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 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 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 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 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 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

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and pathologic characteristics of anti-glomerular basement membrane(GBM) disease with normal renal function.

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic data of 6 patients with anti-GBM disease and normal renal function in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Furthermore, 29 patients with anti-GBM disease and impaired renal function in the same period in the same hospital were enrolled as the control group. Factors that may influence the prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTSSix (17.1%) of all 35 patients maintained normal renal function for 12-133 months during follow-up. Five patients had microhematuria and proteinuria, one had pulmonary hemorrhage only, and three manifested as Goodpasture syndrome. Renal biopsies from 4 patients revealed linear deposition of IgG 2+-3+ along the glomerular capillary walls by immunofluorescence. As shown by normal light microscopy, mild mesangial proliferation and crescentic glomerulonephritis with a large amount of fibrinoid necrosis of glomerular capillary walls were observed in different patients; however, most pathological changes were mild. Five of these six patients were treated with immunosuppressive drugs and/or plasma exchange. Compared with the control group, the 6 patients with normal renal function had significantly higher hemoglobin[(77.97±20.62 vs.(99.67±19.80 g/L P=0.024], lower titers of anti-GBM antibody[(224.34 ± 145.79 vs.(80.23 ± 85.73 EU/ml P=0.027], and lower ratio of glomeruli with crescents[(0.58±0.29 vs.(0.17±0.27 ,P=0.005]. These 6 patients with normal renal function were followed up for 12-133 months, among whom 4 patients achieved complete remission and 2 had mild proteinuria and microhematuria.

CONCLUSIONAnti-GBM disease with normal renal function is not uncommon. Most patients have mild pathologic changes and good prognosis.

Adult ; Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the issue that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) could trigger low responsiveness of allogeneic T lymphocytes against alloantigens, phenotypes of T cells were analysed with flow cytometry before and after coculture of allogeneic T lymphocytes with MSC. Further, expression of cytokines including IL-4, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta1 was evaluated by RT-PCR and ELISA as well. The results showed that CD8(+) subpopulation was increased and CD25(+) subset was decreased in proportion after coculture of allogeneic T lymphocytes with MSC for 2 weeks. RT-PCR assay showed that MSC expressed TGF-beta1 but not IL-4 and IFN-gamma, and the result was further proved by ELISA assay showing that the secretion of TGF-beta1 reached to 1 ng/ml in 72 hours. It was concluded that allogeneic MSC suppressed T cells activation by alteration of T cell subpopulations. The suppressive effect was at least in part due to the secretion of TGF-beta1. The results indicate that MSC pretreatment might be useful in the prevention of GVHD in HLA-mismatched bone marrow transplantation and further donors for hematopoietic stem cells could be selected from greater potentials.
Bone Marrow Cells ; physiology ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Isoantigens ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells ; physiology ; secretion ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1