Endothelin (ET) is a potent and long - acting vasoconstrictor peptide consisiting of 21 amino acids, and recently isolated from a medium of cultured porcine endothelial cells. To study its tracer kinetics property, we injected 125I -labelled ET into rat veins. The results are shown that the half time of the distribution phase and that of the elimina-tion phase of 125I-ET in plasma are 5. 56 ?0. 04 min and 210. 13?38. 09 min, respectively. The125 - ET were widely distributed in various organs. The lung and kindney were the tissues with the highest grain density. Study of those in mouse blood and tissues showed similar results. KEY WORDS endothelin; tracer kinetics; dynamics; tissues; plasma

By means of 3H-Thymidine and3H-Leucine incorporation, we observed that CGRP inhibited the multiplication of SHR's aortic smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the proliferation of VSMCs stimulated by Endothelin. These results suggest that CGRP may be a natu-ral antagonist of Endothelin in human body.

Objective To investigate the subchronic toxicity of a Chinese medicine Danhong injection in dogs . Methods Twenty-four healthy Beagle dogs (body weigh 7-9 kg, male:female=1:1) were used in this study.The test dogs were administered with Danhong injection by intravenous injection once every day for consecutive 6 days/week for thirteen weeks.The Danhong injection was used in 3 doses:494,247,and 124 mg· kg-1, repectively.The control dogs received normal saline injection in the same volume .The body weight, blood biochemistry, hematology, viscera relative weight and histopathology were determined for the overall toxicity assessment .Results The dogs administered with 494 g· kg-1 Danhong injection showed significantly reduced body weight gain , abnormal increase of urea nitrogen ( BUN ) , creatinine (CR) levels, and histopathological changes in the liver .Conclusions Danhong injection (494mg· kg-1 ) administered Intravenously has obvious toxicity on the liver and kidney function .

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate the difference in salivary protease expression in patients with chronic periodontitis and normal individuals.

METHODSThe stimulating saliva in patients with chronic periodontitis and normal individuals were collected. Protein chip technology was adapted to analyze salivary protease spectrum.

RESULTSAmong the 34 proteases in the chip, disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM)8, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-12, neprilysin/CD10, and uridylyl phosphate adenosine/urokinase showed a significantly increased concentration in the saliva of chronic periodontitis patients compared with those in the saliva of normal individuals (P<0.01). By contrast, the concentrations of ADAM9, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)1, ADAMTS13, cathepsin B, E, L, V, X/Z/P, kallikrein 6, 7, 11, 13, MMP-9, proteinase 3, presenilin-1, and proprotein convertase 9 sharply decreased (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results demonstrated that protease spectrum in the saliva of chronic periodontitis patients and normal individuals significantly differed. Analysis of salivary protease spectrum is a potential clinical method to examine, diagnose, and monitor chronic periodontitis.

Chronic Periodontitis ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Saliva