OBJECTIVETo explore efficacy enhancing and detoxification roles of Jiedu Quyu Zishen Recipe (JQZR) in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by studying its effect on Toll like receptor 9 (TLR9) signal pathway of murine macrophage cells after JQZR stimulated CpG oligodeoxynucletide (CpG ODN).

METHODSMurine macrophage cells in vitro cultured were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the blank serum group, the CpG ODN stimulus group, the CpG ODN + dexamethasone group, the CpG ODN + medicated serum group. Murine macrophage cells were collected after 24-h intervention. The expression of TLR9, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), NF-KB, IFN-α mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR. The expression of TLR9 and NF-κB protein were analyzed by Western blot. Changes of the NF-KB transcriptional activity were assayed by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay system.

RESULTSmRNA expressions of TLR9, MyD88, NF-κB, and IFN-α, protein expressions of TLR9 and NF-κB, and NF-κB transcriptional activities were enhanced, showing statistical difference when compared with those of the blank serum group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the CpG ODN stimulus group, mRNA expressions of MyD88, NF-κB, and IFN-α, the protein expression of NF-κB and the NF-κB transcriptional activities decreased in the CpG ODN + dexamethasone group with statistical difference (P <0. 01). Compared with the CpG ODN stimulus group, mRNA expressions of TLR9, MyD88, NF-κB, and IFN-α, protein expressions of TLR9 and NF-κB, and NF-κB transcriptional activities were decreased in CpG ODN+ medicated serum group with statistical difference (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONEfficacy enhancing and detoxification roles of JQZR in treatment of SLE might be realized through regulating TLR9 signal pathways.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Mice ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; NF-kappa B ; RNA, Messenger ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 9 ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the expression of immunohistochemistry of gastrin(GAS),somatostatin(SS),proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and Fas-ligand(Fas-L) in the sinus ventriculi of children with pediatric gastritis and to explore the significance of their expression in the pathogenesis of pediatric chronic gastritis.Methods Fifty cases of the sinus ventriculi mucosa samples were enrolled in 3 groups:chronic gastritis,helicobacter pylori(Hp) positive(group A,n=20);chronic gastritis,Hp negative(group B,n=19);control group,normal sinus ventriculi mucosa,Hp negative(group C,n=11).Immunohistochemistry En Vision were carried out including GAS,SS,PCNA and Fas-L.Results In the expression of GAS and SS,the values of group A and B were comparatively higher than those of group C,but there was no significant difference among them in statistics.In the expression of PCNA,the value of group A was comparatively higher and that of group B.The value difference between 2 groups was significant(P=0.019);in the expression of Fas-L,no significant difference was found among these 3 groups.Conclusions Expressions of GAS and SS both increase in children with chronic gastritis and maybe the increase of GAS and SS play a role in the pathogenesis of pediatric chronic gastritis;Hp infection promotes the multiplication of the sinus ventriculi membrana mucosa epithelium cell in pediatric chronic gastritis.

Objective: To compare tea polysaccharides(TPS) characteristics and their role in scavenging free radicals and reducing blood glucose(BG) in diabetic mice(DM). Methods: TPS was extracted from green,Oolong and black tea which were made from the same fresh leaves from Hubei,Fujian and Yunnan. Then the recovery rate of TPS, contents of neutral sugar, uronic acid and protein were analysed, and scavenging rate of -2Oand 稯H in vitro and hypoglycemic effect were also determined. Results: 1. The yield and contents of neutral sugar, uronic acid and protein of green tea TPS were the highest, and those of black tea TPS were the lowest. Oolong tea TPS acted the best in scavenging-2O and 稯H . 2. The hypoglycemic effect of TPS from Hubei tea was the best . The effect of TPS extracted from semi-fermented Oolong tea and fermented black tea was better than that of non-fermented green tea. 3. There were obvious differences in yield, free radical scavenging rate and effect of reducing BG among TPS extracted from tea in different regions. TPS extracted from Fujian tea had the best effect in reducing BG,but that from Yunnan tea had not. Conclusion: There was remarkable effect of region and process on physico-chemical characteristics,effect of scavenging radical and reducing blood sugar TSP.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy performed at different times on the cognitive dysfunction of rats with traumatic brain injury. Methods The traumatic brain injured models were established by use of lateral fluid percussion in rats. Ninety-six rats were equally randomized into 4 groups: control group (group A), traumatic brain injured model group (group B), traumatic brain injured model plus conventional therapy group (group C), traumatic brain injured model plus both conventional therapy and HBO therapy group (group D). And group D also divided into 4 subgroups (n=6): D-3 h group, D-12 h group, D-24 h group and D-72 h groups that HBO therapy was performed at 3, 12, 24 and 72 h of the traumatic brain injury, respectively. The changes of learning and memory abilities before or after the therapy in each group were tested by Morris water maze method. Results Group B had the longest latency of finding the underwater platform as compared with the other 3 groups, followed by group C, group D and group A; as to the 4 sub-groups, D-72 h group had the longest latency of finding the underwater platform as compared with the other 3 groups, followed by group D-24 h, group D-12 h and group D-3 h. Group A could cross the original platform in the spatial probe test most often among all the 4 groups, followed by group D, group C and group B; group A, group C and group D was significantly different in clossing the original platform in the spatial probe test as compared with group B (P<0.05); group D-3 h could cross the original platform in the spatial probe test most often among all the 4 sub-groups, followed by group D-12 h, group D-24 h and group D-72 h.Conclusion HBO treatment can effectively improve the cognitive dysfunction of rats with traumatic brain injury, especially those within 12 h of injury.

The sequence variation of medicinal fish of Culter (Pisces: Cyprinidae) was analyzed by using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequencing collected from different regions of the Yangtze River basin, and we examine whether barcoding of COI can be used to discriminate medicinal fish of Culter. The AT content in the COI region of medicinal fish of Culter was higher than that of GC, which was similar with other species of Cypriniformes. Ninty-six percent of nucleotide changes were observed at the 3rd codon position of COI sequence, but the amino acid compositions translated by COI sequences of all Culter fish stayed the same. It is suggested that most synonymous mutations might occur at the 3rd position. The average Kimura-2-parameter (K2P) distance within-species was lower than 1%, and the K2P distance of pairwise-species was 10 times as much as that of within-species. The phylogenetic tree estimated by Neighbour-joining method indicated that species within genera invariably clustered, and generally so did individuals within species. Individuals from operational taxonomic units designated as different Culter species, supporting morphological evidence for each of these being separate species. It is suggested that the COI barcoding can be used to identify medicinal fish species of Culter.
Animals ; China ; Cyprinidae ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; genetics ; Fish Proteins ; genetics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny

OBJECTIVETo investigate the presence of abnormal metabolism in the thalamus and hypothalamus in patients with first-episode depression.

METHODSThirty drug-naive patients with first-episode depression and 30 age-matched controls were scanned with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) for Naa, Cho, Cr and mI.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the patients showed significantly reduced mI and mI/Cr of the hypothalamus, reduced mI/Cr of the left thalamus, and lowered Cho, ml, and ml/Cr of the right thalamus (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPatients with first-episode depression may have myo-inositol and phosphoric acid metabolism disorder in the thalamus and hypothalamus with malfunction of cellular osmotic pressure adjustment mechanism. Abnormal mI/Cr in the thalamus and hypothalamus may represent an important biochemical change in advanced patients with depression.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Choline ; metabolism ; Creatine ; metabolism ; Depression ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Inositol ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protons ; Thalamus ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Out of the 20 channels in the channel and collateral system, only 5 enter the brain, with unclear circulation pathway in the brain. Electrophysiologic and imaging studies indicate that the signal induced by acupuncture at acupoints can enter the brain no matter whether the channel connecting the acupoint enters the brain. Therefore, the authors put forward the hypothesis of "all the 12 channels enter the brain", i.e., the hypothesis of "channels and collaterals in brain". In the theory system of channels, less channels enter the brain with unclear circulation pathway. This possibly is related with that sensation is main way for descovery of channels. In future, we should adopt modern scientific and technical ways and strengthen the study on circulation of channels in the brain, so as to perfect the channel theory.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible effect of exposure to GSM 1,800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its possible interference by noise magnetic fields (MF).

METHODSChinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CHL) were exposed to 1,800 MHz RF EMF (modulated by 217 Hz or 50 Hz, or unmodulated), 2 microT noise MF, and RF EMF combined with 2 microT noise MF for 15 min, respectively. The specific absorption rates (SARs) of RF EMF were 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 W/kg. Commercial EGF (1 ng/ml) treatment was used as positive control. EGF receptors on the cell membrane were observed under a laser scanning confocal microscope after indirect immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSEGF receptor clustering was induced after exposure to GSM 1,800 MHz RF EMF modulated by 217 Hz or 50 Hz MF at SARs of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 W/kg for 15 min as induced by 1 ng/ml EGF, but not at SAR of 0.1 W/kg. And no EGF receptor clustering was found in cells after exposure to unmodulated RF EMF or 2 microT noise MF. In addition, superposition of 2 microT noise MF could inhibit the EGF receptor clustering induced by GSM 1,800 MHz RF EMF.

CONCLUSIONEGF receptor clustering in CHL cells can be induced by GSM 1,800 MHz RF EMF at the lowest SAR of 0.5 W/kg and inhibited by noise MF. The modulation of wave may play an important role in the inducement of receptor clustering after RF exposure.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Lung ; cytology ; Radio Waves ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Shenqi Compound on diabetic angiopathy modeled rats.

METHODSTotally 18 SD rats were randomized into 3 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the diabetic mellitus (DM) group, and Shenqi Compound group, 6 in each group. The DM rat model was established by feeding high-fat diet (to induce hyperlipidemia) +intraperitoneal injection of small dose streptozotocin (STZ). Shenqi Compound was given to rats in the Shenqi Compound group at the daily dose of 2 g/kg. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the model group and the normal control group by gastrogavage. All treatment was lasted for 12 weeks. Then 2-D and ultrasonic integrated backscatter technique were used to evaluate structural and functional changes of abdominal aorta in the progression of diabetic macroangiopathy. The fibrosis degree of the aorta vessel and myocardium capillaries were observed by using HE and Masson trichrome staining. The tension of the aortic vascular ring was determined. The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) mRNA expression was detected by real time PCR (RT-PCR). The protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, collagen III, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and phosphorylation P38 MAPK were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, abdominal aortic systolic inner diameter, diastolic inner diameter, Peterson elastic modulus, stiffness index, and backscatter integral significantly increased; the rangeability of integral backscatter and the extension coefficient of cross section significantly decreased in the DM group (all P < 0.05). After 12 weeks aforesaid indices were obviously improved in the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Results of HE and Masson staining showed that the fibrosis degree of the aorta vessel and myocardium capillaries was obviously alleviated in rats of the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Results of the aortic vascular ring tension showed that acetylcholine induced vasodilatation and maximum diastolic percent were obviously elevated in the Shenqi Compound group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta, and the protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK all significantly increased in the DM group (P < 0.05). Compared with the DM group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta, and the protein expression of TGF-beta, collagen I, and collagen III, and phosphorylation of P38 MAPK all decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSShenqi Compound could effectively improve the arterial function in diabetic marcoangiopathy and microvascular dysfunction. The mechanism might be due to the down-regulating the expression of TGF-beta, and further suppressing the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK, reducing the synthesis of collagen I and collagen III, therefore, ameliorating arterial and myocardial interstitial fibrosis.

Animals ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Angiopathies ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and analyze the occurrence of 64,101 perinatal birth defects from 2000 to 2004, to determine the tendency of the incidence rate of birth defects and perinatal mortality, and to explore feasible and effective intervention strategy. METHODS: We investigated 64,101 perinatal infants who were born in 13 hospitals in Changsha from January 2000 to December 2004. The incidence rate of all birth defects, mortality of perinatal infants, the incidence rate of various kinds of birth defects, and the component rate of birth defects were analyzed. RESULTS: Altogether 1,050 neonate birth defects were found, with the incidence rate of 1.638%. The incidence rate of birth defects was increasing year-by-year in 2000 compared with that in 2002, 2003 and 2004, with significant differences (all P values<0.05): the incidence rate of birth defects in 2001 compared with that in 2002, 2003 and 2004, also with significant differences (P<0.05). Eight hundred seventy nine perinatal infants died, and the mortality was 1.371%. The mortality perinatal of infants increased in 2001 compared with that in 2002 and in 2003, with significant differences (P<0.05). The top 5 birth defects with the highest incidence were congenital heart disease, polydactly, auricle malformation, cheiloschisis, and palatoschisis, congenital hydrocephal in turn. The incidences of congenital heart disease and hydrocephal increased significantly. One hundred seventy seven fetuses were performed induced labor because of fetal defects from 2003. CONCLUSION We must pay attention to the increasing tendency of birth defect incidence and perinatal mortality. Strengthening environmental protection and antenatal care can decrease the birth defect incidence. Performing antenatal examination and neonatal screening regularly can discover the birth defects in time. When severe birth defects occur, the induced labor should be performed.
China ; epidemiology ; Congenital Abnormalities ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant Mortality ; trends ; Infant, Newborn ; Perinatal Mortality ; trends ; Pregnancy