In recent years, with the improvement in living standards, the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases has increased markedly. Atherosclerosis is the main pathological basis for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and there are many risk factors for atherosclerosis. The pharmacological effects of puerarin are broad, and considerable clinical data confirms that puerarin has a definite effect on cardiovascular diseases resulting from atherosclerosis. The use of puerarin for atherosclerosis has increased in recent years. This article reviews the effect and mechanism of puerarin on atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of IL-6 mAb on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in rats, and search the mechanism of the role of IL-6, helper T cells 17 (Th17) and regulative T cells (Treg) in EAM pathogenesis.

METHODSThirty-four Lewis rats were divided into three groups randomly, i.e. control group (n = 6), EAM group (n = 12), and IL-6 mAb intervention group (n = 16). Rats in EAM group and IL-6 mAb intervention group were injected intracutaneously with myosin to establish EAM model. Rats in IL-6 mAb intervention group were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg IL-6 mAb on 1st, 7th to 20th day after cardiac myosin immune injection. Myocardial inflammation was examined by HE stain, Masson stain, and TdT assay (TUNEL reaction) on 21st and 84th day after IL-6 mAb therapy in order to assess the therapeutic role. Spleen cells were analyzed by flow cytometry to illustrate Th17 and Treg cells? number and function. The serum concentration of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and TGF-beta in each group was measured by ELISA, concentration of STAT3, RORgammat, and Foxp3 mRNA in each group was determined with RT-PCR. Spleen cells derived from EAM were stimulated by IL-6 mAb in vitro, and the concentration of IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-beta was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSInflammation score, fibrosis score, and apoptosis index in IL-6 mAb intervention group were significantly decreased as compared with those in EAM group (P < 0.01). The number of Th17 and Treg cells in EAM group on the 21st day (experimental acute peak stage) were increased, and those in intervention group on the 21st day were significantly inhibited (P < 0.01). The concentration of serum IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-beta in intervention group on the 21st day was decreased dramatically in comparison with that in EAM group on the same day (P < 0.01). The levels of peripheral blood STAT3, RORgammat, Foxp3 mRNA in intervention group on the 21st day was decreased significantly as compared with that in EAM group (P < 0.01). The expression of IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-beta was increased significantly (P < 0.01) by stimulation of IL-6 mAb on spleen cells derived from EAM in vitro.

CONCLUSIONSIL-6 mAb could neutralize IL-6, and ameliorate myocarditis and reduce heart autoimmune responses. IL-6 mAb has significantly protective effects on EAM by suppressing Th17 and Treg cells.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Autoimmune Diseases ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Male ; Myocarditis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Th17 Cells ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Abstract?AlM:To investigate the influence of lOL refractive index ( Rl ) on measurement of straylight following cataract surgery.?METHODS:ln this case-control study, 77 eyes of 77 age-related cataract patients who underwent cataract phacoemulsification with posterior chamber aspherical arylic lOL implantation surgery in the Eye Hospital of China Medical University from Aug 2013 to Mar 2014, with a best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA) of 0. 5 or better, were classified into 3 groups randomly using 3 types of lOL: Tecnis ZCB00 Group ( Rl = 1. 47, 22 eyes of 22 subjects); Hoya PY60AD Group ( Rl=1. 52, 24 eyes of 24 subjects);Alcon SN60WF or lQ Group ( Rl=1. 55, 31 eyes of 31 subjects ) . BCVA, pupil size, astigmatism, axial length, intraocular straylight were measured respectively.? RESULTS: Age, axial length, BCVA, pupil size, astigmatism of the three groups were not significant difference (P>0. 05). The straylight of Tecnis, Hoya, lQ group were 1.04±0. 15, 1. 19±0. 14, 1. 14±0. 18. Straylight levels had significant differences among three groups ( F=5. 352, P = 0. 007 < 0. 05 ). There was no significant correlation between BCVA and straylight value (r=-0. 133,P=0. 124>0. 05).?CONCLUSlON:Patients chosen the higher Rl lOL may have a higher straylight level after the surgery.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) gene promoter region-30 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs3738448) G/T and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its related risk factors.Methods:A case-control study method was used to collect 137 patients and 140 healthy controls; polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease fragment length polymorphism technology combined with sequence alignment after DNA sequencing was used for data statistics; After Hardy-Weinberg balance test, the χ 2 test was used for correlation analysis; logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between multiple risk factors and the SNP site and the incidence of DCM; SNPinfo database was used to predict and analyze the transcription factors affected by the SNP. Results:A total of GG and GT genotypes were detected at this SNP locus, and their genotype distributions were in line with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium ( P>0.05). At the same time, the difference between the DCM group and the control group was significant ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that mean arterial pressure, C-reactive protein and B-type brain natriuretic peptide were independent risk factors for the onset of DCM (all P<0.05). The incidence of DCM in -30(RS3738448)G/T genotype GT group was 2.243 times higher than that in GG group (95% CI: 1.043-4.827, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis under dominant, recessive and additive genetic models showed that there was a correlation between the dominant inheritance of SNP and the occurrence of DCM ( OR=0.44, AIC=370.4, BIC=381.3, P<0.05). Conclusions:The -30 (rs3738448) G/T SNP in the promoter region of the NLRP3 gene is associated with the pathogenesis of DCM, and provides population genetic data for the study of polymorphisms in the promoter region of NLRP3 gene.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on emergence agitation in the patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery.Methods:Eighty patients of both sexes, aged 25-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, undergoing elective thoracoscopic surgery under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=40 each) by a random number table method: TEAS group (group T) and control group (group C). In group T, the Hegu (L14), Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) were stimulated starting from 30 min before induction of anesthesia until the end of operation, with a frequency of 2/100 Hz and disperse-dense waves.The intensity of stimulation was the maximum current that patients could tolerate.In group C, stimulating electrodes were placed at the same acupoints before induction, but no electrical stimulation was applied.Ramsay sedation score and VAS score were recorded.and emergence agitation was assessed using RSS agitation score.Blood samples from the median cubital vein or internal jugular vein were collected before anesthesia induction (T 1), at the end of surgery (T 2), immediately after removal of tracheal tube (T 3) and at 15 min after removal of tracheal tube (T 4) for determination of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The intraoperative consumption of propofol, remifentanil and sufentanil was recorded.Adverse reactions such as tachycardia, bradycardia, hypertension, hypotension, respiratory depression, delay of awakening and nausea and vomiting were recorded after operation. Results:Compared with group C, the amount of intraoperative remifentanil consumed was significantly decreased, serum IL-6 concentrations were decreased, and the serum IL-10 concentration was increased T 2-4, Ramsay sedate score was increased, and the incidence of agitation was decreased in group T ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS score and incidence of postoperative adverse reactions between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:TEAS can reduce the development of emergence agitation in the patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery, which is related to inhibition of inflammatory responses.

Objective To investigate anorectal infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among men who have sex with men (MSM) with anorectal condyloma acuminatum(CA),and provide evidence for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of anorectal CA.Methods Anorectal swabs were obtained from MSM who were diagnosed with anorectal CA(trial group) and without CA(control group),nucleic acid fragments of NG and CT were detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Data about social demographic characteristics and sexual behaviors of investigated people were collected,compared and analyzed.Results A total of 158 patients were enrolled in this study,63 were in trial group and 95 in control group.Among 63 patients in trial group,infection rate of NG and CT were 17.46％ and 28.57％ respectively,co infection rate of NG and CT was 12.70％;in control group,infection rate of NG and CT were 6.32 ％ and 9.47 ％ respectively,co-infection rate of NG and CT was 2.16％;infection rate of NG and CT,as well as co-infection rate of NG and CT in trial group were all significantly higher than control group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Infection rate of NG and CT is high in MSM with anorectal CA,suggesting that more attention should be paid to the screening of NG,CT and other sexually transmitted infection among those who were clinically diagnosed with anorectal CA.

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome(ICES)is a rare ocular disease characterized by abnormal structure and proliferation of the corneal endothelium, the anterior chamber angle, and the iris. Common clinical features include corneal edema, secondary glaucoma and iris atrophy. ICES often occurs in young women, and most of them are monocular. Its pathogenesis is still unclear, the symptoms are various, and the blindness rate is high. The disease is difficult to diagnose, and there is no ideal treatment. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of ICES in order to help the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of inhaled aerosolized budesonide and salbutamol on lung function during one-lung ventilation (OLV) in rabbits.Methods:Thirty-two healthy male New Zealand white rabbits, aged 5-6 months, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg, were randomized into 4 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: two-lung ventilation (TLV) group, OLV group, inhalation of aerosolized budesonide group (group B) and inhalation of aerosolized budesonide and salbutamol group (group B+ S). Bilateral lungs were ventilated for 3 h in group TLV, the left lung was ventilated for 2 h followed by 1-h TLV in OLV, B and B+ S groups, aerosolized budesonide 1 mg (diluted to 2 ml in normal saline) was inhaled before OLV in group B, and aerosolized salbutamol 0.15 mg/kg plus budesonide 0.5 mg was inhaled before OLV in group B+ S.The equal volume of aerosolized normal saline was delivered in TLV and OLV groups.Volume-controlled ventilation was used in all groups.Arterial blood samples were obtained for blood gas analysis before aerosol inhalation (T 0), 15 min and 1 h after aerosol inhalation (T 1, 2), and at the end of ventilation (T 3). Oxygenation index was calculated.Mixed venous blood samples were collected to determine the corresponding parameters.The pulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) was calculated.Peak airway pressure (P peak), airway platform pressure (P plat), airway resistance (Raw), and lung compliance (C dyn) were continuously monitored and recorded at T 0-T 3. Results:Compared with group TLV, the concentration of lactic acid was significantly increased at T 2, 3, oxygenation index and C dyn were decreased at T 1-3, and Qs/Qt, Raw, P plat and P peak were increased in OLV, B and B+ S groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group OLV, the concentration of lactic acid was significantly decreased at T 2, 3, oxygenation index and C dyn were increased at T 1-3, and Qs/Qt, Raw, P plat and P peak were decreased in B and B+ S groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group BD, the C dyn was significantly increased at T 1-3, and Qs/Qt, Raw and P peak were decreased in group B+ S ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Inhaled aerosolized budesonide and salbutamol can effectively improve lung function during OLV in rabbits.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shuganlipi decoction on Th1/Th2 cytokines, liver function and HBV replication in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSEighty-six confirmed CHB cases were randomly divided into control group (n=42) and experimental group (n=44) for treatment with routine western medication and additional treatment with Shuganlipi decoction, respectively. The production of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and liver function, HBV DNA, and HBeAg were detected in all the patients.

RESULTSThe total response rate to the treatment was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (78.13% vs 57.14%, P<0.01). ALT, AST, TBIL and ALB were all improved obviously in the two groups after the treatments (P<0.01). In terms of ALT and ALB, the experimental group showed more obvious improvement than the control group(P<0.05). The treatments also resulted in significant increases of IFN-γ and IL-2 levels and reductions of IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the two groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONShuganlipi decoction can improve the liver function and activity of Th1/Th2 cytokines to promote the clearance of liver cell HBV infection.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; immunology ; Interleukin-2 ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy