Abstract: Objective To investigate the antibacterial action and skin sensitization by percutaneous administration of lavender essential oil (LEO), providing a basis for its antibacterial application of percutaneous administration. Methods The disk diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of LEO on five types of bacteria, and to measure its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC); The effect of LEO on guinea pig skin irritation was observed by topical application, and its allergic reaction and allergic rate were evaluated; the levels of IgA, IgG, and IgE in the supernatant of serum and spleen tissue sensitized with dimethylbenzene and smeared with LEO were determined by the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), and the antibacterial ability, skin sensitization, and inflammation of LEO were comprehensively evaluated. Results The antibacterial circle experiment showed that LEO had an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Propionibacterium acnes; the antibacterial ability from strong to weak was Staphylococcus Epidermidis (8.25 mg/mL), Escherichia coli (15.00 mg/mL), Candida albicans (16.31 mg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus (18.00 mg/mL), Propionibacterium acnes (20.78 mg/mL). The percutaneous administration of LEO did not cause skin sensitization and inflammatory reaction in guinea pigs. Compared with the blank group, the effect of topical LEO application on the weight of the guinea pig's spleen is not statistically significant (P>0.05), and the effect on the levels of IgA, IgE, IgG in the serum and spleen tissue of guinea pigs is not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusions LEO has a certain antibacterial effect on five common pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes, and is safe for percutaneous administration. The results provide some reference for the development of LEO related products and their application in the field of dermatology.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between anti-sperm antibody-positive immune infertility patients and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DQA1 gene, and to study the correlation between the treatment of Chinese medicine and pharmacy and HLA-DQA1 genotype.

METHODSThe polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) technique was used in studying HLA-DQA1 genotypes of 51 anti-sperm antibody-positive immune infertility patients and 60 healthy subjects. Mianbu III (consisting of rehmannia root, white peony root, Fructus Comi, yam, barbary wolfberry fruit, moutan bark, and dwarf lilyturf root) was used in patients for three months.

RESULTSThe HLA-DQA1 *0401 allele in the immune infertility group was obviously higher than that in the healthy control group (chi2 = 29.869, P < 0.01). As for the therapeutic efficacy 22 cases of the 27 positive HLA-DQA1 * 0401 turned to negative with statistical difference (chi2 = 5.24, P = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONHLA-DQA1 *0401 allele might be predisposing gene of the anti-sperm antibody-positive immune infertility. The Chinese medicinal treatment was effective for the HLA-DQA1 *0401 allele patients.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains ; genetics ; Humans ; Infertility ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Phytotherapy

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of "Trichosanthis Fructus-Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus" (GX) on phlegm and blood stasis syndrome (PBSS) rats combining the methods of network pharmacology and experimental verification. Animal experiment ethical requirements were approved by the Ethical Committee Experimental Animal Center of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine (grant number: AHUCM-rats-2021070). Based on the HPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis and database, 69 chemical constituents of GX and 163 targets of GX for the treatment of phlegm and blood stasis-related cardiovascular diseases were obtained. Then, key targets such as serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 6 (IL6), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), cellular tumor antigen p53 (Tp53) were screened. Pathway analysis showed that the targets of GX in the treatment of phlegm and blood stasis-relate cardiovascular diseases were mainly involved in PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, sphingolipid metabolism, platelet activation, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), ras-proximate-1 (rap1) and other signaling pathways. In addition, molecular docking analysis showed that apigenin, cucurbitacin D, linolenic acid and kaempferol and other key components had potential binding ability with Akt1, TNF, IL6, VEGFA and Tp53. In the animal experiments, compared to the phlegm and blood stasis syndrome group, GX could significantly improve the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, blood lipid, vascular endothelial structure disorders and reduce serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) level, increase serum nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels, which could restore aortic endothelial function. In addition, the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in aorta could be significantly reduced, which could improve the vascular endothelial injury of aorta. Western blot revealed that GX could significantly decrease the phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt in aorta. This study revealed the mechanism of GX in treatment of phlegm and blood stasis-relate cardiovascular diseases is consistent with the characteristics of multiple ingredients, multiple targets and multiple pathways. In addition, this study also clarified that the reversal of pathological of phlegm and blood stasis syndrome rats may be related to GX inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which could improve vascular inflammation and vascular endothelial function injury.

OBJECTIVETo find the effects of lead taken by pregnant mice on learning and memory and the expression of synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP)-25 mRNA and protein, in order to reveal the mechanism of neurotoxicity induced by lead.

METHODSLead exposure was conducted through freely drinking the corresponding lead acetate solutions with dosages of 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 g/L respectively. Each group was composed of 10 mice. 7, 14 and 21 days after their birth. The lead contents in blood and hippocampus of the offspring were determined. At the 21st day the expression of SNAP-25 mRNA and protein in hippocampus of all the offspring in various dosages groups were determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTSThe lead contents in blood and hippocampus of various lead exposed groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The lead levels in blood and hippocampus changed accordingly to the days of growth. In Water Morris Maze experiment, the result of 0.3 g/L group was not significantly different from that of the control group (P > 0.05), however, the results of 1.0, 3.0 g/L groups (5.89 ± 0.54, 9.53 ± 1.03) were significantly different from those of the control group (1.73 ± 0.07) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The expression of SNAP-25 mRNA and protein was lower in lead exposed groups than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMaternal lead exposure may induce the damage in the ability of learning and memory of the offspring. The neurotoxicity of lead may be induced by decreasing the expression of SNAP-25 mRNA and protein so as to affect the release of neurotransmitter from presynaptic terminal resulted in nerve damages.

Animals ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lead ; toxicity ; Maternal Exposure ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo detect the level and dynamic change of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus-specific IgG antibody in conavalescent SARS patients, and to provide information for prevention and vaccine development.

METHODSIgG antibody against coronavirus was detected by ELISA in the blood of 311 convalescent SARS patients for every 2 - 4 weeks. Stata 7.0 statistics software was used to analyse the results.

RESULTSIgG antibody was detected positive on each testing of all the convalescent patients and its peak appeared 35 days after recovery. IgG antibody level showed a 35.8% decrease within one year.

CONCLUSIONData showed that all the SARS convalescent patients had generated high level of specific IgG antibody against coronavirus in the early stage of recovery, but the antibody level declined along with the progress of convalescence, suggesting that the detection of the IgG antibody should go on until it disappeared.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Convalescence ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the inhibitory effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HBV C gene region on hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vivo.

METHODSAn animal model of HBV infection was developed hydrodynamically, and pcDNA3.1-HBV and siRNA were together injected into the tail vein of the BALB/c mice. HBsAg was analyzed by time-resolved immunofluorometric assay, HBV DNA was analyzed by fluorogenic quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR), HBV C-mRNA was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and viral specific proteins (HBsAg and HBcAg) in the mice livers were assayed using immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSIn the mice, the siRNA effectively inhibited HBV replication and expression compared with the controls. The inhibitive effect of siRNA on HBV lasted at least 3 days.

CONCLUSIONThese results demonstrate that RNAi can substantially inhibit HBV replication and expression in vivo.

Animals ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; therapy ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Small Interfering ; physiology ; RNA-Induced Silencing Complex ; Random Allocation ; Virus Replication ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo identify the self-preparation monoclonal antibody which target to clenbuterol, and set up the standard curve to clenbuterol (CL) detection.

METHODSThe affinity constants and activity of the monoclonal antibody which target to CL were determined by ELISA. ELISA was also used to confirm whether the monoclonal antibody had any across-reaction with BSA and CL analogues. The rat ascites which contains the monoclonal antibody target to CL was purified by (NH4)2SO4 salt-out method and further by affinity column. At last, the CL detection standard curve which based on indirect competition ELISA was established.

RESULTSThe ELISA experiment showed that the antibody titer was 10(6) and the monoclonal antibody affinity constants was 2.90 x 10(10) L/mol. The result of the indirect competition ELISA confirmed that the monoclonal antibody had no cross-reaction with BSA and a few kind of CL analogue. CL detection standard curve based on indirect competition ELISA was established, which R2 was 0.9812, and the lowest detectable limit was 1.0 ng/ml.

CONCLUSIONThe standard curve based on indirectly competitioning ELISA was established. The self-preparation monoclonal antibody which target to CL has high affinity and high specific to CL, which had established the foundation to the advanced development of the CL immune test paper and CL ELISA kit.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Antibody Affinity ; Clenbuterol ; immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Limit of Detection ; Rats

BACKGROUNDPercutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) has become a popular procedure for painful vertebral osteoporotic fracture (VOF), with immediate pain relief and improved mobility; however, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) injected into the vertebral body is not absorbable and little information is available concerning the long-term results. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the long-term clinical results and radiological changes after PVPs for VOFs.

METHODSFifty-one patients with VOFs were treated by PVPs with PMMA between 2000 and 2004. After > 7 years of follow-up, eight patients had died from causes unrelated to the intervention and 12 patients were lost to follow-up, thus leaving 31 patients available for evaluation with an average length of follow-up of 9.2 years (follow-up rate, 72.1%). Among these 31 patients, the PMMA was injected at 43 levels with a mean volume of 4.3 ml per level (range, 2 - 6 ml). The pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS), and the mobility was graded as walking without difficulty (grade 1), walking with assistance (grade 2), and bedridden (grade 3). Plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) were obtained and assessed pre-operatively, immediately post-operatively, and after 7 years of follow-up. The PMMA, vertebral height, and Cobb angle were assessed and compared.

RESULTSAll of the patients experienced pain relief and improved mobility after intervention and during the follow-up period. Cement leakage was detected in post-operative CT scans in 9 of 51 patients, but without neurological compromise. For the 31 patients followed up over 7 years, the VAS decreased from 8.3 ± 2.6 pre-operatively, to 2.1 ± 1.6 immediately post-operatively, and 1.0 ± 0.9 at the final follow-up evaluation, with significantly improved mobility. Additional compression fractures occurred at adjacent levels in three patients, and there were no new fractures at the augmented vertebrae. Based on a review of the radiographs, neither loose nor displaced cement was detected. The changes in vertebral height and Cobb angle were not significant. On CT scans, the cement closely contacted or infiltrated the trabecular bone. The boundary between the cement and trabecular bone was indistinct and there was no evident radiolucent gap between the cement and trabecular bone.

CONCLUSIONSAt an average follow-up of 9.2 years, PVPs provided sustained pain relief and improved mobility in patients with VOFs. The PMMA injected into the vertebral body combined closely with the host trabecular bone without adverse reactions.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; surgery ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Vertebroplasty ; methods

Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent and glycyrrhizin has activities of anti-inflammation, immunoregulation and anti-viral infections. To enhance antiviral efficacy and weaken side-effects of ribavirin, antiviral effects of the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin were studied in the present study. Firstly, a mouse model of viral pneumonia was established by inoculation of influenza H1N1 virus. Protective effects of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin used alone or in combination against H1N1 virus infection in mice were evaluated based on the survival rate, lung index and virus titer in lungs of mice. Results showed that the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin significantly inhibited the lung consolidation with a 36% inhibition ratio on the lung swell of infected mice. The combination of the two drugs exhibited synergetic effects on survival of infected mice. The combination of 50 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) glycyrrhizin and 40 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) ribavirin resulted a 100% protection for infected mice with a synergetic value of 36, which was significantly higher than the control group and each drug alone. This combination also resulted a significant drop of lung virus titer (P < 0.01), as well as inhibition on the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (P < 0.01), TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-1β (P < 0.05) induced by virus infection compared to the control. The treatment of ribavirin plus glycyrrhizin was more effective in influenza A infection in mice than either compound used alone, which suggested a potential clinical value of the combination of the two agents.
Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Synergism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; drug effects ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Lung ; immunology ; virology ; Mice ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections ; drug therapy ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Ribavirin ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

BACKGROUNDTraumatic brain injury (TBI) often causes cognitive deficits and remote symptomatic epilepsy. Hippocampal regional excitability is associated with the cognitive function. However, little is known about injury-induced neuronal loss and subsequent alterations of hippocampal regional excitability. The present study was designed to determine whether TBI may impair the cellular circuit in the hippocampus.

METHODSForty male Wistar rats were randomized into control (n = 20) and TBI groups (n = 20). Long-term potentiation, extracellular input/output curves, and hippocampal parvalbumin-immunoreactive and cholecystokinin-immunoreactive interneurons were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSTBI resulted in a significantly increased excitability in the dentate gyrus (DG), but a significantly decreased excitability in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) area. Using design-based stereological injury procedures, we induced interneuronal loss in the DG and CA3 subregions in the hippocampus, but not in the CA1 area.

CONCLUSIONSTBI leads to the impairment of hippocampus synaptic plasticity due to the changing of interneuronal interaction. The injury-induced disruption of synaptic efficacy within the hippocampal circuit may underlie the observed cognitive deficits and symptomatic epilepsy.

Animals ; Brain Injuries ; physiopathology ; Hippocampus ; physiopathology ; Long-Term Potentiation ; Male ; Neuronal Plasticity ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar