Aim To investigate the effects of co-administration of Astragalus Saponin Ⅰ(ASI)and bendazac lysine(BDL)on hypertrophy of cultured rat mesangial cells and its mechanism.Methods The levels of collagen Ⅳ and laminin,the percentages of cells in S phase,the relative quantity of transforming growth factor ?1(TGF-?1) mRNA and indexes of oxidative status were assayed after the cells were incubated in different agents for 36 h.Results The percentage of S phase cells in high glucose group(HG) was greatly decreased while those of vitamin E group(VE) and co-administration groups were increased.The relative quantity of TGF-?1 mRNA and the collagen Ⅳ level in co-administration groups were significantly decreased,and the levels of total anti-oxidative capability(T-AOC),activity of catalase(CAT),GSH-PX,and SOD were greatly increased.Furthermore,the significant differences were found between low ASI(AL)group,low BDL(BL) group and co-administration of low ASI and low BDL(AL+BL) group for TGF-?1 mRNA,T-AOC and GSH-PX;the high ASI group(AH),high BDL group(BH) and co-administration of high ASI and high BDL group(AH+BH) for TGF-?1 mRNA and collagen Ⅳ,respectively. Conclusion Co-administration of ASI and BDL has synergetic effects on regulating TGF-?1,collagen Ⅳ,and radical oxidative stress,therefore,is beneficial to protecting rat mesangial cells against hypertrophy.

Objective:We aimed to explore the clinical features, computed tomography (CT) findings, treatment, and prognosis of bronchopulmonary carcinoid. Methods:Clinical data of 31 patients with primary carcinoid tumor of the lung were retrospectively re-viewed. The prognostic factors were analyzed via Cox univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Clinical symptoms included coughing or expectoration in 17 of the 31 cases, hemoptysis or blood-stained sputum in 7 cases, and chest pains or shortness of breath in 8 cases. Six cases were asymptomatic. The CT scans showed round or oval nodules with clear boundaries, and enhancement CT scans indicated mild, homogeneous enhancement. Immunohistochemistry results revealed the positive expression rates of synaptophy-sin (Syn), chromogranin A (CgA), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were 90.3%(28/31), 87.1%(27/31), and 90.3%(28/31), respec-tively. Therapy and prognosis results were as follows:28 of the total number of patients underwent surgery, among which 3 underwent postoperative adjuvant therapy, 2 received chemotherapy; and only 1 refused treatment. The 1-year overall survival rates were 100%(18/18) and 92.3%(12/13), whereas the 3-year survival rates were 94.4%(17/18) and 69.2%(9/13) in the typical and atypical carcinoid cases, respectively. Cox univariate analysis results revealed that lymphatic metastasis (P=0.02), tissue types (P=0.017), TNM stage (P=0.005), and therapies (P=0.01) were the prognostic factors. Cox multivariate analysis results showed that lymphatic metastasis (P=0.032) and tissue types (P=0.002) were the independent prognostic factors. Conclusion:Compared with other lung cancers, the bron-chopulmonary lung carcinoid has no special clinical manifestation in clinical and radiographic images. The diagnosis was mainly based on histopathology results. Surgery was the main and effective treatment, whereas chemotherapy and radiotherapy showed unsatisfactory results. The overall prognosis was satisfactory. However, the atypical carcinoid was inferior to the typical carcinoid in terms of progno-sis. Pathological typing and lymph node metastasis were significant prognostic factors.

Objective To study the optimum preparation process of gastrodin liposome, characterization its structure.Methods Perpared gastrodin liposome with film-ultrasonic method.The entrapment efficiency as index, quality between lecithin and cholesterol ratio, oil-water phase volume ratio and ultrasonic time as factors by L9 (34 ) orthogonal test to optimize the preparation process.Observed the liposome morphology, particle size and distribution under the microscope, and determined the entrapment efficiency and stability.Results Regression equation was Y=239.75 +0.0207X(n=5), R2 =0.9996, 0.002 to 0.010 mg/mL had a good linear relationship.The optimum of preparation process: lecithin and cholesterol quality ratio was 4:1, water and oil phase volume ratio of 3:1, ultrasonic time control for 60 min;Liposomes showed spherical or oval shape, regular shape, uniform size.The average entrapment efficiency was 60.65%, the average particle size distribution at 327 nm, and it had good stability.Conclusion The preparation of gastrodine liposome has advantages of simple, higher entrapment efficiency and even particle size.The method can be used for embedded water-soluble medicine.

OBJECTIVETo explore effects of Tongxinluo Capsule (TC) on platelet activating factor (PAF), vascular endothelial function, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) blood flow, and heart function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients after delayed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODSTotally 80 AMI inpatients were recruited at Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province, from Jan. 2008 to Sep.2013. Those in line with inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to TC treatment group and the conventional treatment group by random digit table, 40 in each group. Besides, another 40 healthy subjects from examinees at Outpatient Department were recruited as a healthy control group. PCI was performed after 1-week treatment. Then blood samples were collected, and then blood contents of CD62P, CD63, GP II b/III a, ET-1, NO, and plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels were detected. Coronary TIMI blood flow and corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) were determined during PCI. Meanwhile, noninvasive blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and after PCI, and cardiac function measured. They were compared with the healty control group.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, blood contents of CD62p, CD63, GP II b/IIIa receptor compound, vWF, and ET-1 significantly increased, but NO significantly decreased in AMI patients (all P < 0.05). After 1-week intervention of TC, blood contents of CD62p, CD63, GP II b/IIIa receptor compound, vWF, NO, and ET-1 significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the conventional treatment group at the same time point, blood contents of CD62p, CD63, GP II b/IIIa receptor compound, vWF, and ET-1 decreased more significantly in the TC group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), increased NO levels were also more obviously seen (P < 0.01). The aforesaid parameters changed more obviously at day 30, as compared with those changes at week 1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The TIMI blood flow grade and CTFC were more obviously improved after PCI in the two treatment groups. Better TIMI blood flow was seen in the TC group. TIMI level 3 blood flow rate was higher in the TC group than in the conventional treatment group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The left ventricular ejective factor (LVEF) after PCI was obviously elevated in the TC group and the conventional treatment group (P < 0.01), and the improvement was more obviously seen in the TC group (P < 0.05). There were 6 cases of recurrent angina, 3 cases of ventricular tachycardial (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF), 6 cases of heart failure (HF), 1 case of cardiac sudden death in the conventional treatment group, with the total incidence of cardiovascular events being 40% (16/40). There were 2 cases of recurrent angina, 2 cases of VT/VF, 2 cases of HF, no cardiac sudden death in the TC treatment group, with the total incidence of cardiovascular events being 15% (6/40). There was statistical difference in the recurrent rate of cardiovascular events between the two groups (χ² = 2.27, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTC not only could prevent coronary embolism of AMI patients after delayed PCI, attenuate vascular endothelial injury, but also could improve TIMI blood flow, and strengthen cardiac systolic function.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Blood Pressure ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Heart ; drug effects ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Platelet Activating Factor ; metabolism ; Regional Blood Flow ; von Willebrand Factor ; metabolism

To investigate the protective effects of bendazac lysine (BDL) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) in vitro and in vivo experiments. METHODS: After rat mesangial cells were cultured in 3 concentrations of BDL for 36 h, the percentages of S phase of cells were determined by flowcytometry; the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA level was assayed by reverse transcription PCR; and two main components of extracellular matrix (ECM), collagen Ⅳ and laminin, were determined by radioimmunoassay. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were administered BDL at doses of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg for 8 weeks. The physical behavior and HbAlC levels of rats were observed. RESULTS: In the presence of high glucose and H2O2, the percentages of S phase of cells were lowered, and TGF-β1 mRNA level, collagen Ⅳ and laminin level were significantly increased. When compared with those in the high glucose group, the percentages of S phase of cells were significantly raised, and the levels of TGF-β1 mRNA, collagen Ⅳ and laminin were statistically decreased. The physical behavior of high BDL treated rats restored to be vibrant, vigorous and weight gaining, and the HbAlC level was significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: BDL has the protective effects against damage caused by DN, and is a potential drug candidate worth further study in preventing and treating DN.

BACKGROUND:Many studies have demonstrated that restoration of femoral offset in revision total hip arthroplasty would contribute to the recovery of joint function.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the importance of restoration of femoral offset in revision total hip arthreplasty on the recovery of joint function.METHODS:An observational study was performed at the Department of Orthopedics,Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between February 2004 and May 2007.A total of 15 patients with the revision total hip arthroplasty,including 12 males and 3 females,aging 62 75 years,averaging 67 years old,were recruited into this study.Harris evaluation system was used to evaluate joint function.The femoral neck anteversion and the femoral offset were measured by the method of Sakai.The vertical distance from the teardrop line to the most prominent point of the lesser trochanter was measured from each radiograph.References were combined to investigate the effect of restoration of femoral offset in revision total hip arthroplasty on joint function.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:All the 15 patients were recruited into this study.The duration of follow-up ranged from 24 months to 5 years.We measured the femoral offset on pre- and post-operative radiographs,and the results indicated that the femoral offset of 4 patients were above 4 mm.The femoral offset of 11 patients was restored.The femoral offset were 22-48 (32.21±0.64) mm pre- and 22-57 (36.13±0.82) mm post-operative radiographs,respectively.The mean difference in femoral offset post-operatively was significant (t=0.424,P=0.01 ).Harris scores were good in 4 cases,passable in 2 cases,and poor in 9 cases pre-operatively,and the scores were excellent in 8 cases,good in 4 cases,passable in 2 cases,and poor in 1 case post-operatively.The score of Harris evaluation system in the patient of restoration group and failed restoration group were 88.72±5.3 (80%) and 72.32±6.5 (27%) post-operative at 1 month respectively.The mean difference of the score was significant (χ~2=1.245,P<0.05).The 3 patients had complication,one was the dislocation of hip,and two had the pain of hip.All the patients with complication were in failed restoration of femoral offset,which was above 4 mm.The restoration of femoral offset contributes to the recovery of joint function and reduce complication occurrence after total hip arthroplasty revision.

AIM To construct a non-normalized cDNA library from Agkistrodon acutus venom gland as an imtial step to develop new and more effective venom by genetic engineering technique for screening and expressing target genes. METHODS The total RNA was extracted from fresh venom gland using Trizol. mRNA was reversely transcripted to cDNA using superscriptⅡ reverse transcriptase. Second-strand synthesis was performed using DNA polymeraseⅠ. After adding EcoRⅠ adaptor, phosphorylating the end and digesting with XhoⅠ, the cDNA was collected in five fractions (<0.25 kb, 0.25-0.5 kb, 0.5-1 kb, 1-2 kb and >2 kb) using the QIAquick Gel Extraction kit and ligated to pBluescriptⅡ vectors. The five libraries obtained were plated by infecting E.coli DH10B, constructing a cDNA library of Agkistrodon acutus venom gland. Sequencing clones at random, 8696 high quality 5′ end expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) were obtained and analyzed. The initial sequences were assembled into 2855 clusters. Among which, one of the clusters (Agkihagin) consisting of 74 ESTs was identified as a novel metalloprtoteinase based on RT-PCR and sequence analysis. RESULTSThe titers of library were 2.048×106. The novel metalloproteinase belonged to PⅢ type metalloproteinase. Its open reading frame was composed of 1827 nucleotides and coded a pre-zymogen of 608 amino acid with zinc-binding domain for metalloproteinase and Asp-Glu-Cys-Asp(DECD) domain for disintegrin. CONCLUSION The capacity of cDNA library of venom gland is above the general level of cDNA library. It would be a helpful platform to construct a catalog for transcripts in the venom gland of the Agkistrodon acutus. The sequence analysis indicates that the deduced amino acid sequence of the identified gene for metalloproteinase share the highest 87% identity with the metalloproteinase genes of other snakes in the GenBank. It lays a good foundation for the study of structure-function relationships of snake venom metalloproteinases.

Objective To investigate the levels of IL-2,IL-6and their receptors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)before and after treatment.Methods The levels of IL-2,IL-6and their receptors were detected by ELISA,immunofluorescence labelling technique and flow cytometry analysis,respectively,in peripheral blood taken from SLE patients before and after treatment and normal controls.Results①IL-2was significantly decreased(P

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Shumai Capsule (SMC) on angiogenesis and expression of relevant growth factor in rats with myocardial ischemia (MI).

METHODSModel rats of MI were duplicated and treated with SMC (SMC group), bFGF + calparine (positive control group) and normal saline (model group) respectively. Besides, a sham-operative group was set up and treated with normal saline. The rats were sacrificed in batches at the time after being medicated for 1, 2 and 4 weeks, for determining von Willebrand factor (vWF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression in ischemic myocardium by immuno-histochemical staining, myocardial micro-vessel density (MVD) using digital analysis system, and the gene expression of VEGF by quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operative group and the model group, levels of MVD, protein and gene expression of VEGF in the SMC group were higher respectively at three time segments (all P <0.01), but showed insignificant difference to those in the positive control group.

CONCLUSIONSMC could promote angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium of rats, the up-regulation on VEGF mRNA and protein expression might be one of the potential mechanisms of SMC in promoting angiogenesis.

Animals ; Capsules ; Coronary Vessels ; drug effects ; physiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Phytotherapy ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective:To study the effects of Anti-DR5 mAb on inducing synovial cells of adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats and its mechanisms.Methods:AA was induced by CFA in rats.The synovial cells of rats were separated and cultured in vitro system.The apoptosis induced by anti-DR5 mAb on synovial cells was measured by MTT analysis,DNA fragmentation and flow cytometry.Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression in synovial cells were detected by Western blot.The involvement of the apoptotic pathway was further proved by a caspase inhibition assay.Results:MTT result showed that Anti-DR5 mAb could inhibit synovial cells growth.And flow cytometry suggested that the cell death mode was apoptosis.The protein level of caspase-3 in synovial cells treated with anti-DR5 mAb was raised,while Bcl-2 level declined.When the caspase inhibitor was added to the synovial cells treated with anti-DR5 mAb,it was showed in a dose-dependence inhibition effect,indicating that anti-DR5 mAb inducing apoptosis might be through the caspase pathway.Conclusion:Anti-DR5 mAb could induce synovial cell apoptosis through caspase pathway.And this effect may be related to the protein level of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2.