OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tetramethyl pyrazine (TMP) on the cytokines and inflammatory mediators in the serum and the synovial fluid of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)rats, and further to investigate its possible mechanisms for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSType II CIA rat model was established. Rats in the TMP group were administered with TMP at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, once daily. Dexamethasone at 2.0 mg/kg was intramuscularly injected to those in the Dexamethasone treated group, once daily. Normal saline at 2 mL/kg was given to those in the normal control group and the model group, once daily. All medication was started from the 7th day, lasting to the 35th day. CIA rats' foot swelling degree was observed. Contents of serum IL-1, IL-6, IL-2, NO and PGE2in the synovial fluid were detected by radioimmunoassay and nitrate reduction method.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the foot swelling obviously increased, contents of NO and PGE2 in the synovial fluid were obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the foot swelling could be obviously inhibited by 100 mg/kg TMP and Dexamethasone; serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 obviously decreased, serum IL-2 level obviously increased, contents of NO and PGE, decreased (P < 0.01). TMP 50 mg/kg could obviously inhibit the foot swelling of CIA rats (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in other indices (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTMP at 100 mg/kg showed obvious inhibition on CIA rats. Its inhibitory effect might be correlated to inhibiting activities of endogenous cytokines and the generation of inflammatory mediators in inflammation local regions, improving contents of anti-inflammation cytokines, and inducing the balance of the inflammatory cytokine network.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism

Endoscopes ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; surgery ; Nasal Septum ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Rhinoplasty ; Surgical Flaps

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Artemisia lactiflora is an important medicinal plant in China. The antitumor and antioxidant activities of the extracts of 54 endophytic fungi from the plant were screened via MTT assay and DPPH scavenging radical assay, respectively. The bioactive strains were identified based on similarity of 5.8S gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The results showed that extracts from ten (18.5%) isolates exhibited antitumor activity, and which from two (3.7%) isolates exhibited antioxidant activity. The Alternaria sp. GYBH47 strain was simultaneously having antagonistic activity against HL-60 leukemia, MCF-7 breast and COLO205 colon cell lines, and Phomopsis sp. GYBH42 strain having cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. The results indicated that endophytic fungi from Artemisia lactiflora are potential resources to find valuable bioactive components.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Artemisia ; microbiology ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endophytes ; chemistry ; classification ; physiology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fungi ; classification ; physiology ; Humans ; Picrates ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in erectile dysfunction (ED) induced by androgen deficiency.

METHODSWe randomly divided 30 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into six groups: 2-week control (A), 4-week control (B), 2-week castration (C), 4-week castration (D), 2-week castration + androgen replacement (E), and 4-week castration + androgen replacement (F), those in groups E and F subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP) at the physiological dose of 3 mg/kg per day after castration, while those in the other groups with isodose oil instead. At 2 and 4 weeks after operation, we determined the level of serum testosterone (T) , intracavernous pressure (ICP) , mean carotid arterial pressure (MAP) of the rats, measured the concentration of H2S in the plasma and corpus cavernosum tissue, and detected the expressions of cystathionine-P3-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly lower in group C ([0.63 +/- 0.15] nmol/L) than in A ( [ 16.55 +/- 4.17] nmol/L) and E ( [ 18.99 +/- 4.62] nmol/L) (P <0.05), as well as in group D ([0.70 +/-0.22] nmol/L) than in B ([15.44 +/-5.18] nmol/L) and F ([20.99 +/-6.41] nmol/L) (P <0. 05) , and so were ICP/MAP after 5 and 7 V electrical stimulation of the pelvic ganglia (P <0. 05) , H2 S concentration (P <0.05), and the expressions of CBS and CSE (P <0.05). The expressions of CBS and CSE proteins were also significantly decreased in group C as compared with D (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe reduced expressions of CBS and CSE may inhibit the H2 S signaling pathway, which might be one of the mechanisms underlying androgen deficiency-induced ED in rats.

Androgens ; deficiency ; Animals ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; metabolism ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; metabolism ; Erectile Dysfunction ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe and compare the influence of pre- and post-exercise manipulation and natural recovery without any intervention on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after eccentric exercise and to explore the manipulation therapeutic mechanism on the metabolism of oxygen free radical (OFR).

METHODSThe study was carried on during Apr. to Jul. in 2008 at Nanjing University of TCM. The 30 healthy male students were divided into 3 groups randomly according to condition-equivalence principle including control group (C), pre-exercise manipulation group (A), post-exercise manipulation group (B). Before exercise, group A were intervened by manipulation for 30 minutes, which was followed by exercise 5 minutes later. While 30 minutes after exercise, group B accepted manipulation for 30 minutes and continued manipulation once a day for consecutive 3 days. Group C were not intervened by any approaches before or after exercise. The clinical manifestations, which include soreness intensity and lasting time, maximal isometric strength, arm girth, elbow range of motion, were evaluated at the 1st hour before exercise, immediately, 24th, 48th and 72th hours after exercise. Meanwhile, serum creatine kinase (CK), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum malonaldehyde (MDA) were determined at the 1st hour before exercise, immediately, 24th and 48th hours after exercise.

RESULTSCompared to group C, group A and B were manifested by significantly lower peak soreness (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), significantly better recovery of elbow flexing degree at the 72th hour after exercise (P < 0.05) and significantly lower rising range of serum CK at the 48th hour after exercise (P < 0.01). Comparing to group C, group A was manifested by significantly shorter lasting time of muscle soreness (P < 0.01) and significantly better recovery of maximal isometric strength of the 72th hour after exercise (P < 0.01). Compared to group C, group B was manifested by significantly better recovery of elbow extending degree at the 72 th hour after exercise (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the change of arm girth among the three groups. The level of Serum SOD, MDA and SOD/MDA at the 48th hour after exercise in group A and B were significantly different from those in group C (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThrough improving the metabolism of OFR, pre-exercise and post-exercise manipulation can partially prevent and treat DOMS respectively. In addition, preventive effect by pre-exercise manipulation is better than curing effect by post-exercise manipulation, which proves the TCM thought, that is, prevention superior to treatment.

Adolescent ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Exercise ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Muscle Fatigue ; physiology ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Young Adult

Elaeagnus angustifolia Linn. has various ecological, medicinal and economical uses. An approach was established using RP-HPLC (reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography) to classify and analyse the intra-specific genetic relationships of seventeen populations of E. angustifolia, collected from the Xinjiang areas of China. Chromatograms of alcohol-soluble proteins produced by seventeen populations of E. angustifolia, were compared. Each chromatogram of alcohol-soluble proteins came from a single seed of one wild plant only. The results showed that when using a Waters Delta Pak. C18, 5 microm particle size reversed phase column (150 mm x 3.9 mm), a linear gradient of 25%-60% solvent B with flow rate of 1 ml/min and run time of 67 min, the chromatography yielded optimum separation of E. angustifolia alcohol-soluble proteins. Representative peaks in each population were chosen according to peak area and occurrence in every seed. The converted data on the elution peaks of each population were different and could be used to represent those populations. GSC (genetic similarity coefficients) of 41% to 62% showed a medium degree of genetic diversity among the populations in these eco-areas. Cluster analysis showed that the seventeen populations of E. angustifolia could be divided into six clusters at the GSC=0.535 level and indicated the general and unique biochemical markers of these clusters. We suggest that E. angustifolia distribution in these eco-areas could be classified into six variable species. RP-HPLC was shown to be a rapid, repeatable and reliable method for E. angustifolia classification and identification and for analysis of genetic diversity.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Elaeagnaceae ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

Ductus Arteriosus ; abnormalities ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Rubella Syndrome, Congenital ; complications

OBJECTIVETo analyze the reliability and feasibility of free flap transfer for head and neck reconstruction in the paediatric patients.

METHODSThirty consecutive free flap transfer performed in 28 patients younger than 15 years-old were reviewed. Data concerning the operation included date of surgery, defect description and site, stage and histology of tumor, flap type, recipient vessel and complications.

RESULTSThe average age of patients was 12.3 years-old, with age ranged from 5 to 15. There were 19 males and 9 females. Four kinds of free flap were used. The free fibula flap was most commonly used, followed by free radial forearm flap, rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, and free scapular flap. The overall success rate of the flaps was 93.3%. The overall complication rate was 36.7%. The vessel thrombosis rate was 6.7%.

CONCLUSIONFree flap transfer in the paediatric patients for head and neck reconstruction is safe and reliable. There is no difference between the normal patients and paediatric patients in the success rate and complication rate.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravesical instillation of sodium hya- luronate in relieving the symptoms of refractory non-bacterial cystitis.Methods Totally,20 patients(1 man and 19 women;mean age,47 years;age range,22-68 years)with refractory non-bacterial cystitis were included.Their disease course ranged from 1 month to 30 years.Of them,16 patients had the disease for more than 1 year.Instillation of sodium hyaluronate(50 ml solution of 40 mg HA)was performed intravesically in them for a total of 12 weeks(once a week for the first 4 weeks and once every 4 weeks for the succeeding 8 weeks).Follow-up visit ended at 16 weeks,when the patients filled in the symptom assessment scores(VAS on pain,frequency and urgency)according to the subjective evaluation.Therapeutic results were classified as(1)total response:symptom disappearance or relief by at least 90% of the symptom scores;(2)partial response:symptom relief by 50%-89%;(3)mild response:symptom relief by 49% or less;(4)no re- sponse:no improvement in symptom scores.Results Nineteen patients completed the 16-week follow-up with only 1 withdrawing.The average general symptom score decreased from 22.32?5.53 to 9.47?5.88 (P＜0.001);frequency score from 8.21?1.75 to 3.89v2.31(P＜0.001);urgency score from 7.47?2.14 to 3.37?2.14(P＜0.001);pain score from 6.63?3.47 to 2.21?2.74(P＜0.001).After 16 weeks,overall positive response rate(total+partial response)was 53%(10/19).No serious adverse effect occurred except for urethral irritation(25%,5/20),worsening of distending pain of the bladder(5%,1/20) and vertigo(15%,3/20)caused by the procedure itself.Conclusions For patients suffering from refrac- tory non-bacterial cystitis,intravesical instillations of sodium hyaluronate can significantly relieve the symp- toms and is safe and of good patient compliance.