AIM: To investigate the effect of compound rhubarb preparation (Kintop) in preventing obesity in rats and its probable mechanism involved. METHODS: Twenty-six newborn SD rats were randomly grouped as rhubarb preparation plus high-energy forage group( n= 8), high-energy forage control group( n= 8) and ordinary forage control group( n= 10). The rats in rhubarb preparation plus high-energy forage group and high-energy forage control group were fed with high-energy forage and those in ordinary forage control group were fed with ordinary forage. The rats in rhubarb preparation plus high-energy forage group were administered by compound rhubarb preparation (40 mg?100 g -1 body weight?d -1 ) from 9th to 17th week. The dynamic changes in body weight, celiac fat weight and adipocytes size were measured. Immunohistochemical analysis of leptin in celiac adipocytes (ABC method) and measurement of serum leptin level (RID method) were performed. RESULTS: The body weight and the wet weights of celiac fat were lower, their adipocytes were smaller and immunohistochemical stainings of leptin were weaker in rhubarb preparation plus high-energy forage group than those in high-energy forage control group. There was an obvious positive correlation between the expression of leptin and celiac fat tissue weight( r= 0.8663, P

The residual crown and root has very important physiological significances,but there are many problems in the clinical treatment,such as overtreatment and defensive treatment,etc.This article analyze the background and causes of these problems,and provids some corresponding ways to solve them.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of five infection markers in bloodstream infection.Methods Randomly selected 110 bloodstream infection patients with positive blood cultures and 30 bacterial infection patients with negative blood cultures.Blood was simultaneously drawn with blood cultures;the complete blood count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured.The white blood cell count (WBC),neutrophil count (NEU),lymphocyte count (LMY),CRP level and neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) were compared between the two groups.Results The levels of WBC,NEU,NLCR and CRP in bloodstream infection group were significantly higher than those in control group (P＜0.05),while LYM was significantly lower than that in control group (P＜ 0.05).Among these five infection markers,the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) was the highest for NLCR (0.808) and LMY (0.756);when the cutoff value for NLCR was ＞9.33,sensitivity was 63.6％,specificity was 93.3％;and the cutoff value for LYM was ≤0.97,sensitivity was 58.2％,specificity was 86.7％.Furthermore,the NLCR of patients with gram-negative bloodstream infection was higher than those in patients with gram-positive bloodstream infection.NLCR showed important clinical significance in distinguishing strains of different bloodstream infections.Conclusions NLCR is the better predictors than routine parameters in diagnosing bloodstream infection.

Objective To observe the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on cholesterol gallstones formation in C57BL/6 mice with diet-induced cholesterol gallstone,and then explore the potential mechanism.Methods Fifty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (10 mice in each group),referring to control group,experimental group,experimental plus DHA group,experimental plus EPA group,as well as experimental plus DHA and EPA group.The mice in control group were fed with regular diet,and the rest of the mice with lithogenic diet (LD).Subsequent to feeding the mice with separate diets for two weeks,EPA and/or DHA (70 mg · kg-1 · d-1) were orally administered for eight weeks,while the LD feeding was continued during this period.After a total of 10 weeks,the mice were dissected to observe the gallstone formation.The levels of serum lipids,total cholesterol (TC) and phospholipids (PL) in bile,and TC in the liver were tested,and the protein expression of HMGCR,SRBI,ABCG5/ABCG8,CYP7A1 and ABCB11genes in the liver of mice was measured.Results Compared with the experimental group,the experimental plus EPA group had significantly lower TC in liver (0.033 ±0.008 mmolo/g) and bile (1.807 ±0.381 mmolo/L),and lower relative protein expression levels of HMGCR (0.545±0.098),ABCG5 (0.418±0.089) and ABCG8 (0.501 ±0.151)in liver (P＜ 0.05).The contents of TC in liver and bile,and the protein expression of HMGCR,ABCG5andABCG8 in liver were 0.048 ± 0.006 mmol/g and 2.662 ± 0.339 mmolo/L,and 1.011 ± 0.213,1.037 ± 0.276 and 1.266 ±0.312,respectively.No significant differences were observed between experimental plus DHA group and experimental group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions EPA could prevent the cholesterol gallstone formation in mice by decreasing the expression of HMGCR and ABCG5/8 genes in liver,therefore reducing cholesterol synthesis and blocking cholesterol transport from liver to bile as well as diminishing cholesterol content in the bile.However,the inhibition effect of DHA on cholesterol gallstone formation was not obvious.

Objective To observe the effect and safety of low dose milrinone used in patients suffering from refractory heart failure and renal dysfunction. Methods Forty-two patients with refractory heart failure and renal dysfunction were divided into treatment group(21 cases ) and control group(21 cases )by random digits table. All the patients accepted a therapy of cardiac booster, diuretics and vasodilators, and treatment group also accepted the therapy of milrinone [0.375 μ g/( kg· min), 10 mg/d, for 7 days]. And then the symptom, signs, blood pressure, heart rate, heart function and renal function before and after the treatment were observed. Results The total effective rate in treatment group was 85.7%( 18/21 ) ,significantly higher than that in control group [57.1% (12/21)] (P ＜0.05＝. After treatment,the heart rate,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,stroke volume,cardiac output and left ventricular ejection fraction in treatment group and control group improved significantly than those before treatment, and these index improved better in treatment group [(79.3 ± 12.4) beats/min vs. (85.4 ± 10.2) beats/min, ( 107.6 ± 15.4)mm Hg ( 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) vs.( 119.1 ± 13.5 ) mm Hg, (60.8 ± 9.4) mm Hg vs. (65.8 ± 8.5 ) mm Hg,(66.3 ± 10.2 ) ml vs. (61.2 ± 9.3 ) ml, (5.3 ± 0.6 ) L/min vs. (4.8 ± 0.9) L/min, (56.6 ± 8.4 )% vs. (48.9 ±7.3)% ,P ＜ 0.05＝. In two groups,there were no statistical difference in renal function. Conclusions Low dose of milrinone can improve the heart function of the patients with refractory heart failure and renal dysfunction and has good renal safety.

Objective The article was to promote the rational use of antibiotics by comparative analysis on antimicrobial us -age before and after the special rectification on clinical application of antibacterial drugs in our hospital . Methods Medical record data of 132 inpatients before the rectification and 167 inpatients after the rectification were randomly collected for the rational compara-tive analysis on microorganism submission rate for treatment , usage of antibiotics and medication for typeⅠandⅡincisions . Results The microorganism submission rate was much higher , especially the special grade antibiotics (81.5 %vs 32.1%).There was also a remarkable decrease in the percentage of antibiotics use , the strength of utilization and the average drug cost .The amount of antibiotic prophylaxis without indication and the length of medication for typeⅠincisions showed a remarkable decrease (P<0.05).Remarkable decrease was also observed in the irrational usage rate of antibiotic prophylaxis , dosage, medication time and drug replacement for typeⅠand Ⅱincisions (P<0.05). Conclusion The special rectification measures are effective and practical , which can promote the rational use of antibiotics .

Objective To evaluate the role of protein kinase C (PKC ) in reduction of mitochondrial injury during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) by ischemic preconditioning in rats .Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats ,aged 12-13 weeks ,weighing 280-320 g ,were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group) ,I/R group ,ischemic preconditioning group (IP group) and PKC inhibitor chelerythrine group (C group) .Myocardial I/R was produced by 35 min occlusion of left anterior descending branch of coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfusion .Ischemic preconditioning was induced by 3 episodes of 5 min occlusion of left anterior descending branch at 5 min intervals before myocardial ischemia . Chelerythrine 1 mg/kg was injected intravenously via the caudal vein before ischemic preconditioning in group C . At 120 min of reperfusion ,the animals were sacrificed and the hearts were immediately removed .Mitochondrial suspension was prepared for determination of activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH ) , xanthine oxidase (XOD ) , glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px ) and Ca2+-ATPase , content of Ca2+ , myocardial mitochonerial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and membrane potential (Δψm ) .Results Compared with S group , the activities of XOD and Ca2+-ATPase ,content of Ca2+ and mPTP opening were significantly increased ,and the activities of SDH and GSH-Px and Δψm were decreased in I/R group ( P<0.05) .Compared with I/R group ,the activities of XOD and Ca2+-ATPase , content of Ca2+ and mPTP opening were significantly decreased , and the activities of SDH and GSH-Px and Δψm were increased in IP group ( P<0.05) .Compared with IP group ,the activities of XOD and Ca2+-ATPase , content of Ca2+ and mPTP opening were significantly increased , and the activities of SDH and GSH-Px and Δψm were decreased in C group ( P<0.05) .Conclusion PKC is involved in reduction of mitochondrial injury during myocardial I/R by ischemic preconditioning in rats .

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effect of polysaccharide from Fructus corni ( PFC) on cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation ( H/R) injury and its possible relationship with ROS/PKC/p38 MAPK pathway.METHODS:Prima-ry cardiomyocytes were isolated from neonatal SD rats and randomly divided into normal group, H/R group, PFC (20 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L) preconditioning+H/R groups, chelerythrine+PFC (100 mg/L)+H/R group and SB203580+PFC (100 mg/L)+H/R group.The cell viability was measured by inverted microscopic observation.Apoptosis in the car-diomyocytes was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and fluorescence microscopy.The levels of lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) and superoxide dismutase ( SOD) in the cell culture supernatants, and the reactive oxygen species ( ROS) in the cells were also measured by microplate reader.The protein levels of PKC, p-p38 MAPK and HSP70 in the cells were detec-ted by Western blotting.RESULTS:Compared with normal group, the cell viability and beating frequency were decreased in H/R group.LDH and ROS contents, apoptotic rate and p-p38 MAPK level increased significantly (P<0.01).Compared with H/R group, PFC preconditioning increased beating frequency, SOD activity and the protein level of PKC and HSP70, and decreased ROS production, the protein level of p-p38 MAPK and cell apoptotic rate.However, the effect of PFC was in-hibited by chelerythrine or SB203580.CONCLUSION:PFC may protect cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Its mechanism is possibly involved in the inhibition of ROS via increasing the activity of SOD and the activation of PKC, and suppression of excessive activation of p38 MAPK.

Objective To establish animal model of arterial vulnerable plaques for molecular imaging study.Methods Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into high lipid diet+balloon-injury group (A),high lipid diet group (B)and regular diet group (C).Ultrasound (US)and magnetic resonance (MR)imaging were used to dynamically observe the formation of plaque in abdominal aorta. Results were compared with blood lipid level and pathological indicators.Results At 4 weeks,several plaques could be seen in group A.The plaque number increased rapidly and reached to 22 at 12 weeks,which was in parallel with the change of blood lipid. Only a few plaques were observed in group B,while no vulnerable plaque was revealed in group C.All the plaques were judged to be soft plaques on US and MR images,which was consistent with the macrophages gathering and smooth muscle cell proliferating in plaques.Conclusion High lipid diet+balloon-injury is an ideal method to build animal model for molecular imaging of atherosclerotic plaque.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of high concentration glucose on cholesterol absorption of human colon cancer epithelial Caco-2 cells.Methods The experimental study was used.(1) CCK-8 detected cell proliferation:the proliferation rate changes of Caco-2 cells were detected by CCK-8 when different concentrations (12.5,100.0,300.0,700.0,1 000.0,1 388.0 mmol/L) of glucose solution effects on Caco-2 cells in order to ensure the half hindering concentration of glucose concentration on Caco-2 cells.(2)Cholesterol absorption of Caco-2 cells was detected:Caco-2 cells were divided into the cholesterol group,cholesterol plus ezetimibe (cholesterol inhibitor) group and blank control group.Cholesterol group:100 μmol/L cholesterol solution and different concentrations (5.0,25.0,50.0 mmol/L) of glucose solution were added.Cholesterol plus ezetimibe group:100 μmol/L ezetimibe,100 μmol/L cholesterol solution and different concentrations (5.0,25.0,50.0 mmol/L) of glucose solution were added.Blank control group:DMEM culture medium and corresponding concentrations of DMSO were added.The cholesterol absorption amounts of Caco-2 cells were measured.(3) The relative expressions of ATP binding cassette G8 (ABCG8),ATP binding cassette G5 (ABCG5),Nickman-Pick CI Like 1 (NPC1L1) and scavenger receptor class B type Ⅰ (SR-B Ⅰ) were examined by Western blot in the different groups.Caco cells were divided into the glucose group,glucose plus ezetimibe group and control group.The different concentrations (5.0,25.0,50.0 mmol/L) of glucose solution were added into the glucose group,different concentrations (5.0,25.0,50.0 mmol/L) of glucose solution and 100 μmol/L ezetimibe were added into the glucose plus ezetimibe group,and 100 μmol/L ezetimibe were added into the control group.The relative expressions of ABCG8,ABCG5,NPC1L1 and SR-B Ⅰ were detected by Western blot.Measurement data were presented as (x) ±s,repeated measure variance analysis was used to perform variation trend test,and t test was utilized to conduct comparisons among groups.Results (1) CCK-8 results showed:proliferation rates of Caco-2 cells with the glucose solution concentration of 12.5,100.0,300.0,700.0,1 000.0 and 1 388.0 mmol/L were 1.380 ±0.043,1.238 ±0.072,0.736 ±0.035,0.336 ±0.021,0.316 ±0.020 and 0.288 ±0.010,respectively,with a statistically significant difference in the proliferation rates (F =11.019,P ＜ 0.05).The half hindering concentration of glucose solution on Caco-2 cells was 283.54 mmol/L.(2)Cholesterol absorption of Caco-2 cells:① the cholesterol absorption amounts of Caco-2 cells with the glucose solution concentration of 5.0,25.0 and 50.0 mmol/L were 0.282 ± 0.042,0.380 ± 0.063,0.390 ± 0.060 in the cholesterol group and 0.042 ± 0.012,0.197 ± 0.015,0.277 ± 0.029 in the cholesterol plus ezetimibe group,respectively,showing a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (F =55.566,P ＜ 0.05).②There was a statistically significant difference in cholesterol absorption amounts of Caco-2 cells with different glucose solution concentration in the cholesterol group (F =79.117,P ＜ 0.05).The cholesterol absorption amounts of Caco-2 cells with the glucose solution concentrations of 5.0 mmol/L was lower than that with the glucose solution concentrations of 25.0 mmol/L and 50.0 mmol/L,respectively (t =11.207,11.532,P ＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the cholesterol absorption amounts of Caco-2 cells between the glucose solution concentrations of 25.0 mmol/L and 50.0 mmol/L (t =12.389,P ＞ 0.05).③There were statistically significant differences in cholesterol absorption amounts of Caco-2 cells with the glucose concentration of 5.0 mmol/L and 25.0 mmol/L between cholesterol group and cholesterol plus ezetimibe group (t =10.908,10.644,P ＜ 0.05).(3) The results of Western blot showed:① the relative expression of NPC1L1 protein in Caco-2 cells with the glucose solution concentrations of 5.0,25.0 and 50.0 mmol/L were respectively 0.277 ±0.019,0.558 ±0.015,0.576 ±0.003 in the glucose group and 0.057 ±0.002,0.054 ±0.005,0.077 ±0.005 in the glucose plus ezetimibe group,showing a statistically significant difference (F =482.207,P ＜0.05).② The relative expression of NPC1L1 protein of Caco-2 cells with the different concentration of glucose solution in the glucose group were compared,with a statistically significant difference (F =8.112,P ＜ 0.05).There was a statistically significant difference in the relative expression of NPC1L1 protein in Caco-2 cells with the different concentration of glucose solution in the glucose plus ezetimibe group (F =11.708,P ＜ 0.05).③ The relative expression of NPC1L1 protein in Caco-2 cells with the glucose solution concentrations of 5.0,25.0 and 50.0 mmol/L in the glucose group was statistically different from that in the glucose plus ezetimibe group (t =8.112,11.708,13.920,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion High concentration glucose solution could promote the reabsorption of cholesterol through increasing NPC1L1 protein expression in Caco-2 cells,and increase the risk of suffering from cholelithiasis in diabetes patients.