Objective To investigate the impact of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism on folicacid for lowering plasma level of homocysteine in elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods In the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou university,a total of 180 elderly patients with CHD were randomized to two groups. The study group (91 ptients) received folicacid 5mg once daily and the control group (89 patients) received no folic acid. 8 weeks after treatment, the changes in plasma Hcy were observed and analyzed by MTHFR genotypes (TT vs. CC vs. CT). Results Plasma Hcy of the three genotypes had a statistical significance at the baseline (P<0.001), among which plasma Hcy level was the hightest in patients with genotype TT, while it had on difference in genotypes CC and CT (P = 0.057). 8 weeks after treatment, plasma Hcy level declined up to 24%in the patients with genotype TT in the study group, while it decreased about 6%and 15%in patients with genotype CC or CT, separately. Hcy level was slightly decreased in the patients with genotype CC, CT, or TT in the control group. Conclusions Plasma Hcy level differs statistically in three genotypes, and it is the highest in genotyp TT. Folicacid can effectively lower the level of plasma Hcy in elderly patients with CHD, especially those with genotype TT.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects of microwave coagulation and balloon dilatation on benign esophageal stenosis. Methods The location and degree of esophageal stenosis was diagnosed by endoscopy. Balloon dilatation or microwave coagulation plus balloon dilatation were selected to treat esophageal stenosis according to the severity of esophageal stenosis. Results 87 cases of esophageal stenosis were caused by esophageal anastomosis after esophagectomy (n=37), radiotherapy(n=25), chemical damage(n=22) and unclear causes(n=3) respectively. 66 cases of esophagostenosis were treated by balloon dilatation and 21 cases were treated by microwave coagulation plus balloon dilatation. 78 cases of esophageal stenosis were significantly improved, 8 cases were improved, and 1 case happened esophageal perforation. Conclusion Endoscopic therapies including balloon dilatation or microwave coagulation plus balloon dilatation were efficacious to esophageal stenosis caused by various causes.

AIM: To identify the changes in microRNA ( miRNA ) profile of human lens epithelium ( HLE) induced by H2 O2 and the role of miRNA in oxidative stress induced apoptosis.
METHODS: HLE cell line HLE - B3 was treated by 100μmol/L H2 O2 for 24h and the total RNA were isolated by Trizol reagent. miRNA profile was generated by miRCURYTM LNA microRNA Array. The target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted by bioinformatics software.
RESULTS:Twenty-eight miRNAs showed significantly differential expression after H2 O2 treatment, 18 miRNAs upregulated and 10 miRNAs downregulated. The differentially expressed miRNAs may involve in apoptosis of lens epithetium and development of cataract through targeting BCL2L2 and MIP.
CONCLUSION: H2 O2 can induce dramatically changes in miRNA profile of HLE, which may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and development of cataract.

Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Genes, MHC Class I ; genetics ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; Leukemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology

Objective To identify whether soybean isoflavones plays a role in the prevention of chronicallograft nephropathy(CAN)in rats.Methods Forty-five male Lewis rats as receptors were randomly divided into 3 groups,receiving a diet with protein from high isoflavone soy protein fraction (HIS),low isoflavone soy protein fraction(LIS)or casein(CAS)starting one week before renal transplants from fisher donors,and continuing throughout the study.Serial serum and urine samples were collected at the beginning of the study,and at 4th,12th and 24th week.All rats were killed and the grafts were harvested in the 24th week.The functional and histopathogical changes of renal grafts were evaluated.Results In HIS group,arteria caudilis systolic blood pressure(SBP)value,24 h uri- nary protein(Upro)and serum creatitine(Cr)concentrations were significantly lower than those in LIS and CAS groups(all P

Resveratrol possesses a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, induction of apoptosis, etc., but its poor drug properties, rapid metabolism, low target selectivity and bioavailability limit its application value. Studies have shown that modification of the structure of natural compounds can improve their pharmacological activities. To improve the bioavailability of resveratrol, many researchers have undertaken the synthesis and activity evaluation of resveratrol derivatives and analogues. They have modified the phenolic hydroxyl groups, double bonds and benzene ring of resveratrol so as to further understand the interactions among functional groups and its structure-activity relationship. In this paper, we review the chemical structures, synthetic methods and mechanisms of biological activity of resveratrol monomer derivatives as well as their related therapeutic applications, especially in the anticancer area over the last decade. This will provide some reference value for the further research and development of resveratrol-related drugs.

Objective To explore the effect of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture on the biomechanics of medial collateral ligament (MCL). Methods Six fresh human knee joints were fixed on the self-made fixture and flexed 90°. ACL was divided into a normal group, an anteromedi-al bundle(AMB) break group, and an ACL complete break group. 800N burden was loaded, and the MCL strain data were compared among the 3 groups. Results The MCL strain was significantly increased in the AMB break group and the ACL complete break group than that in the normal group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the MCL strain between the AMB break group and the ACL complete break group (P>0.05). Conclusion ACL rupture may cause significant changes in the MCL biomechanics, but the effect of AMB break and ACL complete break on MCL has no significant difference.

Objective To establish a HPLC-ESI-MS method for simultaneous analysis and determination of flavonoids in Semen Hoveniae. Methods The separation was performed on Acquity UPLCTM BEH C18 column (50 mm× 2. 1 mm,1.7 μm) with a mobile phase of formic acid aqueous solution (B) and MeOH (A). The flow rate was at 1.0 mL/min and detection wavelength was at 290 nm. Samples were analyzed in positive-ion detection model. Results Five kinds of flavonoids in Semen Hoveniae were separated well and were tentatively identified by ESI-MS and by reference to litera-ture data. Conclusion The method is accurate and rapid, and can be used for the identification of flavonoids in Semen Hoveniae.

Objective To examine the association between vitamin D and alendronate response,and to investigate the proper vitamin D levels for the efficacy of alendronate treatment of osteoporosis.Methods In this retrospective study,559 post-menopausal women with osteoporosis were devided into two groups:non-responders and responders,based on the European Study of Forsteo (EUROFORS).Demographic and clinical data including mean 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels between dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans were obtained.Mean 25-OHD levels were compared between responders and non-responders and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with non-response.Results There were 437 (75.5％) responsers to alendronate therapy and 142 (24.5％) non-responders.Responders with a mean serum 25-OHD level of (59.96 ±12.56) nmol/L,obtained a more favorable result than non-responders,whose serum 25-OHD level was (47.50 ±9.92) nmol/L (P＜0.01).25-OHD level was significantly associated with response.Conclusion Patients with a mean 25-OHD ≥50 nmol/L had a substantially greater likelihood of maintaining bisphosphonate response.

Objective To evaluate the effect of emulsified isoflurane on cognitive function in rats.Methods Seventy-two adult male SD rats,aged 8 weeks,weighing 250-300 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal control group (group C,n =12),intralipid group(group E,n =12),and 8％ emulsified isoflurane group ( group EI,n =48).Morris water maze test was performed at 2 h after administration in group E and at 2 h,1,7,14 d after administration in 12 rats at each time point in group EI.The escape latency,staying time at the original platform quadrant,frequency of crossing the original platform and swimming speed were recorded.Orbital blood samples were taken from 6 rats in each group after water maze test for determination of the plasma corticosterone concentration,and then the animals were sacrificed and their hippocampi were removed for determination of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) contents.Brains were removed from another 6 rats in each group after water maze test for determination of the expression of BDNF and NGF in DG,CA3,CA2,CA1 of hippocampus.Results Compared with group C,in group EI the escape latency at 2 h after administration was prolonged,staying time at the original platform quadrant was shortened,the expression of BDNF in DG and CA3 of hippocampus was down-regulated and the BDNF content in hippocampus was decreased at 2 h and 1 d after administration( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).The escape latency was shortened and staying time at the original platform quadrant was prolonged at 7 and 14 d after administration,the content of NGF in hippocampus was increased at 1,7 and 14 d after administration and the expression of BDNF in DG and CA3 of hippocampus was up-regulated at 1d after administration as compared with those at 2 h after administration in group E1( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).There was no significant difference in the variables mentioned above between groups E and C( P ＞ 0.05 ).There was no significant difference in plasma corticosterone concentration among the 3 groups ( P ＞ 0.01 ).Conclusion The mechanism by which emulsified isoflurane results in transient cognitive impairment in rats is related to down-regulating the expression of BDNF in hippocampus,but not related to corticosterone and NGF.