Objective To evaluate the effects of calcitonin and 1, 25 vitamin D on the bone loss in experimental periodontitis in rats. Methods A total of 125 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to five groups according to the treatments during 8 weeks: normal control (group A, n=25), periodontitis(group B, n=25), calcitonin (group C, prepared in sterile saline at 2 mg/L, and 2μg/kg was administered daily, s.c. , n=25), 1,25 vitamin D (group D, prepared in corn oil daily at a concentration of 2 mg/L, and 2μg/kg was administered daily, p.o. , n=25), 1,25 vitamin D plus calcitonin (group E, n=25). The experimental model of periodontitis was induced by ligating floss around mandibular first molars with orthodontic wires in B,C,D and E groups. Five rats from each group were sacrificed, and the specimens were prepared at 2, 4, 6 and 8-week. The probing depth (PD) and alveolar bone level were observed. The serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin (OC) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 8-week in each group. Results The values of PD were significantly lower after 4, 6 and 8 weeks in E group than those of B, C and D groups (P＜0.05). The alveolar bone loss was significantly lower after 6 and 8 weeks in group E compared with that of B, C and D groups (P＜0.05). The serum levels of BALP and OC were significantly higher after 8 weeks in E group than those of B, C and D groups (P＜0.05). Conclusion The present study suggests that 1, 25 vitamin D and calcitonin can partially inhibit the alveolar bone loss induced by periodontitis. Especially, the application of both is more effective than either drug treatment alone.

Objective To evaluate the effects of root canal cleanliness on the fracture resistance of roots filled with AH-Plus. Methods Eighty single canal premolars were instrumented using step-back technique, then were randomly di-vided into four groups (n=20 for each group). Group A was washed with distilled water for 10 min, group B1 was washed with 5%EDTA for 1 min, group B2 was washed with 5%EDTA for 5 min and group B3 was washed with 5%EDTA for 10 min. Ten samples of each group were observed by scanning electron microscope at the coronal, middle and apical thirds to exam-ine smear layer removal. The remaining samples of each group were fixed into a electronic universal testing machine and ver-tically loaded until fracture. Results The difference of coronal and middle thirds was significant between group B3 and group B2 (P<0.05). At the middle third, there was significantly improved efficiency in smear layer removal in group B2 than that of group B1(P<0.05). The mean fracture resistance was significantly higher in group B3 (391.91±12.82)N than that of group B2 (335.54±16.14)N, group B1(296.47±17.82) N and group A (264.77±16.64)N (P<0.05). Group B2 showed a signifi-cantly better fracture resistance than that of group B1 and group A (P<0.05). Conclusion The complete removal of root ca-nal smear layer can significantly improve the fracture resistances of roots filled with AH-Plus.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect and mechanism of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on apoptosis of pulmonary eosinophiles (PE) in asthmatic guinea-pigs.

METHODSThirty guinea-pigs were divided into 3 groups at random, the control group, the asthmatic group and the As2O3 group. The dosage of As2O3 used was 2 mg/kg. The apoptotic PE were labelled by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling technique, and the PE infiltration and apoptosis were detected quantitatively using computerized image analysis technique.

RESULTSIn the control group, the amount of infiltrating PE was 4.4 +/- 2.5 cells/HP and the PE apoptotic index (AI) was 0.42 +/- 0.08%. In the asthmatic group, the amount increased (P < 0.01) and AI decreased significantly (P < 0.01). After the asthmatic animals had been treated with As2O3, the two parameters changed reversedly significantly (P < 0.01), and there was a significantly negative correlation between them (r = -0.949, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe PE apoptosis abnormality is one of the important mechanisms that cause bronchial asthma, As2O3 could alleviate the airway inflammation through promoting PE apoptosis and lower PE infiltration. Low dose of As2O3 is proved to be effective with relative safety, it also has potential value in treating asthma.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Eosinophils ; pathology ; Guinea Pigs ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation

BACKGROUND: Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) in the intestine was upregulated and correlated with disease activity in inflammatory bowel diseases. Membrane-bound TREM-1 protein is increased in the pancreas, liver and kidneys of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), suggesting that TREM-1 may act as an important mediator of inflammation and subsequent extra-pancreatic organ injury. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the expression of TREM-1 in intestinal tissue and intestinal barrier dysfunction in SAP. METHODS: Sixty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group (SO group, n=32) and a SAP group (n=32). A SAP model was established by retrograde injection of 5％sodium deoxycholate into the bile-pancreatic duct. Specimens were taken from blood and intestinal tissue 2, 6, 12, and 48 hours after operation respectively. The levels of D-lactate, diamine oxidase (DAO) and endotoxin in serum were measured using an improved spectro-photometric method. The expression levels of TREM-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA in terminal ileum were detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Specimens of the distal ileum were taken to determine pathological changes by a validated histology score. RESULTS: The serum levels of D-lactate, DAO and endotoxin were significantly increased in each subgroup of SAP compared with the SO group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The expression levels of TREM-1, IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA in the terminal ileum in each subgroup of SAP were significantly higher than those in the SO group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The expression level of TREM-1mRNA was positively correlated with IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA (r=0.956, P=0.044; r=0.986, P=0.015), but the correlation was not found between IL-1β mRNA and TNF-α mRNA (P=0.133). Compared to the SO group, the pathological changes were aggravated significantly in the SAP group. CONCLUSIONS: The expression level of TREM-1 in intestinal tissue of rats with SAP was elevated, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators and intestinal mucosal injury. This finding indicates that TREM-l might play an important role in the development of intestinal barrier dysfunction in rats with SAP.

0.05), but the level of albumin dropped significantly(P

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Animals ; Antigens, Differentiation ; physiology ; Asthma ; etiology ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Immunity, Innate ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; physiology ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; Proteins ; physiology ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; physiology ; Receptors, Immunologic ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptors

AIMTo study the effects of sodium salicylate on the expression of GABAalpha NR1 and hearing response properties of inferior colliculus neurons in mice.

METHODSThirty-six kunming mice were divided into three groups (A, B, C,). The expression of GABAalpha NR1 were measured by using RT-PCR. The intensity-rates functions, intensity-latency functions and frequency-turning curves were recorded by extracellular electrophysiological recording techniques.

RESULTS(1) The expression of GABAalpha mRNA of B group was decreased remarkably than the control group (A group, P < 0.05), there weren't noticeable differences between A group and C group (P > 0.05). The expression of NR1 mRNA of B group was increased remarkably than the control group (A group, P < 0.01), there were noticeable differences between A group and C group P < 0.05). (2) The intensity-rates functions, intensity-latency functions were monotonic while the frequency-turning curves were more broad when sodium salicylate was given. (3) The intensity-rates functions, intensity-latency functions were non-monotonic while the frequency-turning curves were sharpened after lidocaine was given.

CONCLUSIONS(1) The results suggested that administration of sodium salicylate decreased the expression of GABAalpha while increased the expression of NR1mRNA. (2) The intensity-rates functions, intensity-latency functions were monotonic, the frequency-turning curves were more broad when salicylate was given and the changes above could be reversed by given lidocaine.

Acoustic Stimulation ; Animals ; Inferior Colliculi ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Sodium Salicylate ; pharmacology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDEpidermic studies have suggested a pathophysiological link between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and atherosclerosis (AS); for which carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) has been considered as an early marker. The pathogenesis by which OSAHS can induce AS has not been elucidated. This study was conducted to investigate the association among plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels, carotid IMT and the severity of OSAHS.

METHODSBased on the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) during sleep monitored by polysomnography, 52 male patients with OSAHS were recruited as the OSAHS group which was further divided into mild OSAHS (n = 16), moderate OSAHS (n = 18), and severe OSAHS (n = 18) subgroups. Eighteen healthy subjects were selected as the control group. Of all OSAHS patients, 20 with moderate-to-severe OSAHS underwent continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for 90 days. HDL5000 color Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure carotid IMT. Plasma IL-18 levels were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the plasma IL-18 levels in the control group ((250.27 +/- 76.48) pg/ml), there was a significant increase in the mild OSAHS subgroup ((352.08 +/- 76.32) pg/ml), the moderate subgroup ((600.17 +/- 83.91) pg/ml), and the severe OSAHS subgroup ((9797.64 +/- 109.83) pg/ml) (all P < 0.01). Moreover, there was a significant difference in plasma IL-18 levels among the three OSAHS subgroups (P < 0.01). Carotid IMT was significantly greater in the severe OSAHS subgroup than in the mild OSAHS subgroup (P < 0.01). Before CPAP treatment, plasma IL-18 levels were positively correlated with carotid IMT (r = 0.486, P < 0.001) and with AHI (r = 0.865, P < 0.001). On day 90 of CPAP treatment, plasma IL-18 levels were significantly declined but carotid IMT was not changed significantly.

CONCLUSIONSIn untreated OSAHS patients carotid IMT and plasma IL-18 were positively correlated and were significantly higher than in normal controls; the elevation of plasma IL-18 levels was correlated with the severity of OSAHS. Inflammatory response associated with OSAHS may be related to the development of AS. By improving AHI, miniSaO(2), and reducing plasma IL-18 levels, CPAP treatment may slow down or prevent the development of AS in OSAHS patients.

Adult ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Electrocardiography ; Electroencephalography ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Tunica Intima ; pathology

Animals ; Female ; Genes, MHC Class I ; Genes, MHC Class II ; Lung ; immunology ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

BACKGROUNDCongestive heart failure (CHF) is associated with Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR), which may hasten CHF. Adaptive servoventilation (ASV) is a novel method of ventilatory support designed for removal of CSF in CHF patients. This study compares the efficacy of ASV in patients with CHF and CSR with the efficacy of oxygen therapy.

METHODSFourteen patients with CHF and CSR were recruited. During sleep, nasal oxygen therapy and ASV treatment were each performed for two weeks. Comparison before and after each treatment was made for the following items: a) parameters of sleep respiration, sleep structure and quality; b) left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and 6-minute walk distance.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline levels of apnoea hypopnoea index of 34.5 +/- 6.1 before treatment, the apnoea hypopnoea index significantly decreased following oxygen therapy to 27.8 +/- 8.2, P < 0.05 and further reduced following ASV treatment to 6.5 +/- 0.8, P < 0.01. The minimal pulse oxygen saturation markedly increased following oxygen therapy from a baseline of (84.3 +/- 2.6)% to (88.6 +/- 3.7)%, P < 0.05 and further increased following ASV treatment (92.1 +/- 4.9)%, P < 0.01. Stages I + II sleep as percentage of total sleep time decreased from (81.9 +/- 7.1)% to (78.4 +/- 6.7)% following oxygen therapy and further to (72.4 +/- 5.0)% following ASV treatment. Stages III + IV sleep as percentage of total sleep time decreased from (8.4 +/- 5.5)% to (6.0 +/- 3.0)% following oxygen therapy and but increased to (11.9 +/- 5.4)% following ASV treatment. The arousal index of 30.4 +/- 8.1 before treatment significantly decreased following oxygen therapy to 25.6 +/- 5.7, P < 0.05 and further declined following ASV treatment to 18.2 +/- 6.1, P < 0.01. No significant difference was shown in above percentages between day 14 of oxygen therapy and before treatment (P > 0.05). LVEF was significantly higher on day 14 of ASV treatment (37.2 +/- 4.1)% than on day 14 of oxygen therapy (33.2 +/- 5.1)% and before treatment (30.2 +/- 4.6)% (all P < 0.05). Six-minute walk distance was the shortest before treatment (226 +/- 28) m, longer on day 14 of oxygen therapy (289 +/- 26) m, and the longest on day 14 of ASV treatment (341 +/- 27) m (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONASV treatment is of better efficacy and greater clinical significance in improvement of CHF by eliminating CSR than oxygen therapy.

Adult ; Cheyne-Stokes Respiration ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Heart Failure ; complications ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; methods ; Sleep ; physiology ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left