Objective To study the effects of localized thermochemotherapy on cellular proliferation and the expression of PCNA and IGF-I protein of C6 gliomas in rat, and explore the possibility of developing new therapeutic method of gliomas. Methods C6 glioma cells were injectcd subcutaneously to rats. The rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups,and treatment were initiated on day 22 after tumor inoculation. Prior to treatment, the subcutaneous gliomas were examined to verify tumor size, which were ranged 1.5 to 2.0 cm. Then localized thermochemotherapy, hyperthermia and chemotherapy were given, respectively. The size and weight of subcutaneous tumors were measured. PCNA and IGF-I protein expression were detected by the technique of S-P immunohistochemistry. Glioma cells proliferation was detected by HE staining method and electron-microscopic observation. Results Compared with the control group, the tumor size of rats in the hyperthermia and chemotherapy as well as thermochemotherapy groups was decreased,the tumor weight was also decreased significantly (2.95g vs 1.95g vs 1.86g vs 1.09g, P

Objective To study the effects of localized thermochemotherapy on angiogenesis and the expression of VEGF protein of C6 gliomas in rats,and explore the mechanisms of angiogenesis inhibition by localized thermochemotherapy. Methods Following the establishment of animal models, 40 rats harboring the C6 gliomas were randomly allocated to 4 groups,the rats in the fore 3 groups were treated by localized thermochemotherapy, hyperthermia and chemotherapy, respectively, the remaining group served as control. The expression of VEGF and FⅧ RA protein were detected by S P immunohistochemistry. The vascular structure in rat's glioma was observed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy technique. Results As compared with the control group, the expression of VEGF protein was decreased in the hyperthermia and chemotherapy groups,as well as in the thermochemotherapy group.The expression of VEGF was positively correlated with the microvessel density in the tumor ( r =0.9798, P

AIMTo prepare recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rHuTNF-alpha) -loaded stealth nanoparticles with different PEG chain lengths and sizes, and investigate the stability of nanoparticle suspensions.

METHODSThe poly( MePEG cyanoacrylate-co-hexadecyl cyanoacrylate) (MePEG-PHDCA) and poly(hexadecyl cyanoacrylate) (PHDCA) were synthesized and characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), 1HNMR, 13CNMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Uniform design was used to optimize the entrapment efficiency. The nanoparticle suspensions were stored at 2 - 8 degrees C for 4 weeks, and the particle size evolution was studied.

RESULTSFTIR, 1HNMR and 13CNMR were consistent with the structures of MePEG-PHDCA and PHDCA whose polydispersity indexes were all less than 1.1, indicating narrow distributions. The entrapment efficiency of all nanoparticles was satisfactory. The three different mean diameters of MePEG-PHDCA and PHDCA nanoparticles were about 80 nm, 170 nm and 240 nm, separately. The nanoparticle suspensions maintained their sizes at 2 - 8 degrees C for 4 weeks

CONCLUSIONMePEG-PHDCA with three different molecular weight MePEG and PHDCA were synthesized successfully. There are negligible aggregations and bulk or surface erosion as for both stealth MePEG-PHDCA and conventional PHDCA nanoparticles in distilled water.

Cyanoacrylates ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drug Stability ; Humans ; Nanotechnology ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; administration & dosage

AIM To study the improvement of quercetin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced lung infection in rats.METHODS Forty SPF SD rats were randomly divided into five groups,eight rats in each group:normal group,P.aeruginosa infection group,quercetin group,levofloxacin group,levofloxacin combined with quercetin group (combined group),the rats were anesthetized and then injected with P.aeruginosa in bronchus.The pathological changes of lung tissue in rats were observed,the contents of IL-4 and IFN-γcytokines,changes of transcription factors T-bet and Gata-3 in lung tissue were detected,and then semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used for the detection of IL-4,IFN-γ,T-bet and Gata-3 mRNA expressions.RESULTS The content of IL-4,levels of IL-4 and Gata-3 mRNA in lung tissue in the quercetin group,the levofloxacin group and the combined group were lower than those in the P.aeruginosa infection group,but the opposite was true in the levels of IFN-γ and T-bet mRNA.CONCLUSION Quercetin and levofloxacin can induce the differentiation from type Th2 to type Th1 for rat organism,but there is no synergistic effect between them.

BACKGROUNDTumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is important in promoting relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) due to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). We identified the TNF-α receptor involved in the inhibition of adrenal corticotrophin (ACTH)-stimulated hydrocortisone release by studying the expression of TNF-α receptors in adrenal cortex Y1 cells and the effect of downregulating TNF receptors on ACTH-stimulated hydrocortisone release.

METHODSWe used real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry to evaluate the expression of TNF receptors on Y1 cells. TNF-receptor 1 (TNF-R1) DNA fragments corresponding to the short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-sequences were synthesized and cloned into pcDNA(TM) 6.2-GW/EmGFP expression vector. Knockdown efficiency of TNF-R1 expression was evaluated in miRNA transfected and mock-miRNA transfected Y1 cells by quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR). Hydro-cortisone expression levels were determined in TNF-R1-knockdown and control Y1 cells treated with TNF-α and ACTH.

RESULTSMouse adrenal cortex Y1 cells were positive for type I TNF-R1, but not type II TNF-receptor (TNF-R2). Blocking TNF-R1 expression resulted in loss of TNF-α-mediated inhibition of ACTH-stimulated hydrocortisone expression, suggesting a role for the TNF-R1 related signaling pathway in ACTH-stimulated hydrocortisone synthesis.

CONCLUSIONThe inhibitory effect of TNF-α on ACTH-stimulated hydrocortisone synthesis was mediated via TNF-R1 in adrenal cortex.

Adrenal Cortex ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Hydrocortisone ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the kinetics of MG7 expression in the process of gastric cancer development.

METHODSThe expression level of antigen MG7 on gastric mucosa in 406 cases was determined by immunohistochemical techniques. The classification of intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa was determined by histochemistry techniques on gastric mucosa in 82 cases.

RESULTSThe positive rates of MG7 expression in normal gastric mucosa, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia of gastric mucosa and gastric cancer all increased gradually (P < 0.01). The positive rates of MG7 expression in superficial gastritis, atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer increased in sequence (P < 0.01). The positive rate of antigen MG7 expression in III intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa was significantly different with I and II intestinal metaplasia (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMG7 was quite specific in gastric cancer thus could be used as a good index in the screening of gastric cancer. Patients with III intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa, atrophic gastritis and dysplasia of gastric mucosa should be closely followed in order to improve the early detection on gastric cancer. It seemed that MG7 was clinically valuable in the dynamic follow-up of gastric precursors.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; analysis ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Metaplasia ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; diagnosis ; immunology ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; immunology ; pathology

This paper reiviewed the current situation of quality control of grape seed extract in domestic and international market. Considering the fact that there is no national or industrial technical specifications established for the extract product, the authors suggested that two sets of quality specifications should be established for the grape seed extract. The two sets of specifications are: the high purity grape seed extract should contain polyphenol NLT 95%, monomer NLT 10%; and the grape seed extract with ordinary quality should have a procyanidolic value NLT 95, and monomer NLT 6%.
Antioxidants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Biflavonoids ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Catechin ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Phenols ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; standards ; Polyphenols ; Proanthocyanidins ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Vitis ; chemistry

AIMPoly (methoxypolyethyleneglycol cyanoacrylate-co-hexadecyl cyanoacrylate) (PEG-PHDCA) and PHDCA niosomes were prepared and the influence of the PEG chain length on the niosomes physicochemical characteristics, complement consumption and phagocytic uptake were studied.

METHODSThe physicochemical parameters of PEG-PHDCA niosomes were characterized in terms of particle size, zeta aqueous layer thickness. The relationship between physicochemical characteristics and in vitro complement consumption and phagocytic uptake was further illustrated.

RESULTSExperimental results showed that PEG10,000-PHDCA had most loose structure and least PEG surface density among three groups. Configuration simulation through fixed aqueous layer thickness confirmed that PEG folding and less flexibility of the PEG chains of PEG10,000-PHDCA niosomes were accountable for its poor stealth effects. Compared with PEG2,000-PHDCA, PEG5,000-PHDCA showed a thicker fixed aqueous layer (FALT) of 4.20 nm, less negative zeta potential of -10.03 mV, and enhanced PEG surface density of 0.49 PEG x nm(-2), leading to the best effects of reduction of complement consumption and phagocytic uptake.

CONCLUSIONExcessive chain length of PEG was not necessary for stealth effects of PEG-PHDCA niosomes. PEG5,000-PHDCA niosomes had best effects on evading complement consumption and subsequent phagocytic uptake.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Complement System Proteins ; metabolism ; Cyanoacrylates ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; Macrophages ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Particle Size ; Phagocytosis ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Surface Properties

AIMTo investigate the influence of particle size and methoxypolyethyleneglycol (MePEG) molecular weight on the in vitro macrophage uptake and in vivo long circulating of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rHuTNF-alpha)-loaded stealth nanoparticles in rats.

METHODSThree sizes (approximately 80, 70 and 240 nm) of poly (methoxypolyethyleneglycol cyanoacrylate-co-n-hexadecyl cyanoacrylate) (PEG-PHDCA) nanoparticles loading rHuTNF-alpha were prepared at different MePEG molecular weights (Mr 2,000, 5,000, 10,000) using the double emulsion method. The in vitro macrophage uptake and in vivo long circulating properties in rats were examined and compared.

RESULTSThe uptake by macrophages decreased and the half-life of rHuTNF-alpha in rat increased with the increase of MePEG molecular weight or the decrease of particle size. The linear-ships between particle size and MePEG molecular weight and the in vitro macrophage uptake and in vivo long circulating properties were fairly good. Having the highest MePEG surface density (1.32 nm(-2)) , the shortest average distance between neighboring MePEG chain (0.87 nm) and the thicker fixed aqueous layer thickness (FALT, 5.16 nm), PEG5,000-PHDCA nanoparticles (80.0 nm) earned the strongest potency of decreasing uptake by macrophages and prolonging the half-life of rHuTNF-alpha in rat.

CONCLUSIONWithin the experimental limits, particle size and MePEG molecular weight had dramatic influence on in vitro macrophage uptake and in vivo long circulating properties of rHuTNF-alpha-loaded stealth nanoparticles.

Animals ; Cyanoacrylates ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Macrophages ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Weight ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo establish a probabilistic model for evaluation of dietary exposure to lead and construct age-related exposure centiles for the residents in Jiangsu.

METHODSLead contamination data were obtained from the national food contamination monitoring program during 2001 - 2006 and 2791 samples from 232 food products in Jiangsu were included. Food consumption data were from the national diet and nutrition survey conducted in 2002, including 3938 subjects in Jiangsu. A non-parametric probabilistic model using Monte Carlo simulation was applied to derive the intake distribution. The intake data was then analyzed using the LMS method, which constructs exposure percentiles adjusted for the median (M), the coefficient of variation (S) and the skewness (L) of the intake distribution.

RESULTSThe median and P(99) of the lead exposure for the residents in Jiangsu were 1.02 µg×kg(-1)×d(-) and 9.29 µg×kg(-1)×d(-1), respectively.6.38% of the total population showed to have a lead intake exceeding the tolerable limit, which for the urban and rural population were 4.31% and 7.06%, respectively. The exceeding rate for children of 2 - 10 years old from the urban and rural areas were 13.17% and 17.70%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThere was a large variation in the lead exposure level of the population in Jiangsu; People in rural areas are in greater risk for higher lead exposure than urban people; The dietary exposure to lead for children and the high-end population was serious.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Environmental Exposure ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Humans ; Lead ; analysis ; Risk Assessment