Beta-Elemene is an antitumor drug which is isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Curcumae Phaeocaulis Rhizoma, it is the main component of elemene which is extracted from the plant and delivered via blood circulation after intravenous injection. The antitumor effect of beta-elemene in vitro and in vivo was definite, and beta-elemene could improve the patient immunity and no sever side effect, drug resistance or bone marrow suppression were found during the clinical studies. And human serum albumin (HSA) is a primary extracellular protein which has a high concentration distribution in blood plasma and has many characteristic physiological functions. Therefore, the binding of beta-elemene to protein may be very important for absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. Therefore, the study on the interaction of beta-elemene with drug-carrying protein is very important. In this work, molecular binding of beta-elemene to human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by using spectrofluorometer. the binding constants suggested that a strong interaction and the formation of a complex between beta-elemene and HSA. This clearly implies that beta-elemene can be stored and removed by the proteins in the body. Furthermore, the fluorescence quenching results showed that the HSA fluorescence was quenched by beta-elemene through static quenching mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters showed that hydrophobic interactions play a role in the binding of beta-elemene to HSA. The negative deltaH(0) and positive deltaS(0) in case of beta-elemene therefore showed that electrostatic attraction play a role in the binding of beta-elemene to HSA.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Protein Binding ; Serum Albumin ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Thermodynamics

Orange peel was used as lowcost adsorbent in binding of Methylene Blue.The effects of equilibrium time,pH,dye concentration have been studied.Carboxyl,amine and phosphonate functional groups were present in the orange peel.The equilibrium time was 1 hour,the maximum adsorption capacities of the orange peel was 370.3?31.0 mg/g at pH 10.The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were well fitted in this biosorption system.Results showed relatively higher rate constant and biosorption capacities.These adsorption performance indicate the orange peel as a potentially economical adsorbent for dye removal.

Objective To investigate the correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [ 25 ( OH ) D ] and indicators of glucose metabolism in inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus .Method We retrospectively ana-lyzed the clinical records of 214 inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus , including age , body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and laboratory test results such as serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH)D, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fast-ing blood glucose , and fasting insulin .Results The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was high in these pa-tients, with 47.2%of them having a serum 25(OH)D concentration lower than 10 ng/ml.Using 25(OH)D level less than 10 ng/ml as the cut-off point, the patients were divided into vitamin D severe deficiency (Vit-SD) group and vitamin D non-severe deficiency (Vit-NSD) group.Compared with the Vit-NSD group, the Vit-SD group had younger age [ (55.27 ±13.71) years vs.(60.76 ±12.32) years, P=0.001] and higher HbA1c level [ (9.00 ±2.01)% vs.(8.45 ±1.86)%, P=0.025].BMI [ (25.09 ±4.01) kg/m2 vs.(25.39 ± 3.53) kg/m2, P=0.523], fasting blood glucose [ (8.91 ±3.31) mmol/L vs.(8.16 ±3.02) mmol/L, P=0.063], fasting serum insulin [ (21.32 ±32.50) mIU/L vs.(21.92 ±26.95) mIU/L, P=0.873] and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (97.60 ±8.92 vs.7.53 ±9.39, P=0.954) in these two groups were with no statistically significant difference .The association analyses showed that HbA 1c was sig-nificantly negatively correlated with 25 ( OH ) D ( r =-0.190 , P=0.003 ) and not correlated with serum PTH, calcium, or phosphorus , after adjusting for age and creatinine .Multiple linear regression revealed that HbA1c had a significantly negative correlation with age (β=-0.220, P=0.000) and 25 (OH) D (β=-0.184 , P=0.000 ) .Conclusions There is high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is even higher in relatively young patients .Serum 25 (OH) D may be negatively correlated with HbA1c in these patients independently from age , BMI, fasting serum insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index .

This study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on NAFLD in MSG-IR mice and to provide mechanism insights into its therapeutic effect. The MSG-IR mice with insulin resistance were treated with high dose (0.1 micromol.kg-1d-1) and low dose (0.025 micromol.kg-1d-1) of FGF21 once a day for 5 weeks. Body weight was measured weekly. At the end of the experiment, serum lipids, insulin and aminotransferases were measured. Hepatic steatosis was observed. The expression of key genes regulating energy metabolism were detected by real-time PCR. The results showed that after 5 weeks treatment, both doses of FGF21 reduced body weight (P<0.01), corrected dyslipidemia (P<0.01), reversed steatosis and restored the liver morphology in the MSG model mice and significantly ameliorated insulin resistance. Additionally, real-time PCR showed that FGF21 significantly reduced transcription levels of fat synthetic genes, decreased fat synthesis and promoted lipolysis and energy metabolism by up-regulating key genes of lipolysis, thereby liver fat accumulation was reduced and liver function was restored to normal levels. In conclusion, FGF21 significantly reduces body weight of the MSG-IR mice, ameliorates insulin resistance, reverses hepatic steatosis. These findings provide a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF21 as a novel therapeutics for treatment of NAFLD.
Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dyslipidemias ; metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Fatty Liver ; chemically induced ; complications ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipolysis ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Sodium Glutamate

AIM: The present study was designed to observe the effect of [D- Arg1, D- Trp7,9, Leu11] - substance P (spantide), a non- selective antagonist of NK receptors, on the up- regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) induced by formalin test. METHODS: Formalin (5%, 0.2 mL) was subcutaneously injected into the plantar side of the right hind paw to produce persistent pain and hyperalgesia. The pain response was determined by spontaneous flinch reflex test. NOS expression was examined using NADPH- d histochemical staining. Spantide was intrathecally injected via L5 - L6 intervertebral space 5 min prior to the formalin injection. RESULTS: Injection of formalin resulted in a characteristic behavioral response consisting of vigorous scratching, biting, licking and lifting of the injected hind paw from the box' s bottom. Following these behavioral responses, the NOS expression was up- regulated in the pericentral canal region of the L5 segment of the spinal cord. Pre- treatment with spantide depressed the spontaneous flinches of the injected paw in the second phase of the formalin test. At the same time, the upregulation of NOS was substantially inhibited. CONCLUSION: It might be concluded that substance P played an important role in the up - regulation of NOS in the pericentral canal region of the spinal cord in the formalin test.

Objective To explore the problems and countermeasures of special diagnosis support during base training.Methods The problems were analyzed in the allocation of special diagnosis equipment,equipment application in training,special diagnosis technician as well as the cooperation between personnel,equipment and etc,and some countermeasures were proposed accordingly.Results The special diagnosis support gained disadvantage in medical ultrasonic equipment while advantage in ECG machine.Field medical unit had medical technicians decreased after the new organization was implemented,and could meet the requirements after arrangement and strengthening communication facility.Conclusion The special diagnosis technicians in the field medical unit have to enhance their skills on medicine and field first aid.Medical ultrasonic equipment and ECG machine should be equipped in the field medical unit.The intra-and inter-group cooperation should be improved to facilitate special diagnosis support in the field medical unit.

Objective To construct the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pRNAT-U6,1- siEdg4 which curries small interfering RNA(siRNA)of Edg4 and observe the silencing effect of Edg4 gene targeted siRNA in ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3.Methods The Edg4 gene-targeted hairpin siRNA sequence was designed according to the Edg4 sequence in Genbank,and the two complementary oligo nucleotide strands were synthesized and annealed and inserted into the pRNAT-U6.1 plasmid to build a recombinant Edg4 siRNA eukaryotic expression vector,which was sequenced and identified to contain the correct Edg4 siRNA sequence.The human ovarian carcinoma cell lines SKOV3 were transfeeted with the vector using lipofeetamine method.The efficiency of transfecting cells was observed with fluorescent microscope and the mRNA expression level of Edg4 gene was detected by real time quantitative PCR.The LPA levels in cell supernatants were detected using a biochemical method.And the apoptosis of SKOV3 cells induced by the vector was evaluated by flow cytometry.Results The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector was confirmed to contain correct Edg4 siRNA sequence by PCR and sequencing.After transfection large amounts of green fluorescence were seen in plasma and nuclei of SKOV3 cells and the positive cell rates were 64%.The expression level of Edg4 mRNA in transfeeted SKOV3 cell line was significantly decreased (0.05?0.01 vs 0.29?0.04,P

OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the role and mechanism of calcineurin (CaN)-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway in the myoblast apoptosis induced by cyclic tensile strain.

METHODSMyoblasts were cultured using an in vitro-mechanical stimulation model and imposed with tension for different hours with a multi-channel cell stress loading system. Cyclosporine (CsA) was used as CaN inhibitor to clarify the role of CaN in the apoptosis induced by cyclic stress. Hochest 33258 staining and flow cytometry detection were performed to detect the apoptotic cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to detect the mRNA expression of CaN and NFAT. Protein levels of NFAT3 were evaluated by Western blot.

RESULTSThe apoptosis rate increased with the extension of loading time. The mRNA expression of the CaN subunits, CnA and CnB, and the protein levels of NFAT3 also increased. When the myoblasts were incubated with CsA, the apoptosis rate decreased, the mRNA expression of CnA and NFAT3 significantly decreased, and the NFAT3 protein expression levels became significantly lower than those of the groups without CsA.

CONCLUSIONContinuous cyclic tensile stress can induce myoblast apoptosis. The CaN-NFAT signaling pathway may be involved in the cyclic stretch-induced apoptosis of myoblasts.

Apoptosis ; Calcineurin ; genetics ; Cyclosporine ; Flow Cytometry ; Myoblasts ; physiology ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND:Endoplasmic reticulum stress participates in the occurrence and development of many diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. GRP78 is a marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress. The expression of GRP78 reflects the degree of endoplasmic reticulum stress.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of cyclic stretch on GRP78 expression of L6 rat myoblasts, and to identify the relationship between cyclic stretch and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
METHODS:In vitro culture-tensile stimulation models of myoblasts of L6 rats were established successful y. The expression of GRP78 of myoblasts exposed to cyclic stretch was determined by reverse transcription-PCR and western blot assay. Stretch groups were subjected to 15%surface elongation at a frequency of 10 cycles per minute, over a period of 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours. cells were simultaneously seeded on a plate in the control and experimental groups with no stimulation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression of GRP78 mRNA was continuously elevated over time after stretched treatment, and significant differences were detected as compared with the control group (P<0.05). GRP78 protein expression began to increase at 1 hour after stretched treatment, was significantly increased at 6 hours, peaked at 24 hours, and significant differences were visible as compared with the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, cyclic stretch induced the occurrence of endoplasmic reticulum stress, which was enhanced with prolonged time. However, prolonged stretch caused severe endoplasmic reticulum stress and leaded to apoptosis of myoblasts.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint injection at Fenglong (ST 40) with Promethazine in treating posterior circulation ischemic vertigo (PCIV) due to turbid phlegm obstructing the middle.Method Sixty-two patients with PCIV due to turbid phlegm obstructing the middle were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 31 cases each. The two groups both received intravenous infusion of Vinpocetine injection, based on which, the treatment group was intervened by injection at Fenglong (ST 40) with Promethazine, while the control group was given gluteal intramuscular injection of Promethazine. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) were observed for the two groups before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were also compared.Result The TCM syndrome and DHI scores were significant changed after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05). After the treatment, the TCM syndrome and DHI scores in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.5％ in the treatment group versus 80.6％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Injection at Fenglong (ST 40) with Promethazine is an effective method in treating PCIV due to turbid phlegm obstructing the middle.