Background Age-related cataract is the leading cause of visual impairment worldwide.To seek the effective prevention and drugs for management of cataract is important.Naphthalene-induced cataract of rat is an ideal animal model for the research of human age-related cataract,and aspirin has been proven to inhibit the development of human age-related cataract.ObjectiveThe present study is to investigate the role of aspirin on naphthalene-induced cataract.Methods Forty-five 150-160 g female SD rats were divided into three groups randomly.Naphthalene was orally taken with 0.5mg/kg per day for 3 days and then 1mg/kg per day for 70 days,and then 100mg/kg of aspirin was given per day for 70 days following four-day washout period in group A.In group B,the animals was given orally only naphthalene at the same way.No any intervention was used in group C.Naphthalene-induced cataract was examined under the slim lamp every week.The experimental animals were sacrificed and lenses were obtained in 70 days.α-Crystalline was extracted from lens homogenate and purified and identified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC),2-dimentional electrophoresis gel and Western blot.Different abilities of α-crystalline to protect β low crystalline from aggregation were observed using ultraviolet spectrophotometer.Results Naphthalene-induced cataract formed at the third week in only naphthalene group but at the sixth week in naphthalene+aspirin group under the slim lamp.No significant difference was found in the degree of lenses opacity in the second week among these three groups(F=0.032,P=0.969).However,a statistically significant difference was seen in the degree of lenses opacity in the fourth,sixth,eighth and tenth week among these three groups(F= 5031.130,P=0.000;F=115964.000,P=0.000;F=169846.500,P=0.000;F= 195431.200,P=0.000).Themolecular chaperone-like activity was significantly higher than that of the naphthalene-induced group.Conclusion Aspirin delays the progression of lens opacification through protecting α-crystalline molecular chaperone-like activity.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of bedside video electroencephalogram (VEEG) in neonatal within 6 h after birth in diagnosing hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy ( HIE) and the correlation of bedside VEEG results and early neural and behavioral development. Methods Neonatal severe asphyxia cases were collected and bedside VEEG and HIE were recorded and graduated. The sensitivity and specificity of different VEEG degrees within 6 h after birth were calculated in prognosing HIE degree. The sensitivity and specificity of abnormal VEEG performed within 6 h, the third day and the seventh day after birth, respectively, were compared in prognosing HIE. Neonatal behavior neurological assessment (NBNA) was performed at 7 to 14 days of age, EEG and general movements assessment (GMs), developmental screening test for child under six(DST) when patients were 3 months old, and EEG, Bayley scales of infant development(BSID) at 6 months old to analyze the correlation of bedside VEEG results and early neural and behavioral development. Results Forty-eight severe asphyxia neonatal were included, among which 12 severe asphyxia and 36 HIE, including 14 mild, 12 moderate and 10 severe HIE. There were nine normal and 39(81. 3%) abnormal VEEG including 16 mild, 11 moderate, five severe abnormal and seven inactive VEEG within 6 h after birth. There were 32(88. 9%) abnormal VEEG within 6 h after birth in 36 HIE patients. Significant positive correlation was found between VEEG within 6 h after birth and HIE (r= 0.849, P<0. 01). Severe abnormal and inactive EEG within 6 h after birth showed sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 94. 7% in predicting severe HIE. The sensitivity of VEEG testing at 6 h,3 and 7 d in predicting HIE were 88. 9%, 83. 9% and 28. 6% , correspondingly the specificity were 41.7%, 91. 7% and 100%, respectively. Nine patients with continually abnormal VEEG died in hospital. The NBNA scores of patients with moderate and severe abnormal EEG were significantly lower than those with normal EEG (both P<0. 01), the NBNA scores of patients with severe abnormal EEG were significantly lower than those with moderate abnormal EEG (P<0. 05). Thirty-five patients were followed up in the hospital at 3 months old, and 32 patients had DST >85 and three had DST between 70 and 84 with abnormal EEG. GMs assessment of one of the three patients showed absence of fidget movements, cuing a chance of cerebral palsy. Fourteen patients were followed up in hospital at 6 months old, and seven of them had abnormal EEG, four had abnormal BSID with abnormal EEG. Conclusions VEEG within 6 h after birth shows high sensitivity and specificity in prognosing HIE, and much relates to short-term neural and behavior development.

