shell of ST. Conclusion ST and stir-baked ST are better slices of prepared ST, the results are in an accordance with the status of ST in clinical application.

Objective To observe the effect of Herba Houttuyniae(HH) on urinary albumin and insulin resistance of diabetes mellitus(DM) rats.Methods Three rat model of diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin(STZ) and high glucose-lipoids animal feeds,then treated with HH for 8 weeks.The change of biochemical parameters such as 24-h urine volume,urinary albumin,fasting insulin(FINS) level,fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity index were observed.Results After treatment,FINS level was lower in HH group than that in the model group,rosiglitazone group and losartan group(P

To review and summarize the studies on preparation of Rhizoma Pinelliae in the recent years, including cleaning processing, preparing technology, and influenc e on chemical ingredients and pharmacological effects caused by prepara tion.

WAE. Conclusion SBE method is better than the other three methods in the extraction of SFD components.

This study aimed to induce the differentiation of isolated and purified adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) into myoblasts, which may provide a new strategy for tissue engineering in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). ADSCs, isolated and cultured ex vivo, were identified by flow cytometry and induced to differentiate into myoblasts in the presence of an induction solution consisting of DMEM supplemented with 5-azacytidine (5-aza), 5% FBS, and 5% horse serum. Cellular morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. Ultrastructural changes occurring during the differentiation were observed by transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cellular immunohistochemical staining was applied to determine the expression of desmin protein in cells with and without induced differentiation. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect mRNA and protein expression, respectively, of sarcomeric and desmin smooth muscle proteins. The results showed that ADSCs were mainly of a spindle or polygon shape. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that ADSCs did not express CD34, CD45, and CD106 but high levels of CD44 and CD90, which confirmed that the cultured cells were indeed ADSCs. After induction with a 5-aza-containing solution, morphological changes in ADSCs, including irregular cell size, were observed. Cells gradually changed from long spindles to polygons and star-shaped cells with microvilli on the cell surface. Many organelles were observed and the cytoplasm was found to contain many mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), and myofilament-like structures. Cell immunohistochemical staining revealed different levels of desmin expression in each phase of the induction process, with the highest expression level found on day 28 of induction. RT-PCR and Western blot results confirmed significantly higher desmin gene expression in induced cells compared with control cells, but no significant difference between the two groups of cells in sarcomeric protein expression. It was concluded that under specific induction setting, ADSCs can be induced to differentiate into myoblasts, providing a potential new option in stem cell transplantation therapy for SUI.

AIM: To establish HPLC-digitized fingerprint spectrum (HPLC-DFPS) of Rhizoma Pinelliae so that it will be applied in quality control of Rhizoma Pinelliae. METHODS: A gradient separated method was applied. Column: Agilent Zorbax ODS C_ 18 ; Mobile phase: acetonitrile-water; Detection-wavelength: 210 nm; Flow rate: 0.5 mL/min; Column temperature: 25℃. RESULTS: Using above optimum chromatograph condition, the HPLC-DFPS and technic parameters of Rhizoma Pinelliae were established. CONCLUSION: Comparison of a group of characteristic peaks suggests that the HPLC-DFPS technology is feasible in quality control of Rhizoma Pinelliae.

Object To investigate the berberine in Coptis chinensis Franch. processed with various quantity of Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. and the components absorbed from E. rutaecarpa. Methods Taking berberine, evodiamine and rutaecarpine as targets, HPLC method was used to determine the components of C. chinensis, E. rutaecarpa, C. chinensis processed with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% E. rutaecarpa. Results The content of berberine in C. chinensis processed with E. rutaecarpa decreased, and that of C. chinensis processed with 20% and 30% E. rutaecarpa was higher than the rest. C. chinensis processed with E. rutaecarpa absorbed the components of E. rutaecarpa really. Conclusion The suitable quantity of E. rutaecarpa is 20% when processing for C. chinensis.

Objective To clone and express Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion antigen ESAT-6 and CFP-10 ( EC) and to evaluate the biological activity of the fusion antigen EC in inducing specific cytokines secretion from THP -1 cells. Methods The fusion antigen EC gene was cloned into pET-30 a prokaryotic expression vector and expressed highly in E.coli BL21.Then, the THP-1 cells were stimulated with purified fusion antigen EC of different concentrations (10 and 20 μg/ml).Culture supernatants were collected after 12 h and 24 h, respectively.The secretion levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, GM-CSF, TNF-αand IFN-γin THP-1 cell culture supernatants were detected using Bio-PlexProTM Assays kit.Results The M.tuberculosis fusion antigen EC was cloned and expressed successfully .The secretion levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-αin EC infected THP-1 cells were significantly higher than those in THP-1 cells (P<0.05).The secretion levels of other cytokines did not change significantly .Conclusion The obtained M.tuberculosis fusion antigen EC has biological activity in inducing the THP-1 cells to secrete a higher level of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α.

This study aimed to induce the differentiation of isolated and purified adipose-derived stro-mal cells (ADSCs) into myoblasts, which may provide a new strategy for tissue engineering in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). ADSCs, isolated and cultured ex vivo, were identified by flow cytometry and induced to differentiate into myoblasts in the presence of an induction solution consisting of DMEM supplemented with 5-azacytidine (5-aza), 5% FBS, and 5% horse serum. Cellular morphol-ogy was observed under an inverted microscope. Ultrastructural changes occurring during the differen-tiation were observed by transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cellular immunohistochemical staining was applied to determine the expression ofdesmin protein in cells with and without induced differentiation. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect mRNA and protein expression, respectively, of sarcomeric and desmin smooth muscle proteins. The results showed that ADSCs were mainly of a spindle or polygon shape. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that ADSCs did not express CD34, CD45, and CD106 but high levels of CD44 and CD90, which confirmed that the cultured cells were indeed ADSCs. After induction with a 5-aza-containing solution, morphological changes in ADSCs, including irregular cell size, were observed. Cells gradually changed from long spindles to polygons and star-shaped cells with microvilli on the cell surface. Many organeUes were observed and the cytoplasm was found to contain many mito-chondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), and myofilament-like structures. Cell immunohisto-chemical staining revealed different levels ofdesmin expression in each phase of the induction process, with the highest expression level found on day 28 of induction. RT-PCR and Western blot results con-firmed significantly higher desmin gene expression in induced cells compared with control cells, but no significant difference between the two groups of cells in sarcomeric protein expression. It was concluded that under specific induction setting, ADSCs can be induced to differentiate into myoblasts, providing a potential new option in stem cell transplantation therapy for SUI.

Objective To observe the effects of Xin-Gui Gel Plaster(Cinnamomi Cortex,Asari Radix et Rhizoma,Euodiae Fructus,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Borneolum Syntheticum)on peripheral neuropathy in diabetic rats.Methods A single intraperitoneal injection of 1%streptozotonic(STZ,35 mg·kg-1)was used to replicate a type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)rat model followed by the induction of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)in combination with a long-term(8 consecutive weeks)high-fat and high-sugar diet.SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,Mecobalamin group and Xin-Gui Gel Plaster group,with 6 rats in each group.The rats in the Xin-Gui Gel Plaster group were given Xin-Gui Gel Plaster at acupoints once a day for 8 weeks;the rats in the Mecobalamin group were given Mecobalamin solution by gavage(0.045 mg·kg-1),and the rats in the normal group and the model group were given physiological saline by gavage.Body mass and fasting blood glucose(FBG)were measured at weeks 2,4,6 and 8;the latency of thermal withdrawal latency(TWL)was measured at weeks 4 and 8;nerve conduction velocities,including motor nerve conduction velocity(MNCV)and sensory nerve conduction velocity(SNCV),were measured at week 8;and serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),fasting blood glucose(FBG)were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer.Fasting insulin(FINS)levels were detected by ELISA,and the index of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)was calculated;and pathological changes in the sciatic nerve tissues of rats were observed by HE staining.Results Compared with the normal group,rats in the model group had significantly lower body mass and FINS levels(P＜0.01),significantly higher levels of FBG,TC,TG and HOMA-IR(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);TWL,MNCV and SNCV were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and sciatic nerve fibres were disorganized and loosely aligned,with demyelination,axon atrophy and vacuole-like phenomenon.Compared with the model group,there was no significant change in body mass and levels of FBG,TC and TG in the Xin-Gui Gel Plaster group(P＞0.05),FINS level was significantly increased(P＜0.05),and HOMA-IR levels was significantly decreased(P＜0.05);TWL,MNCV and SNCV in the Mecobalamin group and Xin-Gui Gel Plaster group were significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),sciatic nerve lesions were improved to different degrees,nerve fibre arrangement was more regular,myelin deficiency and axonal atrophy were significantly improved.Conclusion Xin-Gui Gel Plaster can improve insulin resistance,relieve thermal stimulation sensitivity,improve sciatic nerve conduction velocity to a certain extent in DPN rats,and have a protective effect on peripheral nerves in diabetic rats,but the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects are not obvious.