OBJECTIVETo probe into a better acupoint association for treatment of hyperplasia of mammary glands and the mechanism.

METHODSTwo hundred cases were randomly divided into a regulating kidney and smoothing liver needling group, a routine acupuncture group and a Chinese medicine group. The regulating kidney and smoot hing liver needling group were treated with acupuncture at Shenshu (BL 23), Mingmen (GV 4), Fengfu (GV 16), Lingxu (KI 24), Shenfeng (KI 23), Bulang (KI 22), Qimen (LR 14), etc. and the routine acupuncture group with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36), Tanzhong (CV 17), Ganshu (BL 18), Rugen (ST 18), Neiguan (PC 6), Qimen (LR 14), once daily; and the Chinese medicine group with oral administration of Rupixiao tablet, 6 tablets each time, thrice each day. After they were treated for 2 menstrual cycles, the therapeutic effects and changes of E2, PRL, P, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ were observed.

RESULTSThe clinical therapeutic effect and the total effective rate for TCM syndromes were 92.0% and 94.0% in the regulating kidney and smoothing liver needling group, 86.0% and 88.0% in the routine acupuncture group and 78.0% and 84.0% in the Chinese medicine group, with a significant difference among the 3 groups, the former being better than the other two groups; after treatment, serum PRL, P, P/E2 significantly improved in all the 3 groups (P < 0.05) and the regulating kidney and smoothing liver needling group was better than other two groups in decreasing PRL and increasing P, P/E2 (P < 0.05); and E2, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ significantly improved in the regulating kidney and smoothing liver needling group and the routine acupuncture group, the former being better than the later in decreasing E2 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe regulating kidney and smoothing liver needling method is an effective method for treatment of hyperplasia of mammary glands and it has regulative action on endocrine and immune functions in the patient with hyperplasia of mammary glands.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Endocrine Glands ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Mammary Glands, Human ; pathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association of major histocompatibility complex class I chain related gene A (MICA) antibodies with acute rejection (AR), chronic rejection (CR) and renal function after renal transplantation.

METHODSSerum MICA antibodies were detected with ELISA before and after transplantation with also examinations of panel reactive antibodies (PRA), serum creatinine, urine, graft ultrasound, lymphocyte subsets and the pathology of graft biopsy. The study was carried out in two parts to monitor MICA antibodies in acute and chronic rejections after renal transplantation.

RESULTSIn the first part of the study 18 of the 41 recipients experienced episodes of acute rejection, and the incidence rate was markedly higher in MICA(+) group than in MICA(-) group (P<0.05). Compared with the recipients with stable renal functions, the patients with acute graft rejection showed a significantly higher positivity rate of MICA antibodies. Postoperative MICA antibody monitoring showed that MICA antibody level increased gradually 2-3 days after the occurrence of acute rejection; anti-rejection treatment lowered serum creatinine to a normal level but MICA antibodies remained positive. In the second part, 21 of 40 patients had chronic graft rejection and showed significantly higher positivity rate of MICA than the patients with stable renal functions (P<0.05). In patients with chronic rejections, the serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in MICA(+) than in MICA(-) cases (P<0.05). Graft biopsy of all MICA(+) cases showed C4d deposition.

CONCLUSIONThe status of MICA antibodies can predict the occurrence and treatment outcomes of acute rejection, and also as one of the major causes of chronic graft rejection, they affect the long-term survival of the renal grafts.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Complement C4b ; metabolism ; Creatinine ; blood ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Rejection ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; immunology ; Humans ; Kidney ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Kidney Transplantation ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: For unknown reasons, caspase-1 -/- mice, protected against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure (ARF), are deficient in interleukin (IL)-1alpha. We thus asked whether IL-1alpha deficiency underlies the mechanism of protection against cisplatin-induced ARF in these mice. METHODS: Cisplatin (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into wild-type C57BL/6 mice to produce a cisplatin-induced model of ARF. IL-1alpha was measured in control vehicle- and cisplatin-treated wild-type animals. We also examined whether IL-1alpha -/- mice were similarly protected against cisplatin-induced ARF. Additionally, infiltration of CD11b- and CD49b-positive cells, as markers of macrophages, natural killer, and natural killer T cells (pan-NK cells), was investigated in wild-type and IL-1alpha -/- mice. RESULTS: Compared with vehicle-treated mice, renal IL-1alpha increased in cisplatin-treated wild-type mice beginning on day 1. IL-1alpha -/- mice were shown to be protected against cisplatin-induced ARF. No significant difference in the infiltration of neutrophils or CD11b- and CD49b-positive cells were observed between wild-type and IL-1alpha -/- mice. CONCLUSIONS: Mice deficient in IL-1alpha are protected against cisplatin-induced ARF. The lack of IL-1alpha may explain, at least in part, the protection against cisplatin-induced ARF observed in caspase-1 -/- mice. Investigation of the protective mechanism (s) in IL-1alpha -/- mice in cisplatin-induced ARF merits further study.
Acute Kidney Injury/chemically induced/*immunology/pathology/physiopathology/prevention & control ; Animals ; Antigens, CD11b/analysis ; Apoptosis ; Biological Markers/blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; *Cisplatin ; Creatinine/blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Integrin alpha2/analysis ; Interleukin-1alpha/deficiency/genetics/*metabolism ; Kidney/*immunology/pathology/physiopathology ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology ; Macrophages/immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology ; Necrosis ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Xuebijing injection on dendritic cells (DCs) and T lymphocytes, and the potential mechanisms of its therapeutic effect on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODSA widely used mouse model, SLE-prone BLLF1 mice aged 8-10 weeks, was employed. Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: a normal group, a model group and two treatment groups treated with Xuebijing Injection with a dose of 6.4 mL/kg via intraperitoneal administration for SLE-prone BLLF1 mice aged 8 weeks (treatment A group) and 10 weeks (treatment B group). Renal tissue sections were stained with Masson's trichrome and periodic acid-silver methenamine. Histopathological changes in the kidney were evaluated by a light microscopy. The capacity of the DCs isolated from the spleen to stimulate the T cell proliferation in response to concanavalin A (Con A) was determined.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies in the two treatment groups decreased remarkablly (P<0.01, P<0.05), and levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Pathological changes were found in the kidney in the model group. Histopathological abnormalities were alleviated in the two treatment groups. Treatment with Xuebijing injection also significantly upregulated the expression of CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility class II by DCs compared with the model group (P<0.05). When splenic T lymphocytes from BLLF1 mice were co-cultured with DCs at ratios of 1:100, 1:150 and 1:200 for 3 and 5 days, the proliferation of T lymphocytes was suppressed compared with the normal group (P<0.05), but this was restored by Xuebijing Injection under the same conditions. In the model group, levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in supernatants were significantly elevated compared with the normal group (P<0.01), interleukin-2 levels decreased (P<0.05), while these changes were significantly alleviated in the Xuebijing treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONSXuebijing Injection alleviated renal injury in SLE-prone BLLF-1 mice. The mechanism might be through influencing T cell polarization mediated by DCs, and Xuebijing Injection might be a potential drug that suppresses immune dysfunction in patients with SLE.

Animals ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; blood ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Concanavalin A ; pharmacology ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Injections ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; ultrastructure ; Kidney Function Tests ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Phenotype ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics, renal pathology, treatment and prognosis of children with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with H factor antibody.

METHODFour children less than 18 yr of age admitted from Nov. 2010 to May 2011 in Peking University First Hospital were included. They all met the criteria for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and with positive serum anti factor H antibody. They aged from 5 to 11 yr. Data on clinical manifestations, renal pathology, treatment and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTAll of the 4 cases had gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, or abdominal distension. None of them had diarrhea. Two children had hypertension. One child had episodes of convulsion. One child had history of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. All of them had low serum complement C3. Three of them had low serum factor H (38.0, 88.4, 209.4 mg/L). All of them had serum antibody to factor H (1: 7 068, 1: 1 110, 1: 174, and 1: 869). Three of them received renal biopsy, all of them showed thrombotic microangiopathy. All of them were treated with steroid combined with mycophenolate mofetil. Two children received plasma exchange. They were followed up for 8 to 29 months. The renal function became normal and proteinuria relieved in all of them. The serum factor H concentration increased to 405.8, 155.8 and 438.4 mg/L, respectively. The titer of anti factor H antibody decreased to 1: 119, 1: 170, 1: 123, and 1: 674, respectively.

CONCLUSIONGastrointestinal symptom is common in children with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with H factor antibody. Hypocomplementemia was observed in all of them. Steroid combined with mycophenolate mofetil seemed to be effective for them. The monitoring of serum factor H and antibody to factor H may help diagnosis and treatment.

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Complement Factor H ; immunology ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Mycophenolic Acid ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Plasma Exchange ; Prednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVEAnti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a disorder with poor prognosis. This study aimed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ANCA associated vasculitis of children, to analyze the clinical features, pathological characteristics and the prognosis of children with ANCA-associated vasculitis.

METHODFifteen children with ANCA associated vasculitis who were hospitalized from 2003 to 2012 in our hospital were included. Their data of pre-diagnosis status, clinical manifestations, renal pathology, treatment and prognosis were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTOf the 15 children, 11 were girls and 4 boys with a mean age of 10.7 years. Fourteen children were categorized as microscopic polyangitis. The time to diagnosis varied from 0.5 month to 40 months. Hematuria and proteinuria were revealed by urine analysis in all of them, only 6 children complained with gross hematuria or edema of oliguria. Decreased glomerular filtration rate was revealed in 13 children, 8 of whom had a creatinine clearance rate of less than 15 ml/(min·1.73 m(2)). Twelve children underwent renal biopsy, crescent formation was found in 11 children. Most of the crescents were cellular fibrous crescents or fibrous crescents. Six children were diagnosed as crescentic nephritis; the process of rapidly progressive nephritis was only observed in 2 children. Segmental glomerulosclerosis or global glomerulosclerosis were found in 10 children, 3 of them were diagnosed as sclerotic glomerulonephritis. Anemia and pulmonary injury were the most common extra renal manifestations. Other extra renal manifestations included rash, pain joint, gastrointestinal symptoms, abnormal findings of cardiac ultrasonography and headache. Eight children were treated with steroid combined with cyclophosphamide, 4 were treated with steroid and mycophenolate mofetil, 2 were treated with steroid, cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil, 3 children were treated with plasma exchange. Fourteen children were followed up for 0.5 month to 4 years. The renal function did not recover in children with creatinine clearance rate of less than 30 ml/(min·1.73 m(2)), who showed crescentic glomerulonephritis or sclerotic glomerulonephritis. The children who had creatinine clearance rate of more than 30 ml/(min·1.73 m(2))had better prognosis.

CONCLUSIONMore attention should be paid to ANCA-associated vasculitis among school age girls with anemia or pulmonary diseases. The renal damage was serious in children; however, the clinical manifestations were not obvious. Children with a creatinine clearance rate of less than 30 ml/(min·1.73 m(2)) had poor prognosis. Early accurate diagnosis is very important.

Adolescent ; Anemia ; etiology ; pathology ; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; blood ; immunology ; Biopsy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Creatinine ; blood ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; pathology ; Hematuria ; etiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Nephritis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria ; etiology ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo examine inhibition action of multi-glycoside of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) on infiltration of inflammatory cell in glomeruli with anti-Thy1.1 glomerulonephritis (anti-Thy1.1 GN), and to clarify its effects on inflammatory in vitro.

METHODTwo types of anti-Thy1.1 GN were induced in rats by a single or two intravenous injections with 500 microg of anti-Thy1.1 mAb 1-22-3. Rats were randomly divided into two groups, the GTW group and control group, and sacrificed on day 7 or on day 42 after induction of anti-Thy1.1 GN. Daily oral administration of different dose of GTW and distilled water as a control was started from 3 days before injection or at the same time of injection till the day of sacrifice. Proteinuria was determined during days 7 or during days 42. Infiltration of macrophage and T lymphocyte in glomeruli and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in renal tissue were examined.

RESULTIncrease of infiltration of macrophage in reversible anti-Thy1.1 GN model, glomerular macrophage infiltration and IL-2 mRNA expansion were attenuated by higher dose of GTW (75 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), and increased accumulation of activated macrophage and T lymphocyte in irreversible anti-Thy1.1 GN model, accumulation of macrophage and T lymphocyte in glomeruli and mRNA expansion of IL-2 and IFN-gamma were decreased by middling dose of GTW (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) as well. Proteinuria was significantly ameliorated after GTW administration.

CONCLUSIONThe findings suggested that different dose of GTW can ameliorate infiltration of inflammatory cell in glomeruli with anti-Thy1.1 glomerulonephritis in vitro by decreasing the expression of IL-2 and IFN-gamma.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Glomerulonephritis ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Interferon-alpha ; genetics ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

The tissue distribution and cellular localization of viral antigens in three cattle with persistent bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection was studied. In three cases, necropsy findings of oral ulcers, abmasal ulcers and necrosis of Peyer's patches were suspected have been caused by BVDV infection. Non-cytopathic BVDV was isolated from a tissue pool of liver, kidneys and spleen. Immunohistochemical detection of BVDV showed that BVDV antigens were detected in both epithelial and nonepithelial cells in all examined organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, lung, lymphatic organs (spleen, lymph nodes), adrenal gland, ovary, uterus, and the mammary gland. These findings support the hypothesis that animals with persistent BVDV infection spread BVDV through all routes, and that infertility in BVDV infection is associated with the infection of BVDV in the ovaries and uteri.
Adrenal Glands/pathology/virology ; Animals ; Antigens, Viral/*isolation & purification ; Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease/pathology/physiopathology/*virology ; Cattle ; Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Digestive System/pathology/virology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry/veterinary ; Infertility, Female/virology ; Kidney/pathology/virology ; Lung/pathology/virology ; Lymphatic System/pathology/virology ; Mammary Glands, Animal/virology ; Ovary/pathology/virology ; Uterus/pathology/virology