AIM To determine the dynamic changes of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites in various brain regions of cerebral ischemia reperfusion mice. METHODS Concentrations of monoamine neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and metabolites were determined by HPLC-ECD on d 0,1,3,5 and d 20 after cerebral ischemia reperfusion by common carotid artery occlusion. RESULTS The cerebral ischemia reperfusion mice showed decreased concentrations of NE, MHPG, DA, DOPAC, 5-HT and 5-HIAA in various brain regions, especially in hippocampus. CONCLUSION Several neuron systems play an important role in neurons damage of cerebral ischemia reperfusion, especially the NE and DA in hippocampus which is sensitive to the ischemia damage. The data offer useful guides for clinical treatments of cerebral ischemia diseases.

Objective To study the correlation between the coagulation factor Ⅶ (F Ⅶ) and progressive hemorrhage after brain contusion in mice and provide the experimental evidence for the clinical application of recombinant human FⅦa.Methods Twelve male BALB/c mice were given liposomeencapsulated FⅦsiRNA via tail vein at doses of 1,3,5 and 10 mg/kg with 3 mice per dosage.The other 3 mice received equivalent volume of normal saline as controls.Two days after the injection,mice blood sampling was used to detect FⅦ mRNA expression in liver using real-time PCR,level of plasma FⅦ using ELISA method,and activity of plasma FⅦ using chromogenic substrate assay.The optimal dose at which F Ⅶ expression was inhibited was determined.Thirty BALB/c male mice were assigned to two groups (n =15 per group) according to the random number table:FⅦ-suppressing group,mice were injected with FⅦsiRNA at the optimal dose and control group,mice were injected with same volume of negative control vector.The model of brain contusion was established in both groups.Volume of hemorrhage following brain contusion was measured at 3,24 and 72 h postinjury,and hematoma volume at 24 and 48 h postinjury.Results Liposome-encapsulated siRNA delivery down-regulated FⅦ expression in the mouse liver.Level and activity of plasma FⅦ were also reduced significantly.The optimal siRNA dose was 3 mg/kg.At 3,24 and 72 h postinjury,relative volume of brain hemorrhage in FⅦ-suppressing group was 1.46 ± 0.10,1.82 ± 0.23 and 2.28 ± 0.15 respectively,significantly higher than that in control group (1.00 ± 0.25,1.20 ± 0.31 and 1.20 ± 0.22 respectively) (P ＜ 0.05).At 24 and 48 h postinju-ry,volume of hematoma in FⅦ-suppressing group was (6.7 ± 1.5)mm3 and (9.8 ± 1.0) mm3,significantly higher than that in control group [(5.2 ± 1.2) mm3 and (5.5 ± 1.5) mm3] (P ＜0.01).Conclusions Level of FⅦ in vivo relates closely to the progressive hemorrhage of brain contusion in mice.Administration of FⅦ is effective to reduce the incidence of progressive hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate in vitro effect of abnormal savda munziq (ASMq) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs).

METHODSHSFs were divided into six groups to receive different treatments as group A (blank control group), group B-E (ASMq in different concentration), and group F(5-Fu). Each group contains six specimens. The HSFs were cultured in vitro. After culture for 48 hours, the CCK8 test and flow cytometry methods were used to detect the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis.

RESULTSThe proliferation of HSFs in the B, C, D and E groups was inhibited at G2/M period, while it was inhibited at G0/S period in group F (P < 0.05). The inhibition effect of ASMq (0.1-1.0 mg/ml) on the fibroblasts enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis with annexin V-FITC and PI staining confirmed the apoptotic. When HSFs were exposed to ASMq at 1.0 mg/ml (group E) for 48 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased to (43.7 +/- 2.58)%, which was significantly higher than that of blank control group (2.2 +/- 0.59)%. The induced apoptosis effect was also increased in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONASMq has a inhibitory effect on the proliferation and an enhancement effect on the apoptosis of fibroblast. ASMq could be used as an effective drug for treatment of hypertrophic scar.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Division ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional

Objective To establish a detection technique for H.pylori(HP) infection in Mongolian gerbils using nested PCR technique.Methods H.pylori was cultured in vitro and inoculated into Mongolian gerbils.At the 10th week after infection, the HP in the gastric juice of Mongolian gerbil was detected by conventional PCR assay and the gastric juice, gastric mucosa, duodenal contents and colon stool were examined by nested PCR.Rapid urease test and ELISA were used to analyze the accuracy of the nested PCR assay.All of the PCR products were verified by sequencing.Results The positive rate of gastric juice detected by conventional PCR was 30%, while the positive rates of gastric juice, gastric mucosa, duodenal contents and colon stool detected by nested PCR were 100%, 100%, 90%, and 10%, respectively.The positive detection rates of rapid urease test and serum ELISA were 100% and 0%, respectively.Comparing the results of different methods, both the positive rates of gastric juice and gastric mucosa detected by nested PCR and the detection rate of rapid urease test were 100%, but the results of conventional PCR detection of gastric juice, the nested PCR detection result of stool in colon and of serum ELISA assay were lower than other methods.Conclusions Due to its high accuracy and sensitivity, the nested PCR assay of gastric juice can be used for the long-time detection of H.pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils, especially useful in the experiments of prevention and treatment of H.pylori infection.

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the formulation optimization of Nicorandil sustained-release matrix tablet,and evaluate its drug release properties in vitro. METHODS:Based on single factor test,powder direct compression method was used,using nicorandil cumulative release rate (Q) in 1,4,8,12 h as evaluation indexes,central composite design-response surface method was adopted to optimize the amount of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose(HPMC)and ethyl cellulose(EC);Q values within 12 h in different pH (1.0,5.0,6.8,7.4) media were compared. RESULTS:The optimized formulation (every tablet) was nicorandil 10 mg,HPMC 150 mg,EC 90 mg,microcrystalline cellulose 80 mg,lactose 60 mg,magnesium stearate 2%. Q1 h,Q4 h,Q8 h and Q12 h of the obtained formulation were 23.6%,51.3%,83.7% and 96.9%,respectively;deviation from the predicted values were 2.1%,1.6%,1.0%,0.2%. Q values were similar in pH 1.0-7.4 at different time points. CONCLUSIONS:The obtained Nicor-andil sustained-release matrix tablet by optimal formulation shows sustained-release effect,and the change of pH 1.0-7.4 has no in-terference in the release characteristics of main drug.

AIM To explore pharmacokinetics of Berberine in YL2000 in normal and febrile rats. METHODS The levels of Berberine in plasma were measured through HPLC and secondary parameters were obtained by fitting the dose time data of Berberine making use of 3P87 programme. RESULTS In normal and febrile rats, the plasma concentration of Berberine was peaked at (3 4?0 3) h vs (0 3?2 1) h( P

Cathepsin B from Helicoverpa armigera (HCB) belongs to the group of cysteine proteinases. HCB is proved being involved in the degradation of yolk proteins during embryonic development,which is an acidic preferring enzyme and is resistant to SDS. The expression of the proenzyme may offer a model for investigating the activation of the enzyme. The HCB gene was constructed into pPIC9K and expressed in Pichia pastoris KM71 strain . After induction by methanol, HCB was expressed and secreted into the medium. The molecular weight of the recombinant procathepsin B was determined as about 38 kDa. The expressed product was confirmed to be HCB by immunoblotting assay using specific rabbit anti-HCB polyclonal antibody. The activity of the product was assayed by in situ hydrolysis (gelatin-SDS-PAGE). These results showed that HCB with proteolytic activity was expressed in P. pastoris KM71. This proenzyme can be used for further research on the activation of the proenzyme or industrial production.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of hepatocytes transdifferentiation to bile duct epithelial cells (BECs) and intervention of Huangqi decoction (HQD) on hepatic fibrosis formation in rats with secondary cholestasis.

METHODSSeventy-five SD male rats were made into cholestatic hepatic fibrosis model animals by bile duct ligation, and randomized into the control group (n = 50) and the HQD group (n = 15). Starting from one week after modeling, they were administered orally with saline and HQD respectively for four weeks. Besides, a sham-operated group was set up with 10 rats operated by choledochus segregating only and administered after then with saline. Rats were killed in batches at different time points, i.e. each five from the control group and sham-operated group at the end of the 1st week, five from the control group for each time at the end of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week, and all the remaining rats at the end of the 5th week. Their liver tissues were taken for histological change examination, content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) determination; protein expression of BECs marker cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and the hepatocyte specific antigen HepPar detection by Western blot, and CK7-Hep Par co-localization by laser confocal microscopy. Then IPP software was used to analyze Sirius red stained positive areas of CK7 and Hep Par, as well as the average IOD of CK7/Hep Par co-localization.

RESULTSHepatocytes in hepatic tissues (Hep Par positive cell) in the model rats decreased gradually along was time went by after modeling (Sham > M1w > M2w > M3w > M4w > M5w), which was in parallel with the increase of BECs (CK7 positive cells), degree of fibrosis, Hyp content and CK7 protein expression. Increasing of co-localized positive cells of CK7/Hep Par began at 1 week and reached the peak 3 weeks after modeling, then it decreased gradually. The Hep Par protein expression was negatively correlated with that of CK7; the Hep Par positive cell expression was negatively correlated with CK7 positive cell expression and collagen deposition; while the CK7 positive cell expression was positively correlated with the collagen deposition in the liver tissue. Compared with the model control group, the mortality, CK7/Hep Par co-localized positive cells, fibrosis degree, Hyp content and CK7 protein expression were lesser obviously (P < 0.01), while Hep Par positive cell and protein expressions were higher significantly in the HQD group.

CONCLUSIONSHepatocytes transdifferentiation to BECs might be a key pathological element for secondary cholestatic hepatic fibrosis formation; the restraining action of HQD is possibly a major action mechanism of HQD for effectively intervening and treating secondary cholestasis hepatic fibrosis.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Bile Ducts ; cytology ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ultrasonographic indexes in the evaluation of complete penile erection after oral administration of sildenafil citrate in men with normal erectile function.

METHODSThe subjects lay supine, with the penis raised upwards, its back clinging to the abdomen. The probe was placed at the base of the ventral side of the penis for longitudinal and transverse section scanning. Observations were made on the corpus cavernosum, deep artery and deep dorsal vein of the penis at the time of flaccidity and complete erection after oral administration of sildenafil citrate, respectively.

RESULTSThe examinations were acceptable to all the subjects both physically and psychologically, and all were completed successfully with no complications. Compared with the flaccid state of the penis, obvious changes were observed in the state of complete erection, including marked increases in the diameter of the corpus cavernosum ([18.57 +/- 2.50] mm, increased by [106.8 +/- 62.1]%), the inside diameter of the deep artery ([1.18 +/- 0.26] mm, increased by [54.9 +/- 29.0]%), the peak systolic velocity ([32.5 +/- 10.7] cm/s, increased by [209.3 +/- 112.9]%), and the systolic acceleration ([5.71 +/- 2.71] cm/s2, increased by [179.3 +/- 138.2]%).

CONCLUSIONOral administration of sildenafil citrate followed by ultrasonography is a new approach to the objective evaluation of penile erection, characterized by convenience, safety, non-invasiveness, non-complication, easy acceptability and easy clinical application.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; physiology ; Penis ; diagnostic imaging ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Purines ; pharmacology ; Sildenafil Citrate ; Sulfones ; pharmacology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the leaves of pineapple.

METHODChromatographic methods were used to isolate compounds from the leaves of pineapple and spectral methods were used to identify the structures of the isolated compounds.

RESULTCompound 1 was isolated from the leaves of pineapple. It was identified as 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3R, 4E, 11E)-2-[(2(R)-hydroxydocosanoyl) amido]-4, 11-hexadecanediene-1, 3-diol.

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 was a new compound.

Ananas ; chemistry ; Cerebrosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry