Objective:To investigate the effects of paeonol on aortic nuclear factor-kappaB ( NF-κB) activity and blood lipid levels in the rats with atherosclerosis ( AS) . Methods:The AS rat model was established by administration of high-fat diet and vitamin D3 ( i. p. ). The rats were divided into 5 groups (n=8) randomly, namely the normal group, model group, positive control group(simvasta-tin, 10 mg·kg-1 ) and paeonol groups with the dose of 20 and 10 mg·kg-1 , respectively. After the 4-week treatment, the serum of rats was collected to determine the lipid levels. The aortic pathologic changes of AS rats were observed under a microscope, and then graded, and aortic NF-κB activity was detected by an immunohistochemistry method. Results:Administration of paeonol improved the severity of aortic pathology in AS rats. The pathologic grade in the paeonol group (20 mg·kg-1 ) showed a significant difference com-pared with that in the model group (P<0. 05). Paeonol (20 and 10 mg·kg-1) markedly decreased the TG, TC and LDL-C levels in the serum of AS rats (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Meanwhile, paeonol significantly inhibited the aortic NF-κB activity(IOD value) with (1. 96 ± 0. 55) and (2. 50 ± 0. 80) in 20 and 10 mg·kg-1 group, respectively, which showed significant differences compared with that in the model group (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). Conclusion:Paeonol shows certain therapeutic effect in AS rats, and the mechanisms may be related with the regulation of lipid mobilization and the inhibition of aortic NF-κB activity.

Objective To study the relationship of age and high risk behaviors (HRBs) related to HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Methods One thousand one hundred and nine anonymous questionnaires were collected from MSM in 1999. Univariate analyses were applied to clarify the relation of the age and HRBs. Results The numbers of accumulative partners and oral intercourse behavior were higher in 35 ~ 44 age group (P

Objective: To investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Radix et Rhizome Rhodiolae on expressions of HIF-1?, HIF-1? and VEGF in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) exposed to hypoxia. Methods: The effect of different treatment time and concentrations of aqueous extract of Radix et Rhizome Rhodiolae on cellular proliferation were determined with XTT colorimetric assay. The mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1?, HIF-1? and VEGF were analyzed respectively by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction with SYBR Green I and Western blot. Three groups were studied: normoxia control group, hypoxia control group, Radix et Rhizome Rhodiolae treatment group. Results: The optimal condition of Radix et Rhizome Rhodiolae treatment were 24h and 10?g/mL. The protein levels of HIF-1?, HIF-1? and VEGF were elevated by hypoxia (P

ObjectiveTomonitorthehighriskbehaviorsandotherAIDS/STIrelatedfactorsamongmenwhohavesexwithmen(MSM),especiallymalehomosexualsinmainlandChina.MethodsSelf-administratedanonymousmailsurveyswerecarriedoutin2001,andanalyzedwithSPSS.ResultsOnethousandonehundredandnineeffectivequestionnaireswerecollectedfrom30provincesandcities.MostofMSMlivedinbigormedi-um-sizedcities,havinggoodeducation,andbeingyounger.Thenumbersofsamegendersexpartnersweremorethanone.Theyoftenhadcasualsexpartnersandunprotectedintercourse.Inthelastyear,11.45%reportedhavingbeendiagnosedSTI.AmongMSMwhohavebeentestedforHIVantibody,5.45%oftestswerepositive.ConclusionsWhileSTIratehasbeenreachingahighlevel,MSMwithSTIalsohavebeeninfectedwithHIVintheMSMofmainlandChina.OthergroupshavingsexwithMSMareatgreaterriskofSTI/HIVinfection.ItisinurgentneedtopreventandcontrolSTI/AIDSinMSM.

Objective To investigate the expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor(IGF-2R)induced by hypoxia and serum deprivation(H/SD)in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in vitro.Methods Cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into control group and H/SD group.Expression of IGF-2R mRNA was measured by RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR.Level of IGF-2R protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results Compared with control group,the expression of IGF-2R mRNA increased significantly (P ＜0.01)in cardiomyocytes cultured in H/SD condition for 12 h and 24 h,and IGF-2R protein was upregulated in cardiomyocytes cultured in H/SD condition for 24 h(P ＜0.05).Conclusion H/SD may induce IGF-2R expression,and IGF-2R may potentially explain the mechanism of cardiomyocyte damage induced by ischemia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different time administration of propofol on cytochrome c (Cyt c) in the cytoplasm in rat hippocampal neurons with hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury.MethodsPrimary cultured hippocampal neurons were randomly divided into 5 groups ( n =5 each):control group (group C),model of H/R injury group (group M),and different time administration of propofol groups (group Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ ).In groups M,Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ,the neurons were exposed to 95％ N2 + 5％ CO2 for6 h followed by 12 h reoxygenation.In groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ,Ⅲ,propofol was added to the culture medium before hypoxia,immediately after reoxygenation and at 2 h of reoxygenation (T0-2) respectively,with the final concentration of 20 μmol/L.The cell apoptosis was observed at T1,2 and at 24 h of reoxygenation ( T3 ) and the concentration of Cyt c in the cytoplasm was detected at T1-3.ResultsCompared with group C,the concentration of Cyt c in the cytoplasm was significantly increased at T1-3 in group M and at T1,2 in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group M,the concentration of Cyt c in the cytoplasm was significantly decreased at T1-3 in group I and at T1,2 in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ ( P ＜0.05).The concentration of Cyt c in the cytoplasm was significantly higher at T1,2 in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ than in group Ⅰ,and at T2 in group Ⅲ than in group Ⅱ ( P ＜ 0.05).The neuronal apoptosis was significantly decreased in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ as compared with group M.ConclusionDifferent time administration of propofol can reduce the mitochondrial Cyt c release to the cytoplasm,inhibit apoptosis in hippocampal neurons,and reduce H/R injury in rats,with better effect when given before hypoxia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the information acquired through the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with bronchial asthma, and to classify the syndrome types. METHODS: Four hundred and thirty patients with bronchial asthma were randomly investigated. The information acquired through the four diagnostic methods was recorded and the database was established by Amos software, and then the data were analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: After analyzing the data with 4 factors, 5 factors and 6 factors, we found that the results of CFA with 6 factors were in accordance with clinical practical experience. CONCLUSION: According to the results of CFA with 6 factors and with the standard regression coefficient 0.4 as primary and secondary critical points, the syndromes in patients with bronchial asthma can be classified into 5 types, which are syndromes of cold fluid retained in lung, phlegm-heat obstructing lung, wind-phlegm blocking lung, qi deficiency of lung and kidney and qi deficiency of spleen.

BACKGROUND:Ability of adipose mesenchymal stem cels differentiating into type II alveolar epithelial cels and the regulating mechanism have not been fuly elucidated.
OBJECTIVE:To study the ability of adipose mesenchymal stem cels differentiating into type II alveolar epithelial cels in vitro and the function of Wnt pathway in the regulation of differentiation.
METHODS:Adipose mesenchymal stem cels were obtained from fat tissue of rats and identified by flow cytometry. The adipose mesenchymal stem cels were divided into control group, smal airway growth medium (SAGM) group and Wnt3a group. Control group was treated with normal DMEM medium; SAGM and Wnt3a groups were both treated with smal airway growth medium, and additionaly, the Wnt3a group was treated with Wnt3a, a Wnt signaling pathway agonist. After 10 days, quantitative RT-PCR and immunofluorescence detection were used to test the expression of surfactant proteins B, C, D, type II alveolar epithelial markers. Phosphorylatedβ-catenin and GSK-3β were detected using western blot after 5 and 10 days of induction.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Adipose mesenchymal stem cels with high purity could be successfuly isolated from the adipose tissue of rats, and expressed CD44 and CD29, but not CD11b and CD45. After SAGM treatment, protein and mRNA expressions of surfactant proteins B, C, D were al increased in adipose mesenchymal stem cels (P < 0.01), indicating the ability of adipose mesenchymal stem cels to be induced into type II epithelial cels. Surfactant proteins B, C, D expressions at protein and mRNA levels were significantly higher in the Wnt3a group than the SAGM group (P < 0.01). During the induction progress, the expression of phosphorylated β-catenin gradualy increased, but GSK-3βexpression gradualy decreased in the Wnt3a group (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that Wnt signaling pathways are involved in differentiation of adipose mesenchymal stem cels into type II alveolar epithelial cels.

AIM To investigate the anti-neuroinflammation effects of 4-hydroxybenzyl aldehyde (4-HBAL) from Gastrodia elata Blume on acute cerebral ischemic injury in rats and its nechanism of action.METHODS The rat model of acute cerebral ischemic injury was induced by injecting arachidonic acid via intracarotid artery.Brain tissue samples were taken from the animals 3 h after the model of acute cerebral ischemic injury.Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were detected in brain tissue to evaluate the effects of 4-HBAL in vivo.Lipopolysaccharid (LPS)-induced activation of BV-2 microglia cells model was used to explore the anti-neuroinflammation mechanism of 4-HBAL.RESULTS The experimental results showed that 4-HBAL had a significant protective effect on acute cerebral ischemic injury.It could significandy decrease the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β),and obviously inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO),prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cell,and increase the production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factors-β (TGF-β) in BV-2 cell.CONCLUSION The mechanism of 4-HBAL may be related to the suppression of the excessive activation of microglia after cerebral ischemia and the promotion of the transformation of microglia into anti-inflammatory phenotype.

Objective To observe the effect of Yiqi Huexue Recipe on the expression of TGF-β1 and TNF-α on serum and lung of rots with radiation-induced lung injury in different radiation time,and discuss the preventative and curative effect and mechanisms of Yiqi Huoxue Recipe.Methods 66 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into irradiation with Yiqi Huoxue Recipe-treated group(A group)irradiation group(B group),and normal control group(C group).The first two groups were irradiated at right hemithorax with a dose of 30 Gy/6 fractions(in 6 weeks).The levels of TGF-β1,and TNF-α on rat serum and lung were measured by ELISA and immunohistochemistry at the end of the 4th,6th,8th,12th,and 26th week after the first irradiation.Results TGF-β1,and TNF-α level on rats serum and lung in irradiation group showed an increase from the 4th week after the first irradiation,peaking at the 12th week,and descending at the 26th week.In A group,the levels of TGF-β1 and TNF-α were significantly lower from the 4th week than those of B group.Conclusions Yiqi Huoxue Recipe could inhibit the excretion of TGF-β1,and TNF-α and might play an important role in the prevention and curation of radiation-induced lung injury,which might be related to inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 and TNF-α.