Objective To observe the metabolism and distribution of arsenic in liver and brain of offspring rata by exposure to arsenic of pregnant rats or lactation dams and weaned pups,and explore if arsenic could penetrate the placental barrier,lactation barrier and blood brain barrier. Methods The Wistar female rots were randomly divided into four groups according to body weights,12 in each group,and were fed with drinking water that contained arsenic(NaAsO_2) 0,10,50,100 mg/L beginning from the gestafional day 6 until pups 42 days old. Pups were separately sacrificed on postnatal day(PND) 0,15,28,42. Arsenic in liver and brain of offspring rots and in breast milk was examined by atomic absorption speetrophotometer with an arsenic speeiation pretreatment system. Results Concentration of iAs,MMA,DMA of brain in 50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group[0,0,0,(7.3±6.6),0,(44.2±27.4)ng/g]on PND 0,42[iAs: (120.0±46.0),(195.5±125.3),(216.5±278.4),(176.6±151.8) ng/g; M MA: (47.2±18.1),(199.6±389.1),(47.4±55.2),(82.7±79.2) ng/g; DMA: (984.3±377.4),(2222.1±1433.2),(998.1±368.3),(1781.3±715.7)ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of DMA of brain in 50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group[(13.9±18.1),(50.6±98.3)ng/g]on PND 15,28 [(270.3±73.1),(323.9±72.7),(758.7±245.9),(1020.6±383.6) ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of iAs,DMA of liver in 10,50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group [(1.4±3.5),(49.7± 47.1),0,(100.4±30.2)ng/g]on PND 28,42 [iAs: (37.5±28.1),(268.8±246.4),(307.2±339.9),(15.4±9.4),(479.1±161.1),(408.4±51.9)ng/g;DMA: (594.5±148.8),(3181.9±519.0),(4834.2±2568.4),(1061.8± 85.2),(3697.1±553.7),(4120.0±732.8) ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of DMA of liver in 10,50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group[(13.2±20.5)ng/g]on PND 15[(182.0±60,2),(637.6±90.0),(1458.7±196.3)ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of arsenicals of liver and brain showed a dose-dependent increase. The concentrations of DMA of breast milk in 50,100 mg/L groups were also higher than that of 0 mg/L group[(9.8±13.4),0 ng/g]on PND 0,15 [(182.3±85.9),(372.2±203.9),(124.2±33.1),(244.4±196.5)ng/g,all P < 0.05]. In the analysis of the change of arsenic on different postnatal day,we found the concentration of iAs,MMA,DMA,TMA in liver and brain of pups all decreased on postnatal day 15,and was lower than that on PND 0,28 and 42. Conclusions The distribution of arsenic and methyl-metabolism in liver and brain of pups is related with arsenic exposure dose. Arsenic can penetrate the placenta and blood brain barrier easily and lactation can hinder arsenic intake in some extent.

In this study, the psbA-trnH sequence as DNA barcode was used to evaluate the accuracy and stability for identification pteridophyte medicinal material Pyrrosiae Foliumas from adulterants. Genomic DNA from 106 samples were extracted successfully. The Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) distances and ML tree were calculated using software MEGA 6.0. The intra-specific genetic distances of 3 original plants were lower than inter-specific genetic distances of adulterants. The ML tree indicated that Pyrrosiae Folium can be distinguished from its adulterants obviously. Therefore, the psbA-trnH sequence as a barcode of the pteridophyte, can accurately and stably distinguish Pyrrosiae Folium from its adulterants.
Base Sequence ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Ferns ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Quality Control

Female ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; Thoracic Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Thoracic Wall ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy in treating insomnia in people with blood stasis constitution. Methods: Seventy-two patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using the random number table, 36 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy, while the control group was intervened by oral administration of estazolam. One-week treatment was taken as a course, for 3 successive courses in total. A follow-up study was conducted 3 months later. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was evaluated before and after the intervention, as well as in the follow-up. The clinical efficacies were also compared. Results: The total effective rate was 88.9% in the treatment group versus 83.3% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After the intervention, the PSQI scores dropped significantly in both groups (both P<0.05); the between-group difference in PSQI score was statistically significant (P<0.05). The follow-up study showed that the between-group difference in the global score of PSQI was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy can produce a more significant efficacy than oral administration of estazolam in treating insomnia in people with blood stasis constitution.

OBJECTIVETo assess the therapeutic effect of Qufengtongluo (QFTL) recipe against proteinuria and glomerular filtration membrane damage in rats with adriamycin-induced nephropathy (AN).

METHODSFifty-six SD rats were randomized into normal control (A) and AN model groups. In the AN model group, the rat AN models established by a single intravenous injection of adriamycin via the tail vein were subdivided into model (B), QFTL recipe (C), prednisone (D), and benazepril (E) groups 3 weeks after adriamycin injection. The 24-h urinary protein level was measured and the expression of anionic sites on the filtration membrane was evaluated using electron microscope with PEI staining. Nephrin expression on the glomerular filtration membrane was detected with indirect immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSCompared with group A, the model group showed significantly increased level of 24-h urinary protein (P<0.01), suggesting successful establishment of the AN model. Treatment with QFTL recipe obviously lowered the 24-h urinary protein (P<0.01), and increased the expression of anionic sites and nephrin on the glomerular filtration membrane in the AN rats (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONQFTL recipe can effectively decrease 24-h urinary protein, improve the symptoms, and up-regulate the expressions of anionic sites and nephrin on the glomerular filtration membrane in rats with AN.

Animals ; Doxorubicin ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Glomerular Basement Membrane ; drug effects ; Male ; Nephrosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Proteinuria ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Qufengtongluo Recipe (QFTLR) on the expression of podocin mRNA and podocyte morphology in rats with adriamycin-induced nephropathy (AN), and explore the possible mechanism mediating the therapeutic effect of QFTLR on nephropathic proteinuria.

METHODSSD rats were randomized into normal control group, AN model group (established by a single injection of adriamycin via the tail vein), and 3 intervention groups with QFTLR, prednisone, or benazepril treatment. After the corresponding treatments, the expression of podocin mRNA in the renal tissues was detected by RT-PCR methods, and the morphological changes of the podocytes were examined by electron microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the AN model group showed significantly lowered expressions of podocin mRNA (P<0.01) with reduced podocytes and widening, fusion or even absence of the foot processes (FP). Intervention with QFTLR significantly increased the expression of podocin mRNA (P<0.01) and the number of podocytes, and obviously lessened the structural changes of the FP.

CONCLUSIONQFTLR can produce therapeutic effect against nephropathic proteinuria possibly by up-regulating the expression of podocin mRNA and improving the morphological changes of the podocytes.

Animals ; Doxorubicin ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nephrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Podocytes ; pathology ; Proteinuria ; etiology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

In this study, 23 oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins were isolated from a methanol extract of the roots of Pulsatilla koreana. The NF-kappaB inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was measured in TNFalpha-treated HepG2 cells using a luciferase reporter system. Compounds 19-23 inhibited TNFalpha-stimulated NF-kappaB activation in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values ranging from 0.75-8.30 microM. Compounds 19 and 20 also inhibited the TNFalpha-induced expression of iNOS and ICAM-1 mRNA. Moreover, effect of the isolated compounds on PPARs transcriptional activity was assessed. Compounds 7-11 and 19-23 activated PPARs the transcriptional activity significantly in a dose-dependent manner, with EC50 values ranging from 0.9-10.8 microM. These results suggest the presence of potent anti-inflammatory components in P. koreana, and will facilitate the development of novel anti-inflammatory agents.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Hep G2 Cells ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Luciferases ; Methanol ; NF-kappa B ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors* ; Pulsatilla* ; RNA, Messenger ; Saponins* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVETo analyze the level of mortality of brain tumor and its changes at different periods in China.

METHODSDeath records for tumor of brain and central nervous system, which the code of international classification of diseases-10 (ICD-10) were C70-C72, were extracted from the database of the Third National Retrospective Sampling Survey of Death Causes in China during 2004 to 2005. The corresponding population data was linked to the data of death records, that the total population was 142 660 482 person years (72 970 241 person years in male, 69 690 241 person years in female). Then crude death rate, age-specific death rate, the constitute proportion to all death caused by tumor and the age-standardized death rate were calculated by taking reference of Chinese standard population or the world standard population. The indexes of mortality were compared with that of previous retrospective surveys of death causes at 1973 - 1975 and 1990 - 1992.

RESULTSThe result showed that during 2004 to 2005, the number died from brain tumor was 4463 and the crude death rate in China was 3.13/100 000, which accounted for 2.30% of the all number died from tumor (193 841 cases). The age-standardized death rate by Chinese standard population was 2.37/100 000 and the age-standardized death rate by the world standard population was 2.90/100 000. Of which, there were 2556 death cases for males with crude death rate of 3.50/100 000. While for females, the crude death rate was 2.74/100 000 (1907 death cases). Age-standardized death rates by Chinese standard population in male and female were 2.71/100 000 and 2.03/100 000 respectively. The age-standardized death rate by world standard population was 3.31/100 000 for male and for female that was 2.48/100 000. The age-specific death rate of brain tumor in China was increasing as age growing. The crude death rates were 3.78/100 000 (1809/47 899 806), 2.80/100 000 (2654/94 760 676), and the age-standardized death rates by Chinese standard population were 2.71/100 000 and 2.20/100 000 for urban and rural area respectively, and the crude death rates of brain tumor in east, middle and west region were 3.60/100 000 (1894/52 556 694), 3.14/100 000 (1565/49 781 225), 2.49/100 000 (1004/40 322 563). The age-standardized death rates by Chinese population were 2.57/100 000, 2.43/100 000 and 2.02/100 000. Compared to the data in the first survey during 1973 to 1975, in which the crude death rate was 1.13/100 000 and age-standardized death rate by Chinese standard population was 1.10/100 000, the crude death rate and age-standardized death rate by Chinese standard population were increased by 176.99% and 115.45% respectively. While compared with the second survey during 1990 to 1992, that crude death rate was 1.89/100 000 and age-standardized death rate by Chinese standard population was 1.74/100 000, the rising percent of the rates were 65.61% and 36.21% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe level of mortality of brain tumor has been changing with an increasing trend from the period of 1973 - 1975 to the period of 2004 - 2005. The rate in male was higher than that of female with great diversity in different areas in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Death Certificates ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the mutagenicity and teratogenicity induced by ammonium dinitramide(ADN).

METHODSAccording to technical specifications for toxicity determination of chemicals, Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay (Ames assay), in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, sperm malformation test and teratogenesis test were used to detect the mutagenicity and teratogenicity induced by AND.

RESULTSWhen the exposure doses of AND were 8-5000 pg/plate, the result of Ames assay was negative. As compared with control group, the micronucleus rate of mice exposed to 113.8 mg/kg AND significantly increased(P<0.05), the sperm malformation rates of mice exposed to 54.4-272.0 mg/kg AND did not increased significantly. The survival rate of fetuses decreased, the rate of assimilated fetuses increased, the rate of fetus sternum agenesis enhanced in mice exposed to 319 mg/kg AND, as compared with controls. The rates of in the 4th-6th fetus sternum agenesis in groups exposed to 21.3, 79.7 and 319 mg/kg AND were higher than that in control group. The malformation rate of fetus bowels in groups exposed to 319 mg/kg AND was higher than that in control group. The teratogenic index of ADN was 30.

CONCLUSIONAND may be a mutagen and induce the teratogenic effect.

Animals ; Embryo, Mammalian ; drug effects ; pathology ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Micronucleus Tests ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Nitrites ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; toxicity ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sternum ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the acute, subacute and subchronic toxicity induced by ammonium dinitramide (ADN), and to ascertain the gradation and target organs of acute toxicity induced by AND.

METHODSAccording to technical specifications for toxicity determination of chemicals, the oral tests for acute, subacute and subchronic toxicity induced by AND were performed for 90 days.

RESULTSThe oral LDx for mouse and rat was 568.9 mg/kg and 616.6 mg/kg ADN respectively. The gradation of acute toxicity induced by AND was low level. The results of oral subacute and subchronic toxicity tests (for 28 and 90 days) showed that a gain in weight in group exposed to 123 mg/kg AND was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05), the TBIL and ALT in group exposed to 61.6 and 123 mg/kg AND significantly increased and the ratio of liver weight to body weight obviously decreased, as compared with control group, the number of animals with hepatic pathological changes in group exposed to 61.6 and 123 mg/kg AND was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe gradation of acute toxicity induced by ADN was low level. When the exposure dose of AND was 30.8 mg/kg, the adverse effect was not observed, and the target organ was liver.

Animals ; Body Weight ; Female ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Nitrites ; toxicity ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toxicity Tests, Acute ; Toxicity Tests, Subchronic