PURPOSES: The cell surface metalloproteinase CD10/ neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) hydrolyzes a variety of peptide substrates and reduces cellular responses to specific peptide hormones. CD10/NEP has been recognized as modulating peptide-mediated proliferation of lung carcinomas and the normal airway epithelium. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the expression of CD10/NEP in human lung cancers, including non- small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), and to correlate its expression with several clinicopathologic parameters, including proliferative activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CD10/NEP expression and proliferative activity were evaluated by immunohisto chemistry in 55 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded NSCLC and SCLC specimens, using anti-Human CD10/ NEP and Ki-67 primary antibodies. The correlations between CD10/NEP expression and either Ki-67 proliferative activity or several clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed by chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Most NSCLC (76%) and SCLC (80%) cases showed loss of CD10/NEP expression in the tumor cells, whereas the bronchial and alveolar epithelia and stromal fibroblasts in the adjacent healthy lung revealed strong expression of CD10/NEP. Its expression was not correlated with proliferative activity or any of the clinicopathologic parameters except for age. Only in terms of topographical expression was CD10/NEP expression found to be inversely correlated with Ki-67 proliferative activity. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that loss of CD10/ NEP expression may be important in the pulmonary carcinogenesis of both NSCLCs and SCLCs, which is topographically related to NSCLC proliferative activity, especially in the squamous cell type.
Antibodies ; Carcinogenesis* ; Chemistry ; Epithelium ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Neprilysin ; Peptide Hormones ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the rare earth elements(REEs) contents and distribution characteristics in nasopharyngeal carcinoma( NPC) tissue in Gannan region. METHOD: Thirty patients of NPC in Gannan region were included in this study. The REEs contents were measured by tandem mass spectrometer inductively coupled plasma(ICP-MS/MS) in 30 patients, and the REEs contents and distribution were analyzed. RESULT: The average standard deviation value of REEs in lung cancer and normal lung tissues was the minimum mostly. Light REEs content was higher than the medium REEs, and medium REEs content was higher than the heavy REEs content. REEs contents changes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma were variable obviously, the absolute value of Nd, Ce, Pr, Gd and other light rare earth elements were variable widely. The degree of changes on Yb, Tb, Ho and other heavy rare earth elements were variable widely, and there was presence of Eu, Ce negative anomaly(δEu=0. 385 5, δCe= 0. 523 4). CONCLUSION The distribution characteristic of REEs contents in NPC patients is consistent with the parity distribution. With increasing atomic sequence, the content is decline wavy. Their distribution patterns were a lack of heavy REEs and enrichment of light REEs, and there was Eu , Ce negative anomaly.
Carcinoma ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Metals, Rare Earth ; chemistry ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; chemistry ; Reference Values ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

An analysis of patients and fatalities due to exposure to polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) shows that PHMG causes mainly lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. However, no research on the other organs has been conducted on this matter yet. So, an in-depth discussion on toxicological techniques is needed to determine whether or not PHMG is toxic to organs other than just the lungs. For the test of target organ toxicity by PHMG exposure, a toxicokinetic study must first be conducted. However, measurement method for PHMG injected into the body has not yet been established because it is not easy to analyze polymer PHMG, so related base studies on analytical technique for PHMG including radio-labeling chemistry must come first. Moreover, research on exposure-biomarker and effect-biomarker must also be conducted, primarily related to clinical application. Several limitations seem to be expected to apply the biomarker study to the patient because much time has passed after exposure to the humidifier disinfectant. It is why a more comprehensive toxicological researches must be introduced to the causality for the victims.
Chemistry ; Guanidine ; Humans ; Humidifiers* ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Methods ; Polymers ; Pulmonary Fibrosis

OBJECTIVETo provide basis of reference values for relevant parameters of Chinese Reference Man.

METHODSEighteen kinds of major organ or tissue samples, including muscle, rib, liver, and so on, were obtained from 4 areas (Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, and Sichuan provinces) with different dietary patterns in China in autopsy of 16 healthy adult men, who had just encountered sudden deaths. At the same time, whole blood samples were collected from 10 volunteers living in each of these areas. The concentrations of 56 elements in these samples were detected by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS) techniques. Based on obtained concentrations and reference values of these organ or tissue weights for Chinese Reference Man, the relative elemental burdens in these organs or tissues as well whole body were also estimated.

RESULTSThe concentrations of 56 elements in 18 main organs or tissues were determined all together and their elemental organ or tissue and whole body burdens were estimated. Furthermore, the distributions of important elements for radiation protection in these organs or tissues were emphatically discussed.

CONCLUSIONBy summing with past related results, the total results obtained from the series of research may provide more reliable and better representative basis of these reference values for Chinese Reference Man than before.

Adult ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Body Burden ; China ; Elements ; Humans ; Liver ; chemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; Male ; Reference Values

This study aimed to provide scientific evidence for predicting quality markers(Q-markers) of Elephantopus scaber by establishing UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber from different geographical origins and determining the content of 13 major components, as well as conducting in vitro anti-cancer activity investigation of the main components. The chromatographic column used was Waters CORTECS UPLC C_(18)(2.1 mm×150 mm, 1.6 μm), and the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid solution(gradient elution). The column temperature was set at 30 ℃, and the flow rate was 0.2 mL·min~(-1). The injection volume was 1 μL, and the detection wavelength was 240 nm. The UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber was fitted using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine(2012 edition) to determine common peaks, evaluate similarity, identify and determine the content of major components. The CCK-8 assay was used to explore the inhibitory effect of the main components on the proliferation of lung cancer cells. The results showed that in the established UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber, 35 common peaks were identified. Thirteen major components, including neochlorogenic acid(peak 1), chlorogenic acid(peak 2), cryptochlorogenic acid(peak 3), caffeic acid(peak 4), schaftoside(peak 6), galuteolin(peak 9), isochlorogenic acid B(peak 10), isochlorogenic acid A(peak 12), isochlorogenic acid C(peak 18), deoxyelephantopin(peak 28), isodeoxyelephantopin(peak 29), isoscabertopin(peak 31), and scabertopin(peak 32) were identified and quantified, and a quantitative analysis method was established. The results of the in vitro anti-cancer activity study showed that deoxyelephantopin, isodeoxyelephantopin, isoscabertopin, and scabertopin in E. scaber exhibited inhibition rates of lung cancer cell proliferation exceeding 80% at a concentration of 10 μmol·L~(-1), higher than the positive drug paclitaxel. These results indicate that the fingerprint of E. scaber is highly characteristic, and the quantitative analysis method is accurate and stable, providing references for the research on quality standards of E. scaber. Four sesquiterpene lactones in E. scaber show significant anti-cancer activity and can serve as Q-markers for E. scaber.
Humans ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Asteraceae/chemistry* ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the postmortem distribution of tetrodotoxin in tissues and body fluids of guinea pig, and to provide method and evidence for forensic identification and clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Guinea pigs were intragastric administrated with 100, 50, 15 microg/kg tetrodotoxin, respectively. The poisoning symptoms were observed. The samples of heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, stomach, intestines, bile, heart blood and urine were collected. The concentrations of tetrodotoxin in tissues and body fluids were measured with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: After administrated with tetrodotoxin, all guinea pigs came out poisoning signs including tachypnea, weary and dead finally. Tetrodotoxin concentrations in lung, stomach, intestines and urine were higher, followed by blood, heart and brain. The concentration in bile was the lowest. CONCLUSION Postmortem distribution of tetrodotoxin in guinea pig is uneven. The concentration in the lung, stomach, intestines, urine and heart blood are higher, those tissues could be used for diagnosis of tetrodotoxin poisoning.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Body Fluids/chemistry* ; Brain Chemistry ; Chromatography, Liquid/methods* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Forensic Toxicology ; Guinea Pigs ; Intestines/chemistry* ; Kidney/chemistry* ; Liver/chemistry* ; Lung/chemistry* ; Postmortem Changes ; Stomach/chemistry* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Tetrodotoxin/poisoning* ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo prepare panax notoginseng saponins-tanshinone II(A) composite particles for pulmonary delivery, in order to explore a dry powder particle preparation method ensuring synchronized arrival of multiple components of traditional Chinese medicine compounds at absorption sites.

METHODPanax notoginseng saponins-tanshinone II(A) composite particles were prepared with spray-drying method, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared analysis (IR), dry laser particle size analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the aerodynamic behavior was evaluated by a Next Generation Impactor (NGI).

RESULTThe dry powder particles produced had narrow particle size distribution range and good aerodynamic behavior, and could realize synchronized administration of multiple components.

CONCLUSIONThe spray-drying method is used to combine traditional Chinese medicine components with different physical and chemical properties in the same particle, and product into traditional Chinese medicine compound particles in line with the requirements for pulmonary delivery.

Absorption ; Desiccation ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry

This study compared a new type of polysaccharide-coated magnetic nanoparticles (in which the polysaccharide is derived from Angelica sinensis) with the dextran magnetic nanoparticles in terms of preparation, biocompatibility and tissue distribution in vivo and in vitro in order to examine the potential application of Angelica polysaccharide as a novel carrier in magnetic drug targeting (MDT). Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by chemical co-precipitation. Their physical and chemical properties were determined by using the transmission electron microscope (TEM), laser particle size analyzer (DLS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and their purity and structure by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The atomic absorption spectrometric method was performed for quantification of the iron content in different tissues. Histological sections were stained by Prussian blue staining to observe the disposition of magnetic nanoparticles in the liver and kidney. The results showed that both kinds of magnetic nanoparticles possessed small particle size, good dispersion and good magnetic properties. XRD showed the main component of the two magnetic nanoparticles was Fe(3)O(4) crystals, and FTIR proved Fe(3)O(4) was successfully coated by each polysaccharide, respectively. In vivo, Fe(3)O(4)-dextran accumulated in the liver, spleen and lung and Fe(3)O(4)-Angelica polysaccharide only in the spleen and lung. It was concluded that Angelica polysaccharide may be applied as a novel carrier in the preparation of magnetic nanoparticles.
Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemical synthesis ; Liver ; chemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Organ Specificity ; Particle Size ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; chemistry ; Surface Properties ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo investigate the difference of anticytomegaloviral activity of three kinds of traditional Chinese medicines which are the injections of Jinye Baidu, Radix Isatidis and Indigowoa in vitro.

METHODThe inhibitory activity of three traditional Chinese medicines against human cytomeglovirus (HCMV AD169) infected human embryo lung fibroblasts (HELF) was observed by cytopathic effect method (CPE) and MTT method in vitro. According their value of A, anticytomegaloviral activity has evaluated.

RESULTExperimental study in vitro showed that the 50% toxicity dose (TD50) of Jinye Detoxifying, Radix Isatidis root and Indigowoa were 20, 10.23, 20.23 g x L(-1) respectively; the 50% inhibitory concertration (IC50) were 5.65, 3, 5.71 g x L(-1) respectively; the therapeutic index (TI) were 3.54, 3.41 and 3.54 respectively. It suggested that three traditional Chinese medicines had anticytomeglovirus activity and their effect increased with their concentration.

CONCLUSIONThree traditional Chinese medicines of the parenteral solution of Jinye Detoxifying, Radix Isatidis root and Indigowoa have antiviral activity when they are diluted in 1:200. They are safe and valuable drug for inhibiting cytomeglovirus infection.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytomegalovirus ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; virology ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Isatis ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Lung ; cytology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saururaceae ; chemistry

This study aims to optimize the most effective component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on lung cancer A549 using the orthogonal design method, and to investigate its effects of the component formula on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cytoskeleton in lung cancer A549 cells. The orthogonal design method was introduced to optimize the most effective component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on lung cancer A549 cells. CCK-8 assay and Real-time cell analysis were adapted to analyze the effect of component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on A549 cells viability at different time and dose. Cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V- FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry. Cell skeleton protein F-actin was detected by high content screening (HCS). The optimizing component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma for total salvianolic acid, total saponins of panax ginseng and ginseng polysaccharide doses were 5, 10, 5 mg L(-1). CCK-8 assay and real-time cell analysis demonstrated that the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma treatment could significantly decrease the A549 cell viability in both dose- and time-dependent manner compared with control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the increase of cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry when cells treated with the component formula, which indicating that the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma could induce A549 cell apoptosis in a time-dependent manner compared with control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, compared with control group, a significant decrease in A549 cell skeleton area was found in the component formula-exposed cells in the dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). In summary, the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma inhibits A549 cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis and decreasing cell microfilament formation. All of these results will be helpful to reveal antitumor mechanism of the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, which provides a basis for the exploration of antitumor mechanism of the component formula on lung cancer.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry