Objective To explore the effect of gastrodia elata on learning and memory abilities and synaptic transmission protein(P38,Ca2+ -CaMK Ⅱ α,CREB)expression of hippocampus in model rats with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods 24 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,test group and intervention group.A dose of Aβ1-40 was injected into the hippocampus of rats on test group and intervention group,the control rats were injected with normal saline.When the models were successful,the rats of control group and test groups were given with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose(50g/kg),the rats of intervention group were given with gastrodia elata powder( 50 g/kg),lasting 15 days,Morris water maze test was used for learning and memory abilities study.The expression of P38,Ca2+-CaMK Ⅱ α and CREB protein were detected by immunohistochemistry method.Results Behavioral tests showed the mean escape latencies and search time of test group were obviously increased than those of control group and intervention group,the percentage of search distance on test groups was less than that of control group and intervention group(P ＜ 0.01 ).Immunohistochemistry results showed P38,Ca2+- CaMK Ⅱ α and CREB positive cells and optical density in hippocampus CA1 on test group were less than those of control group and intervention group ( all P ＜ 0.01 ) ( P38:58.92 ± 10.82,0.208 ± 0.037 ; Ca2+-CaMK Ⅱ α:72.38 ± 14.67,0.174 ± 0.036 ; CREB:53.86 ±5.31,0.161 ±0.043 in test group;P38:87.32 ±9.56,0.371 ±0.046 ; Ca2+ -CaMK Ⅱ α:98.16 ± 16.29,0.283 ± 0.051 ; CREB:86.76 ± 7.73,0.356 ± 0.052 in intervention group; P38:102.54 ± 16.73,0.563 ± 0.078 ; Ca2 + -CaMK Ⅱ α:123.46 ± 17.65,0.436 ± 0.057 ; CREB:125.43 ±9.16,0.524 ± 0.057 in control group ).Conclusion Gastrodia elata can treat AD by increasing expression of P38,Ca2 + -CaMK Ⅱ α and CREB.

Child, Preschool ; Dexamethasone ; adverse effects ; Diaphragm ; drug effects ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Spasm ; chemically induced

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on the muscle strength in the patients of stroke-induced acroparalysis treated with Xunjingcuiqi needling technique.

METHODSOne hundred patients were randomized into a Xunjingcuiqi group and a routine acupuncture group, 50 cases in each group. In the routine acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture technique was adopted at the main acupoints, such as Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Dicang (ST 4), Quchi (LI 11), Huantiao (GB 30) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In Xunjingcuiqi group, on the basis of the routine acupuncture technique, Xunjingcuiqi needling technique (pricking technique was quickly applied with the filiform needle along the running course of meridian to promote the conduction of meridian qi) was added. For the patients being hard to feel the needling sensation and with the muscle strength of 0 to 1 degree, Dongzhencuiqi technique was supplemented at shu-stream points of yang meridians (after qi arrival, the needling manipulation with limb movement was given to promote the conduction of meridian qi). The treatment was given once every day in the two groups. Ten treatments made one session. Three sessions of treatment were required. At the end of each session treatment, the muscle strength and clinical efficacy were assessed.

RESULTSIn the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment, 20, 24 and 36 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and 6, 10 and 15 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in the routine acupuncture group. The differences were significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The markably effective rates were 60.0% (30/50), 64.0% (32/50) and 70.0% (35/50) after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and those were 38.0% (19/50), 44.0% (22/50) and 46.0% (23/50) in the routine acupuncture group, respectively. The differences were significant in the 1st and 3rd sessions of treatment between the two groups (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXunjingcuiqi needling technique combined with routine acupuncture achieves the apparent superior efficacy on acroparalysis induced by ischemic stroke as compared with the simple routine acupuncture. Xunjingcuiqi needling technique obviously improves muscle strength and shortens the duration of sickness.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis ; etiology ; therapy ; Qi ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the expression of HER-2 and TOPO-Ⅱα in ovarian epithelial cancer,analyze the correlation between their expression and provide theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis,prognosis and treatment. Methods Expression levels of HER-2 and TOPO- Ⅱα in 10 normal ovarian tissues,20 benign tumors and 58 cases of ovarian epithelial cancers were detected by immunohistochemical method, and their correlations with pathological features were analyzed. Results The positive expression rate of HER-2 in normal ovarian and benign tumor tissues were significantly lower than ovarian epithelial cancers respectively ( 10. 0% , 15.0% VS 46. 6% ;P ＜ 0. 05 ). The positive expression rate of TOPO- Ⅱα in ovarian epithelial cancers was significantly higher than normal and benign epithelial ovarian tumor tissue (53.4% vs 10. 0%, and 15.0%,Ps ＜ 0. 05 ), but we did not find significant difference in the comparison between normal and benign epithelial ovarian tumor tissue ( Ps ＞ 0. 05 ). The expression of HER-2 and TOPO- Ⅱα were significantly correlated with clinical stages, histological differentiation of tumor cells (Ps ＜ 0. 05 ) ,but there were no correlations between the age or histological type. In ovarian cancer tissues, a positive correlation between the expression of HER-2 and TOPO- Ⅱα was observed ( r = 0. 324, P ＜ 0. 05 ) . Conclusion The overexpression of HER-2 and TOPO- Ⅱαplay an important role in ovarian carcinogenesis and development. The expression of HER-2 is positively correlated with TOPO- Ⅱα in ovarian epithelial cancers. Coexpression of the two moleculars may be involved in the development and progression of ovarian epithelial cancer, which should be further studied.

Objective To investigate the relatonahip between TNF-α and ventricular arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction(AMI)and its mechanism.Method Both the clinical and animal experiments were done.(1)Clinical experiment:Eighty patients with AMI were included in Union Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Techology,from May 2005 to November 2006 according to the WHO diagnostic criteria.Co-infection of diseases such as severe upper respiratory infection,lung infection,high fever,cancer,et al were excluded.The relationship between the levels of TNF-α and arrhythmias were observed at different times after AMI.A straight line correlation,analysis Was done.(2)Animal experiment:Different concentrations of TNF-αwere added to isohted rat hearts for observing the arrhythrnia effects.The effect of TNF-α on intracellular Ca2+ concentration was detected by laser confocal technique.All data were analyzed by SNK-q test using SPSS 13.0 sofeware prograrn.Results(1)The plasma levels of TNF-α were significantly associated with the Lown class of PVC after AMI and they were higher in AMI of anterior wall[(46.41±10.34)pg/ml]than other positions [(28.25±6.35)pg/ml,P<0.05].2)The frequency of ventricular arrhythmias was interrelated with the concentralions of TNF-α.Using etanercept beforehand,TNF-α induced a slight increase of intracellular Ca2+ intensity (P<0.05).Conclusions There was a relationship between TNF-αlevels and ventricular arrhythmisa in patients with AMI.Animal experiments confirmed the isolated heart perfusion with TNF-α induced ventricular arrhytrnias.Expression of TNF-α after AMI was related with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythrnias.The effect might be associated with the increased inuaeellular Ca2+ intensity caused by TNF-α.

China ; epidemiology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Humans ; Listeria monocytogenes ; physiology ; Listeriosis ; epidemiology ; Serotyping

Lycii Cortex, a popular herb medicine in traditional Chinese medicine, is used to treat different inflammation-related diseases. The aim of our work is to find the key constituents inhibiting NF-kappaB, a key regulator of inflammation. In the investigations of cell-based in vitro assays of extracts, we found that both ethyl acetate extract and methanol extract of Lycii Cortex inhibited the TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappaB. Through bioassay-guided fractionation, we identified 4 phenolic amides including trans-N-(p-coumaroyl) tyramine (1), trans-N-feruloyltyramine (2), trans-N-caffeoyltyramine (3), and dihydro-N-caffeoyltyramine (4). Four phenolic amides showed differently inhibitory activities on TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation. Trans-N-caffeoyltyramine (3) was identified as the key component with an IC50 of 18.41 micromol x L(-1). It was suggested that the hydroxyl group at C-3 in trans-N-caffeoyltyramine might be a key binding site and its C-7,8-double bond might play an important role on NF-kappaB inhibitory activities as the link of the conjugation of pi electrons leading to a partial planar conformation. It might be inferred that the biological activity of compound 3 is attributed to the structure of Michael reaction acceptor containing alpha, beta-unsaturated ketones and benzene along with hydroxyl group in o-diphenol.
Biological Assay ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; antagonists & inhibitors ; immunology ; Lycium ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; immunology

Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZYD) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China over one hundred years. But its effect on antioxidant and drug-metabolizing enzymes are unknown. This study was to observe the effects of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZYD) on the activities of antioxidant and drug metabolism enzymes (DMEs) in liver of rats. Male SD rats, treated with XFZYD at the dosage of 3.51, 7.02 and 14.04 g x kg(-1) per day for 15 days, serum were collected, tissue fluid, cytosols and microsomes isolated from liver tissues were prepared by centrifugation according to the standard procedure, the activities of antioxidant enzymes and drug-Metabolizing Enzymes were determined by UV-V is spectrophotometer. In serum, the activities of AST was not significantly affected by the treatment with XFZYD, at the high- est dose, the levels of ALT, Cr and BUN were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). GPX were significantly increased at the dose of 7.02, 14.04 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05), CAT were significantly increased at the highest dose (P < 0.05). T-SOD was not significantly af- fected by this treatment. In the liver tissue, GPX was significantly increased at the dose of 3.51, 7.02 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05), GST, CAT and T-SOD were not significantly affected following this treatment. In cytosols, GST was significantly increased at the dose of 3.51 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05), T-SOD was remarkable induced at the dose of 3.51 and 7.02 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05). In microsomes, XFZYD had no significant effect on Cytochromeb5, NADPH-Cytochrome P450 reductase, CYP3A, CYP2E1 and UGT, XFZYD significantly in- duced GST at the dose of 3.51 and 7.02 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05), and the level of GSH were significantly increased by XFZYD at the dose of 3.51, 7.02 and 14.04 g kg(-1) (P < 0.05). These findings suggest XFZYD can induce the activities of GPX, CAT, SOD, GST and increase GSH level in liver of rats, which indicate XFZYD may have detoxification and antioxidant functions.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bronchi ; pathology ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans ; pathology ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; pathology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; etiology

Adult ; Aged ; Angiopoietin-2 ; physiology ; Female ; Glioma ; blood ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; physiopathology