Objective To study the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba injection on the renal in diabetic nephropathy rats. Methods The models of diabetic rats were induced by streptozotecin. SD rats (n=18) were randomly divided into three groups, including control group, diabetic group and treated group. After 6 weeks, blood glucose, serum cholesterol and urinary protein were measured respectively. The expression of MCP-1 in the glomerulus was determined by immunohistechemical staining. Results Xingding injection did not influence blood glucose and serum cholesterol, but significantly inhibited expression of MCP-1 and lowered urinary protein excretion. Conclusion Xingding injection has some protective effect, which may be through down-regulating MCP-1 expression.

ObjectiveTo study the protective effects of fluvastatin on the renal lesions in diabetic rat. MethodsThe model of diabetic rats was induced by streptozotocin. SD rats were random divided into four groups: Control group, diabetic rats group, low-dose fluvastatin group 2mg/(kg·d) and high-dose fluvastatin group 4 mg/(kg·d). After treatment for 4 weeks, serum cholesterol, serum creatinine and urinary protein were measured respectively. The expression of TGF β1 in the renal cortex was determined by RT-PCR. ResultsFluvastatin inhibited the expression of TGF-β1 Mrna in a dose-dependent manner, and had no influence on urinary protein, serum cholesterol and serum creatinine. ConclusionsFluvastatin inhibits the overexpression of TGF-β1Mrna, which may be related to independent cholesterol decreasing effect.

Objective To investigate the roll of p38MAPK on the expression of osteopontin(OPN) mRNA in cultured renal tubular epithelial cells stimulated by albumin.Methods The normal renal tubular epithelial cells(NRK-52E) were incubated in the presence of albumin(30mg/ml) with or without SB203580,an inhibitor of p38MAPK.Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was performed to determine the expression of OPN mRNA and the p38MAPK phosphorylation was evaluated by Western blot analysis.Results Albumin stimulated the phosphorylation of p38MAPK in a timedependent manner,and up-regulated the expression of OPN mRNA.SB203580 could inhibit the expression of OPN mRNA.Conclusion The p38MAPK signal pathway plays an important roll in OPN mRNA expression stimulated by Albumin.

Objective To continually observe the monocyte chemoattraetant protein-1(MCP-1) expression in rats with anilateral ureteml obstruction, and to explore the relationship between MCP-1 and p38MAPK, and as well as the nuclear transcription faetor-кB (NF-кB). Method Thirty-six rots were randomly assigned to sham op-eration group (contorl group) and unilateral ureteral obstruction group (UUO group). Renal tissues were examined under light microscope 8 h,24 h and 72 h after operation, Immunhistochemistry was used to measure the expression of MCP-1 and NF-кB. RT-PCR and Western bot were employed to determine MCP-1 mRNA and p38MAPK pro-tein,respectively.Serum creatinine and ure nitrogen were examined with biochemistry methods. Results Com-pared with control group, the expression of MCP-1 mRNA in UUO group dramatically increased (control group:0.401±0.039;UUO group 8 h:0.894±0.137;24 h: 1.416±0.135;72 h: 1.894±0.14, P<0.05).The explosion of MCP-1 protein in renal interstitium of UUO group also markedly increased (control group: 50.08±3.210. UUO group 8 h:108.25±4.325;24 h: 179.34±3.237;72 h: 230.12±3.026, P<0.05),and the expressions of NF-кB and p38MAPK in UUO group were also stimulated (p38MAPK: control group: 110.65±9.734. UUO group 8 h:200.15±8.326; 24 h:272.74±7.244;72 h:549.11±9.544, P<0.05). There were positive correlations between MCP-1 and p38MAPK as well as NF-кB(r=0.74,r=0.81,P<0.01).Conclusions Tne increased expression of MCP-1 may participate in the injury mechanisms of renal tubulointesti-tinm in UUO rats. The increased expression of p38MAPK may induce NF-кB expression in the tubules, and then NF-кB promotes the expression of MCP-1.

Objective Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rapidly evolving neurologic syndrome with characteristic clinical and radiographic features. To define the clinical characteristics of PRES in patients with eoneomitant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by analyzing their clinical manif-estations and reviewing the literature. Methods The details of 4 cases and a review of the literature relevant to the development of PRES in association with SLE are presented. We described the clinical and imaging characteristics and associated risk factors of posterior roversible PRES in patients with SLE. Results Inclu-ding our cases, we reviewed a total of 48 patients with SLE and PRES. Hypertension was observed in 42 cases (88%), renal failure in 30 cases (63%), 39 recent onset cases were treated with immunosuppressive drugs and/or steroids recently (81%). Headache was observed in 46 cases (96%), Corffusion/coma in 20 cases (42%), seizures in 43 cases (90%), visual disturbances in 28 cases (58%). Neuroimaging demonstrated posterior white matter edema involving the parietal-occipital, temporal, frontal lobes, and cerebellum. The hypertension and other worsening factors should be treated. Conclusion PRES is a central nervous system syndrome that is observed in SLE patients. It is associated mainly to acute hypertension, renal failure, and immunosuppressive drugs. Although reversibility is common, residual neurological damage may be observed. Complete clinical and radiographic recovery oeeurrs with prompt antihypertensive treatment and supportive care.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of leflunomide as induction and mainten-ance therapy for class Ⅴ lupus nephritis. Methods Sixteen patients with lupus nephritis (of which, three proven with Ⅴ +Ⅲ, six with Ⅴ+Ⅳ ), proven by renal biopsies, were included in this study. ALL patients rec-eived LEF plus prednisone treatment. For induction therapy, all patients were given an initial loading dose of LEF 60 mg daily for three days, followed by 20 mg daily for the whole induction treatment period. Prednisone was given starting from 0.8 mg per kilogram daily, then tapered four weeks later. After twenty-four weeks, the dosages of LEF and prednisone were 10 mg/d, 5～10 mg/d respectively during maintenance therapy. We asses-sed total remission rates in the end of twenty-four weeks, as well as the changes of system lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI), urinary protein per twenty-four hours (24 h Upr), serum albumin, serum creatinine level, complement C3, complement C4, C reactive protein, serum titer of ANA and anti-dsDNA be-fore treatment, 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 48 weeks after treatment respectively. Meanwhile, seven patients received repeated renal biopsies after completing induction therapy, so we compared pathological activity index (AI) and chroniciry index (CI) between pre-therapy and post-therapy at the same time. T and t' test were selected. Results Sixteen patients were followed-up. After 24 weeks induction therapy, the total remission rate was 75.0%; SLEDAI was significantly lower than pre-therapy [(15.4±3.5) vs (6.9±1.7), P<0.05]; 24 h Upr was also significantly lower than pre-therapy [(5.8±2.2) g vs (l.3±0.5) g, P<0.01 ]. Unfortunately, all seven patients performed repeated renal biopsies with class Ⅴ lupus nephritis again histologically, of which two were transformed other cater-ofies. Comparing with that of pre-therapy, AI was improved after therapy [(2.4±0.9) vs (1.7±0.8), P<0.05]. However, CI indicated no difference. Adverse events including major infection occurred in four patients. The adverse events happened at the 12 th week after treatment. Conclusion The efficacy of LEF plus corticoster-oids as induction and maintenance therapy for class Ⅴ lupus nephritis is remarkable and the tolerance of patients is good.

Objective To explore the MRI finding of female normal levator ani muscle and the levator ani muscle injuries and to evaluate the correlation between childbirth and levator ani muscle injuries. Methods One hundred asymptomatic nulliparous women(control group)and 200 vaginally primiparous women(study group)were selected as the object of this study.Moreover,the study group was divided into two subgroups:group A(100 cases)with stress incontinence,group B(100 cases)without clinical symptoms.Multiplanar proton density magnetic resonance images were obtained at 0.5 cm intervals from these study individuals.All images were used to analyze the differentiation of MRI features between normal levator ani muscle and levator ani muscle injuries.Results No levator ani injuries were identified in the control group.Fifty-four primiparous women(27%)had visible injuries in their levator ani muscles,42 in group A and 12 in group B.Injuries were identified in the puborectalis muscle in 49 cases and in the iliococeygeus muscle in 5 cases(X~2=41.447,P

[Objective]To investigate the micro-structural alterations within whole brain white matter(WM) in cough syrup abuse addiction patients containing codeine,and to explore the correlation between aberrant WH and abuse time of cough medicine abuse patients.[Methods]Thirty cough syrup abuse addiction patients containing codeine and 30 controls participated in the study. Structural changes in FA and(mean diffusivity)MD were examined in cough syrup abuse addiction patients containing codeine which derived from DTI tractography. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to compare the mean FA value and duration of cough syrup abuse addiction in patients.[Results]Cough syrup abuse addiction patients containing codeine had lower FA value in bilateral anterior limb of internal capsule(ALIC)and higher MD in the bilateral hippocampus and insula,right anterior cingulate cortex(ACC)and superior temporal gyrus,compared to the controls. Cough syrup abuse addiction group also had positive correlation between mean FAvalues and duration of cough syrup abuse addiction in patients.[Conclusion]Micro-structural alterations within whole brain white matter(WM)are found in cough syrup abuse addiction patients containing codeine. This disturbance progresses as duration increases of cough syrup abuse addiction in patients.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of intracerebral transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) derived from human umbilical cord blood(UCB) on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD) in neonatal rat.Methods Twenty samples of human UCB were collected from healthy full-term newborns.MSCs were isolated from human UCB by density gradient centrifugation and purified by adhere cell selection method.For transplantation,P3 human UCB-derived MSCs were labeled by the 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU).Thirty SD rats of 7 d were built for neonatal HIBD model.One rat died and others were divided into transplant group(n=18) and control group(n=11).At the third day after building models,human UCB-derived MSCs were injected into left cortex in transplant group,while PBS of the same volume was injected into the same site in control group at the same time.The seventh day after transplantation,6 rats of transplant group were sacrificed to prepare brain tissue sections.The survival,migration and differentiation of the transplanted cells were investigated by brain tissue immunohistochemical analysis,and nervous function of 2 groups were evaluated by modified neurological severity score(mNSS) on the first,7th,14th,21th and 28th day after transplantation.Results MSCs were isolated from 5 of 20 human UCB samples.Immunocytochemical analysis of brain tissue showed that the transplanted human UCB-derived MSCs could survive and migrate around by the center of transplant site.There were (12.67?2.73)% of MSCs differentiated into astrocyte-like cells.mNSS showed that the score of transplant group was lower than that of control group on the first,7th,14th,21th and 28th day,and the differences of score points between 2 groups on the 14th,21th and 28thday were statistically significant(Pa

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of kneepad on expression of Bcl-2 and p53 mRNA of chondrocyte in white rabbits with knee osteoarthritis, so as to explore and treatment mechanism of OA kneepad on apoptosis of chondrocytes of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis in molecular degree.

METHODSForty-four Japanese healthy 6-month-old rabbits (equal male and female,the weight ranging from 2 to 2.2 kg) were used to establish knee osteoarthritis models by modified Hulth method. The rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, model group, control group (microwave), experimental group 1 (electricity), experimental group 2 (thermal), experimental group 3 (kneepad). Ten rabbits in the normal group were breed with conventional method; 9 rabbits in the model group were breed with conventional method after model made; 9 rabbits in the control group were treated with microwave for 30 minutes, one time daily; 9 rabbits in the experimental group 1 were treated with electricity (density wave) for 30 minutes,one time daily;8 rabbits in the experimental group 2 were treated with hot (hot soft membrane) for 30 minutes, one time daily; 9 rabbits in the experiment group 3 were treated with electrothermal (OA knee pad) for 30 minutes, one time daily. All the rabbits were treated for 16 weeks and then sacrificed. The expressions of Bcl-2 and p53 mRNA of chondrocytes in knee joint were detected by using fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR method.

RESULTSAt the 16 hthek,th e OD260/OD280 value range of total RNA extracted from rabbit articular cartilage tissue in each group were all at 1.80 to 2.00,wh ich indicates high RNA purity. The p53 relative mRNA in articular cartilage cells of model group,th e control group,th e experimental group 1 ,r oup 2,gr oup 3 were overexpressed,an d Belc2 mRNA expression levels of articular cartilage cells were low expression,an d compared with the normal group there were significant differences (P < 0.01). Belc2, p53 mRNA expression in articular cartilage cells,th ere were significant differences (P < 0.01) between the control group, experimental group 1, group 2, group 3 and model group. The results between the control group, experimental group 1 ,group 2 and group 3 had significant differences (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOA-kneepad can up-regulate the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 as well as down-regulate the mRNA expression of p53, thereby to inhibit the apoptosis of cartilage cells and delay the degeneration of articular cartilage changes.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Knee Joint ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Protective Devices ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics