The effects of magnolol (Mag) on hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia, hepatic oxidative stress and cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) activity of diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) were studied. After oral administration of Mag (25, 50 and 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for continuous 10 weeks, the blood glucose and lipids (TC, TG and LDL-C) levels, as well as the hepatic CYP2E1 activity and MDA content of diabetic rats, decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), whereas the oral glucose tolerance and hepatic antioxidant enzymatic activities (CAT and GSH-Px) of diabetic rats, increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The results indicated that Mag was effective against the hepatic oxidative damage, hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia of diabetic rats induced by HFD and STZ, and the inhibition of Mag on hepatic CYP2E1 activity could be an important mechanism of Mag against hepatic insulin resistance and oxidative damage.
Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Diet, High-Fat ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lignans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Liver ; metabolism ; Magnolia ; chemistry ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Streptozocin ; Triglycerides ; blood

Flagellum is a slender and wavy protein-attached filament on the surface of certain bacterial cells. It not only plays an important role in the movement and pathogenic ability of bacteria, but also participates in a variety of host immune regulation. Flagellin is a structural protein that forms the main part of flagellar filaments and can be recognized by TLR5 and other receptors in the host cell to induce the body′s immune response. At present, flagellin is widely used in the research of new immune adjuvants due to its immune activation, and its inflammation inhibitory effect also has good prospects against immune pathological damage. In this review, we summarized and analyzed the recent progress on the basic structure and function of flagellin, the host recognition mechanism, and its role in regulating the host immune system.

Objective To assess the value of serum N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-Pro-BNP) in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure(CHF) and evaluation of cardiac function in children with ventricular septal defect (VSD).Methods Fifty one children were enrolled from March 2004 to March 2005.NT-Pro-BNP was measured by enzyme immunoassay technique.At the same time,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular shortening fraction(LVFS) were detected with echocardiography.Results The data of NT-Pro-BNP were showed but the logarithms of which were normal distribution.The values of NT-Pro-BNP were developed successively along with the severity of cardiac function.But there was no difference between the group of no heart failure and mild heart failure.But the values of LVEF and LVFS had no differences in the control,the mild and the moderate heart failure and the same time all of which beyond the standard of diagnosing heart failure.NT-Pro-BNP could reflect the degree of heart failure or cardiac function (r=0.826).But LVEF and LVFS can not reflect the degree of the cardiac function.Conclusions NT-Pro-BNP can reflect the degree of the cardiac function in VSD,and the degree of the heart failure can be classed by the levels of serum NT-Pro-BNP.But the value of LVEF and LVFS can not reflect the degree of the heart failure in the same disease.

Objective To study the changes and significance of the frequencies of circulating follicular helper T cells (cTfh) and circulating regulatory follicular T cells (cTfr) as well as the cTfh/cTfr ratio in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).Methods The frequencies of cTfh,cTfr and B cells in patients with NMOSD and health controls(HCs) were measured by flow cytometry.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of IL-21 and AQP4-Ab in patients and HCs.Results The frequencies of cTfh and B cells,the cTfh/cTfr ratio and the plasma level of IL-21 werc significantly higher in the relapsing patients than those in the remitting patients and HCs(P ＜ 0.05),and the cTfr level in the relapsing patients was lower than that in the remitting patients and healthy population (P ＜ 0.05).But no statistical differences were observed in the above indexes between the remitting paticnts and HCs.There was also no significant difference in AQP4-Ab level between the patients with relapse and remission (P ＞ 0.05).The frequency of cTfh in the patients wasc positively correlated with the level of B cells and IL-21(P ＜ 0.05),and the frequency of cTfr was negatively correlated with B cells and IL-21 (P ＜ 0.05).The ratio of cTfh/cTfr was positively correlated with B cell frequency and IL-21 level (P ＜ 0.05).AQP4-Ab level had no correlation with the frequencies of cTfh cells and B cells,cTfh/cTfr ratio and IL-21 concentration (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The changes in the frequencies of cTfh and cTfr as well as the imbalanced cTfh/cTfr ratio may promote the activation of humoral immunein NMOSD and participate in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Objective To investigate the clinical and MRI characteristics of reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES).Methods The clinical data,MRI features and follow-up results of 18 patients with RESLES were analyzed retrospectively.Results The average age of the patients was younger,and 5 cases were below 1 5 years old.Clinical history and MRI features were characterized.About 67%(12/18)patients had fever,headache,encephalitis,history,without long history of alcohol abuse.MRI revealed that the lesions of splenial of corpus callosum were solitary nodule with clear boundary.The lesions were slightly hyperintensity on T2 WI and obviouslyhyperintensity on FLAIR and DWI,while the they show hypointensity on ADC with the ADC value <1×10-3 mm2/s.No edema or significant enhancement were observed.The lesions may completely disappear or relief on DWI after short treatment.Conclusion RESLES is a rare entity with a broad clinicoradiological spectrum.The MRI features are characteristic,and it will provide helpful information for diagnosis, differential diagnosis and clinical treatment.

The effect of amygdalin joint hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on the endplate chondrocytes derived from intervertebral discs of rats induced by IL-1beta and the possible mechanism were studied and explored. Chondrocytes were obtained from endplate of one-month SD rat intervertebral discs and cultured primary endplate chondrocytes. After identification, they were divided into normal group, induced group, amygdalin group, HSYA group and combined group. CCK-8 kit was adopted to detect the proliferation of the endplate chondrocytes. FCM was measured to detect the apoptosis. Real-time PCR method was adopted to observe the mRNA expression of Aggrecan, Col 2 alpha1, Col 10 alpha1, MMP-13 and the inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta. The protein expression of Col II, Col X was tested through immunofluorescence. Compared with the normal group, the proliferation of the endplate chondrocytes decreased while the apoptosis increased (P < 0.05). With down regulation of the mRNA expressions of Aggrecan, Col 2 alpha1 and up regulation of the mRNA expressions of Col 10 alpha1, MMP-13, IL-1beta (P < 0.05), the protein expression of Col II decreased while the protein expression of Col X increased. Compared with the induced group, amygdalin group, HSYA group, the combined group could inhibit the apoptosis and promote the proliferation (P < 0.05). They could increase the mRNA expressions of Aggrecan and Col 2 alpha1 while decrease the mRNA expressions of Col 10 alpha1, MMP-13 and IL-1beta (P < 0.05). They could also enhance the protein expression of Col II while reduce the protein expression of Col X. The effect of the combined group was significantly better than that of amygdalin and HSYA. Amygdalin joint HSYA could inhibit the degeneration of the endplate chondrocytes derived from intervertebral discs of rats induced by IL-1beta and better than the single use of amygdalin or HSYA.
Amygdalin ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cells, Cultured ; Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Chondrocytes ; drug effects ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; Interleukin-1beta ; Intervertebral Disc ; cytology ; Quinones ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of qidong huoxue decoction (QHD) on inflammatory factors and Toll-like receptor (TLR4) mRNA expressions in acute lung injury (ALI) rats.

METHODSTotally 50 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model group, low, middle, high dose QHD groups according to body weight, 10 rats in each group. Rats in low, middle, high dose QHD groups were intragastrically administered with QHD at 4, 8, and 16 mL/kg 24, 12 h before modeling and 12 h after modeling, respectively. Normal saline was intragastrically administered to rats in the blank control group and the LPS model group. An ALI rat model was established using intratracheal instillation of LPS. Rats were killed after 24-h modeling. Then the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was prepared. Contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, and L-10 were detected using ELISA. TLR4 mRNA expressions were determined byreal time PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, contents of TNF-α, IL-1β , and IL-10 increased (P <0. 01), TLR4 mRNA expressions also increased in the LPS model group (all P <0. 01). Compared with the LPS model group, contents of TNF-α and IL-1β decreased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01), IL-10 levels increased (P <0. 01) , TLR4 mRNA expressions were also reduced (P <0. 01), in high and middle dose QHD groups. Compared with the high dose QHD group, con- tents of TNF-α and IL-1β increased in middle and low dose QHD groups (P <0. 05); IL-10 levels decreased (P <0. 05) in the low dose QHD group(P <0. 05), TLR4 mRNA expressions also increased in the low dose QHD group (P <0. 05). Compared with the middle dose QHD group, IL-10 levels was reduced, but TLR4 mRNA expressions increased in the low dose QHD group (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSQHD had the protective effect on LPS induced ALI rats. Its mechanism might be associated with inhibiting TLR4 mRNA expressions, leading to decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-β, elevated anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and thereby, correcting unbalanced inflammation.

Acute Lung Injury ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To investigate and evaluate the iodine nutritional status of school-age children in Yi county of Heibei Province,and to provide scientific basis for the development of control measures to iodine deficiency disorders.Methods Retrospectinely analyzed school-age children urinary iodine monitoring results of Yi County of Hebei Province from 1998 to 2011.One township was selected randomly in each of the five directions (east,west,south,north and center) from 1998 to 2011.One elementary school was randomly chosen in each of the five townships.And at least 20 urine samples of 8-10 years old children were randomly collected in each school selected.Urinary iodine contents were determined through arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometric method.Urinary iodine determination standard according to The Standard of Iodine Deficiency Disorders Elinination (GB 16006-2008) and The Iodine Deficiency Disorders Elinination Guide.Results A total of 1725 children urinary samples were collected from 1998 to 2011,urinary median was 243.26 μg/L,each of the median urinary iodine was higher than 100 μg/L.The ratio of urinary iodine less than 100 μg/L was ＜ 50％ over the years,and less than 50 μg/L was ＜ 20％.Overall,the highest value of urinary iodine stayed at approximately 200 μg/L,showing positively skewed distribution that was skewed to the right.Urinary iodine level was compared among different ages,gender and ethnicity,and the difference was not statistically significant(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In recent years,the iodine intake of school-age children of Yi County can meet the body needs,and the iodine nutrition is at an appropriate level.

Objective: To investigate the changes of ambient dose equivalent rate in 99mTcO4- single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the thyroid among patients with hyperthyroidism, so as to provide insights into radiation protection guidance. Methods: Patients with hyperthyroidism who underwent 99mTcO4- SPECT of the thyroid in a tertiary hospital were enrolled. The ambient dose equivalent rate was measured at different time points following 99mTcO4- infection and at sites with different distances from patients' neck, and the effects of time post-injection, distance from patients' neck, 24-hour thyroidal radioiodine uptake and thyroid weight on the ambient dose equivalent rate were examined using a generalized linear mixed model. Results: Totally 100 patients with hyperthyroidism were enrolled, including 24 men and 76 women and with a mean age of (38.5±14.0) years. The generalized linear mixed model was statistically significant (F=6 610.165, P<0.001), and patients' thyroid weight, time post-injection and distance from patients' neck significantly affected the ambient dose equivalent rate (F=57.967, 15 988.574, 11 200.645, all P<0.001), and the ambient dose equivalent rate positively correlated with patients' thyroid weight and negatively correlated with time post-injection and distance from patients' neck. Conclusions The ambient dose equivalent rate is affected by patients' thyroid weight, time post-injection and distance from patients' neck among patients with hyperthyroidism undergoing 99mTcO4- SPECT of the thyroid. Delay in contact with patients or keeping distance from patients may be effective for radiation protection.

Objecive:To estimate the predictable value of histopathologic parameters in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps(CRSwNP)after endoscopic sinus surgery(ESS). Method:Symptomatology was rated in 53 patients 12 to 24 months after ESS.Specimens taken during the surgical procedure were examined and scored for eosinophils.goblet cells,lymphocytes,subepithelial thickening,subepithelial edema and submucous gland formation. The correlation between histopathologic parameters and postoperative symptoms was then evaluated. Result:The most common symptome after ESS were nasal obsruction,nasal secretion,discharge and sneezing. The correlation between goblet cells and sneezing,discharge,submueous gland formation and headache,subepithelial edema and postnasal secretion was significant(P＜0.05). Conclusion:Certain histopathologic parameters in CRSwNP are predictive of favorable response to ESS.