OBJECTIVETo verify the pharmacological hypothesis of prescriptions by studying the targeted distribution of major components in stewed rhubarb in the rat model with acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODNormal SD rats (control group, n = 5) and the AP model induced with intraperitoneal cerulein (model group, n = 5) were taken as the experimental objects. Rats of the two groups were orally administered with stewed rhubarb granules (20 g x kg(-1)). Their heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and pancreas were collected two hours after the administration. Such constituents as emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, rhein and aloe-emodin and their concentrations in each tissue homogenate were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-mass-mass.

RESULTAloe-emodin and physcion in stewed rhubarb whose concentrations in liver and kidney of normal rats were higher than that in pancreatic tissues, while the distribution spectrums and concentrations of the remaining components in pancreatic tissues had no significant difference with that of other organs. The concentrations of emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein and chrysophanol in stewed rhubarb in pancreatic tissues of the AP model group were higher than that in other tissues and organs, while their concentrations in pancreatic, renal and splenic tissues were notably higher than that in the normal group.

CONCLUSIONIn the conditions of AP, effective components in stewed rhubarb show a targeted distribution feature in pancreas, which provides experimental basis for the pharmacological hypothesis of prescriptions.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Organ Specificity ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry

Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis ; blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; blood ; Thymosin ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the relationship between watching television time and impaired glucose regulation (IGR) , type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chongqing City .Methods Population-based cross-sectional study was conducted to investigated the local permanent staff(lived in Chongqing more than 5 years) who were 40 years old or elder in Chongqing City .Results The overall prevalence rate of IGR and T 2DM was 6 .3% ,5 .6% respectively .The average weekly watching TV time of the samples was (12 .3 ± 10 .1) h .After adjusting for possible confounding factors ,the prevalence rate of IGR and T2DM in patients watching TV time >14 h per week was significantly higher than those watching TV time ≤ 7 h per week(Adjust .OR = 1 .528 ,95% CI = 1 .034 - 2 .121 ;OR = 1 .482 ,95% CI = 1 .133 - 2 .047 ,respectively ) .Conclusion Siting and watching TV time were positively correlated with the risk of IGR ,T2DM .So ,we should actively encourage and promote healthy lifestyles to reduce siting and watching TV time .

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of low-flux polysulphone membranes on the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, hyper-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], and beta2 microglobulin (beta 2MG) in hemodialysis patients.

METHODSThe blood samples and dialysate samples were collected at pre-dialysis, 120 minutes later during the session, and post-dialysis in 27 stable hemodialysis patients. Variables determined included serum Lp (a), hsCRP, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and beta 2MG. The endotoxin levels were also detected.

RESULTSThere were no significant changes either in endotoxin level of dialysate or in all variables tested during one session (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow-flux polysulphone membrane has no effects on serum Lp (a), hsCRP, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and beta 2MG during one session in hemodialysis patients.

Adult ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lipoprotein(a) ; blood ; Male ; Membranes, Artificial ; Middle Aged ; Polymers ; Renal Dialysis ; Sulfones ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and Caspase-12 and their relationship with apoptosis in renal cortex of diabetic rats.

METHODSUninephrectomized Wistar rats were used to induce diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ 65 mg/kg). After 8 weeks, the expression and distribution of GRP78, Caspase-12, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were examined by immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of protein of GRP78 and Caspase-12. Apoptosis was evaluated by means of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d-UDP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and Flow cytometry. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and 24-hour urine protein excretion were checked.

RESULTSCompared with those in normal control group, the numbers of apoptosis and the expression of GRP78, Caspase-12 in glomerular and tubular cells were much higher in the diabetic kidneys at 8 weeks. There was no significant difference between group A and group B.

CONCLUSIONActivation of endoplasmic reticulum stress may play an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 12 ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; pathology ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Kidney Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationships between rs3865418 polymorphism of neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4-like gene and obesity in Kazakh general population.

METHODSBased on a cross-sectional epidemiological study in a Kazakh general population, a case-control study was conducted. The rs3865418 polymorphism in a Kazakh general population (856 subjects, including 364 males and 492 females; 478 in obesity group and 378 in normal control group) was genotyped by TaqMan polymerase chain reaction, and the relationship between rs3865418 polymorphism and obesity was analyzed.

RESULTSThe rs3865418 polymorphism was successfully genotyped in 851 Kazakh subjects. The distribution of the genotypes and alleles of rs3865418 polymorphism did not differ significantly between the obesity group and normal control group in terms of general populations, males, and females (all P > 0.05). The waist circumference showed a tendency of C/C > C/T > T/T in males and C/C < C/T < T/T in females, but without statistical significance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe rs3865418 polymorphism of neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4-like gene may not be associated with obesity in Kazakh general population. In other words, it is not a predisposing factor for obesity in Kazakh.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nedd4 Ubiquitin Protein Ligases ; Obesity ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo provide more information for rational evaluation of potential risks of terephthalic acid (TPA), we studied the effects of TPA on rats' bladders in 90 days after TPA exposure.

METHODSSprague Dawley rats were subdivided into five groups, ingesting 0%, 0.04%, 0.2%, 1%, and 5% TPA respectively for a sub-chronic feeding study lasting for 90 days. Urine, serum and samples of brain, liver, lung, kidney, bladder, etc. were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSTPA ingesting decreased the value of urinary pH, and increased the contents of Ca2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ in urine. The volume of 24 h urine was significantly increased in male rats in the 1% and 5% TPA groups. Urinary white sediment was found in both sexes, and its formation in male rats seemed more susceptible than that in female rats. Alpha 2u-globulin (AUG) in serum and urine of male rats was markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Fifteen cases of hyperplasia (simple or atypical) were determined in the 5% TPA ingesting group, 14/52 in male rats and 1/23 in female rats. Among them 3 male rats had no stone or calculus. Those with either bladder stones or hyperplasia were accompanied with urinary white sediments.

CONCLUSIONWhite sediment accompanied with elevated urine AUG is the basis of TPA induced urolith formation, and is also associated with TPA induced bladder epithelial cell proliferation. It can act as an early biomarker for the potential toxic effect of TPA.

Alpha-Globulins ; urine ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Female ; Hyperplasia ; chemically induced ; Male ; Phthalic Acids ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinary Bladder ; drug effects ; pathology ; Urinary Bladder Calculi ; chemically induced

OBJECTIVETo explore the podocyte injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and analyze its relationship with glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and proteinuria.

METHODSThe clinical data of 48 patients diagnosed as DN by renal biopsy were reviewed. All patients were divided into two groups according to proteinuria (>3.5 g/d, n=31 and 3.5 g/d, n=17). The density of podocytes was illustrated by immunohistochemistry staining of Wilms tumor-1 (WT-1), and the immunofluorescence double-staining results of synaptopodin and GRP78 in podocytes were detected.

RESULTSThe podocyte dentistry of urine protein > 3.5 g/d group was significantly lower than that of urine protein>3.5 g/d group urine protein<3.5 g/d group(P=0.003), and it was negatively correlated with proteinuria (P=0.005). The expressions of synaptopodin and GRP78 in podocytes were also negatively correlated with proteinuria (P=0.004 and P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe podocyte injury is aggravated with increased proteinuria in DN patients, along with the decrease of the adaptive ability of endoplasmic reticulum to stress.

Adult ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Podocytes ; pathology ; Proteinuria ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor (ACATI) in apoptosis induced by lipids and whether lipids-induced apoptosis is accompanied by increase of free cholesterol in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in order to further understand the mechanism of lipids-induced apoptosis in advanced atherosclerosis.

METHODSHuman vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) differentiated THP-1 macrophages were used. Tritiated thymidine incorporation was applied to detect cell proliferation. Cytotoxicity was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, caspase-3, -7 assay, and Annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) staining were used to detect apoptosis. High performance liquid chromatography was used in intracellular free cholesterol and cholesterol ester assay. ER free cholesterol was quantified.

RESULTSDifferent lipids had different effects on proliferation and cytotoxicity of VSMCs. 25-hydroxycholesterol (25OHC) had biphasic effects on the proliferation of VSMCs. At low concentration, it stimulated cell proliferation, but turned to proliferation inhibition as concentration reached 15 mug/mL. 25OHC and acetylated low density lipoprotein (AcLDL) could respectively induce apoptosis in human VSMCs and PMA differentiated THP-1 macrophages, which was aggravated by ACATI, accompanied by increase of intracellular free cholesterol content. There was also an increase of cholesterol content in ER with AcLDL-induced apoptosis in THP-1 macrophages.

CONCLUSIONSLipids could induce apoptosis, accompanied by increase of intracellular free cholesterol content, which could be augmented by ACATI, suggesting that insults resulting in ER free cholesterol rise might be the initiator of apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lipids ; physiology ; Sterol O-Acyltransferase ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between genetic variations of prostasin gene and essential hypertension (EH) in Xinjiang Kazakhs.

METHODSTotally 938 Fukang City residents who were older than 30 years were enrolled in this study using cluster random sampling method. Standardized questionnaire and physical examination were performed. Among them there 451 EH patients (EH group) and 478 normotensive (NT) subjects (NT group) according to Guidelines of Prevention and Control for Hypertension in 2005. All the exons and promoter regions of prostasin gene were sequenced in 94 EH patients. Representative variations (297A>C, 2827C>T, and E342K) were genotyped using TaqMan polymerase chain reaction method in all 938 subjects. The frequencies of genotypes were compared between the EH and NT groups.

RESULTSTen variations were found as follows: -36G>C, -27C>T, 78G>A, 81G>C (rs8049043), 297A>C, 350C>T, 351A>C, 2827C>T, 3482G>A (E342K), and 3783A>G. E342K and 2827C>T were successfully genotyped. E342K mutation was identified in only one hypertensive patient. CC, CT, and TT genotypes existed in 2827C>T polymorphism. The frequencies of CC, CT, and TT were 81.0%, 17.3, and 1.7% in EH group and 80.3%, 18.9%, and 0.8% in NT group, respectively. The frequencies of C and T alleles were 89.6% and 10.4% in EH group and 89.8% and 10.2% in NT group, respectively. The distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies were not significantly different between these two groups (chi2=2.048, P=0.353 and chi2=0.001, P=0.973). Blood pressure was not significantly among subjects with these three genotypes (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe EH of Xinjiang Kazakhs is not associated with 2827C>T polymorphism in the prostasin gene. E342K mutation in the prostasin gene may contribute partly to the hypertensive phenotype in this population.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minority Groups ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics