Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Objective To investigate the mechanism of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF)-α inhibiting osteo blastdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in the mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (MRL/lpr). Methods The femurs of MRL / lpr and C3He/HeJ mice were isolated, the bone structure were examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The proteins of TNF-α, NF-κB P50, bone morphogenetic protein -2 (BMP-2) and PSmad1/5/8 were measured by immunohistochemical stain. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were isolated. After BMMSCs grew on the cover slips, the proteins on top of it were evaluated by immunohistochemistry stain. Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was employed for the measurement of the early osteogenic differentiation. BMMSCs together with hydroxyapatite were embedded subcutaneously in the nude mice and eight weeks later, the ectopic bone formation was evaluated. The recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor type Ⅱantibody fusion protein (etanercept) or normal saline was subcutaneous injected to the mice with lupus. After four weeks, the expression of these proteins was observed and the ectopic bone formation was investigated. Image-Pro plus 6.0 software was employed for imagine analysis, and Studentˊs t-test was used to test the differences between 2 independent groups. Results MRL/lpr mice showed decreased volume of cortex and the percentage of cortex to the volume of bone of MRL/lpr mice was significantly lower compared to control groups and with C3He/HeJ mice (13.96±0.25 vs 23.61±0.71, n=3, P<0.01). The protein levels of both TNF-αand NF-κB P50 on the femur of MRL/lprl mice were higher than those of the control group (0.643±0.051 vs 0.405±0.022, 0.917±0.023 vs 0.650±0.032, n=3, P<0.01). The expressions of BMP-2 on the femur of MRL/lpr mice were lower than those of the C3He/HeJ mice (0.52 ±0.03 vs 0.72 ±0.03, n=3, P<0.01). There was no difference in the expression of PSmad1/5/8 on the femur between the two groups by immunohistochemistry detection (1.264 ±0.021 vs 1.301± 0.044, n=3, P>0.05). The expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB P50 in BMMSCs of MRL/lprl mice were higher than those of the C3He/HeJ (0.184±0.021 vs 0.136±0.013, 0.132±0.021 vs 0.097± 0.014, n=3, P<0.01), while BMP-2 and PSmad were lower than those of the control group (0.128±0.013 vs 0.216±0.221, 0.115±0.023 vs 0.196±0.034, n=3, P<0.01). After 7 days of BMP-2 stimulation, the activities of ALP of BMMSCs from MRL/lprl mice were reduced detected by ALP staining and the osteoblast differentiation of these cells were decreased than BMMSCs from the control mice by HE and Masson staining. The percentage of the cortex to the volume of bone of the etanercept injection MRL/lpr mice was higher than that of the control group (21.8±1.0 vs 14.3 ±0.6, n=3, P<0.01). Moreover, the proteins of TNF-α and NF-κB P50 on the femurs of such injected mice were lower than those of the control group (0.540±0.024 vs 0.682±0.031, 0.857±0.023 vs 1.098±0.044, n=3, P<0.05), while the expressions of BMP-2 were higher than the control group (0.99±0.04 vs 0.85±0.04, n=3, P<0.05). There was no difference in the PSmad1/5/8 expression on the bone of the two group of lupus mice (0.88 ±0.08 vs 0.84 ±0.04, n=3, P>0.05). The ectopic bone formation of BMMSCs of the etanercept injected MRL/lpr mice was higher than that of the normal saline injected mice, however, it was lower than that of the C3He/HeJ mice. Conclusion TNF-α inhibits osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by depressing Smad signaling which may contribute to the osteoporosis of the lupus mice.

A sensitive and convenient method based on accelerated solvent extraction ( ASE )-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS / MS) was established for the simultaneous determination of 11 phthalic acid esters(PAEs) in soil. The optimized conditions were as follows: By using n-hexane as the extraction solvent, spiked sample was extracted by ASE at 160 ℃ for 4 times, 12 min for each time. The extract was concentrated by evaporation. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was carried out by the multiple reaction monitoring mode after the chromatographic separation with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), using acetonitrile -0. 1% formic acid water as mobile phase. The limits of detection(LODs) for 11 PAEs were between 0. 03 - 13. 0 μg / kg. The recoveries and relative standard deviations were 72. 8% -101. 8% and 1. 7-6. 7% , respectively. This method is rapid, sensitive and suitable for the determination of PAEs in soil.

Objective To explore the feasibility of culturing dermal papillae cells (DPC) of hu- man hair in a serum-flee medium,and to observe the growth characteristics of these cells.Methods Cell culture flasks (plates) were pretreated with fibronectin,and DPC (2nd passage) were incubated with Williams E serum-flee medium supplemented with insulin-transferrin-selenite (ITS).Cells were observed by an inverted phase-contrast microscope.Proliferation of DPC was evaluated with 3-(4,5-dimethylthia- zol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and by their growth curve.Results In a serum-free medium,2nd passage DPC adhered to the flask surface within two to four hours of incubation; two to three days later,confluence,of the cells was observed,without noticeable proliferation.Four days later,cell connection was interrupted,isolated cells or cell clusters were seen,and detachment of some cells from the flask surface was observed.One to two weeks later,most cells had died.After incubation with 4% bovine serum for ten hours,cell proliferation was observed surrounding the remaining viable cell colonies. DPC growth curve showed stagnant phase and slow growth phase;however,log growth phase was not ob- served.Conclusion DPC could be successfully cultured in serum-free medium.However,the culture con- dition needs to be further optimized.

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was used to high performance separate and prepare lignans from Schisandrae chinensis fructus. The solvent system is composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (9 : 1 : 5 : 5) and n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (9 : 1 : 9 : 5), speed is at 900 r.min-1, and flow rate is at 2.0 mL.min-1. Five fractions from Schisandrae chinensis fructus extract were separated and prepared with one HSCCC process. They were identified as schisandrin, gomisin J, schisandrol B, schisantherin A and deoxyschizandrin by electrospray ionization-multiple tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn), respectively. Their contents were obtained in 98.74%, 94.32%, 99.53%, 94.23% and 98.68% by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), separately. The rapid and simple method can be applied for the preparation of lignans from Schisandrae chinensis fructus.
Countercurrent Distribution ; Cyclooctanes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Dioxoles ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polycyclic Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Amygdala ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Animals ; Conditioning (Psychology) ; Morphine ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Receptors, Opioid, kappa ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the quality of DNA with three methods of DNA extraction and the influence on RAPD-PCR.

METHODthe electrophoresis of total DNA, UV spectrophotometry and RAPD analysis were carried out on DNA extracted from three different methods.

RESULTThe DNA concentration and yields were different, which greatly influenced the result of RAPD-PCR.

CONCLUSIONThe higher quality DNA from Dendrobium can be obtained with the method of CTAB-free extraction medium before total DNA was isolated.

Cetrimonium Compounds ; DNA, Plant ; isolation & purification ; Dendrobium ; classification ; genetics ; Electrophoresis ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Quality Control ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Objective To evaluate the effects of diagnostic and treatment manipulation of the urinary diseases on serum prostate specific antigen(PSA) levels .Methods 80 male patients were recruited from urology surgery department of Shenzhen Tranditional Chinese Medicine (TCM ) Hospital ,Which included 13 cases with digital rectal examination (DRE) ,10 cases with catheterization , 12 cases with rigid cystoscopy ,17 cases with prostate biopsy ,28 cases with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) .Blood samples of 80 patients were collected before diagnostic and treatment manipulation of the urinary diseases and 24 h ,3 d ,7 d ,14 d af‐ter that ,respectively .Then ,serum total prostate antigen(TPSA) and free prostate antigen (FPSA) was measured .Results There was no effects of DRE on serum TPSA and FPSA levels(P>0 .05) .On the contrary ,serum TPSA and FPSA levels increased sig‐nificantly in patients with catheterization and cystoscopy(P<0 .05) ,and the duration was longer(7-14 d) .Serum TPSA and FPSA levels increased significantly(P<0 .05)in patients with TURP and biopsy at the 24th hour after manipulation and it began to de‐crease on the third day .Also ,the serum TPSA and FPSA levels decreased to baseline after 14 days .Conclusion There′re no effects of DRE on serum TPSA and FPSA levels .However ,serum TPSA and FPSA levels increase differently in patients with catheteriza‐tion ,cystoscopy ,biopsy and TURP ,but the durations were different ,too .

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of polydatin on the growth of TGF-β₁induced humanalveolar epithelium A549 cells and the mechanism of polydatin for inhibiting the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

METHODSA549 cells in vitro cultured were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the blank group, the control group, the low dose polydatin group, the middle dose polydatin group, the high dose polydatin group. Common culture fluid was added in A549 cells of the blank group. Five ng/mLTGF-β₁contained culture fluid was added in A549 cells of the control group. 50, 100, and 150 μmol/mL of polydatin plus 5 ng/mL TGF-β₁contained culture fluid was added in A549 cells of low, middle, and high dosepolydatin groups, respectively. Morphological changes were observed and recorded at different time points. The optimal concentration of polydatin was determined by MTT method. Protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad epithelial cell marker) and Vimentin (mesenchymal cell marker) were detected by Western blot and Real-time PCR.

RESULTSUnder inverted phase contrast microscope, A549 cells turned from previous pebble shape to fusiform shape after intervened by polydatin and TGF-β1. The intercellular space was enlargedand the intercellular connection became loose. These phenomena were more obviously seen in the control group. A549 cells were more satiated in low, middle, and high dose polydatin groups than in the control group. The EMT inhibition was most obviously seen in the middle dose polydatin group at 48 h. Protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad showed an overall descending tendency after intervened by polydatin and TGF-β1 (P < 0.05). But compared with the control group, protein and mRNA expressions of E-cad were down-regulated in a lesser amplitude in each intervened group. Besides, the tendency was more obviously seen at 48 h than at 24 h. Protein and mRNA expressions of Vimentin showed an overall up-regulating tendency. But compared with the control group, protein and mRNA expressions of Vimentin were down-regulated in a lesser amplitude in each intervened group. Besides, the tendency was more obviously seen at 48 h than at 24 h (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Polydatin could inhibit TGF-β1 induced EMT process of A549 cells time- and dose-dependently. It also played roles in inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; Vimentin ; metabolism