Objective: To determine the contents of paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizic acid in Gianggan Capsules by RP HPLC. Methods: The Chromatographic method was carried out on Kromasil C 18 column using acetonitrile phosphate buffer solution (pH=5) (20∶80) as a mobile phase. The detection wavelength was set at 230nm and 250nm. The flow rate was 1ml/min. The column temperature was 40℃. Results: The paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizic acid calibration curves were linear at the ranges of 0.48～4.80?g and 1.08～10.81?g(r=0.9999). The average recoveries were 100.5% with RSD 1.2% for paeoniflorin and 98.9% with RSD 0.9% for glycyrrhizic acid. Conclusion: This method is simple, reliable and provides a reference standard for the quality control of Gianggan Capsules.

Objective To investigate the anti-fibrosis effect of a 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO)specific inhibitor AA-861 on liver fibrosis. Methods Liver fibrosis was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride(CCI4).AA-861(0.2 mg/100 g/d)was administrated by intraperitoneal injection starting 2 days before the first dosage of CCI4 and rats were killed at weeks 2,4,and 6.Liver specimens were obtained from each animal and fixed with 4%formaldehyde for histological analysis. The Mrna expression of 5-LO,smooth muscle-alpha(α-SMA),Collagen-1,matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1),the protein expression of 5-LO were evaluated by real time PCR and Western blot respectively. Histological analysis was performed by microscopy observation. Fibrosis conditions in rat liver in each group were evaluated according to the semi-quantitative scoring system (SSS), Hyp in rat livers and the hepatic functional biochemistry were also detected. Results Along with the aggravation of liver fibrosis, the gene expression of 5-Lo,α-SMA,Collagen-1,MMP-2 and TIMP-1 increased gradually, and the level of ALT, TBA, Hyp and SSS score also increased gradually. With the administration of AA-861,the Mrna expression of 5-LO,α-SMA,Collagen-1,MMP-2,TIMP-1 and the protein expression of 5-LO decreased remarkably, and the reduction in TIMP-1 Mrna expression was more significant than that in MMP-2.Six weeks after AA-861 treatment, the level of ALT, TBA, Hyp and SSS score were also decreased significantly. Conclusion AA-861 ameliorates CCI4 induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting the 5-LO pathway and decreasing the expression of 5-LO,α-SMA,Collagen-1,MMP-2 and TIMP-1.

Objective To observe the effects of cystamine, a tissue transglutaminase (tTG) inhibitor, on the development of rat liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride. Methods One hundred male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=20), hepatic fibrosis group (n=40) and cystamine group (n=40) . Liver fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. Cystamine (112 mg·kg-1·d-1) was administered by intraperitoneal injection 2 days before injection of carbon tetrachloride. The rats were sacrificed at weeks 4 and 8, and the liver tissues and serum specimens were obtained. The mRNA expression of tTG, smooth muscle-alpha (α-SMA), collagen-Ⅰ and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were detected by real time PCR. The protein expression of tTG and α-SMA, liver function and content of hydroxyproline in liver tissues were determined by Western blot. Histological changes of the liver was observed under microscope. The fibrosis conditions of rat liver in each group were evaluated according to the semi-quantita-tive scoring system. All the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results Eight weeks after the injection of carbon tetrachloride, obvious injury of the liver in liver fibrosis group was observed. The levels of alanine trans-aminase (ALT), total bile acid, total bilirubin, hydroxyproline, tTG, α-SMA, collagen-Ⅰ and TIMP-1 were (1313±157)U/L, (99.9±18.5)μmol/L, (10.9±1.6)μmoL/L, (55±12)μg/g, 145.6±51.2, 130.3±44.6, 211.3±75.1 and 162.4±53.5. After administration of cystamine, the levels of ALT, total bile acid, total bilirubin, hydroxyproline, tTG, α-SMA, collagen-Ⅰ and TIMP-1 were (378±87) U/L, (61.0±12.7) μmol/L, (9.8±1.7) μmol/L, (70±14 ) μg/g, 48.6±12.3, 40.7±12.3, 63.9±16.0, 59.2μ23.4. Conclusion Cystamine can alleviate the carbon tetrachloride-induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting the tTG pathway.

Objective To investigate autoantibody against endothelin receptor type A (ENRA-Ab) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SLE-PAH).The possibility of autoantibody-mediated pathogenesis in the development of SLE-PAH has also been explored.Methods ENRA-Ab in the serum of SLE-PAH and controls were detected by using a human ETRA epitope peptide-based ELISA.The clinical relevance of ENRA-Ab in SLE-PAH was analyzed.Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and permeability of endothelial cells in vitro under the stimulation of polyclonal ENRA-Ab IgG were assessed.The expressions of PAH-related markers, i.e., 5-HTT, PDGFR-b, VEGF-A and PDGF-B were measured by qPCR.The effect of ENRA-Ab in vivo was also determined in a suboptimaldose monocrotaline-induced model with the assessment of right ventricle hypertrophy index and pathology parameters.Independent t-test, Tukey-Kramer test of variance analysis and Pearson' s correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results ENRA-Abs was presented in a higher occurrence in SLE-PAH (35/85,41％) compared with controls (0/60;0, 13/80, 16％).There was a significant correlation between ENRA-Ab and echocardiograph estimated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (r=0.392, P=0.002) in SLE-PAH.ENRA-Ab could promote SMCs proliferation, disrupt endothelial barrier and up-regulate PAH-related markers expression,which could be blocked in the presence of ETR antagonist.ENRA-Ab aggravated right ventricle hypertrophy and vascular remodeling in vivo.Conclusion ENRA-Ab is a new biomarker, in SLE-PAH, which may mediate PAH development in SLE.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of minimal invasive surgery combined with ventriculoscope for the treatment of basal ganglia hemorrhage.Methods From June 2014 to June 2015 there were 57 patients with basal ganglia hemorrhage were selected into this study.These patients were signed into the minimal invasive surgery combined with ventriculoscope group and the craniotomy group according to the methods of surgery they received.And the clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared.Results Compared with the craniotomy group,patients in the minimal invasive surgery combined with ventriculoscope group got a significantly lower Glasgow coma scale at 7 days,14 days and 28 days after the operation (P =0.02,0.04,0.04);the hospital stays were significantly reduced in the minimal invasive surgery combined with ventriculoscope group [(21.45 ±5.67)d vs.(25.67 ±7.45)d,P =0.02];and the operation time were significantly reduced as well [(134.45 ±21.11)min vs.(178.65 ±45.32)min,P =0.000)].There was no significant difference in intra-cranial pressure,rate of hematoma clearance,rate of organ functional failure,rate of re-bleeding and mortality 28 days after operation (P >0.05).Conclusion The minimal invasive surgery combined with ventriculoscope is effective and safe for the treatment of basal ganglia hemorrhage,which is worthy of popularization.

Objective: To investigate the inhibition of tanshinoneⅡA (TanⅡA) on the proliferation of lung cancer cells. Methods: Human lung cancer cell lines A549, SK-MES-1, H446 and H460 were cultured in vitro and treated with TanⅡA at concentrations of 0.3, 0.6, 1.3, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/mL, while untreated cells served as controls. Cell proliferation was measured by using CCK-8 assay, and apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry, while the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was determined using Western blotting. The apoptotic rate of lung cancer cells was compared between Tan ⅡA-treated cells and untreated cells. Results: Tan ⅡA inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner, and the survival rates of A549, SK-MS-1, H446 and H460 cells reduced with the concentration of TanⅡA (t=4.503, 2.114, 2.103 and 3.567; all P<0.05) and the duration of TanⅡA treatment (t=5.189, 3.079, 3.023 and 3.845; all P<0.05). The 48 h half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50 values) of TanⅡA were (1.18±0.12), (0.78±0.08), (1.55±0.16) and (1.27±0.14) mg/mL against A549, SK-MES-1, H446 and H460 cells, respectively. Following 48 h treatment with Tan ⅡA at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL, the apoptotic rates of A549, SK-MS-1, H446 and H460 cells were (34.97±3.78)%, (37.62±2.48)%, (18.27±2.98)% and (19.17±2.30)%, which were significantly significantly higher than those of untreated cells [(4.86±0.36) %, (3.21±0.48) %, (3.25±0.26)% and (2.66±0.19)%, all P<0.05]. Reduced Akt1 protein expression, elevated Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio, and elevated caspase-9 and caspase-3 protein expression were detected in lung cancer cells treated with 2.5 mg/mL TanⅡA for 48 h relative to untreated cells Conclusion TanⅡA may inhibit lung cancer cell proliferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner via the Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-9/caspase-3 pathway.

Escherichia coli AFP111 is a spontaneous mutant with mutations in the glucose specific phosphotransferase system (ptsG) in NZN111 (delta pflAB deltaldhA). In AFP111, conversion of xylose to succinic acid generates 1.67 molecule of ATP per xylose. However, the strain needs 2.67 molecule ATP for xylose metabolism. Therefore, AFP111 cannot use xylose due to insufficient ATP under anaerobic condition. Through an atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) jet, we got a mutant strain named DC111 that could use xylose under anaerobic condition in M9 medium to produce succinic acid. After 72 h, DC111 consumed 10.52 g/L xylose to produce 6.46 g/L succinic acid, and the yield was 0.78 mol/mol. Furthermore, the reaction catalyzed by the ATP-generating PEP-carboxykinase (PCK) was enhanced. The specific activity of PCK was 19.33-fold higher in DC111 than that in AFP111, which made the strain have enough ATP to converse xylose to succinic acid.
Atmosphere ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology ; Metabolic Engineering ; Mutation ; Plasma Gases ; pharmacology ; Succinic Acid ; metabolism ; Temperature ; Xylose ; metabolism

During the anaerobic fermentation by Escherichia coli AFP111 for succinic acid production, the viable cell concentration and productivity were decreased with the raising of succinic acid concentration. In order to restore cellular succinic acid productivity and prolong fermentation time, we collected strains and refreshed medium for repetitive succinic acid production. However, productivity is lower than that in the anaerobic fermentation before reusing strains. To enhance the productivity, strains were aerobically cultivated for 3 h in pure water before anaerobic fermentation. The activities of key enzymes were enhanced for better performance in producing succinic acid at anaerobic stage. After three rounds of repetitive fermentations, succinic acid concentration and yield reached to 56.50 g/L and 90% respectively. The succinic acid productivity was 0.81 g/(L x h), which was 13% higher than the repetitive fermentations without aerobic activation of the strains.
Aerobiosis ; Anaerobiosis ; Culture Media ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Genetic Engineering ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Industrial Microbiology ; Succinic Acid ; metabolism

Escherichia coli BA002, in which the ldhA and pflB genes are deleted, cannot utilize glucose anaerobically due to the inability to regenerate NAD+. To restore glucose utilization, overexpression of nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRTase) encoded by the pncB gene, a rate-limiting enzyme of NAD(H) synthesis pathway, resulted in a significant increase in cell mass and succinate production under anaerobic conditions. However, a high concentration of pyruvate was accumulated. Thus, co-expression of NAPRTase and the heterologous pyruvate carboxylase (PYC) of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NZ9000 in recombinant E. coli BA016 was investigated. Results in 3 L fermentor showed that OD600 is 4.64 and BA016 consumed 35.00 g/L glucose and produced 25.09 g/L succinate after 112 h under anaerobic conditions. Overexpression of pncB and pyc in BA016, the accumulation of pyruvic acid was further decreased, and the formation of succinic acid was further increased.
Anaerobiosis ; Escherichia coli ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Genetic Engineering ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Industrial Microbiology ; Lactococcus lactis ; enzymology ; NAD ; metabolism ; Pentosyltransferases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pyruvate Carboxylase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Succinic Acid ; metabolism

Sugarcane molasses containing large amounts of sucrose is an economical substrate for succinic acid production. However, Escherichia coli AFP111 cannot metabolize sucrose although it is a promising candidate for succinic acid production. To achieve sucrose utilizing ability, we cloned and expressed cscBKA genes encoding sucrose permease, fructokinase and invertase of non-PTS sucrose-utilization system from E. coli W in E. coli AFP111 to generate a recombinant strain AFP111/pMD19T-cscBKA. After 72 h of anaerobic fermentation of the recombinant in serum bottles, 20 g/L sucrose was consumed and 12 g/L succinic acid was produced. During dual-phase fermentation comprised of initial aerobic growth phase followed by anaerobic fermentation phase, the concentration of succinic acid from sucrose and sugarcane molasses was 34 g/L and 30 g/L, respectively, at 30 h of anaerobic phase in a 3 L fermentor. The results show that the introduction of non-PTS sucrose-utilization system has sucrose-metabolizing capability for cell growth and succinic acid production, and can use cheap sugarcane molasses to produce succinic acid.
Bioreactors ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; genetics ; Fermentation ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Metabolic Engineering ; Molasses ; Saccharum ; chemistry ; Succinic Acid ; chemistry ; Sucrose ; chemistry