OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture scalp point-through-point therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

METHODSThirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-operation group, a model group and a point-through-point therapy group. 6-()HDA was injected into left striatum to made lateralization Parkinson's disease rat model. The point-through-point therapy group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20 )-through-"Taiyang" (EX-NH 5), once each day, 6 days constituting one course, for 2 courses, and the rats of other groups were not treated. HE staining method was used for observation of the histo-morphologic changes of the substantia nigra neurons, and RT-PCR for the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) mRNAs.

RESULTSThe expressions of TH mRNA (1.22 +/- 0. 19) and DAT mRNA (0.62-0.11) in the point-through-point therapy group were significantly higher than (0.65 +/- 0.17) and (0.41 +/- 0.08) in the model group, respectively (all P < 0.05). As compared with the model group, the number of neurons in the substantia nigra increased and degeneration of the neurons relieved in the point-through-point therapy group.

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture scalp point-through-point therapy can increase expressions of TH mRNA and DAT mRNA in the substantia nigra in the Parkinson's disease model rat, and promote synthesis and reuptake of dopamine, hence Parkinson's disease is cured.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Substantia Nigra ; metabolism ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective mechanism of penetration therapy with scalp electroacupuncture on Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSThirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and a penetration therapy group, 9 rats in each group. The sham operation group was operated by micro-injection with normal saline in the left corpus striatum. The model group and penetration therapy group were generated by micro-injection with 6-hydroxydopamine in the left corpus striatum to prepare rotation model of PD. The penetration therapy group was treated by penetration therapy with scalp electroacupuncture through "Baihui" (GV 20) to "Taiyang" (EX-HN 5), once each day, 6 days for one course, altogether 2 courses, and there was no treatment in the other two groups. (1) Immunohistochemical method was used to test the morphology and count of positive cells of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). (2) In situ hybridization histochemistry was applied to detect the mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

RESULTS(1) The areal density (AD), numerical density (ND) and integrating optic density (IOD) of the positive neurons of TH in substantia nigra in the penetration therapy group were 0.065 +/- 0.011, 0.014 +/- 0.003 and 0.470 +/- 0.099, respectively, which were higher than 0.039 +/- 0.008, 0.008 +/- 0.002 and 0.266 +/- 0.065 in the model group (all P < 0.05). (2) The AD, ND and IOD of the mRNA expression of BDNF in substantia nigra in the penetration therapy group were 0.100 +/- 0.012, 0.014 +/- 0.003 and 1.158 +/- 0.130, respectively, which were higher than 0.047 +/- 0.012, 0.007 +/- 0.001 and 0.602 +/- 0.108 in the model group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe penetration therapy with scalp electroacupuncture has a better protective effect on dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra of rats with PD. The protective mechanism is related to the provocation of neural nourishment so as to improve the morphous of dopaminergic neurons and increase the number of dopaminergic neurons.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Scalp ; Substantia Nigra ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the differences in therapeutic effect between penetrating needling on head points and acupuncture of syndrome division in the treatment of vertigo caused by vertebral-basilar arterial blood-supply insufficiency.

METHODSSixty cases of vertigo caused by vertebral-basilar arterial blood-supply insufficiency were divided into 2 groups: a penetrating needling on head points group (group A) and an acupuncture of syndrome division group (group B), 30 cases in each one. In group A, penetrating needling technique was applied from Baihui (GV 20) towards Qianding (GV 21), Shuaigu (GB 8) towards Qubin (GB 7) and Yuzhen (BL 9) towards Tianzhu (BL 10). Electric stimulation was added. In group B, the acupoints were selected according to syndromes. For example, upper disturbance of wind yang: Ganshu (BL 18), Xingjian (LR 2),etc. were selected; upper disturbance of turbid phlegm: Yinlingquan (SP 9), Fenglong (ST 40), etc. were selected; qi and blood deficiency: Baihui (GV 20), Xuehai (SP 10), etc. were selected; liver and kidney yin deficiency: Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), etc. were selected. Electric stimulation and needling manipulation were conducted on those acupoints. Ten treatments made one session. After continuous 2 sessions of treatment, the efficacy, symptom score and physical sign score were compared between two groups. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) examination was done to observe hemodynamic changes of anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in group A was 96.7% (29/30) that was obviously better than 83.3% (25/30) in group B (P<0.05). The scores of vertigo degree, vertigo frequency, duration and accompanied symptoms after treatment were lower obviously as compared with those before treatment in two groups (all P<0.05). The improvements in group A were much significant (all P<0.05). The highest mean velocity(Vm) of bilateral MCA, ACA and PCA were apparently reduced after treatment in two groups (P< 0.05, P<0.01). The improvements in group A were much more apparently (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe penetrating needling on head points can effectively relieve vertigo caused by vertebral-basilar arterial blood-supply insufficiency, reduce the attack frequency and improve in its accompanied symptoms. Its clinical efficacy is significantly superior to that in acupuncture of syndrome division group.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Basilar Artery ; physiopathology ; Blood Circulation ; Female ; Head ; blood supply ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vertebral Artery ; physiopathology ; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ; complications ; therapy ; Vertigo ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy

Objective To screen thyroid function among planned pregnant women in Chongqing, to guide prenatal and postnatal care. Methods Proportional multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was adopted to enroll 11 953 planned pregnant women for questionnaire, physical examination, and serum samples collection. Results The median TSH was 2. 04 mIU/ L, P25 = 1. 36 mIU/ L,P75 = 2. 99 mIU/ L. TSH levels being normal, higher, and lower than the reference were 91. 47% , 6. 20% , and 2. 33% , respectively. In Northeast Chongqing, the proportions of median TSH level and TSH level above the upper limit were higher than those in other regions(P<0. 05). With improved education, proportions of TSH above the upper limit and below the lower limit declined(P<0. 05). With the increase in body mass index, the proportion of those whose TSH was above the upper limit showed elevated trend(P<0. 05). In women with history of adverse pregnancy outcomes, their median TSH was higher than that in the control group, and those, whose TSH level exceeded the upper limit, yield higher results than those in the control group(P<0. 05). In women with higher fasting blood glucose The median TSH level was lower than that in normal blood glucose group( P<0. 05), with the fasting plasma glucose concentration and TSH negatively correlated(P<0. 05). Conclusion The abnormal rate of TSH level in planned pregnant women was 8. 53% in Chongqing. The abnormal rate varies by different regions, education levels, body mass indexes, and blood glucose levels. Previous history of adverse pregnancy outcomes was related to elevated TSH levels. It is necessary to take pre-pregnancy thyroid function screening investigation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase (NOX)-mediated oxidative stress plays a key role in promotion of oxidative injury in the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study is to evaluate the status of NOX in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) of hyperlipidemic patients and to assess the correlation between NOX activity and the functions EPCs. METHODS: A total of 30 hyperlipidemic patients were enrolled for this study and 30 age-matched volunteers with normal level of plasma lipids served as controls. After the circulating EPCs were isolated, the EPC functions (migration, adhesion and tube formation) were evaluated and the status of NOX (expression and activity) was examined. RESULTS: Compared to the controls, hyperlipidemic patients showed an increase in plasma lipids and a reduction in EPC functions including the attenuated abilities in adhesion, migration and tube formation, concomitant with an increase in NOX expression (NOX2 and NOX4), NOX activity, and reactive oxygen species production. The data analysis showed negative correlations between NOX activity and EPC functions. CONCLUSIONS: There is a positive correlation between the NOX-mediated oxidative stress and the dysfunctions of circulating EPCs in hyperlipidemic patients, and suppression of NOX might offer a novel strategy to improve EPCs functions in hyperlipidemia.
Adenine ; Cardiovascular System ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells* ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; NADP* ; NADPH Oxidase ; Oxidative Stress* ; Oxidoreductases ; Plasma ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Statistics as Topic ; Volunteers

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tanshinone IIA on HL-60 and K562 cells apoptosis, and to assay the inhibition of the telomerase activities in the leukemia cell apoptosis induced by Tanshinone.

METHODUsing the techniques of cell culture in vitro, flow cytometry and PCR-TRAP observed the telomerase activities and apoptosis of HL-60 and K562 cells which treated by Tan IIA.

RESULT0.5 microg x mL(-1) Tan IIA could obviously inhibit HL-60 and K562 cell lines growth (P < 0.05), down-regulate c-myc, bcl-2 gene and up-regulate c-fos and p53 gene expression as well as induce leukemia cell apoptosis, the apoptotic rates of HL-60 and K562 cells were 11.8% and 21.8% respectively. The telomerase activities significant decreased, the inhibiting rates in HL60 and K562 cells were 30.8% and 50.8% respectively.

CONCLUSIONTan IIA could significantly inhibit the proliferation and telomerase activities of HL-60 and K562 cells and induce the leukemia cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Phenanthrenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clonality of polygonal cells and surface cuboidal cells in the so-called pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma (PSH).

METHODS17 female surgically resected PSH were found. The polygonal cells and surface cuboidal cells of the 17 PSH cases were microdissected from routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Genomic DNA was extracted, pretreated through incubation with methylation-sensitive restrictive endonuclease HhaI or HpaII, and amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction for X chromosome-linked androgen receptor (AR) and phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) genes. The length polymorphism of AR gene was demonstrated by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. The PGK gene products were treated with Bst XI and resolved on agarose gel.

RESULTSAmongst the 17 female cases of PSH, 15 samples were successfully amplified for AR and PGK genes. The rates of polymorphism were 53% (8/15) and 27% (4/15) for AR and PGK genes respectively. Polygonal cells and surface cuboidal cells of 10 cases which were suitable for clonality study, showed the same loss of alleles (clonality ratio = 0) or unbalanced methylation pattern (clonality ratio < 0.25).

CONCLUSIONSThe polygonal cells and surface cuboidal cells in PSH demonstrate patterns of monoclonal proliferation, indicating that both represent true neoplastic cells.

Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphoglycerate Kinase ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pulmonary Sclerosing Hemangioma ; genetics ; pathology ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; X Chromosome Inactivation

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of tagalsin on hepatoma cells.

METHODSThe animal models were established by transplanting H(22) mouse hepatoma cells to mouse liver, and ten days later the mice were randomly divided into five groups: blank group, carmofur positive group and tagalsin groups, including low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose groups. Then medicine or oil was given to the mice by gastric gavage in consecutive 5 days with a 2-days interval as a course of treatment, two courses in all. All mice were killed at 24 hours after medication, and the survival period, ascites conditions, aggressive conditions intra- or extra-liver, weight changes, tumor volume and spleen index of the tumor-bearing mice were observed. Pathological changes of the tumors were examined. Apoptotic factors p53 and Bcl-2 protien and mRNA were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTStagalsin inhibited the hepatoma growth effectively without influencing spleen index to some extent. The tumor inhibition rate of tagalsin low, middle and high dose groups were 17.9%, 63.1% and 71.8%, respectively. Immunohistochemical results showed that the p53 and Bcl-2 protein positive cell counts of the positive control and experimental groups were significantly lower than those of the blank group (P < 0.01). RT-PCR results showed that the p53 mRNA expression was significantly enhanced and Bcl-2 mRNA expression was decreased in the positive control groups and tagalsin treatment groups, especially in the high dose group, compared with those of the blank group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONStagalsin can inhibit the growth of mouse hepatoma cells significantly. The mechanism of its anti-tumor effect may work via up-regulating the wild type p53 gene expression and down-regulating Bcl-2 gene expression and thus regulating tumor cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rhizophoraceae ; chemistry ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

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

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of the natural medicinal monomer isopsoralen (ISR) with estrogenic activity against oxidative damage in human lens epithelial cells B3 (HLE-B3) caused by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and to pursue the possible mitochondrial proteomic regularity of the protective effects.

METHODSHLE-B3 cells were treated with H(2)O(2) (300 μ mol/L), β-estradiol (E(2): 10(-8) mol/L) and H(2)O(2), ISR (10(-5) mol/L) and H(2)O(2), or left untreated. Altered expressions of all mitochondrial proteins were analyzed by protein array and surfaceenhanced laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). The mass/charge (m/z) ratios of each peak were tested by the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, and the protein peak value of the m/z ratio for each treatment by pair comparison was analyzed with the Nemenyi test.

RESULTSH(2)O(2) up-regulated the expressions of two protein spots (with m/z of 6532 and 6809). E(2) mitigated the oxidative damage, and the expression of one protein spot (m/z 6532) was down-regulated. In contrast, ISR down-regulated both of protein spots (m/z 6532 and 6809).

CONCLUSIONSISR could effectively inhibit H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative damage in HLE-B3 cells. The protein spot at m/z of 6532 might be the target spot of ISR against oxidative damage induced by H(2)O(2).

Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Furocoumarins ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Lens, Crystalline ; pathology ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Proteome ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods