OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Qufeng Tongluo Recipe (QFTLR), a compound of traditional Chinese herbal medicine for dispelling wind and removing obstruction in the meridians, on cell proliferation and expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNAs induced by lippolysaccharide in glomerular mesangial cells from rats. METHODS: The method of serum pharmacology was used. A total of 32 rats were divided into normal control group, untreated group, QFTLR group and positive control group which also was named Monopril (fosinopril sodium) group. Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was induced by injection of antithymocyte serum in the rats except for the normal control group. Sera of the rats were obtained after corresponding interventions. Lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation of rat mesangial cells (MCs) cultured in the respective serum-containing media was detected by the method of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and the expressions of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNAs were analyzed by the method of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated group, QFTLR showed remarkable inhibitory function on the proliferation of the mesangial cells (P<0.05). The expressions of TGF-beta1 mRNA in mesangial cells were increased in the untreated group, QFTLR group and Monopril group when compared with the normal control group (P<0.01), but the TGF-beta1 mRNA expressions in QFTLR group and in Monopril group were lower than that in the untreated group. The IL-6 mRNA expression could be increased by the LPS stimulation, and it was significantly higher in the other three groups than that in the normal control group, including the untreated group, the Monopril group and the QFTLR group (P<0.01). Compared with the untreated group, the expression of IL-6 mRNA was decreased by QFTLR and Monopril (P<0.01). QFTLR was better than Monopril in inhibiting the proliferation of the mesangial cells and decreasing the expressions of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNAs (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: QFTLR has great inhibitory effect on mesangial cell proliferation and expressions of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNAs, which may be one of its mechanisms in postponing glomerular sclerosis.

Objective The concentrations of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines were compared in acute and chronic patients with brucellosis in order to understand the immune characteristics of acute and chronic brucellosis. Methods Using forward-looking design, 35 acute and 35 chronic patients with brucellosis were selected before treatment from the Endemic Disease Prevention and Control Center of Wulanchabu City as the research subjects with 25 local healthy persons as the healthy control group from March to June 2018. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine the serum levels of Th1 cell cytokines interferon-γ(IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-12 (IL-12); Th2 cell cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10);and Th17 cell cytokines interleukin-17 (IL-17). Results There were totally 25 patients in the control group, aged (46.48 ± 9.74) years, 15 males and 10 females;35 patients with acute brucellosis, aged(54.00 ± 7.65) years, 23 males and 12 females; and 35 patients with chronic brucellosis, aged (49.04 ± 8.24) years, 22 males and 13 females. The means of IFN-γ[(280.50 ± 40.48), (462.79 ± 47.94), (431.91 ± 40.39) ng/L], TNF-α[(292.17 ± 31.45), (481.21 ± 43.14), (433.70 ± 41.23) ng/L], IL-12 [(45.13 ± 5.55), (70.74 ± 7.58), (62.56 ± 5.73) ng/L], IL-4 [(383.24 ± 53.98), (606.11 ± 51.86), (550.66 ± 51.56) ng/L], IL-6 [(14.48 ± 2.17), (23.54 ± 2.39), (21.89 ± 2.26) ng/L], IL-10 [(140.48 ± 110.97), (464.49 ± 52.10), (404.73 ± 52.10) ng/L], and IL-17 [(13.71 ± 1.58), (23.79 ± 2.15), (21.37 ± 2.26) ng/L] were significantly different between control group, acute brucellosis group and chronic brucellosis group (F = 126.13, 152.58, 106.81, 139.28, 113.80, 155.86, 152.91, P < 0.05). Compared to control group, the levels of the seven cytokines in acute brucellosis and chronic brucellosis groups were significantly increased before treatment (P < 0.05). The levels of all of the seven cytokines in acute brucellosis group were significantly increased compared to chronic brucellosis group before treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions There is a difference in the expression of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines in patients with acute and chronic brucellosis group. In the acute brucellosis group, the cell immunity induced by Th1 cells and the humoral immunity guided by Th2 cells are stronger than those in chronic brucellosis group.

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) among the Han, Buyi and Miao populations in Guizhou and to provide genetic data for establishment of the genetic polymorphism bank of Guizhou Minorities.

METHODSThe technique of polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect the genotype and allele frequencies at two mononucleotide sites (677 and 1298) of MTHFR among the Han population in Libo county, the Buyi population in Libo county and the Miao population in Leishan county.

RESULTSAt the site of 677, the T allele frequencies were found to be 22.8%, 16.1%, 10.6%, for the Han, Buyi, Miao populations respectively. At the site of 1298, the C allele frequencies were 28.9%, 39.1%, 48.7% for the Han, Buyi, Miao populations respectively. The frequencies for the combined heterozygote of 677CT/1298AC were 16.66%, 22.7%, 11.1% for the three populations respectively. Moreover, one case with combined homozygote of 677TT/1298CC was seen in the Miao population.

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphisms of the two mononucleotide sites (677 and 1298) of MTHFR are diverse in different populations. The C allele frequencies at the site of MTHFR 1298 of the Miao population in Leishan county and the Buyi population in Libo county are high, and the C allele frequency in the Miao population is higher than those hitherto reported in literature.

Base Sequence ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective: To investigate the value of short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping in the diagnostic workup of molar and non-molar gestations with correlation of histological characteristics. Methods: Six hundred and fifty-six cases were selected based on clinically suspected hydropic abortion and/or molar pregnancy from July 2015 to September 2017 at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. DNA was extracted from dissected chorionic villi and paired maternal endometrial FFPE tissue samples by Simplex OUP™ FFPE DNA Tissue Kit. STR genotyping was performed by PowerPlex 16 HS system. Results: DNA genotyping was informative in 649 of 656 cases, leading to identification of 215 hydatidiform mole gestations and 434 non-molar gestations. Most of non-molar gestations (375 cases, 86.4%) were diploid hydropic abortion. Various trisomy syndromes were found (53 cases, 12.2%), including trisomy 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 13, 16 and 21. Only 2(0.5%) digynic triploid gestations were detected. Moreover, 4 cases (0.9%) of uniparental disomies (homologous or heterologous) were found. There were 196 cases with histologic diagnostic suspicious of hydatidiform moles were accurate sub-classified. Among them, 59 cases hydatidiform moles were under-diagnosed as diploid hydropic abortions, and 28 cases diploid hydropic abortions were over-diagnosed as hydatidiform moles.Compared with partial moles(PHM), there were no specific histomorphological features between the various types of non-molar gestations and partial moles for definitive diagnostic separation. There was no significant difference in the expression of p57^kip2 among PHM, trisomy and diploid hydropic abortions group (P=0.247). Conclusions STR genotyping can distinguish non-molar gestations from early hydatidiform moles, and efficiently avoid misdiagnosis based only on histological evaluation. Therefore, using STR genotyping, not only can the overdiagnosis of non-molar pregnancy be avoided, but also individualized management can be offered to patients including monitoring of serum hCG.

Objective To evaluate the developmental toxicity and genotoxicity of leonurine. Methods Leonurine was given orally to SD pregnant rats on the 6th to 15th day of pregnancy at the dose of 500, 1 000 and 2 000 mg/kg body weight. The control group received 0.5% CMC-Na solution orally. Pregnant rats were sacrificed on the 20th day of pregnancy to analyze the reproductive toxicity. Ames test, in vitro chromosomal aberration test of CHO cell and in vivo micronucleus assay were performed to investigate the genotoxicity of leonurine. Results There was no difference statistically in weight gain of pregnant mice between two groups at the dose of 500, 1 000 and 2 000 mg/kg of motherwort alkaloids. In vitro CHO cell chromosomal aberration test indicated that there was no statistical difference between leonurine groups (doses of 250, 500 and 1 000 μg/ml) and the solvent control group with and without metabolic activation system S9. The number of micronuclei in ICR mice did not increase (P>0.05) in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test at the doses of 100, 500 and 2 000 mg/kg. Conclusion No significant maternal toxicity, embryo toxicity, fetal toxicity and teratogenic effects were observed with leonurine at 500, 1 000 and 2 000 mg/kg doses. Leonurine was not genotoxic in Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation test, in vitro CHO cells chromosome aberration test or mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. It showed that leonurine had no developmental toxicity and genotoxicity under the conditions of the experiment.

Natural killer (NK) cells are an important part of the body's innate immune system. As the first line of defense against pathogens, they need to be transformed into a mature state under the control of various cell signaling molecules and transcription factors to play cytotoxic and immune regulatory roles. Under the interaction of activated receptors and inhibitory receptors, NK cells are activated to perform a direct cell killing effect by secreting perforin and granzyme, or indirectly eliminate pathogenic microorganisms in the body by secreting various cytokines, such as type I and type II interferons. These functions of NK cells play a very important role in antiviral and anti-autoimmune diseases, especially in anti-tumor.
Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Interferon-gamma ; Apoptosis ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cytokines

Animals ; Antigens, Surface/genetics* ; Cell Communication/genetics* ; Copulation/physiology* ; Fallopian Tubes/metabolism* ; Female ; Fertilization/genetics* ; GPI-Linked Proteins/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genes, Reporter ; Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism* ; Litter Size ; Luminescent Proteins/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Reproduction/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility/genetics* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Uterus/metabolism*