[Objective] To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Buxin Huoluo Capsule (BHC) for coronary heart disease (CHD) and to explore its anti-lipid-peroxidation mechanism. [Methods] One hundred and seventy-five cases of CHD were treated with BHC and 121 cases with isosorbide dinitrate (ID) . Effects of BHC on angina pectoris, electrocardiograph, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxides (LPO) level were observed. [Results] In BHC group, the total effective rate in relieving angina pectoris was 88.0 % and that in improving electrocardiogram was 80.0 % , the difference being not significant as compared with ID group. As for the reduction of frequency of angina pectoris and the decrease of dosage of nitroglycerin, BHC were superior to ID. Furthermore, BHC decreased LPO level and increased SOD activity, the difference being significant (P

Astragalus polysaccharide has been widely used in food and medicinal industry owing to its health-promoting properties. In order to characterize better the relationship among molecular weight, structure-activity and activities, a simple method was used different concentration of ethanol including 30% (PW30), 50% (PW50), 70% (PW70), 75% (PW75), 80% (PW80) and 90% (PW90) to precipitate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight. As a result, PW90 showed smooth surface and the strongest antioxidant activity among these six fractions (P < 0.05). In conclusion, graded ethanol precipitation was a simple method to separate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight with different antioxidant activity fractions.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; pharmacology

Objective To observe the distribution and metabolism of arsenic speciation in urine of rats exposed to different concentrations of dimethylaraenic acid (DMA) through drinking water.Methods Thrity six weaning Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control,low-dose group and high-dose group,12 rats in each group(6 female and 6 male); average body weight of female rats was (60 ± 5)g,and male rats was (50 ± 5)g.All rats of the 3 groups were given DMA at concentrations of 0,100,200 mg/L,respectively,corresponding to their specific groups through drinking water for 10 weeks.Inorganic arsenic(iAs),monomethylarsenic acid(MMA),DMA and trimethylarsenic compound (TMA) in urine were measured by hydride generation trapping and ultrahypothermia coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry.Results After feeding for 10 weeks,the differences of rat urinary concentrations of iAs,MMA,DMA and TMA between normal control,low-dose group and high-dose group were statistically significant(x2 =25.441,25.942,25.751,17.767,all P＜ 0.01).Urinary concentrations of iAs,MMA and DMA(2.541,4.383,24.447 mg/L) of low-dose group were significant higher than those of normal control (0.784,0.000,0.743 mg/L,all P ＜ 0.05) ; iAs,MMA,DMA and TMA(3.978,7.186,35.112,4.518 mg/L) of high-dose group were significantly higher than those of normal control(0.784,0.000,0.743,0.000 mg/L,all P ＜ 0.05).The concentrations increased along with increasing doses of DMA concentrations in drinking water(all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions After rats are exposed to DMA,most of the DMA are excreted in unchanged form in urine and a small portion of DMA is metabolized into TMA.

China ; epidemiology ; Colonic Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male

OBJECTIVETo describe the incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer from 1974-2002 in Cixian county of Hebei province. Basic information on comparative geographical, epidemiological, and clinical research was collected.

METHODSIn early 1970s, cancer registry system in Cixian was established, collecting information on all the esophageal cancer cases in Cixian. Data was checked manually, then computerized, coded and analyzed using the software--SPSS 11.5.

RESULTSFrom 1974 to 2002, there were 18 471 esophageal cancer cases in Cixian, with 11 068 males and 7403 females, respectively. The age standardized incidence rate (ASR) for males was 208.77 per 100,000, while 120.47 per 100,000 for females. The trend of incidence rate of esophageal cancer had decreased during the 29 years from 1974 to 2002 (trend chi(2) = 19.94, P < 0.001). From 25 years of age onward, the incidence rates of the lower age groups declined with the increase of age. As for geographic distribution, the incidence rate in mountainous areas and hilly areas showed a significant declining trend in mountainous areas, chi(2) = 195.00, P < 0.001; hilly areas, chi(2) = 46.08, P < 0.001. The esophageal cancer incidence in plain areas remained steady, but had a slight increase in recent years. From 1969 to 2002, there were 18,736 cases died of esophageal cancer with 11 598 males and 7138 females. The ASR for male was 127.17 per 100,000 and 101.57 per 100,000 for female. Compared with the year 1969, the mortality rate of esophageal cancer in 2002 had a 37.96% decline. The proportion of esophageal cancer among malignant tumors in different decades decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe trend of the incidence rate of esophageal cancer had been decreasing for the last 29 years. The incidence rate in mountainous areas and hilly areas showed a declining trend while in the plain areas it remained steady but having slight increase in the recent years. The mortality rate of esophageal cancer had a significant decrease from 1969 to 2002.

Adult ; Age Factors ; China ; epidemiology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Registries ; Software

Humans ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Periarthritis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Shoulder Joint ; physiopathology

Curcumin has a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical properties such as antitumor, antioxidant, antiamyloid, and anti-inflammatory activity. However, poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin are major challenge in its development as a useful drug. To overcome many of these problems, curcumin-loaded long-circulating liposomes (Cur-LCL) were prepared by the ethanol injection method. Morphology of Cur-LCL was observed by transmission electron microscope, mean particle size and Zeta potential were detected by laser particle size analyzer, entrapment efficiency and drug loading were evaluated by ultracentrifugation. The drug release behavior in vitro and pharmacokinetic behavior in rats of Cur-LCL were investigated with curcumin (Cur) and curcumin liposomes (Cur-Lips) as control. The results showed that the mean diameter of Cur-LCL was 110 nm, the Zeta potential was -5.8 mV. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading of Cur-LCL was 80.25%, 2.06%, respectively. The release behavior in vitro studied by dialysis in PBS buffer showed significant sustained release profile that 48.95% Cur were released from Cur-LCL in 7 h, 88.92% in 24 h. The pharmacokinetic parameters showed that compared with Cur and Cur-Lips, the t(1/2beta) of Cur-LCL was extended to 13 and 1.8-fold, respectively. Besides, the AUC values was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the clearance was evidently decreased (P < 0.01). These results from in vitro and in vivo indicated that Cur-LCL were able to realize controlled drug release and increase circulation time.
Animals ; Curcumin ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Male ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solubility

Objective To clarify which adenosine receptor subtype is the most powerful one on controlling retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE) binding adenosine, and what is its function in RPE. Methods Total mRNA was isolated, and membrane protein was extracted from in vitro cultured human ARPE-19 cells. For all four kinds of adenosine receptors, ARA1, ARA2A, ARA2B and ARA3, their gene expressions were tested by real-time PCR while their molecules in the membrane protein were detected by Western blot assay. To check the influence of each adenosine receptor subtype on ARPE-19 cell binging ability to adenosine the cultured cells were divided into five groups, named A-E. A group was set up as untreated control, while, groups B-E were separately treated by ARA1 agonist DPCPX (50 nmol/L), ARA2A agonist SCH58261 (100 nmol/L), ARA2B agonist MRS1754 (100 nmol/L) or ARA3 agonist MRS1220 (5μmol/L). H3-adenosine a radioactive ligand binding assay was performed and the maximum binding capacities (Bmax) were calculated in groups A-E of ARPE-19 cells. Then, ARPE-19 cells were all treated by the combination of TNF-αand IFN-γbut with or without CCPA (100 nmol/L), an ARA1 agonist. MCP-1, IP-10, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β in their mediums were determined by ELISA. Results Either mRNA expression or membrane localization of ARA1, ARA2A, ARA2B and ARA3 were verified by real-time PCR and Western blot assay respectively. For A-E groups of ARPE-19 cells the Bmax of adenosine binding were (2.04± 0.31), (0.44 ± 0.06), (1.82 ± 0.28), (2.01 ± 0.42) and (2.06 ± 0.44) fmol respectively;and which were statistically decreased in group B than those of all other groups (P<0.01). Compared with control RPE, the contents of IL-6, MCP-1 and IP-10 were decreased after treatment with CCPA, and the content of IL-10 increased in RPE group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in TGF-β content between the two groups. Conclusion APRE-19 cells predominantly use ARA1 to absorb adenosine, and the activation of ARA1 in ARPE-19 cells inhibits its IL-6, MCP-1, and IP-10 production, which have potentially immunosuppressive effects to APRE-19 cells.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in children with acute pyelonephritis. Methods A total of 104 children with urinary tract infection admitted to Tianjin Children's Hospital from December 2016 to May 2017 were selected in this study, including 61 cases with acute pyelonephritis (group APN) and 43 with lower urinary tract infection (group non-APN). The serum levels of beta 2-Microglobulin (β2-MG), cystatin C (CysC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and urine levels of NGAL were compared between two groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn to evaluate the diagnostic values of serum β2-MG,CysC,CRP,PCT and urine NGAL.Results The serum levels of CRP,PCT,β2-MG and urinary NGAL were significantly higher in APN group than those in non-APN group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum CysC level between two groups(P>0.05).The areas under the ROC curve(AUC)for serum CRP,PCT,and urinary NGAL were 0.838,0.898 and 0.963.The optimal cutoff value of serum CRP was 22.6 mg/L,the sensitivity was 75.4% and the specificity was 83.7%. The optimal cutoff value of serum PCT was 0.285 μg/L, the sensitivity was 77.0% and the specificity was 93.0%.The optimal cutoff value of urine NGAL was 473 μg/L,the sensitivity was 82.0% and the specificity was 97.7%.Conclusion Urinary NGAL has high diagnostic value for APN in children,and which is helpful for the early identification of APN.

OBJECTIVETo detect potential mutation in ALDH5A1 gene for a family affected with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency diagnosed by clinical inspection and urine screening.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing were carried out for the affected child and her parents. Suspected ALDH5A1 gene mutations were verified in 100 healthy controls to exclude polymorphisms.

RESULTSThe child was found to have carried 2 heterozygous missense mutations in the coding region of ALDH5A1 gene, namely c.527G>A and c.691G>A, for which her mother and father were respectively heterozygotes. The same mutations were not detected in 100 healthy controls. The child was also found to have carried two previously described polymorphisms including a heterozygous c.545C>T(derived from her father) and a homozygous c.538C>T(derived from her mother).

CONCLUSIONMissense mutations of c.527G>A and c.691G>A in the ALDH5A1 gene are responsible for the pathogenesis of the disease in this family.

Adult ; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; enzymology ; ethnology ; genetics ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; China ; ethnology ; Developmental Disabilities ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Succinate-Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase ; deficiency ; genetics