Melatonin, a neuroendocrine hormone secreted by the pineal gland, is involved in numerous physiological processes including circadian rhythms, immune function, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This overview summarizes the growing evidences of melatonin as a promising agent for cancer treatment and possible cancer prevention. To date, the chemopreventive, oncostatic, and tumor inhibitory effects of melatonin have become a hot area of investigation, particularly in breast cancer, melanoma, colon cancer, lung cancer and prostatic carcinoma. Multiple mechanisms including interacting with the estrogen-signaling pathways and affecting telomerase activation have been suggested for the biological effects of melatonin. Melatonin not only seems to control development alone but is highlighted in increasing the efficacy and decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy when used in adjuvant therapeutics.

Dietary fiber including non starch polysaccharide and lignin is the carbohydrate substances contained in plant foods which can not be digested by human digestive system.This paper summarizes the progress of dietary fiber in the therapy of diabetes mellitus(DM).Furthermore,the possible mechanism of dietary fibre clinical therapy of DM is introduced.

Aim To investigate the effects of ghrelin on alcohol-induced liver injury. Methods The alcoholic liver injury mouse model was induced by chronic etha-nol feeding ( 4-week ad libitum oral feeding with the ethanol liquid diet) plus a single binge ethanol (5 g· kg-1 ) feeding. The level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum, malondiadehyde ( MDA ) content, superoxide dis-mutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in liver homogenate were assayed by spectro-photometer. Hepatic pathological examination was ob-served by HE staining. The mRNA expression of proin-flammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6 and MCP-1 in the liver was measured by real-time PCR method. Results This chronic-plus-single-binge high dose ethanol feeding synergistically induced liver injury, inflammation and fatty liver change. Treatment with Ghrelin ( 5 , 10 , 20 μg · kg-1 ) significantly de-creased the enhanced level of transaminase ( ALT, AST) in serum, improved the pathologic change in liv-er, and reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells induced by alcohol administration. Ghrelin also de-creased MDA content and increased the reduced SOD and GSH-Px level in liver homogenate. Furthermore, ghrelin decreased inflammatory cytokines mRNA ex-pression including TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6 and MCP-1 in the liver. Conclusion Ghrelin has protec-tive effects against alcoholic liver injury in mice via in-hibiting inflammation and suppressing oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the preparation technology for enteric-coated changbiqing granules.METHODS:The concentration of acrylic resin and the four factors like the quantity of castor oil,pulvis talci and methylsilicone oil on the yield of changbiqing enteric-coated granules were determined by orthogonal test design;The effects of the enteric-coated granule plasticizer on the quantity of castor oil and the weight increment of the coating were determined by the release rate test.RESULTS:The optimized formula of the coating solution was described as follows:the concentration of acrylic resin was5%,the relative amount of castor oil to acrylic resin was35%,the dosages of pulvis talci and methylsilicone oil were3%and1%,respectively,the weight increment of the coating was30%.CONCLUSION:Changbiqing enteric-coated granules pre?pared on the optimized technology are in line with the quality requirements and which have ideal enteric soluble drug releasing characteristics.

Aim To establish a mouse breast cancer model stab-ly expressing HER2. Methods 4T1-Luc mouse breast cancer cell line was transfected with the full-length human HER2 gene and selected with G418. The HER2 expression in 4T1-Luc stable cells was detected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting ( FACS) and Western blot. 4T1-Luc/HER2 cells were implanted into the mammary fat pads of BALB/c or nude mice. After tumor stabili-zation, mice were randomly assigned into 4 groups for treatment with PBS control, chA21, Trastuzumab, or chA21 plus Trastu-zumab. Tumor volumes were measured and tumor growth inhibi-tion ratios were calculated twice a week. At the end of experi-ment, tumor metastasis in mice was detected by bioluminescence imaging technology. Results Several 4T1-Luc/HER2 stable cell clones were obtained after G418 selection. FACS and West-ern blot analysis showed that all clones expressed HER2 protein at high levels. These 4T1-Luc/HER2 clones showed good tumor-igenicity in mice with steady tumor growth after one week of cell implantation. After 2-3 weeks, metastatic tumor cells were seen in the lung, cheek and groin areas. In BALB/c mice, the tumor growth inhibition ratio was 43. 3% in chA21 plus Trastuzumab group (P<0. 05 vs PBS control), which was higher than chA21 group (11. 1%) or Trastuzumab group (23%). In addition, the luminescence number and density of tumor metastases in lungs were significantly reduced in the antibody combination group. Conclusions The mouse model of spontaneously metastasizing breast cancer with HER2 overexpression is successfully estab-lished. The preliminary study suggests that anti-HER2 antibody combination of chA21 and Trastuzumab has excellent inhibitory effects on tumor growth and metastasis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adult population receiving body check from urban area of Hefei, Anhni. MethodsA total of 33 451 subjects who were older than 20 years and received healthy examination in Health Center of Anhui Provincial Hospital from January 2005 to December 2007 were enrolled in this study. CKD was defined as proteinuria, and/or hematuria, and/or using the simplified MDRD equation. ResultsThe prevalence of proteinuria was 2.74% (95%CI: 2.57%-2.92%), hematuria 7.67% (95% CI:7.39%-7.96%), and reduced eGFR 0.80%(95% CI:0.71%-0.90%). 9.92% (95% CI:9.60%-10.25%) subjects had at least one indicator of kidney damage. Age, female, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperuricemia were independently associated with CKD. ConclusionsThe prevalence of chronic kidney disease is 9.92% in adult population receiving body check from urban area of Hefei, Anhui. Independent risk factors associated with CKD are age, female, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperoricemia.

Objective To establish a rapid and convenient method for determination of genomic DNA methylation in cells.Methods Five standard substances (dC, mdC, dA, dT and dG) were separated by high-performance capillary electrophoresis.Bare fused-silica capillary was used and eletrophoresis buffer was 48 mmol/L NaHCO3 with 60 mmol/L SDS, pH 9.6.The temperature of separation was controlled at 25 ℃ and a voltage of 20 kV was applied.The separation of the mixture was performed at a wavelength of 256 nm with UV-Vis detection and injection time was 5 seconds at 0.7 psi.Under optimal condition,genomic DNA methylation in methotrexate drug-resistant A549 cells was detected.Results The optimal condition was made by adjusting SDS concentration(40, 60, 80 mmol/L), pH value of running buffer(9.4,9.6, 9.8), voltage(15, 17, 19, 20, 22 kV), injection time(5, 10, 15, 20, 30 s) and capillary temperature(15, 20, 25, 30 ℃).The method for determination of genomic DNA methylation in cells was established.Five substances were completely separated by high-performance capillary electrophoresis in 10 mins.Intra-day coefficient of variation was less than 0.2% and inter-day coefficient of variation was less than 2%.The minimal detection limit was 2 μmol/L.Percentage of mdC in A549 parent cells was (4.80 ±0.52) %.Percentage of mdC in 15, 30, 40 μmol/L methotrexate drug-resistant A549 cells were (4.20±0.44) %, ( 3.70 ± 0.36 ) %, (3.10±0.35 ) %, respectively.Conclusions Genomic DNA methylation can be quantificated by high-performance capillary electrophoresis efficiently, rapidly, conveniently and sensitively.Genomic DNA methylation in methotrexate drug resistance cells decreases significantly.

Objective To establish mild cognitive dysfunction (MCI) models in elderly rats,and to investigate the pathophysiological features.Methods Totally 40 SD rats (14 to 18-month-old) were randomly divided into 2 groups:the model group (n=20) and the sham operation group (n=20).Bilateral carotid artery stenosis was prepared in the model group while bilateral carotid artery was seperated with no bilateral narrowing in the sham operation group.30 days after the operation,Morris water maze test was performed,pathomorphological and electron microscopic observations of the cerebral tissue were examined and the expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2(GRK2) in hippocampus tissue w detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blottin.Results The mortality in model group was only 10％.Pathological morphology and ultrastructure showed that hippocampal tissue structure was almost normal in sham operated group,but in model group group,hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells were in ischemic demyelination,arranged loose,and part of the cells showed nucleus pyknosis,deeply stained; there was no obvious infarct in white matter,part of the white matter fiher hecame thinner and disorder,nucleolus became smaller and steped aside,cytoplasmic electron density increased,lipofuscin appeared occasionally.Rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi were expanded,cytosolic free ribosomes increased,part of mitochondria became swelled,vacuolated.Morris water maze test results showed that the average escape latency in model group was longer than in sham group (P＜0.05).In spatial probe test,the average time of crossing the first original platform in model rats was significantly longer than the sham operated group [(36.80±7.68) s vs.(20.87±6.16)s,P＜0.05].The average number of crossing the original platform in 60 seconds in model group was significantly less than in sham group(1.43±0.51 vs.3.10±1.45,P＜0.05).The expressiones of GRK2 mRNA and protein in the hippocampus were significantly increased in model group rats than in sham group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The model of severe CCA stenosis in elderly rats can be applied for MCI animal models with good stability and repeatability.Compared with sham group,the cells morphology and ultrastructure in model group appeare more obvious pathological changes and mild impairments in cognitive function.GRK2 may play an important role in the development of MCI.

Objective To investigate the effects of testosterone (T) replacement therapy (TRT) on carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in middle aged and elderly male patients.Methods A total of 80 middle-aged and elderly male patients with testosterone deficiency and increased carotid artery IMT were selected and randomly divided into two groups:the treatment group (n=38,treated with testosterone for 1 year) and the control group (n=42,without any treatment).The serum T level,IMT and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) before and after treatment were determined.The correlation between the testosterone level and carotid artery IMT was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in the serum T level and IMT between the control group and the treatment group before treatment [(10.39 ± 1.44) nmol/L vs.(10.88 ± 1.87) nmol/L,(1.25 ±0.11) mm vs.(1.24±0.13) mm,t=1.32,-0.26,P=0.191,0.794].Compared with pretreatment,the serum T level was significantly increased and the IMT was significantly decreased in the treatment group afterTRT [(10.88±1.87) nmol/L vs.(22.83±1.56) nmol/L,(1.24±0.13) mmvs.(1.18±0.16) mm,t=-29.14,2.55,P=0.000,0.015],while no significant differences in the serum T level and IMT were found in the control group before and after treatment [(10.39± 1.44)nmol/L vs.(9.99±1.72) nmol/L,(1.25±0.11) mm vs.(1.27±0.11) mm,t=1.24,-1.00,P =0.219,0.323].Linear correlation analysis showed that the serum T level was negatively correlated with IMT (r-0.605,P=0.000) and multiple regression analysis showed that the T level was an independent factor for IMT.Conclusions Testosterone replacement therapy is an effective treatment to alleviate IMT in middle-aged and elderly male patients,which may play an important role in preventing cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged and elderly male patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of aging and the decreased glomerular filtration rate on the prevalence of anemia in elder receiving body check from urban area of Hefei, China.Methods A total of 4547 >60 years subjects received healthy examination in Healthy Center of Anhui Provincial Hospital from January 2005 to December 2007 were enrolled in this study.Anemia was defined as hemoglobin < 120 g/L in men or < 110 g/L in women.Results The prevalence of anemia in the subjects was 4.40% (95% CI: 3.83% -5.05% ) and significantly increased with the aging process and the decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) .With logistic analyses, increasing age, female, decreased eGFR were major risk factors for anemia Conclusions The morbidity of anemia is 4.40% in old population receiving body check from urban area of Hefei, China.Aging and the decline of eGFR are the independent risk factors of anemia.