One of the causes of the high cost of pharmaceuticals and the major obstacles to rapidly assessing the bioavailability and risk of a chemical is the lack of experimental model systems. A new pre-treatment technology, in vitro bionic digestion was designed for metal analysis in Lianhua Qingwen capsule. The capsule was digested on 37 degrees C under the acidity of the stomach or intestine, and with the inorganic and organic compounds (including digestive enzymes) found in the stomach or intestine, and then the chyme was obtained. Being similar to the biomembrane between the gastrointestinal tract and blood vessels, monolayer liposome was used as biomembrane model Affinity-monolayer liposome metals (AMLMs) and water-soluble metals were used for metal speciation analysis in the capsule. Based on the concentration of AMLMs, the main absorption site of trace metals was proposed. The metal total contents or the concentration of AMLMs in the capsule were compared to the nutritional requirements, daily permissible dose and heavy metal total contents from the "import and export of medicinal plants and preparation of green industry state standards". The metal concentrations in the capsule were within the safety baseline levels for human consumption. After in vitro bionic digestion, most of trace metals were absorbed mainly in intestine. The concentration of As, Cd, Pb was 0.38, 0.07, 1.60 mg x kg(-1), respectively, far less than the permissible dose from the "import and export of medicinal plants and preparation of green industry state standards".
Biological Availability ; Capsules ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Digestion ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Metals, Heavy ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Models, Biological ; Stomach ; metabolism ; Trace Elements ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics

Objective:To research the TLC identification method for Longdan Xiegan pills( honey pills) . Methods:TLC was used in the identification. The samples were extracted by 70% methanol with a heating reflux method, and then extracted by the agents with dif-ferent polarity, including petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and butanol. The petroleum ether part was detected by fluorescence at 365nm for Angelica sinensis, and 1% vanillin-sulfuric acid color reaction was used to detect Alisma orientale. The ethyl acetate part was determined by fluorescence at 365nm for Scutellaria baicalensis, and the butanol part was detected with chloroform-methanol-water (30∶12∶3) as the developing solvent for Bupleurum and Glycyrrhiza, and with acetone-ethyl acetate-water (6∶6∶1) as the developing solvent for gentiopi-croside, geniposide and liquiritin. Results:The developed TLC spots were clear with good separation, high specificity and promising re-producibility. Conclusion:The method can be exactly used in the qualitative identification and quality control of Longdan Xiegan pills ( honey pills) .

Objective:To establish a method for the determination of 23-acetate alisol B in Longdan Xiegan honey pills by HPLC. Methods:The analysis was performed on a Waters Symmetry C18 (250 mm × 4. 6 mm,5μm) column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-0. 1% phosphoric acid (62 ∶ 38). The flow rate was 1. 0 ml·min-1, the column temperature was 35℃ and the detection wavelength was set at 208nm. Results: The linear range of 23-acetyl alisol B was 19. 999 5- 1 999. 9500 ng(r =0. 999 9), and the average recovery was 95. 56%(RSD = 0. 7%, n = 6). Conclusion: The method is simple, rapid and accurate, and can be used to control the quality of Longdan Xiegan honey pills with good repeatability and recovery.

Objective To screen for the potential protein biomarkers in serum for the diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) using proteomic fingerprint technology. Methods Proteomic fingerprint technology combining weak cation exchange (WCX) magnetic beads with MALDI-TOF-MS was used to identify and compare the serum proteins from 61 patients with idiopathic PD, 29 patients with other neurodegenerative diseases (OND) and 30 healthy blood donors. Model of biomarkers and proteomics patterns associated with PD was analyzed by Biomarker Patterns Software. The model also was validated by 40 newly recruited PD cases. Results A total of 17 discriminating M/Z peaks which were related to PD were identified ( nonparametric test, Z:-4.039--2.633, P<0.01 ). Five biomarkers with M/Z of 6121, 5234, 2961,4309 and 8170 respectively generated an excellent model of distinguishing between PD and healthy groups. The sensitivity was 98.4% and the specificity was 83.1%. Blind testing in 40 newly recruited cases demonstrated a sensitivity of 85.0% (17 of 20 PD) and a specificity of 70. 0% (14 of 20 controls). Conclusions Combination of WCX magnetic beads with MALDI-TOF-MS is a useful method in establishing proteomic patterns associated with PD. It also may be used to construct a diagnostic model with PD Biomarkers. Although this model of biomarkers fails to distinguish between PD and OND controls, it is able to differentiate PD from healthy controls.

Objective To study the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)features in acute cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI)and evaluate its clinical value.Methods Eight patients with acute CSCI (within 72 hours after onset)were performed conventional MRI and fast DTI scans (112 seconds)and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT)at 3.0T Siemens Trio Tim system.Meanwhile,the fractional anisotropy (FA) values and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)values were calculated separately in the site of lesions,the upper and lower sections to the lesions.Then the data were analyzed by paired-samples t test analysis with SPSS 13.0 software.Results Cervical spinal cord injury occurred likely in the sites of C5-C6 (account for 4/8)and C4-C5 (account for 3/8).All MRI and DTI images were satisfied for clinical diagnosis.The FA value and ADC value of injury lesions were markedly lower than that of the normal cord.Accordingly,the injury lesions on FA map and ADC map presented low signals.There were no significant differences of FA values and ADC values between the upper and lower sections to the lesions.DTT could help in displaying the disruption of spinal fiber tract in lancination case and distortion fibers in closed cervical spinal cord injury.Conclusion Fast DTI sequence at 3.0 Tesla may obtain the qualified spinal cord images.By calculation of FA values and ADC values in CSCI patients,DTI may play an important role in detecting the changes of anisotropy and water diffusion caused by myelin sheath injury and cytotoxic edema and vasogenic edema respectively.

Whether or not an abormal expression of IL-6 mRNA in PBMNCs from IDDM patientswas examined using a hihgly sensitive,specific and semiquantitative protocal,i.e.reverse tran-scription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The relative levels of IL-6mRNA in PBM-NCs from 12 early IDDMpatients (8.20?3.85yr),29 newly diagnosed NIDDM patients(54.85?9.12yr)23 normal childrens (8.20?3.26yr) and 12 normal adults (31.92?11.22yr)weredetermined.Significantly high expresion levels of IL-6 mRNA were found in PBMNCs from pa-tients with IDDM (P

Objective To explore the effects of sodium arsenie on Metallothionein(MT) isoforms genes expression,and to study the relevance between the MT expression and cell survival percentage. Methods Healthy persons blood was extracted aseptically and the lymphocytes were separated. The lymphocytes were treated by 0 (control) ,2,5,10,15,30,60 μmol/L sodium arsenites, respectively. The cell survival percentage was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) reduction assay at 24,48,72 h intervals, while the expression of MT-1 and MT-2 were examined by RT-PCR in 72 h. Results The cell survival percentage in 2,5μmoL/L groups were (115.50± 11.80)% and (130.49±8.28)%,which were all higher than those in the control group [(100.00±0.00)%,all P < 0.05]at any intervals. In 10,15,30,60 μmol/L groups,the cell survival percentage[(78.12±9.33)%,(71.62± 10.82)%,(52.06±3.05)%,(40.98±5.41)%]increased along with the decrease of concentration,which showed a significant difference between these groups and the control group and 2,5μmol/L groups(all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference on MT-1 expression after exposed to different concentration sodium arsenites (0,2,5,10,15,30,60 μmol/L) for72 h(0.925±0.123,1.082±0.504,1.103±0.170,0.927±0.056,0.730±0.307,0.604± 0.173,0.540±0.075,all P > 0.05). The expression of MT-2 in 2,5μmol/L groups(1.503±0.212,1.557±0.377) was up regulated compared with that in control group(0.702±0.112) and MT-2 also expressed more than that in other groups(all P < 0.05). However,the expression of MT-2 declined when the concentraion was 10,15,30,60 μmol/L(0.814±0.139,0.679±0.201,0.607±0.229,0.533±0.102). There was no significant difference among the groups (all P > 0.05). The expression level oE MT-1,MT-2 was positively correlated with the cell survival pereentage(r = 0.955,0.909,all P < 0.05). Conclusions The sodium arsenite at concentration of 10 μmoL/L might inhibit the expression of MT of lymphocytes and low concentration sodium arsenite (2,5 μmol/L) might stimulate the lymphocytes to regulate the expression of MT-2 to higher levels,which can increase the cell survival percentage and exert the function of protecting cells.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of the treatment on paraplegic patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) by implantation of China-made three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis.

METHODSEighteen paraplegic patients with ED refractory to non-operative treatment were implanted with three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis through an incision at the border of penis and scrotum. The rate of maintained coitus and the satisfactory coitus of spouse were obtained by inquiring and letter visiting.

RESULTSOperations were successfully performed upon all 18 patients. Follow-ups after operations ranged from 3 months to 36 months, mean follow-up being 18 months. Fluid exudation from penile prosthesis and localized infection occurred in one patient and mechanic complication occurred in two. Maintained coitus rate was 17/18. Ejaculation reflection occurred in three patients.

CONCLUSIONSTreatment of paraplegic patient with ED refractory to non-operative treatment by implantation of China-made three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis has good concealment and rehabilitative effect, with similar mechanical troubles to imported products. With excellent covertness, implantation of three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis is well accepted by ED patients.

Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraplegia ; complications ; Penile Implantation ; Penile Prosthesis

OBJECTIVETo establish a HPLC fingerprint for quality evaluation of Cortex Moutan.

METHODThe HPLC chromatographic fingerprinting of 30 lots of Cortex Moutan was established and major peaks were identified by LC-MS and MS-MS.

RESULTThe HPLC fingerprint of Cortex Moutan was established, showing 15 characteristic peaks. The areas of these peaks were found to complied with the following rule: paeonol > 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-penta-O-galloyl-glucos > methyl gallate > galloylpaeoniflorin > gallic acid > oxypaeoniflorin > other compounds.

CONCLUSIONThe chromatographic fingerprinting of Cortex Moutan with high specificity can be used to control its quality and monitor lot to lot consistency.

Acetophenones ; analysis ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; classification ; Gallic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Hydrolyzable Tannins ; analysis ; Monoterpenes ; analysis ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; classification ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between germ cells apoptosis and alterations of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), nitric oxide(NO) level and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the testes of rats submitted to alcohol drinking.

METHODSTwenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (3 months old) were randomly divided into two groups: control group and experimental group. 50% alcohol and distilled water were administered intragastrically at a dose of 10 ml/kg body weight to two groups of rats respectively. After twenty-six days, the biochemical parameters (T-AOC, NO level and NOS activity) were measured with spectrophotometric determination. The TdT-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique was used to detect germ cells apoptotic index (AI).

RESULTSCompared with the control group, AI was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the experimental group; T-AOC level reduced obviously (P < 0.01), but NO level and NOS activity increased predominantly ( P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe excessive production of NO caused by the increasing of NOS activity and the decreasing of T-AOC may be the main causes that alcohol overtaking induces germ cells apoptosis.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Ethanol ; toxicity ; Germ Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism