The purpose of this study is to explore depression metabolic markers in rat hippocampus and to investigate the anti-depressant effect of genipin and its mechanisms using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was conducted to establish the depressive rat model. At the beginning of the third week, genipin low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)), middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)), high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)), and venlafaxine (50 mg x kg(-1)) were given to the CUMS rats separately once daily for two weeks except control and model groups. Rat hippocampus was analyzed by 1H NMR based metabonomics after drug administration for 2 weeks. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of rat hippocampus of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed with metabolic effects of CUMS including decreasing in glycine and N-acetylaspartate, increasing in inositol, glutamate, lactate, glutamine, taurine and alanine. Genipin showed ideal antidepressive effects at a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1) in rats, decrease of inositol, glutamate, lactate, alanine were observed, while glycine and N-acetylaspartate were increased. Important influence has been found on normal nervous system function of these significant changed metabolites, which suggests that the antidepressant effect of genipin may be played by enhancing the activity of neurons in hippocampus, repairing and improving the function of the neuron. The metabonomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the anti-depressant effect and pharmacologic mechanisms of genipin.
Alanine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Aspartic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Glycine ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Inositol ; metabolism ; Iridoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The fragmentation pathways of five estrogens (estradiol, estrone, equilin sulfate, 17 a-dihydroequilin sulfate and equilenin sulfate) have been studied with high resolution and high mass accuracy using electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-TOF/MS) in the negative ion mode. Molecular weights were obtained from [M-H](-) ions in the product ion spectra. The results indicate that the five structurally similar estrogens have similar fragmentation pathways. Using their stable isotope forms as internal reference compounds, the accurate mass and composition of the fragment ions were determined. During collision-induced dissociation (CID), cleavage is initiated by loss of oxygen atoms from carbon-17, after which D and C rings cleave sequentially and rearrange to finally form stable conjugate structures with highly abundant characteristic fragment ions at m/z 183 (accompanied by m/z 181), m/z 169 and m/z 145 (accompanied by m/z 143). Understanding these characteristic fragmentation pathways of estrogens will be helpful in identifying the structures of steroid hormones in general.
Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; Equilenin ; chemistry ; Equilin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Estradiol ; chemistry ; Estrogens ; chemistry ; Estrone ; chemistry ; Ions ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Chlorogenic acid displays several important roles in the therapeutic properties of many herbs, such as antioxidant activity, antibacterial, antiviral, scavenging free radicals and exciting central nervous system. Only about one-third of chlorogenic acid was absorbed in its prototype, therefore, its gut metabolites play a more important role in the therapeutic properties of chlorogenic acid. It is necessary to consider not only the bioactivities of chlorogenic acid but also its gut metabolites. This review focuses on the potential activities and mechanisms of chlorogenic acid and its gut metabolites on central nervous system diseases.
Animals ; Central Nervous System Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Chlorogenic Acid ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the curative effect of Danxiaoling Pill (DXLP), a Chinese herbal preparation, in treating intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy (ICP).

METHODSFifty-eight cases of ICP were divided randomly into two groups and treated by DXLP and Composite Yiganling as control respectively with the other identical conventional treatment. The changes of clinical symptoms, related laboratory parameters after treatment and the condition of labor were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in both groups was 100%, but the markedly effective rate in the DXLP treated group was higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). Levels of blood cholyglycine acid (CGA), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein were all decreased in both groups after treatment, but DXL showed a better efficacy in decreasing CGA, ALT and AST than that of Yiganling. Moreover, the amniotic fluid meconium contaminated rate, premature delivery occurrence in the DXLP group were lower than those in the control group, while the weight of newborn baby was higher in the former than in the latter.

CONCLUSIONDXLP could effectively lower the serum bile acid and improve liver function in treating ICP.

Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glycocholic Acid ; blood ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; blood ; drug therapy

The status of marine bioresources and the marine eco-environment issues were summarized and discussed, and the strategies for the development of Chinese marine bioresources in the future were proposed. The degradation of marine eco-environment and unreasonable exploitation of the resources resulted in acute decline of Chinese marine bioresources. The feasible stratagies for the sustainable use of marine bioresources should be to intensify the basic research on marine bioresources science, to strengthen the protection of the marine environment and conservation of marine living resources, and to exploit and utilize marine bioresources scientifically and reasonably by using high-technology including marine biotechnology.

Objective Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an uncommon" passive autoimmune disease, which is associated with transplacental passage of maternal antibodies. It is often misdiagnosed as intrauterine infection or sepsis. The main purpose of this retrospective study was to summarize its clinical manifestations related with pathogenesis.Methods Data of all the NLE neonates, including clinical manifestations, immunochemical evidence of serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antibody to Ro/Sjogren's syndrome A ( anti-Ro/SSA), antibody to La/Sjogren' s syndrome B (anti-La/SSB) and anti-dsDNA antibodies in both infants and mothers, and images from head ultrasound and CT scans were analyzed. Follow-up was performed until one and half years of age or when all the clinical abnormalities had been resolved.Results Totally 8 cases (3 males and 5 females ) seen between September 2003 and February 2006 met the diagnostic criteria of NLE, in whom 4 were small for gestational age and one was born prematurely. Mean gestational age was (38.1 ± 1.9 ) weeks, mean birth weight (2605 ± 420) g, mean admission age (22.4 ± 27.7 ) days (2 hours-72 days) and mean age of onset (9.4 ± 12. 1)days (0-28 days). The common clinical manifestations included cutaneous lupus lesions (8 infants ), neural system abnormalities (2 infants ) and congenital heart block (2 infants). Annular, erythematous or desquamative lesions were seen in skin and all disappeared before 6 months of age. One patient presented with third degree atrio-ventricular block and was delivered by cesarean section because of " fetal distress" He did not recover by the end of one and half years follow-up. One infant was hypotonic with delayed neuro-motor development initially and during follow-up with both abnormal neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) and imaging findings. Brain CT scan showed generalized low density involving periventricular and deep white matter at one week of age. At the age of one and a half years, he presented with normal mental development index determined by Child Development Center of China (CDCC) infant intelligence mensuration. Other abnormal clinical findings such as hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, cholestasis and elevated liver enzyme activities were all resolved before 6 months of age. Only 3 mothers of the NLE infants were diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) before parturition and only one received partial therapy. At least anti-Ro/SSA antibody or anti-La/SSB antibody or ANA was found in the affected patients. Seven cases had circulating anti-Ro and/or anti-La antibodies in the mothers and in the newborns, while ANA was positive in seven newborns and in all mothers. All the clinical symptoms disappeared before 18 months ot age except for congenital heart block. No special intervention was applied.Conclusions Serum auto-antibodies should be investigated to rule out NLE when a newborn infant has congenital heart block or rashes or thrombocytopenia, although there is no maternal history of SLE. Central nervous system abnormalities in NLE are likely to be a transient phenomenon and whether it will cause long-term sequelae is uncertain.

Squalene synthase (SQS) is a key enzyme in plant terpenoid biosynthetic pathway. This study focused on cloning and analysis of Huperzia serrata SQS (HsSQS1) gene. After searching the transcriptome dataset of H serrata, one unique sequence encoding SQS was discovered. The primers were designed according to the transcript sequence of HsSQS1 from the H. serrata transcriptome dataset. The open reading frame of HsSQS1 was cloned using RT-PCR strategy. The bioinformatic analysis of this gene and its corresponding protein were performed. The cDNA (named as HsSQS1) contains a 1263 bp open reading frame and encodes a predicted protein of 420 amino acids. The GenBank accession number for this gene is JQ004938. HsSQS1 contains two transmembrane regions, without signal peptide. The conserved domain of squalene synthase was presented in HsSQS1. HsSQS1 was more abundant in H. serrata root than in leaf and stem. This study cloned and analyzed squalene synthase gene from H. serrata for the first time. The result will provide a foundation for exploring the mechanism ofterpenoid biosynthesis in H. serrata plants.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Farnesyl-Diphosphate Farnesyltransferase ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Genes, Plant ; genetics ; Huperzia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; enzymology ; Plant Roots ; enzymology ; Plant Stems ; enzymology ; Plants, Medicinal ; enzymology ; genetics ; Triterpenes ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical value of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) for duodenal lesion.

METHODSA total of 78 patients with duodenal lesion were treated with ESD from November 2006 to August 2010. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 46 male and 14 female patients. The mean age was(54±9) years. The lesion location included the duodenal bulb(n=39, 50%), the junction of bulb and descending part(n=19, 24.4%), and the descending part(n=20, 25.8%). The mean diameter of the lesions was(2.1±1.7) cm. Fifty-one(65.4%) lesions originated from the mucosa, including inflammatory/ hyperplastic polyps(n=22, 28.2%), villous/tubular adenoma(n=26, 33.3%), and hamartomas polyps(n=3, 3.8%). Twenty-five(32.1%) lesions originated from the submucosa, including Brunner's glands adenoma(n=15, 19.2%), ectopic pancreas(n=3, 3.8%), carcinoid tumor(n=3, 3.8%), lipoma(n=2, 2.6%), myxoinoma(n=1, 1.3%), and angio-lymphangioma(n=1, 1.3%). There were two lesions originated from the muscularis propria(n=2, 2.5%), and both were ectopic pancreas. All cases received ESD successfully. The mean operative time was(37±41) min and the mean blood loss was(23±15) ml. The perioperative complication rate was 35.9%(28/78), including intraoperative perforation(n=6), delayed perforation(n=3), intraoperative hemorrhage(n=10), delayed bleeding(n=7), and transient elevation of serum amylase(n=2). Postoperative pathological examination showed vascular invasion with tumor cells in one patient, who received extended resection later. The remaining 77 patients showed no recurrence during the followed up(rang, 3-23 months) using endoscopy.

CONCLUSIONESD is an effective, safe, minimally invasive method for the management of duodenal lesions.

Adult ; Aged ; Duodenal Diseases ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroscopy ; methods ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic self-expanded metal stent for the treatment of gastric outlet obstruction.

METHODSFifty-six cases of gastric outlet obstruction, collected from March 1999 to January 2008, were treated by endoscopic self-expanded metal stents. The success rate, complication rate and survival were evaluated.

RESULTSAmong the 56 cases, the male to female ratio was 33 to 23, and the average age was [65+/-14 (24-86)] years. Seventeen cases were gastric cancer, 4 duodenal carcinoma, 7 peri-ampulla carcinoma, 13 metastasis cancer and 15 presented recurrence after operations. The success rate of stent implantation was 98.2% (55/56). Forty-nine cases (87.5%) could eat liquid food 1-3 days after operations and eat semifluid food 4-9 days later. Forty-two cases (76.4%)could eat normal food after 10-16 days. The main complications included 14.5% of cases with pain, 1.8% with stent shift, 25.5% with bleeding and no one with perforation. Until January 20, 2008, 53 cases (96.4%) had been followed up. The mean survival time was [139+/-15 (14-332)] days, and the median survival time was 135 days. The re-stenosis rate was 5.7%, including 3 cases, happened in 143, 158 and 190 days after the operations respectively, and was successfully treated by second stent implantation.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic implantation of self-expanded metal stent is a micro-invasive, safe, effective method for the treatment of gastric outlet obstruction.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metals ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic full-thickness resection(EFTR) in the treatment of colorectal submucosal tumor(SMT).

METHODSFrom September 2009 to March 2012, 4 cases with colorectal SMT received EFTR at the Endoscopic Center in the Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University. The operative time, complications, and follow-up data were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 3 females and 1 male. The age ranged from 33 to 78 years. The tumor location included the upper rectum(n=2), the ascending colon(n=1), and the descending colon(n=1). The mean operative time was 48.0(24-80) min. The mean diameter was 1.45(0.8-2.0) cm. Postoperative pathological examination revealed schwannoma, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, endometriosis, and mild hyperplasia of smooth muscle in the muscularis mucosa. There was no bleeding or perforation intraoperatively and postoperatively. Two patients developed abdominal pain and fever, one of whom had regional peritonitis and was managed by fasting and intravenous antibiotics. No surgical intervention was required. Postoperative follow up ranged from 1 to 30 months and no residual cancer or recurrence was found.

CONCLUSIONEFTR is a safe and effective method for colorectal SMT.

Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies