OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Astragali Radix on the denervated tibial muscle atrophy in rats, and discuss its mechanism.

METHODTotally 60 SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley rats were selected in the common peroneal nerve crush model, and then randomly divided into 6 groups: Astragali Radix high-dose, medium-dose, low-dose groups, the Mecobalamin group, the model group, and the sham operation group. They were administered with drugs after the operation. At 18 d, the pathological section staining and morphological analysis were performed. The wet-weight ratio and section area of tibial muscles were also measured. The real-time fluorescence quantification was adopted to detect the differential expression between Angptl4 and PI3K genes.

RESULT(1) Wet-weight ratio: The wet-weight ratio in Astragali Radix high-dose, medium-dose groups was much higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) Section area: The sham operation group was higher, with regular morphology; Whereas the model group showed significant decrease, with chaotic structure and obvious connective tissue proliferation; Astragali Radix groups and the mecobalamin group showed relatively small section areas, with chaotic structure and unobvious connective tissue proliferation. Compared with the model group, Astragali Radix groups showed significant increase (P < 0.01). (3) Motor end plate: The sham operation group was in uniform brownish black color and oval or round shape; Astragali Radix medium-dose and high-dose group and the mecobalamin group showed rough line edges; Astragali Radix medium-dose and low-dose groups and the model group showed decline in the number, with irregular morphology, rough line edges and a light color. (4) Angptl4 and PI3K: Compared with the model group, the Astragali Radix high-dose group showed significant increase (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAstragali Radix has a significant effect in preventing and treating denervated tibial muscle atrophy. It may delay the muscle atrophy by increasing Angptl4 and PI3K gene expressions.

Angiopoietin-like 4 Protein ; Angiopoietins ; genetics ; Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Muscular Atrophy ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia

Adult ; Aged ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; methods ; Critical Pathways ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; therapy

AIM: To investigate the role of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the growth of Müller cells using a co-culture system in vitro . METHODS: Müller cells were cocultured with RPE cells under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions in Transwell chamber culture system. Müller cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The number of cells which migrate through micropores and stay on the outer bottom side of insert systems were observed and counted. RESULTS: The activities of proliferation and migration of Müller cells when cocultured with RPE cells were significantly higher than those of the Müller cells when cultured alone at all time points under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. However, for both the coculture and control groups, there is no significant difference between the measurements at 3 and 6 hours. CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that RPE, when co-cultured with Müller cells, can stimulate migration and proliferation of Müller cells under both hypoxic and normoxic conditions in a time-dependent manner; how-ever, there is no evidence to support the synergetic interaction of RPE and Müller cells co-cultured under hypoxic conditions.

ObjectiveTo find out if the immune system derived thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) β splice variant(TSHβ-Ⅴ) would be regulated by circulating thyroid hormone levels to get a further understanding of the function and mechanism of this TSHβ-Ⅴ in thyroid homeostasis.MethodsA total of 20 weaning Balb/c mice (half male and half female) were selected and randomly divided into two groups according to their body mass and gender(n =10).Mice of control group were fed with common diet and deionized water.Mice of the low-iodine(LI) group were fed with low-iodine diet(containing iodine 20 - 40 μg/kg,iodine-intake about 0.25 μg/d) and deionized water.The experimental period was 3 months.At the end of the experiment,mice were executed and the blood was collected to observe the levels of TSH and thyroid hormone by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) ; bone marrow (BM),peripheral blood(PBL),thyroid gland and pituitary were collected to assay the TSHβ-Ⅴ mRNA expression by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).ResultsThe serum free thyroxine(FT4) and total thyroxine(TT4) levels in LI group of mice[(0.47 ± 0.70)nmol/L,(2.41 ± 0.28)pmol/L] were significantly lower than that of the control group of mice [(55.2 ± 3.68) nmol/L, (32.72 ± 1.02) pmol/L,t =43.81,86.04 、all P ＜ 0.01 ] and the serum total triiodothyronine(TT3) and free triiodothyronine(FT3) reduction in LI group of mice[ (0.76 ± 0.08)nmol/L,(4.01 ± 0.40)pmol/L] were significantly lower than that of the control group of mice [ (1.10 ± 0.06)nmol/L,(5.40 ± 0.38)pmol/L,t =9.81,7.5 1,P ＜ 0.01 ].Iodine insufficiency strongly elevated the serum TSH in LI group of mice[ (35.67 ± 17.39)mU/L] than that in control group of mice[ (0.24 ± 0.10)mU/L,t =- 6.11,P ＜ 0.01 ].The mRNA levels of TSH β-Ⅴ in BM (9.62 ± 0.60) and in PBL( 9.25 ± 0.83 ) of LI group of mice were lower than those in control group of mice (7.69 ± 0.36,7.11 ± 0.41,t =6.77,5.64,P ＜ 0.01),while the mRNA level of TSH β-Ⅴ in pituitary of LI group of mice (1.99 ± 0.61) was increased compared with that in control group of mice (5.75 ± 0.98,t =- 8.02,P＜ 0.01).Compared with control group of mice(9.12 ± 0.62),the level of thyroid TSH β-Ⅴ mRNA in LI group of mice (9.32 ± 0.91 ) was not significantly changed (t =0.45,P ＞ 0.05).There was no detectable native TSHβ in BM,PBL and thyroid.The mRNA level of native TSHβ in pituitary in LI group of mice( - 7.17 ± 1.78) was dramatically elevated compared to that in control group of mice( - 1.43 ± 0.51,t =- 7.60,P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsThe mRNA levels of TSHβ-Ⅴ are suppressed in BM and PBL in low iodinediet induced hypothyroidism mice,which suggest that immune system derived TSHβ-Ⅴ may be more important thannative TSHβ in immune-thyroid regulation.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of stereotactic radiotherapy combined with gemzar for treatment of unresectable pancreatic cancer.Methods: Gemzar at dose of 1000mg/m 2,28 days per cycle,drug was given at 1,8,15 days,for two cycles.After 24 hours all patients were treated with stereotactic radiotherapy.Per fraction was 5～7G Y,three times per week.The total dose was 40～48G Y.Results: 13 patients were followed up for one year,symptoms were reduced and median survival was 12 months.Conclusion: Stereotactic radiotherapy combined with gemzar has important valves for unresectabal pancreatic cancer.

Patients who are diagnosed with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) usually have ventilation-perfusion mismatch, severe decrease in lung capacity, and gas exchange abnormalities. Health care workers have implemented various strategies in an attempt to compensate for these pathological alterations. By rotating patients with ALI/ARDS between the supine and prone position, it is possible to achieve a significant improvement in PaO2/FiO2, decrease shunting and therefore improve oxygenation without use of expensive, invasive and experimental procedures. Prone positioning is a safe and effective way to improve ventilation when conventional strategies fail to initiate a patient response. Because a specific cure for ARDS is not available, the goal is to support the patients with therapies that cause the least amount of injury while the lungs have an opportunity to heal. Based on current data, a trial of prone positioning ventilation should be offered to the patients who have ALI/ARDS in the early course of the disease. Published studies exhibit substantial heterogeneity in clinical results, suggesting that an adequately sized study optimizing the duration of proning ventilation strategy is warranted to enable definitive conclusions to be drawn.
Acute Lung Injury ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Prone Position ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Time Factors

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Glomus versiforme and Trichodema harzianum on the growth and quality of Salvia miltiorrhiza continuous cropping under field conditions. The field plot experiment was conducted, these active components in the plant were analyzed by HPLC, the root diseases incidence rate of S. miltiorrhiza determined by observation and counting, and relative parameters were measured. The data was statistically processed. The result showed that inoculation of G. versiforme and combined inoculation of G. versiforme with T. harzianum significantly decreased the root diseases incidence rate of S. miltiorrhiza, and combined inoculation of G. versiforme with T. harzianum was better than other treatments. All treatments improved accumulation of active ingredients in root. Inoculation of G. versiforme and combined inoculation of G. versiforme with T. harzianum significantly increased the content of salvianolic acid B and cryptotanshinone of root (P < 0.05), Inoculation of G. versiforme, T. harzianum and combined inoculation of G. versiforme with T. harzianum significantly enhanced the content of tanshinone I and tanshinone II(A) of the root (P < 0.05). It may conclude that inoculation of G. versiforme and combined inoculation of G. versiforme with T. harzianum can effectively reduce the root diseases incidence of continuous cropping S. miltiorrhiza, and improve the quality of S. miltiorrhiza.
Antibiosis ; physiology ; Benzofurans ; metabolism ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; metabolism ; Glomeromycota ; physiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Phenanthrenes ; metabolism ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; Plant Roots ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Trichoderma ; physiology

AIM: In order to explore the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC), an experimental colitis in mouse was induced by the hapten dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and the activity of leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) was measured at the same time. METHODS: 67 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control (60% ethanol) and DNCB groups. After they were sensitized by smearing 3.3% DNCB on the abdominal skin, they were challenged with DNCB at concentration of 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4% respectively by instillation once a day. The weight, stool viscosity and hematochezia were observed and accumulated as disease active index (DAI) score. The pathological changes in colon tissue were judged macropathologically and by means of microscope. LMIF activity was determined by the absorbance (A) of migrated leukocytes. RESULTS: Compared to control group, the increases in DAI accumulate score, pathologic score, and LMIF activity in DNCB groups were observed. CONCLUSION: Mouse colitis was induced by DNCB, which was accompanied by an increase in LMIF activity. [

Objective To investigate the effects of iodine excess on mitochondrial superoxide production and mitoehondrial membrane potential(△ψ)changes in Fisher rat thyroid cell line(FRTL)cells.Methods FRTL cells were treated with 10-4mol/L potassium iodine(KI),10 U/L thyrotropin(TSH),10-4 mol/L KI+10 U/L TSH respectively for 24 h.Effects on cell proliferation were assayed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)colorimetric method.Changes of mitochondrial superoxide production and △ψ were measured by live cell imaging and spectrofluorometer using MitoSOX and rhodamine 123(rh123)respectively.Results Absorbance(A)in the KI group (0.794±0.144)showed a significant decline compared to the control group(1.000 ±0.183,P<0.05),whereas a significant elevation was observed in the TSH group(1.215±0.156,P<0.05).No significant differences was found between the KI+TSH group(1.025±0.254)and the control group(P>0.05),but the former was marked higher than the KI group(P<0.05).Compared to the control group(9.74±3.24).MitoSOX mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)in the KI and KI+TSH groups(18.16±6.57,13.33±2.92)were significantly increased(all P<0.05),which was a significant decline in the TSH group(6.64±2.15,P<0.05).MitoSOX MFI in the KI+TSH group was lower than the KI group(P<0.05).Rh123 MFI in the KI and KI+TSH groups(210 593±31 328,295 525±34 243)showed significant decline than the control group(407 824±37 198,all P<0.05).Compared with the KI group.the KI+TSH group pronouncedly attenuated the reduction of Rh 123 MFI(P<0.05).No significant differences of Rh 123 MFI were found between the TSH group(411 187 ± 72 852) and the control group(P > 0.05). Conclusion Iodine excess (10-4 mol/L KI) may lead to peroxide damage on the mitochondria of FRTL cells, and cell proliferation is inhibited. Combining treatment with 10 U/L TSH may attenuate mitochondrial peroxide damage and inhibition of cell proliferation caused by iodine excess.

Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on atherosclerosis formation of common carotid artery and its possible mechanism. Methods A total of 36 male apolipoprotein E gene knockout (ApoE-/-) mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: a control group, a model group, and an atorvastatin group. The mice of the control group were fed with normal diet and received a sham operation, while the mice in the model group and the atorvastatin group were given high fat diet and received a right common carotid artery cannulation. At 5 weeks after procedure, the mice in the model group and the atorvastatin group were intragastric administration of normal saline and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg daily), respectively. At 8 weeks after procedure, the blood from femoral arteries was obtained for biochemical detection, then right common carotid arteries were taken out for histopathological study. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of NF-κB mRNA in the plaques. Western blotting was used to detect phosphorylated NF-κB p65. Results The lipid levels in the model group and the atorvastatin group were significant higher than those in the control group (al P<0. 05). The lipid level in the atorvastatin group was lower than that in the model group, but there was no significant difference (P> 0. 05 ). The histopathological study showed that the obvious plaque formation and the necrotic core and neovessels in plaques were observed in the model group; obviously thickened intima and more intact endothelial cel s in the vessel wal were observed in the atorvastatin group. The plaque burden in the model group and the atorvastatin group was significantly higher than that in the control group (al P<0. 001), while the plaque burden in the atorvastatin group was significantly less than that in the model group (P<0. 001). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection showed that the expression levels of NF-κB mRNA in the model group and the atorvastatin group were significantly higher than that in the control group (al P<0. 001), and the expression level of NF-κB mRNA in the atorvastatin group was significant lower than that in the model group (P= 0. 022). Western blotting showed that the expression level of the phosphorylated NF-κB p65 was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0. 001), and the expression level of the phosphorylated NF-κB p65 was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0. 001). Conclusions Atorvastatin may reduce atherosclerosis in the common carotid artery in ApoE-/-) mice by down-regulating NF-κB.