofacialis (mNRF); a part of pre-Bötinger complex, ventral respiratory group (VRG) and dorsal respiratory group (DRG). Respiratory-related burst activities were recorded from hypoglossal nerve rootlets before and during superfusion of the slice preparation with L-Arginine (L-Arg), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or 7-nitro indazole (7-NI, an inhibitor of NO synthase). After perfusion with L-Arg and SNP, there was no significant change in respiratory rhythmical discharge activity (RRDA), but 7-NI decreased the integral amplitude of burst and inspiratory time. These results indicate that NO may take part in the inspiratory off-switching mechanism and that it also modulates the amplitude of respiratory-related bursts.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Brain Stem ; physiology ; Electrophysiology ; Indazoles ; Neurons ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Nitroprusside ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiration ; Respiratory Center ; physiology