Objective To observe the MRI findings of normal pancreas in piglets. Methods Eight healthy piglets underwent MR examination, and the morphology, size, signal intensity of pancreas were observed. After MR imaging, all piglets were abdominally incised to observe the anatomy of pancreas and pancreatic adjacent structures. The opening of both common bile duct and pancreatic duct were detected during operation. Two piglets were sacrificed after operation and the whole pancreases were dissected for anatomic research. Results The pancreas of piglets was composed of three parts: right lobe, median lobe and left lobe. All the lobes were displayed clearly on MRI. The signal intensity of pancreas was higher than that of liver and spleen on T1WI, whereas lower than that of liver and spleen on T2WI. On MRCP, pancreatic duct was not presented, whereas the common bile duct could be seen clearly. The opening of common bile duct located at superior part of duodenum (nearby the pylorus) and the opening of pancreatic duct situated at duodenal papilla corresponding to pancreatic right lobe. Conclusion MRI can show the pancreas of piglets very well. The morphology of pancreas and features of common bile duct conjunction with pancreatic duct in piglet are different from those in human.

To determine the optimum conditions of supercritical CO2 extraction of Xiaoyaosan, and establish its fingerprint by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the yield of extract were investigated, an orthogonal test was used to quantify the effects of extraction temperature, pressure, CO2 flow rate and time, and fingerprint analysis of different batches of extracts were by GC-MS. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: extraction pressure 20 MPa, extraction temperature 50 degrees C, CO2 flow rate 25 kg x h(-1), extraction time 3 h, and average yield 2.2%. The GC-MS fingerprint was established and 27 common peaks were found, whose contents add up to 81.89% of the total peak area. Among them, 21 compounds were identified, accounting for 53.20% of the total extract. The extraction process is reasonable and favorable for industrial production. The GC-MS method is accurate, reliable, reproducible, and can be used for quality control of supercritical CO2 extract from Xiaoyaosan.
Carbon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods

OBJECTIVETo establish a rapid quantitative analysis method for the content of chlorogenic acid and solid content in the extraction liquid concentration process during the production of Reduning injection by using the near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, in order to reflect the concentration state in a real-time manner and really realize the quality control of concentrating process of the extraction and concentration process.

METHODThe samples during the Jinqing extraction liquid concentration process were collected. After the removal of abnormal samples, the spectra pretreatment and the wave band selection, the quantitative calibration model between NIR spectra and chlorogenic acid HPLC analytical value and solid content was established by using PLS algorithm, and unknown samples were predicted.

RESULTThe correlation coefficients between the chlorogenic acid content and the solid content were respectively 0.992 1 and 0.994 0, and the correlation coefficients of the verification model were respectively 0.994 4 and 0.998 4, with the root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) of 0.814 6 and 2.656 1 and the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.704 6 and 1.876 7 respectively, and the relative standard errors of predictions (RSEP) were 6.01% and 2.93% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, rapid, nondestructive, accurate and reliable, thus could be adopted for the fast monitoring of the chlorogenic acid content and the solid content during the concentration process of Reduning injection extraction liquid.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Quality Control ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods

Objective To study the protective effect and mechanism of leflunomide in Guinea pig with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis ( EAE).Methods Fifty adult female Guinea pigs were randomly divi ded into five groups: normal group, model group, and high dose, mo derate dose,low dose test groups, ten cases each group.The high, mode-rate and low dose groups were given to 40, 20,10 mg· kg -1· d-1(all 3 mL ) of leflunomide, respectively.The model group and normal group took the equal quantity of normal saline.After the induction of EAE, the incidence rate, latency time and neurological dysfunction score of each group was observed.The content of interleukin-4 ( IL-4 ) and interfer-on gamma ( IFN-γ) was detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay ( ELISA).Results Compared with the model group, moderate dose and low dose group, the high dose group had the lowest incidence rate of EAE (40%, 4/10) and longest latency time (14.8 ±3.8) d and lowest nerve dysfunction score (1.7 ±0.5) (all P<0.05).The level of IL-4 of model group was lower than that of normal group while the level of IFN-γof model group was higher than that of normal group.The level of IL-4 of each test group was higher than that of model group, while the level of IFN-γwas lower than that of model group.It was dose dependent present (P<0.05).Conclusion Leflunomide can reduce the incidence rate of EAE in Guinea pigs, re-lieve the clinical symptoms at peak time and have a protective effect in the attack of EAE.

Objective To establish the animal model for the study of children with moderate blood lead levels in young rabbits,for the study of the ideal therapy for moderate lead poisoning in children.Methods Sixteen 45-day-old male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control and lead-exposed group,8 in each group.Rabbits in the lead-exposed group were treated with 5 mg/(kg?d)lead acetate in their forage for 6 weeks to establish moderate lead poisoning animal model.The blood lead levels(BLLs)were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer(AAS),and the urine lead levels and the lead concentrations of tissue and organ were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Histopathology in tissue and organ was observed under the light microscope.Results The BLLs and the urine lead levels in lead-exposed group step up rapidly in primal weeks,then retained at a steady levels.The BLLs exhibited moderate level BLLs during the lead exposure period.Compared with control group,the body weight gain,testis and hippocampus wet coefficient of the lead-exposed group significantly decreased(P_a

OBJECTIVESTo further discuss the method of evaluating curative effect on erectile dysfunction(ED).

METHODSClinical trials(Phase II) of sildenafil and phentolamine were both 8-week-long, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Not only the curative effect between each treatment group and placebo group but also between the treatment groups were compared. The dosage of sildenafil and phentolamine was respectively 50-100 mg and 40 mg.

RESULTSEfficiency, success rate of sexual intercourse and general curative effect in sildenafil and phentolamine groups were respectively 79.17%, 75.00%, 83.33% and 52.38%, 85.71%, 52.38%. The result revealed a statistically significant (P < 0.05) improvement over placebo. But no obvious differences were shown between the two treatment groups(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMost assessments of curative effect of ED drugs come from questionnaires answered subjectively by patients. The Lack of objective assessment criteria way lead to the non-conformity between trial results and clinical practices. So the curative effect of drugs shall be assessed more accurately and from more perspectives.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Phentolamine ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Purines ; Sildenafil Citrate ; Sulfones ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differences of total flavonoid (TF) content and antifree radical activity between the-leaves of bamboo and Gingo biloba, as well as their seasonal changes.

METHODSpectrophotometery and Chemiluminescence methods were adopted to determine TF and half inhibiting concentration (IC50) on active oxygen free radicals of the leaves of bamboo, phyllostachys nigra (Lodd. ex. Lindl.) Munro, and Ginkgo biloba. Two kinds of leaves were picked in the same plot at the same time monthly.

RESULTThe TF of bamboo leaf varied in the range of 0.67%-1.71% (in dry basis of leaf, below as same) throughout a year, the minimum apparing in June and the maximum in July, then going down obviously, and remaining at a much high lever during November to next April. However, the TF of Ginkgo bilabo leaf varied in 1.48%-2.49% during whole growing period, early April to late November. It ascended with the growth of leaf, reaching the top during June and July, the going down slowly, and finally another peak appeared before defoliation. The average IC50 values on O2-. and .OH of bamboo leaf were at 11.0 micrograms.mL-1 and 5.3 mg.mL-1, and Ginkgo biloba at 19.0 micrograms.mL-1 and 3.6 mg.mL-1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe TF content and anti-free radical activity the bamboo leaf are comparable with the leaf of ginkgo biloba, which is a kind of potential resources for natural antioxidant and free radical scavenger.

Flavonoids ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Poaceae ; chemistry ; Seasons

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of oligomeric grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac remodeling in rats. ISO was given subcutaneously (5 mg x kg(-1), sc, 7 days) to induce cardiac remodeling in rats. Therapeutic groups were given GSP (50, 100, and 150 mg x kg(-1)) after ISO treatment. After 2 weeks intervention, heart rate (HR), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (+/- dp/dt(max)) were examined. The myocardial hypertrophy index was expressed as heart weight/body weight (HW/BW) and left ventricle weight/body weight (LVW/BW), the histological changes were investigated by HE and Van Gieson stain. SOD activity and MDA content in serum, contents of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the left ventricular tissue were assayed by xanthinoxidase method, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method and alkaline hydrolysis method, respectively. After the onset of ISO-treatment, GSP therapy potently improved cardiac function, inhibited myocardial hypertrophy, improved cardiac pathology change, decreased the myocardial cross-section area (CSA), collagen volume fraction (CVF) and perivascular circumferential collagen area (PVCA), reduced the content of Hyp in the left ventricular tissue, inhibited the decrease of SOD activity and increase of MDA content in serum. GSP possess protective effect against ISO induced cardiac remodeling in rats, this may be related to reducing the oxidative stress and improving antioxidant capacity.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Grape Seed Extract ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Isoproterenol ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proanthocyanidins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Ventricular Function, Left ; drug effects ; Ventricular Pressure ; drug effects ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects ; Vitis ; chemistry

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of quadruple therapy for type 2 diabetic mellitus (DM) patients with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) positive peptic ulcer.Methods A total of 176 patients with Hp-positive peptic ulcer were enrolled in the control group and 122 Hp-positive peptic ulcer patients with type 2 diabetes were involved in the treatment group.Both groups were treated with oral rabeprazole 10 mg qd + oral clarithromycin 0.25 g bid + oral amoxicillin 0.5 g bid + oral citrate bismuth potassium 0.3 g qid.Clarithromycin and amoxicillin were used for the first 10 days,the remaining drugs are taking 4 weeks.The clinical efficacy and the incidence of adverse drug reactions between the groups were compared,and the relationship between the type 2 diabetes and the eradication of Hp were analyzed.Results After treatment,the total effective rates of the treatment group and the control group were 86.06％ (105/122 cases) and 94.32％ (166/176 cases) respectively,with statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The eradication rates of Hp in the treatment group and the control group were 72.13％ (88/122 cases) and 86.93％ (153/176 cases) respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.05).Adverse reactions in the treatment group were nausea,diarrhea and melena;adverse effects in the control group were nausea,diarrhea and vomiting.The incidences of adverse drug reactions in the treatment group and the control group were 9.83％ (12/122 cases) and 10.23％ (18/176 cases),without statistically significant difference (P ＞0.05).Conclusion The clinical efficacy of the control group was better than that of the treatment group,indicating that type 2 diabetes should be considered as a key factor in the treatment of Hp positive peptic ulcer.

OBJECTIVETo understand the effects of moderate lead poisoning on the hippocampus tissue of rabbits in juvenile stage.

METHODSSixteen 45-day-old male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank group and lead-exposed group,8 for each group. Rabbits in the lead-exposed group were treated with 5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) lead acetate in their forage for 6 weeks to establish a moderate lead poisoning animal model. The blood lead levels and the lead contents in the hippocampus were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry respectively. Histopathology and ultra-microstructure in the hippocampus tissue were observed by light microscope and electron microscope. The NR1, NR2A and NR2B protein expressions in the CA1 hippocampal region were analyzed through immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSCompared with those of blank group, the blood lead levels of lead-exposed group were significant increased, (428.63 +/- 9.46) vs (66.38+/-3.93) microg/L (t = 100.08, P<0.01); and lead contents of hippocampus was significantly increased, (44.57+/-2.03) vs (21.20+/-1.53) ng/g, (t = 26.05, P<0.01); the hippocampus wet weight were significant decreased, (0.735 +/-0.012) vs (0.808+/-0.010), (t =12.97, P<0.01); the coefficient of hippocampus wet weight, was (0.458 +/-0.004) vs (0.476+/-0.005), (t =7.87, P<0.01). The significant declines in both the positive rate of NR1 and NR2A in the CA1 hippocampal region for NR1: (37.44 +/- 2.05)% vs (41.81+/-2.50)% (t = 3.82, P<0.01) and for NR2A: 21.97+/-1.08 vs 25.48+/-1.30 (t =5.89, P<0.01) were also observed. With light microscope and electron microscope, the histopathology and ultra-microstructure of neuron and glial cell in the hippocampus tissue were changed.

CONCLUSIONThe impairment of hippocampus of rabbits in juvenile stage with chronic moderate lead poisoning were observed, and the histopathology and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor protein expressions in the hippocampus tissue were changed.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lead Poisoning ; metabolism ; Male ; Rabbits ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism