OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Draconis Sanguis-containing serum on the expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF, LNG-FR, TrkA, GDNF, GAP-43 and NF-H in Schwann cells, and investigate the possible mechanism of Draconis Sanguis to promote peripheral nerve regeneration.

METHODSD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group (orally administered with Draconis Sanguis-containing balm solution) and the blank group (equivoluminal balm) to prepare Draconis Sanguis-containing serum and blank control serum. Schwann cells were extracted from double sciatic nerves of three-day-old SD rats, divided into 2 groups: the Draconis Sanguis group and the blank control group, and respectively cultured with 10% Draconis Sanguis-containing serum or blank control serum. The mRNA expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and other genes in Schwann cells were measured by RT-PCR analysis 48 hours later.

RESULTMost of the Schwann cells were bipolar spindle and arranged shoulder to shoulder or end to end under the microscope and identified to be positive with the immunocytochemical method. To compare with the blank group, mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 significantly increased (P < 0.01). Whereas that of BDNF decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and so did that of TrkA, CNTF (P < 0.01), with no remarkable difference in NF-H-mRNA.

CONCLUSIONTraditional Chinese medicine Draconis Sanguis may show effect in nerve regeneration by up-regulating mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 and down-regulating mRNA expressions of TrkA, BDNF and CNTF.

Animals ; Arecaceae ; chemistry ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; GAP-43 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Neurofilament Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, trkA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Schwann Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Serum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for rapid identification and efficient preparation of main ingredients in effective parts of Xinjiang Artemisia rupestris,and provide reference for researching the ethnic medicines. METHODS:LC-HRMS/MS was conducted for the preliminary study of main ingredients in effective parts of A. rupestris. HPLC,UV and MS were used to compare and analyze parts of the compounds and its reference substances,their names were determined. Column separation and preparative liquid chromatography were used for the undetermined compounds to receive monomer rapidly,and the structures were identified. RESULTS:5 compounds were separated from the effective parts,2 of which were identified as artemetin and casticin. A monomer-ic compound was obtained (yield was 0.35 mg/g,the purity was 98.5%),which was confirmed to be 6-demethoxy-4′-O-me-thoxy-capillarisin-7-O-β-D-glucoside by the structure. CONCLUSIONS:The method has achieved rapid separation,identification and preparation of target ingredients,which can be used for the fundamental research of ethnic medicine complex materials.

BACKGROUND: Recently biodegradable hydrogel has been extensively used to delivery anticancer drug and bioactive macromolecule. However, to protect the activity of the bioactive macromolecule, we need to obtain series of hydrogel which have milder hydrogelation conditions and shorter hydroglation time.OBJECTIVE: To prepare enantiomeric poly(L-Lactic acid) (PLLA)-poly(ethylene glycol (PEG)-PLLA/ poly(D-Lactic acid) (PDLA)-PEG-PDLA stereocomplex hydrogel which has shorter hydroglation time, to physically encapsulate a model drug-lysozyme and sustained release it from the hydrogel. METHODS: Triblock copolymers of PLLA-PEG-PLLA and PDLA-PEG-PDLA were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of L(D)-lactide using PEG as the initiator and Sn(Oct)2 as the catalyst. The triblock copolymers were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, FT-IR and X-Ray diffractometry. A hydrogel was prepared from an aqueous mixture of PLLA20-PEG227-PLLA20 and PDLA21-PEG227-PDLA21 (10 wt% concentration) at room temperature for 12 hours. X-Ray diffractometry test was used to research the gelation mechanism. The release profile of the lysozyme as a model drug from the hydrogel was tested. The morphology of the freeze-dried hydrogel was investigated by scanning electron microscope. The cytotoxicity of the hydrogel was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Triblock copolymers of PLLA-PEG-PLLA and PDLA-PEG-PDLA were obtained. Both the PEG and PLA blocks in the copolymers could crystallize, but the crystallization of the PEG block was predominant. The stereocomplex formation between the PLLA and PDLA blocks within the hydrogel was confirmed by the X-Ray diffractometry analysis. The release profile of the lysozyme from the hydrogel exhibited a sustained-release pattern with a duration period of 7 days. The hydrogel exhibited a 3D interconnected porous structure with 50-100 μm pore size after being freeze-dried. The mouse fibroblast cell viability percentage was 99.3% after the cells contacted with the 100% extracted liquid for 72 hours.

AIMTo determine the effects of azide methyl anthraquinone derivative (AMAD) on growth inhibition and inducing apoptosis of multidrug resistant (MDR) KBv200 cells and parental drug-sensitive KB cells.

METHODSCytotoxicity was determined by tetrazolium (MTF) assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsi(m)) in cells were labeled with DCFH-DA and DiOC6 and tested by flow cytometry. Annexin V stain and DNA ladder were used to examine the apoptosis of KB and KBv200 cells induced by AMAD.

RESULTSAMAD was shown to inhibit the growth of KB and KBv200 cells significantly in a concentration-dependent manner, with mean IC50 of 0.36 and 0.45 micromol x L(-1), respectively. The generation of ROS increased obviously after the cells were treated with AMAD for 12 h, up to the peak in 24 h, meanwhile the levels of deltapsi(m) were time-dependently decreased. DNA fragmentation appeared on the agarose gel. Annexin V stain showed AMAD induced apoptosis of KB and KBv200 cells also in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONAMAD showed inhibitory effect on both MDR KBv200 cells and parental drug-sensitive KB cells. The mechanism of action was associated with the increase of the cellular ROS level and the decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential induced by AMAD, which result in cell apoptosis.

Anthraquinones ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; KB Cells ; Mitochondria ; physiology ; Molecular Structure ; Mouth Floor ; Mouth Neoplasms ; pathology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Vincristine ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDAdrenomedullin is a potent vasodilating peptide and involved in many cardiovascular diseases. However, whether adrenomedullin is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy is still unknown. Our aim was to characterize the expression pattern of adrenomedullin in the myocardium of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODSThe weight, blood glucose, and urine glucose of 20 streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were measured before and after model induction in the diabetic and control groups. The alteration of the adrenomedullin expression was explored in the left ventricular myocardium in both groups by immunohistochemistry. Changes in heart ultrastructure were also analyzed by using hemotoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy. All data were analyzed by the independent samples t test.

RESULTSThe data of weight, blood glucose, and urine glucose had no significant difference between the control and the diabetic groups before animal model induction. Four weeks after the induction of diabetes, the differences between the two groups in weight, blood glucose, and urine glucose were distinct. When compared with the control group, the diabetic group showed ultrastructural changes including hypertrophy, fibrosis, myofibrillar disarrangements, mitochondrial disruption, and increase in nuclear membrane invaginations. A significant decrease of adrenomedullin expression was also observed in cardiac myocytes of the diabetic rats (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOur study provides experimental evidence that hyperglycemia could damage cardiac myocytes. Down-regulation of cardioprotective peptide adrenomedullin in the myocardium of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats may contribute to the diabetic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction.

Adrenomedullin ; analysis ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Cardiomyopathies ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; metabolism ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Myocardium ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin

AIMTo study the relationship of neurotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and the function of glutamate transporter.

METHODSUsing in vivo microdialysis together with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect the alteration of glutamate in the striatum and extracellular fluid of the PC12 cell. The rate of apoptosis and the activity of PC12 cells are read in a flow cytometer and a photometer for enzyme-labeled assays. The function of glutamate transporter is decided by detecting the ability of L-[3H]-glutamate uptake.

RESULTS6-OHDA was shown to induce apoptosis and decrease the activity of PC12 cells. Increased release of glutamate was also found in PC12 cells and the injured striatum of the PD rats. But glutamate uptake in PC12 cells and rat striatum synaptosomes are inhibited obviously.

CONCLUSIONThe neurotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine is associated with declined function of glutamate transporters, which may be one important pathogenesis mechanisms of Parkinson's disease.

Amino Acid Transport System X-AG ; drug effects ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; toxicity ; PC12 Cells ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PET serves as one of the most advanced imaging modalities,and its development depends on the improvement of radiotracers.Among numerous positron isotopes,18 F appears to be the best radionuclide candidate for PET radiotracers by virtue of its favorable physical characteristics.18 F-labeled aromatic radiotracers have been widely investigated by researchers due to its special metabolic stability.However, the development and application of 18 F-labeled aromatic radiotracers have been limited due to lacking of radiochemical methods to obtain products with high selectivity,high radioactivity and high purity.This review focuses on the new labeling methods of 18 F-labeled aromatic radiotracers from the aspects of electrophilic and nucleophilic substitution reactions.

Objective: To explore the influencing factors for the primary and secondary school students with abnormal angle of trunk rotation for the prevention. Methods: The students of Grade Four to Nine in Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province were selected by cluster sampling method. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect social demographic data, diet behaviors, physical activities, reading and writing habits. The angle of trunk rotation was measured by scoliometer. Logistic regression model was used to investigate the influencing factors for abnormal angle of trunk rotation. Results: This study included 2 942 schoolchildren, with 1 582 ( 53.78% ) boys and 1 360 ( 46.23% ) girls. The incidence rate of abnormal angle of trunk rotation was 7.82%. The incidence rate of abnormal angle of trunk rotation in girls was 10.74%, which was higher than 5.31% in boys ( P<0.05 ). Grade ( OR=1.485, 95%CI: 1.058-2.085 ), gender ( OR=2.084, 95%CI: 1.536-2.828 ), frequency of eating fresh vegetables in the past week ( OR=0.749, 95%CI: 0.633-0.887 ) and watching electronic screen in the dark ( OR=1.188, 95%CI: 1.002-1.408 ) were the influencing factors for abnormal angle of trunk rotation in primary and secondary school students. Grade ( OR=2.664, 95%CI: 1.481-4.791 ) and watching electronic screen in the dark ( OR=1.325, 95%CI: 1.030-1.704 ) were influencing factors for abnormal angle of trunk rotation in boys. Frequency of eating fresh vegetables in the past week ( OR=0.714, 95%CI: 0.574-0.887 ) and uncorrected eyesight less than 5.0 ( OR=1.795, 95%CI: 1.164-2.767 ) were influencing factors for abnormal angle of trunk rotation in girls. Conclusion The abnormal angle of trunk rotation in primary and secondary school students is related to gender, grade, reading and writing behaviors as well as diets; and the influencing factors are different in male and female students.

OBJECTIVETo get morphologic parameters of Chinese adults through observation and measurement on axial laminas, to evaluate the feasibility of placing axial laminar screws and to introduce the technique.

METHODSRelative parameters of 28 sets of fresh Chinese adults'axial specimens, including distance from the superior and inferior entry points of axial laminar screws to the superior margins of axial laminas, superior, middle, inferior thickness and height of the axial laminas, length and angle of the axial laminar screw trajectories, distance from the entry points of axial laminar screws to the transverse foramen and central points of the inferior articular process, were measured with a digital caliper and a goniometer. Data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSAveragely, distance from the superior and inferior entry points of axial laminar screws to the superior margins of axial laminas was 5 mm and 9 mm, superior, middle, inferior thickness and the height of the axial laminas were 3.2 mm, 6.7 mm, 5.5 mm and 12.8 mm respectively, and the length of the superior and inferior axial laminar screw trajectories was 26.2 mm and 25.5 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSIt is feasible and reliable to apply posterior laminar screw fixation techniques to the axes of Chinese adults. Also the C2 laminar screw fixation technique can be taken as a supplementary to conventional posterior screw fixations of C2.

Adult ; Aged ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of diazoxide on oxygen free radicals and cell apoptosis in brain tissue after deep hypothermia cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in young rats.

METHODSFifty-four 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and equitably divided into sham-operated group, model group and diazoxide group respectively (n = 18). The model of hypothermia cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury was made. After 24 hours of operation, the brains of rats were removed and preserved. The content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) in brain tissue were detected. Cytosolic C release of cytochrome was confirmed by Western Blot. The protein expression of Caspase-3 was determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn the model group, the content of SOD was (198 +/- 41) U/mg, lower than the sham-operated group's (321 +/- 36) U/mg (P < 0.01). The content of MDA was (212 +/- 21) nmol/mg, was higher than the sham-operated group's (100 +/- 23) nmol/mg (P < 0.01), and the expressions of cytochrome C (0.72 +/- 0.09) and Caspase-3 (83 +/- 10) were all significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group (0.17 +/- 0.02 and 115 +/- 9) (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the content of SOD in the diazoxide group [(264 +/- 34) U/mg] was markedly increased (P < 0.05). In addition, diazoxide provided significant reductions in the content of MDA [(174 +/- 19) nmol/mg] and the expressions of cytochrome C (0.41 +/- 0.05) and Caspase-3 (99 +/- 11) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe neuroprotective effects of diazoxide against brain injury induced by deep hypothermia cerebral ischemia reperfusion through inhibiting oxygen free radicals and cell apoptosis. Diazoxide may become a new neuroprotective drug after infant complicated congenital cardiac operation.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Circulatory Arrest, Deep Hypothermia Induced ; adverse effects ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Diazoxide ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Reperfusion ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism