Objective To study the biological exposure limit in bone metabolism damage caused by coexposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning in exposed population.Methods One hundred and ninety-eight cases of fluoride and arsenic co-exposed people from Liuchang village,Qinzhen city,Guizhou province were enrolled in the study.Urinary fluorine (UF),urinary arsenic (UAs),urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP),ross-linked Ntelopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen(UNTX) and bone strength index(STI) were detected.BMDS Version 2.1 software was used to calculate UF,UAs benchmark dose (BMD) and its lower confidence limit (BMDL) on the damage of bone metabolism caused by co-exposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning.Results The BMD and BMDL range of UF caused by co-exposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning were 0.68-1.35 mg/g Cr,0.57-1.11 mg/g Cr.The BMD and BMDL range of UAs caused by co-exposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning were 8.36-18.77 μg/g Cr,7.12-15.40 μg/g Cr.Conclusion The biological exposure limits of UF and UAs for bone metabolism toxicity are proposed as 0.57 mg/g Cr and 7.12 μg/g Cr in co-exposure to fluoride and arsenic from coal burning,respectively.

Objective To investigate the effects of MG132 on diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats induced with streptozocin. Methods Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (NC, n=24), DN group (n=24) and DN treated with MG132 group (DN+MG132, n=24). At the end of 4, 8 and 12 weeks, 24 hour urinary protein excretion rate (UPER) was detected. Morphology of kidney was examined by special staining of periodic acid-schiff (PAS). Renal 26S proteasome activity was determined by quantifying the hydrolysis of S-LLVY-AMC in a fluorescence reader. Urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) level and renal SOD and GSH-PX activity were detected by commercial kits. Renal SOD, GSH-PX and p47phox mRNA expressions were determined by real-time fluorescence PCR. Renal p47phox protein expression wasdetermined by Western blotting. Results Compared with NC group, the DN group showed a significant increased of UPER at week 4, 8, 12 (all P<0.05), of mesangium proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion at week 12. In DN+MG132 group, UPER was significantly decreased compared with DN group at the end of 4, 8 and 12 weeks (P<0.05, respectively), and the glomeruler pathological alteration induced by diabetes was attenuated. Increased renal 26S proteasome activity in DN rats was significantly inhibited after MC132 administration (P<0.05). Moreover, renal p47phox mRNA expression in DN group was 155%, 149% and 120% more than those in NC group at 3 time points (all P<0.05), and so was the renal p47phox protein expression, 139%, 152% and 186% more (all P<0.05). Urinary MDA levels in DN group were 1.95-, 2.04-and 2.62-folds more than those in NC group (all P<0.05). In addition, compared with NC group at 3 time points, in DN group, renal SOD activity was decreased by 23.09%, 33.59% and 53.31% (all P<0.05); renal GSH-PX activity was decreased by 28.57%, 33.06% and 48.76% (all P< 0.05); renal SOD mRNA was decreased by 38.09%, 61.44% and 76.53% (all P<0.05); renal GSH-PX mRNA group was decreased by 29.16%, 37.26% and 62.40% (all P<0.05). Compared with DN group, renal p47phox mRNA and protein expression, and urinary MDA levels were significantly lower in DN+MG132 group (all P<0.05); renal SOD and GSH-PX activity as well as mRNA expression were significantly increased in DN+MG132 group (all P<0.05). Conclusions MG132 treatment can provide renoprotection for DN rats effectively maybe through enhancing renal anti-oxidative ability.

Objective To investigate the effect of 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA)on the renal pathogenesis of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and its mechanism. Methods Fifty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group(NC group,n=18),diabetic nephropathy group(DN group,n=18),diabetic nephropathy plus 4-PBA treatment group(4-PBA group,n=18).At the end of 4,8 and 12 weeks,index of kidney weight/body weight ratio(KI)were measured and calculated.Serum creatinine (Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),urinary MDA levels,urinary SOD activity,and 24 hour urinary protein excretion ram(UAER)were detected by HITACHI automatically.Morphology of kidney wag examined by special staining of periodic acid-schitt (PAS).The p47phox and nitrotyrosine (NT) expression in kidney were determined by real-time fluorescence PCR and Western blotting. Results Compared with the NC group, the DN group rats showed a significant increase of KI(P＜0.05), UAER(mg/24 h) (4.92±0.70 vs 0.26±0.07, 5.29±0.83 vs 0.28±0.08, 5.54±0.81 vs 0.29±0.04,respectively, P＜0.05]for indicated time, mesangial cells proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion at 12 week. However,4-PBA treatment could significantly inhibit the increase of KI (P＜0.05), decrease UAER (mg/24 h) (3.71±0.37, 3.47±0.36, 3.28±0.40, respectively, P＜0.05]for indicated time, and prevent the glomeruler pathological alteration induced by diabetes. Moreover, the mRNA expression of p47phox in the kidney of DN group was 154.72%, 148.60% and 91.95% more than that of NC group (all P＜0.05) for indicated time. The protein expression of p47phox was 118.00%, 140.10% and 177.82% more than that of NC group (all P＜0.05), and the protein expression of NT was 45.29%,59.13% and 89.28% more than that of NC group (all P＜0.05). In addition, urinary MDA levels in DN group were 2.05-, 2.26- and 2.43- folds of NC group, and urinary SOD activities were decreased by 64.78%, 71.29% and 79.32% of NC group. Compared with the DN group, the mRNA and protein expression of p47phox, and protein expression of NT in 4-PBA group were decreased markedly (all P＜0.05) at the end of 8 and 12 weeks. The urinary MDA level was decreased, and the urinary SOD activity was increased significantly in rats with diabetes after 4-PBA treatment for indicated time (all P＜0.05). Conclusion 4-PBA treatment can significantly inhibit the renal pathogenesis of rats with diabetes through inhibition of oxidative stress.

Objective To explore the effect of fluoride and arsenic pollution on bone metabolism in exposed population. Methods One hundred and fifty-two fluoride and arsenic exposed people were selected from Jiaole village, Yuzhang town, Xingron county, Guizhou province in 2006, and 59 not exposed people from Daguoduo village 13 km away from Jiaole village were selected as control. Urinary fluorine(UF), urinary arsenic (UAs), urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP), cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (UNTX) and bone strength index(STI) were detected. Results The main effect of fluoride on UHYP and UNTX were statistically significant (F = 9.785, 4.225, P < 0.01 ), but was not significant on STI(F = 0.183, P > 0.05). The main effect of arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F = 2.660, P < 0.05 ), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F = 2.012, 0.183,all P > 0.05). The interaction between fluoride and arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F= 2.429, P <0.01), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F= 1.218, 1.001, all P> 0.05). Conclusions Fluoride exposure can affect the metabolism of collagen and bone resorption, and Arsenic exposure main affect bone resorption, fluoride and arsenic co-exposure have more significant effect on bone resorption. UNTX may be used as biological biomarker of bone metabolism for population co-exposed to fluoride and arsenic in health monitoring.

Objective To investigate the effect and significance of regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress on the expression of histone methyltransferases SET7/9 in the kidneys of db/db mice.Methods Db/db mice were randomly divided into two groups according to random number table method:diabetic nephropathy model group (DN group,n=18) and betaine treatment group (DN+B group,n =18),db/m mice were defined as normal control group (NC group,n =18).At the end of 4,8 and 12 weeks,the expression of GRP78,SET7/9,H3K4me2,and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) was determined by real-time fluorescence PCR and Western blotting.24-hour urinary protein excretion rate (UPER) and urine MCP-1 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The dynamic changes of blood glucose(BG),serum creatinine (Scr),blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were tested by completely automatic biochemistry analyzer.The morphology of kidney was estimated by special staining of periodic acid-schiff (PAS).Results The levels of BG,BUN,UAER and MCP-1 were significantly higher in DN group than those in NC group (P ＜ 0.05),and were in time-dependent manner.Glomerular basement membrane thickening and mesangial cells proliferation began to emerge in DN group at the end of week 4 and mesangial matrix expansion was more obvious at the end of week 12.The mRNA and protein expression of GRP78 and SET7/9 were elevated significantly in DN group as compared to NC group.The H3K4me2 protein expression level was also increased in time-dependent manner.Compared with the DN group,in DN+B group glomerular lesions attenuated and the GRP78 and SET7/9 expression levels obviously decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore,the levels of BG,BUN,UPER,MCP-1,H3K4me2 in DN+B group were also reduced (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Endoplasmic reticulum stress may be the upstream mechanism of mediating the expression of SET7/9 in the kidneys of DN mice.

The excipient processing is an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine processing, and understanding its scientific connotations is a critical scientific issue that urgently needs resolution. Building upon a foundation where the composition of traditional Chinese medicine substances is fundamentally clear, this paper applies the techniques and methods of chemoinformatics to the study of the excipient processing mechanism. Relevant information on traditional Chinese medicines processed with four kinds of excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) was collected, including properties, taste, meridian tropism, chemical components, etc. Molecular descritors and skeletons corresponding to each chemical component were calculated using chemoinformatics to characterize the properties and structural features of the components. Characteristic components associated with the four excipients (wine, vinegar, salt and honey) were explored through multivariate statistical analysis and Murcko skeleton analysis. Further analysis, taking honey-processed Astragali Radix as an example, the focus was on the impact of the processing excipient honey on the solubility and permeability of its characteristic pharmacologically active components (isoflavones). It was discovered that the excipient honey can increase their solubility and permeability, emphasizing that the impact of processing excipients on the pharmacological classification properties is a key breakthrough in elucidating the mechanism of excipient processing. In summary, this study analyzed the characteristic components associated with the processing excipients "wine, vinegar, salt and honey" based on their composition characteristics, providing data support for the research on the mechanism of excipient processing from a biopharmaceutical perspective.

Objective To study the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in phenotypic change of cultured human glomerular mesangial cells induced by high glucose.Methods Cultured human glomeruar mesangial cells were divided into three groups: control group,high glucose group and high glucose+ 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) group.Cell number of proliferation was assessed by MTT assay.Cell cycle was measured by flow cytometric analysis.Expression of α-SMA was assessed by immunohistochemistry and was observed by laser scanning confocal microscope.Involved mRNA and protein expression were measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting.Results (1)Cell number of proliferation and S transition proportion in high glucose group significantly increased than that in control group (P ＜ 0.05).High glucose could induce α-SMA expression significantly (P＜0.05).4-PBA could significantly inhibit human glomerular mesangial cells proliferation (P＜0.05),S transition arrest (P＜0.05) and expression of α-SMA (P＜0.05) induced by high glucose.(2) Compared with control group,high glucose could significantly increase the expression of glucose-regulated protein78(Grp78 ) mRNA and protein (P＜ 0.05),which could be inhibited by 4-PBA treatment (P＜0.05).(3)High glucose could induce the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 and FN significantly,which could be inhibited by 4-PBA treatment (P＜0.05).Conclusion Endoplasmic reticulum stress plays an important role in phenotypic change of cultured human glomerular mesangial cells induced by high glucose.

Objective To investigate the renal expression changes of microRNA-215(miR-215) and its role in diabetic nephmpathy of type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Methods Fourweek-old diabetic db/db mice and norml control group non-diabetic db/m mice were selected.Real-time PCR was used to detect the relative level of miR-215 at the age of 8,12 and 16 weeks.Catenin beta interacting protein 1 (CTNNBIP1) mRNA and protein level were measured by realtime PCR,WesteRN blotting and immunohistochemisty.A lueiferase reporter assay was used to determine whether CTNNBIP1 was a direct target of miR-215. Results (1)With the growth of db/db mice,the major pathological characteristics of kidney included glomerular hypertrophy,segmental mesangial cells proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion.(2)Compared with the db/m mice,the db/db mice of 8,12 and 16 weeks showed obvious increase in body weight(BW),blood glucose (Glu) and 24 hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE) (P＜0.05,respectively).(3)Compared with the db/m mice,special miR-215 was highly expressed in the kidney of db/db mice and was up-regulated significantly according to the development of DN (P＜0.05).(4)The mRNA and protein expression of CTNNBIPl of kidney were consistently down-regulated in db/db mice than those in controls (P＜0.05,respectively). (5)By luciferase reporter,miR-215 could negatively regulate CTNNBIP1 gene by targeting its 3'-UTR sequence (P＜0.01). Conclusion High expression level of miR-215 plays a potential role in the initiation and progression of DN by down-regulating the expression of CTNNBIPl.

Objective To investigate the correlation between plasma proteasome and endothelial dysfunction in patients with uremia. Methods Forty-five uremic patients who did not receive hemodialysis were defined as A group; seventy-five uremic patients who had received hemodialysis for 6 to 12 months were divided into sufficient hemodialysis group (44 cases,B group)and insufficient hemodialysis group (31 cases,C group).The primary disease of these patients was chronic glomerulonephritis.Fifteen healthy people were defined as healthy control group (D group).The diameter of radial artery lumen (DRL),intima-media thickness (IMT),intima-media area (IMA),endothelium-dependent or independent dilation (EDD or EID) of radial artery in right forearm were detected by diasonography.The levels of 20S proteasome,tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α),C-reaction protein (CRP) and transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF-β1) of plasma and supernatant of cultured human umbilical veins endothelium (HUVEC) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).20S proteasome activity was analyzed by special substrate.Results Compared with D group,the level and activity of 20S proteasome,as well as TNF-α,CRP and TGF-β1 in A,B and C groups were significantly increased.Compared with A group,these plasma indices levels were significantly decreased in B group but strongly increased in C group.IMT and IMA were elevated,while DRL,EDD and EID were decreased significantly in A,B and C groups when compared with D group.These parameters were worse in C group than those in A and B groups.After co-culture of HUVEC with above mentioned human uremic serum,the level and activity of 20S proteasome and TNF-α were higher in A,B,C groups than that in D group.In A and C groups,there were negative correlations of EDD with the level or activity of 20S proteasome,TNF-α,CRP and TGF-β1,and there were positive correlations of 20S proteasome level or activity with TNF-α,CRP and TGF-β1. Conclusions 20S proteasome level and activity are significantly increased in uremic patients.There is a close correlation between 20S proteasome and endothelial dysfunction of radial artery.

OBJECTIVETo observe the millimeter wave therapy responses in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

METHODSEighty patients were randomized divided into 4 groups. The first group was treated with both millimeter wave irradiation and routine medication, the second group with millimeter wave irradiation, the third with pretending millimeter wave irradiation and routine medication and the fourth with routine medication. Pain, extravasated blood level and autonomic nerve system condition were double-blindly evaluated either before or after the treatment.

RESULTSStatistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was found as the degree of pain was compared before and after treatment of all the 4 groups. The first and second group, which were affected by the millimeter wave irradiation, had obvious improvements in the extravasated blood level and autonomic nerve system condition (P < 0.05). When the 4 groups were compared with each other, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the first and the fourth groups, and the second and the fourth groups regarding the reduction of pain. According to extravasated blood level, significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in the first and third or fourth groups, the second and third or fourth groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe irradiation of holographic point by millimeter wave can improve the patients' pain, extravasated blood level and autonomic nerve system condition. It might provide a new treatment method for burning mouth syndrome.