OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and mechanisms of Wuling mycelia on seizure development and learning ability induced by pentylenetetrazole-kindling epilepsy in rats.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into four groups: pentylenetetrazole-kindling model group (model group), low dose Wuling mycelia (0.3 g*kg(-1)) group (LD-WM group), high dose Wuling mycelia (0.6 g*kg(-1)) group (HD-WM group) and control group. The rats were intraperitoneal injected with a subconvulsive dose (35 mg*kg(-1)) of pentylenetetrazole (saline in control group) every 48 h for 12 times. Wuling mycelia was intragastrically applied 30 min before pentylenetetrazole injection. An 8-arm radial maze ( 4 arms baited) was used to measure the learning ability. Histamine was measured by chemical fluorometric enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the kindling stage of LD-WM group degraded significantly after 7th injection, the latency to the onset of myoclonic jerks (LTMJ) and the latency to the onset of generalized seizures (LTGS) prolonged after the 6th and 7th injection, respectively (P<0.05). The kindling stage of HD-WM group also degraded markedly after the 6th to 8th injection, and the LTMJ and the LTGS extended after the 8th to 9th and 6th injection, respectively (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the frequency of working memory error (WME) and reference memory error (RME) of the model group in the 8-arm radial maze increased through 3-d training (P<0.05). The memory tests showed that the impairment induced by pentylenetetrazole was partially reversed by Wuling mycelia. Compared with the control group, brain histamine contents (hippocampus, cortex, thalamus and hypothalamus) were significantly lower in model group (P<0.05). But compared with the model group, hippocampal histamine contents in LD-WM group and hippocampal, thalamic and hypothalamic histamine contents in HD-WM group were elevated (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONWuling mycelia can delay the kindling and ameliorate the ability of learning in rats with pentylenetetrazole-induced epilepsy and the enhancement of neuronal histamine activity may be one of possible mechanisms.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Histamine ; metabolism ; Kindling, Neurologic ; drug effects ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Pentylenetetrazole ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

ObjectiveTo investigate the arsenic level in saliva and its relationship with arsenic in urine and drinking water in endemic arsenism area in Shanyin county of Shanxi province.MethodsSeventy individuals from four villages in endemic arsenicosis area in Shanyin county Shanxi provence were selected as research subjects.“The National Diagnosis Standard for Endemic Arsenism” (WS/T211-2001 ) was used to identify and categorize the cases of arsenicosis during the survey.Urine,saliva samples from all individuals and water samples from their families were collected.Total arsenic in saliva,urine and drinking water samples were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry-230 (AFS-230).ResnltsThe median of arsenic in drinking water samples was 127.22 μg/L,and 66.67％ (28/42) of samples' arsenic levels exceeded the drinking water standard,37 individuals had varying degrees of skin lesions among the 70 residents.There was a significant difference of the arsenic concentration in saliva and urine of the residents exposed to different levels of arsenic in drinking water (F =28.643,10.226,all P＜ 0.05).Arsenic levels were positively correlated significantly (r =0.674,0.686,all P＜ 0.05) between water and saliva,urinary.Saliva and urinary arsenic levels were highly correlated (r =0.794,P ＜ 0.05).In addition,arsenic in saliva and urine,water arsenic,skin symptoms were closely related, and the levels of arsenic were significantly different statistically between symptomatic group and asymptomatic group (t =- 3.194,- 4.167,- 4.938,all P ＜ 0.01).ConclusionsSalivary arsenic is significantly correlated with water arsenic and also with skin symptoms of patients with arsenic poisoning,which suggests that salivary arsenic is a potential useful biomarker for assessing human exposure to arsenic.

PURPOSETo compare the therapeutic effects of different doses of intravenous esomeprazole on treating trauma patients with stress ulcer bleeding.

METHODSA total of 102 trauma patients with stress ulcer bleeding were randomly divided into 2 groups: 52 patients were assigned to the high-dose group who received 80 mg intravenous esomeprazole, and then 8 mg/h continuous infusion for 3 days; 50 patients were assigned to the conventional dose group who received 40 mg intravenous esomeprazole sodium once every 12 h for 72 h.

RESULTSCompared with the conventional dose group, the total efficiency of the high-dose group and conventional dose group was 98.08% and 86.00%, respectively (p < 0.05), the hemostatic time was 22.10 h ± 5.18 h and 28.27 h ± 5.96 h, respectively (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth doses of intravenous esomeprazole have good hemostatic effects on stress ulcer bleeding in trauma patients. The high-dose esomeprazole is better for hemostasis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; therapeutic use ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Esomeprazole ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; Stomach Ulcer ; complications ; Stress, Psychological ; complications ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications

The article analyzes chief physician SUN Wuquan's empirical characteristics in treating neck-type cervical spondylosis:disease differentiation combined with pattern differentiation,emphasizing the assessment of tendons and bones,with DING's Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)manipulations and static Gongfa(Qigong exercise)as the predominant treatment,inherits the academic features of DING's Tuina school,"paying equal attention to tendons and bones,putting function first";thus provides a reference for treating neck-type cervical spondylosis with Tuina therapy.

Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) loaded PEG modified nanostructured lipid carriers (HCPT-PEG-NLC) and nanostructured lipid carriers (HCPT-NLC) were prepared by melt emulsification and homogenization method. The morphology, particle size and encapsulation efficiency of them were investigated. HCPT concentrations in plasma, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and ovary were determined after iv of HCPT injection, HCPT-PEG-NLC and HCPT-NLC in mice. The targeting indexes of HCPT-PEG-NLC and HCPT-NLC were calculated. The transmission electron microscope imaging showed that HCPT-PEG-NLC and HCPT-NLC exhibited a spherical shape. The particle sizes of them were (88.6 +/- 22.5) and (127.2 +/- 43.4) nm. The encapsulation efficiency were (90.51 +/- 3.29)% and (84.37 +/- 2.81)%, respectively. After iv injection into the tail vein of mice, HCPT plasma concentrations of HCPT-PEG-NLC and HCPT-NLC were higher than that of HCPT injection at each sampling time. They also showed longer elimination time in every tissue. HCPT-NLC accumulated in endothelial system (RES), Re and Ce of it in liver and spleen were significantly higher than HCPT-PEG-NLC. HPCT-PEG-NLC prolonged circulation time and increased bioavailability of HCPT. MRT and AUC0-24 h of it were 19.80 and 17.02 times higher than those of HCPT injection. It also significantly reduced phagocytosis of RES, and showed lung targeting effect (Re and Ce were 14.51 and 41.35). To summarize, HCPT-PEG-NLC could prolong the circulation time of HCPT in vivo, and had the lung targeting effect. It was a promising carrier to increase therapeutic effect of HCPT in treating lung cancer.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; blood ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Biological Availability ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drug Stability ; Female ; Lipids ; chemistry ; Lung ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mononuclear Phagocyte System ; physiology ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Tissue Distribution

To increase the dissolution rate and extent of valsartan, valsartan nanosuspensions have been prepared. Controlled precipitation assisted with sonication is utilized to prepare valsartan nanosuspensions, the concentration of the drug, stabilizer and costablizer had a great effect on the stability of the preparation according to the pre-experiment. So the method of central composite design-response surface is used to optimize the prescription based on the above three factors and the particle size as the response value. The software Origin 8.0 is used to draw the view of the three-dimensional effects and 2D contour map, to get the optimal prescription area. Valsartan nanosuspensions were prepared. The mean diameter and zeta potential are about 216.6 nm and -57.7 mV, respectively. Compared with the microsuspensions and commercial preparation, the dissolution of valsartan nanosuspensions was faster and the bioavailability can be enhanced to some extent.
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Biological Availability ; Chemical Precipitation ; Drug Stability ; Nanoparticles ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Particle Size ; Research Design ; Solubility ; Suspensions ; Ultrasonics ; methods ; Valsartan ; administration & dosage ; chemistry

To study the in situ intestinal absorption kinetics of flrubiprofen in rats, the absorption of flurbiprofen in small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and colon of rats was investigated using in situ single-pass perfusion method and the drug content was measured by HPLC. The effects of drug concentration on the intestinal absorption were investigated. The K(a) and P(app) values of flurbiprofen in the small intestine and colon had no significant difference (P > 0.05). Drug concentration (4.0, 10.0 and 16.0 mg x L(-1)) had no significant influence on the K(a) values (P > 0.05). However, when concentration was 4.0 mg x L(-1) and 10.0 mg x L(-1), significant effect on the P(app) values (P < 0.05) was found, but significant effect on the P(app) values was not shown between 10.0 mg x L(-1) and 16.0 mg x L(-1) (P > 0.05). The K(a) and P(app) values of flurbiprofen on the perfusion flow rate had significant difference (P < 0.05). Flurbiprofen could be absorbed at all segments of the intestine in rats and had no special absorption window. The absorption of flurbiprofen complies with the facilitated diffusion in the general intestinal segments, and accompany with the cytopsistransport mechanism probably. The perfusion flow rate had significant effect on the K(a) and P(app).
Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Colon ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Duodenum ; metabolism ; Female ; Flurbiprofen ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Perfusion ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDStatins are one of the most common agents prescribed for ischemic stroke patients, but their side effects on the liver are worrisome to both physicians and patients. This study aimed to analyze the features and related factors of the hepatic side effects of statins in patients with ischemic stroke.

METHODSFour hundred and eighty-one patients with ischemic stroke who had been treated with statins at our department from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 were investigated retrospectively. Liver function, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), within 6 months after they began to use statins and related factors were analyzed.

RESULTSThe incidence of mild ALT and AST elevation, less than three times the upper limit of normal, and the incidence of moderate elevation, ALT and AST levels 3-10 times the upper limit of normal, in ischemic stroke patients who had been treated with statins were 2.3% and 2.1%, respectively. These incidences were higher than in patients with common hyperlipidemia or coronary heart disease. The relatively high incidence was associated with older age (≥ 65 years) and chronic liver diseases, and was not related to the type of stroke, gender, and reduction of low-density lipoprotein. The levels of ALT and AST normalized after withdrawal of statins or lowering the dosage. None of the patients developed hepatic failure.

CONCLUSIONSAsymptomatic elevation of ALT and AST after administration of statins is more likely to occur in ischemic stroke patients than in others, and the elevation is related to age and chronic liver diseases. However, statins are still safe for ischemic stroke patients.

Age Distribution ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; drug therapy

Objective To investigate the level of arsenic in environmental media and food stuffs including vegetables in water-born endemic arsenicosis area for provide a scientific basis for endemic arsenicosis of Shanxi province.Methods Samples of drinking water,soil,and glutinous broom corn,foxtail millet,and potato were collected from local families in water-born endemic arsenicosis area of Shanyin county,Shanxi province.According to“Diagnosis Standard for Endemic Arsenicosis” (WS/T 211-2001 ),totally 309 people from 126 families were choosen for the survey.The content of arsenic in drinking water,glutinous broom corn and foxtail millet was quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).The level of arsenic in soil and potato was measured by atomic fluorescence spectrometer(AFS).The water arsenic concentrations were divided into five groups,≤10,＞ 10 - 50,＞ 50 - 100,＞ 100 - 200,and ＞ 200 μ g/L,analysis the relationship between water arsenic exposure and skin lesions.ResultIn this study,126 water samples were collected.Arsenic concentrations in drinking water were 4.04 - 720.00 μg/L,the median value was 87.75 μg/L,and the ratio of arsenic level higher than the Chinese standards for drinking water(50 μg/L) was 63.49％(80/126).The levels of arsenic in food were 0.16 - 4.58 mg/kg,the median value of arsenic in food was 0.66 mg/kg,and 98.73％(78/79) of arsenic exceeded 0.2 mg/kg.Arsenic concentrations in soil and vegetable were 5.34 - 13.74 mg/kg and 0 - 0.30 mg/kg,respectively.Predicted inorganic arsenic intake from food and vegetable was modeled with the equivalent intake from drinking water for a typical Chinese diet.Daily consumption of grain with a total arsenic level of 0.17 mg/kg would be equivalent to a drinking water arsenic level of 10 μg/L.Otherwise,adjusted with gender and age,symptoms of skin lesions correlated positively with water arsenic concentrations in all subjects.The OR values were 3.219,9.001,56.127,and 97.734 for each group,respectively.Rank correlation test using Chi-square test and Spearman correlation test showed that the severity of skin lesions was associated with the increasing of arsenic content in water(x2 =128.747,P ＜ 0.05; r =0.501,P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsArsenic levels in both drinking water and food are high in water-born endemic arsenicosis area of Shanxi province,and in soil and vegetables are not high.Arsenic in drinking water has been considered as a main risk factor of skin lesions,and dietary intake of arsenic through foodstuff can not be ignored.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of probucol and losartan on the prevention of restenosis after balloon angioplasty in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits, and to examine the expression of growth factors. METHODS: Forty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into high cholesterol diet group, probucol group, losartan group and combined drugs group. After one week of diet, all rabbits were injured on iliac arteries with balloon. Four weeks after the injury, the morphology of the iliac arteries of the rabbits were observed, and the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Compared with the high cholesterol diet group, the lumen areas of the probucol group, losartan group and combined drugs group were larger (P < 0.01), the intimal areas were smaller (P < 0.05), and the expression of IGF-IR and VEGF significantly decreased (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups. CONCLUSION Probucol and losartan can prevent the restenosis of rabbits' iliac artery from balloon injury, and inhibit the expression of IGF-IR and VEGF. There is no statistical difference between combined drugs and single drug administration.
Angioplasty, Balloon ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Coronary Restenosis ; prevention & control ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Hypercholesterolemia ; therapy ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Probucol ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Receptor, IGF Type 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics