BACKGROUND:Hepatocyte transplantation as an effective method for liver failure has been confirmed by animal models and clinical application.However,limited source and poor proliferation of hepatocyte graft limit its development.Studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have potentials to differentiate into hepatocyte and bile epithelial celts,with strong proliferation.OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic effect of bone marrow MSCs transplantation on liver failure of New Zealand white rabbits.METHODS:Adult male New Zealand rabbits were treated with D-galactosamine,and 3 mL hepatocyte suspension(1×109/L)was injected into the liver of transplantation group,but the control group was injected with the same volume of culture solution with no bone marrow MSCs.Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)activity was detected 48,72 hours,1,4 weeks following transplantation,and pathological detection was performed at 4 weeks.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The liver functional index following transplantation of bone marrow-derived MSCs transplantation was significantly decreased,and ALT and AST activity at 4 weeks was significantly less than the control group(P ＜ 0.05).At 4,the transplantation group displayed disorderly hepatic cord,hepatocyte swollen and degeneration,necrosis,accompanied by bleeding and inflammatory cell infiltration.In addition,the hepatic lobule structure was detectable,and regenerative hepatocyte increased among necrotic hepatocyte;small cells with large ratio of nucleus and cytoplasm at header,central vein and surrouding necrosis focus extended to the liver tissues.

The article aims at providing theoretical foundation for security of moxibustion through analyzing chemical compositions of Artemisia Argyi of different years from Qichun County, Hubei Province, and moxa wool refined in different proportions. Artemisia Argyi from Qichun on 2007, 2008 and 2009 were taken as raw materials, and processed into moxa wool with the proportions of raw material and product as 3 : 1, 5 : 1, 8 : 1 and 15 : 1, respectively. Essential oils of Artemisia Argyi and the refined moxa wool were extracted by steam distillation. Their chemical compositions were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and calculated with semiquantitative method. The result showed that chemical compositions of Artemisia Argyi of different years and moxa wool refined in different proportions were almost the same, but their contents were with obvious difference. The relative content of volatile substances decreased with the age prolonged and a rise in the proportion of the refined moxa wool, while the involatile material increased. Therefore it can be concluded that the essential oil of Artemisia Argyi from Qichun and the refined moxa wool is basically safe. Involatile substances such as Juniper camphor, Caryophyllene oxide and Caryophyllene etc. are the main contents of high proportional moxa wool of old year. And these substances may be the effective components in moxibustion treatment.
Artemisia ; chemistry ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Time Factors

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BACKGROUNDAcute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common cardiac emergency with high mortality. Serum soluble ST2 (sST2) is a new emerging biomarker of cardiac diseases. The present study is to investigate the predictive value of sST2 and interleukin-33 (IL-33) for risk stratification and prognosis in patients with AMI.

METHODSFifty-nine patients with AMI, whose chief complaint was chest pain or dyspnea, were selected for our study. Physical examination, chest radiograph, electrocardiograph (ECG), biomarkers of myocardial infarction, NT-proBNP, echocardiography and other relevant examinations were performed to confirm the diagnosis of AMI. Thirty-six healthy people were chosen as the control group. Serum samples from these subjects (patients within 24 hours after acute attack) were collected and the levels of sST2 and IL-33 were assayed by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The follow-up was performed on the 7th day, 28th day, 3rd month and 6th month after acute attack. According to the follow-up results we defined the end of observation as recurrence of AMI or any causes of death.

RESULTSMedian sST2 level of the control group was 9.38 ng/ml and that of AMI patients was 29.06 ng/ml. Compared with the control group, sST2 expression in the AMI group was significantly different (P < 0.001). In contrast, the IL-33 level showed no significant difference between the two groups. Serum sST2 was a predictive factor independent of other variables and may provide complementary information to NT-proBNP or GRACE risk score. IL-33 had no relationship to recurrence of AMI. Both sST2 and the IL-33/sST2 ratio were correlated with the 6-month prognosis; areas under the ROC curve were 0.938 and 0.920 respectively.

CONCLUSIONSEarly in the course (<24 hours) of AMI, sST2 usually increases markedly. The increase of sST2 has an independent predictive value for the prognosis in AMI patients and provides complementary information to NT-proBNP or GRACE risk score. The IL-33/sST2 ratio correlates with the 6-month prognosis of AMI patients. However, there is no significant relationship between IL-33 and the prognosis of AMI patients.

Acute Disease ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein ; Interleukin-33 ; Interleukins ; blood ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Prognosis ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; blood ; Risk

Objective To investigate the structure-activity relationship for 21 anthocyanins in inhibiting oxidized injury of endothelial cells,and explore the structural characteristics of anthocyanins closely related to their effects. Methods Endothelial cells were treated by ox-LDL at different concentrations of 50,100,150 or 200 ?g/ml,and MTT assay was used to determine IC50. After pre-incubated for 2 h with different concentrations ( 50,100 or 200 ?mol/L) of anthocyanins and then treated with 100 ?g/ml ox-LDL for another 24 h in endothelial cells,MTT assay was used to detect the cellular viability. After pre-treated for 2 h with different anthocyanins with 100 ?mol/L and treated with ox-LDL for another 24 h,MDA and NO level in the culture media were both measured according to the methods of assay kits. Structure-activity relationship was analyzed according to the respective cellular viability,MDA and NO level. Results Cellular viability was significantly inhibited by ox-LDL in a dose-dependent manner,and the IC50 was 100 ?g/ml. A significant correlation was observed among the effect of anthocyanins on cell viability,MDA production and NO release. The inhibitory effects of anthocyanins in ox-LDL-injured endothelial cells were positively related to the total number of hydroxyl groups and hydroxyl substitutions in B ring. 3′,4′-ortho-dihydroxyl substitution on B-ring and a 3-hydroxyl group on C-ring significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of anthocyanins,yet methoxylation or glycosylation significantly decreased the effect. 6-hydroxylation substitution might attenuate the inhibitory effect of anthocyanins,while substitution at C5 or C5′ showed no significant influence on the effect of anthocyanins. Anthocyanin with monosaccharose substitution was much stronger than that with disaccharose substitution,while there was no significant difference between anthocyanins with glucoside and that with galacotoside substitution. Delphinidin and delphinidin-3-glucoside were respectively the most effectual anthocyanidin or anthocyanin. Conclusion 3′,4′-ortho-dihydroxyl substitution on B-ring and a 3-hydroxyl group on C-ring are the main structural requirements for anthocyanins in suppressing ox-LDL-induced injury in endothelial cells.

To study the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and angiotensin (Ang) 1-7 specific receptor Mas protain in renal blood vessels of metabolic syndrome ( MS) rats and its anti-oxidative effect. A total of 80 male SD rats were divided into four groups: the normal control group (NC, the same volume of normal saline), the MS group (high fat diet), the MS + Astragali Radix group (MS + HQ, 6 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) in gavage) and the MS + Valsartan group (MS + XST, 30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) in gavage). After four weeks of intervention, their general indexes, biochemical indexes and blood pressure were measured; plasma and renal tissue Ang II, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide demutase (SOD) levels were measured with radioimmunoassay. The protein expressions of Mas receptor, AT1R, ACE and ACE2 were detected by western blot analysis. According to the result, compared with the NC group, the MS group and the MS + HQ group showed significant increases in systolic and diastolic pressures, body weight, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, triglycerides, free fatty acid and Ang II level of MS rats (P < 0.05). The MS + XST group showed notable decreases in systolic and diastolic pressures than that of the MS group. The MS group showed significant increases in the SOD activity and NO level and decrease in the MDA level after being intervened with Astragali Radix. ACE and AT1R protein expressions in renal tissues of the MS group were higher than that in the NC group, but with lower ACE2 and -Mas receptor expressions (all P < 0.05). Compared with the MS group, the MS + HQ group showed significant increase in Mas receptor expression in renal tissues, whereas the MS + XST group showed notable decrease in AT1R (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, Astragali Radix can increase the Mas receptor expressions in renal tissues, decrease ACE expression and change local Ang II, MDA, NO and SOD in kidneys, so as to protect early damages in renal tissues.
Angiotensin I ; metabolism ; Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; injuries ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Metabolic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Ligustrazine, one of the major effective components of the Chinese traditional medicinal herb Ligusticum Chuanxiong Hort, has been reported plenty of biological activities, such as protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, neuroprotection and anti-tumor, et al. Because of its remarkable effects, studies on structural modification of ligustrazine have attracted much attention. Ligustrazine synthetic derivatives reported in recent decades are mainly derived from four primary intermediates (TMP-COOH, TMP-OH, TMP-NH2, HO-TMP-OH). To explore the neuroprotection activitiy of ligustrazine intermediates, six ligustrazine intermediates (2, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13) were synthesized and their protective effects against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells were studied. The target compounds were prepared via different chemical methods, including oxidation, substitution, esterification and amidation without changing the structure nucleus of ligustrazine. Compared with TMP (EC50 = 56.03 micromol x L(-1)), four compounds (2, 5, 12 and 13) exhibited higher activity (EC50 < 50 micromol x L(-1)) respectively, of which, compound 2 displayed the highest protective effect against the damaged PC12 cells (EC50 = 32.86 micromol x L(-1)), but target compounds 8 and 11 appeared lower activity (EC50 > 70 micromol x L(-1)). By structure-activity relationships analysis, the introduction of carboxyl, amino to the side chain of ligustrazine and appropriately increase the proportion of ligustrazine may contribute to enhance its neuroprotective activity, which provides a reference for the design, synthesis and activity screening of relevant series of ligustrazine derivatives in the future.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic ; Cobalt ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Neuroprotective Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Neurotoxins ; toxicity ; PC12 Cells ; Pyrazines ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo observe the ability of dengue virus type 1-4 envelope domain III fusion protein to inhibit virus infection and analyze the neutralizing ability of polyclonal antibodies against rE III.

METHODSAfter being connected by linker peptide, E III protein of Dengue virus serotypes 1-4 were expressed in E coli BL21 (DE3) then purified. Fusion proteins were verified by Western Blot and ELISA. Rabbits were immunized with fusion proteins to produce anti-rE III serum. The activity of anti-rE III serum were detected through indirect immunofluorescence assay test. Inhibition of dengue virus type 1 to 4 infection in BHK-21 cells by rE III fusion protein were tested. Neutralizing activity of anti-rE III serum was analyzed.

RESULTSDengue virus type 1 to 4 envelope domain III recombinant fusion protein was expressed in E coli BL21 and purified successfully. Then rE III fusion protein and anti-rE III serum were analyzed respectively and rE III fusion protein can effectively inhibit dengue virus type 1 to 4 from infecting BHK cells. The anti-rE III serums can neutralize dengue virus type 1 to 4 but with different neutralizing titer.

CONCLUSIONDengue virus type 1-4 envelope domain III fusion protein can directly inhibit DV infection. Antibodies induced by rE III fusion proteins can neutralize dengue virus type 1-4.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Dengue Virus ; classification ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Fusion ; genetics ; Gene Products, env ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunization ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; pharmacology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Virus Replication ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical components of the essential oil of the Semen Sinapis with the different processing methods.

METHODThe essential oils of the crude Semen Sinapis and the roasted Semen Sinapis were extracted by steam distillation. The chemical components were analyzed by means of GC-MS-DS. The relative content of each component was calculated by area normalization.

RESULTThe main chemical components of the essential oil of the crude Semen Sinapis and the roasted Semen Sinapis were similar. The main chemical components were allyl isothiocyanate and 4-isothio-cyanato-1-butene. The chemical components of the essential oil of the crude Semen Sinapis were more than that of the roasted Semen Sinapis.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of different processing methods on the chemical components of the essential oil of Semen Sinapis was significant. Certain chemical components such as isothiocyanato-containing substances, were found in the crude Semen Sinapis.

Hot Temperature ; Isothiocyanates ; analysis ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Sinapis ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical value of ultrasonic surface localization in internal jugular vein catheterization.

METHODSTotally 150 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I -III who were planning to receive elective surgeries were randomized into anatomical landmark group, ultrasonic surface positioning group, and ultrasound-guided group using computed random table, with 50 cases in each group. The right internal jugular vein catheterization was performed after tracheal intubation. In the anatomic landmark group, patients were punctured using surface marks through central approach. In ultrasonic surface positioning group and ultrasound-guided group, patients were punctured with ultrasonic localization and guidance through central approach. The relationship between internal jugular vein and carotid artery, the position of the needle into the vein, the success rate of puncture, the change times of puncture point, and the complications were recorded.

RESULTSUltrasound scan revealed that the relationship between the right internal jugular vein and the right common carotid artery could be divided into three types: parallel (12.7%), partial overlapping (69.3%), and complete overlapping (18.0%). The average "safety distance" of jugular vein puncture was (1.15 +/- 0.47) cm. The success rate of the first puncture attempt in ultrasonic surface positioning group and ultrasound-guided group were 78.0% and 82.0%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that in anatomic landmark group (22.0%) (P < 0.05), whereas the complication incidence in anatomic landmark group (12.0%) were significantly higher than those in ultrasonic surface positioning group (0) and ultrasound-guided group (0) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUltrasonic surface positioning applied during internal jugular vein catheterization is helpful to reveal the inner diameters as well as the origin and course of arteries and veins in the puncture and identify the abnormalities as early as possible. As a simple support technique for internal jugular vein puncture, it is suitable for clinical application.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult