OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on the content of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and to explore its mechanism for treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODSSeventy-four AS patients were randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group by digit random table, 37 in each group. Patients in the control group took Sulfasalazine Enteric-coated Tablet (SECT), 0.5 g each time, three times daily for 3 months. Those in the observation group additionally received catgut implantation at acupoint for 3 months. Changes of visual analogue scale (VAS), Schober test, pillow wall distance, thoracic activity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), and TNF-alpha were compared after 3 months of treatment.

RESULTSThere was obvious change in VAS, Schober test, pillow wall distance, thoracic activity, ESR, CRP, and TNF-alpha after treatment in the both groups, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The aforesaid indices were obviously improved after treatment in the observation group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCatgut implantation at acupoint, as an assistant therapy, could significantly improve clinical symptoms and signs, decrease the level of TNF-alpha, and its effect was superior to that of oral SECT administration alone.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; blood ; therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

Objective To establish a sensitive and accurate gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for determination of quinolinic acid in rat serum.Methods The objective compound was purified and derivatized to its dihexafluoroisopropyl ester before quantitative determination by scanning method and quantitative determination by SIM method.Results The endogenous substances in serum had no interference on the measurement of quinolinic acid in the sample.Assay linearity was obtained in the range of 0.05-20 ?mol/L with limit of quantitation(LOQ)of 0.05 ?mol/L.The intra-day relative standard deviation(RSD)was lower than 15%.The inter-day relative standard deviation was lower than 12%.Conclusion It is a sensitive,accurate and convenient method.The dihexafluoroisopropyl ester of quinolinic acid is quite stable,but the serum should not be preserved for a long time before derivation.

Objective To study the effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF)on angiogenesis of rat with acute myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol(Iso). Methods A total of 60 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group, GM-CSF pretreatment group (GM-CSF group), and lso injury group, 20 rats in each group. GM-CSF group was administered recombinant human(rh)GM-CSF(5.0 μg/kg), through tail intravenous injection once a day for three days. Then the GM-CSF group and the Iso injury group were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of lso( 15.0 mg/kg) once a day for three days. The same dose of saline was administered in the same way to the control rats. Ten days after injection, pathological changes of myocardial damage and infarct area were examined by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression levels of polypeptide antigen (CD34), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor KDR/flk- 1 were measured by RT-PCR. Results The difference of myocardial necrosis area between groups was statistically significant(F=10.07, P < 0.01), in which GM-CSF group[(37.37 ± 12.98)%] was significantly less than Iso injury group[(45.51 ±14.96)%, P < 0.05]. The difference of myocardial neovascularization density index of rats between groups was statistically significant ( F = 25.54, P < 0.05 ), in which GM-CSF group [(3980.05 ± 477.22) No/mm2] was significantly higher than Iso injury group((2605.93±361.49)No/mm2,P<0.01).The differences of myocardial CD34,VEGF,KDR/flk-1 mRNA expression between groups were statistically significant(F=17.83,4.29,4.10,all P<0.01).Compared to Iso mjury group[CD34(23.85±6.06),VEGF(31.80±8.05),KDR/flk-1(30.16±8.01)]were higher in the GM-CSF group[CD34(44.04±10.13),VEGF(49A±11.59),and KDR/flk-1(46A9±7.90),all P<0.01].The expressions of myocardiM VEGF mRNA and its receptor KDR/flk-1 mRNA was positively correlated(r=0.725,R2=0.526,P<0.01).Conclusions GM-CSF prelreatmcnt increases the density ofnew blood vessels in myocardium,and reduces the Iso-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Objective To assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of preoperative low dose intravenous amiodarone in the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Methods Two hundred patients with coronary atheroselerotic heart disease underwent selected OPCAB and were randomly divided into two groups: control group (100 cases) and experimental group (100 cases). Patients in control group were given conventional medicines and placebo, and patients in experimental group were treated with low dose intravenous amiodarone daily for 4 days before surgery. They were given conventional medicines after surgery. Results After the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, the incidence of AF, ventricular rate and the duration of AF in the experimental group were lower than those in control group [15% vs. 41%, χ2=16.766, P=0.000; (126.0±20.8) times/ min vs. (150.0±25.6) times/ min, t=0.478, P =0. 017; (8. 0±8. 6) h vs. (12.0±9.6) h, t=0. 439, P=0. 019]. No significant difference were found in the incidence of side effect between low close amiodarone group and the control group. Conclusions Prophylactic application of low dose intravenous arniodarone before off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting can safely and effectively reduce the postoperative ventricular rate and the incidence of AF, shorten the duration of AF, promote the rehabilitation and slightly improve the clinical symptoms.

To explore the feasibility of stable expression of Hantavirus H8205 strain G1 segment and human IL-2 fusion gene in Vero cells, and to examine the immune protection effects on mice vaccinated with this recombinant eukaryotic expression vector containing Hantavirus G1 gene and IL-2 gene. With the help of lipofectamine, the Vero cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1/HisB-IL-2-G1 and the positive cells were selected by G418. IFAT and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis were used to determine the stable transfection and expression of recombinant protein. Each mouse was inoculated with plasmids intramuscularly (i.m.) three times, 2 boosts were given at 2-week intervals, serum anti-hantavirus antibodies were detected by ELISA and neutralizing antibodies (NAb) were detected by Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test. The fusion protein expressed in Vero cells was 78 kD, corresponding to the estimated molecular size. The neutralizing antibody titers of mice with pcDNA3.1/HisB-IL-2-G1 were 1:20-1:80. IL-2/G1 fusion gene could be transferred in Vero cells and stably express the fusion protein. Specific humeral immune responses in mice can be induced with the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector containing the fusion gene, which lays the foundation for further development of therapeutic HTNV vaccine.

Objective:To investigate the effect of BMSCs transplantation plus hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on repair of rat SCI. Methods:Seventy five male rats were divided randomly into five groups:sham, vehicle, BMSCs transplantation group, combination group, 15 rats in each group. Every week after the SCI onset, all animals were evaluated for behavior outcome by Basso-Beattle-Bresnahan (BBB) score and inclined plane test. Axon recovery was examined with focal spinal cord tissue by electron microscope at 6 weeks after the SCI onset. HE staining and BrdU staining were performed to examine the BMSCs and lesion post injury. Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) testing was performed to detect the recovery of neural conduction. Results:Results from the behavior tests from combination group were significant higher than rats which received only transplantation or HBO treatment. Results from histopathology showed favorable recovery from combination group than other treatment groups. The number of BrdU+ in combination group were measureable more than transplantation group (P<0.05). The greatest decrease in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-αdetermined by Elisa assay in combination group were evident too. Conclusions:BMSCs transplantation can promote the functional recovery of rat hind limbs after SCI, and its combination with HBO has a synergistic effect.

Objective To investigate the function of Bcl-2 and Bax in the pathogenesis,development and regression of human hemangiomas.Methods We examined the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in proliferating versus involuting human hemangioma tissues and normal skin tissues using immunohistochemical technique.Results The expression of Bcl-2 in proliferating hemangiomas was significantly higher than that in involuting hemangiomas and normal skin tissues(P＜0.01).No significant difference was found between the expression of Bcl-2 in involuting hemangiomas and that in normal skin tissues(P＞0.05).The expression of Bax in involuting hemangiomas was significantly higher than that in proliferating hemangiomas and normal skin tissues(P＜0.01);the expression of Bax in proliferating hemangiomas was significantly higher than that in normal skin tissues(P＜0.05).Conclusion Bcl-2 and Bax participate in the development and involution of hemangioma,Bcl-2 plays a role in accelerating the proliferation of hemangioma by inhibiting the apoptosis of endothelial cells,and Bax promotes the switching from proliferation to involution in hemangiomas through inducing the apoptosis of endothelial cells.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between carotid atherosclerotic plaques stability and the clinical symptoms of carotid atherosclerosis by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Methods Fifty patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were examed with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography,the contrast agent visualization of the carotid atherosclerotic plques were analyzed and compared with their clinical symptoms. Results Twenty-three patients who suffered from obvious clinical symptom were entirely visualized. Twenty-weven patients had not apparent clinical symptom,of these patients,15 were sparse visualized,there was no visualization in other 12 patients. Conclusions Conlrast enhanced ultrasonography can real-time observe microcirculation in carotid atherosclerotic piques,and assess the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of tiaogan Lipi Recipe (TLR) in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients of Gan stagnation Pi deficiency syndrome (GSP-DS).

METHODSA randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed. Totally 99 NAFLD patients of GSPDS were randomly allocated into two groups, 66 patients in the treatment group (treated with-TLR, one dose per day) and 33 patients in the control group (treated with placebos, one dose per day). The therapeutic course for all was 12 weeks. All patients received lifestyle interventions including moderate aerobic exercise, moderate caloric restriction, and dietary changes. Clinical symptoms, CT indices, liver functions and blood lipids were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the total score of clinical symptoms decreased in the two groups (P <0. 01), and it was lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). Liver/spleen CT ratio increased in the treatment group (P <0. 01), and it was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 01). After treatment levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) all decreased in the treatment group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01), while levels of ALT decreased in the control group (P <0. 05). Besides, all the 3 levels mentioned above were lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). Levels of total cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TG) decreased in the two groups (P <0. 05), and they were lower in the treatment group (P <0. 05). Total effective rates of TCM syndrome, abdominal CT, liver functions, and blood lipids were 79. 69% (51/64 cases), 54. 69% (35/64 cases), 67. 65% (23/34 cases), and 67. 39% (31/46 cases) in the treatment group, while they were 56. 25% (18/32 cases), 25. 00% (8/32 cases), 33. 33% (6/18 cases), and 55. 56% (10/18 cases) in the control group. All were superior in the treatment group (P <0.05, P <0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONTLR combined with lifestyle intervention could safely and effectively improve clinical symptoms of NAFLD patients of GSPDS, elevate liver/spleen CT ratios, and play a role in liver protection, anti-inflammation, and lowering blood lipids.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lipids ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Syndrome ; Triglycerides ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; metabolism

Objective To study the changes of plasma gastrin (Gas), substance P (SP) and vascoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) among children with recurrent abdominal pain and their family members,and to explore if there is the rule of the changes.Methods The fasting plasma Gas, SP and VIP were determined by radioimmunoassay method among 30 children with recurrent abdominal pain, and 45 family members including first-degree relatives and second-degree relatives as well as 35 normal healthy children and 20 normal healthy adults. Individuals were divided into five groups:children with recurrent abdominal pain (study group 1), family members with recurrent abdominal pain (study group 2), normal healthy children (control group1), family adults without recurrent abdominal pain (control group2) and normal healthy adults (control group3) . The whole family members of 7 children with recurrent abdominal pain were focused on and analysed.Results 55 of 130 volunteers were with recurrent abdominal pain including 30 children and 25 adults. There were 22 adults with and 20 adults without recurrent abdominal pain in the whole family members of 7 children with recurrent abdominal pain. The fasting plasma Gas content had no difference between study group 1 and control group1 ( <0.05), but the levels of fasting plasma SP and VIP were both in decrease and had difference between study group 1 and control group1 (<0.05) .The fasting plasma Gas,SP and VIP had no difference between study group 2 and control group 2 ( >0.05) .The levels of fasting plasma Gas content had no difference between study group 2 and control group 3 (>0.05),but the levels of fasting plasma SP and VIP were both in increase and had difference between study group 2 and control group3. The fasting plasma Gas content had no difference between country group 1 and control group3 ( <0.05),but the levels of fasting plasma SP and VIP had difference between country group 1 and control group3 ( <0.01) .The levels of fasting plasma SP and VIP had no difference between study group 1 and study group 2 ( <0.05) .The levels of fasting plasma Gas, SP and VIP content had no difference among the whole family members of 7 children with recurrent abdominal pain including 22 adult members with and 20 adult members without recurrent abdominal pain (>0.05) .Conclusions There are the same plasma Gas contents in normal children and adults.However, the plasma SP and VIP contents are higher in normal children than ones in normal adults. The plasma SP and VIP contents are lower in children with recurrent abdominal pain than ones in normal children. The plasma SP and VIP contents are higher in adults with recurrent abdominal pain than ones in normal adults. These suggested that the increases of plasma SP and VIP may have a close relationship with the pathogenesis of children and adults with recurrent abdominal pain. The contents of plasma Gas, SP and VIP were consistent in the whole family members of 7 children with recurrent abdominal pain. It suggested that the secretion of gastrointestinal hormone is disorder in the families with recurrent abdominal pain.