Astragalus polysaccharide has been widely used in food and medicinal industry owing to its health-promoting properties. In order to characterize better the relationship among molecular weight, structure-activity and activities, a simple method was used different concentration of ethanol including 30% (PW30), 50% (PW50), 70% (PW70), 75% (PW75), 80% (PW80) and 90% (PW90) to precipitate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight. As a result, PW90 showed smooth surface and the strongest antioxidant activity among these six fractions (P < 0.05). In conclusion, graded ethanol precipitation was a simple method to separate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight with different antioxidant activity fractions.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the acting mechanism of endothelial cell line ECV304 in regulating angiogenesis induced by Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZY).

METHODSThe angiogenesis effect of XFZY-contained serum (XFZY-CS) was confirmed by observing its impact on proliferation, cell cycle, migration of ECV304 and on vascular neogenesis in vitro. Then the effect of XFZY on various angiogenesis controlling factors was analyzed with gene chip microarray technique.

RESULTSTreatment of XFZY-CS in 2.5% concentration for 48 h showed evident actions of enhancing ECV304 activity, increasing cell numbers of S phase, inducing cell migration and promoting the in vitro angiogenesis. Meanwhile, expressions of four angiogenesis controlling genes were up-regulated and 10 were down-regulated.

CONCLUSIONThe angiogenesis mechanism of ECV304 induced by XFZY is complex, it shows a multi-pathway and multi-target feature.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of Bushen Qiangdu Recipe (BQR) for regulating osteoprotegerin receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa B ligand (OPG/RANKL) pathway in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODSThirty active AS inpatients or outpatients were recruited from Department of CM Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January to May 2009. All patients were treated with BQR for 3 successive months, one dose daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. Besides, 30 healthy volunteers were recruited. The serum of patients and volunteers were collected. The osteoblast cell lines hFOB1. 19 were divided into 3 groups: the pre-treatment group, the post-treatment group, and the healthy volunteer group (as the control group). All cell lines were cultured by corresponding culture medium containing each serum. The supernatant from osteoblast cell lines was collected. The protein content of OPG/RANKL was detected using ELISA, and the protein expression of OPG/RANKL was detected using RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the OPG content, the mRNA and protein expressions of OPG, and the mRNA and protein expressions of OPG/RANKL all decreased, while the mRNA expression of RANKL increased in the pre-treatment group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the pre-treatment group, the OPG content, the mRNA and protein expressions of OPG significantly increased, and the mRNA and protein expressions of OPG/RANKL increased, while the mRNA expression of RANKL decreased in the post-treatment group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAS patients' serum could directly inhibit the expression of OPG in osteoblasts, promote the expression of RANKL, and down-regulate the OPG/RANKL ratio. BQR containing serum might promote the osteogenesis and inhibit the bone resorption possibly through directly up-regulating the OPG/RANKL ratio in osteoblast, thus inhibiting the differentiation and function of osteoclast.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoprotegerin ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; Serum ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective Post-transcription RNA interference (RNAi) is more and more widely applied in multigene therapy.This study aimed to establish an subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor (SXT) model of human HT-29 colon carcinoma in nude mice and investigate the effects of the survivin shRNA-APC double gene co-expression lentiviral vector on the growth of SXT.Methods Thirty-five nude mice were equally divided into five groups, double-gene survivin shRNA, survivin shRNA, APC, empty vector, and blank, and injected into the left anterior axillary with respective stably transfected cell lines and human HT-29 colon carcinoma cells, all at 2×106/mL, to establish an SXT model of human HT-29 colon carcinoma.The inhibition rate of tumor growth was calculated by measuring the size and weight of the SXT, the expressions of survivin mRNA and protein in the tumor tissue detected by real time PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively, and the apoptosis of the HT-29 colon carcinoma cells determined by TUNEL.Results The mean size and weight of the SXT were significantly reduced in the double-gene survivin shRNA-APC, survivin shRNA, and APC groups as compared with the blank and empty vector groups (P<0.05), though increased in the survivin shRNA and APC groups in comparison with the double-gene group (P<0.05).The expressions of survivin mRNA and protein in the tumor tissue were remarkably lower in the double-gene survivin shRNA-APC, survivin shRNA, and APC groups than in the blank and empty vector groups (P<0.05), even lower in the double-gene group than in the survivin shRNA, and APC groups (P<0.05).The apoptosis rate of the HT-29 colon carcinoma cells was markedly up-regulated in the double-gene survivin shRNA-APC ([56.72±3.17]%), survivin shRNA ([33.64±2.03]%), and APC groups ([31.19±1.79]%) as compared with the blank ([9.89±0.31]%) and empty vector groups ([10.06±0.43]%) (P<0.05), even more significantly in the double-gene than in the survivin shRNA and APC groups (P<0.05).Conclusion The survivin shRNA-APC double gene co-expression lentiviral vector can reduce the expression level the survivin gene, promote the apoptosis of colon carcinoma cells, and suppress the growth of the subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor.

Objective To explore the roles of clara cell secretory protein(CCSP)and eosinophil cationic protein(ECP)in the pathoge-nesis of bronchial asthma and to evaluate their diagnostic value in asthmatic children.Methods Induced sputum samples were obtained from 31 asthmatic children during chronic persistent period and clinical remission period.According to global initiative for asthma(GINA),the total of 31 cases accepted systemic treatment by inhaling glucocorticoid.The patients included 18 boys and 13 girls aged from 3.7 to 12.0 years,and their average age was 7.6 years.Sputum CCSP concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).And the concentrations of sputum ECP were determined with Pharmacia UniCAP system.Results Asthmatic children had significantly lower CCSP levels in sputum during chronic persistent period compared with clinical remission period(P

Objective To explore roles of total immunoglobulin E(IgE),interleukin-13(IL-13) in asthmatic children,and relation-ship between IgE,IL-13 levels in serum and those in induced sputum.Methods Twenty-six children with asthma who were in chronic persistent period and 20 healthy children were enrolled.Serum and hypertonic saline-induced sputum were obtained in asthmatic children,and serum alone were obtained in control subjects.The levels of IgE were deteced in serum and induced sputum by Pharmacia UniCAP system,and levels of IL-13 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results Asthmatic children had significantly higher serum of IgE and IL-13 levels than those of healthy control group(P0.05).There was positive correlation of IL-13 in serum and induced sputum(r=0.432 P

Objective To investigate the clinical states of enuresis children companied with spina bifida occulta(SBO)and study the efficient way of treatment.Methods The children with SBO were check out by X ray from a total of 121 children with bedwetting.Their parents were asked to complete the enuresis questionnaires.Urine routine test and B-ultrasound examination about kidney,bladder and ureter were also asked to be done.The clinic data of the 49 children were attained and analyzed.They were randomly divided into 2 groups,and given the controlled treatment.Group A[used 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vas-opressin(DDAVP)only] and group B(used DDAVP plus oxybutynin plus bladder training)treated for 12 weeks.Results There were totally 49 bedwetting children companied with SBO,and most of them(44 cases,89.8%)were severe type(bedwetting times≥7 times/week).Some of them coexisted with frequency,urgency,gentle urgency incontinence and microscopic hematuria(22 cases).Thirty cases were found the functional bladder capacity(FBC)decrease by B-ultrasound.The cure rates were 58.3%(group A)and 88.0%(group B)respectively.The relapse rates were 36.8%(group A)and 12.5%(group B)respectively after stopping treatment for 3 months.Conclusions SBO accounts for considerably higher rate in enuretic children.It might cause the disability of bladder function.The treatment plan with DDAVP plus oxybutynin plus bladder training can not only increase the cure rate but also lower the relapse rate.

0.05). ConclusionThe present study confirms that tiotropium 18 ug once daily compare with ipratropium can reduce lung hyperinflation,ease exertional dyspnea and improve symptom-limited exercise tolerance in COPD patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence of skeletal and/or articular malformations in central core disease (CCD) patients, and their risk of malignant hyperthermia (MH) in orthopedics. Methods28 unrelated patients with central core disease collected in the past 23 years were analyzed retrospectively. Results22 patients showed limb muscle weakness, while 6 patients didn't show any clinical symptom. Skeletal and/or articular malformations appeared in 21 patients, including joint contracture in 11, joint dislocation in 9, scoliosis in 12, lordosis in 5 and thoracic deformity in 1. 6 of the 10 patients could not endure orthopedic operation because of MH attack or dubitable MH attack. Calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) test performed on other 8 patients with MH family history or MH attack showed all those patients were MH susceptibilities. ConclusionSkeletal and/or articular malformations are common in CCD, as well as MH attack in orthopedics.

Inosiplex is a compound formulation composed of inosine and p-acetaminobenzoic acid (PABA) salt of N,N-dimethylamino-2-propanol (DIP). This study was to investigate the clinical plasma pharmacokinetic properties of DIP and PABA after single and multiple oral doses of inosiplex tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers. The established LC/MS/MS method for plasma DIP determination had a linear range of 0.02-10 mg/mL, and the HPLC method for plasma PABA determination had a linear range of 0.05-40 mg/mL. Linear pharmacokinetic characteristics were found with single oral doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g. No obvious accumulation effects were observed for DIP and PABA.