BackgroundOur previous study determined that tetrandrine (Tet) has an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human Tenon capsule fibroblasts ( TCFs ) in vitro,but its mechanism is poorly understood.ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the effect mechanism of Tet on human TCFs.MethodsHuman TCFs were isolated and cultured from scleral tissue of donor using explant technique.The cells were identified by vimentin antibody staining and morphology.The third generation of cells were seeded in the culture plate at the density of 1 × 105 cells/ml.Twenty-four hours after inoculation,the Tet of 1 × 10-5 mol/L was added in the well of culture plate,and the cells cultured only in 1640 medium served as the control group.The apoptosis of the cells was assessed by TUNEL,and the expressions of bax,bel-2,transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2 ) in TCFs were detected using immunochemistry.Results The cultured cells showed the features of the fibroblasts in shape with the positive response for vimentin.A number of TUNEL positive cells were seen in Tet group and no TUNEL positive response was found in control group.The expression levels (A value) of bax,bcl-2 and TGF-~ protein in TCFs were 0.577 ± 0.009,0.430±0.012 and 0.341 ±0.017 in Tet group,and those in control group were 0.320±0.015,0.819±0.021 and 0.624±0.014 respectively,showing statistically significant differences between two groups( t =33.277,-35.356,-28.093,P＜0.01 ).Conclusions Tet suppresses the proliferation of human TCFs through up-regulating the expression of bax and down-regulating the expressions of bcl-2 and TGF-β2 in vitro.

OBJECTIVETo study the efficacy of Xiaoyao Powder (XYP) combined with interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) in treating HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and the effect on their quality of life (QOL).

METHODSTotally 193 patients with HBeAg-positive CHB confirmed by liver biopsy were randomly assigned to 2 groups, Group A (94 cases) and Group B (99 cases). IFN-alpha1b was subcutaneously injected to patients in Group A at the dose of 50 microg, thrice per week. Those in Group B additionally took XYP. The therapeutic course for all was 24 weeks. Clinical efficacy was observed by assessing ALT restoration rate, HBeAg negative rate, HBeAg conversion rate, HBV DNA negative rate, complete response rate, partial response rate, and symptoms integral. The evaluation of QOL was performed by using chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) score. Adverse reaction occurrence rate was observed in the two groups.

RESULTSBetter effects were obtained in Group A on ALT restoration rate, HBeAg negative rate, HBV DNA negative rate, complete response rate, partial response rate, TCM symptoms integral, the total effective rate of TCM sysmptoms, CLDQ score, and adverse reaction rates, showing statistical difference when compared with Group B (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONXYP could elevate the efficacy of TCM symptoms of HBeAg-positive CHB patients and anti-viral effect, improve their QOL, and reduce adverse reaction of IFN-alpha.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

This review introduced the anti-tumor effects of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and summarized their possible molecular mechanisms according to recent abroad literatures and our research results. Some evidence showed that the anti-tumor mechanisms of NSAIDs were different in various tumors.NSAIDs decreased the biosynthesis of PGE_2 and regulated the expressions of downstream correlated genes and proteins through restraining abnormal expression of COX-2 in certain neoplasms,which resulted in the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and proliferation as well as induced apoptosis. But in other cancer cells, NSAIDs, as activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?), induced COX-2 expression, promoted the biosynthesis of cyclopentenone prostaglandins (cyPGs). cyPGs further induced tumor cell apoptosis with PPAR? dependently or PPAR? independently. Since their special mechanisms of anti-proliferation and pro-apoptosis, NSAIDs revealed significant synergistic effects with other anti-tumor treatments.

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of the DNA repair gene ERCC2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 on male idiopathic infertility in Ningxia, China.

METHODSUsing MassArray, we conducted a case-control study and genotyped three ERCC2 SNPs rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 for 351 males (aged 31.0 +/- 4.2 years) with idiopathic infertility and another 327 normal fertile men (aged 33.0 +/- 5.9 years) as controls.

RESULTSThe ERCC2 AnyG-anyA-anyA genotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk of idiopathic infertility (OR 0.414, 95% CI 0.176 - 0.970), while the three single ERCC2 SNPs rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 showed no significant differences between the cases and controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe ERCC2 SNPs rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 play a role of interaction in male idiopathic infertility in Ningxia, contributing to the risk of the disease.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; DNA Repair ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein ; genetics

This study is to develop an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of (-)-epicatechin, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid, neoisoastilbin, astilbin, neoisoastilbin, isoastilbin and engeletin in Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma. Samples of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma, Heterosmilacis Chinensis Rhizoma and Heterosmilacis Yunnanensis Rhizoma were separated on an Agilent Zorbax SB-C18 column with gradient elution of acetonitrile-0.05% phosphoric acid at a flow rate of 1.0 mL · min(-1). The detected wavelength was set at 230 nm and the column temperature was maintained at 35 °C. The contents of (-)-epicatechin, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid, neoastilbin, astilbin, neoisoastilbin, isoastilbin and engeletin in 84 Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma samples were in the range of trace-1.381, trace-9.913, trace-3.673, 0.6706-27.08, trace-1.181, trace-4.833 and trace-2.754 mg · g(-1), respectively. The established method was used for analysis of common adulterants. The results demonstrated that the contents of (-)-epicatechin in Heterosmilacis Yunnanensis Rhizoma and Heterosmilacis Chinensis Rhizoma were 0.01163-0.06007 mg · g(-1) and 0.01583-0.08585 mg · g(-1), respectively, while the other six constituents were not detected. The method is simple and accurate, and can be used for the quality control of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma. The constituents of Heterosmilacis Yunnanensis Rhizoma and Heterosmilacis Chinensis Rhizoma are significantly different from Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma, and they are not suitable for using as Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Liliaceae ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Objective To explore the activation and function of Janus protein-tyrosine kinase (JAK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1) signal transduction pathway in kidney,lung and brain of MRL/lpr mice.Methods MRL/lpr mice with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were studied at the age of 12 weeks up.Non-SLE MRL/lpr mice were used as controls.We used phosphospecific antibodies to detect STAT1 activation in kidney,lung and brain by immunohistochemistry and Western blots.Gene expression of the STAT induced feedback inhibitors of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1) was investigated by SYBR green I real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results Phosphorylation of STAT1 protein was markedly activated in these three organs,although renal and pulmonary STAT1 activation were much more evidently activated.SOCS-1 gene expression increased in all three organs,while renal SOCS-1 gene expres- sion increased less than lung and brain.Conclusion The activation of JAK/STATI signal transduction path- way may be pathogenic in the organ involvement and progression of SLE.The pathogenesis of lupus nephritis may also be associated with the down-regulation of SOCS-1 feedback inhibition.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of time-concentration of bisphenol A (BPA) in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after single oral BPA administration.

METHODSA total of 66 specific pathogen free (SPF) SD male rats were divided into 10 experimental groups and control group (n = 6). The experimental group rats were treated with BPA of 300 mg/kg by oral gavage and blood samples were taken from one group at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, 60, 84 h time point after oral administration, respectively. The serum BPA concentration was determined by fluorescence-high performance liquid chromatography (FL-HPLC) analysis.

RESULTSAfter oral administration of 300 mg/kg, the total serum BPA concentration of 17.13 microg/ml was the highest in rats at 1 h, then decreased, but it increased to 15.18 microg/ml again at 24 h, then gradually decreased to 0.51 microg/ml at 84 h. The level of serum free BPA was lower than that of total serum BPA after oral administration, the serum free BPA was 0.57 microg/ml at 0.5 h after oral administration. The serum free BPA level decreased to 0.06 microg/ml at 1 h, 0.03 microg/ml at 4 h, 0.01 microg/ml at 36 h after oral administration. The free BPA was only 4.15% (0.57/13.73) in total BPA in serum at 0.5 h after oral administration of 300 mg/kg BPA.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that conjugated BPA was the main metabolite of BPA in rat serum after single oral administration. Enterohepatic circulation of BPA glucuronide in rats may results in two peak levels of total BPA in serum.

Animals ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; Male ; Phenols ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Objective To study the risk factors on anemia among elderly women in rural areas of Xiuning county, Anhui province, China. Methods Xiuning county was selected as working field and elderly women aged 50-75y were selected as subjects. Finger hemoglobin (Hb) was measured and basic health survey was face-to-face interviewed. 220 elderly women with anemia entered into the ease group; and matched by age, another 220 women with normal Hb concentration entered the control group. Survey on diet, questionnaire regarding health and lifestyle and related blood indexes were studied and tested. Results When comparing the data from both case and control groups, weight was (49.4±7.3) kg vs. (52.5±8.4) kg (t= 3.97,P<0.01 ), waist circumference was (75.8±7.8) cm vs. (79.1±9.3) cm (t=3.85,P<0.01), BMI was (21.8±2.6) kg/m2 vs. ( 22.9±3.2) kg/m2 (t = 3.775, P< 0.01 ), respectively. The total protein was ( 76.4± 5.0) g/L vs. (78.4±5.6)g/L (t=3.83 ,P<0.01 ), albumin was (45.7±3.1 ) g/L vs. (47.3±2.9)g/L (t=5.24, P<0.01 ), serum iron was ( 10.3±4.1 ) μmol/L vs. ( 12.7±4.6) μmol/L (t=5.48, P<0.01 ), and saturation of transferrin was ( 19.0±7.6)% vs. (23.1±9.1 )% (t=4.90, P<0.01 ), respectively. Results from multifactor conditioned logistic regression analysis showed that the odd ratios (OR) for anemia with staple food, BMI and vitamin A were 1.54, 1.89, 1.69, and the OR for anemia with BMI, staple food, animal food, carbohydrate and vitamin A were 2.0, 1.6, 1.6, 1.4, 1.6, with their confidence intervals (CI) as 1.3-2.9, 1.1-2.3,1.0-2.3,1.0-2.1, 1.1-2.4, respectively. Conclusion The quality of diet, health status and related blood indexes on anemia among elderly women were lower than that in control group. Lower BMI, less staple food and animal food, less carbohydrate and vitamin A intake appeared to be risk factors of anemia.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between pesticide exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes in famers.

METHODSA search was conducted to collect the articles about the relationship between pesticide exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes published worldwide from 1990 to February 2012. Meta-analysis was performed on the collected articles using RevMan 4.2 software.

RESULTSTwelve articles were collected. Compared with the controls, the pesticide-exposed famers showed a combined odds ratio (OR) for spontaneous abortion of 1.52 (95%CI: 1.04 ∼ 2.21; P = 0.03), a combined OR for premature birth of 1.33 (95%CI: 1.09 ∼ 1.61; P = 0.005), a combined OR for dead fetus of 1.22 (95%CI: 1.16 ∼ 1.29; P < 0.01), a combined OR for stillbirth of 1.90 (95%CI: 0.58 ∼ 6.28; P = 0.29), a combined OR for birth defect of 2.02 (95%CI: 0.84 - 4.69; P = 0.12), a combined OR for low birth weight of 1.62 (95%CI: 0.60 ∼ 4.39; P = 0.34), a combined OR for neonatal death of 2.18 (95%CI: 0.54 ∼ 8.88; P = 0.28), and a combined OR for delayed conception of 1.43 (95%CI: 0.93 ∼ 2.18; P = 0.1). Pesticide exposure increased the risks for spontaneous abortion, premature birth, and dead fetus, but was not significantly associated with stillbirth, birth defect, low birth weight, neonatal death, and delayed conception.

CONCLUSIONPesticide exposure can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes in farmers, increasing the risks of spontaneous abortion, premature birth, and dead fetus.

Agriculture ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Exposure ; Pesticides ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Rural Population

OBJECTIVETo study pharmacodynamic characteristics by oral administration aristolochic acid I (AA-I) in rats.

METHODAfter one-time oral administration of Aristolochiae manshuriensis decoction 10 g x kg(-1) and 125I labeled AA-I (containing AA-I 37.2 microg x mL(-1)), whole blood concentration of 125I-AA-I and the binding rate of serum albumin were detected in 69 normal wistar male rats. Metabolic dynamic parameters were calculated by program 3P87 with a two compartment model. The distribution ratio and ID% of nine viscera or tissue were measured and compared with other until the 40th day.

RESULTAfter oral administration, AA-I was rapidly absorbed into the blood and reached its peak at 30 minutes and lasted till 90 minutes. AA-I concentration in the blood gradually declined afterwards. 24 hours later, only few AA-I could be detected. By the 10th day, 68.5% of AA-I presented as the binding type with serum albumin. Pharmacodynamic parameters were calculated as follows: Tmax 0.74 h, Cmax 0.92 microg x mL(-1), t1/2alpha 0.68 h, t1/2beta 20.46 h, V/F 87.39 mL, CL(s) 5.85 mL x h(-1) (0.10 mL x min(-1)). On the other hand, after oral administration AA-I was rapidly distributed to all the viscera or tissue, whose peak appeared in 5 minutes and the vallecula was from 24 to 48 hours. The distribution ratio of AA-I rose in the kidney after 24 hours, and it showed the highest level in the kidney and in the liver by the 4th day compared with other organs or tissue (P < 0.05). However, the distribution ratio of AA-I in the kidney became the most dominant one after the 30th and the 40th day compared with the others (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAA-I is rapidly absorbed after oral administration in rats. Its distribution has the organ specificity, which is characterized as the possible partial metabolism in the liver and the accumulation in the kidney because of rather slower elimination. The characteristics may be related to the long term nephrotoxicity of AA-I.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Aristolochia ; chemistry ; Aristolochic Acids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Distribution