The aim of this study is to develop the Tripterygium glycosides nanoemulsion gels and investigate its pharmacodynamics. Oleic acid was used as oil phase, polyoxyethylene castor oil as surfaetant, and 1,2-propanediol as cosurfactant to screen the formula of Tripterygium glycoside nanoemulsion using the pseudo-temary phase diagrams. Then the nanoemulsion gels was prepared. The ICR mouse ears were sensitazated by 7% DNCB, and then were excited by 0.3% DNCB to stimulate the model of mouse chronic dermatitis and eczema. The concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-8 in mouse blood were determined by ELISA. The results showed that Tripterygium glycosides nanoemulsion gels could significantly inhibit the swelling of mouse ears(P < 0.01) and ameliorate the edama and erythema of model mouse ears skin. Also it could significantly decrease the expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in model mouse blood. Tripterygium glycosides nanoemulsion gels had a good therapeutic effect on mouse model of dermatitis and eczema. It was expected to provide a new and long-acting exterernal preparation for the treatment of dermatitis and eczema.
Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Dermatitis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Female ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Interleukin-8 ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

ObjectiveTo study the effect of exercise training on β-amyloid polypeptide (Aβ) and β-secretase(BACE) in the hippocampus of the rats with vascular dementia (VD).Methods 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were carried out to an exercise group (n =10 ),a model group (n =10 ),and a sham-operation group ( n =10 ).VD rat models were made by the ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries.Morris water maze test were carried out 4 weeks after the operation to assess the ability in learning and memory of the rats and Aβ and β-secretase (BACE)expression was detected in the hippocampus of the rats using immunohistochemical techniques.ResultsIn the Morris water maze test,the model group showed reduction in the learning and memorizing ability,with obvious longer escape latencies ( ( 101.34 ± 19.67 ) s,(95.42 ± 23.89 ) s,( 89.39 ± 22.67 ) s,( 90.12 ± 19.77 ) s,respective-ly) than that of sham-operation group ( ( 62.13 ± 11.38 ) s,( 24.84 ± 13.69 ) s,( 16.98 ± 12.51 )s,( 11.41 ± 8.93 ) s,correspond-dingly) (P ＜ 0.05 ),and the exercise group was improved in the learning and memorizing ability ( corresponding to ( 80.15 ± 21.56 ) s,( 51.24 ± 20.91 ) s,( 43.78 ± 22.36) s,( 45.67 ± 20.87 ) s ),compared with the model group(P＜0.05).The grey values of Aβ in the hippocampus of the rats for the exercise group was ( 130.12 ± 19.01 ),( 116.77 ± 23.67 ) for the model group and ( 148.44 ± 17.67 ) for the sham-operation group(P＜ 0.05).The grey values of BACE in the hippocampus of the ratsfor the exercise group were( 131.21± 25.25 ),( 120.53± 10.21 ) for the model group(P＜ 0.05 ) and ( 162.38 ± 28.11 ) for the sham-operation group (P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionExercise training can lower the expression of BACE and Aβ in the hippocampus of rats with VD,therefore improving the learning and memory ability of rats with VD.

Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics, surgical treatment effect and prognostic factors of post-operative hypertension in the 2 subtypes of primary aldosteronism (PHA),aldosterone adenoma (APA) and unilateral adrenal hyperplasia (UNAH). Methods In the collection of surgical treatment of PHA from 2002-2009, 135 cases, 68 males and 67 females, with age of 26-79 years (mean, 51 years) were analyzed. Of them, there were 83 APA patients, 52 UNAH cases. All the cases with PHA were with hypertension symptoms and met the preoperative diagnosis criteria. All the patients were performed preoperatively blood biochemical and hormonal tests and CT scans. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathology. All cases undergone adrenal reserved surgery (ASS) and followed-up. According to the postoperative recovery of blood pressure was normal or still in hypertension, Logistic regression analysis and comparison between the 2 groups were carried out,the clinical data of various factors in predicting the role of postoperative blood pressure were considered. Results One hundred and thirty-five patients were operated successfully. The mean follow up was 2. 5± 1.6 years (1-7 years). There were significant decreases in both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure at final follow up compared with those before surgery. Antihypertensive requirement was decreased at final follow-up. Serum aldosterone levels, plasma renin activity and potassium levels were improved significantly. Overall, blood pressure returned to normal in 51 cases(37.8%). Other 84 cases (62.2%) continued with high blood pressure, of whom 58 cases reduced antihypertensive drug use. Patient's age over 49.5 years, hypertension duration over 6. 5 years, family history of hypertension were higher risks of postoperative continuous high blood pressure. Conclusions APA and UNAH are 2 types of PHA with similar performance of patients, surgical treatment effect. ASS can be used in the treatment of these 2 types of disease. Age, hypertension duration, family history of hypertension are independent factors predicting sustained hypertension after surgery.

Objective To investigate the effects of rehabilitation training on hippocampal amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) levels in vascular dementia (VD).Methods Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a rehabilitation group (n =10),a model group (n =10) or a sham-operation group (n =10).An experimental VD model was established in the rats of the first 2 groups by bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligation.The rats in the rehabilitation group then received 1 h of rehabilitation training daily.Learning and memory were assessed at 4 weeks aftet the operation.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect Aβ and IDE expression in the hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG) area.Results The rats in the rehabilitation group showed significantly better learning ability compared with the model group.The expression of Aβ in the rehabilitation group was significantly less than in the model group.The expression of IDE in the rehabilitation group was significantly greater Conclusion Rehabilitation can accelerate the recovery of learning and memory in VD,at least in rats The mechanism is possibly related to decreased accumulation of Aβ in the hippocampus due to up-regulation of the expression of IDE.

Objective To investigate the possible role of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and its advanced gly‐cation end products receptor (RAGE) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) .Methods The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the level of plasma HMGB1 in 52 cases of SLE (SLE group) and 40 healthy females undergoing physical examination (HC group) ,at the same time real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) was employed to detect the expression of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) .The correlation between plasma HMGB1 ,PBMCs HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA levels with clinical indicators was analyzed .Results The levels of plasma HMGB1 ,PBMCs HMGB1 mRNA in the SLE group were significantly higher than those in the HC group ,the differences were statistically significant (P< 0 .05) ,while the level of PBMCs RAGE mRNA had no statistical difference (P>0 .05);the Spearman correlation analysis showed that the level of plasma HMGB1 was positively correlated with antinuclear anti‐bodies titers and SLEDAI score in the SLE patients (P<0 .01) ,while had no obvious correlation with the other clinical and labora‐tory indicators(P>0 .05);the HMGB1 mRNA expression level was positively correlated with the RAGE mRNA expression level and SLEDAI scores(P<0 .01 ,P<0 .05) ,and had no obvious correlation with other clinical and laboratory indicators (P>0 .05) . Conclusion The abnormal expression of plasma HMGB1 and PBMCs HMGB1 mRNA in SLE patients prompts that which might be involved in the occurrence and development of SLE ,might participate in the immune and inflammatory regulation of SLE .

OBJECTIVETo investigate moisture content and hygroscopicity of spray dry powder of Gubi compound's water extract obtained at different spray drying conditions and laying a foundation for spray drying process of Chinese herbal compound preparation.

METHODIn the paper, on the basis of single-factor experiments, the author choose inlet temperature, liquid density, feed rate, air flow rate as investigated factors.

RESULTThe experimental absorption rate-time curve and scanning electron microscopy results showed that under different spray drying conditions the spray-dried powders have different morphology and different adsorption process.

CONCLUSIONAt different spray-dried conditions, the morphology and water content of the powder is different, these differences lead to differences in the adsorption process, at the appropriate inlet temperature and feed rate with a higher sample density and lower air flow rate, in the experimental system the optimum conditions is inlet temperature of 150 degrees C, feed density of 1.05 g x mL(-1), feed rate of 20 mL x min(-1) air flow rate of 30 m3 x h(-1).

Desiccation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Particle Size ; Powders ; chemistry ; Temperature ; Water ; analysis ; Wettability

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)gene susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)by familial studies.Methods PCR-based re- striction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP)was applied to genotype single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) G261T of the ACE gene.A total of 119 patients with SLE from 119 families were recruited.In addition,316 family members of these patients were also genotyped.A family-based association study was carried out to ex- plore the association between gene polymorphism and SLE.We studied the SNP encoding non-synonymous substitution in the ACE gene with respect to genetic susceptibility to SLE.Results Among 119 SLE patients. the frequency of ACEG261TG,T alleles was 44.8%.55.2% respectively,the frequency of ACEG261T GG,GT and TT genotypes was 13.9%,62.0%,24.1% respectively,Univariate(single-marker)family-based association test(FBAT)demonstrated that variant alleles at the SNP,rs4303,exon 5 of ACE gene were significantly asso- ciated with genetic susceptibility to SLE in Additive Model(Z=2.877,P=0.004),Dominant Model(Z=2.557, P=0.011).Recessive Model(Z=2.202,P=0.028).Transmission-disequilibrium test(TDT)and sib transmission -disequilibrium test(STDT)showed an excess of the allele of T from heterozygous parents to affected offspring or higher frequency of the allele of T in the patients than their normal siblings(X~2=11.66,P=0.001).Conclu- sion Our findings suggest that the ACE gene may he the susceptible gene to SLE in Chinese population,and the individuals carrying ACE-261T allele is significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE.

Objective To explore the relationship between size,shape and function of the left atrium appendage (LAA) and its thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to provide evidence for clinical risk assessment,prognosis evaluation and treatment guidance.Method Length,diameter,end-diastolic volume (EDV) and ejection velocity (PEV) of LAA were measured in 41 patients with AF,and thrombus in LAA was detected by TEE.Results Thrombus in LAA was detected in seven of 41 patients of AF (17%).No significant difference in size and EDV was found between the patients with and without thrombus,but there was significant difference in PEV between them (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis in primary astrocytoma.

METHODSThirty-seven primary astrocytomas and 4 astrocytic hyperplasia samples were collected and divided into three groups according to histological grade. The expression of eNOS, VEGF and factor VIII related antigen (FVIIIRAg) were assayed by immunohistochemistry. Microvascular density was assessed by FVIIIRAg immunoreactivity. The intensity of immunoreactivity was graded according to the percentage of positive tumor cells.

RESULTSNo eNOS and VEGF were expressed in the astrocytes and vascular endothelium in astrocytic hyperplasia. The expression of eNOS or VEGF was light in low-grade astrocytoma and strong in glioblastoma. eNOS expression in astrocytoma was very positively correlated with VEGF. eNOS and VEGF expression in anaplastic astrocytoma was median in contrast to the low grade astrocytoma and glioblastoma. Lower microvascular density was found in low grade astrocytoma than that in higher grade malignant ones. The expressions of eNOS and VEGF were correlated with microvascular density and tumor malignancy.

CONCLUSIONThis finding suggests that eNOS and VEGF may have cooperative effect in tumor angiogenesis and play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary astrocytoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astrocytoma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

This study is to explore the activation of the Ca2+/CaM/CaN signal pathway in 5-HT-induced proliferation of rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and the inhibitory effect of m-nisoldipine (m-Nis) on this pathway. PASMCs were cultured with the explant technique. The proliferation of PASMCs was evaluated by MTT assay. Confocal microscopy was used to measure the change of [Ca2+]i. The mRNA expression of CaM and CaN was evaluated by RT-PCR and the activity of CaN was measured according to the instruction of kits. The results of MTT assay suggested that 5-HT (1 micromol x L(-1)) significantly induced the proliferation of rat PASMCs (P < 0.01), which was inhibited obviously by m-Nis (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Similarly, m-Nis inhibited 5-HT-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of CaM, CaN and the activation of CaN were also inhibited by m-Nis at different degrees (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Thus, the results of this study suggested that Ca2+/CaM/CaN signal pathway played an important role in 5-HT-induced proliferation of rat PASMCs, the inhibition of m-Nis on proliferation of rat PASMCs may be related to the blockage of Ca2+/CaM/CaN signal pathway by inhibiting the elevation of [Ca2+]i.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Calcineurin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Calmodulin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nisoldipine ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serotonin ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction