OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Xianxiong decoction on the mice with acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide.

METHODEighty female ICR mice were randomly divided into 8 groups: model group, Xianxiong decoction group, Daxianxiong decoction group, Xianxiong decoction group without Kansui Radix group, Xianxiong decoction group without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Kansui Radix group, normal group and control group. Animals of each group, except normal group, were undertaken intraperitoneal injection and intranasal inhalation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on day 1, 2, 3 to establish acute lung injury (ALI) model. 30 min after modeling, 0.2 mL corresponding drugs were administrated to each mice, dexam ethasone and normal saline were given to the mice of control group and normal group respectively. White blood cell in blood, neutrophil percentage of blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatant, the ratio of wet and dry lung tissue ( W/D), histopathological changes of lung tissue were estimated. Sixty ICR mice were randomly divided into normal, model, control, high, middle and low dose Xianxiong decoction groups and were modeled in the same way. ELISA was applied to detect the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF, PCR for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha mRNA in lung tissue, and Western blot for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha. Half of 20 ICR mice were administrated with Xianxiong decoction of its maximum tolerant normal saline.

RESULTCompared with model group, the number of WBC in blood of Xianxiong decoction group mice decreased (P < 0.01), percentage of neutrophils in both blood and BALF decreased as well (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); it also significantly reduced the ratio of W/D (P < 0.01); and found the alveolar wall, the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating improved, compared with model group. Xianxiong decoction reduced the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05); its high and low dose groups only found TNF-alpha level declined. Five mice died 24 h after administration of Xianxiong decoction which indicated its toxicity when other influential factors were considered.

CONCLUSIONXianxiong decoction is effective on the ALI mice induced by LPS, but it is of toxicity at 3 g x mL(-1).

Acute Lung Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of valsartan (angiotensinⅡtypeⅠreceptor antagonists) on neointimal proliferation and expression of CD34 after angioplasty in rabbits.Method Twenty-four male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:the control group,fed up with common diet;the model group and the valsartan group,fed up with hypercholesterolemic diet for 4 weeks,f then and ballon angioplasty.At 4 weeks after operation,the model group was fed up with common diet,whereas the valsartan group was fed up with the admixture of valsartan 10 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) and common diet.All the rabbits were killed at the end of the 12th weeks.The abdominal aorta was performed with pathologic and morphologic analysis,and expression of CD34 in endothelial cells was analyzed with immunohistochemical method.Results Compared with the model group,the neointimal thickness and area of the valsartan group decreased by 56.58%and 66.81%, respectively.The expression of CD34 of the valsartan group was significantly higher (P

OBJECTIVENuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is a critical transcription factor governing the expression of many cytokines that are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Melatonin (MT), a relatively safe and potent antioxidant which has shown efficacy in several chronic inflammatory models, may inhibit the expression of NF-kappaB and therefore might have a therapeutic use in asthma. This study aimed at observing the effect of MT on the expression of NF-kappaB and airway inflammation in a rat model of bronchial asthma.

METHODSTwenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing 120 g to 170 g were randomly divided into three experimental groups (8 in each): (1) Asthmatic group: Rats were immunized on day 1 by intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg ovalbumin (OVA) in 1 ml of saline with 100 mg of alu minum hydroxide. From day 15 the animals were challenged with aerosolized OVA (1% in saline) for 20 minutes per day for 7 consecutive days. (2) MT group: OVA-sensitized rats were injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg MT 30 minutes before each OVA challenge. (3) CONTROL GROUP: OVA for inhalation and MT for intraperitoneal injection was replaced with normal saline (NS). Airway responsiveness to aerosolized acetylcholine of 24 rats was detected six hours after the last challenge. Then the rats were lavaged and total and differentiated leukocytes counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were performed after staining with Wright-Giemsa staining. At the same time, levels of nitric oxide (NO) in BALF, inducible nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS) and constitute nitric oxide synthesis (cNOS) in the lung tissues were assessed with the use of nitrate reductase and chemical colorimetry, respectively. The expression of NF-kappaB in the lung tissues was observed by means of immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS(1) After OVA challenge, there was a significant decrease in airway responsiveness, lymphocytes and eosinophils in BALF in MT group compared with asthmatic group (P < 0.01 respectively); (2) There was a significant decrease in amounts of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) in the BALF and levels of iNOS in the lung tissues in MT group comparing with asthmatic group (P < 0.01 respectively); and the levels of iNOS in the lung tissues was correlated positively with NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) in the BALF (P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences in activity of cNOS in any of the groups analyzed. (3) There was a significant increase in expression of NF-kappaB in lung tissues in asthmatic group compared with the other groups (P < 0.01), and so was in MT group compared with control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMT could partially inhibit the expression of NF-kappaB and down-regulate the activity of iNOS in lung tissue, decrease the production of NO in BALF. These data suggest that the inhibitory effect of MT probably play a role in decreasing airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation of asthmatic rats model.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Bufei Jianpi Recipe (BJR) on the diaphragmatic neural discharge and the diaphragmatic muscle function in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSRats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, the high dose BJR group (9.68 g/kg x d(-1)), the medium dose BJR group (4.84 g/kg x d(-1)), the low dose BJR group (2.42 g/kg x d(-1)), and the aminophylline group (2.3 mg/kg x d(-1)). The stable phase COPD rat model was prepared using repeated smoke inhalations and bacterial infections. The high, medium, and low dose BJR and aminophylline was respectively administered to rats from the ninth week to the twentieth week. The sampling was taken. The lung function, diaphragmatic neural discharge time (Td), and diaphragmatic neural discharge interval (Tdi), diaphragmatic neural discharge range (Rd), diaphragmatic neural discharge area (Ad), expiratory time (Tex), inspiratory time (Tin), respiratory rate (RR), respiratory excursion (RE), respiratory area (RA), and diaphragmatic muscular tension and endurance were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the tidal volume (TV), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and 50% tidal volume expiratory flow (EF50) significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Td, Tdi, Tex, and Tin were significantly prolonged (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01). Ad, Rd, RR, RE, RA, diaphragmatic muscular tension and endurance significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The ratio of type I and IIA diaphragmatic fibers significantly increased and type IIB significantly decreased (P < 0.01). The activity of ATP decreased and the activity of SDH increased (P < 0.01). The aforesaid indices were improved to different degrees in BJR groups, especially in the high dose BJR group and the medium dose BJR group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBJR could significantly improve the diaphragmatic neural discharge and the diaphragmatic muscle function. Its efficacy was better than that of aminophylline.

Aminophylline ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Diaphragm ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Phrenic Nerve ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Rats

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo distinguish female and male plants of Gynostemma pentaphyllum quickly and accurately in the stage of seedling and to understand the relation between sex differentiation and endogenous plant hormone.

METHODStained methods of BTB and enzyme linked immuno-sorbent Assay were used.

RESULT10 Hours after being dyed, the liquid extract of female plants turned into yellow, while extract of male ones turned green. There were obvious differences on iPAs and GA(1 + 3) contents but no differences on IAA and ABA contents between male and female plants during the stages of seedling and vegetative growth.

CONCLUSIONBTB can be used for distinguishing female and male plants and there were a certain relation between sex and endogenous plant hormones.

Gibberellins ; metabolism ; Gynostemma ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Growth Regulators ; metabolism ; Plant Leaves ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo study expression of proto-oncogenes c-fos and its accompanying gene c-jun in osteoblasts activated by action of excessive fluoride in vivo and in vitro.

METHODSExperimental Wistar rats were exposed to sodium fluoride (NaF) added to their drinking water, and NaF was also added in cell culture supernatant for osteoblast-like cells in vitro. Expression of both mRNA and protein of c-fos and c-jun in bone-tissue of rats with chronic fluorosis and cultured osteoblast-like cells were determined by hybridization in situ, Western blot and immunohistochemistry at varied time periods after exposure.

RESULTSSodium fluoride could stimulate the proliferation of osteoblast in rats with chronic fluorosis and induce expression of both c-fos and c-jun in all envelops of the spine bone, as compared with its control group. Value of optical absorption in mRNA expression of c-fos and c-jun was 139.63 and 126.37, respectively, in rats with NaF plus high-calcium, significantly lower than that in control group with high-calcium only (107.74 and 117.48, respectively) (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that protein level of c-fos and c-jun was significantly higher in rats with NaF plus high-calcium than that in control rats with high-calcium only, with values of optical absorption of 139.16, 131.15, 149.98 and 149.19 (P < 0.05), respectively, and protein level of c-fos and c-jun was significantly higher in rats with NaF plus low-calcium than that in control rats with low-calcium only, with values of optical absorption of 117.24, 111.46, 132.46 and 129.79 (P < 0.05), respectively. Western blotting showed that level of protein expression of c-fos and c-jun in periosteal osteoblasts was significantly higher in all rat groups with NaF than that in all control groups, with values of optical absorption of 123.32, 116.60, 115.97 and 108.30, respectively. mRNA expression of c-fos and c-jun in osteoblast-like cells treated with NaF for 12 h increased obviously, and remained at high level 48 h after exposure, with values of optical absorption of 114.80, 161.14, 118.20, and 150.41, respectively, as compared with that in control group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExposure to excessive fluoride could stimulate activation and proliferation of both osteoblasts in rats and cultured osteoblast-like cells in vitro, and cause enhanced expression of mRNA and protein of both c-fos and c-jun. Over-expression of c-fos could play an important role in development and proliferation of skeletal lesions in rats with chronic fluorosis.

Animals ; Bone Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; Calcium ; pharmacology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Fluoride Poisoning ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sodium Fluoride ; pharmacology

In order to have a good grasp of rules of acupuncture for severe peripheral facial paralysis, the early clinical features of severe peripheral facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) are studied and analyzed from the aspect of injury level, injury degrees, clinical syndromes and symptoms; consequently, the treatment strategies with acupuncture are proposed. The severe peripheral facial paralysis is an important research area in clinic trials which verifies the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Facial Paralysis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo sum up the experience of performing ascending aorta replacement combined triple-branched stent graft implantation for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.

METHODSFrom January 2010 to December 2010, 14 patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection underwent the procedure of performing ascending aorta replacement combined triple-branched stent graft implantation. Right axillary artery cannulation was used for cardiopulmonary bypass and selected cerebral perfusion. When the body temperature drops below 18°C, the ascending aorta was transected near the base of the innominate artery. From the incision, the triple-branched stent graft was implanted into the true lumen of the arch, descending aorta and the aorta bifurcation vessel. The transected stump of the ascending aorta was anastomosis to the proximal of the branched blood vessel prosthesis.

RESULTSCardiopulmonary bypass time was (186 ± 38) min, cross clamp time was (101 ± 27) min, and average selective cerebral perfusion and lower body arrest time was (39 ± 11) min. The in-hospital mortality was zero. One patient of transient postoperative neurologic dysfunction, one of acute renal failure, one of transient limbs disturbance, one of secondary thoracotomy operation, one of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and one of postoperative chylothorax were observed. CT angiography rechecked showed the position of the vascular stent were satisfactory and the blood flow of arterial branches stents were lucid. The false lumen of the aortic arch and descending aorta closed with thrombus or shrinked.

CONCLUSIONSThe patients required aortic arch to be reconstructed which had no main tearing of intima in the arch may be best candidates for this technique. Open triple-branched stent graft placement combined ascending aorta replacement is an effective means for aortic arch reconstruction in acute Stanford type A aortic dissection.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), especially those in the urinary storage phase, following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and to improve the postoperative management and patients' quality of life after TURP.

METHODSA total of 86 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) underwent TURP, and were interviewed on urinary symptoms at 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days after removal of the catheter. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had preoperative detrusor instability and/or compliance of the bladder (Group A) or not (Group B), and observed for the changes in IPSS scores and urinary storage symptoms after removal of the catheter.

RESULTSComplete follow-ups were achieved in 71 cases, 28 with detrusor instability and/or compliance of the bladder and the other 43 without. Their IPSS scores on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th and 30th day after removal of the catheter were 8.1 +/- 2.5, 7.2 +/- 3.1, 6.3 +/- 3.8, 5.3 +/- 4.2 and 2.4 +/- 3.4, respectively, with statistically significant differences between the 7th and the 1st as well as the 30th and the 15th day (P < 0.05), but not between the 1st and the3rd nor the 15th and the 7th day (P > 0.05). On the 1st day, the cardinal symptoms in the urinary storage phase were urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence; the scores on IPSS and urinary storage symptoms were 10.4 +/- 3.3 and 9.3 +/- 3.8 in Group A and 6.2 +/- 2.8 and 5.2 +/- 2.7 in Group B, with significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). After treatment with tolterodine and alpha-adrenoreceptor inhibitor, neither IPSS scores nor the scores on urinary storage symptoms showed any significant differences between Groups A and B on the 15th and 30th day (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lower urinary tract symptoms following TURP, especially those in the urinary storage phase, are correlated with preoperative bladder function, and getting improved gradually after surgery.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence ; etiology