OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of botulinum toxin type A on the expression of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) and alpha smooth muscle actin A (alpha-SMA) in wound healing.

METHODS60 rats were randomly divided into group C (control) group L (low-dose) and group H (high-dose), with 20 rats in each group. The wound-healing model was established by excision of four full-thickness skin (1 cm x 1 cm, around the injection site) on the back of all SD rats on the 7th day after BTA injection. The wound size was measured and the expression of SP, CGRP, TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA in wound granulation tissue was assayed by immunohistochemical staining and computerized image analysis before operation, and 3 days, 7 days and 14 days after operation.

RESULTSAll the wounds healed 14 days after operation. The wound size in L and H group was not significantly different with that in C group on the 3rd day and 7th day after operation. The positive immuno-staining of SP, CGRP, TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA in group L and H was significantly weaker than those in C group. Meanwhile, the positive immuno-staining of all above substances in H group was weaker than those in L group significantly.

CONCLUSIONSBotulinum toxin type A can decrease the expression of SP, CGRP, TGF-beta1, and alpha-SMA in wound healing in a dose-dependent manner with no effect on the healing time.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Substance P ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

0.05). Conclusion Preproghrelin-Leu72Met is not significantly associated with T2DM and DN in Shanghai Han populations,while T2DM with AA genotype is characterized by significant declination in urine microalbumin when compared with CA and CC genotypes.Leu72Met polymorphism(C→A)may postpone the development of microalbuminuria in T2DM subjects.

OBJECTIVETo study the selective isolation of a single chemical component from volatile oil of Fructus foeniculi by inclucion method.

METHODThe host molecule was selected and a single chemical component isolated from volatile oil by the host-guest recognition.

RESULTX-ray single crystal analysis showed that 1,1,6,6-tetraphenylhexa-2, 4-diyne-1, 6-diol could successfully include 4-[1-propenyl] benzaldehyde from volatile oil of Fructus foeniculi.

CONCLUSIONThe host-guest inclusion technology can be used to isolate a single component selectively from mixture.

Crystallization ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; methods ; Foeniculum ; chemistry ; Molecular Conformation ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of botulinum toxin type A (Botox A) injection on hypertrophic scar in rabbit ear model.

METHODSThe hypertrophic scar model was established in 16 Japanese rabbits' ears. These wounds were divided into two groups as group T (treated with Botox A, n = 48) and group S (not treated, n = 48). The wounds healing times and scar hypertrophy were observed with 8 specimen of normal skin at the rabbit ears as sham group B. HE stain was used to assess the hypertrophic index (HI). The expression of collagen I and III was tested by western-blot. The cell cycle of fibroblasts was studied by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe HI was significantly lower in group T than in group S (P < 0.01). The expression of collagen I and III, as well as the ratio of I to III, was markedly stronger in group S than in group T (P < 0.01). Compared with group T, more fibroblasts were in G2-M in group S and fewer in G0-G1 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLocal injection of Botox A can inhibit the formation of hypertrophic scar and the activity of fibroblasts in rabbit ear model. It can significantly decrease the expression of collagen I and III in hypertrophic scar, as well as the ratio of collagen I to III. It serves as the basis for the treatment of hypertrophic scar with Botox A.

Animals ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ear ; pathology ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Rabbits ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of occupational exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coke oven workers.

METHODSSamples were collected individually and PAHs concentration in the ambient air were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were introduced to assess the carcinogenic potency.

RESULTSThe levels of PAHs occupational exposure in oven workers at topside was higher than at side oven and bottom oven (P < 0.05). Non-carcinogenic PAHs were more than 70% of total PAHs and benzo[a]pyrene accounted for 65.5% approximately 72.4% of total benzo[a]pyrene equivalents. Total occupational exposure level of PAHs in coke oven workers was positively related to the content of benzo[a]pyrene and pyrene, respectively (r(2) = 0.84, r(2) = 0.94, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCoke oven workers were exposed to a high level of PAHs which possessed some extent of carcinogenic potency, and benzo[a]pyrene is the chief carcinogenic substance.

Benzo(a)pyrene ; analysis ; toxicity ; Carcinogens ; analysis ; toxicity ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coke ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Polycyclic Compounds ; analysis ; toxicity