OBJECTIVETo explore the expression patterns of the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 in human sperm.

METHODSWe collected semen samples from 10 fertile men, performed density gradient centrifugation, and then determined the expressions of both CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the sperm by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSRT-PCR revealed the mRNA expressions of CXCL12 (0.641 +/- 0.180) and CXCR4 (0.464 +/- 0.100) in the sperm. However, only CXCR4 rather than CXCL12 was expressed at the protein level, and the positive staining for CXCR4 was observed mainly in the posterior part of the acrosome.

CONCLUSIONCXCL12 and CXCR4 are involved as important molecules in regulating the function of human sperm.

Acrosome ; metabolism ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

Gene Expression Regulation ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; genetics ; immunology

BACKGROUND:Our previous study has already manifested that Chinese medicine Xiaokening can effectively prevent and treat the early diabetic nephropathy. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect of rhein and archen on the apoptosis of mesangial cells of rats cultured with high glucose. METHODS:Mesangial cells were stimulated by different concentrations of rhein and archen (20, 40 and 80 μmol/L). Morphology of apoptotic cells was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Karyon apoptosis was examined by fluorescence staining of DAPI. cellapoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The outcome of hematoxylin-eosin staining and DAPI staining indicated that the effect of rhein was much stronger than that of archen on the apoptosis of mesangial cells in the rats cultured with high glucose. Comparison of the apoptosis rate also indicated that the rhein had a stronger effect on the earlier and the later stage apoptotic rate of mesangial cells than archen. Both rhein and archen with different concentrations can induce apoptosis of mesangial cells, but the effect of rhein is much stronger.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome is of high variation,which results in persistent infection of HCV and increases the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.Following the successful paradigm established for HIV protease inhibitors,HCV NS3-4A serine protease has been selected as the main target for the development of small molecule antiviral agents.In this article,we review recent progress in the discovery and development of HCV NS3-4A protease inhibitors,and discuss their antiviral activities,pharmacokinetic properties,side effects and resistance profiles.

Objective To determine whether mutation of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene is associated with hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).Methods The venous blood was collected from 50 patients with HBV-GN and 60 patients with asymptomatic HBV carriers (control group).Serum HBV DNA was extracted to determine the serum titer of HBV-DNA and then polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the HBV X gene mutation.Results (1)There were not statistical significance between age and gender in HBV-GN group and control group (P ＞0.05).There were not statistical significance of serum replication level of HBV DNA in HBV-GN with X gene mutation and control group (P ＞ 0.05).Urine protein excretion in HBV-GN group with or without X gene mutation was found with statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).(2)Nucleotide mutations [84％ (42/50)] resulted in amino acid substitution in HBV-GN.Nucleotide mutations changed in transfunction control region of X gene,including position nt1653,nt1726,nt1727,nt1730,nt1753,nt1762 and nt1764.(3)Nucleotide mutations [8％(5/60)] resulted in amino acid substitution in control group.Nucleotide mutations changed in position nt1632 and nt1635,located in non-functional region.Conclusions HBV X gene mutations and the subsequent amino acid substitutions are found in HBV-GN.The urine protein excretion level increases in patients with X mutation,suggesting that these mutations may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HBV-GN.

To investigate the differential gene expression profile in two typical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and to find the relationship between TCM syndromes and gene expressions.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sprains and Strains ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

The rat single-pass intestinal perfusion model was applied to study the effect of CYP3A and P-glycoprotein on the absorption of buagafuran in lumen of rats. Buagafuran concentrations in intestinal perfusate and blood in vena mesenterica collected at different time points after perfusion were determined by GC-MS. Permeability coefficient of buagafuran was calculated by the equation [P(lumen) = -(Q/2pirl)Ln(C(out)/C(in)) and P(blood) = (deltaM(B)/deltat)/(2pirl)]. The effects of troleandomycin (TAO, CYP3A inhibitor), cyclosporin A (CYP3A/p-glycoprotein inhibitor) on the absorption of buagafuran in lumen were observed. After rat single-pass intestinal perfusion, the cumulative amount of buagafuran in mesenteric vein of rat was 73.4, 82.9, and 98.3 pmol x cm(-2) and were increased 3.9, 4.6, and 5.6 fold by addition of inhibitor of P-gp (LSN335984), CYP3A (TAO) or P-gp and CYP3A (CsA), respectively. Moreover, the metabolized fraction of buagafuran was decreased by 12%, 11% and 21% with inhibitors. The results suggested that the poor bioavailability of buagafuran was mostly due to the interplay of P-gp and CYP3A on the absorption, transport and metabolism of buagafuran in intestine of rats.

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Autoimmune Diseases ; pathology ; Benzamides ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Movement ; Cell Survival ; Eosinophilia ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Eosinophils ; cytology ; physiology ; Helminthiasis ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Hypersensitivity ; pathology ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use

Humans ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Treatment Outcome