Objective To investigate the protective effect of allicin on intestinal mucosal barrier of septic rats so as to explore the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly (random number) divided into sham,septic model and allicin treatment group.Septic model was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats.Rats in the treatment group were administered with allicin (30 mg/kg,ip)at 6 h and 12 h after modeling,while those in the model and sham groups were treated with equal amount of saline instead.Rats were sacrificed at 24 h and the serum D-lactic acid,diamine oxidase (DAO) and fluorescence isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-Dextran,FD-40) were determined to evaluate the intestinal mucosal barrier function.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6),malondialdehyde (MDA),and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in intestinal tissue were measured.Histopathological changes of intestinal mucosa injury were assessed by Hematoxylin-eosin staining.Results Compared with the sham group,levels of serum D-lactic acid,DAO and FD-40 increased significantly in the CLP group (D-lactic acid:599.4±101.1 vs.149.2±20.63 nmoL/mL,t=11.84,P＜0.01;DAO:302.1 ±64.5 vs.76.57±14.76 ng/mL,t=9.433,P＜0.01;FD-40:6664.0±1437.0vs.1446.0±205.0 ng/mL,t =9.704,P ＜0.01);intestinal morphology damage occurred in the CLP group;intestinal levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and MDA increased greatly (TNF-αt:186.35 ±20.43 vs.58.76 ±8.94 pg/mL,t=17.23,P＜0.01;IL-6:763.25±85.23vs.125.36±14.37 pg/mL,t=22.54,P＜0.01;MDA:29.36±3.27vs.7.24±0.85 nmol/mg prot,t=16.61,P＜0.01),while SOD activity reduced (35.75±6.53 vs.73.26 ±8.35 U/rmg prot,t =10.57,P ＜0.01) in the CLP group.Allicin treatment greatly inhibited the increase of D-lactic acid,DAO and FD-40 levels in rat plasma caused by CLP (D-lactic acid:330.1 ±81.77 vs.599.4±101.1 nmol/mL,t=7.086,P＜0.01;DAO:171.8±49.70vs.302.1±64.56ng/mL,t=5.45,P＜0.01;FD-40:3349.0±1167.0 vs.6664.0±1437.0 ng/mL,t=6.165,P＜0.01);intestinal morphology damage was improved in the allicin treatment group;allicin treatment greatly inhibited the intestinal levels of TNF-o,IL-6 and MDA and preserved the intestinal SOD activity compared with the CLP group (TNF-α:95.37 ±12.68 vs.186.35 ±20.43 pg/mL,t =12.29,P＜0.01;IL-6:354.27±46.27vs.763.25±85.23pg/mL,t=14.45,P＜0.01;MDA:16.27±3.14vs.29.36±3.27 nmol/mgprot,t=9.831,P＜0.01;SOD:55.35 ±6.23vs.35.75±6.53 U/mgprot,t=5.522,P ＜0.01).Conclusions Allicin could inhibit local inflammation and oxidative stress in the intestine and exerts protective effect on intestinal mucosal barrier of septic rats.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Narcolepsy ; therapy ; Qi

Objective To analyze the protein expression changes of retina in diabetic mice using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) approach and to study proteins of apoptosis.Methods 8 diabetic mice were chosen as the diabetic model group (DM group),8diabetic mice as the normal control group.The animals were housed in wire-bottomed cages and received normal pellet chow and tap water in a constant environment.After 10 weeks,all mice were killed,and their retina were dissected.After hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) staining,the sections of retina were examined using light microscopy.The changes of protein expression in retina were studied using iTRAQ approach.Expression of apoptosis associated proteins was analyzed using ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA).Results Compared with control group,mice retina in DM group developed looser structures,tissue edema and obvious telangiectasia under light microscopy.Using iTRAQ approach,a total of 348 differential proteins were identified.Among those proteins,16 proteins were related with apoptosis,including Ataxin-10,Protein NDRG1,mucin-4,Aquaporin-1 and annexin A4,etc.There were 8 apoptosis-related proteins in retina with up-regulation,and the other 8 proteins with down-regulation in the DM group.The relationship between these proteins were analyzed and charted by IPA.Conclusions Apoptosis may be involved in the development of diabetic retinopathy.The identification of the apoptosis-related proteins will be helpful for the further study.

Objective To explore the effects of Sanban manipulation of spine on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at the early-middle stage.Methods 60 AS patients at the early-middle stage were divided into drug group (n=30) and manipulation group (n=30). The drug group wastreated with sulfasalazine and the sustained-release pills of Zhengqingfengtongning, while the manipulation group were treated with Sanbanmanipulation of spine additionally. Self-developed questionnaire were used to follow up before and 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment. ResultsThe Schober index and the finger-floor distance improved more in the manipulation group than in the drug group (P<0.05) 3 months aftertreatment. All the index improved more in the manipulation group than in the drug group (P<0.05) 6 months after treatment. ConclusionSanban manipulation of spine can improve the thoracolumbar activities in the AS patients at the early-middle stage.

AlM: To demonstrate the effect of comprehensive treatments for meibomian gland dysfunctional dry eye.
METHODS:Totally, 86 cases (172 eyes) in our hospital, who suffered from meibomian gland dysfunctional dry eye, were measured by BUT, CFS, the machine of infrared meibomian gland function and testing meibomian gland after extrusion. The scores of meibomian gland function missing and secretions were observed, which as a diagnosis, and assessed the effectiveness of treatment, after took comprehensive treatments in different stages ( comprehensive treatments including cleaning, hot covering, massaging, TobraDex, Pranoprofen and Lubricant, etc. ) .
RESULTS:All patients were treated and observed for 3wk, in which 46 cases (92 eyes) of cured, 29 cases (58 eyes) effective, 11 cases (22 eyes) ineffective, the total effective rate was 87. 2%. After 6wk, 68 cases (136 eyes) of cured, 13 cases (26 eyes) effective, 5 cases (10 eyes) ineffective, the total effective rate was 94. 2%, not appeared adverse ocular and systemic reactions in the process of treatment.
CONCLUSlON: Taken comprehensive treatments for meibomian gland dysfunctional dry eye could effectively shorten the course of the disease, quickly remove meibomian gland tube obstruction, restore the meibomian gland secretion and stable the lipid layer, and could reduce the discomfort of patients with dry eye positively and effectively.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dopamin receptors-2 (DR2) on myocardial ischemic postconditioning and explore its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe myocardial ischemic postconditioning (PC) model was established in cultured primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes which were then randomly assigned in the following groups: Nomial control group, Isehemia/reperfusion (L'R) group, PC (ischemic postconditioning) group, PC + Bro (Bromocriptine, a DB2 antagonist) group, PC + Hal (Haloperidol, a DB2 repressor) and PC + Hal + Bro groups. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in cell medium were analyzed by colorunetry. The cell ultrastructure changes were observed by transmission electron microscope. The cell apoptosis was analyzed using flowcytometiy. The protein expression level of D112 and activity of p-p38 and p-JNK were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the nonnal control group, hR increased the protein expression level of DB2, enhanced LDH activity and MDA content, promoted cell injury and apoptosis, decreased SOD activity, up-regulated the activity of p-p38 and p-JNK. Compared with the hR group, although PC further increased the expression of DR2 protein, it decreased LDH activity and MDA content, cell injury and apoptosis, increased SOD activity, down-regulated activity of p-p38 and p-JNK. Bromocriptine treatment further enhanced PC-induced canlioprotective effect, yet Hal addition attenuated this enhancing effect exerted by bromocriptine.

CONCLUSIONThe activation of DB2 is involved in the protective effect of ischemic postconditioning on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury through down-regulating the activity of p-p38 and p-JNK.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cells, Cultured ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; physiology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

The aim of the paper is to observe the distribution of the endophytic fungi in leaves of Aquilaria sinensis by using permanent paraffin-cut section, optical microscope photography and histochemistry. Total DNA was extracted with modified CTAB method and rDNA ITS regions of plant and endophytic fungi were amplified with eukaryotic universal primers. The rDNA ITS amplicon was characterized by RFLP analysis, sequencing of rDNA ITS library and phylogenetic analyses using PAUP by maximum parsimony. Fusarium sp. A2 was used to induce the formation of resinous in A. sinensis trees. As a result, endophytic fungi mainly distributed in spongy and phloem in leaf. Endophytic fungi distributed in the phloem in agarwood-producing tree and had a relatively high abundance. Phoma sp. and Collectrotrichum sp. were the absolute advantage species in the leaf tissues of non-resinous and agarwood-producing tree, respectively. Collectrotrichum sp. was the only fungal species detected both in the two types of A. sinensis with different levels of abundance. The culture-independent molecular method can be used to identify fungal species directly and rapidly from the plant tissues. Endophytic fungal communities in non-resinous and agarwood-producing A. sinensis leaf tissues were quite different.
Cluster Analysis ; DNA, Fungal ; genetics ; Endophytes ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Fusarium ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Thymelaeaceae ; microbiology ; Wood ; metabolism ; microbiology

To study the pharmacokinetic effect of different combined administration with monarch drug Ziziphi Spinosae Semen on its main components in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into Ziziphi Spinosae Semen group, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group, Ziziphi spinosae Semen-Salviae Miltiorrhize Radix et Rhizoma group and Zaoren Ansheng prescription group. After oral administration, HPLC was eluted with the mobile phase of acetonitrle-0.03% phosphate acid water in a gradient mode. The detection wavelength was 280 nm. The pharmacokinetic parameters of spinosin and ferulic acid were calculated by DAS 2. 0 software. Compared with Ziziphi Spinosae Semen group, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group showed a lower maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under curve (AUC(0-t)) for spinosin and ferulic acid but higher clearance speed (CL/F); whereas the Zaoren Ansheng prescription group showed higher maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under curve (AUC(0-t)) for spinosin and ferulic acid but lower clearance speed (CL/F). Compared with Ziziphi Spinosae Semen group, prescription group showed slower metabolism of spinosin and ferulic
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumaric Acids ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ziziphus ; chemistry

AIM:To investigate the role of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) for diagnosis and prog-nosis prediction in the septic patients.METHODS:A total number of 80 ICU patients were enrolled.The patients were divided into systemic inflammatory response syndrome ( SIRS) group and sepsis group, the patients in sepsis group were di-vided into non-survivor sub-group and survivor sub-group.We collected the serum samples and analyzed acute physiology and chronic health evaluation ( APACHE) II score on the first day of the patients hospitalized in ICU.In addition, we also selected 10 healthy volunteers and collected their serum samples.The serum concentrations of LBP, C-reactive protein ( CRP) and procalcitonin ( PCT) were measured by ELISA.ROC analysis of LBP, CRP, PCT and APACHE II score was conducted to discriminate among critically ill patients with sepsis and predict the prognosis of the patients with sepsis.RE-SULTS:The levels of the 4 indicators in the septic patients were higher than those in the patients of SIRS (P<0.05).In addition, serum LBP and APACHE II score in the non-survivor sub-group were higher than those in the survivor sub-group (P<0.05), whereas no difference of the PCT and CRP levels between survivors and non-survivors with sepsis was ob-served.LBP levels greater than 26.84 mg/L had 97.1% sensitivity and 95.9% specificity to discriminate between SIRS and sepsis.LBP levels greater than 54.16 mg/L had 85.2%sensitivity and 80.0%specificity for prognosis of unfavorable outcome.CONCLUSION:LBP level was more accurately correlated with diagnosis or prognosis prediction than CRP or PCT in patients with sepsis.

Objective To assess the predictive value of thiopurine methyltransferase genotyping and enzyme activity in relation to side effects in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were treated with azathioprine (AZA). Methods One hundred and eleven IBD patients (26 with ulcerative colitis and 86 with Cronh's disease) with indication of AZA administration between April 2004 and Dec. 2009 were enrolled. All patients received 2 mg/kg of AZA daily. Polymerase chain reaction and high performance liquid chromatography were used to genotype the TPMT * 2, * 3A, * 3B, * 3C and to detect TPMT activity, respectively. The association of TPMT genotype and activity with side effects was analyzed in patients treated with AZA for 24 weeks or more, or in those discontinued AZA because of adverse effects. Results Adverse effects were reported in 38(33. 9%) patients, the most frequent being myelosuppression (20. 5%). The frequency of TPMT * 3C heterozygous mutation was 0. 9% (1/112). The TPMT activity was (12. 9±4. 8) U/ml RBC with unimodal distribution. One patient with TPMT * 3C heterozygous mutation developed myelosuppression at the 4th week after AZA treatment. The TPMP genotype myelosuppression patients. Conclusions TPMT genotype mutation and low enzyme activity can be used to predict myelosuppression with high specifically and low sensitivity. In patients treated with AZA, co-administration of 5-ASA results in a high frequency of myelosuppression with no effect on TPMT activity.