Anisodamine (654-2) was administered to rabbits with acute experimental serum sickness (AESS) to study the immunomodulatory effects of 654-2 on AESS. The results suggested that 654-2 may decrease the serum specific antibody and immune complex (IC), inhibit the activity of serum cathepsin D (Cath-D), make the level of complemnts in narrow change, and improved the renal injury.

The immunopharmacological effects of anisodamine(654-2)on immune complexnephritis were examined in rabbits with acute experimental serum sickness(AESS).The results showed that activities of renal calmodulin(CaM)and cathepsin D(Cath-D)were significantly high.654-2 could inhibit CaM activity and immune complex-induced lysosomal enzyme release,and lessen immune complex glomerulonephritis at thesame time.Our findings suggest that a marked inhibition of CaM activity by 654-2 mi-ght contribute greatly to the improvement of immune complex glomerulonephritis.

OBJECTIVETo compare the curative effects of primary osteoporosis treated with heat-sensitive point moxibustion and Gaitianli (Oyster Shell and Calcium Carbonate Chewable) tablets for oral administration and explore the treatment mechanism.

METHODSSixty cases of primary osteoporosis were randomly divided into a heat-sensitive point moxibustion group (moxibustion group) and a Gaitianli tablets group (medication group), 30 cases in each group. In the moxibustion group, the heat sensitized points were searched around Zusanli (ST 36), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23) and Mingmen (GV 4) and treated by heat-sensitive point moxibustion; in medication group, Gaitianli tablets were taken by oral administration, 3 pills for once and 3 times a day. The curative effects, bone mineral density (BMD), alkaline phosphatase (S-AKP) and urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (U-Ca/Cr) in both groups were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 86.7% (26/30) in moxibustion group, superior to that of 76.7% (23/30) in medication group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the BMD of lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4) mean was improved (P < 0.05), and the S-AKP and U-Ca/Cr were reduced (all P < 0.05); in medi cation group, the indexes above were no obvious changes (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of primary osteoporosis treated with heat-sensitive point moxibustion is superior to that with Gaitianli tablets for oral administration. The mechanism is restraining bone resorption, increasing bone strength, keeping balance of bone metabolism, in order to increase bone mineral density and improve the clinical symptoms.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; urine ; Creatinine ; urine ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; methods ; Osteoporosis ; metabolism ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) in magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging with echo-planar technique in depicting the tumor cellularity and grading of astrocytoma.

METHODSThirty-four astrocytoma patients including 18 male and 16 female with age from 10 to 73 years (mean 38.4 years) were examined by MRI and eventually proved by surgical resection and pathological examination. Of them, 26 had low-grade (grade I, II) astrocytoma and 8 high-grade (grade III, IV) astrocytoma. ADC value of astrocytoma was determined on magnetic resonance diffusion weighted images. Cellularity of the astrocytoma was analyzed using Adobe Photoshop 7.0.1 software.

RESULTSThe mean ADC value (in units of 10(-4) mm(2)/s) of the high-grade astrocytomas (7.34 +/- 2.95) was significantly lower than that of the low-grade astrocytomas (13.76 +/- 3.31) (t = 4.91, P < 0.001). The mean cellularity of the high-grade astrocytomas (19.81 +/- 9.73)% was significantly higher than that of the low-grade astrocytomas (4.74 +/- 2.96)% (t = 4.32, P = 0.003). ADC value of the astrocytoma was significantly and negatively correlated with its cellularity (r = -0.535, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONADC value of astrocytoma is significantly and negatively correlated with its cellularity. Magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging may well be highly potential in predicting the degree of astrocytoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Cell Count ; Child ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Glioblastoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged