OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from Rhodobryum roseum.

METHODThe compounds were isolated and purified by recrystallization and chromatography with silica gel and sephadex LH-20 column. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral analysis.

RESULTEight compounds were isolated and identified as apigenin (1), quercetin (2), oleanolic acid (3), 2alpha-hydroxyoleanolic acid (4), 2alpha-hydroxyursolic acid (5), protocatechuic acid (6), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (7), p-hydroxycinnamic acid (8).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-8 were isolated from R. roseum for the first time.

Apigenin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Bryopsida ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Objective: To understand the relationship between coxsackievirus B and pediatric diseases. Methods: The infectious state of coxsackievirus B in hospitalized children were studied. Among 796 children studied, there were 218 upper respiratory tract infection cases, 179 pneumonia, 106 asthma, 155 myocarditis, 19 allergic purpura and 89 other diseases. The antigen (CVB-Ag) and IgM (CVB-IgM) were detected using ELISA method. Results: (1)There were 47% positive of CVB in upper respiratory tract infection and 48% positive of CVB in pneumonia(no difference between them, P>0.05). (2) There were 62% positive of CVB in asthma, 61% positive of CVB in myocarditis and 68% positive of CVB in allergic purpura(no difference among them, P>0.05)； But the positive rate of CVB in asthma, myocarditis and purpura were higher than in upper respiratory tract infection and pneumonia, (P<0.05). (3) There were lower positive rate of CVB in other kinds of diseases (16%) and in healthy children (3%)(no difference between them, P>0.05). Conclusion: CVB infection was related to several kinds of diseases, the relationship between CVB infection and diseases such as asthma, myocarditis, and allergic purpura should be further studied.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationships between the severity of childhood allergic rhinitis (AR) and the peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), total IgE (tIgE), and allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) levels.

METHODSA total of 138 children with AR aged 3 to 17 (9.96 ± 3.78, x() ± s) years old were enrolled in the study. All children had persistent AR sensitized to house dust mites with a clinical history of 3 months to 12 (4.21 ± 2.72) years. The disease severity was evaluated using 10 cm-visual analogue scale (VAS), and the serum levels of ECP, tIgE and sIgE were determined using an ImmunoCAP system. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS11.0 software.

RESULTSAmong 138 children with AR, the VAS scores for global severity of rhinitis and nasal obstruction symptom were 5.32 ± 2.16 and 4.78 ± 2.45, respectively. Blood eosinophil count was 0.39 [0.24; 0.63] (M[P(25); P(75)]) ×10(9)/ml. Serum levels of ECP and total IgE were 10.60 [3.26; 30.80] µg/L and (2.50 ± 0.53) log kU/L, respectively. Serum levels of allergen-sIgE against Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae were 58.20[24.75; > 100] kUA/L and 54.95 [24.55; > 100] kUA/L, respectively. The VAS scores of nasal obstruction symptom, but not global severity of rhinitis, were positively related to the duration of AR (r = 0.215, P = 0.011) and the levels of serum ECP (r = 0.196, P = 0.022) in bivariate correlation analysis. There was also a significant correlation between the serum ECP level and the blood eosinophil count (r = 0.295, P = 0.000). No relationships of blood eosinophil count, and serum tIgE and sIgE levels with global severity of rhinitis as well as nasal obstruction symptom were found (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggested that the severity of nasal obstruction was positively correlated with the duration of rhinitis and the levels of serum ECP in childhood persistent AR due to house dust mites, indicating the disease severity might be related to chronic inflammatory process.

Adolescent ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; blood ; immunology

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Th1/Th2 cytokines on the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF)in splenic lymphocytes in asthmatic model. METHODS: Four SD rats were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin to establish an asthmatic model, and the rat splenic lymphocytes were isolated and cultured with ConA. The expressions of NGF mRNA were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and were observed after the lymphocytes were exogenously added with interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) or interleukin-4 (IL-4). RESULTS: The lymphocytes of the asthmatic model stimulated by ConA in vitro expressed NGF mRNA in a time-dependent manner. After the lymphocytes had been cultured with IL-4 for 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h, 50 microg/L IL-4 upregulated the expressions of NGF mRNA in a time-dependent manner and all the NGF mRNA expressions were significantly higher than the basal values at the same time(all Ps<0.01). After 0, 10, 50, and 100 microg/L IL-4 had been added for 24 h, IL-4 upregulated the expressions of NGF mRNA in a dose-dependent manner and the NGF mRNA expressions were all significantly higher than the values of the lower dose IL-4(all Ps<0.05). After the lymphocytes had been cultured with 10 mug/L IFN-gamma for 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h, IFN-gamma downregulated the expressions of NGF mRNA in a time-dependent manner and all the NGF mRNA expressions were significantly lower than the basal values at the same time(all Ps<0.01). After 0, 1, 10, and 50 microg/L IFN-gamma have been added for 24 h, IFN-gamma downregulated the expressions of NGF mRNA in a dose-dependent manner and all the NGF mRNA expressions were significantly lower than the values of the lower IFN-gamma dose(all Ps<0.05). CONCLUSION In the splenic lymphocytes of asthmatic rats, IL-4, one of the Th2 cytokines, can upregulate the expressions of NGF; IFN-gamma, one of the Th1 cytokines, can downregulate the expressions of NGF both in a time-dependent manner and in a dose-dependent manner. Th1/Th2 cytokine immune imbalance may indirectly induce the airway neurogenic inflammation by regulating the NGF mRNA expression.
Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; genetics ; Ovalbumin ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the active constituents in vine stem of Spatholobus suberectus.

METHODThe constituents of Spatholobus suberectus were systematically separated with various chromatographic techniques. The structures were elucidated by physico-chemical properties and spectral data.

RESULTEight compounds were isolated from S. suberectus, and were identified as: ononin (1), pruneitin (2), gallocatechin (3), catechin (4), epicatechin (5), syringic acid (6), vanillic acid (7) and daucosterol (8).

CONCLUSIONCompound 3, 4, 6, 7 were obtained from Spatholobus genus for the first time. Compound 4 has stimulation to proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cell.

Animals ; Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Gallic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Vanillic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn.

METHODSThe constituents of Spatholobus suberectus were separated with various chromatographic techniques. The structures were elucidated by physico-chemical properties and spectral data.

RESULTSEight compounds were isolated from Spatholobus suberectus Dunn. They were identified as: suberectin (1), formononetin (2), daidzein (3), calycosin (4), pyromucic acid (5), 1,3,5-benzenetriol (6), succinic acid (7) and beta-sitosterol (8).

CONCLUSIONSuberectin is a new compound and characterized as 7,3',4'-trihydroxy-6-methoxy flavanone on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence. Compounds 4, 5, 6 and 7 were obtained from Spatholobus genus for the first time.

Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Succinic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of sinusoidal magnetic field on isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium release channel (RyR1) function.

METHODSWith the Ca2+ dynamic spectrum and isotope labeled methods, the Ca2+ release and [(3)H]-Ryanodine binding, the initial rates of NADH oxidation and the production of superoxide of SR exposed to 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field (MF) were investigated respectively.

RESULTS0.4 mT, 50 Hz sinusoidal MF exposure for 30 min increased SR Ca2+ release initial rate about 35% from (10.82 +/- 0.89) pmol.mg(-1) pro.s(-1) to (14.69 +/- 1.21) pmol.mg(-1) pro.s(-1); and the [(3)H]-Ryanodine binding by about 15% from (2.13 +/- 0.05) pmol/mg pro to (2.45 +/- 0.07) pmol/mg pro, which regulated by 1 mmol/L NADH with 1 mmol/L NAD+. Meanwhile MF upregulated the rate of NADH oxidation by about 22% from (0.88 +/- 0.11) x 10(-4) FI/s to (1.07 +/- 0.13) x 10(-4) FI/s and upregulated the production of superoxide by about 32% from (0.99 +/- 0.09) x 10(-5) FI/s to (1.31 +/- 0.06) x 10(-5) FI/s.

CONCLUSION0.4 mT sinusoidal MF increases the activity of RyR1 within the low redox potential environment, and promotes NADH oxidase activity and superoxide production.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Magnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Rabbits ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel ; metabolism ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with standardized house dust mite (HDM) extract for persistent allergic rhinitis (PER).

METHODSNinety-eight patients with moderate to severe PER caused by HDM and who completed SCIT (Alutard SQ, ALK-Abell¨®) or SLIT (Chanllergen-Df drops, Wolwo Pharma) regimen for two years were enrolled in this open-label controlled study. The patients were divided into two groups: SCIT group consisted of 40 patients aged 7 to 57 years old [(19.0 ± 2.7) years, x(-) ± s], and SLIT group consisted of 58 patients aged 6 to 50 years old [(17.7 ± 3.2) years]. The nasal symptoms (sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and pruritus) were evaluated using a four-point rating scale (from 0 = absent to 3 = severe) as well as 10 cm-visual analogue scale (VAS). Efficacy of SCIT and SLIT was assessed as the mean change from baseline in nasal symptom scores after 2-year course of immunotherapy, and the results were compared. SAS software version 9.1.3 was applied for statistical analysis.

RESULTSBoth SCIT and SLIT significantly reduced the individual symptom score of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and pruritus, and the total nasal symptom scores (including 4-point scale and VAS) after 2-year treatment when compared with the baseline (Z value were -3.14, -3.76, -3.09, -3.48, -4.13; -3.63, -3.21, -2.48, -3.56, -3.98, respectively, all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in decreased mean score of the individual and total nasal symptoms (4-point scale) between SCIT and SLIT groups (Z value were -0.97, -0.67, -0.36, -0.04, -0.67, respectively, all P > 0.05). However, a significant reduction of VAS score of nasal obstruction was found in SCIT group after 2-year treatment, compared with SLIT group (t = -2.21, P = 0.032). There was no significant difference in decreased VAS score of three other nasal symptoms as well as global rhinitis severity between two immunotherapy groups (t value were -0.57, -1.93, -1.73, -0.99, respectively, all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth SCIT and SLIT demonstrated clinical improvement in moderate to severe PER patients sensitized to HDM after two years treatment. It is suggested that SCIT may relieve nasal obstruction significantly; however, the overall clinical efficacy is consistent with SCIT and SLIT.

Administration, Sublingual ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyroglyphidae ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

This study investigated the effects of benazepril administered in the morning or evening on the diurnal variation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and clock genes in the kidney. The male Wistar rat models of 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy (STNx) were established. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham STNx group (control), STNx group, morning benazepril group (MB) and evening benazepril group (EB). Benazepril was intragastrically administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day at 07:00 and 19:00 in the MB group and EB group respectively for 12 weeks. All the animals were synchronized to the light:dark cycle of 12:12 for 12 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), 24-h urinary protein excretion and renal function were measured at 11 weeks. Blood samples and kidneys were collected every 4 h throughout a day to detect the expression pattern of renin activity (RA), angiotensin II (AngII) and aldosterone (Ald) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and the mRNA expression profile of clock genes (bmal1, dbp and per2) by real-time PCR at 12 weeks. Our results showed that no significant differences were noted in the SBP, 24-h urine protein excretion and renal function between the MB and EB groups. There were no significant differences in average Ald and RA content of a day between the MB group and EB group. The expression peak of bmal1 mRNA was phase-delayed by 4 to 8 h, and the diurnal variation of per2 and dbp mRNA diminished in the MB and EB groups compared with the control and STNx groups. It was concluded when the similar SBP reduction, RAAS inhibition and clock gene profile were achieved with optimal dose of benazepril, morning versus evening dosing of benazepril has the same renoprotection effects.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Benzazepines ; administration & dosage ; CLOCK Proteins ; metabolism ; Circadian Rhythm ; Drug Chronotherapy ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Hypertension, Renal ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo develop a method for determination of catechin and its analogues in Spatholobus suberectus.

METHODGallocatechin, catechin and epicatechin are used as reference substances. Chromatographic assay is performed on a C18 colum. The mobile phase is composed of methanol and acetic acid solution with gradient elution. Velocity of flow is 0.8 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength is 270 nm.

RESULTThe calibration curves of gallocatechin, catechin and epicatechin are linear within the range of 0.397 microg to 1.986 microg, 0.404 microg to 2.019 microg and 0.405 microg to 2.024 microg. The recoveries of them are 97.2%, 100.8% and 98.8%, and the RSD are 1.7%, 2.4%, 2.4% (n = 5).

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, rapid and suitable for the determination of catechin and its analogues in S. suberectus.

Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Fabaceae ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control