OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of soyasaponins on acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice.

METHODThe mice were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control, the model group, the silymarin (positive control) group, and soyasaponins high and low-dose groups. They were administered with drugs once every day for 7 days. At the end of the experiment, GalN and LPS were injected intraperitoneally to all of the groups except for the normal group to establish the acute liver injury model. The pathological changes were detected with hematoxylin & eosin (HE) staining, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was detected by ELISA method, and the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and the activation of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 were detected by the colorimetric method.

RESULTSoyasaponins could reduce the activities of serum ALT and AST, the acute hepatic injury induced by GalN/LPS, serum TNF-alpha level, hepatic NO and MDA contents, and the Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 activations of liver tissues, and increase the hepatic CAT, GPx, GST and GSH levels.

CONCLUSIONSoyasaponins shows the protective effect on acute liver injury induced by GalN and LPS in mice, which may be related to its antioxidative ability and anti-liver apoptosis.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Galactosamine ; toxicity ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Soybeans ; chemistry

The shape and structure of granules are controlled by the granulation process, which is one of the main factors to determine the nature of the solid dosage forms. In this article, three kinds of granules of a traditional Chinese medicine for improving appetite and promoting digestion, namely, Jianwei Granules, were prepared using granulation technologies as pendular granulation, high speed stirring granulation, and fluidized bed granulation and the powder properties of them were investigated. Meanwhile, synchrotron radiation X-ray computed micro tomography (SR-µCT) was applied to quantitatively determine the irregular internal structures of the granules. The three-dimensional (3D) structure models were obtained by 3D reconstruction, which were more accurately to characterize the three-dimensional structures of the particles through the quantitative data. The models were also used to quantitatively compare the structural differences of granules prepared by different granulation processes with the same formula, so as to characterize how the production process plays a role in the pharmaceutical behaviors of the granules. To focus on the irregularity of the particle structure, the box counting method was used to calculate the fractal dimensions of the granules. The results showed that the fractal dimension is more sensitive to reflect the minor differences in the structure features than the conventional parameters, and capable to specifically distinct granules in structure. It is proved that the fractal dimension could quantitatively characterize the structural information of irregular granules. It is the first time suggested by our research that the fractal dimension difference (Df,c) between two fractal dimension parameters, namely, the volume matrix fractal dimension and the surface matrix fractal dimension, is a new index to characterize granules with irregular structures and evaluate the effects of production processes on the structures of granules as a new indicator for the granulating process control and optimization.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Fractals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship ; Synchrotrons ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Ectodermal Dysplasia 1, Anhidrotic* ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate and analyze the nutritional status of infants, preschool and primary school students, pregnant and lactating women in Wenchuan earthquake disaster area after 3 months.

METHODSIn August 2008, the nutritional and health status information of special population were collected and evaluated using the questionnaires, anthropometric and hemoglobin concentration measurements from four settlements of villages and towns in Mao and Mianzhu Country of Sichuan and Kang Country and Wudu District in Gansu provinces. A total of 236 infants aged below 36 months, 48 preschool children, 368 primary students, 32 pregnant women and 72 lactating women were investigated. Principal investigator indexes included the low body weight, growth retardation, anemia prevalence, two-week prevalence of diarrhea and respiratory disease, food intake and nutrition-related diseases, the percentage of patients morbidity of 36 months infants, preschool and primary school students; the prevalence of anemia, the prevalence of nutrition-related diseases of pregnant and lactating women.

RESULTSThe stunting prevalence was 14.6% (34/236) and the anemia prevalence was up to 40.1% (61/236) among infants younger than 36 months. Besides, the percentages of infants and young children suffered from the respiratory-infected disease and diarrhea within recent two weeks were 40.4% (95/236) and 30.2% (71/236) respectively. The percentage of low body weight of preschool children was 14.6% (7/48) and the growth retardation and anemia prevalence was 14.6% (7/48) and 39.6% (19/48), respectively. Among primary students, 6.3% (23/368) showed growth retardation and 12.2% (45/368) were anemia. The prevalence of anemia status of pregnant women and lactating mothers were 53.9% (17/32) and 24.4% (18/72) respectively. The main food composition of 45.8% (33/72) lactating women were grain and vegetables, 29 (40.3%), 32 (44.4%), 28 (38.9%) and 53 (73.6%) lactating women did not have animal originated (including meat, aquatic, livestock and poultry products) food, eggs, beans and their products, milk and dairy products, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSpecial population lived in disaster area have suffered different degree of malnutrition. The main dietary pattern was vegetable food. The consumption of meat, eggs, milk and milk products was relatively insufficient.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lactation ; Male ; Nutrition Disorders ; epidemiology ; Nutritional Status ; Pregnancy ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

To explore new agents of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives with more potent antiepileptic activity, a series of 4-(2-acetoxybenzoylamino) butyramide derivatives were designed and synthesized. All of the novel compounds (5a-51) were synthesized from GABA as starting material, and their structures were confirmed with IR, 1H NMR, EI-MS and elemental analysis. Preliminary pharmacological test in vitro showed that all target compounds displayed strong antiepileptic activities and were worth for further study. The structure-activity relationship of 4-(2-acetoxybenzoylamino) butyramide derivatives was also discussed preliminarily.
4-Aminopyridine ; Amides ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Random Allocation ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; chemistry

AIMTo discuss the effect of Pitavastatin on angiogenesis in vivo and its mechanism in Klotho heterozygous deficient mice.

METHODSThe heterozygous deficient Klotho mice (kl +/-) and wild mice (kl +/+) from the same litter were used to establish the animal model of hind-limb ischemia and grouped into control and Pitavastatin group, respectively. Hind-limb blood flow was evaluated using Laser Doppler perfusion imager (LDPI) before treatment and after operation of hind-limbs. The capillaries in muscle of limbs were counted by means of CD-31 labeled immuno-fluorescence. The phosphorylation of Akt (Protein kinase B) in cells was measured by direct immunohistochemical technique. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) in muscle of limbs was assessed using Western blotting.

RESULTSAfter treatment of Pitavastatin, the blood flow in ischemic limbs of the Kl +/- and wild mice improved obviously, the ratio of blood flow area in ischemic limb to that in non-ischemic limb increased and the density of capillaries increased in ischemic limbs of the Kl +/- and wild mice. Pitavastatin enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt and the expression of VEGF in ischemic limbs of the Kl +/- and wild mice.

CONCLUSIONPitavastatin has the pro-angiogenesis effect in vivo and the VEGF-p-Akt-NO pathway may be involved in the mechanism of the effect of Pitavastatin.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Heterozygote ; Ischemia ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Quinolines ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish and evaluate a protein microarray method for combined measurement of serum ferritin (SF) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR).

METHODSMicroarrayer was used to print both anti-SF antibodies I and anti-sTfR antibodies I on each protein microarray. Anti-SF antibodies II and anti-sTfR antibodies II were used as detection antibodies and goat antibodies coupled to Cy3 were used as antibodies III. The detection conditions of the quantitative analysis method for simultaneous measurement of SF and sTfR with protein microarray were optimized and evaluated. The protein microarray was compared with commercially available traditional tests with 26 serum samples.

RESULTSBy comparison experiment, mouse monoclonal antibodies were chosen as the probes and contact printing was chosen as the printing method. The concentrations of SF and sTfR probes were 0.5 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL respectively, while those of SF and sTfR detection antibodies were 5 μg/mL and 0.36 μg/mL respectively. Intra- and inter-assay variability was between 3.26% and 18.38% for all tests. The regression coefficients comparing protein microarray with traditional test assays were better than 0.81 for SF and sTfR.

CONCLUSIONThe present study has established a protein microarray method for combined measurement of SF and sTfR.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; analysis ; Ferritins ; blood ; Mice ; Protein Array Analysis ; methods ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Transferrin ; blood

The release behavior of single pellet was investigated by LC/MS/MS method with tamsulosin hydrochloride (TSH) as the model drug of the research and then the pellets were divided into four groups according to the drug loading. Comparison of dissolution profiles of each group and capsule were performed using f1 and f2 factor methods to study the difference and similarity. The release profiles of single pellet, each group and capsule were analyzed using principle component analysis (PCA). The particle system was built through Matlab to get the target release profile. The result of this research demonstrated the release behavior of single pellet correlated well with the drug loading. While the dissolution profile of capsule as a reference, the similarity factor of dissolution profiles of the lower drug loading groups were 62.2, 67.1, 53.9, respectively and, 43.3 for highest drug loading group. The particle systems with different pellet distribution and same release profiles were built through release behavior of single pellet. It is of significance to investigate the release behavior of single pellets for studying the release regularity of multiple-unit drug delivery system.
Capsules ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drug Liberation ; Principal Component Analysis ; Sulfonamides ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationships between quality of life, negative life events, social support and suicide ideation among undergraduates in colleges.

METHODS3517 undergraduates in colleges were recruited by multistage stratified random clustered sampling method. Factors associated with suicide ideation were analyzed with logistic regression by scores of Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation(BSSI), Generic Quality of Life Inventory (GQOLI), Adolescent Self-rate Life Events Checklist (ASLEC), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and a questionnaire on background information.

RESULTSThe rate of suicide ideation within 7 days was 14.1%, especially in females (15.96%), with single parent (23.79%) and disabled undergraduates (25.00%). The primary risk factors for suicide ideation were with low psychological function, material life, family/social support, lower availability of support and more negative life events.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of suicide ideation among these undergraduates was high, appropriate measures focusing on these risk factors should be implemented.

China ; epidemiology ; Cluster Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Self-Injurious Behavior ; epidemiology ; Students ; psychology ; Suicide ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family G, Member 2 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Mitoxantrone ; pharmacokinetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; pharmacology