Objective To explore the influence of Azithromycin on helper T lymphocyte cell(Th)1/Th2 in peripheral blood of children with bronchitic asthma.Methods Twenty-four asthmatic children and 20 healthy children were selected.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from venous blood and made into cells suspension in aseptic condition.0.2 mg/L,0.1 mg/L,0.05 mg/L and 0 mg/L Azithromycin were added into the cultures in asthmatic group.The control group was not interfered with Azithromycin.The supernatant was collected after 48 h.The levels of IFN-?,IL-4 and IL-10 in the supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosobent assay(ELISA).SPSS 11.5 software was used to analyze data.Results 1.The level of IL-4 produced from PBMC of asthmatic group was significantly higher than that of control group(P0.05).2.Azithromycin 0.1 mg/L more promoted the secretion of IL-4 than the other 3 concentrations(Pa0.05).3.Azithromycin 0.2 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L more increased the level of IL-10 than the control group(P0.05).Conclusions The routine drug level of Azithromycin(0.1 mg/L) had no effects on the imbalance of Th1/Th2 of asthmatic children,but could modulate the immunological function by up-regulating the level of IL-10.

Objective To study the mechanism of Liangruntongluo Recipe in improving gastrointestinal function on DM rats induced by STZ. Methods Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups randomly: group A as model control group,group B as Liangruntongluo group,group C as Cisapride group,and group D as normal control group. There are 10 rats in each group. After the establishment of DM animal model with Wistar rats,the animals were raised for 6 weeks without any hypoglycemic agents. And then medicines were intragastric administrationed for another 6 weeks. In the 12th week motile and cholecystokinin in blood and tissue were tested. Result By the time of the twelfth week,the rats with DM presented the disorder of gastrointestinal hormone. Liangruntongluo Recipe affected the excretion and releasing of hormone in blood,stomach,and duodenum. With a wide target range,effect of Liangruntongluo Recipe is superior to Cisapride. Conclusions Chinese herbal medicine Liangruntongluo recipe has the superiority in improving the obstacle of the gastrointestinal function of diabetes mellitus.

Argyrogramma agnata has been selected as a substitutive host insect for producing Dendrolimus punctatus Cytoplasmic Polyhedrosis Virus (DpCPV). In our experiment, it is very susceptible to DpCPV. The DpCPV produced in A. agnata is designated Aa-DpCPV. The cytoplasmic polyhedra body (CPB), the virion size and the shape of Aa-DpCPV are same as that of its original DpCPV (DpCPV-W1984). The RNA bands of Aa-DpCPV and DpCPV-W1984 all have 10 RNA segments respectively in 3% PAGE, which molecular weights ranged in size from 2.98×106 to 0.66×106 Dalton. Aa-DpCPV has the same strong toxicity as that of DpCPV-W1984 (from D. punctatus) to D. punctatus (Walker) larva. So it can be applied to the pine caterpillar control. The DpCPV yield in A.agnata is 2.5×108CPB/larva.

Objective To observe the curative effect of captopril and metoprolol in the treatment of chronic Keshan disease (CKD). Methods One hundred and ninty-five patients with CKD chosen from Juxian, Wulian, Yishui, Pingyi, Sishui and Zoucheng in Shandong Province were randomly assigned to control group, captopril group and metoprolol group according to NYHA cardiac functional grading. All cases were given diuretics, digitalis and vasodilating agents as routine treatment. On this basis, captopril and metoprolol was administered in captopril group and metoprolol group respectively. After 12 months of follow-up visit, the causes of cardiac death, hospitalization status and the changes of heart size, electrocardiogram, blood pressure and heart rate were all observed. Results It was found that the mortality of captopril group and metoprolo] group was 4.76% (3/63), 5.00% (3/60) respectively, both lower than the control group 10.61%(7/66). But this difference had no statistically significance(P=0.39). Besides, the hospitalization days of each year in captopril group and metoprolol group was respectively (19.12± 20.35) and(18.86±21.52)days, much more reduced than in the control group[(21.45±21.74)days, q=3.17, 3.38, P<0.05]. The detection rate of cardiothoracic ratio decreased in captopril group and metoprolol group [45% (27/60) and 40.4% (23/57)] After treatment showed more pronounced amelioration than the control group [18.6% (11/59), χ2=9.51,6.59, all P<0.0125], still the detection rate of cardiomegaly and invariability had no significant difference among three groups (χ2=2.50,4.75, all P>0.05). The elimination coefficient of ectopic rhythm in metoprolol group [56.5% (13/23)] was pronounced higher than the control group and captopril group [23.8% (5/21), 22.7% (5/22)], but differences had no statistically significance(P=0.0358,0.0331, all P>0.0125). Significant differences were found in systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP) and heart rate(HR) in three groups prior and post-treatment(F=47.51,44.23,80.66, all P<0.01). The interaction of therapy and treatment time had influence on SBP and HR (F=3.19,37.44, all P<0.05), but had no influence on DBP(F=2.21, P> 0.05). There was no difference in SBP, DBP or HR among three groups before treatment(F=0.28,0.57,1.80, all P>0.05). After treatment, SBP and DBP in captopril group, metoprolol group and the control group[(109.0±10.9), (112.2±12.8), (114.7±13.2)mm Hg, (69.3±7.2), (72.1±9.5), (73.3±9.3)mm Hg] were all lowered compared with pre-treatment[ (117.1±13.4), (119.0±14.4), (117.6±14.1)mm Hg and (74.2±10.2), (76.3±10.8), (75.4±11.1)mm Hg, t=4.79,4.47,2.08,5.12, 4.32,2.15, all P<0.05]. HR was reduced in metoprolol group, being [(66.2±7.7), (75.9±11.5)times/min] before and after treatment(t=10.81, P<0.01), while it remained unchanged in captopril group and control group[(70.6±8.0), (72.6±10.5) times/min and (71.9±10.4), (73.8± 12.2)times/min, t=1.77,1.74, all P>0.05]. After treatment, both SBP and DBP of captopril group were significantly lower than that in the control group (q=3.52,3.56, all P<0.05); HR was reduced in metoprolol group, lower than that in captopril group and control group(q=5.44,3.73, all P<0.01). Conclusions Having a tendency of depressing mortality, captopril and metoprolol can reverse or delay myocardial remodeling and reduce admission rate in a safe,reliable and economic way, and are worth to be widely used in the treatment of chronic Keshan disease.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Platelets ; chemistry ; Humans ; Receptor, PAR-1 ; blood ; Receptors, Thrombin ; blood ; Renal Dialysis ; Uremia ; blood ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of citric acid stimulation on salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), total protein (TP), salivary flow rate, and pH value between Pi deficiency (PD) children and healthy children, thereby providing evidence for Pi controlling saliva theory.

METHODSTwenty PD children were recruited, and 29 healthy children were also recruited at the same time. Saliva samples from all subjects were collected before and after citric acid stimulation. The sAA activity and amount, TP contents, salivary flow rate, and pH value were determined and compared.

RESULTS(1) Citric acid stimulation was able to significantly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, sAA activities, sAA specific activity and sAA amount (including glycosylated and non-glycosylated sAA amount) in healthy children (P<0.05), while it could markedly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, and glycosylated sAA levels in PD children (P<0.05); (2) Although there was no statistical difference in determined salivary indices between the two groups (P>0.05), salivary indices except salivary flow rate and glycosylated sAA levels decreased more in PD children. There was statistical difference in sAA activity ratio, sAA specific activity ratio, and the ratio of glycosylated sAA levels between PD children and healthy children (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPD children had decreased response to citric acid stimulation.

Child ; Citric Acid ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Saliva ; Salivary alpha-Amylases ; metabolism ; alpha-Amylases

Objective To investigate the relationship between refractory hypertension and renal hemodynamics in end stage renal diseases (ESRD) patients.Methods ESRD patients were classified into:patients with refractory hypertension (group A) and patients with normal blood pressure(group B).Renal hemodynamic indices were ex- amined by duplex ultrasonography.Fasting serum lipid (TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,Lp(a),ox-LDL) and serum parathyroid hormane (PTH) were determined in all patients.Results Significant differences were found in renal hemodynamic indices such as peak systolic velocity (PSV),mean flow velocity (MV),pulsatility index (PI),renal- aortic ratio (RAR) and in clinical index such as Lp(a) and ox-LDL between the two group.Refractory hyperten- sion patients had lower renal hemodynamic indices and higher Lp(a) and ox-LDL levels than in patients with con- trolled BP.Logistic regression analysis revealed that refractory hypertension was related with PSV,EDV,Pl and RAR,but not relevant with sex,age,dialysis time,hematocrit,BUN,creatinine,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C, PTH,MV and RI.Conclusion Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and severe disorder in renal hemodynamics is likely the cause for refractory hypertention in ESRD patients.The rise of serum Lp(a) and ox-LDL might acceler- ate renal artery atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and action mechanism of petroleum ether extracts from Saussurea involucrate on brain tissues of hypoxia rats under constant pressure and closed conditions.

METHODThe PESI dosage-dependent experiment for hypoxia rats was conducted under constant pressure and closed conditions by intraperitoneally injecting 125, 250, 500 mg x kg(-1) to finalize that the optimum dosage is the high dose of PESI. Afterwards, 90 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the hypoxic model group, the acetazolamide 250 mg x kg(-1) group and the PESI high dose group. Each group was further divided into three subgroups according to different hypoxia times, with 10 rats in each subgroup. Under the same hypoxia and administration conditions, the rats were sacrificed after 0, 3, 6 h respectively. Their brain samples were collected for common pathological observation and immunohistochemical staining of HIF-1alpha. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect HIF-1alpha, EPO, HO-1 and Caspase-3 gene expressions. And the Western blot assay was adopted to detect HIF-1alpha protein expression.

RESULTThe brain tissues of the hypoxia model group were severely damaged with the increase in the hypoxia time. The acetazolamide group and the PESI high does group were damaged in a much lower degree. According to the gene expression and the Western blot assay, high dose of PESI could inhibit HIF-1alpha expression. According to the pure gene expression test, high dose of PESI could increase EPO and HO-1 mRNA expressions, but inhibit Caspase-3 mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONPESI's protective mechanism for brain tissues of hypoxia rats under constant pressure and closed conditions may be related to its effects in inhibiting HIF-1alpha expression, increasing EPO expression and resisting cell apoptosis.

Alkanes ; chemistry ; Animals ; Brain ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythropoietin ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Saussurea ; chemistry

An extremely thermoacidophilic isolate K4-1 was obtained from an acidic hot spring in Teng- chong Rehai, Yunnan province. Morphology, growth characteristics, utilization of carbon compounds, en- ergy sources and 16S rRNA gene sequence of K4-1 were studied. Cells of K4-1 are irregular cocci with monotrichous flagella. The strain grew aerobically in either a lithotrophic or a heterotrophic mode. Growth on elemental sulfur occurred through oxidation of sulfur. It grew optimally at 75?C and pH 3.5. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain K4-1 was shown to belong to genus Sulfolobus, being related to the type strains of genus Sulfolobus (86.6%~94.3% similarity), and being most closely related to strain Sulfolobus tengchongensis RT8-4 (98.9% similarity). The GenBank accession number of strain K4-1 16S rRNA gene sequence is EU729124.

Preparation of a poly (gamma-glutamic acid)-cisplatin conjugate was introduced and its in vitro antitumor effect was investigated. Poly (gamma-glutamic acids) was obtained by using fermentation methods. The hydrolyzed small molecular weight of poly (gamma-glutamic acids) was prepared by acid hydrolysis. The interaction between poly (gamma-glutamic acids) -cisplatin conjugate (PGA-CDDP) and DNA was investigated by PCR model. MTT assay was used to investigate the in vitro anticancer activity of the conjugate. Apoptosis assay of the conjugate was investigated by FCM assay and the in vivo toxicity was also proceeded. The results showed that the poly (gamma-glutamic acids) -cisplatin conjugate was obtained successfully and its yield is 10% - 12%. It has obvious antitumor effects on human liver tumor BEL7404 cells, human lung tumor H446 cells and human colon tumor RKO cells. At the same time, it also has apoptosis effects on the three kinds of tumor cell lines. The in vivo toxicity of PGA-CDDP was examined in normal mice and the results showed that the in vivo toxicity of this conjugate was significantly lower than that of free CDDP. In conclusion, the poly (gamma-glutamic acids) -cisplatin conjuate could be used as a potential clinic antitumor drug. The poly (gamma-glutamic acids) obtained by fermentation can be used as a valuable drug carrier system.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; Female ; Fermentation ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Mice ; Polyglutamic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology