Objective:To analyze the expression of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing factor TRAIL,c-FLIP and caspase-8 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis at different period,in order to provide a experimental basis that treating and looking for a more effective way and method.Methods:mRNA expression of TRAIL,c-FLIP and caspase-8 were detected by Real-time PCR from peripheral blood mononuclear cells;TRAIL,c-FLIP and caspase-8 were checked by Western blot from peripheral blood mononuclear cells.Results:The mRNA expression level of TRAIL,c-FLIP and caspase-8 from PBMC at different groups of RA:TRAIL mRNA in group M was 3.26±0.78 which was much higher than healthy controls(1.30±0.20) (P=0.028),and those of group L and group H (1.56±0.37 and 1.83±0.26 respectively) was slightly higher than controls(P<0.05).C-FLIP mRNA in low activity group (L),middle activity group (M) and high activity group (H) were 1.27±0.28,1.32±0.34 and 1.93±0.40 re-spectively,which was higher than that of healthy controls (1.08 ± 0.12) (P=0.035,0.034,0.030).The relative level caspase-8 mRNA in group L,group M,group H were(2.77 ±0.97),(4.52 ± 0.85),and(2.13 ± 0.44)which was higher than healthy controls (1.04±0.13) (P=0.023,0.012,0.032).The protein level of TRAIL,c-FLIP and caspase-8 in PBMC from different groups of RA patients:The expression of TRAIL in group M was significantly increased than group L,H and control(P<0.05) with no difference in group L.c-FLIP protein in all protein expressed in group M quantity highest,significantly higher than other groups.Caspase-8 expression in the group M and H was significantly enhanced than control (P=0.003,0.001 ) with no difference in group L (P> 0.05). Conclusion:During the different active stages of RA,in peripheral blood mononuclear cells,the expression of TRAIL,c-FLIP and caspase-8 are increased overall trend,possible can provide certain experimental reference for clinical therapy.

Tripterygium glycosides preparation which extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii (TWHY), was widely used to treat the autoimmune diseases. Previous works demonstrated that TWHF had potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. But the different quality and high incident rate of side effects of different manufactures inhibited its clinical application. Since TWHF had been generally known to play a therapeutical effect by synergism of multiple constituents, it was necessary to build the relationship between the HPLC fingerprint and bioactivity so as to ensure the quality safety and efficacy. The HPLC fingerprint showed that description and content of peaks from different manufactures were diverse. Only 11 common peaks were found. In this study, mice spleen cells stimulated by Con A were used to test the proliferation inhibition bioactivity of TWHF preparations, which were incubated with 30, 15, 7.5, 3.75, 1.88 and 0.94 mg x L(-1) TWHF preparations for 48 h. The results showed that mice spleen cells proliferation was inhibited by all TWHF preparations significantly compared with the control group, which suggested the TWHF preparations showed immune suppress activity. The TWHF preparations from 7 manufacture showed different IC50 value, which might belong to different contents which showed in the HPLC fingerprint. Moreover, a relationship between the HPLC fingerprint and the bioactivity were established to identify important constituents by grey relational analysis (GRA). The result showed that all the contents were relative with the IC50, especially No. 5 and 10 peaks, but No. 1 peak, which was proved to be triptolide, had few contribute to the inhibition of mice spleen cells proliferation. The study of relationship between the HPLC fingerprint and the IC50 by GRA could help to investigate mechanism of bioactive and provide an evidence for the quantification of multi-constituents.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Glycosides ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Spleen ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Mycotic vaginitis is a common and frequently-occurring gynaecopathia and easy to attack repeatedly, so painful to patients. In this study, the authors observed the clinical efficacy of Sophora gel combined with Fluconazole capsules in treating mycotic vaginitis, in order to seek an effective method for treating mycotic vaginitis. Totally 85 patients with mycotic vaginitis treated in our hospital between December 2012 and July 2014 were randomly divided into the treatment group (43 patients) and the control group (42 patients). The treatment group was given vaginally Sophora gel (one piece every night for 14 days) and orally Fluconazole capsules (150 mg, once every three days, four times in total); The control group was only administered with Fluconazole capsules. The total efficacy, cure rate, recurrence rate and clinical symptom improvements of the two groups were observed. The results show that the total efficacy, the cure rate and the recurrence rate of the treatment group vs. the control group were respectively 97.7%, 90.7% and 2.6% vs. 83.3%, 71.4% and 20.0%, with statistical significance in their differences (P < 0.05). The treatment group showed reduced leucorrhea, pruritus vulvae disappearance and earlier mucosal hyperemia disappearance than the control group, with statistical significance in their differences (P < 0.05). In conclusion Sophora gel combined with Fluconazole capsules can improve antifungal activity of drugs, relieve clinical symptoms, shorten the course of disease, enhance the cure rate and reduce the recurrence rate; So this therapy can be widely applied in clinic.
Adult ; Antifungal Agents ; administration & dosage ; Capsules ; administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluconazole ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Mycoses ; drug therapy ; Sophora ; chemistry ; Treatment Outcome ; Vaginitis ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of 10 kinds of nephrotoxic TCM on three main subtypes(Oat1,Oat2 and Oat3) of kidney organic anion transporter(Oats)in mice. METHODS:A total of 1 840 SPF NIH mice were randomly divided into nor-mal control group(isovolumic pure water),probenecid group(30 kg/mg),sodium carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)group,Pulsa-tillae radix,Corydalis rhizoma,Aconiti kusnezoffii radix,Aconiti radix,Angelicae pubescentis radix,Gleditsiae spina,Polygo-num cuspidatum,Kansui radix,Platycladi cacumen,Aucklandiae radix high and low dose groups. Mice were treated twice a day for 5 d,ig. After 1 h of the last dosing,they were iv given PAH in tail(30 mg/kg). The PAH pharmacokinetic parameters of the kidney homogenate were determined and the PAH intake in kidney tissue at the time point of 1,5,10,15 and 20 min was detect-ed. The PAH in blood was analyzed by DAS 2.0 software. The grouping and dosing were the same as before,after 1 h of the last dosing,kidney slices were made and put into PAH-buffer. The PAH intake of kidney slices was determined. RESULTS:Compared with normal control group,the t1/2β in C. rhizoma high dose group,A. kusnezoffii high and low dose groups,A. pubescentis high dose group,P. cuspidatum high and low dose groups and P. cacumen group were increased;Vd were all decreased in 10 kinds of TCM high and low dose groups;except for A. pubescentis low dose group,G. spian low dose group and K. radix low dose group, the CL was decreased and AUC0-20 min was increased in all other groups,with significant difference (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Com-pared with normal control group,the content of PAH in kidney tissue in P. radix high dose group,C. rhizoma high dose group,A. kusnezoffii high dose group,A. radix high and low dose groups,A. pubescentis high and low dose groups,G. spina high and low dose groups,P. cuspidatum high and low dose groups,K. radix high and low dose groups,P. cacumen high and low dose groups and A. radix high and low dose groups were increased,with significant difference (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with normal control group,the intake of PAH in kidney slices in C. rhizoma high dose group,A. kusnezoffii high and low dose groups,G. spi-na high and low dose groups,K. radix high dose group,P. ca-cumen high and low dose groups and A. radix high dose group were decreased,with significant difference (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The 10 kinds of nephrotoxic TCM probably induced kidney injury through inhibiting the Oat1,Oat2 and Oat3 of Oats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Radix Isatidis and its constituents indigo and in?dirubin on two principal subtypes of organic cation transporters(OCT)OCT1,OCT2 in vivo in mice. METHODS Decoction of Radix Isatidis (DRI) 1.6 and 6.4 g · kg-1,granules of Radix Isatidis (GRI) 0.615 and 2.460 g·kg-1,indigo 0.008 and 0.640 mg·kg-1 and indirubin 0.0192 and 1.536 mg·kg-1 were ig given to NIH mice(60 mice per group),twice a day for 5 d. Four control groups were set up,including the vehicle of water,0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC),additives of sucrose plus dextrin (1.5 g · kg-1)and positive control quinidine(0.025 g · kg-1). Sixty minutes after the last dosing,all the mice were iv given metformin(Met)5 mg·kg-1,and at 1.0,2.5,5.0,7.5,10.0 and 20.0 min after Met iv,10 mice in each group were sacrificed to collect whole blood and kidneys respectively. The right kidney was homogenized for Met accumulation test and the left one used to extract total RNA for analysis of OCT1 and OCT2 mRNA expressions by real-time PCR. The contents of Met in sera and kidneys were quantified by HPLC. Major pharmacokinetic parameters of Met in sera were analyzed by pharmacokinetic software(DAS 2.0). RESULTS There was no significant difference between water control group,0.5%CMC group and sucrose plus dextrin group in any examined item. Compared with vehicle control group (water and 0.5%CMC group),all the related pharmacokinetic parameters in DRI 6.4 g · kg- 1,GRI 2.46 g · kg-1,indigo 0.640 mg · kg-1 and indirubin 1.536 mg · kg-1 groups were changed significantly (P<0.05,P<0.01). The elimination half time (t1/2β) was prolonged 13%-97%,volume of distribution reduced by 13%-72%,clearance(Cl)reduced by 9%-65%,and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-20 min) increased by 13%-135%. AUC0-20 min obtained from renal Met accumulations was significantly increased(P<0.01)while Met uptake by kidney slices was reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01). The expressions of OCT1 and OCT2 mRNA were obviously down-regulated(P<0.05,P<0.01). CONCLUSION The mouse renal OCT1 and OCT2 are significantly inhibited by DRI,GRI,indigo and indirubin. The inhibitory effect of Radix Isatidis on OCT1 and OCT2 probably arises from indigo and indirubin contained.

Taking α-asarone as model drug, mono methoxy polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid copolymer (mPEG-PLA) as the drug carrier material to prepare drug-loading nanoparticles by premix membrane emulsification for nasal administration. The prepared nanoparticles were spherical with smooth surface and average particle size of 360 nm. Polydispersity index (PDI) was 0. 030, average drug loading of (11.5 ± 0.045) % (n = 3), and the encapsulation efficiency of (86.34 ± 0.11) % (n = 3). X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry results showed that, α-asarone existed in mPEG-PLA carrier in amorphous or molecular state, different from simple physical mixture. In the in vitro release test in simulated human nasal cavity, α-asarone apis can be released quickly at close to 94% at 102 h, in line with the first-order kinetics (R² = 0.981 9). mPEG-PLA drug-loading nanoparticles release only 54%, with slow release effect, in line with Riger-Peppas model (R² = 0.967 9, n = 0.630 2), for non-fick diffusion, released by the spread of drugs and skeleton dissolution dual control. This provided the foundation for nasal drug delivery in vivo pharmacokinetic study.
Administration, Intranasal ; Anisoles ; chemistry ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Solubility ; X-Ray Diffraction

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy difference between segmentation scraping and conventional acupuncture for cervical spondylosis (CS) so as to provide effective treatment method.

METHODSEighty-five cases of cervical type of CS were randomly divided into a scraping group (44 cases) and an acupuncture group (41 cases). The segmentation scraping therapy was used in the scraping group. The scraping group was treated with focusing on scraping the head and joint part of neck and occiput in the upper cervical spine injury, and focusing on scraping the lower section of cervical and shoulder in the lower cervical spine injury, once every seven days, totally for 3 times. In the acupuncture group, Fengchi (GB 20),Wangu (TE 5), Tianzhu (BL 10),Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2), etc. were selected,once daily,for 15 days. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the immediate analgesic effect after the first treatment and the clinical efficacy was observed after the end of treatment.

RESULTSAfter the first treatment, the score of VAS was decreased significantly in the scaping group (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the acupuncture group compared with those before treatment (P > 0.05); the score of VAS in the scaping group after the first treatment was lower than that in the acupuncture group (3.66 +/- 0.74 vs 5.43 +/- 0.35, P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment, the scores of VAS were decreased significantly after treatment in two groups (both P < 0.01), but without significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05); the effective rate was 95.5% (42/44) in the scaping group and 87.8% (36/41) in the acupuncture group, the curative effects were similar (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth of scraping and acupuncture therapies have good analgesic effect for cervical spondylosis, and overall effects are similar, but the immediate analgesic effect of scraping thrapy is better than that of conventional acupuncture.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neck Pain ; therapy ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the feasibility of iodized Nang(bread) prepared with iodized salt and non-iodized rock salt as vehicle of iodine. Methods Two kinds of Nang, each of 10 respectively, were grilled with 30 g iodized salt water and non-iodized rock salt water mixed with 2 kg flour by the local cooker, then put inside of Nang oven using traditional methods of grilled Nang in Xinjiang. The samples were collected from different parts of Nang, including the layers facing oven wall and the fire, as well as inside of Nang. The method for determination of iodine in foodstuff by dry ashing As ~Ⅲ-Ce~(4+) catalytic spectrephotometry was used to determine iodine concentration in Nang. Results Iodine content in iodized and non-iodized Nang was (0.654 ± 0.076)mg/kg and (0.075 ± 0.022)mg/kg, respectively. In addition, Iodine content in two kinds of Nang was significantly different and iodine content of Nang with iodized salt was much higher than that with non-iodized rock salt(t = 13.520, P <0.01 ). Iodine content in two kinds of Nang from the layers facing oven wall and the fire, as well as inside of Nang were (0.700 ± 0.100), (0.064 ± 0.029)mg/kg; (0.647 ± 0.076), (0.070 ± 0.019)mg/kg; (0.659 ± 0.073), (0.073 ±0.030)mg/kg, respectively. Iodine content in two kinds of Nang of the same parts was significantly different(t =3.826,4.201,4.103, all P < 0.01 ). There was no significant difference of iodine content in different parts of the same kind of Nang(F = 0.220,0.190, all P > 0.05). Conclusions Grilled Nang with iodized salt contains sufficient iodine, and the iodine content of the same kind of Nang in different parts has no significant difference. Our studydemonstrated that Nang is a vehicle available for iodine fortification since Nang is very popular food for local population in Xinjiang.

OBJECTIVETo investigate pathological changes in the epileptogenic foci of children with intractable epilepsy and their clinical significance.

METHODSThirty children with intractable epilepsy were included in the study. The epileptogenic foci were surgically resected and pathological changes in the obtained specimens were observed under a light microscope (LM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM).

RESULTSUnder the LM, cortical dysplasia was found in 14 cases (47%), hippocampal sclerosis in 11 cases (37%), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor in 1 case (3%), ganglioglioma in 1 case (3%), and encephalomalacia in 3 cases (10%). The TEM observation revealed pathological changes in the ultrastructure of the hippocampus and extra-hippocampal cortex, such as changes in the number of synapses and synaptic structure, decrease in neurons and karyopyknosis, swelling and degeneration of astrocytes, and changes in mitochondrial structures.

CONCLUSIONSPathological changes in the hippocampus and extra-hippocampal cortex, especially synaptic remodeling, may be the morphological basis for spontaneous recurrent seizures in children with intractable epilepsy. The pathological changes and epileptiform activity are related to an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission.

Adolescent ; Brain ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Cerebral Cortex ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epilepsy ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Infant ; Intelligence ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission

Objective Take alkaline ashing method as golden standard to explore the accuracy of chloric acid digestion method in determination of human milk iodine. Methods Sixty one breast milk samples collected in Hexi district of Tianjin was measured by the method for determination of iodine in foodstuff by As3+-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry (referred to as the alkaline ashing method) published in 2008 and the method for determination of iodine in urine by As3+-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry(referred to as acid digestion) published in 1999, respectively. were highly correlated(r = 0.960, t = 26.3, P < 0.01), and the regression equation was (Y) = - 28.1 + 0.808X, in which X was independent variable, that is the results of alkaline ashing method; (Y) was dependent variable, that is the estimated data of chloric acid digestion method. The average difference of the results measured by the two methods was 68.3 μg/L, and the results from chloric acid digestion was 38.9% which lower than that of alkaline samples were diluted by 3,4 and 5-fold and then digested by chloric acid, the liquid clarification rates were 80.3% ashing and chloric acid digestion method were, respectively, 165.4, 110.0 μg/L. Conclusions Compared with alkaline ashing method, the results determined by chloric acid digestion method are significantly lower. It is suggested that there are systemic errors in chloric acid digestion method, which means that alkaline ashing method can not be replaced by the chloric acid digestion method.