Objective To study the inhibitory effect of hammerhead ribozyme targeting connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) on collagen I synthesis and cell cycle progression of human hepatic stellate cell line(LX-2) cells.Methods Hammerhead ribozyme cDNA targeting CTGF mRNA plus two self-cleaving sequences were inserted into pTriEx2 vector to construct a recombinant vector pTriCTGF-Rz.LX-2 cells were transfected with either pTriEx2 or pTriCTGF-Rz and further stimulated with or without TGF-1.There were five groups in the experiment:control group,pTriEx2 group,pTriCTGF-Rz group,pTriEx2 plus TGF-?1 group,and pTrCTGF-Rz plus TGF?1 group.Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the levels of CTGF mRNA and collagen Ⅰ mRNA.ELISA and flow cytometry were used to detect the levels of collagen Ⅰ secretion and cell cycle.Results Transfection of pTriCTGF-Rz into LX-2 cells reduced the CTGF mRNA and collagen Ⅰ mRNA levels as well as collagen Ⅰ protein level compared with pTriEx2 group(P

Objective To study the galactagogue effect of Maidang Rutong Granules on the lactation rats.Methods The milk volume,morphology of mammary gland,serum prolactin level and pituitary acidophil number in lactation rats and the growth improvement in suckling mice were observed after administrating various dosages of Maidang Rutong Granules to lactation rats by gastric gavage.Results Maidang Rutong Granules can promote the dilation and hyperplasia of acinus cavity and conduit in mammary gland,reduce the mammary interlobular fat connective tissue,significantly increase pituitary acidophil number and serum prolactin level,increase the milk volume of lactation rats and their offspring's body weight.Conclusion Maidang Rutong Granules exhibit significant galactagogue effect on lactation rats.

Oxidative stress is an important factor that can cause aging body, tissue damage and diseases.FoxO3a transcription factor is critical for the regulation of oxidative stress.Recently, there are some reports on the quite complex role of FoxO3a in regulating oxidative stress.Not only can it promote the survival of cells, but also induce cell apoptosis at some oxidative stress conditions.In this paper, the role of FoxO3a in oxidative stress, the possible signal pathway and the potential effect of target FoxO3a for oxidative stress diseases treatment are reviewed.

Objective To analyze the differences between the semi-quantitative RT-PCR and real time quantitative fluorescence RT-PCR assays for detecting XDH/XO mRNA expression in various organ tissues of rhesus monkey, and provide useful reference in methodology of experimental studies.Total RNA was extracted from the myocardium, kidney, testis, skin, and liver tissues, respectively, for detecting XDH/XO mRNA expression in rhesus monkey by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and real time quantitative fluorescence RT-PCR assays.The sensitivity and specificity of the two assays were compared with each other using the same primer sequences and reference genes.Results The expression of XDH/XO mRNA in different organ tissues were detected by both the two PCR assays.The sensitivity of quantitative fluorescence real-time RT-PCR for the XDH/XO mRNA expression in the liver tissue was 39 times higher than that by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.Conclusions Both the quantitative and semi-quantitative fluorescence RT-PCR assays can be used to detect the expression of XDH/XO mRNA in different organ tissues of rhesus monkey.The sensitivity of quantitative fluorescence real-time PCR assay is more sensitive than that of the semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of mustard seed on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in mice and explore the mechanism.

METHODSEighteen BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and mustard seed group. The mice in the normal control group and model group were fed with normal chow, and those in mustard seed group were given 5% mustard seed mixed in the chow. Three weeks later, ACD was induced on the ear using 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene. After 24 h, the swelling of the ear was examined, and the rats were sacrificed to collect the ear tissue ears and blood for histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations, RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSIn mice with ACD, feeding with mustard seeds significantly lessened the ear swelling, improved the tissue histopathology, lowered the number of infiltrating Langerhans cells, and reduced the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in the ear, but did not cause significant changes in serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ and IL-17.

CONCLUSIONMustard seed inhibits ACD in mice possibly by suppressing the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA and inhibiting Langerhans cell migration in the epidermis.

Animals ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Dinitrofluorobenzene ; adverse effects ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mustard Plant ; Seeds ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the outcome and related risk factors of integrated intensive intervention in participants with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) after two years by the criteria of American Diabetes Association 2003. Methods The subjects who remained to be IGR at the end of first year following 75 g oral glucose tolerance test were randomly assigned to either a routine care control group or to an intensive integrated intervention group. The control group received general dietary and exercise advice at baseline and was followed up. In addition to dietary control and exercise advice, mefformin or acarbose were administrated in the intervention group. The latter group was also advised to take antihypertensive agents, lipid-regulating agents if necessary, as well as aspirin. Results The proportion of patients who fulfilled the assigned goals of blood glucose, blood pressure, body mass index or triglycerides was significantly higher in the intensive group than those in the control group. None in the intensive group developed overt diabetes mellitus, while 8 (9.3%) in the control group did. The proportion of patients who reverted to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) was slightly higher in the intensive group than in the control group (29.5% vs 22.1%, P>0.05). Logistic analysis showed that increase of waist circumference and systolic blood pressure was positively while the improvement of islet β-cell function was negatively correlated with the development of diabetes mellitus. Conclusions The intensive integrated intervention could significantly decrease the conversion rate of IGR to diabetes mellitus, and increase the chance of reversion to NGT. The increase of waist circumference or systolic blood pressure, the deterioration of islet β-ccll function were the influencing factors of the conversion of IGR to diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice and the therapeutic effects of mustard seed (Sinapis Alba Linn).

METHODSThirty BALB/c mice were randomized equally into blank control group (fed with normal forage and treated with vehicle), model group (fed with normal forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream), and experimental group (fed with 5% mustard seed forage and treated with 5% imiquimod cream). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression and distribution of ASC and caspase-1. ELISA was used to test the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation showed significantly increased NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and caspase-11 mRNA expressions, ASC and caspase-1 protein expressions , and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.05). These changes were obviously attenuated by feeding the mice with mustard seed.

CONCLUSIONNLRP3 inflammasome is involved in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and mustard seed may suppress the inflammation induced by IL-1β and IL-18 through down-regulating the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Aminoquinolines ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Caspase 1 ; metabolism ; Female ; Inflammasomes ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Interleukin-18 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mustard Plant ; chemistry ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Phytotherapy ; Psoriasis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry

Objective To study the clinical efficacy and safety of icotinib hydrochloride tablets combined with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastasis.Methods Fifty-three patients with NSCLC brain metastasis who were unable to tolerate chemotherapy or chemotherapy failed were selected in Baotou Central Hospital from October 2010 to April 2015.The patients were divided into the observation group (n =27) and the control group (n =26) using random number table method.Two patients were dropped out,one in the control group and one in the observation group.The patients in the control group were given WBRT (30 Gy/15 Fx).On this basis,the patients in the observation group were given icotinib hydrochloride tablets 125 mg,3 times a day.The patients were followed up for 18 months after the end of WBRT.The adverse reactions,clinical efficacy and the median survival times of the two groups were compared.Results The objective response rate of the observation group was 88.5％,which was higher than that of the control group (64.0％),and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =4.238,P =0.040).The incidence rates of skin rash and liver function damage in the observation group were 76.9％ and 15.4％,which were higher than those in the control group (0,x2=31.638,P ＜ 0.001;x2 =4.173,P =0.041).However,most of them were degree Ⅰ-Ⅱ,and they were tolerable.There were no significant differences in the incidence of myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reactions between the two groups (26.9％ vs.20.0％,x2 =0.339,P=0.560;34.6％ vs.28.0％,x2 =0.259,P=0.611).The median survival time in the observation group (9.0 months) was longer than that in the control group (7.0 months).The one year survival rate of the observation group was 33.3％,which was higher than that of the control group (23.1％),but the difference was not significant (x2 =0.676,P =0.411).Conclusion Icotinib hydrochloride tablets combined with WBRT in the treatment of brain metastasis with NSCLC can significantly improve the curative effects of brain metastasis,and it has a survival advantage,with tolerable adverse reactions.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Qili Qiangxin capsules on the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and cardiac function in patients with silicosis.

METHODSHospitalized silicosis patients with heart failure were divided into treatment group (41 cases) and control group (30 cases) according to their own will. Both groups received comprehensive symptomatic treatment; in addition, the treatment group received Qili Qiangxin capsules. The treatment lasted 6 months. The observed items included NT-proBNP level, 6-minute walk test, ultrasonic cardiogram, and NYHA classification before and after treatment.

RESULTSAccording to NYHA classification, the response rate was 29.27%in the treatment group and 10.00%in the control group; there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The average walk distance in the treatment group was increased from 150.96±73.12 m before treatment to 169.32±77.04 m after treatment, and the improvement was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The average NT-proBNP level in the treatment group was reduced from 1154.44 ± 480.79 ng/L before treatment to 494.49 ± 342.61 ng/L after treatment, and the reduction was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly improved in the treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQili Qiangxin capsules in addition to comprehensive symptomatic treatment can significantly reduce NT-proBNP level and improve cardiac function in silicosis patients, and thereby improve patients' quality of life.

Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Echocardiography ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Peptide Fragments ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Quality of Life ; Silicosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

ObjectiveDepression is a common mental illness with a profound impact on physical health. Depression has been associated with a higher risk of bacterial infection； however， whether this relationship is causal and how depression affects infection remains unclear. Therefore， we aimed to investigate the effects of depressive phenotype in infected mice by constructing a chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） model. MethodsMice were induced with CUMS for 4 weeks. The depressive phenotype was evaluated using behavioral tests. Subsequently， the mice were intraperitoneally injected with Klebsiella pneumoniae to establish bacterial infection. Serum and abdominal tissues were collected 48 h after infection. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the tissues， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the levels of inflammatory factors. In addition， the fecal samples collected before infection were analyzed for 16S rDNA gene of gut microbiota， and the expression levels of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in colon tissues of uninfected mice were detected. ResultsBehavioral tests showed that compared with the control mice， CUMS mice had significantly lower body weight （P<0.000 1， t=5.426）， lower sucrose preference rate （P<0.001， t=4.937）， increased swimming stationary time （P<0.001， t=16.37）， and decreased time spent in the central area of the open field （P<0.01， t=3.575）. Survival analysis showed that compared with the control mice， the survival rate of CUMS mice significantly decreased after infection （P<0.05）. Additionally， histochemical staining showed that tissue damage in the liver （P<0.05， t=4.025）， kidney （P<0.05， t=2.828）， and mesentery （P<0.01， t=5.367） significantly increased. Furthermore， ELISA results showed that the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 （P<0.01， t=3.365）， IL-1β （P<0.01， t=4.061）， TNF-α （P<0.01， t=4.460） and LPS （P<0.000 1， t=27.24） were elevated. The difference was statistically significant. According to 16S rDNA sequencing， CUMS-induced changes in the intestinal bacterial community structure of mice， making them significantly different from the control mice. Compared with the control mice， the expression levels of NF-κB （P<0.01， t=6.825） and NLRP3 （P<0.001， t=9.561） were upregulated in CUMS mice. ConclusionThe CUMS model was successfully constructed and CUMS mice developed more severe bacterial infection. Gut microbiota was dysregulated and the expression of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway was up-regulated in CUMS mice， which was related to the susceptibility to bacterial infection.