Objective To study the toxic effects of rotenone on substantia nigra of rats. Methods Rotenone was given subcutaneously once a day during 28 days. Substantia nigra was dissected. Morphology of dopamine neuron, synapse and myelin sheath were observed. SOD and GSH-Px activity were assayed; MDA and GSH contents were measured. Results Autonomic activities of rats decreased, similar to Parkinson's Symptoms. Morphology of dopamine neuron changed, synapse structures were abnormal, synapse vesicals increased and myelin sheath degenerated. MDA content increased (P

Objective To investigate the apoptotic effect induced by sulfur mustard on the lymphocytes of the rat spleen,and define the role of caspase-3 during the process.Methods Sulfur mustard was given by intraperitoneal injection in a dose of 3.5mg/kg.The animals were anesthetized and the spleens were harvested at different timepoints after intoxication.The histopathogy of spleen was studied with hematoxylin-eosin staining.Caspase-3 mRNA was detected with RT-PCR.Protein expression of caspase-3 was assayed with Western blotting,lymphocytes of rat spleen were isolated and cultured in vitro and they were challenged with sulfur mustard(100?mol/L).The effect of Ac-DEVD-CHO(a specific inhibitor of caspase-3)on sulfur mustard-induced apoptosis of the lymphocytes cultured in vitro was evaluated.Fluorescent probe labeled with Rhodamine 123 was used to study mitochondrial potential.Results The histology of rat spleen was affected after sulfur mustard intoxication,as evidenced by apoptosis of a part of lymphocytes.Protein and mRNA expressions of caspase-3 were increased significantly in the spleens of intoxicated rats as compared with that in control group.DNA ladder and 'sub-G1' peak of lymphocytes which were treated with sulfur mustard in vitro were partially improved by Ac-DEVD-CHO(the specific inhibitor of caspase-3).In addition,mitochondrial potential decreased in a time-dependent manner in the lymphocytes intoxicated by sulfur mustard in vitro compared with that in the control group.Conclusions The spleen is injured in the rat which is intoxicated by sulfur mustard.Lymphocyte apoptosis is one of the mechanisms splenic injury.Caspase-3 may be involved in the process of lymphocyte apoptosis induced by sulfur mustard.

No abstract available.
Addison Disease*

Objective To investigate the long-term efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Long-term follow up of 48 SLE patients with autologous stem cell transplantation were studied. All patients were followed up for 10 years. Among the patients, 24 cases were treated with purified CD34+ cells transplantation and 24 cases were treated with non-CD34+ cell transplantation. Comparison between groups was performed by x2 test. Results Among 5 dead patients, 4 died of transplantation related complications including 3 cases treated with CD34+ transplantion. The survival rate of those patients with more than 10 years duration of lupus was 90%(43/48). Among 43 patients, 7 had disease flare, 6 were treated with non-CD34+ cell transplantation. Eight patients went to college, 26 returned to normal life and 4 of them had children. Conclusion The long-term effect of SLE treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is good. The recurrence of CD34+ transplant patients is lower than those treated with non-CD34+ transplantation. The quality of life in SLE patients treated with transplantation is better than those treated with conventional therapy.

Objective To investigate the manner and molecular mechanism of lymphocyte cytotoxic action induced by sulfur mustard. Methods Lymphocytes were separated from the spleen of Wistar rats and were cultured. DNA strand breaks were detected by fluorospectrophotometry. RT PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the gene and protein expressions of caspase 3 and its activation. Results Sulfur mustard induced DNA strand breaks in the lymphocytes. Gene and protein expressions of caspase 3 were increased in a time dependent manner. Conclusion Sulfur mustard induces lymphocyte cytotoxic action by means of depending on the expression and activation of caspase 3.

Objective To investigate the changes of caspase 3 activity and the interventional effect of tetrapeptide AC DEVD CHO on sulfur mustard induced apoptosis of lymphocyte. Methods The activity of caspase 3 was detected by fluorospectrophotometry. DNA ladder and apoptosis were detected by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. Results Sulfur mustard enhanced the activity of caspase 3 and its polypeptide inhibitor (AC DEVD CHO) partially blocked apoptosis, which was mainly presented as an obscure phenomenon of DNA ladder and a decrease in percentage of apoptosis. Conclusion Sulfur mustard can induce the apoptosis of lymphocyte by means of activating caspase 3. The inhibitor may have an interventional effect on lymphocyte apoptosis induced by sulfur mustard.

No abstract available.
Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis*

Objective To investigate the value and efficacy of continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT) for treatment of heat stroke patients complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS). Methods The clinical data of 19 heat stroke patients complicated by MODS admitted into the hospital in a period from July 15,2010 to August 30,2010 and treated by CRRT were analyzed retrospectively. Continuous venovenous hemofiltation(CVVH) mode was used in all patients and the initial temperature of replacement fluid range was 28℃to 32℃persisting in 2.0 to 2.5 hours and afterward it maintained at 36℃. Prognosis and adverse effect were observed,the patients' body temperature,heart rate(HR),mean arterial pressure(MAP),acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ)scores,oxygenation index(PaO2/FiO2),the levels of serum urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr), myoglobin(Mb),creatine kinase(CK),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and arterial lactate(Lac)were monitored before and after CRRT treatment. Results Fifteen patients were cured or improved,and 4 died. Compared with those before CRRT treatment,body temperature(℃),HR(bmp),MAP(mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),APACHEⅡevaluation(score),PaO2/FiO2(mm Hg)were significantly improved(body temperature:36.8±0.2 vs. 41.6±0.3,HR:93.6±10.3 vs. 132.5±11.4,MAP:69.8±9.9 vs. 45.2±7.7,APACHEⅡ:12.3±3.9 vs. 29.6±4.6,PaO2/FiO2:213.6±95.4 vs. 126.5±87.4,all P<0.05);the levels of BUN(mmol/L),SCr(μmol/L), Mb(μg/L),CK(U/L),ALT(U/L),AST(U/L),Lac(mmol/L)were significantly reduced after the treatment(BUN:23.9±5.3 vs. 42.6±5.4,SCr:123±47 vs. 356±51,Mb:201±45 vs. 468±39,CK:217±32 vs. 843±41,ALT:79±36 vs. 894±88,AST:57±28 vs. 867±92,Lac:3.5±2.4 vs. 16.6±3.9,all P<0.05). In the process of the treatment,hemodynamics was stable,and no obvious side effects occurred. Conclusion CRRT treatment can exactly and safely reduce the core body temperature of patients with heat stroke,and it can also effectively eliminate metabolites of BUN,Cr,Mb,etc,ameliorate the inflammatory reaction and supporting the functions of liver,kidneys and other vital organs,thus the treatment is also safe and effective for such patients complicated by MODS.

In line with the new WHO definition for health and reference of comprehensive health assessments of elderly overseas, the paper screened and set the weight for comprehensive health assessment indicators for military officers, establishing a general health assessment model as a result 402 military officers were subject to Comprehensive Health Assessments, and the outcomes were compared with subjective assessment of experts. The results of both methods are highly coincidental. It proves Comprehensive Health Assessment as a scientific quantitative health assessment method, with promising perspectives in health management in the future.

OBJECTIVETo observe mainfestations of syndrome and biochemical indices of hypertensive model rats with excessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness syndrome (EAPDS), and to explore its possible pathological mechanism.

METHODSEAPDS rat model was prepared in 50 Wistar rats by feeding with high fat forage. Meanwhile, a normal control group consisting of 10 Wistar rats was set up by feeding with normal forage. After 25-week continuous feeding, 22 rats with body weight (BW) and blood pressure (BP) exceeding 25% those of the control group were selected as a model group. BW, BP, blood lipids, and related serological indicators were detected in all rats. Morphological changes of target organs were observed. mRNA expression levels of leptin receptor (LepR), Janus kinase2 (Jak2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (Socs3), angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1), angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (P13K), serine threonine kinase (Akt), nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κBp65), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase α (IKKα), NF-kappa-B inhibitor β (lKKβ), NF-kappa-B inhibitor α (IKBα), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Expression levels of AT1 and LepR in aorta were detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, BW, BP, and blood lipids increased; serum levels of leptin (Lep) , Ang II, Hcy, ET-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and p2-MG increased, but NO decreased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Aortal endothelial injury and smooth muscle cell proliferation occurred in the model group, accompanied with heart and renal injury. Compared with the control group, mRNA expression levels of LepR, Jak2, Stat3, Socs3, AT1 , PI3K, Akt, NF-κB p65, IKKβ, IKBα, and AMPK in aorta were up-regulated significantly (P < 0.05), while the expression of IKKa decreased (P < 0.05). Immunohistochem- ical staining showed, brownish yellow deposit of AT1 and LepR was obviously increased, with more extensively positive distribution. Western blot results showed, as compared with the control group, protein expression levels of AT1 and LepR obviously increased in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSModel rats exhibited typical syndromes of EAPDS. They put up weight with fat abdomen, gloomy hair, poor appetite, hypersomnia, lowered activities , reduced food intake, loose stool, dark red tongue, white tongue with white, thick, greasy fur. Lep could be taken as one of objective indicators for evaluating hypertension rat model with EAPDS.

Animals ; Aorta ; Cell Proliferation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; I-kappa B Proteins ; Interleukin-6 ; Leptin ; blood ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; Transcription Factor RelA ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha