Bone is an active tissue in which the processes of remodeling are continuous to ensure normal bone integrity and strength. Steroids play an important role in regulating bone growth, development and remodeling. Glucocorticoids excess will induce bone damages especially osteoporosis. Otherwise, estrogen and androgen are bone protective steroids in both female and male. To develop a new selective steroid receptor modulator is one of the targets in future study to treat osteoporosis.
Adult ; Androgens ; physiology ; Bone Development ; Bone Remodeling ; Estrogens ; physiology ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate the prottective effect of ulinstatin on lung of rats with sepsis and its mechanism of ameliorating cell apoptosis. Method A total of 40 female SD rats were randomly (random number)divided into the control group and the therapy group (ulinastatin 300 000 u/kg). The rat models of sepsis were produced by the classical method of cecal ligature and puncture (CLP), and the designed doses ulinastatin were given intra-peritoneally to the rats of the ulinastatin group and the same amounts of PBS (phosphate buffered solution) instead of ulinastatin were administered intra-peritoneally to the rats of the control group when the sepsis symptoms appeared usually in 3 hours after modeling. In 12 hours after treatment, lung tissues of rats in two groups were taken for observation under the transmission electron microscopy and detecting the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in lung tissues by using immunohistochemical technique. The levels of the integrated optical density(IOD)of Bcl-2 and Bax protein were detected by using Image-pro plus software and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was calculated. Results Transmission electron microscope showed that lung tissue in control group had inflmmatory changes such as severe congestion and consolidation, and those changes in ulinastatin treatment group (300 000 u/kg)were significantly slighter. There were significant differences in the levels of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in lung tissue of rats between two groups(P＜0.01), and the level of protein Bcl-2 in ulinas tatin group were higher than those in control group. The level of pro-apoptotic protein Bax in control group were higher than that in ulinastatin group (P＜0.01). The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in ulinas tatin group was higher than that in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Ulinastatin has protective effect on lung tissue in septic rats, and it may inhibit the inflammatory response and in the same time plays a role in inhibiting cell apoptosis.

Aim By establishing mouse acute myocardial infarction model,to observe the protection of isoflavones on ischemic myocardium and research the mechanism.Methods Mouse acute myocardial infarction model was established by ligating the left anterior descending(LAD)coronary artery.Danshen was used as the positive control.The effect of isoflavones on myocardial infarct area,serum myocardium creatase and serum levels of SOD and MDA was observed.By Real Time PCR,it was found that isoflavones could affect the expression of β-adrenergic receptor kinase(β-ARK_1).Results Isflovones could obviously reduce the myocardial infarct area and lower the levels of serum myocardial creatase and MDA.It could downregulate the expression of β-ARK_1 as the doses are increased.Conclusions Isoflavones can protect the myocardium of acute myocardial infarction mouse.The mechanism is related to the reduction of the oxidative damage,and the downregulation of the expression of β-ARK_1.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; GB virus C ; classification ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male

A continuous ethanol fermentation system composed of three-stage tanks in series coupled with two sedimentation tanks was established. A self-flocculating yeast strain developed by protoplast fusion from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe was applied. Two-stage enzymatic hydrolysate of corn powder containing 220g/L of reducing sugar, supplemented with 1.5g/L (NH4)2HPO4 and 2.5g/L KH2PO4, was used as the ethanol fermentation substrate and fed into the first fermentor at the dilution rate of 0.057h(-1). The yeast flocs separated by sedimentation were recycled into the first fermentor as two different models: activation-recycle and direct recycle. The quasi-steady states were obtained for both operation models after the fermentation systems experienced short periods of transitions. Activation process helped enhance the performance of ethanol fermentation at the high dilution rates. The broth containing more than 101g/L ethanol, 3.2g/L residual reducing sugar and 7.7g/L residual total sugar was produced. The ethanol productivity was calculated to be 5.77g/(L x h), which increased by more than 70% compared with that achieved in the same tank in series system without recycling of yeast cells.
Biomass ; Ethanol ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Flocculation ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Fagopyrum cymosum.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated by various chromatographic methods and their structures were elucidated by the analysis of spectral data and physiochemical properties.

RESULTFour phenolic acid derivatives were isolated from F. cymosum. The chemical structures were elucidated as trans-p-hydroxy cinnamic methyl ester (I), 3, 4-dihydroxy benzamide (II), protocatechuic acid (III), protocatechuic acid methyl ester (IV).

CONCLUSIONCompounds I, II, IV were obtained from the genus Fagopyrum for the first time.

Benzamides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Cinnamates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fagopyrum ; chemistry ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of different human parathyroid hormone 1-34 (hPTH1-34) administration on SaoS-2 cells, and explore the mechanism of bone formation improvement.

METHODSEach cycle covered 48 h. SaoS-2 cells were continuously or intermittently stimulated by 50 ng/ml hPTH1-34 for 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h in each cycle. Total RNA was extracted by Trizol kit. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin or bone Gla-containing protein (BGP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were measured by chemical method, radioimmunoassay and competitive protein binding method, respectively. c-fos gene expression was semi-quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSALP level was time-dependently increased in 1, 3 and 6 h stimulation, especially in 3 and 6 h (compared with control, P < 0.01; P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 compared with continuous stimulation). The cAMP level was time-dependently increased in 3 and 6 h incubation (P < 0.05 compared with control and continuous stimulation). Intermittent hPTH1-34 stimulation had more effects on cAMP level than continous action (P < 0.001). hPTH1-34 intermittent stimulation of 1, 3, and 6 h enhanced c-fos gene expression time-dependently.

CONCLUSIONSIntermittent hPTH1-34 stimulation has a stronger effect on osteoblast than continuous action, especially in 3, 6 h in each cycle intermittent stimulation. The synchronous responses of c-fos, ALP and cAMP to hPTH1-34 suggest that hPTH1-34 affect Saos-2 cells through cAMP dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and c-fos gene paly an important role.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; analysis ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Osteocalcin ; analysis ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Osteosarcoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Parathyroid Hormone ; pharmacology ; Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein ; pharmacology ; Peptide Fragments ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of 22 cases of central neurocytoma (CNC), representing 0.48% of a series of 4 528 patients undergoing biopsy for central nervous system tumors.

METHODSThe histopathological, ultrastructral, immunohistochemical and clinical features of CNC were studied by electron microscopic examination and immunohistochemical stain for Synaptophysin (Syn), neuron special enolase (NSE), Leu-7, glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), MBP and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

RESULTSThe age of the cases ranged from 4 to 44 (average 27.9 years) with all tumors localized in the ventricles. In the 18 patients followed up, 14 were alive for 8 months to 14 years and 11 months after the operation, and 4 died. The average survival period was 70.7 months. Histologically, the tumor in all 22 cases had the oligodendroglioma-like pattern with honeycomb appearance and cell-free islands of eosinophilic matrix. Cellular anaplasia, mitosis and necrotic areas were rarely seen in the tumors. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated strong positivity for Syn, NSE and Leu-7, and negative for GFAP and MBP. Ultrastructural features showed presence of round tumor cells with abundant cell processes containing microtubules, neurosecretory granules, clear vesicles and lysosome-like structures.

CONCLUSIONSThe differential diagnosis between CNC and oligodendroglioma could not be established by routine light microscopy. The importance of immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies for making a correct diagnosis is emphasized. The prognosis of patients is usually favorable, even if the tumor was resected subtotally. The relationship between the presence of anaplastic histological features in CNC and patient outcome remains unclear.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; CD57 Antigens ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; methods ; Neurocytoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDFibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9), expressed in brain, kidney and developing skeletal tissues, can physiologically inhibit endochondral ossification; but little is known about how FGF9 affects osteoblasts and its detailed regulatory mechanism. Here we examined the effect of FGF9 on the activity of the murine Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) gene promoter in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 and premyoblast C2C12 cells.

METHODSPlasmids containing the Runx2 promoter region were transfected into MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells and stably transfected cell lines were established. The method of luciferase reporter gene activation was used to examine the effects of FGF9 on the promoter activity.

RESULTSFGF9 (10 ng/ml) increased Runx2 promoter activity in MC3T3-E1 cells. When MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with FGF9 plus the various inhibitors or activator of the intracellular signaling transducation pathways, including 10 micromol/L U0126 (the inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase), 10 micromol/L SB203580 (the inhibitor of p38/mitogen activated protein kinase), or 1 micromol/L C6 ceramide (an activator of mitogen activated protein kinase), the luciferase expression did not change significantly compared with that of the cells treated with FGF9 only. However, when C2C12 cells were treated with 10 ng/ml FGF9, Runx2 gene promoter activity first decreased and then increased over a period of 1 to 5 days. Among the above inhibitors, only U0126 (10 micromol/L) completely blocked the effects of FGF9 on Runx2 gene promoter activity.

CONCLUSIONSOur data showed that FGF9 can affect Runx2 gene promoter activity in MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells. The action of FGF9 appears to depend partly on the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in C2C12 cells.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Myoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslink/creatinine (UDpd/Cr) in rats after OVX and intervention by estrogen and bisphosphonate and investigate the possible application of deoxypyridinoline in osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS40 female 6-month-old virginal Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups, ovariectomized or sham ovariectomized. (1) Ovxb (n = 8): sacrificed at 6 weeks after OVX; (2) Sham (n = 8): sham ovariectomized; (3) Ovxe (n = 8): sacrificed at 14 weeks after OVX; (4) O + E (n = 9):OVX + 17 beta estradiol [20 micrograms/(kg.d) ih]; (5) O + C (n = 7):OVX + cimadronate [0.2 mg/(kg.d)]; Treatment started 6 weeks after OVX and lasted 8 weeks. Rats in group 2-5 were sacrificed at 14 weeks after OVX. Urinary and serum biochemical parameters were measured, pQCT scanning of femur, bone biomechanical test in femur were determined.

RESULTSOVX resulted in increasing of UDpd/Cr 133.3% (P < 0.01). The ratio of UCa/Cr also increased in OVX groups but without any significant compared with Sham (P > 0.05). UDpd/Cr were reduced by 54.6% and 51.8% (P < 0.01) in O + E, O + C group respectively compared with Ovxe. The significant negative correlationships were found between UDpd/Cr and bone mass, BMD and biomechanic characteristics.

CONCLUSIONSUDpd/Cr ratio is a sensitive bone resorption marker, a marked changes were observed when the rats ovariectomized or treated with estradiol and cimadronate. There were best correlation between UDpd/Cr and bone mineral density and bone biomechanic characteristics. It is fair to apply UDpd/Cr ratio for osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment.

Amino Acids ; urine ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Creatinine ; urine ; Diphosphonates ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; urine ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar