OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of β₃adrenoceptors (β₃-AR) activation on rat thoracic aorta smooth muscle contractility and the possible related mechanism.

METHODSThe endothelium removed thoracic aorta was pre-contracted with 30 mmol/L KCl physiological saline solution (PSS). Then the tension of the thoracic aorta was recorded in presence of BRL37344 (BRL) to determine the action of β₃-AR. The tension of the thoracic aorta was also recorded in the presence of Propranolol (PRA), SR59230A (SR), L-NNA, H-89 and Iberiotoxin (IBTX) respectively to reveal the underling mechanism of β₃-AR activation on rat vascular smooth muscle. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to confirm the existence and the distribution of β₃-AR in rat thoracic aorta.

RESULTSThe results showed that: (1) The thoracic aorta was relaxed by β₃-AR activation, with a relaxation percentage of (10.59 ± 0.79). (2) β₃-AR was expressed in both endothelial and smooth muscle layer in thoracic aorta sections of rats. (3) PRA did not block the effect of BRL on the thoracic aorta. The relaxation actions of BRL could be antagonized by pre-incubating the thoracic aorta with SR. (4) L-NNA (a NOS inhibitor) and H-89 (a PKA inhibitor) reversed the relaxation effect of BRL on vascular smooth muscle. (5) The effect of BRL was decreased after application of Ibriotoxin (IBTX), a large conductance calcium dependent potassium channel blocker.

CONCLUSIONThe results confirmed that activation of β₃-AR led to relaxation of thoracic aorta smooth muscle. The relaxation action of β₃-AR on smooth muscle of rat thoracic aorta was related to activation of NOS and PKA signaling pathway. Large conductance Ca²⁺-K⁺ channels were involved in the relaxation action of β₃-AR activation on rat thoracic aorta smooth muscle.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; physiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Isoquinolines ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; physiology ; Nitroarginine ; Peptides ; Propanolamines ; Propranolol ; Rats ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3 ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; Sulfonamides

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum homocysteine (HCY) and chronic heart failure (CHF) hypercoagulable state in patients.Methods A total of 105 cases of patients with CHF was divided into three groups according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification standard functions:heart functional grade Ⅱ group (42cases),cardiac function grade Ⅲ group (35 cases) and,NYHA class Ⅳ group (28cases).At the same time,40 healthy individuals were regard as the control group.HCY,fibrinogen (Fbg),D-dimer (DDI),HCY,N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were detected by fasting venous blood samples which were collected within 24 hours after admission.Results Compared to the control group,the expression of Fbg,DDI,HCY and NT-proBNP increased,whereas,antithrombin Ⅲ (AT-Ⅲ) was reduced.Fbg,DDI,HCY,NT-proBNP,and AT-Ⅲ were found in all patient cases.Four groups were compared with each other,except for cardiac function Ⅱ group and the normal group had no significant difference between them (P ＞ 0.05),the difference between both other groups was significantly different (P ＜ 0.05),HCY had a positive correlation with Fbg,DDI,and NT-proBNP (r =0.268,0.295,and 0.404,P ＜ 0.05),and negative correlation with AT-Ⅲ (r =-0.240,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions HCY might be a reliable indicator as a judge of CHF patients with hypercoagulable state,to detect HCY,FBG,DDI,and AT-Ⅲ in CHF patients.It benefits for judging thrombosis risk and determining the severity of the diseases.Anticoagulant therapy might be beneficial to reduce the long-term adverse events.

Objective To explore the influence of obstruction sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on plasma cystatin C (CC) levels in patients with primary hypertension.Methods A total of 244 cases of primary hypertension patients was chosen.The patients were divided into observation group (with OSAS) and control group (without OSAS) according to apnea hypopnea index (AHI).The observation group was then divided into three subgroups:mild OSAS group,moderate OSAS group,and severe OSAS group.The levels of CC were compared.Results First,the plasma CC levels in patients with primary hypertension had no statistical significance in the differences among different grades of hypertension (P ＞ 0.05).Second,CC levels of observation group were significantly higher than control group (P ＜ 0.05).Third,CC levels of the severe group were higher than the moderate group,and the plasma CC levels of the moderate group were also higher than the mild group and control group.Rank correlation analysis and comparison of CC levels and AHI showed that CC levels were positively correlated with AHI (r =0.585,P ＜ 0.01).However,there were no statistically significant differences between CC levels of the mild OSAS group and control group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The patients with OSAS and primary hypertension had higher levels of CC,and aggravated with the progress of the degree of obstruction.CC may be involved in the progression of the disease,a high level of CC may aggravate the condition,it should be early prevention and treatment.

To analyze the reasons of impaired vision after LASlK and explore its preventive treatment measures preliminarily.METHODS: ln this retrospective study, 175 eyes of 134 patients whose vision was decreased after LASlK were included. The constituent ratio of every reason was counted and uncorrected visual acuity ( UCVA ) between pre-treatment and post-treatment were compared by paired t-test respectively.RESULTS:The overall incidence of impaired vision after LASlK was 1. 86%. The constituent ratio of regression was 51. 43% and UCVA increased from 0. 61±0. 22 to 0. 90±0. 38 (t=8. 00, P<0. 001) after treatment. The constituent ratio of punctate corneal epithelial defect was 32. 57% and UCVA increased from 0. 60±0. 19 to 1. 20±0. 24 (t=20. 00, P<0. 001 ) after treatment. The constituent ratio of accommodative spasm was 5. 14% and UCVA increased from 0.76±0. 21 to 1. 32±0. 22 (t=8. 14, P<0. 001) after treatment. The constituent ratio of corneal flap shift and gauffer was 4% and UCVA increased from 0. 29 ± 0. 26 to 1. 24 ± 0. 28 ( t = 6. 33, P<0. 001 ) after treatment. The constituent ratio of corticosteroid - induced ocular hypertension was 4% and UCVA increased from 0. 57±0. 05 to 1. 0 ± 0. 16 ( t= 2. 53, P<0. 05 ) after treatment. The constituent ratio of fundus lesions and diffuse lamellar keratitis ( DLK) was 2. 86% and UCVA all increased by different degrees after treatment.CONCLUSlON: The reasons of impaired vision after LASlK are many and varied. These cases could recover their vision by discovery and treatment in time, and the appropriate preventive measures were essential.

AIM To establish an HPLC method for the content determination of six constituents in Qingkailing Freeze-Dried Powder for Injection (cholic acid,hyodeoxycholic acid,Bubali Cornu,etc.).METHODS The content determination of adenosine,chlorogenic acid and gardenoside was performed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic XBridge C1s column (4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-water (containing 0.1％ formic acid) flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm.The content determination of baicalin,hyodeoxycholic acid and cholic acid was performed on a 35 ℃ thermostatic XBridge C1s column (4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of methanol-water (containing 0.1％ formic acid) flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner.RESULTS Six constituents showed good linear relationships within the ranges of 2.244-56.108,2.658-66.445,4.347-108.682,122.01-1 016.75,131.94-1 099.50,152.22-1 268.50 μg/mL (r ＞ 0.999 0),whose average recoveries (RSDs) were 101.1％ (0.46％),98.0％ (1.74％),99.7％ (0.15％),100.9％ (1.31％),98.1％(0.18％),98.2％ (1.61％),respectively.CONCLUSION This stable and reproducible method can be used for the quality control of Qingkailing Freeze-Dried Powder for Injection.

Aim:To investigate the effect of Hemangiopoietin (HAPO) on the hematopoiesis reconstitution in sub-lethally irradiated Balb/c mice.Methods: Balb/c mice were underwent total body irradiation at 700 cGy 137Cs ? radiation and were treated with HAPO or recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) after irradiation. The hematopoiesis reconstitution of mice were detected. Cells from bone marrow of Balb/c mice were cultured with HAPO or rhG-CSF for 24 hours or 72 hours before or after the cells were irradiated. The viability of cells were assessed and the ability of in vitro hematopoiesis reconstitution were also detected. Result: rhG-CSF and HAPO treated mice both showed increased survival rate and increased colony forming units. The peripheral WBC number increased greatly. The HAPO group was most quickest compared with rhG-CSF group and PBS control group. The number of bone marrow cells at day 14 of rhG-CSF group was higher than that in HAPO group, but the number of bone marrow cells at day 32 of rhG-CSF was lower than that in HAPO group. The number of bone marrow cells at day 42 of rhG-CSF was below normal. The number of bone marrow cells at day 42 of HAPO group was nearly normal. The number of CFU-GEMM in HAPO group was most compared with that in rhG-CSF group and PBS control group at day 7, 14 and 21 after radiation. The survival rate of cells after radiation in HAPO group was markedly higher than that in PBS control group, but the survival rate of cells after radiation in rhG-CSF group was no notable difference compared with that in PBS control group. In MTT assay, both HAPO and rhG-CSF incubation stimulated proliferation of bone marrow cell at 72 hours after radiation. Bone marrow cells formed Hematopoietic islands in HAPO group after radiation and were positive for sca-1 and CD31. CD31 positive endothelial cells increased around the Hematopoietic islands. There was no Hematopoietic islands formation, few CD31 positive endothelial cells and no sca-1 positive cells in PBS control group. Conclusion: HAPO can promote hematopoiesis reconstitution in sub-lethally irradiated Balb/c mice. It can increase the survival rate of mice and stimulate the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells.

AIMTo establish a HPLC method for determining five major metabolites of caffeine in the urine, 5-acetylamino-6-formylamino-3-methyluracil (AFMU), 1-methylxanthine (1X), 1-methyluric acid (1U), 1,7-dimethyluric acid (17U) and 1,7-dimethylxanthine (17X) and assess the activity of cytochrome P-450 CYP2A6.

METHODSThe contents of five major metabolites of caffeine in the urine were determined by RP-HPLC method. Frequency distribution histogram was drawn by calculating the 17U/(AFMU + 1X + 1U + 17X + 17U) and then evaluated the activity of CYP2A6.

RESULTSThe frequency distribution histograms of CYP2A6 approximately indicated three distinct groups, the cut of point is 0.23 between fast metabolizer and intermediate type. And the cut of point is 0.15 between slow metabolizer and intermediate type.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple and rapid, suitable for the determination of metabolites of caffeine in urine. The method can be used to assay the activity of CYP2A6.

Adult ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases ; metabolism ; Caffeine ; metabolism ; urine ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2A6 ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; metabolism ; Theophylline ; urine ; Uracil ; analogs & derivatives ; urine ; Uric Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; urine ; Xanthines ; urine

OBJECTIVESTo explore the relationship between the expression of IL-10 and liver regeneration following reduced-size orthotopic liver transplantation in rats.

METHODSRats models with reduced-size orthotopic liver transplantation were established. The rats were divided in three groups: partial liver resection (I), orthotopic liver transplantations (II), and reduced-size orthotopic liver transplantation (III). The expression of IL-10 and regenerative response of liver in rats were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry on the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 7th days after the operations, respectively.

RESULTSThe liver grafts were capable of regeneration, the proliferation activity peaked on the fourth day with 26.3+/-0.9, 35.8+/-2.2, and 32.4+/-1.8 in I, II, and III groups, respectively. The expression of IL-10 was negative correlation to liver regeneration (r=-0.58, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSWhole and reduced-size transplanted livers show the same regenerative activity. The maximal regenerative response delayes slightly, compared with that after partial hepatectomy. IL-10 plays an important immunomodulatory role in liver regeneration,and the effect is affected by general immune system and other cytokines.

Animals ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-10 ; analysis ; Liver ; chemistry ; Liver Regeneration ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Bias ; Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis ; epidemiology

PURPOSE: Long noncoding RNA 00703 (LINC00703) was found originating from a region downstream of Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) gene, having 2 binding sites for miR-181a. Since KLF6 has been reported as a target of miR-181a in gastric cancer (GC), this study aims to investigate whether LINC00703 regulates the miR-181a/KLF6 axis and plays a functional role in GC pathogenesis.MATERIALS AND METHODS: GC tissues, cell lines, and nude mice were included in this study. RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and pull-down assays were used to evaluate interaction between LINC00703 and miR-181a. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were applied for analysis of gene expression at the transcriptional and protein levels. A nude xenograft mouse model was used to determine LINC00703 function in vivo.RESULTS: We revealed that LINC00703 competitively interacts with miR-181a to regulate KLF6. Overexpression of LINC00703 inhibited cell proliferation, migration/invasion, but promoted apoptosis in vitro, and arrested tumor growth in vivo. LINC00703 expression was found to be decreased in GC tissues, which was positively correlated with KLF6, but negatively with the miR-181a levels.CONCLUSIONS: LINC00703 may have an anti-cancer function via modulation of the miR-181a/KLF6 axis. This study also provides a new potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for GC treatment.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Binding Sites ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression ; Heterografts ; Immunoprecipitation ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; Stomach Neoplasms