To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with western medicine on breast cancer after surgical resection.

Purpose:To determine the impact of serum tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in the treatment for advanced cancer patients. Methods:Serum TPS was examined in 60 advanced cancer cases. 42 of the patients received hepatic arterial chemoembolization or chemotherapy. For those with tumors derived from digestive system, TPS monitoring was performed in serial during the therapeutic courses. Results:No significant differentiation was observed in terms of age, gender, disease or tumor stage. Patients with initial TPS lower than 300 U/L had the most favorable response rate to treatment (PR,CR or MR) of 52.94%, while those with initial TPS higher than 1000 U/L showed no evidence of remission after therapy. 55.56% of the latter developed into PD ( P

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor(PPAR), a member of the hormone receptor superfamily, is a key regulating factor in adipocyte differentiation and lipids metabolism. Recently, with the increased understanding of the precise mechanisms of TZD, thiazolidinedione class of insulin sensitizer, PPAR? has also been identified as the major functional receptor for the drugs. In the study of the relationship between PPAR and insulin resistance, considerable gaps appeared. TZD induced activation of PPAR? is known to promote insulin sensitivity. More interestingly, however, PPAR? +/- heterozygous mice were shown to be less susceptible to insulin resistance. These findings suggest that the relationship between PPAR activation and insulin sensitivity improvement is not simplely positively related. A better understanding of the role of PPAR in insulin action system will be critical in developing more efficacious and safe agents that act on PPAR and benefit patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIM　To study the glucose and lipids metabolis m and insulin sensitivity of MSG rats during their growing period, and to evalua te the effects of insulin sensitizer pioglitazone on the model rats. MET HODS　Body weights were measured regularly, and glucose and insulin tole rance tests were taken. In their 3 and 10 months old, rats were given insulin se nsitizer pioglitazone orally, then the effects on serum glucose, triglyceride, c holesteral, free fatty acid and insulin concentrations were determined. RESULTS　Compared with normal rats, a slight but significant increase of glucose in MSG rats was revealed. The serum triglyceride, cholesteral, free fat ty acid and insulin concentrations were significantly higher in model rats. More over, gluconeogenesis increased significantly, and insulin tolerance showed abno rmal. However, glucose tolerance was nearlly normal. Pioglitazone could ameliora te all these metabolic disorders. CONCLUSION　Obesity and insuli n resistance were induced by injecting monosodium glutamate (MSG) to neonatal Wi star rats. Pioglitazone can significantly improve the insulin sensitivity of MSG rats. These results suggested that MSG obese rats can be used as an easily acce ssible and inexpensive insulin resistance animal model for evaluating the effica cy and mechanisms of antidiabetic agents.

Objective To compare the immune protective effects of three antigens of Trichinella spiralis encapsulated larvae on mice.Methods The mice were immunized with Trichinella spiralis encapsulated larvae somatic antigen,encapsulated larva excretory-secretory antigen and encapsulated larva surface antigen,3 times with a 7-day interval,and the adjuvant control and normal control group were set up.Seven days after the final immunization,each mouse was orally challenged with 200 Trichinella spirais larvae.The intestinal adult worms and muscle larvae of Trichinella spiralis of each group were recoveried and examined on Day 7 and Day 30 post-challenge,respectively.The level of 8eruln IgG to antigens of Trichinella muscle muscle larvae wa8 detected by ELISA.Results The intestinal adult worms were reduced by 84.89%.89.73%,85.65%.2.57% in the encapsulated larva somatic,excretory-secretory and surface antigen groups,respectively.The muscle lalwae were reduced by 71.71%,80.98%,73.66%,5.60%, respectively.Adtlltwornl reduction rates(P<0.05) and musclelarva reduction rates(P<0.01) of the encapsulated larva excretory-secretory antigen group and surface antigen group were higher than those of encapsulated larva somatic antigen group.The antibody titers in all the immunized groups increased significantly.and the GMRT values of the encapsulated larva somatic,excretory-secretory and surface antigen groups were 32 798.89,3 474.51,2 984.83,respectively,and were 6.09,7.56,6.50 times higher than those of the normal control group(459.32).Conclusions Trichinella spiralis encapsulated larva antigens can induce strong resistance of host to a subsequent challenge infection.Among these antigens,excretory-secretory antigen is more immunogenic.

AIM To study the glucose and lipids metabolism and insulin sensitivity of MSG rats during their growing period, and to evaluate the effects of insulin sensitizer pioglitazone on the model rats. METHODS Body weights were measured regularly, and glucose and insulin tolerance tests were taken. In their 3 and 10 months old, rats were given insulin sensitizer pioglitazone orally, then the effects on serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesteral, free fatty acid and insulin concentrations were determined. RESULTS Compared with normal rats, a slight but significant increase of glucose in MSG rats was revealed. The serum triglyceride, cholesteral, free fatty acid and insulin concentrations were significantly higher in model rats. Moreover, gluconeogenesis increased significantly, and insulin tolerance showed abnormal. However, glucose tolerance was nearlly normal. Pioglitazone could ameliorate all these metabolic disorders. CONCLUSION Obesity and insulin resistance were induced by injecting monosodi- um glutamate (MSG) to neonatal Wistar rats. Piogli- tazone can significantly improve the insulin sensitivity of Msc rats. These results suggested that MSG obese rats can be used as an easily accessible and inexpensive insulin resistance animal model for evaluating the efficacy and mechanisms of antidiabetic agents.

AIM: To analyze and compare the changes of pressure phase plane(PPP) derived τ and K on isolated rat heart during ischemia/reperfusion, and to explore the value of PPP derived τ and K for evaluation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: LVEDP, -d(p/dt)_(max), τ and K were measured and calculated during ischemia/reperfusion in Sprague-Dawley rat hearts. Meanwhile, the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluent was measured, and the ultrastructure changes in myocardium were observed under electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with control group, τ increased and K reduced significantly in each ischemic group in a time dependent manner (P<0.05). With prolonged ischemia, τ was even higher and K was even lower (P<0.05). Compared with control group, except ischemia 15 min, LDH in other groups increased significantly at 10 min and 20 min after reperfusion (P<0.05). Compared with ischemia 30 min, LDH of ischemia 45 min and ischemia 60 min were even higher at 10 min and 20 min after reperfusion (P<0.05). With prolonged ischemia, the abnormal changes of the myocardial ultrastructure were observed. CONCLUSION: PPP derived τ and K may be promising indexes for quantitative assessment of left ventricular diastolic function on isolated) rat heart during ischemia/reperfusion, and indication of the severity of ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Aim To investigate the influence of intranasal delivery of calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)on cerebral blood supply and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH).Methods Wistar rats were divided into normal control group,SAH group,intranasal normal saline(NS)+SAH group and intranasal CGRP+SAH group.SAH models were produced by double injection of autologous arterial blood into cisterna magna.CGRP and NS were given by intranasal perfusion.Dynamic observations of regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF)of cerebral cortex were made using a laser Doppler flowmeter probe.On the third day after the second cisternal injection,the expression of VEGF protein in cerebral cortex was observed by immunofluorescence method combined with laser confocal microscopic observation.Results Anatomic observation revealed that SAH models were successfully manufactured.In SAH and intranasal NS+SAH groups,a drastic and persistent drop in rCBF was noted during the observed periods.The decrease of rCBF in intranasal CGRP+SAH group was slighter as compared with that in SAH and intranasal NS+SAH groups.In SAH and intranasal NS+SAH groups,increased expression of VEGF protein in cerebral cortex was observed on the third day after second cisternal injection as compared with that in normal control group.The expression of VEGF in intranasal CGRP+SAH group was more obvious than that in intranasal NS+SAH group.Conclusion Intranasal delivery of CGRP improves cerebral blood supply and promotes angiogenesis by enhancing the expression of VEGF after SAH.

The therapeutic effects of a high fibre diet composed of naturally high fibre foodstuffs containing protein, various essential amino acids and trace elements (Zn, Cr etc.) on diabetics were tested both experimentally and clinically. The high fibre diet or steamed bread (for control) with identical carbohydrate content was taken by normal mice, alloxan diabetic mice and nine healthy volunteers. The high fibre diet caused significant reduction in the blood glucose area (carbohydrate tolerance) as compared with the steamed bread. In another study, eighteen non-insulin dependent diabetic patients (10 females, 8 males) were administered the high fibre diet for 34 days, the average fasting and 2 h postprandial blood glucose level were significantly lower than those before the test, but no difference was observed in blood electrolytes. This implied that no malabsorption occurred during the testing period. At the same time, 16 of the 17 overweight patients were found to have a reduction of weights. In addition, improvement of symptoms (poly-dipsia polyuria, constipation etc) both in diabetic animals and in patients was observed. This study indicates that the high fibre diet is benificial for diabetic patients.

AIM:To investigate the effect of high glucose on the expression of an endoplasmic reticulum stress marker glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78),and explore its underlying mechanism.METHODS:(1) Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) were exposed to normal glucose(5.5 mmol/L) and high glucose(30 mmol/L) for 24 h,36 h or 48 h.Cell viability was determined by MTT method.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry analysis.The expression of proteins was evaluated by Western blotting analysis.RESULTS:After treated with high glucose for 24-48 h,the expression of GRP78 increased early but decreased at 48 h of incubation,while cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) expression increased in a time-dependent manner.COX-2 selective inhibitor nimesulide inhibited high glucose induced changes of GRP78 expression and also inhibited high glucose induced cell apoptosis.CONCLUSION:Prolonged high glucose exposure changes the expression of GRP78 in a COX-2 dependent manner in HUVECs.