Objective To observe the protective effects of natural antioxidant tea polyphenols(TP) on myocardial free radical metabolic disorder in mice induced by inhalation of hypobaric pure oxygen under 5500 m hypobaric condition. Method Fourty-two male Kunming mice were randomly divided into three groups(n=14 each):group A, normal control; group B, inhalation of pure oxygen(>96%) at simulated altitude of 5500 m in an animal altitude chamber;group C(TP protection group), same as group B but 100 mg/kg of TP was given orally before the exposure. The exposure time was 2 h/d,3 d/wk for a total of 8 wk, and distilled water was given to groups A and B before exposure. After experiment, the mice were decapitated on the next day and the heart was quickly removed. Malondialdehyde(MDA) concentration, superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and nitric oxide(NO) content were measured. In addition, Cu,Zn-SOD and inducible NO synthase(iNOS) enzymatic contents in myocardial tissue were qualitatively examined by immunohistochemical assaying. Result Compared with the control, MDA concentration, SOD activity and Cu,Zn-SOD enzymatic content in group B were significantly increased(P<0.05).But in TP protection group, myocardial MDA formation was significantly decreased(P<0.01) and SOD activity and Cu,Zn-SOD expression restored to normal. On the contrary, myocardial NO generation and iNOS expression were significantly reduced after repeated inhalation of hypobaric oxygen at 5500 m.NO metabolism regained to normal after repeated administration of TP. Conclusion Natural antioxidant TP had protective effects on myocardial free radical metabolic disorder induced by inhalation of hypobaric pure oxygen under 5500 m hypobaric condition.

Objective:To differentiate human embryonic stem cells ( hESCs ) into keratinocytes ( K-hESCs) and analyse the expression characteristics of biomarkers of K-hESCs.Methods: The hESCs of line H9 were seeded on matrigel in mTeSR1 medium.The hESCs were directly differentiated into kerati-nocytes in epithelial differentiation medium with bone morphogenetic protein 4, retinoic acid and N2 sup-plement.The karyotype of K-hESCs was analyzed, comparing the gene expression differences of K-hESCs with human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs), human immortalized oral epithelial cells (HIOECs) and HaCaT by Real-time PCR.Molecular characteristics of the cell differentiation were observed throughout the process by immunocytochemical techniques.Results:H9-hESCs were successfully differentiated into the cells that exhibited characteristics of keratinocytes in epithelial differentiation medium.The karyotype of K-hESCs was 46, XX; and the keratinocyte gene p63 expression in K-hESCs was significantly lower than that in HaCaT ( P<0.05) , but there was no significant difference of p63 expression in K-hESCs, comparing with that in HGECs and HIOECs ( P >0.05 ) .Conclusion: H9-hESCs could be directly differentiated into K-hESCs.The gene expression of K-hESCs was similar to that of epithelial cells in the early stage of monolayer cells differentiation with high proliferative activity.

AIM: To investigate the effects of octreotide (Oct) on the proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: HSCs were isolated from normal male Sprague-Dawley rat liver by a combination of pronase-collagenase perfusion and density gradient centrifugation. The concentration of 2.5 ?g/L transforming growth factor ?1 (TGF?1) was used in all the experiment settings. Oct at concentrations of 0.01 mg/L ,0.1 mg/L,1 mg/L and 10 mg/L,respectively,or 0.01 mg/L Oct + TGF?1,0.1 mg/L Oct+TGF?1,1 mg/L Oct+TGF?1,10 mg/L Oct+TGF?1 were respectively added to the cultured HSCs. Effects of Oct on HSC proliferation and ECM synthesis were respectively determined by MTT method,-TdR and -proline incorporation,or radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Oct inhibited MTT intake by cultured hepatic stellate cells and down-regulated -TdR incorporation,compared with control group. The concentrations of hyaluronic acid,laminin,collagen type IV in the culture supernatant and -proline incorporation in HSCs were decreased by Oct. TGF?1 obviously up-regulated proliferation and ECM synthesis in cultured HSCs,and Oct significantly blocked these actions. CONCLUSION: Oct inhibited proliferation and ECM synthesis in cultured HSCs,and elicited the effects of anti-hepatofibrogenesis.

Objective To observe the effects of Dahuangfuzi decoction on the intestine barrier functional of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats. Methods The 60 rats were randomly divided into sham operation group ( n = 19 ), ANP group ( n = 21 ), and Dahuangfuzi treatment group ( n = 20). The rats of ANP group were induced by injecting 1 ml/kg of 4% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatiobiliary duct, and jejunal fistula was esablished. The rats of treatment group received Dahuangfuzi decoction (2 ml, repeated at 4 and 8 h)through jejunum distal stoma tube 0. 5 h after ANP induction. The other 2 groups received same amount of normal saline. Blood sample was collected through abdominal aorta, 24 h after ANP induction, and the serum amylase, endotoxin, D-lactate, plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) were detected. Pancreas, small intestine tissue was harvested for pathologic examination, index of intestinal epithelial damage was measured and ultrastructural changes in small intestinal mucosa was observed. Results The expression of serum amylase, endotoxin,D-lactate, DAO in sham operation group was ( 152 ± 32 ) U/L, (6.95 ± 2.10) pg/L, ( 3.96 ± 1.08 ) μg/mland ( 14.26 ± 2.67 ) μg/ml, while the corresponding values were ( 1549 ± 93 ) U/L, (40.48 ± 3.41 ) pg/L,( 12.34 ± 1.23 ) μg/ml and ( 80.28 ± 3.54) μg/ml in ANP group, and they were (655 ± 49 ) U/L, ( 19.55 ±2.50) pg/L, (6.75 ± 1.36 ) μg/mland ( 20.69 ± 7.53 ) μg/ml in treatment group. The values in ANP group were significantly higher than those in sham operation group. The values in treatment group were significantly lower than those in ANP group, but significantly higher than those in sham operation group ( P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜0. 01 ). The thickness and height of intestinal mucosa in ANP group were ( 389.44 ± 29.87 )μm and ( 16.52 ±3.73) μm, which were significantly lower than those in treatment group [(501.95 ± 45.38 )μm, (27.82 ±5.17)] μm, and in sham operation group [( 658.72 ± 57.49 ) μm, ( 35.49 ± 6.43 )μm, Index of intestional epitholial donage in ANP group was 3.72 ± 0.65 which is significently higher than those in theatment (2.12 ±0.37 ) and in sham operation group (0.85 ± 0.24). The intestinal mucosa histological and ultrastructural changes in Dahuangfuzi treatment group were better than those in ANP group. Conclusions Dahuangfuzidecoction can significantly decrease the damage of intestine barrier function in ANP rats.

Objective To investigate effect of Dahuang Fuzi decoction on alveolaur epithelial barrier in rats with lung injury with severe acute pancreatitis. Method Ninty-six health SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group, SAP-ALI group, Dahuang Fuzi decoction group, and then according to the time point of sacrifice after operation, each group was subdivided into 3,6,12,24 hour subsets ( each, n = 8). After the belly of a rat in the sham operation group was cut open, the pancreas was flipped several times,and then a stoma was made in the jejunum to form its fistula. In the SAP-ALl group,1 mL/kg sodium taurocholate was reversely injected into the pancreatobile duct to establish the model of SAP, and then the jejimum fistula was performed. The SAP-ALI model in Dahuang Fuzi decoction group was treated by injection of 10ml of Dahuang Fuzi decoctionon into the fistula respectively. Blood was collected from heart to detect serum amvlase and endotoxin (ET) levels before the rat being executed. The lung histopathologic changes, pulmonary injury scores and wet/dry weight(W/D) ratios were observed after the rats were executed. The alveolar liquid clearance rate(ALCR), total lung water content (TLW), extravascular lung water content(EVLW) and alveolar epithelial permeability (AEP) were examined in 3,6, 12,24 h after injury.Results There was continuous increase of AEP,TLW and EVLW,as well as progressive reduction of ALCR compared with sham operation group at 3,6,12,24 h after operation. Compared with SAP-ALI group, there was continuous decrease of AEP,TLW and EVLW, and elevated of ALCR at 3,6,12,24 h after operation.Conclusions Dahuang Fuzi decoction can significantly reduce alveolaur epithelial barrier and degree of lung tissue of SAP-ALI rats by inhibiting the elevation of LPS and inflammation reaction.

BACKGROUND:Schwann cells are important celllines in the process of repairing peripheral nerve injury, and human amniotic homogenate supernatant is shown to secrete a variety of cytokines, which could promote the proliferation of Schwann cells.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of different concentrations of human amniotic homogenate supernatant on the proliferation of rat Schwann cell96.
METHODS:Schwann cell96 was cultured with high-glucose DMEM containing 20%fetal bovine serum, and the second generation of Schwann cell96 was applied for experiments. The cultured cells were divided into five groups according to different volume fractions of human amniotic homogenate supernatant (0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) in the medium.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The total protein concentration of human amniotic homogenate supernatant was 675μg/mL, in which the concentration of epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor were respectively (470.625±2.546), (4.121±0.026) and (0.172±0.002) ng/L. At 1-7 days, the cellproliferation rate of the 10%and 15%concentration groups was greater than that in 20%and 25%concentration groups (P<0.05);10%and 15%concentrations promoted cellproliferation, while 20%and 25%concentrations inhibited cellproliferation. There were no significant difference in the viability of Schwann cell96 between the control group and the experimental group (P>0.05). Low concentrations (10%, 15%) of human amniotic homogenate supernatant promote the proliferation of Schwann cell96, while high concentrations (20%, 25%) of human amniotic homogenate supernatant inhibit cellproliferation.

BACKGROUND: Stem cells exhibit immeasurable application potentials in tissue and organ repair, but stem cell transplantation for the treatment of intrauterine adhesions is still in the initial stage. OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress in the stem cell repair of intrauterine adhesions. METHODS: We retrieved ISI Web of Science database, PubMed database and CNKI database for representative clinical research, basic research and reviews concerning stem cell therapy for intrauterine adhesions. The keywords were "intrauterine adhesion, metrosynizesis, Asherman's syndrome, stem cell, endometrial stem cell, stem cell transplantation" in English and Chinese, respectively. After repetitive studies were excluded, 43 articles were reviewed in the result analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic transcervical resection of adhesions is an ideal treatment for intrauterine adhesions, but the postoperative recurrence rate of intrauterine adhesions is still high. The human endometrium has high proliferative activity, and the endometrium of a woman of childbearing age may experience growth, differentiation and exfoliation for over 400 times, indicating the existence of endometrial stem cells.Endometrial stem cells have been isolated from the endometrium,successfully cultured in vitro and induced for directional differentiation. However, studies on endometrial stem cell transplantation for intrauterine adhesions are still in its infancy. Basic research on stem cells will facilitate its application to clinical practice.

AIMTo determine whether repetitive exposure to high sustained +Gz acceleration induces persisting changes in the myocardial free radical metabolism and observe the protective effects of low-G training and antioxidant tea polyphenols (TP).

METHODSThirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8 each): group A, restrained, was only submitted to +1 Gz for 5 min. Group B, centrifuged, was exposed to five plateaus of 30 s at +10 Gz for intermittent times, three times a week, for three weeks. Group C, low-G trained, was exposed to +2 Gz for 5 min about 1 h prior to +10 Gz stress, and group D was orally given TP at dose of 200 mg/kg about 1 h prior to +10 Gz stress. On the next day morning after last centrifuge run, the rats were decapitated and the hearts were quickly removed. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. Additionally, CuZn-SOD and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) enzymatic contents were examined by immunohistochemical staining and their mRNA were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with group A, MDA concentration and iNOS enzymatic content in myocardial mitochondria were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in group B. Compared with group B, mitochondrial SOD activity was significantly increased in group C (P < 0.05). iNOS enzymatic content was significantly decreased in group C and D. There were no significant differences of CuZn-SOD content, CuZn-SOD and iNOS mRNA levels among the four groups.

CONCLUSIONRepeated high +Gz exposure can induce myocardial free radical metabolic disorder and mainly result in mitochondrial peroxidative injury. But low-G training and natural antioxidant TP have protective effects, and the former is better.

Acceleration ; Adaptation, Physiological ; physiology ; Animals ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Polyphenols ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tea ; chemistry

China has richly and inexpensive fat and oils from animal and plants, but these resources could not get effectively utilization. In order to make the best of these resources, lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of lard with caprylic acid to produce functional lipid in solvent free system was investigated. Of the five lipases that were tested in the initial screening, immobilized lipase TL IM fromca T. languginosa resulted in the highest incorporation of capry lic acid into lard. This enzyme was further studied for the effect of enzyme load, substrate ratib, reaction time, reaction temperature and added water content on the incorporation of caprylic acid into lard. HPLC analyzed the products from the acidolysis reaction. The highest incorporation was attained at 20% enzyme load. Time course studied suggest that the incorporation of caprylic acid into lard was increased up to 38.77 mol% after 24h. Desirable mole ratio of substrates was 1:2 (lard: caprylic acid), caprylic acid incorporation up to 30.95 mol%. In the range of 45 - 60 degrees C , temperature had no significant effect on enzyme activity and caprylic acid incorporation changed little. When temperature was above 60 degrees C, incorporation of caprylic acid into lard was decreased. The highest incorporation of caprylic acid into lard 35.76 mol% was attained when added water content was 2.5%.
Caprylates ; chemistry ; Catalysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dietary Fats ; metabolism ; Enzymes, Immobilized ; metabolism ; Lipase ; metabolism ; Lipids ; chemical synthesis ; Solvents

OBJECTIVESThe physicians knowledge and attitude to erectile dysfunction (ED) is very important to the diagnosis and management of this disease. We investigated the physicians and practitioners knowledge of ED, attitude to ED, and if they actively find the underlying ED patients.

METHODSThree hundreds and one physicians and practitioners in Beijing completed a questionnaire. The subjects included urologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, surgeons, orthopaedicians and community practitioners.

RESULTSThe definition of ED was well known by most subjects (83.4%). Many agreed that ED was a common condition in the aging men (85.0%), and it was an important health problem (78.7%) and it was the local signs of certain systemic diseases (89.7%). The most common risk factors of ED enumerated by the physicians were diabetes (45.5%), hypertension (12.6%) and coronary artery diseases (12.0%). 45.5% physicians met the patients who initiated questions about ED. 32.6% physicians would discuss ED with the patients if the patients initiate questions about ED. 95.0% non-urological physicians would refer the ED patients to urologists or andrologists. 43.5% of all the physicians never asked their patients about erectile function, this proportions in the subgroups of urologists, non-urological physicians and community practitioners were 7.2%, 55.3% and 60.5% respectively (P < 0.01). The most common reasons for the physicians not to initiate the inquiries about ED was "the patients would not have ED if they didnt complain about it" (42.2%), "there was no ED patients in my specialty" (20.9%), "diagnosis and treatment of ED was not my business" (17.3%), "have no time" (15.6%), "feel embarrassed" (13.6%).

CONCLUSIONSMost physicians regarded ED as an important health problem and a common condition in aging men, but they didnt take an active attitude to ED in their clinical practice.

Aging ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; China ; epidemiology ; Education, Medical ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Knowledge ; Male ; Physicians ; psychology ; Risk Factors