To study the effect and mechanisms of 18 α-glycyrrhizic acid (18 α-GA) on cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, the expression of CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and CYP3A was determined in rat hepatocyte sandwich cultures by using enzyme assay and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The results showed that the activities of CYP1A1 (7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, EROD), CYP2E1(aniline hydroxylase, ANH) and CYP3A (erythromycin N-demethylase, ERD) were decreased in concentration-dependent manner after treatment with 18 α-GA(50－400 mg*L-1), and at the concentration of 200 mg*L-1 inhibitory rate reached the maximum (the maximum inhibitory rate was 59.6%, 69.7% and 44.7%, respectively). The time course revealed that the inhibition reached plateau level at d 4 of culure. 18 α-GA Decreased CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1 mRNA expression in dose-dependent manner, the maximum inhibitory rate was 44.5% , 58.1% and 37.1%, respectively. The results suggest that 18 α-GA down-regulate CYP expression at the transcriptive levels.

AIM: To analyze the chemical composition and their relative contents of Fuyinjie Compound Huangsong Lotion. METHODS: A capillary column HP-5 MS was used. The column temperature was controlled by a program and the MS analysis was performed with EI and quadrupole mass analyzer. The chemical composition was identified by NIST98 searching and mass spectra comparing, and their relative contents were determined by using normalization method of chromatographic peak areas. RESULTS: There were 39 components found and 31 composed of more than 90% separated components were identified. CONCLUSION: The GC-MS is a simple, rapid and sensitive method for the chemical composition analysis of Fuyinjie Compound Huangsong Lotion.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of percutaneous laser disc decompression on lumbar discogenic pain.Methods56 patients with lumbar discogenic pain were treated with percutaneous laser disc decompression with Nd:YAG laser(wavelength 1064 nm).They were followed up for more than 3 months with Macnab criteria.ResultsAll the patients were followed up.At the end point of postoperative 3 months,32 patients had an excellent outcome,20 were good,3 patients were fair,1 patient were poor.No complication(infection and nerve injury)had been observed.ConclusionPercutaneous laser disc decompression is a safe,little invasive and effective treatment modality for lumbar discogenic pain.

In order to investigate if there exists interaction between mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein, and how the interaction regulates tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?) transcription activity, the human p38 and extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase 2 (ERK2) genes were amplified from human flag-p38 and flag-ERK2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into pcDNA3-HA. Protein expression of the plasmids was examined by Western blotting. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to identify if there exists interaction between MAPK and STAT3 proteins. If the interaction was approved to be true, report gene system was applied to find how the interaction affect transcriptional expression of TNF-?. After STAT3 pathway was inhibited by RNA interfering, the action on TNF-? activity was determined. The results of DNA sequencing and enzyme digestion showed that the cloned p38 and ERK2 genes were correct, to be 1 080 bp or so. p38 and ERK2 proteins were expressed in 293T cell to be approximately 40 ku. Co-immunoprecipitation data showed that p38 and ERK2 proteins integrated with STAT3 protein in vivo. TNF-? reporter gene activity results found that protein complex of p38-STAT3 and ERK2-STAT3 coordinately increased TNF-? activity. After STAT3 was interfered, the TNF-? activity markedly decreased. These data indicated that there exists interaction between p38 and STAT3 protein, ERK2 and STAT3 protein. The complex of the proteins can coordinately regulate TNF-? expression. After interfereing STAT3 pathway, the coordinated action on TNF-? transcription activity might be obviously reduced.

Objective:To compare the effects between electroacupuncture (EA) at Chize (LU 5, the He-Sea point of the Lung Meridian) and Shangjuxu (ST 37, the lower He-Sea point of the large intestine) in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) on the variations of mesenteric microcirculation and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the colon, lung, and hypothalamus. The relative specificity of acupoints was also explored.
Methods: A total of 28 male Wistar rats were randomized into a normal group, a model group, a Chize (LU 5) group and a Shangjuxu (ST 37) group, 7 rats in each group. The UC model was established by enema with acetic acid. Since the third day after modeling, rats in the Chize (LU 5) group and Shangjuxu (ST 37) group respectively received EA at Chize (LU 5) and Shangjuxu (ST 37), 15 min each time for successive 7 d. The variations of mesenteric microvascular calibers and blood flow status were observed by a microcirculation microscopic tester; VIP in the colon, lung and hypothalamus was measured by radioimmunoassay.
Results:Compared with the normal group, the mesenteric microvascular calibers were significantly expanded in the model group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the model group and Chize (LU 5) group (P>0.05); compared with the model group and Chize (LU 5) group, the calibers were obviously shrunk in Shangjuxu (ST 37) group (P<0.05). The four groups showed no significant inter-group differences in comparing blood flow status (P>0.05). The colonic VIP levels in the model group and Chize (LU 5) group were significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01,P<0.05); the VIP level in Shangjuxu (ST 37) group was markedly lower than that in the model group (P<0.01). There were no significant differences among the four groups in comparing VIP level in lung and hypothalamus (P>0.05).
Conclusion:The effects of Chize (LU 5) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) were different in treating UC. Shangjuxu (ST 37) showed a more significant efficacy in down-regulating VIP in the colon and regulating mesenteric microcirculation, while the effects of Chize (LU 5) were not obvious.

AIM　To study the effect of 18α-glycyrrhizic acid (18α-GL) on hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes in rats. METHODS　18α-GL (12.5, 50.0 mg*kg-1*d-1) were given ip to male Wistar rats for 3, 6 or 12 consecutive days. The rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose and the liver microsomes were prepared for analysis of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes and phase II transferase activites. RESULTS Aniline hydroxylase (CYP2E1) activities in the rats treated with 18α-GL (12.5, 50.0 mg*kg-1) for 6 days decreased dose-dependently by up to 53.2%; For 3, 6 or 12 days 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (CYP1A1) activities in the rats of 50 mg*kg-1 dose group decreased time-dependently by 17.6%, 38.3% and 47.3%, respectively; Erythromycin N-demethylase (CYP3A) activities was significantly inhibited from 23.1% to 34.3%. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities toward 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin significantly increased ranging from 19.3% to 29.9%. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities toward 4-phenylphenol in the rats treated with 18α-GL (12.5, 50.0 mg*kg-1) for 6 days increased by 45.9% and 70.3%. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities in the rats treated with 18α-GL (12.5，50.0 mg*kg-1) for 6 days increased by 13.7% and 48.3% in dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION　18α-GL inhibited rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 while induced phase II transferase.

Objective To construct estrogen receptor α (ERα)trans-activation system. Methods The full length ERα and its different function regions [ ( transcriptional activation function 1 ( AF1 ), DNA inding domain ( DBD), and transcriptional activation function 2 ( AF2 ) ] were amplified from pcDNA3 -ERα by PCR and cloned into the pGAL vector. The expressions of the recombinant plasmids constructed were detected via immunoblotting. The 293T cells transfected with recombinant plasmids of full length ERα, its different function regions and empty vector were divided into 5 groups; each group was divided into 2 parts which were treated with or without estrogen (E2). The transcriptional activity of each group was detected in 293T cells after the recombinant plasmid was co-transfected with 0. 2 μg of estrogen receptor element luciferase(ERE-LUC) and 0. 1 μg of plasmid expressing β-galactosidase and treated with or without 10 nmol/L E2 for 24 hours. Results The full length ERα and its different function regions were expressed in the 293T cells. Compared with the empty pGAL vector, the transcription activities of full length ERα, AF1, AF2 and DBD recombinant plasmids were raised about 20. 44±1.01, 2. 09±0. 11, 8. 09±0. 30 and 1.05±0. 09 fold, respectively, with the induction of E2 after transfection in the 293T colls. Conclusion The trans-activation system of ERα has been successfully established.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the anesthetic effects and safety of Gow-Gates technique of inferior alveolar nerve block in impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

METHODSA split-mouth study was designed. The bilateral impacted mandibular third molar of 32 participants were divided into Gow-Gates technique of inferior alveolar nerve block (Gow-Gates group) and conventional technique of inferior alveolar nerve block (conventional group) randomly with third molar extracted. The anesthetic effects and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTSAll the participants completed the research. The anesthetic success rate was 96.9% in Gow-Gates group and 90.6% in conventional group with no statistical difference ( P= 0.317); but when comparing the anesthesia grade, Gow-Gates group had a 96.9% of grade A and B, and conventional group had a rate of 78.1% (P = 0.034). And the Gow-Gates group had a much lower withdrawn bleeding than conventional group (P = 0.025). Two groups had no hematoma.

CONCLUSIONGow-Gates technique had a reliable anesthesia effects and safety in impacted mandibular third molar extraction and could be chosen as a candidate for the conventional inferior alveolar nerve block.

Anesthesia, Dental ; Anesthetics ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Mandible ; Mandibular Nerve ; Molar ; Molar, Third ; Nerve Block ; Tooth Extraction

Objective: To investigate the expression of peroxisome proliferator actived receptor ? (PPAR ?)and the inducement of apoptosis by PPAR ? ligand in renal cell carcinoma(RCC) derived cell lines.Methods:RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to determined the expression of PPAR ? mRNA and protein in two RCC derived cell lines(786 O and A498) and two normal kidney(NK) derived cell lines(HK 2 and HMCC). Two RCC cell lines were treated with 50 ?mol/L troglitazoned for and evaluated for the effects of antidiabetic thiazolidinediones (TZDs) on the cells apoptosis by fluorescence microscopy and DNA ladder assay.The mutative expressions of Bcl 2 and Bax before and after TZDs treatment were also performed by western blot analysis. Results: The expression of PPAR ? was observed to be stronger in 786 O and A498 cells than in HK 2 and HMCC cells by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Treated with 50 ?mol/L troglitazone (for 48 h) it induced typical apoatosis in 786 O and A498 cells. After treatment, a decrease in Bcl 2 expression in RCC cells was observed by Western blot analysis,and the expression of Bax,however,was up regulated.Conclusion: The results reveal that troglitazone has the tumor suppressive effect on RCC cells. High affinity PPAR ? ligands (TZDs) may be the candidates for a novel approach to the treatment of this refractory neoplasm.

Objective To explore the influence of the combination therapy of probucol with atorvastatin on levels of serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL), and marix metallopro? teinase-9 (MMP-9) and resolution of carotid plaque in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI). Methods One hun? dred-six patients with acute cerebral infarction who had carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound-confirmed atherosclerot? ic plaques , were included in the present study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: conventional treat? ment group ( 40 cases) which received atorvastatin (20mg/d) and co-treatment group (40 cases) which received Atorvas? tatin (20mg/d) and Probucol (500mg/d). Levels of hs-CRP, ox-LDL and MMP-9 were detected in all patients before treat? ment and 1, 6 and 12 months after drug therapy. The Intima-media thickness, area and numbers of carotid plaques were evaluated by using Doppler ultrasonography during a 12 months follow-up period. Results ① Serum hs-CRP and MMP-9 levels were significantly decreased at 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment, (conventional treatment group:t =14.662, 23.586, 28.179 and co-treatment group:t =47.023, 50.239, 50.774,P <0.01). The ox-LDL levels was obviously de? creased in the combined treatment group (t =4.592, 5.011, 5.892,P <0.01) but not in conventional treatment group (P > 0.05) at 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Serum hs-CRP, ox-LDL and MMP-9 levels were significantly lower in com? bined treatment group than in the conventional treatment group at all time points after treatment (t =7.655, 5.271, 2.492, t =4.927, 3.772, 4.673 andt =16.862, 4.251, 2.045.P <0.01 orP <0.05). ②There were not statistically differences in the IMT, plaque area and plaque numbers between these two groups before treatment (P >0.05). The IMT, plaque area and plaque numbers were significantly smaller in combined treatment group than in conventional treatment group (t =6.117, 3.290, 2.158,P <0.05). Conclusions The combination therapy of probucol with atorvastatin can greatly reduce levels of serunl hs-CRP,ox-LDL and MMP-9, indicating that the combination therapy has a strong anti-oxidant function, thereby reversing and stabilizing the atherosclerosis plaque.