BACKGROUND:. Until now modern science cannot explain clearly aboutthe mechanism of acute alcoholic liver injury. Besides such methods as givingup drinking, or symptomatic treatment, there is no specific therapy and remedy. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has obvious advantages for this: Itcannot only improve the clinical symptoms, but also adjust organism immunefunction, and has very good development future. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of radix bupleuri and radix scutellariae incompatibility with the ratio of different dosage (2:1, 1:1, 1:2) on acute alcoholicliver injury by regulating the system of endocrine-immunity network in rats. DESIGN: Groups are divided randomly and experiments are made underblank conditions. SETTING: TCM Clinical Laboratory of Pharmaceutical School, Henan University of TCM. MATERIALS: From September to November 2002 in TCM Clinical Laboratory of Pharmaceutical School, Henan University of TCM, the general condi tion of the animals were as follows: 96 healthy Wistar rats were divided into 8groups: blank group, model group, radix bupleuri group, radix scutellariaegroup, xiao-chaihu group, radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae 2:1 group, radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae 1:1 group, radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae 1:2 group. METHODS: ① According to the ratio of 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, radix bupleuri andradix scutellariae were taken respectively (480 g, 240 g; 360 g, 360 g; 240 g, 480 g) to produce the water decocting nedicine. Except the blank group(duplicated by saline of the same volume through consecutive gastric infusion), the other groups are duplicated through consecutive gastric infusionby 56 degrees of Er-Guotou White Spirit (7 mL/kg) two times a day for tendays until the model-making is finished. From the first day, the medicine wasgiven two times a day. The blank group and the model group were given thedistilled water of the same volume. The other groups were given the properwater decocting medicine. The dosage in xiao-chaihu group was 10 g/kg andin the other was all 12 g/kg. ② 16 hours later after the last time when thewhite spirit was given, blood was taken from stomach aorta to produceserum. Liver, spleen, chest gland, adrenal gland were quickly removed. Thecalculating formula of an organ index: An organ index= The weight of an organ (g)/The weight of a body (g) ×100%. The calculating formula of vitamin C content in adrenal gland (mg/g): Content of vitamin C= [(The Avalue of the testing tube-The A value of the blank tube)/ (The A value ofthe standard tube-The A value of the blank tube)] ×density of the standardtube (6 mg/L)×dilution times of the sample before tested/protein content(g/L). ③ Comparison between the groups was shown by using variancesimilar test and single-factor variance analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Index of rats' liver, spleen, chest gland, and adrenal gland (on the right side); the determination of vitamin C content in rats' right adrenal gland.RESULTS: During the experiment, 3 rats in the model group died. Tworats died in radix scutellariae group and radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae group respectively, In each of the other groups only one rat died. The condition of the number of the rats which were used for analyzing results:There were 12 in blank group; 9 in model group; 10 in radix bupleuri group, radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae 1:1 group respectively; 11 in each of the other groups. ① Comparison of index of rats in liver, spleen, chest gland, adrenal gland (right side) between different groups: There was no significant difference between the indexes of rats' liver in different groups.The index of spleen, chest gland, adrenal gland in the model group were all greatly less than in blank group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). The index of spleen in the radix bupleuri group wcre greatly higher than in the model group, it could make the reduced spleen index return to normal (P ＜ 0.05); The index of chest in radix scutellariae group, radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae 1:1 group, radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae 1:2 group and xiao-chaihu group were greatly higher than in model group (P ＜ 0.05); The index of adrenal gland in radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae 1:2 group and xiao-chaihu group were greatly higher than in model group (P ＜ 0.05). ② Comparison of vitamin C content in rats' right adrenal gland between the groups: Compared with blank group, the vitamin C content of adrenal gland in the model group had no significant difference. While that of radix bupleuri group, xiao-chaihu group, radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae groups were greatly less than that of model group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01), especially radix bupleuri-radix scutellariae 1:1 group had the most significant influence (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Interfering functional injuries of liver, spleen and suprarenal gland is one of the mechanisms of acute alcoholic liver injury.Generally speaking, bupleuri-radix scutellariae 1:2 group has the greatest effect on the testing index.

To observe the effects of dexamethasone (DXM) on changes of syndrome and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of asthmatic rats at different stages of intervention (before withdrawal, during withdrawal and after withdrawal).

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under ultrasonic guidance for the treatment of upper urinary calculus. Methods From June 2004 to July 2009, 1289 patients with upper urinary tract calculi were treated with PCNL under ultrasonic guidance, 386 cases of them were upper ureteral calculi, 463 cases were single renal calculi,355 cases were multiple renal caculi, 85 cases were staghorn calculi. Calculus size was 0.8 cm× 1.2cm-9.0 cm× 5.3 cm,mean 2. 1 cm× 3.1 cm. Nine hunderd and thirty-five cases were with hydronephrosis. Results All patients were performed PCNL successfully, without conversion to open surgery or death. Mean operation time was 90(55-220)min, mean operative blood loss was 175(60-800)ml. Thirty-one cases were given blood transfusion during operation or post operation, 14 cases were given super-selective renal artery embolism for bleeding control. 1105 cases were treated with single tract, 108 cases with double tracts, 76 cases with three tracts. Calculus clearance rate of onestage PCNL was 85.03%(1096/1289);193 cases were found with residual calculi, 67 of them were given extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, 126 of them were given two-stage PCNL, calculi were removed complelety in 85 cases. Total calculus clearance rate was 91.62%(1181/1289). Conclusions PCNL under ultrasonic guidance is an effective and safe method for the treatment of upper urinary calculus with advantages of accurate positioning, high calculus clearance rate, minimal trauma, and fewer complications. The key of successful PCNL is selection of patients, grasp of operation technique, and availability of other equipements.

OBJECTIVETo compare the apoptosis and hemodynamic changes of the penile tissue in diabetic and healthy rats.

METHODSSixteen chronic diabetic and 10 matched normal control rats were injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) 65 mg/kg and the diabetic model established. Eight weeks later the rats were killed, their haemoglobin Alc( HbAlc) measured, and their penises harvested. TUNEL assay (in situ nick end-labeling) and flow cytometry were used to analyse the penile cells for apoptosis. The thickness and diameter of the arteries were measured.

RESULTSTUNEL showed apoptosis in the chronic diabetic rats. Flow cytometric analysis showed the apoptotic peak in the penile cells of the chronic diabetic rats when compared with the controls (P < 0.05). There was significant difference between the diabetic and healthy rats. Morphological analysis revealed that the thickness of the artery wall increased while the artery diameter decreased in the diabetes group compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONDiabetes can lead to increasing apoptosis of the penile tissue, cause a decrease in the penile artery diameter and the thickening of the penile artery wall.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Arteries ; pathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Flow Cytometry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Penis ; blood supply ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Streptozocin

OBJECTIVETo study the neuro-endocrine adjustment effects of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustrilucidi on the asthmatic rats.

METHODRat asthma model was duplicated by OVA (ovalbumin) through sensitizing and challenging. Fifty male rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, adjustment group of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustrilucidi, Peibenfang group and Asimei capsule group. Investigating levels of ET (Endothelin), NO, iNOS (inducible NOS ), and cNOS (constitutive NOS) in blood serum and BALF (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ), CORT (corticotrophin) in serum, ACTH (adrenocorticotropin hormone) in plasma, CHR (corticotropin release hormone) in hypothalamus, protein expression of GCR (glucocorticoid receptor) in lung tissue.

RESULTThe adjustment of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustrilucidi could inhibit ET and NO content in BALF (all P < 0.05), decrease the level of iNOS in serum and BALF (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), and increase the level of cNOS in serum and BALF (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), raise the concentration of serum CORT (P < 0.01), enhance the protein expression of GCR in lung tissue (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe preventive and therapeutic effect of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustrilucidi on asthma relates to their adjustment effect on ET/NO and HPA axis.

Animals ; Asthma ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelins ; blood ; Humans ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; blood ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-inflammatory effect of the combination of Epimedii Folium, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and dexamethasone on asthma and its effect in inhibiting adverse reaction against hormone.

METHODDexamethasone had been injected intraperitoneally into asthmatic model rats for 2 weeks, together with the oral administration of Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus. The contents of IL-4, INF-gamma, IL-5 and GCR in BALF, serum COR, plasma ACTH and hypothalamic CRH were observed.

RESULTThe combination of Epimedii Folium, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and dexamethasone can significantly decrease the contents of IL-5 and IL-4 in BALF and ACTH and CRH content in plasma, increase the content of IFN-gamma and GCR in BALF and balance Th1/Th2.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of Epimedii Folium, Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and dexamethasone has a better anti-inflammatory effect on asthmatic model rats, and play a protective role in the pathway of endogenous dexamethasone.

Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; immunology ; Cytokines ; analysis ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Ligustrum ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo establish a kidney deficient aging model (KDAM), assess it in antioxidant capacity, HPAT axis function and bone metabolism, and compare with D-galactose aging model.

METHODAging rat model was established by injecting D-galactose solution, meanwhile dexamethasone solution was injected to establish kidney deficient aging model. Then these models were evaluated by serum MDA (malondialdehyde) and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase), liver SOD (superoxide dismutase), adrenal, thymus and spleen index, CD4(+), CD8(+), and serum COR (cortisol), BGP (bone Gla-protein), plasma ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone).

RESULTCompared with the normal group, the aging model group and the kidney deficient aging group showed significant decrease in liver SOD activity (P < 0.01 on average) and significant increase in serum MDA content (P < 0.01 on average) , and the kidney deficient aging group revealed remarkable decline in plasma ACTH content (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal group and the aging model group, the kidney deficient aging model group's weight, serum GSH-Px decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), adrenal index decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum COR decreased (P < 0.05 on average), plasma CRH increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum BGP content significantly decreased (P < 0.01 on average), value of CD4(+), CD8(+) decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), CD4(+)/CD8(+) increased, but without significant difference.

CONCLUSIONThe kidney deficient aging model shows significant decrease in antioxidant capacity, dysfunction of HPAT axis disorder and abnormal bone metabolism. However, D-galactose aging model only shows a significant difference in antioxidant capacity.

Aging ; drug effects ; physiology ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Galactose ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Liver ; enzymology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To compare the safety of laparoscopic live donor nephreetomy(LDN) and open live donor nephrectomy(ODN), evaluate the kidney function and blood pressure of living donors during 1 year follow-up. Methods Thirty cases of LDN and 30 eases of ODN were retrospectively reviewed. The operation time, warm ischemia time, operative blood loss, time to post-operative intake and time to ambulation of the 2 grouups were compared. According to the modified Clavien classifica-tion system procedure-related complications were described and compared. Serum creatinine(SCr) le-vels, blood pressure and 24-h urine protein excretion were measured before nephreetomy and 1 d, 7 d, 3 months, 6 and 12 months after nephrectomy. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured preo-pratively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. These data were statistically analyzed. Results The operation time was (98. 6+13. 6)rain and (96.3+19. 5)rain in the LDN and ODN groups, re- spectively. Warm ischemia time in the LDN group was (90.6±15.1)s, in the ODN group was (86.4±12.3)s. Operative blood loss was (105.2±634.8)ml and (206.3±126.4)ml in the LDN and ODN groups(P<0.01). For the time to post-operative intake and time to ambulation, LDN group was (28.5±2.9)h and (25.8±63.8)h, ODN group was (38.6±63.3)h and (36.5±65.3)h(P<0.01). Perioperative complications rates were 6.6%(2/30) and 23.3%(7/30) for LDN and ODN, respective-ly. SCr was (109.1±7.5), (105.4±69.5), (96.6±10.7), (89.4±11.5), (91.6±69.3)/zmol/L in the LDN group and (107.3±69.6), (103.3±68.4), (95.4±69.1), (90.5±13.6), (90.3±11.7)μmol/L in the ODN group 1 day, 7 days, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after nephrectomy. The mean GFR of LDN and ODN was 64.7 and 65.8 ml/min at 6 months after nephrectomy, 65.9 and 67.5 ml/min at 12 months postoperatively, which were significantly different comparing with preoperative mean GFR in each group(P<0.05) but no significant difference was found between 6 months and 12 months after nephrectomy and between the 2 groups at the same time point respectively(P>0.05). Mean 24 h protein excretion was elevated after either LDN or ODN during 1 year followup, but was not significantly different either between predonation and 1 year after nephrectomy or between the 2 groups at the same period. Blood pressure increased or decreased slightly with the duration of follow-up,no significant blood presure changes were found before and after nephrectomy or between the two groups at the same period postoperatively. Conclusions LDN has the advantages of minimal trauma, less operative blood loss and quicker convalescence. It is safe and and has no adverse effects regarding kidney function and blood pressure during the first year after living kidney donation comparing to ODN.

Objective:To establish the prokaryotic expression system of Taenia solium (Ts) 14-3-3.2, and observe the expression of Ts14-3-3.2 protein at the stages of Ts adult and cysticercus. Methods:Based on the Ts14-3-3.2 gene sequence obtained by the Department of Parasitology, Zunyi Medical University in the previous study, the whole gene was synthesized by PCR-based accurate synthesis (PAS) method. After double digestion with restriction enzymes Nde Ⅰ and Xba Ⅰ, the plasmid pCzn1 was ligated to construct a recombinant plasmid pCzn1-Ts14-3-3.2. Then it was transformed into Escherichia coli ArcticExpress competent cells to induce the expression of Ts14-3-3.2 protein. The expression products were analyzed and identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and coomassie blue staining. The purified Ts14-3-3.2 recombinant protein was obtained by Ni-affinity chromatography. New Zealand rabbits were immunized with the recombinant protein to produce Ts14-3-3.2 polyclonal antibody. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Ts14-3-3.2 protein at the stages of Ts adult and cysticercus. Results:The recombinant plasmid pCzn1-Ts14-3-3.2 was successfully constructed. After induced expression, Ts14-3-3.2 target protein bands appeared in the supernatant and precipitated at the relative molecular weight of about 29.31 × 10 3. The purified Ts14-3-3.2 recombinant protein with His label could be recognized by anti-His monoclonal antibody, and the Ts14-3-3.2 polyclonal antibody with titer of 1 ∶ 512 000 was obtained. Western blotting showed that Ts14-3-3.2 protein was expressed at the stages of Ts adult and cysticercus. Conclusions:The prokaryotic expression system of Ts14-3-3.2 is successfully established, and the Ts14-3-3.2 polyclonal antibody with relatively higher purity and titer is obtained. The Ts14-3-3.2 protein is expressed at the stages of Ts adult and cysticercus.

Parasitic diseases are diseases caused by parasites invading the human body, and 14-3-3 family plays an important role in the life activities of parasites, such as infection, growth and development, reproduction, and so on. Carrying out systematic research on it will help to understand the distribution and biological functions of the 14-3-3 family in parasites, and provide help for the immunological diagnosis and prevention of parasitic diseases. This article reviews the recent progress in the study of 14-3-3 family of important human parasites.