Objective To study the relation between the level of central N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor system and the degree of morphine withdrawal syndrome in rats. Methods We established the morphine-dependence model in rats,stimulated addiction by naloxone after intracerebroventricular injection of glutamic acid/ketamine/MK-801,and then observed the effects on rats' morphine withdrawal syndrome. Results Glutamic acid significantly raised the behavior scores of teeth chattering,wet shakes,writhing,penis licking and weight loss,while ketamine and MK-801 decreased the scores. Conclusion Changes of central NMDA system obviously affect morphine withdrawal syndrome in rats,which may be useful laboratory evidence in selecting new no-opiod therapeutic medicine for morphine resistance and addiction.

Objective To observe the regulatory effect and significance of hydrogen sulfide (H2 S)on low -density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR).Methods Mouse primary hepatocytes were divided into control group,low -den-sity lipoprotein (LDL)group and LDL +sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS,the donor of H2 S)group.The cells in LDL group were treated with LDL (50 mg/L)and the cells in LDL +NaHS group were pretreated with NaHS (100 μmol/L)for 0.5 hours and then treated with LDL (50 mg/L).Real -time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expres-sions of LDLR mRNA and protein,respectively.Mouse primary hepatocytes were divided into control group,1,1′-dioctadecyl -3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyl -indocarbocyanine perchlorate low -density lipoprotein (DiI -LDL)group and DiI -LDL +NaHS group.The cells in DiI -LDL group were incubated with DiI -LDL (10 mg/L)for 3 hours.The cells in DiI -LDL +NaHS group were pretreated with NaHS (100 μmol/L)for 1 hour before DiI -LDL (10 mg/L) was added.Confocal method was used to measure the uptake of DiI -LDL by mouse primary hepatocytes,and fluores-cent quantitative method was performed to detect the content of DiI -LDL in the supernatant of mouse primary hepato-cytes.Results The levels of LDLR mRNA and protein in the mouse primary hepatocytes were significantly downregu-lated compared with those in the control group (t =5.733,P <0.01;t =2.527,P <0.05);after NaHS was adminis-tered,LDLR mRNA and protein level in the mouse primary hepatocytes were significantly upregulated (t =-7.639, P <0.01;t =2.388,P <0.05).In the mouse primary hepatocytes,compared with that in the control group,the uptake of DiI -LDL by cells in DiI -LDL group was increased;the uptake of DiI -LDL by mouse primary hepatocytes in DiI -LDL +NaHS group was significantly increased in comparison with that in the DiI -LDL group.Compared with that in the control group,the DiI -LDL content of culture supernatant in the DiI -LDL group was significantly increased (t =-39.156,P <0.01);after treatment with H2 S donor,the content of DiI -LDL in the culture supernatant was sig-nificantly decreased in comparison with that in the mouse primary hepatocytes without H2 S donor treatment (t =17.202,P <0.01).Conclusion H2 S upregulated the expression of LDLR protein in the mouse primary hepatocytes.

Objective: To explore the effects of ligustrazine on the secretion of hydrogen sulfide in the ventricular tissues of rats under physiological condition.Methods:32 rats were divided into control group,high dose group of ligustrazine(150?g/ml),medium dose group of ligustrazine(15?g/ml) and low dose group of ligustrazine(1.5?g/ ml) at random.The left and right ventricular tissues were incubated in 37℃ thermostatic water bath for 4 hours with Krebs solution as supernatant.After incubation of the ventricular tissues,the sensitive electrode-based method was used to detect the content of H2S in the supernatant.Results: In the left ventricular tissues,there were on dif-ference of the H2S level betweenthe 1.5?g/ml ligustrazine group(0.17?0.03),15?g/ml ligustrazine group(0.17?0.03)and control group.However,compared with control group, the H2S level in hige dose group of ligustrazine decreased obviously(P0.05),but the H2S level in the 150?g/ml ligustrazine group(0.46?0.09)was significantly lower than that in the control group(0.64?0.13)(P

Objective To explore the effect of hydrogen sulfide(H2S) on intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in apoE knockout(apoE-/-) mice.Methods Six week-old C57BL/6J and apoE-/-mice were divided into control C57BL/6J group,apoE-/-group,apoE-/-+ sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS,a donor of H2S) group and apoE-/-+ DL-propargylglycine(PPG,an inhibitor of H2S synthase).There were 8 mice in each group.They were fed chow diet for 10 weeks.Serum H2S was measured by sulfide electrode-based method,serum ICAM-1 was determined by ELISA.Aortic ICAM-1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.The changes of atherosclerosis plaque size were observed by oil red O staining.Results Serum H2Slevel significantly decreased in apoE-/-mice(P

Aim To explore the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock out mice (Apo E-/-).Methods 6-week old C57BL/6J and Apo E-/-mice were divided into normal group, Apo E-/-group and Apo E-/-+ sodium hydrosulfide(NaHS)group,with 8 mice in each group. They were fed chow diet until 16-week old. The serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein were determined and the changes of atherosclerosis plaque size were observed. Sulfide electrode-based method was used to measure the serum level of H2S.Results The serum levels of total cholesterol[(12.59?3.11 vs 2.32?0.40) ?mol?L-1]and low density lipoprotein[(1.33?0.43 vs 0.13?0.03) ?mol?L-1] in Apo E-/-mice were significantly higher than those in normal group, while the serum levels of high density lipoprotein[(0.45?0.13 vs 1.49?0.21) ?mol?L-1]and H2S in Apo E-/-mice[(44.64?4.52 vs 57.69?7.03) ?mol?L-1]were significantly lower than those in normal group. Meanwhile, the atherosclerosis plaque[(139316.6?30362.93 vs 0) ?m2] was obvious in Apo E-/-mice. After NaHS was administrated, there were no obvious changes in the serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein in Apo E-/-mice, while the serum level of H2S[(52.21?7.24 vs 44.64?4.52) ?mol?L-1]increased significantly and the size of atherosclerosis plaque[(85927.84?1922.73 vs 139316.6?30362.93) ?m2]diminished significantly.Conclusions H2S postponed the proceeding of atherosclerosis and diminished the size of atherosclerosis plaque.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with maintenance hemodialysis, and to analyze the potential risk factors. Methods The clinical data of 472 patients with maintenance hemodialysis from 7 blood purification centers were collected. Patients were divided into the MS group and the non-MS group. The demographic data , anthropometric examinations , dialysis prescription and results of laboratory were compared between these two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors of MS. Results The morbidity of MS was 34.75%. There were significant differences in weight , waist circumference , waist-hip ratio , frequency of dialysis , time of hemodialysis perweek , urea reduction ratio, urea clearance index (Kt/v), iron, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), leukocytes, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) between these two groups (P < 0.05, resectively). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that iron (OR = 1.084, P = 0.042), iPTH (OR = 1.754, P = 0.035), waist-hip 1ratio (OR = 2.013,P = 0.021), hs-CRP (OR = 4.245,P = 0.000)were correlated with MS. Conclusion The morbidity of MS in patients with maintenance hemodialysis is higher. Iron, iPTH, waist-hip ratio, hs-CRP are potential risk fctors of MS for the patients with maintenance hemodialysis.

Objective To assess the wall elasticity of the common carotid artery using echo-tracking in healthy children and children with hyperlipidemia.Methods The study included 68 normal healthy children and 25 children with hyperlipidemia.All the subjects were 3-18 years old.They were divided into three groups according to ages 3-6 years old group,7-13 years old group and 14-18 years old group.Echo-tracking was used to measure the pressure-strain elastic modulus (E?),stiffness parameter(?)and arterial compliance (AC) of the common carotid artery.Results The average values of E? were different among the three age groups in normal healthy children (all P

Objective To analyze the symptoms and signs in forty-five Lambert-Eaton myasthenia syndrome (LEMS) patients retrospectively. Characteristics of electrophysiological examinations were investgated. Methods Forty-five LEMS patients were reviewed and information gathered regarding clinical complains neurological symptoms, and other concomitant diseases. The records showed that repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were performed in all patients. Needle electromyography (EMG) and skin sympathetic response (SSR) were performed in some patients. Results (1) The mean age of neurological clinical onset age was (51.2 ±6. 8) years old. The two most common symptoms were slight weakness of lower extremities ( n = 35 ) and upper extremities (n= 5). Dysarthria was found in 3 patients and neck weakness in 2 patients. Tendon reflex decreased and disappeared in 38 patients. Autonomic nervous system manifestations were presented in 30 patients. (2) RNS increasing was observed in all patients from 156% to 636%. Low frequency RNS abnormalities were found in 29 patients.Sensory nerve conduction velocity abnormalities or sensory nerve conduction velocity combined motor nerve conduction velocity abnormalities were found in 19 patients ( 42% ). Of the 30 patients who underwent a needle EMG examination, 20 had myogenic or neurological damage. Thirteen abnormal findings were observed in 25 patients who underwent SSR examination. Conclusion The most common manifestations were weakness in lower extremities and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Many abnormal electrophysiological results were found in LEMS patients, including NCV and EMG abnormalities. These findings indicated that clinical manifestations exceed the neuromuscular junction and perhaps included the peripheral nerve and muscle.

BACKGROUND: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in hemodialysis patients is influenced by multiple factors.OBJECTIVE: To explore the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) changes and related factors in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Non-randomized control experiment was performed at the Third Hospital of Peking University from January to August 2006.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 66 MHD patients were selected from Third Hospital of Peking University.METHODS: General clinical conditions, biochemical indexes, PWVcf and subjective nutritional state were evaluated. MHD patients were divided into two groups according to the state of nutrition evaluated with SGA: non-malnutrition (n=49), malnutrition group (n=17). The PWVcf of two groups was compared, and one-way and multiple regression analyses were performed to explore PWVcf-relatest factors.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PWVcf, blood albumin and parathyroid hormone.RESULTS: PWVcf was significantly positively correlated with age (r= 0.284, P< 0.05), systolic blood pressure (r= 0.468, P<0. 001), and pulse pressure (r=0.451, P< 0.001), while negatively correlated with prealbumin (r=0.318, P< 0. 05),plasma-albumin (r=0.263, P< 0.05), parathyroid hormone (r=0.167, P< 0.05), serum creatinine (r=0.347, P= 0.004)and transferring (r=0.284, P < 0.05) before dialysis. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that pulse pressure and parathyroid hormone were independently related with PWVcf. The PWVcf was significantly increased in malnutrition group compared with non-malnutrition group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pulse pressure is the major clinical determinants of arterial stiffness in patients with MHD independent of conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease; Malnutrition and atherosclerosis are common complications of MHD,showing close relationship. The PWVcf was significantly increased in malnutrition patients.

Contrast-enhanced CT is a conventional imaging technique for assessing the effect of TACE for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent years, with the continuous advances of technology and equipment, ultrasound has become more and more important in the diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of HCC, which have the advantages of safety, convenience and low price. The advancements of ultrasound in therapeutic evaluation of HCC treated with TACE were reviewed in this article.