OBJECTIVETo investigate the metabolism-based interaction between ipriflavone(IP) and other drugs in vitro.

METHODSIP and propafenone or estradiol, or other drugs were co-incubated with rat liver microsome induced by beta-naphthoflavone. The concentrations of residual substrate in microsomal incubates were determined by HPLC.

RESULTThe metabolism of propafenone (10 microg/ml) incubated with 2 microg/ml or 50 microg/ml IP was markedly inhibited compared with control group(P<0.01). While the metabolism of 10 microg/ml of estradiol incubated with 10 microg/ml and 100 microg/ml IP showed no marked inhibition. When IP (20 microg/ml) was incubated with 0.5 microg/ml propranolol, 0.5 microg/ml propafenone or 5.0 microg/ml estradiol respectively the metabolic activity of IP was markedly inhibited compared with control group (P<0.05 P<0.05 P<0.02 respectively).

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that there is an interaction between ipriflavone and propafenone during in vitro metabolism, and there might also be clinical significance.

Animals ; Drug Interactions ; Estradiol ; metabolism ; Female ; Isoflavones ; metabolism ; Propafenone ; metabolism ; Propranolol ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on the protein expression of c-fos in fastigial nucleus (FN) and lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the role and mechanism of FN and LHA in EA at the Heart Meridian fighting against acute MIRI reaction. Methods: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA-Heart Meridian group and an EA-Lung Meridian group, with 14 rats in each group; an LHA lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group) and a FN lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (FN+EA-Heart Meridian group), with 7 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group, the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was ligated to establish acute MIRI rat models in the other 5 groups. In the three groups with EA-Heart Meridian treatment, Shenmen (HT 7) and Tongli (HT 5) were selected; Taiyuan (LU 9) and Lieque (LU 7) were selected in the EA-Lung Meridian group. All the EA groups received EA stimulation prior to modeling, with 1 mA in current intensity and 2 Hz in frequency, 20 min each time, once a day for a total of 7 d. The sham operation group and the model group did not receive EA stimulation. The electrocardiogram was observed in the rats to analyze the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score. The expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in the FN and LHA increased significantly in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA decreased significantly in the EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05). Compared with the EA-Heart Meridian group, the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group, LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in FN increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in LHA increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the mechanism of EA at Heart Meridian to improve the acute MIRI reactions, and the cerebellum may participate in the improvement of cardiac function by EA through the cerebellum-hypothalamus projection.

Objective To investigate the effect of cell proliferation and apoptosis induced by Pingyangmycin (PYM)and dexamethasone (DEX) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)in vitro, so as to provide therotical evidence for treatment of aneurysm with PYMand DEX. Methods Control, PYM, DEX and PYM group were established after HUVEC were cultured for 24 hours. Cell morphology was observed by inverted microscope.The effect of cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected with CCK-8reagents and flow Cytometry. The apoptotic protein expression of caspase-3 was testedthrough Western blot. Results Descend of adherent cell density and the ascend of floating cells could be observed after treated with PYM and DEX for 24 hours. HUVEC could be inhibited effectively with concentration-dependent on PYM and DEX. The significant statistical difference of cell apoptosis rate between the group used for PYM alone and the group combined low-concentration PYM with DEX through Flow Cytometrywas found. There was significant statistical difference of apoptotic protein expression of caspase-3 through Western blot compared with the group used for PYM alone and the group combined low-concentration PYM with DEX. Conclusion PYM and DEXcould inhibitthe proliferation of HUVEC alone. The better effects could be observed combination low-concentration PYM with DEX , the mechanism of which might beapoptosis with low-concentration PYM and necrosis with high-concentration PYM.

Psoralen is one of the effective ingredients extracted from Chinese herbal medicine Psoralea corylifolia. Studies have found that psoralen has an estrogenic effect and can regulate the estrogen receptor. Psoralen can exert phytoestrogenic effects such as anti-tumor, anti-osteoporosis, anti-oxidation and protection of cardiovascular. This article reviewed the research progress of phytoestrogenic effects of psoralen.

Objective To evaluate the two-stage repair in hypospadias cripples.Methods 35 patients with hypospadias cripples underwent two-stage repair.At the first stage,a full-thickness graft of skin or buccal mucosa was used for urethral plate reconstruction after the release of chordee.The second stage was performed 6 months after completion of the first stage.Tubularization of the replaced urethral plate was the preferred technique.Results There was no urethra stricture or “preplaced urethral plate ” atrophy.Fistula developed in 2 of 35 cases.Conclusion The twostaged technique was a useful strategy to deal with the myriad abnormalities encountered in crippled hypospadias.This technique could not only create a neourethra successfully,but also give the penis a near-normal shape and appearance.

Background:Previous studies of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) were mostly based on selective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cases,and risk factors of CI-AKI after emergency PCI are unclear.The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors of CI-AKI in a Chinese population undergoing emergency PCI.Methods:A total of 1061 consecutive patients undergoing emergency PCI during January 2013 and June 2015 were enrolled and divided into CI-AKI and non-CI-AKI group.Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify the risk factors of CI-AKI in emergency PCI patients.CI-AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine ≥25％ or ≥0.5 mg/dl (44.2 tmol/L) above baseline within 3 days after exposure to contrast medium.Results:The incidence of CI-AKI in patients undergoing emergency PCI was 22.7％ (241/1061).Logistic multivariable analysis showed that body surface area (BSA) (odds ratio [OR] 0.213,95％ confidence interval [CI]:0.075-0.607,P =0.004),history of myocardial infarction (MI) (OR 1.642,95％ CI:1.079-2.499,P =0.021),left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR 0.969,95％ CI:0.944-0.994,P =0.015),hemoglobin (Hb) (OR 0.988,95％ CI:0.976-1.000,P =0.045),estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR 1.027,95％ CI:1.018-1.037,P ＜ 0.001),left anterior descending (LAD) stented (OR 1.464,95％ CI:1.000-2.145,P =0.050),aspirin (OR 0.097,95％CI:0.009-0.987,P =0.049),and diuretics use (OR 1.850,95％ CI:1.233-2.777,P =0.003) were independent predictors of CI-AKI in patients undergoing emergency PCI.Conclusion:History of MI,low BSA,LVEF and Hb level,LAD stented,and diuretics use are associated with increased risk of CI-AKI in patients undergoing emergency PCI.

BACKGROUNDThe lung functional status could be displayed on lung perfusion images. With the images, the radiotherapy plans of lung cancer could be guided to more optimized. This study aimed to assess quantitatively the impact of incorporating functional lung imaging into 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSTen patients with NSCLC who had undergone radiotherapy were included in this study. Before radiotherapy, each patient underwent CT simulation and lung perfusion imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The SPECT images were registered with simulation planning CT and used to contour functional lung (lung-F) and non-functional lung (lung-NF). Two 3DCRT plans and two IMRT plans were designed and compared in each patient: two anatomic plans using simulation CT alone and two functional plans using SPECT-CT in addition to the simulation CT. Dosimetric parameters of the four types of plans were compared in terms of tumor coverage and avoidance of normal tissues. Total radiation dose was set at 66 Gy (2 Gy x 33 fractions).

RESULTSIn incorporating perfusion information in 3DCRT and IMRT planning, the reductions on average in the mean doses to the functional lung in the functional plan were 168 cGy and 89 cGy, respectively, compared with those in the anatomic plans. The median reductions in the percentage of volume irradiated with > 5 Gy, > 10 Gy, > 20 Gy, > 30 Gy and > 40 Gy for functional lung in the functional plans were 6.50%, 10.21%, 14.02%, 22.30% and 23.46% in 3DCRT planning, respectively, and 3.05%, 15.52%, 14.16%, 4.87%, and 3.33% in IMRT planning, respectively. No greater degree of sparing of the functional lung was achieved in functional IMRT than in 3DCRT.

CONCLUSIONFunction-guided 3DCRT and IMRT plannings both appear to be effective in preserving functional lung in NSCLC patients.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Radiography ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; methods ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; methods

p-Hydroxybenzoic acid can be oxidized by hydroxyl radicals ( · OH) to produce electroactive 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHBA). Therefore, it can be used as a probe to detect ·OH. In this work, 3,4-DHBA/ PPy / TiO2 molecularly imprinted polymer film was prepared for indirect determination of ·OH based on its recognition ability for 3,4-DHBA. The sensor was constructed by using pyrrole as the functional monomer and 3, 4-DHBA as the template molecule. The sensor was characterized by scanning electron microscope and different electrochemical methods. The preparation and determination conditions, such as the electropolymerization cycle number, pH value in the electropolymerization process, and elution time, were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, a linear range of 1. 0×10-8-1. 0×10-6 mol/ L was obtained for 3,4-DHBA and the detection limit was down to 4. 2×10-9 mol/ L (S / N = 3). This new approach was of low cost and convenience, and was successfully applied to measure the concentration of ·OH in the atmosphere.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of the fibroblast transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts (MFBs) in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and investigate the influence of transforming growth factor β(1) (TGF-β(1)) and blocking of its signal transduction on fibroblast transdifferentiation.

METHODSFibroblasts derived from the skin lesions of SSc patients and normal skin tissue were cultured in vitro. The proportion of MFBs in the fibroblast culture was analyzed qualitatively using immunocytochemistry and quantitatively with ELISA for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The changes in fibroblast transdifferentiation were observed after addition of TGF-β(1) in the cell culture and after blocking the signal transduction of TGF-β(1).

RESULTSThe fibroblasts isolated from SSc patients and control subjects showed a similar morphology. The mean number of cells positive for α-SMA in SSc group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). As culture time extended, α-SMA levels of the two groups both increased gradually (P<0.01), but the increments were significantly greater in SSc group than in the control group at 24, 48, and 72 h (P<0.05 all). Addition of TGF-β(1) resulted in significantly increased α-SMA levels in both groups (P<0.05), and SSc group showed significantly higher α-SMA levels than the control group at 24, 48, and 72 h (P<0.01). In the presence of TGF-β(1), blocking of Smads, ERK/MAPK, and p38MAPK pathways, but not JNK/MAPK pathway, caused an obvious decrease in α-SMA levels in the fibroblasts in both groups.

CONCLUSIONThe fibroblasts in the skin lesion of SSc patients have strong potential of transdifferentiation into MFBs, and TGF-β(1) can promote this transdifferentiation process possibly involving Smads, and ERK/MAPK, and p38MAPK signalling pathways.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Myofibroblasts ; pathology ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Skin ; pathology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism