Humans ; Macrophage Activation Syndrome ; etiology ; Rheumatic Diseases ; complications

Objective:To observe the effect of Tangshenning on renal function and LOX-1 mRNA expression in the kidney of early diabetic nephropathy rats model. Methods:Early diabetic nephropathy rats model was made with high fat diet, STZ and unilateral ne-phregtomy. After the 12-week drug intervention, the rats were sacrificed, the kidneys were removed and the mRNA expressions of LOX-1 in the kidney were observed by the method of RT-PCR. Results:Early diabetic nephropathy rats model was successfully made by the triple-modeling method. The mRNA expression of LOX-1 in the kidney was significantly increased, and Tangshenning could low-er the expression of LOX-1 in the kidney in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion:The abnormal expression of LOX-1 could be one of the mechanisms for diabetic nephropathy. Tangshening has good kidney protective effect through decreasing LOX-1 abnormal expression in the kidneys, which deserves further research.

Objective To investigate the relativity of the lupus anticoagulant(LAC), anticadiolipin antibody(aCL) - IgG,aCL-IgM,aCL-IgA levels and clinical symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to determine the significance of the LAC level in the prognosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) by detecting the LAC and aCL-IgG, IgM,IgA levels in 310 children with SLE and 249 children with ITP. Methods Kadin-cephalin clotting time(KCCT) and correcting test to detect the plasma LAC level and to the serum aCL- IgG, IgM, IgA levels with enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay. Results In SLE group, there were 66.1% patients with higher LAC among whom 45.9% patients suffered from lupus nephritis , aCL subantibody level elevated in 46.8% patients (90.2% IgG and/or IgM) serum; 46.9% and 11.7% patients suffered from central nervous system diseases and blood diseases with SLE respectively. In ITP group, 36.2% patients with LAC positive were diagnosed as SLE by detecting the serum antinuclear antibody level, and 7.6% suffered from SLE subsequently in the period of 2 months to 2.4 years. Conclusions The LAC and aCL subantibody levels may have an important relativity with the clinical symptoms of SLE. The LAC is the predominant pathologic autoantibody in patients with lupus nephritis, and the aCL subantibody( IgM, IgG) levels were related to lupus thromboangiitis. The IAC level of children with ITP should be monitored in order to determine the prognosis of the disease as soon as possible.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy on primary osteoporosis treated with spreading moxibustion for warming yang and activating blood circulation so as to provide the effective clinical therapeutic methods for osteoporosis.

METHODSSixty cases of primary osteoporosis were randomized into a spreading moxibustion group (30 cases) and a calcium tablet group (30 cases). In the calcium tablet group, caltrate was prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg per day. In the spreading moxibustion group, on the basis of the treatment as the calcium tablet group, the spreading moxibustion was applied at Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) for warming yang and activating blood circulation. The duration of treatment was 12 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, TCM clinical symptom score and bone mineral density (BMD) were observed and compared before and after treatment in the patients between the two groups.

RESULTSVAS scores were reduced apparently after treatment in the two groups (both P < 0.01) and the results in the spreading moxibustion group were obviously superior to that in the calcium tablet group (2.36 +/- 0.43 vs 4.52 +/- 0.35, P < 0.01). BMD were all increased in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the results in the spreading moxibustion group were superior to those in the calcium tablet group (both P < 0.05). The total clinical effective rate was 86.67% (26/30) in the spreading moxibustion group, apparently better than 63.33% (19/30) in the calcium tablet group (P < 0.05). TCM clinical symptom scores after treatment were all reduced apparently in the two groups (both P < 0.01), and the result in the spreading moxibustion group was obviously superior to that in the calcium tablet group (4.72 +/- 1.90 vs 6.82 +/- 2.30, P < 0.01). The total effective rate of TCM symptoms was 93.33% (28/30) in the spreading moxibustion group, apparently better than 70.00% (21/30) in the calcium tablet group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of spreading moxibustion for warming yang and activating blood circulation and the oral administration of caltrate apparently relieves pain and TCM clinical symptoms, improves BMD in the patients of osteoporosis and achieves definite clinical efficacy in the patients of osteoporosis.

Aged ; Blood Circulation ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Osteoporosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Yang Deficiency ; physiopathology ; therapy

To study the cognitive effects of diterpene ginkgolides (DG), transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)-induced rats were established. tMCAO-rats induced by suture method were divided into sham operation group, solvent control group, NBP group, DG group. The animal experiments in the present study were performed in accordance with the Ethical Guidelines of the Laboratory Animal Welfare Ethical Committee of Peking Union Medical College (00000646, 00000635). The effects of DG on tMCAO rats were evaluated by neurological severity score, cerebral infarction volume measurement, step-down and Morris water maze test. In the acute tMCAO rat model, 100 mg·kg^-1 DG improved the neural score and infarction volume. In the chronic tMCAO rat model, DG 100 mg·kg^-1 significantly improved the survival rate of tMCAO-induced rats. The Morris water maze results showed 100 mg·kg^-1 DG decreased the latency of tMCAO-induced rats to find the platform, while the effect was weaker than the NBP. However, DG 30 mg·kg^-1 did not show a significant effect. In conclusion, DG exerted a therapeutic effect on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Connexin43 has been shown to play a pivotal role in wound healing process. Wound repair is enhanced by acute downregulation of connexin43, by increasing proliferation and migration of keratinocyte and fibroblast. Angiogenesis is also a central feature of wound repair, but little is known about the effects of connexin43 modulation on functions of endothelial cells. We used connexin43 specific small interference RNA (siRNA) to reduce the expression of connexin43 in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC), and investigated the effects of connexin43 downregulation on intercellular communication, viability, proliferation, migration and angiogenic activity of HUVEC. Treatment of siRNA markedly reduced the expression of connexin43 by -80% in HUVEC (P < 0.05), and decreased the intercellular communication by -65% (P < 0.05). The viability, proliferation, migration and angiogenic activity of HUVEC decreased significantly (P < 0.05), compared with that of the normal cells. The results suggest that temporally downregulation of connexin43 expression at early stage of wound to inhibit the abnormal angiogenesis characterized with leaky and inflamed blood vessels, maybe a prerequisite for coordinated normal healing process.
Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Wound Healing

A quantitative analysis method of multi-components with a single marker (QAMS) for simultaneous determination of six marker compounds (one from phenolic acids and five from phthalides) in Chuanxiong Rhizoma was established by applying HPLC and using butylidenephthalide as the internal reference substance. And also the feasibility and accuracy of the established method for quality evaluation and application of Chuanxiong Rhizoma were investigated and validated. The analysis was performed with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile - 0.2% aqueous formic acid. The flow rate was 1.0 mL . min-1 and the column temperature was maintained at 30 °C. The detection wavelengths were set at 252 nm (for ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and butylidenephthalide) and 266 nm (for senkyunolide I, senkyunolide A, and coniferyl ferulate), separately, and 20 µL was injected for analysis with gradient elution. The results showed that there were no significant differences observed between the HPLC-QAMS method and the external standard method (RSD <5%). The relative correction factors were credible (RSD < 5%) in changed chromatographic conditions. The established HPLC-QAMS method can be accurately used for simultaneously evaluating and controlling the quality of Chuanxiong Rhizoma with multi-components.
4-Butyrolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; Acetonitriles ; Benzofurans ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumaric Acids ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; standards ; Hydroxybenzoates ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

A new flavonoid glycoside, (-)-2S-8-methyl-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), along with five known ones, quercetin-3-O-(2"-galloyl)-α-L-arabinoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-arabinoside (3), guaijaverin (4), trifolin (5) and hyperin (6), was isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus robusta. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by NMR, HR-ESI-MS, CD spectra data and physicochemical methods. In addition, 2-6 were isolated from E. robusta for the first time.
Eucalyptus ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the relevant risk factors for fungal infection following operation of the gastrointestinal neo- plasm and offer supporting data for the prevention of fungal infection.Methods Medical records from 116 patients who under- went the operation of gastrointestinal neoplasm in the special group of this hospital from January 2006 to June 2006 were retro- spectively reviewed on the relevant risk factors by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis.Results Of the 116 patients reviewed, 18 had fungal infection.Forty-six samples were positive for fungal pathogen.The most frequently isolated fungal strain was Candida albicans (15/20) and the most common infection site was gastrointestinal tract (14/18).Fungal in- fection after the operation of gastrointestinal neoplasm was significantly relevant with the duration of antibiotic use, duration of post-operative fasting, low serum albumin, high blood glucose and complication of bacterial infection.The duration of antibiotic use was a significantly independent risk factor.Conclusions Reasonable antibiotic use, nutritional support, early enteral nutri- tion and control of blood glucose should be taken into account after the operation of gastrointestinal neoplasm in order to prevent fungal infections.

In this study, plate transparent circle by Davis method was introduce firstly screening ?-Rhamnosidase high-yield strain. The spore-sprouted Aspergillus niger 8-hour were mutagenized by ethyl methane sulphonate and pre-screened via transparent circle. 11% mutants yield 40% higher of ?-rhamnosidase than the original strain. A high-yield strain, T-226 with the highest ?-rhamnosidase activity of 373.4 U/mL was finally selected from these potential high-yield mutants after rescreened by shake flask fermentation twice. When the T-226 strain was fermented in 5 L bioreactor, the enzyme activity could reach to 631.9 U/mL after 84 h. Thus, the established screening method is highly efficient to isolate ?-rhamnosidase high-yield mutant of A. niger.