Alcoholism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; prevention & control ; Prefrontal Cortex ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology

AIM To investigate the effect of fenofibrate and simvastatin on the serum free fatty acids of alcoholic fatty liver in rats. METHODS The rat model of alcoholic fatty liver was reproduced by chronic ethanol ingestion plus olive oil diet. The model rats were divided into three groups as follows: finofibrate treatment group(finofibrate 80 mg?kg -1 po, once a day),simvastatin treatment group (simvastatin 4 mg?kg -1 po, once a day)and control group without either above-mentioned treatment. Experimental rats were treated for four weeks and then sacrificed for blood sampling. Serum free fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. RESULTS Fenofibrate significantly ameliorated the decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids induced by ethanol [oleic acid:(38.212?7.788) ?g?L -1 vs (31.620?6.142) ?g?L -1,linoleic acid:(37.269?8.065) ?g?L -1 vs (30.254?9.063) ?g?L -1,arachidonic acid:(11.646?2.601) ?g?L -1 vs (9.012?1.236) ?g?L -1] accompanied by the improvement of the fat infiltration of the liver, but demonstrated no effect on the increase in serum saturated fatty acids by ethanol. In the contrast, simvastatin can aggravate the decrease in polyunsatrurated fatty acids and significantly increase the levels of satrurated fatty acids in serum induced by ethanol along with the pathological aggravation of alcoholic fatty liver. CONCLUSION The results of present study revealed that fenofibrate and simvastatin exerted different effect on the serum free fatty acids of alcoholic fatty liver. Polyunsatrurated fatty acids in the serum play an important role in the pathogenesis and treatment response of alcoholic fatty liver.

Adult ; Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; blood ; drug therapy ; Angiotensin II ; blood ; Capsules ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelins ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo present a method of quantitative diagnosis of craniofacial skeleton deformities based on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT).

METHODS20 cases with facial asymmetric deformities underwent 3D CT and the 3D images were reconstructed by Mimics 10.0 (Belgium). Anatomical landmarks were located and the coordinate of the landmarks obtained. Axial images of 1 patient with Romberg disease was used as representative case. The differences in the distance between the right landmarks and the left were calculated and analyzed.

RESULTSThe measurement results were not significantly different between two stages with an interval of 4 weeks ( P > 0.05), showing a reproducible resutls. The deviation of landmarks at facial midline increased gradually from upward to downward, reaching (2.63 +/- 0.54) mm at menton point. Paired landmarks showed asymmetry in three dimensions, especially gonion point on the left side, which was deviated 10.21 mm inward, 9.26 mm forward, 6.30 mm upward, compared to the opposite side.

CONCLUSIONSThe method of 3D CT quantitative analysis can provide precise information in the diagnosis and treatment planning of facial asymmetry deformity.

Anatomic Landmarks ; diagnostic imaging ; Cephalometry ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Facial Asymmetry ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

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 explore the effect of Compound Tongtu Granule (CTG) on intestinal permeability in elderly sepsis patients.

METHODSEighty elderly sepsis patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group by randomized double blinded method, 40 in each group. On the basis of conventional antiseptic treatment program, patients in the experimental group took CTG, while those in the control group took placebos. The dosage for CTG or placebos was 14.3 g each package, one package each time, twice daily for 14 successive days. Patients' abdominal symptoms and signs, levels of serum inflammatory factors (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and procalcitonin), levels of plasma endotoxin, and the intestinal permeability (IP, represented by urinary lactulose/mannitol excretion rate) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter 14-day treatment, patients in the experimental group had improved abdominal symptoms, increased frequency of defecation, significantly decreased levels of plasma endotoxin and IP, when compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCTG could improve the intestinal barrier function in elderly sepsis patients.

Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Calcitonin ; metabolism ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Defecation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endotoxins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Permeability ; Protein Precursors ; metabolism ; Sepsis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gallbladder ; physiopathology ; Gallbladder Emptying ; physiology ; Gallstones ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

Fatigue is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We examined the relationship between T2DM fatigue and the skeletal muscle 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system. In animal experiments, a T2DM model was established in mice by feeding a high-fat diet with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice were treated with the 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH) and the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor carbidopa (CDP) (separately and in combination). In cell culture experiments, C2C12 cells were stimulated with D-glucose, palmitic acid or 5-HT. 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation were inhibited by SH, CDP, or monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor. The animal experiments were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University. The results showed that 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthase and MAO-A were expressed in mouse skeletal muscle and C2C12 cells. The expression of these proteins was significantly up-regulated in T2DM mice or when C2C12 cells were exposed to palmitic acid and D-glucose; palmitic acid was a stronger stimulant of their expression than D-glucose. Rotating rod experiments and biochemical index tests have shown that T2DM fatigue is associated with an increase in skeletal muscle 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation. 5-HT_2AR mediates the expression of MAO-A and the synthesis of 5-HT, which indirectly regulates the degradation of 5-HT. MAO-A regulates cell inflammation, mitochondrial ROS production and membrane potential depolarization by mediating 5-HT degradation. MAO-A also inhibits the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) and ATP synthase-6 (ATP6), thus inhibiting mitochondrial functions such as fatty acid β oxidation and ATP synthesis. SH and CDP can effectively treat T2DM fatigue, and can also reduce blood glucose and blood lipid, and the combination of SH and CDP has a clear synergistic effect.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and genetic predisposition to keloid in Chinese population.

METHODSPCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was used to detect p53 gene codon 72 genotypes of 60 keloid samples and 102 whole blood samples from healthy controls in China.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism between the keloid patients and the healthy controls (X2 = 2.910, P = 0.233), nor did the frequencies for Pro and Arg alleles (X2 = 0.882, P = 0.348), and there was no significant difference in the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism in keloid patients and normal controls from China and Japan respectively (X2 = 3.942, P = 0.139; X2 = 3.260, P = 0.196). But the Arg/Arg genotype was significantly higher than the Pro/Pro genotype among the patients with keloid in shoulder and back (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere was no significant association between the distribution of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and keloid in Chinese population, but Arg/Arg genotype may affect the formation of keloids in shoulder and back compared to others. Further research should be done to investigate the relationship between p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and keloids in different sites.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Codon ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

Alisma orientalis is a traditional herb medicine commonly used in clinical. With the increasing report of its toxicity in clinical, the renal toxicity of Alisma orientalis has got gradually attention. This paper systematically reviews the research on the chemical material basis of Alisma orientalis including its chemical composition and toxicity of ingredients; and also declares its toxic ingredients and targets according to Network toxicology. Based on the controversy on renal toxicity of Alisma orientalis, we analyzed the possible reasons that may be associated with renal toxicity. It might be associated with the differences of the material basis composition and regulatory toxicology network, differences in employed processing technology, the metabolic function leading to accumulation of compounds, dosage and duration of the experiment and compatibility. The review provides possible reference and ideas for the quality control and rational use of Alisma orientalis.
Alisma ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Humans ; Molecular Structure