Objective To study the serum levels of melatonin,tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and the correlation with disability.Methods Forty patients with multiple sclerosis were collected as MS group and 30 healthy participants were collected as control group.Serum levels of melatonin and cytokines,including IFN-γ and TNF-,were detected in all participants by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method;disability status of patients with MS was evaluated by EDSS scale.The relevant analysis between serum melatonin,TNF-α,IFN-γ levels and EDSS score in patients with MS was conducted.Results The concentration of serum melatonin in MS group was significantly lower than control group (P＜0.01).TNF-α levels were higher than control group (P＜0.05) and the difference was statistically significant between MS patients and control group.Among MS group and control group,no significant correlation with the serum levels of IFN-γ was seen.The serum melatonin level was inversely correlated with EDSS score in MS patients (r =-0.76,P＜0.01),and positively correlated with TNF-α (r =0.83,P＜0.01) and as compared to IFN-γ,no significant correlation was found (r =0.17,P＞0.05).Conclusion The decrease of melatonin and increase of TNF-α can be a factor in the inflammatory reaction in patients with MS,and is closely related with dysfunction occurring in multiple sclerosis.Serum melatonin and TNF-α can be used as laboratory indicators to monitor clinical curative effect and evaluate prognosis of MS.

OBJECTIVETo observe the renal protection effects of Compound Shenhua Tablet (CST) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.

METHODSDN rats were given a normal diet for 9 months after they were induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ at the dose of 65 mg/kg after uninephrectomized. They were randomly divided into 4 groups, i. e., the normal control group, the model control group, the CST group, and the Irbesartan group. The intervention was given by gastrogavage for 6 weeks. The general state, 24 h urine protein, urine micro-albumin (mAlb), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), total protein (TP), and albumin (ALB) levels were observed before and after intervention. Renal pathological changes were observed by PAS staining and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSAfter 6 weeks of drug intervention, when compared with the model control group, the general state was improved in the CST group and the Irbesartan group. The levels of 24 h urine protein, urine mAlb, SCr, BUN, GLU, TG, and TC were obviously lower in the CST group and the Irbesartan group than in the model group as well as in the same group before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the two treatment groups (P>0.05). The renal pathological changes and the renal ultrastructure were improved to some degree in the two groups when compared with those in the model control group.

CONCLUSIONSCST could attenuate the renal damage of diabetes and delay renal deterioration process. Its effectiveness was equivalent to that of Irbesartan.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective·To investigate the correlation of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of complement factor H (CFH) gene with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.Methods·The genotype,allele,and haplotype frequencies of 5 SNP loci (rs800292,rs 1061170,rs 10801555,rs 10922096 and rs2019727) in CFH gene were compared between 418 patients with schizophrenia (case group) and 655 normal people (control group) by SNaPshot technique.Results·All SNP loci were well genotyped in the subjects.Correlation analysis showed that rs1061170 locus allele frequency distribution difference between case group and control group was statistically significant (corrected P=0.045),while genotype and allele frequencies of other SNP loci were not significantly different (all corrected P＞0.05).The frequency of haplotype C-A-T-A-A (rs800292-rs1061170-rs10801555-rs10922096-rs2019727) in case group was different from that in control group (corrected P=0.013).Conclusion·The allele polymorphisms of rsl061170 and the haplotype C-A-T-A-A of rs800292-rs 1061170-rs 10801555-rs 10922096-rs2019727 may be associated with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.

Objective To establish a method of measuring adipose content and fat distribution of the thigh in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects,and to investigate its relation to insulin resistance.Methods Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by hyperinsulinemic and euglycemic clamp technique,and femoral adipose content and fat distribution were determined by MRI in 30 individuals with NGT including 15 with normal weight and 15 overweighted or obese subjects.Results Compared to normal weight group,the subscutaneous adipose tissue of thigh (SCAT) [(176.7?21.6) cm~2 vs (115.0?12.8 ) cm~2,P＜0.05],adipose tissue of thigh beneath the fascia (SFAT) [(75.4?4.4 ) cm~2 vs (57.5?4.7 ) cm~2,P＜0.01] and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) [(28.3?3.2) cm~2 vs (14.5?1.1 ) cm~2,P＜0.01] were greater in overweight/obesity group.Overweight/ obesity group had lower insulin sensitivity( glucose disposal rate under steady state of hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp:4.54?0.43 vs 7.88?0.75,P＜0.01).SFAT and IMAT were significantly correlated with insulin sensitivity.SFAT showed the most marked correlation with insulin sensitivity.Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the increased SFAT played a pivotal role in insulin resistance.Conclusion The adipose content and fat distribution are highly correlated with insulin sensitivity and the adipose tissue of thigh beneath fascia may play the most significant role in insulin sensitivity.

BACKGROUNDGlioblastoma is the most common and lethal cancer of the central nervous system. Global genomic hypomethylation and some CpG island hypermethylation are common hallmarks of these malignancies, but the effects of these methylation abnormalities on glioblastomas are still largely unclear. Methylation of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter is currently an only confirmed molecular predictor of better outcome in temozolomide treatment. To better understand the relationship between CpG island methylation status and patient outcome, this study launched DNA methylation profiles for thirty-three primary glioblastomas (pGBMs) and nine secondary glioblastomas (sGBMs) with the expectation to identify valuable prognostic and therapeutic targets.

METHODSWe evaluated the methylation status of testis derived transcript (TES) gene promoter by microarray analysis of glioblastomas and the prognostic value for TES methylation in the clinical outcome of pGBM patients. Significance analysis of microarrays was used for genes significantly differently methylated between 33 pGBM and nine sGBM. Survival curves were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between curves were assessed using the log-rank test. Then, we treated glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U251) with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidines (5-aza-dC) and detected cell biological behaviors.

RESULTSMicroarray data analysis identified TES promoter was hypermethylated in pGBMs compared with sGBMs (P < 0.05). Survival curves from the Kaplan-Meier method analysis revealed that the patients with TES hypermethylation had a short overall survival (P < 0.05). This abnormality is also confirmed in glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U251). Treating these cells with 5-aza-dC released TES protein expression resulted in significant inhibition of cell growth (P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONSHypermethylation of TES gene promoter highly correlated with worse outcome in pGBM patients. TES might represent a valuable prognostic marker for glioblastoma.

Azacitidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Brain Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Glioblastoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; LIM Domain Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Treatment Outcome

Fifteen known compounds were isolated from Swertia delavayi by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and Rp-18 column chromatographies. Based on extensive spectroscopic analysis (MS, 1H, 13C-NMR), their structures were identified aserythrocentaurin (1), erythrocentaurindimethylacetal (2), sweroside (3), swertiamarin (4), gentiopicroside (5), swertiakoside A (6), 2'-O-acetylswertiamarin (7), 4'-O-[(Z) -coumaroyl] swertiamarin (8), 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (9), 8-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-1-hydroxy-2,3, 5-trimethoxyxanthone (10), 8-O-[β-D-xyl- opyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-7,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (11), isovitexin (12), β-sitosterol (13), daucosterol (14), and oleanolic acid (15). Among them, ten ones (14, 7-11, 13) were obtained from S. delavayi for the first time. The isolates were evaluated for their anti-HBV activities in HepG 2. 2. 15 cell line in vitro. The results showed that compound 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 12 exhibited significant inhibitory activity on HBV DNA replication with IC50 values from 0.05 to 1.46 mmol x L(-1).
Antiviral Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Swertia ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of PI-3K and p38MAPK signal pathways on the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression induced by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in PC-3 cells.

METHODSPC-3 cell proliferation was detected by methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay after stimulated by EGF (0 microg/L), EGF (10 microg/L), EGF (10 microg/L) + LY294002 (20 micromol/L) and EGF (10 microg/L) + SC203580 (20 micromol/L), and so was the COX-2 expression in the PC-3 cells by RT-PCR and Western blot assay after stimulated the same way for 24 hours. ELISA was used to determine the changes of PGE2 in the culture medium.

RESULTSLY294002 and SC203580 signficantly inhibited PC-3 cell proliferation (P < 0.05), COX-2 expression and PGE2 production after EGF stimulation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEGF can stimulate PC-3 cells into proliferation and induce COX-2 mRNA and the upregulation of its protein expression, while LY294002 and SC203580 can inhibit EGF from the above effects on PC-3 cells.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the underlying mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transfer induced cardiac function improvement in failing hearts.

METHODSCongestive heart failure (CHF) was induced in rats by cauterization of the heart wall. MSCs were cultured from autologous bone marrow and injected into the border zone and the remote myocardium 5 days after cauterization.

RESULTSTen weeks later, cardiomyocyte nucleus mitotic index, capillary density and expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly increased in the border zone and significantly reduced in the remote myocardium in CHF rats (all P<0.05 vs. sham). Besides cardiac function improvement and left ventricular remodeling attenuation evidenced by hemodynamic and echocardiographic examinations, expressions of IGF-1, HGF and VEGF in the remote myocardium and in the border zone were also significantly upregulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01 vs. CHF), and cardiomyocyte nucleus mitotic index as well as capillary density were significantly increased in CHF rats with MSCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01 vs. CHF). Moreover, collagen area was significantly reduced and myocardial area was significantly increased in the border zone in these rats too.

CONCLUSIONAutologous MSC implantation upregulated expressions of growth factors enhanced cardioangiogenesis which might be the underlying mechanisms for improved cardiac function and attenuated left ventricular remodeling induced by MSCs transplantation in failing rat myocardium.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; therapy ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of antisperm antibodies (AsAb), sexual hormones, and inhibin B (INH B) in patients before and after testicular torsion, as well as the effects of these factors on testicular function and reproduction.

METHODSTen patients with single acute testicular torsion (left side 9 and right side 1), aged 16-45 years (19.6 on average), disease course of 3-6 days (averaging 4.7 days), underwent surgical removal of the damaged testis. Before and after the operation, serum AsAb (IgG, IgM, IgA) and INH B were measured by ELISA, and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) determined by chemoluminescence autoanalyzer.

RESULTSAfter the operation, the AsAb levels rose significantly and remained high for at least 26 weeks. The level of INH B was the lowest in the 3rd week and restored to normal in the 12th week, with significant difference between preoperation and the 3rd or the 6th week after the operation. The levels of LH and INH B in the 26th week were elevated significantly compared with the 6th.

CONCLUSIONTesticular injury induced the elevation of AsAb, which would last a very long time. The change of INH B was closely related with the injury of the testis, which reflected the degree of testicular injury and functional restoration of the patients after the operation. Our study showed that AsAb and INH B can be used as useful tools for monitoring testicular function and reproduction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Inhibins ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orchiectomy ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; immunology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Spermatozoa ; immunology ; Testis ; physiopathology ; Testosterone ; blood

Objective To investigate the prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) and genotypes of hepatitis E virus in 8 species of animals including swine, cattle, sheep, horse, donkey, dog, chicken and duck in the suburb of Beijing. Methods Serum samples were collected from the 8 species of animals, and fecal samples of younger swine were collected from 2 stock farms. Anti-HEV was detected by Double Antigen Sandwich Assay. HEV RNA from fecal samples was detected by a reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR). Parts of the PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The swine HEV sequences were analyzed genetically. Results The positive rates of anti-HEV in serum specimens of swine, cattle, horse, donkey, sheep, dog, duck and chicken were 80.43%(481/598), 15.02%(52/346), 14.29%(40/280) ,0(0/26) ,9.88%(33/334), 0(0/ 21) ,3.03% (7/231) and 2.53%(8/316), respectively. The anti-HEV prevalence of adult swine(≥6 months)and younger swine(≤3 months)were 87.86%(369/420)and 62.92%(112/178)respectively. 74 of 111 (66.67% ) pig faces were positive for HEV RNA. Sequence analysis on these positive samples showed that there were 6 groups of HEV designated as bjsw1, bjsw2, bjsw3, bjsw4, bjsw5 and bjsw6. The 6 strains of HEV shared 94.5%-99.6% sequence identity of partial HEV ORF2 nucleotide with each other. The identities of HEV ORF2 nucleotide sequences between the 6 strains and genotype 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 75.6%-78.6% , 75.6%-76.2%, 77.1%-80.7% and 83.7%-94.5%, respectively. The sequence identity between the 6 strains and human HEV genotype 4d was 90.0%-94.5% . Conclusion HEV infection was seen in swine, cattle, horse, sheep, duck and chicken in the suburbs of Beijing. The anti-HEV positive rate appeared the highest in swine and the lowest in dog and donkey. The six strains of HEV isolated from younger swine belonged to genotype 4d.