This article mainly summarise the results of the chemical compositions and their pharmacological activities of Arnebiae Radix since 1966. The chemistry components isolated from Arnebiae Radix are mainly naphthoquinone, monoterpene phenol and quinone, phenolic acids and their salts, alkaloids, aliphatic and esters. Pharmacological results showed that the chemical compositions and the extracts of Arnebiae Radix have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, hepatoprotection, antioxidant, anti-tumor and immune function and other activities. This article hopefully to provide a reference for further research, development and utilization of Arnebiae Radix.
Animals ; Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

ObjectiveTo explore the normal range of the volume of internal capsules in Chinese adults of the Han nationality and its relationship with age,body habitus,and craniocerebral volume.Methods One thousand healthy volunteers (age range =18 to 80 years) were divided into 5 groups according to their age;Group A ( 18 to 30 years old),group B (31 to 40 years),group C (41 to 50 years),group D (51 to 60 years),and group E (61 to 80 years).Each group consisted of 100 males and 100 females.MR imaging was performed in all of the volunteers using T1 weighted three-dimensional nagnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence. After three dimension data reconstruction,the volumes of bilateral internal capsules were manually measured. The volumes of bilateral internal capsules were compared by paired sample t test.The internal capsule volumes were compared between male and female by independent sample t test,and the differences among 5 age groups were compared by one-way ANOVA.The relationship between the volumes of internal capsule and age,body habitus or cerebral volume were analyzed using bivariate correlation.ResultsThe left and right internal capsule volumes were (2809 ± 393) and (2677 ± 343 ) mm3 respectively.The left internal capsule volumes were significantly larger than that of right (t =12.078,P ＜ 0.05 ).The left and right side of internal capsule volumes in male were (2863 ± 396) and (2744 ±358) mm3 respectively,and (2754 ±385) and (2609 ±314) mm3 in female.The left and right internal capsule volumes were larger in males than in female (t =1.982,2.851 ;P ＜ 0.05 ).The left internal capsule volume of the 5 age groups were ( 3273 ± 361 ),( 2943 ± 299 ),( 2777 ± 255 ),( 2607 ± 199 ),(2444 ±213) mm3,and the right were (2993 ± 361 ),(2814 ± 270),(2682 ± 239),(2543 ± 219),(2351 ±210) mm3.There were significant differences among 5 age groups between left and right internal capsule volume ( F =55.244,34.493 ; P ＜ 0.05 ).There was significant negative correlation between the volume of left and right internal capsule and age ( r =- 0.718,- 0.637 ; P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions1.5 T MR scanner can be used to accurately measure the internal capsule volumes.There is a significant negative correlation between age and internal capsule volumes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of sensory neuropeptide substance P (SP) on the differentiation of cultured epidermal stem cells (ESC) in vitro,with in vitro cultured ESC as the platform.

METHODSESC from newborn Wistar rats were isolated, purified by repeated passages in culture. SP was added for stimulation when ESC clone grew. Immunohistochemistry staining with K14 antibody, and flow cytometry (FCM) was performed at 0, 24th, 48th, 72nd, 96th, 144th, 192nd, 240th, 288th, 336th, 384th, 432nd post differentiation hours (PDH) to identify the cell groups and to detect if there were transient amplifying cells (TAC) among the cells.

RESULTSESC in culture formed large colonies after SP treatment with positive staining for K14, indicating that they were TACs. The results of FCM indicated that when ESC were stimulated by SP, TAC colony formation occurred and the cell number increased in a constant speed.

CONCLUSIONESC could differentiate into TAC by neuropeptide SP induction, and the number of ESC kept on a certain level during the process.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; chemistry ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Substance P ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning on ischemic reperfusion injury of rat liver graft and to investigate the possible mechanism.

METHODSMale Sprague Dawley rats were used as donors and recipients of orthotopic liver transplantation, and the period of cold preservation and anhepatic phase were 100 min and 18 min, respectively. Sixty rats were randomly divided into three groups, twelve rats in control group, twenty-four rats in ischemic reperfusion injury group and ischemic postconditioning group respectively. Control group is sham operation group, only the ligaments around liver were cut off; donor livers in ischemic reperfusion injury group were infused through portal vein with heparinized saline before harvested; ischemic postconditioning group: at very onset of reperfusion after donor liver was implanted, several brief reperfusion-ischemia were given before persistent reperfusion of portal vein. Half recipients of ischemic reperfusion injury group and ischemic postconditioning group were taken blood samples and hepatic tissue samples after 2 hours of reperfusion of liver graft. Rest recipients were taken samples of hepatic tissue after 6 hours of reperfusion. Recipients of control group were taken blood and hepatic tissue samples at corresponding time after abdomen was sutured.

RESULTSCompared with ischemic reperfusion injury group, liver functional parameters, cytokines and peroxidized products contents were lower in ischemic postconditioning group (P < 0.05); meanwhile, the antioxidases contents of hepatic tissue were higher in ischemic postconditioning group than those in ischemic reperfusion injury group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIschemic postconditioning could relieve the ischemic reperfusion injury of rat liver graft. Through improving antioxidation capability and cutting down cytokines contents, ischemic postconditioning could apply its protective effect.

Animals ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Elastase ; blood ; Liver ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative therapy for severe beta-thalassemia. This time, the experience of utilizing HLA 2-loci mismatched sibling cord blood transplantation (CBT) in a child with severe beta-thalassemia was firstly reported in our country. A 3-year-male patient had been diagnosed with severe beta-thalassemia at 6 months of age (HbF 86.6%, HbA1 1.7%, HbA2 1.7%, beta globin gene mutation CD17, A-->T/IVS-II-654, C-->T). The patient's HLA typing was A 24,11, B 58,35 and DRB1 03,15. During a subsequent maternal pregnancy. The prenatal diagnosis for thalassemia and prenatal HLA typing analysis were performed on 18 weeks of pregnancy. The results indicated that the male fetus was a heterozygote (beta globin gene mutation N/CD17, A-->T), HLA typing was A 24,11, B 58,51 and DRB1 03,12. 120 ml cord blood was collected at time of delivery, the total numbers of nucleated cells, CFU-GM and CD34(+) cells were 1.830 x 10(9), 16.653 x 10(5) and 3.11 x 10(6), respectively. A new conditioning regimen including: hypertransfusion, continuous i.v. desferrioxamine, busulfan, cyclophosphamide, antithymocyte globulin plus hydroxyurea and fludarabine. GVHD prophylaxis comprised cyclosporin A and mycophenolate mofetil. The viability of cord blood at the time infusion was 92%, The total numbers of nucleated cells, CFU-GM and CD34(+) cells in the transfused cord blood were 12.06 x 10(7)/kg, 1.098 x 10(5)/kg, and 2.04 x 10(6)/kg, respectively. Results showed that the patient's clinical course after cord blood transplantation was unremarkable. Acute GVHD grade I developed on day 15, methylprednisolone 2 mg/kg was given to cure. Neutrophil engraftment (ANC > 0.5 x 10(9)/L) on day 17, platelet engraftment (> 50 x 10(9)/L) on day 50. The patients became independent from red blood cell transfusion since day 80 (when his hemoglobin level kept > 12.5 g/L). His beta globin gene mutation and HLA typing were all the same as the donor's analyzed on day 60 and 200. There was also a switch in blood group from A pre-transplant to O post-transplant. It is concluded that the new conditioning and GVHD prophylaxis regimens allow a successful engraftment in this case. This observation may contribute in developing UCBT as an alternative when matched sibling donors are not available.
Child, Preschool ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Globins ; genetics ; Graft vs Host Disease ; etiology ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Histocompatibility ; genetics ; immunology ; Histocompatibility Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Siblings ; Transplantation Tolerance ; immunology ; Transplantation, Homologous ; beta-Thalassemia ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the absorption and transport mechanism of magnolol in Caco-2 cell model.

METHODSA human intestinal epithelial cell model Caco-2 cell in vitro cultured was applied to study the absorption and transport of magnolol, the effects of time, donor concentration, P-gp inhibitor verapamil, pH and temperature on the absorption and transport of magnolol were investigated. The determination of magnolol was performed by high performance liquid chromatography, then the values of apparent permeability coefficient (P app ) and P ratio Basolateral-to-Apical (BL-to-AP)/Apical-to-Basolateral (AP-to-BL) were calculated.

RESULTSIn Caco-2 cell model, comparing the amounts of transport of AP-to-BL and BL-to-AP, the latter was larger. At the same donor concentration, either the amounts of transport of AP-to-BL or BL-to-AP increased with increase in donor concentration and incubation time. Verapamil could significantly improve the amounts of transport of AP-to-BL. The transport of AP-to-BL and BL-to-AP depended on temperature, and there was no significant effect of pH on the transport of AP-to-BL.

CONCLUSIONMagnolol could be transported through the intestinal mucosa via a passive diffusion mechanism primarily, coexisting with a carrier-mediated transport, at the same time, the efflux mechanism could be involved.

Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Caco-2 Cells ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; drug effects ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Lignans ; metabolism ; Models, Biological ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulative effects and significance of neuropeptide substance P (SP) on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) of granulation tissue fibroblasts in vitro.

METHODSA local aseptic inflammation was induced by injection of formaldehyde in rats, and its granulation tissue was cultured. RT-PCR was employed to observe expression of bFGF mRNA after inducement of SP at different concentrations and time points in the granulation tissue, and western blot to assay expression of bFGF protein.

RESULTSThe expression of bFGF mRNA was markedly increased significantly 3 and 6 hours after inducement with SP in 10(-7) mol/L, compared with control group (P < 0.01). The expression of bFGF protein was markedly higher than the control group after 12 hours, and it reached the peak at the 24th hour and declined gradually after 48 hours. SP at concentrations of 10(-9) - 10(-5) mol/L could significantly promote the expression of bFGF mRNA, and that at 10(-8) - 10(-5) mol/L induce the expression of bFGF protein. Both expressions reached the peak when SP concentration was 10(-7) mol/L (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSP can induce the expressions of bFGF mRNA and bFGF protein of granulation tissue fibroblasts in vitro, which may possess an important significance in wound healing.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Granulation Tissue ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Substance P ; pharmacology ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

Objective To explore the normal range of the insula volume of Chinese adults of the Han nationality and its relationship with age, which provide morphological data for the construction of database for Chinese Standard Brain.Methods This is a clinical multi-center study.One thousand Chinese healthy volunteers (age range = 18 to 70) recruited from 16 hospitals were divided into 5 groups, i.e.,Group A ( age range = 18 to 30), B ( age range = 31 to 40 ), C ( age range = 41 to 50 ), D ( age range =51 to 60), and E (age range =61 to 70).Each group contained 100 males and 100 females.All of the volunteers were scanned by MR using T1 weighted three-dimensional magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence.After three dimension data reconstruction, the volumes of bilateral insula were manually measured.The volume of bilateral insula were compared by paired sample t test.The insula volumes were compared between male and female by independent sample t test, and the differences among 5 age groups were compared by one-way ANNOVA.The relationship between the volumes of insula and age,sex or cerebral volume were analyzed using bivariate correlation, respectively.Results The left snd right side volume of insula before standarized were (7764±1165) and (7387±1128) mm3 respectively, after standarized were (8413±1201 ) and (7871±1140) mm3 respectively.The left insula volume were significant larger than that of right(t = - 10.565, - 16.014,P <0.01 ).The left and fight volume of insula were (8146±1181 ) and (7735±1113) mm3 for male, and (7393±1022) mm3 and (7050±1038) mm3for female.The left and right insula volumes for male were larger than the female's(t = 10.934,9.945 ,P <0.01 ).The left and right insula volume of male after standarized were (8779±1230 ) and (8224±1081 )mm3, female were (8043±1054) and (7515±1091 ) mm3 ,the left and right insula volume of male were larger than the female's ( t = 4.858,4.632, P < 0.01 ).The left insula volumes among Group A, B, C, D,E before standarized were ( 8268±1221 ), ( 8067±1107 ), ( 7869±1109), ( 7603±1111 ), ( 6997±934 )mm3 respectively,the right were (8028±1156), (7636±1075), (7294±986), (7249±1068), (6717±916) mm3 respectively, there were significant differences among 5 groups between left and right insula volume(F= -0.361,-0.337,P <0.01 ).The left insula volume of A,B,C,D,E after standarized were ( 9093±1105 ), ( 8679±965 ), ( 8810±1136), ( 8202±980), ( 7273±940 )mm3, the right were ( 8694±1005), (8136±1100), (8034±910), (7496±990), (6989±932) mm3, there were significant differences among 5 groups between left and right insula volume(F = -0.490, -0.512,P < 0.01 ).There was significant negative correlation between the volume and age ( before standarizded:r = -0.361, -0.337, after standardized r = -0.490, -0.512, P<0.05).Before and after standardized, there was significant correlation between the volume of right and left insula and cerebral volume ( r = 0.470,0.459, P < 0.05 ).Before and after standardized, there was significant correlation between the volume of right and left insula and weight( r = 0.141, 0.092, P < 0.05 ).Conclusions 1.5 T MR scanner has high resolution, for distinguishing the white matter from the gray matter, and provide morphological data of insula for the construction of database for Chinese Standard Brain.

OBJECTIVEIn order to fully understand hepatitis c virus (HCV) genotype 3b, 1a, 2b and 6a infection in China, We built HCV 5'-noncoding region (5'-NCR) of different genotypes and subtypes.

METHODSThe classification HCV into variable genotypes (subtypes) was carried on by programs A, B and C A. Using a combination of three restriction endonuclease BHH' (BsrB I, Hae II, Hinf I) digestions at the same time. The distinct genotypes were classified into 5 groups: genotype 1 (1a, 1b), 6a, 2 (2a, 2b), genotype 3 (3a, 3b), genotype4 (4a). B. With regard to genotype 1, we could distinguish subtype 1a from 1b using BstU I digestion. C. Using restriction endonuclease Hae III, genotype 2a, 2b, 3b, 4a, 6a are differentiated respectively.

RESULTS(1) HCV genotype 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 6a are fully discriminated by comparison with the genotypes regular samples. (2) Of the 93 patients, HCV genotype distribution in China was 66.67% for 1b, 18.28% for 2a, 3.23% for 1b/2b, 3b, 2b respectively. 2.15% for 2a/2b, 1b/2a respectively. 1.08% for 1a.

CONCLUSIONThis research indicated that adoption of HCV 5'-NCR A B C restriction endonuclease digestions techniques, might be sensitive and efficient to detect HCV and discriminate HCV genotype (subtypes) 1a to 6a.

5' Untranslated Regions ; chemistry ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; classification ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of substance P (SP) on gene expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta-1), transforming growth factor receptor-1 (TGFR-1) and transforming growth factor receptor-2 (TGFR-2) in fibroblasts cultured in vitro from rat's granulation tissues.

METHODSThe fibroblasts from the granulation tissues in the skeletal muscle of rat's hind limbs injured by formaldehyde were cultured in vitro. When different concentrations (10(-9)-10(-5) mol/L) of SP were added into the culture medium, the changes of gene expression of TGFbeta-1, TGFR-1 and TGFR-2 in the cultured fibroblasts were observed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction at different intervals (0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after incubation).

RESULTSThe gene expression of TGFbeta-1, TGFR-1 and TGFR-2 in the fibroblasts cultured from rat's granulation tissues was up-regulated by SP. The peak level of the mRNA expression was found at 10(-8) mol/L SP and the up-regulation effect was not found at 10(-5) mol/L and 10(-6) mol/L. The peak levels of gene expression of TGFbeta-1, TGFR-1 and TGFR-2 in the fibroblasts treated with SP were achieved at 6 and 12 hours, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSP has up-regulation effect on the gene expression of TGFbeta-1, TGFR-1 and TGFR-2 in fibroblasts from rat's granulation tissues in vitro, and the effect is related to different stimulating concentrations of SP. It may be concerned with proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts and formation of scar tissues during wound healing.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Probability ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; drug effects ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Substance P ; pharmacology ; Wound Healing ; physiology