BACKGROUNDThe Toll-like receptors (TLRs) represent a group of single-pass transmembrane receptors expressed on sentinel cells that are central to innate immune responses.The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of soluble TLRs in pleural effusions, and the diagnostic values of TLRs for pleural effusion with various etiologies.

METHODSPleural effusion and serum samples were collected from 102 patients (36 with malignant pleural effusion, 36 with tuberculous pleural effusion, 18 with bacterial pleural effusion, and 12 with transudative pleural effusion). The concentrations of TLR1 to TLR10 were determined in effusion and serum samples by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Four classical parameters (protein, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose and C-reactive protein (CRP)) in the pleural fluid were also assessed. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of pleural fluid TLRs and biochemical parameters for differentiating bacterial pleural effusion.

RESULTSThe concentrations of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 in bacterial pleural effusion were significantly higher than those in malignant, tuberculous, and transudative groups, respectively. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that the area under the curves of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 were 0.831, 0.843, 0.842, 0.883 and 0.786, respectively, suggesting that these TLRs play a role in the diagnosis of bacterial pleural effusion. Also, the diagnostic value of TLRs for bacterial pleural effusions was much better than that of biochemical parameters (protein, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose and CRP).

CONCLUSIONSThe concentrations of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 appeared to be increased in bacterial pleural effusion compared to non-bacterial pleural effusions. Determination of these pleural TLRs may improve the ability of clinicians to differentiate pleural effusion patients of bacterial origin from those with other etiologies.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacterial Infections ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Prospective Studies ; Toll-Like Receptor 1 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 7 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 9 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptors ; metabolism ; Young Adult

To study the protective effect of astragalus saponin extracts (AS) on kidneys of diabetic rats. Totally 32 diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were divided into AS high and low dose groups, the positive control group and the model group (DM group) and orally administered with 50 mg x- kg(-1) x d(-1) AS 200, 25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) valsartan, 10 mL x kg(-1) x d(1) physiological saline, respectively. Another 8 healthy rats were collected in the normal control group (NC group, physiological saline 10 mL x kg(-1). d(-1)). All rats were treated for consecutively 6 weeks. After the administration, the body weight was measured every week, the concentration of blood glucose was monitored on week 2, 4 and 6. The total urine and total urinary protein (U-TP) in 24 h were measured by the metabolic cage method on week 6; At the end of week 6, blood samples were collected from hearts to detect blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), uric acid (UA) , total cholesterol (CH) triglyceride (TG) by biochemical methods. Kidneys were collect to calculate the kidney hypertrophy index and observe the pathological sections. The laboratory results show that in the DM group, the blood glucose, metabolic cost in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly higher than that in the NC group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) , with significant pathological changes; After the intervention with AS, the metabolic value in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly lower in the high dose group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the kidney hypertrophy index, BUN, Scr, UA, TG in the low dose group were also significantly lower (P < 0.05), with slight reduction in renal pathological changes in both groups. In conclusion, Astragalus saponin extracts have a certain protective effect on kidneys of diabetic rats.
Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; Uric Acid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo provide a modern method for extraction and separation total flavonoids in Epimedium koreanum.

METHODUsing high pressure technology extracts total flavonoids in E. koreanum, and comparing with counter-current extraction with reflux. The total flavonoids contents is determined by UV-VIS.

RESULTThe extraction efficiency is 9.67% and taking 5 min by high pressure method, using reflux, is 6.14% and 4 h respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method of high pressure is high efficiency and saving time, which have extensive application in the extraction of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the biological exposure index of carbon disulfide in China.

METHODSHigh-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect the levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) in the urine of the workers after working shift end, Gas chromatography was used to detect the concentrations of the carbon disulfide in the workplace air. The relationship between the urine TTCA levels and the concentrations of the carbon disulfide was analyzed, the biological exposure index and judgement result from PC-TWA were compared.

RESULTSThe levels of TTCA in urine of workers occupationally exposed to carbon disulfide were closely and positively related with the concentrations of the carbon disulfide in the workplace air. The regression equation was Y = 0.265X - 0.165, The biological exposure index of carbon disulfide were calculated by regression equation according to occupational exposure limits of carbon disulfide in China.

CONCLUSIONThe biological exposure index of CS(2) in China might be revised for 1.2 mg/g Cr.

Carbon Disulfide ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Thiazolidines ; urine ; Threshold Limit Values ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference of vasomotor functions in aortas segments from Wistar rats between 1-hour and 6-hours after exposure of water-soluble components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

METHODSAll 30 Wistar rats were assigned to five groups (n=6 for each group) at random: the blank control group, control group for 1-hour and 6-hours, exposure group for 1-hour and 6-hours. The rats were sacrificed 1-hour or 6-hours later and aorta ring segments were mounted on wire myographs.

RESULTS(1) There was no significant difference in vasomotor functions among three control groups (P>0.05). (2) 1-hour or 6-hours after exposure there was a decrease of contraction elicited by 60 mmol/L KCl in contrast to the control group (P<0.05), whereas no significant change between the exposure group for 1-hour and 6-hours (P>0.05). (3) On the level of 10(-5) or 10(-7) mol/L, 1-hour after exposure there was a decrease in endothelium-dependent acetylcholine (ACh) elicited relaxation precontracted by 10(-6) mol/L NE compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05), on the level from 10(-5) to 10(-7) mol/L there was a decrease compared with the exposure group for 6-hours (P<0.05), whereas no difference between the exposure group for 6-hours and the control group (P>0.05). On the level from 10(-5) to 10(-9) mol/L, 1-hour after exposure there was a decrease in endothelium-independent sodium nitroprusside (SNP) elicited relaxation precontracted by 10(-6) mol/L NE as compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05) and a decrease on the level of 10(-6) or 10(-9) mol/L compared with the exposure group for 6-hours (P<0.05), 6-hours after exposure a decrease was caused as compared with the control group on the level from 10(-5) to 10(-7) mol/L (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSInhibition of contraction and impairment of relaxation in aortas should be caused 1-hour after exposure to water-soluble components of PM2.5 in the air, which is weaken 6-hours after exposure.

Acetylcholine ; blood ; Air Pollutants ; toxicity ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Male ; Particulate Matter ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects ; Vasodilation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVE Lychee seed, a famous traditional Chinese medicine, recently were reported to improve the learning and memory abilities in mice. However, it is still unclear whether lychee seed saponins (LSS) can improve the cognitive function and associated mechanisms. METHODS In present studies, we established the Alzheimer disease (AD) model by injecting Aβ25-35 into the lateral ventricle of rats. Then the spatial learning and memory abilities of LSS- treated rats were evaluated with the Morris water maze, meanwhile the protein expressions of AKT, GSK3β and Tau in the hippo?campal neuron were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS The results showed LSS can improve the cognitive functions of AD rats through shortening the escape latency, increasing the number across the platform, platform quadrant dwell time and the percentage of the total distance run platform quadrant. The protein expression of AKT was significantly up-regulated and that of GSK3β and Tau were decreased remarkably in the hippocampal CA1 area. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to show that LSS significantly improve the cognitive function and prevent hippocampal neuronal injury of the rats with AD by activation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway, suggesting LSS may be developed into the nutrient supplement for the treatment of AD.

BACKGROUNDThe activation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) in the presence of microbial components amplifies the inflammatory response. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the modulation of the TREM-1 pathway during empyema in rats.

METHODSAdult male Wistar rats were subjected to empyema induced by intrapleural injection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The animals were treated with LP17 (a synthetic TREM-1 inhibitor), a control peptide, or a vehicle (normal saline). Differential cell count, flow cytometry and histological examination were performed to evaluate local inflammatory alterations. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 in both pleural effusion and serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSAlthough differential counts of each type of leukocytes in pleural effusion were not affected by LP17, a marked reduction in neutrophil numbers was seen in LP17 treated rats due to the reduction of both pleural effusion volume and total cell numbers. LP17 administration impaired concentration elevation in tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 in both pleural effusion and serum. It was found that survival rate in LP17 treated rats was much higher than that in control rats.

CONCLUSIONThe modulation of the TREM-1 pathway by the use of LP17 appears to be beneficial during empyema in rats in attenuating pleural and systemic inflammatory responses.

Animals ; Empyema ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Male ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Immunologic ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Staphylococcus aureus ; immunology ; Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1

OBJECTIVETo study and discuss the effect and mechanism of Hirsutella sinensis mycelium (HSM) on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

METHODForty Wistar rats were divided into five groups: the normal control group, the model control group, the high-dose group (1.0 g x kg(-1) HSM), the low-dose group (0.5 g x kg(-1) HSM), and the positive control group (10 mg x kg(-1) hydrocortisone). In addition to rats in the normal control group, the pulmonary fibrosis model was established by injecting 5 mg x kg(-1) bleomycin into rat tracheas for consecutively 28 days, in order to observe their lung function, lung tissue hydroxyproline, cytokines and pathology.

RESULTAfter rats were administered with HSM, 0.5 g x kg(-1) and 1.0 g x kg(-1) HSM could significantly decrease lung index and hydroxyproline content (P<0.01), while notably improving pulmonary function, alveolus inflammation and fibrosis degree (P<0.05, P<0.01); 1.0 g x kg(-1) HSM could decrease significantly protein expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and TGF-beta1 in lung tissues, while increasing significantly protein expressions of IFN-gamma (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONHSM have better effect in treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Its treatment effect and mechanism are related to the regulation of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and TGF-beta1 and IFN-gamma imbalance.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Hypocreales ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mycelium ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

Chonghe gel originated from the Chinese ancient prescription, can be used for the treatment of diabetic foot. This experiment was to study the transdermal absorbability of paeoniflorin and osthole in Chonghe gel . Franz diffusing cells method was adopted for the in vitro model of rat belly skins. Paeoniflorin and osthole in the receiving liquid, skins and gel were determined by HPLC. The receiving liquid were screened, and Chonghe gel and Chonghe ointment were compared by transdermal absorbability. Result showed that ethanol-normal saline (2: 8) solution was the appropriate receiving liquid. The penetration rates of paeoniflorin and osthole were 78.07, 7.08 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1). respectively. In 24 h, the accumulated penetration rates were (31.51 +/- 1.33)%, (12.38 +/- 1.28)%, respectively. The retention rates of paeoniflorin and osthole in skin were (0.92 +/- 0.45)%, (4.81 +/- 1.03) %, respectively. The retention of osthole in skins was a drug reservoir. Transdermal behavior of effective constituents in Chonghe gel was more efficient than that in ointment. In vitro, the transdermal behavior of paeoniflorin in Chonghe gel was close to a Weibull process, while the behavior of osthole was close to Higuchi process.
Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Gels ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; metabolism ; Skin Absorption

Objective In order to compare the iodine deficiency disorders(IDD)prevalent slatus in Chun'an County between 2006 and 2007,and to provide the science information for iodine supplementation in different regions.Methods Three schools of Wangzhai,Pingmen and Wenchang which the goiter prevalenee was the most severe were selected in Chun'an County;and from each school,90 pupils aged 8-10 years were randomly selected.B-ultrasound examination of thyroids,urine iodine and salt iodine were measured.Results The goiter rate in B-ultrasound were 7.5%(20/267),median of urine iodine was 247.5 μg/L,mean of salt iodine was 32.7 ms/ks in 2006;and the goiter rate in B-uhrasound were 3.7%(10/271),median of urine iodine was 383.4 μg/L,mean of salt iodine was 33.5 mg/kg in 2007.The goiter prevalence in Wangzhai,Pingrnen and Wenehang township were 15.2%(14/92),6.0%(5/83)and 2.2%(2/92),respectively,and median of urine iodine were 360.1.211.3,189.3μg/L,respectively,in 2006;The goiter prevalence were 6.6%(6/91),3.3%(3/90)and 1.1%(1/90),respectively.and median of urine iodine were 388.6,41 1.5,327.8μg/L,respectively,in 2007.Family ineome of Wangzhai,Pingmen and Wenchang township were 1000,2000,3000 yuan,respectively.Conclusions Goiter prevalence was correlated with urinary iodine,nutritional state and economic condition,high urinary iodine contents and poor nutritional status lcad to a high goiter rate.