Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZYD) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China over one hundred years. But its effect on antioxidant and drug-metabolizing enzymes are unknown. This study was to observe the effects of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XFZYD) on the activities of antioxidant and drug metabolism enzymes (DMEs) in liver of rats. Male SD rats, treated with XFZYD at the dosage of 3.51, 7.02 and 14.04 g x kg(-1) per day for 15 days, serum were collected, tissue fluid, cytosols and microsomes isolated from liver tissues were prepared by centrifugation according to the standard procedure, the activities of antioxidant enzymes and drug-Metabolizing Enzymes were determined by UV-V is spectrophotometer. In serum, the activities of AST was not significantly affected by the treatment with XFZYD, at the high- est dose, the levels of ALT, Cr and BUN were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). GPX were significantly increased at the dose of 7.02, 14.04 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05), CAT were significantly increased at the highest dose (P < 0.05). T-SOD was not significantly af- fected by this treatment. In the liver tissue, GPX was significantly increased at the dose of 3.51, 7.02 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05), GST, CAT and T-SOD were not significantly affected following this treatment. In cytosols, GST was significantly increased at the dose of 3.51 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05), T-SOD was remarkable induced at the dose of 3.51 and 7.02 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05). In microsomes, XFZYD had no significant effect on Cytochromeb5, NADPH-Cytochrome P450 reductase, CYP3A, CYP2E1 and UGT, XFZYD significantly in- duced GST at the dose of 3.51 and 7.02 g x kg(-1) (P < 0.05), and the level of GSH were significantly increased by XFZYD at the dose of 3.51, 7.02 and 14.04 g kg(-1) (P < 0.05). These findings suggest XFZYD can induce the activities of GPX, CAT, SOD, GST and increase GSH level in liver of rats, which indicate XFZYD may have detoxification and antioxidant functions.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the underlying mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) modulating the inflammatory response during the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), especially the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which will provide new theoretical and experimental basis of MODS in clinic. Methods BMSC of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat (female, 4 weeks) was extracted and cultivated, and the 4th passage were used in experimental study. According to the random number table, 60 female SD rats were divided into three groups (n = 20 per group): sham group, MODS group, BMSC group. MODS model in rats was induced by lipopolysaccaride (LPS, 1 mg/kg) via femoral vein injection. Sham group was injected with the sterile phosphate buffer saline (PBS) in the same volume. BMSC group, in which BMSC infusion was started at 2 hours after 0.5 mL LPS stimulation (1×106/cells) through the tail vein. The survival rate was observed after 72 hours in each group. Abdominal aortic blood was collected for routine blood and biochemical examination at 72 hours after operation. Protein microarray was used to detect the related 34 inflammatory cytokines. Signal ratio was defined as the differentially expressed factors when it was more than 2.0 or less than 0.5. And enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was be applied to validate the significant inflammation factor. Meanwhile, the heart, kidney, intestine tissue was harvested, then their pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining.Results 20, 12, 16 rats lived in sham group, MODS group and BMSC group respectively at 72 hours after operation. Compared with the sham group, the indicators (routine blood, liver and kidney function, myocardial enzyme) were apparently unusual, and the heart, kidney, intestine tissue were injured obviously in the MODS group. After BMSC administration, the organ function was improved and tissue damaged was alleviated significantly. Protein microarray showed that interleukin-4 (IL-4) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) were significantly different in 34 goal cytokines. The signal ratio change of IL-4 was 0.397, 1.124, 2.826 respectively, and the signal ratio of RAGE was 6.197, 1.552, 0.250, respectively in MODS/sham group, BMSC/sham group, BMSC/MODS group. ELISA validated the result that the expression level of IL-4 decreased significantly (ng/L:3.59±1.21 vs. 29.10±5.78) and the expression level of RAGE increased significantly (ng/L: 1.09±0.04 vs. 0.11±0.03) in MODS group as compared with sham group (bothP < 0.05). Compared with the MODS group, the level of IL-4 was obviously higher than that in BMSC group (ng/L: 9.59±2.21 vs. 3.59±1.21,P < 0.01), and RAGE decreased significantly (ng/L: 0.29±0.07 vs. 1.09±0.04,P < 0.05).Conclusions BMSC administration can regulate the expression of IL-4 and RAGE in the rats subjected to MODS. Moreover, BMSC can promote the restoration of tissue and organ function, thus improve the survival rate. BMSC may be the target in cell therapy for the inflammatory disease.

The nitrite-reducing activity of aerobic denitrifying bacterial strain N6-1 was studied. It showed that the nitrite-reducing activity reached the highest at 30℃, 120 r/min, pH 8.5 and C/N ratio 12, using CH3COONa and NaNO2 as the sole carbon source and nitrogen source, respectively. When the initial NaNO2 concentration was 2 g/L, NO2--N was reduced completely after 20 hours cultivation with the reducing rate of 20.3 mg/L?h. There would be no effect on its nitrite-reducing activity in the present of 1.5% NaCl or 1% peptone. The cell concentration could reach 1.2?1011 CFU/mL after 24 hours cultivation in 10 L fermentor.

OBJECTIVETo calculate the latent period of lung cancer induced by air pollution.

METHODSThe degree of grey incidence (DGI) between the concentrations of TSP or SO(2) and the mortality of lung cancer were assessed through a grey system model. According to the maximum values of DGI, the total latent period of lung cancer was calculated. Data was collected in H city.

RESULTSThe maximum DGI value of TSP was 0.886 while the relationship between the comparison sequence from 1985 to 1989 and the reference sequence from 1994 to 1998 was greatly correlated. The maximum DGI value of SO(2) was 0.919 while the relationship between the comparison sequence from 1986 to 1990 and the reference sequence from 1994 to 1998 was most correlated.

CONCLUSIONSThe latent periods of lung cancer induced by TSP and SO(2) were 7 and 8 years respectively in H city. The model of grey system was less affected by the confounding factors, and the calculation process was relatively simple. A feasible and useful new way was provided by the model of grey system for quantitative analysis of the latent period of lung cancer induced by air pollutants.

Air Pollutants ; adverse effects ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; mortality ; Models, Biological ; Particle Size ; Risk Factors ; Sulfur Dioxide ; adverse effects

3-8 years old group(group C2) with 50 cases] were detected.A gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue(GnRHa) stimulation test was performed in 140 girls with IPT.The 140 girls were divided into 3 groups:IPT group,CPP group,and peripheral precocious puberty group(PPP group).Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitneg tests were performed on the data between every groups.Results For basal LH levels,there were significant diffe-rences between IPT1 group and group C1,among IPT2 group,CPP group and group C2(Pa0.05).For peak LH/FSH ratios,there was significant difference between IPT2 group and CPP group(P

OBJECTIVETo clarify the effects and mechanisms of homoharringtonine (HHT) monomer therapy or combination therapy with arsenic trioxide (ATO) on human multiple myeloma (MM) cell line RPMI 8226 in in vitro researches.

METHODSEffects of HHT, ATO, and HHT combined ATO on the growth of MM cell line RPMI 8226 were detected using MTT assay. The morphological changes of cell apoptosis were detected by Hoechst staining. The early apoptosis rate was detected using flow cytometry. Expressions of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bcl-xl, and AKT protein were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSHHT and ATO inhibited the proliferation of RPM1 8226 cell line in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Synergistic effects was shown in the combination group (Cl < 1). HHT and ATO induced the apoptosis of RPMI 8226 in a dose-dependent manner with typical morphological changes of apoptosis and higher early stage apoptosis rate. The enhancement in apoptotic induction was seen when two agents were combined. HHT activated expressions of Caspase-3 and PARP in a dose dependent manner at 24 h. HHT at 40 ng/mL and ATO at 8.5 micromol/L could significantly activate expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, and down-regulate expressions of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xl and Mcl-1. In addition, the combination therapy of HHT at 40 ng/mL and ATO at 8.5 micromol/L inhibited phosphorylation of AKT in a time-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONHTT, ATO, and combination therapy of HHT and ATO induced the apoptosis of RPMI 8226 cell line possibly through activating Caspase pathways, regulating expressions of Bcl-2 families, and inhibiting phosphorylation of AKT.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Harringtonines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; metabolism ; Oxides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of detecting API2-MALT1 fusion gene transcript in paraffin-embedded tissue and its diagnostic value for pulmonary MALT lymphoma.

METHODSTen archival cases of pulmonary MALT lymphoma were selected and reviewed. Five archival cases of chronic lymphadenitis were used as negative control. Detection of the API2-MALT1 fusion transcript was performed by RT-PCR followed by second-round PCR using nested primers. beta-actin mRNA assay was utilized as an internal control in all samples.

RESULTbeta-actin was detected in all samples (100%). The API2-MALT1 fusion transcript was found in 3 of 10 pulmonary MALT lymphomas (30%) and in none of the 5 chronic lymphadenitis cases. The pulmonary lesions in the fusion gene positive cases were all single tumors of less than 5.0 cm in diameter and limited to either the right or left of the lung.

CONCLUSIONDetection of API2-MALT1 fusion transcript in paraffin-embedded tissues is feasible by nested RT-PCR and is of diagnostic value. The presence of API2-MALT1 fusion gene may be correlated with a subset of pulmonary MALT lymphomas that have limited lung involvement.

Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo analyze the safety and efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in treatment of severe pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (PSLE).

METHODThe diagnosis of PSLE was made according to the criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus revised by the American College of Rheumatology in 1997. Severe cases with PSLE was selected by the following criteria: age ≤ 16 years, number of important organs involved > 1, SLEDAI score > 10 points and poor response to conventional immunosuppressive treatment. These patients received 2 doses of 375 mg/m(2) rituximab (RTX), 2 weeks apart. Clinical, laboratory findings and drug side effects were recorded at RTX initiation, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3, 6 and 12 months after infusion.

RESULTA total of 20 patients. Male to female ratio was 1:3, were enrolled. They were 5-16 years old. The course of disease was (3.0 ± 2.5) years (range: 1 month-7 years), patients were followed up for 12 - 36 months [median: (27.0 ± 7.8) months]. Delirium and cognitive disorders were significantly improved in 10 cases of lupus encephalopathy after 1 month. Lupus nephritis in children were eased slowly, 14/15 patients with lupus nephritis were improved after 2-3 months. Four cases of lupus pneumonia were significantly improved within 1 month. Decreased blood cells counts were relieved at 1 month in 16/18 cases. Cellular immune function was assessed 2 weeks after application of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody; we found B-cell clearance in 19 patients (95%). B lymphocyte count of 18 patients (90%) was restored within one year. SLEDAI score was reduced obviously. Dose of corticosteroid ranged from (45.0 ± 4.7) mg/m(2) before drug use to (12.0 ± 2.7) mg/m(2) 12 months later (P < 0.001). After the drug use, 5 patients had pneumonia within 6 months; 2 cases who suffered from aspergillus pneumonia and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia respectively were severe. They accepted mechanical ventilation and anti-inflammatory support after being transferred to the intensive care unit, and their conditions improved at last. No death occurred. In 2 patients the disease recurred with B-cell recovery after 15 months and 18 months. Administration of another cycle of rituximab resulted in remission again in one case but not in the other.

CONCLUSIONAnti-CD20 monoclonal antibody is effective and safe in treatment of severe PSLE. But severe infections may occur in some cases. Focusing on prevention and early treatment can reduce the probability of adverse reactions.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Lupus Nephritis ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; pathology ; Prednisolone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rituximab ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDThrombin is a multifunctional serine protease that plays a crucial role in hemostasis following tissue injury. In addition to its procoagulation effect, thrombin is also a potent mesenchymal cell mitogen, therefore it plays important roles in the local proliferation of mesenchymal cells in the tissue repair process. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce some human cells to proliferate at lower rates while at higher concentrations they promote cells to undergo apoptosis or necrosis. Accumulative evidence suggests that thrombin can induce some cells to produce ROS. Based on these observations, we provide a hypothesis that thrombin can stimulate human lung fibroblasts to produce ROS, which play an important role in human lung fibroblast proliferation.

METHODSROS were detected in fibroblasts at 30 minutes and 60 minutes following thrombin (20 U/ml) exposure using flow cytometry. The ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) was assayed in lung fibroblasts using a commercial kit following treatment with thrombin at different concentrations. NADPH oxidase and the extracellular regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway were detected by Western blotting after thrombin stimulation to lung fibroblasts.

RESULTSThrombin, at 20 U/ml, stimulated human lung fibroblasts (HLF) to generate ROS in a time dependent manner. The ratio of GSH/GSSG in fibroblasts treated with thrombin showed a significant decrease. NADPH oxidase was activated and the ERK1/2 signal pathway was involved in the proliferation process of fibroblasts treated with thrombin.

CONCLUSIONThe activation of NADPH oxidase by thrombin leads to the production of ROS, which promotes fibroblasts proliferation via activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; analysis ; physiology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; NADPH Oxidases ; analysis ; physiology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Thrombin ; pharmacology

Cryptosporidium andersoni ATP-binding cassette (CaABC) is an important membrane protein involved in substrate transport across the membrane. In this research, the nucleotide binding domain (NBD) of CaABC gene was amplified by PCR, and the eukaryotic expression vector of pEGFP-C1-CaNBD was reconstructed. Then, the recombinant plasmid of pEGFP-C1-CaNBD was transformed into the mouse intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) to study the iron transportation function of CaABC. The results indicated that NBD region of CaABC gene can significantly elevate the transport efficiency of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and HCO3 - in IECs (P<0.05). The significance of this study is to find the ATPase inhibitors for NBD region of CaABC gene and to inhibit ATP binding and nutrient transport of CaABC transporter. Thus, C. andersoni will be killed by inhibition of nutrient uptake. This will open up a new way for treatment of cryptosporidiosis.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/*chemistry/*genetics/metabolism ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Calcium/metabolism ; *Cloning, Molecular ; Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology ; Cryptosporidium/chemistry/genetics/*metabolism ; Humans ; Iron/metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Protozoan Proteins/*chemistry/*genetics/metabolism ; Sequence Alignment