OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of rat tail collagen, hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells on collagen gel contraction in organotypic culture.

METHODSThe hair follicle organotypic culture was prepared with different concentrations of rat tail collagen, different number of dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells in DMEM medium, after cultured for 10 days the diameter of collagen gel was measured.

RESULTThe concentration of rat tail collagen, hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells significantly influenced on collagen gel contraction in organotypic culture (P<0.01). The contraction of collagen gel was negatively related to the concentration of rat tail collagen, while the concentration of dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells was positively related to the contraction of collagen gel.

CONCLUSIONThe key factor influencing collagen gel contraction in organotypic culture is the concentration of rat tail collagen, hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells.

Animals ; Cell Division ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; physiology ; Gels ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured dermal papilla cells (DPC), and their possible effect on biological behaviour of DPC.

METHODSThe expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured DPC was detected by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization.

RESULTThe expression of ET-1 and SCF in early passages of cultured DPC was stronger, but became negative in late passages (>6 passages). The stronger the expression of ET-1 and SCF in DPC, the higher ability of DPC to induce hair follicle regeneration.

CONCLUSIONThe expression strength of ET-1 and SCF is related to the ability of DPC inducing hair follicle regeneration.

Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; analysis ; genetics ; Hair Follicle ; chemistry ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Stem Cell Factor ; analysis ; genetics

To elucidate further sequence selectivity and nature of the binding of anticancer drugs to DNA, the interaction between anticancer drugs, which are minor groove ligands (distamycin A, DM and netropsin, NP) and intercalator (mitoxantrone, MT), and DNA were studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The 2 : 1 specific complex of DM and AT-rich DNA were observed principally, while only 1 : 1 specific complex of NP and AT-rich DNA were observed. MT specifically binds to GC-rich DNA. In addition, DM binds to DNA containing 5 A/T bases minor groove almost in a 2 : 1 mode and does not bind to DNA containing 3 A/T bases minor groove. NP binds most strongly to DNA containing 4 A/T bases minor groove. The 1 : 1 specific complex of MT and 6-mer DNA was also observed. The result of competitive binding experiment shows that DM binds more strongly to AT-rich DNA than NP does. These results provide bases for investigating the mechanism of interaction between the drugs and DNA and for improving the structure of target drug.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; DNA ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of dapoxetine in the treatment of premature ejaculation.

METHODSWe randomly assigned outpatients with premature ejaculation in the proportion of 2:1 to receive 30 mg dapoxetine on demand (n =78) or 50 mg sertraline qd for one month (n = 39). Follow-up was accomplished in 95 cases, 63 in the dapoxetine group and 32 in the sertraline group. We recorded the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), clinical global impression of change (CGIC) score, and adverse reactions of the patients and compared them between the two groups.

RESULTSIELT was significantly increased in both the dapoxetine (from [0.87 ± 0.31] to [2.84 ± 0.68] min, P < 0.05) and the sertraline group (from [0.84 ± 0.28] to [2.71 ± 0.92] min, P < 0.05) after medication. Based on the CGIC scores in premature ejaculation, the rate of excellence or effectiveness was 36.5% in the dapoxetine and 37. 5% in the sertraline group, and the rate of improvement was 63.5% in the former and 71.9% in the latter. The incidence rates of dizziness, nausea, headache, and diarrhea were slightly higher (P > 0.05) while those of fatigue, somnolence, and dry mouth significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the sertraline than in the dapoxetine group.

CONCLUSIONOn-demand oral medication of dapoxetine is effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of premature ejaculation.

Benzylamines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Ejaculation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Naphthalenes ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Outpatients ; Premature Ejaculation ; drug therapy ; Reaction Time ; drug effects ; physiology ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Sertraline ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of aildenafil citrate, an oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

METHODSIntegrated analyses were made of 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trials involving 250 men with mild-to-severe erectile dysfunction of various etiologies who received aildenafil citrate 30 or 60 mg (n = 167) or placebo (n = 83).

RESULTSThe statistic results of International Index of Erectile Function, Patient Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diaries and Global Assessment Question (GAQ) were significantly higher in the aildenafil citrate patients than in the placebo controls. The main drug-related adverse events were flushing, headache, dizziness and naupathia, which were mild and could be self-relieved.

CONCLUSIONThe aildenafil citrate therapy significantly ameliorated erectile function and was well tolerated by a wide range of patients with erectile dysfunction.

Administration, Oral ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Sulfones ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

In this study, we used a mathematic-based modeling system to screen the cytokines that are sensitive to Zhuangguguanjie wan (ZGW)-induced idiosyncratic liver injury. The values of 27 cytokines were used as the data source in rat liver of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + ZGW group. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity value of liver function indexes was used as the outcome evaluation index of liver injury. Cytokines of ZGW-induced idiosyncratic liver injury were screened using Logistic regression, random forest method, LASSO Logistics regression and method of combining rule discovery algorithm with LASSO, and cytokines filtered out were revalued in THP1 macrophage. Susceptible cytokine combinations:interleukin-1β (IL-1β), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) closely related to ZGW-induced idiosyncratic liver injury were obtained after preliminary screening analysis. The result of revalued in THP1 showed that the ethanolic extract of ZGW (EtZ) combined with IL-1β or IL-18 synergistically enhanced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretion in THP1 macrophage, and EtZ combined with IL-1β significantly enhanced interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion in THP1 macrophage, but EtZ combined with EGF markedly inhibited IL-6 secretion in THP1 macrophage. The results suggest that the sensitive cytokines that can be characterized in the ZGW-induced idiosyncratic liver injury are IL-1β and IL-18, which provides a basis for screening the ZGW-induced idiosyncratic liver injury patients, and a new experimental evidence for clinical safety medication and risk prevention of ZGW.

To screen the harmful substance 5-hydroxymethyl furfural content in commercially available traditional Chinese medicine injection which are commonly used, and to preliminarily evaluate the quality of these injections, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural was taken as an index. The contents of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural in 56 samples which consist of 23 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine injections and glucose injection were determined using LC-MS/MS, and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural was detected in 52 of these samples. The minimal content was 0.0038 microg x L(-1) and the maximum content was 1420 microg x mL(-1). The contents of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural were significantly different in traditional Chinese medicine injection which came from different kinds, manufacturers or batches. The results showed the quality difference of commercially available traditional Chinese medicine injection is significant taking 5-hydroxymethyl furfural content as assessment index. More attention should be paid to the safety of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural in traditional Chinese medicine injection, and unified limitation standard should be set to improve medication safety of traditional Chinese medicine injection.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Eleutherococcus ; chemistry ; Furaldehyde ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Injections ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

On basis of the idiosyncratic lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-mediated hepatotoxicity model, liver injury induced by Zhuangguguanjie wan(ZGW)was evaluated, and the mechanism was explored. Idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity model was established in rats by injecting LPS at a dosage of 2.8 mg·kg^-1. Rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, LPS group, ZGW group and LPS+ZGW group. Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)activities were analyzed in serum; pathological changes(HE staining)and the content of cytokines of liver were tested; and immune cell subpopulation ration were determined in blood and liver. Compared with the control group, the ZGW group and LPS group had no significant changes in ALT, AST and liver pathology(P> 0.05); while the ZGW+LPS group exhibited an elevation in ALT and AST(P< 0.05). Disorder of liver lobular arrangement and irregular island-like or massive necrosis of liver cells were observed in the group. Several cytokines in the liver were increased in LPS group and ZGW+LPS group(P< 0.05 or P< 0.01), and the level in ZGW+LPS group was higher than that of LPS group. Compared with the control group, the ratio of CD3⁺ T cell/lymphocyte of blood in LPS group was significantly decreased(P< 0.01); while the percentage of CD3⁺ T cells in the liver were significantly increased(P< 0.05). The contents of immune cells of blood had no significant changes between LPS group and ZGW+LPS group(P> 0.05). CD3⁺ T cell in the liver of ZGW+LPS group was significantly increased over the LPS group(P< 0.05). Aggregation or activity of CD3⁺ T cell was increased by ZGW combined with LPS. These results suggest that ZGW could promote T lymphocyte recruitment to liver under the immune activation state leading to inflammatory response, which may contribute to idiosyncratic liver injury.

According to the theory of 'Xingben Dazao' of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. (BL), the susceptible syndromes and biomarkers of liver injury caused by BL were searched. Rat models of kidney-yin deficiency syndrome (M_yin) and kidney-yang deficiency syndrome (M_yang) were established, and all animal experimental operations and welfare following the provisions of the First Affiliated Experimental Animal Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. YFYDW2020017). The results showed that BL significantly decreased the body weight, water intake, and urine weight of M_yin rats and increase the organ indexes of the liver, testis, adrenal gland, and spleen and the expression of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Meantime, BL significantly increased the urine weight of M_yang rats and decreased the expression of ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining showed that BL could aggravate inflammatory infiltration of hepatocytes in rats with M_yin and alleviate liver injury in rats with M_yang. Metabolomics identified 17 BL co-regulated significant differential metabolic markers in M_yin and M_yang rats. Among them, 8 metabolites such as glutamine, quinolinate, biliverdin, and lactosylceramide showed opposite trends, mainly involving cysteine and methionine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, purine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerol phospholipid metabolism, glutamine metabolism, and other pathways. M_yin/M_yang may be the susceptible constitution of BL for liver damage or protection, which may be related to the regulation of amino acid metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism. The study can provide some experimental data support for the safe and accurate use of BL in the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine.