Objective: To observe the expression of angiotensin II ( Ang II) and its receptors in a rat model of chronic cyclosporine (CsA) nephrotoxicity. Methods: Chronic CsA nephrotoxicity was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by administering CsA (15 mg/kg s. c.) for 4 weeks. The body weight, systolic blood pressure, serum CsA, serum creatinine (Cr), and creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) of rats were examined in each group. Trichrome staining was used to observe the tubulointerstitial fibrosis; expressions of Ang II and its receptors (AT1 and AT2) were examined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting analysis. Results: Compared with the control rats, CsA-treated rats showed decreased body weight, increased Cr, decreased Ccr and tubulointerstitial fibrosis (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the immunoreactivity of Ang II was significantly increased in the CsA-treated rats (47±7 vs 13±4, P < 0.01), with the immunoreactivity mainly locating to the juxtaglomerular afferent arterioles, and the immunoreactivity was significantly correlated with tubulointerstitial fibrosis (r=0. 769, P<0.001). Western blotting analysis showed significantly decreased AT1 expression ([114±14]% vs [42±6]%, P<0.01) and increased AT2 expression ([129±23]% vs [469±43]%, P<0.01). Conclusion: The findings of our study suggest that the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system is activated during chronic CsA nephrotoxicity, which is manifested by increased Ang II immunoreactivity, and this increased immunoreactivity is closely related to tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Bronchial Diseases ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Bronchioles ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of serotonin (5-HTIA) receptors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) on active avoidance learning in rats.

METHODSTotally 36 SD rats were randomly divided into control group, antagonist group and agonist group(n = 12). Active avoidance learning ability of rats was assessed by the shuttle box. The extracellular concentrations of 5-HT in the DG during active avoidance conditioned reflex were measured by microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. Then the antagonist (WAY-100635) or agonist (8-OH-DPAT) of the 5-HT1A receptors were microinjected into the DG region, and the active avoidance learning was measured.

RESULTS(1) During the active avoidance learning, the concentration of 5-HT in the hippocampal DG was significantly increased in the extinction but not establishment in the conditioned reflex, which reached 164.90% ± 26.07% (P <0.05) of basal level. (2) The microinjection of WAY-100635 (an antagonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG did not significantly affect the active avoidance learning. (3) The microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT(an agonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG significantly facilitated the establishment process and inhibited the extinction process during active avoidance conditioned reflex.

CONCLUSIONThe data suggest that activation of 5-HT1A receptors in hipocampal DG may facilitate active avoidance learning and memory in rats.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Avoidance Learning ; Dentate Gyrus ; physiology ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A ; physiology ; Serotonin ; physiology ; Serotonin Receptor Agonists ; pharmacology

Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnosis ; etiology ; genetics ; Child ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Job Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Mutation ; Radiography ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics

OBJECTIVELeukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 (LAD-I) is rare. We present 1 case of LAD-I patient diagnosed by gene analysis. His clinical manifestations and genetic mutation features are analyzed in this article.

METHODThe clinical material of the LAD-I patient who was diagnosed by gene analysis was retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTThe patient was a 2-month-old boy. He had a complaint of recurrent fever and cough for 30 days. Pulmonary CT indicated a small to moderate quantity pleural effusion on the right side. His peripheral blood leukocyte and C-reactive protein (CRP) was always significantly higher than normal. After hospitalization he had diarrheal diseases, routine stool test showed 2 RBC cells/high power (HP), WBC 30 cells/HP, stool cultures were negative, digestive tract ultrasonography showed an array of defects, in the sigmoid colon and rectal mucosa suggestive of ulcerative colitis. He was treated with cefoperazone and sulbactam and vancomycin. He had a history of impetigo in his neonatal period and without delayed umbilical cord exfoliation. His family history was normal. ITGB2 genetic mutation analysis revealed a homozygous mutation (1062A > T). His parents did not participate in this study. He had no fever but had diarrheal disease after 1 month of follow up.

CONCLUSIONThis patient had suffered from impetigo, pleural effusion, diarrheal diseases, markedly increased peripheral white blood cell and ITGB2 genetic mutation analysis showed that homozygous mutation (1062A > T). He received a diagnosis of LAD-I.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Flow Cytometry ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocyte-Adhesion Deficiency Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Muscle Proteins ; genetics ; Pleural Effusion ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Point Mutation ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical therapeutic effect of head point-through-point electroacupuncture on Parkinson's disease and the mechanism.

METHODSSeventy-six cases of Parkinson's disease were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=37) treated with head point-through-point electroacupuncture and oral administration of madopa, and a control group (n=39) with only oral administration of madopa. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipids peroxides (LPO) were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 97.3% in the treatment group and 61.5% in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). SOD activity and LPO content were significantly improved after treatment in the treatment group (P < 0.01), with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHead point-through-point electroacupuncture can improve SOD activity and LPO content in the body so as to cure Parkinson's disease.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxides ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; therapy ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanism of BSDW on the model of allergic rhinitis and the model of guinea pigs by histamine shocking in guinea pigs.

METHODUsing the model of allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs caused by 10% TDI, we observed the effect of BSDW on physiological and pathological symptoms of allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs, the effect of the levels of serum IgE and serum and nasal histamine. Using the model of guinea pigs by histamine shocking, we observed the effect of BSDW on physiological symptoms in guinea pigs.

RESULTBSDW significantly relieved the pathological symptoms of allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs, alleviated the hyperplasia of columnar epithelium, decreased the number of monocyte and eosinocyte compared with the model group. It also reduced the levels of serum IgE, and decreased the release of serum and nasal histamine. BSDW significantly prolonged the occurent time of gasping, eclampsia and death caused by shock, reduced the times of gasping in the model of guinea pigs by histamine shocking.

CONCLUSIONBSDW has significant effect against allergy. The mechanism relates to its effects of decreasing the levels of serum IgE and inhibiting the release of serum and nasal histamine.

Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; pharmacology ; Asarum ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Histamine ; blood ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; immunology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; immunology ; Scutellaria ; chemistry ; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate

OBJECTIVETo observe therapeutic effect of point-through-point acupuncture on cerebellar ataxia after apoplexy and evaluate the safety.

METHODSRandom, parallel control, single blind and multicentral study method was used and 224 cases from 4 hospitals were divided equally into a treatment group and a control group, 112 cases in each group. The treatment group were treated with point-through-point acupuncture and the control group with general needling method. Their symptoms and signs, and the effect on transcranial Doppler's method (TCD) were investigated.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.3% in the treatment group which was better than 77.4% in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01), and the point-through-point acupuncture could significantly improve TCD of basilar artery, vertebral artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (Vs, Vm, Vd, PI, RI), superior to the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe point-through-point acupuncture has obvious therapeutic effect on cerebellar ataxia after apoplexy and good safety.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Humans ; Single-Blind Method ; Stroke ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the predisposing role of HLA-DRB1, DQB1 genes in pemphigus vulgaris (PV).

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-specific sequence primers method was used to type HLA-DRB1, DQB1 subregion in the patients with PV of Han nationality from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces and matched control subjects.

RESULTSDR4, DRB1*14(*1401,*1404,*1405) gene frequencies in PV patients were significantly higher than those in controls (Pc<0.05 and Pc<0.01 respectively). DQB1*0302, DQB1*0503 gene frequencies were significantly higher in PV patients (Pc<0.05). Further typing of DR4 positive subjects revealed that the gene frequencies of DRB1*0406, *0403 were significantly increased in PV patients as compared with controls (Pc<0.05). The haplotype frequencies of HLA-DRB1*04, DQB1*0302 and HLA-DRB1*14, DQB1*0503 in PV patients were significantly higher than those in controls (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that the combination of HLA-DRB1*4, DQB1*0302 and HLA-DRB1*14, DQB1*0503 forms putative susceptible haplotypes for PV patients in Chinese Hans.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; DNA ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HLA-DQ Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DQ beta-Chains ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pemphigus ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Shadu Cao Mixture (SDCM, traditional Chinese medicine) on immune functions of immunosuppression mice.

METHODSFifty BALB/C mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, SDCM low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose group. Except the blank control group, other groups were intraperitoneal injected with cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg) to establish immunosuppression mice model. The blank control group and model group received gavage administration with nonnal saline, while the other groups received gavage administration with different doses of SDCM (10, 20, 40 m/kg for 15 days) respectively. The number of leukocytes and serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood, spleen index, and the function of NK cells were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the model group , SDCM increased the number of leukocytes and serum concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ in peripheral blood and improved the spleen index and the function of NK cells significantly (P < 0.05-0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDCM could remarkably enhance the immune functions of immunosuppression mice induced by cyclophosphamide.

Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Immunosuppression ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Spleen ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood