Plasma concentrations of immunoreactivc beta-endorphin in patients with NIDDM were measured by radioimmuno-assay. It was found that the plasma beta-endorphin levels decreased in 68 cases of NIDDM especially in those with long duration of illness and chronic complication. These results suggested that beta-endorphin may be related to diabetes and its chronic complication.

Objective To evaluate the applicable value of two - dimensional speckle tracking imaging on assessing the local function and coronary collateral circulation of acute myocardial ischemia in dogs.Methods Open-chest model to induce acute myocardial ischemia in 10 dogs was established by ligating their anterior descending coronary artery(LAD). Two-dimensional dynamic gray- scale images of two standard left ventricular short axis views at the levels of mitral annulus and papillary muscle were acquired for the off -line comparative analysis before the operation and 0, 30, 60, 120, 240 and 360 minutes after the operation respectively. Peak systolic circumferential strain(CS), peak systolic radial strain(RS) and left ventricular fraction shortenting(LVFS) of 12 segments at the levels of mitral annulus and papillary muscle were analyzed with QLAB software. After the lab experiment,the fresh hearts of dogs were dyed by TTC.Results ①Compared with the preoperative value , the peak systolic CS and RS of ischemia myocardial regions(anteroseptum,anterior and lateral) in left ventricular short-axis decreased significantly( P ＜0. 05)during 30 to 60 minutes after ligating LAD. Sixty minutes later, the peak systolic CS and RS had a tendency to return to the level before the operation,although the statistical difference was existing. The peak systolic RS and CS also decreased in certain nonischemic regions (inferolateral and inferior). But CS and RS in inferoseptal regions didn't alter significantly. ②Compared with the preoperative value,LVFS in the ischemia regions were significantly decreased( P ＜0.05), while nonischemic regions had no significant difference. ③The results of TTC dyeing showed that the infarcted regions in left ventricular short-axis were anteroseptum, anterior and lateral with blood supplied by LAD, which were consistent with the results of RS and CS. Conclusions RS and CS,as the parameters of myocardial strain may reflect the range and extent of acute myocardial ischemia,and the strain changes of local myocardial segments after the construction of coronary collateral circulatory.

Biomarkers ; blood ; Biopsy, Needle ; utilization ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; pathology

Objective To assess the relationship between the Chlamydia pneumonia(CPn)infection and coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods Blood samples from 200 CHD patients and 100 heathy controls were col-lected,and Cpn IgM and Cpn IgG were tested by ELISA.Results The Cpn IgM were found in 113 cases (56.5%) and in 24 controls(24.0%).The Cpn IgG positive cases were in 145(72.5%) patients and in 43 controls (43.0%).The positive rate of Cpn IgM and Cpn IgG in CHD group Was higher than that in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:CPn positive rate is higher in CHD group than that in control group.Cpn is closely related to the pathogenesis of CHD.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of curcumin(Cur)on trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid(TNBS)induced colitis and to investigate cytokines change in colon mucosa,spleen and sera.Methods Colitis was induced in SD rats by intrarectal injection of TNBS(100 mg/kg).Experi- mental animals were divided into negative control group,TNBS group and Cur therapeutic group(Cur, 30 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),intraperitoneal injection).Expression of cytokines mRNA in colon mucosa was observed by RT-PCR,intracellular cytokines of interferon(IFN)-?and interleukin(IL)-4 in splenocytes were detected by flow cytometry(FCM),concentrations of IFN-?and IL-4 in sera were determined by enzyme-link immunosorbent analysis(ELISA).Results After treatment with Cur,macroscopic scores (3.9?1.0 vs.2.2?0.7),myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity(15.0?2.6 vs.7.3?1.4),mRNA of IFN-?(1.02?0.07 vs.0.06?0.02,mRNAof IL-12(0.29?0.05 vs.0.11?0.01)and the ratio of IFN-?/IL-4(11.44?0.97 vs.0.38?0.10)in colon mucosa,proportion of IFN-?CD4~+(31.7?7.5 vs. 21.1?3.7)and the ratio of IFN-?/IL-4 CD4~+(19.9?5.1 vs.6.1?1.8)in splenocytes,concentra tions of IFN-?[(1528?159)pg/ml vs.(513?14)pg/ml] and the ratio of IFN-?/IL-4(19.5?4.1 vs. 4.2?0.6)in sera were all decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Meanwhile,mRNA of IL-4(0.09?0.01 vs.0.15?0.04)and IL-10(0.28?0.08 vs.0.63?0.12)in colon mucosa,proportion of IL-4 CD4~+ (1.6?0.5 vs.3.4?1.1)in splenocytes and concentrations of IL-4 in sera[(81?15)pg/ml vs.(124?20) pg/ml] were all increased after the treatment of Cur(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusions Cur showed ther- apeutic effects on TNBS-induced colitis,and the mechanism might be through regulating the balance of Th1/ Th2 in colon locally and systematically.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of the recombinant protein Sj_Ts4 in immunodiagnosis of Schistosomiasis japonica.Methods Seventy-four blood samples of schistosomiasis japonica patients(acute, chronic and advanced)were used for evaluating the sensitivity.Blood samples from 24 Clonorchiasis patients,8 patients with hookworm infections and 30 normal persons from the areas without Schistosomiasis were used ror patients.Results The positivity rates were 97.1%(33/34),100.0%(16/16),87.5%(21/24)in rSj-Ts4-ELISA and 100%(34/34),100.0%(16/16),75.0%(18/24)in SjAWA-ELISA in acute,chmnic and advanced Schistosomiasis. respectively.Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in sensitivity(X2=1.23,P＞0.05)between both recombinant and crude antigens.The false positive reaction was found to be 6.7%(2/30)in rSj-Ts4-ELISA and 3.3%(1/30)in SjAWA-ELISA when detected in 30 cases of normal control sera.but no statisticallv significant difference was noted(x2=0.35,P＞0.05).Twelve point five percent(3/24),20.8%(5/24)and 12.5%(1/8),37.5% (3/8),of cross-reactions were observed between rSj-Ts4-ELISA and SjAWA-ELISA for detecting the sera of patients with clonorehiasis and hookworms.There was no significant difference of cross-reaction in two parasitic infections (x2=0.60,1.33,P＞0.05)with the two tests.Conclusions The rSj-Ts4 antigen shows higher sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of Schistosomiasis japonica,which is helpful in the serological diagnosis of Schistosomiasis japonica in endemic areas.

In order to establish a method for the determination of the sterols of the oil in the freeze-dried acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and to evaluate its antioxidant activities, a saponification/extraction procedure and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis method were developed and validated for the analysis of phytosterols in PEE (Petroleum ether extract). Separation was achieved on a Purosper STAR LP C18 column with a binary, gradient solvent system of acetonitrile and isopropanol. Evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) was used to quantify β-sitosterol and the total sterols. Peak identification was verified by retention times and spikes with external standards. Standard curves were constructed (r = 0.999 2) to allow for sample quantification. Recovery of the saponification and extraction was demonstrated via analysis of spiked samples. The highest content of total sterols is β-sitosterol. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated using the total oxyradical scavenging capacity assay (TOSC assay). The result showed that the PEE exhibited significant antioxidant properties, sample concentration and the antioxidant capacity had a certain relevance.
Antioxidants ; analysis ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Phytosterols ; analysis ; Sitosterols ; analysis

Studies have shown that women's menopause caused by permanent cessation of ovarian function is closely related to lipid metabolism disorders. Er-xian Decoction has been used in the clinical treatment for gynecological diseases and has a good effect on diseases related to reduced sex hormone function. In this study, metabolomics was performed on bilateral ovariectomized model rats within 12 weeks after modeling to mimic the physiological state of menopausal women in different menopausal stages and Er-xian Decoction dosed model rats. The results of liver oil red O staining sections showed lipid metabolic disorder of bilateral ovariectomized model rats and the regulating effects of Er-xian Decoction. 46 potential biomarkers (6 steroid hormones, 3 sphingolipids, 11 phospholipids and 26 glycerides) in plasma and 32 potential biomarkers (1 steroid hormones, 20 phospholipids and 11 glycerides) in liver were obtained based on lipidomics analysis. Then, we analyzed the differential metabolic pathways and construct the lipid metabolism network significantly regulated by Er-xian Decoction. The results provided valuable information for in-depth understanding of the gradual changes on lipid metabolism disorders under menopausal conditions and the characteristics and mechanisms of compound Er-xian Decoction's regulatory effects. The study complied with the procedures established by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and passed the animal experiment ethics examine (No. 00000918).

OBJECTIVETo observe the improvements in constipation differentiated as intestine system syndrome and lung system syndrome treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and explore their correlation.

METHODSSeventy cases of severe functional constipation were randomized into an EA group and a pseudo-EA group, 35 cases in each one. In the EA group, the needles were inserted deeply at Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) on bilateral sides, and directly went to parietal peritoneum. EA was attached to the needles, dense-disperse wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz, and 0.1 to 1.0 mA. The perpendicular insertion was done at Shangjuxu (ST 37), 25 mm in depth. After qi arrival, the needle was lifted, thrusted and rotated once every 10 min, for 3 times totally. The needles were retained for 30 min. In the pseudo-EA group, the pseudo-points lateral to Tianshu (ST 25), Fujie (SP 14) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) on bilateral sides were punctured shallowly. The electric stimulation was pretended to connect but with the electric wire cutting off. The needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was given 5 times weekly in the first two weeks and 3 times weekly in the later 6 weeks. Totally, 28 treatments were required. TCM intestine and lung syndrome scale was used for evaluation. The changes in TCM syndromes were observed before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSThe total score of intestine and lung syndrome and the score of individual syndrome were all reduced after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01). The improvements of the EA group in the total score of intestine system syndrome, the scores of large. intestine syndrome and stomach syndrome, the total score of lung system syndrome and the score of lung dysfunction in dispersing and descending syndrome were superior to those of the pseudo-EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The differences in the scores of lung qi deficiency syndrome and throat syndrome were not significant between the two groups (all P>0.05). Simultaneously, the very strong positive correlation (P<0.01) and positive linear correlation (P<0.01) were presented in the total score of intestine and lung syndrome of the two groups.

CONCLUSIONEA obviously improves in intestine system syndrome (including large intestine syndrome and stomach syndrome), as well as lung system syndrome (lung dysfunction in dispersing and descending) in the treatment of constipation. But the improvements are not apparent in the treatment of lung qi deficiency and throat disorder. Additionally, the obvious correlation is displayed in the improvements in intestine and lung syndrome.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; physiopathology ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To preliminarily evaluate the value of color power doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of sacroiliitis in ankylosing spondylitis(AS). Methods Fifty-seven sacroiliac joints in 31 patients with active AS and 40 sacroiliac joints in 20 volunteers were detected by color power doppler ultrasonography.The color flow signs inside the sacroiliac joints were observed,and the resistance index(RI) was measured. Results In active AS,color flow signs were seen in 55 joints,and the mean RI value was 0.53?0.08 in 45 joints,while the other 10 color flow signs represented reversed phase in diastolic phase on pulse doppler ultrasonography.In the volunteers,color flow signs were seen in 16 joints,and the mean RI value was 0.97?0.01 in 6 joints,while the other 10 color flow signs represented reversed phase in diastolic phase on pulse doppler ultrasonography. Conclusion The abnormal flow signs at the sacroiliac joints can be detected by color power doppler ultrasonography.Low RI values provide diagnosis evidence for active AS.