Objective To explore the DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats exposed to sodium arsenite. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats, weighing 180 - 200 g, equal male and female, were randomly divided into 4 groups, 8 in each group. Sodium arsenite 0(control) ,0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L were given through drinking water for 30 days. Body weight and drinking water consumption were measured every day. Blood were collected and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined by single cell gel electrophoresis.Results The increase of body mass[( 121.00 ± 38.57), ( 120.62 ± 42.80), ( 125.38 ± 48.68)g]and water intake [(36.9 ± 6.2), (37.9 ± 5.8), (39.3 ± 4.2)ml/d]in 0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L sodium arsenite groups were compared with the control group[( 119.25 ± 47.27)g, (38.4 ± 5.1 )ml/d], and the difference were not significant (F = 0.040,0.828, all P ＞ 0.05). The tail ratios[46.25%(185/400) ,57.00%(228/400),64.00%(256/400)], tail lengths [(32.89 ± 17.18), (58.74 ± 36.28), (77.55 ± 35.73 ) μm]and tail moments [(6.29 ± 3.74), ( 11.20 ± 9.64),(17.30 ± 12.60)μm]in 0.05,0.15,0.45 mg/L sodium arsenite groups were significantly higher than those of the control group[39.25%(157/400), (18.73 ± 15.83),(2.61 ± 1.05)μm, all P ＜ 0.01], and the tail ratios,tail lengths and tail moments in lymphocytes increased with increased doses of arsenic concentration. Conclusions Low doses of arsenic exposure can induce DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats.

Objective To study the change and the significance of T-lymphocyte immune function in peripheral blood in population living in arsenic-contaminated area. Methods Fifty-three cases of patients with arsenism symptoms were selected into experimental group, inhabitants who had no chronic arsenism symptoms into control group in the endemic area of Shuocheng District, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province in 2006. Vein blood samples were taken and analyzed with SAP assay to measure the percentage of CD3+ ,CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. Results It was found that the percentage of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ [(41.89 ± 11.58)%, (25.60 ± 9.05)% and 1.02 ± 0.41] in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group [(68.38 ± 7.23)%, (39.17± 4.28)% ,1.69 ± 0.56, t = 13.61,18.72,14.79, all P < 0.05], while there was no statistical differences of CD8+ [(25.30 ± 6.85)%] compared to the control group[(23.54 ± 8.35)%,t = 3.07,P > 0.05]. The gender-related effect of arsenic on CD4+ and CD8+ was found by multiple linear step regression analysis(t = - 3.05, - 4.30, all P < 0.05). In case group, there were no statistical differences in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+[(40.65±10.06)%, (24.48 ± 6.29)%, (24.52 ± 8.16)%,0.98 ± 0.25] between males and females [(43.07±12.96)%, (26.77±3.12)%, (26.50 ±9.32)%, 1.07 ±0.41, t = - 0.76,3.05,0.30,2.10, all P > 0.05]. Conclusions The immune function of T-lymphocytes of patients with chronic arsenism has been suppressed. It is of active significance to detect T-lymphocyte subpopulation in peripheral vein in patients with chronic arsenism aiming at estimating the function of cell immune and providing early diagnosis index.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor ( TAFI ) and coronary heart disease ( CHD ), and to provide evidence for the prevention of CHD. Methods: The patients with CHD in Fushun Central Hospital in Liaoning Province were selected as the case group, the patients without CHD in the same hospital and period were selected as the control group. The demographic information and clinical examination results ( serum TAFI, lipid, glucose, etc. ) were collected to analyze the association between TAFI and CHD by logistic regression models.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between TAFI and CHD. Results: There were 222 cases, including 100 cases of stable angina, 44 cases of unstable angina and 78 cases of acute myocardial infarction, and 222 controls. The median ages of cases and controls were 62 and 57 years old. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum TAFI>22.88 μg/mL ( P75 of controls ) was associated with the risk of CHD ( OR=1.619, 95%CI: 1.011-2.593 ), unstable angina ( OR=2.917, 95%CI: 1.433-5.939 ) and acute myocardial infarction ( OR=2.626, 95%CI: 1.007-6.847 ). Conclusion The high level of TAFI is related to CHD, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of the effect of estrogen on the production of acetylcholine in the brain and to study the regulatory role of acupuncture of Zusanli acupoint in acetylcholine production in the brain of ovariectomized rats. Experimental female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: intact group (INT), ovariectomized group (OVX), and ovariectomy and acupuncture group (OVX+AC). Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to measure the estrogen content in plasma. The mRNA expression of choline-acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in the brain of rats was measured by the RT-PCR technique and was tested by the method of agarose gel electrophoresis. The ChAT mRNA positive neurons in the hippocampus were observed by using in situ hybridization and the results were processed with a computerized image analysis system. The results are as follows. Compared with the control animals, the plasma estrogen level was significantly lowered in ovariectomized animals. However, the plasma estrogen level was higher in the OVX+AC group than that of the OVX group. The ChAT mRNA expression level of OVX+AC group was higher than that of the OVX group. The area and integral optical density of the ChAT mRNA positive neurons in the hippocampus increased more obviously in OVX+AC group than in the OVX group. The experimental results observed indicate that the expression of ChAT gene in the brain is possibly related to the estrogen level in the body. The expression of ChAT gene in the brain of the ovarietomized rat can be regulated by acupuncture of Zusanli acupoint and it may be one of the mechanisms that acupuncture increases acetylcholine content in the brain.
Acupuncture ; Animals ; Brain ; enzymology ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Estrogens ; blood ; Female ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Ovariectomy ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Female ; Hip ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Modified Guipi Decoction (MGD) on blood pressure and quality of life (QOL) in hypertension patients complicated depression.

METHODSTotally 245 hypertension patients complicated depression were randomly assigned to the treatment group (125 cases, treated with MGD) and the control group (120 cases, treated with Sertraline). Final recruited qualified patients were 117 cases in the treatment group and 111 cases in the control group. The therapeutic course for all was 4 weeks. Changes of blood pressure, scores rated by Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), short-form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36), and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) were observed before and after treatment, thereby judging their efficacies.

RESULTS(1) Compared with before treatment in the same group, systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased in the treatment group after 2 weeks of treatment; systolic blood pressure significantly-decreased after 2 weeks of treatment and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased after 3 weeks of treatment in the control group (all P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Decreased valley values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures at week 2, 3, and 4 after treatment were obviously higher than those at week 1 after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group at week 4 after treatment, valley value of systolic blood pressure obviously decreased in the treatment group (P <0. 01). Decreased valley values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the treatment group were higher than those of the control group (P <0. 01). The success rate of target blood pressure was 60. 7% (71/117 cases) in the treatment group and 42. 3% (47/111 cases) in the control group, with statistical difference (χ² = 7.6781, P < 0.01). (2) Compared with before treatment in the same group, the score of HAMD-17 at week 2, 3, and 4 after treatment all decreased in the two groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the score of HAMD-17 at week 4 after treatment decreased more obviously in the treatment group, with higher difference in decreased value (P < 0.05). The effective rate was 79.5% (93/117) in the treatment group, higher than that in the control group [66.7% (74/111); χ² = 4.7741, P < 0.05]. (3) Compared with before treatment in the same group, the score of HAMA at week 1, 2, 3, and 4 after treatment all obviously decreased in the two groups (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the control group, the score of HAMA at week 3 and 4 after treatment decreased more obviously in the treatment group, with higher difference in decreased value (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (4) After 4 weeks of treatment, except physical function in the control group, SF-36 total score and the score for each factor were obviously higher in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). MGD showed superior effect in improving physical function, physical activity, overall health, emotion activity, and health changes to that of Sertraline (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (5) The incidence of insomnia, tremor, liability to agitation, dizziness was obviously less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMGD had favorable clinical effect on hypertension patients complicated depression. Meanwhile, it also could improve their blood pressure and QOL.

Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Depression ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Phytotherapy ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Quality of Life ; Sertraline ; therapeutic use ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVESTo investigate whether the human PC-3 cell infected with recombinant Ad-PTEN and Ad-p27Kip1 can steadily produce PTEN and p27Kip1 protein and change the biologic behaviors such as cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis. The synergistic effect of PTEN and p27Kip1 on the therapy for prostate cancer has also been investigated.

METHODSWe constructed recombinant adenovirus vector of human tumor suppressor gene PTEN and p27Kip1. The viral titer was examined by plaque assay and the mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN and p27Kip1 in human prostate cancer cell line PC-3 infected with Ad-PTEN and Ad-p27Kip1 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. MTT assay was used to determine the effect of PTEN and p27Kip1 on growth and proliferation of PC-3 cell; the change of cell cycle and apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry, and to compare between the combined therapy group and single gene therapy group.

RESULTSThe viral titers of Ad-PTEN and Ad-p27Kip1 were 1.8 x 10(7) pfu/ml and 1.2 x 10(9) pfu/ml respectively. After infected by adenovirus, it had been verified that the mRNA and protein expression of PTEN and p27Kip1 were steady in human PC-3 cell. Ad-PTEN and Ad-p27 Kip1 inhibited the growth and proliferation of PC-3 cells. The progression of cell cycle of PC-3 cell was arrested in G(0)-G(1) phase, meanwhile the apoptosis rate of PC-3 was also affected after Ad-PTEN or/and Ad-p27 Kip1 infected. There was significant difference between combined therapy group and single gene therapy group.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant Ad-PTEN and Ad-p27Kip1 vector were constructed successfully and the expression of specific PTEN and p27Kip1 was high, steadily in PC-3 cell line. These results suggested that combination of PTEN with p27Kip1 has an application value in treatment of prostate cancer in future.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10 ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Gene Deletion ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Male ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Compound Xuanju Capsule (CXC) on autoimmune prostatitis in rat models.

METHODSSixty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number: blank control, low-concentration purified prostate protein (low-conc PPP), low-conc PPP + CXC treatment, high-concentration PPP (hi-con PPP), and hi-conc PPP + CXC treatment. Autoimmune prostatitis models were established by intragastric administration of PPP solution at 15 mg/ml (low concentration) and 80 mg/ml, respectively. At 30 days after modeling, the rats in the blank control and low-conc and hi-conc PPP model groups were treated with normal saline, and those in the other two groups with CXC at a daily dose of 0.068 g/ml. At 30, 45, and 60 days, all the animals were sacrificed for observation of pathological changes in the prostate tissue and determination of the levels of IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in the serum.

RESULTSCompared with the PPP models, the hi-conc PPP + CXC group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha in the serum at 45 days ([148.54 +/- 17.23] and [62.14 +/- 5.59] pg/ml vs [100.77 +/- 11.08] and [32.63 +/- 2.91] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([143.69 +/- 17.28] and [59.38 +/- 5.50] pg/mlvs [95.77 +/-10.53] and [29.63 +/- 2.66] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so did the low-cone PPP + CXC group at 45 days ([128.47 +/- 12.21] and [40.43 +/- 3.64] pg/ml vs [111.76 +/- 10.07] and [35.44 +/- 3.17] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([131.07 +/- 10.93] and [43.34 +/- 3.91] pg/ml vs [97.46 +/- 8.75] and [30.44 +/- 2.75] pg/ml, P < 0.05). The serum level of IL-10 was remarkably elevated in the hi-cone PPP + CXC group as compared with that of the PPP models at 45 and 60 days ([189.14 +/- 16.78] and [184.14 +/- 15.89] pg/ml vs [230.48 +/- 29.96] and [248.48 +/- 31.03] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so was it in low-cone PPP + CXC group ([223.14 +/- 17.87] and [224.14 +/- 17.93] pg/ml vs [231.42 +/- 23.18] and [249.42 +/- 24.97] pg/ml, P < 0.05). Pathological examination revealed morphological damages to the prostate tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the model rats, but no obvious changes in the normal controls. At 15 days of treatment, the rats in the PPP + CXC group showed enlarged prostate glandular cavity, mild proliferation of epithelial cells, no obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the interstitial tissue, and a few visible fibrous tissues under the light microscope.

CONCLUSIONCompound Xuanju Capsule is efficacious on autoimmune prostatis in rats by reducing inflammatory changes in the prostate tissue and improving the expression of inflammatory factors.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Capsules ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Prostatic Secretory Proteins ; Prostatitis ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood