Iridoid glycosides were the main active ingredient of Rehmannia glutinosa, of which catalpol has the highest content. This work will provide theoretical basis for metabolic study and cultivation of iridoids on the basis of the dynamic accumulation of catalpol and total iridoids in the growth of R. glutinosa. The samples of rehmannia 85-5 were gathered in the same filed from July to October. The contents of catalpol and total iridoid glycosides were measured by HPLC and specteophotometric, respectively. The results showed that youngest leaves had the higher content of catalpol and total iridoid glyosides than that of the other two leaf ages in the same growth stage from July to September, while their content of catalpol and total iridoid glycosides were all decreased as the growth of leaves of R. glutinosa. The content of catalpol didn't differ significantly from July to September, whereas it has significantly increased in October in the three leaf stage. In the same stage, the wider the root diameter is, the higher content of the effective components are. In August and September, the total iridoid glycosides have the fastest accumulation. The content of catalpol was increased as the accumulation of total iridoid glycosides.
Iridoid Glucosides ; metabolism ; Iridoids ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; metabolism ; Rehmannia ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Seasons ; Water ; metabolism

Objective To analyze the relation between ~(99)Tc~m-DTPA renal dynamic imaging and pathological changes in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).Methods Ten normal control and 29 patients with LN underwent ~(99)Tc~m-DTPA renal dynamic imaging.The LN patients were divided into two groups:silent LN (SLN) group,18 patients;and obvious LN (OLN) group,11 patients.For each case,glomerular filtration rate (GFR),peak time (t_p),half excretion time (t_(1/2)) and the excretion rate at 20 min (R_(20)) were calculated.Assessment of renal function on the scintigraphic images was evaluated by nuclear medicine physicians.The t-test,Fisher'exact probability and R×C association were used for data analysis.Results There were significant differences between normal people and two goups of LN in tp(t=5.3,9.3,both P＜0.05),t_(1/2)(t=6.9,12.0,both P＜0.05)and R_(20)(t=10.1,12.1,both P＜0.05).As to GFR,there was significant decrease in OLN patients(t=4.1,P＜0.05),but not in SLN patients(t=1.7,P＞0.05).Diagnoses of renal function by renal dynamic imaging were compared with the renal pathological changes (r=0.2273,P＜0.05).Conclusions ~(99)Tc~m-DTPA renal dynamic imaging is useful for evaluation of the early stage renal function for LN patients and to diagnose LN patients with no symptom of renal impairment.It may help to assess the degree of renal parenchymal damage while obviating the need for renal biopsy in these patients.

Melittin exhibits high antibacterial potency against drug-resistant bacteria. However, the clinical utility of melittin is limited by its serious hemolytic activity. Thus, the need for developing novel melittin analogues with high antimicrobial activity and low hemolytic activity has grown. We designed, synthesized, and evaluated 20 novel melittin analogues with varying hydrophobic, polar or positively charged amino acids. The results showed that 8 compounds had antimicrobial activity (MIC: 1-4 μg·mL^-1) against gram-positive pathogens equal to or better than that of melittin, and 16 compounds had low hemolytic activity (HC₅₀ ≥ 11.9 μg·mL^-1). Compounds 13 (MIC: 2-4 μg·mL^-1) and 15 (MIC: 1-2 μg·mL^-1) showed equal or better antimicrobial activity against both susceptible and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium compared to melittin (MIC: 4 μg·mL^-1). Compound 13 (HC₅₀: 24.0 ± 4.3 μg·mL^-1) displayed noticeably decreased hemolytic activity compared to melittin (HC₅₀: 5.3 ± 0.4 μg·mL^-1). This work established a base for further study on the structure-activity relationships and structure-toxicity relationships of melittin.

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.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the complications of percutaneous kyphoplasty except bone leakge for the treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures.

METHODSFrom October 2008 to October 2012,178 patients with 224 osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty under local anethsia. There were 72 males and 106 females,ranging in age from 58 to 92 years old,with an average of 75.3 years,including 93 thoracic vertebrae and 131 lumbar vertebrae. The complications except bone cement leakage were analyzed during operation and after operation.

RESULTSAll operations were successful and all patients were followed up from 12 to 60 months with an average of 26.2 months. No death was found. Bone cement leakage occurred in 27 cases, about 15.1% in 178 cases; and complications except bone cement leakage occurred in 15 cases. There was 1 case with cardiac arrest,was completely recovery by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately; and 1 case with temporary absence of breathing,was recovery after treatment. There were 3 cases with fall of blood pressure and slower of heart rate; 1 case with intestinal obstruction; 2 cases with local hematoma and 1 case with intercostal neuralgia. Vertebral body fractures of 2 cases were split by bone cement and the fractures of adjacent body occurred in 4 cases.

CONCLUSIONIt's uncommon complication except bone cement leakge in treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures with percutaneous kyphoplasty. The complication of cardiopulmonary system is a high risk in surgery; and cytotoxicity of bone cement,nervous reflex,fat embolism and alteration of intravertebral pressure may be main reasons.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; surgery ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty ; adverse effects ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo promote the study on standardization of needling depth of acupoints, ensure safety of needling, and promote internationally academic exchanges of acupuncture and moxibustion.

METHODSStudy, analyze ancient and present literature of acupuncture and moxibustion, and compare the differences in needling depth, measure unit, description methods, and the causes and trend, and indicate confusion at present, and put forward a proposition for establishing standardization of needling depth.

CONCLUSIONThere are a lot of confusions in needling depth of acupoints from the ancient times to the present, which produces severe unfavorable influence on standardization and international exchanges of acupuncture and moxibustion science, and it remains to be studied for the standardization as early as possibly.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Needles

OBJECTIVETo promote the study on standardization of attitude of selecting point and posture of nee dling, so as to ensure safety of acupuncture and increase clinical therapeutic effect.

METHODSStudy, analyze and clinically test and verify on literature of past dynasties, and differentiate and analyze differences and significances of attitude of selecting point and posture of needling, indicate the reasonable parts of ancient and modern various theories, and relative contents should be purified, corrected in time, and put forward a proposal on the standardization.

CONCLUSIONAttitude of selecting point and posture of needling have close relation and have a certain difference; the experience of predecessors should be explored and systematized, and present confusion and out-of-date contents should be purified and relative standards should be established as early as possibly.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Confusion ; Humans ; Posture ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Astragalus membranaceus(AM) on vascular circles and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe study was performed with the model of isolate rat thoracic aorta rings in organ bath. When the endothelium of rat thoracic aorta was removed,the effect of accumulated AM on aorta rings in resting tension, or pre-constricted with KCl, or pre-constricted with phenylephrine (PE) was observed. And to explove the mechanism, the aorta rings were incubated with Ca(2+)-free medium alone, or Ca(2+)-free medium plus heparin, or propranolol alone before pre-contraction with PE.

RESULTSAM had no significant effects on aorta rings in resting tension or pre-constricted with KCl. When the concentration of AM was cumulated to 10(-1), 3 x 10(-1),10(0), 3 x 10(0) g/L, it caused concentration-dependent relaxation while aorta rings were pre-constricted with PE(3 x 10(-7)mol/L), compared with the control [(90.4 +/-4.2)% compared with (94.7 +/-2.4)%,(86.1 +/-5.0)% compared with (92.6 +/-3.2)%, (82.3 +/-5.9)% compared with (90.4 +/-3.6) %, (78.3 +/-6.0)% compared with (88.1 +/-4.0)%]. This effect was not inhibited by Ca(2+)-free medium or propranolol alone. However, the effect was attenuated by the co-incubation with heparin and Ca(2+)-free medium [without heparin:(76.2+/-4.3)% compared with (92.3 +/-5.9)%, with heparin: (95.3+/-0.5)% compared with (95.1+/-0.6)%].

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that AM can relax the rat thoracic aorta rings without endothelium. The mechanism may include the inhibition of intracellular calcium ions release by the 1,4,5-triphosphate inositol-receptor-dependent pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; cytology ; Astragalus membranaceus ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Phosphatidylinositols ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effects of antisense bicistronic recombinant adenovirus vector of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas) on polyamine biosynthesis,proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells.

METHODSAdenovirus-mediated gene transduction efficiency was assessed with counting GFP-positive cells using trypan blue. Western Blot and HPLC were used to detect ODC and S-AdoMetDC expression and polyamine content in A-549 cells respectively. Viable cell counting and cell cycle analysis were adopted to evaluate cell growth and cell cycle distribution, and A-549 cell invasion in vitro was detected with Matrigel invasion assay.

RESULTSApproximate 75% of A-549 cells were infected with Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas when multiplicity of infection reached 50. Our study demonstrated that Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas vector-mediated gene transfer inhibited tumor cell growth through the blockade of polyamine synthesis pathway. The tumor cells were arrested at cell cycle G1 phase after gene transfer. Gene transferred tumor cells were shown to possess markedly decreased invasiveness.

CONCLUSIONAd-ODC-AdoMetDCas has significant inhibitory effects on lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion and bears therapeutic potential for the treatment of lung cancer.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ornithine Decarboxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polyamines ; metabolism ; RNA, Antisense ; genetics ; Transfection

AIMTo investigate the effect of brassinolide, a plant growth modulator, on multidrug resistance (MDR) of human T lymphoblastoid cell line CCRF-VCR 1000 which was obtained by progressively addition of vincristine (VCR) to sensitive CCRF-CEM cells, and to explore preliminarily the mechanism of reversing action.

METHODSMTT method was used to detect the resistant factor of resistant cell line and the reversing fold after addition of brassinolide. The intracellular accumulation of rhodamine 123, a fluorescent dye transported by P-glycoprotein was detected by flow cytometry, the catalytic activity of topoisomerase II was assessed by Sulliven method to find the effect of brassinolide on resistance. The protein expression of p53 was measured using Western blotting in the sensitive cells and resistant cells to explore the effect of brassinolide.

RESULTSThe resistant factors of CCRF-VCR cells on adriamycin, VP-16 and VCR are respectively as 153.1, 55.9 and 8123.1 folds comparing to the sensitive cell line CCRF-CEM. After treatment of brassinolide under the concentration of 0.001 - 10.0 microg x mL(-1), the resistance of CCRF-VCR was reversed partly with the reversing folds respectively as 4.4 - 11.6. The intracellular accumulation of rhodamine 123 was significantly reduced in the resistant cells. After treatment of brassinolide, the accumulation increased, the level of fluorescent dye was situated between resistant cells and sensitive cells. No alteration of the catalytic activity of topoisomerase II was found among three groups. The level of protein expression of p53 in resistant cells was higher than that of sensitive cells. After brassinolide treatment, the expression of p53 in CCRF-VCR cells restored to the level of sensitive cells.

CONCLUSIONBrassinolide could effectively reverse the resistance of CCRF-VCR cells by inhibiting the effusion of drug transported by P-glucoprotein. To down regulate the abnormal expression of p53 maybe one of the mechanisms of reversing MDR for brassinolide.

Brassica rapa ; chemistry ; Brassinosteroids ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cholestanols ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukemia, T-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Pollen ; chemistry ; Steroids, Heterocyclic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism