OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Xinfeng Capsule (XC) on lipoprotein metabolism of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

METHODSTotally 180 RA patients were assigned to the experimental group and the control group by random digit table, 90 in each group. Patients in the experimental group took XC (three pills each time, three times daily), while those in the control group took Methotrexate Tablet (four tablets each time, once per week). One month consisted of one therapeutic course and all patients were treated for two therapeutic courses. A healthy control group consisting of 60 patients was also set up. Changes of lipoprotein indices, clinical efficacy, lipid metabolism, joint symptoms and signs, activity indicators were observed, and correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, expression levels of prealbumin (PA), globulin (GLO), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein Al (Apo-A1) were lowered in RA patients (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Correlation analyses showed that PA was negatively correlated with joint tenderness, morning stiffness time, disease activity score (DAS-28), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, respectively. Total protein (TP) was negatively correlated with joint tenderness. GLO was negatively correlated with joint tenderness and DAS-28. HDL was negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and endothelin (ET)-1. Apo-Al was negatively correlated with joint pain; Apo-B was negatively correlated with CRP; LDL was negatively correlated with morning stiffness time (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with before treatment, expression levels of PA, HDL, Apo-A1 , Apo-B, and serum IL-10 contents increased, and expression levels of ESR, CRP, IL-6, ET-1 , joint pain, joint swelling, morning stiffness time, and DAS-28 decreased in the experimental group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). PA increased more after treatment than before treatment in the control group (P <0. 01). There was statistical difference in joint symptoms (except joint tenderness) and activity indices (except ET-1) in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the control group after treatment, PA and HDL increased, ET-1 and duration of morning stiffness decreased in the experimental group (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSLipoprotein metabolic disorder exists in RA patients, and it is associated with disease activity. XC could obviously improve lipoprotein metabolism and joint symptoms.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipoproteins ; Lipoproteins, HDL ; metabolism ; Methotrexate

AIMTo develop a method for determination of loganin in mouse plasma by using high-performance liquid chromatography. The method was employed to study pharmacokinetics of loganin.

METHODSAn RP-C18 was used as the stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of methanol-water (30:70), at the flow-rate of 0.8 mL.min-1. The UV absorbance detector was set at 240 nm. Plasma samples were treated with solid phase extraction.

RESULTSThe recovery of loganin in mouse plasma was 86.0%-91.5%. The calibration curve in plasma was linear over the range of 0.01-5.00 micrograms.mL-1. The limit of quantitation was 10 ng.mL-1. The RSDs of intra-day and inter-day (n = 5) were less than 15%. The pharmacokinetic parameters were Cmax = 6.8 micrograms.mL-1, Tmax = 30 min, T1/2 alpha = 26.1 min, T1/2 beta = 29.01 min.

CONCLUSIONThe method is accurate, sensitive and suitable for pharmcokinetic study of loganin. The absorption and elimination of loganin were rapid after ig in mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Iridoids ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Mice

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of catecholamine hormone on the blood and brain of heroin addicts.

METHODSRats were divided into three groups and treated with the glucose (control group), the heroin (im) (heroin group), and the combination of the intramuscular injection of reserpine and heroin (reserpine group). Changes in the levels of the dopamine (DA), cAMP, and cGMP were detected by the radioimmunoassay (RIA) method in the blood and brain tissue.

RESULTSNo significant withdrawal symptoms were observed in the reserpine group. Compared with the control and heroin groups, the blood cAMP levels were increased by 35.36% and 15.53% in the reserpine group, respectively; the cAMP levels in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and hippocampus (Hipp) were increased by 24.08% & 8.53%, 15.66% & 8.13%, and 21.95% & 8.40%, respectively. While compared to the control and heroin groups, the DA levels of the PFC, Hipp, striatum, and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were significantly reduced in the reserpine group, decreasing by 74.09% & 82.86%, 81.06% & 82.23%, 91.62% & 86.55% and 84.35% & 90.63%, respectively. The concentrations of cGMP of the brain tissues in the reserpine group were lower than those in the control group. In addition, the neural electrophysiological testing showed that the electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), and muscle spindle discharge diagram of rats in both the reserpine and heroin groups were apparently changed.

CONCLUSIONCatecholamine hormone plays an important role in heroin addiction.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Catecholamines ; physiology ; Cyclic AMP ; blood ; metabolism ; Cyclic GMP ; blood ; metabolism ; Dopamine ; blood ; metabolism ; Heroin Dependence ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVEIn order to investigate the epidemics of borna disease virus (BDV) in Ningxia and its vicinal regions.

METHODSp24 fragment of BDV from: (1) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cerebrospinal fluid mononuclear cells (CSFMC) from 52 patients with viral encephalitis (VE) and 32 healthy donors, (2) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 53 patients with depressive disorder (DD) and from 360 sheep, were examined by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(PCR) with fluorescence quantitative PCR. Gene sequence and amino acid sequence were analysed for positive product and the molecular epidemiologic characteristics by drawing phylogenetic trees.

RESULTSThe positive rate of BDV p24 in CSFMC from VE (11.54%) and in PBMC from DD 11.32% was significantly higher than that in healthy donors (0%) (P < 0.05). The phylogenetic trees indicating the genetic relationship of the p24 fragment of BDV in both sheep and VE, DD in China and was similar to the nucleotide sequence of H1766 strain in Germany.

CONCLUSIONData indicated that the BDV infection was possibly existing in VE, DD patients and health sheep in Ningxia and its vicinal regions with confined locality which called for further study.

Animals ; Borna Disease ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Borna disease virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; China ; epidemiology ; Depressive Disorder ; virology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sheep

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic alterations of neurofilament subunits (NF) in sciatic nerve of hens with organophosphorus ester induced the delayed neurotoxicity or neuropathy (OPIDN).

METHODSHens with OPIDN were produced by giving 30 mg/kg methamidophos subcutaneously to the 10-month-old Roman hens daily for 15 days, and sacrificed after manifesting neurotoxic clinical signs on the 2nd, 10th, and 23rd day respectively. The sciatic nerves were dissected, homogenized and centrifuged. The levels of NF in supernatant and pellet of sciatic nerves were examined by Western blotting respectively at different time from 2 to 23 days.

RESULTSIntegrated optional density (IOD) of high molecular weight neurofilament (NF-H) in sciatic nerve pellet of hens on the day 2, 10, 23 after appearance of OPIDN were 145,117 +/- 17,038, 55,917 +/- 17,333 and 45,038 +/- 6,662 respectively. As compared with the control group (78,875 +/- 22,569), the contents of NF-H in pellet were increased by 84% on day 2, and decreased by 29% and 43% on day 10 and 23 respectively. IOD of NF-H in supernatant of sciatic nerves were 4,709 +/- 1,739, 12,337 +/- 3,205 and 16,745 +/- 931, which were reduced significantly as compared with the control (44,083 +/- 6,895) at three different times. There was no significant difference in IOD of middle molecular weight neurofilament (NF-M) between control group (27,925 +/- 2,660) and on day 2 (31,493 +/- 4,625) in pellet. Those were 19,367 +/- 2,746 and 6,612 +/- 1,119 respectively on day 10 and day 23 in pellet of hen's sciatic nerve, which were much less than that in control. Little were detected in supernatant on day 10, and the IOD of NF-M were 3,196 +/- 269 and 5,206 +/- 1,292 on day 2 and day 23 respectively, which were lessened by 81% and 70% as compared with the control (17,243 +/- 3,232). In sciatic nerve pellet of hens, IOD of low molecular weight neurofilament (NF-L) on day 2 was 39,211 +/- 3,800, which was much higher than that in the control (28,749 +/- 9,319). There were no significant differences between IOD on day 10 (27,974 +/- 3,611), day 23 (21,507 +/- 2,286) and the control. There was no detection both on day 2 and 10 in supernatant of sciatic nerve, and IOD of NF-L were 5,962 +/- 1,929 on day 23, which were reduced significantly compared with the control (11,897 +/- 352).

CONCLUSIONThe alterations of NF in sciatic nerve might contribute to the occurrence and development of OPIDN.

Animals ; Chickens ; Female ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Neurofilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; toxicity ; Sciatic Nerve ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Toxicity Tests

Anxiety ; etiology ; Asthma ; psychology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Depression ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the alterations of microtubule and microfilament expression are responsible for the neurotoxicity of carbon disulfide.

METHODSWistar rats were administered with carbon disulfide by gavage at a dosage of 300 or 500 mg/kg for continuous 12 weeks (five times per week). Spinal cords of carbon disulfide-intoxicated rats and their age-matched controls were Triton-extracted and ultracentrifuged to yield a pellet and a corresponding supernatant fraction. Then, the contents of alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, and beta-actin in both fractions were determined by immunoblotting. In the meantime, their mRNA levels in spinal cords were quantified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIn the supernatant fraction, the contents of beta-tubulin and beta-actin in both treated groups increased significantly (P < 0.01) the content of beta-tubulin increased by 141% and 158% respectively, and the content of beta-actin increased by 19% and 32% respectively. In the pellet fraction, the content of beta-tubulin in both groups increased by 107%(P < 0.01) and 118%(P < 0.01) respectively, and the others keep unaffected. In the meantime, the levels of of mRNA expression of beta-tubulin and beta-actin gene were elevated consistently in CS(2)-treated groups (P < 0.01) the levels of mRNA expression of beta-tubulin increased by 207% and 212% respectively, and the levels of mRNA expression of beta-actin increased by 94% and 91% respectively.

CONCLUSIONCarbon disulfide intoxication results in alternations of microtubule and microfilament expression, and the alternations might be related to its neurotoxicity.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Carbon Disulfide ; poisoning ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tubulin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of 1-bromopropane (1-BP) on the functions of learning-memory and the central cholinergic system in rats.

METHODSForty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: low 1-BP group (200 mg/kg), middle 1-BP group (400 mg/kg), high 1-BP group (800 mg/kg) and control group, and the exposure time was 7 days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was applied to evaluate the learning-memory function in rats. After the MWM test, the rats were sacrificed, the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were quickly dissected and homogenized in ice bath. The activity of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in supernatant of homogenate were detected.

RESULTSThe latency and swim path-length of rats in middle and high 1-BP groups prolonged significantly in place navigation test and the efficiency of searching strategy obviously decreased, as compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In spatial probe test, the number of crossing platform in three 1-BP groups decreased significantly, as compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The cortical AChE activity of rats in middle and high 1-BP groups was significantly higher than that of control and low 1-BP group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The AChE activity in rat hippocampus of high 1-BP group obviously increased, as compared with control group as compared with control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of cortical ChAT activity between three 1-BP groups and control group (P > 0.05). In the hippocampus, there was no difference of ChAT activity among the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION1-BP exposure could significantly influence the learning-memory function in rats due to the increase of AChE activity.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Choline O-Acetyltransferase ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Hydrocarbons, Brominated ; toxicity ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo perform gene analysis and family survey of a patient with combined inherited FVII and FX deficiency, and to identify the gene mutation of this patient.

METHODSThe phenotype diagnosis was validated by coagulant parameter assay on prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, FVII and FX activity (FVII:C, FX:C) and FVII and FX antigen (FVII:Ag, FX:Ag). FVII and FX gene mutations were analyzed in the proband and other family members by DNA direct sequencing of all exons, exon-intron boundaries and 5', 3' untranslated sequences. One hundred and six health examination participants were selected as control.

RESULTSThe values of PT and APTT of the proband showed significantly prolonged, which were 84.5s and 63.4s, respectively. The levels of FVII:C, FVII:Ag, FX:C and FX:Ag were 6%, 7%, 4% and 30%, respectively. The PT of his father, mother and sister was prolonged slightly while both APTT and FVII:Ag were in the normal range. Two homozygous mutations, g.11267C→T in exon 8 of FVII gene resulting in the substitution of Arg277Cys and g.28139G→T in exon 8 of FX gene leading to the substitution of Val384Phe, were identified in the proband. The proband's parents and sister were heterozygous for Arg277Cys and Val384Phe mutations.

CONCLUSIONHomozygous mutation Arg277Cys in FVII gene and Val384Phe in FX gene were the molecular mechanism causing combined inherited FVII and FX deficiency. The Val384Phe substitution was a novel mutation, which may affect the synthesis or secretion of FX protein.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Factor VII ; genetics ; Factor VII Deficiency ; complications ; genetics ; Factor X Deficiency ; complications ; genetics ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Young Adult

Acrylamide ; toxicity ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; blood ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Gait Ataxia ; blood ; chemically induced ; Male ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; blood ; etiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar