Animals ; Brain Injuries ; metabolism ; therapy ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

METHODSThe imaging findings of pancreas and extra-pancreas in 24 patients with AIP were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, CT scan was performed in 18 patients, MRI in 11, and bGth CT and MRI in 10.

RESULTSThe pancreas showed diffuse enlargement (25%, 6/24), focal enlargement (37. 5%, 9/24), combined enlargement (25%, 6/24) ,and no enlargement (12. 5%, 9/24). Unenhanced CT showed hypoattenuation in AIP area (n = 2) . After intravenous injection of contrast medium, 17 patients showed abnormal contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma, including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (50%, 9/18) and hyper attenuation during the delayed phase (94. 4%, 17/18). Precontrast MRI showed abnormal signal intense (n =9), including hypointense on T1-weight images (T1 WI) (n = 7), hyperintense (n = 7) and hypointense (n = 2) on T2-weight images (TIWI). Enhanced MRI demonstrated abnormal contrast enhancement within lesions (n = 11), including hypoattenuation during the arterial phase (81. 8%, 9/11) and good enhancement during the delayed phase (100%, 11111). A capsule-like rim was seen around pancreas (37. 5%, 9/24), among which CT detected in 6 out of 18 patients and MRI found in 7 out of 11 patients.The main pancreatic duct lumen within lesions has no visualization (100%, 24/24) and upstream dilation of the main pancreatic duct (n = 8) , ranging from 2. 2 to 4. 5 mm(mean 3. 1 0. 47 mm) in diameter. Narrowing of the common bile duct was shown in 14 patients. Miscellaneous findings were: infiltration of extrapancreatic vein (n = 9) and artery (n = 1); mild fluid collection around pancreas (n = 2); pseudocysts (n = 3). Fourteen patients also presented one or more of the following extrapancreatic imaging findings: narrowing of the intra-hepatic bile duct or hilar duct (n = 5); thickening of gallbladder wall (n = 5); fibrosis in mesenteric (n = 2), in retroperitoneal (n = 2) and in ligamentum teres hepatis (n = 1); renal involvement (n = 3); peri-pancreatic or para-aortic lymphadenopathy (n = 10); and ulcerative colitis (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONAIP display some characteristic CT and MRI imaging features: sausage-like change of the pancreas; capsule-like rims around lesions; delayed contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma; segment or diffuse pancreatic duct stenosis but mild upstream dilation and extrapancreatic organs involvement. CT and MRI findings combining with serological tests and pancreas biopsy can assist physicians to make accurate and timely diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pancreatitis ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective: To establish capillary zone electrophoresis method for determination of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) content in its troche. Methods： Using tetrandrine as internal standard(IS), the electrophoretic separation was achieved with 25 mmol/L borate (pH=7.89) running buffer. And a voltage of 14 kV was applied to the 40 cm×75 μm(i.d) capillary. The analytes were introduced into capillary by siphon (1 s) and determined with on-column monitoring at 214 nm. Results：The determination could be completed within 4 min and the minimum concentration of detection was 5 μg/ml.The analytical results of sildenafil citrate samples demonstrated a good linear relationship within the range of 24-480 μg/ml.The relative standard deviations (RSD) of intra-day was less than 1.58% and that of inter-day was less than 2.46%.The present recoveries were between 95%-105％. Conclusion：The CZE method is accurate, simple, rapid and reliable, so it can be applied to the determination of sildenafil citrate content.

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of fractalkine (FKN) and CD11c expressions oncommon carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques from apoE(-/-) mice with the severity of atherosclerotic lesions.

METHODSTotally 24 apoE(-/-) mice were divided into two groups and fed on a high-fat diet or a normal diet for 12 weeks. Then the blood lipids as well as the plaque area and vascular stenosis rate of the common carotid artery were measured to evaluate the severity of atherosclerotic lesions of the animals. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the levels of FKN and CD11c expression.

RESULTSThe plaque areas and vascular stenosis rates of the common carotid artery in the experimental group were remarkably larger than those in control group (about 4-fold and 2-fold, respectively). The level of FKN expression in the experimental group was 2 times of that in the control group (P<0.05), and the number of CD11c (+) cells in the plaques in the experimental group was about 4 times of than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of chemokine and FKN remarkably increase in apoE (-/-) atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting that chemokine and FKN may paly important roles in the development of atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; CD11 Antigens ; metabolism ; Chemokine CX3CL1 ; metabolism ; Diet, High-Fat ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study whether combined detection of the methylation status of vimentin, sFRP1, and HPP1 gene can increase the positive methylation rate in colorectal cancer.

METHODSTissue samples were collected from 90 patients with colorectal cancer, 60 patients with adenomatous polyp, and 20 healthy controls. DNA was extracted and the methylation status of vimentin, sFRP1, and HPP1 gene was detected by Methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The relationship between clinicopathologic features of colorectal cancer and gene methylation was analyzed.

RESULTSThe methylation rates of vimentin, sFRP1, and HPP1 were 66.7%, 68.9%, and 72.2% in colorectal cancer, 53.3%, 55.0%, and 50.0% in colorectal adenomas, and 0, 0, and 5.0% in healthy controls, respectively. The methylation of each of the three genes in colorectal cancer tissues was higher than colorectal adenomas and healthy controls(P<0.05). The diagnostic sensitivity by combining three methylation markers was 93.3% in colorectal cancer, 76.7% in colorectal adenomas, which was higher than the sensitivity using single gene testing(P<0.05). No significant associations existed between the methylation status of the three genes and clinical characteristics including sex, age, tumor location, lymph node metastases, distant metastasis, and TNM stage(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDNA methylation levels of vimentin, sFRP1 and HPP1 are significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissue. Combined detection significantly improves the positive rate of methylation, and may be used as early diagnosis method for colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Vimentin ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic time window of L-serine against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats, and related mechanisms.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=6), sham-operation group, vehicle group, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h treatment group of L-serine. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced with the method of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats, and reperfusion was emerged by removing the thread 2 h later. The treatment of L-serine (200 mg/kg ip) was begun at 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after MCAO respectively, and subsequently repeated once 12 h. The vehicle group was intraperitoneally injected with isodose normal saline. The neurological behavior score and cerebral infarction volume was measured 48 h after reperfusion. In addition, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of superoxide dismetase (SOD), the levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and ultrastructure of neuron in brain tissue were investigated.

RESULTSCompared with the vehicle group, treatments with L-serine both 3 and 6 h after MCAO decreased the neurology deficit score and infarct volume. Only neurology deficit score had been reduced 12 h after MCAO, while no neuropmrotective effects had been observed during 24 h. Furthermore, L-serine elevated the content of SOD, decreased the level of MDA, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in ischemic brain tissue, and alleviated the injury of the neuronal ultrastructure.

CONCLUSIONL-serine exerted a time-dependent neuroprotective effect on the brain after MCAO in rat. This effect might be possibly mediated through following mechanisms: lessening oxidative stress and reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Serine ; therapeutic use ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate lyophilization of SM-SLN.

METHODThe parameters of lyophilization process was optimized. In addition, the protective effect of various types and concentrations of cryoprotectants were tested by shape, colour and disparity.

RESULTThe mixture of 2% lactose and 2% glucose could better prevent nanoparticles from aggregating, the optimal lyophilization process was followed: precooled at -45 degrees C for 10 hr; primary drying at -25 degrees C for 5 hr; secondary drying at 10 degrees C for 3 hr; finally drying at 30 degrees C for 6 hr.

CONCLUSIONChanges in particle size distribution during lyophilization could be minimized by optimizing the parameters of the lyophilization process and adding supporting agent.

Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Freeze Drying ; methods ; Glucose ; chemistry ; Lactose ; chemistry ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Milk Thistle ; chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; Particle Size ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Silymarin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

AIMTo synthesize a series of 2-arylimino-4-thiazolidone derivatives and 2-imidazolino [2,3-b]-4-thiazolidone in order to get some novel potent compounds with nitric oxide synthases (NOS) inhibitory activity.

METHODSThe target compounds were prepared by reaction of N-chloroacetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline or N-chloroacetylphthalimide with substituted thioureas, their NOS inhibitory activity were measured.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThe 15 new compounds were synthesized and most of the reaction yields were over 65%. The structures of new compounds were identified by IR, 1H NMR, MS and elemental analyses. Bioassay indicated that, most of 15 new compounds synthesized had confirmed bioactivities inhibition against NOS.

Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Thiazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Thiourea ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo investigate the synergistic anti-inflammatory effect of Radix Platycodon in combination with herbs for cleaning-heat and detoxification and its mechanism for Fel-targeting.

METHODSForty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (8 per group): the sham-operated group, model group, Radix Platycodon group, Flos Lonicera and Fructus Forsythia (LF) group, and Radix Platycodon, Flos Lonicera and Fructus Forsythia combination (PLF) group, using a random number table. A rat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model was established by passive smoking and intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The treatments started from the 15th day of passive smoking for a total duration of 14 days. At the end of the treatment, changes in the following measurements were determined: lung histopathology, inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and interleukin IL-1β (IL-1β) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and mRNA expression of endogenous active substance intestinal trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) in the lung tissue.

RESULTSLight microscopy showed that compared with the sham-operated group, rats in the COPD model group had disrupted alveolar structure, collapsed local alveoli, significantly widened or even fused alveolar septa, and massive infiltration of inflammatory cells in the alveolar wall and interstitium. In addition, significant bronchial epithelium hyperplasia, partially shed epithelia, and marked inflammatory cell infiltration in the bronchial wall and its surrounding tissues were noticed. Electron microscopy showed that rats in the model group had degeneration of alveolar type II epithelial cell; reduction, breakage or even loss of cell surface microvilli; swollen mitochondria with disappearing cristae and vacuole-like structure; and, increased secondary lysosomes in alveolar macrophages. The TNF-α, TGF-β and IL-1β levels and white blood cell (WBC) count in BALF were significantly increased (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and TFF3 mRNA expression in the lung tissue was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). After treatment, the pathological morphology of lung injury was less severe in all three treatment groups. In addition, TGF-β and IL-1β and WBC count in BALF were decreased (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), and TFF3 mRNA expression in the lung tissue was significantly increased in the PLF group (P < 0.01). Compared with the LF group, the IL-1β in BALF was significantly decreased P < 0.05), and TFF3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the PLF group.

CONCLUSIONSRadix Platycodon synergizes with herbs for cleaning-heat and detoxification in reducing inflammatory injury in a rat model of COPD. The synergistic anti-inflammatory effect is reflected in the improvement in pathological changes and in the reduction of IL-1β levels in BALF. The mechanism of such synergistic action may be related to its effect on maintaining the TFF3 mRNA expression and Fel-targeting function.

Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; cytology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Synergism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neuropeptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Plant Preparations ; therapeutic use ; Platycodon ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Trefoil Factor-3

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on the activation of astrocytes and the expression of glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS54 male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 18): sham-operated, TBI and HBO treatment groups. TBI was induced with Feeney's method, bone window was opened without strike on the brain tissue in the sham-operated group. HBO group rats received HBO treatment for 60 min in the hyperbaric chamber containing O2 100% at 3 ATA. When neurological functions were measured 48 h after TBI, rats were decapitated, the brain water content of 18 rats was measured, 18 brains were sliced for the morphological observation after Nissl staining and for the immunohistochemistry staining of astrocyte markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin and S100, and the other 18 brains of injured side were used for Western blot analysis of GDNF and NGF.

RESULTSHBO treatment reduced the neurological deficit, brain water content and hippocampal neuronal loss. In the observed cortex and hippocampal area astrocytes were activated, the cell number of positive expression of astrocyte markers GFAP, vimentin and S100 was increased, and the expression of GDNF and NGF was elevated after TBI. However, these indices were all enhanced further after the HBO treatment.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that HBO may be an effective therapy for TBI and upregulation of the expression of GDNF and NGF may underly the effect of HBO.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; metabolism ; Brain Injuries ; metabolism ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; methods ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism