AIM: To analyze the effects of pterostilbene on myocardial function, myocardial fibrosis and inflammatory response in rats with acute myocardial infarction and on Notch1/eIF3a signaling pathway. METHODS: Seventy-five Wistar male rats of SPF grade were selected and divided into 5 groups. The low-, medium-, high-dose groups of pterostilbene were pretreated with pterostilbene solution before modeling. The dosage was 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg of the pterostilbene sputum solution, rats of the model group and the normal group were intragastrically administered with the same dose of normal saline; except for the normal group, other rats were prepared with AMI model. The left ventricular function, cardiac blood flow index, myocardial histopathology and fibrosis, myocardial inflammatory factor content, eIF3a and Notch1 protein and mRNA expression were observed. RESULTS: LVFS and LVEF were lower in the model group than in the normal group. LVEDd, LVESd, LVESV and LVEDV were higher than those in the normal group. The LVFS and LVEF in the low, medium and high dose groups of the pterostilbene were higher than those in the model group, LVEDd, LVESd, LVESV, and LVEDV were lower than the model group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).In the model group, the -dp/dtmax, +dp/dtmax, and LVSP were lower than the normal group, and the LVEDP was higher than the normal group. The -dp/dtmax, +dp/dtmax, and LVSP in the low, medium, and high dose groups of the pterostilbene were increased as compared with model group; while LVEDP was lower than the model group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).The contents of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the myocardial tissue of the model group were higher than those in the normal group. The contents of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the myocardial tissue of rats with low, medium and dose groups of the pterostilbene were decreased as compared with the model group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The expression of eIF3a and Notch1 protein and mRNA in the myocardial tissue of the model group was higher than that in the normal group. eIF3a, Notch1 protein and mRNA expression in the low-, medium-, and high-dose rat myocardial tissue were lower than the model group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The development of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis in AMI rats may be associated with the increase of eIF3a expression in the downstream of Notch signaling pathway. Pretreatment of pterostilbene can significantly improve ventricular remodeling in AMI rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of eIF3a and Notch1 expression.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for improving the breast cancer patients’medication compliance. METHODS:280 inpatients with advanced breast cancer who had received endocrine therapy in a hospital ward of chemotherapy of breast from Sept. to Nov. 2015 were selected,questionnaires was combined with on-site interview to investigate and analyze the medication com-pliance,influential factors and adverse reactions induced by endocrine drugs. RESULTS:Among the 280 patients,161 (57.5%) showed good medication compliance,64(22.9%)were general and 55(19.6%)were poor;its medication compliance were mainly affected by“wrong understanding on disease control (27.2%)”“adverse drug reactions (22.4%)”“forgetting taking medicines (21.1%)”;the common adverse reactions of endocrine therapy included hot flashes,mood disorders and joint pain. CONCLU-SIONS:Clinical pharmacists,especially the specialists should give full play to their own professional advantage,strengthen patient medication education,actively participate ward round and follow-up,improve breast cancer patients’compliance on endocrine therapy.

This paper reviewed the ancient and modern literatures and made a textual research on the original plant and medicinal materials of Jiuhua Polygonatum Cyrtonema. Original plant of Jiuhua P. Cyrtonema is Polygonatum cyrtonema, and the leaf order type is interleaf type. The processing method of Jiuhua P. Cyrtonema as medicine is mainly nine steaming and nine sunning. In modern times, Jiuhua P. Cyrtonema is used from medicinal materials to edible food, which can be applied for the food development to lay the foundation for the modern production of Jiuhua P. Cyrtonema. However, the further research on genuineness of Jiuhua P. Cyrtonema is also needed to do. It can be determined that P. cyrtonema from the Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Jiuhua Mountain is better, so the further research need to be done to determine whether the modern Jiuhua P. Cyrtonema can be genuine medicinal materials.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia and hypercapnia, and to explore the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Forty SD rats were random-ly divided into four groups:normoxic control group (N), hypoxia hypercapnia group (HH), ERS inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid group (4-PBA), endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway agonist tunicamycin group (TM), ten rats in each group.The mean pulmona-ry artery pressure (mPAP), mean carotid artery pressure (mCAP) and right ventricular hypertrophy index of rats in each group were measured.Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were identified by immunofluorescence α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).Morphologi-cal changes of lung tissue and pulmonary artery were observed by electron microscope.The apoptotic index of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in each group was detected by TUNEL.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-12 (caspase-12) mRNA and protein in each group. RESULTS: ①Compared with the N group, the mPAP, the ratio of right ventricle weight to left ventricle plus ventricular septum weight[RV/(LV+S)]and the ratio of pulmonary artery wall area to total tube area (WA/TA) were increased (<0.01), and the ratio of pulmonary artery luminal area to total tube area (LA/TA) were decreased (<0.01), pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell apoptosis index were decreased (<0.05 or <0.01) in HH group, 4-PBA group and TM group.ERS related protein and mRNA expressions were increased, the differences were statistically significant.②Compared with the HH group, the mPAP, [RV/(LV+S)]and WA/TA of 4-PBA group were decreased ( <0.01), LA/TA and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell apoptosis index were increased (<0.01, <0.05).The expressions of ERS related protein and mRNA were all decreased (<0.05 or <0.01).③Compared with the HH group, the mPAP, [RV/(LV+S)]and WA/TA of TM group were increased (<0.05 or <0.01), pulmonary artery middle layer thickened, LA/TA and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell apoptotic index were decreased (<0.01).ERS related protein and mRNA expressions were increased with statistical significance except GRP78 protein. CONCLUSIONS Pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia and hypercapnia may be related to the excessive proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and too little apopto-sis;ERS related factors (JNK, caspase-12 and CHOP) are involved in the regulation of pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia hypercapnia.
Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Hypercapnia ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Hypoxia ; Pulmonary Artery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was recently identified as a novel human coronavirus known to infect human with high mortality. It belongs to C clade of the betacoronavirus shown the similar genomic structure as other human coronaviruses.To date, some different subtypes of the viral genome were identified but its origin was unclear. Some evidences indicated it maybe came from the bats or dromedary. And series of molecular detection methods have been established and applied in lab and clinic.
Animals ; Camelus ; Chiroptera ; Coronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; Genome, Viral ; Genomics ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

The chemical extraction method was used to prepare the rat uterine decellularized scaffolds, and to investigate the feasibility of preparing the extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel. The rat uterus were collected and extracted by 1%sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 3% TritonX-100 and 4% sodium deoxycholate (SDC) in sequence. Scanning electron microscopy, histochemical staining and immunohistochemistry was used to assess the degree of decellularization of rat uterine scaffold. The prepared decellularized scaffold was digested with pepsin to obtain a uterine ECM hydrogel, and the protein content of ECM was determined by specific ELISA kit. Meanwhile, the mechanical characteristic of ECM hydrogel was measured. The results showed that the chemical extraction method can effectively remove the cells effectively in the rat uterine decellularized scaffold, with the ECM composition preserved completely. ECM hydrogel contains a large amount of ECM protein and shows a good stability, which provides a suitable supporting material for the reconstruction of endometrium .

Twelve compounds were isolated from Liquidambaris Resina by silica gel column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectral data, electron capture detector data, and physicochemical properties as(2'R, 3'R)-2',3'-dihydroxy-hydrocinnamyl-(E)-cinnamate(1),(E)-cinnamyl-(E)-cinnamate(2), cinnamic acid(3), 28-norlup-20(29)-en-3-one-17β-hydroperoxide(4), erythrodiol(5), 13β,28-epoxy-30-hydroxyolean-1-en-3-one(6),(3β)-olean-12-ene-3,23-diol(7), 2α,3α-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid(8), 28-hydroxyolean-12-en-3-one(9), 3-epi-oleanolic acid(10), 3-oxo-oleanolic acid(11), and hederagenin(12). Compound 1 was a new cinnamic acid ester derivative and compounds 2-4,6-8, and 12 were isolated from Liquidambaris Resina for the first time. Compounds 4, 5, 10, and 12 exerted inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC) with the IC_(50) values of(17.43±2.17),(35.32±0.61),(27.50±0.80), and(46.30±0.30) μmol·L~(-1), respectively.
Humans ; Oleanolic Acid ; Endothelial Cells ; Esters ; Cinnamates ; Triterpenes/chemistry* ; Molecular Structure

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Shenfu injection (SF) treating cancer-related fatigue (CRF) of the patients with advanced carcinoma.

METHODFrom September 2005 to June 2009, 113 patients with advanced carcinoma who was treated in our department were selected, and were divided into test group and control group. The test group was treated with SF and common method, while the control group only was treated with common method. Three weeks later, CRF, hemoglobin (Hb), immune function, cardiac function and blood viscosity were compared between the two groups. Meanwhile, the correlations between CRF and the other indicators were analyzed.

RESULTThe test group was treated more effectively than the control group in some ways, such as relieving CRF, improving hemoglobin, some immune indicators, and cardiac function, and reducing blood viscosity. Moreover, CRF had negative correlation with Hb and cell-mediated immune, and had positive correlation with cardiac disfunction degree.

CONCLUSIONSF could relieve CRF of the patients with advanced carcinoma effectively by treating anemia and improving cell-mediated immune and cardiac function.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Viscosity ; drug effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fatigue ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against lactacystin induced PC12 cell injury.

METHODSThe inoculated rat PC12 cells were cultured for 24 h, followed by intervention. The cells were divided into 5 groups, i.e., the normal control group, 10 micromol/L lactacystin injury group, and the EGCG pretreated groups (at the final concentration of 5, 10, and 50 micromol/L, respectively). The cytoactive was detected by MTT colorimetry. Morphological changes of the cell nucleus were observed by Hoechst 33,258 staining, and the apoptosis ratio was detected by flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSEGCG at different doses showed protective effect on lactacystin-induced PC12 cell injury. Compared with the lactacystin injury group [(61.22 +/- 1.02)%], the cytoactive in EGCG pretreated groups at the final concentration of 5, 10, and 50 micromol/L, respectively increased obviously to (66.99 +/- 1.30)%, (66.67 +/- 0.65)%, and (73.4 +/- 0.67)%, respectively. Hoechst 33 258 staining found that more nuclear pyknosis and aggregation occurred in the lactacystin injury group, but less occurred in EGCG pretreated groups. FCM indicated that the apoptosis ratio was reduced by EGCG pretreatment. It was 3.0%, 60.4%, 59.8%, 57.5%, and 38.6%, respectively in the normal control group, the lactacystin injury group, and EGCG pretreated groups (at the final concentration of 5, 10, and 50 micromol/L, respectively).

CONCLUSIONEGCG could attenuate lactacystin induced PC 12 cell injury.

Acetylcysteine ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; PC12 Cells ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of ulinastatin (UTI) on HK-2 cells during paraquat (PQ)-induced injury and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSRoutinely cultured HK-2 cells were divided into blank control group, PQ group, UTI+PQ group and UTI group. Cell viability was determined by CCK-8 assay. The concentration of PQ in HK-2 cells were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The production of total reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by fluorescence microscopy. The activities of superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in HK-2 cells were observed by chemical colorimetry. The levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSPQ, even at a dose of 200 µM, could significant suppress the viability of HK-2 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent. UTI showed no significant inhibitory effect on the viability of HK-2 cells when given at a dose below 8 000 U/ml (P > 0.05). Compared with the PQ group, the UTI+PQ group had significantly increased the viability of HK-2 cells in a dose-dependent of UTI (P < 0.05). Compared with the PQ group on the same hour, the UTI+PQ group showed decreased in PQ concentration in HK-2 cells (P < 0.05 for all except 6 h). Compared with the blank control group, the PQ group had significantly decreased SOD activity and significantly increased ROS level and MDA content (P < 0.05). Compared with the PQ group, the UTI+PQ group had significantly increased SOD activity and significantly decreased ROS level and MDA content (P < 0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the PQ group had significantly increased IL-6 and TNF-α level (P < 0.05); Compared with the PQ group, the UTI+PQ group had significantly decreased IL-6 and TNF-α level (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUTI significantly reduces the PQ-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory injury and its mechanism may be by reducing the accumulation of PQ in HK-2 cells.

Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Paraquat ; toxicity ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism