AIM To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of glucosides of Chaenomeles speciosa (GCS) on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats. METHODS Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. Secondary paw swelling of AA rats was measured with volume meter. Pain response and polyarthritis index were scored. Meanwhile, ConA induced thymocyte proliferation and LPS induced splenocyte proliferation were assayed by 3 (4,5 dimethylthiazol 2 thiazolyl) 2,5 diphenyl 2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. IL 1 production was measured by thymocyte proliferation assay; TNF ? and PGE 2 production were determined by radio immunoassay. RESULTS GCS (30, 60, 120 mg?kg -1 ) and Actarit (60 mg?kg -1 ) were given by intragastric administration for 8 days from the 17th day after immunization. Treatment with GCS (60, 120 mg?kg -1 ) and Actarit (60 mg?kg -1 ) for 5 days significantly diminished the secondary hind paw swelling, as well as relieved the pain response and the polyarthritic symptoms of the whole body as compared with AA model group. GCS (120 mg?kg -1 ) and Actarit (60 mg?kg -1 ) restored the diminished thymocytes proliferation ConA induced in AA rats. GCS reduced the enhanced productions of IL 1,TNF ? and PGE 2 from peritoneal macrophages in AA rats. CONCLUSION GCS has therapeutic effect on AA in rats, which may be related to regulation function of thymocyte T cells and inhibiting the productions of proimflammatory cytokines secreted by peritoneal macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Vascular restenosis alter carotid endarteractomy (CEA) is an important factor affecting curative affect ofoperation.OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) mRNA dynamic expression in the development of early vascular restenosis after carotid endarterectomy.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A random grouping contrast observation was completed in the General Hospital of Beijing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from February 2006 to December 2007. MATERIALS: Forty-one healthy male New Zealand rabbit, weighing about 3.0 kg, with 36 ones used for preparing carotid atherosclerotic stenosis (CASS) models. experimental group, each 6 of the CASS rabbit models (n =36) were selected at the time points of hour 4, day 1, 3, 7, 30, and 90 following CEA respectively. Then they were fixed with 40 g/L polyoxymethylene perfusion and stained with hematoxylin-eosin to observe their morphologic changes.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expression changes of MMP-9 mRNA were observed dudng the development of early vascular restenosis by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technique preoperatively as well as at day 1, 3 and 7 following CEA.RESULTS: Several stages could be seen in the reparative process of neointima after CEA, including the thrombosis, the inflammatory reaction, the repair of endothelium, the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle call, the formation and accumulation of extracellular matrix. MMP-9 mRNA was expressed since day 1, reached a peak at day 3 and then decreased significantly at day 7 postoperatively.CONCLUSION: MMP-9 plays an important role in the proliferation, migration and reconstruction of vascular smooth muscle calls, the mediated reconstruction of local blood vessels, as well as the development of vascular restenosis.

Traditional Chinese medicine industry is China's strategic emerging industry with great potential for self-innovation. Traditional Chinese medicine industry has successively experienced four stages which are the foundation (laying stage), the core status (establishing stage), the modern system (exploring stage), and the modernization system (constructing stage). Throughout the evolution of the self-innovation in traditional Chinese medicine industry, it presents distinct characteristics which we can explore the beneficial enlightenment.
Drug Industry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To evaluate the effect of curcumin on the proliferation of and apoptosis in HaCaT cells induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α).Methods HaCaT cells were cultured with the presence of different concentrations (0,1,5,10,25,50,100 ng/ml) of recombinant TNF-α,curcumin of 20 μmol/L,or the combination of recombinant TNF-α (25 ng/ml) and curcumin (20 μmol/L),for 24 hours followed by the determination of cell proliferation with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay.Western blot was conducted to measure the protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Notch-1 in HaCaT cells treated with recombinant TNF-α (25 ng/ml) and curcumin (20 μ mol/L) alone or in combination for 24 hours.Flow cytometry using annexin-V/propidium iodine (PI) was performed to assess the early apoptosis in HaCaT cells incubated with recombinant TNF-α of 25 ng/ml and curcumin of 20 μmol/L alone or in combination for 12 hours.Statistical analysis was carried out with one-way analysis of variance.Results Recombinant TNF-α promoted the proliferation of HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner,with the maximum proliferation activity observed in HaCaT cells treated with TNF-α of 25 ng/ml,while curcumin of 20 μmol/L effectively inhibited the proliferation of HaCaT cells induced by TNF-α of 25 ng/ml (P ＜ 0.01).TNF-α of 25 ng/ml had no obvious effect on cell apoptosis,while curcumin of 20 μ mol/L markedly induced the apoptosis in HaCaT cells,and there was a synergy between TNF-α of 25 ng/ml and curcumin of 20 μmol/L in the induction of apoptosis in HaCaT cells,with the apoptosis rate being 2.3％,3.4％,11.6％ and 16.8％ respectively in untreated cells,cells treated with TNF-α,curcumin,and the combination of TNF-α and curcumin,respectively.Conclusions Curcumin could enhance the inductive effect of TNF-α on the apoptosis in,but suppress the promotive effect of TNF-α on the proliferation of,HaCaT cells.

Objective To estimate the effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced proliferation of HaCaT cells,and to investigate its possible mechanism.Methods Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the proliferation of HaCaT cells treated with different concentrations of EGF (0,1,5,10,25,50,100 μg/L) and glycyrrhetinic acid (0,0.1,1.0,10,25,50,100μmol/L) alone,or the combination of 25 μg/L EGF with 25 μ mol/L glycyrrhetinic acid or 10 μ mol/L U0126 (an inhibitor of MEK1/2).Western blot was carried out to measure the protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA),Notch-1,ERK 1/2 and phosphorylated ERK 1/2 in HaCaT cells treated with 25 μg/L EGF,10 μmol/L U0126,25μmol/L glycyrrhetinic acid alone or in combination.Data were statistically analyzed by using t test,analysis of variance and correlation analysis with SPSS 17.0 software.Results EGF of 0-100 μg/L promoted the proliferation of HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner (r =0.798,P ＜ 0.05),and there was a linear correlation between the effect and concentration within the concentration range 0-50 μg/L (r =0.859,P ＜ 0.05).However,glycyrrhetinic acid of 10-100 μmol/L inhibited the proliferation of HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner (r =-0.945,P ＜0.01),and 10 μmol/L glycyrrhetinic acid could suppress the EGF (25 μg/L)-induced proliferation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in HaCaT cells.Also,both 25 μmol/L glycyrrhetinic acid and 10 μmol/L U0126 could attenuate the increase in PCNA and Notch-1 expression in HaCaT cells induced by 25 μg/L EGF.Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid can inhibit the EGF-induced proliferation of HaCaT cells,likely by suppressing the activation of ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the highly-selective regional vascular exclusion in the risk hepatectomy for liver tumor. METHODS: Short hepatic veins were ligated and divided followed by the dissection, and isolation of the inflow and outflow vessels of the tumor-bearing lobe, which were completely devascularized after the occlusion of these vessels. The blood loss volume, postoperative recovering situation of the liver function and the incidence of complication were observed in 68 cases. RESULTS: Main hepatic veins were dissected and isolated exo-hepatically in 65 cases. In the other 3 cases, the main hepatic veins were blocked by Satin skin clamp applied longitudely along the inferior vena cava. Hepatic pedicle was routinely excluded.The amount of blood loss was from 400 to 1200 (600+/-200) mL and 26 (65%) cases didn't receive transfusion.There was no operative mortality and liver function failure. Surgical complications included subphrenic abscess in 2 cases and bile leakage in 2 cases, which were cured conservatively. CONCLUSION Highly-selective regional exclusion of hepatic blood flow during the risk hepatectomy is safe and effective to prevent massive bleeding and to reduce the incidence of liver failure.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Hepatic Veins ; surgery ; Humans ; Liver ; blood supply ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; surgery

To study the effects of Qingdai compound on proliferation and apoptosis of K562 cells, as well as the expression of bcr/abl and JWA mRNA, K562 cells were treated in culture with different concentrations of Qingdai compound (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 20 mg/ml) and harvested at 24 hours. Then morphological changes were observed by light microscopy (LM); expressions of bcr/abl and JWA were detected with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that morphological changes were observed as the increment of the Qingdai compound concentration. Inhibition effects on proliferation and apoptosis in K562 cells were seen. A concentration-dependent decreases were found in bcr-abl and JWA mRNA expression of K562 cells. Qingdai compound partially inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of K562 cells. Expressions of both bcr/abl and JWA, which took part in cell proliferation and apoptosis, were down-regulated in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, Qingdai compound can partially inhibit the expressions of bcr/abl and JWA genes in K562 cells, and the clinical effect of Qingdai compound on CML may be associated with apoptosis of leukemic cells.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of gray-scale ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and multislice spiral CT in early and differential imaging diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (SHCC).

METHODSThis study included 35 patients with space-occupying lesions in the liver identified by routine ultrasound examination. The hemodynamics of the patients was recorded during the arterial, portal and lag phases using contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The enhancement features of the 3 phases were observed using multislice spiral CT. All the cases were confirmed by pathological examinations.

RESULTSFor SHCC diagnosis, gray-scale ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and multislice spiral CT showed a sensitivity of 77.8%, 94.4%, and 100%, specificity of 88.2%, 100%, and 94.1%, positive predictive value of 87.5%, 100%, and 94.7%, negative predictive values 78.9%, 94.4%, and 100%, concordance rate of 82.9%, 97.1%, and 97.1% and Younden index of 0.66, 0.94, and 0.94, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSContrast-enhanced ultrasound and multislice spiral CT have significantly greater diagnostic efficacy than gray-scale ultrasound in early and differential diagnosis of SHCC. But in some atypical cases, gray-scale ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and multislice CT have to be combined to establish a diagnosis.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; Contrast Media ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon α-2a (Peg IFN α-2a) or adefovir dipivoxil(ADV) monotherapy and their combination therapy in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods An open randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial was performed. One hundred and twenty cases with CHB were divided into 3 groups: Peg IFN α-2a monotherapy (group A), ADV monotherapy (group B) and Peg IFN α-2a plus ADV combination therapy (group C). The virological response (VR), serological response (HBeAg, HBsAg clearance and seroconversion), biochemical response (BR) and sustained response (SR) were tested at week 24 and 48 of therapy and week 48 of follow-up after end of treatment (EOT) for'evaluation of therapeutic effects, safety and drug resistance. The efficacy was compared using X2 test. Results At week 48 of treatment, the VR (HBV DNA ≤500 copy/mL) rates were 36. 8%(14/38), 37. 5%(15/40) and 62. 9% (22/35), respectively in groups A, B and C; that in group C was higher than those in groups A and B (X2 = 4. 933, 4. 801, respectively; both P < 0. 05); HBeAg seroconversion rates in three groups were 44. 7% (17/38), 17. 5% (7/40) and 51. 4% (18/35), respectively. At week 48 of follow-up,SR rates in three groups were 34. 2%(13/38), 15. 0%(6/40) and 48. 6% (17/35), respectively; those in groups C and A were higher than that in group B (X2 = 9. 894,P<0. 01;X2 =3. 903, P<0. 05, respectively). Conclusions VRs at week 24 and 48 of Peg IFN α-2a plus ADV combination therapy are better than Peg IFN α-2a or ADV monotherapy. SRs at week 48 of follow-up after Peg IFN α-2a monotherapy and combination therapy are both better than ADV monotherapy.

To observe the effects of Panax Notoginosides (PNS) on up-regulation of AP-1 family transcription factors NF-E2, c-jun and c-fos for exploring intracellular signal pathway of PNS in hematopoietic cells, four human hematopoietic cells lines including myeloid HL-60, erythroid K562, megakaryoid CHRF-288 and Meg-01 were incubated in the presence of PNS for 14 days. The nuclear protein of cells were extracted and analyzed by Western blot with antibodies against NF-E2, c-fos and c-jun. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed by using (32)P labeled AP-1 consensus oligonucleotide which contains binding site for NF-E2, c-jun and c-fos. The results showed that the transcription factors NF-E2, c-jun and c-fos of AP-1 family could be induced by PNS. Western blot demonstrated that the nuclear protein of both NF-E2 and c-jun in four cell lines treated by PNS were increased by 1.5-2.5- and 2.0-3.0-fold over untreated cells respectively. The c-fos protein in three cell lines of K562, CHRF-288 and Meg-01 was also elevated by 2.0-3.0-fold respectively, while c-fos protein in HL-60 cells was no detectable difference after PNS treatment. EMSA results in four cell lines indicated that AP-1 binding activity initiated by PNS was apparently elevated to form higher density band of AP-1-DNA complex. In conclusion, the intracellular transcription regulation initiated by PNS was involved in transcription factors NF-E2, c-jun and c-fos of AP-1 family members, which could play an important role in the up-regulation of genes expression related to proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells.
DNA ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Genes, fos ; Genes, jun ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; NF-E2 Transcription Factor ; NF-E2 Transcription Factor, p45 Subunit ; Panax ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Up-Regulation