Background Some drugs with inhibitory effect on the proliferation of lens epithelial cells have a limiting application in clinic because of their adverse response.To screen the effective and less side-effect drug for supressing LECs growth is very inportant for the prevention and treatment of after cataract.Objective This study was to explore the effects of docetaxel on LECs growth and compare its role with epirubicin hydrochloride,pirarubicin hydrochloTide and rahitrexed.Methotis Immortalized human LECs line (SRA01/04) were cultured and passaged.Different concentrations of docetaxel,epirubicin hydrochloride,pirarubicin hydrochloride and rahitrexed were added into the medium respectively for 24.48 and 72 hours.The proliferation of LECs was detect by M1Yr.Flow cytometry analysis Was used to analyze the influence of different concentrations of docetaxel on cellular cycle at 48 hours after addition of docetaxel,and Annexin V-FITC/PI marking method was used to assesse the apoptosis of LECs under the action of docetaxel.Expression of bcl-2 protein in LECs Was evaluated by Westeru blot. Result The growth rate of LECs Wag 100%in 8-519 pmol/L doeetaxel groups with the normal cell shape.Majority of abnormal cells and low growth rate were found in 66 nmoVL docetaxel group at 48 and 72 hours.The IC50 of docetaxel was lowest in 48 and 72 hours in docetaxel group in comparison to epirubicin hydrochloride and pirarubicin hydrochloride. However,no evident inhibition on LECs growth in 23.22-523.56 μmol/L of raltitrexed.At 48 hours,the percentage of LECs in G2/M phase increased as the asccnte of concentration of docetaxel,showing a significant difference among 4 groups(F=2633.05,P＜0.01).The percentage of early apoptotic cells increased to 22.4%(χ2=20.00,P＜0.01) and 27.9%(χ2=42.68,P＜0.01)from normal control 3.1% at 48 hours after LECs exposed to 8.3 nmol/L and 266 nmol/L docetaxe.The expression of bcl-2 protein in LECs was obviously weakened after addition of docetaxel,especially 8.3 nmol/L docetaxel group. Conclusion Docetaxel,epirubicin hydrochloride and pirarubicin hydrochloride can inhibit the proliferation of human LECs in vitro.But there is no supression on LECs growth inraltitrexed.Docetaxel is proved to have a strongly arrested effect on the proliferation of LECs in comparison with epirubicin hydrochloride and pirarubicin hydrochloride and play its role at concentration-and time-dependent manner.

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells is a major cause of failure in chemotherapy. To the majority of anti-cancer drugs, tumor cells are able to generate a multi-drug resistance; but there is no common views on the mechanism of MDR. This review summarizes the use of drug delivery system based on nanoparticles to overcome MDR in recent years. Three kinds including non-modified, ligand-modified and multifunctional drug delivery systems are described. Especially, the mechanism of reversing MDR based on nanoparticles is covered. Through efficiently offsetting and antagonizing the action of pumping drugs out of the tumor cells, drug delivery system based on nanoparticles can increase the concentration of the drug in tumors, while reduce the side effects on normal cells and overcome multi-drug resistance. The use of drug-loaded nanoparticles, which combines nanotechnology with the strategy of active and passive targeting administration, has shown significant prospect improving cancer therapy.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; therapeutic use ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy

Shikonin, the main active ingredient of Lithospermum, and its derivatives have been proved to have antitumor effects, and the anti-tumor mechanisms involve multiple targets. Based on recent literatures, this review focuses on the antitumor effects and its mechanisms. More emphases are given on the aspects of induction of apoptosis, induction of necrosis, acting on matrix metalloproteinase, acting on the protein tyrosine kinase and antiangiogenesis. The current status and problems of shikonin derivatives in antitumor effects are simply summarized and lookout for the development of antitumor drugs with shikonin as leading compounds.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lithospermum ; chemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Naphthoquinones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Necrosis ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

Objective To study the correlation between the deformation and displacement trend of the lumbosacral vertebra (L1-S1) for two typical scoliosis spines under vertical loads,so as to provide the mechanical basis of treatment and prevention of scoliosis in clinic.Methods The X-ray computed tomography (CT) images of two typical scoliosis spines (Lenke-4AN type and Lenke-5CN type) were converted into 3D models,and their finite element models were then established and verified.The internal stress distribution and displacement variation of the models were calculated by the finite element software;the correlation between the lumbosacral vertebral structure and displacement of the spine was analyzed.Results Under the same boundary conditions and load cases,the stress and displacement for two kinds of lumbosacral vertebral models showed different trends.Due to its leftleaning and forward convex bending deformation as well as the relatively large lordosis angle (60°) and smaller left-leaning angle (17.37°),the Lenke-4AN type lumbosacral spine produced slightly small forward convex displacement (8.18 mm) and relatively large left-leaning displacement (0.97 mm).The Lenke-5CN type lumbosacral spine showed left-leaning and forward convex bending deformation as well,with relatively large lordosis angle(59°) and left-leaning angle (26.97°),so it produced more severe left-leaning displacement (20.65 mm) andforward convex displacement (9.22 mm).Conclusions The deformation trend of lumbosacral vertebra is closelyrelated to its structural characteristics,and different scoliosis lumbosacral vertebral structures will cause the corre-sponding deformation trend.The research findings are important for the prevention and treatment of scoliosis.

Amyloid β protein (Aβ) is closely involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and one of the main strategies for AD treatment is antagonizing the neurotoxicity of Aβ or even clearing the Aβ deposited in the brain. The present study was aimed to observe the effects of intrahippocampal injection of Aβ₃₁₋₃₅ on the spatial learning and memory of rats by using Morris water maze technique, and explore the neuroprotective effects and possible mechanism of [Gly14]-humanin (HNG) against Aβ-induced deficits in learning behavior. The results showed that bilateral intrahippocampal injection of 2.0 nmol Aβ₃₁₋₃₅ significantly increased the mean traveled distance of rats in searching for the hidden underwater platform and decreased the distance percentage in the target quadrant in probe test after withdrawal of platform, whereas pretreatment with HNG (0.2 nmol and 2.0 nmol) suppressed Aβ₃₁₋₃₅-induced increase in the traveled distance and decrease in swimming distance percentage. Application of Genistein (40 nmol), a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, almost completely blocked the antagonistic effects of HNG against Aβ₃₁₋₃₅. These results indicate that HNG can dose-dependently prevent against Aβ₃₁₋₃₅-induced impairment in spatial learning and memory of rats, and the neuroprotective effects of HNG might involve the activation of endogenous tyrosine kinase pathway, suggesting that up-regulation of the tyrosine kinase signaling by using HNG might be of great significance for the improvement of cognitive function in AD.
Alzheimer Disease ; physiopathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; adverse effects ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Memory ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Peptide Fragments ; adverse effects ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Spatial Learning ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue Fang (BSHX) on the apoptosis of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system of rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its possible action mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred 3- month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number (control, castrated, BPH model, and BSHX). BPH models were made by subcutaneous injection of testosterone following castration; the rats in the BSHX group were treated intragastrically with BSHX at 2.34 g/ml after modeling, while those in the other two groups with equal volume of saline, all for 37 days. On the 38th day, all the rats were sacrificed and their prostates harvested for detection of the distribution of TGF-beta1 and alpha-actin and the count of positive cells in the prostatic ductal system by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was determined by TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe expression of TGF-beta1 was significantly increased in the rats of the BSHX group as compared with the BPH models in both the proximal prostatic duct ([15.28 +/- 4.30]% vs [36.42 +/- 8.10]%, P < 0.01) and the distal prostatic duct ([4.42 +/- 2.07]% vs [8.71 +/- 2.28 ]%, P < 0.05), while the expression of alpha-actin in the proximal duct was remarkably higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the models ([28.14 +/- 7.43]% vs [18.28 +/- 4.07]%, P < 0.01), but lower than in the control animals ([33.57 +/- 6.85]%, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the BPH models and BSHX-treated rats both exhibited markedly decreased apoptosis of epithelial cells in the proximal prostatic duct ([39.42 +/- 9.20]% vs [3.86 +/- 1.34]%, P < 0.01, and [31.14 +/- 5.64]%, P < 0.01) and distal prostatic duct ([17.60 +/- 4.86]% vs [3.07 +/- 1.14]%, P < 0.01, and [12.37 +/- 2.25]%, P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was significantly higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the BPH models (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBy upregulating the expression of TGF-beta, BSHX can suppress the reduction of smooth muscle cells in the proximal prostatic duct, promote the apoptosis of prostatic epithelial cells, and thus effectively inhibit benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo test the dissolution rate of silymarin dropping pill as well as to be compared with other three commercial products of the silymarin.

METHODBy UV spectrophotometry, we studied the dissolution conditions of silymarin dropping pill and compared its dissolution rate with Yiganling tablets (film-coating, sugar-coating) and Legalon capsule which are available in the market.

RESULTThe dissolution parameters T50 and Td of silymarin dropping pill, Yiganling tablet (film-coating), Yiganling tablet (sugar-coating) and Legalon capsule are 6.78, 9.85 min, 51.01, 73.78 min, 74.35, 86.97 min and 53.10, 72.65 min.

CONCLUSIONThe dissolution rate of silymarin dropping pill is superior to that of two kinds of Yiganling tablets and Legalon capsule.

Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Silymarin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Yufeining, a traditional Chinese medicine, on induced sputum interleukin-8 (IL-8) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the stable phase.

METHODSThirty-six patients with COPD were divided into trial group (18 cases) and control group (18 cases) randomly. The trial group was treated with Yufeining pills taken orally for half a year; the control group was not given any medicine. Routine lung function was recorded before and after treatment. Total cell count (TCC), differential cell counts (DCCs) and IL-8 in induced sputum were determined at the baseline and 6 months later.

RESULTSThe indices of lung function improved significantly after 6 months' treatment in trial group (P < 0.05); TCC and absolute neutrophil count decreased significantly compared with baseline in the trial group (P < 0.05); Sputum IL-8 concentration dropped significantly after 6 months' treatment, from a mean of 5.216 +/- 2.914 microg/L to 4.222 +/- 2.140 microg/L (P < 0.05). There were insignificant changes in the parameters in the control group between baseline and 6 months later.

CONCLUSIONYufeining could improve lung function, decrease sputum TCC, absolute neutrophil count and IL-8 concentration, and relieve airway inflammation in patients with COPD in the stable phase.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; analysis ; immunology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Sputum ; chemistry

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Glucuronidase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of completely resected nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to assess the impact of vascular invasion and TNM stage on prognosis.

METHODSBetween March 1, 1997 and March 1, 2002, a total of 1826 pathologically confirmed NSCLC patients with complete resection were enrolled in this study. The major clinical and pathological features were analyzed, and the impact of vascular invasion on prognosis was investigated. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software. Fisher's exact test was used to assess the correlation of vascular invasion with the other clinicopathological variables. Survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression.

RESULTSOf the 1826 patients, 126 were found to have vascular invasion. Univariate analysis revealed that the following factors was significantly correlated with shorter overall survival: family history of cancer, histological type, pathological stage and vascular invasion, whereas multivariate analysis confirmed that only pathological stage and vascular invasion were the significant prognostic factors with a hazard ratio of 2.80 [95% CI 1.74 - 4.86] and 4.76 [95% CI 2.38 - 6.21], respectively. The overall 5-year survival rate of this series was 57.4% for stage I, 34.2% for stage II and 18.7% for stage III (P = 0.001) ,respectively. It was 59.1% for stage I 36.2% for stage II and 20.0% for stage III for those without vascular invasion, whereas for those with vascular invasion, it was 37.5% for stage I, 24.0% for stage II and 7.0% for stage III, respectively. There was a significant difference among the patients with different TNM stage and between the patients with vascular invasion and without (P < 0.05) by log-rank test. The distant metastasis rate of the patients with vascular invasion was 69.9% versus 36.7% in those without (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONOur results show that TNM stage and vascular invasion are significant prognostic factors in nonsmall cell lung cancer. Vascular invasion can not only serve as an independent prognostic factor, but can also predict the possibility of metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Pneumonectomy ; methods ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Survival Rate