Crataegus oxyacantha (Aubepine, Hawthorn), was used by european herbalist in the first century A. D. It went out fashion as a medicine until the 19th century for heart disease. The leaves, flowers, and berries of hawthorn contain a variety of bioflavonoid-like complexes that appear to be primarily responsible for the cardiac actions of the plant. Bioflavonoids found in C. oxyacantha include oligomeric procyanidins (OPCc), vitexin, quercetin, and hyperoside. The action of these compounds on the cardiovascular system has led to the development of leaf and flower extracts. As described in French pharmacopea, the hyperoside is the marker for quality control.
Animals ; Cardiovascular Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; Crataegus ; chemistry ; Flowers ; chemistry ; France ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Objective To observe toxic effect of deoxynivalenol(DON)on articular cartilage and synovium of New Zealand rabbits's knee ioints.Methods Fifteen male rabbits were divided randomly into 3 groups:control, high-dosage,and low-dosage group.In high-dosage and low-dosage group,saline solution of DON was injected with a dose of 0.10 and 0.05 ms/kg every 48 h into ear vein of rabbits.Specimen of articular cartilage and synovium were through pathologY methods,and IL-1β,TNF-α,NO levels were assayed in joint liquid,after 20 days. Results Morphological changes were observed, such as synovium inflammative infiltration, chondrocytes deformation and necrosis under light microscope.The levels of IL-1β,TNF-α and NO had statistical significance in comDarison between 3 grouPs(F=19.396,18.195,22.136,P＜0.05).The levels of IL-1β,TNF-α and NO were significantly higher(all P＜0.05),high-dosage[(0.451±0.091),(0.575±0.122)μg/L;(70.27±11.53)μmol/L] and low-dosage group[(0.295±0.107),(0.387±0.131)μg/L;(45.32±12.24)μmol/L]compared with control ((0.1 13±0.049),(0.138±0.087)μg/L;(23.56±9.35)μmoL/L],and high-dosage compared with low-dosage group Conclusions DON results in articular and synovial impairment,which has the symptom similar to osteoarthritis. DON probably causes osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the active ingredients in the Chinese yellow wine could inhibit the proliferation and migration of rat vascular smooth muscle cells induced by homocysteine (Hcy).

METHODSThe primary culture and identification of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was conducted, and the VSMCs in passage 4-7 were used in the following experiments. The VSMCs were divided into 7 groups: control, Hcy (1 mmol/L), Hcy + oligosaccharide, Hcy + polypeptides, Hcy + polyphenols, Hcy + alcohol, Hcy + Chinese yellow wine and were given the corresponding treatment. The proliferation of VSMCs was determined by MTT. Transwell chambers and would healing were employed to test the migratory ability of VSMCs. Wester blot and gelatin zymography were used to investigate the expressions and activities of metal matrix proteinase 2/9 (MMP-2/9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) in VSMCs of each group.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the proliferation, migration and the expression and activity of MMP-2/9 of VSMCs were significantly increased in the VSMCs of Hcy group (P < 0.01). Compared with Hcy group, the proliferation, migration and the expression and activity of MMP-2/9 of VSMCs were significantly decreases in the VSMCs of polypeptides group, polyphenols group and Chinese yellow wine group. However, the expression of TIMP-2 among each group had no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONPolypeptides and polyphenols in the Chinese yellow wine could inhibit the proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by Hcy.

Animals ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Homocysteine ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; Peptides ; chemistry ; Polyphenols ; chemistry ; Rats ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism ; Wine

The paper reports the systematic study on felodipine and its impurities in tablets, to improve its quality standards for the control of the related substances. HPLC-DAD, UPLC-MS, IR and NMR methods were used for the isolation of felodipine and its impurities in tablets, their identification and the zebrafish animal model was used for the analysis of the toxic impurities. In felodipine material and its tablets, three impurities are isolated and identified. They are impurity 1 [dimethyl 4-(2, 3-dichlorophenyl)-2, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-dihydropyridine-3, 5-dicarboxylate], impurity 2 [ethyl methyl 4-(2, 3-dichlorophenyl)-2, 6-dimethylpyridine-3, 5-dicarboxylate] and impurity 3 [diethyl 4-(2, 3-dichlorophenyl)-2, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-dihydropyridine-3, 5-dicarboxylate], separately. The result of zebrafish animal model analysis showed that the teratogenic effects of four compounds were: impurity 3 > or = felodipine > impurity 1 > impurity 2, lethal effects were as follows: impurity 2 = impurity 3 > felodipine > or = impurity 1. This study confirmed the toxicity of three impurities in felodipine. According to the results, the paper suggested the amendments to the standard of the medicine and provided the support to the control of impurities in the manufacturing process.
Abnormalities, Drug-Induced ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Contamination ; Felodipine ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; analysis ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; Tablets ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Zebrafish

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most lethal cancer globally and is associated with poor prognosis. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) can regulate biological properties of carcinoma cells. FABP5 is overexpressed in many types of cancers; however, the role and mechanisms of action of FABP5 in GC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and biological functions of FABP5 in GC. Materials and Methods: We assessed FABP5 expression using immunohistochemical analysis in 79 patients with GC and evaluated its biological functions following in vitro and in vivo ectopic expression. FABP5 targets relevant to GC progression were determined using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: Elevated FABP5 expression was closely associated with poor outcomes, and ectopic expression of FABP5 promoted proliferation, invasion, migration, and carcinogenicity of GC cells, thus suggesting its potential tumor-promoting role in GC. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis indicated that FABP5 activates immune-related pathways, including cytokinecytokine receptor interaction pathways, interleukin-17 signaling, and tumor necrosis factor signaling, suggesting an important rationale for the possible development of therapies that combine FABP5-targeted drugs with immunotherapeutics. Conclusions These findings highlight the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of FABP5 in GC and suggest its potential as an adverse prognostic factor and/or therapeutic target.

Objectives To explore the relationship between polymorphism in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)gene Xba I and child dental fluorosis.Methods Qiulou township of Kaifeng and Sunying township of Tongxu counties of Henan province were chosen as the investigation spots in 2006.An area of water drinking endemic fluorosis(high fluoride area)and a non-endemic area(control area)were chosen in every spot,where dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 years old were examined and diagnosed by using the Dean method.The children in the high fluoride areas were divided into dental fluorosis group and control group of the endemic areas according to dental fluorosis status,and the children in the control areas as control gruop of non-endemic areas.The Xba I polymorphism in the ERα gene was genotyped using the PCR-RFLP procedure.The fluoride levels in the urine samples from the three groups were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode and over standard rate of the urine was counted.Results The prevalence rate of dental fluorosis in high fluoride areas was 51.7%(74/143)and the community fluorosis index was 1.310.No dental fluorosis case was checked out in the control and the community fluorosis index was 0.021.The over standard rate of urine fluoride in dental fluorosis group[84.6%(121/143)]was significantly higher than that of control in non-endemic area[9.6%(9/94);χ2=125.95,P<0.01].The frequency distribution of ERα Xba I genotype was XX 6.8%(5/74),xx 36.5%(27/74),xx 56.8%(42/74)in dental fluorosis group;XX 15.9%(11/69),Xx 37.7%(26/69),xx 46.4%(32/69)in the eontrol of the endemic areas;XX 14.9%(14/94),Xx 43.6%(41/94),xx 41.5%(39/94)in children from the control in non-endemic area,respectively.No significant difference was found among the three groups(χ2= 3.450, P > 0.05). Allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes was X 22.7%(30/132), x 77.3%(102/132) in dental fluorosis group and X 35.5%(39/110),x 64.5% (71/110) in the control in endemic area when urine fluorosis of children was exceeding standard and significant difference was found in this two groups(χ2 = 4.768, P < 0.05; OR = 0.535,95% CI:0.305 - 0.941). Conclusion Children who carried X allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes have a lower risk of dental fluorosis when children with high-loaded fluoride status.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hepatotoxic effects of N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the workers of a synthetic leathers factory, and the effects on liver function of covariates such as alcohol consumption and other factors.

METHODSThe workers were classified into three groups (low, high and the control) by the concentration of DMF in workplace which was determined in the past two years. A questionnaire was drawn up for relevant demographic characteristics and other factors influencing liver function. The bloods were collected for laboratory test which included parameters especially relevant to the liver (ALT AST and gamma GT).

RESULTSLow and high-exposure groups were significantly associated with elevated ALT and gamma GT, and high-exposure group was significantly associated with elevated Liver index. Modeling by stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that high concentration of DMF and BMI were associated with and elevated ALT, gamma GT and Liver index, besides DMF and BMI, the elevation of ALT was also associated with high TRIG. AST was only associated with alcohol consumption. The AST/ALT ration < 1 was present in 86.7% of the exposure workers of liver function abnormal.

CONCLUSIONDMF can cause liver function alternations even if air concentration of DMF was below PC-TWA. Besides the levels of DMF exposure, obesity (BMI) and alcohol consumption are covariates alternating liver function. Liver index can be a parameter for assessment liver function, and the AST/ALT ration < 1 may serve as markers of risk in health screening programs.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Dimethylformamide ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Occupational Exposure

OBJECTIVETo investigate abnormal liver function associated with polymorphism of GSTT1, GSTM1 and CYP2E1 in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.

METHODSSixty-nine workers with abnormal liver function in a synthetic leather factory were recruited as case. One hundred and twenty five control subjects with similar work tasks were selected from the same factory. Genotypes for GSTT1 and GSTM1 were determined by multiplex PCR, and for CYP2E1 PstI by PCR-RFLP assay.

RESULTSThe frequency of positive GSTM1 was 59.42% in cases and 38.40% in control, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.34,95% CI: 1.29-4.29 (P=0.005). For GSTT1 and CYP2E1 PstI, the frequencies of genotypes showed no significant difference between case and control.

CONCLUSIONGSTM1 positive genotype may be genetic risk factors for development of abnormal liver function in workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide.

Adult ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Dimethylformamide ; adverse effects ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo map the gene locus in a Chinese pedigree with autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss.

METHODSA genome wide screening was performed with 394 microsatellite markers distributed with an average spacing of 10 cM (ABI Prism Linkage Mapping Set 2, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, U.S.A.).

RESULTSAffected family members showed a bilateral, symmetrical, progressive neurosensory deafness. Significant linkage was found to marker D1 S937 (maximum two point LOD score of 5. 71 at theta = 0.05) on chromosome 11q. The position of the novel deafness locus, DFNA11, was delimited by analysis of the recombinant haplotypes (D11S165-D11S1874). This analysis placed DFNA11 between the proximal marker D11S1314 and the distal marker D11S898, which define a critical interval of 25.34 cM.

CONCLUSIONSMapping of the DFNA11 locus further confirms the great genetic heterogeneity underlying the autosomal dominant forms of hereditary deafness. Reports of more families with hearing impairment linked to this locus should contribute to the identification of the responsible gene, providing insights into the auditory function and the molecular pathophysiology of age related hearing loss.

Adult ; Aged ; Chromosome Mapping ; Deafness ; congenital ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Dominant ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Middle Aged ; Myosins ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Young Adult

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; pathology ; Adrenal Glands ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography