Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; blood ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyse the trace elements presented in the same germplasm of Flos Lonicerae with the soil in different producing areas of crude drugs and to investigate, the relationship between the trace elements and the characteristics of the geo-authentic Flos Lonicerae in the soil and crude drugs.

METHODThe analyses on the trace elements of soil and crude drugs were made by ICP-AES.

RESULTThe contents of Sr, K, Na, Mg and Ca were higher in the geo-authentic areas, and the contents of Ca, Sr and Fe were higher, but the Cr and Pb were lower in the geo-authentic Flos Lonicerae. The geo-authentic crude drugs had a strong tendency to accumulate P and Cu.

CONCLUSIONThere are no direct relationship between the concentrations of trace elements in Flos Lonicerae and those in their corresponding soil. There are good relationship between the absorption and accumulation of Ca and Cr, Co, Na and Fe; Zn and Co, Cr, Mn; Na and Co; Mg and Mn.

China ; Ecosystem ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Soil ; analysis ; Trace Elements ; analysis

Objective To investigate the changes and pathogenic significance of serum interleukin-12p70 (IL-12), intefferon-γ,(IFN-γ) and IL-4 in the course of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS). Methods Twenty five eases were divided into mild group (14 eases) and severe group (11 cases) according to the severity of illness. Blood samples were collected in various stages(fever, hypotensian and oliguria,diuresis stage). Serum IL-12 and IFN-γ levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunoserbent assay(ELISA), IL-4 by radioimmunoassay (RIA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and platelet by automatic biochemical analyzer and blood analyzer. Results Serum IL-12 levels in mild and severe groups were significantly different during various stages of HFRS (F=5.765, P<0.01). The IL-12 level of both patient groups significantly increased(P<0.01) in fever[ (0.87±0.38), (1.08± 0.77)μg/L], hypotension and oliguria [ (0.77±0.21), (2.11±2.13)μg/L] ,and diuresis stage [ (1.42±1.10), (1.20±0.88)μg/L], compared with control group [(0.56±0.10)μg/L]. In various stages, IFN-γ levels of both case groups were respectively (8.04±13.05), (5.94±8.24), (15.95±18.05), (4.41±4.10), (1.09±1.24), (1.38±1.74), (1.12±1.26), (0.19±1.29)μg/L, and the difference was statistically significant compared with control [ (0.27±0.15)rig/L]. K,-4 levels did not change significantly in the stages(F=0.682, P0.05), while the ratios of IFN-γ and IL-4 contents in mild and severe cases were significantly higher than control [(0.36±0.26) μg/L] in fever[ (2.46±3.52), (16.92±22.77)p.g/L], hypotension and oliguria[(2.52±2.72), (1.77±2.06) μg/L],diuresis stage [(1.45±2.28), (2.32±3.98)μg/L], the difference had statically significant (P<0.05 or 0.01).The curve of IL-12 was similar to that of BUN, but was contrary to blood platelet count. Conclusions The elevated levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ, with the imbalance of Th1/Th2 might be the main cause of systemic inflammatoryresponse and involved in the pathogenesis of HFRS.

OBJECTIVETo compare the quality of Flos Lonicerae between different producing areas.

METHODICP-AES, UV and HPLC were used to determine the contents of trace elements, chlorogenic acid, total flavonoids, five iridoid glucosides, hederagenin, and oleanolic acid. SAS software system was used to perform data and cluster analyses.

RESULTThe results showed that the geo-authentic crude drug was lower in the contents of Cr and Pb but higher in the contents of chlorogenic acid, total flavonoids, five iridoid glucosides, hederagenin, and oleanolic acid than the non-authentic crude drug.

CONCLUSIONThe geo-authentic crude drug of Flos Lonicerae is better in quality than the non-authentic crude drug based on the modern chemical analyses, which confirms the validity of traditional geo-based classification.

China ; Chlorogenic Acid ; analysis ; Chromium ; analysis ; Cluster Analysis ; Ecosystem ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Lead ; analysis ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Trace Elements ; analysis ; standards

Objective To understand the status of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis and the effect of preventive measure in Hebei province, so as to provide a basis to prevent and cure the disease. Methods Thirtyeight affected counties(cities, districts) with drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis were sampled by random sampling in Hebei in 2009. All affected villages in every county were divided into mild, moderate and severe endemic fluorosis areas and a village was randomly selected from each category of the area to carry out the monitoring of endemic fluorosis. Dental fluorosis of children aged 8 - 12 were examined and 6 copies of urine samples were randomly collected in each age group in the above-mentioned villages. Clinical skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed among adults aged 16 and over and 20 copies of urine samples were tested for fluorosis in every village.Results A total of 112 affected villages were investigated, among which the drinking water quality of 66 villages were improved and 46 villages were not improved. A total of 236 copies of water samples from the 66 villages were measured and the fluoride content ranged from 0.1 to 4.3 mg/L, among which 20 copies of water samples exceeded the fluorine standard of 1.2 mg/L, accounting for 33.3%. A total of 230 copies of water samples were collected in the 46 villages and the fluoride content ranged from 0.2 to 4.6 mg/L, among which 76.1% (35/46) of the water samples exceeded the fluorine standard of 1.2 mg/L. A total of 5169 children aged 8 - 12 were examined of dental fluorosis, the dental fluorosis rate was 36.43%(1883/5169) and the dental fluorosis index was 0.81. A sum of 71 497 adults aged over 16 years were examined, and the rate of skeletal fluorosis was 4.81%(3438/71 497), moderate or severe clinical detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 1.56%( 1114/71 497). A total of 2876 copies of children urine samples and 2021 copies of adult urine samples were tested and the geometric mean of fluoride content was 2.30,3.32 mg/L, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of dental fluorosis of children in the areas with improved water is less than 30% and the rate of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis decline gradually with time.The rate of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis increases with the increase of water fluoride in the water quality not improved areas. The endemic fluorosis is still comparatively serious in Hebei. The progress of improving water quality in the areas with endemic fluorosis should be accelerated and the acceptability of improved water should be enhanced.

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of phycocyanin at different concentration on proliferation of K562 cells, to detect the changes of integrin beta1 expression and intracellular focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene expression on the surface K562 cells treated with phycocyanin, and to explore the possible mechanism of integrin beta1 effect on phycocyanin inhibiting proliferation of K562 cells. The expression level of integrin beta1 on the surface of K562 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM); the growth of K562 cells treated with phycocyanin was measured by MTT assay; the expression level of FAK mRNA was analyzed by relatively quantitative RT-PCR after four-day culture of K562 cells with phycocyanin of 40 microg/ml, 80 microg/ml and 160 microg/ml, respectively. The results showed that integrin beta1 expression on the surface of K562 cells was significantly higher than that in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) from normal subjects. Phycocyanin could not change the level of integrin beta1 expression. Phycocyanin could increase the expression of FAK gene on K562 cells and inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells. It is concluded that phycocyanin can inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells through enhancing the conjunction of cell stroma with integrin beta1 on K562 cell surface, up-regulating the expression level of FAK gene in K562 cells, restoring the signaling pathway of proliferation inhibition mediated by integrin beta1. The possible mechanism of phycocyanin in the proliferation inhibition of K562 cells is to increase the expression of FAK gene. The phycocyanin may be considered as a potential agent for inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Integrin beta1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; K562 Cells ; Phycocyanin ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

AIMTo investigate the protective effect of melatonin (MT) on lung tissues during acute lung injury (ALI) in rats and its possible mechanism.

METHODSAll rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, dexamethasone (DEX) and MT treatment group. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malonaldehyde (MDA) content of lung tissues were detected at 3, 6 and 12 h after intratracheal instillation in each group. In addition, the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were observed through immunohistochemistry staining in lung tissues.

RESULTSCompared with control group, SOD activity decreased significantly in LPS group (P < 0.01), but MPO activity,MDA content and the expression of ICAM-1 increased obviously (P < 0.01). The administration of MT and DEX mitigated above changes significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMT possessed protective effect on lung tissues during ALI through scavenging free radicals and inhibiting the expression of ICAM-1 probably.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

AIMTo study the protective role of endogenous carbon monoxide to lung and kidney tissues during septic shock and its mechanism.

METHODSA rat model of CLP was built by using the method of CLP. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of superoxide dematase (SOD) in blood, lung and kidney were detected by immunohistochemical technique and light microscope.

RESULTSPathological changes of lung and kidney in CLP + Hemin group were lighter than CLP group, inflammatory reaction and lipid peroxidation were also lighter.

CONCLUSIONEndogenous CO can protect lung and kidney from the oxidative injury. It can suppress in flammation and the oxidative injury caused by activated inflammatory cells, it is probably an important mechanism of its protective effects.

Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; physiology ; Hemin ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shock, Septic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and mutation of Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox genes in leukemia cells.

METHODSExpression and mutation of Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox genes in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) from 26 de novo acute leukemia (AL) patients, and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from 30 healthy volunteers, as well as in 7 human leukemic cell lines were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSRT-PCR showed that all the above cells expressed Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox mRNA. SSCP revealed four polymorphisms: two in Mad1, one each in Mxi1 and Rox. DNA sequencing detected nine missense mutations: two in Mad1 in AL patients, four in Mxi1 (three in AL patients and one in KG-1 cell line), and three in Rox in AL patients. The mutations of Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox mRNA were detected in 2, 3 and 3 patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIt is for the first time to demonstrate the mutations of Mad1, Mxi1 and Rox genes in AL patients suggesting these mutated genes involve in the pathogenesis of leukemia.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

AIMTo compare the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) and Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 on beta-amyloid peptide (beta-AP) fibril formation and cytotoxicity to PC12 cells.

METHODSThe inhibitory effects of Sal B and EGb 761 on beta-AP1-40 fibril formation were determined by using fluorescence analysis with Thioflavin T (ThT) and electron microscopic image. beta-AP25-35 was aged by incubating at 37 degrees C for 7 d, then the protein was incubated with PC12 cells. The protective effects of Sal B and EGb 761 against cytotoxicity induced by aged beta-AP25-35 in PC12 cells were evaluated by MTT reduction assay and flow cytometric analysis. beta-AP25-35-induced accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by fluorescence analysis.

RESULTSBoth Sal B and EGb 761 inhibited the formation of amyloid fibrils, protected PC12 cells from beta-AP25-35-induced cytotoxicity, and decreased ROS accumulation caused by beta-AP25-35. The effective doses of Sal B were far lower than those of EGb 761.

CONCLUSIONSal B was much more efficient than EGb 761 in inhibiting beta-AP aggregation and in protecting PC12 cells from beta-AP-induced cytotoxicity.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; chemistry ; toxicity ; ultrastructure ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzofurans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Intracellular Fluid ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neuroprotective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; PC12 Cells ; Peptide Fragments ; chemistry ; toxicity ; ultrastructure ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry