Adult ; Andrology ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; drug therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological ; drug therapy

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). More than one-third of patients with COVID-19 experience neurological symptoms, including confusion, headaches, and decreased/disordered taste. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer's disease patients are at high risk and susceptible to infection with COVID-19, which may cause severe illness and even death. There appears to be an interaction between AD and COVID-19, and on the one hand, patients with COVID-19 seem to be more likely to develop AD. AD patients, on the other hand, may be more susceptible to severe COVID-19. Therefore, understanding the common link between COVID-19 and AD may help to develop treatment strategies. Risk factors common to AD and COVID-19 are aging, ApoE ε4 allele, β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), neuroinflammation, oxidative stress. Here, this article focuses on the relationship between COVID-19 and AD, explores common risk factors and potential pathogenesis, and provides help for early prevention, treatment and recovery.

Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) is an important liver-specific uptake transporter, which mediates transport of numerous endogenous substances and drugs from blood into hepatocytes. To identify and investigate potential modulators of OATP1B1 from natural products, the effect of 21 frequently used natural compounds and extracts on OATP1B1-mediated fluorescein methotrexate transport was studied by using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing OATP1B1 (CHO-OATP1B1) in 96-well plates. This method could be used for the screening of large compound libraries. Our studies showed that some flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, quercitrin, rutin, chrysanthemum flavonoids and mulberrin) and triterpenoids (e.g., glycyrrhetinic acid and glycyrrhizic acid) were inhibitors of OATP1B1 with IC50 values less than 16 µmol · L(-1). The IC50 value of glycyrrhetinic acid on OATP1B1 was comparable to its blood concentration in clinics, indicating an OATPlB1-mediated drug-drug interaction could occur. Structure-activity relationship analysis showed that flavonoids had much higher inhibitory activity than their glycosides. Furthermore, the type and length of saccharides had a significant effect on their activity. In addition, we used OATP1B1 substrates fluvastatin and rosuvastatin as probe drugs to investigate the substrate-dependent effect of several natural compounds on the function of OATP1B1 in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the effect of these natural products on the function of OATPlB1 was substrate-dependent. In summary, this study would be conducive to predicting and avoiding potential OATP1B1-mediated drug-drug and drug-food interactions and thus provide the experimental basis and guidance for rational drug use.
Animals ; Biological Products ; CHO Cells ; Cricetulus ; Drug Interactions ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Organic Anion Transporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship

Objective To study the expression of KAI1 and CD40 in gastric cancer and their correlation with clinicopathologic features and prognosis.Methods The expression of KAI1 and CD40 of 64 gastric cancer tissues was examinated by S-P immunohistochemieal methods.Results The overall positive rate of KAI1 was 22% in gastric cancer.Expression of KAI1 was positively related to the degree of tumor differentiation,it was negatively related to invasion depth and lymph node metastasis and the tumor clinical stage.The 5-year survival rate of cases with positive expression of KAII was significantly higher than that of cases with negative expression(X~2=42.426,P=0.000).The expression rate of CD40 in gastric cancer tissue was 34%.The expression of CD40 was significantly correlated with metastasis and clinical stage of gastric cancer.The 5-year survival rate of cases with positive expression of CD40 was significantly lower than that of cases with negative expression(X~2=4.841,P=0.028).There is no relationship between KAI1 and CD40 expression in gastric cancer.Conclusion KAI1 is associated with gastric cancer differentiation,invasion and metastasis.CD40 status helps to evaluate metastasis,and predict prognosis of gastric cancer.

The tumor multidrug resistance reversal effect of NPB304, a novel taxane, was studied. MTT assay was used to determine the IC50 of chemotherapy drugs. Western blotting assay was applied to analyze the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The effect of compounds on the P-gp function and P-gp ATPase activity was determined by rhodamine 123 (Rh123) accumulation assay and analysis kit, respectively. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding force between compounds and P-gp. Transmembrane transport of NPB304 was analyzed using MDCK II and MDR1-MDCK II cell model. NPB304 displayed multidrug resistance reversal effect on KBV cells and MCF-7/paclitaxel cells, NPB304 collaborative with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors verapamil enhanced the reversal activity, specifically, 10 μmol x L(-1) verapamil in combination with paclitaxel reversed resistance by 56.5-fold, while combined with NPB304 increased the reversal fold; NPB304 synergistically increased Rh123 accumulation in the resistant cells when combined with verapamil, and NPB304 at 0-1 μmol x L(-1) enhanced the ATPase activity activated by verapamil was observed. NPB304 existed the hydrophobic interactions with the TM regions of P-gp, and the binding force between NPB304 and the A chain of the TM region was stronger. P-gp ATPase activity assay demonstrated NPB304 at lower concentrations (0-1.5 μmol x L(-1)) could activate the P-gp ATPase, playing a role on inhibition of P-gp function. However, NPB304 did not have an obvious feature of P-gp substrate. NPB304 exerted itself and synergy with verapamil activity on reversing tumor resistance via inhibiting the P-gp function.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Biological Transport ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Rhodamine 123 ; Taxoids ; pharmacology ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the supply of iodized salt in non-excessive iodine counties and iodine-free salt in excessive iodine counties at household level in Hebei province so as to provide a basis for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders(IDD). Methods According to the national project of IDD surveillance,the county was taken as the elementary sampling unit. The towns and villages were selected by systematic and random sampling in every county and households were chosen by random sampling to collect their edible salt in Hebei province in 2008. The salt iodine content in non-and excessive iodine regions was detected by direct titrition method and semiquantitative method respectively. Results all 48 448 salt samples were collected from 167 non-excessive iodine counties. Weighed by the population of counties,the rate of non-iodized salt was 4.73%. Iodized salt accounted for 95.27%,out of which,96.13% were qualified and the consuming rate of qualified iodized salt was 91.96%. Eighty point eighty three percent(135/167) of the counties covered by iodized salt above 95%,92.81% (155/167) passing rate of iodized salt above 90% and 82.04 (137/167) consuming rate of qualified iodized salt. All 1466 salt samples were collected in 5 counties with excessive water iodine content and the coverage rate of iodine-free salt was 93.25%(1367/1466). Conclusions In a nutshell,the national targets for preliminary elimination of IDD have been achieved in regions of non-excessive iodine of Hebei province. Nevertheless,the coverage rate of iodized salt and qualified iodize salt rate in some counties are still below the national standard. Therefore the prevention and control of IDD need to be strengthened. The supply of iodized salt in excessive iodine regions should be timely stopped.

Objective To understand the status of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis and the effect of preventive measure in Hebei province, so as to provide a basis to prevent and cure the disease. Methods Thirtyeight affected counties(cities, districts) with drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis were sampled by random sampling in Hebei in 2009. All affected villages in every county were divided into mild, moderate and severe endemic fluorosis areas and a village was randomly selected from each category of the area to carry out the monitoring of endemic fluorosis. Dental fluorosis of children aged 8 - 12 were examined and 6 copies of urine samples were randomly collected in each age group in the above-mentioned villages. Clinical skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed among adults aged 16 and over and 20 copies of urine samples were tested for fluorosis in every village.Results A total of 112 affected villages were investigated, among which the drinking water quality of 66 villages were improved and 46 villages were not improved. A total of 236 copies of water samples from the 66 villages were measured and the fluoride content ranged from 0.1 to 4.3 mg/L, among which 20 copies of water samples exceeded the fluorine standard of 1.2 mg/L, accounting for 33.3%. A total of 230 copies of water samples were collected in the 46 villages and the fluoride content ranged from 0.2 to 4.6 mg/L, among which 76.1% (35/46) of the water samples exceeded the fluorine standard of 1.2 mg/L. A total of 5169 children aged 8 - 12 were examined of dental fluorosis, the dental fluorosis rate was 36.43%(1883/5169) and the dental fluorosis index was 0.81. A sum of 71 497 adults aged over 16 years were examined, and the rate of skeletal fluorosis was 4.81%(3438/71 497), moderate or severe clinical detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 1.56%( 1114/71 497). A total of 2876 copies of children urine samples and 2021 copies of adult urine samples were tested and the geometric mean of fluoride content was 2.30,3.32 mg/L, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of dental fluorosis of children in the areas with improved water is less than 30% and the rate of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis decline gradually with time.The rate of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis increases with the increase of water fluoride in the water quality not improved areas. The endemic fluorosis is still comparatively serious in Hebei. The progress of improving water quality in the areas with endemic fluorosis should be accelerated and the acceptability of improved water should be enhanced.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of fluoride on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in sucking rats and the antagonism of vitamin Cin vitro.

METHODSThe enzyme digesting method was used to isolate the rat osteoblasts; the proliferative response was determined by the percents of reduced alamarBlue; the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was measured by ELISA method.

RESULTSThe proliferation of sucking rat osteoblasts was increased at 0.10 - 1.00 mmol/L of NaF, whereas inhibited at >or= 2.00 mmol/L. ALP activity was increased at 0.01 - 0.05 mmol/L of NaF, and decreased at >or= 0.10 mmol/L. The inhibition on proliferation and differentiation at 2 mmol/L NaF was antagonized by vitamin C.

CONCLUSIONFluoride had a two-phase effect on osteoblasts, vitamin C could antagonize the inhibitory effect of higher concentration of fluoride on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; analysis ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fluorides ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective: To investigate the effects of pravastatin o n atherosclerotic plaque and cardiovascular events. Methods: Fifty- seven patients with coronary artery disease (44 male and 13 female, 58.4±11.3 y ears) were randommized into pravastatin and control groups. The patients in prav astatin group were administered 10 mg of pravastatin from the night of coronary angiography day. After 7.3 months (mean) of follow-up, plasma lipid parameters and coronary angiograph were repeated. Results: (1) A favorable effect on plasma lipid parameters was found. After administration, total choles terol(TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride(TG) red uced by 15.0% (P<0.01), 18.0% (P<0.01) and 6.0%, respectively. High den s ity lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) increased by 10.6%. However, in control grou p, TC and LDL-C showed a tendency to reduce, but no significant difference was found between those of pre- and post-administration. (2)There was no significa nt difference in luminal diameter between pre- and post-administration in both groups. (3) Cardiovascular events in pravastatin group was significantly lower than those in control (P<0.05). (4) Pravastatin had no significant effect on HR, BP and left ventricular ejection fraction in both groups. Conclusio n: Pravastatin can stabilize coronary atherosclerostic plaque and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events by improving plasma lipid parameters.