Adult ; Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Military Medicine ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects

To study the effect of Siwu decoction on the function and expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in Caco-2 cells. The Real-time quantitative poly-merase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression of MDR1 gene in Caco-2 cells. Flow cytometer was used to study the effect of Siwu decoction on the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells, in order to evaluate the efflux function of P-gp. Western blotting method was used to detect the effect of Siwu decoction on the P-gp protein expression of Caco-2 cells. Compared with the blank control group, after Caco-2 incubation with Siwu decoction at concentrations of 3.3, 5.0, 10.0 g x L(-1) for 24, 48, 72 h, the mRNA expression of MDR1 was up-regulated, suggesting the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the expression of MDR1. After the administration with Siwu decoction in Caco-2 cells for 48 h, the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells decreased by respectively 16.6%, 22.1% (P < 0.05) and 45.4% (P < 0.01), indicating that the long-term administration of Siwu decoction can enhance the P-gp efflux function of Caco-2 cells. After the incubation of Caco-2 cells with Siwu decoction for 48 h, the P-gp protein expression on Caco-2 cell emebranes, demonstrating the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the protein expression of P-gp.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; genetics ; metabolism ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caco-2 Cells ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hepatotoxic effects of N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the workers of a synthetic leathers factory, and the effects on liver function of covariates such as alcohol consumption and other factors.

METHODSThe workers were classified into three groups (low, high and the control) by the concentration of DMF in workplace which was determined in the past two years. A questionnaire was drawn up for relevant demographic characteristics and other factors influencing liver function. The bloods were collected for laboratory test which included parameters especially relevant to the liver (ALT AST and gamma GT).

RESULTSLow and high-exposure groups were significantly associated with elevated ALT and gamma GT, and high-exposure group was significantly associated with elevated Liver index. Modeling by stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that high concentration of DMF and BMI were associated with and elevated ALT, gamma GT and Liver index, besides DMF and BMI, the elevation of ALT was also associated with high TRIG. AST was only associated with alcohol consumption. The AST/ALT ration < 1 was present in 86.7% of the exposure workers of liver function abnormal.

CONCLUSIONDMF can cause liver function alternations even if air concentration of DMF was below PC-TWA. Besides the levels of DMF exposure, obesity (BMI) and alcohol consumption are covariates alternating liver function. Liver index can be a parameter for assessment liver function, and the AST/ALT ration < 1 may serve as markers of risk in health screening programs.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Dimethylformamide ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Occupational Exposure

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Condylomata Acuminata ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Rural Population ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate abnormal liver function associated with polymorphism of GSTT1, GSTM1 and CYP2E1 in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.

METHODSSixty-nine workers with abnormal liver function in a synthetic leather factory were recruited as case. One hundred and twenty five control subjects with similar work tasks were selected from the same factory. Genotypes for GSTT1 and GSTM1 were determined by multiplex PCR, and for CYP2E1 PstI by PCR-RFLP assay.

RESULTSThe frequency of positive GSTM1 was 59.42% in cases and 38.40% in control, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.34,95% CI: 1.29-4.29 (P=0.005). For GSTT1 and CYP2E1 PstI, the frequencies of genotypes showed no significant difference between case and control.

CONCLUSIONGSTM1 positive genotype may be genetic risk factors for development of abnormal liver function in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.

Adult ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Dimethylformamide ; adverse effects ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the possibility and efficacy of vasoligation and deferent vein ligation in treating and preventing benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).

METHODS40 male pooches were divided into A, B, C and D groups randomly. Each group has 10 pooches group A and B were made into the model of BPH. Two years later, the pooches in group A and C accepted the operation of vasoligation and deferent vein ligation on both sides. Group B and D only accepted the operation of dissection and relieving its deferent duct. Then continuing to feed the 40 pooches after the operation, they were killed another two years later. After taking out their prostates and calculating their volume and weight, the sections of the prostates were checked by microscope to observe their histology and pathology changes.

RESULTSThere were significant differences of weight and volume as well as the changes of histology and pathology between group A and group C (P < 0.01). It was the same with group B and D (hyperplasia changes).

CONCLUSIONSVasoligation and deferent vein ligation before benign prostatic hyperplasia at pooches grow-up stage can reduce the extent of BPH at old age, and treatment after benign prostatic hyperplasia can make prostatic tissue appear different degrees of atrophy.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Ligation ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Vasectomy

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of digital acupoint pressure for treatment of the nerve root type of cervical spondylosis.

METHODSFour hundred cases were randomly divided into a digital acupoint pressure group (DAP group) and a medicine group, 200 cases in each group. Acupoints of Quepen (ST 12), Jianjing (GB 21) and Tianzong (ST 11) etc. were used for digital pressing in the DAP group; and Chinese herb medicine of Gentongping was routinely taken in the medicine group. After three treatment courses, the symptoms of pain and numbness, the signs of pressure measurement by compression of head, brachial plexus drawer test and arm myodynamia, as well as the total cumulative scores of daily living capability, were compared.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the total cumulative scores of numbness, pressure measurement by compression of head, brachial plexus drawer test, arm myodynamia and daily living capability in both groups were obviously better than those of before treatment (all P<0.01); but there was a significant difference on the total cumulative score of the symptoms and signs between the two groups. The cured rate of 78.0% and total effective rate of 99.0% in the DAP group were better than those of 61.0% and 87.0% in the medicine group, respectively (both P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONDigital acupoint pressure plays an active role in improving the symptoms and signs on patients with nerve root type of cervical spondylosis, which is better than Chinese herb medicine of Gentongping.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Massage ; Middle Aged ; Spondylosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDAzithromycin can reduce neutrophil accumulation in neutrophilic pulmonary diseases. However, the precise mechanism behind this action remains unknown. Our experiment assessed whether azithromycin inhibits neutrophil accumulation in the airways by affecting interleukin-17 (IL-17) downstream signals.

METHODSMice were pretreated with azithromycin before murine IL-17A (mIL-17) stimulation. After the mIL-17 stimulation, the levels of six neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid; IL-6, CXC chemokine ligand-1 (CXCL-1), CXCL-5, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The number of neutrophils in BAL fluid were evaluated by cytospin preparations.

RESULTS(1) Azithromycin pretreatment significantly inhibited both the release of three neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines (MIP-2, CXCL-5 and GM-CSF) and the accumulation of neutrophils in airways caused by mIL-17 stimulation. (2) The levels of three neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines (IL-6, MIP-2 and GM-CSF) were positively correlated with the numbers of neutrophil in BAL fluid.

CONCLUSIONSAzithromycin can inhibit neutrophil accumulation in the airways by affecting IL-17 downstream signals. This finding suggests that macrolide antibiotic application might be useful in prevention of neutrophilic pulmonary diseases characterized by high levels of IL-17.

Animals ; Azithromycin ; pharmacology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Chemokine CXCL2 ; metabolism ; Chemokines, CXC ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effectiveness of a topical application of Xiaozheng Zhitong: Paste (, XZP) in alleviating the cancerous pain of patients with middle/late stage cancer

METHODSBy: adopting a random number table, 124 patients enrolled were randomized into the treatment group (64 patients) and the control group (60 patients). In addition to the basic therapy [including the three-ladder (3L) analgesia] used in both groups, topical application of XZP was given to patients in the treatment group for pain alleviation. The analgesic efficacy was recorded in terms of pain intensity, analgesia initiating time and sustaining time, and the optimal analgesic effect revealing time. Meanwhile, the quality of life (QOL) and adverse reactions that occurred in patients were recorded as well.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the treatment group was: 84.38% (54/64), and in the control group it was 88.33% (53/60), showing no significant difference between them (P>0.05), but the analgesia initiating time and the optimal analgesia effect revealing time in the treatment group were significantly shorter (both P<0.01). Moreover, XZP was better in improving patients' QOL, showing more significant improvements in the treatment group than those in the control group in aspects of mental condition, walking capacity, working capacity, social acceptability, sleep and joy of living (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Lower incidence of adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, mouth dryness, dizziness, etc., especially constipation, was noted in the treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONApplying an external compress: of XZP showed a synergistic action with 3L analgesia for shortening the initiating time and the optimal effect revealing time, and could evidently enhance patients' QOL with fewer adverse reactions.

Aged ; Analgesics ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Emollients ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; Pain ; complications ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo screen the differentially expressing genes between silicotic lung tissue and normal lung tissue, to identify the differentially expressing genes of matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) and Cathepsin E and to explore the roles of those genes in silicosis development.

METHODSThirty male SD rats were divided randomly into two groups: control group (6 rats) and exposure group (24 rats) which was exposed to SiO2 by intra-tracheal perfusion. On the 30 th, 60 th and 90 th days after exposure, 8 rats in model group and 2 rats in control group were executed and the lung tissues were obtained. The morphologic changes of lung tissues were observed with HE staining and VG staining under a light microscope. The gene microarrays were used to identify differentially expressing genes of lung tissues in rats exposed to SiO2 for 60 days. Two significantly up-regulated genes, MMP-12 and Cathepsin E, were validated using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western Blot assay.

RESULTSA total of 338 differentially expressing genes were identified from the 26 962 genes between silicotic rats and normal rats, including 267 up-regulated genes and 71 down-regulated genes. The results of RT-PCR showed that in the lung tissues of exposure group on the 30 th, 60 th and 90 th days, the mRNA expression levels of MMP-12 were 4.306, 5.338, 6.713 times higher than those in the control group, the mRNA expression levels of Cathepsin E were 1.434, 2.974, 3.889 times higher than those in the control group, respectively. The results of immunohistochemical showed that in the lung tissues of exposure group on the 30th, 60th and 90th days, the mRNA expression levels of MMP-12 were 1.435, 1.746, 2.069 times higher than those in the control group, the mRNA expression levels of Cathepsin E were 1.372, 1.663, 2.103 times higher than those in the control group, respectively. The results of immunohistochemical showed that in the lung tissues of exposure group on the 30th, 60th and 90th days, the expression levels of MMP-12 protein were 1.214, 1.531, 1.959 times higher than those in the control group, the expression levels of Cathepsin E protein were 1.262, 1.828, 1.907 times higher than those in the control group, respectively. Compared with the control group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-12 and Cathepsin E in lung tissues of exposure group were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe differentially expressing genes in rat lung tissues screened by gene chip were validated, which suggested that a complex gene regulatory network may be contributed to occurrence of silicosis. MMP-12 and Cathepsin E genes may be involved in the development of silicotic pulmonary fibrosis by degrading the basement membrane of alveolar wall and participating in the immune response.

Animals ; Cathepsin E ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silicosis ; genetics ; metabolism