BACKGROUND: Studies have showed that Chengzai pill is of distinct significance in the treatment of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head through increasing bone mineral density, bone weight, bone strength and rigidity, it also reverses the low levels of estrogen. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Chengzai pill on the genes of cell adhesion molecules on bone cells of steroid-induced ostaonecrotic rats, and to understand the role to resume normal blood transport in femoral head of steroid-induced osteonecrosis. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Grouping controlled observation was performed in the Pharmacological Laboratory of Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and laboratory of CapitalBio Corporation between March and August in 2006. MATERIALS: Six male SD rats of 6 months old and weighing (280:1:20) g were used in this study. Chengzai pill was consisted of 22 Chinese medicines, such as Chinese Angelica, Eucommia Bark, Milkvetch Root, Barbary Wolfberry Fruit, Degelatined Deer-hom, Desertliving Cistanche, Eupolyphaga seu Steleophaga, Leech, Danshen Root and Himalayan Teasel Root, which were offered by Beijing Boran Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. METHODS: The lipopolysaccharide and methylprednisolone were applied to prepare a rat model of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head. Six rats were divided into model group and Chengzai pill group at random with 3 rats in each group. The rats in the Chengzai pill group were administrated with methylprednisolone for the first time and then 1.5 g/kg Chengzai pill solution, once a day, totally for 6 weeks. The total RNA was extracted from femoral head in all rata 6 weeks later and then gene expression profiling was analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gene action pathway of cell adhesion molecules in gene expression profile. RESULTS: Compared with model rats, there were totally 8 downregulated genes of cell adhesion molecules which changed by a minimum of 1.5 folds in cell adhesion molecules pathway of Chengzai pill group, three rats were present with 633 genes (506 down-regulated and 127 up-regulated), 883 genes (640 down-regulated and 243 up-regulated) and 593 genes (408 down-regulated and 185 up-regulated), respectively. MAS software classification analysis showed 79 action pathways were involved in 297 genes.CONCLUSION: Following Chengzai pill administration, those downregulated genes recover the cognitive functions of macrophage and target cell in rats, also renew the normal survival condition of epithelial cells including vascular endothelial cells. Cell adhesion molecules action pathway returns to normal levels. This is the key to resume normal blood transport in femoral head of steroid-induced osteonecrosis.

OBJECTIVE:To study improvement effect of modified mahuang chanyi decoction on allergic rhinitis(AR)model guinea pigs and its mechanism. METHODS:32 guinea pigs were randomly divided into normal group (0.9% Sodium chloride in-jection),model group (0.9% Sodium chloride injection),experimental [Modified mahuang chanyi decoction,5.18 g (medicinal materials)/kg] group and control [Fluticasone propionate nasal spray,50 μg/(guinea pig·d)] group. Except for normal group,other groups received ovalbumin 30 mg and calmogastrin 30 mg intraperitoneally to induce AR model. Except for control group,other groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically,twice a day for consecutive 15 d. Nasal symptoms of guinea pigs were ob-served and recorded,and then analyzed and scored. The protein expression of nasal mucosa SHP-1 was detected by immunohisto-chemistry,the serum contents of IL-4 and IFN-γ were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS:Compared with normal group,model group suffered from AR symptom,and nasal symptoms score was increased;and the protein expression of nasal mucosa SHP-1 and the serum content of IL-4 increased,while the content of IFN-γ decreased(P<0.05). Compared with model group,AR symptom of experimental group and control group were improved;nasal symptoms score,the protein expression of nasal mucosa SHP-1 and the serum content of IL-4 decreased while the content of IFN-γ increased(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Modified mahuang chanyi decoction shows certain improvement effect on AR,and its mechanism is associated the decrease of IL-4 content and the increase of IFN-γcontent in serum.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) on regulation of intestinal inflammatory reaction in rats with acute pancreatitis.

METHODSFifty-four SD rats were randomly divided into a severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a sham-operation (SO) group, 18 cases in each group. 3.5% sodium cholate was used to made SAP model by retrograde injecting in cholangiopancreatic duct. After the success of model making, the EA group was treated with EA at bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) for 30 min. The SO group and the SAP group were fixed at the same time for 30 min without treatment. All the rats were killed at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after modeling in batches. The pathological changes of pancreatic tissue and intestinal epithelium were observed, and the expression of small intestinal occludin protein and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) were detected by immunohistochemical SP method.

RESULTSThe pathologic score and the expression of small intestinal NF-kappaB p65 at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after modeling in the EA group and the SO group were significantly lower than those in the SAP group (all P < 0.05), and the expression of small intestinal occludin protein in the EA group and the SO group were significantly higher than that in the SAP group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) can alleviate pancreatic injury by reducing the expression of NF-kappaB p65 and enhancing the expression of occludin protein in the intestinal epithelium in the SAP model rats.

Acupuncture Points ; Acute Disease ; therapy ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Occludin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pancreatitis ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

4-Hydroxycoumarins ; blood ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods

Objective To study the bioavailability and bioequivalence of erythromycin ethylsuccinate granules in healthy male volunteers.Methods In a randomized two-period crossover study,20 healthy male volunteers received single 500 mg test and reference formulations of erythromyein ethylsuccinate granules.The plasma concentrations of erythromycin were assayed by microbiological method.Results The parameters of test and reference preparations were as follows:T_(max)(0.86?0.22)and (0.80?0.13)h,C_(max)(2.13?0.64)and(2.16?0.61)mg/L,t_(1/2)(2.04?0.2)and(1.97?0.4)h,AUC_(0-t)(4.96?1.73)and(4.63?1.52)mg?h/L,respectively.There was no significant difference between the two preparations.The rela- tive bioavailahility of the test granules was(109.1?22.8)%.Conclusions The two preparations of erythromycin ethylsucci- nate granules are bioequivalent.

Objective To study the interobserver variabilities and the differential diagnosis value of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System-Ultrasound (BI-RADS-US) lexicon for small ( ≤ 2 cm) breast nodules. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2011, 289 patients with small (≤2 cm) breast nodules (n=317) were included. According to sizes, the lesions were divided into two groups, i.e., 0-1 cm (n=160) group and 1-2 cm (n=157)group. Each lesion was described independently by 3 radiologists using BI-RADS-US lexicon. Interobserver variabilities were assessed by Kappa test. Chi-square test was used to compare the frequency difference of the descriptors between malignant and benign lesions. Sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negtive predictive value were calculated. Results (1)Moderate agreements were obtained for lesion shape, orientation, margin, echo pattern, surrounding tissue and calciifcations (κ=0.44, 0.57, 0.48, 0.43, 0.51 and 0.57) in 0-1 cm group. Substantial agreements were obtained for lesion shape, orientation, margin and echo pattern (κ=0.65, 0.61, 0.64 and 0.63) in 1-2 cm group. (2)Irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, non-circumscribed margin, echogenic halo and microcalciifcations were more frequently found in malignant nodules than in benign nodules in 0-1 cm group [52.3% (34/65) vs 20.0% (19/95), 38.5%(25/65) vs 13.7%(13/95), 75.4%(49/65) vs 32.6%(31/95), 18.6%(12/65) vs 0 (0/95) and 10.8%(7/65) vs 2.1%(2/95);χ2=18.19, 13.08, 28.22, 16.39 and 3.95;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.047]. Similarly, irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, non-circumscribed margin, echogenic halo, shadowing, changes of Cooper′s ligament and microcalciifcations were signiifcantly more frequent found in malignant nodules than in benign nodules in 1-2 cm group [74.2%(49/66) vs 12.1%(11/91), 36.3%(24/66) vs 5.5%(5/91), 93.9%(62/66) vs 22.0%(20/91), 37.9%(25/66) vs 3.3%(3/91), 30.3%(20/66) vs 7.7%(7/91), 15.2%(10/66) vs 0 (0/91) and 16.7%(11/66) vs 4.4%(4/91);χ2=62.59, 24.21, 79.40, 31.22, 13.73, 12.30 and 6.67;P=0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.010]. (3)In both groups, a good sensitivity was demonstrated (75.4%&93.9%) when using the non-circumscribed margin as a criterion for malignancy, and high speciifcity was achieved in two groups (80.0%-100%and 87.9%-100%) when other descriptors including irregular shape, non-parallel orientation, echogenic halo, shadowing, changes of Cooper′s ligament and microcalciifcations were used as differentiation criteria. Conclusions Good interobserver agreement can be achieved using the BI-RADS-US lexicon in the diagnosis of small breast nodules. Non-circumscribed margin are proved as the most valuable sign for screening malignant breast lesions ≤ 2 cm. High speciifcity was found for irregular shape, nonparallel orientation, echogenic halo, shadowing, Cooper′s ligament changes and microcalciifcations, which can help biopsy and preoperative diagnosis.

Objective To develop and validate a simple and reliable HPLC method for the analysis of L-carnitine in human seminal plasma and to investigate its clinical significance as a potentially useful index of infertile.Methods After proteins in seminal plasma are precipitated with acetonitrile,L-carnitine in seminal plasma was derivatized to form its ester.HPLC separation of the sample solution was performed on a Lichrospher SiO_2 column and detected by ultraviolet absorbance at 260 nm.A mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-citrie acid buffer(containing 12 mmol/L triethanolamine,pH 5.0)was found to be the most suitable for this separation at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min and enabled the baseline separation of the L-carnitine from interferences with isocratic elution.The L-carnitine levels in seminal plasma were studied in both 87 patients with infertility and 30 control subjects.Results Under the chromatographic conditions described, the L-carnitine derivative had a retention time of approximately 13 min.Good separation and detectability of L-carnitine in human seminal plasma sample were obtained.The method proved to be linear in the range of L-carnitine from 0 ?mol/L to 1000 ?mol/L.The relative standard deviations of within-and between-assay for L-carnitine analysis were 1.23% and 1.36%,respectively.The recoveries were 91.6% -96.5% for the human seminal plasma samples.L-carnitine concentrations in the populations were(392.7?107.2)?mol/L in the fertile group(n=30),(270.0?83.9)?mol/L in asthenozoospermia group(n=29),(187.9? 43.9)?mol/L in oligozoospermia group(n=19)and(175.7?67.1)?mol/L in oligoasthenozoospermia group(n=39).The large difference(P0.05).Conclusion The determination of L-carnitine level in seminal plasma may prove useful as a potentially biochemical marker of fertility and this is a useful guidance for the clinic therapy and the mechanismic study on the male reproduction.

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of TNF-?on hTERT gene expression in human myelogenous leukemia cell line K562 and K562/ADM and to study the influence of changed telomerase activity on expression of multi- drug resistance-1(mdr 1)gene.Methods:K562 and K562/ADM cells were treated with 5?10~6 U/L TNF-?for 24 h, then cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The expression of hTERT and mdrl mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and the telomerase activity was detected by ELISA.Results:TNF-?in- hibited the growth of K562 and K562/ADM cells and the inhibition showed a time-effect relationship(P

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of DSA-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder catheter drainage (PTGCD) in treating aged patients with acute cholecystitis complicated by severe diseases. Methods The clinical data of 15 aged patients with acute cholecystitis or complicated by severe diseases, who were encountered at authors’ hospital in the past three years and were treated with PTGCD, were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical results were discussed. Results PTGCD was successfully accomplished with single procedure in all 15 patients. Abdominal pain was relieved within one to three days, and the abdominal symptoms and signs subsided or disappeared. Reexamination of routine blood test showed that the white blood cell count decreased to normal range in 1 - 2 weeks, and complete cure was achieved in some patients. Secondary surgery was carried out in some patients after the clinical condition was improved. During the follow-up period no complications occurred in all patients except one who developed biliary leakage after the catheter was retrieved two weeks after the treatment. Conclusion For the treatment of complicated acute cholecystitis in aged patients who are not suitable to receive surgery, DSA-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder catheter drainage is an ideal therapeutic means as it can significantly relieve clinical symptoms.

Objective To investigate the effect of Sirt1 gene knockout on chronic kidney disease induced by 5/6 nephrectomy in mice and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1) signaling pathway.Methods Twenty four male Sirt1 +/+ and Sirt1 +/-mice wererandomly divided into four groups:Sirt1+/+ mice with sham-operation (WT-Sham,n=6),Sirt1+/-mice with sham-operation (KO-Sham,n=6),Sirt1 +/+ mice with 5/6 nephrectomy (WT-Nx,n=6) and Sirt1 +/-mice with 5/6 nephrectomy (KO-Nx,n=6).Proteinuria was determined by urine collection from 8:00 to 8:00 the next day at 20 weeks.Serum creatinine (Scr),urea nitrogen (BUN) and the renal pathological changes were measured after 20 weeks.Expressions of Sirt1,collagen Ⅰ and transforming growth factor β(TGF-β) were used to analyze the changes of renal fibrosis by immunohistochemistry staining.Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to measure the mRNA and protein expressions of Sirt1,fibronectin,collagen Ⅰ,VEGF and Flk-1 in kidney.Results Sirt1 expressed in glomernlar endothelial cells,podocytes,mesangial cells and renal tubular epithelial cells in Sirt1 +/+ mice,while Sirt1 expression intensity was significantly reduced in Sirt1 +/-mice.Compared with the WT-Sham group,WT-Nx group had increased proteinuria,BUN,Scr,glomernlar sclerosis index and tubulointerstitial fibrosis index at 12 weeks after operation (all P ＜ 0.01),and KO-Nx group had exacerbated the above up-regulations (all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with those in WT-Sham group,the expressions of fibronectin,collagen Ⅰ and TGF-β were up-regulated in WT-Nx group (all P ＜ 0.01),and were significantly augmented in KO-Nx group (all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with those in WT-Sham group,renal mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF and Flk-1 were decreased in WT-Nx group,and KO-Nx group aggravated their down-regulation (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Sirt1 gene knockout can increase proteinuria and Scr,and aggravate renal pathology and renal fibrosis in 5/6 nephrectomized mice,which is associated with the inhibition of VEGF/Flk-1 signaling pathway.It is suggested that Sirt1 may be a potential therapeutic target of chronic kidney disease.