Objective To explore the best time point for the ipsilateral hepatocellular apoptosis and the contralateraI hepatic hypertrophy after selective portal vein embolization(SPVE)in rabbit.Methods In a randomized study design,forty rabbits were divided into 5 groups with 8 rabbits per-group,including one as the control and the other 4 were treated with SPVE during open surgery.The rabbits were killed postoperatively,in 3,7,14,21 days respectively after the embolization.The hepatic lobes volume,the ipsilateral hepatocellular necrosis rates and apoptosis index,and liver functions were determined as well. Results In the treatment groups,the average amount of the right liver volumes decreased from 46.4 cm~3 preoperatively to 46.0,44.4,42.0,39.7 cm~3 in groups of 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively;meanwhile,the left liver volumes increased from 54.0 cm~3 preoperatively to 54.5,56.3,61.7,63.9 cm~3 respectively during 3, 7,14,21 days after the procedures.The rates of future remaining live volumes(FRLV)increased from 53.8% preoperatively to 54.2%,55.9%,59.0%,61.0% at 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively.The apoptosis indexes of hepatocells from group A to E were 8.1%,12.2%,19.4%,20.1%,14.2% respectively.Conclusions SPVE leads to atrophy of the ipsilateral hepatic lobe and hypertrophy of contralateral lobe,indicating that hepatocytes undergone apoptosis,rather than necrosis.The time point is 7 to 14 days.

A new benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-4-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl) phenoxy) henzaldehyde(1), together with six known compounds, including isovanillic acid(2), pyrocatechol(3), glutinosalactone A(4), chrysoeriol(5), apigenin(6) and luteolin(7) were isolated from aerial part of Rehmannia glutinosa. The compounds were isolated by macroporous resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC chromatographies. The chemical structures of 1-7 were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis (MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR).
Benzaldehydes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of Caulis Sinomenii and sinomenine on conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine and brain histamine level in mice.

METHODSSixty mice were randomized into 6 equal groups and morphine (Mor) was injected subcutaneously (9 mg/kg) for 6 consecutive days to induce CPP using a shuttle box. Since the 4th day of training, the mice in 5 of the groups were treated for 3 consecutive days with Caulis Sinomenii (10 g/kg), sinomenine (60 mg/kg), diphenhydramine (30 mg/kg), CP48/80 (5 mg/kg) and L-histidine (750 mg/kg) in addition to morphine (9 mg/kg) treatment, respectively, leaving the other group with exclusive morphine treatment. Another 10 mice received saline injection to serve as saline control group. The content of histamine (HA) in the mouse brain was measured by fluorospectrophotometry.

RESULTSIn morphine group, the mice showed significantly extended stay in morphine-paired compartment whose HA content in the brain was markedly increased (P<0.01). Treatment with Caulis Sinomenii and sinomenine resulted in significantly reduced time of stay in morphine-paired compartment and brain HA level (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCPP induced by morphine in mice is associated with increased HA level in the brain. Caulis Sinomenii and sinomenine can suppress the acquisition of place preference induced by morphine and modulate HA level in the central nervous system in morphine-dependent mice.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Conditioning, Operant ; drug effects ; physiology ; Diphenhydramine ; pharmacology ; Histamine ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Morphinans ; pharmacology ; Morphine ; toxicity ; Morphine Dependence ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Sinomenium ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ regulatory T cells (CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr)in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA).Methods(1)Proportion measurement:the proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells in peripheral blood was measured by double-label flow cytometric analysis.The samples were taken from 15 URSA women,15 normal non-pregnancy women and 13 normal pregnancy women.(2)Function measurement:CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr ceils and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T ce]ls were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes by the microbeads separation.The purity of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry.The growth inhibitory effect of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells on CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was assessed in vitro.Results The proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells was decreased significantly in URSA women(6.9?1.8)% than that in normal non-pregnancy women[(10.8?1.1)%] (P0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that decrease in proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells may be associated with URSA.

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant adenovirus vector carrying antisense heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) cDNA and observe its effect on inhibiting the growth of laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells.

METHODSThe HSP70 gene fragment encoding the 5' region was cloned reversely into the shuttle plasmid PAdTrack-CMV, and the resultant plasmid was recombined with the backbone plasmid PadEasy-1 in the E.coli Bj5183 cells to generate the recombinant adenovirus vector. The adenovirus were then packaged and amplified in 293 cells, and the viral titer was determined using GFP.

RESULTSThe recombinant adenovirus vector carrying antisense HSP70 cDNA was constructed successfully with a viral titer of 8 x 10(9). HSP70 expression of Hep-2 cells was obviously blocked by antisense HSP70 RNA, and Western blotting and immuohistochemistry demonstrated that cells transfected with antisense HSP70 did not express or express HSP70 at low levels. Flow cytometry presented apoptotic peak in the antisense HSP70-transfected cells, but not in the control cells.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenovirus vector containing antisense HSP70 cDNA can effectively deliver antisense HSP70 gene into Hep-2 cells, suggesting the great potential of this gene therapy strategy in management of human laryngeal carcinoma.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA, Antisense ; pharmacology ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; biosynthesis ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; therapy ; RNA, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Transfection

To investigate the effects of lanosterol (1), inotodiol (2) and trametenolic acid (3) from Inonotus obliquus against oxidative damage induced by CCl4 in mice, 1, 2 and 3 (20, 10 and 5 mg x kg(-1)) were respectively administered to mice, once a day for 3 days. Then the mice were induced to oxidative damage by CCl4 on the third day 30 min after the administration. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reductive glutathione (GSH) in serum and liver homogenate were determined. And the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration in serum were detected. The results showed that treatment with compound 1, 2 and 3 could significantly increase the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX in serum and liver homogenate. Furthermore, the content of GSH in serum and liver homogenate increased and MDA content decreased markedly. In addition, compound 1, 2 and 3 could significantly inhibit the activities of ALT and AST in serum, and decrease the IL-6 concentration in serum remarkably. So, compound 1, 2 and 3 can protect mice against oxidative stress injury induced by CCl4. Furthermore, compound 1, 2 and 3 can protect cells from damage through inhibition on ALT, AST and the expression of IL-6.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Catalase ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutathione ; blood ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lanosterol ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; metabolism ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Polyporaceae ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDPost-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction has been implicated as a major cause of fatal outcome in patients who survive initially successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In our previous study, we found that impaired myocardial β-adrenergic receptor (AR) signaling is a key mechanism in post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction and Shen-Fu injection (SFI) can attenuate post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction. However, whether SFI can prevent impaired post-resuscitation myocardial β-AR signaling is not yet known. In this study, we investigated the effect of SFI on impaired myocardial β-AR signaling occurring post-resuscitation in a porcine model of cardiac arrest.

METHODSVentricular fibrillation was induced electrically in anesthetized male landrace domestic pigs. After 4 minutes of untreated ventricular fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated. Sixteen successfully resuscitated pigs were randomized to receive a continuous infusion of either SFI (0.5 ml/min; n = 8) or saline (placebo; n = 8) for 6 hours, beginning 15 minutes after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Hemodynamic and echocardiographic data were recorded. β-AR signaling was assessed at 6 hours after the intervention by measuring myocardial adenylate cyclase activity, β-AR density and β-AR kinase expression.

RESULTSTreatment with SFI produced better maximum rate of left ventricular pressure increase (dp/dt(max)) and maximum rate of left ventricular pressure decline (-dp/dt(max)), cardiac output, and ejection fraction after ROSC. SFI treatment was also associated with lower myocardial β-adrenergic receptor kinase expression, whereas basal and isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and the total β-AR density were significantly increased in the SFI group when compared with the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONSFI attenuated post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction by preventing impaired myocardial β-AR signaling after CPR.

Animals ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Swine

OBJECTIVECombine olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) implantation with ex vivo non-viral vector-based neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) gene therapy in attempting to enhance regeneration after thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODSPrimary OEG were transfected with cationic liposome-mediated recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-NT3 and subsequently implanted into adult Wistar rats directly after the thoracic spinal cord (T9) contusion by the New York University impactor. The animals in 3 different groups received 4x10(5) OEG transfected with pcDNA3.1(+)-NT3 or pcDNA3.1(+) plasmids, or the OEGs without any plasmid transfection, respectively; the fourth group was untreated group, in which no OEG was implanted.

RESULTSNT-3 production was seen increased both ex vivo and in vivo in pcDNA3.1(+)-NT3 transfected OEGs. Three months after implantation of NT-3-transfected OEGs, behavioral analysis revealed that the hindlimb function of SCI rats was improved. All spinal cords were filled with regenerated neurofilament-positive axons. Retrograde tracing revealed enhanced regenerative axonal sprouting.

CONCLUSIONNon-viral vector-mediated genetic engineering of OEG was safe and more effective in producing NT-3 and promoting axonal outgrowth followed by enhancing SCI recovery in rats.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain Tissue Transplantation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA, Recombinant ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Graft Survival ; genetics ; Growth Cones ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Nerve Regeneration ; genetics ; Neuroglia ; metabolism ; transplantation ; Neurotrophin 3 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Olfactory Bulb ; cytology ; transplantation ; Paralysis ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Recovery of Function ; genetics ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Up-Regulation ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of caspase-3 on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (CNE2).

METHODSRecombinant caspase-3 was subcloned into the eukaryotic expression vector PEGFP-C1 containing the reporter gene using DNA recombinant technique. CNE2 cells were transfected with the recombinant caspase-3 gene via lipofectamine 2000 and the expression of caspase-3 mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The cell morphological changes were observed under fluorescence microscope and electron microscope and the cell survival rate after the transfection was assessed by MTT assay.

RESULTSTransfection with the recombinant caspase-3 gene induced significant apoptosis in CNE2 cells, which exhibited obvious morphological changes typical of apoptotic cells.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant caspase-3 gene can inhibit the growth and effectively induce apoptosis of CNE2 cells.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Caspase 3 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

BACKGROUNDAssociations between glutamine (Gln) enriched nutrition support and surgical patients with gastrointestinal (GI) tumor remain controversy. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the effect of Gln enriched nutrition support on surgical patients with GI tumor in term of relevant biochemical indices, immune indices, and clinical outcomes.

METHODSSix databases were systematically searched to find eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 1966 to May 2014. When estimated the analysis indexes, the relative risk (RR) was used as the effect size of the categorical variable, while the weighted mean difference (MD) was used as the effect size of a continuous variable. Meta-analysis was conducted with Rev Man 5.2.

RESULTSThirteen RCTs, involving 1034 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. The analysis showed that Gln enriched nutrition support was more effective in increasing serum albumin (MD: 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02-0.18; P < 0.05), serum prealbumin (MD: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.40-2.55; P < 0.05) and serum transferring (MD: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.12-0.57; P < 0.05), concentration of IgG (MD: 1.26; 95% CI: 0.90-1.63; P < 0.05), IgM (MD: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.11-0.25; P < 0.05), IgA (MD: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.10-0.33; P < 0.05), CD3 + (MD: 3.71; 95% CI: 2.57-4.85; P < 0.05) and CD4/CD8 ratio (MD: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.12-0.42; P < 0.05). Meanwhile, it was more significant in decreasing the incidence of infectious complications (RR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.50-0.90; P < 0.05) and shortening the length of hospital stay (MD: -1.72; 95% CI: -3.31--0.13; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSGlutamine enriched nutrition support was superior in improving immune function, reducing the incidence of infectious complications and shortening the length of hospital stay, playing an important role in the rehabilitation of surgical GI cancer patients.

Enteral Nutrition ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Glutamine ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic