Objective To explore whether the glomerular podocytes can be damaged by aristolochic acid. Methods Thirty-two male SD rats were equally divided into the following 2 groups:model group in which the rats received the extract of Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom (AmK) by gavage; control group only received tap water by gavage.24 h urinary protein excretion was measured at the end of the 1st and 4th week,and SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis was performed to detect the protein in urine.At the end of the 4th week,all the rats were sacrificed and the glomeruli were isolated by laser capture microdissection technique.The mRNA expression of nephrin,podocin,CDA2P,podocalyxin and podoplanin in isolated glomeruli was determined by RT-PCR,and the average width of glomerular foot process was measured by electron microscopy and image analysis. Results At the end of the 4th week,24 h urinary protein excretion in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P＜0.01) and the urinary albumin content in model group was also obviously increased.The average width of glomerular foot process in the model group was significantly larger than that in control group (P＜0.01).The mRNA expressions of nephrin,podocin,CDA2P,podocalyxin and podoplanin in glomeruli were significantly down-regulated in the model group compared with the control group,which decreased by 34％,62％,56％,50％(P＜0.01) and 27％ (P＜0.05),respectively. Conclusions Aristolochic acid can damage the glomerular podocytes,resulting in the down-regulation of nephrin,podocin,CD2AP,podoplanin and podocalyxin mRNA expression, the segmental widening of foot process, and increased urinary protein excretion.

Objective To examine whether aldosterone contribute to obesity related glomerular disease. Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (low?fat?diet, n=10), a model group (high?fat?diet, n=10) and a intervention group (high?fat?diet, n=12). After 8 weeks intervention group were treated with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, spirolactone (SPL).The physicochemical indexes and the renal pathology of the three groups were all detected. The mRNA and protein expressions of podocyte marker protein were determined by real?time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Compared with the control group, body weight, kidney weight, Lee ’s index, fat index, blood cholesterol, blood triglyceride, creatinine clearance rate, urinary protein excretion, glomerular average diameter, glomerular foot process average width were significantly up ? regulated (P<0.05); The mRNA and protein expression of nephrin, podocin, podoplanin and podocalyxin were significantly down?regulated in model group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, these changes were attenuated by SPL. Conclusion Aldosterone can participate in the process of obesity? related renal injury, and these can be attenuated by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, spirolactone. This gives us preliminary clues to treat ORG.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of automated urine formed elements analyzer and/or urine dipstick analyzer for examination of urinary formed elements in screening urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods 148 fresh midstream clear-catch urine samples from the UTI patients and 284 fresh midstream clear-catch urine samples from non-UTI subjects were selected. Bacteria culture was performed for bacterial colony counting and identification. Bacteria counts ( BACT), yeast-like fungus and WBC were performed by UF-looOi automated urine formed elements analyzer. Leukocyte esterase test (LEU) and nitrite test (NIT) were performed by URISYS 2400 urine dipstick analyzer. We evaluated data obtained from urine dipstick analyzer, UF-1000i and combination of UF-1000i with urine dipstick analyzer and the results was compared with those obtained from quantitative bacterial culture. Then we evaluated the sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy. Results Among the 148 patients with UTI, the positive rate of the quantitative bacterial culture was 73.6% (109/148), the positive rate of LEU and NIT detected by dipstick test 26. 4% (39/148).There was significantly statistical difference between bacterial culture and strip test(χ2 = 55.68 ,P < 0. 05 ). The positive rate of urine flow cytometry by UF-1000i with either positive of BACT and WBC was 91.2%(135/148), which was higher than the positive rate of the quantitative bacterial culture. There was significant difference between two methods (χ2 = 14. 70, P < 0. 05 ). The positive rate of anyone positive among BACT, WBC, LEU and NIT was 94. 6% (140/148) when detected with combination of dipstick test and UF-1000i, which was higher than the positive rate of the quantitative bacterial culture. And there was significant difference between two methods (χ2 = 20. 45, P < 0. 05 ). The sensitivity of dipstick test was low (26. 4% ,39/148 ), and specificity was high ( 99. 3%, 282/284 ) . The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of BACT detected by UF-1000i in diagnosing urinary tract infection were 92. 6% ( 137/148 ), 39. 8% ( 113/284 ). 44. 5% ( 137/308 ) and 91.1% ( 113/124 ), respectively. If the dipstick test was combined with UF-1000i, the sensitivity, negative predictive value, specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy were 98.0% ( 145/148 ), 97.1% ( 100/103 ). 35.2% (100/284) ,44. 1% (145/329) and 56. 7% (245/432), respectively. Conclusions The combination of urine dipstick test and automated urine formed elements analyzer UF-1000i plays an important role in early diagnosis of UTI. And it has significant value in diagnosis of UTI, especially for the patients with negative bacterial cultures of urine sample.

Objective To investigate the changes of lead,zinc,copper,iron and calcium in blood of chronic poisoned infantal mice.(Methods) Forty-eight 21 day-old kunzea mice were randomly divided into 4 groups,each having 12 mice.Distilled water group was as control group and other three lead acetate poisoning groups had a dose of 10,20,40 mg/kg,respectively.The poisoning was carried out by lavage once a day,and consecutively for 46 days.Eyeballs of mice were picked then for blood sampling,and BS trace element analysis grapher was used to determine level of lead,zinc,copper and iron.Level of calcium was measured by Dimentional-RXL auto-biochemistry analysis meter.Results The lead and zinc levels in poisoned mice blood were increased with increasing lead acetate level administration,while zinc level changed inversely with lead acetate level.Significant differences were shown among control group and poisoning groups in terms of lead(P0.05).Conclusion Lead posioning can lead to zinc decreasing and copper(increa)-sing,which suggests that zinc works as a poential antidote of lead poisoning.

Seven compounds were isolated from the leaves of Panax japonicus var. major by chromatographic methods including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by their physical and chemical properties and spectral data analysis as 5, 7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyl flavone (1), ginsenoside Rs2 (2), quinquenoside R1 (3), ginsenoside Rs1 (4), notoginsenoside Fe (5), ginsenoside Rd2 (6) and gypenosiden IX (7). Among them, compound 1 was obtained from the Panax genus for the first time, and compounds 2-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavones ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization