Objective To investigate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) in the cochlear stria vascularis(SV) of guinea pigs after streptomycin(SM).Methods Auditory brainstem response(ABR) was used as measurement index,and combining with transmission electron microscope(TEM),immunohistochemical staining and image quantitative analysis technique, to detect iNOS expression in the cochlea stria vascularis of guinea pigs and the change of morphology after SM.Results 10 days after adminitration, ABR threshold of SM group increased more significantly than that of the control group(P

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect of Huaxia shallot preparation on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) in vitro. METHODS: Ox-LDL was prepared and identified, and HUVECs were cultured. After 2-hour intervention of different drugs and 24-hour following intervention of Ox-LDL, the number of HUVECs was observed by phase contrast optical microscope and the activity of the HUVECs was observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) technique. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide (NO) content were assayed by respective kit. The protein expressions and mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma(PPAR-gamma) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were measured by western blot technique and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Ox-LDL could increase the apoptosis rate of the HUVECs and decrease the NO release as compared with the blank control group (P<0.05). These effects induced by Ox-LDL were all significantly inhibited by Huaxia shallot preparation. It could up-regulate the protein expressions and mRNA levels of PPAR-gamma and eNOS significantly (P<0.05). Huaxia shallot preparation could decrease the apoptosis rate of the HUVECs. CONCLUSION: Ox-LDL may be involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis by injuring the endothelial cells directly and may cause the endothelial dysfunction. Huaxia shallot preparation can protect against Ox-LDL induced endothelial cell injury by up-regulating the protein expressions and mRNA levels of PPAR-gamma and eNOS. It suggests that Huaxia shallot preparation may play a role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

AIMTo study the expression of iNOS and AChE on ginea pigs cochlea spiral ganglion induced by streptomycin (SM) and attenuation by salvia miltiorrhiza injection (Chinese Traditional medicine-dansen DS).

METHODS32 guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups randomly (n=8): control group, SM group, DS + SM group, DS group. SABC immunohistochemical staining and image quantitative analysis technique were used to observe the expression of iNOS and AChE, as well as grey value analysis, and ABR measurements were used to observe ototoxicity.

RESULTSAfter 10 days with drugs, the ABR threshold value of SM increased more significantly than that of the control (P < 0.01), while the ABR threshold value of DS+ SM co-treatment increased than the control group, but lower than that of SM group (P < 0.01). The results of immunohistochemical staining implied the expression of iNOS and AChE in SG of SM group were higher than that of control group, and had positive correlate.

CONCLUSIONThe ABR threshold value increases and the expression of iNOS and AChE strengthen on SM ototoxicity, and has some correlation. DS can attenuate the ototoxicity induced by SM, and has protective function.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cochlea ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; chemically induced ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Spiral Ganglion ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Streptomycin ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo explore the protection of high intensity microwave radiation on hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) activity and hippocampal CA1 structure in rats and the protectiveeffect of Qindan Granule (QG) on radiation injured rats.

METHODSTotally 48 Wistar rats were randomlydivided into 8 groups, i.e., the normal control group, post-radiation day 1, 7, and 10 groups, 7 and 10days prevention groups, day 7 and 10 treatment groups, 6 in each group. Rats in prevention groups wererespectively administered with QG liquid (1 mL/100 g, 4. 75 g crude drugs) for 7 days and 10 days bygastrogavage and then microwave radiation. Then preventive effect for radiation injury was statisticallycalculated with the normal control group and the post-radiation day 1 group. Rats in treatment groupswere firstly irradiated, and then administered with QG liquid (1 mL/100 g, 4.75 g crude drugs). Finally preventive effect for radiation injury was statistically calculated with the normal control group, post-radiation day 7 and 10 groups. Contents of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), beta endorphin (beta-EP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were detected. Morphological changes and structure of hippocampal CA1 region were observed under light microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, contents of CRH and beta-EP significantly decreased in each radiation group. Serum contents of ACTH and beta-EP significantly increased in post-radiation day 1 and 7 groups (P < 0.05). Compared with radiation groups, beta-EP content in serum and pituitary significantly increased, and serum ACTH content significantly decreased in prevention groups (P < 0.05). Pituitary contents of CRH and beta-EP significantly increased in prevention groups. Serum contents of ACTH, beta-EP, and HSP70 were significantly lower in day 7 treatment group than post-radiation day 7 group (P < 0.05). Morphological results showed that pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region arranged in disorder, with swollen cells, shrunken and condensed nucleus, dark dyeing cytoplasm, unclear structure. Vessels in partial regions were dilated with static blood; tissues were swollen and sparse. In prevention and treatment groups pathological damage of hippocampal CA1 region was obviously attenuated; neurons were arranged more regularly; swollen, pycnotic, or deleted neuron number were decreased; vascular dilatation and congestion was lessened.

CONCLUSIONQG could affect HPAA function and activity of high intensity microwave radiated rats, showing certain preventive and therapeutic effects of microwave radiated rats by adjusting synthesis and release of partial bioactive peptides and hormones in HPAA, improving pathological injury in hippocampal CA1 region.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Animals ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; drug effects ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; blood ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; beta-Endorphin ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the acute toxicity of the water extracts (ERWE) and 60% ethanol extracts (EREE) from different processed products of Radix Polygalae (crude Radix Polygalae, licorice, and honey processed Radix Polygalae), thus providing scientific evidence for toxicity study of Radix Polygalae and its safe clinical application.

METHODSThe ERWE and EREE were prepared from different processed products of Radix Polygalae. Their contents of saponins were respectively determined. The poisoning condition and death of the mice administered with ERWE and EREE by gastrogavage were observed within fourteen days. The modified Karber's method was used to calculate LD50 and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTSThe EREE of licorice processed Radix Polygalae had the maximum toxicity with highest content of saponins, while the ERWE of honey processed Radix Polygalae had the minimum toxicity with lowest content of saponins.

CONCLUSIONSDifferent processing methods have effects on the contents of saponins in Radix Polygalae. The experiment showed that the toxicity of Radix Polygalae is in direct proportion to the content of saponins. The higher the saponins contents, the higher the toxicity.

Animals ; Female ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Plant Extracts ; toxicity ; Polygala ; Saponins ; toxicity ; Toxicity Tests, Acute

This project aimed to investigate the effect of taurine on cell cycle regulatory protein p27, Cyclin D1 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 in the proliferation of cultured neonatal rat cardiac fibroblast (CFb) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II), and to explore the effect of taurine on the signal transduction pathway in CFb proliferation. The cultured neonatal rat CFbs were isolated by trypsin digestion method. The proliferation of CFb was induced by Ang II and detected with thiazole blue (MTT) colorimetric assay. The protein expression of p-PKCalpha in cells was determined with Western blotting technology. The expression of p27 was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of Cyclin D1 was determined with the combination of immunocytochemical staining and image analysis software. The nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 was determined with immunofluorescence staining. Among the concentrations ranged from 40 to 160 mmol L(-1), taurine significantly inhibited p-PKCalpha expression. Taurine increased p27 expression and inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 in CFb (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively) by inhibition of p-PKCalpha expression. And PKC inhibitor (Che) could improve the inhibitory action of taurine on CFb proliferation. The effects of taurine on CFb proliferation might be due to inhibition of p-PKCalpha expression and p27 expression increase and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 inhibition followed.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; Protein Kinase C-alpha ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Taurine ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features and prognosis of rhabdomyolysis related to seizure attacks and use of statin.

METHODSThe medical records of 3 patients with established diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis were analyzed and the related literatures were reviewed.

RESULTSAll the 3 patients had seizure attacks and/or used statin before the onset of rhabdomyolysis. Two of the patients complained of back pain, and all the 3 patients had dark-colored urine. Serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) were markedly increased by over 50 times above the normal upper limit. CK level kept increasing even after proper interventions, till reaching the peak level about 3 days later. The patients improved rapidly with full recovery thereafter, and CK became normal in 2 weeks. None of the patients had renal failure.

CONCLUSIONSeizure attacks and use of statin are common risk factors for non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis. Caution needs to be taken when prescribing statin to patients with recent seizure attacks. Special attention should be given to such early symptoms as muscle pain, weakness and dark-colored urine, and CK level monitoring is advisable in such cases.

Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Epilepsy ; complications ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lovastatin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhabdomyolysis ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; etiology ; Simvastatin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

Rapidly activating component of delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Kr)) plays a key role in the repolarization phase of cardiac action potential. Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) encodes the alpha subunit of this potassium channel. Mutations of HERG gene induce genetic long QT syndrome (LQTS). Furthermore, I(Kr)/HERG is the target of some drugs which may cause cardiac QT interval prolongation. Some other drugs with different chemical structures also may block the channel and prolong QT interval, which even developed into acquired arrhythmias. This review summarized the recent progress of structure, gating mechanisms and functions of I(Kr)/HERG channel, I(Kr)/HERG related arrhythmias, interaction between K+ channel and drugs, and strategies of grading-up the I(Kr)/HERG target.
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ion Channel Gating ; Long QT Syndrome ; drug therapy ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutation ; Potassium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology

AIMTo explore the antagonism mechanism of inulae and ochrae decoction on toxicity damage of gastrointestinal tissue induced by DDP (cisplatin).

METHODSTwenty-four healthy hybrid rabbits were divided into three groups in random: the control group, DDP group, inulae and ochrae decoction + DDP group. The change of rabbits EGG, the concentration of 5-HT,5-HIAA of serum and the content of sinus ventriculi mucosa and the upper part of duodenum tissue were examined. Ultrastructure changes were observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM).

RESULTSThe EGG amplitude of DDP group was increased and the frequency was fast (P < 0.05) after i.v. DDP, meanwhile the concentration of 5-HT, 5-HIAA was increased (P < 0.05), and the content of sinus ventriculi mucosa and the upper part of duodenum tissue were higher than that of Inulae and Ochrae Decoction + DDP group (P < 0.05), and the change was seriously under the TEM observing; while inulae and ochrae decoction could prevent the change of EGG caused by DDP, showing the amplitude decreased, and the frequency was slow, and the concentration of 5-HT, 5-HIAA of serum and the content of tissue became lower than that of DDP group.

CONCLUSIONInulae and ochrae decoction could antagonize the change of EGG caused by DDP, which maybe have relations with the over-releasing of gastrointestinal 5-HT.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Cisplatin ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Electromyography ; drug effects ; methods ; Inula ; chemistry ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Rabbits ; Serotonin ; metabolism ; Stomach ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Vomiting ; chemically induced ; drug therapy

Objective: To compare the medium-term clinical and radiologic outcomes between anterior decompression with fusion (ADF) and posterior open-door laminoplasty (LAMP) in the treatment of multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MCSM). Methods: Data of 121 patients meeting to inclusion criteria from October 2011 to February 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were treated with ADF (ADF group, n=57) or LAMP (LAMP group, n=64) for MCSM. There were 39 males and 18 females in ADF group, aged from 35 to 77 years, with an average age of 58.8±10.1 years. And there were 64 cases in LAMP group, including 48 males and 16 females, aged from 28 to 82 years, with an average of 60.6±12.2 years. The operation time and blood loss were recorded. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA), improvement rate and visual analogue scale (VAS) before operation, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation and at the latest follow-up. At the same time, sagittal alignment of the C₂-C₇ lordotic angle and range of motion (ROM) in flexion and extension on plain X-rays was measured. Residual anterior compression to the spinal cord (ACS) in LAMP group on MRI was investigated. The incidence of complications such as axial symptoms and C₅ nerve root paralysis were recorded. Results: The average follow-up period was 25.6±3.8 months in ADF group and 27.3±4.1 months in LAMP group. Demographics were similar between the two groups. The mean JOA scores in ADF group increased from preoperative 8.25±2.33 to 14.62±3.15 at the latest follow-up, with an average recovery rate of 72.81%±11.32%. The mean JOA scores in LAMP group increased from preoperative 8.84±3.65 to 12.97±4.32 at the latest follow-up, with an average recovery rate of 66.54%±14.75%. The difference between two groups was statistically significant. Both of the VAS scores in the two groups decreased significantly at 1 month after the surgery, but the difference between the ADF group (1.92±0.75) and the LAMP group (2.78±0.68) was statistically significant (t=2.364, P=0.021). There was no significant difference in VAS score between the two groups at 3 months after operation. Cervical lordosis of ADF group increased from 15.3°±7.6° to 19.2°±5.7°, while that of LAMP group decreased from 16.8°±8.3° to 13.6°±4.3°. There was significant difference in cervical curvature between the two groups at the latest follow-up. Both two groups exhibited decreased cervical ROM, 15.2°±3.6° and 18.1°±4.1°, respectively, and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (t=3.392, P=0.000) . At the latest follow-up, the incidence of complication was 35.1% in ADF group and 20.3% in LAMP group, and the difference between two groups has no statistically significant. The LAMP group was divided into two subgroups: (1) ACS(+)(n=11) comprising patients who had ACS after surgery, and (2) ACS(-) (n=53) comprising patients without ACS. At the latest follow-up, the average JOA score of patients with anterior residual compression of spinal cord was 10.85±5.46, while the average JOA score of patients without anterior residual compression of spinal cord was 14.18±4.52. The recovery rate differed significantly between the ACS(+) and ACS(-) groups, 40.52%±9.76% and 70.38%±10.52%, respectively. Also at the latest follow-up, the cervical curvature, ROM and ROM loss angle were 10.2°±7.3°, 15.6°±6.7° and 11.8°±8.3° in the group with anterior residual compression of spinal cord, respectively. The groups without anterior residual compression of spinal cord were 15.8°±6.5°, 20.4°±10.2° and 8.8°±6.8°, respectively. Conclusion Both ADF and LAMP groups provided good outcomes at 2-year time-point whereas ADF could achieve more satisfactory outcomes and better sagittal alignment at the middle-term. ADF can remove the compression directly, maintain the curvature of cervical vertebra effectively and restore the nerve function well. The clinical outcomes after LAMP could be influenced by ACS, due to the reduction of cervical curvature and the decrease of cervical range of motion.