OBJECTIVE: To study the monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in Gardneria multiflora Makino. METHODS: The dried plants of G. multiflora Makino were extracted with 95% ethanol. After removal of solvent, the residue was diluted with water, then extracted with petroleum ether and chloroform to obtain crude alkaloids. Column chromatograghy on silica gel, Rp-18, and Sephadex LH-20 were applied for the isolation and purification of crude alkaloids. The structure was elucidated based on detailed spectroscopic evidence. RESULTS: One monoterpenoid indole alkaloid was isolated from this plant. CONCLUSION: Compound gardmultimine A (1) is a new compound.

Objective To investigate the effects of erythropoietin(EPO)on the function of glomerular endothelial cells in rats with chronic renal failure(CRF). Methods The CRF model was established by a two stage 5/6 nephrectomy procedure in rats.Experimental rats were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation group (control group),CRF group,CRF rats treated with 30 U/kg EPO(low-dosage group)and with 50 U/kg EPO (high-dosage group).CRF rats received EPO by hypodermic injection for 6 weeks and then were sacrificed.Serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen fBUN),urine protein,haematoglobin (Hb) and blood pressure were measured.The renal morphologie changes were evaluated on periodic acid-schiff (PAS) stained sections.The CD34 and CD31 expressions in glomerulus were detected by immunohistochemistry method.The mRNA of endothelin 1(ET-1),endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by RT-PCR. Results The expressions of CD34 and CD31 protein in glomerulus,and the expressions of eNOS and VEGF roRNA in renal tissue were higher in EPO treatment group than those in CRF model group(all P<0,05).The expression of ET-1 mRNA in renal tissue was lower in EPO treatment group than that in CRF model group.In addition,the Scr,BUN,urine protein and blood pressure in EPO treatment group were significantly lower than those in CRF model group (all P<0.05).Haematoglobin in EPO treatment group was higher than that in CRF model group (P<0.05).Reanl pathological injury wss improved by EPO treatment in dose-dependent manner. Conclusion EPO can ameliorate renal pathological injury and renal function in rats with chronic renal failure,maybe through promoting the renovation of glomerular capillary endothelium and improving the function of glomerular endothelial cells.

Objective To evaluate the effects of tadalafil on chronic allograft vasculopathy. Method The abdominal aorta transplantation was performed on Male Lewis or Brown-Norwai rats as donors and male Male Lewis rats as recipients. The recipients were divided into 3 groups: Group A (Lewis-Lewis)with no treatment ;Group B (BN-Lewis) with no treatment; Group C (BN-Lewis) received tadalafil treatment (0.5 mg/kg per day). The rats were sacrificed at 8 weeks post treatment. The grafted aortas were used for histology and Western blot assay. Plasma cGMP level was detected by ELISA assay. Results The aortas intimal in group C was significantly thinner than that in group B. PKG-Ⅰprotein expression in group C was significantly higher than that in group B. Expression of RhoA in group C was lower than that in group B. Conclusion Tadalafil has positive effect on chronic allograft vasculopathy.

Objective To investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on the number and function of peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). Methods The model of chronic renal failure was established by a two-stage 5/6nephrectomy procedure in rats. Experimental rats were randomly divided into four groups (n =7,respectively): sham operation group, CRF group, CRF rats treated with 30 U/kg EPO (low-dosage group) and with 50 U/kg EPO (high-dosage group). CRF rats were given EPO by hypodermic injection for 6 weeks, then EPCs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The ability of cell proliferation, adhesion and vasculogenesis in vitro was further observed. Results Compared to sham operation group, the ability of cell proliferation,adhesion and vasculogenesis in vitro in CRF rats was remarkably decreased (P＜0.05, respectively).Such ability was promoted significantly in dose-dependent manner by EPO treatment (P＜0.05,respectively). Conclusion EPO can improve the number and ability of endothelial progenitor cells from rats with chronic renal failure.

Risk Factors ; Tars ; toxicity ; Tobacco Products ; standards ; toxicity ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; etiology ; prevention & control

Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Bushen Huoxue Compound (BHC) on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF mRNA in retinal Muller cells under high glucose condition or advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) condition by using serum pharmacological method.

METHODSThe retinal Müller cells of 5-7 days post-natal Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were cultured with modified enzyme-digestion method. Purified retinal Muller cells were cultured in normal conditions, high glucose condition (50 mmol/L) or AGEs (50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) conditions, and BHC-containing serum was added to culture medium. The LDH leakage and VEGF expressions were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the relative expression of VEGF mRNA was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA were significantly increased in the high glucose group, the low dose AGEs group and the high dose AGEs group (all P < 0.01). The LDH leakage was obviously increased in the high dose AGEs group, when compared with the normal control group and the high glucose group (P < 0.01). The LDH leakage, expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA were obviously decreased by BHC-containing serum both in high glucose and AGEs conditions (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). BHC-containing serum had no significant effect on the LDH leakage and expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA in normal conditions (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAGEs intervention could obviously lower the stability of Müller cell membrane. Up-regulated expressions of VEGF and VEGF mRNA in cultured Müller cells could be induced by AGEs or high glucose. BHC-containing serum could stabilize the stability of Müller cell membrane, inhibit the transcription of VEGF mRNA and decrease the protein expression of VEGF, which might be one of important mechanisms for preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ependymoglial Cells ; Glucose ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)granules made by the formula of Shegan Mahuang decoction for treatment of patients with asthma. Methods A prospective study was conducted,51 cases of light to moderate asthma(cold type)patients were randomly divided into treatment group (25 cases)and control group(26 cases). Conventional symptomatic treatments were of the same in two groups. The patients in control group were given salbutamol aerosol inhalation,100μg each time,4 times per day;based on the treatment of the control group,additionally the above mentioned TCM granules dissolved in water was administered orally 1 dose/day taken twice once in the morning and another once in the evening in treatment group. The therapeutic course was 12 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment,the asthma control test(ACT)score,forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1)and peak expiratory flow(PEF)were observed. The therapeutic effect,adverse reaction and compliance were evaluated. Results The number of patients with asthma completely controlled in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group(16 cases vs. 9 cases,χ2=4.82,P=0.028). In the patients of two groups,FEV1,PEF and ACT scores were significantly improved after treatment,and in the treatment group,they were obviously higher than those in control group〔FEV1(L):2.67±0.46 vs. 2.32±0.47,PEF(L/min):327.6±49.4 vs. 273.1±42.8,ACT score:22.8±2.0 vs. 21.1±2.6,all P<0.05〕. After treatment,FEV1%predicted value was increased in the treatment group but decreased in control group,there was significantly statistical difference〔(0.68±0.07)% vs.(0.80±0.11)%,P<0.05〕,no significant adverse reaction was found,compliance was good. Conclusion TCM granules made by formula of Shegan Mahuang decoction can improve the clinical symptoms, pulmonary function and control level in patients with asthma,so it is an effective medicine for the control of asthma.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the strength of tobacco control and the effectiveness of creating smoke-free hospital, and summarize the main factors that affect the program of creating smoke-free hospitals.

METHODSA total of 210 hospitals from 7 provinces/municipalities directly under the central government were enrolled in this study using stratified random sampling method. Principle component analysis and regression analysis were conducted to analyze the strength of tobacco control and the effectiveness of creating smoke-free hospitals.

RESULTSTwo principal components were extracted in the strength of tobacco control index, which respectively reflected the tobacco control policies and efforts, and the willingness and leadership of hospital managers regarding tobacco control. The regression analysis indicated that only the first principal component was significantly correlated with the progression in creating smoke-free hospital (P<0.001), i.e. hospitals with higher scores on the first principal component had better achievements in smoke-free environment creation.

CONCLUSIONSTobacco control policies and efforts are critical in creating smoke-free hospitals. The principal component analysis provides a comprehensive and objective tool for evaluating the creation of smoke-free hospitals.

Health Facility Environment ; Hospital Administration ; Principal Component Analysis ; Smoke-Free Policy ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate condition of single drug or multiple drug resistance and sensitivities of different combinations of antibiotics in Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infected patients of different ages in Jiaxing City,Zhejiang Province.Methods From January 2007 to December 2011,a total of 6280 patients underwent gastroendoscopy examination were enrolled,the average age of them was 50.8 years old.Among them,129 cases were less than 20 years old,1802 cases were between 20 and 40,3016 cases were between 40 and 60,and 1333 cases were over 60.The mucosa of gastric antrum was collected for H.pylori culture.Drug sensitivity of isolated H.pylori strains was tested with metronidazole,amoxicillin and gentamycin,furazolidone,clarithromycin and levofloxacin.x2 test was performed for the comparison of drug resistance among different age groups.Results Among 6280 specimens,H.pylori culture of 2311 cases was positive (positive rate 36.80％).The positive rate of patients aged between 40 and 60 was the highest (38.43％,1159/3016),and that of patients over 60 was the lowest (33.76％,450/1333).The drug resistance rate of metronidazole in patients between 20 and 40 years reached 98.02％ (644/657) and was the highest.The drug resistance rate of clarithromycin in patents over 60 years old was the highest,which was 22.67％(102/450).The drug resistance rates of the levofloxacin,furazolidone,amoxicillin and gentamicin were low of all ages.Mixed resistance of two antibiotic appeared in 586 strains,mixed resistance rate of metronidazole and clarithromycin was the highest (259 strains,15.23 ％).Mixed resistance of three drugs appeared in 49 strains,mixed resistance rate of metronidazole,clarithromycin and levofloxacin was the highest (32 strains,12.88％).A total of 1691 strains were sensitive to the combination of amoxicillin and gentamycin,the sensitive was rate 99.41％.The sensitive rate of the combination of amoxicillin and furazolidone,gentamycin and furazolidone was both 94.24％.Conclusions Metronidazole presented high drug resistance of all ages,and should not be chosen.The combination use of amoxicillin and gentamicin is the ideal antibiotic combination for different ages.The combination of gentamycin and furazolidone is recommended for patients who are allergic to penicillin.