Objective The present study is to investigate the effect of EPO pretreatment on TNF-? expression in cultured cardiac myocytes with H/R and to explore the possible NF-?B signal transduction mechanism. Methods The model of cultured cardiac myocytes with H/R was established and the cardiac myocytes were divided into 4 groups, including EPO group (treat with EPO 10?U/ml 24?h before H/R), EPO+PDTC group (treat with EPO 10?U/mL and PDTC 5??g/ml 24?h before H/R), PDTC group (treat with PDTC 5??g /ml 24h before H/R) and control group. Change of TNF-? gene expression before and after H/R in cardiac myocytes was detected with RT-PCR and western blot. Change of NF-?B activity before and after H/R in cardiac myocytes was assayed with EMSA. Results Before H/R, there was no significant difference in TNF-? mRNA and protein expression between the 4 groups and after H/R, TNF-? mRNA and protein expression increased significantly in the 4 groups compared to control group before H/R. After H/R, TNF-? mRNA and protein expression was lower in EPO group than in the other 3 groups. Before H/R, NF-?B activity was higher in EPO group than in the other groups. After H/R, NF-?B activity increased significantly in all the 4 groups compared to the control before H/R and NF-?B activity was lower in EPO group than in the other groups. Conclusion EPO pretreatment inhibited the upregulation of TNF-? gene expression after H/R in cardiac myocytes, which might be related to the inhibition of NF-?B activation; EPO pretreatment might inhibit the activation of NF-?B after H/R through the negative feed-back mechanism of NF-?B activation.

Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Urinary Incontinence ; drug therapy ; therapy

Objective To observe the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on anemia and erythropoietin (EPO) requirements in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods Ninety maintenance hemodialysis patients with hypertension and anemia were divided into 2 groups by random digits table, observation group (45 cases, using ACEI as antihypertensive treatment), control group [45 cases,using calcium channel blocker (CCB) as antihypertensive treatment]. The follow-up period after starting ACEI or CCB therapy was one year. The hemoglobin concentration, serum EPO, EPO requirements were compared after 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 months' treatment. Results In response to ACEI, the mean hemoglobin value in observation group decreased progressively, reaching statistical significance after 6 months, and it had significant difference compared with that in control group [6 months: (94.21±9.20) g/Lvs. (105.55±9.16) g/L,12 months: (95.90±6.75) g/L vs. (105.81±4.45) g/L,P <0.05]. The EPO requirements experienced a progressive increase in observation group and reached statistical significance after 8 months, compared with those in control group [8 months: ( 10 090.75±1918.35) U/week vs. (7010.32±1600.15) U/week, 12 months: (11 586.39±2009.76) U/week vs. (7068.48±1615.35) U/week,P<0.05].Serum erythropoietin concentration remained stable during the study in two groups. Conclusion ACEI can worsen anemia and reduce the efficacy of EPO in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Objective: To investigate the role of thrombus precursor protein (TPP) in the monitoring of anticoagulation after mechanical heart valve replacement. Methods: TPP and INR were compared between the coagulant group and control group. In the coagulant group, TPP and INR were also compared between the patients with atrial fibrillation and the patients without atrial fibrillation. The relationship between TPP levels and INR levels in 60 cases of anticoagulated patients was analyzed by linear regression. Results: It was found that the anticoagulant therapy could effectively decrease the level of TPP and increase the level of INR. In the anticoagulant group, the patients with atrial fibrillation had higher TPP level than other patients. No significant relationship was found between TPP levels and INR levels. TPP level in the patients with bleeding complications was far lower than 6 ?g/ml. Conclusion: TPP is a very valuable monitoring marker assisting INR. Patients with atrial fibrillation may require higher anticongulant intensity. INR and TPP should be tested at the same time in the patients receiving oral anticoagulation after mechanical heart valve replacement.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of Zheng's Jin Gou Diao Yu (gold-hook-fishing) acupuncture method versus ordinary acupuncture on superficial fascia for treating neck type cervical spondylopathy in Kyrgyz. Methods:A total of 64 Kyrgyz patients conforming to the diagnostic criteria of neck type cervical spondylopathy were included. The patients were randomized into a Zheng's Jin Gou Diao Yu (gold-hook-fishing) acupuncture group and a conventional acupuncture group, with 32 cases in each group. Patients in the Zheng's Jin Gou Diao Yu (gold-hook-fishing) acupuncture group were treated with Zheng's Jin Gou Diao Yu (gold-hook-fishing) acupuncture method to stimulate the superficial fascia, the stimulation sites were primarily located at bilateral sides of the cervical vertebra as well as the trigger points in shoulder-neck region; patients in the conventional acupuncture group were punctured at the same acupoints, with twirling reducing method, and the depth of insertion was determined by the treated region. Patients in both groups received treatment every day for a succession of 5 d as a course, with a 2-day interval between 2 courses, and the whole treatment lasted for 3 courses. After 3 courses of treatment, the McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ) and neck disability index (NDI) were measured to compare the clinical effect between the two groups. Results: After treatment, scores of MPQ and NDI scale dropped when compared with those before treatment, and the differences showed statistical significance (allP<0.05); scores of MPQ and NDI in the Jin Gou Diao Yu (gold-hook-fishing) acupuncture group were substantially lower than those in the conventional acupuncture group, and the differences showed statistical significance (allP<0.05). The total effective rate was 96.9％ in the Jin Gou Diao Yu (gold-hook-fishing) acupuncture group and the cured rate was 78.1％, which were higher than 81.3％ and 40.6％ in the conventional acupuncture group, and the differences showed statistical significance (bothP<0.05). Conclusion: Zheng's Jin Gou Diao Yu (gold-hook-fishing) acupuncture method by stimulating superficial fascia to treat cervical spondylopathy in Kyrgyz can produce a better clinical effect than conventional acupuncture treatment, and is effective in improving pain and stiffness in patients, and thus is worth clinical popularization.

The effects of ultrafine grinding on the dissolution rates of the effective components in Sanjie Zhentong capsule (SZC) were studied in this experiment. Fine and ultrafine powder of SZC intermediates were made by ordinary grinding and ultrafine grinding technology, and then granulated by wet granulation. SZC were prepared by fine powder, ultrafine powder and ultrafine granules, respectively. With resveratrol and loureirin B as investigated indexes, dissolution rates of the four intermediates in SZC were determined by cup method and HPLC. The dissolution rates of resveratrol in SZC prepared by fine powder, ultrafine powder and ultrafine granules were 26.11%, 63.27%, 67.49%, respectively; and the dissolution rates of loureirin B were 7.160%, 20.29%, 23.05%, respectively. The dissolution rate of resveratrol and loureirin B in SZC prepared by ultrafine granules was the best. D90 size of ultrafine grinding was 13.221 μm and could improve the dissolution rates of resveratrol and loureirin B in SZC.
Capsules ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Silicones ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To explore the clinical characteristic of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis(RPGN) induced by the antithyroid agents[propylthiouracil(PTU) and methimazole(MMI)].Methods The analysis was made according to the drug histories,clinical manifestation,serology investigations,renal biopsy in 2 children.Results Two cases presented with gross hematuria,proteinuria and renal dysfunction.One case with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-positive and vasculitis lesion with cresent in the renal biopsy;another presented with mesengial proliferation and cresent.They both had been diagnosed RPGN induced by antithyroid agents for 5 years because of Graves disease.The treatment included that PTU and MMI were withdrawn and then combined prednisone with mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)were applied.One year after treatment,the urine analysis and renal function returned to normal.Conclusions The antithyroid agents may induce RPGN.A early diagnosis and immunosuppressive therapy can improve its prognosis of the disease.

Objective: To observe the clinical effects of Shu-acupuncture method in Nei Jing (Classic of Internal Medicine) in the treatment of shoulder and arm pain. Methods: A total of 90 patients with shoulder and arm pain were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases in each group. The treatment of Shu-acupuncture method in Nei Jing (Classic of Internal Medicine) was adopted in the observation group, routine acupuncture was used in the control group. The two groups were treated once every day, with 5 treatments as one course, and a 2-day rest between two courses. After 3 courses, pain was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS), and the clinical effects were compared between the two groups. Results: After the treatment, VAS scores were significantly changed in both groups (both P<0.01). The VAS score was lower in the observation group than that in the control group, with a statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 100% in the observation group, versus 91.1% in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of Shu-acupuncture method in Nei Jing (Classic of Internal Medicine) is better than that of routine acupuncture in treating shoulder and arm pain.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of a modified T-staging system for hilar cholangiocarcinoma(HCC).Methods From 1999 through 2007,98 HCC patients were stratified by the Tstaging system.Statistical differences were evaluated for resectability,radical resectability,concomitant partial hepatectomy,partial portal vein resection,histological differentiation,lymph node characteristic and survival rate.Results There were 43 HCC patients graded at T1,37 at T2 and 18 at T3 respectively.The resectability rates were 65%,40% and 11%,and radical resection was achieved in 46%,21% and 0% respectively.Resectabilities decreased with increasing T stage(χ~2=15,P<0.01;χ~2=14,P<0.01,separately).In patients with T1 and T2 tumors who underwent resection,the concomitant partial hepatectomy accounted for 60% and 73%(χ~2=0.6,P>0.05),partial portal vein resection for 3% and 33%(χ~2=4,P<0.05),poor differentiated types for 71% and 40%(χ~2=4,P<0.05),and lymph node metastasis for 50% and 40%(χ~2=0.4,P>0.05),respectively.The 1-,3-and 5-year survival rates in patients with T1 lesions were 58%,30%and 18%,in 12 patients it was 43%,11%and 0.The 1-and 2-year survival rate in T3 patients was 12%and 0.Patients witll T1 or T2 stage tumors had a significantly longer survival than those with T3(P<0.05)(Log rank χ~2=14,Breslow χ~2=12,P<0.01;Log rank χ~2=6,Breslow χ~2=4,P<0.05,individually),and the difference in survival between T1 and T2 was not significant(Log rank χ~2=2,Breslow χ~2=1,P>0.05).Conclusions The T-staging system is appropriate for preoperative evaluation in HCC patients.However,its correlation with tumor histological differentiation and lymphatic characteristics needs to be elucidated.

Polydatin is a monocrystaline compound isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (Polygonaceae) with biological properties, such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative and nephroprotective effects. Increasing number of studies have demonstrated the protective effect of polydatin on renal ischemia reperfusion injury. However, the possible mechanisms of this protection are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of polydatin on ischemia-reperfusion induced expression of toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) in rat renal tubular epithelia cells (NRK-52E), and analyze the mechanism of polydatin on TLR4 signal pathway. The cultured NRK-52E cells were incubated in three gas incubators for a period of 6 h at hypoxia and 24h at reoxygenation to simulate the ischemia-reperfusion injury in vitro. TLR4 mRNA level was analyzed by real-time-PCR, and the protein expression of TLR4 and NF-κB by Western blotting, while TNF-α and IL-1β proteins expressions were detected by ELISA. Polydatin downregulated I/R induced mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, and decreased the protein expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β. The TLR4 blocker partially antagonized the effect of I/R on NF-κB signaling, and such inhibitory effect was markedly enhanced by polydatin. In the present study, polydatin protects NRK-52E cells from I/R injury possibly by relieving the inflammatory response through regulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism