This study was aimed to study the therapeutic material basis of Xiong-Shao decoction (XSD) on hepatic fi-brosis (HF), and to screen the effective parts from XSD for regulating TGF-β/Smad pathway. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the Fu-Zheng Hua-Y u (FZHY) capsule group, the XSD group, the crude polysaccharide group, the total glycosides group, and the total alkaloids group. Rats of the modeling group were intraperitoneally injected with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) to establish HF model. After modeling, FZHY capsule solution (0.105 g·mL-1), XSD crude polysaccharides extract solution (35.420 mg·mL-1), XSD total glycosides extract solution (25.725 mg·mL-1), and XSD total alkaloids extract solution (0.196 mg·mL-1) were administered to the corresponding treatment group by gavage once a day for 4 weeks, respectively. Rats of the normal group and the model group were given equivalent amount of normal saline by gavage once a day for 4 weeks. The treatment course was 4 weeks. The expression of TGF-β1 mRNA of the liver tissues was detected by FQ-PCR. And the protein ex-pressions of Smad3 and Smad7 were detected by western blotting analysis. The results showed that compared with the model group, there was no significant difference in the expression of Smad7 protein between the total glyco-sides group and the model group, as well as no significant difference between the total alkaloids group and the model group. Expressions of TGF-β1 mRNA and Smad3 protein of other treatment groups were significantly re-duced. And the expressions of their Smad7 protein were significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). It was concluded that crude polysaccharide an d total glycosides fractions were the effective parts of XSD for regulating TGF-β/Smad pathway.

This article was aimed to study the therapeutic material basis of Xiong-Shao (XS) decoction on hepatic fi-brosis (HF), and screen effective parts from XS decoction for protecting liver, reducing enzyme activity and oxidative damage. Male wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, Fu-Zheng Hua-Y u (FZHY) group, XS group, polysaccharide group, total alkaloids group and the total glycosides group. HF rat model was estab-lished with the intraperitoneal injection of DMN. After modeling, FZHY solution (0.105 g·mL-1), XS decoction (1.610 g·mL-1), crude polysaccharides extract of XS decoction (35.420 mg·mL-1), total glycosides extract solution (25.725 mg·mL-1), and total alkaloids extract of XS decoction (0.196 mg·mL-1) were administered to corresponding treatment group by gavage once a day for 4 weeks, respectively. Rats of the normal group and model group were given equiva-lent normal saline by gavage once a day for 4 weeks. After 4-week drug administration, rats were killed to remove the liver. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used in the detection of serum parameters of liver function, including ALT, AST, TIBL and ALB. Serum SOD activity was detected by xanthine oxidase. GSH-PX activity was tested by DTNB reduction. Serum contents of MDA were measured by TBA. Pathological changes of the liver were observed with HE staining and masson staining. The results showed that compared with the model group, there was no signifi-cant differences between the total alkaloids group and the model group, but levels of serum ALT, AST and TBIL of other treatment groups were significantly decreased, and the serum ALB level was significantly elevated (P< 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, levels of serum SOD and GSH-PX of the FZHY group, XS group and total alkaloids group were significantly elevated (P < 0.01), and level of serum MDA was significantly reduced (P <0.05 or P< 0.01). Comparison among the polysaccharides group, total glycosides group, and model group showed no significant differences. It was concluded that crude polysaccharide and total glycosides fractions were effective parts of XS decoction for protecting liver and reducing enzyme activity. And total alkaloids fraction was the effective part for reducing oxidative damage.

Objective: To research the expression of PTEN and its influence on biological ability in breast cancer cell in vivo. Methods: PTEN-shRNA plasmid was transtected into M231 breast cancer cells to knock down the expression of PTEN. The changes of PTEN expression, proliferation, adhesion and metastasis of PTEN knocked down cell were tested by western-blot, colony formation, adhesion and invasion assay. Results: PTEN-shRNA was successfully transfected into M231 cells and it inhibited PTEN expression efficiently.The capabilities of colony formation, migration and invasion of transfected cell were much greater than those of the controlling cell line. But the transfected cells were more difficulty in adhesion than the scrambled ones. Conclusion: PTEN genecan enhance the adhesion, but restrict the proliferation, migration of breast cancer cells in some degree, so that inhibit the development of the breast cancer. PTEN loss can be a prognostic factors for the patients with breast cancer.

Acute Lung Injury ; metabolism ; Animals ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Group II Phospholipases A2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; Taurine ; pharmacology

Objective To compare the mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis vulgaris versus healthy individuals,assess the relationship of these parameters with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score,and to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of total glucosides of peony (TGP) for psoriasis vulgaris.Methods Fifty patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 40 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study.Of these patients,42 were treated with TGP of 600-900 mg twice a day for 8 weeks.Blood samples were obtained from all the healthy individuals,50 patients before treatment,42 patients after 4-week treatment,and 23 patients after 8-week treatment.Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of IL-17 and IL-23 in the blood samples.The severity of psoriasis was evaluated using PASI score before and after the treatment.Statistical analysis was done by t test,rank sum test,and Pearson correlation analysis using the SPSS16.0 software.Results The IL-17 and IL-23 mRNA expression levels (given in △Ct value) in the patients before treatment were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (IL-17,-5.32 ± 0.80 vs.2.79 ± 0.76,t =47.71,P ＜ 0.05; IL-23,-5.43 ± 0.68 vs.-3.77 ± 0.86,t =10.38,P ＜ 0.05),and positively correlated with the PASI score (r =0.61,0.52 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).A significant decrease was observed in the mRNA expression levels of IL-17 and IL-23 as well as PASI score in the 42 patients after 4-week treatment with TGP compared with those before treatment(IL-17,-2.24 ± 0.61 vs.-5.30 ± 0.78,t =20.40,P ＜ 0.05; IL-23,-1.97 ± 0.74 vs.-5.44 ± 0.68,t =21.69,P ＜ 0.05; PASI,5.8 ± 2.7 vs.9.4 ± 4.2,t =4.68,P ＜ 0.05),and in the 23 patients after 8-week treatment compared with those after 4-wek treatment(IL-17,-1.51 ± 0.78 vs.-2.21 ± 0.59,t =3.50,P ＜ 0.05; IL-23,-1.27 ± 0.81 vs.-1.89 ± 0.72,t =2.70,P＜ 0.05; PASI,3.8 ± 1.8 vs.7.3 ± 2.5,t =5.47,P＜ 0.05).Conclusions It seems that both IL-17 and IL-23 are involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris,and TGP treatment can reduce the mRNA expression levels of IL-17 and IL-23 as well as PASI score in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Animals ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Lung Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; complications ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Objective To investigate expression of polysaccharides biosynthetic genes in biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Methods Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify mRNA to analyze their mRNA level during planktonic growth and biofilm cells. Results Analysis of the relative ex-pression levels indicated that the level of transcripts of planktonic pslA, algD, pelA was significantly lower than that of biofilms sessile growth in all other form bacteria. The levels of transcripts of pslA, algD, pelA were the highest at the first day of biofilms development. Conclusion From the observations in the present study, transcripts of the pslA, algD, pelA involved biofilm development.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Intestine, Small ; cytology ; pathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; pathology

Objective:To observe the inhibitory effect of ischemic postconditioning (I-postC) on the apoptosis of renal cells after limb ischemia reperfusion(LIR) in the rats, and to investigate the possible mechanisms. Methods:Thirty SD rats were randomly divided control group, ischemia-reperfusion group(IR group) and I-postC group(n=10).4 h ischemia and 4 h reperfusion with the rubber band in two hind limbs of the rats were performed to establish the models.In control group, the rubber band around the limb was loose and the blood flow was not blocked.As for I-postC group, before perfusion, 5 min ischemia and 5 min reperfusion were performed in the rats and repeated 3 times named I-post C.The levels of blood creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma of the rats in various groups were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer.The expressions of Bcl-2 protein and Bax protein in renal were detected by immunohistochemical method,and its quantitative results were observed with automatic image analysis system and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was calculated.The apoptotic cells in kidney tissue were determined by terminal-deoxynucleotidy1 transferase-mediated d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) under laser scanning confocal microscope(LSCM).The ultrastructures of kidney tissue were observed under electron microscope.Results:Compared with control group, the levels of Cr,BUN and CRP in plasma of the rats in IR group and I-postC group were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with IR group, the levels of Cr, BUN and CRP in plasma of the rats in I-postC group were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with control group,the expression levels Bax and Bcl-2 in kidney tissue of the rats in IR group and I-postC group were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the ratios of Bcl-2/Bax were reduced(P<0.05);compared with IR group,the expression level of Bax in kidney tissue of the rats in I-postC group was decreased (P<0.05),the expression level of Bcl-2 was increased(P<0.01),and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was increased(P<0.05).Under laser confocal microscope,the number of apoptotic cells in kidney tissue of the rats in IR group was increased compared with control group;the number of apoptotic cells in I-postC group was decreased compared with IR group.Under transmission electron microscope,the changes in IR group were found as follows: renal proximal convoluted tubule epithelial cell nucleus vacuoles,increased lysosome and dense particle deposition, some mitochondria crest fracture or fuzzy;irregular and fusion, glomerular podocyte protuberance,mitochondrial cristae fracture and reducetion with vacuoles, rough endoplasmic reticulum expansion;the damage levels of renal tubular epithelial cells and glomerulus in I-postC group were improved compared with IR group.Conclusion: Limb ischemia reperfusion can induce the apoptosis of renal cells, I-postC can inhibit the apoptosis of renal cells,and it would be helpful to improve the kidney function.

Objective To summarize the clinical outcomes after the optimization of nutrition support in elderly patients after hepatic carcinoma surgery.Methods The clinical data of 52 elderly patients with hepatic carcinoma in Beijing Hospital were collected and analyzed from 2007 to 2009(research group).Nutritional Risk Screening(NRS)2002 was applied for the nutrition risk screening at admission.NRS 2002 score≥3 was regarded as at nutritional risk.Enteral nutrition(EN)or EN combined with parentoral nutrition(EN+PN)supports were provided during the peri-operative stage.The control group included 30 patients from 2005-2007 under the same conditions with rescareh group but only received PN supports pest-operatively.Nutritional parameters,complications,lengh of hospital stay,and healthcare expenditures were analyzed.Results Body weight and plasma albumin were no significantly different in two groups(P>0.05)by the 7th post-operative day.The incidence of infection-relatod complications and length of hospital stay were significantly lower in research group than in control group (P<0.05).Conclusions Nutrition risk screening should be performed for the elderly patients with hepatic carcinoma after admission.Optimization of peri-operative nutrition support can reduce complications and improve the clinical outcomes.