Objective To prepare liposomes of glycyrrhizic acid, and evaluate its liver targeting property in mice. Methods The liposomes were prepared with conventional rotary-evaporated film-ultrasonication method.The liposomes were injected into the mouse tail vein, and the concentration of glycyrrhizic acid was detected by RP-HPLC.The glycyrrhiz-ic acid injection was taken as control.The targeted indicators, including the relative tissue exposure ( re ) , targeting effi-ciency (te), and index of peak concentration ratio (Ce), were used to evaluate the liver targeting property.Results The re was 1.4, Te of the liposomes was 0.092, and te of the injection was 0.059.The Ce of the liver was 1.59, and the Ce of the blood was 0.99.Conclusion Compared with glycyrrhizic acid injection, the glycyrrhizic acid liposomes show good liv-er-targeting property.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents ; toxicity ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Nurses ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Exposure ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects

OBJECTIVE: To establish Caco-2 (a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line) cell monolayer model and the standard operation procedure for studying and assessing intestinal absorption of chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS: Caco-2 cell monolayer model was established and evaluated by morphology feature using scanning electron microscope, inverted microscope and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay. Additionally, the model was further tested for the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the apparent permeability (Papp) of standard compounds, i.e. propranolol and atenolol, which were the control substances for high and poor transcellular transport marker, respectively. RESULTS: The integrality of cell monolayer, cell differentiation (reflected by expression of alkaline phosphatase and cell monolayer morphology), and the Papp value of standard compounds in the established Caco-2 cell model were satisfactory. All parameters tested were in good agreement with those reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: The established Caco-2 cell model can be used to study the intestinal absorption of orally administrated chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine and their absorption mechanism.

Objective To optimize the extraction process of mixed volatile oil from Forsythiae Fructus, Saposhnikoviae Radix and Magnoliae Flos and inclusion process of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). Methods With yield ratio of volatile oil as evaluation index, single factor experiments were used to study the extraction process of volatile oil;saturated aqueous solution was used, with inclusion rate of volatile oil as index, and orthogonal design was adopted to examine effects of charge ratio of volatile oil and β-CD, inclusion temperature and inclusion time on the inclusion process; X-ray scattering technique, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the inclusion compound. Results The optimum extraction process of volatile oil was soaking fine powder extracted 5 hours with 10 folds the amount of water. The optimum conditions of inclusion process were as follows:mixed ratio of volatile oil (mL) and β-CD (g) was 1:10; inclusion temperature was 50 ℃; the inclusion time was 2 h. X-ray scattering technique, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy proved the inclusion compound had been formed. Conclusion Optimum extraction and inclusion processes are stable and feasible, and can provide research foundation for further research and development of preparation.

Objective To investigate the effects of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)gene in the apoptosis of human trophoblastic cells.Methods The siRNA specific-targeting SHBG gene was transfected into human trophoblastic cells and they were divided into six groups:trophoblasts without transfection in normal control groups(group Ⅰ);transfect liposome in blank control groups(group Ⅱ);transfect nonspecific siRNA in negative control groups(group Ⅲ);transfect SHBG siRNA-Ⅰ,SHBG siRNA-Ⅱ,SHBG siRNA-Ⅲ respectively in trans-fection group(group Ⅳ,Ⅴ,Ⅵ).Hoechst 33258 dying method was used to detect cell apoptosis.SHBG and Caspase-3 mRNA profiling and the level of SHBG and caspase-3 protein were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot.Results There was no statistical significant difference in the gene expression and protein level of SHBG and caspase-3 in group Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ (P >0.05).In Ⅳ,Ⅴ and Ⅵ group,there was no statistical significant difference in the expression level of SHBG and caspase 3 (P >0.05).Compared with group Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ,the a-mount of SHBG gene expression decreased obviously,the caspase-3 mRNA and protein level increased obviously and the trophoblast cell ap-optosis increased markedly (P <0.05).Conclusion Through siRNA interference technology can reduce SHBG gene expression in human trophoblastic cells,and it can lead to excessive apoptosis of human trophoblasts cells.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*

The objective of this study was to explore the effect of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on sensitivity of leukemic cell line HL-60 to NK cell cytotoxicity and its mechanism. The cytotoxicities of NK cells against HL-60 cells were analyzed by LDH releasing assay at different effect-to-target cell ratios (E:T) before and after treated with APS. The gene expression of MHC class I chain-related (MICA) in HL-60 cells before and after APS treatment was assayed with RT-PCR. Protein expression of MICA in HL-60 cells was assayed by flow cytometry before and after treated by APS. The results showed that after treated with APS 15 mg/ml for 48 h, the cytotoxicities of NK cells against HL-60 cells enhanced at different effect-to-target (P < 0.05), and the gene and protein expressions in MICA of HL-60 cells were up-regulated (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the APS can obviously up-regulate the expression of MICA in HL-60 cells, thus enhance sensitivity of HL-60 cells to cytotoxicity of NK cells.
Astragalus Plant ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; metabolism ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology

The paper introduces the manipulation and different clinical application examines of the 4 needling methods, oblique needling, horizontal needling, deep needling and transversal needling summarized by Prof. Wu Lian-zhong on the basis of many years's clinical work.
Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between UNC5b gene expression and angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSIn situ hybridization was performed to detect the expression of UNC5b mRNA in HCC samples, paracarcinomatous liver tissues samples and normal liver samples. The relationship between UNC5b mRNA expression and the HCC clinicopathological features were also analyzed. Human umbilical artery endothelial cells were isolated and stimulated with HCC tissues homogenate, vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Then RT-PCR was employed to detect the expression of UNC5b mRNA in normal HUAEC as well as activated HUAEC.

RESULTSIn situ hybridization results showed that UNC5b mRNA expression was detected majorly in endothelial cells of all normal liver tissues, and partial PCLTs but was weak or even undetectable in endothelial cells of the corresponding HCC tissues. The expression levels of UNC5b gene in PCLTs were significantly correlated with capsular formation of HCC. Furthermore, RT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of UNC5b mRNA in activated HUAEC were significantly higher than those in normal HUAEC.

CONCLUSIONSDown-regulation of UNC5b gene expression is related to angiogenesis of HCC, which may be associated with the progression of HCC.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; genetics ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; genetics ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo analyze the penetrance of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) individuals with mitochondrial DNA 11778 mutation in Shanxi.

METHODSAllele-specific PCR was used to detect mtDNA 11778 mutation in LHON patients and their families.

RESULTSIn 17 families of the 30 families that harbored mtDNA 11778 mutation, only the probands were LHON patients. In the other 13 families, besides the probands, 72 maternal relatives carried mtDNA 11778 mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe penetrance of LHON individuals with mtDNA 11778 mutation in the Shanxi area is 55.6%.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber ; genetics ; Penetrance