BACKGROUND:After peripheral nerve injury, to inhibit scar formation by drugs is the key to functional recovery. To reduce the amount of scar formation we designed a prednisolone-loaded film which can sustain drug release and good achievement in in vitro drug release test.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare the prednisolone implantable film and investigate its in vivo biocompatibility and safety.
METHODS:Prednisolone-loaded nanoparticles were first prepared with reverse micellar emulsion-solvent evaporation method, and the composite film and drug-loaded film were further prepared. Then, we investigated the in vivo biocompatibility of drug-loaded film through celltoxicity test, hemolysis test, acute systemic toxicity test, chronic systemic toxicity test.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After cultured for 7 days, the relative growth rate of L929 mouse fibroblasts was 92.6%, showing no cytotoxicity. The hemolysis rate of the film was 0.59%, indicating that the material had no hemolysis action. No abnormal biological behaviors were seen in mice after intraperitoneal injection of film extracts, and there were no changes in liver and renal functions in rats. As il ustrated above, we can safely come to a conclusion that prednisolone-loaded film possesses good biocompatibility and can be safely used in the experiment of reducing the scar at sites of peripheral nerve repair.

Objective To study the HLA-DRB1 genotupe and their relation with OBI infection.Methods HLA-DRB1 genotyping was conducted in 102 patients OBI infection and 201 health controls,by using polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT)method.The association between HLA-DRB1 genotype and OBI was also studied.Results Compared to 201 health controls,the allele frequency of HLA-DRB1 * 0405 (1.980 4％) (x2 =12.477 0,P =0.000 0,OR =16.367 3) * 0803 (4.257 3％) (x2 =30.689 8,P =0.000 0,OR =36.454 5)、* 1101 (5.545 9％) (x2 =4.471 2,P =0.034 5,OR =1.903 8)、* 1201 (1.481 6％) (x2 =8.591 9,P =0.003 4,OR =12.151 5) were markedly higher.The allele frequency of HLA-DRB1 * 0701(2.230 8％) (x2 =5.585 5,P=0.018 1,OR=0.417 7)、* 1301 (0.245 4％) (x2 =4.513 7,P=0.033 6,OR=0.147 4) 、* 1302(0.491 4％) (x2=11.369 1,P=0.000 7,OR=0.000 0) 、* 1312(0.245 4％) (x2 =5.0198,P=0.025 1,OR=0.136 5) 、* 1501(4.257 3％) (x2=10.763 1,P=0.001 0,OR=0.000 0)was obviously lower than than in HBV patients.Conclusion HLA-DRB1 * 0701、* 1301、* 1302、* 1312、* 1501 are closely related with susceptibility to OBI,and HLA-DRB1 * 0405、* 0803、* 1101、* 1201 is closely related with resistance to OBI.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI)elastography in the characterization of solid liver tumors.MethodsForty-three patients with 56 liver tumors were evaluated with ARFI,which included 21 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),8 patients with metastase,5 patients with cholangiocarcinoma(CCC),and 9 patients with hemangioma.The shear wave velocity of the tumor and background liver parenchyma were calculated,and results were compared with 30 healthy subjects.Statistical analysis was performed on the shear wave velocity for differentiation of normal liver,background liver parenchyma,and tumors.ResultsHCC and CCC had greater stiffness than metastase (P ＜0.05),there were no statistical differences between HCC and CCC (P = 0.179).Malignant liver tumors had significantly greater stiffness than hemangioma and normal liver (P = 0.000).34.5% (9/26) HCC and 33.3% (4/12) hemangioma appeared softer than the background liver.With a cut-off value of 1.5 m/s for the shear wave velocity,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value for malignancies were 79.5%,83.3%,94.5% and 52.6%,respectively.ConclusionsARFI elastography quantification is a promising noninvasive technique for assessing solid liver tumors.Use of ARFI elastography quantification may lead to new quantitative tissue characterization parameters for differentiating hemangioma and malignant liver tumors.

Objective To examine the effects of exogenously administered intermedin (IMD,adrenomedullin-2) on arterial blood pressure,cardiac function and the cardiovascular IMD receptor system in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) as well as to investigate the associated mechanisms.Methods Thirteen week-old male rats were divided in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) group (n =12),SHR group (n =12),IMD group (SHRs infused with IMD 1-47 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12),and ADM group (SHRs infused with adrenomedullin 500 ng/kg per hour,n =12).Results A two-week continuous administration of low dose IMD 1-47 via mini-osmotic pumps markedly reduced blood pressure,the maximal rates of increase and decrease of left-ventricle pressure development (LV ± dp/dtmax),left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate in SHRs.Furthermore,IMD also inhibited protein over-expression of cardiovascular IMD receptors,myocardial Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins (RAMP1 and RAMP2),aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3,and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR);suppressed up-regulation of aortic RAMP1,RAMP2,RAMP3 and CRLR gene expression; and markedly elevated the mRNA abundance of myocardial atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and myocardial brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).Additionally,IMD 1-47 administration in SHRs increased aortic cAMP concentration and reduced myocardial cAMP concentration.Conclusion These findings support the speculation that IMD,as a cardiovascular active peptide,is involved in blood pressure reduction and cardiac function amelioration during hypertension.The mechanism underlying this effect may involve IMD binding of a receptor complex formed by RAMPs and CRLR,and consequential regulation of cAMP levels and other cardiovascular active factors,such as ANP and BNP.

In traditional oral practice, the presystemic interactions with gut microbiota is an important mechanism underlying the holistic health benefits of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs), making the study of CHMs distinct from the research of Western medicines of which the systemic exposure (level in blood) is the starting point and the core. Gut microbial metabolism complements host metabolism in maintaining metabolic homeostasis of many biologically important endogenous molecules and the disposition of numerous exogenous compounds. Among them, the widely distributed gut bacterial β-glucuronidases (BGUSs) coordinate with host UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) to play a role in the occurrence and intervention of diseases by affecting the glucuronidation homeostasis and altering the intestinal local and/or systemic exposure of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics. On one hand, many ingredients of CHMs undergo enterohepatic circulation; On the other hand, CHMs can act on BGUSs directly or indirectly change the distribution and function of BGUSs through reprogramming gut microbiome. The multiple interactions between BGUSs and CHMs may play an important role in the overall therapeutic benefits of CHMs. This work firstly summarizes the latest research progress on BGUSs; then the physiological, pathological and pharmacological significance of BGUSs are exemplified with representative endogenous and exogenous compounds from the aspects of nutrient utilization, metabolic homeostasis, and therapeutic response based on the varied substrate spectra of BGUSs; finally, the scattered data in literature were integrated to summarize the multiple interactions between BGUSs and CHMs, highlighting the important role of BGUSs in the holistic actions of CHMs.

Objective To determine the utility of single energy CT value and spectrum energy curve in identifying different cause of diffuse spleen enlargement.Methods 43 patients confirmed by either surgical pathology,aspiration biopsy or clinical comprehensive diagnosis and follow-up were assessed,including lymphoma with spleen infiltration(lymphoma group,n=18) and cirrhotic splenomegaly(liver cirrhosis group,n=25).All patients underwent upper abdomen CT scans in GSI mode and the GSI data were transferred to the Workstation AW 4.6 to acquire single energy CT value(40-140 keV,10 keV's interval) and spectrum energy curve of the spleen on the venous phase.All single energy CT values and the slope of curves were comparatively analyzed through independent-samples t test.The diagnostic efficiency were evaluated by ROC analysis.Results Under 40-140 keV energy range,single energy CT values were significantly lower in the lymphoma group than in the liver cirrhosis group(all P＜0.05).The spectrum energy curve were both types of decreasing.Under 40-90 keV,100-140 keV energy range,the slop of curves in the lymphoma group(2.42 ± 0.70,0.27± 0.08) were also significantly lower than in the liver cirrhosis group (3.11 ± 0.62,0.34± 0.07),respectively(all P ＜0.05).When the slope of curve under 40-90 keV energy range was selected as a diagnostic indicator,the area under the curve(AUC) would reach 0.77.If threshold value of 1.39 was taken,the sensitivity and specificity would be equal to 86 ％ and 64 ％,respectively.Conclusion Single energy CT value and spectrum energy curve are helpful for differentiation of lymphoma with spleen infiltration from cirrhotic splenomegaly.

This research is to study the relationship between HPLC fingerprints of Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba and their activity on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. HPLC fingerprints of each extract of Moutan Cortex,Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Paeoniae Radix Alba were established by an optimized HPLC-MS method. The activities of all samples against protein and tumor necrosis a factor were tested by the model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury. The possible relationship between HPLC-MS fingerprints and the activitieswere deduced by the Partial least squares regression analysis method. Samples were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS to identify the major peaks. The results showed that each sample had some effect on acute lung injury. Four components with a lager contribution rate of efficacy were calculated by the research of spectrum-effect relationship. Moutan Cortex exhibited good activity on acute lung injury, and gallic acid, paeoniflorin, galloylpaeoniflorin and paeonol were the main effective components.
Acetophenones ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gallic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Monoterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of exteral use of papaverine cream on enhancement of skin graft.

METHODSFive mini-pigs were used for the study. 20 full-thickness wounds were created on the back of each animal. Along the midline of the abdomen, a 40 cm x 2 cm full-thickness skin graft was harvested and the wound sutured.The full-thickness graft was prepared and trimmed to 2 cm x 2 cm of 0.6 mm thickness split-skin grafts, which were transplanted to each wound with tie-over bolsters. The sutures were removed 2 weeks after the operation. Twelve pairs of 100%-survived skin grafts were selected and divided into group A (the left side) and group B (the right side), with each pair locating on the same and opposite position. From the day of suture removal, 2% papaverine cream was used to group A while plain cream was used to group B. The grafts were measured and observed for healing condition at the time of suture removal and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth month. The surface area of the graft was measured and the shrinking ratio was calculated. After the animals were killed at the sixth month, samples of the skin grafts were taken and processed with 10% formalin, routine paraffin wax and Hematoxylin-eosin staining. The tissue structure was observed and the results were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSThe grafts in two groups did not have significant differences at the time of suture removal. Observations from the first to the sixth month showed that the two groups had significant differences in skin graft contracture and histological changes. HE stains demonstrated that the skin grafts in group A had less fibroblasts, more microvessels and orderly-arranged collagenous fibers.

CONCLUSIONSExternal use of papaverine cream can inhabit the contraction of skin grafts. It is a safe, effective, simple, and reliable method,which has the advantages of easy delivery,cheapness, less injury and infection,and no side effects.

Animals ; Contracture ; prevention & control ; Male ; Papaverine ; pharmacology ; Skin Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

The purpose of this study is to investigate the activity and mechanism of a new anti-tumor agent T03. MTT and colony formation assay were performed to determine anti-proliferation activity of T03 in vitro. Antitumor activity was observed by Renca xenograft model in vivo. The effect of T03 on cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by FCM analysis. Western blotting was performed to investigate the expression level of proteins in HepG2 cell lines treated with T03. T03 had anti-tumor activity by inhibiting tumor cell growth and colony formation in vitro, especially on hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC). At the concentration of 10 micromol x L(-1), T03 induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HCC. Moreover, it proved that T03 reduced the tumor weight with the rate of 42.30% without any obviously side effect in Renca xenograft model. At the concentration of 2.0 micromol x L(-1), T03 was able to reduce the level of p-c-Raf (Ser259), and thus blocked Raf/MEK/ERK and AKT signaling in HepG2 cell lines. The result suggested that T03 has the potential to inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, particularly active against HCC, indicating T03 and its analogues may serve as a new anti-cancer drug against hepatocellular carcinoma.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays