OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Penqiangyan Granule (PG) on the immunity of patients with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) of blood stasis and Shen-deficiency syndrome (BSSDS) type.

METHODSSixty patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the treatment group treated with PG and the control group with Penyanjing Granule, 30 cases in each group. The treatment course was 4 weeks for both groups. The clinical efficacy, plasma levels of CD4 and CD8, and the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the total effective rate in the treatment group and the control group was 96.7% and 63.3% respectively with significant difference between groups (P < 0.05); in the treatment group the plasma CD4, CD4/CD8 and serum IL-2 increased obviously, while the plasma CD8 and serum TNF-alpha decreased markedly (P < 0.05), all were significantly different with those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPG can improve the immune function and alleviate inflammation in CPID patients of BSSDS type.

Adolescent ; Adult ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Chronic Disease ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Phytotherapy ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Yang Deficiency ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Young Adult

AIM:To investigate the effects of fucoidan on the angiogenesis of multiple myeloma cells in vitro, and its related mechanisms .METHODS:The human multiple myeloma RPMI 8226 cells and human endothelial cells were cultured in vitro.The growth inhibition rate of RPMI 8226 cells was examined by MTT assay .The cell cycle and apoptosis rate were measured by flow cytometry .RPMI 8226 cells were treated with fucoidan for 72 h, and the cell culture superna-tant was collected .The VEGF concentration was examined by ELISA , and the tube formation assay was applied to assess the angiogenic activity .After treatment with fucoidan for 72 h at different concentrations , the protein levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, p-AKT and p-ERK1/2 were detected by Western blot .RESULTS: Fucoidan inhibited the growth of RPMI 8226 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner .After treatment with fucoidan for 72 h, the cell cycle was arrested at G 1 phase , and the apoptotic rate of RPMI 8226 cells was increased with the increasing concentration of fucoidan , which was much higher than that in control group (P<0.05).The VEGF concentration was significantly decreased with the increa-sing concentration of fucoidan .The numbers and areas of the capillary-like structures decreased while the concentration of fucoidan increased, and those at 100 mg/L were less than those in the control (P<0.05).The protein levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, p-AKT and p-ERK1/2 in fucoidan group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05).CON-CLUSION:Fucoidan inhibits the secretion of VEGF in multiple myeloma cells , and reduces angiogenesis induced by mul-tiple myeloma cells .It inhibits the protein expression of HIF-1αand VEGF , which may be related to inhibiting the phos-phorylation of AKT and ERK1/2.

Objective To explore the relation ship between expression of survivin gene in leukemia cells and its clinical effects, and to study the mechanism of survivin resist-apoptosis function in leukemia.Methods Survivin expression was detected by Western blots analysis and expressions of Fas and Caspase were examined by immunohistochemistry in 18 leukemia patients.Results Thirteen cases in peripheral blood mononuclear cell survivin positive expression was detected in 18 leukemia patients(72.2%), but no survivin expression in 10 normal persons. There were significant difference of survivin expression in ALL/ANLL patients groups and different WBC groups(P

Currently, polyethylenimine(PEI) is one of the most promising non-viral gene delivery vectors. However, high relative molecular mass PEI has obvious toxicity and is short of targeting or specificity to cells or tissues. As we know targeting or specificity is the key property of ideal gene delivery systems. Therefore, PEI should be modified to become a gene vector with targeting and low toxicity. Up to now investgations on modification of PEI for targeting effect mainly include:1.modification with endogenous ligands such as transferrin Tf RGD peptide etc 2.modification with carbohydrate such as galactose etc 3.modification with specific antibody. Of these, the specific antibody-directed PEI is anticipated to be one of promising and distinctive targeting gene delivery carriers. The present paper summarises literature on PEI as targeted gene delivery vectors.

To analyze and compare the protective effects of active components in different ethyl acetate extracts (EAEEPs) from Eclipta prostrate, in order to study the comparison of materials bases protecting normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. The MTT assay was taken to compare the protective effect of different EAEEPs on cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) -induced NHBE cells. The ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was applied to analyze the content of phenolic acid, coumaric grass ether and flavonoid in EAEEPs. According to the results, all of the eight EAEEPs (0-200 mg x L(-1)) showed certain protective effect on NHBE cells, with statistical difference. Specifically, the total mass of EAEEP VII (89.15 mg x L(-1)) and EAEEP VIII (57.44 mg x L(-1)), which showed the strongest activity, was not the highest, while EAEEP III (132.25 mg x L(-1)) displayed the highest total mass. In the combination with the "component structure" theory, the analysis showed a significant difference in the mass structure among phenolic acid, coumaric grass ether and flavonoid in EAEEP VIII and EAEEP VIII, which were 1.0: 1. 0: 0.5 and 1.0: 1.9: 0.8, respectively. The results suggested a specific optimal "component structure" relationship may exist in EAEEP, which could provide reference for the material base study and quality control.
Bronchi ; cytology ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Eclipta ; chemistry ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Protective Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of low molecular weight heparin calcium (LMWHC) combined Compound Danshen Injection (DI) on nephrotic syndrome patients with early onset severe preeclampsia.

METHODSTotally 80 nephrotic syndrome patients with early onset severe pre-eclampsia were randomly assigned to four groups voluntarily, i.e., Group A (22 cases, treated by magnesium sulfate), B (19 cases, treated by magnesium sulfate plus LMWHC), C (21 cases, magnesium sulfate plus DI), D (18 cases, magnesium sulfate plus LMWHC and DI). Umbilical arterial S/D ratios, amniotic fluid index (AFI), prolonged gestational age, placenta weight, neonatal weight, and Apgar score were compared among the four groups.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, umbilical arterial S/D ratios decreased in the four groups (P <0. 05). AFI decreased in Group A, while it increased in Group B, C, and D (P<0. 05). Compared with Group A at the same time point, umbilical arterial S/D ratios decreased, and AFI increased in Group B, C, and D (P <0. 01 , P <0. 05). Prolonged gestational age and neonatal weight were increased in Group B, C, and D (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). Placenta weight were increased in Group B and D (P <0. 05). Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were improved in Group D (P <0. 05). Compared with Group B and C at the same time point, umbilical arterial S/D ratios decreased, and AFI increased in Group D (P<0. 05). Compared with Group B, prolonged gestational age and placenta weight were decreased in Group C, but prolonged gestational age and placenta weight were increased in Group D (P <0.05). Compared with Group C, prolonged gestational age, placenta weight, and neonatal weight were increased in Group D (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONTreatment of nephrotic syndrome patients with early onset severe pre-eclampsia by LMWHC combined DI could prolong gestational ages, obviously improve prenatal outcomes, with better effect obtained than using any of them alone.

Calcium ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Magnesium Sulfate ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Phenanthrolines ; Pre-Eclampsia ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Salvia miltiorrhiza

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM).

METHODSThirty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, diabetes group and treatment group( n = 10). Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was utilized to establish a rat model of DCM. The rats with DCM in treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with NaHS solution. After treated for 12 weeks, the hearts isolated from rats were perfused on a langendorff apparatus. The ventricular hemodynamic parameters were measured. The ultrastructures of myocardium were observed using electron microscopy. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in myocardial tissue were determined by spectrophotometry. The expressions of C/EBP homologous protein( CHOP), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and Caspase 12 at mRNA level in myocardium were detected using RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with control group, the cardiac function and myocardial ultrastructure were damaged obviously in diabetic rats. In myocardial tissue, the content of MDA was increased, while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were decreased. CHOP, GRP78 and Caspase 12 mRNA expressions were increased significantly. Compared with diabetes group, cardiac function and myocardial ultrastructure damage were improved in treatment group. The content of MDA was decreased, while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were increased significantly. The mRNA levels of CHOP, GRP78 and Caspase 12 were increased.

CONCLUSIONH2S can protect myocardium in diabetic rats, maybe it is related to reduce oxidative stress damage and inhibition of the ERS-induced apoptosis pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 12 ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies ; drug therapy ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; pharmacology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; ultrastructure ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Streptozocin ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism

The study is aimed to understand the resource and the current situation of the use of Cibotii Rhizoma and provide the basis for protecting and utilization. The method of literature survey, field survey and quality assessment were applied in the study. The results showed that all the Cibotii Rhizoma came from wild resource and was mainly founded in Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Zhejiang, etc. It contains over 5 000 000 kg in the area which total is about 7 000 hm2. The annual output is over 850 000 kg. At present, there is no cultivated resources. Based on the investigation and market sampling analysis from various regions, the results showed that the quality of the collected crude drugs conformed with the regulations of the Chinese pharmacopoeia. However the qualification rate of decoction pieces of Cibotii Rhizoma in market was only 56.4%. At present, the resource of Cibotii Rhizoma could meet the needs of medinal uses. It is important to protect the wild resource which is less and less because of the environmental factors. It also need to make a standard of processing method to ensure the safety, and solve quality problem of the decoction pieces.
China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Ferns ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; growth & development

Objective: To evaluate the effect of NGX6 with 5-Fu on the apoptosis of colon cancer cells. Methods: The NGX6-transfected HT-29 cell line with 5-Fu was used in the test group. HT-29 cell line with 5-Fu and PDTC was used in the control group. The expression of NF-κB was detected by EMSA. The proliferation of HT-29 cell line was assayed by MTT. The effect of NGX6 on the apoptosis was detected by FCM. HT-29 cells were double-stained by PI/Annexin-V and AO/EB and observed by fluorescence microscopy. Results: The expression of NF-κB was inhibited in NGX6 transfected colon carcinoma cell group and in colon carcino-ma cell group treated with PDTC. Treatment with the chemopreventive compounds 5-Fu and PDTC resulted in different responses in the effects of anti-proliferation and induced apoptosis of colon carcinoma cells. There was no significant difference in apoptosis between NGX6-transfected HT-29 call line with 5-Fu and the cells in the control group. NGX6 gene enhanced the effect of 5-Fu on the proliferation and apoptosis of colon carcino-ma cells. Conclusion: NGX6 gene can induce apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of colon carcinoma cells. NGX6 gene can enhance the effect of 5-Fu on the proliferation and apoptosis of colon carcinoma cells through NF-κB pathway.

Objective To investigate prevalence and risk factors of peripheral artery disease (PAD), metabolic syndrome (MS) and peripheral artery disease complicated with metabolic syndrome among Kazakh adults lived in Xinjiang Yili prefecture. Methods Four-stage cluster sampling method was used to select adults aged 35 years and over for the study from six cities and prefectures of Xinjiang. All the participants were interviewed with questionnaire to collect their demographic characteristics. Physical checksup and blood biochemical measurements were performed for all of them, as well as blood pressure was measured in their lower legs and arms to calculate ankle brachial pressure index ( ABPI), a ratio of the blood pressure in the lower legs to that in the arms. Only data of Kazakh adults in Yili prefecture were analyzed in this paper, including prevalence and risk factors for PAD and MS, as well as their relationship.The patients with PAD were divided into two groups, one complicated with MS and the other without it Logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential risk factors for PAD and MS and their combination.Results A total of 1365 adult Kazakh people were surveyed. Prevalence of MS was 23.7 percent, 30.4 percent for men and 19.0 percent for women, respectively, and that of PAD was 9. 4 percent, 7.0 percent for men and 11.0 percent for women, respectively. Mean age in patients of PAD complicated with MS was older than that in those without MS (t=-5.348, P＜0.01). Risk of PAD complicated with MS in Kazakh people associated with gender ( men), age, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and blood glucose level.(P＜0.05). Conclusions Both prevalence of PAD and MS are significantly higher among Kazakh people in Yili prefecture of Xinjiang, and increase with age. Prevalence of PAD is significantly higher in those with MS than that in those without MS. Risk factors of PAD complicated with MS include gender(men), age,systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and blood glucose level.