The fruit of Pandanus tectorius (PTF) has a long history of use as a folk medicine to treat hyperlipidemia in Hainan province, South China. Our previous studies have shown that the n-butanol extract of PTF is rich in caffeoylquinic acids and has an adequate therapeutic effect on dyslipidemic animals induced by high-fat diet. In this work, seven caffeoylquinic acids isolated from PTF were screened for the lipid-lowering activity in HepG2 hepatoma cells. Oil-Red O staining, microscopy and intracellular triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) quantification showed that 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3-CQA), 3, 5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3,5-CQA), and 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3,4,5-CQA) significantly inhibited lipid accumulation induced by oleic acid and decreased intracellular levels of TC and TG in a dose-dependent manner. These three caffeoylquinic acids showed no significant cytotoxicity at concentrations of 1 -50 μmol x L(-1) as determined by MTT assay. Realtime quantitative PCR revealed that 3-CQA and 3, 5-CQA significantly increased the expression of lipid oxidation-related genes PPARα, CPT-1 and ACOX1 while 3-CQA, 3, 5-CQA and 3,4,5-CQA decreased the expression of lipogenic genes SREBP-1c, SREBP-2, HMGR, ACC, FAS. Overall, 3-CQA, 3, 5-CQA and 3, 4, 5-CQA may be the principal hypolipidemic components in PTF which can decrease intracellular lipid accumulation through up-regulating the expression of lipid oxidative genes and down-regulating the expression of lipogenic genes.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; China ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Oleic Acid ; Pandanaceae ; chemistry ; Quinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

Objective To investigate how to improve test quality by monitoring and analyzing 15 clinical laboratory quality indicators from the National Health and Family Planning Commission .Methods Data were collected from clinical laboratory department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2011 and August 2015.15 quality indicators were analyzed retrospectively , including the error rate of specimen type , the coefficient variation unqualified rate of internal quality control test, the reporting rate of critical value , et al.Results The monitoring results of quality indicators basically satisfied the quality goals , except that the median of turn around time in pre-analytical phase was not established, routine internal quality control was not conducted in some laboratory tests in analytical phase and the reporting rate and reporting timely rate of critical value should be further improved in post -analytical phase .Conclusion Medical laboratory quality system can be continuously improved by means of setting up the quality goals of 15 quality indicators referring to sub-specialty and laboratory tests , as well as automated monitoring, statistics and analysis in LIS.

Objective To optimize the process conditions of one-step pelletization of Rouganbao Granules. Methods The factors influencing the pelletization of Rouganbao Granules were investigated by L9(34)orthogonal test, with the indexes of forming rate and fluidity. Results The spraying speed had the greatest effect on one-step pelletization, followed by atomization pressure and material temperature, and wind temperature had the smallest effect. At last, the best process parameters were relative density 1.15 (60 ℃), spray speed 55 mL/min, atomization pressure 0.25 MPa, wind temperature 75 ℃, material temperature 55 ℃, and critical relative humidity was 63%. Conclusion One-step pelletization technology can improve the preparation level and product quality, which can be used for the industrial production of Rouganbao Granules.

Objective To explore the relationship of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),IFN-? and IL-4 and effect of Bude-sonide on their in asthmatic rats.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:asthma group,Budesonide-treatment group and control group.On the first day of the experiment and the 8th day,the rat models of the asthma group and Budesonid treatment group were allergized by the OVA/Al(OH)3 through intraperitoneal injection,respectively.And starting from the 15th day,they were challenged by the OVA through atomization for 2 weeks.Control group was allergized and challenged by NS atomization.Budesonid treatment group was interfered in Budesonide inhalation before suscitation in 0.5 h.After 12 h the same inhal done was again in Budesonide group.Twenty-four hours after the last challenge,the rats in 3 groups were sacrificed,and blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were collected.The concentrations of IL-4,IFN-? and VEGF in serum and BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The concentrations of IL-4 in serum and BALF in asthma group and Budesonide treatment group were significantly increased than those in control group(P

OBJECTIVETo examine dietary zinc supplementation could alleviate the damage of alcoholic liver disease and the relationship with the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF-4alpha).

METHODS40 adult C57 BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): control, zinc, ethanol and zinc plus ethanol, which were sacrificed after fed four different diets for 6 months. Zinc sulfate was added in the drinking water of the Zinc and Zinc Plus Ethanol group and the content was 75 mg/L. Liver regeneration was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the expression of HNF-4alpha was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. And as to assess the status of oxidative stress of the mice, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the expression level of HNF-4alpha decreased significantly in the ethanol group (P < 0.05), and the content of MDA increased significantly in this group, while the content of SOD declined significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with the ethanol group, the number of PCNA-positive hepatocytes increased significantly, and the expression level of HNF-4alpha also increased in the zinc plus ethanol group (P < 0.05), and the content of SOD increased in this group, while MDA decreased significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLong term ethanol exposure can lead to oxidoreduction imbalances which can be reversed by zinc supplementation. We suppose that zinc-enhanced liver regeneration is associated with an increase in HNF-4alpha, suggesting that dietary zinc supplementation may have beneficial effects in alcoholic liver disease.

Animals ; Dietary Supplements ; Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; metabolism ; therapy ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Zinc Sulfate ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the curative effects of pirfenidone (PF) on pulmonary fibrosis induced by paraquat (PQ) in mice and to provide the theoretical basis for clinical treatment.

METHODSNinety adult healthy male ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups: control group, PQ group, 2 mg/kg Dexamethasone group, 25 mg/kg PF group, 50 mg/kg PF group and 100 mg/kg PF group, there were 15 mice in each group. The corresponding volume of normal saline was given to the each mouse in control group according to the weight, after 2 h 0.1% CMC was given to the each mouse of control group one time by intragastric administration, then the CMC was administrated at regular time until sacrifice. All mice for other 5 groups were exposed to 100 mg/kg PQ by intragastric administration. At 2 h after exposure to PQ, 0.02 ml/10 g dexamethasone and 25, 50, 100 mg/kg PF were given to mice for dexamethasone group and for 3 PF groups by intragastric administration each day for 49 days, respectively. The lung coefficient was calculated and pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE staining for each mouse. The hydroxyproline (HYP) level in lung tissue was measured for each mouse. The mRNA level of and the protein level of TGF-β(1) in lung tissue for each mouse were determined, and the protein level of TGF-β(1) in the bronchus-alveolus lavage fluid (BALF) of each mouse was detected.

RESULTSThe survival rates on the 3rd day in PQ group, 3 PF groups and dexamethasone group were 53.33%, 46.67%, 73.33%, 86.67% and 80%, respectively. The survival rates on the 3rd day in dexamethasone group, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg PF groups were significantly higher than those of PQ group and 25 mg/kg PF group (P < 0.05). The lung coefficients of 3 PF groups were significantly lower than that of the PQ group (P < 0.05). The lung tissue HYP levels of dexamethasone group and 3 PF groups were 50.95 ± 11.65, 44.52 ± 9.48, 43.27 ± 6.01 and 40.82 ± 5.90 mg/g respectively, which were significantly lower than that (74.27 ± 3.68) of PQ group (P < 0.01). The TGF-β(1) protein levels of BALF in dexamethasone group, 50 and 100 mg/kg PF groups were 22.03 ± 7.27, 27.75 ± 5.84 and 21.31 ± 6.82 ng/ml respectively, which were significantly lower than that (52.52 ± 15.51) ng/ml of PQ group (P < 0.01) The expression level of TGF-β(1) mRNA in 100 mg/kg PF group decreased significantly, as compared with PQ group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPF could reduce the collagen deposition and pulmonary fibrosis induced by PQ in mice lungs.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Pyridones ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the long-term outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in patients aged over 75 years and analyze the risk factors affecting the outcomes of the procedure.

METHODSClinical data were reviewed for 97 consecutive patients aged 75 years or above receiving OPCAB at our center between November, 2000 and November, 2013. The perioperative data including length of ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, incidence of postoperative complications and mortality rate of the patients were analyzed. The follow-up data of the patients were also analyzed including all-cause mortality rate and major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE, including myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event, and repeated revascularization).

RESULTSThe perioperative mortality rate was 3.09% (3/97) in these patients. Of the 97 patients analyzed, 91 (93%) were available for follow-up for 29-192 months (with a median of 95.61∓34.07 months). The 10-year survival rate of the patients was 62% with a 10-year MACCE-free survival rate of 47.4%. During the follow-up, 6 (6.8%) patients underwent repeated revascularization procedures, 12 (12.37%) had cerebrovascular accidents and 5 (5.15%) had myocardial infarction. Logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension (OR=1.388, P=0.043) and diabetes (OR=1.692, P=0.017) were independent predictors of MACCE, and incomplete revascularization did not increase the risk of postoperative MACCE.

CONCLUSIONOPCAB is safe and effective in elderly patients with good long-term outcomes. Hypertension and diabetes are independent risk factors of MACCE, and adequate control of blood pressure and blood glucose can reduce the incidence of postoperative MACCE. Incomplete revascularization is not detrimental to the long-term outcomes of OPCAB in elderly patients.

Objective To establish the quality standard for Yiwei Xiaoyu Granules.Methods TLC was used for the qualitative analyses of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Dendrobii Caulis; HPLC was applied to determine the contents of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1and ginsenoside Re. Results The TLC spots were clear and free from negative interference. Notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1and ginsenoside Re showed good linear relationships within the ranges of 0.067 2–0.672 μg (r=0.999 6), 0.501 2–5.012 μg (r=0.999 6), 0.326 5–3.265 μg (r=0.999 6), 0.098 3–0.983 μg (r=0.999 7), whose average recoveries were 96.32% (RSD=1.3%), 96.45% (RSD=1.5%), 101.23% (RSD=1.7%), and 97.89% (RSD=1.7%), respectively. Conclusion This method is accurate, reliable, and reproducible, which can be used for the quality control of Yiwei Xiaoyu Granules.

Objective To compare diagnostic value of ~(18)F-fluoredeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT with contrast-enhanced CT in detecting primary hepatic carcinoma and postoperative recurrence.Methods Twenty-five cases of primary hepatic carcinoma or postoperative recurrent tumor underwent whole-body ~(18)F-FDG PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT within one week's interval.They were retrospectively reviewed and the difierences between these two modalities were investigated.Results Of these 25 cases,there were 13 cases with primary hepatocellular carcinoma.1 case with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 11 cases with postoperative recurrence.The sensitivity of 18 F-FDG PET/CT and contrast-enhanced CT in diagnosing primary hepatic carcinoma was 78.6%(11/14) and 92.9%(13/14),and sensitivity in diagnosing postoperative recurrent was 100.0%(11/11) and 63.6%(7/11) respectively.Conclusion Contrast-enhanced CT may have a slight advantage over PET/CT in detecting primary hepatic carcinoma,but ~(18)F-FDG PET/CT combined with contrast-enhanced CT has even greater accuracy.Meanwhile,~(18)F-FDG PET/CT has better diagnostic accuracy in detection of postoperative recurrent tumor.