Objective The population structure and ecological distribution of endophytic fungi in Changium smyrnioides from the different habitats and growing phases,and the effects of fungal elicitor on the cell biomass and polysaccharide accumulation were studied in this paper.Methods The isolation,culture,and identification of microorganism,and plant cell suspension culture technology were adopted;And relative data were analyzed by the statistical methods.Results In four producing areas,116 strains were isolated and classified into eight genera.The dominant populations were Fusarium LK.ex FR.,Geotrichum LK.,and Alternaria Nees.The population structure of endophytic fungi obviously changed at the different growing phases.Species and quantity of endophytic fungi were plentiful at the seedling stage and bud stage,and especially at the bud stage the isolation rate and isolation frequency were more than 30% and 19%,respectively.Some endophytic fungi had the obvious area and tissue specificity.Compared with the control by adding the elicitor of Fusarium sp.3,the yields of cell biomass and polysaccharide were increased to 31.86% and 38.01%,respectively.Conclusion Endophytic fungi in C.smyrnioides have abundant biodiversity.And there is close relationship between the population structure and distribution of endophytic fungi with ecological conditions.And fungal elicitors could obviously enhance the yields of cell biomass and polysaccharide of C.smyrnioides.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalein on the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in the TM4 Sertoli cells of the mouse testis and its related mechanism.

METHODSWe measured the cytotoxicity of different concentrations of baicalein on the TM4 Sertoli cells in the mouse testis by MTT, detected the fluorescence transfer of the TM4 Sertoli cells by parachute assay, and determined the expression of the protein connexin 43 ( Cx43) in the baicalein-treated cells by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSBaicalein produced no obvious cytotoxicity on the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration below 60 µmol/L but significantly increased their GJIC at 0-20 µmol/L (P < 0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that 0-20 µmol/L baicalein remarkably elevated the expression of Cx43 in the TM4 cells (P < 0.01) and on the membrane of the TM4 cells.

CONCLUSIONBaicalein at the concentration of 0-20 µmol/L can significantly enhance GJIC in mouse TM4 Sertoli cells by increasing the expression of the Cx43 protein.

Animals ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Flavanones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure

Steroidal saponins have a wide range of pharmacological effects and biological activities, such as anti-tumor, antifungal, hypoglycemic, immune regulation, insecticides, etc. In the last ten years, some new structures of steroidal saponins compounds were found from natural plants, they have some new and different activities. In order to accelerate the research on the drug innovation of steroidal saponins, we summarized the new progress of the research on such compounds.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Steroids ; pharmacology

AIMThe expression of VEGF in rat ovaries corpus luteum and its expression pattern were observed to investigate the effect of VEGF on luteal formation and regression.

METHODSThe model of immature rat of pseudopregnant was established using pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the expression of VEGF in corpus luteum was detected by immunohistochemistry, the levels of VEGF in corpus luteum was measured by ELISA, and the levels of NO in corpus luteum was measured by chemistry assay.

RESULTSVEGF expressed weakly in rat corpus luteum on the day 1, and enhanced gradually from day 3 to day 5, then went up to the peak on the day 7, and maintained to day 9. On the day 11, the expression of VEGF began to decrease. The levels of VEGF were similar to the expression of VEGF. The levels of NO appeared like double wave. The levels increased gradually from day 1 to day 5, and peaked on the day 7, then decreased on the day 9, while lightly increased on the day 11, and showed significant increase and reached the highest on the day 13, then decreased the lowest on the day 15.

CONCLUSIONThere is a intimate temporal relationship between the expression of VEGF and angiogenesis in corpus luteum, VEGF may play a role in luteum formation by improving angiogenesis mediated by NO, NO may play a role in luteum regression as a luteolytic during the late luteal phase.

Animals ; Corpus Luteum ; metabolism ; Female ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pseudopregnancy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Objective To summarize the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Methods From March 2003 to January 2008, a total of 16 cases of AIP were reviewed retrospectively. Results The ratio of male: female was 15:1, with a mean age of 61 years old (range:47-79 years old). Jaundice was the main clinical presentation in 81.2% patients. 68.8% patients presented with high serum gammaglobulin, while 66.7% with high serum IgG, 56.2% with elevated ESR, 50.0% with positive rheumatoid factor(RF), 43.7% with eosinophilia, 26.7% with positive antinuclear antigen(ANA),31.2% with elevated lipase, 18.7% with elevated amylase, and 25.0% with elevated CA19-9. 93.7%patients showed diffuse swelling of the pancreas on CT and/or endoscopic ultrasound. Stricture of the main pancreatic duct was seen in 100% patients. Distal common bile duct stricture was seen in 87.5%, while thickened wall of bile duct was seen in 50%. Histological findings of the pancreas EUS-FNA showed nonspecific results in one patient, while no tumor cell was detected in other 5 patients; lymphocytes infiltration was noted in 3 patients; pancreatic fibrosis was seen in 2 patients. 75.0% patients was found to have diabetes or abnormal sugar tolerance, enlargement of the celiac lymph nodes in 43.7%, splenic vein or inferior cava vein involvement in 42.9%, swelling of the maxillary glands in 18.7%, the lacrimal glands in 12%. Prednisone was given to 11 patients, among them 5 patients underwent endoscopic stent placement, and 10 patients responded well while 1 patient discontinued therapy due to intolerance. 2 patients underwent endoscopic stent placement alone and jaundice disappeared. 3 patients received conventional medical treatment. Steroid therapy exerted different effects on levels of the blood glucose, the enlarged maxillary and lacrimal glands improved after steroid therapy. Conclusions AIP occurred in middle aged and senior male predominantly, painless obstructive jaundice was the main clinical presentation, and patients may be accompanied with elevated levels of IgG, hypergammaglobulin, positive RF and ANA, diffuse or focal pancreatic enlargement, pancreatic duct stricture and distal common bile duct stricture. Stent placement could improve the symptoms, and steroid therapy was effective.

AIM: To investigate the effect of Z,E-butylidedephthalide (Bdph) on laser-induced experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rat model and choroid blood flow in rabbits'eyes.METHODS: Male Brown Norway rats were treated with Nd:YAG laser to break Bruch's membrane. Thirty mg/kg and 15 mg/kg Bdph were given daily through intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks after laser treatment. Fluorescein angiography (FA) and choroidal flat mount were used to measure the development of CNV. Female New Zealand white rabbits' eyes were instilled with 10g/L Z,E-butylidenephthalide solution,and ocular blood flow was measured with colored microsphere technique. RESULTS: The intensity of fluorescein leakage, indicating the ocular lesion, decreased significantly in group Bdph 30mg/kg and 15mg/kg, as compared to the control at P＜0.01.The area of neovascularization checked by FA in both groups of Bdph, at 30mg/kg and 15mg/kg decreased significantly compared to the control group at P＜0.05. On the choroid flat mount, the areas of CNV were also smaller in both Bdph groups than in control group. One percent Z,E-butylidenephthalide solution instilled into rabbits' eyes could improve the choroid blood flow at 30 and 60 minutes after drug instillation (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: Z,E-butylidedephthalide could inhibit the development of CNV in the rat eyes and increase the choroid blood flow in the rabbit eyes. These results suggest that Z,E-butylidedephthalide may be a good agent for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration(ARMD).

OBJECTIVETo study the population structure and ecological distribution of the rhizosperic microorganisms of Angelica sinensis.

METHODThe isolation, culture and identification of microorganisms were studied by the biological methods, and the achieved data were analyzed by the statistical methods for analysis of species diversity.

RESULTWith the growing stages of A. sinensis from Min county of Gansu province, Heqing of Yunnan province and Baoxing of Sichuan province, the quantity of rhizosperic microorganisms increased; and it had reduced since October. In the area of Min county Gansu province, the number ratio of bacteria and fungi was higher than that in the other two areas. In addition, the population diversity and dynamic change were different in three areas. In the area of Min county Gansu province, the number of dominant microbial populations and the population diversities of bacteria, actinomyces and fungi in the rhizosphere were greater than those in the other two areas.

CONCLUSIONThe microecological system and microbial population structure in the rhizosphere of Min county Gansu province were stable. And it was suitable for the growth of A. sinensis in this area.

Angelica sinensis ; microbiology ; Bacteria ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Biodiversity ; Fungi ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; microbiology ; Soil Microbiology

Objective To study the influence of electro-acupuncture(EA)at Zusanli points(足三里穴) on the apoptosis of thymocytes in rats with abdominal infection and its mechanism.Methods A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into four groups,including normal control group,model group,non-acupoint group and Zusanli group.The abdominal infection model of rat was made by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).After abdominal cavity infection for 36 hours,the apoptosis of thymocytes was observed under electron microscope and light microscope,and the apoptosis ratio of thymocytes was determined by Annexin V-PI method with flow cytometry technique.The content of Bcl-2 protein of thymocytes and concentration of corticosterone in plasma were determined.Results Abdominal infection resulted from CLP could significantly increase the apoptosis of thymocytes and lead to the typical histopathological changes of apoptosis of thymocytes under electron microscope and light microscope.Apoptosis ratios of thyrnocytes in model group[(44.7?3.3)%],non-acupoint group[(42.7?3.0)%]and Zusanli group[(32.6?3.3)%] were significantly higher than the ratio in the control group[(21.2?2.3)%,all P0.05).Abdominal infection resulted from CLP also could reduce the content of Bcl-2 protein of thymocytes.The content of Bcl-2 protein of thymocytes in model group(71.2?5.6),non-acupoint group(73.5?5.9)and Zusanli group(82.4?6.8) were significantly lower than normal control group(95.3?6.3,all P

OBJECTIVETo explore the differences of electroacupuncture (EA) on onset time and symptom improvement for treatment of different types of functional constipation.

METHODSThirty-eight cases of constipation were selected, including 9 cases of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), 10 cases of slow transit constipation (STC), 10 cases of pelvic floor dyssynergia (PFD) and 9 cases of inadequate defecatory propulsion (IDP). The electroacupuncture was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Fujie (SP 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25) and so on in abdominal and lumbosacral area, 5 times per week, 10 times as a treatment course. The onset time, score of clinical symptoms of constipation and improvement of every symptom in each group were compared.

RESULTS(1) The onset time was (1.78 +/- 0.83) days in IBS-C type, (3.11 +/- 1.90) days in IDP type, (4.10 +/- 1.85) days in STC type and (4.30 +/- 2.00) days in PFD type, indicating statistical differences between IBS-C type and STC type, IBS-C type and PFD type (both P < 0.05). (2) Compared before the treatment, the total scores of symptoms on the onset day in each group were all improved (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and score of IBS-C type was superior to the rest 3 types (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) EA improved desire to defecate or frequency of defecation in each type (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), in which both were improved in STC type and PFD type, and the improvement of defecation frequency was more significant in STC type (P < 0.01). EA relieved unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling in each type (all P < 0.05), in which both were improved in IBS-C type (both P < 0.05). EA relieved abdominal distension and pain in IBS-C type, STC type and PFD type (all P < 0.05), while its effects were not obvious on defecation difficulty, defecation time and defecation texture (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture for treatment of 4 types of constipation is characterized by rapid onset; the improved symptoms are not identical in the electroacupuncture treatment plan for each type of defecation; the main improvement of symptoms are lied on desire to defecate and frequency of defecation, unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling and abdominal distension and pain. Meanwhile the improvements of defecation texture, defecation difficulty and defecation time were not signi-ficant.

Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Floor Disorders ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult