Objective To investigate the effect of lidocaine pretreatment on renal HMGB1 expression during renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Thirty-six male Wistar rats weighing 300-350 g were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each):sham operation group (group S),I/R group and lidocaine pretreatment group (group L).Renal I/R was induced by occlusion of bilateral renal arteries for 60 min followed by 4 or 24 h reperfusion.Lidocaine 5 mg/kg was injected iv at 60 min prior to ischemia followed by 2 mg· kg- 1· h- 1 infusion iv for 60 min in group L.Equal volume of normal saline was given in group I/R.Six rats in each group were sacrificed at 4 or 24 h of reperfusionand their kidneys were removed for microscopic examination and for determination of SOD activity,MDA content and the expression of HMGB1 mRNA and protein.Results Compared with group S,renal HMGB1 mRNA and protein expression,MDA content were significantly increased,while SOD activity were significantly decreased in groups I/R and L( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,renal HMGB1 mRNA and protein expression,and MDA content were significantly decreased,while SOD activity were significantly increased in group L ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Lidocaine pretreatment can attenuate renal I/R injury in rats by down-regulating HMGB1 expression

Objective To evaluate the role of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mito-KATP) channels in attenuation of renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by lidocaine pretreatment in rats.Methods Sixty healthy male Wistar rats,weighing 300-350 g,were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n =12 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S); renal I/R group (group I/R); lidocaine pretreatment group (group L) ; 5-HD (a specific blocker of the mito-KATP channel) group and 5-HD + lidocaine pretreatment group (group 5-HD + L).Renal ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral renal arteries for 60 min with atraumatic microclips followed by 4 h reperfusion.At 60 min before renal ischemia,lidocaine 5 mg/kg was intravenously injected followed by continuous infusion at 2 mg· kg-1 · h-1 in group L.5-HD 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 65 min before ischemia in group 5-HD.In 5-HD + L groups,5-HD 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 65 min before ischemia and the other procedures were similar to those previously described in group L.In S and I/R groups,the animals received equal volumes of normal saline instead of lidocaine.Blood samples were obtained at 6 h of reperfusion for determination of serum creatinine (Cr) and urea mitrogen (BUN) concentrations.Bilateral kidneys were removed for determination of mitochondrial membrane potential in the renal tubular epidural cells,malondialdehyde (MDA) content,and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and for microscopic examination.Results Compared with group S,the serum Cr and BUN concentrations and MDA content were significantly increased,and SOD activity and mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased in I/R,L,5-HD and 5-HD + L groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,the serum Cr and BUN concentrations and MDA content were significantly decreased,and SOD activity and mitochondrial membrane potential were increased in L and 5-HD + L groups (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes were found in the serum Cr and BUN concentrations,MDA content,SOD activity and mitochondrial membrane potential in group 5-HD (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group L,the serum Cr and BUN concentrations and MDA content were significantly increased,and SOD activity and mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased in 5-HD + L group (P ＜ 0.05).The pathological changes were significantly reduced in group L as compared with I/R and 5-HD + L groups.Conclusion Mito-KATp channels are involved in reduction of I/R-induced renal injury by lidocaine pretreatment in rats.

Derris eriocarpa, a traditional Chinese medicine belonging to the family of Leguminosae, is widely distributed mainly over Yunnan, Guangxi and Guizhou of China. Modern pharmacological researches on this herb showed that it had extensive bioactivities, such as promoting urination, removing dampness and cough and reducing inspissated mucus and other biological activities. The extensive studies on the chemical constituents of this plant have resulted in the isolation of triterpenoids, steroids, fatty acid and others, but the flavone compounds haven't reported before. In our further research on the ethyl acetate of this plant, nine flavone compounds were obtained by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, semi-prep HPLC, polyamide column chromatography and recrystallization for separation and purification. The structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including MS, NMR experiments and comparison with spectroscopic data in the literature, respectively, as diosmetin (1), 3, 3'-di-O-methylquercetin (2), afromosin (3), 6, 3'-dihydroxy-7, 4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (4), odoratin (5), 7, 3'-dihydroxy-8, 4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (6), 6, 4'-dihydroxy-7, 3'-dimethoxyisoflavone (7), 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy-3, 3', 5'-trimethoxyflavone (8), and alpinumisoflavone (9). All these compounds were isolated from Derris eriocarpa How for the first time. And the in vitro assays showed that compound 2 possessed moderate inhibitory activity against human cancer cells K562 and HEL.
Derris ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells

OBJECTIVESTo detect the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and interleukin 8(IL-8) in seminal plasma of infertile patients, and evaluate the possible relationship between those levels.

METHODSSemen was collected from normal donors (15 cases), infertile men without infection (16 cases), and infertile men with infection (leukocytospermia, 11 cases). The routine analysis of semen was accomplished, and then the levels of IL-8, malondialdehyde (MDA), SOD, and white blood cell (WBC) were examined. The correlative analysis between the level of ROS and other parameters in these populations was made.

RESULTSIn leukocytospermic group, the levels of MDA, WBC, and IL-8 were higher than those in the other two groups (P < 0.001). Significantly positive correlation was observed between IL-8 and MDA (r = 0.852, P < 0.001) and between the levels of IL-8 and WBC.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest that increased oxidative stress in patients with leukocytospermia may cause the increase of IL-8(r = 0.818, P < 0.01). The increased oxidative stress may be due to defect in ROS scavenging system.

Adult ; Cytokines ; blood ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; blood ; complications ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; blood ; complications ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; blood ; Semen

Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutathione ; blood ; Glutathione Disulfide ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxidation-Reduction

The effects of human insulin 70/30 and insulin lispro 75/25 were compared in improving postprandial blood glucose excursions in 106 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes in a one-month,open-labelled,self- controlled trial .The results showed that treatment of diabetic patients with insulin lispro 75/25 significantly improved 2 h postprandial blood glucose excursion compared to pre-study with human insulin 70/30 (baseline) without any significant adverse events or sustained hypoglycemic episodes.These physiological benefits were associated with a patient preference for insulin lispro 75/25.

The bodies found in water are one of the most common types in forensic practice. The dis-covery site of the body is often not the drowning site. However, the determination of drowning site is vital for the identification of victim. Inorganic particles and planktons, such as granular impurities, diatoms and bacteria, are valuable markers for the diagnosis of drowning. By comparing the granular impurities and planktons in tissues and suspicious drowning mediums, the drowning site can be concluded based on their similarity of types and distribution, which has practical applied value. In this paper, the research progress on determination of drowning site is summarized to provide reference for the peers.

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) treated with different acupuncture methods at different stages.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty cases of KOA were divided into stagnation stage, fascia cramp stage and tendon lesion stage according to the condition of disease, 60 cases in each stage. Each stage was randomized into a staging treatment group and an electroacupuncture (EA) group, 30 cases in each one. In the staging treatment group, acupuncture at the tendon points of meridians and electric thermal needling method were adopted for the cases at the stagnation stage; the small needle-knife therapy and bleeding method were used for the cases at the fascia cramp stage; and the electric thermal therapy with thick silver needles was applied for the cases at the tendon lesion stage. In the EA group, EA was applied for the cases of all the three stages at Liangqiu (ST 34), Xuehai (SP 10), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 96.1% (87/90) in the staging treatment group and was 91.1% (82/90) in the EA group, without significant difference in comparison (P > 0.05). The controlled and remarkably effective rate (88.9%, 80/90) in the staging treatment group was higher apparently than (62.2%, 56/90) in the EA group (P < 0.001). And in the EA group, with the disease progression and the further disease stages, the controlled and remarkably effective rate was reduced. After treatment, the scores of symptoms and signs were decreased in both groups (both P < 0.001), the improvement in the staging treatment group was superior to that in the EA group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe different acupuncture methods at the three stages improve obviously the clinical effect and are highly targeted. The mechanism of the three stages on "meridian muscle region pathology" and the treatment based on the disease stages can be the effective approach to KOA.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo present a new method for reduction of the prominent malar complex by using the curved osteotomy through intraoral incision.

METHODSAccording to the anatomical characteristics of the malar complex, a new curved osteotomy was designed for reduction of the prominent malar complex. This method, that made malar arch move toward backside, inside and upside, lowered the whole malar complex and gain better contour of malar area.

RESULTSFrom 2001 to 2003, 41 patients were treated with the intraoral curved osteotomy [for reduction of the prominent malar complex. All patients obtained good results.

CONCLUSIONSThrough the intraoral approach, the curved osteotomy method could lower the whole prominent malar complex and get better contour of malar area.Intraoral curved osteotomy for reduction of the prominent malar complex could be an ideal method with better face contour, simpler technique, and fewer complications.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; surgery ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Young Adult ; Zygoma ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in thymus of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients and the relationship with clinical features.

METHODSThymic specimens of 36 patients received extended thymectomy for MG were divided into three groups by pathological type: 13 thymoma tissues (thymoma group) and 13 thymic tissues adjacent to thymomas (parathymoma group) from 13 cases of MG patients with thymomas, and 23 thymic tissues from MG patients without thymomas (MG nonthymoma group). Twenty-one normal thymic specimens from cardiac surgery were used as controls. The levels of TLR2-4 mRNA were examined by RT-PCR, then the levels of TLR4 mRNA were assayed by real time RT-PCR and their relationship with clinical features were analyzed.

RESULTSThe levels of TLR4 mRNA among the different groups had significant differences, while there was no difference in TLR2 and TLR3 levels. The real time RT-PCR showed that the level of TLR4 mRNA in nonthymoma group was significantly higher than that in control group(0.8544+/- 0.1200 vs 0.6851+/- 0.1524, P=0.018). And so is parathymoma group compared with the thymoma group (0.8214+/- 0.1019 vs 0.7101+/- 0.0916, P=0.005). No significant difference of TLR4 mRNA level was found between the parathymoma and nonthymoma groups. Nevertheless, the expression of TLR4 in both groups was increased compared with control group. The levels of TLR4 mRNA had positive correlation with Osserman type(R=0.609; P=0.004) .

CONCLUSIONTLR4 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of MG. It was the thymic tissues adjacent to thymomas but not thymomas themselves participated in the onset of MG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thymus Gland ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptors ; genetics ; Young Adult