OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of tetrandine on gene expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, transformation growth factor-beta1 and to investigate the inhibitory effect of tetrandine on the scar tissue hyperplasia in rabbits' ears.

METHODSAfter the scar model was formed on the rabbits' ears, the rabbits were divided into 4 groups to receive intro-lesion injection with saline, or prednisolone (Pre) or tetrandrine in low concentration (L-Tet, 1.0 mg/ml) or tetrandrine in high concentration (H-Tet, 7.5 mg/ml). The morphological changes of scar tissue were observed. The changes of fibroblasts quantity and collagen expression were observed with HE and Masson staining. Immunohistochemical study was used to observe the expression level of collagen type I and collagen type III and TGF-beta1. Collagen type I and collagen type III and TGF-beta1, and signal factor Smad 3 mRNA were detected with RT-PCR.

RESULTS(1) 24 days after injury, all the wounds healed completely with formation of red, tough and hypertrophic scar. HE and Masson staining showed significant increase of fibroblasts and collagen density with irregularly arrangement. (2) Compared with that in saline group, the scar in other groups became softer, lighter and thinner, especially in H-Tet group. (3) HE and Masson staining shows the scar in Tet and Pre groups contained less fibroblasts and lower collagen dentsity with comparatively regular arrangement than that in saline group (P < 0.01), especially in H-Tet group. (4) According to the immunohistochemical study, the expression of collage type I and III and TGF-beta was positive in all the groups, but the positive rate and the ratio of collagen density I to III decreased in the order of saline, L-Tet, H-Tet and Pre groups (P < 0.01). (5) PT-PCR detection results showed that the amplification bands brightness of collagen type I and III and TGF-beta1 and signal molecular Smad 3 mRNA in scar tissue were obviously different. Compared with that in saline group, the expression of collagen type I and III and TGF-beta1 and Smad 3 mRNA decreased in Tet and Pre groups (P < 0.01). H-Tet group showed the most obvious reduce in the expression of type I collagen and TGF-beta1 and Smad 3 mRNA. Conclusions Tetrandine can significantly suppress the expression of collagen type I and collagen type III and TGF-beta1 on hypertrophic scar of rabbit ears, and reduce signal factor Smad 3 mRNA' s expression. It may be one of the important mechanism for its inhibitory effect on scar hyperplasia.

Animals ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ear ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism

With human chromosomes,as antigen,anti—human—chromosome antibodies (AhChrA)were detected specifically from SLE patients sera by the methods of immunogold—silver staining(IGSS)and immnuofluorescenee tese (IFT)。To SLE,the sensitivity and specificity of serumAhChrA was 58.1%and98.5%respeetively in IGSS,34.9%and99.5%respectively in IFT。Boththe incidence and titer of AhChrA were found to be colsely related to the pathoactivity and thedamages of some important organs or tissues,such as kidney damage,abnormal immunity andhematocytopenia.A preliminary analysis of the antigen components reacting to AhChrA was alsoperformed。

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of 3D-indirectmagnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in detecting meniscustears of the knees.

METHODSForm January 2013 to January 2014, routine plain MR of the knees followed by the 3D-indirect MR arthrography was performed in 42 patients with suspected meniscal tears clinically. There were 31 males and 11 females, with an average age of 38.4 years old (ranged, 21 to 67 years old). The duration of the course ranged from 2 h to 15 d. The clinical symptom was knee pain. All the patients got subsequently arthroscopic examination or operation. The sensitivity and specificity of routine plain MR and 3D-indirect MR arthrography were compared based on the results of arthroscopic examination or operation.

RESULTSThe signal intensity in the area of meniscal tears on image of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was obviously higher than that of routine plain MR. The sensitivity of 3D-indirect MR arthrography was 85.79% (87/102), while the routine plain MR was 52.94% (54/102), and the specificity improved from 67.78%(61/90) to 86.67%(78/90). The difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 25.90, P < 0.01; χ2 = 9.13, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn comparison with the routine plain MR findings, 3D-indirect MR arthrography demonstrates meniscus tears of the knee with the better sensitivity and specificity.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthrography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Knee Injuries ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) on the sodium ion channel currents (I(Na)) of rats' ventricular myocardial cells, and to explore its anti-arrhythmic mechanisms at the ion channel level.

METHODSSingle ventricular myocardial cells was isolated from SD rats. The whole cell patch clamp was used to record the effects of GA on I(Na) of rats' ventricular myocardial cells.

RESULTSGA could inhibit I(Na) of rats' ventricular myocardial cells dose-dependently. GA at 1, 5, and 10 micromol/L decreased I(Na) of rats' ventricular myocardial cells from (-4.26 +/- 0.15) nA to (-3.54 +/- 0.10) nA, (-2.19 +/- 0.09) nA, and (-1.25 +/- 0.08) nA, respectively. GA at 1, 5, and 10 micromol/L inhibited I(Na) by 16.08% +/- 2.3%, 50.82% +/- 3.56%, and 75.98% +/- 5.12%, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). GA at 10 micromol/L shifted I(Na) current-voltage curve more positively, but the activation potential and the peak potential were not changed.

CONCLUSIONGA inhibited the I(Na) of rats' ventricular myocardial cells dose-dependently, which was possibly associated with its antiarrhythmia effects.

Animals ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; pharmacology ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Channels ; drug effects ; physiology

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; GB virus C ; classification ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo determine the mechanism of pseudo-tears of the lateral meniscus caused by the transverse geniculate ligament (TL) and the miniscofemoral ligament(MFL) and to investigate a method to differentiate pseudo-tears from true tear of the lateral meniscus.

METHODSForm June 2012 to February 2014, MR examinations of 72 knees (44 left knees and 28 right knees) without tear of the lateral meniscus verified by arthroscopy were performed in the sagittal and coronal plane. There were 41 males and 31 females in the group, with an average age of 33.7 years old (ranged from 25 to 61). The MR appearance of the TL and the MFL was carefully observed.

RESULTSThere existed fatty tissue in the gap between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and its central tendinous attachment. On the sagittal images, the fatty tissue formed a linear high-signal cleft between the TL and the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. This might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called as pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. In sagittal plane, the MFL was identified as a circle-like or short stick-like area of low signal intensity anterior or posterior to the posterior cruciateligament. Nevertheless, a belt-shaped area of low signal intensity from the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to lateral facet of the medial femoral condyle was identified in the coronal plane. A linear area of high signal intensity between the MFL and the lateral meniscus was found in sagittal plane, which might be mistaken as an oblique tear within the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. It was called pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. The occurrence rate of the TL was 34.7% (25/72). The prevaleribe of pseudo-tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 18 cases. The shape of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was regular, and the course of the pseudo-tears cleft was oblique. The occurrence rate of the MFL was 73.6% (53/72), which included the anterior MFL 23.6% (17/72), the posterior MFL 70.8% (51/72) and the two ligaments coexisted 16.7% (12/72). The prevalence of pseudo-tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was 25 cases. All observed pseudo-tears had either in posteroinferiorly oblique direction (19/25) or in vertical direction (6/25).

CONCLUSIONBased on the location and direction of pseudo-tears and observation in the continuous sagittal plane and the coronal plane, pseudo-tears is easily differentiated from the true tear of the lateral meniscus

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy by Qingying Huoxue Decoction (QHD) combined ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in treating patients with early and mid-term primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). METHODS Totally 78 patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 39 in each group. All patients received basic treatment and took UDCA (at the daily dose of 13-15 mg/kg). Patients in the treatment group took QHD, one dose per day. The treatment course for all was 6 weeks. Clinical efficacy, gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GGT), alkaline phospatase (ALP), TBIL, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS Totally 21 (53. 8%) patients obtained complete response in the treatment group, with statistical difference when compared with that of the control group (11 cases, 30. 8%). Levels of GGT, ALP, ALT, AST, and TBIL decreased in the two groups after treatment (P < 0.01). Levels of ALP, GGT, and TBIL were obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSQHD combined UDCA in treating early and mid-term PBC patients was superior to the effect of using UDCA alone. It also could improve patients' liver function.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; drug therapy ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; therapeutic use ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; metabolism

Objective To improve the conventional method of quantitative assessment of regional cerebral blood flows(rCBF)by a perfusion CT study based on maximal slope model at the general infusion rate(

Objective To observe apelin and its receptor (APJ) expressions in human osteoblasts and evaluate the effect of apelin on osteoblasts.Methods The expressions of apelin and APJ in human osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot.After human osteoblasts were treated with apelin,cell proliferation was measured by [~3H] thymidine incorporation and cell counting.Cell function was measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity,the secreted osteocalcin level and typeⅠcollagen production .The activation of signaling cascades was tested by Western blot.Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to blockade APJ was applied to observe effects of apelin on cell proliferation and the activation of signaling cascades.Results Both apelin and APJ were expressed in human osteoblasts.Apelin increased the proliferation and did not show the influences on ALP activity, osteocalcin secretion and type I collagen production in human osteoblasts.Apelin induced activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) downstream effector (Akt),but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) such as c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p38 and ERK1/2 in human osteoblasts.Suppression of APJ with siRNA or LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) abolished the apelin-induced cell proliferation and the activation of Akt.Conclusion Human osteoblasts express apelin and APJ.Apelin stimulates the proliferation of human osteoblast via APJ/PI3K/Akt pathway,but has no effect on osteoblast differentiation.

The specific inhibition of angiotensin II action at AT(1) receptors by losartan has been shown to decrease peripheral insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients and animal models. We examined the effect of losartan on the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), protein kinase B (PKB) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), as well as the phosphorylation status of IRS-1 and the association between IRS-1 and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in skeletal muscle from fat-fed and-streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, the effects of losartan on GLUT4 translocation in muscle cells and on insulin sensitivity were also evaluated. Muscle tissues were isolated from male losartan-treated and untreated normal or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats with a dose of 4 mg/kg per day for 6 weeks. Oral administration of losartan improved insulin sensitivity, which was determined by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In skeletal muscles, the protein levels of IRS-1, PKB and GLUT4 in NIDDM rats were not significantly different from those of the control rats, and they were not affected by losartan. The levels of IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, PI 3-kinase activity associated with IRS-1 and PKB activation after stimulation with insulin in muscle tissue of NIDDM rats were significantly decreased (P<0.01) compared with those in the control rats, while they were not increased by losartan. Losartan had a major effect on GLUT4 translocation in myocytes, as it significantly increased (P<0.05) the insulin-induced amounts of GLUT4 in plasma membrane (PM) and T-tubules (TT) in myocytes from NIDDM rats. Consistent with these results, the plasma glucose level in losartan-treated NIDDM rats was decreased (P<0.05) compared with that in untreated NIDDM rats. Our results suggest that losartan may exert beneficial effects on insulin resistance by increasing the translocation of GLUT4 in muscle tissue, which is probably associated with a non-PI 3-kinase-dependent mechanism.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; Insulin Resistance ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Monosaccharide Transport Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Muscle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Phosphoproteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley