To study the protective effect and the mechanism of asiatic acid (AA) from Potentilla chinensis on alcohol hepatic injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group, the AA control group (8 mg · kg(-1) AA), the model group (5.0-9.0 g · kg(-1) alcohol) and high, medium and low-dose AA-treated groups (alcohol + 8, 4, 2 mg · kg(-1) AA). Each group was orally administered with the corresponding drugs once a day for 24 weeks. Approximately 1. 5 hours after the final administration, all rats were killed, and their blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected. The AST and ALT in rat serum and the contents of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MDA in hepatic tissues were detected. The expressions of NF-κB, TLR4, CD14, MyD88, TRIF and protein expression in hepatic tissues were measured by western blot. The pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by histological examination. The results showed that compared with the model group, the AA-treated groups showed significant decreases in serum ALT, AST and MDA and increases in the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MPO. Moreover, AA markedly inhibited the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, TLR4, CD14, MyD88 and NF-κB. The histological examination showed alleviated hepatic issue ijury to varying degrees. In short, asiatic acid (AA) from P. chinensis could protect alcohol-induced hepatic injury in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB inactivation and the reduction of inflammatory response.
Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; prevention & control ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; physiology ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; Potentilla ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo study the MRI features of 1,2-dichloroethane Chronic Toxic Encephalopathy of 10 cases.

METHOD10 cases were examined by MRI, slice thickness 8 mm, layer from 2 mm, axial and coronal line scan, T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR imaging.

RESULTS10 cases show varying degrees of abnormal signal of white matters, low signal intensity on T1WI, high signal intensity on T2WI and FLAIR. MRI could also show extensive abnormal signal in cerebral white matter although the toxic manifestation is mild to moderate. Therefore the symptoms and the shows of MRI could be inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONCombined with a history of exposure, the show of varying degrees of abnormal signal of white matter in 1,2-dichloroethane Chronic Toxic Encephalopathy cases are characteristic.

Adult ; Brain Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Ethylene Dichlorides ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Our previous studies suggest that the vascular local renin-angiotensin system (L-RAS) plays a pivotal role in the region-specific vascular adaptation due to simulated weightlessness. The present study was designed to determine whether simulated weightlessness still induced adaptive changes in rat vessels when angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) was chronically blocked by the administration of losartan, and whether the expressions of key elements in the L-RAS in the large arteries would change. Tail suspension for 4 weeks was used to simulate the physiological effect of weightlessness. The responses of the basilar, anterior tibial, carotid arteries and abdominal aorta were observed by morphometric technique with light microscopy. The expressions of angiotensinogen (AGT) and AT(1)R in the walls of common carotid artery and abdominal aorta were determined using immunohistochemical technique. The results showed that simulated weightlessness induced hypertrophy of the media of basilar artery and smooth muscle layers of carotid artery, but atrophic change in the anterior tibial artery and abdominal aorta. After 4 weeks of losartan treatment, all these arteries showed significant atrophic changes. However, simulated weightlessness still induced relative hypertrophy of the basilar artery and carotid artery and atrophy of the abdominal aorta when AT(1)R was blocked. After 4 weeks of simulated weightlessness, the expressions of AGT and AT(1)R were upregualted in the wall of carotid artery, but downregulated in the wall of abdominal aorta and perivascular tissues. Losartan decreased AGT and AT(1)R expressions only in the wall of abdominal aorta; whereas simulated weightlessness further decreased AT(1)R expression in the wall of abdominal aorta when AT(1)R was blocked. We conclude that simulated weightlessness for 4 weeks still induces structural changes and upregulates or downregulates the key elements in L-RAS in the large and medium-sized arteries from fore and hind body parts of rats when AT(1)R is blocked. The results suggest that the L-RAS in arterial tissue plays a pivotal role in these differential structural changes. However, there still exist other regulatory pathways to mediate the adaptive regulation of cerebral vessels when AT(1)R is blocked.
Adaptation, Physiological ; Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Carotid Arteries ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Hindlimb Suspension ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; Weightlessness Simulation

OBJECTIVETo study the content variation of furmarid acid and isofraxidin in Sarcandra glabra from 21 different provenances and provide the basis for resource utilization and quality optimization of S. glabra.

METHODHPLC method was developed to determine the contents of furmarid acid and isofraxidin in 330 samples of S. glabra which were collected respectively from 21 different provenances.

RESULTThere were significant differences in the contents of isofraxidin and furmarid acid in S. glabra from different provenances. The contents of isofraxidin and furmarid acid dropped off from low altitude to high altitude, which were also close with longitude and latitude. The content of isofraxidin in S. glabra at central area of natural distribution was the highest. The different parts of the plant had different results, the influence on the contents of the acitive components in stem were more obvious than the leaf.

CONCLUSIONThis simple, accurate and reproducible method could be use to determine the contents of furmarid acid and isofraxidin in S. glabra. The results represented the status of medicines quality and difference of Chinese S. glabra. These agreed with the traditional views that the medicines quality of Sarcandra glabra in Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang was better. These provenances were considered as important areas of medicines breeding and bases building on S. glabra in future.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumarins ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fumarates ; chemistry ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVEIn order to prove a basis for rational exploitation and utilization of the herb, the charaeteristic feature for Acanthus iliciflius was studied.

METHODThe botanical and pharmacognostic features of the collected original plant were stadied.

RESULTA. ilicifolius showed obvious pharmacognostic characters. The aerate cells of the root were upgrowth. and four vascular bundles were found in leaf venation.

CONCLUSIONThe distinct characteristic features revealed in this studies can serve as evidence for the identification of A. ilicifolius.

Acanthaceae ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Pharmacognosy ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry

Objective: To observe the effects of liraglutide on angiogenesis and myocardium protection in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats with its mechanisms. Methods: Rat's AMI model was established by left anterior descending of coronary ligation. AMI rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Control group, the rats received subcutaneous injection of normal saline, Low dose (LS) group and High dose (HS) group, rats received subcutaneous injection of liraglutide 70μg/(kg?d) and 140μg/(kg?d) respectively; in addition, Sham operation group, rats received normal saline. n=6 in each group, all animals were treated for 2 weeks. 4 weeks later, cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography, morphological changes of myocardium were observed by HE staining, collagen volume fraction (CVF) was calculated by Masson staining, myocardial microvessel density (MVD) and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in marginal zone of infracted region were detected by immunohistochemistry, VEGF protein level was examined by Western blot analysis. Results: Compared with Sham operation group, Control group showed decreased LVEF, LVFS and increased LVEDd, LVESd, CVF, all P<0.01; while MVD and VEGF protein level were similar between 2 groups, P>0.05. Compared with Control group, LS group and HS group had obviously increased LVEF, LVFS, P<0.01 and decreased LVEDd, LVESd, P<0.05, obviously decreased CVF, P<0.01; obviously elevated MVD and VEGF protein level, P<0.01. Compared with LS group, HS group presented obviously increased LVEF, LVFS, P<0.01 and decreased LVEDd, LVESd, CVF, P<0.05; elevated MVD and VEGF protein level, P<0.01 or P<0.05. Conclusion: Liraglutide could improve angiogenesis in AMI rats which might be related to increased VEGF expression and reduced collagen deposition; therefore improve left ventricular systolic function for cardiac protection. The effect had certain relationship to liraglutide dosage.

BACKGROUNDIt is still controversial whether the serum inhibin B level is a superior predictor of the presence of sperm in testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in azoospermic men compared with serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serum inhibin B levels as a predictor of the outcome of TESE in Chinese non-obstructive azoospermic men and compared it with the traditional marker serum FSH and testicular volumes.

METHODSBasal values of serum hormone levels, testicular volumes and histological evaluation of 305 Chinese non-obstructive azoospermic men were analyzed. The level of inhibin B was measured using a three-step enzyme-linked immunoassay before sperm extraction, and the diagnostic accuracy of prediction of the outcome of TESE was compared for different markers by the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTSTesticular sperm was successfully retrieved in 137 of 305 patients (44.9%). The serum level of inhibin B, the FSH and the testicular volume were significantly different between the successful TESE group and the unsuccessful group. According to the ROC curve analysis, for inhibin B, the cut-off value for discriminating between successful and failed TESE was 28.39 pg/ml (sensitivity 83.5%, specificity 79.1%). For FSH, the best cut-off value for discriminating was 11.05 pg/ml (sensitivity 83.5%, specificity 74.5%). The area under the ROC curve of serum inhibin B was similar to that of FSH. Combining the serum inhibin B with FSH levels did not improve the predictive value for successful TESE.

CONCLUSIONSSerum inhibin B and FSH levels are correlated with spermatogenesis. However, inhibin B is not superior to FSH in predicting the presence of sperm in TESE. And the combination of them does not improve the diagnostic accuracy on TESE outcome.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Inhibins ; blood ; Male ; Sperm Retrieval ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Testis ; cytology

ITS2 sequence was used as a barcode to identify herbal tea ingredient Plumeria rubra and its adulterants. Genomic DNAs from forty eight samples were extracted, the ITS2 sequences were amplified and sequenced bi-direstionlly, and then assembled and obtained using CodonCode Aligner. The sequences were aligned using ClustalW, the genetic distances were computed by kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model and the Neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA5.0. Results showed that the length of ITS2 sequence of P. rubra were 244 bp. The intra-specific genetic distances (0-0. 016 6) were much smaller than inter-specific ones between P. rubra and its adulterants(0.320 8-0.650 4). The NJ tree indicated that P. rubra and its adulterants could be distinguished clearly. Therefore, Using ITS2 barcode can accurately andeffectively distinguish herbal tea ingredient P. rubra from its adulterants, which providesa new molecular method to identify P. rubra and ensure its safety in use.
Apocynaceae ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Flowers ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control

AIMTo study the effect of curcumin on pulmonary arterial pressure and type I collagen of pulmonary arterioles in pulmonary hypertensive rats induced by chronic hypoxia and hypercapnia.

METHODSThirty six rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (NC), hypoxic hypercapnic group (HH) and hypoxic hypercapnia + curcumin group (HC). Collagen I in pulmonary arterioles was observed by the technique of immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS(1) The findings from hemodynamics showed that the mPAP in group HH was significantly higher than that in group NC and HC. Differences of mCAP among groups were not significant (P > 0.05). (2) Light microscopy showed the value of WA/TA (vessel wall area/total area), SMC (the density of medial smooth muscle cells) and thickness of pulmonary arterial media smooth cell layer(PAMT) were significantly higher in group HH than group NC (P < 0.01) and group HC (P < 0.01). (3) Electron microscopy showed that structure of the endothelial cells in pulmonary arterioles in group HC was near to normal, and the proliferation of medial smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers in adventitia was much lighter than those of group HH. (4) Expression of collagen I in pulmonary arterioles was significantly higher in group HH than group NC (P < 0.01) and group HC (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCurcumin can decrease pulmonary arterial pressure, improve pulmonary vessel remodeling and inhibit the deposition of collagen I in pulmonary arterioles.

Animals ; Arterioles ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Hypercapnia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley